bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Unravelling mechanisms underlying the action principles of a community-based health promotion programme: a realist evaluation
Authors: de Jong Marja A. J. G. , Wink Gerda , Koelen Maria A. , Wagemakers Annemarie
Published: January 2023

Background

Since 1986, WHO has advised that applying action principles such as citizen participation and intersectoral collaboration leads to better health. However, less is known about the workability of these principles and how they trigger specific outcomes in interaction with the context. A critical realist perspective was applied to get a better understanding of what worked, and why it worked, in the context of a Dutch community-based health promotion programme (CBHPP). The aim of the study was to unravel the mechanisms underlying the action principles and find combinations of contextual factors and mechanisms that trigger outcomes in a CBHPP.

Methods

In this single case study, a critical realist methodology was followed. Qualitative data used in this study originated from multiple sources and methods to ensure validity. They include evaluation sessions with coalition members (n = 6) and individual interviews (n = 6); group sessions with community workers (n = 1), a health broker (n = 1), and citizens (n = 12); and seven semi-annual progress reports and minutes of the coalition meetings. The collected data were then compared with the programme theory through a heuristic process of constructing, exploring, and refining context-mechanism-outcome configurations.

Results

The programme initiated a variety of new activities that differed in content, intensity, duration, and number of participants, organised and implemented together with citizens. The most prominent mechanism underlying both action principles were programme-related, namely, patience, personal contact, contribution of budget, and the programme coordinator’s leadership. Another important mechanism was creating visibility, which resulted in the involvement of the municipality and a budget to sustain the programme.

Conclusion

In this case study, personal contact, patience, perseverance, participatory action research activities, and visibility were found to be the most notable mechanisms underlying the citizen participation and intersectoral collaboration action principles. As the principle-based approach added value to the existing context and introduced most of the mechanisms that triggered the outcomes, it is recommended to include citizen participation and intersectoral collaboration not only as action principles but explicitly as targets in a CBHPP.
The relation between wheat, soybean, and hemp acreage: a Bayesian time series analysis
Authors: Han Joohun , Ng’ombe John N.
Published: January 2023

The 2018 United States Farm Bill has opened the possibility for farmers to increase their profits through hemp cultivation. The literature suggests hemp has the potential to replace soybeans in soybean–wheat double-cropping because hemp shares key attributes of soybeans as a rotation crop (profitability, potential as an energy crop, and maintenance of soil fertility). Nonetheless, due to a short history of hemp cultivation in the USA, it is difficult to predict a time series relationship between hemp, soybean, and wheat through conventional approaches. In this article, we use Bayesian time series models and data from Statistics Canada and the Alberta Agricultural and Rural Development Department to examine a time series relationship between hemp, wheat, and soybean acreage and therefore predict farmers’ decision when hemp is a legal alternative agricultural commodity. Our results show evidence of complementary and substitution relationships for hemp–wheat and hemp–soybean, respectively. In addition, the results indicate a potential of hemp monoculture as a positive response to self-positive shock on hemp acreage that lasts for years.
Intraoperative video recording in otolaryngology for surgical education: Evolution and considerations
Authors: Brennan Hannah L. , Kirby Simon D.
Published: January 2023

Background

Otolaryngology is a surgical speciality well suited for the application of intraoperative video recording as an educational tool considering the number procedures within the speciality that utilize digital technology. Intraoperative recording has been utilized in endoscopic surgeries and in evaluating technique in mastoidectomy, myringotomy and grommet insertion. The impact of intra-operative video recording in otolaryngology education is vast in creating access to surgical videos for preparation outside the operating room to individualized coaching and assessment. The purpose of this project is to highlight the role of intraoperative video recording in otolaryngology training and elucidate the challenges and considerations associated with implementation.

Methods

Related publications between 1999 to 2022 were reviewed from PubMed and Embase databases utilizing search terms “intraoperative videography,” “video recording surgery,” “otolaryngology,” and “surgical education.” 109 articles were screened independently by HB and SK, by title and abstract then full text review. 28 articles from the original search and 6 from the secondary reference review were included.

Results

The application of intraoperative video recording is evident in otolaryngology surgeries including endoscopic sinus surgery, laryngeal surgery, and other endoscopic procedures. There have been significant advancements in recording tools, including devices that can capture the surgeon's perspective. The considerations and challenges identified with utilizing this educational tool were categorized into different themes including ethics/consent, regulation, liability, data, technology, and human resources.

Conclusion

Intra-operative video recording has been demonstrated to have significant impact within otolaryngology education. It is critical to elucidate the challenges and considerations involved to utilize this educational tool effectively. Future directives will see video-based performance analytics providing comparative metrics to encourage precise coaching of surgical residents.
Coral distribution and diversity in Sakiyamawan–Amitoriwan nature conservation area of Iriomote Island in Japan
Authors: Shimokawa Shinya , Murakami Tomokazu , Kohno Hiroyoshi
Published: January 2023

Sakiyama and Amitori bays of Iriomote Island in Japan are adjacent, but their coral distributions differ significantly. This study investigates the differences in the coral distribution and diversity between both bays from the diversity index and intermediate disturbance hypothesis (IDH) perspective. In Amitori Bay, tabular and branching corals dominate the mouth and inner part of the bay, respectively. Coral diversity is maximum in the intermediate part of the bay, realizing the IDH. In Sakiyama Bay, branching and massive corals dominate the reef edge and coast sides of the bay’s intermediate part, respectively. Coral diversity is maximum in the reef edge part of the bay, and IDH is not realized. The difference in the soil inflow and geographical characteristics between both bays significantly affects their coral distribution and diversity.
Cisplatin-induced azoospermia and testicular damage ameliorated by adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Ismail Hamdy Y. , Shaker Nora A. , Hussein Shaymaa , Tohamy Adel , Fathi Mohamed , Rizk Hamdy , Wally Y. R.
Published: January 2023

Background

The testes are highly susceptible to the adverse effects of chemotherapy and radiation at all stages of life. Exposure to these threats mainly occurs during cancer treatment and as an occupational hazard in radiation centers. The present study investigated the regenerative ability of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSCs) against the adverse effects of cisplatin on the structure and function of the testes.

