bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cough and Swallowing Therapy and Their Effects on Vocal Fold Bowing and Laryngeal Lesions
Authors: Doruk Can , Curtis James A. , Dakin Avery E. , Troche Michelle S.
Published: July 2023

Objective

Expiratory muscle strength training (EMST) and sensorimotor training of airway protection (smTAP) are two exercises intended to improve cough and swallowing in people with Parkinson's Disease (PwPD). The aims of this study were to (1) examine whether EMST or smTAP elicit changes to vocal fold bowing; and (2) describe the safety of EMST and smTAP as it relates to the development of vocal fold lesions.

Method(s)

This was a secondary analysis of data from PwPD who completed EMST or smTAP as part of a prospective randomized controlled trial. Vocal fold bowing (BI) and the presence of laryngeal lesions were blindly analyzed from flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) using ImageJ software and operational definitions. Linear regression was used to examine the influence time (pre‐ vs. post‐therapy) and therapy (EMST vs. smTAP) on vocal fold bowing. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the presence of laryngeal lesions.

Result(s)

Overall, 56 participants were included, 28 per group. The median BI scores pre‐ and post‐therapy were 8.2% and 8.3% for the EMST group and 11.3% and 8.4% for the smTAP group, respectively. Statistical analyses revealed insufficient evidence to suggest an effect of time and treatment type on BI (p > 0.05) or on the presence of vocal fold lesions (p > 0.05).

Conclusion

Based on these and previous findings, it appears that changes in vocal fold bowing do not drive treatment effects following EMST and smTAP. Also, this study further supports the safety of smTAP and EMST despite the required forceful exhalation and repetitive coughing.

Level of Evidence

4 Laryngoscope, 134:1127–1132, 2024
Fee or subsidy? Pricing strategies for digital content platforms with different content and advertising
Authors: Li Peipei , Mei Shue , Zhong Weijun
Published: July 2023

The practice of offering basic and premium services with different content and advertising on digital content platforms has gained popularity. The challenge of balancing subscription fees and advertising fees to maximize revenue has led some platforms to charge consumers for the basic service, while others subsidize it. Therefore, this study aims to examine whether consumers should be charged or subsidized for the basic service, which includes lower‐quality content and advertisements. By utilizing an optimization model, we discover that when there is a significant surplus of advertising or a slight surplus of advertising with a minimal profit to advertisers, the platform should charge. However, when the surplus of advertising is low and the profit to advertisers is high, the platform should subsidize. Furthermore, under partial market coverage, when the surplus of advertising is low and the profit to advertisers is moderate, the platform should initially charge and then subsidize as the content quality difference increases. Surprisingly, the intuition that the pricing of the basic service and advertising should decrease with the nuisance of advertising and increase with the surplus of advertising may not always hold true. This study led to a novel approach to exploring differentiated pricing for digital content platforms, taking into account the advertising information value from a bilateral market perspective.
HIV models with non‐exponential probability distributed infection progression
Authors: Wu Peng
Published: July 2023

Existing HIV infection dynamics models are based on the classical target cell‐infected cell‐free virus compartment model. In fact, in order to facilitate modeling and dynamical analysis, these models assume that the probability of infected cells staying in different infection stages obeys an exponential distribution. However, this does not accurately describe the process of HIV infection from target cells to budding of virus, that is, fusion‐reverse transcription‐reproductivity formation‐budding process. Therefore, to expand the idea of HIV modeling, in this paper, we first establish the HIV integral‐differential equation model that obeys the general distribution, and then degenerate the model into a subclass ODEs model under the assumption of gamma distribution. Finally, an equivalent age structure model is given, and numerical simulations are conducted to describe the integral‐differential equations model. It is worth mentioning that ODEs models with subclasses can provide good numerical implementations for age structure as well as other PDEs HIV models. This is another important purpose of our work.
SPARCQ: A new approach for fat fraction mapping using asymmetries in the phase‐cycled balanced SSFP signal profile
Authors: Rossi Giulia M. C. , Mackowiak Adèle L. C. , Açikgöz Berk Can , Pierzchała Katarzyna , Kober Tobias , Hilbert Tom , Bastiaansen Jessica A. M.
Published: July 2023

Purpose

To develop SPARCQ (Signal Profile Asymmetries for Rapid Compartment Quantification), a novel approach to quantify fat fraction (FF) using asymmetries in the phase‐cycled balanced SSFP (bSSFP) profile.

