bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of an amino acid buffered hypochlorite solution as an adjunctive to air-powder abrasion in open-flap surface decontamination of implants failed for peri-implantitis: an ex vivo randomized clinical trial
Authors: La Monaca Gerardo , Pranno Nicola , Mengoni Fabio , Puggioni Gianluca , Polimeni Antonella , Annibali Susanna , Cristalli Maria Paola
Published: July 2022

Objectives

To evaluate ex vivo the efficacy of an amino acid buffered hypochlorite solution supplemented to surface debridement with air-powder abrasion in removing bacterial biofilm following open-flap decontamination of implants failed due to peri-implantitis.

Materials and methods

This study was an ex vivo, single-blind, randomized, intra-subject investigation. Study population consisted of 20 subjects with at least three implants failed for peri-implantitis (in function for > 12 months and progressive bone loss exceeding 50%) to be explanted. For each patient, implants were randomly assigned to surface decontamination with sodium bicarbonate air-powder abrasion (test-group 1) or sodium bicarbonate air-powder abrasion supplemented by amino acid buffered hypochlorite solution (test-group 2) or untreated control group. Following open-flap surgery, untreated implants (control group) were explanted. Afterwards, test implants were decontaminated according to allocation and explanted. Microbiological analysis was expressed in colony-forming units (CFU/ml).

Results

A statistically significant difference in the concentrations of CFU/ml was found between implants of test-group 1 (63,018.18 ± 228,599.36) (p = 0.007) and implants of test-group 2 (260.00 ± 375.80) (p < 0.001) compared to untreated implants (control group) (86,846.15 ± 266,689.44). The concentration of CFU/ml on implant surfaces was lower in test-group 2 than in test-group 1, with a statistically significant difference (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

The additional application of amino acid buffered hypochlorite solution seemed to improve the effectiveness of implant surface decontamination with air-powder abrasion following open-flap surgery.

Clinical relevance.

Lacking evidence on the most effective method for biofilm removal from contaminated implant surfaces, the present experimental study provides further information for clinicians and researchers.
Optimization of the structural complexity of artificial neural network for hardware-driven neuromorphic computing application
Authors: Udaya Mohanan Kannan , Cho Seongjae , Park Byung-Gook
Published: July 2022

This work focuses on the optimization of the structural complexity of a single-layer feedforward neural network (SLFN) for neuromorphic hardware implementation. The singular value decomposition (SVD) method is used for the determination of the effective number of neurons in the hidden layer for Modified National Institute of Standards and Technology (MNIST) dataset classification. The proposed method is also verified on a SLFN using weights derived from a synaptic transistor device. The effectiveness of this methodology in estimating the reduced number of neurons in the hidden layer makes this method highly useful in optimizing complex neural network architectures for their hardware realization.
Small-Amp: Test amplification in a dynamically typed language
Authors: Abdi Mehrdad , Rocha Henrique , Demeyer Serge , Bergel Alexandre
Published: July 2022

Some test amplification tools extend a manually created test suite with additional test cases to increase the code coverage. The technique is effective, in the sense that it suggests strong and understandable test cases, generally adopted by software engineers. Unfortunately, the current state-of-the-art for test amplification heavily relies on program analysis techniques which benefit a lot from explicit type declarations present in statically typed languages. In dynamically typed languages, such type declarations are not available and as a consequence test amplification has yet to find its way to programming languages like Smalltalk, Python, Ruby and Javascript. We propose to exploit profiling information —readily obtainable by executing the associated test suite— to infer the necessary type information creating special test inputs with corresponding assertions. We evaluated this approach on 52 selected test classes from 13 mature projects in the Pharo ecosystem containing approximately 400 test methods. We show the improvement in killing new mutants and mutation coverage at least in 28 out of 52 test classes (≈ 53%). Moreover, these generated tests are understandable by humans: 8 out of 11 pull-requests submitted were merged into the main code base (≈ 72%). These results are comparable to the state-of-the-art, hence we conclude that test amplification is feasible for dynamically typed languages.
Pathogenesis and management of traumatic brain injury (TBI): role of neuroinflammation and anti-inflammatory drugs
Authors: Kalra Sunishtha , Malik Rohit , Singh Govind , Bhatia Saurabh , Al-Harrasi Ahmed , Mohan Syam , Albratty Mohammed , Albarrati Ali , Tambuwala Murtaza M.
Published: July 2022

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is an important global health concern that represents a leading cause of death and disability. It occurs due to direct impact or hit on the head caused by factors such as motor vehicles, crushes, and assaults. During the past decade, an abundance of new evidence highlighted the importance of inflammation in the secondary damage response that contributes to neurodegenerative and neurological deficits after TBI. It results in disruption of the blood–brain barrier (BBB) and initiates the release of macrophages, neutrophils, and lymphocytes at the injury site. A growing number of researchers have discovered various signalling pathways associated with the initiation and progression of inflammation. Targeting different signalling pathways (NF-κB, JAK/STAT, MAPKs, PI3K/Akt/mTOR, GSK-3, Nrf2, RhoGTPase, TGF-β1, and NLRP3) helps in the development of novel anti-inflammatory drugs in the management of TBI. Several synthetic and herbal drugs with both anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective potential showed effective results. This review summarizes different signalling pathways, associated pathologies, inflammatory mediators, pharmacological potential, current status, and challenges with anti-inflammatory drugs.
Operators Arising as Second Variation of Optimal Control Problems and Their Spectral Asymptotics
Authors: Baranzini Stefano
Published: July 2022

