bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Confirmation of plant-derived exosomes as bioactive substances for skin application through comparative analysis of keratinocyte transcriptome
Authors: Cho Jeong Hun , Hong Yong Deog , Kim Donghyun , Park Si Jun , Kim Jung Soo , Kim Hyun-Min , Yoon Eun Jeong , Cho Jin-Seong
Published: January 2022

Plant exosomes are nanosized (30–150 nm) membrane vesicles that contain biomolecules and influence the development of a plant and protect the plant from pathogens. Recently, plant exosomes are in the spotlight as a new biologically active substance. However, whether plant exosomes have similar efficacy to conventional secondary metabolites of plants is unknown. In this study, the difference in efficacy between plant exosomes and conventional secondary metabolites was analyzed with three or four types of plant extracts, including ginseng (Panax ginseng) and green tea (Camellia sinensis). After 6 h of treatment, the analysis of gene expression pattern of each sample showed that the exosome treatment group and the extract treatment group were clearly distinguished. After selecting the genes that showed differential expression of > twofold change, the number of genes that were up- or downregulated appeared to be 398 or 438 for the extract and 861 or 648 for the exosome, on average. This suggests that the change in transcriptome is more expressed in the exosome treatment group than in the extract treatment group. In addition, in the comparative analysis of expression of genes that are known to affect aging, regeneration, skin barrier, and moisturization—MMP12, MMP13, NOTCH3, FGF12, HS3ST3A1, LOX, VIM, ELOVL3, and KRTI—the exosome treatment group was predicted to more effectively contribute to maintaining a healthy skin when compared to the extract treatment group. The number of genes that were identified to specifically react to the Panax ginseng or Camellia sinensis treatment group during the transcriptome change phase was 11 and 8, respectively. This suggests that exosomes bear its specific effect according to the plant it is derived from. In conclusion, the results of this study indicate that plant exosomes, as natural biologically active substances, have different effects from conventional plant extracts, and have the potential to be commercialized as a cosmeceutical product.
Long-term cardiac assessment in a sample of adolescent-onset anorexia nervosa
Authors: Flamarique I. , Vidal B. , Plana M. T. , Andrés-Perpiñá S. , Gárriz M. , Sánchez P. , Pajuelo C. , Mont L. , Castro-Fornieles J.
Published: January 2022

Background

High mortality rates have been reported in patients with anorexia nervosa, mainly due to cardiovascular alterations. The purpose of the present study was to assess cardiac structural and functional abnormalities some 20 years after initial treatment in a sample of adolescent-onset anorexia nervosa (A-AN) and to compare them with matched healthy controls (HC).

Methods

A sample of 29 women diagnosed and treated for AN during adolescence (A-AN) were assessed more than 20 years later. A complete cardiac evaluation was carried out including an electrocardiogram (ECG) and a standard 2D echocardiography. Thirty matched HC were also assessed.

Results

In the A-AN group, four subjects had a body mass index lower than 18.5 and met full DSM 5 criteria for AN at follow-up (Low-Weight group). They were compared with the rest of the sample (n = 25) who had normalized their weight (Normal-Weight group), though some still showed some eating disorder symptoms. Both groups were compared with the HC group. Subjects in the Low-Weight group presented statistically significant decreases in the left ventricular end-diastolic and left atrium dimensions and left ventricular mass in comparison with the Normal-Weight group and the HC. No other differences in cardiac parameters were found between groups.

Conclusions

Echocardiographic and ECG parameters of adults who had presented A-AN twenty years earlier and currently maintained normal weight were similar to those of HC who had never been treated or diagnosed with AN. Adult subjects with A-AN who still had low weight in the long term present certain cardiac abnormalities similar to those seen in short-lasting disease. More studies are needed to confirm these results in a larger sample.
Association between single moderate to severe traumatic brain injury and long-term tauopathy in humans and preclinical animal models: a systematic narrative review of the literature
Authors: Walker Ariel , Chapin Ben , Abisambra Jose , DeKosky Steven T.
Published: January 2022

Background

The initiation, anatomic pattern, and extent of tau spread in traumatic brain injury (TBI), and the mechanism by which TBI leads to long-term tau pathology, remain controversial. Some studies suggest that moderate to severe TBI is sufficient to promote tau pathology; however, others suggest that it is simply a consequence of aging. We therefore conducted a systematic narrative review of the literature addressing whether a single moderate to severe head injury leads to long-term development of tauopathy in both humans and animal models.

Methods

Studies considered for inclusion in this review assessed a single moderate to severe TBI, assessed tau pathology at long-term timepoints post-injury, comprised experimental or observational studies, and were peer-reviewed and published in English. Databases searched included: PUBMED, NCBI-PMC, EMBASE, Web of Science, Academic Search Premiere, and APA Psychnet. Search results were uploaded to Covidence®, duplicates were removed, and articles underwent an abstract and full-text screening process. Data were then extracted and articles assessed for risk of bias.

Findings

Of 4,150 studies screened, 26 were eligible for inclusion, of which 17 were human studies, 8 were preclinical animal studies, and 1 included both human and preclinical animal studies. Most studies had low to moderate risk of bias. Most human and animal studies (n = 12 and 9, respectively) suggested that a single moderate to severe TBI resulted in greater development of long-term tauopathy compared to no history of head injury. This conclusion should be interpreted with caution, however, due to several limitations: small sample sizes; inconsistencies in controlling for confounding factors that may have affected tau pathology (e.g., family history of dementia or neurological illnesses, apolipoprotein E genotype, etc.), inclusion of mostly males, and variation in reporting injury parameters.