Methods

SPARCQ uses phase‐cycling to obtain bSSFP frequency profiles, which display asymmetries in the presence of fat and water at certain TRs. For each voxel, the measured signal profile is decomposed into a weighted sum of simulated profiles via multi‐compartment dictionary matching. Each dictionary entry represents a single‐compartment bSSFP profile with a specific off‐resonance frequency and relaxation time ratio. Using the results of dictionary matching, the fractions of the different off‐resonance components are extracted for each voxel, generating quantitative maps of water and FF and banding‐artifact‐free images for the entire image volume. SPARCQ was validated using simulations, experiments in a water‐fat phantom and in knees of healthy volunteers. Experimental results were compared with reference proton density FFs obtained with 1H‐MRS (phantoms) and with multiecho gradient‐echo MRI (phantoms and volunteers). SPARCQ repeatability was evaluated in six scan‐rescan experiments.

Results

Simulations showed that FF quantification is accurate and robust for SNRs greater than 20. Phantom experiments demonstrated good agreement between SPARCQ and gold standard FFs. In volunteers, banding‐artifact‐free quantitative maps and water‐fat‐separated images obtained with SPARCQ and ME‐GRE demonstrated the expected contrast between fatty and non‐fatty tissues. The coefficient of repeatability of SPARCQ FF was 0.0512.

Conclusion

SPARCQ demonstrates potential for fat quantification using asymmetries in bSSFP profiles and may be a promising alternative to conventional FF quantification techniques.
Equilibrium finite element and error estimation for frictional contact problem based on linear complementarity problem formulation
Authors: Zheng Qisheng , Liu Jike , Lu Zhong‐Rong , Wang Li
Published: July 2023

This article proposes a novel equilibrium finite element method (EFEM) for equilibrated solution of frictional contact problem. The development of such EFEM is mainly two‐fold. On the one hand, the traction‐based equilibrium element is employed to construct the discrete equilibrated stress field. This equilibrium element, using edge tractions as basic variables, is found straightforward to deal with the friction and contact constraints on the contact surface. On the other hand, the Coulomb frictional contact problem is recast into a linear complementarity problem (LCP), with which the algebraic complementarity formulation can be obtained with the help of the constructed equilibrated stress field. A remarkable property of the proposed EFEM is that the equilibrated solution, in conjunction with the compatible solution of the traditional FEM, can provide reliable error estimation for frictional contact within the framework of dual analysis. Numerical examples are finally conducted to see the performance and the ability to reliable error estimation of the proposed EFEM.
Targeting psychological and menopausal factors linked to non‐adherence to anti‐estrogen therapy in women with early‐stage hormone‐receptor positive breast cancer: A web‐based feasibility study of Finding My Way
Authors: Nathan Margo , Beatty Lisa , Coborn Jamie , Wiley Aleta , Srivastava Akanksha , Russell Julia , Joffe Hadine
Published: July 2023

Key Points

Reduced adherence to anti‐estrogen therapy (AET; tamoxifen and aromatase inhibitors) in women with early‐stage hormone‐receptor‐positive (HR+) breast cancers leads to adverse clinical outcomes.

Modifiable psychological factors (e.g., depressive symptoms and anxiety) and menopausal symptoms (e.g., sleep disturbance and hot flashes) are linked with diminished adherence.

An intervention targeting psychological and menopausal symptoms has potential to improve AET adherence.

We conducted a pilot study to evaluate the feasibility of a remotely administered behavioral intervention in women with early‐stage HR+ breast cancer taking AET at‐risk for non‐adherence with psychological and menopausal symptoms.

