bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Das Hämodialysegerät KN 401
Authors: Brunner Jürgen
Published: April 2023

Das Dialysegerät KN 401 (Abb. 1) wurde 1981 im Messgerätewerk Zwörnitz und in den technisch-physikalischen Werkstätten Talheim, in der ehemaligen DDR, gebaut.
Es geht ums Ganze
Authors: Giannakoulis-Markus Sandra
Published: April 2023

weil’s hilft! ist eine Bürgerbewegung, die eine Wende im Gesundheitssystem fordert – hin zu den Bedürfnissen und Präferenzen von Patientinnen und Patienten, zu einer ganzheitlichen Sicht auf den Menschen und einem Fokus auf Gesundheit statt auf Krankheit. Dazu leistet die sinnvolle Verbindung von Naturmedizin und Schulmedizin, die Integrative Medizin, einen unverzichtbaren Beitrag. Denn sie setzt voll auf die Patientinnen und Patienten und bezieht sie als aktive Partner in die Behandlung ein. Eine moderne Medizin der Zukunft braucht deshalb das gleichberechtigte Miteinander von Naturmedizin und Schulmedizin – im Alltag von Ärztinnen und Ärzten und Patientinnen und Patienten, in der Erstattung durch die Krankenkassen sowie in Forschung und Lehre. Jetzt gemeinsam etwas bewegen! In einem Manifest stellt die Bürgerbewegung „weil’s hilft!“ fest: Wir brauchen die Integrative Medizin als Brücke zu einer „gesunden Medizin der Zukunft“. Jeder kann mitzeichnen und sich engagieren.
Förderpreis Nephrologische Pflege 2023
Authors: Schäfer Christian
Published: April 2023

Die Thieme Gruppe schreibt im Jahr 2023 wieder den Förderpreis Nephrologische Pflege aus und stiftet das Preisgeld von 1500 Euro.
Automatisierung der Arzneimittellogistik: Die Zukunft der Medikationsprozesse im Krankenhaus
Authors: Hintze Marcus , Kaczmarek Sylvia
Published: April 2023

Durch die Einführung von Packungskommissionier-Automaten und Unit-Dose-Anlagen auf der einen und der Einführung einer Arzneimittelverordnungssoftware auf der anderen Seite haben sich die Prozesse in der Arzneimittellogistik grundlegend geändert. Diese Entwicklung wird durch das Krankenhauszukunftsgesetz (KHZG) weiter vorangetrieben. Das Hauptziel hierbei ist die Steigerung der Patientensicherheit.
Innovation: Risikoidentifikation im Krankenhauseinkauf unter Anwendung digitaler Technologien
Authors: Köhler Mathias , Schlüchtermann Jörg
Published: April 2023

Durch die Kenntnis der zur Verfügung stehenden digitalen Technologien ist es auch im Krankenhauseinkauf möglich, mit ihrer Hilfe Risiken frühzeitig zu erkennen und zu steuern. Mitarbeiter des Einkaufs sollten sich daher noch stärker als bisher mit diesen Themen auseinandersetzen.
Intelligent Einkaufen trotz Unsicherheit: Kostenbewusst einkaufen durch intelligente Prognosen
Authors: Loos Anne , Enge-Rosenblatt Olaf
Published: April 2023

Wie sollten Einkaufsprozesse in Pandemiezeiten und anderen weltpolitischen Unsicherheitslagen gestaltet werden und was kann daraus für Nicht-Pandemiezeiten abgeleitet werden? Antworten auf diese und weitere Fragen gibt ein neuartiges KI-basiertes Frühwarn- und Vorhersagesystem für die medizinische Versorgung.
Recycling in der Elektrophysiologie: Vom Herzkatheter zur Olympiamedaille
Authors: Hussain Hamad , Scholz Niclas
Published: April 2023

Schrott für den Goldmedaillengewinner einer Olympiade? In Tokio 2021 war dies der Fall: Um ein Zeichen für Nachhaltigkeit zu setzen, wurden alle Medaillen der Spiele von einer deutschen Firma aus Elektroschrott hergestellt. In Herzkathetern befinden sich viele Edelmetalle. Könnten Sie in Zukunft Rohstoffe für Medaillen liefern?
Update Beckenboden (2) Beckenbodentherapie bei Inkontinenz
Authors: Henscher Ulla
Published: April 2023

Das Erlernen einer normalen Blasenfunktion ist ein wichtiger Bestandteil der kindlichen Entwicklung. Störungsbilder können in jeder Altersgruppe auftreten. Einen unwillkürlichen Urinverlust (Inkontinenz) erleben die Betroffenen als besonders peinlich und als Rückschritt in die frühe Kindheit. Daher sollten auch physiotherapeutisch alle Möglichkeiten ausgeschöpft werden, die die Lebensqualität der Betroffenen verbessern.
From foe to friend: employing phonons for practical solid-state applications
Authors: Thompson Avery
Published: April 2023

Long considered a bane of solid-state physics, recent advances in nanophononics create unique possibilities for the much-maligned phonon.
Compact, ultra-high vacuum compatible, high power density conductive heaters
Authors: Kohn Rudolph N. , Krzyzewski Sean P. , Kasch Brian L. , Squires Matthew B.
Published: April 2023