We compute the asymptotic for the eigenvalues of a particular class of compact operators deeply linked with the second variation of optimal control problems. We characterize this family in terms of a set of finite dimensional data and we apply this results to a particular class of singular extremal to get a nice description of the spectrum of the second variation.
Cinnamomeoventrolide – Double Bond Regioisomerism in Frog Semiochemicals
Authors: Kuhn Johanna , Schulz Stefan
Published: July 2022

Frogs of the families Mantellinae and Hyperoliidae possess male specific femoral or gular glands that are used during courtship. These glands release volatile compounds, e. g. the macrocyclic lactone gephyromantolide A (2,6,10-trimethyl-6-undecen-11-olide) in the case of Gephyromantis boulengeri (Mantellinae). During the analysis of the volatiles of Hyperolius cinnamomeoventris (Hyperoliidae) we detected an unknown compound A, which we called cinnamomeoventrolide, whose mass spectrum showed high similarity with the spectrum of gephyromantolide A. Nevertheless, slight spectral differences led to the proposal of a regioisomer of gephyromantolide A as a structure for A, 2,6,10-trimethyl-5-undecen-11-olide. A versatile synthesis of this compound was developed to allow access to all four stereoisomers from a single chiral starting material, the so-called (S)-Roche ester, using ring-closing metathesis as a key step. With these stereoisomers, the absolute configuration of the natural product was established to have the (2R,10S)-configuration by GC on a chiral phase. The configuration of natural gephyromantolide A is the opposite. Both frogs seem to use a similar biosynthetic pathway to access the target compounds, differing in the stereochemistry of the reduction steps, and requiring an additional isomerization in case of G. boulengeri. This unique regioisomeric differentiation of double bonds in semiochemicals has so far only been observed in insects. The compounds are likely to play a role in species-recognition of the frogs.
Motivations for Esports Betting and Skin Gambling and Their Association with Gambling Frequency, Problems, and Harm
Authors: Greer Nancy , Hing Nerilee , Rockloff Matthew , Browne Matthew , King Daniel L.
Published: July 2022

This study aimed to examine gambling motivations for esports betting and skin gambling and their association with gambling frequency, problems, and harm. Data were collected via a cross-sectional online survey with 736 participants aged 18 + who engaged in esports cash betting (n = 567), esports skin betting (n = 180), or skin gambling on games of chance (n = 325). Respondents were asked to rate their motivations for the three activities across seven domains: social, financial, positive feelings or enhancement, internal regulation, skill building, competition/challenge, and skin acquisition. The results highlight both similarities and differences in gambling motivations across products. Financial gain and enhancement (i.e., excitement) were the main motivations endorsed for all activities, whereas skin acquisition was an additional motivation for esports skin betting and skin gambling. Across all three products, gambling to escape or improve mood was associated with higher levels of problem gambling and harm. Financial gain motivation was associated with problem gambling only for esports skin betting and skin gambling on games of chance. These findings underscore the importance of considering motivational influences on engagement with emerging gambling activities, especially since some motivations may be a contributing factor in harmful gambling outcomes.
BDDC Preconditioners for Divergence Free Virtual Element Discretizations of the Stokes Equations
Authors: Bevilacqua Tommaso , Scacchi Simone
Published: July 2022

The virtual element method (VEM) is a new family of numerical methods for the approximation of partial differential equations, where the geometry of the polytopal mesh elements can be very general. The aim of this article is to extend the balancing domain decomposition by constraints preconditioner to the solution of the saddle-point linear system arising from a VEM discretization of the two-dimensional Stokes equations. Under suitable hypotesis on the choice of the primal unknowns, the preconditioned linear system results symmetric and positive definite, thus the preconditioned conjugate gradient method can be used for its solution. We provide a theoretical convergence analysis estimating the condition number of the preconditioned linear system. Several numerical experiments validate the theoretical estimates, showing the scalability and quasi-optimality of the method proposed. Moreover, the solver exhibits a robust behavior with respect to the shape of the polygonal mesh elements. We also show that a faster convergence could be achieved with an easy to implement coarse space, slightly larger than the minimal one covered by the theory.
Exploring proximity-based recommendation criteria as a tool for information exchange and interactions between locals and tourists
Authors: Ceccarini Chiara , Nisi Valentina , Prandi Catia
Published: July 2022

Sharing economy and contemporary tourism are two emerging concepts that urge to be investigated together with new ubiquitous and immersive technologies, in the tourism and hospitality sector. In this rich scenario, we designed and implemented ShareCities, a platform to foster remote direct information exchange and meaningful interactions among tourists and locals. Exploiting ShareCities we here present an extended analysis on the opportunity to use people-to-people recommendation criteria based on proximity. We hence defined three criteria which drove our analysis: i) profile similarity, ii) geographical proximity, and iii) random exploration. Through an online questionnaire, we collect answers from 126 young-adult students, obtaining a general positive interest in the three criteria but also concerns in terms of privacy, trust, and feeling of disorientation.
What Can Industrial Policy Do? Evidence from Singapore
Authors: Cheang Bryan
Published: July 2022

This article explores the limits of central industrial planning through a case study of Singapore. While previous Austrian scholars have argued that successful industrial planning is impossible, and that its successes (if any) are limited to the resolution of technical problems, the positive economic record of Singapore under the auspices of its developmental state capitalism poses a strong challenge to these market-oriented perspectives.