Findings from this preliminary study show that a web‐based behavioral intervention is feasible and may be a potential method of reducing risk for AET non‐adherence in some patients.
Protein structuromics: A new method for protein structure–function crosstalk in glioma
Authors: Xiao Nan , Yang Wenming , Wang Jin , Li Jiarong , Zhao Ruoxuan , Li Muzheng , Li Chi , Liu Kang , Li Yingxin , Yin Chaoqun , Chen Zhibo , Li Xingqi , Jiang Yun
Published: July 2023

Glioma is a type of tumor that starts in the glial cells of the brain or spine. Since the 1800s, when the disease was first named, its survival rates have always been unsatisfactory. Despite great advances in molecular biology and traditional treatment methods, many questions regarding cancer occurrence and the underlying mechanism remain to be answered. In this study, we assessed the protein structural features of 20 oncogenes and 20 anti‐oncogenes via protein structure and dynamic analysis methods and 3D structural and systematic analyses of the structure–function relationships of proteins. All of these results directly indicate that unfavorable group proteins show more complex structures than favorable group proteins. As the tumor cell microenvironment changes, the balance of oncogene‐related and anti‐oncogene‐related proteins is disrupted, and most of the structures of the two groups of proteins will be disrupted. However, more unfavorable group proteins will maintain and refold to achieve their correct shape faster and perform their functions more quickly than favorable group proteins, and the former thus support cancer development. We hope that these analyses will help promote mechanistic research and the development of new treatments for glioma.
Improving the feedback loop between community‐ and policy‐level learning: Building resilience of coastal communities in Bangladesh
Authors: Choudhury Mahed , Wu Haorui , Shahidullah A. K. M.
Published: July 2023

Building community resilience has been widely recognized as a learning process at multiple societal levels, yet few prior studies have examined the feedback loop between community‐ and policy‐level learning. Following a qualitative research approach, we document experiential and transformative forms of learning from coastal cyclones in Bangladesh that help local community and their institutions mitigating the impact of cyclonic shocks and recovering from disaster‐related losses, both in the shorter and longer term. This study discovers that such community‐level learning (when scaled‐up) as well as learning from policy failure significantly enhanced programmatic interventions, which in turn enhanced community resilience to cyclones and future disasters. However, this feedback loop can be attenuated by multiple factors, such as lack of attention to community‐level learning by policy/decision makers in non‐disaster settings and the presence of a strong vested interest group, may impede learning‐based policy instrumentation. Boundary spanners or organizations can significantly improve the feedback loop, thus enhancing community resilience and improving policy.
Industry 5.0 applications for sustainability: A systematic review and future research directions
Authors: Baig Maria Ijaz , Yadegaridehkordi Elaheh
Published: July 2023

Industry 5.0 has created innovative new prospects leading to the production of more environmentally friendly projects, services, and products. However, the available investigation of Industry 5.0 for sustainability is still in its early stages, with few systematic and scant findings. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to undertake a systematic review of industry 5.0 for sustainability in order to identify trends, categorize research themes, draw attention to research limitations, and suggest potential directions for future research. Following a systematic review approach, 48 articles on industry 5.0 for sustainability published between 2019 and 2022 were selected and reviewed. Results showed that the research trend on the contributions of Industry 5.0 to sustainability has been remarkably growing worldwide. The internet of things, artificial intelligence, and collaborative robots were the most commonly used Industry 5.0 technologies for sustainability purposes. Subsequently, this study discussed the current studies under four main research themes, namely, robot advancement, higher education sustainability, human‐centric, and ecosystem advancement. It has been found that human centric is the most popular theme. The identification of themes and sub sub‐themes in this study can help researchers identify gaps and inspire further exploration based on the existing knowledge. This study can support the decision‐making process regarding the effective implementation of Industry 5.0 solutions to enhance sustainability practices in organizations. This study discusses the current state of Industry 5.0 technologies for sustainability and provides insights into future research directions. This can motivate researchers, policymakers, and industry professionals to explore and develop innovative Industry 5.0 solutions.
Leaders’ emotional labour and abusive supervision: The moderating role of mindfulness
Authors: Ortynsky Mikaila , Walsh Megan M. , Carleton Erica , Ziemer Julie
Published: July 2023

