bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A possibly deep branching artiopodan arthropod from the lower Cambrian Sirius Passet Lagerstätte (North Greenland)
Authors: Berks Harry O. , Lunde Nielsen Morten , Flannery‐Sutherland Joseph , Thorshøj Nielsen Arne , Park Tae‐Yoon S. , Vinther Jakob
Published: June 2023

Artiopoda was a diverse group of Palaeozoic euarthropods that proliferated in the early Palaeozoic, epitomized by the ubiquitous trilobites. Their possible phylogenetic position outside mandibulates and chelicerates offers the potential for understanding the evolution of euarthropods in more detail. However, this opportunity remains unexploited given that identification of deep‐splitting artiopodans remains to be fully explored. Here, we describe a new non‐trilobite artiopodan from the lower Cambrian Sirius Passet Lagerstätte, North Greenland. Thulaspis tholops gen. et sp. nov. is a large species with a broad, domed head shield, followed by a trunk consisting of 15 thoracic tergites and a small pygidium, giving the body an ovoid appearance when viewed dorsally. Thulaspis is distinctive with its rounded genae and anterior thoracic pleural tips, as well as short pleural spines posteriorly. A heart‐shaped hypostome with an anterior lobe is present. Appendages, partly obscured by the tergal skeleton, have many moderate length gnathobasic spines, and large flap‐like exopods with a fringe of small setae. Cladistic analyses recover Thulaspis as the sister taxon to Squamacula, a genus found in the Chengjiang and Emu Bay Shale biotas, in either a polytomy with a number of artiopodan taxa or as a sister group to all other artiopodans, indicating an important role in understanding the roots of artiopodan anatomy and evolution.
Three‐dimensional reconstruction of the in situ mode of life of the Cambrian coral Cambroctoconus: asexual reproduction and colony growth in immediate response to cryptic habitats
Authors: Ezaki Yoichi , Kishida Mei , Takeda Yusuke , Adachi Natsuko , Liu Jianbo , Iba Yasuhiro
Published: June 2023

The Cambrian cnidarian Cambroctoconus orientalis occurs in clusters exhibiting pendent growth in crypts within thrombolite frameworks. Here we successfully reconstruct its three‐dimensional (3D) in situ mode of life. The 3D reconstruction shows the initial individuals of colonies and attachment structures, budding sites and growth modes of coralla in response to the extent of sheltered spaces. The earliest individuals were attached to the framework by a suction‐cup‐like structure and were basically orthogonal to the walls, growing downward. Their calicular bases were pierced by a hole. Individuals were initially cylindrical and gradually formed an octagonal column during growth. Budding occurred everywhere, and toroidal budding traces are abundant upon the corallite surfaces. The attachment structures were secondarily reinforced by continuous secretion from the coenenchymal tissue. Offsets continued to grow only when sufficient growth space was available, while producing as many individuals as possible. Growth of individuals was commonly halted by the surrounding framework. Growth directions were in part modified by corallite curvature to avoid collisions between corallites and to make full use of the intricate void spaces. In deteriorating conditions, offset corallites appeared through regeneration rather than budding from the remaining soft tissues. Active exploitation of the sheltered spaces within thrombolites, which remained dominant during the Cambrian, was thus conducted by C. orientalis. Notably, the cryptobionts treated herein adopted subtle growth strategies that have not previously been fully understood and are not easily interpreted with reference to organisms living in open spaces.
Assessment of mechanical properties of fiber reinforced cementitious system exposed to high temperature
Authors: Biricik Öznur , Bayqra Sultan Husein , Kaya Yahya , Mardani Ali
Published: June 2023

In this study, it was aimed to determine the optimum fiber type and usage ratio by examining the effect of fiber type and usage rate on the properties of mortar mixtures exposed to high temperatures such as 300°C, 450°C, and 600°C. For this purpose, mixtures were prepared by substituting polypropylene (PP), polyamide (PA) and basalt (B) fibers in proportions as 0.25%, 0.50%, 0.75%, and 1% instead of aggregate. Unit weight, compressive‐flexural strength, ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV), and permeability properties of mixtures were determined. Regardless of fiber type, flexural strength and permeability increased, UPV decreased with the addition of fiber. Basalt fiber mixtures exhibited the highest performance in terms of flexural strength. PP fiber mixtures exhibited the best performance in terms of permeability, ultrasonic pulse velocity and dynamic modulus of elasticity. SEM analyzes showed that PP fibers exposed to 600°C melted, leading to the formation of channel voids. According to TGA result, approximately 15% mass loss was observed in the control sample at 600°C.
Ingestion and egestion of microplastic by aquatic insects in Egypt wastewater
Authors: Khedre Azza M. , Ramadan Somaia A. , Ashry Ali , Alaraby Mohamed
Published: June 2023