Methods

New Zealand white rabbits (N = 15) were divided into three groups of five: a negative control group (no treatment), a cisplatin group (single dose of cisplatin into each testis followed three days later by a PBS injection), and a cisplatin + ADMSCs group (cisplatin injection followed three days later by an ADMSC injection). On day 45 post-treatment, serum testosterone levels were evaluated, and the testes and epididymis were collected for histology, oxidative stress examination, and epididymal sperm analysis.

Results

Cisplatin caused damage to the testicular tissue and decreased serum testosterone levels, epididymal sperm counts, and oxidants. An antioxidant imbalance was detected due to increasing malondialdehyde (MDA) and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels in testicular tissue. The ADMSC-treated group displayed a moderate epididymal sperm count, adequate antioxidant protection, suitable hormone levels, and enhanced testicular tissue morphology.

Conclusions

ADMSCs treatment repaired damaged testicular tissue, enhanced biochemical parameters, and modified pathological changes caused by cisplatin.
Enhanced brain parcellation via abnormality inpainting for neuroimage-based consciousness evaluation of hydrocephalus patients by lumbar drainage
Authors: Zang Di , Zhao Xiangyu , Qiao Yuanfang , Huo Jiayu , Wu Xuehai , Wang Zhe , Xu Zeyu , Zheng Ruizhe , Qi Zengxin , Mao Ying , Zhang Lichi
Published: January 2023

Brain network analysis based on structural and functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is considered as an effective method for consciousness evaluation of hydrocephalus patients, which can also be applied to facilitate the ameliorative effect of lumbar cerebrospinal fluid drainage (LCFD). Automatic brain parcellation is a prerequisite for brain network construction. However, hydrocephalus images usually have large deformations and lesion erosions, which becomes challenging for ensuring effective brain parcellation works. In this paper, we develop a novel and robust method for segmenting brain regions of hydrocephalus images. Our main contribution is to design an innovative inpainting method that can amend the large deformations and lesion erosions in hydrocephalus images, and synthesize the normal brain version without injury. The synthesized images can effectively support brain parcellation tasks and lay the foundation for the subsequent brain network construction work. Specifically, the novelty of the inpainting method is that it can utilize the symmetric properties of the brain structure to ensure the quality of the synthesized results. Experiments show that the proposed brain abnormality inpainting method can effectively aid the brain network construction, and improve the CRS-R score estimation which represents the patient’s consciousness states. Furthermore, the brain network analysis based on our enhanced brain parcellation method has demonstrated potential imaging biomarkers for better interpreting and understanding the recovery of consciousness in patients with secondary hydrocephalus.
Azaphilones produced by Penicillium maximae with their cell death-inducing activity on Adriamycin-treated cancer cell
Authors: Matsumoto Takahiro , Ohnishi Erika , Kitagawa Takahiro , Okayama Masaya , Saito Youhei , Yoshikawa Hayato , Ohta Tomoe , Yoshida Tatsusada , Nakayama Yuji , Watanabe Tetsushi
Published: January 2023

Background

Heat shock proteins (Hsps) are overexpressed in several tumors and contribute to cell proliferation, metastasis, and anticancer drug resistance. Therefore, Hsp inhibitors have enhanced cytotoxicity as chemotherapeutic agents and may be effective with a reduced dosage for tumor therapy to avoid side effects.

Results

Four new azaphilones, maximazaphilones I–IV (1–4), and three known compounds (5–7) have been isolated from the airborne-derived fungus Penicillium maximae. Inhibitory effects of isolated compounds against induction of Hsp105 were evaluated by the luciferase assay system using Hsp105 promoter. In this assay, 2–4, 6, and 7 significantly inhibited hsp105 promoter activity without cytotoxicity. In addition, all isolated compounds except for 5 significantly induced the death of Adriamycin (ADR)-treated HeLa cells. Interestingly, 1–4, 6, and 7 didn’t show anti-proliferative and cell death-inducing activity without ADR.

