bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Volatile aroma compounds of distilled “tsipouro” spirits: effect of distillation technique
Authors: Kokoti Konstantina , Kosma Ioanna S. , Tataridis Panagiotis , Badeka Anastasia V. , Kontominas Michael G.
Published: February 2023

The main objective of the present study was to determine the effect of the distillation technique: (i) fractional column distillation (FCD), (ii) copper alembic distillation (CAD), and (iii) home distillation (HD) on the aroma profile of the distilled spirit “tsipouro”. Volatile compounds were identified and semi-quantified in all above fractions for comparison purposes using Solid Phase Micro-extraction–Gas chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (SPME–GC/MS). Τhe richest (p < 0.05) distillate in volatile compounds was that of the FCD, with a total concentration of 768.38 mg/L followed by the HD (577.79 mg/L) and CAD (315.30 mg/L). The concentrations of the volatiles determined (alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, acetals, esters, organic acids, terpenes, hydrocarbons, and heterocyclic compounds) were found to be similar to those of other Greek and European distilled marc spirits. Ethanol and total volatile compound content were within limits set by Greek and EU legislation. Methanol, a toxic compound of grape marc distillates, was determined only in the entire product of CAD 1st distillation (19.35 mg/L) and the “head + tail” fraction of the CAD 2nd distillation (12.82 mg/L) in amounts well below the EU legal limit of 1000 g/hL of absolute alcohol. A general reducing trend was noted in most volatile compound concentration proceeding from the 1st to the 2nd CAD distillation refining the flavor of tsipouro.
Sequential alterations in diffusion metrics as correlates of disease severity in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Müller Hans-Peter , Behler Anna , Münch Maximilian , Dorst Johannes , Ludolph Albert C. , Kassubek Jan
Published: February 2023

Background and objective

The neuropathology of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) follows a regional distribution pattern in the brain with four stages. Using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), this pattern can be translated into a tract-based staging scheme to assess cerebral progression in vivo. This study investigates the association between the sequential alteration pattern and disease severity in patients with ALS.

Methods

DTI data of 325 patients with ALS and 130 healthy controls were analyzed in a tract of interest (TOI)-based approach. Patients were categorized according to their ALS-FRS-R scores into groups with declining functionality. The fractional anisotropy (FA) values in the tracts associated with neuropathological stages were group-wise compared with healthy controls.

Results

The FA in the tracts associated with ALS stages showed a decrease which could be related to the disease severity stratification, i.e., at the group level, the lower the ALS-FRS-R of the categorized patient group, the higher was the effect size of the stage-related tract. In the patient group with the highest ALS-FRS-R, Cohen’s d showed a medium effect size in the corticospinal tract and small effect sizes in the other stage-related tracts. Overall, the lower the ALS-FRS-R of the categorized patient group the higher was the effect size of the comparison with healthy controls.

Conclusion

The progression of white matter alterations across tracts according to the model of sequential tract involvement is associated with clinical disease severity in patients with ALS, suggesting the use of staging-based DTI as a technical marker for disease progression.
Sprint cycling rate of torque development associates with strength measurement in trained cyclists
Authors: Connolly Shannon , Peeling Peter , Binnie Martyn J. , Goods Paul S. R. , Latella Christopher , Taylor Janet L. , Blazevich Anthony J. , Timmerman Wouter P. , Abbiss Chris R.
Published: February 2023

Purpose

A cyclist’s rate of force/torque development (RFD/RTD) and peak force/torque can be measured during single-joint or whole-body isometric tests, or during cycling. However, there is limited understanding of the relationship between these measures, and of the mechanisms that contribute to each measure. Therefore, we examined the: (i) relationship between quadriceps central and peripheral neuromuscular function with RFD/RTD in isometric knee extension, isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP), and sprint cycling; and (ii) relationship among RFD/RTD and peak force/torque between protocols.

Methods

Eighteen trained cyclists completed two familiarisation and two experimental sessions. Each session involved an isometric knee extension, IMTP, and sprint cycling protocol, where peak force/torque, average and peak RFD/RTD, and early (0–100 ms) and late (0–200 ms) RFD/RTD were measured. Additionally, measures of quadriceps central and peripheral neuromuscular function were assessed during the knee extension.

Results

Strong relationships were observed between quadriceps early EMG activity (EMG50/M) and knee extension RTD (r or ρ = 0.51–0.65) and IMTP late RFD (r = 0.51), and between cycling early or late RTD and peak twitch torque (r or ρ = 0.70–0.75). Strong-to-very strong relationships were observed between knee extension, IMTP, and sprint cycling for peak force/torque, early and late RFD/RTD, and peak RFD/RTD (r or ρ = 0.59–0.80).