Microplastics (MPs) are frequently regarded as environmental and biota contaminants. Yet, research on the accumulation of MPs in living entities, particularly aquatic insects that serve as food resources in the aquatic food chain, is limited. This study to investigate the accumulation of MPs in aquatic insects from water and sediment in an Egyptian wastewater basin. Four typical freshwater insect groups were used. The highest MP load per gram wet weight was reported by collector‐gatherers (Chironomus sp. and Hydrophilus sp.), followed by collector‐filterers (Culex sp.) with the second highest MP load. However, Predators (Aeshna sp.) had the lowest values. Also, the present results showed a reduction in the number of MPs in all insect taxa tested after a 24 h depuration time, with differences in the observed egestion ability. The mean number of MPs per individual significantly reduced after 24 h in both Chironomus sp. and Culex sp. larvae, where 53% and 40% of MPs particles were ejected from them, respectively. However, the ability of MP egestion decreases in Aeshna sp. nymph (25%), and the lowest proportion of ejection was observed in Hydrophilus sp. adults (9%). Polyethylene terephthalate fibers were the most abundant type of MP in both sediment and water, followed by fragments (polyethylene and polypropylene). Yet, only polyester fibers were detected in the various insect species. The average length of fibers in the various insects was somewhat shorter than in the surrounding environment. The current study reveals that MP ingestion by aquatic insects is not always related to levels of pollution in the environment, since other factors such as feeding strategies may play a role in MP ingestion. Based on these observations, further studies should be carried out on studies on toxicological impacts of MPs on freshwater/aquatic biota.
Highly Sensitive Fluorescence Detection of 2,4,6‐Trinitrophenol Based on Hydrogen‐Bonded Organic Framework
Authors: Zhang Wei , Shen Penglei , Zhang Xin , Chen Faqiang , Xu Hui , Xu Shiqing
Published: June 2023

The highly sensitive detection of carcinogenic pollutant 2,4,6‐trinitrophenol (PA) is of great significance for environmental protection and human health. Based on the organic building block 1,3,6,8‐tetrakis (p‐benzoic acid) pyrene (H4TBAPy), the porous nano‐scale hydrogen‐bonded organic framework material (PFC‐1) was successfully synthesized. The large π‐π conjugated structure makes it to show excellent fluorescence characteristics. PFC‐1 showed excellent selective fluorescence detection for PA. PFC‐1 exhibited significant quenching effect upon the addition of PA. The quenching efficiency Ksv of PFC‐1 material for PA is 9.14×104 M−1 and the limit of detection (LOD) reaches 0.75 μM. PFC‐1 exhibits excellent fluorescence sensing performance for PA, which greatly expands the potential application of hydrogen‐bonded organic framework materials in the field of fluorescence sensing.
States of low energy in the Schwinger effect
Authors: Álvarez-Domínguez Álvaro , Garay Luis J. , Martín-Benito Mercedes , Neves Rita B.
Published: June 2023

Abstract

States of low energy in cosmology minimise the energy density when smeared in a chosen time interval. We extend such construction to generic homogeneous (possibly anisotropic) particle creation settings. Focusing on the Schwinger effect, we study the role played by the support of the smearing function and identify the vacua obtained in the limiting cases of small and large time intervals. We also analyse the spectral properties of the power spectrum and the number of created particles, which are complementary in characterising the vacuum, and investigate the multipolar contributions coming from the anisotropies.
Alleviating the Injuries of NaCl Exposure on Respiratory Activities, Leaf Stomatal and Antioxidant Defense of Silybum marianum L. Seedlings by Exogenous Nitric Oxide
Authors: Zangani Esmaeil , Ansari Aida , Shekari Farid , Andalibi Babak , Afsahi Kamran , Mastinu Andrea
Published: June 2023

Nitric oxide (NO) is recognized as an endogenous signaling molecule that plays an important role in the defence responses of medicinal plants to NaCl stress. In this study, we investigated the effects of sodium nitroprusside (SNP) as an NO donor at three concentrations (0, 100, and 200 µmol l−1) to alleviate the deleterious effects of salt stress (100 mM NaCl) on leaf gas exchange and biochemical characteristics of Silybum marianum L. seedlings. This study showed that salt stress significantly decreased relative water content (RWC), chlorophyll b content, endogenous NO concentration, maximum quantum yield (Fv/Fm), leaf gas exchange, stomatal size, K+/Na+ ratio, and plant dry weight, and increased malondialdehyde (MDA) content, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) content, proline content, stomatal density, and enzyme activities. SNP treatment increased Fv/Fm, photosynthetic pigments, K+/Na+ ratio, and dry weights of the shoots and roots of NaCl-exposed plants. The exogenous application of NO increased the proline content under salinity stress more than under stress conditions without SNP application, so that the proline content increased from 32 to 47 µmol g−1. Application of 100 µM SNP also increased endogenous NO concentration (up to 43%) and consequently protected plants against salt stress-induced damage by improving enzyme activity and reducing the H2O2 generation rate (up to 14%) and MDA content (up to 50%) compared to plants treated with NaCl alone. Foliar application of NO to salt-stressed plants increased root and shoot respiration rates from 20 and 12%, respectively, under salinity stress to 57% under the application of SNP and stress conditions, and decreased stomatal conductance by up to 70%, resulting in improved RWC. Increased internal NO generation in plants induced by 100 µM SNP application has the potential to mitigate salinity injury in Silybum marianum L. plants.
Epidemiologische Auswirkungen der COVID-19-Pandemie auf Enukleationsfälle in Deutschland
Authors: Carlos Reyna Erick , Rehak Matus , Alfaar Ahmad Samir
Published: June 2023

Fragestellung

Bestimmung der Enukleationsrate sowie der Auswirkungen der COVID-19-Pandemie auf diese in Deutschland.