Conclusion

This study revealed the chemical structures of maximazaphilones I–IV (1–4) and the potency of azaphilones may be useful for cancer treatment and reducing the dose of anticancer agents. In addition, one of the mechanisms of cell death-inducing activity for 2–4, 6, and 7 was suggested to be inhibitory effects of Hsp105 expression.
Ultradeep fractured-vuggy reservoir characteristic identification based on well data constrained seismic linear discriminant analysis
Authors: Li Xiangwen , Li Jingye , Li Lei , Zhang Gulan , Xu Chen , Zhan Shifan , Dan Guangjian , Liu Yonglei , Zhang Yintao
Published: January 2023

A great number of high-quality fractured-vuggy reservoirs (FVRs) are buried in the ultradeep carbonate strata in the Tarim Basin, Western China. Drilling confirms that some FVRs with strong beaded reflections are partially or completely filled with solids, resulting in oil and gas exploration failures. In this paper, we propose a well data (the drilling information and the well-logging data) constrained seismic waveform component decomposition and reconstruction method for ultradeep FVR characteristic identification (WSFI). WSFI contains the well data (the drilling information and the well-logging data) constrained seismic waveform component linear discriminant analysis and reconstruction and seismic attribute (i.e., root-mean-square amplitude)-based FVR characteristic identification. A forward-modeling example indicates that WSFI can effectively identify the FVR characteristics. Field data example in the ZG block in the Tarim Basin demonstrates that WSFI can be widely used for FVR characteristic identification.
Preoperative Chemotherapy for Operable Colon Cancer: Mature Results of an International Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Morton Dion , Seymour Matthew , Magill Laura , Handley Kelly , Glasbey James , Glimelius Bengt , Palmer Andy , Seligmann Jenny , Laurberg Søren , Murakami Keigo , West Nick , Quirke Philip , Gray Richard ,   on behalf of the FOxTROT Collaborative Group
Published: January 2023

PURPOSE

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) has potential advantages over standard postoperative chemotherapy for locally advanced colon cancer but requires formal evaluation.

METHODS

Patients with radiologically staged T3-4, N0-2, M0 colon cancer were randomly allocated (2:1) to 6 weeks oxaliplatin-fluoropyrimidine preoperatively plus 18 postoperatively (NAC group) or 24 weeks postoperatively (control group). Patients with RAS-wildtype tumors could also be randomly assigned 1:1 to receive panitumumab or not during NAC. The primary end point was residual disease or recurrence within 2 years. Secondary outcomes included surgical morbidity, histopathologic stage, regression grade, completeness of resection, and cause-specific mortality. Log-rank analyses were by intention-to-treat.

RESULTS

Of 699 patients allocated to NAC, 674 (96%) started and 606 (87%) completed NAC. In total, 686 of 699 (98.1%) NAC patients and 351 of 354 (99.2%) control patients underwent surgery. Thirty patients (4.3%) allocated to NAC developed obstructive symptoms requiring expedited surgery, but there were fewer serious postoperative complications with NAC than with control. NAC produced marked T and N downstaging and histologic tumor regression (all P < .001). Resection was more often histopathologically complete: 94% (648/686) versus 89% (311/351), P < .001. Fewer NAC than control patients had residual or recurrent disease within 2 years (16.9% [118/699] v 21.5% [76/354]; rate ratio, 0.72 [95% CI, 0.54 to 0.98]; P = .037). Tumor regression correlated strongly with freedom from recurrence. Panitumumab did not enhance the benefit from NAC. Little benefit from NAC was seen in mismatch repair–deficient tumors.

CONCLUSION

Six weeks of preoperative oxaliplatin-fluoropyrimidine chemotherapy for operable colon cancer can be delivered safely, without increasing perioperative morbidity. This chemotherapy regimen, when given preoperatively, produces marked histopathologic down-staging, fewer incomplete resections, and better 2-year disease control. Histologic regression after NAC is a strong predictor of lower postoperative recurrence risk so has potential use as a guide for postoperative therapy. Six weeks of NAC should be considered as a treatment option for locally advanced colon cancer.
Impact of an Accelerated Diagnostic Assessment Program on the Timeliness of Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment
Authors: Bourkas Adrienn N. , Menard Alexandre , Tarulli Emidio , Jodoin Leah , Biagi James J.
Published: January 2023

PURPOSE:

The Accelerated Diagnostic Assessment Program (ADAP) manages patients with imaging abnormalities, with or without concomitant symptoms, where cancer is suspected. The ADAP is offered to primary care practitioners and emergency departments with cases triaged by a medical oncologist.

METHODS:

We performed a retrospective patient chart review of electronic medical records from January 2019 until June 2021 to validate the program. We collected information on the referral pathways, patient demographics, wait-times, and diagnostic results. The control group consisted of outpatients who were referred for biopsy over a 1-year period outside the ADAP stream. Statistical analyses were performed using IBM SPSS software.

RESULTS:

Of the 97 patients included, 54% were female, with ages ranging from 18 to 96 years. Twenty-nine percent (n = 20) of the malignant cases were incidental findings. Most patients referred to the ADAP were diagnosed with a malignancy (71%; n = 69), comprising hematologic (45%; n = 31), GI (26%; n = 18), or other cancers (29%; n = 20). The ADAP had decreased wait-times from referral to biopsy collection (17.6 days ± 10.7 [standard deviation (SD)]; n = 43) when compared with the control group (41.2 days ± 40.0 [SD]; n = 67; P < .001). ADAP patients with malignancies saw a treating specialist 7.6 ± 7.6 days [SD] after their follow-up appointment at the ADAP.

CONCLUSION:

The ADAP accelerated time to biopsy in a statistically significant manner when compared with age-, referring physician–, and biopsy site–matched controls. It also outperformed national and provincial standards, suggesting that its model addresses a gap in care by providing an underserved population timely access to diagnosis and treatment.
Nomogram for Predicting Intraoperative Hemodynamic Instability in Patients With Normotensive Pheochromocytoma
Authors: Liu Yingshu , Liu Chao , Wang Yao , Li Shen , Li Xinyu , Liu Xuhan , Wang Bing , Pei Zuowei , Li Linfeng , Lin Lu , Qu Jianchang , Chen Kang , Zang Li , Gu Weijun , Mu Yiming , Lyu Zhaohui , Dou Jingtao , Gao Zhengnan
Published: January 2023

Context

Intraoperative hemodynamic instability (HI) deteriorates surgical outcomes of patients with normotensive pheochromocytoma (NP).