Interpretation

Results indicate that a single moderate to severe TBI leads to greater chronic development of tauopathy compared to no history of head injury. This implies that tau pathology induced may not be transient, but can progressively develop over time in both humans and animal models. Targeting these tau changes for therapeutic intervention should be further explored to elucidate if disease progression can be reversed or mitigated.
Low-frequency glow discharge (LFGD) plasma treatment enhances maize (Zea mays L.) seed germination, agronomic traits, enzymatic activities, and nutritional properties
Authors: Sohan Md. Sohanur Rahman , Hasan Mahedi , Hossain Md. Forhad , Sajib Salek Ahmed , Khalid-Bin-Ferdaus Khandaker Md. , Kabir Ahmad Humayun , Rashid Md. Mamunur , Talukder Mamunur Rashid , Elseehy Mona M. , El-Shehawi Ahmed M. , Reza Md Abu
Published: January 2022

Background

Plasma technology is an emerging sector in agriculture. The effect of low-frequency glow discharge (LFGD) plasma at medium pressure (10 torr) on maize morpho-physiological and agronomical behavior was investigated in the current studies. The LFGD plasma act as a secondary messenger to improve maize production. This cutting-edge plasma technology can be used in agriculture to boost agronomic possibilities.

Materials and methods

Maize seeds were treated with LFGD Ar + Air gas plasma for 30 s, 60 s, 90 s, and 120 s. The gas ratio of Ar + Air was 1:99. Plasma was produced with a high voltage (1–6 kV) and low (3–5 kHz) frequency power supply across the electrodes. The internal pressure was maintained at ~ 10 torrs with a vacuum pump in the plasma chamber. Inside the plasma production chamber, the gas flow rate was maintained at 1 L/min.

Results

Effect of LFGD Ar + Air plasma on seed germination, and growth parameters including, shoot length, root length, fresh weight, dry weight, plant height, stem diameter, and chlorophyll were measured and in comparison with the control the parameter scores increased by 4.89%, 3.18%, 1.77%, 5.53%, 1.90%, 5.16%, 1.90%, 1.98%, respectively. The SEM image of the seeds surface demonstrated remarkable changes caused by plasma treatment. In roots, APX and SOD activities improved by only 0.022% and 0.64%, whereas, in shoots their activities showed a 0.014% and 0.25% increment compared to control. Further, H2O2, soluble protein, and sugar content increased by 0.12%, 0.33%, 2.50% and 1.15%, 1.41%, 2.99%, 1.16% in shoots and roots, respectively, while NO showed no significant changes in plants. Interestingly, notable improvement were found in nutritional properties (protein 0.32%, fat 0.96%, fiber 0.22%, ash 0.31%, grain iron 1.77%, shoots iron 7.61%, and manganese 6.25%), while the moisture content was reduced by 0.93% which might be useful in prolonged seed storage and the long life viability of the seeds. However, zinc (Zn) content in maize seedlings from plasma-treated seeds showed no significant change.

Conclusion

The present study revealed that LFGD Ar + Air gas plasma is associated with the elevation of ROS in leaves and roots, which in turn improves the seed germination rate, agronomic traits, growth, enzymatic activity, and nutritional supplement in maize.

Graphical Abstract
Application of agro-waste-mediated silica nanoparticles to sustainable agriculture
Authors: Goswami Pooja , Mathur Jyoti
Published: January 2022

Use of green agronomic techniques for plant development and crop protection is essential for environmental sustainability. The current research investigates a more efficient and long-term technique of manufacturing silica nanoparticles (SiO2 NPs) from agricultural waste (sugarcane bagasse and corn cob). SiO2 NPs were synthesized by calcinations of waste residues in muffle furnace with varying temperatures (400–1000 °C)/2 h in the present of static air. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Fourier transmission infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) were used to characterize SiO2 NPs and assessed for their antifungal activity simultaneously investigated the effects of various concentrations of produced SiO2 NPs on Eruca sativa (E. sativa) physiological and biochemical. With SiO2 NPs treatment at 1000 µg L−1 concentration, the seed germination rate was found to be up to 95.5%, and growth characteristics were enhanced compared to control. Accordingly, the ones treated with SiO2 NPs grew better than the control ones. The treatment of plant with SiO2 NPs (500 μg L−1) increased the protein content by 14.8 mg g−1, and chlorophyll level was also increased by 4.08 mg g−1 in leaves compared to untreated plant. Disc diffusion experiment was conducted to test the efficiency of SiO2 NPs against Fusarium oxysporum and Aspergillus niger for antifungal activities. Highest mycelia growth inhibition was obtained with 73.42% and 58.92% for F. oxysporum and A. niger, respectively. The result shows that the SiO2 NPs have a favorable effect on E. sativa growth and germination, enhancing plant production which helps to improve the sustainable agriculture farming and acting as a possible antifungal agent against plant pathogenic fungi.