Conclusion

In trained cyclists, knee extension RTD or IMTP late RFD are related to measures of quadriceps central neuromuscular function, while cycling RTD is related to measures of quadriceps peripheral neuromuscular function. Further, the strong associations among force/torque measures between tasks indicate a level of transferability across tasks.
Three-level model for opinion aggregation under hesitance
Authors: Zapletal František , Hudec Miroslav , Švaňa Miloš , Němec Radek
Published: February 2023

Valuable information for decision-making can be obtained by collecting and analyzing opinions from diverse stakeholder or respondent groups, which usually have different backgrounds and are variously affected by the topics under survey. For this to succeed, it is necessary to manage the uncertainty of respondents’ opinions, different number of filled questionnaires among groups, different number of questions for each stakeholder group, and relevance of subsets of respondent groups. This work proposes handling the hesitance of respondents’ opinions for the rating scale questions. To evaluate the collected opinions, a three-level aggregation model is developed. In the first level, the overall opinion of each respondent is computed as a mean of fuzzy numbers covering uncertain answers and their respective hesitance. In the second level, stakeholder groups are considered as a whole. Aggregation by a relative quantifier is applied to calculate the validity of a proposition the majority of respondents have a positive or negative opinion. At the third level, the consensus among diverse subsets of stakeholder groups is calculated considering the relevance of each group independently as well as their so-called coalitions by Choquet integral. Finally, the proposed model is illustrated by a real-life case study.
Pediatric cervical spine injuries—results of the German multicenter CHILDSPINE study
Authors: Jarvers Jan-Sven , Herren Christian , Jung Matthias K. , Blume Christian , Meinig Holger , Ruf Michael , Weiß Thomas , Rüther Hauke , Welk Thomas , Badke Andreas , Gonschorek Oliver , Heyde Christoph E. , Kandziora Frank , Knop Christian , Kobbe Philipp , Scholz Matti , Siekmann Holger , Spiegl Ulrich , Strohm Peter , Strüwind Christoph , Matschke Stefan , Disch Alexander C. , Kreinest Michael ,   Spine Section of the German Society for Orthopaedics and Trauma
Published: February 2023

Objectives

The aim of this study was to provide epidemiological data of pediatric patients suffering from cervical spinal trauma in Germany, in order to integrate these data in future decision-making processes concerning diagnosis and therapy.

Materials and Methods

Retrospective multicenter study includes all patients up to 16 years suffering from cervical spine injuries who were treated in six German spine centers between 01/2010 and 12/2016. The clinical databases were screened for specific trauma mechanism, level of injury as well as accompanying injuries. Diagnostic imaging and the chosen therapy were analyzed. Patients were divided into three age groups for further evaluation: age group I (0–6 years), age group II (7–9 years), age group III (10–16 years).

Results

A total of 214 children with 265 cervical spine injuries were included during the mentioned period. The mean age at the time of injury was 11.9 (± 3.9) years. In age group I, 24 (11.2%) patients were included, age group II consisted of 22 patients (10.3%), and 168 patients belonged to age group III (78.5%). Girls and boys were equally affected. In all age groups, falls and traffic accidents were the most common causes of cervical spine injuries. A total of 180 patients (84.1%) were treated conservatively, while 34 (15.9%) children underwent surgery. Distorsion/whiplash injury was the most common entity (n = 165; 68.2%). Children aged 0–9 years had significantly (p < 0.001) more frequent injuries of the upper cervical spine (C0-C2) compared to older age groups. Patients of age group III were more likely to suffer from injuries in subaxial localizations. Neurological deficits were rarely seen in all age groups. Head injuries did represent the most common accompanying injuries (39.8%, n = 92).

Conclusions

The upper cervical spine was more frequently affected in young children. Older children more often suffered from subaxial pathologies. The majority of cervical spinal column injuries were treated conservatively. Nevertheless, 15% of the hospitalized children had to be treated surgically.
MRgFUS thalamotomy for the treatment of tremor: evaluation of learning curve and operator’s experience impact on the procedural and clinical outcome
Authors: Bruno F. , Tommasino E. , Pertici L. , Pagliei V. , Gagliardi A. , Catalucci A. , Arrigoni F. , Palumbo P. , Sucapane P. , Pistoia F. , Marini C. , Ricci A. , Barile A. , Di Cesare E. , Splendiani A. , Masciocchi C.
Published: February 2023

Background

MRgFUS Vim ablation is increasingly used for the treatment of tremor in ET e PD patients but there is little published research on the importance of operator experience in this procedure. This study aims to evaluate the learning curve and the influence of the operator experience on the procedural and clinical outcomes.

Methods

We retrospectively evaluated 90 patients (38 ET, 52 PD) submitted to MRgFUS unilateral thalamotomy in the period between February 2018 and July 2020. Clinical endpoints, procedural times, and technical parameters were recorded in all procedures. Based on the time of treatment, patients were divided into three groups of 30 units each, comparing all variables between each time period group.

Results

In Group A, the average patient preparation time was 120.6 min, the treatment time was 105.2 min, the number of was sonications 14.1, and the mean target shifts 3.1. In Group B, the mean preparation time was 105.5 min, the treatment time was 89.5 min, the number of sonications was 13.2, and the target shifts 3.0. Group C showed inferior values of preparation time (101.9 min), treatment time (71.7 min), numbers of sonications (10.6), and shifts (1.7). Thalamotomy-related complications occurred in 9 patients of Group A, 2 of Group B, and 5 of Group C. Tremor relapse occurred in 7 patients of Group A, 3 of Group B, and 2 of Group C. The days of hospitalization were comparable in the three groups.

