bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quartz-in-garnet (QuiG) under pressure: insights from in situ Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Campomenosi Nicola , Angel Ross J. , Alvaro Matteo , Mihailova Boriana
Published: June 2023

Elastic geothermobarometry relies on the contrast between the thermal expansion and compressibility of a mineral inclusion and its surrounding host, leading to a residual pressure in the inclusion (Pinc) that may differ significantly from the external pressure. Quartz-in-garnet (QuiG) inclusion-host systems are widely used in elastic geothermobarometry to estimate the inclusion entrapment conditions and thus the rock petrogenesis. To elucidate the behaviour of QuiG at elevated pressures, we have applied in situ high-pressure Raman spectroscopy on three QuiG samples having Pinc close to 0 GPa at room temperature. We demonstrate that upon pressure increase, the garnet host acts as a shield to the softer quartz inclusion. Consequently, the Pinc increases with a smaller rate compared to that of the external pressure. Up to 2.5 GPa, the evolution of Pinc calculated from the Raman data agrees very well with prediction from the equations of state. Furthermore, the behaviour of a quartz inclusion in a relatively thin host specimen was explored up to external pressures of 7 GPa. Our results indicate that the shielding effect of the host (even if only partial because of the insufficient distance between the inclusion and the host surface) can keep the quartz inclusions thermodynamically stable up to about 2 GPa above the equilibrium quartz–coesite phase boundary. In addition, the partial shielding leads to the development of anisotropic symmetry-breaking stresses and quartz inclusions undergo a reversible crossover to a lower symmetry state. Given that the presence of non-hydrostatic stress may influence the quartz-to-coesite phase boundary, especially at elevated temperatures relevant for entrapment conditions, our results emphasize the importance of elastic anisotropy of QuiG systems, especially when quartz inclusion entrapment occurs under conditions close to the coesite stability field.
Autonomic dysfunction is associated with disease progression and survival in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a prospective longitudinal cohort study
Authors: Dubbioso Raffaele , Provitera Vincenzo , Pacella Daniela , Santoro Lucio , Manganelli Fiore , Nolano Maria
Published: June 2023

Background

Among non-motor symptoms, autonomic disturbances have been described in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and reported as mild to moderate in up to 75% of patients. However, no study has systematically investigated autonomic symptoms as prognostic factors.

Objectives

The main aim of this longitudinal study was to examine the association of autonomic dysfunction with disease progression and survival in ALS.

Methods

We enrolled newly diagnosed ALS patients and a healthy control group (HC). Time from disease onset to disease milestone (King’s stage 4) and death were calculated to assess disease progression and survival. Autonomic symptoms were assessed by a dedicated questionnaire. Longitudinal evaluation of parasympathetic cardiovascular activity was performed by the heart rate variability (HRV). Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models on the risk of the disease milestone and death were used. A mixed-effect linear regression model was used to compare autonomic dysfunction with a HC group as well as its impairment over time.

Results

A total of 102 patients and 41 HC were studied. ALS patients, compared with HC, complained of more autonomic symptoms, especially in bulbar onset patients. Autonomic symptoms occurred in 69 (68%) patients at diagnosis and progressed over time (post-6: p = 0.015 and post-12: p < 0.001). A higher autonomic symptom burden was an independent marker of faster development of King’s stage 4 (HR 1.05; 95% CI 1.00–1.11; p = 0.022); whereas, urinary complaints were independent factors of a shorter survival (HR 3.12; 95% CI 1.22–7.97; p = 0.018). Moreover, HRV in ALS patients was lower than in HC (p = 0.018) and further decreased over time (p = 0.003), implying a parasympathetic hypofunction that progressed over time.

Conclusion

Autonomic symptoms occur in most of the ALS patients at diagnosis and progress over time, implying that autonomic dysfunction represents an intrinsic non-motor feature of the disease. A higher autonomic burden is a poor prognostic factor, associated with a more rapid development of disease milestones and shorter survival.
Regulating cancer risk prediction: legal considerations and stakeholder perspectives on the Canadian context
Authors: Moreno Palmira Granados , Knoppers Terese , Zawati Ma’n H. , Lang Michael , Knoppers Bartha M. , Wolfson Michael , Nabi Hermann , Dorval Michel , Simard Jacques , Joly Yann
Published: June 2023

Risk prediction models hold great promise to reduce the impact of cancer in society through advanced warning of risk and improved preventative modalities. These models are evolving and becoming more complex, increasingly integrating genetic screening data and polygenic risk scores as well as calculating risk for multiple types of a disease. However, unclear regulatory compliance requirements applicable to these models raise significant legal uncertainty and new questions about the regulation of medical devices. This paper aims to address these novel regulatory questions by presenting an initial assessment of the legal status likely applicable to risk prediction models in Canada, using the CanRisk tool for breast and ovarian cancer as an exemplar. Legal analysis is supplemented with qualitative perspectives from expert stakeholders regarding the accessibility and compliance challenges of the Canadian regulatory framework. While the paper focuses on the Canadian context, it also refers to European and U.S. regulations in this domain to contrast them. Legal analysis and stakeholder perspectives highlight the need to clarify and update the Canadian regulatory framework for Software as a Medical Device as it applies to risk prediction models. Findings demonstrate how normative guidance perceived as convoluted, contradictory or overly burdensome can discourage innovation, compliance, and ultimately, implementation. This contribution aims to initiate discussion about a more optimal legal framework for risk prediction models as they continue to evolve and are increasingly integrated into landscape for public health.
Components of high-resolution manometry that change surgical decisions
Authors: Wiese Georg , Delgado Carlos , Inayat Irteza , Eubanks Steve
Published: June 2023

