bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Novel variants in the PAX6 gene related to isolated aniridia
Authors: Kuchalska Katarzyna , Wawrocka Anna , Krawczynski Maciej R.
Published: May 2023

Aniridia, which is a rare congenital defect of the eye, consists of iris hypoplasia or aplasia, and additional ocular abnormalities. It is most commonly caused by autosomal dominant PAX6 gene mutations. However, in about 30% of cases, it is associated with chromosomal rearrangements in the 11p13 region. The aim of this study was to identify the potential PAX6 gene variants, which could cause the isolated aniridia. Eight patients with isolated aniridia were included in this study. MLPA analysis allowed in the past to exclude large structural rearrangements of the PAX6 and adjacent genes like WT1. Blood samples were collected from the patients (and their families in familial cases) and genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood leukocytes and buccal cells. The amplification of the 11 exons of the PAX6 gene was performed. Bidirectional Sanger Sequencing was conducted for the identification of the potentially pathogenic variants, and for the segregation analysis of the identified variant in the family. The results were analyzed with the use of CodonCode Aligner software. In three patients, aniridia was sporadic, whereas in another five cases, the eye defect was familial. The potentially pathogenic variants in the PAX6 gene were found in 6 out of 8 patients with aniridia. We identified four known (c.781C > T, c.607C > T, and c.949C > T twice), and two novel variants (c.258_265del and c.495_496insG). Point mutations in the PAX6 gene are the most frequent cause of aniridia. The investigation of the genetic background of the disease is essential for patients to evaluate recurrence risk in the offspring.
Acute exercise affects dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry body composition estimates but not standardised ultrasound measurements of subcutaneous adipose tissue
Authors: Ong Jun N. , Ducker Kagan J. , Furzer Bonnie J. , Dymock Michael , Landers Grant J.
Published: May 2023

Ultrasound has been demonstrated to be a highly accurate and reliable tool for measuring subcutaneous adipose tissue thickness and is robust against changes in hydration status or acute food or fluid intake. However, the effect of prior acute exercise is unexamined. This study examined the impact of an acute endurance exercise and resistance exercise session on standardised brightness‐mode ultrasound measurements of subcutaneous adipose tissue thickness compared to skinfolds and dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry body composition estimates. In a randomised cross‐over design, 30 active adults (24.2 ± 4.9 years) undertook physique assessment via standardised brightness‐mode ultrasound, skinfolds and dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry before, immediately and 45 min after an acute endurance or resistance exercise session. The mean sum of eight subcutaneous adipose tissue thickness measured via standardised brightness‐mode ultrasound increased (0.6 mm, p = 0.04) immediately postendurance exercise but was not meaningful when evaluated against the technical error of measurement of the investigator. A significant (p = 0.01) but not meaningful decrease in the sum of eight skinfolds occurred immediately (−1.1 ± 0.4 mm) and 45 min (−1.3 ± 0.4 mm) postresistance exercise. Comparatively, endurance exercise elicited a meaningful decrease of total mass (460 ± 30 g) and trunk lean mass (680 ± 90 g) dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry estimates. Findings from this study indicate standardised client presentation may be unnecessary when employing either standardised brightness‐mode ultrasound or skinfolds for body composition assessment unlike dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry.
Managerial advice‐taking—Sharing responsibility with (non)human advisors trumps decision accuracy
Authors: Aschauer Florian , Sohn Matthias , Hirsch Bernhard
Published: May 2023

Organizations are increasingly implementing algorithmic decision aids to advise managerial decision‐making. We study managers' motives behind using advice (human and nonhuman), particularly sharing responsibility versus increasing decision accuracy motives. We conduct an online experiment with experienced managers in a sales forecasting setting and find that managers focus on increasing decision accuracy (sharing responsibility) when they are unable (able) to share responsibility with advisors. Moreover, managers prefer to share responsibility with blamable human advisors over nonhuman advisors unless they perceive algorithms as socially competent. Consequently, the results show that managers are not solely motivated to minimize forecast errors but also to reduce personal responsibility when taking advice. We contribute to the literature by highlighting the opportunistic motives of managers when taking (non)human advice. Our findings also bear important implications for practice. Specifically, firms should be aware of managers' opportunistic advice‐taking motives when implementing algorithmic decision aids.
Bomb radiocarbon dating reveals 40‐year lifespan of Shovelnose Sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus platorynchus)—Implications for stock assessments of long‐lived, primitive fishes
Authors: Hupfeld Ryan N. , Lackmann Alec R. , Andrews Allen H. , Welte Caroline , Jones Gene
Published: May 2023

Stock assessments for Shovelnose Sturgeon have largely been limited to age and growth analyses using pectoral fin rays despite potential underestimation of age and lack of age validation. Fisheries stock assessments rely on accurate estimates of vital rates for effective fisheries management, within which fish age and lifespan are of primary importance. Age was estimated using pectoral fin rays and otolith sections, and bomb radiocarbon (14C) dating was applied to otolith cores to determine lifespan and validate ages. Age reading of fin rays was straightforward, whereas most otolith thin sections provided two age‐reading scenarios: lumping (primary increments) or splitting (finer increments) presumed annuli. While fin‐ray estimates led to a maximum age of 14 years, otolith estimates led to maximum ages of 27 and 42 years.14C dating provided support for a combination of lumping early in life, to splitting in later years, and validation of a ~40‐year lifespan. Age reading of otoliths was imprecise and resulted in ~40% of thin sections that were not age scoreable. However, scoreable otolith sections, coupled with14C dating, resulted in growth and lifespan information that are the most accurate to date for Shovelnose Sturgeon and can be used as a baseline toward stock assessment refinements.
VonIbrahimzuIbrahim: Daniel Casper von Lohensteins „Türkische Trauerspiele“
Authors: von Holt Isabel
Published: May 2023