Conclusions

The operators experience is associated with the improvement of clinical and procedural outcome in MRgFUS thalatomy for the treatment of ET and PD tremor.
Rassismus? So was gibt es bei uns nicht!
Authors: von Heyden Nadia , Zeltwanger Susanne
Published: February 2023

Der Beitrag greift erste Forschungszwischenergebnisse des Modellprojekts „Vielfalt vor Ort begegnen“ auf und legt dabei einen Schwerpunkt auf die Interaktion zwischen Fachkräften und Kindern im Kontext der Vielfaltskategorien ethnische Herkunft und Hautfarbe. Eine Schwierigkeit, die sich immer wieder zeigt, ist das offene Ansprechen und Thematisieren von Differenz bezogen auf diese Vielfaltskategorien bei Kindern. Der Beitrag soll aufzeigen, dass es keine Lösung darstellen kann, Rassismuserfahrungen von Kindern zu dethematisieren, sondern vielmehr ein offener, rassismuskritischer Umgang damit notwendig ist.
What makes a good life: using theatrical performance to enhance communication about polygenic risk scores research in patient and public involvement
Authors: Mason Amy M. , Obi Ifunanya , Ayodele Olamide , Lambert Samuel A. , Fahle Sarah
Published: February 2023

The aim of this patient and public involvement and engagement (PPIE) work was to explore improvised theatre as a tool for facilitating bi-directional dialogue between researchers and patients/members of the public on the topic of polygenic risk scores (PRS) use within primary or secondary care. PRS are a tool to quantify genetic risk for a heritable disease or trait and may be used to predict future health outcomes. In the United Kingdom (UK), they are often cited as a next-in-line public health tool to be implemented, and their use in consumer genetic testing as well as patient-facing settings is increasing. Despite their potential clinical utility, broader themes about how they might influence an individual’s perception of disease risk and decision-making are an active area of research; however, this has mostly been in the setting of return of results to patients. We worked with a youth theatre group and patients involved in a PPIE group to develop two short plays about public perceptions of genetic risk information that could be captured by PRS. These plays were shared in a workshop with patients/members of the public to facilitate discussions about PRS and their perceived benefits, concerns and emotional reactions. Discussions with both performers and patients/public raised three key questions: (1) can the data be trusted?; (2) does knowing genetic risk actually help the patient?; and (3) what makes a life worthwhile? Creating and watching fictional narratives helped all participants explore the potential use of PRS in a clinical setting, informing future research considerations and improving communication between the researchers and lay members of the PPIE group.
Biochar yield prediction using response surface methodology: effect of fixed carbon and pyrolysis operating conditions
Authors: Mariyam Sabah , Alherbawi Mohammad , Pradhan Snigdhendubala , Al-Ansari Tareq , McKay Gordon
Published: February 2023

Generating value from wastes via pyrolysis has been increasingly researched in recent times. Biochar is a versatile pyrolysis product with yields based on many process parameters, including feedstock type and particle size, and operating conditions such as pyrolysis reactor, heating rate, residence time, and reaction temperature. The heterogeneous nature of waste biomass creates challenges in controlling the pyrolysis’ product selectivity. Intensive and time-consuming experimental studies are often required to determine product distribution for the pyrolysis of each unique feedstock. Alternatively, prediction models that learn from a wide range of existing experimental data may provide insight into potential yields for different biomass sources. Several advanced models exist in the literature which can predict the yield of biochar and subsequent products based on operating temperature. However, these models do not consider the combined effect of biomass characteristics and operating conditions on biochar yield, which is considered a decisive factor for biochar formation. As such, the objective of this study is to develop a prediction model based on the biomass’ fixed carbon content (14–22%), reaction temperature (350–750 °C), and heating rate (5–10 °C/min) using the response surface methodology. Biomasses, date stones, spent coffee grounds, and cow manure have been used to design a Box-Behnken experiment based on the three factors for the biochar yield response. An empirical equation is developed based on a statistically significant quadratic model to produce optimized biochar yield with high prediction accuracy. The study discussed the 3D response and diagnostic plots and conducted validation experiments to confirm the applicability of the developed model. The biochar yields are significantly affected by the fixed carbon content of the feedstock and the reaction temperature, and the experimental validation confirms the accuracy of biochar yield quantification. The model can be easily applied for further process flow modeling of biomass pyrolysis, only relying on proximate feed analysis, operating temperature, and heating rate.
Advancing Nitinol Implant Design and Simulation Through Data-Driven Methodologies
Authors: Paranjape Harshad M.
Published: February 2023

Recent advances in the Data Science methods for acquiring and analyzing large amounts of materials deformation data have the potential to tremendously benefit Nitinol (Nickel–Titanium shape memory alloy) implant design and simulation. We review some of these data-driven methodologies and provide a perspective on adapting these techniques to Nitinol design and simulation. We organize the review in a three-tiered approach. The methods in the first tier relate to data acquisition. We review methods for acquiring full-field deformation data from implants and methods for quantifying uncertainty in such data. The second-tier methods relate to combining data from multiple sources to gain a holistic understanding of complex deformation phenomena such as fatigue. Methods in the third tier relate to making data-driven simulation of the deformation response of Nitinol. A wide adaption of these methods by the Nitinol cardiovascular implant community may be facilitated by building consensus on best practices and open exchange of computational tools.
Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases in the Eastern Mediterranean Region: A Systematic Review
Authors: Fazaludeen Koya Shaffi , Abdalla Salma M. , Kodama Chiori , Keita Mory , Abubakar Abdinasir
Published: February 2023

Background and Objective

World Health Organization Eastern Mediterranean Region (WHO EMR) has 40% people in the world in need of humanitarian assistance. This systematic review explores selected vector-borne and zoonotic diseases (VBZDs) of importance to EMR in terms of disease burden across countries and periods, disaggregated across sex, age groups, education levels, income status, and rural/urban areas, related vector or animal source reduction measures, and public health, social and economic impacts and related interventions.