We present a design and evaluation of a simple and easy-to-fabricate conductive heater intended for ultra-high vacuum experiments. We demonstrate a compact and power-dense heater that has minimal outgassing up to nearly 200 °C. We further detail a method for using the heater in air to heat an object in vacuum by partially replacing a glass vacuum chamber wall with silicon, avoiding some possible outgassing issues. This method has successfully loaded a 2D magneto-optical trap feeding a 3D magneto-optical trap in rubidium 87.
Ion dynamics in strongly coupled ultracold neutral plasmas at the early stage
Authors: Fang Feng , Zhou Wenchang , Luo Changjie , Li Yufan , Cheng Rui , Ma Xinwen , Yang Jie
Published: April 2023

We measured the velocity distribution of ions in the ultracold neutral plasma (UNP) during its early evolution by the technique of velocity map imaging. The ion temperature during the phase of ion equilibrium was obtained experimentally through this method. The Coulomb coupling parameter of ions in the UNP after disorder-induced heating was also determined to be 2.1, which agreed well with the prediction from a charged particle tracing simulation. In addition, the ion expansion during the ion equilibration phase was observed. Notably, the experimentally observed expansion speed is larger than the value obtained from the self-similar expansion model, indicating the involvement of additional mechanisms, besides the electron thermal pressure, in driving the ion expansion. We have also discussed the contributions of ion–ion correlations and charge imbalance to the plasma expansion.
The appearance and annihilation of the spin angular momentum for the multi-polar vector optical field in the focal plane
Authors: Sun Xue-Feng , Gao Xu-Zhen , Zhang Guang-Bo , Yang Fan , Liu Jin-Jin , Ma Rende , Man Zhong-Xiao , Pan Yue
Published: April 2023

Vector optical fields (VOFs) with space-variant polarizations have attracted great attention in various areas, and the VOFs have been applied to study the spin angular momentum (SAM) of the photon, leading to many new effects and applications. Here, we propose the multi-polar coordinate and design and generate the multi-polar VOF (MP-VOF) with an arbitrary even number of singularities. We further find that the SAM appears or annihilates in the focal plane, which means the processes of “0-1” and “1-0” of the SAM can be accomplished in propagation. The corresponding theoretical explanation is also provided, indicating that the SAM appears or annihilates due to the interaction of the fields at central symmetric positions on the wavefront. Moreover, the appearance of transverse SAM (also known as the “photonic wheel”) can also be achieved in tight focusing cases. In this way, we can achieve three cases of SAM under different conditions, including purely longitudinal SAM, purely transverse SAM, and three-dimensional SAM with both components. This new kind of MP-VOF significantly enriches the family of VOFs and provides new insights in studying the focal behavior of the SAM, which can be applied in realms such as spin absorbing particles in a more flexible way.
Molecular profiling of the stroke-induced alterations in the cerebral microvasculature reveals promising therapeutic candidates
Authors: Callegari Keri , Dash Sabyasachi , Uchida Hiroki , Shingai Yuto , Liu Catherine , Khodarkovskaya Anne , Lee Yunkyoung , Ito Akira , Lopez Amanda , Zhang Tuo , Xiang Jenny , Kluk Michael J. , Sanchez Teresa
Published: April 2023

Stroke-induced cerebral microvascular dysfunction contributes to aggravation of neuronal injury and compromises the efficacy of current reperfusion therapies. Understanding the molecular alterations in cerebral microvessels in stroke will provide original opportunities for scientific investigation of novel therapeutic strategies. Toward this goal, using a recently optimized method which minimizes cell activation and preserves endothelial cell interactions and RNA integrity, we conducted a genome-wide transcriptomic analysis of cerebral microvessels in a mouse model of stroke and compared these transcriptomic alterations with the ones observed in human, nonfatal, brain stroke lesions. Results from these unbiased comparative analyses have revealed the common alterations in mouse stroke microvessels and human stroke lesions and identified shared molecular features associated with vascular disease (e.g., Serpine1/Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1, Hemoxygenase-1), endothelial activation (e.g., Angiopoietin-2), and alterations in sphingolipid metabolism and signaling (e.g., Sphigosine-1-Phosphate Receptor 2). Sphingolipid profiling of mouse cerebral microvessels validated the transcript data and revealed the enrichment of sphingomyelin and sphingoid species in the cerebral microvasculature compared to brain and the stroke-induced increase in ceramide species. In summary, our study has identified novel molecular alterations in several microvessel-enriched, translationally relevant, and druggable targets, which are potent modulators of endothelial function. Our comparative analyses have revealed the presence of molecular features associated with cerebral microvascular dysfunction in human chronic stroke lesions. The results shared here provide a detailed resource for therapeutic discovery of candidates for neurovascular protection in stroke and potentially, other pathologies exhibiting cerebral microvascular dysfunction.
Key comparison BIPM.RI(I)-K8 of high dose-rate 192Ir brachytherapy standards for reference air kerma rate of the NPL and the BIPM
Authors: Kessler C , Sander T , Maughan D J
Published: April 2023

Main text

An indirect comparison of the standards for reference air kerma rate for 192Ir high dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy sources of the National Physical Laboratory (NPL), United Kingdom, and of the Bureau International des Poids et Mesures (BIPM) was carried out at the NPL in June 2022. The comparison result, based on the calibration coefficients for a transfer standard and expressed as a ratio of the NPL and the BIPM standards for reference air kerma rate, is 1.0045 with a combined standard uncertainty of 0.0043.

To reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database https://www.bipm.org/kcdb/.

The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCRI, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA).
Broadband measurements of the surface impedance in ferromagnetic wires as a boundary condition for scattering problems
Authors: Uddin Azim , Qin Faxiang , Estevez Diana , Gorbatov Konstantin , Zhao Yujie , Makhnovskiy Dmitriy
Published: April 2023

In the cm-wave range, the skin depth is comparable to the micron radius of ferromagnetic wires and thus their magnetic and conductive properties will influence the scattered electromagnetic field. Solving the scattering problem by considering the complicated internal magnetic structure of the wire becomes unpractical. There is thus a need to develop hybrid methods when the external problem of scattering on an inclusion is solved together with the experimental impedance conditions on its surface. Herein, we propose an accurate broadband impedance measurement technique operating up to

15

GHz. The printed circuit board measurement and calibration cells designed in this work allow flexibility in choosing external stimuli such as magnetic field, tensile stress, and heat. The experimental impedance can be then used as the boundary condition in electromagnetic simulations making it possible to model, predict and design wire-based composites using numerical solvers such as CST Studio Suite.
Highly stretchable strain sensors based on Marangoni self-assemblies of graphene and its hybrids with other 2D materials
Authors: Akouros Antonios , Koutroumanis Nikolaos , Manikas Anastasios C , Paterakis George , Pastore Carbone Maria Giovanna , Anagnostopoulos George , Dimitropoulos Marinos , Galiotis Costas
Published: April 2023

Graphene and other two-dimensional materials (2DMs) have been shown to be promising candidates for the development of flexible and highly-sensitive strain sensors. However, the successful implementation of 2DMs in practical applications is slowed down by complex processing and still low sensitivity. Here, we report on a novel development of strain sensors based on Marangoni self-assemblies of graphene and of its hybrids with other 2DMs that can both withstand very large deformation and exhibit highly sensitive piezoresistive behaviour. By exploiting the Marangoni effect, reference films of self-assembled reduced graphene oxide (RGO) are first optimized, and the electromechanical behaviour has been assessed after deposition onto different elastomers demonstrating the potential of producing strain sensors suitable for different fields of application. Hybrid networks have been then prepared by adding hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) and fluorinated graphene (FGr) to the RGO dispersion. The hybrid integration of 2D materials is demonstrated to become a potential solution to increase substantially the sensitivity of the produced resistive strain sensors without compromising the mechanical integrity of the film. In fact, for large quasi-static deformations, a range of gauge factor values up to 2000 were demonstrated, while retaining a stable performance under cyclic deformations.
Modelling and dynamic analysis of a novel seven-dimensional Hamilton conservative hyperchaotic systems with wide range of parameter
Authors: Wu Si , Li Guodong , Xu Wenxia , Xu Xiangliang , Zhong Huiyan
Published: April 2023

The study of chaotic attractors has been a hot issue in complex science research in recent years. However, most of the current research has focused on low-dimensional dissipative systems. High-dimensional conservative systems have both conservative and hyperchaotic properties, the phase space is integer dimensional and does not have attractors, and the trajectories expand in multiple directions, thus having higher complexity and spatial ergodicity. In addition, the high dimensional conservative system with wide parameter range not only has better dynamic characteristics, but also has a good application prospect in the field of information security. In this paper, a novel seven-dimensional Hamiltonian conservative hyperchaotic system (7D-HCHCS) is constructed. The dynamical properties of this system are described by analyzing the rate of change of phase space volume, phase trajectory diagram, Poincaré map, Lyapunov exponential spectrum (LEs), bifurcation diagram, equilibrium point, and system complexity. A new pseudo-random number generator (PRNG) is designed on this basis, and the key stream generated by this PRNG passes the NIST test. Besides, the phase diagrams and Poincaré map under a wide range of parameters are compared. The results show that the proposed system satisfies the Hamilton energy conservation and can generate hyperchaotic flow. It also has good pseudorandom characteristics, ergodicity under a large range of control parameters, which also has good prospects in the field of information security.
Ultra-high birefringence mid-infrared Ge20Sb15Se65 chalcogenide glass photonic crystal fiber with low confinement loss
Authors: Wang Jiangyun
Published: April 2023

This study introduces a Ge20Sb15Se65 chalcogenide-glass-based photonic crystal fiber (PCF) with high birefringence and nonlinearity and ultra-low confinement loss, in which two elliptical air holes are added in the core. The propagation properties of the proposed PCF are investigated in mid-infrared range (3.0–5.0 μm) using the finite element method (FEM). Simulation results indicate that optimizing structural parameters can increase the birefringence and nonlinear coefficient to a maximum of 3.16 × 10−1 and 5937 W−1km−1 (in y-polarization mode), respectively, a significantly low confinement loss reach 10−14 dB m−1 at 3.0 μm wavelength, there can obtain one zero dispersion wavelength in the study band, and the designed structure can be fabricated using available technology. The designed PCF will have promising application in mid-infrared fiber fields, optical communication, super-continuum generation, precision, and nonlinear optics.
A bio-inspired expandable soft suction gripper for minimal invasive surgery—an explorative design study
Authors: Kortman Vera G , Sakes Aimée , Endo Gen , Breedveld Paul
Published: April 2023

