bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bayesian Cross-Validation Comparison of Amino Acid Replacement Models: Contrasting Profile Mixtures, Pairwise Exchangeabilities, and Gamma-Distributed Rates-Across-Sites
Authors: Bujaki Thomas , Rodrigue Nicolas
Published: October 2022

Models of amino acid replacement are central to modern phylogenetic inference, particularly so when dealing with deep evolutionary relationships. Traditionally, a single, empirically derived matrix was utilized, so as to keep the degrees-of-freedom of the inference low, and focused on topology. With the growing size of data sets, however, an amino acid-level general-time-reversible matrix has become increasingly feasible, treating amino acid exchangeabilities and frequencies as free parameters. Moreover, models based on mixtures of multiple matrices are increasingly utilized, in order to account for across-site heterogeneities in amino acid requirements of proteins. Such models exist as finite empirically-derived amino acid profile (or frequency) mixtures, free finite mixtures, as well as free Dirichlet process-based infinite mixtures. All of these approaches are typically combined with a gamma-distributed rates-across-sites model. In spite of the availability of these different aspects to modeling the amino acid replacement process, no study has systematically quantified their relative contributions to their predictive power of real data. Here, we use Bayesian cross-validation to establish a detailed comparison, while activating/deactivating each modeling aspect. For most data sets studied, we find that amino acid mixture models can outrank all single-matrix models, even when the latter include gamma-distributed rates and the former do not. We also find that free finite mixtures consistently outperform empirical finite mixtures. Finally, the Dirichlet process-based mixture model tends to outperform all other approaches.
Serum beta-2 microglobulin as a predictor of nephritis, disease activity, and damage score in systemic lupus erythematosus: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Gamal Dalia Mohamed , Badr Fatma Mohammed , Taha Sara Ibrahim Abd el Fattah , Moustafa Nouran M. , Teama Mohammed Abd El Monem
Published: October 2022

A strong correlation between lupus nephritis (LN), disease activity, and serum beta 2-microglobulin (b2MG) was observed. The current study examines the correlation between serum b2MG and renal involvement, damage score, and disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. One hundred SLE patients from Ain Shams University Hospital were enrolled and categorized into two groups. Group I had 40 patients with negative b2MG, while Group II had 60 patients with positive b2MG levels. Medical history, clinical examination, and assessing disease activity based on SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI-2 K), and damage score were recorded for all patients. Laboratory examinations, such as serum b2MG, complete blood count, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine, glomerular filtration rate (GFR), urine analysis, 24 h urinary protein excretion, Antinuclear antibodies (ANA), anti-dsDNA antibody, and serum complement (C3, C4). BUN, 24 h urinary protein, serum creatinine, active urinary sediment, SLEDAI score, and damage score were all elevated in group II compared to group I (p < 0.001). There is a positive correlation between serum b2MG and 24 h urinary protein, BUN, serum creatinine, disease activity, and damage score (p < 0.001), while it was negatively correlated with GFR, C3, and C4 (p < 0.001). Serum b2MG has proven to be a predictor of LN in SLE patients (Sensitivity 92.45%, Specificity 74.47%), also being a predictor of the activity of the disease as well as damage index (Sensitivity 96.67%, Specificity 85%) (Sensitivity 92.45%, Specificity 74.47%), respectively. Serum b2MG level can be used as a valuable predictor for LN, clinical disease activity, and damage score.
Energy use, growth and survival of coral reef snapper larvae reared at elevated temperatures
Authors: McMahon Shannon J. , Munday Philip L. , Donelson Jennifer M.
Published: October 2022

The success of individuals during the pelagic larval phase is critical to maintaining healthy and viable populations of coral reef fishes; however, it is also the most environmentally sensitive and energetically demanding life stage. Climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of marine heatwaves, which could have significant effects on the development and survival of larval coral reef fishes. However, little is known about how the larvae of pelagic-spawning coral reef fishes will be affected due to the difficulty of spawning and rearing these species in captivity. In this study, we tested how elevated temperatures, similar to those occurring during a marine heatwave, affected the yolk utilization, growth, and survival of larval, Lutjanus carponotatus, a common mesopredatory fish on Indo-west Pacific coral reefs. Eggs and larvae were reared at a current-day average summer temperature (28.5 °C) and two elevated temperatures (30 °C and 31.5 °C) until 14 d post-hatch (dph). Larvae in the elevated temperatures depleted their yolk reserves 39% faster than at the control temperature. The standard length of larvae was 55% (30 °C) and 92% (31.5 °C) longer in the elevated temperature treatments than the control temperature at 14 dph. Conversely, survival of larvae was 54% (30 °C) and 68% (31.5 °C) lower at elevated temperatures compared with the control temperature. This study provides new insights as to how the early life stages of coral reef fishes could be affected by ocean warming and marine heatwaves, with implications for their population dynamics.
Erste Ergebnisse der Evaluation eines digitalen Rollators
Authors: Dupret Ina , Gräske Johannes , Venn Rebecca , Renaud Dagmar
Published: October 2022

Hintergrund

Zur Kompensation physiologischer Einschränkungen und zum Erhalt der Mobilität im Alter werden bevorzugt Rollatoren genutzt. Allerdings können Hindernisse der Umgebung oder die eingeschränkte Wahrnehmung von Sturzgefahren zu Sturzereignissen führen.