Klaus Günter Just ordnete die Dramentexte Daniel Casper von Lohensteins in seiner zwischen 1953 und 1957 erschienenen historisch‐kritischen Edition nicht chronologisch, sondern geographisch und kulturell drei Rubriken zu: afrikanische, römische und türkische Trauerspiele – eine Kategorisierung, die von Generationen von Literaturwissenschaftler*innen übernommen wurde. Im Vergleich zu ihren „afrikanischen“ und „römischen“ Pendants haben die so genannten „Türkischen Trauerspiele“Ibrahim (Bassa)(1650) undIbrahim Sultan(1673) bislang von der Forschung wenig Beachtung erfahren. Dabei zeichnet Lohenstein, wie dieser Aufsatz zeigt, in beiden Dramen ein vielschichtiges, zuweilen ambivalentes Bild vom Osmanischen Reich. Dies reflektiert eine spezifisch frühneuzeitliche Spielart des Orientalismus, die nicht von einem westlichen Überlegenheitsgefühl geprägt ist, sondern von der wechselhaften Geschichte zwischen den deutschen Territorien und dem Osmanischen Reich vom fünfzehnten bis zum siebzehnten Jahrhundert. Die beiden Bühnenstücke verfolgen aufmerksam die fluktuierenden macht‐ und geopolitischen Entwicklungen und repräsentieren ihre komplexen Implikationen, indem sie die Möglichkeiten der Dichtung und des Theaters ausloten.
‘Joining into God's breath’: travail of the negative as a connection between mysticism and political activism
Authors: Wolff Edda
Published: May 2023

This essay argues that a negative hermeneutics, i.e., a hermeneutics that takes its starting point from the experience of gaps, failures, and limits, is a suitable lens for the study of mysticism. It uses the concept of travail of the negative, which focuses on the dynamics of a continuous ‘unsaying’ and ‘subverting’ of traditional expressions of faith and religious practice, to explore the connection between aspects of practical and theoretical negativity in mystical expressions. It suggests that this approach to mystical theology makes an important contribution to the wider theological discourse and encourages theology to take the fundamental character of negation seriously.
Axin2‐CreERT2 mediated knockout of bone morphogenetic protein receptor type 1A caused abnormal secondary dentine and altered cell fate of Axin2‐expressing odontogenic cells
Authors: Xu Chunmei , Xie Xudong , Shi Peilei , Wu Yafei , Wang Jun
Published: May 2023

Aim

Inducing odontogenic differentiation and tubular dentine formation is extremely important in dentine repair and tooth regeneration. Bone morphogenic proteins (BMPs) signalling plays a critical role in dentine development and tertiary dentine formation, whilst how BMPR1A‐mediated signalling affects odontoblastic differentiation of Axin2‐expressing (Axin2+) odontogenic cells and tubular dentine formation remains largely unknown. This study aims to reveal the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in the formation of secondary dentine.

Methodology

Axin2lacZ/+ mice harvested at post‐natal 21 (P21) were used to map Axin2+ mesenchymal cells. Axin2CreERT2/+; R26RtdTomato/+ mice and Axin2CreERT2/+; R26RDTA/+; R26RtdTomato/+ mice were generated to observe the tempo‐spatial distribution pattern of Axin2‐lineage cells and the effect of ablation of Axin2+ cells on dentinogenesis, respectively. A loss‐of‐function model was established with Axin2CreERT2/+; Bmpr1afl/fl; R26RtdTomato/+ (cKO) mice to study the role of BMP signalling in regulating Axin2+ cells. Micro‐computed tomography, histologic and immunostainings, and other approaches were used to examine biological functions, including dentine formation, mineralization and cell differentiation in cKO mice.

Results

The results showed rich expression of Axin2 in odontoblasts at P21. Lineage tracing assay confirmed the wide distribution of Axin2 lineage cells in odontoblast layer and dental pulp during secondary dentine formation (P23 to P56), suggesting that Axin2+ cells are important cell source of primary odontoblasts. Ablation of Axin2+ cells (DTA mice) significantly impaired secondary dentine formation characterized with notably reduced dentine thickness (Mean of control: 54.11 μm, Mean of DTA: 27.79 μm, p = .0101). Furthermore, malformed osteo‐dentine replaced the tubular secondary dentine in the absence of Bmpr1a with irregular cell morphology, abnormal cellular process formation and lack of cell–cell tight conjunction. Remarkably increased expression of osteogenic markers like Runx2 and DMP1 was detected, whilst DSP expression was observed in a dispersed manner, indicating an impaired odontogenic cell fate and failure in producing tubular dentine in cKO mice.