In this study, we examine how leaders' emotional labour strategies (surface acting and deep acting) deplete leaders' self‐control resources to predict abusive supervision, in addition to the moderating role of leader mindfulness. Integrating ego‐depletion theory and emotion regulation theory, we hypothesise that deep acting and surface acting predict higher levels of abusive supervision, which is mediated by reduced self‐control. Furthermore, we predict that leaders' trait mindfulness moderates the relationship between emotional labour and self‐control on abusive supervision. Results from a three‐wave study of leader‐follower dyads supported mediation hypotheses; both deep and surface acting predicted abusive supervision, which is mediated by reduced self‐control. Our moderated mediation hypotheses were supported for deep acting but not surface acting. This research contributes to the literature by demonstrating the depleting nature of emotional labour in leadership and the importance of leader mindfulness as a boundary condition that can make deep acting less harmful for leader behaviour.
Laser Controlled Manipulation of Microbubbles on a Surface with Silica‐Coated Gold Nanoparticle Array
Authors: Li Xiaolai , Wang Fulong , Xia Chenliang , The Hai Le , Bomer Johan G. , Wang Yuliang
Published: July 2023

Microbubble generation and manipulation play critical roles in diverse applications such as microfluidic mixing, pumping, and microrobot propulsion. However, existing methods are typically limited to lateral movements on customized substrates or rely on specific liquids with particular properties or designed concentration gradients, thereby hindering their practical applications. To address this challenge, this paper presents a method that enables robust vertical manipulation of microbubbles. By focusing a resonant laser on hydrophilic silica‐coated gold nanoparticle arrays immersed in water, plasmonic microbubbles are generated and detach from the substrates immediately upon cessation of laser irradiation. Using simple laser pulse control, it can achieve an adjustable size and frequency of bubble bouncing, which is governed by the movement of the three‐phase contact line during surface wetting. Furthermore, it demonstrates that rising bubbles can be pulled back by laser irradiation induced thermal Marangoni flow, which is verified by particle image velocimetry measurements and numerical simulations. This study provides novel insights into flexible bubble manipulation and integration in microfluidics, with significant implications for various applications including mixing, drug delivery, and the development of soft actuators.
Cryptic moulting behaviour of some Carboniferous Ostracoda
Authors: Olempska Ewa , Mundy David J.C. , Zatoń Michał
Published: July 2023

Monospecific accumulations of ostracods, represented by spine‐bearing Janischewskya? sp. and a smooth‐shelled Cavellina? sp., were detected inside the body chamber, siphuncle and camerae of three cephalopod specimens (a nautiloid and two goniatites) from the Carboniferous (Mississippian) Cracoean reefs of North Yorkshire, UK. The ostracods occur as isolated valves packed together and are well‐preserved, with delicate spines of Janischewskya? sp. still intact on numerous specimens. Such a mode of ostracod preservation inside the cephalopod conchs and their paucity in the surrounding matrix outside the shells indicate that the valves were not concentrated due to sedimentary processes. Rather, the ostracods deliberately entered the empty cephalopod shells in order to seek sheltered habitats for moulting. In the case of the smooth‐shelled Cavellina? sp., the ostracod valves preserved inside a camera of the nautiloid have similar size, indicating that a synchronized mass moulting took place in this species. Additionally, the presence of putative eggs closely associated with the spine‐bearing Janischewskya? sp. valves inside a siphuncle of the nautiloid shows that the empty conchs could have also served as safe places for egg deposition. The present finds are thus the first examples of cryptic moulting behaviour in ostracods. They also imply that such behaviour in this group of arthropods has a long evolutionary history, at least since the Carboniferous, and potentially may persist in present day ostracods.
Breaking mechanism and damage evolution rule of abrasive water jet impacting reinforced concrete
Authors: Liu Jialiang , Liu Renjie , Ling Jun , Cai Yuting , Long Wanpeng , Zhang Xuguang
Published: July 2023

As time passes, a significant number of reinforced concrete (RC) constructions will require maintenance and transformation. RC repair and renovation often require localized crushing and removal of the distressed area. Abrasive water jet (AWJ) crushing RC has significant advantages in terms of safety, environmental protection, and quality. However, AWJ works with high specific energy consumption and the effective crushing range of the jets is small, and the key to solving these problems lies in an in‐depth study of the general destructive law and cracking mechanism of RC materials under the action of high‐speed liquid impact. Therefore, this thesis focuses on the above key scientific issues, combining mechanical impact tests, smooth particle hydrodynamics numerical simulation methods and computer tomography scans techniques to carry out systematic research. Through the study, it is found that: The fracture characteristics of RC are mainly reflected in crushing pits and cracks, which will produce macrocracks extending along the reinforcement on the side of RC. AWJ impacting RC is mainly divided into three stages: crater formation, upper concrete fragmentation, and concrete damage development in the reinforcement impact area. During the whole impact process, the shear stress, compressive stress and tensile stress of the reinforcement will change continuously with the increase of the impact time of the AWJ.
Trajectories of Memory: An Introduction
Authors: Budianta Melani , Tiwon Sylvia
Published: July 2023