Graphical Abstract
Development of ROS2-TMS: new software platform for informationally structured environment
Authors: Itsuka Tomoya , Song Minsoo , Kawamura Akihiro , Kurazume Ryo
Published: January 2022

This study proposes a new software platform, called ROS2-TMS, for an informationally structured environment. An informationally structured environment is vital for developing intelligent service robots by embedding various sensors in the environment to enhance the sensing capability and intelligence of robots. Thus far, we have been developing a software platform, named ROS-TMS, for an informationally structured environment, which connects various sensors and robots using ROS architecture. In recent years, ROS2, a next-generation version of ROS, has been released. ROS2 has many advantages, such as enhanced security, QoS control, and support for various platforms. ROS2-TMS, a new version of ROS-TMS, is developed not only by porting existing modules in ROS-TMS, such as the control system for a communication robot, but also by adding useful functions utilizing new features in ROS2. For instance, we added a voice user interface to control robots and various devices in the environment, such as lights or a bed. In addition, we implemented a new task scheduler that provides a cancelation function to stop running tasks and improve the security of the platform.
Effect of Different Types of Strength Training on Swimming Performance in Competitive Swimmers: A Systematic Review
Authors: Fone Line , van den Tillaar Roland
Published: January 2022

Background

Strength training is widely used in swimming for improvement in performance. There are several ways to embark on strength training, which to different degrees follows the principle of specificity. There are disagreements in the literature on which training methods lead to the greatest performance improvements and to what degree resistance training must be specific to swimming to transfer to swimming performance.

Objective

The study was undertaken to examine (1) how different approaches to strength training for competitive swimmers can improve swimming performance and (2) which form of strength training resulted in the largest improvement in swimming performance.

Methods

A systematic review of the literature was undertaken using the following databases: PubMed, SPORTDiscus and Scopus. Studies were eligible if they met the following criteria: (1) a training intervention lasting longer than 3 weeks that investigates the effects strength training has on swimming performance, (2) involves youth or older experienced swimmers, (3) involves in-water specific resistance training, dry-land swim-like resistance training or non-specific dry-land strength training and (4) interventions with clear pre- and posttest results stated. Non-English language articles were excluded. Percent change and between-group effect size (ES) were calculated to compare the effects of different training interventions.

Results

A range of studies investigating different strength training methods were examined. The percent change in performance and between-group ES were calculated; 27 studies met the inclusion criteria. The review revealed no clear consensus on which method of strength training was the most beneficial to swimming performance. All methods had intervention groups that increased their swimming performance.

Conclusions

This review shows that swimming differs from other sports as it is performed in water, and this demands a specific way of training. The results show that a combined swimming and strength training regimen seemed to have a better effect on swimming performance than a swim-only approach to training. Based on the principle of specificity and gains in swimming performance, there is not a clear conclusion, as the three main methods of strength training revealed similar gains in swimming performance of 2–2.5%.
β-Hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate (HMB) supplementation and functional outcomes in multi-trauma patients: a study protocol for a pilot randomised clinical trial (BOOST trial)
Authors: Wittholz Kym , Fetterplace Kate , Ali Abdelhamid Yasmine , Presneill Jeffrey J. , Beach Lisa , Thomson Benjamin , Read David , Koopman René , Deane Adam M.
Published: January 2022

Background

There are no therapies proven to diminish the muscle wasting that occurs in patients after major trauma who are admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). β-Hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate (HMB) is a nutrition intervention that may attenuate muscle loss and, thereby, improve recovery. The primary aim of this study is to determine the feasibility of a blinded randomised clinical trial of HMB supplementation to patients after major trauma who are admitted to the ICU. Secondary aims are to establish estimates for the impact of HMB when compared to placebo on muscle mass and nutrition-related patient outcomes.

Methods

This prospective, single-centre, blinded, randomised, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, feasibility trial with allocation concealment will recruit 50 participants over 18 months. After informed consent, participants will be randomised [1:1] to receive either the intervention (three grams of HMB dissolved in either 150 ml of orange juice for those allowed oral intake or 150 ml of water for those being enterally fed) or placebo (150 ml of orange juice for those allowed oral intake or 150 ml of water for those being enterally fed). The intervention will be commenced in ICU, continued after ICU discharge and ceased at hospital discharge or day 28 post randomisation, whichever occurs first. The primary outcome is the feasibility of administering the intervention. Secondary outcomes include change in muscle thickness using ultrasound and other nutritional and patient-centred outcomes.

Discussion

This study aims to determine the feasibility of administering HMB to critically ill multi-trauma patients throughout ICU admission until hospital discharge. Results will inform design of a larger randomised clinical trial.

Trial registration

The protocol is registered with Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR) ANZCTR: 12620001305910. UTN: U1111-1259-5534.
In silico prediction and structure-based multitargeted molecular docking analysis of selected bioactive compounds against mucormycosis
Authors: Madanagopal Premnath , Ramprabhu Nagarjun , Jagadeesan Rahul
Published: January 2022

Background

During the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, an unusual increase in cases of mucormycosis was observed in India, owing to immunological dysregulation caused by the SARS-CoV-2 and the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics, particularly in patients with poorly controlled diabetes with ketoacidosis to have contributed to the rise, and it has been declared an epidemic in several states of India. Because of the black colouring of dead and dying tissue caused by the fungus, it was dubbed "black fungus" by several Indian media outlets. In this study, attempts were taken to unmask novel therapeutic options to treat mucormycosis disease. Rhizopus species is the primary fungi responsible for 70% of mucormycosis cases.