Conclusions

Axin2+ cells are a critical population of primary odontoblasts which contribute to tubular secondary dentine formation, and BMP signalling pathway plays a vital role in maintaining the odontogenic fate of Axin2+ cells.
Hemoglobin determination with point‐of‐care testing, performance evaluation compared to central laboratory analyzers in transfusion decision, an in vitro and retrospective study
Authors: Gibert Charles , Mestrallet Fanélie , Desmurs Laurent , Chardon Laurence , Lours Camille , Nougier Christophe
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Point of care (POC) analyzers are an integral part of the patient care. Transfuse can be an emergency decision, not being a benign act, it is necessary to ensure that the hemoglobin value measured by the POC are comparable with the reference analyzer. The objective is to compare the analytical performance of three POCs: ABL800 Flex, Hemocue and iSTAT and a central laboratory analyzer: XN‐10 and the impact on the transfusion decision.

Methods

An in vitro study was performed in 50 patients for whom a hemogram had been prescribed on the XN‐10, the hemoglobin determination was performed in parallel on the three POCs. Then, retrospective study was performed to compare the hemoglobin values returned for matched samples in routine practice, 5505 for ABL800 Flex, 55 for Hemocue and 70 for iSTAT were analyzed.

Results

In vitro study shows systematic biases in the measurement of hemoglobin between the different analyzers, overestimation for the ABL800 Flex and the Hemocue, underestimation for the iSTAT. These biases are accentuated in current practice for iSTAT but decreased for ABL800 Flex. In the transfusion decision range from 70 to 100 g/L, there were 8.6% of clinically discordant results between the reference method and ABL, 34.8% for Hemocue and 21.4% for iSTAT.

Conclusion

In addition to systematic biases, many additional factors may be involved for variation in hemoglobin measurement with POC. Thus, in the case of urgent transfusion decisions, sending a hemogram on a central laboratory analyzer seems to be essential, while being compatible with a life‐threatening emergency.
THE EFFECT OF RANITIDINE (AS EFFERVESCENT TABLETS) ON THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF GORD PATIENTS
Authors: Stacey JH , Miocevich ML , Sacks GE
Published: May 2023

SUMMARY Patients diagnosed as suffering from symptomatic reflux disease were entered into this comparative, multicentre study based in UK general practice. The study was designed to investigate the symptomatic response and quality of life of these GORD sufferers as they received ranitidine (Zantac effervescent tablets) over a four‐week period. All patients initially received ranitidine 150mg bd for two weeks. Subsequent treatment was allocated according to symptomatic response: responders remained on the initial dose for the remaining two weeks of the study, non‐responders had their dosage increased to qds. Quality of life was assessed using the short‐form 36 questionnaire (SF‐36) both before and two and four weeks after treatment. The GORD sufferers had a significantly worse quality of life than a representative sample of the general population before treatment. After just four weeks of treatment with ranitidine, however, substantial improvements were observed in all domains of the SF‐36, to the extent that the quality of life profile of the GORD sufferers became very similar to that of the general population and no significant differences were observed between the groups.
EFFICACY AND SAFETY OF PROMETHAZINE HYDROCHLORIDE AS A LOCAL ANAESTHETIC AGENT FOR INGUINAL HERNIA REPAIR: A PILOT STUDY
Authors: Kumar S , Gupta RL , Chawla R
Published: May 2023

SUMMARY Promethazine hydrochloride is known to possess properties as a local anaesthetic which scientists have not researched well. Therefore, a prospective, randomised, double‐blind clinical study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of promethazine hydrochloride compared to lignocaine hydrochloride, when used as a local anaesthetic agent. Twenty adult male patients undergoing inguinal hernia repair were included in the study. Regional nerve block technique was employed in all the patients. Efficacy of the agents was assessed on a four‐point pain scale and by recording the pulse and the blood pressure. Promethazine hydrochloride was found to be as effective as lignocaine hydrochloride in terms of the intensity and the duration of regional anaesthesia produced. None of the patients from either group required additional anaesthesia in any form, and no complications were witnessed. To conclude, promethazine hydrochloride appears to be a safe alternative to lignocaine hydrochloride for performing surgery under regional anaesthesia.
LOW‐DOSE DOPAMINE INFUSION IN CIRRHOSIS WITH REFRACTORY ASCITES
Authors: Lin S‐M , Lee C‐S , Kao P‐F
Published: May 2023

SUMMARY To investigate the effect of dopamine on the renal blood flow, five cirrhotic patients with refractory ascites but no hepatorenal syndrome were allocated to this study. Low‐dose dopamine infusion at a rate of 2 μg/kg/min was undertaken at least for 24 hours. Effective renal plasma flow (ERPF) and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) were measured by computerised nuclear scanning before and after dopamine infusion. The results revealed no difference in the changes of blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, creatinine clearance, blood pressure, pulse rate, serum sodium, serum aldosterone and GFR despite insignificant increases in urine output and urinary sodium excretion after dopamine infusion. However, ERBF values before and after dopamine infusion were 288‐311, 208‐267, 418‐442, 246‐270 and 262‐396 ml/min in these five patients respectively and showed significant increase (p <0.01). Our study revealed that low‐dose dopamine infusion could increase ERPF in cirrhotic patients with refractory ascites.
WHOSE ILLNESS IS IT ANYWAY? WHY PATIENT PERCEPTIONS MATTER
Authors: Cooper AF
Published: May 2023