The labor of memory presented in this volume involves marking out and following different, multiple trajectories that we cluster along four broad themes. The first part, the “Politics of Collective Memory,” covers competing or evolving representations of particular events, customs or traditions, and historical personae in official and popular expression as they are shaped by economic, political, and cultural forces. The second part deals with memories of war and peace, examining the transnational conflict and collaboration, the role of political elites and state projects in dealing with the aftermath of military aggression, and most of all the impact and responses of civilians. The third part focuses on the framing of various historical actors and figures by the state and civil societies, which transcend the dichotomy of heroes and victims. The fourth part, “Curating Memory,” looks at the way Indonesian museums and museology after 1998 serve as the sites where new kinds of memory work occur.
$$L_p$$–$$L_q$$ Fourier Multipliers on Locally Compact Quantum Groups
Authors: Zhang Haonan
Published: July 2023

Let $$\mathbb {G}$$
G
be a locally compact quantum group with dual $$\widehat{\mathbb {G}}$$

G
^

. Suppose that the left Haar weight $$\varphi $$
φ
and the dual left Haar weight $$\widehat{\varphi }$$

φ
^

are tracial, e.g. $$\mathbb {G}$$
G
is a unimodular Kac algebra. We prove that for $$1<p\le 2 \le q<\infty $$

1
<
p
≤
2
≤
q
<
∞

, the Fourier multiplier $$m_{x}$$

m
x

is bounded from $$L_p(\widehat{\mathbb {G}},\widehat{\varphi })$$

L
p

(

G
^

,

φ
^

)

to $$L_q(\widehat{\mathbb {G}},\widehat{\varphi })$$

L
q

(

G
^

,

φ
^

)

whenever the symbol x lies in $$L_{r,\infty }(\mathbb {G},\varphi )$$

L

r
,
∞

(
G
,
φ
)

, where $$1/r=1/p-1/q$$

1
/
r
=
1
/
p
-
1
/
q

. Moreover, we have $$\begin{aligned} \Vert m_{x}:L_p(\widehat{\mathbb {G}},\widehat{\varphi })\rightarrow L_q(\widehat{\mathbb {G}},\widehat{\varphi })\Vert \le c_{p,q} \Vert x\Vert _{L_{r,\infty }(\mathbb {G},\varphi )}, \end{aligned}$$

‖

m
x

:

L
p

(

G
^

,

φ
^

)

→

L
q

(

G
^

,

φ
^

)

‖
≤

c

p
,
q

‖
x
‖

L

r
,
∞

(
G
,
φ
)

,

where $$c_{p,q}$$

c

p
,
q

is a constant depending only on p and q. This was first proved by Hörmander (Acta Math 104:93–140, 1960) for $$\mathbb {R}^n$$

R

n

, and was recently extended to more general groups and quantum groups. Our work covers all these results and the proof is simpler. In particular, this also yields a family of $$L_p$$

L
p

-Fourier multipliers over discrete group von Neumann algebras. A similar result for $$\mathcal {S}_p$$

S
p

-$$\mathcal {S}_q$$

S
q

Schur multipliers is also proved.
Total Superior Mesenteric Artery Nerve Plexus Preservation During Pancreaticoduodenectomy for Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Miyazaki Yoshihiro , Oda Tatsuya , Shimomura Osamu , Hashimoto Shinji , Doi Manami , Takahashi Kazuhiro , Owada Yohei , Furuya Kinji , Ogawa Koichi , Ohara Yusuke , Akashi Yoshimasa , Enomoto Tsuyoshi
Published: July 2023

Background

Superior mesenteric artery (SMA) nerve plexus (PLsma) dissection has been performed to achieve R0 resection in pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) in high‐volume centers. However, full‐extent PLsma preservation in PD is employed in our institution. The feasibility of the PLsma preservation strategy was investigated.