In response, I present a modest position. I concede that Singapore’s industrial policy has to some extent contributed to genuine economic development but insist that its state-heavy approach has nonetheless hampered the market’s entrepreneurial discovery by stifling local entrepreneurial talent and crowding out local small-medium enterprises. The top-down model has also limited the economy’s adaptive potential. I draw from productivity, entrepreneurship, and innovation data to make my case and conclude that Singapore’s experience with its developmental state model comes with a significant cost, notwithstanding its impressive achievements.
Walk the talk: ESG mutual fund voting on shareholder proposals
Authors: Dikolli Shane S. , Frank Mary Margaret , Guo Zhe Michael , Lynch Luann J.
Published: July 2022

We document that U.S. mutual funds with investment objectives designated as “Sustainable Investment Overall” by Morningstar (ESG funds) are more likely than other mutual funds to vote in support of environmental and social (ES) shareholder proposals and governance (G) shareholder proposals. We also find that the higher support for ES proposals by ESG funds relative to other funds is more pronounced in index funds than in active funds, consistent with trading constraints influencing voting behavior. While these results provide evidence that ESG funds “walk the talk” with their voting behavior on average, we find that fund families play a significant role in that walk. Additionally, in an analysis of fund families that are signatories of the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI), we find that ESG funds of PRI families are significantly more likely to support ES proposals and G proposals than non-ESG funds of PRI families. We determine that this significant difference stems from non-ESG funds of PRI families providing less support than non-ESG funds from non-PRI families. Taken together, these results provide evidence that ESG funds available to U.S. investors provide more support for shareholder proposals aligned with their designated investment objective, but the type and family of the fund influence that support.
High-Resolution Spectral and Anisotropy Characteristics of Solar Protons During the GLE N∘73 on 28 October 2021 Derived with Neutron-Monitor Data Analysis
Authors: Mishev Alexander L. , Kocharov Leon G. , Koldobskiy Sergey A. , Larsen Nicholas , Riihonen Esa , Vainio Rami , Usoskin Ilya G.
Published: July 2022

The first ground-level enhancement of the current Solar Cycle 25 occurred on 28 October 2021. It was observed by several space-borne and ground-based instruments, specifically neutron monitors. A moderate count-rate increase over the background was observed by high-altitude polar stations on the South Pole and Dome C stations at the Antarctic plateau. Most of the neutron monitors registered only marginal count-rate increases. Using detrended records and employing a method verified by direct space-borne measurements, we derive the rigidity spectra and angular distributions of the incoming solar protons in the vicinity of Earth. For the analysis, we employed a newly computed and parameterized neutron-monitor yield function. The rigidity spectra and anisotropy of solar protons were obtained in their time evolution throughout the event. A comparison with the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory/Energetic and Relativistic Nuclei and Electron (SOHO/ENRE) experiment data is also performed. We briefly discuss the results derived from our analysis.
Enduring senses
Authors: Forbes Graeme A. , Wildman Nathan
Published: July 2022

The meanings of words seem to change over time. But while there is a growing body of literature in linguistics and philosophy about meaning change, there has been little discussion about the metaphysical underpinnings of meaning change. The central aim of this paper is to push this discussion forward by surveying the terrain and advocating for a particular metaphysical picture. In so doing, we hope to clarify various aspects of the nature of meaning change, as well as prompt future philosophical investigation into this topic. More specifically, this paper has two parts. The first, broadly exploratory, part surveys various metaphysical accounts of meaning change. The goal here is to lay out the terrain, thereby highlighting some key choice points. Then, in the second part, after critiquing Prosser’s (Philosophy Phenomenol Res 100(3):657–676, 2020) exdurantism about ‘mental files’, we sketch and defend the enduring senses view of meaning change.
Methoxyisoflavan derivative from Trigonella stellata inhibited quorum sensing and virulence factors of Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Naga Nourhan G. , Zaki Ahmed A. , El-Badan Dalia E. , Rateb Heba S. , Ghanem Khaled M. , Shaaban Mona I.
Published: July 2022