Methodik

Für die Bestimmung der Enukleationsraten der Jahre 2019 und 2020 in Deutschland erfolgten der Export der Prozedurenschlüssel 5‑163.0 bis 5‑163.23 und 5‑163.x aus dem Diagnosis Related Group(DRG)-Register und die statistische Auswertung dieser Daten.

Ergebnisse

Die Zahl der Enukleationen verringerte sich 2020 um 16,6 % im Vergleich zu 2019 von 1295 auf 1080 Fälle (p = 0,17); 54,1 % der Patienten waren männlich. Im Jahr 2019 waren 53 % der Patienten zum Zeitpunkt der Enukleation älter als 65 Jahre, im Jahr 2020 56 % der Fälle. Die häufigste Indikation zur Enukleation war in beiden Jahren Phthisis bulbi (n = 373 bzw. n = 307) mit 29,7 % der Fälle, gefolgt von Malignomen der Aderhaut (24 %). Die Enukleation mit gleichzeitigem Einbringen eines alloplastischen Augenhöhlenimplantats in die Tenonkapsel stellte das häufigste Verfahren dar (38,7 % kombinierter 2‑Jahres-Durchschnitt), gefolgt von einer umhüllten Variante (26,6 %) und einem bulbären Implantat aus nichtresorbierbaren mikroporösen Materialien (16,8 %), ohne signifikante Veränderung zwischen den Jahren. Enukleationen ohne Einbringen eines Implantats stiegen von 7,8 % im Jahr 2019 auf 11,1 % im Jahr 2020 (p = 0,006). Der Anteil der Patienten, die sich einer Reoperation unterziehen mussten, stieg leicht von 5,6 auf 8 % (p = 0,018). Die meisten Eingriffe (65,6 %) wurden in großen öffentlichen Krankenhäusern (≥ 1000 Betten) durchgeführt.

Schlussfolgerungen

Trotz des Rückgangs der Gesamtzahl der durchgeführten Eingriffe wurde die Enukleationsrate in Deutschland durch die COVID-19-Pandemie nicht signifikant verändert. Die Enukleationsrate ohne Implantate und Reoperationen nahm signifikant zu.
The inverse barycentric displacement problem
Authors: Maggiordomo Andrea , Uralsky Yury , Moreton Henry , Tarini Marco
Published: June 2023

In this short paper, we analyze the problem of finding the triangular barycentric coordinates of an interpolated ray hitting a given point. This task, which we term theinverse barycentric displacement problem, is general and useful in geometry processing and computer graphics. Concrete applications of the solution include the construction of displacement maps and texture baking. We derive the set of complete, closed-form solutions and discuss the number and existence of solutions. We close with a discussion of implementation-oriented optimizations and a few example applications.
Rehabilitative interventions in patients with persistent post COVID-19 symptoms—a review of recent advances and future perspectives
Authors: Gloeckl Rainer , Leitl Daniela , Schneeberger Tessa , Jarosch Inga , Koczulla Andreas Rembert
Published: June 2023

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has not only caused millions of deaths but left also millions of people with persistent symptoms behind. These long-term COVID-19 sequelae cause a considerable burden on individuals´ health, healthcare systems, and economies worldwide given the high rate of SARS-CoV-2 infections. Therefore, rehabilitative interventions and strategies are needed to counteract the post COVID-19 sequelae. The importance of rehabilitation for patients with persistent COVID-19 symptoms has been recently also highlighted in a Call for Action by the World Health Organisation. Based on previously published research, but also in line with clinical experience, COVID-19 is not one specific disease but rather presents in different phenotypes that vary in their pathophysiological mechanisms, symptomatic manifestations, and potential interventional approaches. This review provides a proposal for differentiating post COVID-19 patients in non-organ-specific phenotypes that may help clinicians to evaluate patients and to plan therapeutic options. Furthermore, we present current unmet needs and suggest a potential pathway for a specific rehabilitation approach in people with persistent post-COVID symptoms.
Implementation of hydrometeorological thresholds for regional landslide warning in Catalonia (NE Spain)
Authors: Palau Rosa M. , Berenguer Marc , Hürlimann Marcel , Sempere-Torres Daniel
Published: June 2023

Soil moisture plays a vital role in slope stability. As water infiltrates into the soil, shear strength decreases eventually leading to failure. However, most of the existing regional-scale landslide early warning systems (LEWS) rely solely on rainfall information and use rainfall thresholds to determine if the landslide triggering conditions are met. The original version of the Catalonia region LEWS combines real-time rainfall observations and susceptibility to compute warnings. The LEWS applies a set of rainfall intensity-duration thresholds to determine if the rainfall conditions have the potential to trigger a landslide. This work explores the potential of using modelled soil moisture data in the Catalonia region LEWS. Volumetric water content (VWC) from the LISFLOOD hydrological simulations of the European Flood Awareness System and rainfall estimates have been analysed at the location of recent landslide events. Based on this data, a set of empirical hydrometeorological thresholds combining rainfall and soil moisture information has been obtained for their application into the Catalonia region LEWS. The LEWS has been run for nine months (April–December 2020) using two approaches: (i) combining susceptibility and rainfall intensity-duration (I-D) thresholds and (ii) combining susceptibility and the new hydrometeorological thresholds including soil moisture information. Generally, both LEWS approaches issued moderate or high warnings in the areas where significant rainfall accumulations were recorded. The outputs have been compared at specific locations where landslides were reported during the analysed period. Results show that at the analysed locations false positives are generally reduced when employing the hydrometeorological thresholds in the LEWS. Therefore, this approach is promising and could help improve regional scale LEWS in Catalonia.
A “cool-water”, non-tropical, mixed volcaniclastic–carbonate ramp from the Early Cretaceous of southern Chile (45°40’S)
Authors: Rivas Hermann , Salazar Christian , Stinnesbeck Wolfgang
Published: June 2023

