bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Integrating gradient with scale in ecological and evolutionary studies
Authors: Guo Qinfeng , Chen Anping , Crockett Erin T. H. , Atkins Jeff W. , Chen Xiongwen , Fei Songlin
Published: January 2023

Gradient and scale are two key concepts in ecology and evolution that are closely related but inherently distinct. While scale commonly refers to the dimensional space of a specific ecological/evolutionary (eco–evo) issue, gradient measures the range of a given variable. Gradient and scale can jointly and interactively influence eco–evo patterns. Extensive previous research investigated how changing scales may affect the observation and interpretation of eco–evo patterns; however, relatively little attention has been paid to the role of changing gradients. Here, synthesizing recent research progress, we suggest that the role of scale in the emergence of ecological patterns should be evaluated in conjunction with considering the underlying environmental gradients. This is important because, in most studies, the range of the gradient is often part of its full potential range. The difference between sampled (partial) versus potential (full) environmental gradients may profoundly impact observed eco–evo patterns and alter scale–gradient relationships. Based on observations from both field and experimental studies, we illustrate the underlying features of gradients and how they may affect observed patterns, along with the linkages of these features to scales. Since sampled gradients often do not cover their full potential ranges, we discuss how the breadth and the starting and ending positions of key gradients may affect research design and data interpretation. We then outline potential approaches and related perspectives to better integrate gradient with scale in future studies.
Baugrubensteifen aus Stahlrohren – Vereinfachte Bemessung für Querschnittsklasse 4
Authors: Wacker Matthias
Published: January 2023

In ausgesteiften Baugruben werden häufig Stahlrohre als Steifen eingesetzt. Bei langen Steifen ohne Zwischenauflagerung ist es besonders wirtschaftlich, große Durchmesser mit geringer Wanddicke zu wählen. Dabei kann Querschnittsklasse 4 erreicht und ein Beulsicherheitsnachweis nach EN 1993‐1‐6 erforderlich werden. Im vorliegenden Beitrag wird ein vereinfachtes Berechnungsverfahren mit profilbezogenen Beulspannungen auf Grundlage von EN 1993‐1‐6 Anhang D beschrieben. Es werden gebrauchsfertige profilbezogene Beulspannungen für häufig verwendete Rohre der Querschnittsklasse 4 angegeben.
Prevalence of medically induced psychological trauma and its influence on women's health
Authors: Krolak Monika , Hämmerli Keller Katja , Schmidt Roger , Nobel Gloria , Germann Nicolas , Schmid Dagmar , Hornung René
Published: January 2023

Objective

The aim of the present study was three‐fold. One, to assess the prevalence of medical traumatization in outpatients of a gynecologic department; two, to analyze the relationship of medical traumatization with adverse childhood events; and three, to investigate the extent to which medical traumatization affects the health outcomes of woman.

Methods

Between January and September 2022, a prospective cross‐sectional study recruited patients of a gynecologic outpatient clinic at St. Gallen Cantonal Hospital in Switzerland. Medical trauma was a self‐reported item. The presence of adverse childhood events was assessed using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire. The severity of post‐traumatic stress was evaluated using the Impact of Event Scale Revised questionnaire.

Results

In total, 227 patients were recruited. Medical trauma was reported by 20% of the interviewees and it was strongly associated with obesity (A = 0.005). Undergoing surgery was most commonly the source of psychological distress (5.7%) followed by delivery (4.8%), pregnancy loss (4.8%), and cancer diagnosis (4.0%). Yet, fewer than 1% of the patients reached the threshold suggesting post‐traumatic stress disorder.

Conclusions

We found no relationship between the medical trauma, adverse childhood events, cardiovascular disease, or substance abuse. The presence of medical trauma was associated with the patient's body mass index (calculated as weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters).
Gene expression changes in Tay–Sachs disease begin early in fetal brain development
Authors: Han Sangwoo T. , Hirt Ashley , Nicoli Elena‐Raluca , Kono Mari , Toro Camilo , Proia Richard L. , Tifft Cynthia J.
Published: January 2023

Treatment of monogenic disorders has historically relied on symptomatic management with limited ability to target primary molecular deficits. However, recent advances in gene therapy and related technologies aim to correct these underlying deficiencies, raising the possibility of disease management or even prevention for diseases that can be treated pre‐symptomatically. Tay–Sachs disease (TSD) would be one such candidate, however very little is known about the presymptomatic stage of TSD. To better understand the effects of TSD on brain development, we evaluated the transcriptomes of human fetal brain samples with biallelic pathogenic variants in HEXA. We identified dramatic changes in the transcriptome, suggesting a perturbation of normal development. We also observed a shift in the expression of the sphingolipid metabolic pathway away from production of the HEXA substrate, GM2 ganglioside, presumptively to compensate for dysfunction of the enzyme. However, we do not observe transcriptomic signatures of end‐stage disease, suggesting that developmental perturbations precede neurodegeneration. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the relationship between fetal disease pathology in juvenile onset TSD and the analysis of gene expression in fetal TSD tissues. This study highlights the need to better understand the “pre‐symptomatic” stage of disease to set realistic expectations for patients receiving early therapeutic intervention.
Comparison of AMS, TIMS, and SIMS techniques for determining uranium isotope ratios in individual particles
Authors: Gao Jie , He Ming , Shen Yan , Xu Chang‐Kun , Zhao Yong‐Gang
Published: January 2023