The number of deaths caused by multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa has risen in the recent decade. The development of quorum sensing inhibition (QSI) is a promising approach for controlling Pseudomonas infection. Therefore, this study mainly aimed to investigate how a plant-source material inhibits QSI to produce an antipathogenic effect for fighting microbial infections. The QSI effect of Trigonella stellata was assessed by using Chromobacterium violaceum ATCC 12472 reporter strain. Trigonella stellata exhibited high QSI activity, and an ethanolic extract of T. stellata was prepared for phytochemical isolation of the most active QSI compound. Nine pure compounds were isolated and identified as kaempferitrin (1), soyasaponin I (2), β-sitosterol-3-O-glucoside (3), dihydromelilotoside (4), astrasikokioside I (5), methyl dihydromelilotoside (6), (3R, 4S)-4, 2′, 4′-trihydroxy-7-methoxy-4′-O-β-d-glucopyranosylisoflavan (7), (3S, 4R)-4, 2′, 4′-trihydroxy-7-methoxyisoflavan (8, TMF), and (+)-d-pinitol (9). These compounds were screened against C. violaceum ATCC 12472, and TMF exhibited a potent QSI. The effect of TMF at sub-minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) was assessed against P. aeruginosa virulence factors, including biofilm, pyocyanin formation protease and hemolysin activity. TMF induced significant elimination of QS-associated virulence behavior. In addition, TMF at sub-MICs significantly reduced the relative expression of lasI, lasR, rhlI, and rhlR compared with that in untreated cells. Furthermore, molecular docking was performed to predict structural basis of the QSI activity of TMF. The study demonstrated the importance of T. stellata as a signal modulator and inhibitor of P. aeruginosa pathogenesis.
Kardiale Notfälle bei Diabetes mellitus
Authors: Sievers Burkhard , Späth Martin R.
Published: July 2022

Die Inzidenz und die Prävalenz des Diabetes mellitus nehmen in Deutschland und weltweit zu. Jährlich gibt es 500.000 neue Fälle. In Deutschland sind mehr als 7 Mio. Menschen an Diabetes mellitus erkrankt. Er ist einer der Hauptrisikofaktoren für kardiovaskuläre Erkrankungen und Notfälle. Aufgrund der autonomen Neuropathie und Polyneuropathie und dem damit verbundenen veränderten Schmerzempfinden und der Empfindlichkeit suchen Patientinnen und Patienten mit Diabetes mellitus häufig zu spät ihre Ärztin, ihren Arzt oder die Notaufnahme von Krankenhäusern auf. Dies hat wesentliche prognostische Auswirkungen. Der folgende Artikel bietet eine Übersicht über kardiale Notfälle bei Diabetes mellitus, deren Inzidenzen, spezielle Symptomatik, Therapieoptionen und Prognose. Dabei fokussiert sich der Beitrag auf die häufigsten kardialen Notfallerkrankungen, den akuten Herzinfarkt, die Herzinsuffizienz, Herzklappenerkrankungen, hypertensive Entgleisungen und Herzrhythmusstörungen. Zudem gibt es weniger lebensbedrohliche Erkrankungen, die bei Diabetes gehäuft auftreten und aufgrund ihrer Symptomatik akute kardiale Notfälle imitieren können, wie beispielsweise Mikrozirkulationsstörungen oder die endotheliale Dysfunktion. Diese werden aufgrund ihrer differenzialdiagnostischen Bedeutung ebenfalls angesprochen.
The clinical application of SNP-based next-generation sequencing (SNP-NGS) for evaluation of chimerism and microchimerism after HLA-mismatched stem cell microtransplantation
Authors: Li Weiyang , Xu Yi , Feng Yufeng , Zhou Haixia , Ma Xiao , Wu Depei , Chen Suning , Sun Aining
Published: July 2022

Genetic diagnostic methods for evaluation of chimerism after HSCT, such as STR-PCR and XY-FISH, have limited sensitivity. When donor chimerism is in the micro range (< 1%), deviations in the accuracy of assessment are the most significant disadvantage of these common methods. We developed a highly sensitive method that applies SNPs based on NGS in order to explore the value of donor cell microchimerism in microtransplantation (MST). This improved SNP-NGS approach has higher sensitivity (0.01–0.05%) and only requires a small amount of DNA (8–200 ng). We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 48 patients with AML who received HLA-mismatched stem cell MST at our center to assess the impact of microchimerism on clinical prognosis. Patients whose duration of microchimerism was > 10.5 months (median) had a relapse rate of 26.1%, and had better 5-year LFS and OS (73.4% and 82.6%). In contrast, patients whose duration of microchimerism was < 10.5 months had a higher relapse rate (69.6%), and their 5-year LFS and OS were 30.4% and 43.5%. In conclusion, duration of donor chimerism is highly valuable for assessment of survival and prognosis in patients with AML who have received HLA-mismatched stem cell MST, especially the intermediate-risk group.
A Scoping Review of the Effects of Classroom Acoustic Conditions on Primary School Children’s Physical Health
Authors: Mealings Kiri
Published: July 2022

The aim of this scoping review was to synthesize research assessing the effect of classroom acoustic conditions on children’s physical health and identify areas for future research. This scoping review followed the PRISMA-ScR protocol. A comprehensive search of four online databases (ERIC, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science) was conducted using the search termclassroom AND (acoustic* OR noise OR reverb*) AND health.Peer-reviewed journal articles were included if they were written in English, included children in the primary school age range (i.e. 5–12 years), and included a measure of children’s physical health. Eight papers out of the 407 papers returned in the search met the criteria to be included in the review. The results were analysed according to the effect of traffic noise, aircraft noise, and internal classroom noise on children’s physical health. The results were somewhat mixed, but overall they suggest that noise may have a negative effect on children’s physical health by inducing a stress response that results in asthma, fatigue, and headaches. Future research avenues are proposed to better understand the relationship between classroom acoustic conditions and children’s physical health.
Secondary plant metabolites as potent drug candidates against antimicrobial-resistant pathogens
Authors: Keita Kadiatou , Darkoh Charles , Okafor Florence
Published: July 2022

