bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Peter John Clark
Authors: Morley Peter , Edmondson Peter
Published: November 2022

A vet who would always go the extra mile for his clients – one of those unsung heroes who are the backbone of the veterinary profession. He was hungry to learn and generous in sharing his knowledge.
Advances in quantifying microbial contamination in potable water: Potential of fluorescence‐based sensor technology
Authors: Gunter Hannah , Bradley Chris , Hannah David M. , Manaseki‐Holland Semira , Stevens Rob , Khamis Kieran
Published: November 2022

Improved monitoring of potable water is essential if we are to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically SDG6: to make clean water and sanitation available to all. Typically monitoring of potable water requires laboratory analysis to detect indicators of fecal pollution, such as thermotolerant coliforms (TTCs), Escherichia coli (E. coli), or intestinal enterococci. However, these analyses are time‐consuming and expensive, and recent advances in field deployable sensing technology offer opportunities to investigate both the spatial and temporal dynamics of microbial pollution in a more resolved and cost‐effective manner, thus advancing process‐based understanding and practical application for human health. Fluorescence offers a realistic proxy for monitoring coliforms in freshwaters with potential for quantification of potable water contamination in near real‐time with no need for costly reagents. Here, we focus on E. coli to provide a state‐of‐the‐art review of potential technologies capable of delivering an effective real‐time E. coli sensor system. We synthesize recent research on the use of fluorescence spectroscopy to quantify microbial contamination and discuss a variety of approaches (and constraints) to relate the raw fluorescence signal to E. coli enumerations. Together, these offer an invaluable platform to monitor drinking water quality which is required in situations where the water treatment and distribution infrastructure is degraded, for example in less economically developed countries; and during disaster‐relief operations. Overall, our review suggests that the fluorescence of dissolved organic matter is the most viable current method—given recent advances in field‐deployable technology—and we highlight the potential for recent developments to enhance approaches to water quality monitoring.

This article is categorized under:

Engineering Water > Water, Health, and Sanitation

Engineering Water > Methods

Human Water > Methods
Social tipping points everywhere?—Patterns and risks of overuse
Authors: Milkoreit Manjana
Published: November 2022

The last few years have witnessed an explosion of interest in the concept of social tipping points (STPs), understood as nonlinear processes of transformative change in social systems. A growing body of interdisciplinary scholarship has been focusing in particular on social tipping related to climate change. In contrast with tipping point studies in the natural sciences–for example climate tipping points and ecological regime shifts–STPs are often conceptualized as desirable, offering potential solutions to pressing problems. Drawing on a well‐established definition for tipping points, and a qualitative review of articles that explicitly treat social tipping points as potential solutions to climate change, this article identifies four deleterious patterns in the application of the STP concept in this recent wave of research on nonlinear social change: (i) premature labeling, (ii) not defining system boundaries and scales of analysis, (iii) not providing evidence for all characteristics of tipping processes, and (iv) not making use of existing social theories of change. Jointly, these patterns create a trend of overusing the concept. Recognizing and avoiding these patterns of “seeing the world through tipping point glasses” is important for the quality of scientific knowledge generated in this young field of inquiry and for future science‐policy interactions related to climate change. Future research should seek to identify empirical evidence for STPs while remaining open to the possibility that many social change processes are not instances of tipping, or that certain systems might not be prone to nonlinear change.

This article is categorized under:

Climate, History, Society, Culture > Ideas and Knowledge

Perceptions, Behavior, and Communication of Climate Change > Behavior Change and Responses

The Social Status of Climate Change Knowledge > Sociology/Anthropology of Climate Knowledge
Wildlife whodunnit: forensic identification of predators to inform wildlife management and conservation
Authors: Ganz Taylor R. , DeVivo Melia T. , Reese Ellen M. , Prugh Laura R.
Published: November 2022

Genetic evidence at predation sites is rapidly improving predator‐prey interaction studies and can provide information beyond field‐based investigations. However, factors contributing to the retention of genetic evidence have received limited investigation in a field setting, and researchers have yet to leverage genetic evidence to improve traditional field investigations. Using data from 61 mortality investigations of mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), white‐tailed deer (O. virginianus), and elk (Cervus canadensis), we evaluated factors influencing predator DNA amplification success and misidentification of predators in field investigations. We found that predator DNA was detected more for prey with higher body mass (18.5% increase per standard deviation [23.1 kg] in carcass body mass above the mean [32.8 kg]). Predator DNA was also 27.0% more likely to amplify when collected from kill sites that had not undergone a freeze‐thaw cycle between the mortality and the investigation. The delay between the kill and the investigation, the swabbing surface, and the amount of precipitation did not influence amplification of predator DNA. Misidentifications of the predator based on the field ID were not influenced by the investigation delay or investigator confidence level, suggesting that investigators should collect genetic evidence even when they feel certain about the predator. Errors in identifying the predator during the field investigation increased for prey with smaller body mass, and the predator was actually more likely to be misidentified than correctly identified for fawns and calves < ~21 kg. Black bears (Ursus americanus), bobcats (Lynx rufus), cougars (Puma concolor), coyotes (Canis latrans), and wolves (C. lupus) were equally likely to be missed in a field investigation, but bobcats tended to be falsely assigned more than expected and cougars were falsely assigned as the predator less than expected. Using genetic evidence as validation, we showed how patterns of predation and the field signs left by predators differed for some species depending on the size of the prey. Our findings should help researchers and managers to optimize their use of genetics to enhance field investigations.
Optimization of a shell and helically finned tube heat exchanger with stepped annular fins
Authors: Rostami Adel Karimbakhshi , Ganji Davood Domiri
Published: November 2022