The Aysén-Río Mayo Basin was a back-arc/marginal basin developed in southwestern South America (43°–47°S) between the Tithonian–Aptian. Its sedimentary fill corresponds to the Coyhaique Group, which represents a transgressive–regressive succession. Six lithofacies and five microfacies were defined for three outcrops exposed south of Coyhaique (45°40’S). The outcrops have a mixed calcareous–volcaniclastic composition and were assigned to the early transgressive Toqui Formation, i.e., lowermost part of the Coyhaique Group. These mixed rocks comprise bioclastic–volcaniclastic conglomerate, gravelly allochemic sandstone, and gravelly–sandy allochem limestone. Bedding is sharp to amalgamated, sometimes rippled, depicting a wave- and storm-influenced, mixed inner- to mid-ramp. The ramp developed over a Valanginian, active volcanic terrain (Foitzick Volcanic Complex), source of the volcaniclastic sediments. Limestones are rich in reworked bioclasts, and controlled by calcitic organisms including gryphaeid oysters, non-geniculate red algae, and echinoid fragments, defining a heterozoan association (“maerl”-like sediments); less frequent are ahermatypic corals, serpulids, and carbonized wood. Based on their inferred paleolatitude (south of 45°–50°S), fossil assemblage (heterozoan), and kind of carbonate platform (ramp-type), these calcareous rocks of the Toqui Formation depict a “cool-water” (sensu lato), non-tropical setting. The fossil assemblage includes oysters (Aetostreonspp.), and abundant calcareous red algae attributed toArchamphiroa jurassicaSteinmann (1930), a taxon previously known from the upper Tithonian Cotidiano Formation of Argentina.A. jurassicais here reported for the first time for the Lower Cretaceous of Chile, suggesting a broader upper Tithonian—Valanginian-Hauterivian? range for the species. The facies model presented here contrasts with the depositional environments depicted for correlative reefal rocks in Argentina (Tres Lagunas Formation), which reflect a “warm-water” setting. In the Aysén-Río Mayo Basin, the influence of sea-water key physical variables in the carbonate sedimentation, as well as the position and hydraulic regime of the carbonate platforms within the basin, and their interaction with the volcanism are still unclear.
Development of Specialized Microelectrode Arrays with Local Electroporation Functionality
Authors: Kauth Andrea , Mildner Anne-Kathrin , Hegel Lena , Wegener Joachim , Ingebrandt Sven
Published: June 2023

When a cell or tissue is exposed to a pulsed electric field (100–1000 V/cm), the cellular membrane permeabilizes for biomolecules that cannot pass an intact cellular membrane. During this electropermeabilization (EP), plasmid deoxyribonucleic acid sequences encoding therapeutic or regulatory genes can enter the cell, which is called gene electrotransfer (GET). GET using micro-/nano technology provides higher spatial resolution and operates with lower voltage amplitudes compared to conventional bulk EP. Microelectrode arrays (MEAs), which are usually used for the recording and stimulation of neuronal signals, can be utilized for GET as well. In this study, we developed a specialized MEA for local EP of adherent cells. Our manufacturing process provides a most flexible electrode and substrate material selection. We used electrochemical impedance spectroscopy to characterize the impedance of the MEAs and the impact of an adherent cellular layer. We verified the local EP functionality of the MEAs by loading a fluorophore dye into human embryonic kidney 293T cells. Finally, we demonstrated a GET with a subsequent green fluorescent protein expression by the cells. Our experiments prove that a high spatial resolution of GET can be obtained using MEAs.
Protective Association of APOC1/rs4420638 with Risk of Obesity: A case-control Study in Portuguese Children
Authors: Manco Licínio , Albuquerque David , Rodrigues Daniela , Machado-Rodrigues Aristides M. , Padez Cristina
Published: June 2023

The association of the rs4420638 polymorphism, near the APOC1 gene, was examined with the risk of obesity among Portuguese children. A sample of 446 Portuguese individuals (231 boys and 215 girls) of European descent, aged 3.2 to 13.7 years old (mean age: 7.98 years), were selected to conduct a case-control study. Body mass index (BMI), BMI Z-scores, and waist circumference were calculated. Genotyping was performed by real time PCR using a pre-designed TaqMan probe. Logistic regression and the nonparametric Mann-Whitney test were used to test the associations. The association results revealed a significant protective effect from the minor G-allele of SNP rs4420638 against obesity, with an odds ratio (OR) of 0.619 (95% CI 0.421–0.913; p = 0.0155) in the additive model, and OR of 0.587 (95% CI 0.383-0.9; p = 0.0145) in the dominant model. Moreover, comparing genotype groups (AA vs. AG + GG), significantly lower values (p < 0.05) for the anthropometric traits weight, height, BMI, BMI Z-score and waist circumference, were observed in the carriers of allele G. The present study provides further evidence for the APOE/APOC1 candidate-region association with the risk of obesity. This was the first study to describe the protective association of the rs4420638 minor G-allele against obesity in childhood exclusively.
Affective Atmosphere in an Art Fair Jewel Heist
Authors: Yates Donna , Bērziņa Diāna
Published: June 2023