Antibiotic resistance is a major public health threat of the twenty-first century and represents an important risk to the global economy. Healthcare-associated infections mainly caused by drug-resistant bacteria are wreaking havoc in patient care worldwide. The spread of such pathogens limits the utility of available drugs and complicates the treatment of bacterial diseases. As a result, there is an urgent need for new drugs with mechanisms of action capable of curbing resistance. Plants synthesize and utilize various metabolic compounds to deter pathogens and predators. Utilizing these plant-based metabolites is a promising option in identifying novel bioactive compounds that could be harnessed to develop new potent antimicrobial drugs to treat multidrug-resistant pathogens. The purpose of this review is to highlight medicinal plants as important sources of novel antimicrobial agents that could be developed to help combat antimicrobial resistance.
Hydrochars produced by hydrothermal carbonisation of seaweed, coconut shell and oak: effect of processing temperature on physicochemical adsorbent characteristics
Authors: Danso-Boateng Eric , Ross Andrew B. , Mariner Ted , Hammerton James , Fitzsimmons Melissa
Published: July 2022

The present study addresses the production of hydrochars from brown seaweed (Fucus serratus) (FS-HCs), coconut shell (CS-HCs), and oak (Oak-HCs) as potential adsorbents using hydrothermal carbonisation (HTC). The effect of HTC processing temperature on the physicochemical adsorbent characteristics of the hydrochars is investigated at different temperatures (200, 220, 250 °C) using a hydrothermal batch reactor. Increasing HTC temperature causes the formation of many spheres in CS-HCs and Oak-HCs, increasing their porosity, except FS-HCs. The surface area of the hydrochars increases with increasing HTC temperature; 10.93–12.78 m2/g for FS-HCs, 2.18–21.94 m2/g for CS-HCs, except for Oak-HCs which decreases from 4.89 to 3.09 m2/g. Increasing HTC temperature decreases volatile matter content in the hydrochars, increases fixed carbon content, and decreases H/C ratio (except for FS-HCs) and O/C ratio of the hydrochars. For all the hydrochars, increasing the HTC temperature results in a slight decrease in zeta potential magnitude, with negatively charged surfaces, making them potential adsorbents for cationic pollutants. The study confirms that the HTC process improves key chemical and physical characteristics of the hydrochars compared to the original biomass, and that the physicochemical adsorbent characteristics are enhanced as the processing temperature increases.
Experimental measurement of thermal conductivity of stereolithography photopolymer resins
Authors: Oval-Trujillo A. , Rodríguez A. , Pérez-Artieda G. , Dung Y. , Alegría P.
Published: July 2022

The rise in the use of additive manufacturing highlights the importance of knowing the properties of the materials employed in this technology. Therefore, for the commercialization of thermal applications with this technology, heat management is essential. Here, computational modelling is often utilised to simulate heat transfer in various components, and knowing precisely the values of thermal conductivity is one of the key parameters. In this line of research, this paper includes the experimental study of three different types of resin used in additive manufacturing by stereolithography. Based on a test bench designed by researchers from the Public University of Navarre, which measures thermal contact resistances and thermal conductivities, the thermal conductivity analysis of three kinds of resin is carried out. This measuring machine employs the temperature difference between the faces and the heat flux that crosses the studied sample to determine the mentioned parameters. The thermal conductivity results are successful considering the constitution of the material studied and are consistent with the conductivity values for thermal insulating materials. The ELEGOO standard resin stands out among the others due to its low thermal conductivity of 0.366 W/m K.

Article Highlights

Calculating thermal conductivity of three resins used in additive manufacturing by stereolithography.

Contributing to a knowledge-based design of heat sink in thermal conductivity measurement bench.

Improvement of the thermal conductivity measurement bench by reducing the uncertainty for its application in low thermal conductivity materials testing.

Graphical abstract
Hospital effluents as sources of antibiotics residues, resistant bacteria and heavy metals in Benin
Authors: Deguenon Esther , Dougnon Victorien , Houssou Vincentia Marie Camille , Gbotche Elodie , Ahoyo Richard Adjovi , Fabiyi Kafayath , Agbankpe Jerrold , Mousse Wassiyath , Lougbegnon Christelle , Klotoe Jean Robert , Tchobo Fidele , Bankole Honoré , Boko Michel
Published: July 2022