The determination of isotope ratios in individual uranium particles is very important for nuclear safeguards. In this work, accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS), thermal ionization mass spectrometry (TIMS), and secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) were applied to isotope ratio analysis of individual uranium particles and compared in terms of background, measurement accuracy, and efficiency. Several individual uranium particles (1–7 μm) from certified reference materials were used as samples. The results show that the average values of blank counting rate of 235U for AMS, FT‐TIMS (FT: fission track), SEM‐TIMS (SEM: scanning electron microscope), and SIMS were 7.3, 7.8, 2.7 and 2.2 cps, respectively. The relative error of 234U/235U and 234U/236U isotope ratios of the particles from U200 for AMS were within 10% and 20%, whereas the results of FT‐TIMS and SIMS were within 5% and 10%, respectively. The relative error and external precision of 234U/238U and 235U/238U of the particles from U850 for the method of AMS, SEM‐TIMS, and SIMS were within 10% and 5%, respectively. For 236U/238U, the average values of the relative error and external precision measured by AMS were within 5%, which measured by SEM‐TIMS and SIMS were all within 10%. AMS has advantages in measuring 236U/238U. The measurement time of AMS and SEM‐TIMS was shorter than that of FT‐TIMS and longer than that of SIMS. It is considered that AMS and SEM‐TIMS have a certain development prospect, and it is necessary to research deeply.
Risk factors of severe periodontitis in kidney transplant recipients: A case‐control study
Authors: Roguljić Marija , Vučković Marijana , Gelemanović Andrea , Kovačević Katja , Orešković Josip , Radić Mislav , Božić Darko , Radić Josipa
Published: January 2023

Background

Kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) represent a vulnerable group of patients who develop a number of comorbidities. Severe periodontitis (SP) is associated with the most common chronic systemic diseases including kidney diseases. The objective of this study was to explore the risk factors for SP in KTRs.

Methods

In this study, KTRs were divided into those with or without periodontitis and in relation to the severity of periodontitis. A comprehensive medical and periodontal examination was performed and evaluated. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to examine possible risk factors for SP among KTRs.

Results

A total of 100 KTRs were included in the analysis, of which 87% had periodontitis. Significant predictors of periodontitis were older age (OR = 1.07, 95% CI [1.01, 1.13], p = 0.016) and lower skeletal muscle mass (OR = 0.88, 95% CI [0.78, 0.99], p = 0.035). When examining periodontitis severity, predictors of SP (n = 21, 24%) were increased levels of uric acid (OR = 1.01, 95% CI [1.00, 1.02], p = 0.022) and dental plaque (OR = 1.04, 95% CI [1.01, 1.07], p = 0.013). In the subset analysis that included only KTRs with measured advanced glycation end products (AGE) (n = 47), 34% (n = 16) had SP. The predictors of SP were AGE (OR = 3.89, 95% CI [1.28, 11.82], p = 0.017) and dental plaque (OR = 1.07, 95% CI [1.01, 1.13], p = 0.028).

Conclusions

KTRs with SP had significantly higher uric acid levels and AGE, which may contribute to the systemic health status of this patient population.
New preservation and detection technologies for edible mushrooms: A review
Authors: Huo Jingyi , Zhang Min , Wang Dayuan , S. Mujumdar Arun , Bhandari Bhesh , Zhang Lujun
Published: January 2023

Edible mushrooms are nutritious, tasty, and have medicinal value, which makes them very popular. Fresh mushrooms have a high water content and a crisp texture. They demonstrate strong metabolic activity after harvesting. However, they are prone to textural changes, microbial infestation, and nutritional and flavor loss, and they therefore require appropriate post‐harvest processing and preservation. Important factors affecting safety and quality during their processing and storage include their quality, source, microbial contamination, physical damage, and chemical residues. Thus, these aspects should be tested carefully to ensure safety. In recent years, many new techniques have been used to preserve mushrooms, including electrofluidic drying and cold plasma treatment, as well as new packaging and coating technologies. In terms of detection, many new detection techniques, such as nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), imaging technology, and spectroscopy can be used as rapid and effective means of detection. This paper reviews the new technological methods for processing and detecting the quality of mainstream edible mushrooms. It mainly introduces their working principles and application, and highlights the future direction of preservation, processing, and quality detection technologies for edible mushrooms. Adopting appropriate post‐harvest processing and preservation techniques can maintain the organoleptic properties, nutrition, and flavor of mushrooms effectively. The use of rapid, accurate, and non‐destructive testing methods can provide a strong assurance of food safety. At present, these new processing, preservation and testing methods have achieved good results but at the same time there are certain shortcomings. So it is recommended that they also be continuously researched and improved, for example through the use of new technologies and combinations of different technologies. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Preoperative chemotherapy is a better strategy than upfront surgery in cT4 gastric cancer
Authors: Dias Andre R. , Pereira Marina A. , Ramos Marcus F. K. P. , Ribeiro Ulysses , Zilberstein Bruno , Nahas Sergio C.
Published: January 2023

Background

Chemotherapy (CMT) followed by surgery is recommended by Western countries for advanced gastric cancer (GC). However, cT4 GC usually undergoes upfront surgery, due to symptoms. This study aimed to evaluate if preoperative CMT is a better strategy than upfront surgery in cT4 GC.