The authors investigated four different fin geometries to select the best fin geometry in their previous work. They found out that the Nusselt number of the shell side is 80.79% higher for the stepped fin geometry compared to the simple annular fin at best. In this study, for the first time the heat transfer in a shell and helically coiled finned tube heat exchanger with stepped annular fins is investigated. The coiled tube and the stepped ring fins that are welded to the outside surface of the tube are all made of copper. After examining network independence, 27 cases were designed using Response Surface Methodology (RSM). Correlations have been proposed to predict and by considering all geometric and operating parameters. These correlations have very high accuracy and can be used in a specific range of parameters. The effect of each of the parameters on and are also specified. and are the parameters that have the most impact on the Nusselt number on the same side, but at the same time have almost no effect on the Nusselt number on the other side. and have the highest participation rate in determining and with 82.62% and 71.13%, respectively. The results are presented based on dimensionless parameters. The optimization process is performed for each of the responses, and the values ​​of the corresponding parameters are also shown. , which is the most critical response in this study, has improved 19.59% in the optimized case, even compared to the best of the 27 cases studied. To have the best overall heat performance of the heat exchanger, the optimization process has been performed.
Hybrid kT -factorization and impact factors at NLO
Authors: van Hameren Andreas , Motyka Leszek , Ziarko Grzegorz
Published: November 2022

Abstract

In the hybrid kT -factorization formula, one initial-state parton momentum is space-like and carries non-vanishing transverse components, while the other is on-shell. We promote this factorization formula to next-to-leading order. Studying the partonic cross section, we identify all soft and collinear divergencies in the real and virtual contribution, and recognize that all non-cancelling ones can be attributed to PDF evolution, evolution kernel, and target impact factors. In result, we construct a framework that may be used to compute NLO impact factors in general. In particular, we recover known expressions for inclusive NLO quark-and gluon impact factor corrections.
Commiphora myrrh: a phytochemical and pharmacological update
Authors: Batiha Gaber El-Saber , Wasef Lamiaa , Teibo John Oluwafemi , Shaheen Hazem M. , Zakariya Ali Muhammad , Akinfe Opeyemi Abigail , Teibo Titilade Kehinde Ayandeyi , Al-kuraishy Hayder M. , Al-Garbee Ali I. , Alexiou Athanasios , Papadakis Marios
Published: November 2022

Medicinal plants have a long track record of use in history, and one of them is Commiphora myrrh which is commonly found in the southern part of Arabia, the northeastern part of Africa, in Somalia, and Kenya. Relevant literatures were accessed via Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science to give updated information on the phytochemical constituents and pharmacological action of Commiphora myrrh. It has been used traditionally for treating wounds, mouth ulcers, aches, fractures, stomach disorders, microbial infections, and inflammatory diseases. It is used as an antiseptic, astringent, anthelmintic, carminative, emmenagogue, and as an expectorant. Phytochemical studies have shown that it contains terpenoids (monoterpenoids, sesquiterpenoids, and volatile/essential oil), diterpenoids, triterpenoids, and steroids. Its essential oil has applications in cosmetics, aromatherapy, and perfumery. Research has shown that it exerts various biological activities such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-microbial, neuroprotective, anti-diabetic, anti-cancer, analgesic, anti-parasitic, and recently, it was found to work against respiratory infections like COVID-19. With the advancement in drug development, hopefully, its rich phytochemical components can be explored for drug development as an insecticide due to its great anti-parasitic activity. Also, its interactions with drugs can be fully elucidated.

This review highlights an updated information on the history, distribution, traditional uses, phytochemical components, pharmacology, and various biological activities of Commiphora myrrh.

Graphical abstract

Graphical summary of the phytochemical and pharmacological update of Commiphora myrrh
Effects of omecamtiv mecarbil and mavacamten in isolated human atrium
Authors: Abella Lina Maria Rayo , Höhm Christian , Hofmann Britt , Gergs Ulrich , Neumann Joachim
Published: November 2022

Heart failure is a syndrome that can result from impaired heart muscle contractions like in dilative cardiomyopathy but also from hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCOM). A pharmacological therapy might lie in Ca2+-sensitizing or Ca2+-desensitizing drugs, respectively. Such drugs are thought to be omecamtiv mecarbil (OME) and mavacamten (MYK-461), respectively. Their function in contracting human muscle is not fully understood and was the focus of the present study. OME from 1 nM to 10 µM cumulatively applied failed to raise force of contraction in human right atrial preparations strips (HAP) or mouse left atrial preparations (LA). However, OME prolonged time to peak tension and time of relaxation in HAP and LA but did not alter the beating rate in right atrial preparations from mice (RA). In contrast, MYK-461 (10 nM to 10 µM) reduced concentration- and time-dependently force of contraction in HAP and LA. MYK-461 (10 µM) did not affect the beating rate in RA. In summary, the present data failed to detect an increase in force of contraction for OME, in human and mouse atrium. In contrast, a Ca2+ desensitizer studied for comparison was able to reduce force of contraction in HAP and LA. We conclude that putative beneficial effects of OME in dilated cardiomyopathy cannot be explained by positive inotropic effects in the HAP, whereas beneficial functional effects of MYK-461 in HOCOM can be explained by negative inotropic effects in HAP.
Box-Counting Dimension in One-Dimensional Random Geometry of Multiplicative Cascades
Authors: Falconer Kenneth J. , Troscheit Sascha
Published: November 2022