Ziel der Arbeit

Im Rahmen einer Studie wird eine Elektronikbox evaluiert, mit deren Hilfe herkömmliche Rollatoren mit verschiedenen technischen Assistenzsystemen (z. B. Hilferuf an Kontaktpersonen, Sturzerkennung) ergänzt werden (DigiRoll). Die Elektronikbox wurde in der Pilotphase der Studie mit dem Ziel der Weiterentwicklung auf ihre Alltagstauglichkeit getestet.

Methodik

In einem qualitativen Design wurde der DigiRoll in einer Pilotphase mit 10 Teilnehmenden getestet. Die Personen wurden sowohl in Fokusgruppen als auch Einzelinterviews befragt. Zusätzlich erfolgten ethnografische Beobachtungen. Die Auswertung erfolgte qualitativ inhaltsanalytisch.

Ergebnisse

Die Proband:innen zeigten ein großes Interesse an der Entwicklung der Assistenzsysteme zur Steigerung des Sicherheitsgefühls, zugleich wurde die Notwendigkeit der Anpassung des DigiRoll an individuelle Bedarfe deutlich, in Abhängigkeit von der Wohnsituation, der Art der Beeinträchtigung und den persönlichen Lebensgewohnheiten.

Diskussion

Der DigiRoll hat das Potenzial, Menschen mit eingeschränkter Mobilität nachhaltig zu unterstützen, indem er das Sicherheitsgefühl der Nutzer:innen erhöht. Weitere Kontextfaktoren wie der Zugang zu geeigneten Rollatoren und sicheren Gehwegen können nicht durch den DigiRoll beeinflusst werden.
Cardiomyocyte p38 MAPKα suppresses a heart–adipose tissue–neutrophil crosstalk in heart failure development
Authors: Bottermann Katharina , Kalfhues Lisa , Nederlof Rianne , Hemmers Anne , Leitner Lucia M. , Oenarto Vici , Nemmer Jana , Pfeffer Mirjam , Raje Vidisha , Deenen Rene , Petzsch Patrick , Zabri Heba , Köhrer Karl , Reichert Andreas S. , Grandoch Maria , Fischer Jens W. , Herebian Diran , Stegbauer Johannes , Harris Thurl E. , Gödecke Axel
Published: October 2022

Although p38 MAP Kinase α (p38 MAPKα) is generally accepted to play a central role in the cardiac stress response, to date its function in maladaptive cardiac hypertrophy is still not unambiguously defined. To induce a pathological type of cardiac hypertrophy we infused angiotensin II (AngII) for 2 days via osmotic mini pumps in control and tamoxifen-inducible, cardiomyocyte (CM)-specific p38 MAPKα KO mice (iCMp38αKO) and assessed cardiac function by echocardiography, complemented by transcriptomic, histological, and immune cell analysis. AngII treatment after inactivation of p38 MAPKα in CM results in left ventricular (LV) dilatation within 48 h (EDV: BL: 83.8 ± 22.5 µl, 48 h AngII: 109.7 ± 14.6 µl) and an ectopic lipid deposition in cardiomyocytes, reflecting a metabolic dysfunction in pressure overload (PO). This was accompanied by a concerted downregulation of transcripts for oxidative phosphorylation, TCA cycle, and fatty acid metabolism. Cardiac inflammation involving neutrophils, macrophages, B- and T-cells was significantly enhanced. Inhibition of adipose tissue lipolysis by the small molecule inhibitor of adipocytetriglyceride lipase (ATGL) Atglistatin reduced cardiac lipid accumulation by 70% and neutrophil infiltration by 30% and went along with an improved cardiac function. Direct targeting of neutrophils by means of anti Ly6G-antibody administration in vivo led to a reduced LV dilation in iCMp38αKO mice and an improved systolic function (EF: 39.27 ± 14%). Thus, adipose tissue lipolysis and CM lipid accumulation augmented cardiac inflammation in iCMp38αKO mice. Neutrophils, in particular, triggered the rapid left ventricular dilatation. We provide the first evidence that p38 MAPKα acts as an essential switch in cardiac adaptation to PO by mitigating metabolic dysfunction and inflammation. Moreover, we identified a heart–adipose tissue–immune cell crosstalk, which might serve as new therapeutic target in cardiac pathologies.
Characterization of structural and functional network organization after focal prefrontal lesions in humans in proof of principle study
Authors: Noonan Maryann P. , Geddes Maiya R. , Mars Rogier B. , Fellows Lesley K.
Published: October 2022

Lesion research classically maps behavioral effects of focal damage to the directly injured brain region. However, such damage can also have distant effects that can be assessed with modern imaging methods. Furthermore, the combination and comparison of imaging methods in a lesion model may shed light on the biological basis of structural and functional networks in the healthy brain. We characterized network organization assessed with multiple MRI imaging modalities in 13 patients with chronic focal damage affecting either superior or inferior frontal gyrus (SFG, IFG) and 18 demographically matched healthy Controls. We first defined structural and functional network parameters in Controls and then investigated grey matter (GM) and white matter (WM) differences between patients and Controls. Finally, we examined the differences in functional coupling to large-scale resting state networks (RSNs). The results suggest lesions are associated with widespread within-network GM loss at distal sites, yet leave WM and RSNs relatively preserved. Lesions to either prefrontal region also had a similar relative level of impact on structural and functional networks. The findings provide initial evidence for causal contributions of specific prefrontal regions to brain networks in humans that will ultimately help to refine models of the human brain.
The Brown measure of the free multiplicative Brownian motion
Authors: Driver Bruce K. , Hall Brian , Kemp Todd
Published: October 2022