Methods

All cT4 GCs who underwent curative gastrectomy were included. Patients were divided according to their initial treatment: upfront surgery (SURG) or CMT + SURG.

Results

Among the 226 GC initially staged as cT4, 150 underwent SURG and 76 CMT + SURG. Groups were similar concerning age, comorbidities, American Society of Anesthesiologists, gastrectomy performed, and postoperative complications. The CMT + SURG group had less advanced pTNM. Median overall survival (OS) was 32 and 58.5 months for SURG and CMT + SURG, respectively (p = 0.04). Patients who received perioperative or adjuvant CMT had better OS compared to surgery alone (49.4 vs. 15.9 months, p < 0.001). OS was similar for those receiving preoperative and adjuvant CMT. Non‐CMT, pN+, and R1 resection were independent risk factors for worse OS.

Conclusion

Multimodal treatment associating CMT with surgery, regardless of whether the approach is pre‐ or postoperative, is essential to improve the survival of cT4 GC. As tolerance to adjuvant treatment is reduced, preoperative CMT is a better strategy than upfront surgery in these patients.
Evaluation of platelet activation marker expression and its correlation with tumorigenesis and tumor progression in patients with gastric cancer
Authors: Da Silva Jeronimo P. A. , Martins Mário R. , dos Santos Rogerio L. , da Silva Luciana M. , Lima Cecilia A. C. , Torres Leuridan C. , Forones Nora M.
Published: January 2023

Background and Objectives

Gastric cancer (GC) remains responsible for over one million new cases in 2020. Activated platelets express the CD40 ligand (CD40L) and CD62P in the cytoplasmic membrane, and interaction with the vascular endothelium can induce the production of tumor growth factors and metastases. We aimed to characterize the soluble levels of sCD40L and sCD62P in GC patients.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study was performed on 83 GC patients and 20 healthy controls.

Results

High levels of sCD40L were obtained in GC patients compared to healthy controls (p = 0.003) and in the I/II compared with III and IV stages (p < 0.0001 and p = 0.007, respectively). Low levels of sCD62P in the GC patients compared to healthy controls (p = 0.009). High soluble levels of sCD62P in I/II compared with III and IV stages (p = 0.002 and p = 0.01, respectively). There are no significant differences in the levels of sCD40L and sCD62P were observed between intestinal, diffuse, and mixed types.

Conclusions

We concluded that sCD40L and sCD62P molecules may be predictive biomarkers since the increase in plasma levels was associated with disease progression and metastasis in GC. In addition, the serum sCD40L and sCD62P can potentially be used as an indicator of response to anticancer therapy.
Equitable representation in awards and recognition in scholarly publishing: Current challenges and the path ahead
Authors: Kirk Rebecca , Harris Susan J. , Chauhan Chhavi
Published: January 2023

Key points

Awards are an important mechanism of recognition that can signify inclusivity or exclusivity and impact careers.

More women were selected by publishing organizations for awards overall yet appeared underrecognized in a predominantly women‐employed workforce.

Award programs showed a preference for US‐based awardees despite the global representation of individuals' localities.

To build equity in awards programs, organizations are encouraged to appoint diverse committees, promote transparency and publicize awards in historically excluded communities.
One‐Step Synthesis of Biphasic, Cavity‐forming Polymer Particles via Dispersion Copolymerization of Styrene and Sulfobetaine Methacrylate
Authors: Hamilton Heather S.C. , Meissner Cornelia , Emrick Todd , Bradley Laura C.
Published: January 2023

A one‐step dispersion copolymerization technique is demonstrated to fabricate biphasic particles as an approach to streamline the production of particles with complex morphology. The model system studies a monomer feed of hydrophobic styrene and hydrophilic, zwitterionic sulfobetaine methacrylate (SBMA) in a water/isopropanol cosolvent mixture. The resulting particles have a core–shell morphology that can be transformed, simply by washing the particles with water, into particles with a single surface opening connected to an interior cavity. Results indicate that particle morphology is dependent on the presence of nanoscopic SBMA‐rich aggregates in the initial reaction mixture to act as nucleation sites, forming an SBMA‐rich core encased in a styrene‐rich shell. Systematic study of the morphology evolution reveals that the difference in monomer solubility profile can be exploited to control compositional drift of the particle composition during copolymerization yielding copolymer with sufficiently different composition to form phase‐separated particle morphology. When SBMA is replaced with various ionic comonomers, the cavity‐forming morphology is observed when reaction conditions result in low solubility of the comonomer in the cosolvent mixture. Based on these results, design guidelines are developed that may be applied to a variety of systems requiring complex and responsive particles made from chemically distinct comonomer pairings.
Factors affecting the critical appraisal of research articles in Evidence‐Based practices by advanced practice nurses: A descriptive qualitative study
Authors: Tomotaki Ai , Sakai Ikuko , Fukahori Hiroki , Tsuda Yasunobu , Okumura‐Hiroshige Akemi
Published: January 2023

Aim

To describe factors affecting critical appraisal of research articles in evidence‐based practice by certified nurse specialists who were advanced practice nurses in Japan.

Design

A descriptive qualitative study.