SUMMARY Recent studies indicate it is frequently patients' implicit understanding and attitude towards their illness that affect health behaviours such as compliance with medication, follow‐up and rehabilitation attendance ‐ important mediators of physical and psychological outcome. An overview of the theory that forms the basis for such findings attempts to explain how illness perceptions mediate health outcome. By examining research which has demonstrated important relationships between illness beliefs and physiological/functional outcome in specific illnesses, this review attempts to bring together psychological theory and clinical outcome measurements; this should demonstrate the value and importance to health‐care professionals of considering the patient perception framework.
HALITOSIS: A DELAYED COMPLICATION OF SPLENECTOMY
Authors: Boyce KE , Cobb RA
Published: May 2023

SUMMARY Subphrenic abscess is a recognised complication of splenectomy, but fistulation into the stomach is extremely rare. This report describes a delayed complication of splenectomy presenting as offensive and socially disabling halitosis.
ULCERATED DYSTROPHIC CALCINOSIS CUTIS SECONDARY TO LOCALISED LINEAR SCLERODERMA
Authors: Vereecken P , Stallenberg B , Tas S , De Dobbeleer G , Heenen M
Published: May 2023

SUMMARY Dystrophic calcinosis is a more common form of calcinosis cutis; calcium salts are deposited secondary to local inflammation, tissue damage and degeneration. Various conditions can cause dystrophic calcinosis, including connective tissue disease, infection, inflammatory processes, chronic venous stasis, cutaneous neoplasm and trauma. We report a case of ulcerated cutaneous calcinosis associated with a localised linear scleroderma or morphea. Healing of the ulcerations took place after four months of treatment with colchicine 1 mg per day.
MIGRAINE: ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT
Authors: Dowson AJ
Published: May 2023

Headcahes occur at some time in the vast majority of the population. For most people headaches are a nuisance but for some they can be disabling. Two per cent of the population at any time have chronic daily headache, with or without analgesic dependence, but most disabling headaches are intermittent and migranous in nature. Before hoping to make an appropriate intervention, an accurate diagnosis must be made. The first part of this paper examines the differential diagnosis and in particular separates benign from sinister, acute from chronic and tension‐type from migranous. The second half focuses on the management of migraine. An individualised approach is usually the most effective, with the patient drawing from the broad areas of attention to trigger factors and lifestyle, finding an acute or rescue medication that consistently returns them to normal activities within a few hours, and prophylaxis to reduce the rate of attack by 50% in those with high frequency migraine. The expession of migraine may well vary during an individual's life and in order to achieve the best lifelong control, adjustment of the blend of management options may be needed. The aim of the adviser is to enable patients to feel in control of their migraine rather than feeling that migraine controls them.
CHOLESTEROL ABSORPTION INHIBITION: A STRATEGY FOR CHOLESTEROL‐LOWERING THERAPY
Authors: Miettinen TA
Published: May 2023

A clear relationship has been documented between plasma levels of low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C) and the risk of coronary heart disease. LDL‐C is believed to be key in the pathogenesis of coronary atherosclerosis, although increasing evidence suggests that low levels of high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol and elevated triglyceride levels are contributory factors. Chylomicron remnants formed via the exogenous (dietary and biliary) pathway of cholesterol metabolism may also have atherogenic potential. Dietary modification, especially with plant stanol (sterol) ester margarine, which inhibits cholesterol absorption and improves the fatty acid pattern, lowers LDL‐C sufficiently in many hypercholesterolaemic patients, and is also a useful adjunct to pharmacological therapy. Cholesterol absorption inhibitors typically lower LDL‐C by 10–20%. Ezetimibe, the first selective cholesterol absorption inhibitor, has been shown to lower LDL‐C by approximately 18% following a once‐daily 10 mg dose, either as monotherapy or as combination therapy. Combination therapy with selective cholesterol absorption inhibitors such as ezetimibe along with statins or fibrates may allow more patients with hypercholesterolaemia to achieve target LDL‐C levels compared with treatment with monotherapy. Ezetimibe may be useful in the management of patients who respond poorly to or are unable to tolerate statins, or in patients with hereditary or drug‐induced phytosterolaemia.
Diabetes technology including automated insulin delivery systems to manage hyperglycemia in a failing pancreatic graft: Case series of people with type 1 diabetes and a pancreas kidney or pancreas‐only transplant
Authors: Stathi Dimitra , Johnston Thomas , Hyslop Rebecca , Brackenridge Anna , Karalliedde Janaka
Published: May 2023

We share our experience of using continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) therapy and diabetes technology in six people (5 men) with type 1 diabetes (mean duration 36 years), who developed hyperglycemia post‐simultaneous kidney/pancreas (n = 5) or pancreas only (n = 1) transplant. All were on immunosuppression and multiple daily injections of insulin prior to CSII. Four people were started on automated insulin delivery, and two people on CSII and intermittently scanned continuous glucose monitoring. With diabetes technology, the median time in range glucose improved from 37% (24–49%) to 56.6% (48–62%), and similarly, glycated hemoglobin fell from 72.7 mmol/mol (72–79 mmol/mol) to 64 mmol/mol (42–67 mmol/mol; P < 0.05 for both) with no concomitant increase in hypoglycemia. Use of diabetes technology improved glycemic parameters in people with type 1 diabetes with failing pancreatic graft function. Early use of such technology should be considered to improve diabetes control in this complex cohort.
The effects of temperature and salinity on the blood chemistry and survival of juvenile Atlantic tarponMegalops atlanticus
Authors: Coffill‐Rivera Manuel E. , Paez Mendez Yvanna D. , Little Logan , Graham Patrick M. , Franks James S. , Correa Sandra Bibiana , Neal J. Wesley , Allen Peter J.
Published: May 2023