Background

High-resolution manometry (HRM) is vital in evaluating patients for surgery at the gastroesophageal (GE) junction. Previously, we reported manometry alters surgery choices at the GE junction over 50% of the time, and its components, i.e., abnormal motility and distal contractile integral (DCI), are vital in decision-making. This single-institution retrospective study examines how HRM characteristics, reported with the Chicago classification, can alter the intended surgical plans for foregut surgery.

Methods

We collected data on pre-operative symptoms for patients undergoing HRM studies from 2012 to 2016, i.e., Upper GI X-rays, 48-h pH studies, DeMeester scores, upper endoscopy, and biopsy reports. HRM results were further categorized via Chicago classification (i.e., normal or abnormal motility). The DCI was determined; Patients not seen by a surgeon were excluded. Then a single surgeon, blinded to patient identity and HRM results, determined the planned procedure. The reviewer was then exposed to the HRM results; procedural plans were revised if needed. HRM results were then evaluated to determine which factors most influenced the surgical decisions.

Results

298 HRM studies were initially identified; 114 met search criteria. Overall, HRM altered the planned procedure in 50.9% of cases (n = 58), with abnormal motility in 54.4% (62/114) cases. Abnormal motility findings corresponded to 70.6% (41/58) of the patients in which HRM changed the surgery decision. A DCI of < 1000 was identified in only 31.6% (36/114) of all patients, but 39.7% (23/58) of cases where the surgical decision was altered. A DCI of > 5000 was identified in only 10.5% (12/114) of all patients but 10.3% (6/58) of cases with altered surgical decisions. A DCI < 1000 and abnormal motility were generally associated with a partial fundoplication.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates the impact of identifying abnormal motility via the Chicago classification and factors like DCI on surgical choice at the GE junction.
Longitudinal evolution of meaning in life and its relationship with coping strategies in Spanish patients with a breast cancer diagnosis
Authors: Marco Jose H. , Castejón Jessica , Isern Carmen , Grau Lola , Pérez Rodríguez Sandra
Published: June 2023

Background

Changes in Meaning in life (MIL) have been shown to be particularly important when people face very stressful events such as receiving a cancer diagnosis and treatment. Active coping strategies have been related to higher levels of MIL in people with a diagnosis of cancer.

Objective

To explore the evolution of MIL in a sample of cancer patients at the time of their diagnosis and three, six, and nine months after surgery, and identify the association between coping strategies three months after diagnosis (T2) and levels of MIL at the different moments in the cancer process (T1-T4).

Methods

We assessed MIL at diagnosis and three, six, and nine months after surgery, and coping strategies (fighting spirit, anxious preoccupation, hopelessness, fatalism, and cognitive avoidance) three months after surgery, in 115 women with a diagnosis of Stage I-III breast cancer.

Results

We found higher levels of MIL nine months after surgery, compared to previous stages. MIL correlated significantly and positively with a fighting spirit and cognitive avoidance, and negatively with hopelessness and anxious preoccupation.

Conclusions

Results highlight the importance of coping in relation to meaning-making processes in cancer. Meaning-centred interventions could help patients who are in the process of coping with cancer to make sense of their lives and the experience.
Dimensional and positional temporomandibular joint osseous characteristics in normodivergent facial patterns with and without temporomandibular disorders
Authors: Alhammadi Maged S. , Almashraqi Abeer A. , Thawaba Ahmed A. , Fayed Mona M. Salah , Aboalnaga Amira A.
Published: June 2023

Objective

This study evaluated the dimensional and positional osseous temporomandibular joint features in normodivergent facial patterns with and without temporomandibular disorders.

Methods

A total of 165 adult patients were divided into two groups: group 1 (n = 79 patients; 158 joints): temporomandibular disorders patients and group 2 (n = 86 patients; 172 joints): non-temporomandibular disorders patients. Three-dimensional positional and dimensional temporomandibular joint characteristics, including glenoid fossa, mandibular condyles, and joint spaces, were assessed by cone beam computed tomography.

Results

The glenoid fossa positions in the three orthogonal planes and height showed statistical significance between the two studied groups. The temporomandibular disorders patients showed higher horizontal and vertical condyle inclinations while anteroposterior inclination was less, and the condyle was positioned more superior, anterior, and lateral in the glenoid fossa. The condyle width and length showed no significance between the two groups, while condyle height was smaller in temporomandibular disorders patients. Anterior and medial joint spaces increased while the superior and posterior joint spaces reduced in temporomandibular disorders patients.

Conclusion

There were significant differences between the patients with and without temporomandibular joint disorders in terms of mandibular fossa positions and height as well as condylar positions and inclinations in horizontal and vertical planes together with reduced condylar height and reduced posterior and superior joint spaces in the temporomandibular disorders patients.