Gripping slippery and flexible tissues during minimal invasive surgery (MIS) is often challenging using a conventional tissue gripper. A force grip has to compensate for the low friction coefficient between the gripper’s jaws and the tissue surface. This study focuses on the development of a suction gripper. This device applies a pressure difference to grip the target tissue without the need to enclose it. Inspiration is taken from biological suction discs, as these are able to attach to a wide variety of substrates, varying from soft and slimy surfaces to rigid and rough rocks. Our bio-inspired suction gripper is divided into two main parts: (1) the suction chamber inside the handle where vacuum pressure is generated, and (2) the suction tip that attaches to the target tissue. The suction gripper fits through a

∅

10 mm trocar and unfolds in a larger suction surface when being extracted. The suction tip is structured in a layered manner. The tip integrates five functions in separate layers to allow for safe and effective tissue handling: (1) foldability, (2) air-tightness, (3) slideability, (4) friction magnification and (5) seal generation. The contact surface of the tip creates an air-tight seal with the tissue and enhances frictional support. The suction tip’s shape grip allows for the gripping of small tissue pieces and enhances its resistance against shear forces. The experiments illustrated that our suction gripper outperforms man-made suction discs, as well as currently described suction grippers in literature in terms of attachment force (

5.95
±
0.52

 N on muscle tissue) and substrate versatility. Our bio-inspired suction gripper offers the opportunity for a safer alternative to the conventional tissue gripper in MIS.
Did NASA probe observe light from decaying dark matter?
Authors: Jarman Sam
Published: April 2023

An unexpected excess of light from beyond the Milky Way could be evidence of decaying dark-matter particles, find US astronomers.
Nobel-winning physicist Alex Müller dies aged 95
Authors: Banks Michael
Published: April 2023

The Swiss condensed-matter physicist and Nobel laureate Alex Müller died on 9 January 2023 at the age of 95.
Ask me anything: Ashok Chauhan
Authors: Commissariat Tushna
Published: April 2023

Ashok Chauhan is an engineer-turned-physicist with a PhD in physics from the University of Bath. Having been a postdoctoral researcher for about six years, he now works as a senior scientist at Ceryx Medical, a research-led biomedical device company founded in 2016.
Ask me anything: Rafal Janik
Authors: Tesh Sarah
Published: April 2023

Rafal Janik is the chief operating officer at the photonic quantum technology company Xanadu in Toronto, Canada. Founded in 2016, Xanadu has become one of the world’s leading quantum hardware and software companies.
Surprising heat transfer in new semiconductor under high pressure
Authors: Dumé Isabella
Published: April 2023

The thermal conductivity of materials usually increases when they are subject to very high pressures. But researchers at UCLA have found that the opposite is true for boron arsenide, a newly discovered semiconductor that shows promise in electronics devices.
Ask me anything: Jessica James
Authors: Durrani Matin
Published: April 2023

Jessica James, who is managing director at Commerzbank AG in London, UK, has spent almost 30 years in the world of finance after originally doing a PhD in theoretical atomic physics at the University of Oxford in the early 1990s.
Tuning the temperature range of superelastic Ni-Ti alloys for elastocaloric cooling via thermal processing
Authors: Yamazaki Takahiro , Montagnoli Andre L , Young Marcus L , Takeuchi Ichiro
Published: April 2023

Caloric cooling enlisting solid-state refrigerants is potentially a promising eco-friendly alternative to conventional cooling based on vapor compression. The most common refrigerant materials for elastocaloric cooling to date are Ni-Ti based superelastic shape memory alloys. Here, we have explored tuning the operation temperature range of Ni50.8Ti49.2 for elastocaloric cooling. In particular, we have studied the effect of thermal treatments (a.k.a. aging) on the transformation temperature, superelasticity, and elastocaloric effects of Ni50.8Ti49.2 shape memory alloy tubes. The isothermal compressive test revealed that the residual strain of thermally-treated Ni-Ti tubes at room temperature approaches zero as aging time is increased. Short-time aging treatment at 400 °C resulted in good superelasticity and elastocaloric cooling performance with a large tunable austenite finish (A
f) temperature range of 24.7 °C, as determined from the A
f temperature of the samples that were aged 5–120 min. The main reason of the property change is the formation of a different amount of Ni4Ti3 precipitates in the NiTi matrix. Our findings show that it is possible to tailor the A
f temperature range for development of cascade elastocaloric cooling systems by thermally treating a starting single composition Ni-Ti alloy.
Rank growth of elliptic curves over 𝑁-th root extensions
Authors: Shnidman Ari , Weiss Ariel
Published: April 2023

Fix an elliptic curve

E
E

over a number field

F
F

and an integer

n
n

which is a power of

3
3

. We study the growth of the Mordell–Weil rank of

E
E

after base change to the fields

K
d

=
F
(

d

2
n

)

K_d = F(\!\sqrt [2n]{d})

. If

E
E

admits a

3
3

-isogeny, then we show that the average “new rank” of

E
E

over

K
d

K_d

, appropriately defined, is bounded as the height of

d
d

goes to infinity. When

n
=
3

n = 3

, we moreover show that for many elliptic curves

E

/

Q

E/\mathbb {Q}

, there are no new points on

E
E

over

Q

(

d
6

)

\mathbb {Q}(\sqrt [6]d)

, for a positive proportion of integers

d
d

. This is a horizontal analogue of a well-known result of Cornut and Vatsal [Nontriviality of Rankin-Selberg L-functions and CM points, L-functions and Galois representations, vol. 320, Cambridge Univ. Press, Cambridge, 2007, pp. 121–186]. As a corollary, we show that Hilbert’s tenth problem has a negative solution over a positive proportion of pure sextic fields

Q

(

d
6

)

\mathbb {Q}(\sqrt [6]{d})

.