Atlantic tarponMegalops atlanticusare highly migratory sportfish that support recreational fisheries throughout their range. In US waters, juveniles can be found in coastal and estuarine habitats along the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic seaboard, with temperature limiting their northern latitudinal distribution. Juveniles may overwinter in these areas during the first several years of life. Low temperatures are known to cause mortality in adults, but the challenges of temperature are less understood for juveniles. Furthermore, salinity, which can change dramatically in these habitats, may have a synergistic effect with temperature. To examine the physiological effects of temperature and salinity on juvenile tarpon, wild fish were acclimated to a range of conditions that potentially occur in the northern range of their estuarine habitats. The haematology of juvenile tarpon was examined in two salinity (≤2 and ≥30 ppt) and temperature (15 and 25°C) treatments, followed by a low‐temperature tolerance test. After 2 weeks in treatment conditions, blood samples were analysed for haematocrit, pH, red blood cell concentration, haemoglobin content and plasma osmolality. Increased plasma osmolality was observed in fish at low temperature (15°C compared to 25°C) and at high salinity (≥30 ppt compared to ≤2 ppt). Blood pH was increased at 15°C compared to 25°C, with the highest pH at 15°C and low salinity. Haemoglobin, haematocrit and red blood cell concentration were higher at 25°C than 15°C, with haemoglobin lowest at 15°C and low salinity. For the low‐temperature tolerance test, all fish were acclimated to 15°C for 2 weeks, then transferred to separate tanks where temperature was gradually decreased at 0.9 ± 0.1°C/h until fish lost equilibrium. Fish at low salinity lost equilibrium more rapidly (1 ppt, 12.65 ± 0.46°C) than fish at high salinity (30 ppt, 11.26 ± 0.14°C). The results indicate juvenile tarpon are susceptible to low temperature, which is exacerbated by low salinity, findings useful in the assessment of juvenile tarpon overwintering habitat.
Spawning ecology of the Saint Paul's Gregory Stegastes sanctipauli, a damselfish endemic to the remote St Peter and St Paul's Archipelago
Authors: Alves Aline Cristina , Ferreira Carlos Eduardo Leite , de Souza Rosa Ricardo , Pinheiro Hudson Tercio , Francini‐Filho Ronaldo Bastos
Published: May 2023

We studied the spawning ecology of Stegastes sanctipauli, a damselfish endemic to the small and remote St Peter and St Paul's Archipelago (Brazil), aiming to determine the main correlates of reproductive success, as inferred from rates of egg losses along a spawning season. New clutches appeared mostly in the last quarter moon, when egg predation intensified. Predation by heterospecifics, particularly Halichoeres radiatus (Linnaeus, 1758), accounted for most egg losses, while filial cannibalism showed negligible influence. Predation pressure was highest for larger nests with higher initial density of eggs. Hatching of eggs occurred close to the new moon (i.e., ~5 days after spawning). Most nests occur in shallow reefs (<16 m depth), where main food resources for adults (turf algae) are concentrated, but abundance of egg predators, particularly H. radiatus, is also highest. This latter result suggests that the spawning activity of S. sanctipauli is influenced by the trade‐offs between food accessibility by adults and egg predation risk. The patterns recorded here are similar to those known for other tropical damselfish species and may reflect strategies for attenuating predation pressure over new fry and eggs.
Scaling in urban building energy use and its influencing factors
Authors: Wang Chunyan , Jiang Hanying , Wu Hao , Liu Yi , Guo Siyue , Xu Ming
Published: May 2023

Several studies have reported scaling relationships for energy consumption with respect to city size and other indicators. However, such scaling relationships have rarely been reported at the suburban level. This study explored the scaling relationships between energy use (EU) and building size (gross floor area [GFA]) at the building level in 16 urban regions in the United States from 2011 to 2019. We found that the scaling exponents of most of the examined regions changed from either super‐linear or sub‐linear to linear (β = 1) over the years. The scaling exponents of some cities (e.g., New York City) fluctuated around 1. These scaling exponents are negatively correlated with regional climate. This study reports that the scaling relationships between energy consumption and GFA at the building level in heterogeneous cities are evolving toward linear scaling. This study also found that different building types and building energy structures significantly impact building energy consumption. Hotels in New York City had the highest scaling exponent (β = 1.02), and strong correlations were observed between the scaling exponents and the share of electricity in building EU. These insights reveal the common nature of the relationships between building EU and GFA and the intersections between scaling exponents and building attributes. Our study highlights the importance of energy efficiency management in hotels and electricity‐dominated buildings.
The effect of consumption and production policies on circular economy business models: A machine learning approach
Authors: Arranz Carlos F. A. , Kwong Caleb , Sena Vania
Published: May 2023