Clinical relevance

The temporomandibular disorder is a multifactorial disorder in which one of these factors is the dimensional and positional characteristics of the temporomandibular joints; including or excluding this factor requires a comprehensive three-dimensional investigation of patients with TMD compared to the normal group under the condition that the facial pattern is average as a confounding factor.
Tracing the dispersal route of the invasive Japanese beetle Popillia japonica
Authors: Strangi Agostino , Paoli Francesco , Nardi Francesco , Shimizu Ken , Kimoto Troy , Iovinella Immacolata , Bosio Giovanni , Roversi Pio Federico , Carapelli Antonio , Marianelli Leonardo
Published: June 2023

The Japanese beetle, Popillia japonica, is a highly polyphagous Scarabaeidae native to Japan that colonized North America and Azores in the last century and has recently invaded Italy and Switzerland. Considering its economic impact on the horticulture and turfgrass industries, this species was ranked within the EU priority pests list in 2019. According to the EU Convention on Biological Diversity, the identification of invasion routes is a pivotal aspect in an effective management program aimed at controlling invasive alien species. To reconstruct the source of introductions of this pest, we investigated the genetic variability of P. japonica in its native and invaded areas worldwide by analyzing 9 microsatellite loci and two mitochondrial genes, COX I and CytB. In its native area, P. japonica is structured into two populations: one in the southern and another in the northern-central region of Japan. A limited area within central Japan was identified as the putative source of the North American outbreak. Moreover, the ABC inference and phylogeographic reconstruction suggest that two European populations originated from two independent introductions. The Azores Islands outbreak occurred approximately 50 years ago and originated from the southeastern region of North America (For simplicity, in this paper North America refers to Canada and the USA), while the second introduction, more recently, occurred in Italy and Switzerland and originated from northeastern region of North America.
Evaluation of antioxidant capacity in different food matrices through differential pulse voltammetry and its correlation with spectrophotometric methods
Authors: Osorio-Valencia Ana Isabel , de Jesús Franco-Mejía Johan , Hoyos-Arbeláez Jorge Andrés , Blandón-Naranjo Lucas , Vega-Castro Oscar Alfonso , del Carmen Contreras-Calderón José
Published: June 2023

Differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) and spectrophotometric methods were used to evaluate the antioxidant capacity (AC) in strawberry and orange juice, soluble coffee, rosemary extract, red wine, and sparkling white wine. The AC through spectrophotometric methods showed the following trend in solid foods, coffee > rosemary extract, and red wine > strawberry juice > orange juice > sparkling white wine in liquid samples. Charge measurements by DPV, presented in equivalent units of Trolox and gallic acid, showed the same trend in liquid samples; however, for solid samples, the AC of rosemary extract was greater than that of coffee. The charge expressed in equivalent units showed a high, positive, and significant correlation (p < 0.001) with total phenols (0.7919), FRAP (0.8875), and ABTS (0.8366). The proposed electrochemical technique proves to be a fast, reliable, and environmentally friendly alternative or complement to evaluate antioxidant capacity in food, which is not affected by the turbidity or color of the samples.

Graphical abstract
Mobile-assisted diagnostic biosensor for point-of-care glucose detection in real human samples with rapid response and long-live stability
Authors: Jędrzak Artur , Kuznowicz Maria , Jesionowski Teofil
Published: June 2023

In this work, the β-cyclodextrins (βCD) grafted on magnetite@polynorepinephrine (Fe3O4@PNE) nanomaterial with glucose oxidase (GOx) from Aspergillus niger was presented. The electroactive nanoplatform was used to construct rapid response and long-live time biosensor for qualitative and quantitative glucose determination. The nanomaterial was deposited on the screen-printed electrode (SPE) and integrated with the potentiostat in tandem with a portable devices. The methodology may affect its relatively low unit cost, miniaturization aspect, and electrode system integrity. The potential usage is intended for advanced diabetes care with a focus on the point-of-care testing idea. The cyclic voltammetry and amperometry were used for electrochemical characterization. The presented SPE/Fe3O4@PNE@βCD-GOx biosensor enabled measurements in a wide range of concentrations (0.1–30.0 mM), an enhanced sensitivity (204.82 µA mM− 1 cm− 2), a low limit of detection (3.2 µM), and a rapid response (2.6 s). Moreover, the proposed sensor achieved long-term stability, up to 11 months. Testing on real samples (human blood, human serum, infusion fluids) showed recovery in range from 95.5 to 98.6%. The outcomes demonstrated that this biosensor has great potential for use in determining the amount of glucose in a biological fluids and commercial products. The novelty of this work would largely consist of the possibility of qualitative and quantitative measurements of glucose in real human samples with a long time stability. This portable system enables mobile diagnostics tests including point-of-care testing idea. Due to the applied β-cyclodextrins on the surface of the novel polynorepinephrine biopolymer coating, selectivity, stability, and sensitivity were improved.

Graphical Abstract
Characteristics and Outcomes of Anti-interferon Gamma Antibody-Associated Adult Onset Immunodeficiency
Authors: Zhang Bingqing , Fan Junpin , Huang Chengjing , Fan Hongwei , Chen Jialin , Huang Xiaoming , Zeng Xuejun
Published: June 2023

Purpose

Anti-interferon
gamma antibody (AIGA) is a rare cause of adult onset immunodeficiency, leading to severe disseminated opportunistic infections with varying outcomes. We aimed to summarize the disease characteristics and to explore factors associated with disease outcome.