We investigate the box-counting dimension of the image of a set $$E \subset \mathbb {R}$$

E
⊂
R

under a random multiplicative cascade function f. The corresponding result for Hausdorff dimension was established by Benjamini and Schramm in the context of random geometry, and for sufficiently regular sets, the same formula holds for the box-counting dimension. However, we show that this is far from true in general, and we compute explicitly a formula of a very different nature that gives the almost sure box-counting dimension of the random image f(E) when the set E comprises a convergent sequence. In particular, the box-counting dimension of f(E) depends more subtly on E than just on its dimensions. We also obtain lower and upper bounds for the box-counting dimension of the random images for general sets E.
Evaluation of functional and metabolic tumor volume using voxel-wise analysis in childhood rhabdomyosarcoma
Authors: Maennlin Simon , Chaika Maryanna , Gassenmaier Sebastian , Grimm Robert , Sparber-Sauer Monika , Fuchs Jörg , Schmidt Andreas , Ebinger Martin , Hettmer Simone , Gatidids Sergios , Dittmann Helmut , Schäfer Jürgen F.
Published: November 2022

Background

Cross-sectional imaging-based morphological characteristics of pediatric rhabdomyosarcoma have failed to predict outcomes.

Objective

To evaluate the feasibility and possible value of generating tumor sub-volumes using voxel-wise analysis of metabolic and functional data from positron emission tomography/magnetic resonance imaging (PET/MR) or PET/computed tomography (CT) and MRI in rhabdomyosarcoma.

Materials and methods

Thirty-four examinations in 17 patients who received PET/MRI or PET/CT plus MRI were analyzed. The volume of interest included total tumor volume before and after therapy. Apparent diffusion coefficients (ADC) and standard uptake values (SUV) were determined voxel-wise. Voxels were assigned to three different groups based on ADC and SUV: “viable tumor tissue,” “intermediate tissue” or “possible necrosis.” In a second approach, data were grouped into three clusters using the Gaussian mixture model. The ratio of these clusters to total tumor volume and changes due to chemotherapy were correlated with clinical and histopathological data.

Results

After chemotherapy, the proportion of voxels in the different groups changed significantly. A significant reduction of the proportion of voxels assigned to cluster 1 was found, from a mean of 36.4% to 2.5% (P < 0.001). There was a significant increase in the proportion of voxels in cluster 3 following chemotherapy from 24.8% to 81.6% (P = 0.02). The proportion of voxels in cluster 2 differed depending on the presence or absence of tumor recurrence, falling from 48% to 10% post-chemotherapy in the group with no tumor recurrence (P < 0.05) and from 29% to 23% (P > 0.05) in the group with tumor recurrence.

Conclusion

Voxel-wise evaluation of multimodal data in rhabdomyosarcoma is feasible. Our initial results suggest that the different distribution of sub-volumes before and after therapy may have prognostic significance.
Comprehensive Environmental Assessment Index of Ecological Footprint
Authors: Khezri Mohsen , Mamghaderi Mahnaz , Razzaghi Somayeh , Heshmati Almas
Published: November 2022

This paper aims to contribute to the growing body of research literature on assessing environmental efficiency by introducing a new key performance indicator (KPIs) in more complete and dependable aspects of ecological footprint indices. For this purpose, the DEA model considering three inputs (energy consumption, labor force, and capital stock), one desirable output (GDP), and different undesirable outputs (CO2 emissions, ecological footprint indicators) are applied to 27 OECD countries from 2000 to 2017. According to the results, Norway, Luxemburg, and United Kingdom are the most environmentally efficient countries in terms of environmental efficiency and ecological footprint efficiency. On the other hand, the lowest environmental and ecological footprint efficiencies were in countries like Lithuania, Slovak, Czech, Estonia, and the USA. In addition, these nations fare poorly regarding their carbon footprint and farmland efficiency. In further detail, Lithuania, South Korea, Portugal, and Spain have a critical status in fishing ground efficiency, while the forest area efficiency is very acute in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Czech.
Improving Surgical Excellence: Can Coaching Surgeons Improve Patient Engagement?
Authors: Ting Ying Yang , Reid Jessica L. , Treloar Ellie , Lee Wei Shan Bobby , Tee Jeeng Yeeng , Cong Wen Jing Phoebe , Peng Dangyi , Edwards Suzanne , Ey Jesse , Edwardes Nicholas , Granchi Nelson , Maddern Guy J.
Published: November 2022

Introduction

Non‐technical skills complement technical skills in surgeons to provide best possible care for patients. The former is essential to promote patient engagement. Coaching has been introduced to surgeons as a method to improve non‐technical skills. We aimed to investigate the impact of coaching for surgeons on patient engagement in the outpatient consultation setting.