Objective

To characterize the hemodynamics of NP and develop and externally validate a prediction model for intraoperative HI.

Methods

Data on 117 patients with NP (derivation cohort) and 40 patients with normotensive adrenal myelolipoma (NAM) who underwent laparoscopic adrenalectomy from January 2011 to November 2021 were retrospectively collected. Data on 22 patients with NP (independent validation cohort) were collected from another hospital during the same period. The hemodynamic characteristics of patients with NP and NAM were compared. Machine learning models were used to identify risk factors associated with HI. The final model was visualized via a nomogram.

Results

Forty-eight (41%) out of 117 patients experienced HI, which was significantly more than that for NAM. A multivariate logistic regression including age, tumor size, fasting plasma glucose, and preoperative systolic blood pressure showed good discrimination measured by area under curve (0.8286; 95% CI 0.6875-0.9696 and 0.7667; 95% CI 0.5386-0.9947) for predicting HI in internal and independent validation cohorts, respectively. The sensitivities and positive predictive values were 0.6667 and 0.7692 for the internal and 0.9167 and 0.6111 for the independent validations, respectively. The final model was visualized via a nomogram and yielded net benefits across a wide range of risk thresholds in decision curve analysis.

Conclusion

Patients with NP experienced HI during laparoscopic adrenalectomy. The nomogram can be used for individualized prediction of intraoperative HI in patients with NP.
Endocrine Responses to Triptorelin in Healthy Women, Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, and Women With Hypothalamic Amenorrhea
Authors: Abbara Ali , Phylactou Maria , Eng Pei Chia , Clarke Sophie A , Pham Toan D , Ho Tuong M , Ng Kah Yan , Mills Edouard G , Purugganan Kate , Hunjan Tia , Salim Rehan , Comninos Alexander N , Vuong Lan N , Dhillo Waljit S
Published: January 2023

Context

Limited data exist regarding whether the endocrine response to the gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor agonist (GnRHa) triptorelin differs in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) compared with healthy women or those with hypothalamic amenorrhea (HA).

Objective

We compared the gonadotropin response to triptorelin in healthy women, women with PCOS, or those with HA without ovarian stimulation, and in women with or without polycystic ovaries undergoing oocyte donation cycles after ovarian stimulation.

Methods

The change in serum gonadotropin levels was determined in (1) a prospective single-blinded placebo-controlled study to determine the endocrine profile of triptorelin (0.2 mg) or saline-placebo in healthy women, women with PCOS, and those with HA, without ovarian stimulation; and (2) a retrospective analysis from a dose-finding randomized controlled trial of triptorelin (0.2-0.4 mg) in oocyte donation cycles after ovarian stimulation.

Results

In Study 1, triptorelin induced an increase in serum luteinizing hormone (LH) of similar amplitude in all women (mean peak LH: healthy, 52.3; PCOS, 46.2; HA, 41.3 IU/L). The AUC of change in serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) was attenuated in women with PCOS compared with healthy women and women with HA (median AUC of change in serum FSH: PCOS, 127.2; healthy, 253.8; HA, 326.7 IU.h/L; P = 0.0005). In Study 2, FSH levels 4 hours after triptorelin were reduced in women with at least one polycystic morphology ovary (n = 60) vs normal morphology ovaries (n = 91) (34.0 vs 42.3 IU/L; P = 0.0003). Serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) was negatively associated with the increase in FSH after triptorelin, both with and without ovarian stimulation.

Conclusion

FSH response to triptorelin was attenuated in women with polycystic ovaries, both with and without ovarian stimulation, and was negatively related to AMH levels.
Factors Predicting Cerebrospinal Fluid Leaks in Microvascular Decompressions: A Case Series of 1011 Patients
Authors: Xu Risheng , So Raymond J. , Materi Joshua , Nair Sumil K. , Alomari Safwan O. , Huang Judy , Lim Michael , Bettegowda Chetan
Published: January 2023

BACKGROUND:

Microvascular decompression (MVD) using a retrosigmoid approach is a highly effective, open-surgical procedure for neurovascular conflict in the posterior fossa, although there is a risk of postoperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak.

OBJECTIVE:

To identify factors associated with postoperative CSF leakage after MVD.

METHODS:

We retrospectively reviewed all patients who underwent MVDs at our institution from 2007 to 2020. Patient demographics, clinical diagnoses, and procedural characteristics were recorded and compared. Factors leading to CSF leak were analyzed using χ2, univariate, and multivariate regression.

RESULTS:

Of 1011 patients who underwent MVDs, 37 (3.7%) presented with postoperative CSF leaks. In univariate analysis, the use of Cranios/Norian to obliterate the air cells was protective against CSF leak (P = .01). Craniotomies (P = .002), the use of dural substitutes such as Durepair (P = .04), dural onlays such as DuraGen (P = .04), muscle/fascia (P = .03), and titanium mesh cranioplasty >5 cm (P = .03) were associated with CSF leak. On multivariate analysis, only the presence of craniotomies (P = .04) and nonprimary dural closure (P = .03) were significant risk factors for CSF leak. When excluding the 34 (3.4%) patients who underwent a craniotomy, the lack of primary dural closure still remained significantly associated with postoperative CSF leak (P = .04).