The proofs combine our recent work on ranks of abelian varieties in cyclotomic twist families with a technique we call the “correlation trick”, which applies in a more general context where one is trying to show simultaneous vanishing of multiple Selmer groups. We also apply this technique to families of twists of Prym surfaces, which leads to bounds on the number of rational points in sextic twist families of bielliptic genus 3 curves.
Perioperative Management of Estrogen Therapy As It Relates to Venous Thromboembolism in Aesthetic Surgery Patients
Authors: Morris Bryn , Wilson Renita , Aime Victoria , Shrout Max , Thornburg Danielle , DeLaPena Nicole , Noland Shelley , Reece Edward , Teven Chad
Published: April 2023

Goals/Purpose

Perioperative management of estradiol therapy varies considerably among plastic surgeons performing aesthetic surgeries. This study aimed to review available literature regarding perioperative management of estradiol therapy in aesthetic surgery patients, and the risk it poses for developing VTE in the perioperative period.

Methods/Technique

A literature search was performed using online databases to identify studies evaluating VTE in aesthetic surgery patients taking oral contraceptives (OCPs) or hormone replacement therapy (HRT), and transgender patients on feminizing hormone therapy undergoing non-flap feminization surgery (facial feminization and breast augmentation procedures). Reported outcomes were extracted from these studies and summarized.

Results/Complications

A systematic review of the literature yielded 225 studies. Five of these studies met inclusion criteria. One study that was excluded, referenced an article that met inclusion criteria, which was ultimately included in our review for a total of six studies, representing 3,635 patients.

Conclusion

Data regarding perioperative management of estrogen therapy is limited in the literature, and standardized guidelines for aesthetic surgery patients have not been elucidated. This has led to inconsistencies in how estrogen is managed for elective, cosmetic procedures. Further research is needed to determine standardized practice guidelines. In the meantime, case-by-case evaluation of surgical appropriateness should continue. Surgeons should also consider risk-mitigating strategies, such as a focus on patient education, more intentional patient questioning regarding estrogen-containing product use, a preoperative coagulability workup for patients with a personal or family history indicative of possible coagulopathy, and specialty-wide efforts to create an aesthetics database and evidence-based guidelines.
Ecological aspect of the larval parasitoid Diadegma hiraii (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) as a potential biological control agent of soybean pod borer Leguminivora glycinivorella (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)
Authors: Yoshimura Hideto , Tabuchi Ken , Konishi Kazuhiko
Published: April 2023

The larval parasitoid Diadegma hiraii (Kusigemati) was evaluated as a potential biological control agent of the soybean pod borer, Leguminivora glycinivorella (Matsumura). The timing of adult emergence after overwintering was ascertained, and land-use factors that enhance population density were analyzed. Host cocoons were collected and exposed to different temperatures and photoperiod regimes. Subsequently, the emergence of parasitoid was monitored. Land-use types were categorized into 4 land-use types (Poaceae, Fabaceae, Brassicaceae, and forest). Adult parasitoid emergence was dependent on temperature, but largely unaffected by photoperiod. The estimated emergence time of parasitoid was 3 months before the occurrence of the host, suggesting that the overwintered generation may lay eggs in alternate hosts. Parasitism rate was positively correlated with the area covered by Poaceae plants within a 500-m radius of the soybean field. Based on the results of the overwintering ecology and landscape analysis, D. hiraii probably completes its life cycle in the agroecosystems. The parasitoid’s effectiveness as a biological control agent may be influenced by the arrangement of land-use types in the agroecosystems surrounding soybean fields. However, the pest control provided by D. hiraii is limited because of approximately 30% of parasitism rate. Consequently, a combination of this species and cultural control and/or other biological control agents is suggested for sustainable soybean cultivation.
The effect of serum uric acid, bilirubin, and albumin levels on antioxidant status in HIV-negative immunocompetent cryptococcal meningitis patients with post-infectious inflammatory response syndrome
Authors: Wang Anni , Liu Jia , Liu Junyu , Su Zhihui , Yao Shiqi , Yang Lu , Fan Liuxu , Ngai Iok Keng , Xu Xiaofeng , Jiang Ying , Peng Fuhua
Published: April 2023

Oxidative imbalances have been observed in various neurological diseases. Despite the microbiological control in cryptococcal meningitis (CM), a proportion of previously healthy patients experience a clinical deterioration known as post-infectious inflammatory response syndrome (PIIRS). However, the antioxidant status in PIIRS remains unclear. In this study, we found that the serum antioxidant status of HIV-negative immunocompetent CM patients during PIIRS episodes was lower than that of healthy controls. There was a relationship between baseline serum indirect bilirubin levels and the development of PIIRS, and serum uric acid levels may indicate the severity of the disease during PIIRS episodes. Oxidative stress may play a role in the development of PIIRS.
Two-temperature accretion flows around strongly magnetized stars and their spectral analysis
Authors: Sarkar Shilpa , Singh Kuldeep , Chattopadhyay Indranil , Laurent Philippe
Published: April 2023