Methods

A systematic literature review of AIGA associated disease was conducted. Serum-positive cases with detailed clinical presentations, treatment protocols, and outcomes were included. The patients were categorized into controlled and uncontrolled groups based on their documented clinical outcome. Factors associated with disease outcome were analyzed with logistic regression models.

Results

A total of 195 AIGA patients were retrospectively analyzed, with 119(61.0%) having controlled disease and 76 (39.0%) having uncontrolled disease. The median time to diagnosis and disease course were 12 months and 28 months, respectively. A total of 358 pathogens have been reported with nontubercular mycobacterium (NTM) and Talaromyces marneffei as the most common pathogens. The recurrence rate was as high as 56.0%. The effective rates of antibiotics alone, antibiotics with rituximab, and antibiotics with cyclophosphamide were 40.5%, 73.5%, and 75%, respectively. In the multivariate logistic analysis, skin involvement, NTM infection, and recurrent infections remained significantly associated with disease control, with ORs of 3.25 (95% CI 1.187 ~ 8.909, P value = 0.022), 4.74 (95% CI 1.300 ~ 17.30, P value = 0.018), and 0.22 (95% CI 0.086 ~ 0.551, P value = 0.001), respectively. The patients with disease control had significant AIGA titer reduction.

Conclusions

AIGA could cause severe opportunistic infections with unsatisfactory control, particularly in patients with recurrent infections. Efforts should be made to closely monitor the disease and regulate the immune system.
The role of prickle proteins in vertebrate development and pathology
Authors: Radaszkiewicz K. A. , Sulcova M. , Kohoutkova E. , Harnos J.
Published: June 2023

Prickle is an evolutionarily conserved family of proteins exclusively associated with planar cell polarity (PCP) signalling. This signalling pathway provides directional and positional cues to eukaryotic cells along the plane of an epithelial sheet, orthogonal to both apicobasal and left–right axes. Through studies in the fruit fly Drosophila, we have learned that PCP signalling is manifested by the spatial segregation of two protein complexes, namely Prickle/Vangl and Frizzled/Dishevelled. While Vangl, Frizzled, and Dishevelled proteins have been extensively studied, Prickle has been largely neglected. This is likely because its role in vertebrate development and pathologies is still being explored and is not yet fully understood. The current review aims to address this gap by summarizing our current knowledge on vertebrate Prickle proteins and to cover their broad versatility. Accumulating evidence suggests that Prickle is involved in many developmental events, contributes to homeostasis, and can cause diseases when its expression and signalling properties are deregulated. This review highlights the importance of Prickle in vertebrate development, discusses the implications of Prickle-dependent signalling in pathology, and points out the blind spots or potential links regarding Prickle, which could be studied further.
Pressure-induced nonlinear resonance frequency changes for extracting Young’s modulus of nanodrums
Authors: Sarafraz Ali , Givois Arthur , Rosłoń Irek , Liu Hanqing , Brahmi Hatem , Verbiest Gerard , Steeneken Peter G. , Alijani Farbod
Published: June 2023

The resonance frequency of ultra-thin layered nanomaterials changes nonlinearly with the tension induced by the pressure from the surrounding gas. Although the dynamics of pressurized nanomaterial membranes have been extensively explored, recent experimental observations show significant deviations from analytical predictions. Here, we present a multi-mode continuum model that captures the nonlinear pressure-frequency response of pre-tensioned membranes undergoing large deflections. We validate the model using experiments conducted on polysilicon nanodrums excited opto-thermally and subjected to pressure changes in the surrounding medium. We demonstrate that considering the effect of pressure on the nanodrum tension is not sufficient for determining the resonance frequencies. In fact, it is essential to also account for the change in the membrane’s shape in the pressurized configuration, the mid-plane stretching, and the contributions of higher modes to the mode shapes. Finally, we show how the presented high-frequency mechanical characterization method can serve as a fast and contactless method for determining Young’s modulus of ultra-thin membranes.
Trajectory optimization for arbitrary layered geometries in wire-arc additive manufacturing
Authors: Schmidt Johannes , Fügenschuh Armin
Published: June 2023

In wire-arc additive manufacturing, a wire is molten by an electrical or laser arc and deposited droplet-by-droplet to construct the desired workpiece, given as a set of two-dimensional layers. The weld source can move freely over a substrate plate, processing each layer, but there is also the possibility of moving without welding. A primary reason for stress inside the material is the large thermal gradient caused by the weld source, resulting in lower product quality. Thus, it is desirable to control the temperature of the workpiece during the process. One way of its optimization is the trajectory of the weld source. We consider the problem of finding a trajectory of the moving weld source for a single layer of an arbitrary workpiece that maximizes the quality of the part and derive a novel mixed-integer PDE-constrained model, including the calculation of a detailed temperature distribution measuring the overall quality. The resulting optimization problem is linearized and solved using the state-of-the-art numerical solver IBM CPLEX. Its performance is examined by several computational studies.
Mind the (reporting) gap—a scoping study comparing measured laundry decisions with self-reported laundry behaviour
Authors: Klint Erik , Johansson Lars-Olof , Peters Gregory
Published: June 2023

Purpose

Many environmental assessments of consumer products and household services rely on self-reported data. Life cycle assessments of domestic laundering are no exception. However, potential discrepancies between self-reported behaviour and actual everyday decisions are seldom investigated due to practical challenges in collecting relevant data. This means that environmental impacts relying on such self-reported data are much more uncertain than previously acknowledged.