Methods

This was a single‐centre cohort study conducted in South Australia. Consultant surgeons, suitable coaches, and patients were recruited. Coaches underwent further training by a human factors psychologist on being an effective coach. Outpatient consultations were recorded in an audio‐visual format and analysed by investigators. Patient talking time, mutual eye gaze between surgeon and patient, and number of questions asked by the patient were measured as outcomes for patient engagement.

Results

182 patients, 12 surgeons, and 4 coaches participated in the study. Each surgeon underwent 3 coaching sessions, 5 to 6 weeks apart. There were 62 pre‐coaching patient consultations, 63 patient consultations after one coaching session, and 57 patient consultations after two coaching sessions. The mean talking time of the patient increased significantly after a single coaching session (P < 0.05) without making significant difference to the total consultation time (p = 0.76). Coaching sessions did not have a significant effect on mutual eye gaze or mean number of questions asked by the patient.

Conclusion

Coaching of non‐technical skills for surgeons appears to objectively improve patient engagement during the outpatient consultation. This would suggest that tailored coaching programs should be developed and delivered to surgeons to improve care delivery.
Mechanisms for point defect-induced functionality in complex perovskite oxides
Authors: Ricca Chiara , Aschauer Ulrich
Published: November 2022

Perovskite oxides are an extremely versatile class of materials in which functionality can, besides other routes, also be engineered via the deliberate introduction of defects. In this focused review, we will specifically look at mechanistic details of ferroelectric and magnetic functionality introduced, altered, or reinforced by point defects. An ever-growing number of related studies start to provide a basis for the mechanistic understanding of different engineering routes to be exploited in future studies. Nevertheless, this review highlights that the effect of defects is not always easily predicted, given the delicate balance of lattice, charge, spin, and orbital degrees of freedom inherent to the perovskite structure. Systematic studies across various chemistries are thus still very much needed to obtain a more complete basis for defect-engineering ferroelectric and magnetic functionality in perovskite oxides.
Fast colored video encryption using block scrambling and multi-key generation
Authors: Hosny Khalid M. , Zaki Mohamed A. , Lashin Nabil A. , Hamza Hanaa M.
Published: November 2022

Multimedia information usage is increasing with new technologies such as the Internet of things (IoT), cloud computing, and big data processing. Video is one of the most widely used types of multimedia. Videos are played and transmitted over different networks in many IoT applications. Consequently, securing videos during transmission over various networks is necessary to prevent unauthorized access to the video's content. The existing securing schemes have limitations in terms of high resource consumption and high processing time, which are not liable to IoT devices with limited resources in terms of processor size, memory, time, and power consumption. This paper proposed a new encryption scheme for securing the colored videos. The video frames are extracted, and then, the frame components (red, green, and blue) are separated and padded by zero. Then, every frame component (channel) is split into blocks of different sizes. Then, the scrambled blocks of a component are obtained by applying a zigzag scan, rotating the blocks, and randomly changing the blocks' arrangements. Finally, a secret key produced from a chaotic logistic map is used to encrypt the scrambled frame component. Security analysis and time complexity are used to evaluate the efficiency of the proposed scheme in encrypting the colored videos. The results reveal that the proposed scheme has high-level security and encryption efficiency. Finally, a comparison between the proposed scheme and existing schemes is performed. The results confirmed that the proposed scheme has additional encryption efficiency.
A multi-parametric perspective of the North Atlantic eddy-driven jet
Authors: Barriopedro David , Ayarzagüena Blanca , García-Burgos Marina , García-Herrera Ricardo
Published: November 2022

The North Atlantic eddy-driven jet (EDJ) is an essential component of the Euro-Atlantic atmospheric circulation. It has been typically described in terms of latitude and intensity but this is not enough to fully characterize its variability and complex EDJ configurations. Here, we present a set of daily parameters of the EDJ based on low-tropospheric zonal wind data for the 1948–2020 period. They describe the intensity, sharpness, location, edges, tilt and other zonal asymmetries of the EDJ, therefore dissecting its structure beyond the latitudinal regimes. This allows for assessments of specific EDJ aspects and a multi-parametric treatment of EDJ configurations in a manageable way. Overall, variations in EDJ parameters reflect distinctive patterns of eddy forcing and wave breaking, with anticyclonic eddies playing a major role in shaping the EDJ structure. A multimodal behavior of the EDJ is only detected in latitude, which largely influences the longitudinal position of the EDJ. Other aspects of the EDJ are less constrained by the latitude and display a variety of configurations. Four multi-parametric states (northern, central, tilted and split EDJs) provide a satisfactory description of recurrent patterns of the EDJ. They participate in meridional migrations of the EDJ, but yield less dramatic transitions than viewed from the latitudinal perspective. Finally, the EDJ parameters help to better understand the EDJ influence on European climate. In many regions, latitude and intensity contain limited information on near-surface anomalies, and their signals can be masked by the additional effect of other EDJ parameters.
Ossification of the posterior capitellum: description of a new pathology and its radiological appearance
Authors: Schneider M. M. , Hollinger B. , Zimmerer A. , Nietschke R. , Michaely H. , Migliorini F. , Maffulli N. , Burkhart K. J.
Published: November 2022

Background

Boxer elbow and handball goalkeeper elbow are causes of impingement characterized by osteophytes formation at the olecranon and coronoid tip as well as their corresponding fossae. Herein, we present another distinct pathology in these patients: the formation of an exostosis at the posterolateral aspect of the elbow.