Methods

Fourteen certified nurse specialists with master's degree were included by a snowball sampling to maximize the variety of specialty fields for advanced practice nurses in Japan. Individual semi‐structured interviews were conducted between November 2016 and March 2017. Interview guides included the experience of evidence‐based practice and learning about critical appraisal.

Results

The following four aspects were identified as factors affecting the critical appraisal of research articles in evidence‐based practices—individual beliefs and attitude, learning status, organizational readiness and availability of research evidence. Each factor included both positive and negative aspects for critical appraisal in evidence‐based practice.

Patient or Public Contribution

If advanced practice nurses acquire knowledge/skills of critical appraisal, they would be able to select more appropriate care. This will increase to improve the health‐related outcome for patients or populations.
The ABA votes to eliminate LSAT requirement
Authors: Lyerly Eric
Published: January 2023

There has been an interesting development in law school admissions that could have an impact on admissions and standardized testing at all levels.
Learn how to create a campus that's autism friendly
Authors: Hope Joan
Published: January 2023

A chance conversation between an autism advocate and the president of Dublin City University led to the     Autism Friendly University Initiative, said Fiona Earley, Autism Friendly University Coordinator at DCU. Adam Harris, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of AsIAm, Ireland's leading advocacy organization for individuals with autism spectrum disorder, described to the president what it's like to be a student with autism.
Integrative visualization of the molecular structure of a cellular microdomain
Authors: Goodsell David S. , Lasker Keren
Published: January 2023

An integrative approach to visualization is used to create a visual snapshot of the structural biology of the polar microdomain of Caulobacter crescentus. The visualization is based on the current state of molecular and cellular knowledge of the microdomain and its cellular context. The collaborative process of researching and executing the visualization has identified aspects that are well determined and areas that require further study. The visualization is useful for dissemination, education, and outreach, and the study lays the groundwork for future 3D modeling and simulation of this well‐studied example of a cellular condensate.
Facile synthesis, crystal structure, quantum calculation, and biological evaluations of novel selenenyl sulfide compounds as potential agrochemicals
Authors: Shang Ming‐Hao , Sun Xue‐Wen , Wang Hai‐Lian , Li Hao‐Ran , Zhang Jia‐Shuang , Wang Li‐Zhong , Yu Shu‐Jing , Zhang Xiao , Xiong LI‐Xia , Li Yong‐Hong , Niu Cong‐Wei , Wang Jian‐Guo
Published: January 2023

BACKGROUND

In order to design compounds with fresh molecular skeleton to break through the limitation of available agrochemicals, a series of 36 novel selenenyl sulfide compounds were chemically synthesized, and their biological activities were fully evaluated against tobacco mosaic virus (TMV), 14 plant pathogenic fungi, three insect species and plant acetohydroxyacid synthase (AHAS).

RESULTS

All the target compounds were characterized by proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H‐NMR), carbon‐13 (13C)‐NMR, selenium‐77 (77Se)‐NMR, and high‐resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS). The crystal structure of 10j indicated that the Se–S bond was successfully constructed. Compounds 10d, 10h, 10s, 10u, 10aa, 10ac, 10ae, 10ag, and 10ai exhibited 40%, 43%, 39%, 41%, 47%, 46%, 47%, 42%, and 39% anti‐TMV activities at 500 mg L−1, better than that of ribavirin. The median effective concentration (EC50) against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum of 10ac was 6.69 mg L−1 and EC50 values against Physalospora piricola and Pyricularia grisea of 10z were 12.25 mg L−1 and 15.27 mg L−1, respectively, superior to the corresponding values of chlorothalonil. Compounds 10c and 10v demonstrated 100% larvicidal activity against Culex pipiens pallens at 5 mg L−1, while 10a displayed 100% insecticidal activity against Mythimna separata at 200 mg L−1. Compounds 10c, 10j, and 10o showed > 60% inhibitions against plant AHAS at 10 μmol L−1. From the quantum calculation, highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) was considered as a factor that affects the anti‐TMV activity.

CONCLUSION

The preliminary results suggested that more efforts should be devoted to exploring the selenenyl sulfides for the discovery of new leads of antiviral agent, fungicide, insecticide or AHAS inhibitors as potential agrochemicals for crop protection. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Quantifying the mixing of trade‐wind cumulus during the NEPHELAE‐EUREC4A field campaign with remotely piloted aircraft
Authors: Maury Nicolas , Roberts Gregory C. , Couvreux Fleur , Verdu Titouan , Narvor Pierre , Lacroix Simon , Hattenberger Gautier
Published: January 2023

During the Network for studying Entrainment and microPHysics of cLouds using Adaptive Exploration (NEPHELAE)–ElUcidating the RolE of Cloud–Circulation Coupling in ClimAte (EUREC4A) field campaign in January and February 2020 in Barbados, remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) were implemented to characterise the structures of trade‐wind cumulus for a total of 40 flights. Two observation methods were tested: one making racetracks to get statistics on the cumulus clouds and a new sampling strategy using sensor‐driven adaptive sampling to track an individual cloud autonomously throughout its lifetime. It appears from the statistics that there are two types of cohabiting cloud population, with small‐diameter clouds (transect lengths less than 500 m) being less buoyant than larger clouds (transect lengths greater than 500 m). Also, this statistical study shows that cumulus clouds do not have an adiabatic core. These results are compared with individual clouds tracked by adaptive sampling, which also show that the core of the cumulus clouds is diluted by the environment. A comparison with high‐resolution large‐eddy simulations shows that these numerical studies tend to underestimate mixing in the whole cloud.
Special braced stairs versus typical braced frames. New architectural‐structural‐seismic approach to stair design
Authors: Montalbán Turon Carlos , Vargas Alzate Yeudy F.
Published: January 2023