Method

Laundering data was collected at the Chalmers’ HSB Living lab (CHSBLL), a combined multi-family house and research facility in Gothenburg. The collection was both done passively (through the washing machines) as well as actively (through surveys to the tenants). RFID-readers were also installed in the machines and a number of clothing items tagged, allowing for identification. The site-specific data was later supplemented with a large statistical representative study for domestic laundering of Swedish households. This unique data quality allowed the comparison of passively collected data with survey data from tenants in a real-life setup, while validating the results from a national perspective.

Result and conclusions

The results suggest that consumers have trouble remembering personal choices regarding domestic laundering, meaning that self-reported data are more uncertain than previously thought. In general, the participants overestimated the amount of laundry they washed and underestimated their frequency of washing. Additionally, many participants showed an interest in changing to alternative wash programs although this change failed to materialize when they were presented with this option in real-life. The findings have potential consequences for environmental assessments and implicate those previous estimations underestimate emissions per kg laundry washed.
E-Cigarette Use Among High School Students—a Cross-Sectional Study of Associated Risk Factors for the Use of Flavour-Only and Nicotine Vapes
Authors: Leung Janni , Tisdale Calvert , Choi Jisu , Ellem Rhiannon , Davidson Lily , Chan Gary C. K. , White Melanie J. , Kavanagh David J. , Quinn Catherine , Hides Leanne
Published: June 2023

The aim of this study is to examine e-cigarette use among high school students and the associated risk factors for the use of flavour-only or nicotine vapes. Grade 12 students (N = 855) of 2020 from nine Australian schools completed a cross-sectional self-report survey. Correlates examined included age, gender, Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, parental and family characteristics, truancy, mental health (depression and anxiety), alcohol use and cigarette smoking. Overall, 74% reported that they had never used an e-cigarette or vaped, 12.5% had for flavour-only, and 13.5% had for nicotine vapes. Multinomial adjusted logistic regressions showed that males and teens reporting frequent alcohol or cigarette use had higher odds of vaping. In adolescents who had used an e-cigarette, half had used a nicotine vape. Those who engaged in risky drinking and smoked cigarettes were most likely to also use e-cigarettes, implying that this may be a high-risk group.
Is analytical tax research alive and kicking? Insights from 2000 until 2022
Authors: Niemann Rainer , Sailer Mariana
Published: June 2023

This literature review evaluates the development and impact of analytical tax research (ATR) from 2000 until 2022. Based on 345 research papers, we (1) identify emerging and declining research topics in the area of ATR, (2) examine the trends in publication outlets and author teams, and (3) analyze citation metrics at both the level of articles and authors to measure perception and impact of ATR. First, we find that rather new topics, such as the impact of taxation on entrepreneurship, innovation and R&D, have begun to attract attention. Second, tax journals are not the preferred outlet for ATR and author teams exhibit a decreasing gender imbalance. Third, citation metrics are highly centered on specific publications and individual authors. Moreover, publications that appeared in economics and finance journals generate disproportionately large citation numbers compared to those that were published in tax, accounting and business research journals. Authors from Anglo-American institutions have significantly more citations than researchers from German-speaking countries. We find that ATR does not form a closed community. It unites researchers from different backgrounds based on their— sometimes nonrecurring—thematic interest in the effects of taxation on economic decisions.
Welche Faktoren machen den Unterschied? Eine Mixed Method Untersuchung zum Transfererfolg und der Wissensweitergabe nach Weiterbildungen
Authors: Mehner Laura , Kauffeld Simone
Published: June 2023

In diesem empirischen Beitrag in der Zeitschrift „Gruppe. Interaktion. Organisation (GIO)“ wird untersucht, welche Faktoren notwendig sind, damit Mitarbeitende nach einem Weiterbildungsbesuch ihr Wissen am Arbeitsplatz anwenden und an ihre Kolleg*innen weitergeben können. Gerade in Bereichen mit großem Fachkräftemangel, z. B. dem Baugewerbe, spielen Weiterbildungen als Form der Kompetenzentwicklung eine große Rolle. Das Gelernte aus einer Weiterbildung wird jedoch oft nicht in den Arbeitsalltag transferiert und das Wissen wird nicht effektiv mit Kolleg*innen geteilt. Bisherige Forschung konnte verschiedene prozessbezogene Faktoren identifizieren, welche einen Einfluss auf den Transfer und die Wissensweitergabe haben, diese können den Lerntransfer aber noch nicht vollständig erklären. In diesem Beitrag wurden daher 28 semistrukturierte Leitfadeninterviews mit einer baugewerblichen Stichprobe durchgeführt, anschließend mit der Qualitativen Inhaltsanalyse nach Mayring codiert und mit der Qualitative Comparative Analysis ausgewertet. Es konnten 34 Faktoren identifiziert werden, von denen 20 noch nicht in bekannten Fragebögen zur Messung des Lerntransfers, wie z. B. dem Lerntransfer System Inventar, berücksichtigt werden. Mit der Qualitative Comparative Analysis konnten folgende Faktoren als notwendig für den Lerntransfer identifiziert werden: Didaktik des/der Trainer*in, Transferdesign, Weiterbildungs-Arbeits-Übereinstimmung, Reaktion auf die Weiterbildung, und Erwartungsklarheit. Für die Wissensweitergabe wurden der Lernerfolg, die Dokumentation der Weiterbildungsinhalte sowie die Reaktion auf die Weiterbildung als notwendige Faktoren identifiziert. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, was Weiterbildungsanbietende bei der Konzeption von Weiterbildungen beachten sollten und wie Unternehmen den Lerntransfer und die Wissensweitergabe ihrer Mitarbeitenden fördern können.
Effects of SiO2 and CaO on Distributions of Platinum Group Metals Between Cu–CuO0.5 and Pb–PbO-Based Slags at 1523 K
Authors: Murata Takashi , Yamaguchi Katsunori
Published: June 2023