This study aims to evaluate the bacteriological, chemical, and toxicological quality of hospital effluents in Benin. Eighteen (18) samples were collected from the south and north of Benin, and poles were set up. Bacteriological analysis was carried out according to the French National Organization for Standardization (AFNOR) standard. Identification of the bacterial species isolated was performed using the API 20E gallery and specific biochemical tests. Antibiotic residues were searched by following ELISA kit instructions. 109 bacterial isolates were obtained, with a predominance of non-enterobacteria (37.7%) and Acinetobacter spp. (24.6%), followed by Klebsiella spp. (11.48%); S. aureus and Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) were isolated at the same frequency (6.5%). Physico-chemical and toxicological parameter analyses showed that they were in conformity with the standards of discharge into the environment. The pH, temperature, electrical conductivity, total solids below, P-redox and suspended solids measured were, on average, 6.83, 27.21 °C, 693.68 µS/cm, 693.68 mg/l, 1.68 mV and 0.15 mg/l, respectively. For heavy metals, cadmium was most prevalent (0.22 mg/l), followed by nickel (0.18 mg/l) and lead (0.03 mg/l). The average antibiotic residue concentrations ranged from 0.043 to 7.65 µg/l. Ciprofloxacin, metronidazole and sulfamethoxazole had the highest residue concentrations of 7.65 ± 2.272 µg/l, 6.61 ± 0.051 µg/l and 3.88 ± 3.088 µg/l, respectively. The heavy metal concentrations obtained were below those required by Benin standards. These effluents therefore present health and environmental risks. It is then more than necessary to develop treatment methods for them before their rejection into the natural environment.
Genital Sensitivity and Perceived Orgasmic Intensity in Transgender Women with Gender Dysphoria After Gender-Affirming Surgery: A Pilot Study Comparing Pelvic Floor Evoked Somatosensory Potentials and Patient Subjective Experience
Authors: Canale Domenico , Molinaro Angelo , Marcocci Claudio , Morelli Girolamo , Matteucci Valeria , Mollaioli Daniele , Jannini Emmanuele A. , Sartucci Ferdinando
Published: July 2022

Background

The integrity of the neural pathways that link genital sensitive areas to the brain and the correlation with subjective sensations in transgender women with gender dysphoria after gender affirming surgery (GAS) have not been explored in detail and remain controversial, so far.

Aim

To test with electrophysiology the integrity of the nervous paths after GAS, and to explore the relationship between genital sensitivity and self-perceived orgasmic intensity in transgender women after GAS.

Methods

Six patients who underwent GAS between 2016 and 2019 were enrolled in the study, and the evaluation of genital and pelvic neural pathways was performed.

Outcomes

Genital sensory thresholds (at clitoral, vaginal, and anal sites) investigated by Somatosensory Evoked Potentials (SEP) and the intensity of orgasm (measured by a psychometric tool, the Orgasmometer) were combined to obtain an objective and subjective evaluation.

Results

SSEPs confirmed the integrity of the large diameter, dorsal column-lemniscus pathway subserving the genital area after GAS. Perceptual Threshold (PT) values were much lower at the neoclitoris compared to neovagina and anal sites. There was no correlation between Orgasmometer and SEP at anal and neovaginal level, while a trend was found at clitoral level.

Clinical Implication

These findings could lead clinicians to a better understanding of postsurgical sexual life in transgender women in order to develop surgical techniques that could focus more on functional aspects of neovagina and neoclitoris.

Strengths & Limitations

Limitations: study very preliminary/exploratory; small number of patients; no long-term follow-up. Strengths: first assessment of sensory pelvic floor innervation in transgender women after GAS; use of objective methods; first attempt at correlating objectives findings to subjective experience of the sexual orgasm.

Conclusions

Our evaluation showed that SSEPs is a good indicator of neural sensitivity, especially in neoclitoris, and that these measurements were consistent with the analysis of self-perceived orgasmic intensity.
Ancestors in Evolutionary Biology
Authors: Jenner Ronald A.
Published: July 2022

Phylogenetics emerged in the second half of the nineteenth century as a speculative storytelling discipline dedicated to providing narrative explanations for the evolution of taxa and their traits. It coincided with lineage thinking, a process that mentally traces character evolution along lineages of hypothetical ancestors. Ancestors in Evolutionary Biology traces the history of narrative phylogenetics and lineage thinking to the present day, drawing on perspectives from the history of science, philosophy of science, and contemporary scientific debates. It shows how the power of phylogenetic hypotheses to explain evolution resides in the precursor traits of hypothetical ancestors. This book provides a comprehensive exploration of the topic of ancestors, which is central to modern biology, and is therefore of interest to graduate students, researchers, and academics in evolutionary biology, palaeontology, philosophy of science, and the history of science.
Penfield and the Founding of the National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Blindness
Authors: Leblanc Richard
Published: July 2022

As conceived by Wilder Penfield the Montreal Neurological Institute (MNI) integrated neurology, neurosurgery, and allied disciplines within a single institution, where research and teaching complemented patient care. The MNI’s success influenced the creation of the National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Blindness (NINDB), as Pearce Bailey, its first Director, sought to replicate the MNI’s clinical and research model. He turned to MNI trainees Maitland Baldwin and Milton Shy to head the NINDB’s Surgical and Medical Neurology Branches, respectively. They in turn recruited other MNI trainees who continued their work at the NINDB bringing clinical neuroscience to the USA.
The digitization of the Brazilian national identity system: A descriptive and qualitative analysis of its information architecture
Authors: Bioni Bruno , Garrote Marina , Meira Marina , Paschoalini Nathan
Published: July 2022