This paper presents a new approach to the project of steel buildings, mainly focused on the architectural, structural, and seismic design of stairs. The objective is to design a structural stair system capable of controlling seismic damage and contributing to the bracing system of the building. The article begins with a review of the seismic standard (ATC, FEMA, and EC8) on which the current design criteria for new buildings with stairs are based. The research is based on two spatial building models (A–B) with the same bracing elements but placed differently. Reference Model A follows classical design approaches. It means, stairs are considered nonstructural elements that do not influence the seismic behavior of the building. This structure corresponds to typical braced frames (IV‐CBF and EBF) according to EC8. Model B includes a stair system designed to help control the effects of inter‐story drifts and inertia forces. In this case, the same bracing elements of Model A were integrated into the stair structure of Model B. A comparative seismic behavior analysis of typically braced frames (A) versus specially braced stairs (B) is presented. The research was based on the static nonlinear (pushover) analysis and the capacity spectrum method (ATC‐40) according to the seismic performance levels (FEMA) and damage limitation (EC8). Finally, the braced stairs was verified via nonlinear time‐history analysis in order to better capture the structural safety of the evacuation routes and their influence on the behavior of the building. This deterministic analysis of the braced stairs verified satisfactory results compared to reference bracing systems.
Reliability of onshore wind turbines based on linking power curves to failure and maintenance records: A case study in central Spain
Authors: Sanchez‐Fernandez Andres J. , González‐Sánchez José‐Luis , Luna Rodríguez Íñigo , Rodríguez Félix R. , Sanchez‐Rivero Javier
Published: January 2023

Wind turbine (WT) reliability has come to the forefront of research due to the rapid growth of wind energy in recent years. Reliability information can help understand failure causes and focus maintenance and prevention efforts on the most critical components, reducing costs and increasing profits. This paper offers new insights into WT reliability after analysing the data provided by the Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition (SCADA) system collected from seven onshore WTs located in central Spain from January 2014 to September 2021. To this end, we propose a method to link SCADA data to failure and maintenance records based on checking whether each 10‐min average time sample was collected when any failure or maintenance action had been reported. These records have been manually mapped to the WT taxonomy based on the standard Reference Designation System for Power Plants (RDS‐PP®) with minor changes. We present three different results: (i) The capacity factor and time‐based availability of each WT; (ii) the subsystem failure rate and downtime to identify the most critical ones; and (iii) each WT power curve with the 10‐min time samples labelled as healthy, under maintenance, or failure states, along with a ranking of the subsystems causing the most failures in each part of the power curves. It is the first time that time samples are linked to failure and maintenance records to visualise their distribution on the power curves. These results can help research point in the right direction to improve reliability and increase electricity production worldwide.
Analysis of the evolution of ultra‐filtered water quality in a drinking water distribution system by particle size distribution: Influence of pre‐ozonation
Authors: Álvarez‐Arroyo Rocío , Pérez Jorge Ignacio , Ruiz Luz Marina , Gómez Miguel Ángel
Published: January 2023

An experimental drinking water distribution system (DWDS) was used to evaluate the evolution of particle size distribution (PSD) and basic quality parameters of ultrafiltered water with or without pre‐ozonation. An ultrafiltration (UF) module was set up, associated with a pre‐ozonation system (3.7 g O3/m3). The permeate was circulated in the DWDS (300 m; 0.9 m/s) with 0.4 mg/L of chlorine, and the analysis of the PSD was performed using a β‐variable mathematical model. A better control of membrane fouling was obtained with pre‐ozonation, and PSD was necessary to observe water quality differences between permeates and in the DWDS. A decrease in particle concentration of 1.8 logarithms was obtained with the application of UF membranes, while a decrease of only 1.2 logarithms was obtained with pre‐ozonation. The system without pre‐ozonation showed a higher efficiency at removing smaller particles (around 2 μm), with the absence of particles larger than 23 μm during both stages. The PSD revealed a worsening of water quality in the DWDS with an increase of particles smaller than 5 μm during the application of UF membranes, while with pre‐ozonation, all particle sizes analyzed increased their concentration.

Practitioner Points

Pre‐ozonation led to a better control of membrane fouling, but a worsening of permeate quality according to particle size distribution.

Pre‐ozonation does not improve the turbidity, dissolved organic carbon or UV254 removal capacity of ultrafiltration during drinking water treatment.

Particles size distribution reveals the deterioration of water quality in a drinking water distribution system better than turbidity or DOC.