We investigate two-temperature accretion flows onto strongly magnetized compact stars. Matter is accreted in the form of an accretion disc upto the disc radius (rd), where, the magnetic pressure exceeds both the gas and ram pressure and thereafter the matter is channelled along the field lines onto the poles. We solve the equations of motion self-consistently along the field lines, incorporating radiative processes like bremsstrahlung, synchrotron, and inverse-comptonization. For a given set of constants of motion, the equations of motion do not produce unique transonic solution. Following the second law of thermodynamics, the solution with the highest entropy is selected and thereby eliminating the degeneracy in solution. We study the properties of these solutions and obtain corresponding spectra as a function of the magnetic field (B*), spin period (P) and accretion rate of the star ($\dot{M}$ ). A primary shock is always formed just near the surface. The enhanced radiative processes in this post-shock region slows down the matter and it finally settles on the surface of the star. This post-shock region contributes to ${\gtrsim}99.99~{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ of the total luminosity obtained from the accretion flow. It is still important to study the full accretion flow because secondary shocks may be present for some combination of B*, P, and $\dot{M}$ in addition to primary shocks. We find that secondary shocks, if present, produce an extended emission at higher energies in the spectra.
On the determination of Galactic globular cluster metallicities from the periods and V-band amplitudes of their fundamental-mode RR Lyrae variables
Authors: Sarajedini Ata , Gokmen Sevinc
Published: April 2023

There are primarily two relations currently being used in the literature to calculate the metal abundance of ab-type RR Lyrae variables from their periods andV-band amplitudes. They are the one from Alcock et al., which utilizes both the stars’ period and amplitude and the one from Sarajedini et al., which makes use of solely the stars’ period of modulation. In this work, we are seeking to test which of these relations is most accurate in reproducing the spectroscopic metal abundances of Galactic globular clusters containing ab-type RR Lyraes to which we can apply these relations. For our sample of 600 ab-type RR Lyrae variables in 33 Galactic globular clusters, we find very similar results for both equations as regards the accuracy of the mean metallicity calculated for each globular cluster as compared with spectroscopic abundance measurements for these clusters. This implies that knowledge of only the periods of ab-type RR Lyrae variables in a globular cluster is sufficient to allow a determination of the mean metallicity of that cluster. In particular, once corrected for the adopted metallicity scale, both of these equations are able to reproduce the spectroscopic metal abundance of each cluster with an accuracy of ±0.28 dex.
Sublimation of ices during the early evolution of Kuiper belt objects
Authors: Parhi Adam , Prialnik Dina
Published: April 2023

Kuiper belt objects, such as Arrokoth, the probable progenitors of short-period comets, formed and evolved at large heliocentric distances, where the ambient temperatures appear to be sufficiently low for preserving volatile ices. By detailed numerical simulations, we follow the long-term evolution of small bodies, composed of amorphous water ice, dust, and ices of other volatile species that are commonly observed in comets. The heat sources are solar radiation and the decay of short-lived radionuclides. The bodies are highly porous and gases released in the interior flow through the porous medium. The most volatile ices, CO and CH4, are found to be depleted down to the centre over a time-scale of the order of 100 Myr. Sublimation fronts advance from the surface inward, and when the temperature in the inner part rises sufficiently, bulk sublimation throughout the interior reduces gradually the volatile ices content until they are completely lost. All the other ices survive, which is compatible with data collected by New Horizons on Arrokoth, showing the presence of methanol, and possibly, H2O, CO2, NH3, and C2H6, but no hypervolatiles. The effect of short-lived radionuclides is to increase the sublimation equilibrium temperatures and reduce volatile depletion times. We consider the effect of the bulk density, abundance ratios, and heliocentric distance. At 100 au, CO is depleted, but CH4 survives to present times, except for a thin outer layer. Since, CO is abundantly detected in comets, we conclude that the source of highly volatile species in active comets must be gas trapped in amorphous ice.
Robustness measures for molecular detections using high-resolution transmission spectroscopy of exoplanets
Authors: Cheverall Connor J , Madhusudhan Nikku , Holmberg Måns
Published: April 2023

Ground-based high-resolution transmission spectroscopy has emerged as a promising technique for detecting chemicals in transiting exoplanetary atmospheres. Despite chemical inferences in several exoplanets and previous robustness studies, a robust and consistent detrending method to remove telluric and stellar features from transmission spectra has yet to be agreed upon. In this work, we investigate the robustness of metrics used to optimize principle component analysis (PCA)-based detrending for high-resolution transmission spectra of exoplanets in the near-infrared. As a case study, we consider observations of the hot Jupiter HD 189733 b obtained using the CARMENES spectrograph on the 3.5 m CAHA telescope. We confirm that optimizing the detrending parameters to maximize the signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) of a cross-correlation signal in the presence of noise has the potential to bias the detection significance at the planetary velocity of optimization. However, we find that optimization using the difference between a signal-injected cross-correlation function and the direct cross-correlation function (CCF) is more robust against over-optimization of noise and spurious signals. We additionally examine the robustness of weighting the contribution of each order to the final CCF, and of S/N calculations. Using a prescribed robust methodology, we confirm H2O in the atmosphere of HD 189733 b (S/N = 6.1). We then investigate two further case studies, of exoplanets HD 209458 b and WASP-76 b, confirming OH in the atmosphere of WASP-76 b (S/N = 4.7), and demonstrating how non-robust methods may induce false positive or inflated detections. Our findings pave the way towards a robust framework for homogeneous characterization of exoplanetary atmospheres using high-resolution transmission spectroscopy in the near-infrared.
Cross-Domain Descriptions: The Sensory and the Psychological
Authors: Liu Michelle
Published: April 2023