Methods

We used the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and reviewed articles in PubMed, Embase, and WHO Global Index Medicus published between 1st of January 2011 and 27th of June 2022. Thirteen VBZDs with at least one reported outbreak in the last five years in the region or prioritized as per previous analysis at the WHO global and regional level and based on expert consultations, were included as part of the analysis.

Results

The review included 295 studies—55% on leishmaniasis and dengue combined, and 75% studies from Pakistan, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and Iran combined. Hospital-based and nationally representative studies constituted 60% and 10% respectively. Males were predominantly affected in most diseases; children reported high burden of Leishmaniasis, whereas elderly had a higher burden of Dengue Fever and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome. Although very few studies reported on socioeconomic differences in burden, the ones that reported showed higher burden of diseases among the disadvantaged socioeconomic groups such as the poor and the less educated. More than 80% studies reported an increase in burden over the years.

Conclusion

The literature is scanty for most of the diseases reviewed and the number of studies from countries with humanitarian challenges is very low. The need for more nationally representative, population-based studies calls for prioritizing research investments.
Albert Venn Dicey: Writings on Democracy and the Referendum
Authors: Dicey Albert Venn
Published: February 2023

What are the limits to parliamentary sovereignty? When should the people be able to vote directly on issues? The constitutional theorist Albert Venn Dicey (1835–1922) was a cogent advocate of the referendum. While his enthusiasm for the institution was widely acknowledged in his own day, thereafter this dimension of his career has been largely neglected. This fall into obscurity is partly explained by the fact that Dicey never collected his writings on referendums into a single volume. Consequently, during the prolonged crisis over Brexit, the implications of Dicey's thought were unclear, despite his standing as a foundational figure in British constitutional law. This timely modern edition brings together Dicey's sophisticated and intricate writings on the referendum, and it covers his attempts to construct a credible theory of democracy on a new intellectual and institutional basis. An original scholarly introduction analyzes Dicey's thought in light of its contemporary context.
Alexander the Great in Mesopotamia in 331 BCE
Authors: Marciak Michał , Sobiech Marcin , Pirowski Tomasz
Published: February 2023

This paper presents a selected aspect of research conducted within the Gaugamela Project, which seeks to finally identify the location of the Battle of Gaugamela. Its particular aim is to analyse the strategic situation of the army of Alexander the Great in Mesopotamia in the summer of 331 BCE, with a special focus on the itinerary and chronology of the army's march. The paper critically reviews Classical sources (Arrian, Curtius, Diodorus, and Plutarch), but also employs topographic and archaeological data as well as GIS capabilities (least cost paths). In contrast to most previous scholarship, it is suggested that the Macedonian troops crossed the Euphrates much later than suggested by Arrian (Anab. 3.7.1) – around September 2, 331 BCE. Their march led across the Tur Abdin escarpment (via Nisibis) and left Mesopotamia through a ford in the vicinity of modern Cizre or Basorin. What is more, the Macedonian marching rate was definitely not slow (contra W. E. Marsden), but faster than average due to the activity of the Persian scouting troops and logistic necessity. In total, the Macedonians covered around 370 to 394 km within a maximum of 16 days.
Remembering Ami (1948–2020)
Authors: Vargas González Jessica
Published: February 2023

I had the fortune of having Professor Bat-Ami Bar On as my mentor and dissertation supervisor. I engaged with her in sustained dialogue for over four years, from when she welcomed me to the graduate program in social, political, ethical, and legal philosophy at Binghamton University until our last conversation, shortly before her untimely death in November of 2020. I have been retracing in my memory some moments of this journey together, and as I do, I realize that writing this reflection is essentially a way of saying “Thank you” to Ami, or, at least, expressing my gratitude publicly to my teacher and mentor. At the same time, grateful as I am for how she guided and accompanied me, I cannot help feeling that our dialogue was abruptly interrupted and that (as time passes) the list of questions and issues that I would have liked to talk about with her only grows. Ami as a mentor and as a political thinker becomes more and more irreplaceable in my mind; and, as I recall her, I realize how much I would have liked to count on Ami for professional and personal advice in the years to come.
First jellyfish records for Qatar and further notes on Scyphomedusae species from the Arabian Gulf (Cnidaria, Scyphozoa)
Authors: Daly Yahia Mohamed Nejib , Range Pedro , Giraldes Bruno Welter , Morandini André C.
Published: February 2023