CONCLUSION:

Our results represent one of the largest series of posterior fossa surgeries for a uniform indication in North America. Our study demonstrates increased risk for postoperative CSF leak when craniotomies are performed and when primary dural closure is not established. Given the small sample of patients who received a craniotomy, however, future studies corroborating this finding should be performed.
Distinct role of ERp57 and ERdj5 as a disulfide isomerase and reductase during ER protein folding
Authors: Robinson Philip John , Pringle Marie Anne , Fleming Bethany , Bulleid Neil John
Published: January 2023

Proteins entering the secretory pathway need to attain native disulfide pairings to fold correctly. For proteins with complex disulfides, this process requires the reduction and isomerisation of non-native disulfides. Two key members of the protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) family, ERp57 and ERdj5 (also known as PDIA3 and DNAJC10, respectively), are thought to be required for correct disulfide formation but it is unknown whether they act as a reductase, an isomerase or both. In addition, it is unclear how reducing equivalents are channelled through PDI family members to substrate proteins. Here, we show that neither enzyme is required for disulfide formation, but ERp57 is required for isomerisation of non-native disulfides within glycoproteins. In addition, alternative PDIs compensate for the absence of ERp57 to isomerise glycoprotein disulfides, but only in the presence of a robust reductive pathway. ERdj5 is required for this alternative pathway to function efficiently indicating its role as a reductase. Our results define the essential cellular functions of two PDIs, highlighting a distinction between formation, reduction and isomerisation of disulfide bonds.
Active and passive mechanics for rugose terrain traversal in centipedes
Authors: Diaz Kelimar , Erickson Eva , Chong Baxi , Soto Daniel , Goldman Daniel I.
Published: January 2023

Centipedes coordinate body and limb flexion to generate propulsion. On flat, solid surfaces, the limb-stepping patterns can be characterized according to the direction in which limb-aggregates propagate, opposite to (retrograde) or with the direction of motion (direct). It is unknown how limb and body dynamics are modified in terrain with terradynamic complexity more representative of these animal's natural heterogeneous environments. Here, we investigated how centipedes that use retrograde and direct limb-stepping patterns, Scolopendra polymorpha and Scolopocryptops sexspinosus, respectively, coordinate their body and limbs to navigate laboratory environments which present footstep challenges and terrain rugosity. We recorded the kinematics and measured the locomotive performance of these animals traversing two rugose terrains with randomly distributed step heights and compared the kinematics with those on a flat frictional surface. Scolopendra polymorpha exhibited similar body and limb dynamics across all terrains and a decrease in speed with increased terrain rugosity. Unexpectedly, when placed in a rugose terrain, S. sexspinosus changed the direction of the limb-stepping pattern from direct to retrograde. Further, for both species, traversal of these rugose terrains was facilitated by hypothesized passive mechanics: upon horizontal collision of a limb with a block, the limb bent and later continued the stepping pattern. Although centipedes have many degrees of freedom, our results suggest these animals negotiate limb–substrate interactions and navigate complex terrains leveraging the innate flexibility of their limbs to simplify control.
High carbohydrate consumption increases lipid storage and promotes migratory flight in locusts
Authors: Talal Stav , Parmar Shivam , Osgood Geoffrey M. , Harrison Jon F. , Cease Arianne J.
Published: January 2023

Migration allows animals to track favorable environments and avoid harmful conditions. However, migration is energetically costly, so migrating animals must prepare themselves by increasing their energy stores. Despite the importance of locust migratory swarms, we still understand little about the physiology of locust migration. During long-distance flight, locusts rely on lipid oxidation, despite the fact that lipids are relatively rare in their leaf-based diets. Therefore, locusts and other insect herbivores synthesize and store lipid from ingested carbohydrates, which are also important for initial flight. These data suggest that diets high in carbohydrate should increase lipid stores and the capacity for migratory flight in locusts. As predicted, locust lipid stores and flight performance increased with an increase in the relative carbohydrate content in their food. However, locust flight termination was not associated with complete lipid depletion. We propose potential testable mechanisms that might explain how macronutrient consumption can affect flight endurance.
Characterization of Antimicrobial Resistance Genes of Pasteurella multocida Isolated from Diseased Chickens in Egypt
Authors: Bedier ET , Labib SR , Ahmed AM
Published: January 2023

In this study, the prevalence of Pasteurella multocida in diseased chickens, capsular genotyping, antimicrobial resistance patterns and some resistance genes were determined. Lungs, liver and spleen samples were collected from 250 diseased chickens from layers and broiler flocks from El-Gharbia and Kafr El-Sheikh governorates in Egypt for isolation of P. multocida in the period from June 2018 to December 2019. Confirmatory identification was done by using PCR for capsular type A antigen. P. multocida was isolated from 3.6 % of the diseased chicken. Six isolates of P. multocida that examined for detection of capsular type A showed positive results. Antimicrobial resistance patterns were evaluated for all isolates against twenty antimicrobial agents and the results showed 100% resistance totrimethoprim/sulfamethazole, oxacillin and nitrofurantion. Also, strains expressed highly resistant to penicillin, chloramphenicol, rifampicin and ampicillin \sulbactam, while they were sensitive to norfloxacin, clindamycin, cephalexin and cefotaxime. The antimicrobial resistance genes were detected by using PCR and the results showed  that all isolates harbored  β-lactam-resistantgene BlaROB-1 (100%), followed by sulfonamide resistant gene  sul1 (50%), tetracycline-resistant gene tetH (33.3%) and trimethoprim-resistant dihydrofolate reductase dfrA (16.6%).
Use of a Global Positioning System (GPS) to Manage Extensive Sheep Farming and Pasture Land
Authors: Ermetin O , Karadağ Y , Yıldız AK , Karaca ÖF , Tüfekçi H , Tufan Y , Kayaalp AN
Published: January 2023