The free multiplicative Brownian motion $$b_{t}$$

b
t

is the large-N limit of the Brownian motion on $$\mathsf {GL}(N;\mathbb {C}),$$

GL
(
N
;
C
)
,

in the sense of $$*$$

∗

-distributions. The natural candidate for the large-N limit of the empirical distribution of eigenvalues is thus the Brown measure of $$b_{t}$$

b
t

. In previous work, the second and third authors showed that this Brown measure is supported in the closure of a region $$\Sigma _{t}$$

Σ
t

that appeared in the work of Biane. In the present paper, we compute the Brown measure completely. It has a continuous density $$W_{t}$$

W
t

on $$\overline{\Sigma }_{t},$$

Σ
¯

t

,

which is strictly positive and real analytic on $$\Sigma _{t}$$

Σ
t

. This density has a simple form in polar coordinates: $$\begin{aligned} W_{t}(r,\theta )=\frac{1}{r^{2}}w_{t}(\theta ), \end{aligned}$$

W
t

(
r
,
θ
)

=

1

r
2

w
t

(
θ
)

,

where $$w_{t}$$

w
t

is an analytic function determined by the geometry of the region $$\Sigma _{t}$$

Σ
t

. We show also that the spectral measure of free unitary Brownian motion $$u_{t}$$

u
t

is a “shadow” of the Brown measure of $$b_{t}$$

b
t

, precisely mirroring the relationship between the circular and semicircular laws. We develop several new methods, based on stochastic differential equations and PDE, to prove these results.
Bariatric surgery prevents carotid wall thickness progression
Authors: Lunger Lukas , Melmer Andreas , Sturm Wolfgang , Lamina Claudia , Tschoner Alexander , Engl Julia , Hönlinger Armin , Engler Clemens , Willeit Peter , Kiechl Stefan , Willeit Johann , Öfner Dietmar , Wykypiel Heinz , Laimer Markus , Tilg Herbert , Ebenbichler Christoph
Published: October 2022

Background

Bariatric surgery is a treatment option for patients with severe obesity and improves parameters of cardiovascular and/or metabolic disease. Carotid intima media thickness (C-IMT) is a surrogate measure of subclinical atherosclerosis. Previous studies showed short to mid-term arrest and even regression of C‑IMT progression following bariatric surgery. We aimed to investigate the long-term effect of weight loss on C‑IMT progression 10 years after bariatric surgery in comparison to a population-based control cohort.

Methods

In total, 21 eligible patients were examined preoperatively, at 5 and 10 years after bariatric surgery. Anthropometric parameters, plasma triglycerides, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), insulin, and glucose were assessed at all three study visits. C‑IMT was measured via B‑mode scans of the common carotid artery. C‑IMT progression was measured in an age-matched and BMI-matched cohort selected from the population-based Bruneck study to compare with changes in C‑IMT progression after bariatric surgery.

Results

C‑IMT remained stable over the 10-year observation period after bariatric surgery. The control cohort showed a significant C‑IMT progression over 10 years. The difference in C‑IMT progression over 10 years was significant (p < 0.01) between both cohorts.

Conclusion

Weight loss induced by bariatric surgery halts the natural progression of C‑IMT over a 10-year observation period.
A Riemann–Hilbert approach to the modified Camassa–Holm equation with step-like boundary conditions
Authors: Karpenko Iryna , Shepelsky Dmitry , Teschl Gerald
Published: October 2022

The paper aims at developing the Riemann–Hilbert (RH) approach for the modified Camassa–Holm (mCH) equation on the line with non-zero boundary conditions, in the case when the solution is assumed to approach two different constants at different sides of the line. We present detailed properties of spectral functions associated with the initial data for the Cauchy problem for the mCH equation and obtain a representation for the solution of this problem in terms of the solution of an associated RH problem.
The impact of cerebral vasomotor reactivity on cerebrovascular diseases and cognitive impairment
Authors: Sforza Michela , Bianchini Edoardo , Alivernini Diletta , Salvetti Marco , Pontieri Francesco E. , Sette Giuliano
Published: October 2022

The regulation of cerebral blood flow (CBF) is a complex and tightly controlled function ensuring delivery of oxygen and nutrients and removal of metabolic wastes from brain tissue. Cerebral vasoreactivity (CVR) refers to the ability of the nervous system to regulate CBF according to metabolic demands or changes in the microenvironment. This can be assessed through a variety of nuclear medicine and imaging techniques and protocols. Several studies have investigated the association of CVR with physiological and pathological conditions, with particular reference to the relationship with cognitive impairment and cerebrovascular disorders (CVD). A better understanding of the interaction between CVR and cognitive dysfunction in chronic and particularly acute CVD could help improving treatment and rehabilitation strategies in these patients. In this paper, we reviewed current knowledge on CVR alterations in the context of acute and chronic CVD and cognitive dysfunction. Alterations in CVR and hemodynamics have been described in patients with both neurodegenerative and vascular cognitive impairment, and the severity of these alterations seems to correlate with CVR derailment. Furthermore, an increased risk of cognitive impairment progression has been associated with alterations in CVR parameters and hemodynamics. Few studies have investigated these associations in acute cerebrovascular disorders and the results are inconsistent; thus, further research on this topic is encouraged.
Die psychoonkologische Versorgungssituation von Patienten mit Weichteilsarkomen
Authors: Eichler Martin , Singer Susanne , Hentschel Leopold , Hornemann Beate , Hohenberger Peter , Kasper Bernd , Andreou Dimosthenis , Pink Daniel , Zapata Bonilla Sergio A. , Fried Marius , Arndt Karin , Bornhäuser Martin , Schmitt Jochen , Schuler Markus K.
Published: October 2022