The circular economy (CE) is attracting increasing interest, as it can bring environmental, social, and economic benefits. However, policymakers and scholars appear to concentrate more on the production side of CE, while consumption, and particularly policies that affect consumption have received less attention and their effect is ambiguous. This paper investigates the effect of CE consumption policies on circular economy business models (CEBMs) in firms, but also examines the interplay this type of policies have with CE production policies to have a broader picture of the circular economy policy framework and the relevance of each type of policy on firms. While previous studies assume rational and passive consumer behavior, this paper borrows from a natural resource‐based view and stakeholder theory, arguing that consumers have a proactive attitude toward the consumption of environmentally friendly products. Moreover, we use institutional theory as an analytical framework for modeling the effects of a particular policy framework on the CEBM. Our analysis combines classical econometric methods with machine learning approaches, employing data from the EU. The results show that CE policies aimed at promoting consumption have a direct and positive effect on CEBMs. This paper also confirms that a wide portfolio of CE policies on production and consumption has a greater effect on the development of CEBMs, due to the complementarity of CE consumption and production policies. Moreover, we show that in interaction with CE production policies, CE policies on consumption have an even greater effect on CEBMs in firms than would have been anticipated.
Un estallido animal: Animalización y antropomorfización en el conflicto político chileno
Authors: Aguilera Isabel M. , Vera Antonieta , Ossandón Rosario Fernández
Published: May 2023

This article analyzes the political utility and potency of animal symbolism in human self‐representations, relationships and hierarchies during the social outburst of October 2019 in Chile. Based on personal files and secondary sources, we argue that animalization and anthropomorphization were strategies used by both sides of the conflict to produce an imaginary of each other, as well as racial and class content of their antagonism.
Muscle architectural properties indicate a primary role in support for the pelvic limb of three‐toed sloths (Bradypus variegatus)
Authors: Morgan D. M. , Spainhower K. B. , Mossor A. M. , Avey‐Arroyo J. A. , Butcher M. T.
Published: May 2023

Tree sloths evolved below‐branch locomotion making them one of few mammalian taxa beyond primates for which suspension is nearly obligatory. Suspension requires strong limb flexor muscles that provide both propulsion and braking/support, and available locomotor kinetics data indicate that these roles differ between fore‐ and hindlimb pairs. Muscle structure in the pelvic limb is hypothesized to be a key anatomical correlate of function in braking/support during suspensory walking and propulsion and/or support during vertical climbing. This expectation was tested by quantifying architecture properties in the hindlimb limb musculature of brown‐throated three‐toed sloths (Bradypus variegatus: N = 7) to distinguish the roles of the flexor/extensor functional muscle groups at each joint. Measurements of muscle moment arm (rm), mass, belly length, fascicle length, pennation angle, and physiological cross‐sectional area (PCSA) were taken from n = 45 muscles. Overall, most muscles studied show properties for contractile excursion and fast joint rotational velocity. However, the flexor musculature is more massive (p = 0.048) and has larger PCSA (p = 0.003) than the extensors, especially at the knee joint and digits where well‐developed and strong flexors are capable of applying large joint torque. Moreover, selected hip flexors/extensors and knee flexors have modified long rm that can amplify applied joint torque in muscles with otherwise long, parallel fascicles, and one muscle (m. iliopsoas) was capable of moderately high power in B. variegatus. The architectural properties observed in the hip flexors and extensors match well with roles in suspensory braking and vertical propulsion, respectively, whereas strong knee flexors and digital flexors appear to be the main muscles providing suspensory support in the pelvic limb. With aid in support by the forelimbs and the use of adaptive slow locomotion and slow muscle fiber recruitment patterns, structure–function in the tensile limb systems of sloths appears to collectively represent an additional mechanism for energy conservation.
Normative change with gestation in fetal intraventricular pressure difference with color M‐mode Doppler echocardiography
Authors: Yamamoto Yuka , Takahashi Ken , Takamizu Ai , Ogawa Takahisa , Yoshida Koyo , Itakura Atsuo
Published: May 2023

Aim

The intraventricular pressure difference (IVPD) is the pressure difference in early diastole from the base to the apex of the ventricle. It is a useful marker for evaluating diastolic function because of its role as a suction force. This study investigated the changes in total and segmental IVPDs in normal fetuses throughout gestation to obtain normative data equations.

Methods

One hundred thirty‐seven healthy pregnant women at 12–40 weeks of gestation were prospectively enrolled to evaluate IVPD. The color M mode was performed, and the image was evaluated using our own code to calculate the IVPD. Segmental IVPD was divided into mid to apex and base. Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to evaluate this relationship.

Results

There was a significant, positive relationship between IVPD and gestational age in both ventricles (right ventricle [RV]: r = 0.800, left ventricle [LV]: r = 0.818). As for segmental IVPD, basal and mid‐apical IVPD also increased with gestation in both ventricles (RV: basal, r = 0.627; mid‐apical, r = 0.705; LV: basal r = 0.758; mid‐apical, r = 0.756). IVPG, which was calculated as IVPD/ventricular length, also showed a weak, positive relationship with gestation in both ventricles (RV r = 0.351, p < 0.001; LV r = 0.373, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

The total and segmental IVPDs significantly increased linearly through time.
Spatial agglomeration or dispersion under Cournot‐Bertrand competition
Authors: Chen Hsiao‐Chi , Liu Shi‐Miin , Lin Sung‐Chi
Published: May 2023

This research explores the equilibria of a spatial model with consumers having finite reservation prices and two firms under Cournot‐Bertrand competition. We find three types of equilibria. For high effective reservation prices, a unique equilibrium exists with spatially agglomerating firms serving all consumers. For medium effective reservation prices, the intermediate‐location‐differentiation firms serve all consumers at equilibria. For low effective reservation prices, the firms act as two monopolists and do not serve all consumers at equilibria. The results herein and from previous studies together demonstrate that changing one of two Bertrand (Cournot) firms to Cournot‐type (Bertrand‐type) can make the minimum‐location‐differentiation equilibrium appear (disappear). Moreover, both firms' location distances at our intermediate‐location‐differentiation equilibria are always larger than those at the equilibria of firms' price competition.
26Al–26Mg chronology of high‐temperature condensate hibonite in a fine‐grained, Ca‐Al‐rich inclusion from reduced CV chondrite
Authors: Kawasaki Noriyuki , Yamamoto Daiki , Wada Sohei , Park Changkun , Kim Hwayoung , Sakamoto Naoya , Yurimoto Hisayoshi
Published: May 2023