Results

We chose three important proteins from the Rhizopus delemar such as CotH3, Lanosterol 14 alpha-demethylase and Mucoricin which plays a crucial role in the virulence of Mucorales. Initially, we explored the physiochemical, structural and functional insights of proteins and later using AutoDock Vina, we applied computational protein–ligand binding modelling to perform a virtual screening around 300 selected compounds against these three proteins, including FDA-approved drugs, FDA-unapproved drugs, investigational-only drugs and natural bioactive compounds. ADME parameters, toxicity risk and biological activity of those compounds were approximated via in silico methods. Our computational studies identified six ligands as potential inhibitors against Rhizopus delemar, including 12,28-Oxamanzamine A, vialinin B and deoxytopsentin for CotH3; pramiconazole and saperconazole for Lanosterol 14 alpha-demethylase; and Hesperidin for Mucoricin. Interestingly, 12,28-Oxamanzamine A showed a maximum binding affinity with all three proteins (CotH3: − 10.2 kcal/mol Lanosterol 14 alpha-demethylase: − 10.9 kcal/mol Mucoricin: − 8.6 kcal/mol).

Conclusions

In summary, our investigation identified 12,28-Oxamanzamine A, vialinin B, deoxytopsentin, pramiconazole, saperconazole and hesperidin as potent bioactive compounds for treating mucormycosis that may be considered for further optimisation techniques and in vitro and in vivo studies.
Metallic mineral exploration by using ambient noise tomography in Ashele copper mine, Xinjiang, China
Authors: Liu Qian , Feng Xuan , Liu Cai , Zhang Minghe , Tian You , Hou Hesheng
Published: January 2022

Rapid advances in the seismic exploration method have allowed its application in metallic mineral exploration. However, 2D seismic profiles are often insufficient to describe the shape and areal extent of ore-bearing rock masses away from survey lines. Although more complete, collecting 3D seismic data is expensive, time consuming, and may require considerable investment in surface access. The combination of ambient noise tomography and 2D seismic reflection exploration methods can produce acceptable results relatively quickly and at a low cost. The enormous Ashele copper deposit in northwest China is a typical deposit formed by volcanic eruption. It is rich in resources and possesses good prospecting potential in its deeper and peripheral areas. We performed ambient noise tomography to investigate a near-surface 3D S-wave velocity ([Formula: see text]) structure above a depth of 0.7 km in the Ashele mining area (approximately 8 × 12 km) using 25 days of continuous ambient noise data. From the combined interpretation of the 3D [Formula: see text] structure and the existing 2D seismic reflection profile, we infer that there may be ore-bearing rock masses in the western and northern sides of the research area. We report the discovery of an ancient volcano at a depth of 500 m on the western side of this region. The banded velocity anomalies and the existence of the ancient volcano signify the formation process of a bimodal volcanic rock association. It has been proven that the combination of ambient noise tomography and 2D seismic reflection exploration methods can produce important results in metallic mineral exploration. Therefore, ambient noise tomography can be used as an economical, convenient, and efficient method for future explorations, complementing the 2D seismic reflection exploration method.
Structure-oriented prestack waveform inversion
Authors: Zhang Jian , Zhao Xiaoyan , Li Jingye , Chen Xiaohong
Published: January 2022

The prediction of elastic parameters (i.e., P-, S-wave velocity, and density) is one of the key tasks of seismic reservoir characterization. The amplitude-variation-with-offset/angle seismic inversion based on the exact Zoeppritz equation (EZE) or its approximations presupposes a single interface and ignores wave-propagation effects, resulting in low accuracy inversion results. The analytical solution of the 1D wave equation (i.e., the reflectivity method [RM]) can simulate more of the totality of wave-propagation effects, including transmission losses and internal multiples, thus improving the accuracy of the inversion results. However, the RM-based inversion method is sensitive to noise and is usually performed trace-by-trace. When trace-by-trace-based inversion results are combined into a 2D profile, the lateral continuity of the final results is poor, which affects the subsequent interpretation and evaluation. To address these issues, the RM-based structure-oriented prestack waveform inversion (SORM) method is proposed to suppress the effects of data noise and improve the geologic reliability of the inversion results. This method adds an additional structure-oriented constraint term to the objective function, which facilitates the integration of the structural orientation into the inversion algorithm in the form of dips. We carry out the method on a synthetic model as well as on a field data set. A series of numerical tests indicate that the SORM gives significantly more accurate and geologically reliable results compared with inversion based on EZE or trace-by-trace RM.
Time experience in patients with schizophrenia and affective disorders
Authors: Mavrogiorgou Paraskevi , Thomaßen Theresa , Pott Frederike , Flasbeck Vera , Steinfath Holmer , Juckel Georg
Published: January 2022

Background

The experience of time, or the temporal order of external and internal events, is essential for humans. In psychiatric disorders such as depression and schizophrenia, impairment of time processing has been discussed for a long time.

Aims

In this explorative pilot study, therefore, the subjective time feeling as well as objective time perception were determined in patients with depression and schizophrenia, along with possible neurobiological correlates.

Methods

Depressed (n = 34; 32.4 ± 9.8 years; 21 men) and schizophrenic patients (n = 31; 35.1 ± 10.7 years; 22 men) and healthy subjects (n = 33; 32.8 ± 14.3 years; 16 men) were tested using time feeling questionnaires, time perception tasks and critical flicker-fusion frequency (CFF) and loudness dependence of auditory evoked potentials (LDAEP) to determine serotonergic neurotransmission.