Hintergrund

Es existieren keine Studien zur Inanspruchnahme psychoonkologischer Angebote durch Weichteilsarkompatienten in Deutschland. Ziel war es deshalb, die Häufigkeit der Inanspruchnahme psychoonkologischer Angebote im Krankenhaus in dieser Gruppe zu ermitteln und damit assoziierte Faktoren zu untersuchen.

Methode

Die Kohortenstudie PROSa (Krankheitslast und Versorgungssituation bei Sarkomen) wurde zwischen 2017 und 2020 in 39 deutschen Studienzentren durchgeführt. Für die vorliegende Analyse wurden Querschnittsdaten von erwachsenen Weichteilsarkompatienten ausgewertet. Faktoren auf Patienten- wie auf Einrichtungsebene wurden als mögliche Prädiktoren der Inanspruchnahme psychoonkologischer Beratung mittels logistischer Regression in einem verallgemeinerten linearen gemischten Modell exploriert.

Resultate

Bei 910 teilnehmenden Patienten lagen von 576 (63,3 %) Angaben zur Inanspruchnahme vor. 212 Patienten (unter Einbeziehung der fehlenden Angaben 23,3 %, ohne diese 36,7 %) nahmen psychoonkologische Angebote in Anspruch. Negativ mit der Inanspruchnahme assoziiert waren männliches (vs. weibliches) Geschlecht (Odds Ratio [OR] 0,62) und höheres Alter (18–< 40 Jahre vs. 65–< 75 Jahre: OR 0,32; 18–< 40 Jahre vs. ≥ 75 Jahre: OR 0,19). Positiv assoziiert waren Bildungsgrad (Abitur vs. Haupt‑/Volksschulabschluss [OR 2,01]) und Grading (High-grade-Tumoren vs. „low-grade“ [OR 4,41]). Wenn Psychoonkologen am Tumorboard beteiligt waren, war die Inanspruchnahme deutlich höher (OR 6,69).

Konklusion

Frauen, jüngere Personen, Patienten mit höherer Bildung und fortgeschrittenem Krankheitsstadium nehmen häufiger psychoonkologische Versorgung in Anspruch. Ein struktureller Faktor für eine erhöhte Inanspruchnahme ist die Beteiligung der Psychoonkologie am Tumorboard.
A calculus for modular loop acceleration and non-termination proofs
Authors: Frohn Florian , Fuhs Carsten
Published: October 2022

Loop acceleration can be used to prove safety, reachability, runtime bounds, and (non-)termination of programs. To this end, a variety of acceleration techniques have been proposed. However, so far all of them have been monolithic, i.e., a single loop could not be accelerated using a combination of several different acceleration techniques. In contrast, we present a calculus that allows for combining acceleration techniques in a modular way and we show how to integrate many existing acceleration techniques into our calculus. Moreover, we propose two novel acceleration techniques that can be incorporated into our calculus seamlessly. Some of these acceleration techniques apply only to non-terminating loops. Thus, combining them with our novel calculus results in a new, modular approach for proving non-termination. An empirical evaluation demonstrates the applicability of our approach, both for loop acceleration and for proving non-termination.
The growth of abelian sections
Authors: Sabatini Luca
Published: October 2022

Given an abstract group G, we study the function $$ab_n(G) := \sup _{|G:H| \le n} |H/[H,H]|$$

a

b
n

(
G
)

:
=

sup

|
G
:
H
|
≤
n

|
H
/

[
H
,
H
]

|

. If G has no abelian composition factors, then $$ab_n(G)$$

a

b
n

(
G
)

is bounded by a polynomial: as a consequence, we find a sharp upper bound for the representation growth of these groups.
Sequestration of cucurbitacins from cucumber plants by Diabrotica balteata larvae provides little protection against biological control agents
Authors: Bruno Pamela , Arce Carla C. M. , Machado Ricardo A. R. , Besomi Gaia , Spescha Anna , Glauser Gaétan , Jaccard Charlyne , Benrey Betty , Turlings Ted C. J.
Published: October 2022