This study focused on a jellyfish monitoring and sampling programme along the eastern Qatar seawaters and reports the first jellyfish records for the Qatar pelagic ecosystem and the occurrence of three scyphozoans: the semaeostome Chrysaora cf. caliparea and the rhizostomes Marivagia stellata and Catostylus perezi, considered as first records of Scyphomedusae for Qatar. Jellyfish monitoring, underwater photography and sample collection were carried out along an inshore-offshore transect composed of five stations along the eastern coast of Qatar. Jellyfish material examined, systematic description, general distribution and sting risk of the three species are provided. The discussion section highlights the blooming capabilities of Chrysaora cf. caliparea and Catostylus perezi, while Marivagia stellata seems scarcer, being spotted for the first time since we started our jellyfish investigation programme in August 2018.
The effectiveness of an extra-curricular lecture for STI prevention and sexual education
Authors: Reinholz M. , Nellessen T. , Wei E. , Zippel S. , Fuchs C. , Kaemmerer T. , Clanner-Engelshofen B. M. , Frommherz L. H. , Rummel M. , French L. E. , Stadler P.-C.
Published: February 2023

While the incidence of infections with the human immunodeficiency virus largely remained unchanged in Germany, an increase of other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) was observed. The aim was to analyse the effectiveness of our sexual education lecture for students in improving the awareness, knowledge and prevention of STIs. We conducted a cross-sectional survey after students had attended our extra-curricular lecture at the Department of Dermatology of the Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Germany (LMU). We compared the data with a previously performed study in which the same survey was carried out before the lecture had started. A total of 5866 questionnaires were included in the analysis. After attending the lecture significantly more students were aware of STIs (syphilis: 36.8% (before) vs. 63.5% (after); chlamydia: 30.5% vs. 49.3%; gonorrhoea: 22.4% vs. 38.2%; human papillomaviruses (HPV): 17.7% vs. 30.2%), the transmission pathways of STIs (oral: 36.6% vs. 82.6%; vaginal: 81.8% vs. 97.3%; anal: 42.8% vs. 94.0%; penile: 68.7% vs. 92.1%), knew that the HPV vaccination is directed against a virus (36.8% vs. 56.9%) and were interested in receiving a vaccination (57.7% vs. 78.8%). This study demonstrates the positive educative effects of our lecture for awareness and improved knowledge of STIs. To satisfy the need for a comprehensive sexual education, a combination of school and health facility-based programmes should be implemented as one single lecture cannot convey the entire information about STIs.
The Songs of Fire (1975): Sonic Narratives of Resistance and Collective Memory
Authors: PAPAETI ANNA
Published: February 2023

This article focuses on the documentary The Songs of Fire by Nikos Koundouros (1975). Shot immediately after the fall of the military dictatorship (1967–74) in Greece, it exhumes the elation of three public concerts and demonstrations, capturing the enthusiasm for the return to democracy expressed through singing and chanting. The article focuses on the ways in which popular songs became the vehicles of the popular demand for democracy during the early transition to democracy. It shows how the film was crucial in establishing a narrative of resistance in collective memory that was centred on singing and listening, investigating the ways in which this sonic narrative, performed collectively and publicly, also betrays a latent reaction to a brutal regime fought by the few. It argues that collective singing seems to merge in memory with the ‘singing resistance’ performed individually and in secret during the dictatorship. Extended back in time, this sonic narrative registers an unconscious desire to repress the fact that large parts of society had remained silent during the regime's seven-year rule.
Tales of Ancestry, Inheritance, and Possession: New Documentary Evidence on Felipe Guaman Poma de Ayala and the First General Land Inspection
Authors: de la Puente Luna José Carlos
Published: February 2023

Felipe Guaman Poma de Ayala's 1616 El primer nueva corónica y buen gobierno stands as the author's staggering attempt to obtain by privilege that which he could not secure through justice: status as a native lord and title to lands. Indeed, the last 20 years of the native chronicler's life as we know it, roughly from 1595 to 1615, are marked by the usual milestones of an ascending clerical career in the service of provincial priests, inspectors, and administrators from the south central Andean region stretching between Jauja and Huamanga.1
Will Warming Climate Affect the Characteristics of Summer Monsoon Rainfall and Associated Extremes Over the Gangetic Plains in India?
Authors: Pant Manas , Bhatla R. , Ghosh Soumik , Das Sushant , Mall R. K.
Published: February 2023

The Indo‐Gangetic Plain (IGP) bears great agricultural importance and contributes to a major share of national GDP of India. In present study, a location‐specific comprehensive analysis of rainfall extremes over IGP, using second generation CORDEX‐CORE simulations in the present and future scenarios (under high emission RCP8.5 scenario) have been performed. Here, the high‐resolution CORDEX‐CORE simulations with International Centre for Theoretical Physics's regional climate model (RegCM4.7) have been considered for the detailed rainfall characteristics assessment. Twelve thresholds‐based climate indices have been analyzed to investigate the characteristics of rainfall extremes during three‐time slices: 1986–2005 (historical), 2041–2060 (near future) and 2080–2099 (far future). The RegCM4 projections suggested a substantial decline in mean Indian Summer monsoon rainfall (ISMR) and wet days (rainfall ≥ 1 mm; 7%–14%) over IGP under high‐emission RCP8.5 scenario. The contribution of 90th and 99th percentile days and total rainfall on wet days, seems to be get enhanced in future by 14%–35%, which implies the increase and intensification in rainfall extremes over IGP by the end of the 21st century. Further, the decline in ISMR and negligible changes in annual rainfall over IGP suggest the possible shift of monsoon regime during the later months of the year in warming climate. Thus, findings of present study may play a crucial role in predicting the ISMR and rainfall extremes over the IGP. Therefore, it can be useful for scientists and policymakers to plan and implement mitigation strategies.
Botulinum neurotoxin A ameliorates depressive-like behavior in a reserpine-induced Parkinson’s disease mouse model via suppressing hippocampal microglial engulfment and neuroinflammation
Authors: Li Yang , Yin Qiao , Li Qi , Huo An-ran , Shen Ting-ting , Cao Jia-qian , Liu Chun-feng , Liu Tong , Luo Wei-feng , Cong Qi-fei
Published: February 2023