Methods

Between April 2016 and May 2020, 12 athletes with boxer elbow and handball goalkeeper elbow (mean age of 22 years) suffering from elbow pain were enrolled in the present study. Plain radiography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and computer tomography (CT) scans were used to evaluate the bone conformation of the posterolateral aspect of the elbow. Assessment and staging of the ossification was performed by two independent fellowship-trained elbow surgeons.

Results

Bone marrow edema of the posterior aspect of the elbow at the origin of the anconeus muscle was initially detected in MRI scans. With the progression of the condition, imaging revealed an ossification posterior to the capitellum with bony bridges. In the advanced stage of the disease, the exostoses was unstable as the ossification had no adherence to the posterior capitellum during surgical excision. Plain radiographs are limited in their ability to detect the condition, whereas MRI and CT scans allow to identify a signal enhancement at the posterolateral aspect of the elbow.

Conclusion

In patients without history of elbow trauma, bony irregularities of the posterior aspect of the capitellum may indicate ossification of the posterolateral aspect of the elbow, most likely caused by repetitive hyperextensions.
Castration-resistant prostate cancer cells are dependent on the high activity of CDK7
Authors: Pallasaho Satu , Gondane Aishwarya , Kuivalainen Anni , Girmay Samuel , Moestue Siver , Loda Massimo , Itkonen Harri M.
Published: November 2022

Purpose

Prostate cancer (PC) is successfully treated with anti-androgens; however, a significant proportion of patients develop resistance against this therapy. Anti-androgen-resistant disease (castration-resistant prostate cancer; CRPC) is currently incurable. Cyclin-dependent kinase 7 (CDK7) is positioned to positively regulate both cell cycle and transcription, the two features critical for the rapid proliferation of the CRPC cells. Here, we assess if CDK7 is a viable target to halt the proliferation of CRPC cells.

Methods

We use recently developed clinically relevant compounds targeting CDK7 and multiple cell proliferation assays to probe the importance of this kinase for the proliferation of normal, androgen-dependent, and CRPC cells. PC patient data were used to evaluate expression of CDK7 at different disease-stages. Finally, comprehensive glycoproteome-profiling was performed to evaluate CDK7 inhibitor effects on androgen-dependent and CRPC cells.

Results

We show that CDK7 is overexpressed in PC patients with poor prognosis, and that CRPC cells are highly sensitive to compounds targeting CDK7. Inhibition of O-GlcNAc transferase sensitizes the CRPC, but not androgen-dependent PC cells, to CDK7 inhibitors. Glycoproteome-profiling revealed that CDK7 inhibition induces hyper-O-GlcNAcylation of the positive transcription elongation complex (pTEFB: CDK9 and CCNT1) in the CRPC cells. Accordingly, co-targeting of CDK7 and CDK9 synergistically blocks the proliferation of the CRPC cells but does not have anti-proliferative effects in the normal prostate cells.

Conclusion

We show that CRPC cells, but not normal prostate cells, are addicted on the high activity of the key transcriptional kinases, CDK7 and CDK9.
Gefäßchirurgische Versorgung im ländlichen Raum – Anpassung an die demografischen und epidemiologischen Erfordernisse
Authors: Barth Udo , Granowski Dennis , Lehmann Martin , Meyer Frank
Published: November 2022

Einleitung

Die demografische Entwicklung in Deutschland und insbesondere in Sachsen-Anhalt (SA) stellt auch die Gefäßchirurgie vor Herausforderungen, denn die Inzidenz der Gefäßerkrankungen ist, dem demografischen Wandel folgend, gestiegen. So wird die Prävalenz der peripheren arteriellen Verschlusskrankheit (pAVK) in den industrialisierten Ländern bei Personen über 60 Jahren bei ca. 10–20 % geschätzt, sodass auch hier mit dem demografischen Wandel die Anzahl der Betroffenen steigen wird. Gerade im ländlichen Raum scheint es für Patienten schwieriger zu sein, eine entsprechende fachärztliche Behandlung zu erreichen.

Material und Methoden

Kompakte narrative Kurzübersicht, basierend auf selektiven Referenzen der aktuellen medizinisch-wissenschaftlichen Literatur und eigenen Erfahrungen aus der täglichen Praxis beim Aufbau einer gefäßchirurgischen Abteilung im ländlichen Raum.

Ergebnisse

Im Jahr 2020 lag die Einwohnerzahl im Landkreis Jerichower Land (SA) bei etwa 89.403 (männlich: 44.489, weiblich: 44.914). Die Altersverteilung in den für die pAVK relevanten Altersgruppen gestaltet sich derart: 65–74 Jahre – gesamt 12,38 %; ab 75 Jahre – gesamt 13,85 %; Durchschnittsalter 48,36 Jahre (Bevölkerungsdichte: 56,4/km2). Laut Kassenärztlicher Vereinigung SA kamen 2019 in Burg (SA) 605 Patienten auf einen Arzt.