Methods

Between January 2010 and December 2020, 156 patients underwent PLsma preservation PD for PDAC at our institution. Of these, 118 patients had resectable PDAC (R group) and 38 patients had borderline resectable artery (BR‐A group). Clinical and oncological outcomes focusing on local recurrence, patient prognoses, and morbidities (including postoperative refractory diarrhea) were retrospectively analyzed and our postoperative outcomes were compared with those of other institutions.

Results

Pathological R0 resection by PLsma preservation PD was achieved in 96 R group patients (81.4%) and 27 BR‐A group patients (71.1%). The median postoperative hospital stay was 15.0 days in both groups. Local site‐only recurrence was observed in 10.2% (12/118) of R‐group and 10.5% (4/38) of BR‐A‐group patients, whereas distant site‐only recurrence occurred in 21.2% (25/118) of R‐group and 28.9% (11/38) of BR‐A‐group patients. Median survival times were 64.3 months (R group) and 35.4 months (BR‐A group, p = 0.07). Median disease‐free survival (DFS) times were 31.0 months (R group) and 12.0 months (BR‐A group). No diarrhea requiring opioids was observed in either group. These results were equal or superior to those of PLsma dissection PD in other institutions.

Conclusions

PLsma preservation in PD was feasible compared to PLsma dissection in recurrence and overall survival.
Uptake and anti-inflammatory effects of liposomal astaxanthin on endothelial cells tracked by Raman and fluorescence imaging
Authors: Radwan Basseem , Prabhakaran Amrutha , Rocchetti Stefano , Matuszyk Ewelina , Keyes Tia E. , Baranska Malgorzata
Published: July 2023

Astaxanthin (AXT) is a lipophilic antioxidant and anti-inflammatory natural pigment whose cellular uptake and bioavailability could be improved via liposomal encapsulation. Endothelial cells (EC) line the lumen of all blood vessels and are tasked with multiple roles toward maintaining cardiovascular homeostasis. Endothelial dysfunction is linked to the development of many diseases and is closely interconnected with oxidative stress and vascular inflammation. The uptake of free and liposomal AXT into EC was investigated using Raman and fluorescence microscopies. AXT was either encapsulated in neutral or cationic liposomes. Enhanced uptake and anti-inflammatory effects of liposomal AXT were observed. The anti-inflammatory effects of liposomal AXT were especially prominent in reducing EC lipid unsaturation, lowering numbers of lipid droplets (LDs), and decreasing intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) overexpression, which is considered a well-known marker for endothelial inflammation. These findings highlight the benefits of AXT liposomal encapsulation on EC and the applicability of Raman imaging to investigate such effects.

Graphical Abstract
BGG Sequences with Weak Regularity and Applications
Authors: Čap Andreas , Hu Kaibo
Published: July 2023

We investigate some Bernstein–Gelfand–Gelfand complexes consisting of Sobolev spaces on bounded Lipschitz domains in $${\mathbb {R}}^{n}$$

R

n

. In particular, we compute the cohomology of the conformal deformation complex and the conformal Hessian complex in the Sobolev setting. The machinery does not require algebraic injectivity/surjectivity conditions between the input spaces, and allows multiple input complexes. As applications, we establish a conformal Korn inequality in two space dimensions with the Cauchy–Riemann operator and an additional third-order operator with a background in Möbius geometry. We show that the linear Cosserat elasticity model is a Hodge–Laplacian problem of a twisted de Rham complex. From this cohomological perspective, we propose potential generalizations of continuum models with microstructures.
Small-scale genetic structure of populations of the bulb mite Rhizoglyphus robini
Authors: Przesmycka Karolina , Radwan Jacek
Published: July 2023