In mid 2022, social media videos of an armed jewel heist during opening hours at the TEFAF art fair baffled the public. The thieves wore seemingly absurd costumes, and the art fair attendees only showed muted reactions to a violent and dramatic crime. Drawing on first-hand observational research at TEFAF before and after the heist, and on an extended observational methodology focused on the atmosphere of art commercial spaces, we argue that the affective atmosphere of the art fair had a direct influence both on how the thieves committed and how onlookers experienced crime. Within the art fair space, thieves conformed to art world conventions and fair attendees experienced dangerous events as being significantly less sinister. With this paper, we contribute to the growing concept of sensory criminology and the role that atmosphere and affect play in crime.
Deep learning for opinion mining and topic classification of course reviews
Authors: Koufakou Anna
Published: June 2023

Student opinions for a course are important to educators and administrators, regardless of the type of the course or the institution. Reading and manually analyzing open-ended feedback becomes infeasible for massive volumes of comments at institution level or online forums. In this paper, we collected and pre-processed a large number of course reviews publicly available online. We applied machine learning techniques with the goal to gain insight into student sentiments and topics. Specifically, we utilized current Natural Language Processing (NLP) techniques, such as word embeddings and deep neural networks, and state-of-the-art BERT (Bidirectional Encoder Representations from Transformers), RoBERTa (Robustly optimized BERT approach) and XLNet (Generalized Auto-regression Pre-training). We performed extensive experimentation to compare these techniques versus traditional approaches. This comparative study demonstrates how to apply modern machine learning approaches for sentiment polarity extraction and topic-based classification utilizing course feedback. For sentiment polarity, the top model was RoBERTa with 95.5% accuracy and 84.7% F1-macro, while for topic classification, an SVM (Support Vector Machine) was the top classifier with 79.8% accuracy and 80.6% F1-macro. We also provided an in-depth exploration of the effect of certain hyperparameters on the model performance and discussed our observations. These findings can be used by institutions and course providers as a guide for analyzing their own course feedback using NLP models towards self-evaluation and improvement.
Cost effectiveness, nitrogen, and phosphorus removal in field-based woodchip bioreactors treating agricultural drainage water
Authors: Plauborg Finn , Skjødt Maja H. , Audet Joachim , Hoffmann Carl C. , Jacobsen Brian H.
Published: June 2023

Nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) losses to surface and coastal waters are still critically high across Europe and globally. Measures to mitigate and reduce these losses are being implemented both at the cultivated land surface and at the edge-of-fields. Woodchip bioreactors represent a new alternative in Denmark for treating agricultural drainage water, and the present study—based on two years of data from five Danish field-based bioreactors—determined N removal rates varying from 1.49 to 5.37 g N m−3 d−1 and a mean across all bioreactors and years of 2.90 g N m−3 d−1. The loss of phosphorus was relatively high the first year after bioreactor establishment with rates varying from 298.4 to 890.8 mg P m−3 d−1, but in the second year, the rates ranged from 12.2 to 77.2 mg P m−3 d−1. The investments and the costs of the bioreactors were larger than expected based on Danish standard investments. The cost efficiency analysis found the key issues to be the need for larger investments in the bioreactor itself combined with higher advisory costs. For the four woodchip bioreactors considered in the cost efficiency analysis, the N removal cost was around DKK 350 per kg N ($50 per kg N), which is ca. 50% higher than the standard costs defined by the Danish authorities. Based on the estimated costs of the four bioreactor facilities included in this analysis, a bioreactor is one of the most expensive nitrogen reduction measures compared to other mitigation tools.
New microalgae media formulated with completely recycled phosphorus originating from agricultural sidestreams
Authors: Beyer Albert S. , Meier Jasmin , Jiménez-Muñoz Marina , Meixner Raphael , Ende Stephan S. W. , Abomohra Abdelfatah , Henjes Joachim
Published: June 2023

This study investigated the impact of struvite as a sustainable phosphorus source on the growth and phycocyanin production by the blue-green alga Arthrospira platensis. Three modified growth media were compared to the typical SAG-spirul culture media. CS(+) refers to the completely recycled struvite from bovine urine as a phosphate source, while S(-) and S(+) refer to commercially available struvite as a phosphate source. On media with (+), a pre-treatment was conducted to evaporate NH4, as it negatively affects cell growth and functions of the photosynthetic apparatus at high concentrations, and to release phosphate due to the low solubility of struvite in water. For each medium, three cultures were cultivated in Erlenmeyer flasks for a duration of 42 days. Results showed that no statistically significant negative effect of struvite was found on the growth rates. However, C-phycocyanin (CPC-P) in CS(+) and S(+) was significantly higher compared to CPC-P in untreated growth media. The study hypothesized that low concentrations of NH3 remaining after the pre-treatment of struvite could have a positive impact on phycocyanin accumulation, as an energy efficient and quick nitrogen source for A. platensis.
Use of iRNA in the post-transcriptional gene silencing of necrosis-inducing Phytophthora protein 1(NPP1) in Phytophthora cinnamomi
Authors: Pascoal-Ferreira Patrick , Chahed Abdessalem , Costa Rodrigo , Branco Iuliia , Choupina Altino
Published: June 2023

Background

Phytophthora cinnamomi is an Oomycetes associated with soil, this Oomycete is one of the most destructive species of Phytophthora, being responsible for the decline of more than 5000 ornamental, forest, or fruit plants. It can secrete a class of protein NPP1 (Phytophthora necrosis inducing protein 1), responsible for inducing necrosis in leaves and roots of plants, leading to their death.