Platinum group metals (PGMs) are recovered using molten Cu or Pb as collector metals during pyrometallurgical recycling processes. The collector metal containing PGMs is oxidized to produce a PGM-enriched alloy and slag, primarily containing Cu or Pb oxide. Additionally, the slag comprises a considerable amount of PGMs. Therefore, it is returned to the upstream processes to be used as a secondary raw material, and some of PGMs remain in the recycling processes. Herein, the distributions of Rh, Pd, and Pt between molten metals (Cu, Pb) and corresponding metal oxide-based (CuO0.5, PbO) slags were investigated at 1523 K. SiO2 or CaO was added to the slag to a maximum concentration of 20 mass pct, thereby reducing the oxygen partial pressure in the system. Furthermore, the addition of an optimum amount of SiO2 or CaO into various combinations of slags and collector metals reduced the concentrations of PGMs in the slags to less than approximately 1/10 of those without adding SiO2 or CaO. Therefore, the addition of SiO2 or CaO during the oxidation smelting process effectively reduced the dissolution of PGMs in the slag, resulting in a less amount of PGMs circulating in the recycling processes.
Novel triazole derivatives as potential rodenticides against the Norway rat, R. norvegicus: histology, biochemical alternations, and field application
Authors: Ayyad Mohamed A. , Ali Mona A. , Helmy Elsayed T. , Soliman Usama A.
Published: June 2023

Economically speaking, rodents possess a serious threat to the agriculture sector. One of these organisms that directly threaten agriculture, stocks, and others is the Norway rat, Rattus norvegicus (R. norvegicus). The 2-cyano-N-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl) acetamide (1) was used as a precursor to give 2-cyano-3-(dimethylamino)-N-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl) acrylamide (2) and ethyl 2-amino-5-cyano-1,6-dihydro-6-oxo-1-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl) pyridine-3-carboxylate (3). Infra-red, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, MS, and elemental analysis were done for the precise structure elucidation of the applied synthons. The prepared compounds were tested as potential rodenticides against the Norway rat, Rattus norvegicus. Toxicity analysis using four serial doses of both prepared compounds revealed that the LD50 values were 160.6 and 391.7 mg/kg body weight, for ethyl 2-amino-5-cyano-1,6-dihydro-6-oxo-1-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl) pyridine-3-carboxylate (3) and 2-cyano-N-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl) acetamide (1), respectively. Several biological variables, such as alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), serum urea, creatinine, and total protein, have been assessed and evaluated as biological response indicators. Analysis revealed a highly significant increase in both AST, ALT, urea, and creatinine levels, while the total protein level showed a considerable reduction in treated rats exposed to 2-cyano-N-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl) acetamide (1) and ethyl 2-amino-5-cyano-1,6-dihydro-6-oxo-1-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl) pyridine-3-carboxylate (3) when compared to the control treatment. Liver histological examination showed structural changes in the form of congestion in the central vein, necrosis in some hepatic regions, and pyknotic nuclei, while kidney histological examination showed vacuolar degeneration of the epithelial cells of some convoluted tubules and the disappearance of some glomeruli and other marked atrophies. Necrosis in some areas was noticed. Field application through bait consumption took place with a satisfactory reduction of 68.4% for ethyl 2-amino-5-cyano-1,6-dihydro-6-oxo-1-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl) pyridine-3-carboxylate (3), while it was 61.9% for 2-cyano-N-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl) acetamide (1) when compared to the recommended Zinc phosphide commercial rodenticide that poses an 81% reduction.