The terrestrial climate is not sufficient to produce enough food to meet the roughage needs of the animals benefiting from the pasture lands because of excessive and early grazing of those areas. Plant growth is adversely affected in pastures that are not uniformly grazed. Tracking animals using the Global Positioning System (GPS) is a very important factor in determining the uniform distribution of grazing animals in a pasture, increasing the utilization rate of the pasture, and saving costs and time. With GPS tracking systems, establishing more effective pasture-use systems by monitoring the feeding regimes of small animals, the status of feed in the pasture, and the grazing behavior of the animals would be possible. The present study aimed to investigate the use of GPS for pasture and herd management in Turkey in addition to using the traditional techniques.In the present study conducted in the village of Köseyusuflu in Yozgat Province in May 2017, 2018, and 2019, grazing benefits that were determined from the pasture containing two Akkaraman sheep herds were recorded using GPS tracking devices. The results suggested that the area covered with vegetation along the sheep’s spring grazing routes varied between 43.6 and 62.9%, the ratio of legumes in the pasture grass in the low grazing areas was between 0.50 and 4.10%, and the grass species were between 12.75 and 44.50%. We determined that the sheep in herd A traveled between 7.6 and 9.9 km, while the sheep in herd B traveled between 4.7 and 5.7 km daily, and the two herds grazed an average of between 122 and 254 daa.
Crisis of democratic legitimacy of the decision-making process of the Union and the role of the European Parliament
Authors: Liakopoulos Dimitris
Published: January 2023

This paper seeks to examine the related issues and open discussions relating to the proposal to recognize the power/legislative right for requesting initiative in the European Parliament. The crisis of legitimacy of the Union has been noticed for some time and the requests for strengthening the decision-making process in a more democratic way by acting on the so-called legitimacy input needs an intervention on the agenda setter function but also through the related tools of democracy that we already know: citizens' initiative, petitions. We need a synergistic, analogue relationship between the institutions involved in the legislative decision-making sector but above all the spirit of the integrative history of the Union, the Treaties on the Union and representative and the participatory democracy as fundamental rights of the future of the EU.
Emvolio - A battery operated portable refrigerator preserves biochemical and haematological integrity of biological samples in preclinical studies
Authors: Maity Swastika , Aakriti Jaya , Manandhar Suman , Anchan Sharad B , Bhat Ashlesh , Shetty Mayur U , Nayak Yogendra
Published: January 2023

Background: Emvolio is a non-medical device, indigenously developed portable refrigeration for maintaining the internal temperature 2–8˚C. The Indian Patent Office has granted patent for applications such as preservation and transport of medicines, vaccines, food, beverages, dairy etc. Further, use of Emvolio can be utilized in transport and store biologicals to preserve their biochemical and cellular integrity.  The objective of this study was to evaluate the biochemical and haematological integrity of biological samples such as rat blood, serum and liver.

Methods: The steady temperature was maintained inside the Emvolio, and it was compared to that of thermocol and polypropylene boxes aided with frozen gel packs. The blood and liver samples were isolated from Wistar rats and kept in Emvolio, thermocol and polypropylene boxes for 10 hrs, and the temperature was monitored. The blood parameters, namely red blood cells (RBC), white blood cells (WBC), platelets, haematocrit, haemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) and red cell distribution width (RDW), serum parameters like alanine transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, total protein, albumin, creatine kinase, blood urea nitrogen and liver parameters like superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), catalase were estimated and compared.

Results: Emvolio maintained a constant inner temperature range of 2–8˚C, whereas a significant temperature variation was seen in thermocol and polypropylene boxes. There was no significant deviation in the parameters tested when samples were kept in Emvolio for six hours compared to the zero hour readings. In contrast, there was a significant deviation among the parameters for the samples kept in thermocol and polypropylene boxes for six hours compared to zero hour parameters.

Conclusions: Emvolio maintained constant temperature and preserved the biological integrity of rat blood, serum and liver. Thus, Emvolio can be efficiently used as a biological sample carrier, especially in preclinical studies.
Bachmann – Lipski – Opel. Resztki języka
Authors: Sadzik Piotr
Published: January 2023

Artykuł prezentuje szereg ustaleń badawczych na temat biografii Leo Lipskiego, poczynionych na podstawie kwerend niebadanych dotąd materiałów archiwalnych. Wskazuje na niemiecki jako język macierzysty pisarza, przyglądając się tekstowym funkcjonalizacjom tego problemu. Jednocześnie artykuł rekonstruuje związki Lipskiego z niemieckojęzycznym kręgiem kulturowym, udowadniając, że osobą, która bezpośrednio przyczyniła się do powstania niemieckiego przekładu Piotrusia, był Adolf Opel. To właśnie też Opel zainteresował pisarstwem Lipskiego swoją partnerkę, Ingeborg Bachmann. Powołując się na ostatnie odkrycia archiwalne, tekst pokrótce omawia zachowany zbiór listów, jakie Lipski wysłał do austriackiej pisarki.
„Niespokojni”. Wymilczany inno-tekst
Authors: Zieniewicz Andrzej
Published: January 2023