Al–Mg mineral isochron studies using secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) have revealed the initial 26Al/27Al ratios, (26Al/27Al)0, for individual Ca‐Al‐rich inclusions (CAIs) in meteorites. We find that the relative sensitivity factors of 27Al/24Mg ratio for SIMS analysis of hibonite, one of the major constituent minerals of CAIs, exhibit variations based on their chemical compositions. This underscores the critical need for using appropriate hibonite standards to obtain accurate Al−Mg data. We measured the Al−Mg mineral isochron for hibonite in a fine‐grained CAI (FGI) from the Northwest Africa 8613 reduced CV chondrite by SIMS using synthesized hibonite standards with 27Al/24Mg of ~30, ~100, and ~400. The obtained mineral isochron of hibonite in the FGI yields (26Al/27Al)0 of (4.73 ± 0.09) × 10−5, which is identical to that previously obtained from the mineral isochron of spinel and melilite in the same FGI (Kawasaki et al., 2020). The uncertainties of (26Al/27Al)0 indicate that the constituent minerals in the FGI formed within ~0.02 Myr in the earliest solar system. The disequilibrium O‐isotope distributions of the minerals in the FGI suggest that the O‐isotope compositions of the nebular gas from which they condensed underwent a transitional change from 16O‐rich to 16O‐poor within ~0.02 Myr in the earliest solar system. Once formed, the FGI may have been removed from the forming region within ~0.02 Myr and transported to the accretion region of the parent body.
Distinct subunit architecture and assembly pattern of DNA gyrase from mycobacteria
Authors: Faheem Iqball , Gupta Richa , Nagaraja Valakunja
Published: May 2023

DNA gyrase, the sole negative supercoiling type II topoisomerase, is composed of two subunits, GyrA and GyrB, encoded by the gyrA and gyrB genes, respectively, that form a quaternary complex of A2B2. In this study, we have investigated the assembly of mycobacterial DNA gyrase from its individual subunits, a step prerequisite for its activity. Using analytical size‐exclusion chromatography, we show that GyrA from Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium smegmatis forms tetramers (A4) in solution unlike in Escherichia coli and other bacteria where GyrA exists as a dimer. GyrB, however, persists as a monomer, resembling the pattern found in E. coli. GyrB in both mycobacterial species interacts with GyrA and triggers the dissociation of the GyrA tetramer to facilitate the formation of catalytically active A2B2. Despite oligomerisation, the GyrA tetramer retained its DNA binding ability, and DNA binding had no effect on GyrA's oligomeric state in both species. Moreover, the presence of DNA facilitated the assembly of holoenzyme in the case of M. smegmatis by stabilising the GyrA2B2 tetramer but with little effect in M. tuberculosis. Thus, in addition to the distinct organisation and regulation of the gyr locus in mycobacteria, the enzyme assembly also follows a different pattern.
On the taxonomic identity of Capillipedium mistryi A. P. Tiwari & Landge (Poaceae: Andropogoneae) and synonymisation of C. yashwantraoi Tarbej & Potdar as its new heterotypic synonym
Authors: Nawaz Landge Shahid , Tiwari Arjun Prasad , Shinde Rajendra D.
Published: May 2023

The present study assesses the taxonomic identity of the two recently described Indian species of Capillipedium i.e. C. mistryi and C. yashwantraoi from the state of Madhya Pradesh, central India. Both of the species share important features, such as multi‐spiculated racemes, solid pedicel and rhachis internode (non‐translucent). As these features are unique in Capillipedium they are of peculiar interest. Having multi‐spiculated spiciform racemes, these taxa can be best compared with a similar, non‐Indian congener, C. spicigerum which is distributed from China to Australia. Based on comparative morphological study using their protologues and the type specimens, it is concluded that C. yashwantraoi is conspecific with C. mistryi. Therefore, the former is treated as a new heterotypic synonym under the latter following the principle of priority.
Projection Estimators for Structural Impulse Responses*
Authors: Breitung Jörg , Brüggemann Ralf
Published: May 2023

In this paper we provide a general two‐step framework for linear projection estimators of impulse responses in structural vector autoregressions (SVARs). This framework is particularly useful for situations when structural shocks are identified from information outside the VAR (e.g. narrative shocks). We provide asymptotic results for statistical inference and discuss situations when standard inference is valid without adjustment for generated regressors, autocorrelated errors or non‐stationary variables. We illustrate how various popular SVAR models fit into our framework. Furthermore, we provide a local projection framework for invertible SVAR models that are estimated by instrumental variables (IV). This class of models results in a set of quadratic moment conditions used to obtain the asymptotic distribution of the estimator. Moreover, we analyse generalized least squares (GLS) versions of the projections to improve the efficiency of the projection estimators. We also compare the finite sample properties of various estimators in simulations. Two highlights of the Monte Carlo results are (i) for invertible VARs our two‐step IV projection estimator is more efficient compared to existing projection estimators and (ii) using the GLS projection variant with residual augmentation leads to substantial efficiency gains relative to standard OLS/IV projection estimators.
Keeping tabs on the executive
Authors: Selin Jennifer L. , Moore Grace
Published: May 2023