Objective

This work will report the characterization of the Phytophthora cinnamomi NPP1 gene responsible for the infection of Castaneasativa roots and will characterize the mechanisms of interaction between Phytophthora cinnamomi and Castanea sativa, by gene silencing NPP1 from Phytophthora cinnamomi mediated by RNAi.

Methods and results

For silencing a part of the coding region of the NPP1 gene, was placed in the sense and antisense directions between an intron and ligated to the integrative vector pTH210. Cassette integration was confirmed by PCR and sequencing on the hygromycin-resistant Phytophthora cinnamomi transformants. Transformants obtained with the silenced gene was used to infect Castanea sativa.

Conclusions

Plants infected with these transformants showed a great reduction in disease symptoms, confirming iRNA as a potential alternative biological tool in the study of molecular factors, and in the control and management of Phytophthora cinnamomi.
The structural components of the Azotobacter vinelandii iron-only nitrogenase, AnfDKG, form a protein complex within the plant mitochondrial matrix
Authors: Johnston E. , Okada S. , Gregg C. M. , Warden A. C. , Rolland V. , Gillespie V. , Byrne K. , Colgrave M. L. , Eamens A. L. , Allen R. S. , Wood C. C.
Published: June 2023

A long-held goal of synthetic biology has been the transfer of a bacterial nitrogen-fixation pathway into plants to reduce the use of chemical fertiliser on crops such as rice, wheat and maize. There are three classes of bacterial nitrogenase, named after their metal requirements, containing either a MoFe-, VFe- or FeFe-cofactor, that converts N2 gas to ammonia. Relative to the Mo-nitrogenase the Fe-nitrogenase is not as efficient for catalysis but has less complex genetic and metallocluster requirements, features that may be preferable for engineering into crops. Here we report the successful targeting of bacterial Fe-nitrogenase proteins, AnfD, AnfK, AnfG and AnfH, to plant mitochondria. When expressed as a single protein AnfD was mostly insoluble in plant mitochondria, but coexpression of AnfD with AnfK improved its solubility. Using affinity-based purification of mitochondrially expressed AnfK or AnfG we were able to demonstrate a strong interaction of AnfD with AnfK and a weaker interaction of AnfG with AnfDK. This work establishes that the structural components of the Fe-nitrogenase can be engineered into plant mitochondria and form a complex, which will be a requirement for function. This report outlines the first use of Fe-nitrogenase proteins within a plant as a preliminary step towards engineering an alternative nitrogenase into crops.
The Personal is Political: Internalized Sexual Stigma and the Desire for Gender Complementarity in (some) Same-Gender Relationships
Authors: Napier Jaime L. , van der Toorn Jojanneke , Vial Andrea C.
Published: June 2023

We examined whether gay men (Studies 1–2) and lesbian women (Study 1) who harbor internalized stigma due to their sexuality will desire a romantic relationship that reflects conventional, complementary gender roles where one partner is stereotypically feminine and the other is stereotypically masculine, in terms of both personality traits and division of household labor. Results showed that, among gay men with high (but not low) internalized stigma, self-ascribed masculinity was positively related to preferences for an ideal partner with stereotypically feminine traits. Preferences for partners with gender complementary traits did not emerge among women, or among men high in self-ascribed femininity. Contrary to predictions, internalized stigma was not associated with preferences for a gender-complementary division of household chores. Instead, internalized stigma was associated with the avoidance of tasks that are stereotypically gender incongruent—women high (vs. low) in stigma preferred for the partner (vs. self) to do so-called masculine (but not feminine) chores, whereas men high (vs. low) in stigma preferred for the partner (vs. self) to do stereotypically feminine (but not masculine) chores. Study 2 also included an experimental manipulation to test whether these effects were influenced by societal exclusion or acceptance, but there was no evidence of this.
University Research Centres, Scientific Freedom, and the Jester’s Paradox
Authors: Noe Egon Bjørnshave , Alrøe Hugo F.
Published: June 2023

The key norm of good science is research integrity, which includes the freedom to inquire as an independent, self-organising system, and the responsibility to identify, frame, and engage in the problems of society, in a scientific manner. This paper investigates the challenges to scientific integrity experienced by university research centres. Research centres are organised around specific problematic fields in society and are expected to have specific societal impacts. Therefore, they are born with the paradox of being restricted in terms of scientific freedom yet required to meet science standards. As an example, we analyse the Danish Centre for Rural Research (CLF) which, like many other institutions of science and research centres, has become increasingly dependent on various external funding over the past decades. In social systems theoretical terms, research centres are hybrid organisations that operate simultaneously in the function systems of science, politics, and economy. The question is whether it is possible for research centres to uphold the requisite research integrity to provide society with truthful and critical knowledge – i.e. to uphold the necessary autopoiesis of the science function system, operating in the medium of truth – and at the same time be able to navigate in the structures of power that the centre is faced with, in terms of funding, outside control, and expectations of expectations. The medieval court jester, who was able to speak unwelcome truths to the all-mighty king without getting his head cut off, was a solution to this kind of paradox. The question is how we can handle this paradox in contemporary sciences, increasingly depending on external funding.
Factors influencing somatic cell counts and bacterial contamination in unpasteurized milk obtained from water buffalo in Bangladesh
Authors: Singha Shuvo , Ceciliani Fabrizio , Rahman Md. Mizanur , Mannan Mohammad Abdul , Chowdhury Salma , Nath Sanjib Chandra , Paul Ovirup Bhushan , Persson Ylva , Boqvist Sofia
Published: June 2023