Cross-domain descriptions are descriptions of features pertaining to one domain in terms of vocabulary primarily associated with another domain. Notably, we routinely describe psychological features in terms of the sensory domain and vice versa. Sorrow is said to be ‘bitter’ and fear ‘cold’. Music can be described as ‘happy’, ‘sad’, ‘mournful’, and so on. Such descriptions are rife in both everyday discourse and literary writings. What is it about psychological features that invites descriptions in sensory terms and what is it about the sensory that invites descriptions in terms of the psychological? Drawing on the literature on polysemy, this paper sheds light on cross-domain descriptions pertaining to the sensory and the psychological domains.
Effects of emerging alcohol use on developmental trajectories of functional sleep measures in adolescents
Authors: Kiss Orsolya , Goldstone Aimée , de Zambotti Massimiliano , Yüksel Dilara , Hasler Brant P , Franzen Peter L , Brown Sandra A , De Bellis Michael D , Nagel Bonnie J , Nooner Kate B , Tapert Susan F , Colrain Ian M , Clark Duncan B , Baker Fiona C
Published: April 2023

Study Objectives

Adolescence is characterized by significant brain development, accompanied by changes in sleep timing and architecture. It also is a period of profound psychosocial changes, including the initiation of alcohol use; however, it is unknown how alcohol use affects sleep architecture in the context of adolescent development. We tracked developmental changes in polysomnographic (PSG) and electroencephalographic (EEG) sleep measures and their relationship with emergent alcohol use in adolescents considering confounding effects (e.g. cannabis use).

Methods

Adolescents (n = 94, 43% female, age: 12–21 years) in the National Consortium on Alcohol and Neurodevelopment in Adolescence (NCANDA) study had annual laboratory PSG recordings across 4-years. Participants were no/low drinkers at baseline.

Results

Linear mixed effect models showed developmental changes in sleep macrostructure and EEG, including a decrease in slow wave sleep and slow wave (delta) EEG activity with advancing age. Emergent moderate/heavy alcohol use across three follow-up years was associated with a decline in percentage rapid eye movement (REM) sleep over time, a longer sleep onset latency (SOL) and shorter total sleep time (TST) in older adolescents, and lower non-REM delta and theta power in males.

Conclusions

These longitudinal data show substantial developmental changes in sleep architecture. Emergent alcohol use during this period was associated with altered sleep continuity, architecture, and EEG measures, with some effects dependent on age and sex. These effects, in part, could be attributed to the effects of alcohol on underlying brain maturation processes involved in sleep–wake regulation.
Liver resection versus transarterial chemoembolisation for the treatment of intermediate hepatocellular carcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Bogdanovic Aleksandar , Djokic Kovac Jelena , Zdujic Predrag , Djindjic Uros , Dugalic Vladimir
Published: April 2023

Background:

Transarterial chemoembolisation (TACE) is the primary treatment for intermediate-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), according to the updated Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) staging system. Although growing evidence favours liver resection (LR) over TACE for intermediate-stage HCC, the best treatment option remains controversial. This meta-analysis aimed to compare the overall survival (OS) after LR versus TACE for intermediate-stage HCC.

Methods:

A comprehensive literature review of PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science was performed. Studies that compared the efficacy of LR and TACE in patients with intermediate (BCLC stage B) HCC were selected. According to the recent updated BCLC classification, intermediate stage of HCC was defined as follows: (a) four or more HCC nodules of any size, or (b) two or three nodules, but if at least one tumour is larger than 3 cm. The main outcome was OS, expressed as the hazard ratio.

Results:

Nine eligible studies of 3355 patients were included in the review. The OS of patients who underwent LR was significantly longer than that of patients who underwent TACE (hazard ratio=0.52; 95% CI: 0.39–0.69; I2=79%). Prolonged survival following LR was confirmed after sensitivity analysis of five studies using propensity score matching (HR=0.45; 95% CI: 0.34–0.59; I
2=55%).

Conclusion:

Patients with intermediate-stage HCC who underwent LR had a longer OS that those who underwent TACE. The role of LR in patients with BCLC stage B should be clarified in future randomised controlled trials.
Low carbohydrate availability impairs hypertrophy and anaerobic performance
Authors: Margolis Lee M. , Pasiakos Stefan M.
Published: April 2023

Purpose of review

Highlight contemporary evidence examining the effects of carbohydrate restriction on the intracellular regulation of muscle mass and anaerobic performance.

Recent findings

Low carbohydrate diets increase fat oxidation and decrease fat mass. Emerging evidence suggests that dietary carbohydrate restriction increases protein oxidation, thereby limiting essential amino acid availability necessary to stimulate optimal muscle protein synthesis and promote muscle recovery. Low carbohydrate feeding for 24 h increases branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) oxidation and reduces myogenic regulator factor transcription compared to mixed-macronutrient feeding. When carbohydrate restriction is maintained for 8 to 12 weeks, the alterations in anabolic signaling, protein synthesis, and myogenesis likely contribute to limited hypertrophic responses to resistance training. The blunted hypertrophic response to resistance training when carbohydrate availability is low does not affect muscle strength, whereas persistently low muscle glycogen does impair anaerobic output during high-intensity sprint and time to exhaustion tests.