Bulb mites are an economically significant pest of subterranean parts of plants and a versatile laboratory animal. However, the genetic structure of their populations remains unknown. To fill this gap in our knowledge of their biology, we set up a field experiment in which we allowed mites to colonize onion bulbs, and then determined the genetic structure of colonisers based on a panel of microsatellite loci. We found moderate but significant population structure among sites separated by ca. 20 m (FST range 0.03–0.21), with 7% of genetic variance distributed among sites. Allelic richness within some bulbs was nearly as high as that in the total population, suggesting that colonisation of bulbs was not associated with strong population bottlenecks. The significant genetic structure we observed over small spatial scales seems to reflect limited dispersal of mites in soil.
Mitochondrial DNA diversity of the eastern black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis michaeli) in Tanzania: implications for future conservation
Authors: Mellya Ronald V. K. , Hopcraft J. Grant C. , Eblate Ernest M. , Kariuki Linus , Otiende Moses , Chuma Idrissa S. , Macha Emmanuel S. , Wambura Dickson , Kilbride Elizabeth , Mable Barbara K.
Published: July 2023

There has been a drastic decline in the number of eastern black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis michaeli) across Africa, leaving individuals restricted to small, isolated populations that are vulnerable to extinction. Focusing on highly threatened populations in Tanzania, this study investigated the genetic impacts of past management interventions on mitochondrial control region diversity in extant subpopulations, assessed whether there has been evidence of dispersal of females between populations based on haplotype sharing, and related current haplotype diversity to historical patterns. Across extant subpopulations in Tanzania, six maternal haplotypes were identified, with an overall haplotype diversity of h = 0.72 but lower overall nucleotide diversity within populations (π = 0.017) compared to historical populations (π = 0.021). Translocated populations did not share haplotypes with native populations, even though all haplotypes from translocated individuals had been found among historic samples from Kenya. This suggests that translocations have been successful at restoring previous diversity to the region but that the current Intensive Protection Zone (IPZ) management practices have restricted the movement of females between subpopulations. Extant haplotypes were distributed among three East African haplogroups described in previous studies, suggesting that multiple lineages have been preserved despite the loss of historical haplotypes. Our recommendation is to enhance the utilisation of previous translocations by enabling the natural movements of individuals between subpopulations. Such a change in management strategy could be less costly both economically and in terms of animal welfare than the alternative of using genetic data to target specific animals for translocation in order to supplement diversity.
The Landscapes of Disease and Death in Colonial Mauritius
Authors: Cianciosi Alessandra
Published: July 2023

The recurring ebb and flow of epidemic diseases profoundly impacted how colonial administrations dealt with death. This article focuses on the role disease played in shaping the “necrogeography” of colonial landscapes, a key point of intersection between funerary and landscape archaeology. Using an extensive corpus of evidence from cemeteries that capture inhumation practices from formerly enslaved and indentured populations, this article provides an assessment of these burial contexts as part of the cultural landscape in Mauritius. Drawing together functional and emotional dimensions, their features and development will be considered against the backdrop of the island’s specific and dynamic disease ecology.
Ameliorative effect of montelukast against STZ induced diabetic nephropathy: targeting HMGB1, TLR4, NF-κB, NLRP3 inflammasome, and autophagy pathways
Authors: Awad Ahmed M. , Elshaer Sally L. , Gangaraju Rajashekhar , Abdelaziz Rania R. , Nader Manar A.
Published: July 2023

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is reported as one of the most serious microvascular diabetic complications and the trigger of end-stage renal disease (ESRD), underscoring the concern of any therapeutic intervention directed at ameliorating the development and progression of DN. The current study explored the renoprotective impact of montelukast (Mon) against streptozotocin (STZ)-induced DN in rats compared to a standard anti-hyperglycemic insulin (Ins) treatment. Diabetes was induced by a single dose of STZ (55 mg/kg). Diabetic rats were treated with Mon (10 and 20 mg/kg, oral gavage) for eight weeks. Mon administration for 8 weeks after induction of diabetes conferred significant dose-dependent renoprotection, independent of blood glucose levels (unlike Ins), as evidenced by the improvement in serum creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and ameliorated STZ-induced renal necrotic, inflammatory alterations, and renal fibrosis. Additionally, Mon treatment in diabetic rats significantly restored redox hemostasis as evidenced by malondialdehyde (MDA) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) levels; significantly reduced the renal expression of high mobility group box (HMGB) 1, toll-like receptor (TLR) 4, nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) (in the nucleus), NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing (NLRP) 3, and interleukin (IL)-1β. Moreover, Mon administration ameliorated the dysregulation in autophagy as evidenced by p62 and microtubule-associated protein 1A/1B-light chain 3 (LC3)-II levels. In conclusion, the renoprotective effect of Mon is potentially associated with its modulatory effect on inflammatory cytokines, antioxidant properties, and autophagy.