Results

There were significant differences between the three groups regarding time feeling and also in time perception tasks (estimation of given time duration) and CFF (the “DOWN” condition). Regarding the LDAEP, patients with schizophrenia showed a significant negative correlation to time experience in terms of a pathologically increased serotonergic neurotransmission with disturbed time feeling.

Conclusions

Impairment of time experience seems to play an important role in depression and schizophrenia, both subjectively and objectively, and novel neurobiological correlates have been uncovered. It is suggested, therefore, that alteration of experience of time should be increasingly included in the current psychopathological findings.
Autophagy takes it all – autophagy inducers target immune aging
Authors: Zinecker Heidi , Simon Anna Katharina
Published: January 2022

Autophagy, as the key nutrient recycling pathway, enables eukaryotic cells to adapt to surging cellular stress during aging and, thereby, delays age-associated deterioration. Autophagic flux declines with age and, in turn, decreases in autophagy contribute to the aging process itself and promote senescence. Here, we outline how autophagy regulates immune aging and discuss autophagy-inducing interventions that target senescent immune cells, which are major drivers of systemic aging. We examine how cutting-edge technologies, such as single-cell omics methods hold the promise to capture the complexity of molecular and cellular phenotypes associated with aging, driving the development of suitable putative biomarkers and clinical bioassays. Finally, we debate the urgency to initiate large-scale human clinical trials. We give special preference to small molecule probes and to dietary interventions that can extend healthy lifespan and are affordable for most of the world's population.
Cooperative regulation of adherens junction expansion through epidermal growth factor receptor activation
Authors: Fu Chaoyu , Arora Aditya , Engl Wilfried , Sheetz Michael , Viasnoff Virgile
Published: January 2022

The mechanisms controlling the dynamics of expansion of adherens junctions are significantly less understood than those controlling their static properties. Here, we report that for suspended cell aggregates, the time to form a new junction between two cells speeds up with the number of junctions that the cells are already engaged in. Upon junction formation, the activation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) distally affects the actin turnover dynamics of the free cortex of the cells. The ‘primed’ actin cortex results in a faster expansion of the subsequent new junctions. In such aggregates, we show that this mechanism results in a cooperative acceleration of the junction expansion dynamics (kinetype) but does not alter the cell contractility, and hence the final junction size (phenotype).

This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
The effects of posture on the three-dimensional gait mechanics of human walking in comparison with walking in bipedal chimpanzees
Authors: Johnson Russell T. , O'Neill Matthew C. , Umberger Brian R.
Published: January 2022

Humans walk with an upright posture on extended limbs during stance and with a double-peaked vertical ground reaction force. Our closest living relatives, chimpanzees, are facultative bipeds that walk with a crouched posture on flexed, abducted hind limbs and with a single-peaked vertical ground reaction force. Differences in human and bipedal chimpanzee three-dimensional (3D) kinematics have been well quantified, yet it is unclear what the independent effects of using a crouched posture are on 3D gait mechanics for humans, and how they compare with chimpanzees. Understanding the relationships between posture and gait mechanics, with known differences in morphology between species, can help researchers better interpret the effects of trait evolution on bipedal walking. We quantified pelvis and lower limb 3D kinematics and ground reaction forces as humans adopted a series of upright and crouched postures and compared them with data from bipedal chimpanzee walking. Human crouched-posture gait mechanics were more similar to that of bipedal chimpanzee gait than to normal human walking, especially in sagittal plane hip and knee angles. However, there were persistent differences between species, as humans walked with less transverse plane pelvis rotation, less hip abduction, and greater peak anterior–posterior ground reaction force in late stance than chimpanzees. Our results suggest that human crouched-posture walking reproduces only a small subset of the characteristics of 3D kinematics and ground reaction forces of chimpanzee walking, with the remaining differences likely due to the distinct musculoskeletal morphologies of humans and chimpanzees.
The impact of metabolic plasticity on winter energy use models
Authors: Roberts Kevin T. , Williams Caroline M.
Published: January 2022

Understanding energetic consequences of climate change is critical to identifying organismal vulnerabilities, particularly for dormant organisms relying on finite energy budgets. Ecophysiological energy use models predict long-term energy use from metabolic rates, but we don't know the degree to which plasticity in metabolism impacts estimates. We quantified metabolic rate-temperature relationships of dormant willow leaf beetles (Chrysomela aeneicollis) monthly from February to May under constant and variable acclimation treatments. Metabolic rates increased as diapause progressed, and acclimation to variable conditions altered both metabolic intensity and the thermal sensitivity. However, incorporating these two types of metabolic plasticity into energy use models did not improve energy use estimates, validated by empirical measurements of energy stores. While metabolic rate temperature relationships are plastic during winter, the magnitude of inter-individual variability in energy stores overshadows the effects of incorporating plasticity into energy use models, highlighting the importance of within-population variation in energy reserves.
How harbour seals (Phoca vitulina) encode goals relative to landmarks
Authors: Maaß Eric , Hanke Frederike D.
Published: January 2022