Little has been published on the factors influencing the safety and quality of milk derived from water buffalo in Bangladesh. This study aims to describe the milk hygiene parameters and milk chain characteristics of unpasteurized raw milk sold to consumers in order to improve milk hygiene. A quantitative study design evaluated somatic cell counts, total bacterial counts, and specific gram-negative (Enterobacteria) and gram-positive (staphylococci) pathogens in 377 aseptically collected milk samples. Samples were collected at multiple nodes along the buffalo milk value chain: 122 bulk tank milk samples were collected at the farm level, 109 milk samples at the middlemen level, and 111 milk samples at the milk collection centers. In addition, 35 samples were taken from various milk products at the retail level. It was found that progressively increasing somatic cell counts and bacterial counts, including potential pathogens, occurred along the milk chain. A seasonal increase in spring was found, varying based on the farming system (semi-intensive versus intensive). Other factors included water purity and cleanliness of containers, mixing buffalo and cow’s milk, and the location of the water buffalo milk producer (coastal or river basin). This study demonstrated how improving udder health and milk hygiene along the water buffalo milk value chain would increase the safety and quality of water buffalo milk in the study area.
Exploring the Effects of Item-Specific Factors in Sequential and IRTree Models
Authors: Lyu Weicong , Bolt Daniel M. , Westby Samuel
Published: June 2023

Test items for which the item score reflects a sequential or IRTree modeling outcome are considered. For such items, we argue that item-specific factors, although not empirically measurable, will often be present across stages of the same item. In this paper, we present a conceptual model that incorporates such factors. We use the model to demonstrate how the varying conditional distributions of item-specific factors across stages become absorbed into the stage-specific item discrimination and difficulty parameters, creating ambiguity in the interpretations of item and person parameters beyond the first stage. We discuss implications in relation to various applications considered in the literature, including methodological studies of (1) repeated attempt items; (2) answer change/review, (3) on-demand item hints; (4) item skipping behavior; and (5) Likert scale items. Our own empirical applications, as well as several examples published in the literature, show patterns of violations of item parameter invariance across stages that are highly suggestive of item-specific factors. For applications using sequential or IRTree models as analytical models, or for which the resulting item score might be viewed as outcomes of such a process, we recommend (1) regular inspection of data or analytic results for empirical evidence (or theoretical expectations) of item-specific factors; and (2) sensitivity analyses to evaluate the implications of item-specific factors for the intended inferences or applications.
Rejoinder to Commentaries on Lyu, Bolt and Westby’s “Exploring the Effects of Item Specific Factors in Sequential and IRTree Models”
Authors: Lyu Weicong , Bolt Daniel M.
Published: June 2023

We respond to the commentaries on Lyu, Bolt and Westby’s “Exploring the effects of item specific factors in sequential and IRTree models.” The commentaries raise important points that allow us to clarify our theoretical expectation for item specific factors in many educational and psychological test items. At the same time, we agree with the commentaries in acknowledging challenges associated with providing empirical evidence for their presence and reflect on strategies that might support their estimation. We maintain that the principal concern is the ambiguity item specific factors create in attempting to interpret or use the parameters beyond the first node.
Essential oils and extracts of plants as biocides against microorganisms isolated from the ruins of the Roman city of Conímbriga (Portugal)
Authors: Mateus Dina M. R. , Ferraz Eduardo , Perna Vera , Sales Pedro , Hipólito-Correia Virgílio
Published: June 2023

Biodeterioration of monumental complexes is in large part due to the proliferation of various microorganisms that attack the physical–chemical structures of support materials. Various conservation and restoration interventions use commercial biocides of synthetic origin, which exhibit some human and environmental toxicity and sometimes side effects on support materials. The main objective of this work is the assessment of new biocides obtained from endemic Mediterranean plants, to be used in the preservation of cultural heritage with the goal of contributing to the sustainable use of ecosystems and to the development of Mediterranean local communities. The biocidal potential of essential oils (EOs) and solvent extracts (SEs) (ethanol and n-hexane) obtained from four plants were evaluated: Thymus mastichina (Tm), Mentha pulegium (Mp), Foeniculum vulgare (Fv), and Lavandula viridis (Lv). Microorganisms collected at an emblematic site of Portuguese cultural heritage, the ruins of the Roman city of Conímbriga, were used to evaluate the biocidal activity of the EOs and SEs. It can be concluded that (i) SEs did not exhibit fungicidal nor bactericidal activity, except for one fungus specie; (ii) biocidal activity of EOs depends on the microorganism specie. The EOs showed a relative average biocidal activity (when compared to the commercial biocide Biotin T (1% v/v)) of 64%, 32%, 30%, and 25% for Mp, Fv, Lv, and Tm. On carbonate rocks, the application of Fv and Mp EOs up to 3 layers do not promote significant color/tonality changes in the surface of the rock. And the application of three layers of Lv and four layers of Fv, Mp, and Lv OEs only promote the occurrence of blurs or stains (variation of tonality) on rocks that presents very low porosity. It can also be noted that the EO of Mp has the broadest spectrum of activity. The results allow considering the use of Mp, Fv, Lv, and Tm EOs as valid alternatives to commercial biocides, providing a prospective application in the field of green conservation of building heritage.
Radiomics applications in cardiac imaging: a comprehensive review
Authors: Polidori Tiziano , De Santis Domenico , Rucci Carlotta , Tremamunno Giuseppe , Piccinni Giulia , Pugliese Luca , Zerunian Marta , Guido Gisella , Pucciarelli Francesco , Bracci Benedetta , Polici Michela , Laghi Andrea , Caruso Damiano
Published: June 2023