Depression is one of the common non-motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease (PD). In the clinic, botulinum neurotoxin A (BoNT/A) has been used to treat depression. In this study, we investigated the mechanisms underlying the anti-depressive effect of BoNT/A in a PD mouse model. Mice were administered reserpine (3 μg/mL in the drinking water) for 10 weeks. From the 10th week, BoNT/A (10 U·kg−1·d−1) was injected into the cheek for 3 consecutive days. We showed that chronic administration of reserpine produced the behavioral phenotypes of depression and neurochemical changes in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) and striatum. BoNT/A treatment significantly ameliorated the depressive-like behaviors, but did not improve TH activity in SNpc of reserpine-treated mice. We demonstrated that BoNT/A treatment reversed reserpine-induced complement and microglia activation in the hippocampal CA1 region. Furthermore, BoNT/A treatment significantly attenuated the microglial engulfment of presynaptic synapses, thus ameliorating the apparent synapse and spine loss in the hippocampus in the reserpine-treated mice. Moreover, BoNT/A treatment suppressed microglia-mediated expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-1β in reserpine-treated mice. In addition, we showed that BoNT/A (0.1 U/mL) ameliorated reserpine-induced complement and microglia activation in mouse BV2 microglial cells in vitro. We conclude that BoNT/A ameliorates depressive-like behavior in a reserpine-induced PD mouse model through reversing the synapse loss mediated by classical complement induced-microglial engulfment as well as alleviating microglia-mediated proinflammatory responses.
EEG is better left alone
Authors: Delorme Arnaud
Published: February 2023

Automated preprocessing methods are critically needed to process the large publicly-available EEG databases, but the optimal approach remains unknown because we lack data quality metrics to compare them. Here, we designed a simple yet robust EEG data quality metric assessing the percentage of significant channels between two experimental conditions within a 100 ms post-stimulus time range. Because of volume conduction in EEG, given no noise, most brain-evoked related potentials (ERP) should be visible on every single channel. Using three publicly available collections of EEG data, we showed that, with the exceptions of high-pass filtering and bad channel interpolation, automated data corrections had no effect on or significantly decreased the percentage of significant channels. Referencing and advanced baseline removal methods were significantly detrimental to performance. Rejecting bad data segments or trials could not compensate for the loss in statistical power. Automated Independent Component Analysis rejection of eyes and muscles failed to increase performance reliably. We compared optimized pipelines for preprocessing EEG data maximizing ERP significance using the leading open-source EEG software: EEGLAB, FieldTrip, MNE, and Brainstorm. Only one pipeline performed significantly better than high-pass filtering the data.
Genetic predisposition to smoking in relation to the risk of frailty in ageing
Authors: Liu Wei , Yang Hong , Lv Linshuoshuo , Song Jie , Jiang Yuqing , Sun Xiaohui , Ye Ding , Mao Yingying
Published: February 2023

Frailty causes emerging global health burden due to its high prevalence and mortality. In this study, we used Mendelian randomization (MR) approach to examine the potential causal relationship between smoking and frailty in ageing. Using inverse-variance weighted (IVW) method, genetically predicted smoking initiation was associated with an increased risk of frailty in ageing (odd ratio (OR) 1.23, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.19–1.27, P = 3.21 × 10–39). Similarly, per year increase in age of initiation of regular smoking was associated with a 25% decrease in the risk of frailty (95% CI 7–39%, P = 7.79 × 10–3, per year), while higher number of cigarettes per day was associated with a 12% increased risk (95% CI 4–20%, P = 1.76 × 10–3). Compared with former smokers, current smokers were associated with an increased risk of frailty (OR 1.12, 95% CI 1.02–1.22, P = 0.01). Lifetime smoking was associated with a 46% higher risk of frailty (95% CI 37–56%, P = 2.63 × 10–29). Sensitivity analysis using alternative MR methods yielded similar results. Our study indicates that genetic predisposition to smoking is associated with the risk of frailty in ageing. Further studies are warranted to examine the exact role of smoking in the development of frailty.
Outcomes of cystoid macular edema following Descemet’s membrane endothelial keratoplasty in a referral center for keratoplasty in Spain: retrospective study
Authors: Moura-Coelho Nuno , Papa-Vettorazzi Renato , Santiesteban-García Imalvet , Dias-Santos Arnaldo , Manero Felicidad , Cunha João Paulo , Güell José
Published: February 2023