Visual landmarks are defined as objects with prominent shape or size that distinguish themselves from the background. With the help of landmarks, animals can orient themselves in their natural environment. Yet, the way in which landmarks are perceived and encoded has previously only been described in insects, fish, birds, reptiles and terrestrial mammals. The present study aimed to provide insight into how a marine mammal, the harbour seal, encodes goals relative to landmarks. In our expansion test, three harbour seals were trained to find a goal inside an array of landmarks. After diagonal, horizontal or vertical expansion of the landmark array, the search behaviour displayed by the animals was documented and analyzed regarding the underlying encoding strategy. The harbour seals mainly encoded directional vector information from landmarks and did neither search arbitrarily around a landmark nor used a rule-based approach. Depending on the number of landmarks available within the array, the search behaviour of some harbor seals changed, indicating flexibility in landmark-based search. Our results present the first insight into how a semi-aquatic predator could encode landmark information when swimming along the coastline in search of a goal location.
Synthesis, Structures, and Equilibrium Reactions of La(III) and Ba(II) Complexes with Pyridine Phosphonate Pendant Arms on a Diaza-18-crown-6 Ether
Authors: Baba Kazuaki , Nagata Kojiro , Yajima Tatsuo , Yoshimura Takashi
Published: January 2022

Structures of La(III) and Ba(II) complexes and their stabilities were investigated to develop a stable chelating ligand for Ac(III) and Ra(II) which are of interest in nuclear medicine using alpha particles. The La(III) and Ba(II) complexes (1 and 2) with a diaza-18-crown-6 ether bearing pyridine phosphonic acid ethyl ester pendant arms (L1) and the complexes (3 and 4) with a diaza-18-crown-6 ether bearing pyridine phosphonate pendant arms ((H2L2)2−) were synthesized and characterized. The structures of the new complexes were determined by single-crystal X-ray analysis. The La(III) complexes, 1 and 3, exhibited 11-coordinate structures, whereas the Ba(II) complexes, 2 and 4 exhibited 11- and 10-coordinate geometries, respectively. Potentiometric titrations were performed to determine the acid–base equilibrium and the complex formation constants of the La(III) and Ba(II) complexes. In addition, the speciation analysis of the complexes was performed and the pH dependencies of the fractions in the aqueous solutions were investigated. For the La(III) complexes, the species with the ligand bearing pyridine phosphonate pendant arms were observed to be more stable than those with the ligand bearing pyridine phosphonate ester pendant arms. The Ba(II) complexes showed the opposite trend. The species with the pyridine phosphonate ester ligand were observed to be more stable than the species with the pyridine phosphonate type ligand.
Antiferromagnetic Ground State of Molecular π-d System λ-(BEDT-STF)2FeCl4 Studied by Site-selective Magnetization and Thermodynamic Measurements
Authors: Fukuoka Shuhei , Kawamoto Atsushi
Published: January 2022

Organic conductors consisting of donor and anion molecules provide various important study fields such as superconductivity and electron correlation. π electrons are responsible for the emergence of these phenomena. On the other hand, the coexistent systems of π electrons and localized 3d spins have been realized by introducing magnetic anions. Such coexistent systems are called π-d systems. In π-d systems, various fascinating magnetic and conducting phenomena are observed due to the coupling of π electrons and localized 3d electrons (π-d interaction). One of the most striking phenomena is magnetic field-induced superconductivity, which is first observed in λ-(BETS)2FeCl4, where BETS is bis(ethylenedithio)tetraselenafulvalene. On the other hand, λ-(BETS)2FeCl4 shows a metal-insulator transition accompanying an antiferromagnetic ordering at TN of 8.3 K and the unconventional antiferromagnetic state that 3d spins behave as if they stay paramagnetic even below TN. These phenomena are also considered to be caused by the π-d interaction, but their mechanisms have not been demonstrated.

Recently, a new λ-type π-d system of λ-(BEDT-STF)2FeCl4, where BEDT-STF is bis(ethylenedithio)dithiadiselenafulvalene, has been developed. In this review, the influence of bandwidth control by donor substitution and the dilution effect of magnetic ions on the magnetic properties of the π-d system will be discussed. We will demonstrate that site-selective magnetization measurements by 13C NMR and 57Fe Mössbauer measurements and heat capacity measurements provide important information to understand the mechanism of unconventional magnetic properties in π-d systems. We would also like to introduce the advantages of the 13C NMR measurements using one-sided-13C-enriched donor molecules, which are the key technique in our experiments.
Liquid Bisazobenzenes as Molecular Solar Thermal Fuel with Enhanced Energy Density
Authors: Morikawa Masa-aki , Yamanaka Yuta , Kimizuka Nobuo
Published: January 2022

Liquid molecular solar thermal fuels containing m-bisazobenzene units are newly developed. Efficient E-Z photoisomerization was observed both in solutions and in neat liquids, with the thermal stability of Z isomers comparable to those of azobenzene derivatives. The heat storage capacities of liquid m-bisazobenzenes (230–262 J/g) are larger than that previously reported for a liquid azobenzene solar thermal fuel (168 J/g). This work provides a new design guideline for enhancing gravimetric energy density in condensed molecular solar thermal fuels.
Standalone portable xenon-129 hyperpolariser for multicentre clinical magnetic resonance imaging of the lungs
Authors: Norquay Graham , Collier Guilhem J , Rodgers Oliver I , Gill Andrew B , Screaton Nicholas J , Wild Jim
Published: January 2022

Objectives

Design and build a portable xenon-129 (129Xe) hyperpolariser for clinically accessible 129Xe lung MRI.