Cucurbitaceae plants produce cucurbitacins, bitter triterpenoids, to protect themselves against various insects and pathogens. Adult banded cucumber beetles (Diabrotica balteata), a common pest of maize and cucurbits, sequester cucurbitacins, presumably as a defensive mechanism against their natural enemies, which might reduce the efficacy of biological control agents. Whether the larvae also sequester and are protected by cucurbitacins is unclear. We profiled cucurbitacin levels in four varieties of cucumber, Cucumis sativus, and in larvae fed on these varieties. Then, we evaluated larval growth and resistance against common biocontrol organisms including insect predators, entomopathogenic nematodes, fungi and bacteria. We found considerable qualitative and quantitative differences in the cucurbitacin levels of the four cucumber varieties. While two varieties were fully impaired in their production, the other two accumulated high levels of cucurbitacins. We also observed that D. balteata larvae sequester and metabolize cucurbitacins, and although the larvae fed extensively on both belowground and aboveground tissues, the sequestered cucurbitacins were mainly derived from belowground tissues. Cucurbitacins had no detrimental effects on larval performance and, surprisingly, did not provide protection against any of the natural enemies evaluated. Our results show that D. balteata larvae can indeed sequester and transform cucurbitacins, but sequestered cucurbitacins do not impact the biocontrol potential of common natural enemies used in biocontrol. Hence, this plant trait should be conserved in plant breeding programs, as it has been demonstrated in previous studies that it can provide protection against plant pathogens and generalist insects.
Cyber Threat Intelligence Sharing Scheme Based on Federated Learning for Network Intrusion Detection
Authors: Sarhan Mohanad , Layeghy Siamak , Moustafa Nour , Portmann Marius
Published: October 2022

The uses of machine learning (ML) technologies in the detection of network attacks have been proven to be effective when designed and evaluated using data samples originating from the same organisational network. However, it has been very challenging to design an ML-based detection system using heterogeneous network data samples originating from different sources and organisations. This is mainly due to privacy concerns and the lack of a universal format of datasets. In this paper, we propose a collaborative cyber threat intelligence sharing scheme to allow multiple organisations to join forces in the design, training, and evaluation of a robust ML-based network intrusion detection system. The threat intelligence sharing scheme utilises two critical aspects for its application; the availability of network data traffic in a common format to allow for the extraction of meaningful patterns across data sources and the adoption of a federated learning mechanism to avoid the necessity of sharing sensitive users’ information between organisations. As a result, each organisation benefits from the intelligence of other organisations while maintaining the privacy of its data internally. In this paper, the framework has been designed and evaluated using two key datasets in a NetFlow format known as NF-UNSW-NB15-v2 and NF-BoT-IoT-v2. In addition, two other common scenarios are considered in the evaluation process; a centralised training method where local data samples are directly shared with other organisations and a localised training method where no threat intelligence is shared. The results demonstrate the efficiency and effectiveness of the proposed framework by designing a universal ML model effectively classifying various benign and intrusive traffic types originating from multiple organisations without the need for inter-organisational data exchange.
What learning Latin verbal morphology tells us about morphological theory
Authors: Kodner Jordan
Published: October 2022

The Classical Latin verb has featured prominently in theoretical morphology. In particular, the notoriously unpredictable forms of the past participles that nevertheless show reliable syncretism with a semantically diverse set of deverbals challenge our notions about the relationship between form and meaning. The various treatments of this system disagree not only in their theoretical building blocks but also in their basic assumptions about what ought to be explained, which makes it difficult to properly evaluate them against one another. This paper aims to empirically motivate the prior assumptions about productivity and arbitrariness that drive these accounts. In applying insights developed for child language acquisition to a large Latin corpus, the theoretical frameworks are compared on equal footing. It becomes clear that the productive past participle forms do not line up well with the frequency-based assumptions of prior accounts and instead mirror the diachronic developments that the system underwent on its path to Romance. A new treatment is proposed to incorporate the acquisition results and to conform with diachronic outcomes. The methods developed here reveal explanatory gaps in the theories that had not previously been appreciated and emphasize the importance of quantitative evidence from a range of sources in future morphological analysis.
First detection of emerging HoBi-like Pestivirus (BVD-3) among some persistently infected dairy cattle herds in Egypt
Authors: Afify Ahmed F. , Hassanien Rabab T. , Abdelmegeed Hala K. , Abouelyazeed Ebtsam A. , Ali M. H. , Abdelwahed Dina A. , Behour Tahani S.
Published: October 2022

Bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) is a serious veterinary health concern worldwide. We conducted this study to determine the prevalence of persistent infections (PI) and identify the current strain among some dairy cattle herds in Egypt. A total of 240 serum samples were collected from six Egyptian provinces. Between 2019 and 2020, samples were tested by Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for detection of PI animals, and then molecular characterization was performed. Six calves were found PI with a prevalence of 2.5% (6/240). Using molecular characterization, HoBi-like Pestivirus (BVD-3) was successfully identified in Egypt for the first time. Based on the BVD-3 reference strains on Genbank, the detected strains had an identity ranging from 98.8 to 99.6%. Partial nucleotide sequence of the 5′UTR gene for six tested samples was submitted to Genbank with accessions: OM324396, OM324397, OM324398, OM324399, OM3243100, and OM3243101.
Epiplastic microhabitats for epibenthic organisms: a new inland water frontier for diatoms
Authors: Taurozzi Davide , Cesarini Giulia , Scalici Massimiliano
Published: October 2022