Artykuł omawia Niespokojnych, analizując narracyjną strukturę tego (niedokończonego) utworu. Wskazuje raczej na jego charakter eseistycznego studium, rozważającego alternatywne możliwości fabuły sprzed samego początku wojny, niż na wymiar tradycyjnej powieści. Szkic przywołuje te możliwości, analizując także fascynującą właściwość prozy Niespokojnych, tę mianowicie, że są w niej polokowane quasi-cytaty (w sensie pamiętanych zdarzeń, a nie takich samych realizacji stylistycznych), pochodzące ze świata przedstawionego ch ronologicznie późniejszego niż Niespokojni, mianowicie ze świata łagru, opisanego potem w opowieści Dzień i noc. Obecność tych przeżyć i doświadczeń łagrowych, anachronicznie „wpisanych” w przedwojnie, jest w artykule przedmiotem osobnegonamysłu.
„Dziękuję za niepokój”. Odnalezione juwenilia Leo Lipskiego – próba lektury
Authors: Libich Maciej , Zając Antoni
Published: January 2023

Artykuł jest wstępnym omówieniem niepublikowanych dotychczas juweniliów Leo Lipskiego, odnalezionych w archiwum „Kameny”, w Muzeum Literackim im. Józefa Czechowicza w Lublinie. Utwory te to dłuższe opowiadanie pod tytułem O niepokoju i śmierci, które ukazało się jedynie we fragmentach, a także trzy egotyki: Na wiosnę, Do papieru i Na pożegnanie dziewczyny. Autorzy dokonują opisu odkrytych tekstów z perspektywy edytorskiej, zarysowując biograficzno-historyczny kontekst ich powstania. Podejmują próbę interpretacji utworów i wpisania ich w przedwojenną twórczość Lipskiego, zwracają też uwagę na relacje, które łączą te teksty z powieścią Lipskiego Niespokojni. Szkic towarzyszy edycji omówionych utworów, którą poprzedzono krótkim komentarzem edytorskim.
Inventor of the Year
Authors: Norman Helen
Published: January 2023

Siemens Mobility honors the outstanding achievements of one young female inventor whose patented fuel cell design promises to make hydrogen trains more efficient and affordable
Great Aspirations
Authors: Filou Emilie
Published: January 2023

Africa’s under-developed railway infrastructure has the opportunity to use best practice from more advanced regions to become one of the most eco-friendly networks in the world
Quality Power Control
Authors: Vuolle Paul
Published: January 2023

Enedo presents its new efficient and compact auxiliary power and battery management system, which has been specifically designed to meet industry demand for high-capacity trains
Setting New Benchmarks in Reliability
Authors: Eichler Bernhard
Published: January 2023

Semikron presents its new traction insulated-gate bipolar transistor module, which includes the latest assembly and connection technology for the highest reliability
Reliable Conversion
Authors: Hsieh Antonio
Published: January 2023

P-DUKE Technology presents a new approach to power stage design for supply interruption and change-over in rolling stock applications
Smart Thinking
Authors: Norman Helen
Published: January 2023

Olivier Pequet, rail hub director at Forsee Power discusses the company’s acquisition of Centum Adetel Transportation and its commitment to assisting the rail sector achieve decarbonization
Building Blocks
Authors: Mariappan Senthilnathan
Published: January 2023

ABB’s new lithium-ion-based onboard energy storage system offers a modular approach, which helps to minimize downtime, improve safety, and increase flexibility
A Second Chance
Authors: Pyke Daniel
Published: January 2023

New rolling stock costs capital and carbon. Embracing retrofits, however, can provide a more sustainable path to transport decarbonization
Dynamic pressure surface deformation measurement based on a chromatic confocal sensor
Authors: Zhao Bin , Li Junyi , Mao Xiaoxiao , Sun Fei , Gao Xiumin
Published: January 2023

To enable the real-time measurement of pressure deformations in sealed cavities, a high-precision method of detecting the deformation of a material surface is proposed. By combining a chromatic confocal displacement sensor with a pressure sensor, we can acquire dynamic online strain measurements that consider the effects of the deformed material and internal environmental conditions. A

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static mechanical cylindrical cavity is simulated using finite element software. The interior of the cylindrical cavity is continuously pressurized at up to 400 kPa with a material deformation of 300 µm. We experimentally obtain the spectral peak wavelengths corresponding to the surface deformation experiment, record the spectral data at 20 kPa intervals, and use the Voigt fitting algorithm to reduce sensor errors. The results show that the experimental results differ from the simulated results by 1.43 µm, with a relative error of 0.083% after sequential pressurization and depressurization using a pressure calibrator, and the uncertainty error of pressure deformation measurement is 1.495 µm. Thus, the proposed method is robust against external disturbances and is suitable for micrometer-level surface deformation monitoring, which has numerous applications in the high-precision inspection industry.
Proposal for the detection of breast cancer at its early stage using wave-theory-based analysis in a tapered fiber structure illuminated by the Bessel–Gauss beam for enhanced sensitivity
Authors: Saha Bijaya , Goswami Nabamita , Saha Ardhendu
Published: January 2023