Graphic abstract
Searching for a cost-effective method of determining sorption properties for the industrial use of CO2 capture
Authors: Staf Marek , Kyselová Veronika
Published: June 2023

The study focuses on laboratory testing of carbon-dioxide adsorption. It compares three methods used to determine the capacity of the adsorbents proposed for CO2 capture. The tests have been performed on two samples, namely natural clinoptilolite and a 13X molecular sieve. Two methods were dynamic and one was static. The first dynamic method evaluated the capacity based on the change in CO2 volume fraction before and after a fixed-bed adsorber. For the same purpose, the second dynamic method used a gravimetric procedure. The static method detected a change in pressure during CO2 adsorption. The capacities determined for carbon-dioxide mole fractions of 5, 10, 13 and 20% at temperatures of 30 and 40 °C at atmospheric pressure were compared. The apparatus with a fixed-bed adsorber made it possible to perform tests also for overpressures of 2 and 5 bar and lower temperatures. The capacity obtained on the three apparatuses showed good agreement. The maximum capacity (3.32 mmol g−1) was determined for the 13X sample at 10 °C and a partial CO2 pressure of 120 kPa and, conversely, the lowest (0.12 mmol g−1) for clinoptilolite at 40 °C and a partial CO2 pressure of 5 kPa. There was no significant difference in capacity standard deviations between the apparatus (0.014–0.036 mmol g−1). The fixed-bed apparatus required one to three orders of magnitude more gas for the experiment and was more challenging to operate and evaluate the data.
Japanese Encephalitis: Emergence in Australia
Authors: McGuinness Sarah L. , Muhi Stephen , Britton Philip N. , Leder Karin
Published: June 2023

Purpose of Review

Recent changes in Japanese encephalitis (JE) distribution, including its emergence in mainland Australia, call for a review of the epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of this important disease.

Recent Findings

Climate change, urbanisation and changes in vector ecology have driven changes in JE epidemiology including expansion to new areas. Residents of and travellers to endemic areas face potential exposure risks. Surveillance gaps and diagnostic challenges lead to under-appreciation of the true disease burden. Treatment is supportive, but modern vaccines are safe and efficacious.

The recent emergence of JE in south-eastern Australia highlights its changing epidemiology and the threat this disease poses to other areas with largely naive human populations and with competent mosquito vectors and vertebrate hosts. Awareness of disease features and diagnostic approaches is critical to case detection in travellers and endemic populations, and preventive measures including vaccination should be advised for those with exposure risk.
Localization and Registration of 2D Histological Mouse Brain Images in 3D Atlas Space
Authors: Sadeghi Maryam , Ramos-Prats Arnau , Neto Pedro , Castaldi Federico , Crowley Devin , Matulewicz Pawel , Paradiso Enrica , Freysinger Wolfgang , Ferraguti Francesco , Goebel Georg
Published: June 2023

To accurately explore the anatomical organization of neural circuits in the brain, it is crucial to map the experimental brain data onto a standardized system of coordinates. Studying 2D histological mouse brain slices remains the standard procedure in many laboratories. Mapping these 2D brain slices is challenging; due to deformations, artifacts, and tilted angles introduced during the standard preparation and slicing process. In addition, analysis of experimental mouse brain slices can be highly dependent on the level of expertise of the human operator. Here we propose a computational tool for Accurate Mouse Brain Image Analysis (AMBIA), to map 2D mouse brain slices on the 3D brain model with minimal human intervention. AMBIA has a modular design that comprises a localization module and a registration module. The localization module is a deep learning-based pipeline that localizes a single 2D slice in the 3D Allen Brain Atlas and generates a corresponding atlas plane. The registration module is built upon the Ardent python package that performs deformable 2D registration between the brain slice to its corresponding atlas. By comparing AMBIA’s performance in localization and registration to human ratings, we demonstrate that it performs at a human expert level. AMBIA provides an intuitive and highly efficient way for accurate registration of experimental 2D mouse brain images to 3D digital mouse brain atlas. Our tool provides a graphical user interface and it is designed to be used by researchers with minimal programming knowledge.
Reflection on China’s higher vocational education entrance examination: lessons from the imperial examination in modern China
Authors: Yang Yijun , Chia Yeow-Tong
Published: June 2023

The higher vocational education entrance examination is crucial not only for improving China’s vocational education system but also for promoting economic development. Although China has placed an unprecedented emphasis on reforming the higher vocational education entrance examination in recent years, this reform is still fraught with many challenges. Very few studies have attempted to draw lessons from history for China’s current reform of the higher vocational education entrance examination. This study fills this gap by examining the connections between the imperial examination and China’s vocational education during the late Qing Dynasty and early Republic period to shed light on China’s current reform of higher vocational education entrance examination. The institutional logics theory has provided useful tools for this study. Drawing lessons from the past, this study makes the following suggestions: (1) the need to transform a social environment dominated by academic and official oriented institutional logics into a one that is more influenced by the logics of craftsmanship spirit; (2) the need to readjust the examination content for the higher vocational education entrance examination; and (3) the need to establish a national unified higher vocational education entrance examination system to ensure students’ equity and fairness. This study calls for more research on the imperial examination to shed light on the reform of China’s contemporary higher vocational education entrance examination.
Petrographic Studies of a Part of East Coast Bauxite Deposits, Odisha, Eastern India and Implication on their Genesis
Authors: Nayak Prasanta Kumar , Sinha Shailender Kumar , Sahoo Sudakshina , Mishra P.P. , Khaoash Somnath , Mohapatra Birendra Kumar
Published: June 2023

The East coast bauxite deposits of Odisha are well known in the mineral map of India. Some such deposits exposed at Nunapaimali, Sasubohumali and Baphlimali overlying khondalite of the Precambrian Eastern Ghats belt have been studied in respect of petrology, mineralogy and microstructure with a view to find out their genetic evolution. Bore hole samples from two former deposits and mine profile samples from Baphlimali revealed a good profile differentiation, in terms of three horizontal zones of variable thickness, which in descending order are: 1 to 29m laterite zone, 2 to 28m bauxite zone, 9 to 36m saprolite zone, comprising of lithomarge and partially lateritised khondalite [PLK] developed over host khondalite. Petrographic and mineralogical difference between these three zones, brought out through optical microscopy and XRD studies, further confirms the differentiation. Genetic evolution of bauxite is interpreted from the study of a large number of samples and results are collated from the photomicrographs appended in the paper.