Insgesamt 5087 Pflegebedürftige gab es 2019 im Landkreis. Bei so einer geringen Bevölkerungsdichte, geringer Arztdichte, hohem Altersdurchschnitt, hohem Anteil an Menschen im Alter von über 75 Jahren sowie einer hohen Anzahl an Pflegebedürftigen ist mit einer Einschränkung der Mobilität und Erreichbarkeit einer gefäßchirurgischen Versorgung zu rechnen, was sich in der hohen Anzahl an pAVK-Stadium IV (FONTAINE) in der initialen Patientenklientel widerspiegelte.

Jeder Aufbau einer gefäßchirurgischen Abteilung ist mit einer erheblichen finanziellen und materiellen Investition verbunden, die der Träger der Einrichtung bereit sein muss vorzunehmen.

Neben der materiellen Investition ist ebenfalls das Vorhandensein eines entsprechend qualifizierten Personals zur Implementierung und Aufrechterhaltung der kontinuierlichen Versorgung zu bedenken.

Schlussfolgerung

Der hohe Anteil von pAVK gefährdeten und daran leidenden Einwohnern in einem ländlich strukturierten Raum mit geringer Bevölkerungs- und Arztdichte erlaubt die Investition in die Neugründung einer gefäßchirurgischen Abteilung, um eine standortnahe Versorgung bei eingeschränkter Mobilität und Selbsthilfe in dieser Patientenklientel zu gewährleisten, damit letztlich aus angemessener gesundheitspolitischer Sicht, aber durchaus auch aus der Perspektive einer relevanten Erlösaussicht.
Evaluation of direct restorations using the revised FDI criteria: results from a reliability study
Authors: Mesinger Sabine , Heck Katrin , Crispin Alexander , Frankenberger Roland , Cadenaro Milena , Burgess John , Peschke Arnd , Heintze Siegward D. , Loomans Bas , Opdam Niek , Hickel Reinhard , Kühnisch Jan
Published: November 2022

Objectives

The purpose of this in vitro reliability study was to determine the intra- and inter-examiner agreement of the revised FDI criteria including the categories “fracture of material and retention” (F1) and “caries at restoration margin” (B1).

Materials and methods

Forty-nine photographs of direct tooth-coloured posterior (n = 25) and anterior (n = 24) restorations with common deficiencies were included. Ten dental experts repeated the assessment in three blinded rounds. Later, the experts re-evaluated together all photographs and agreed on a reference standard. Statistical analysis included the calculation of Cohen’s (Cκ), Fleiss’ (Fκ), and weighted Kappa (wκ), the development of a logistic regression with a backward elimination model and Bland/Altman plots.

Results

Intra- and inter-examiner reliability exhibited mostly moderate to substantial Cκ, Fκ, and wκ values for posterior restorations (e.g. Intra: F1 Cκ = 0.57, wκ = 0.74; B1 Cκ = 0.57, wκ = 0.73/Inter F1 Fκ = 0.32, wκ = 0.53; B1 Fκ = 0.41, wκ = 0.64) and anterior restorations (e.g. Intra F1 Cκ = 0.63, wκ = 0.76; B1 Cκ = 0.48, wκ = 0.68/Inter F1 Fκ = 0.42, wκ = 0.57; B1 Fκ = 0.40, wκ = 0.51). Logistic regression analyses revealed significant differences between the evaluation rounds, examiners, categories, and tooth type. Both the intra- and inter-examiner reliability increased along with the evaluation rounds. The overall agreement was higher for anterior restorations compared to posterior restorations.

Conclusions

The overall reliability of the revised FDI criteria set was found to be moderate to substantial.

Clinical relevance

If properly trained, the revised FDI criteria set are a valid tool to evaluate direct and indirect restorations in a standardized way. However, training and calibration are needed to ensure reliable application.
The project, the everyday, and reflexivity in sociotechnical agri-food assemblages: proposing a conceptual model of digitalisation
Authors: Forney Jérémie , Dwiartama Angga
Published: November 2022

Digital technologies have opened up new perspectives in thinking about the future of food and farming. Not only do these new technologies promise to revolutionise our way of meeting global food demand, they do so by boldly claiming that they can reduce their environmental impacts. However, they also have the potential to transform the organisation of agri-food systems more fundamentally. Drawing on assemblage theory, we propose a conceptual model of digitalisation organised around three facets: digitalisation as a project; “everyday digitalisation”; and reflexive digitalisation. These facets reflect different relations between concrete practices and representations, imaginaries, and narratives, while representing different modes of agency: the collective, the distributed, and the individual, which, we argue, highlight contrasting ways for human and non-human actors to engage with digitalisation. With this model anchored in assemblage theory, we offer a tool for critically and comprehensively engaging with the complexity and multiplicity of digitalisation as a sociotechnical process. We then apply our theoretical framework to two ethnographic studies, one explores the growth of digital technologies in Switzerland as a way to govern and monitor national agriculture, the other focuses on Indonesia, where small digital startups have begun to dot the landscape. By identifying the material and semiotic processes occurring in each case, we notice similar issues being raised in terms of how digitalisation is co-constructed in society.
Ecosystem functions of fruit woody species in an urban environment
Authors: Orlandi Fabio , Marrapodi Silvia , Proietti Chiara , Ruga Luigia , Fornaciari Marco
Published: November 2022