Dietary carbohydrate restriction increases BCAA oxidation and impairs muscle hypertrophy and anaerobic performance, suggesting athletes who need to perform high-intensity exercise should consider avoiding dietary strategies that restrict carbohydrate.
Association of serum PCSK9 levels with platelet function in patients with acute coronary syndromes
Authors: Wang Wenting , Luo Ronghua , Pei Dean , Huang Qi , Jin Xinyao , Wu Yuanhong , Xie Mingbin , Wang Shisheng , Sui Xiangqian , Shen Bin
Published: April 2023

Background:

Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) regulates low-density lipoprotein (LDL) homeostasis and plays a key role in acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The cardioprotective effect of PCSK9 inhibition extends beyond LDL cholesterol reduction, involving regulation of platelet function by not yet unraveled mechanisms. Oxidized-LDL (ox-LDL) is increased during ACS and induces platelet activation via binding to platelet surface. We will evaluate serum PCSK9 and its correlation with platelet reactivity and platelet-ox-LDL binding in Chinese ACS patients.

Method and design:

In this pilot cross-sectional study, we will enroll 115 Chinese participants aged 30 to 75 years with ACS. Blood sample will be obtained after the first maintenance dose of aspirin and clopidogrel during morning time. Serum PCSK9 will be measured by an enzyme-linked immunoadsorbent assay. Platelet reactivity will be assessed by; Platelet activation (P-selectin and GPIIbIIIa expression using flow cytometry) and; Platelet aggregation using light transmission aggregometry in response to various stimuli. On-treatment platelet reactivity is measured by adenosine diphosphate-induced platelet aggregation. Binding of ox-LDL to platelet will be evaluated by flow cytometry. Spearman correlations will be used to determine association of serum PCSK9 with platelet functional parameters and platelet-ox-LDL binding. Additionally, continuous PCSK9 levels will be categorized into tertiles of equal size to investigate its association with on-treatment platelet reactivity.

Discussion:

This study will reveal possible relationship between serum PCSK9 and platelet reactivity in the setting of ACS which may shed light on therapeutic potential in platelet inhibition by targeting PCSK9. The study will also explore the association of serum PCSK9 and platelet-ox-LDL binding, an important mechanism for platelet-LDL interplay, to provide mechanistic insight into PCSK9-mediated regulation of platelet reactivity.
Effect of electroacupuncture treatment combined with rehabilitation care on serum sirt3 level and motor function in elderly patients with stroke hemiparesis
Authors: Shen Ying , Hu Liping , Ge Jing , Li Ling
Published: April 2023

Objective:

Acupuncture treatment helps to improve neurological and motor function in elderly patients with stroke hemiplegia. However, the exact mechanism by which electroacupuncture improves stroke hemiparesis is uncertain. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of electroacupuncture care on sirt3 levels in elderly patients with stroke hemiparesis.

Methods:

One hundred and ten elderly patients with hemiplegia after first stroke were divided into an experimental group and a control group (n = 55 in each group). The control group was given conventional rehabilitation care by a rehabilitation therapist. In the experimental group, on the basis of conventional rehabilitation care, electroacupuncture was performed once a day for 28 days.

Results:

Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA) and barthel index (BI) scores were significantly higher, while neurologic deficit scale (NDS) and physiological state scores were significantly lower in both groups after 14 and 28 days of intervention compared to preintervention. The Generalized estimating equation (GEE) model also showed that the experimental group showed more favorable improvements in all outcomes at postintervention time points compared to the control group. After the intervention, serum sirt3 levels increased significantly in both groups compared to preintervention, and the increase was more pronounced in the experimental group. Consistently, the GEE model showed that serum sirt3 levels were significantly higher in the experimental group compared to the control group at postintervention time points. Correlation analysis revealed that serum sirt3 levels in the experimental group were negatively correlated with FMA and BI pre- and postintervention, while showing a significant positive correlation with NDS and physiological state scores.

Conclusion:

Electroacupuncture intervention led to significant improvements in motor function, activities of daily living and neurological function in elderly patients with stroke hemiplegia, which may be associate with increased serum sirt3 levels.
Role of microRNAs in programmed cell death in renal diseases: A review
Authors: Zhang Yan , Lv Xinghua , Chen Feng , Fan Qian , Liu Yongqiang , Wan Zhanhai , Nibaruta Janvier , Lv Jipeng , Han Xuena , Wu Lin , Wang Hao , Leng Yufang
Published: April 2023

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate gene expression involving kidney morphogenesis and cell proliferation, apoptosis, differentiation, migration, invasion, immune evasion, and extracellular matrix remodeling. Programmed cell death (PCD) is mediated and regulated by specific genes and a wealth of miRNAs, which participate in various pathological processes. Dysregulation of miRNAs can disrupt renal development and induce the onset and progression of various renal diseases. An in-depth understanding of how miRNAs regulate renal development and diseases is indispensable to comprehending how they can be used in new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. However, the mechanisms are still insufficiently investigated. Hence, we review the current roles of miRNA-related signaling pathways and recent advances in PCD research and aim to display the potential crosstalk between miRNAs and PCD. The prospects of miRNAs as novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets are also described, which might provide some novel ideas for further studies.