Methods

The polariser system consists of six main functional components: (i) a laser diode array and optics; (ii) a B0 coil assembly; (iii) an oven containing an optical cell; (iv) NMR and optical spectrometers; (v) a gas-handling manifold; and (vi) a cryostat within a permanent magnet. All components run without external utilities such as compressed air or three-phase electricity, and require just three mains sockets for operation. The system can be manually transported in a lightweight van and rapidly installed on a small estates footprint in a hospital setting.

Results

The polariser routinely provides polarised 129Xe for routine clinical lung MRI. To test the concept of portability and rapid deployment, it was transported 200 km, installed at a hospital with no previous experience with the technology and 129Xe MR images of a diagnostic quality were acquired the day after system transport and installation.

Conclusion

This portable 129Xe hyperpolariser system could form the basis of a cost-effective platform for wider clinical dissemination and multicentre evaluation of 129Xe lung MR imaging.

Advances in knowledge

Our work successfully demonstrates the feasibility of multicentre clinical 129Xe MRI with a portable hyperpolariser system.
L'architecture religieuse grecque et le temps
Authors: Ράδης Πέτρος
Published: January 2022

Tα αρχαία ελληνικά θρησκευτικά κτήρια εκτεθειμένα στη δοκιμασία του χρόνου απαιτούσαν εργασίες συντήρησης, αποκατάστασης και μετατροπές. Το εύρος των φθορών, οι πρακτικές και λατρευτικές ανάγκες και η χρήση του εκάστοτε κτηρίου αποτέλεσαν παράγοντες που επιδρούσαν τόσο στην απόφαση των επεμβάσεων όσο και στην υλοποίηση των εργασιών. Για την εκτέλεση των εργασιών πολλαπλές μέθοδοι ήταν στη διάθεση των τεχνιτών, οι οποίες διέφεραν σύμφωνα με τον τύπο της επέμβασης. Οι τεχνικές και τα υλικά οι οποίες επέφεραν μικρής ή μεγάλης έκτασης αλλαγές στη φυσιογνωμία του κτηρίου είχαν ως συνέπεια ένα αισθητικό αποτέλεσμα το οποίο συχνά δεν συμφωνούσε με αυτό των μεγάλων δημιουργημάτων της ελληνικής αρχιτεκτονικής.
Resilience of buildings to extreme weather events
Authors: Λυκάρτσης Αθανάσιος
Published: January 2022

Το αντικείμενο αυτής της έρευνας ήταν να μελετήσει την ανθεκτικότητα τριών διαφορετικών τύπων κτιρίων υπό ακραίες καιρικές συνθήκες. Τα ακραία γεγονότα που διερευνώνται η υπερβολική ζέστη και η δυνατή βροχή. Χρησιμοποιήθηκαν πακέτα λογισμικού προσομοίωσης EDSL TAS, XP SWMM και MicroDrainage για την εκτίμηση της θερμικής και ενεργειακής απόδοσηςτων κτιρίων και τη διερευνήση των επιπτώσεων των έντονων βροχοπτώσεων.
Η απανθρακοποίηση ως μία κοινωνικο-οικολογική διευθέτηση
Authors: Krommyda Vasiliki , Gialis Stelios , Stratigea Anastasia
Published: January 2022

Στο άρθρο προσεγγίζονται κριτικά οι διαδικασίες ενεργειακής μετάβασης υπό το αναλυτικό πρίσμα των «κοινωνικο-οικολογικών παγιώσεων/διευθετήσεων», ενώ  συζητιούνται οι εγγενείς αντιφάσεις τους και η αναγκαιότητα εμπλοκής του κόσμου της εργασίας στα υπό διαμόρφωση ενεργειακά τοπία. Με επιρροές από τη Γεωγραφική Πολιτική Οικονομία και αξιοποιώντας παραδείγματα τριών κεντρικών περιφερειών της ΕΕ, μελετάται το σκεπτικό πίσω από τις πολιτικές απανθρακοποίησης και οι επιπτώσεις στην εργασία. Ακολούθως, προσεγγίζεται κριτικά η επιχειρούμενη μετάβαση στη Δυτική Μακεδονία, ενώ επισημαίνεται ο κίνδυνος απώλειας χιλιάδων θέσεων εργασίας και αύξησης της εργασιακής επισφάλειας. Βασικό εύρημα είναι το ότι επιχειρείται μία νέα «κοινωνικο-οικολογική διευθέτηση», που στερείται βασικών προϋποθέσεων μιας «δίκαιης μετάβασης».
Χωρο-γραφώντας ταυτότητες: συμβολικές διαστάσεις του χώρου στη συλλογική μνήμη της κοινότητας των Αιγυπτιωτών
Authors: Souyioultzoglou Irakleitos
Published: January 2022

Το παρόν άρθρο εξετάζει τη διαδικασία παραγωγής Λόγων αναφορικά με την παρουσία των Ελλήνων στη σύγχρονη Αίγυπτο, αναδεικνύοντας τις αναπαραστάσεις του χώρου ως στοιχείο που θεμελιώνει διαχρονικά το συλλογικό αφήγημα και την ταυτότητα των μελών της παροικίας που έχουν μετεγκατασταθεί στην Ελλάδα. Υποστηρίζεται ότι η συσσώρευση του αποθέματος μνήμης μέσα από τις βιωματικές αφηγήσεις και τη διάδραση των Αιγυπτιωτών στα μέσα κοινωνικής δικτύωσης παράγει συγκεκριμένα μοτίβα σύνδεσης στοιχείων του χώρου με πολιτισμικούς κώδικες, κοινωνικές σχέσεις και εναλλακτικές τοπογραφίες που διατηρούν στον χρόνο την πρόσληψη της παροικίας ως οργανικού κοινωνικού συνόλου.
Μalamidis, Haris (2021). Social Movements and Solidarity Structures in Crisis-Ridden Greece. Amsterdam University Press, 363 σελ.
Authors: Kanellopoulos Kostas
Published: January 2022