Plastic pollution is widespread in each type of ecosystems. However, the colonization events of microorganisms on plastics seem to be neglected in inland waters. Therefore, in this study we analyze the possible colonization on the surface (hereafter epiplastic microhabitats) of two typology of plastic supports by diatom community. Specifically, we located 20 supports in expanded polystyrene and 20 in polyethylene terephthalate both floating and dipped (~ 1 m) in a central Italian shallow water pond, in order to evaluate the diachronic colonization of diatoms from November 2019 to August 2020. Our result showed the tendency in colonizing both epiplastic microhabitats without significant differences in number of species; additionally, depth does not appear to affect the number of species. As regard the temporal colonization, the number of species tends to increase over time from autumn-winter to spring-summer in both types of epiplastic microhabitats and depth. Instead, increase in dominance of some species over time has been demonstrated: only a few species keep a high number of individuals compared to the others; therefore, the number of individuals within the species is not uniformly distributed. These results suggest the tendency of diatom community to colonize plastic supports in lentic waters, and this evidence can be very important because artificial supports can increase the surface available for the settlement of the algae community with an increase of productivity and the colonization of new communities of different taxa. Further studies are mandatory to investigate the possible effects on the epiplastic community and the ecological implications in freshwater environments.
Occurrence of organic pollutants in the River Itchen and River Test—two chalk streams in Southern England, UK
Authors: Robinson Rosamund F. A. , Mills Graham A. , Gravell Anthony , Schumacher Melanie , Fones Gary R.
Published: October 2022

The River Itchen and River Test, two chalk streams in Southern England, are sites of special scientific interest. These ecosystems face a number of environmental pressures from anthropogenic inputs of organic pollutants. Hence, we investigated the occurrence of these chemicals within the two catchments. Spot water samples (1 L) were collected at nineteen sites along the catchment on two occasions (March and June 2019). Samples were extracted (HLB-L sorbent disks) and analysed using high-resolution liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Compounds were identified against commercially available databases. Using this approach, we found 115 pharmaceutical and personal care products, 81 plant protection products and 35 industrial chemicals. This complex mixture of pollutants covered a range of physico-chemical properties and included priority substances in the EU Water Framework Directive or currently on the third Watch List. Both rivers had similar chemical profiles for both months. Herbicides and fungicides were dominant in the spring, whereas insecticides occurred more frequently in the summer. Point discharges from wastewater treatment plants were the main source of pharmaceutical and personal care products. Agricultural activities were the main contributor to the presence of plant protection products. The impact of these organic chemicals on the ecology, particularly on macroinvertebrate biodiversity, is unknown and warrants further investigation. Our suspect screening approach could guide future toxicological investigations to assess the environmental impacts of these diverse chemicals.
Lack of Awareness, Body Confidence and Connotations of Sex: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis of Barriers Affecting the Decision to Attend Initial Cervical Cancer Screening
Authors: Brook-Rowland Phoebe , Finlay Katherine A.
Published: October 2022

This study sought to understand how cervical cancer screening (CCS) awareness, sexual connotations and body image influenced the likelihood of CCS uptake in women yet to attend. Eleven females, aged 23–24, yet to attend CCS, were purposefully sampled. Interview transcripts were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis, generating three superordinate themes: (1) building screening expectations, (2) confronting sexual connotations and (3) growing pains. Findings demonstrated how a lack of awareness of CCS and the sexual connotations implicit in CCS acted as a barrier to attendance, exacerbated by negative body image comparisons between oneself and online or social media-based images. The perceived sexual connotations of CCS, and the resulting embarrassment, bolsters the case for self-screening, removing the need to attend clinic screening appointments. Reconceptualising screening using a theoretical model of the relationship between body image disturbances and body-focused screening behaviours among women, could lead to the development of pro-screening social media interventions.
Is the Effect of Environmental Attitudes on Behavior Driven Solely by Unobserved Heterogeneity?
Authors: Andersen Henrik Kenneth , Mayerl Jochen
Published: October 2022

A large body of research exists investigating the link between environmental attitudes and behavior. Many empirical studies have found modest positive effects, suggesting that attitudes toward the environment might indeed influence environmental behavior. However, most of the previous empirical work is cross-sectional and correlational in nature. This means that the issue of the causal effect of environmental attitudes on behavior is far from settled, and that the relationships observed in the past may be due to unobserved confounders. In a panel study using six waves of the GESIS Panel Survey, we examine the individual-level effect of changes in one’s attitudes on changes in different forms of environmental behavior. We use fixed effects panel regression within the structural equation modeling framework to control for unobserved time-invariant confounders, while also tackling other methodological challenges. We find that environmental attitudes have no effect on behavior after controlling for unobserved confounders. However, there is a robust effect of attitudes on willingness to sacrifice. This suggests that creating more positive attitudes might make individuals more willing to accept sacrifices for environmental protection.
The Use of Fi-Index Tool to Assess Per-manuscript Self-citations
Authors: Fiorillo Luca , Cicciù Marco
Published: October 2022

Bibliometric parameters are now increasingly used in the evaluation of scientific research and researchers/authors. Over the years, different indices have been taken into consideration with the aim of “quantifying” different authors. A new index was recently defined, the Fi-index, with the aim of evaluate how much the h-index of a given author is influenced by his self-citations. The purpose of this work is to apply the Fi-index, not to the entire career of the author, as normally happens, but to the single paper in course of publication, so as to verify or certify that a specific manuscript does not affect the h-index or citations from the single author or authors. Fi-index tool score measure the impact of a paper on author career and it is obtained by a simple calculation that could be made with an online tool (www.fident.eu/fidentresearch/fiindextool). The use of fi-index tool could be useful as a guarantee parameter on a specific manuscript, obviously provided that a particular author could have a scientific research trend. It is hoped that this index will be used on a large scale for scientific publications affected by bibliometric parameters.
Harmonic Archimedean and hyperbolic spirallikeness
Authors: Kanas S.
Published: October 2022