Ozone prior to ultrafiltration membranes led to a worsening of permeate quality, more significant in the drinking water distribution system.
Achieving stable anammox process and revealing shift of bacteria during the start‐up in landfill leachate treatment
Authors: Jia Chunfang , Wu Lina , Yu Ke , Hu Jincheng , Qi Jiabao Wendy , Luo Anteng
Published: January 2023

Partial nitrification‐anammox (PN/A) is an energy‐efficient technology for nitrogen removal in landfill leachate treatment. Numerous studies have reported successful implementation of the PN/A process and its stable operation under laboratory conditions. One of the primary challenges in PN/A engineering applications is the mass of the seed sludge required for start‐up. This study examined the PN/A using a sequence batch reactor (SBR) inoculating a common mixture to treat landfill leachate. After 70 days of operation, the system successfully realized a one‐stage PN/A process and maintained a stable ammonium removal efficiency of 97.65% ± 1%, where the effluent of and nitrate () were less than 4 ± 1.5 mg L−1 and 10 mg L−1. In addition, the relative abundances of Ca. Kuenenia and Ca. Brocadia, which are typical anaerobic ammonia‐oxidizing bacteria (AnAOB), increased from 0.08% to 3.99% (70 days) and 0.01% to 0.45%, respectively. The relative abundances of ammonia‐oxidizing bacteria (AOB) Nitrosomonas and Nitrosospira increased from 0.9% to 2.89% and 0.007% to 0.1% (70 days), respectively. Both AnAOB and AOB are important niches of the system.

Practitioner Points

The research realized PN/A rapidly by inoculating common mixture sludge.

The experiment successfully enriched AnAOB from 0.09% to 3.89% within 70 days.

The article revealing the ecological roles of AOB and AnAOB in the landfill leachate treatment.
Advances in biomarker discovery using circulating cell‐free DNA for early detection of hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Liu Mingjun , Zhang Zhou , Zhang Wei , Liu Song‐Mei
Published: January 2023

The past several decades have witnessed unprecedented progress in basic and clinical cancer research, and our understanding of the molecular mechanisms and pathogenesis of cancers have been greatly improved. More recently, with the availability of high‐throughput sequencing and profiling platforms as well as sophisticated analytical tools and high‐performance computing capacity, there have been tremendous advances in the development of diagnostic approaches in clinical oncology, especially the discovery of novel biomarkers for cancer early detection. Although tissue biopsy‐based pathology has been the “gold standard” for cancer diagnosis, notable limitations such as the risk due to invasiveness and the bias due to intra‐tumoral heterogeneity have limited its broader applications in oncology (e.g., screening, regular disease monitoring). Liquid biopsy analysis that exploits the genetic and epigenetic information contained in DNA/RNA materials from body fluids, particularly circulating cell‐free DNA (cfDNA) in the blood, has been an intriguing alternative approach because of advantageous features such as sampling convenience and minimal invasiveness. Taking advantage of innovative enabling technologies, cfDNA has been demonstrated for its clinical potential in cancer early detection, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common liver cancer that causes serious healthcare burden globally. Hereby, we reviewed the current advances in cfDNA‐based approaches for cancer biomarker discovery, with a focus on recent findings of cfDNA‐based early detection of HCC. Future clinical investigations and trials are warranted to further validate these approaches for early detection of HCC, which will contribute to more effective prevention, control, and intervention strategies with the ultimate goal of reducing HCC‐associated mortality.

This article is categorized under:

Cancer > Genetics/Genomics/Epigenetics
Double exponential quadrature for fractional diffusion
Authors: Rieder Alexander
Published: January 2023

We introduce a novel discretization technique for both elliptic and parabolic fractional diffusion problems based on double exponential quadrature formulas and the Riesz–Dunford functional calculus. Compared to related schemes, the new method provides faster convergence with fewer parameters that need to be adjusted to the problem. The scheme takes advantage of any additional smoothness in the problem without requiring a-priori knowledge to tune parameters appropriately. We prove rigorous convergence results for both, the case of finite regularity data as well as for data in certain Gevrey-type classes. We confirm our findings with numerical tests.
Psychosoziale Belastung und psychosoziale Unterstützung für Fachkräfte im Gesundheitswesen während der COVID-19-Pandemie
Authors: Holl Julia , Berning Anna , Benetik Manuel Joachim , Frenkel Marie Ottilie , Bellm Annette , Ditzen Beate , Bikowski Kirsten , Konrath Katharina , Parker Grit , Porath Jannik , Zumbaum-Fischer Franziska , Taubner Svenja
Published: January 2023

Hintergrund

Ausgangspunkt der Studie ist die hohe psychosoziale Belastung von Fachkräften im Gesundheitswesen bei gleichzeitig geringer Inanspruchnahme eines Beratungs- und Unterstützungsangebots für Mitarbeiter*innen einer Universitätsklinik während der COVID-19-Pandemie.

Ziel der Arbeit

Die vorliegende Studie untersucht den Grad des psychosozialen Belastungserlebens von Fachkräften im Gesundheitswesen (n = 859) einer Universitätsklinik sowie Kenntnis, Inanspruchnahme und Bewertung innerbetrieblicher psychosozialer Versorgungsstrukturen.

Material und Methoden

Im Rahmen einer Online-Befragung (21.07.–19.10.2021) wurden die subjektiv empfundene Belastung durch die COVID-19-Pandemie, Depressivität (PHQ-8) des Personals sowie Kenntnis, Inanspruchnahme und Bewertung möglicher Versorgungsangebote der Universitätsklinik erhoben. Zusätzlich wurden qualitative Daten zu Informationsquelle, -vermittlung sowie Art der Kontaktaufnahme der innerbetrieblichen Versorgungsstrukturen erhoben.