The objective of this work was to investigate the potential ecosystem services of 16 fruit trees to plan and manage more efficiently “Urban Forest,” increasing also the resilience of cities to climate change. We evaluated the potential capacity of PM10 absorption, the storage of CO2 from the atmosphere, and the cooling of the environment through shading by the crown and through evapotranspiration. We observed that some species, such as Morus nigra, Juglans regia, Pyrus communis, and Cydonia oblonga, are able to store a higher quantity of CO2 than others over a period of 50 years, respectively, of 2.40 tons, 2.33 tons, 1.51 tons, and 0.96 tons. Ficus carica, Juglans regia, and Morus nigra were relevant for PM10 absorption, since they were able to absorb, referring to the year 2019, 146.4 gr/tree, 195.6 gr/tree, and 143.1 gr/tree, respectively. Results showed that these ecosystem functions depend principally on the morphological characteristics of the individuals: their height, DBH, expansion of their crowns, and characteristics of the foliage system.
Gene expression patterns associated with caudal fin shape in the cichlid Lamprologus tigripictilis
Authors: Ahi Ehsan Pashay , Richter Florian , Sefc Kristina M.
Published: November 2022

Variation in fin shape is one of the most prominent features of morphological diversity among fish. Regulation of fin growth has mainly been studied in zebrafish, and it is not clear whether the molecular mechanisms underlying shape variation are equally diverse or rather conserved across species. In the present study, expression levels of 37 candidate genes were tested for association with fin shape in the cichlid fishLamprologus tigripictilis. The tested genes included members of a fin shape-associated gene regulatory network identified in a previous study and novel candidates selected within this study. Using both intact and regenerating fin tissue, we tested for expression differences between the elongated and the short regions of the spade-shaped caudal fin and identified 20 genes and transcription factors (includingangptl5,cd63,csrp1a,cx43,esco2,gbf1, andrbpj), whose expression patterns were consistent with a role in fin growth. Collated with available gene expression data of two other cichlid species, our study not only highlights several genes that were correlated with fin growth in all three species (e.g.,angptl5,cd63,cx43, andmmp9), but also reveals species-specific gene expression and correlation patterns, which indicate considerable divergence in the regulatory mechanisms of fin growth across cichlids.
Challenges in continuing professional development on inclusion in early years in Spain
Authors: Corral-Granados A.
Published: November 2022

Through a school case study, this research identifies the macro- and micro-elements that influence the continuing professional development of nursery staff in a Spanish educational setting. Organizational theories are employed to highlight the professional learning experienced by nursery staff through types of learning (formal, informal, and non-formal) and organizational learning analysis (single, double, and triple loops of learning). Qualitative data was collected through unstructured interviews, observations, and document analysis and was gathered in two sessions of three months during one academic year. This study focuses on voices from the learning communities in one early year's classroom in a state school located in Andalusia, in the south of Spain. Twelve early years staffers—including teachers, teaching assistants, managerial team, and external professionals—and six parents and 24 children were observed, including two children diagnosed with special education needs (SEN). This case study shows that a dearth of essential elements such as communication and responsibility networks, a non-permeable system, and resource management policies result in a lack of capability to offer professional development to nursery staff to meet children's educational needs.
Whole body gestational donation
Authors: Smajdor Anna
Published: November 2022

Whole body gestational donation offers an alternative means of gestation for prospective parents who wish to have children but cannot, or prefer not to, gestate. It seems plausible that some people would be prepared to consider donating their whole bodies for gestational purposes just as some people donate parts of their bodies for organ donation. We already know that pregnancies can be successfully carried to term in brain-dead women. There is no obvious medical reason why initiating such pregnancies would not be possible. In this paper, I explore the ethics of whole-body gestational donation. I consider a number of potential counter-arguments, including the fact that such donations are not life-saving and that they may reify the female reproductive body. I suggest if we are happy to accept organ donation in general, the issues raised by whole-body gestational donation are differences of degree rather than substantive new concerns. In addition, I identify some intriguing possibilities, including the use of male bodies–perhaps thereby circumventing some potential feminist objections.
Testing drought indicators for summer burned area prediction in Italy
Authors: Vissio Gabriele , Turco Marco , Provenzale Antonello
Published: November 2022

During the summer season, the Italian territory is vulnerable to extended wildfires, which can have dramatic impact on human activities and ecosystems. Such wildfire events are usually associated with the presence of drought conditions and are generally more severe in southern Italy, owing to the high temperatures and reduced precipitation that characterize this geographical region. In this work, we discuss the statistical analysis of the burned area (BA) in Italy and build simple data-driven models linking BA to different climatic drivers, comparing the relevance of direct surface soil moisture information to that provided by drought indices such as the Standardized Precipitation Index and the Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI). We show that considering surface soil moisture alone is sufficient to produce reliable out-of-sample predictions in a large part of the country. By contrast, SPEI allows for better model performances in the more arid regions.
A primal-dual splitting algorithm for composite monotone inclusions with minimal lifting
Authors: Aragón-Artacho Francisco J. , Boţ Radu I. , Torregrosa-Belén David
Published: November 2022