The present paper, which composes a broader research agenda developed by Data Privacy Brasil Research Association, aims to conduct a descriptive and qualitative study of the Brazilian National Identity System through a data protection and data justice perspective. For this purpose, a desk research and legislation analyses were conducted to answer the following question: is the Brazilian National Civil Identification System (Identificação Civil Nacional or ICN) framework adequate with the Brazilian data protection general legislation and its principles—especially regarding its information architecture? As a result, we found that the current information architecture of the ICN, as well as its current use, may reveal a set of concerns related to data protection and data justice.
Introduction
Authors: Galiby Laurie-Anne , Tinland Julia
Published: July 2022

Les 25 et 26 mars 2021, en pleine pandémie de Covid-19, ont eu lieu deux journées d’études organisées par Sorbonne Université sur la thématique des patients experts, des patients partenaires et de leur intégration dans divers dispositifs de participation en santé. Elles ont réuni des chercheurs canadiens et européens autour du développement de la démocratie en santé, dont les principaux modèles sont issus de ces deux régions. Cette nouvelle forme de gouvernance de la santé invite à la collaboration entre les acteurs classiques politiques et médicaux du champ de la santé et des individus de la société civile organisés ou non en associations. Il s'agit là d'un sujet devenu central dans les domaines de la médecine et des humanités biomédicales, et que le contexte de la pandémie de Covid-19 n'a rendu que plus saillant.
Intégrer des patients experts, patients partenaires, patients formateurs ou cochercheurs en cancérologie : une démocratie en santé encore incertaine
Authors: Jacques Béatrice
Published: July 2022

En France, la loi Kouchner (2002) a permis de repenser les droits des patients et a introduit la notion de démocratie sanitaire. En cancérologie, les associations de patients et (ex-)malades ont commencé progressivement à jouer plusieurs rôles (soutien et informations aux malades, représentation dans les institutions de soins et les agences d’État, enseignement auprès des soignants et participation à la recherche). Certains patients choisissent même d'en faire leur métier : c'est cette professionnalisation qui nous intéresse. Nous proposons ici de discuter des premiers résultats de deux recherches en cours sur le sujet.
Constructing Spaces of Discourse and ‘Regroupment’: The Case of Women’s Self-Reliant Groups in Scotland
Authors: HILL O’CONNOR CLEMENTINE , MAZZEI MICAELA , MONTGOMERY TOM
Published: July 2022

In liberal welfare systems, social security policy has been increasingly shifting towards conditionality and individualisation (Knotz, 2019). It is within this context that failure to meet the set conditions becomes personal rather than systemic. This has been enabled by policy discourses that construct poverty and unemployment as the result of personal failure and poor social behaviour. While this area of study over emphasises ‘the constraints imposed by discourse’ (Bacchi, 2000: 55), alternative discourses are often developed. This paper draws on ethnographic research investigating the development of self-reliant groups (SRGs) in Scotland. SRGs are small groups of women supporting each other in creating opportunities for personal development. We find that the process of involvement and sharing of experiences between women at the forefront of welfare reform led to the development of a counter public sphere. Yet, the experience doesn’t move fully towards actions for transformative social change.
Using laboratory intergroup conflict and riots as a “stress test”
Authors: Allen James M. , Richardson Daniel C.
Published: July 2022

We apply the author's computational approach to groups to our empirical work studying and modelling riots. We suggest that assigning roles in particular gives insight, and measuring the frequency of bystander behaviour provides a method to understand the dynamic nature of intergroup conflict, allowing social identity to be incorporated into models of riots.
Advantages and limitations of representing groups in terms of recursive utilities
Authors: Radkani Setayesh , Thomas Ashley J. , Saxe Rebecca
Published: July 2022

Group representations based on recursive utilities can be used to derive the same predictions as Pietraszewski in conflict situations. Additionally, these representations generalize to non-conflict situations, asymmetric relationships, and represent the stakes in a conflict. However, both proposals fail to represent asymmetries of power and responsibility and to account for generalizations from specific observed individuals to collections of non-observed individuals.
Shadow banning, astroturfing, catfishing, and other online conflicts where beliefs about group membership diverge
Authors: Suchow Jordan W.
Published: July 2022

Drawing from conflicts observed in online communities (e.g., astroturfing and shadow banning), I extend Pietraszewski's theory to accommodate phenomena dependent on the intersubjectivity of groups, where representations of group membership (or beliefs about group membership) diverge. Doing so requires enriching representations to include other agents and their beliefs in a process of recursive mentalizing.
Comparison of sperm preparation methods to improve the recovery of mature spermatozoa in sub-fertile males
Authors: Fasano Chiara , D’Andolfi Giuseppe , Di Matteo Loredana , Forte Claudia , Dale Brian , Tosti Elisabetta
Published: July 2022