The authigenic bauxitisation was brought about by gradual dissociation of Al-silicate to Al-hydroxide minerals through different weathering cycles as indicated from their microstructural manifestations and mineral assemblages. Primary gibbsite is formed in the initial stage of weathering directly from Al-silicate minerals. Advanced stage of prolonged weathering converts the Al-silicate to kaolinite and then to secondary gibbsite. Grain size enlargement and recrystallisation showing mosaic habit, grain boundary migration and grain orientation are the outcome of digenesis. The weathering / lateritisation process continues, resulting in colloidal precipitation of gibbsite from pore water of lateritic residuum and is in progress even in recent period

The Fe-oxide phases, represented by goethite and hematite are youngest in the paragenesis, and formed due to solution, precipitation and dehydration. Iron is mostly contributed by almandine garnet present in the host khohdalite. During chemical leaching, Fe gets released from garnet and occur either as FeOOH along its fractures or fill the weak planes / inter-granular space as secondary goethite. The goethite dehydrates to hematite during digenesis. Goethitisation and limonitisation particularly in the laterite zone are the results of supergene alteration.
Spatiotemporal Analysis and Trend Detection of Groundwater Levels Using Gis Techniques in Nadia District of West Bengal, India
Authors: Aniket Baishya , Alivia Chowdhury , Rahul Chakrabarty , Sengupta Sudip , Das Anupam , Ambarnil Panda , Bhadoriya Uday Pratap Singh , Dipankar Mandal
Published: June 2023

Groundwater (GW) resources are influenced by several factors like over exploitation, geological formation, climate etc. A long-term GW level trend detection is necessary for sustainable groundwater usage planning in future. In the present study, long-term (1990-2013) spatio-temporal analysis of GW levels during pre-monsoon and post-monsoon was done to elucidate the GW level variation trends in Nadia. Results show that the groundwater levels dropped more than 2.5 m below ground level (bgl) in the central part of the district, however, this drop was less than 2.5 m (bgl) in the northern and southern part of the district. According to pre- and post-monsoon data, the average annual water level decreased beyond 3 m (bgl) in blocks of Tehatta II, Chapra and Chakdah. Average GW level at Krishnaganj and Chakdah, in pre-monsoon were 6.84 m (bgl) and 7.55 m (bgl) respectively, which was higher than the post-monsoon (4.20 m (bgl) and 4.43 m (bgl)). During post-monsoon except Karimpur-I, Krisnaganj (both negative trend) and Hashkali (no trend) and in pre-monsoon except Krisnaganj (negative trend) and Hashkali (no trend), all the other blocks had positive trend. The study reveals that the groundwater levels in the southeastern and northeastern regions of the district drops by more than 5 m bgl in pre-monsoon and more than 4 m bgl in post-monsoon. Such fluctuations of groundwater levels may have serious bearing on agricultural operations in this intensively cultivated and irrigated area.
Investigation of the Factor Structure and Differential Item Functioning of the Child and Adolescent Mindfulness Measure (CAMM): Analysis of Data from a School-Based Cluster Randomised Controlled Trial
Authors: Sanders Amy , Gains Hayley , Baer Ruth , Ball Susan , Jones Benjamin , Banks Hazel , Melendez-Torres G. J. , Ukoumunne Obioha C.
Published: June 2023

Objectives

This study used data from a randomised controlled trial of a school-based mindfulness programme in the UK to investigate the structure and performance of the 10-item Child and Adolescent Mindfulness Measure (CAMM).

Method

The study included 7924 children and adolescents aged 11 to 14 years. Participants provided CAMM data at pre-intervention, 7 months (post-intervention) and 1 year. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) of pre-intervention data was undertaken. Multiple indicators multiple causes (MIMIC) models were fitted to pre-intervention responses to investigate differential item functioning across groups defined by gender, year group and ethnicity. Response shift resulting from receiving the mindfulness programme was investigated by fitting MIMIC models to compare item functioning between the intervention and control arms.

Results

EFA results indicated that the 2-factor model was a good fit. Eight items were associated with the first factor, while the remaining two items, which specifically addressed avoiding unwanted thoughts and feelings, were associated with the second factor. MIMIC model findings indicated that girls scored lower (ostensibly less mindful) on 4 items than boys that had the same latent level of mindfulness; as a result of receiving the mindfulness programme, participants scored lower on one item (“At school, I walk from class to class without noticing what I’m doing”) after holding latent level of mindfulness constant.

Conclusions

Findings indicate that the CAMM has a 2-factor structure in the UK in late childhood and early adolescence. While we did observe some differences in how individual items performed across groups, these differences were small compared to the overall variability in the CAMM scores.

Preregistration

Current controlled trials ISRCTN86619085.