In this work, we study resolvent splitting algorithms for solving composite monotone inclusion problems. The objective of these general problems is finding a zero in the sum of maximally monotone operators composed with linear operators. Our main contribution is establishing the first primal-dual splitting algorithm for composite monotone inclusions with minimal lifting. Specifically, the proposed scheme reduces the dimension of the product space where the underlying fixed point operator is defined, in comparison to other algorithms, without requiring additional evaluations of the resolvent operators. We prove the convergence of this new algorithm and analyze its performance in a problem arising in image deblurring and denoising. This work also contributes to the theory of resolvent splitting algorithms by extending the minimal lifting theorem recently proved by Malitsky and Tam to schemes with resolvent parameters.
Global GPBiCGstab(L) method for solving linear matrix equations
Authors: Horiuchi Itsuki , Aihara Kensuke , Suzuki Toshio , Ishiwata Emiko
Published: November 2022

Global Krylov subspace methods are effective iterative solvers for large linear matrix equations. Several Lanczos-type product methods (LTPMs) for solving standard linear systems of equations have been extended to their global versions. However, the GPBiCGstab(L) method, which unifies two well-known LTPMs (i.e., BiCGstab(L) and GPBiCG methods), has been developed recently, and it has been shown that this novel method has superior convergence when compared to the conventional LTPMs. In the present study, we therefore extend the GPBiCGstab(L) method to its global version. Herein, we present not only a naive extension of the original GPBiCGstab(L) algorithm but also its alternative implementation. This variant enables the preconditioning technique to be applied stably and efficiently. Numerical experiments were performed, and the results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed global GPBiCGstab(L) method.
Evolutionary Approach to Biological Homochirality
Authors: Konstantinov Konstantin K. , Konstantinova Alisa F.
Published: November 2022

We study a very simple linear evolutionary model based on distribution of protocells by total enantiomeric excess and without any mutual inhibition and show that such model can produce two species with values of total enantiomeric excess in each of the species approaching $$\pm 1$$

±
1

when there is a global $$L\leftrightarrow D$$

L
↔
D

symmetry. We then consider a scenario when there is a small external global asymmetry factor, like weak interaction, and show that only one of the species remains in such a case, and that is the one, which is more efficient in replication. We perform an estimate of the time necessary to reach homochirality in such a model and show that reasonable assumptions lead to an estimate of around 300 thousand years plus or minus a couple of orders of magnitude. Despite this seemingly large time to reach homochirality, the model is immune to racemization because amino acids in the model follow the lifespan of the protocells rather than the time needed to reach homochirality. We show that not needing mutual inhibition in such evolutionary model is due to the difference in the topology of the spaces in which considered model and many known models of biological homochirality operate. Bifurcation-based models operate in disconnected zero-dimensional space (the space is just two points with enantiomeric excess equal $$-1$$

-
1

and $$1$$

1

), whereas considered evolutionary model (in its continuous representation) operates in one-dimensional connected space, that is the whole interval between $$-1$$

-
1

and $$1$$

1

of total enantiomeric excess. We then proceed with the analysis of the replication process in non-homochiral environment and show that replication errors (the probability to attach an amino acid of wrong chirality) result in a smooth decrease of replication time when total enantiomeric excess of the replicated structure moves away from zero. We show that this decrease in replication time is sufficient for considered model to work.
Changing landscapes: habitat monitoring and land transformation in a long-time used Mediterranean coastal wetland
Authors: Tomaselli Valeria , Mantino Francesca , Tarantino Cristina , Albanese Giuseppe , Adamo Maria
Published: November 2022

Zone Umide della Capitanata, located in the northeastern part of the Apulia Region, is one of the most extensive coastal wetlands of the Italian peninsula and one of the largest components of the Mediterranean wetland system. Despite its high ecological importance, this site has been undergoing a variety of pressures intensified in recent decades. This study analyzes and evaluates the changes occurred in this area between 2010 and 2020. Land cover and habitat maps were performed by photointerpretation and on-site surveys, and classified according to the FAO-LCCS and EUNIS taxonomies, respectively. To focus on local dynamics, four subset areas were analyzed separately. A set of landscape metrics was computed to analyze the landscape structure. The anthropogenic pressures affecting the study area were described through the Driving Forces-Pressures-State-Impact-Response (DPSIR) conceptual framework. Numerous changes were identified, deriving from both finest thematic redefinition and anthropogenic pressures. Both class conversions and class modifications were identified and quantified by means of transition matrices. Most of the observed conversions were borne by classes belonging to saltmarshes and to coastal dune systems. In particular, landscape configuration of coastal dune classes was well highlighted by a set of specific landscape metrics. Agriculture practices and changes in water flow pattern turned out to be the main driving forces exerting pressures on these natural systems. Significant differences were found between the four subsets under analysis, thus indicating that different management strategies lead to different levels of conservation.