N/A
ContactJ: Characterization of lipid droplet-mitochondrial contacts using fluorescence microscopy and image analysis
Authors: Martín Gemma , Bosch Marta , Coll Elisenda , Parton Robert G. , Pol Albert , Calvo Maria
Published: January 2022

Lipid droplets (LDs) are the major lipid storage organelles of eukaryotic cells and together with mitochondria key regulators of cell bioenergetics. LDs communicate with mitochondria and other organelles forming “metabolic synapse” contacts to ensure that lipid supply occurs where and when necessary. Although transmission electron microscopy analysis allows an accurate and precise analysis of contacts, the characterization of a large number of cells and conditions can become a long-term process. In order to extend contact analysis to hundreds of cells and multiple conditions, we have combined confocal fluorescence microscopy with advanced image analysis methods. In this work, we have developed the ImageJ macro script ContactJ, a novel and straight image analysis method to identify and quantify contacts between LD and mitochondria in fluorescence microscopy images allowing the automatic analysis. This image analysis workflow combines colocalization and skeletonization methods, enabling the quantification of LD-mitochondria contacts together with a complete characterization of organelles and cellular parameters. The correlation and normalization of these parameters contribute to the complex description of cell behavior under different experimental energetic states. ContactJ is available here: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5810874
Roles and Problems of Stroke Caregivers: A Qualitative Study in Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Authors: Muhrodji Paryono , Wicaksono Hendrawan Dian Agung , Satiti Sekar , Trisnantoro Laksono , Setyopranoto Ismail , Vidyanti Amelia Nur
Published: January 2022

Background: Caregivers play a central role in post-stroke patients' care. However, the role of and problems managed by caregivers have not been widely studied, particularly in Indonesia. This study aims to explore the roles and problems of caregivers in post- stroke patients’ care.

Method: This was a qualitative study. Seven caregivers of post-stroke patients from the homecare clinic of Dr Sardjito General Hospital were purposely selected during January 2017 to June 2018. Focus group discussions were conducted to explore the roles and problems of caregiving.

Results: Themes related to caregivers’ roles were: connecting patients with medical personnel and other family members, maintaining patients’ health conditions by fulfilling basic needs and assisting rehabilitation, as well as maintaining patients’ psychological conditions by encouraging conversation, telling jokes, or recreation. On the other hand, themes related to caregivers’ problems were: lack of knowledge caused by education inadequacy, underappreciated and unconcerned family, suboptimal service including limited physiotherapy and pharmacy resource, unthorough administration, lack of communication, physical limitations, and burnout, as well as uncooperative patients.

Conclusions: Caregivers play essential roles as communicators and help to maintain patient's health conditions. Common problems are related to a lack of knowledge about strokes and a lack of attention from family. Further research to study the effects of these findings on the quality of life of both patient and their caregiver, as well as how to handle the caregiver issues should be investigated.
Association between traumatic brain injury (TBI) patterns and mortality: a retrospective case-control study
Authors: Koome Gilbert , Thuita Faith , Egondi Thaddaeus , Atela Martin
Published: January 2022

Background: Low and medium income countries (LMICs) such as Kenya experience nearly three times more cases of traumatic brain injury (TBI) compared to high income countries (HICs). This is primarily exacerbated by weak health systems especially at the pre-hospital care level. Generating local empirical evidence on TBI patterns and its influence on patient mortality outcomes is fundamental in informing the design of trauma-specific emergency medical service (EMS) interventions at the pre-hospital care level. This study determines the influence of TBI patterns and mortality.

Methods: This was a case-control study with a sample of 316 TBI patients. Data was abstracted from medical records for the period of January 2017 to March 2019 in three tertiary trauma care facilities in Kenya. Logistic regression was used to assess influence of trauma patterns on TBI mortality, controlling for patient characteristics and other potential confounders.

Results: The majority of patients were aged below 40 years (73%) and were male (85%). Road traffic injuries (RTIs) comprised 58% of all forms of trauma. Blunt trauma comprised 71% of the injuries. Trauma mechanism was the only trauma pattern significantly associated with TBI mortality. The risk of dying for patients sustaining RTIs was 2.83 times more likely compared to non-RTI patients [odds ratio (OR) 2.83, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.62-4.93, p=0.001]. The type of transfer to hospital was also significantly associated with mortality outcome, with a public hospital having a two times higher risk of death compared to a private hospital [OR 2.18 95%CI 1.21-3.94, p<0.009].

Conclusion: Trauma mechanism (RTI vs non-RTI) and type of tertiary facility patients are transferred to (public vs private) are key factors influencing TBI mortality burden. Strengthening local EMS trauma response systems targeting RTIs augmented by adequately resourced and equipped public facilities to provide quality lifesaving interventions can reduce the burden of TBIs.