Ergebnisse

Trotz hoher psychosozialer Belastung und überwiegender Kenntnis der Existenz innerbetrieblicher psychosozialer Versorgungsangebote ist deren Inanspruchnahme bei Fachkräften im Gesundheitswesen gering. Insbesondere der Kontakt zu Patient*innen stellte einen Risikofaktor für das psychosoziale Belastungserleben dar. Die qualitative Analyse zeigt, dass die Mitarbeiter*innen mehr über E‑Mails und Newsletters informiert werden möchten sowie eine übersichtliche Darstellung der Angebote vermissen.

Diskussion

Eine Überarbeitung der Angebotsdarstellung und Kontaktwege gemäß den Wünschen des Personals könnte die Inanspruchnahme innerbetrieblicher Angebote verbessern.
Monitoringsystem für Gurtbandförderer – Auswertungsmöglichkeiten
Authors: Prenner Michael , Müller Jakob
Published: January 2023

Bei diesem Monitoringsystem handelt es sich um eine Gurtlenkeinrichtung für Gurtbandförderer, die den Gurtschieflauf, der unter verschiedensten Randbedingungen auftreten kann, bis zu einem gewissen Grad ausgleichen kann. Diese Einrichtung wurde nun um eine Monitoringfunktion erweitert, mit deren Hilfe der Gurtschieflauf detektiert werden kann und mögliche Ursachen für den Schieflauf identifiziert werden können. Dieser Artikel beschäftigt sich mit dem Auswertetool und den dadurch verwirklichten Monitoringmöglichkeiten des Systems.
Klärschlammmanagement und -qualität in Österreich
Authors: Weber Nikolaus , Long Arabel , Krampe Jörg , Rechberger Helmut , Zoboli Ottavia , Zessner Matthias
Published: January 2023

In den letzten Jahren kam es zu einem Paradigmenwechsel bei Kläranlagen, der den alleinigen Zweck der Abwasserreinigung um eine zusätzliche Funktion der Ressourcenrückgewinnung erweiterte. Dieser Wandel geht mit der Entwicklung neuer Rechtsvorschriften einher, die eine bessere Ressourcenrückgewinnung aus dem Abwasser ermöglichen wollen. Lange Betriebszeiten und eine Vielzahl von Behandlungsanforderungen verlangen jedoch gründliche Untersuchungen, wie eine Ressourcenrückgewinnung nachhaltig umgesetzt werden kann. Um Grundlagen für die Ausarbeitung einer neuen Gesetzgebung speziell für die Rückgewinnung von Phosphor (P) zu erarbeiten, wurde 2017 eine Umfrage zur österreichischen Kläranlageninfrastruktur durchgeführt. Der Fokus dabei lag auf Informationen zu Phosphor-Entfernung, Schlammbehandlung und -entsorgung sowie der Schlammqualität aller Kläranlagen über 2000 Einwohnerwerte (EW). Die erhobenen Daten wurden zuerst auf Vollständigkeit und Plausibilität geprüft und dann einer umfassenden Analyse unterzogen. Die vorliegende Studie stellt die wichtigsten Erkenntnisse der Datenanalyse vor und leitet daraus Überlegungen ab, die für eine zukünftige Rückgewinnung von P aus Abwasser zu berücksichtigen sind.
Geschäftliche Gentrifizierungsprozesse im Frankfurter Bahnhofsviertel
Authors: Reis Michael , Gareis Philipp
Published: January 2023

Gentrifizierungsprozesse in Bezug auf die Gewerbelandschaft in einem Gebiet sind ein bislang wenig erforschter Untersuchungsgegenstand. Dabei können Gewerbe in einem aufgewerteten Quartier – besonders alteingesessene Betriebe, die vornehmlich die Bedarfe der ehemals verankerten Bewohnerinnen und Bewohner bedienten – von Verdrängung betroffen sein. Modernisierungsmaßnahmen in Fassade und Bausubstanz, daraus resultierende Steigerungen in Miete und Pacht sowie die Abnahme der ursprünglichen Kundschaft sind dabei regulative Elemente einer Verdrängung. Anhand einer Bestandsaufnahme, basierend auf Google Street View, sowie einer zehn Jahre später stattfindenden Begehung im Frankfurter Bahnhofsviertel, werden die Veränderungen vor Ort kartiert und hinsichtlich einer gewerblichen Gentrifizierung erfasst. Erste Erkenntnisse zeigen, dass sich in Leerständen von verdrängten oder aufgegebenen Traditionsbetrieben hochwertige Gastronomiebetriebe niederlassen, die als Indikator-Betriebe für eine Gewerbegentrifizierung angesehen werden können. Daher sind verschiedene, an die Stadt gerichtete, Handlungsempfehlungen für Viertel, die einen solchen Wandel durchlaufen, wie eine finanzielle Förderung von Traditionsbetrieben, eine frühzeitige Erfassung der Veränderung einer Gewerbelandschaft, Verlängerung von Mindestlaufzeiten gewerblicher Mieten oder eine gesonderte Aufnahme in eine Milieuschutzsatzung, zu bedenken.
Prevent2Protect Project: Regulatory Focus Differences in Sexual Health Knowledge and Practices
Authors: Rodrigues David L. , de Visser Richard O. , Lopes Diniz , Prada Marília , Garrido Margarida V. , Balzarini Rhonda N.
Published: January 2023