The integrity of chromatin in the spermatozoon is essential for reproductive outcome. The aim of this study was to evaluate the most effective and cost-effective method to reduce the percentage of spermatozoa with defects in chromatin decondensation for use in assisted reproductive technologies (ART) procedures. Sperm samples from 15 sub-fertile males were examined at CFA Naples to determine the sperm decondensation index (SDI), using the aniline blue test, before and after preparation, comparing density gradients with two different swim-up approaches. All three techniques led to a reduction in decondensed spermatozoa with no statistical difference (P > 0.05) between the control and the treated sperm. In contrast, we found a highly significant decrease in SDI (P < 0.01) after the two swim-up methods in all the samples, confirming the efficacy of these methods in lowering the percentage of chromatin compaction damage. There was no statistical difference between the two swim-up methods, however swim-up from the pellet led to improved count, motility and the percentage of normal condensed spermatozoa. We suggest that swim-up from the pellet be used in ART on sub-fertile males, both to reduce cell stress by multiple centrifugation and improve the recovery rate of mature spermatozoa.
The Physical Properties and Geochemistry of Grains on Aeolian Bedforms at Gale Crater, Mars
Authors: Weitz Catherine M. , O’Connell‐Cooper Catherine , Thompson Lucy , Sullivan Robert J. , Baker Mariah , Grant John A.
Published: July 2022

This study reports on the physical properties and geochemistry of aeolian bedform grains along the Curiosity rover traverse in Gale crater from Vera Rubin Ridge to the Sands of Forvie (Sols 1902–2995), and includes comparisons to results made earlier in the mission. Volumetrically, <150 μm grains dominate active aeolian bedforms in the study area, similar to previous findings elsewhere at Gale crater and at other locations on Mars. Coarser grains, up to 2.9 mm long, are present on larger active bedforms. The larger 1–3 mm active grains commonly are reddish or whitish in color and irregular in shape, suggesting erosion of local bedrock as sources. One inactive megaripple had a surface of dust‐covered 2–15 mm grains, with smaller <150 μm grains between and within the bedform interior. Geochemical measurements show element concentrations vary according to position on the bedform, sand activity, and grain contributions from local bedrock. A strong positive correlation between Mg and Ni is identified on active bedform surfaces, with the highest Ni always corresponding to ripple crests where the coarsest gray and clear grains were commonly found. There is also a correlation between Ti and Cr for the majority of active sands, with the finer active sands in ripple troughs and sand patches having the greatest number of red grains and highest Cr concentrations. These results show the smaller scale physical properties and geochemistry of several types of aeolian bedforms on Mars formed under current and ancient environments.
Wildfire Impacts on Snowpack Phenology in a Changing Climate Within the Western U.S.
Authors: Giovando Jeremy , Niemann Jeffrey D.
Published: July 2022

Snowpack in the western U.S. is critical for water supply and is threatened by wildfires, which are becoming larger and more common. Numerous studies have examined impacts of wildfire on snow water equivalent (SWE), but many of these studies are limited in the number of observation locations, and they have sometimes produced conflicting results. The objective of this study is to distinguish the net effects of wildfires on snowpack from those of climate. We consider 45 burned sites from the Snow Telemetry network. For each burned site, unburned control sites are identified from the same level III ecoregion. Impacts of climate changes on snowpack are analyzed by comparing pre‐fire and post‐fire snow water equivalent at the unburned sites. Combined climate and wildfire effects are considered by comparing pre‐fire and post‐fire SWE at the burned sites. Wildfire impacts are then isolated by taking the difference between the burned and unburned sites. The wildfire‐induced changes in SWE are also compared to several possible controlling variables including burn severity, leaf‐area index change, dominant pre‐fire tree genus, years since the fire, and site elevation. On average, wildfires have advanced melt‐out dates 9 days and maximum SWE dates 6 days and reduced annual maximum SWE by 10% across the sites considered. On average, the combined effects of climate and wildfire have advanced melt‐out and maximum SWE dates approximately 14 and 10 days, respectively, while decreasing annual maximum SWE by approximately 10%.
Histone deacetylase 3 promotes alveolar epithelial–mesenchymal transition and fibroblast migration under hypoxic conditions
Authors: Jeong Sung Hwan , Son Eun Suk , Lee Young Eun , Kyung Sun Young , Park Jeong-Woong , Kim Se-Hee
Published: July 2022

Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), a process by which epithelial cells undergo a phenotypic conversion that leads to myofibroblast formation, plays a crucial role in the progression of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Recently, it was revealed that hypoxia promotes alveolar EMT and that histone deacetylases (HDACs) are abnormally overexpressed in the lung tissues of IPF patients. In this study, we showed that HDAC3 regulated alveolar EMT markers via the AKT pathway during hypoxia and that inhibition of HDAC3 expression by small interfering RNA (siRNA) decreased the migration ability and invasiveness of diseased human lung fibroblasts. Furthermore, we found that HDAC3 enhanced the migratory and invasive properties of fibroblasts by positively affecting the EMT process, which in turn was affected by the increased and decreased levels of microRNA (miR)-224 and Forkhead Box A1 (FOXA1), respectively. Lastly, we found this mechanism to be valid in an in vivo system; HDAC3 siRNA administration inhibited bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice. Thus, it is reasonable to suggest that HDAC3 may accelerate pulmonary fibrosis progression under hypoxic conditions by enhancing EMT in alveolar cells through the regulation of miR-224 and FOXA1. This entire process, we believe, offers a novel therapeutic approach for pulmonary fibrosis.