Radiomics is a new emerging field that includes extraction of metrics and quantification of so-called radiomic features from medical images. The growing importance of radiomics applied to oncology in improving diagnosis, cancer staging and grading, and improved personalized treatment, has been well established; yet, this new analysis technique has still few applications in cardiovascular imaging. Several studies have shown promising results describing how radiomics principles could improve the diagnostic accuracy of coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in diagnosis, risk stratification, and follow-up of patients with coronary heart disease (CAD), ischemic heart disease (IHD), hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), hypertensive heart disease (HHD), and many other cardiovascular diseases. Such quantitative approach could be useful to overcome the main limitations of CCTA and MRI in the evaluation of cardiovascular diseases, such as readers’ subjectiveness and lack of repeatability. Moreover, this new discipline could potentially overcome some technical problems, namely the need of contrast administration or invasive examinations. Despite such advantages, radiomics is still not applied in clinical routine, due to lack of standardized parameters acquisition, inconsistent radiomic methods, lack of external validation, and different knowledge and experience among the readers. The purpose of this manuscript is to provide a recent update on the status of radiomics clinical applications in cardiovascular imaging.
Epigenetic Connections of the TRPA1 Ion Channel in Pain Transmission and Neurogenic Inflammation — a Therapeutic Perspective in Migraine?
Authors: Fila Michal , Pawlowska Elzbieta , Szczepanska Joanna , Blasiak Janusz
Published: June 2023

Persistent reprogramming of epigenetic pattern leads to changes in gene expression observed in many neurological disorders. Transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily A member 1 (TRPA1), a member of the TRP channels superfamily, is activated by many migraine triggers and expressed in trigeminal neurons and brain regions that are important in migraine pathogenesis. TRP channels change noxious stimuli into pain signals with the involvement of epigenetic regulation. The expression of the TRPA1 encoding gene, TRPA1, is modulated in pain-related syndromes by epigenetic alterations, including DNA methylation, histone modifications, and effects of non-coding RNAs: micro RNAs (miRNAs), long non-coding RNAs, and circular RNAs. TRPA1 may change epigenetic profile of many pain-related genes as it may modify enzymes responsible for epigenetic modifications and expression of non-coding RNAs. TRPA1 may induce the release of calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP), from trigeminal neurons and dural tissue. Therefore, epigenetic regulation of TRPA1 may play a role in efficacy and safety of anti-migraine therapies targeting TRP channels and CGRP. TRPA1 is also involved in neurogenic inflammation, important in migraine pathogenesis. The fundamental role of TRPA1 in inflammatory pain transmission may be epigenetically regulated. In conclusion, epigenetic connections of TRPA1 may play a role in efficacy and safety of anti-migraine therapy targeting TRP channels or CGRP and they should be further explored for efficient and safe antimigraine treatment. This narrative/perspective review presents information on the structure and functions of TRPA1 as well as role of its epigenetic connections in pain transmission and potential in migraine therapy.
Repressor Element-1 Binding Transcription Factor (REST) as a Possible Epigenetic Regulator of Neurodegeneration and MicroRNA-Based Therapeutic Strategies
Authors: Nassar Ajmal , Satarker Sairaj , Gurram Prasada Chowdari , Upadhya Dinesh , Fayaz SM , Nampoothiri Madhavan
Published: June 2023

Neurodegenerative disorders (NDD) have grabbed significant scientific consideration due to their fast increase in prevalence worldwide. The specific pathophysiology of the disease and the amazing changes in the brain that take place as it advances are still the top issues of contemporary research. Transcription factors play a decisive role in integrating various signal transduction pathways to ensure homeostasis. Disruptions in the regulation of transcription can result in various pathologies, including NDD. Numerous microRNAs and epigenetic transcription factors have emerged as candidates for determining the precise etiology of NDD. Consequently, understanding by what means transcription factors are regulated and how the deregulation of transcription factors contributes to neurological dysfunction is important to the therapeutic targeting of pathways that they modulate. RE1-silencing transcription factor (REST) also named neuron-restrictive silencer factor (NRSF) has been studied in the pathophysiology of NDD. REST was realized to be a part of a neuroprotective element with the ability to be tuned and influenced by numerous microRNAs, such as microRNAs 124, 132, and 9 implicated in NDD. This article looks at the role of REST and the influence of various microRNAs in controlling REST function in the progression of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), and Huntington’s disease (HD) disease. Furthermore, to therapeutically exploit the possibility of targeting various microRNAs, we bring forth an overview of drug-delivery systems to modulate the microRNAs regulating REST in NDD.

Graphical abstract