The way people perceive risks and make decisions about their health is regulated by two motivational systems—prevention of harm or promotion of pleasure. People more focused on prevention strive to avoid negative outcomes and enact more health-protective behaviors. In contrast, people more focused on promotion strive to attain positive outcomes and take more risks with their health. Building upon recent evidence extending this framework to sexual behaviors and health, we conducted a pre-registered online survey (OSF) with Portuguese and Spanish adults (N = 742; Mage = 31.42, SD = 9.16) to examine whether self-reported STI knowledge and sexual health practices differ based on predominant regulatory focus. This study was part of the Prevent2Protect project (OSF). Results showed that prevention-focused participants had heard about more STIs and retrieved more of their knowledge from scientific sources but had been tested for fewer STIs in the past. In contrast, promotion-focused participants indicated they had specific knowledge about more STIs, retrieved more of their knowledge from medical and peer sources, and had been tested for more STIs in the past. They also reported more frequent STI testing, using free testing facilities or asking their family practice doctor to get tested, more routine sexual health check-ups, and more use of other contraceptive methods, such as birth control pills. These results remained unchanged after controlling for demographic differences. Overall, our findings showed that different motives in sexuality shape sexual health knowledge and sexual health practices.
Involvement of redox signalling in tumour cell dormancy and metastasis
Authors: Puente-Cobacho Beatriz , Varela-López Alfonso , Quiles José L. , Vera-Ramirez Laura
Published: January 2023

Decades of research on oncogene-driven carcinogenesis and gene-expression regulatory networks only started to unveil the complexity of tumour cellular and molecular biology. This knowledge has been successfully implemented in the clinical practice to treat primary tumours. In contrast, much less progress has been made in the development of new therapies against metastasis, which are the main cause of cancer-related deaths. More recently, the role of epigenetic and microenviromental factors has been shown to play a key role in tumour progression. Free radicals are known to communicate the intracellular and extracellular compartments, acting as second messengers and exerting a decisive modulatory effect on tumour cell signalling. Depending on the cellular and molecular context, as well as the intracellular concentration of free radicals and the activation status of the antioxidant system of the cell, the signalling equilibrium can be tilted either towards tumour cell survival and progression or cell death. In this regard, recent advances in tumour cell biology and metastasis indicate that redox signalling is at the base of many cell-intrinsic and microenvironmental mechanisms that control disseminated tumour cell fate and metastasis. In this manuscript, we will review the current knowledge about redox signalling along the different phases of the metastatic cascade, including tumour cell dormancy, making emphasis on metabolism and the establishment of supportive microenvironmental connections, from a redox perspective.
Commentary on Highly Successful Female Educational Psychologists: Equity and Intersectionality in Success Definitions
Authors: Kucirkova Natalia
Published: January 2023

Despite the international focus on validation and success indicators of academic work across disciplines, examples of accomplished educational psychologists and their personal stories have been limited in the literature. Prinz et al. (2021) interviewed Five Highly Successful Female Educational Psychologists and offered a content analysis of their success stories, including the academics’ strategies and trademark characteristics. In this Commentary, I expand on their findings in light of equity and intersectionality perspectives on academic success. I problematise academic success indicators (publication records and impact) with reference to literature on gender disparities in publication metrics and lack of inclusivity in generic measures of academic success. I outline how individual success narratives intersect with our collective responsibility for higher wellbeing and professional recognition of all colleagues. I argue that the equity and intersectionality perspectives are fundamental to inclusive narratives of success and highlight the power structures that have historically impeded access of diverse and minority scholars to top academic positions. I conclude with four recommendations for addressing the persistent structures of inequities in academic career opportunities.
Differential gene expression analysis of the resprouting process in Pinus canariensis provides new insights into a rare trait in conifers
Authors: Chano Víctor , Gailing Oliver , Collada Carmen , Soto Álvaro
Published: January 2023

Resprouting is crucial in population dynamics in response to wildfires or herbivory. This trait, common in angiosperms, is considered rare in conifers, being Pinus canariensis one of the few species able to resprout. We analyzed gene expression during wound-induced resprouting in 5 years-old Canarian pines. RNA was extracted at three different stages, including control samples from remote branches, representing immediate response to wounding (R0), resprouting initiation (R1), and elongation (R2), and then hybridized to a microarray designed with 15,000 cDNAs from Pinus canariensis transcriptome of meristematic activity. We found 1164 Differentially Expressed Genes (DEGs), of which 903 were significant in R0, 278 in R1, and 261 in R2. Genes related to defense- and stress-response were mainly found to be overexpressed at R0, while DEGs coding for transcription factors such as GROWTH-REGULATING FACTOR (GRF), FLOWERING-PROMOTING FACTOR (FPF), and the HOMEODOMAIN LEUCINE ZIPPER Class IV (HD-ZIP IV), mainly related to outgrowth processes and lateral organogenesis in plants, showed overexpression at R1 and R2, when new shoots were emerging. This data was compared to differential gene expression during apical growth in P. canariensis, suggesting similarities between vegetative apical growth and regulation of lateral shoot development in response to mechanical wounding, but also yielding 32 DEGs exclusively overexpressed at some point during resprouting stages (R1 and/or R2). The implication of such transcription factor families, with important roles in leaf and inflorescence development also in flowering plants, suggests underlying homologies between common lateral organogenesis processes in angiosperms and resprouting in gymnosperms.