We define a harmonic functions called Archimedean spirallike and hyperbolic spirallike functions. We investigate their geometric and analytic properties. Some examples are provided.
Transferrin-modified chitosan nanoparticles for targeted nose-to-brain delivery of proteins
Authors: Gabold Bettina , Adams Friederike , Brameyer Sophie , Jung Kirsten , Ried Christian L. , Merdan Thomas , Merkel Olivia M.
Published: October 2022

Nose-to-brain delivery presents a promising alternative route compared to classical blood–brain barrier passage, especially for the delivery of high molecular weight drugs. In general, macromolecules are rapidly degraded in physiological environment. Therefore, nanoparticulate systems can be used to protect biomolecules from premature degradation. Furthermore, targeting ligands on the surface of nanoparticles are able to improve bioavailability by enhancing cellular uptake due to specific binding and longer residence time. In this work, transferrin-decorated chitosan nanoparticles are used to evaluate the passage of a model protein through the nasal epithelial barrier in vitro. It was demonstrated that strain-promoted azide–alkyne cycloaddition reaction can be utilized to attach a functional group to both transferrin and chitosan enabling a rapid covalent surface-conjugation under mild reaction conditions after chitosan nanoparticle preparation. The intactness of transferrin and its binding efficiency were confirmed via SDS-PAGE and SPR measurements. Resulting transferrin-decorated nanoparticles exhibited a size of about 110–150 nm with a positive surface potential. Nanoparticles with the highest amount of surface bound targeting ligand also displayed the highest cellular uptake into a human nasal epithelial cell line (RPMI 2650). In an air–liquid interface co-culture model with glioblastoma cells (U87), transferrin-decorated nanoparticles showed a faster passage through the epithelial cell layer as well as increased cellular uptake into glioblastoma cells. These findings demonstrate the beneficial characteristics of a specific targeting ligand. With this chemical and technological formulation concept, a variety of targeting ligands can be attached to the surface after nanoparticle formation while maintaining cargo integrity.

Graphical abstract
Prestressed concrete bridge tested to failure: the Alveo Vecchio viaduct case study
Authors: Tonelli D. , Rossi F. , Brighenti F. , Verzobio A. , Bonelli A. , Zonta D.
Published: October 2022

The number of bridges approaching or exceeding their initial design life has been increasing dramatically. Meanwhile, bridges are withstanding an ever-increasing traffic volume, both in number and weight of vehicles. Analytical and numerical models can predict bridges’ response to traffic loads and their ultimate capacity with low uncertainties; however, such uncertainties increase as bridges age due to deterioration mechanisms. Non-destructive tests of material specimens and full-scale load tests allow for updating structural models and predicting bridges’ responses with higher accuracy. On-site load tests with different load levels provide different information on the bridge behaviour (e.g., elastic response, first-crack load, and ultimate capacity), which impact the model updating differently. This paper compares the observed response of the Alveo Vecchio viaduct, a prestressed concrete (PC) bridge subjected to a controlled load test up to its failure, with its predicted response provided by four structural models. The observed response is measured by an extensive structural health monitoring system, while the structural models are developed with different levels of refinement and uncertainty in the input parameters. This study gives an insight into the ultimate load-carrying capacity of existing PC bridges and their behaviour during a whole load test to failure. The results show that the load-carry capacity of the Alveo Vecchio viaduct is almost four times higher than the design load; likely, many other Italian highway bridges with similar structural characteristics have a similar capacity.
A Review of Aggregates for Land Transport Infrastructure in New Zealand
Authors: Wilson Doug , Kieu Minh , Sheng Mingyue Selena , Sreenivasan Ajith , Ivory Vivienne , Sharp Basil
Published: October 2022

Aggregates are an important non-renewable resource and the primary raw material for land transport and building infrastructure. New Zealand as a country has an abundant endowment of rock minerals suitable for aggregate for the construction, maintenance, and recycling of public and private infrastructure. However, due to a deficit in infrastructure planning and development for a number of decades, strong population growth in many areas and much of New Zealand’s public infrastructure is coming to the end of its useful and/or economic life — there is an increasing demand for aggregates in many regions of New Zealand. Some regions of New Zealand have difficulties sourcing appropriate materials locally for infrastructure purposes, and there are increasing sensitivities to the extraction of aggregates from communities and iwi/hapu (tribes) who have experienced and seen the effects of poor industry extraction and environmental practices and the lack of monitoring and regulation of consent conditions. Little appropriate data is currently available either nationally or within regions to sustainably plan, manage, use and reuse/recycle aggregates for various public or private infrastructure and therefore to enable the forecasting of future aggregate demand. This paper develops a better understanding of the supply and demand issues both nationally and within regions with the aim of informing a future aggregate strategy to better manage aggregate resources. The paper reviews New Zealand and international literature, reviews aggregate and land use consent data, and evaluates novel methods of EROAD truck transponder data to evaluate aggregate haul distances. Finally, we provide recommendations on how to better manage aggregate supply and demand in New Zealand.
(2,1)-Fuzzy sets: properties, weighted aggregated operators and their applications to multi-criteria decision-making methods
Authors: Al-shami Tareq M.
Published: October 2022