The aim of this study was to analyze the outcomes of eyes with visually significant cystoid macular œdema (vs-CMO) after Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) in a referral center for keratoplasty in Spain. We conducted a retrospective, single-surgeon case series of eyes that developed post-DMEK vs-CMO performed between January 2011 and December 2020. Data collected included: indication for DMEK; biometric data; ocular comorbidities; past medical history; time to detection of vs-CMO after DMEK (T, weeks); best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA, logMAR) and central retinal thickness (CRT, µm) at diagnosis of vs-CMO, after resolution of CMO, and at last follow-up; and management strategy. Main outcomes analyzed were incidence of vs-CMO, improvement in BCVA and CRT after treatment of vs-CMO. Of 291 consecutive DMEK surgeries, 14 eyes of 13 patients (4.8%) developed vs-CMO. Five patients (38.5%) had history of CMO, and 28.6% of eyes had ophthalmic comorbidities. Median (P25-P75) T was 4 (3–10) weeks. Treatment success was observed in 12/13 eyes (92.3%), two of which required second-line treatment. In successful cases (median time-to-resolution 3.0 (2.0–3.5) months), median BCVA improved from 0.60 (0.40–0.80) logMAR to 0.30 (0.15–0.40) logMAR (p = 0.002) after treatment, and median CRT improved from 582.5 (400.0–655.0) µm to 278.0 (258.0–294.0) µm (p = 0.005). In our study, we found a 4.8% rate of post-DMEK vs-CMO, with most cases occurring in the first 3 months after surgery. Good functional and anatomical outcomes are expected in most eyes, without treatment-related complications or implications in graft outcomes. Additional studies are encouraged to determine a standardized protocol for post-DMEK vs-CMO.
Assessing the allocation of attention during visual search using digit-tracking, a calibration-free alternative to eye tracking
Authors: Yang Yidong , Mo Lei , Lio Guillaume , Huang Yulong , Perret Thomas , Sirigu Angela , Duhamel Jean-René
Published: February 2023

Digit-tracking, a simple, calibration-free technique, has proven to be a good alternative to eye tracking in vision science. Participants view stimuli superimposed by Gaussian blur on a touchscreen interface and slide a finger across the display to locally sharpen an area the size of the foveal region just at the finger's position. Finger movements are recorded as an indicator of eye movements and attentional focus. Because of its simplicity and portability, this system has many potential applications in basic and applied research. Here we used digit-tracking to investigate visual search and replicated several known effects observed using different types of search arrays. Exploration patterns measured with digit-tracking during visual search of natural scenes were comparable to those previously reported for eye-tracking and constrained by similar saliency. Therefore, our results provide further evidence for the validity and relevance of digit-tracking for basic and applied research on vision and attention.
Family before work: task reversion in workers of the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta in the presence of brood
Authors: Starkey Jesse , Tamborindeguy Cecilia
Published: February 2023

Among social insects, task allocation within its group members remains as one of the paramount pillars of social functionality. Division of labor in many eusocial insects is maintained by behavioral flexibility that can shift according to the needs of the colony they reside in. Workers typically, over time as they age, shift from intranidal nurses to extranidal foragers. If the needs of the colony change, either from the needs of the adults or the brood therein, workers shift their behavior in order to compensate for the need of a particular task to be done. This shift, either accelerating towards a behavior associated with an older worker, or regressing back into the nest, is not clearly understood in social insects outside of honeybees. In this study, evaluated how brood type affected the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta, worker task reversion and acceleration. Through observation of worker behaviors performed over multiple time-points per day, we discovered that worker task reversion and acceleration does occur within this ant species. Furthermore, the type of brood influenced the rate at which this occurred, with larvae having the strongest effect of all types. Finally, there was a propensity for workers to maintain their new behavior throughout the experiment. This study shows that the needs of brood within a social insect colony can influence the behavior workers perform, reversing the age polyethism that is common among social insect species.
Rheological properties and volumetric isothermal expansivity of bamboo kraft black liquor with high solids content and low lignin content
Authors: Chen Shenglin , Xu Yongjian , Guo Kangkang , Yue Xiaopeng
Published: February 2023

In this study, a certain percentage of lignin in original bamboo kraft black liquor (BKBL) was separated, and the residual BKBL with low lignin content was expected to be fed into the alkali recovery boiler to reduce the heat transfer load of the alkali recovery boiler. With the decrease in lignin content, the rheological properties/volumetric isothermal expansivity (VIE) of BKBL change. When the lignin content was 70% remaining in the original BKBL, the viscosity of BKBL with low lignin content is close to that of the passivated BKBL at the same solids content, the dynamic viscoelasticity is superior, and the VIE decreases by 57.2%. When the amount of desilication agent is 1.5%, the viscosity of BKBL with low lignin content did not change much, and the VIE increased sharply and was 62.7% higher than that of the passivated BKBL. Therefore, the combination of partial lignin separation process and sodium aluminate desilication process can effectively improve the ability of alkali recovery boiler to deal with BKBL and reduce the influence of “silicon interference”.
Neuroprotective activity of novel phenanthrene derivative from Grewia tiliaefolia by in vitro and in silico studies
Authors: Rajput Ankita , Sharma Palvi , Kumar Nitish , Kaur Sarabjit , Arora Saroj
Published: February 2023