Congress has long exercised its power to oversee the executive branch. Important research has examined empirical patterns in congressional investigations, finding institutional, individual, policy, and partisan incentives motivate legislative inquiry. Yet, scholars largely have overlooked one fundamental question: what is oversight? We use new quantitative and qualitative data to highlight the importance of considering oversight as a series of actions designed to serve both as a symbol and signal in the American separation of powers system. Our exploratory analysis suggests that Congress oversees the executive branch much more frequently and in more ways than previously considered by scholars.
Evaluation of DNA integrity and chromatin condensation in cat sperm collected by urethral catheterization and epididymis slicing
Authors: Allera Cecilia , Gallelli María Florencia , Neild Deborah Margarita , Carretero María Ignacia
Published: May 2023

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the original sperm chromatin dispersion (SCD) assay and the toluidine blue (TB) stain to assess DNA fragmentation and chromatin condensation, respectively, in cat sperm obtained by urethral catheterization (CT) and epididymis slicing (EP). CT and EP samples were collected from the same cat, and sperm motility, concentration, morphology, DNA integrity and chromatin condensation were evaluated. As controls, aliquots of the samples were incubated with 0.3 M NaOH and with 1% of dithiothreitol (DTT) to promote DNA fragmentation and chromatin decondensation, respectively. With SCD, four DNA dispersion halo patterns were observed: large, medium, small and no halo. TB staining patterns were as follows: light blue (condensed chromatin), light violet (moderate chromatin decondensation) and dark blue‐violet (high chromatin decondensation). Sperm incubations with NaOH and with DTT were effective in inducing DNA fragmentation and chromatin decondensation, respectively. No significant differences were observed in the percentages of the SCD and TB patterns between samples (CT and EP) and no correlation was observed between sperm head abnormalities and the different SCD and TB patterns. The original SCD technique and the TB stain were adapted to evaluate DNA integrity and chromatin condensation in cat sperm obtained by CT and EP.
Feeding Anglo-Saxon England: a bioarchaeological dataset for the study of early medieval agriculture (Data paper)
Authors:   University of Oxford, McKerracher Mark , Hamerow Helena , Bogaard Amy , Bronk Ramsey Christopher , Charles Michael , Forster Emily , Hodgson John , Holmes Matilda , Neil Samantha , Roushannafas Tina , Stroud Elizabeth , Thomas Richard
Published: May 2023

The FeedSax project combined bioarchaeological data with evidence from settlement archaeology to investigate how, when and why the expansion of arable farming occurred between the 8th-13th centuries in England. It has generated and released a vast, multi-faceted archaeological dataset both to underpin its own published findings and to support further research.
Assistive Sensory Feedback for Trajectory Tracking in Augmented Reality
Authors: Wang I-Jan , Yeh Lifen , Chu Chih-Hsing , Huang Yan-Ting
Published: May 2023

In recent years, Augmented Reality (AR) has been successfully applied in various fields to assist in the execution of manual tasks. However, there is still a lack of a complete set of criteria for interface design for generating real-time interactive functions and effectively improving task efficiency through AR. In this study, subjects performed two kinds of trajectory tracking tasks in AR, the simple trajectory and complex trajectory. Their task performance under five different sensory feedbacks, namely, central vision, peripheral vision, auditory sensation, force feedback, and no feedback, were compared. The results show that in the trajectory tracking task in complex trajectories, the feedback information should not only provide prompts of error states but also provide suggestions for correcting the actions of the subjects. In addition, compared with visual sensation and auditory sensation, the force feedback has better adaptation. Furthermore, the subjects tend to rely on real-time force feedback to complete difficult tasks. It was found that in the manual trajectory tracking task, determining whether the trajectory tracking task is within the acceptable trajectory range will be affected by the postures subjects use for the tasks and will change the task performance. Therefore, it is suggested that when designing assisted functions, the limitations of the postures of the task should be considered. The experimental results and findings obtained in this study can provide a reference for the assisted interface design of manual tasks in AR.
Carbon Neutrality: A Review
Authors: He Bin , Yuan Xin , Qian Shusheng , Li Bing
Published: May 2023

The introduction of the idea of “carbon neutrality” gives the development of low carbon and decarbonization a defined path. Climate change is a significant worldwide concern. To offer a theoretical foundation for the implementation of carbon reduction, this research first analyzes the idea of carbon footprinting, accounting techniques, and supporting technologies. The next section examines carbon emission reduction technologies in terms of lowering emissions and raising carbon sequestration. Digital intelligence technologies like the Internet of Things, big data, and artificial intelligence will be crucial throughout the process of reducing carbon emissions. The implementation pathways for increasing carbon sequestration primarily include ecological and technological carbon sequestration. Nevertheless, proving carbon neutrality requires measuring and monitoring greenhouse gas emissions from several industries, which makes it a challenging undertaking. Intending to increase the effectiveness of carbon footprint measurement, this study created a web-based program for computing and analyzing the whole life cycle carbon footprint of items. The practical applications and difficulties of digital technologies, such as blockchain, the Internet of Things, and artificial intelligence in achieving a transition to carbon neutrality are also reviewed, and additional encouraging research ideas and recommendations are made to support the development of carbon neutrality.