Orthopair fuzzy sets are fuzzy sets in which every element is represented by a pair of values in the unit interval, one of which refers to membership and the other refers to non-membership. The different types of orthopair fuzzy sets given in the literature are distinguished according to the proposed constrain for membership and non-membership grades. The aim of writing this manuscript is to familiarize a new class of orthopair fuzzy sets called “(2,1)-Fuzzy sets” which are good enough to control some real-life situations. We compare (2,1)-Fuzzy sets with IFSs and some of their celebrated extensions. Then, we put forward the fundamental set of operations for (2,1)-Fuzzy sets and investigate main properties. Also, we define score and accuracy functions which we apply to rank (2,1)-Fuzzy sets. Moreover, we reformulate aggregation operators to be used with (2,1)-Fuzzy sets. Finally, we develop the successful technique “aggregation operators” to handle multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) problems in the environment of (2,1)-Fuzzy sets. To show the effectiveness and usability of the proposed technique in MCDM problems, an illustrative example is provided.
Coupled thermo-mechanical numerical model to minimize risk in large-format additive manufacturing of thermoplastic composite designs
Authors: Bhandari Sunil , Lopez-Anido Roberto A.
Published: October 2022

The collapse of deposited thermoplastic composite material under self-weight presents a risk in large-format extrusion-based additive manufacturing. Two critical processing parameters, extrusion temperature and deposition rate, govern whether a deposited layer is stable and bonds properly with the previously deposited layer. Currently, the critical parameters are determined via a trial-and-error approach. This research work uses a simplified physics-based numerical simulation to determine a suitable combination of the parameters that will avoid the collapse of the deposited layer under self-weight. The suitability of the processing parameters is determined based on the maximum plastic viscous strains computed using a sequentially coupled thermo-mechanical numerical model. This computational tool can efficiently check if a combination of temperature and extrusion rate causes layer collapse due to self-weight, and hence minimize the manufacturing risk of large-format 3D-printed parts.
What is Unique About Kindness? Exploring the Proximal Experience of Prosocial Acts Relative to Other Positive Behaviors
Authors: Regan Annie , Margolis Seth , Ozer Daniel J. , Schwitzgebel Eric , Lyubomirsky Sonja
Published: October 2022

Previous research has identified a robust connection between prosociality and happiness, suggesting that kindness has both hedonic and eudaimonic benefits—in the short term and in the long term. By contrast, our experiment aimed to examine people’s momentary eudaimonic feelings while engaging in kind acts for others. To that end, we randomly assigned participants to one of four positively valenced conditions that varied in their inclusion of potential “active ingredients” of prosocial behavior. Namely, engaging in kind acts for others was compared to engaging in kind acts for oneself (social element removed), extraverted behavior (kindness element removed), and open-minded behavior (both social and kindness elements removed). Participants were assessed five times over 2 weeks, each time reporting on how they felt during their assigned activities. Multilevel models revealed that relative to all other conditions, participants assigned to do kind acts for others reported a greater sense of competence, self-confidence, and meaning while engaging in those acts across the intervention period. Engaging in acts of kindness for others also led to stronger feelings of connection relative to engaging in open-minded behavior or acts of kindness for oneself but did not differ from engaging in extraverted behavior. These results illuminate the experience of positive eudaimonic feelings while one commits kind acts for others and highlight the unique benefits of prosociality compared to other positive behaviors.
Composite Nanoarchitectonics of LaNi0.95Fe0.05O3/Muscovite for Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity
Authors: Zeng Li , Peng Tongjiang , Sun Hongjuan , Zhang Xiyue , Yang Jingjie
Published: October 2022

Powder-type semiconductor photocatalysts are widely applicable but their defects (e.g. easy agglomeration during preparation and recyclability in the suspension system) limit their practical application. In the current study, perovskite oxide photocatalytic material was loaded onto a muscovite substrate to overcome the problems of low stability, easy agglomeration, and difficult recovery. A photocatalytically active LaNi0.95Fe0.05O3/muscovite composite material was synthesized by a sol-gel impregnation method. Phase composition, morphology, and interfacial interaction of the composites, denoted as LNFBY-x (x: mass ratio of LNF to muscovite), were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and other analytical methods. According to the results, the particle size of LNF nanoparticles was regulated effectively by compounding with muscovite, and the agglomeration of LNF decreased. LNF nanoparticles were distributed evenly and attached in dense fashion to the surface of muscovite, thereby increasing the contact area with the reaction medium. The nanoparticles were connected to the silicon-oxygen tetrahedral sheet of the muscovite via Si–O–La, Si–O–Ni, and Si–O–Fe bonds, which increased the bonding strength between the composite components and expedited the transfer of photogenerated charge. More highly active oxygen species were produced, and a growing number of chemically active moieties (٠O2- and ٠OH) was generated in the photocatalytic reaction. LNFBY-1.00 demonstrated the best photocatalytic activity. A degradation rate of methyl orange of 99.03% was achieved after visible-light irradiation for 120 min, which decreased to 75.75% after five repeated uses, thereby indicating high stability and recycling ability. The photocatalytic LaNi0.95Fe0.05O3/muscovite composite material exhibited potential for application in environmental remediation practices.