Medicinal plants possess range of phytochemicals accountable for their diverse biological activities. Presently, such compounds have been isolated from medicinal plants, characterized and evaluated for their pharmacological potential. In the present study, the efforts have been made to isolate the compound(s) from Grewia tiliaefolia Vahl., plant known for its ameliorative effect on brain related diseases such as anxiety, depression, cognitive disorders and Parkinson’s disease. Plant extract was subjected to isolation of compound(s) using column chromatography and isolated compound was characterized by NMR FTIR and LCMS. The isolated compound was novel with the IUPAC name of the compound is propyl 3-hydroxy-10,13-dimethyl-6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17-dodecahydro-3H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthrene-17-carboxylate, designated as A-1 and has not been reported before. A-1 was further evaluated for its antioxidant potential using in vitro antioxidant assays (2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate, DPPH assay and reducing power assay, RPA). Also, Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory potential of A-1 and extract was analysed. Results showed that A-1 exhibited significantly higher antioxidant activity in both DPPH and RPA assay as compared to plant extract. In case of AChE inhibitory activity again, A-1 has shown significantly higher activity as compared to plant extract. In silico study was conducted to predict its action on proteins playing crucial role in neurological and neurodegenerative disorders such as gamma amino butyric acid (GABA) receptor and glutamate α amino-3-hydroxyl-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (Glu AMPA) receptor in epilepsy and AChE enzyme in Alzheimer’s diseases. The compound has shown interaction in following order: AChE > GABA receptor > Glu AMPA receptor. Further, molecular dynamic simulations and ADME studies of A-1 and AChE enzyme revealed that A-1 yielded good results in all parameters and hence can relieve Alzheimer’s like symptoms.
Absence of microbiome triggers extensive changes in the transcriptional profile of Hermetia illucens during larval ontogeny
Authors: Auger Laurence , Bouslama Sidki , Deschamps Marie-Hélène , Vandenberg Grant , Derome Nicolas
Published: February 2023

Black soldier fly larvae (BSF, Hermetia illucens) have gained much attention for their industrial use as biowaste recyclers and as a new source of animal proteins. The functional effect that microbiota has on insect health and growth performance remains largely unknown. This study clarifies the role of microbiota in BSF ontogeny by investigating the differential genomic expression of BSF larvae in axenic conditions (i.e., germfree) relative to non-axenic (conventional) conditions. We used RNA-seq to measure differentially expressed transcripts between axenic and conventional condition using DESeq2 at day 4, 12 and 20 post-hatching. Gene expression was significantly up or down-regulated for 2476 transcripts mapped in gene ontology functions, and axenic larvae exhibited higher rate of down-regulated functions. Up-regulated microbiota-dependant transcriptional gene modules included the immune system, the lipid metabolism, and the nervous system. Expression profile showed a shift in late larvae (day 12 and 20), exposing a significant temporal effect on gene expression. These results provide the first evidence of host functional genes regulated by microbiota in the BSF larva, further demonstrating the importance of host-microbiota interactions on host ontogeny and health. These results open the door to optimization of zootechnical properties in alternative animal protein production, biowaste revalorization and recycling.
Development of Aquatic Bird Indicators of Sub-lethal Mercury Exposure and Risk in Wild Populations of Water Birds in the Everglades (Florida, United States of America)
Authors: Zabala J. , Frederick P.
Published: February 2023

We describe over 25 years of research in mercury (Hg) contamination and sub-lethal effects in the Florida Everglades using local wading bird species as model species. We assessed various potential indicator tissues and used nestling feathers as an indicator of Hg exposure and Hg risk to breeding. Long-term monitoring of wading bird populations and analysis of museum specimens’ Hg revealed temporal and geographical variation in Hg within the study area. We found strong and relevant reduction in the number of nests in colonies exposed to Hg supported by a reduced breeding propensity and increased early failure, before egg-laying, in exposure experiments. We also found a strong influence of variation in food availability on failure associated with Hg. Variation of food availability modulated Hg effects and the same amount of Hg in feathers could be associated with no apparent reduction in breeding success if food availability was high or with a reduction higher than expected from toxicity reference values if food availability was low. The evaluation of nestling feathers and other tissue indicators suggested that there is no unique best indicator; rather, our results suggested specific endpoint–indicator associations. Indicators explained better variation in endpoints closer in time to the development of indicators.
Identification of antioxidant peptides after digestion and absorption of isinglass by serum peptidomics and cellular antioxidant activity analysis
Authors: Xiao Lanfei , Liang Yongjun , Liu Geng , Lin Fan , Wen Xiaobo
Published: February 2023

Antioxidant peptides isolated by peptiomics from the serum of mice fed on isinglass can protect cells from oxidative stress damage induced by H2O2.
Fabrication of La3+ doped Ba1−xLaxTiO3 ceramics with improved dielectric and ferroelectric properties using a composite-hydroxide-mediated method
Authors: Younas U. , Atif M. , Anjum A. , Nadeem M. , Ali T. , Shaheen R. , Khalid W. , Ali Z.
Published: February 2023

The improved dielectric and energy storage properties of La3+-doped BaTiO3 ceramics make them attractive for use in energy storage applications.
Effect of vacancy defects on the electronic and mechanical properties of two-dimensional MoSi2N4
Authors: Dastider Ankan Ghosh , Rasul Ashiqur , Rahman Ehsanur , Alam Md. Kawsar
Published: February 2023

The electronic and mechanical properties of 2-dimensional MoSi2N4 change significantly due to the presence of vacancy defects, which can lead to novel applications in 2D electronics.