An analytical exploration of a fiber-optic biosensor with a tapered structure for the detection of breast cancer at its early stage by illuminating the Bessel–Gauss beam in a multilayer structure, using wave-theory-based technique, is proposed to acquire closer results between experimental and theoretical models. By using a Gaussian beam, the observed sensitivity is 2688.5 dB/RIU and 0.204 nm/ng/mL, where all the results are in good agreement with the experimental outcomes reported by Sun et al. [Opt. Commun. 463, 125375 (2020)10.1016/j.optcom.2020.125375]. Thus, this proposed theory is experimentally validated. Now, this tapered theoretical analysis is further extended utilizing the Bessel–Gauss beam, where for the first time, to the best of our knowledge, the discerned sensitivity is enhanced to 14,979.8 dB/RIU and 0.33 nm/ng/mL with a resolution of

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, which is 6.59 times superior to the reported results to date. Higher spectral shifts are noticed using the wavelength interrogation technique for the concentration of (2–15) ng/mL of HER2 biological marker. Thus improvement in sensitivity and resolution at lower concentrations is achieved, which indicates the proposed idea for the identification of breast cancer at its early stage.
Investigation of free space optical communications with binary ghost imaging
Authors: Huang Xianwei , Tan Wei , Jiang Teng , Nan Suqin , Bai Yanfeng , Fu Xiquan
Published: January 2023

This paper proposes a free space optical (FSO) communications system based on ghost imaging, and the signal transmission through a 1 km horizontal turbulent channel is numerically investigated. The information is modulated and encoded into a sequence of binary numbers by ghost imaging with object light quantization, and these binary signals are transmitted to a receiver with vortex beams. The communications performance depends on the repeating times of the ghost imaging, and the bit error rate is zero as the repeating times increase to 3000. The security of the communications system is analyzed, and it is found that the information cannot be correctly decoded without a transformation matrix and secret key. It is confirmed that larger repeating times in the ghost imaging can contribute to the security enhancement and better communications performance. Our results provide a secure scheme for a FSO communications system in the presence of atmospheric turbulence, which has potential for applications in future communications.
Ideal spatio-temporal pulse distribution for exawatt-scale lasers based on simultaneous chirped beam and chirped pulse amplification
Authors: Chesnut K. D. , Barty C. P. J.
Published: January 2023

This paper presents the ideal spatio-temporal pulse structure that is required to produce exawatt-scale pulses based on simultaneous chirped beam and chirped pulse amplification in a Nd:Mixed-glass laser system. It is shown, that a 100 fs Fourier transform-limited pulse is created from a 20 ns duration stretched beam-pulse after propagating through an appropriate six-grating compressor arrangement. Quantitative results, from a ray-tracing model of the six-grating compressor, provide the detailed spatio-spectral and spatio-temporal pulse distributions of the stretched pulse along with the higher-order phase distortions compensated by this pulse compression scheme.
Elimination of optical phase sensitivity in a shift, scale, and rotation invariant hybrid opto-electronic correlator via off-axis operation
Authors: Gamboa Julian , Hamidfar Tabassom , Shen Xi , Shahriar Selim M.
Published: January 2023

The hybrid opto-electronic correlator (HOC) uses a combination of optics and electronics to perform target recognition. Achieving a stable output from this architecture has previously presented a significant challenge due to a high sensitivity to optical phase variations, limiting the real-world feasibility of the device. Here we present a modification to the architecture that essentially eliminates the dependence on optical phases, and demonstrate verification of the proposed approach. Experimental results are shown to agree with the theory and simulations, for scale, rotation and shift invariant image recognition. This approach represents a major innovation in making the HOC viable for real-world applications.
Machine learning algorithms predict experimental output of chaotic lasers
Authors: Nonaka M. , Agüero M. , Kovalsky M.
Published: January 2023

We apply an artificial neural network (ANN) of 20 hidden layers and backpropagation regression to the forecast of experimental time series from a Kerr lens mode locking (KLM) Ti:sapphire laser and a Nd:vanadate with modulation losses. In both cases the neural network is able to predict up to 10 steps ahead. In the Ti:sapphire laser the prediction in pulse amplitude is accurate even when the pulse is an extreme event. In the Nd:vanadate laser we forecast both pulse amplitude and pulse-to-pulse time separation. In both cases the prediction goes beyond the Lyapunov prediction horizon.
Types of anomalies in two-dimensional video-based gait analysis in uncontrolled environments
Authors: Sugiyama Yuki , Uno Kohei , Matsui Yusuke
Published: January 2023

Two-dimensional video-based pose estimation is a technique that can be used to estimate human skeletal coordinates from video data alone. It is also being applied to gait analysis and in particularly, due to its simplicity of measurement, it has the potential to be applied to gait analysis of large populations. However, it is considered difficult to completely homogenize the environment and settings during the measurement of large populations. Therefore, it is necessary to appropriately deal with technical errors that are not related to the biological factors of interest. In this study, by analyzing a large cohort database, we have identified four major types of anomalies that occur during gait analysis using OpenPose in uncontrolled environments: anatomical, biomechanical, and physical anomalies and errors due to estimation. We have also developed a workflow for identifying and correcting these anomalies and confirmed that this workflow is reproducible through simulation experiments. Our results will help obtain a comprehensive understanding of the anomalies to be addressed during pre-processing for 2D video-based gait analysis of large populations.