Graphical Abstract

Renoprotective effect of montelukast and its underlying pathway: Hyperglycemia and advanced glycation end products (AGEs) stimulate the release of high mobility group box (HMGB) 1 from necrotic and inflammatory cells. HMGB1 is considered as one of the endogenous ligands of toll-like receptor (TLR) 4, and the interaction of HMGB1 with TLR4 results in a subsequent translocation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) from the cytoplasm into the nucleus inducing an inflammatory response. NF-κB is a key mediator of the priming signal responsible for the activation of NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing (NLRP) 3 inflammasome by stimulating the expression of both NLRP3 and pro- interleukin (IL)-1β, which is then converted to IL-1β by to mediate inflammation. NLRP3 can induce reactive oxygen species production, while autophagy inhibits AGEs and NLRP3 accumulation. Montelukast show an inhibitory effect on HMGB1, TLR4, NF-κB, NLRP3, and IL-1β and has autophagy stimulating characteristics indicating its potential renoprotective effect.
A Survey on Smart Wearable Devices for Healthcare Applications
Authors: Alattar Alhassan E. , Mohsen Saeed
Published: July 2023

This paper introduces a survey on recent smart wearable devices used in different fields, especially healthcare applications. A discussion is presented in terms of power supply, wireless technologies, applications, and wearability of these devices. Regarding the power supply, a photovoltaic is the best harvesting energy source, while the best energy storage is a Li-ion battery. Regarding wireless technologies, Bluetooth low energy (BLE) is the best for personal usage, while Wi-Fi has preferred for Internet of Things (IoT) applications. Regarding the applications, medical and non-medical applications can be used. Regarding wearability, smart wearable devices can be positioned on a human hand or arm. Also, wearable sensors can be patched on human skin, besides, they can be placed on clothes, such as a smart suit which is preferred for heavy duties.
Prefrontal hemodynamic features of older adults with preserved visuospatial working memory function
Authors: Lee Tsz-lok , Ding Zihan , Chan Agnes S.
Published: July 2023

Memory decline has been observed in the aging population and is a risk factor for the later development of dementia. Understanding how memory is preserved in older adults has been an important topic. The present study examines the hemodynamic features of older adults whose memory is comparable with that of young adults. In the present study, 45 younger and 45 older adults performed the visual memory task with various difficulty levels (i.e., the items to be remembered), and their cerebral hemodynamics at each level were measured by functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). The results showed that older adults exhibited higher activation than younger adults under more difficult but not easier levels. In addition, older adults whose performance is comparable with that of young adults (i.e., being able to remember six items) showed more right-lateralized activation. However, those unable to do so showed more left-lateralized activation. The results suggested that high-performing older adults possess successful compensatory mechanisms by recruiting cognitive resources in a specialized brain region.
Gender-Differential Association Between Loneliness and Alcohol Consumption: a Pooled Analysis of 17,808 Individuals in the Multi-Cohort GESA Consortium
Authors: Johar Hamimatunnisa , Atasoy Seryan , Beutel Manfred , Braehler Elmar , Schomerus Georg , Binder Harald , Peters Annette , Zöller Daniela , Fleischer Toni , Otten Danielle , Kampling Hana , Kruse Johannes , Ladwig Karl-Heinz
Published: July 2023

Loneliness is an established risk factor for impaired health. However, the evidence of whether increased alcohol consumption is a coping mechanism to alleviate loneliness for both genders remains sparse. The cross-sectional study included 8898 men and 8910 women (mean age of 56.2 ± 11.5 years) from three population-based cohort studies in Germany (KORA-FF4, GHS, and SHIP. Daily alcohol consumption (g/day) was measured, and risky drinking was identified using gender-specific thresholds (40 g/day for men and 20 g/day for women). Loneliness was assessed by asking if the participants feel lonely. Multivariable regression analyses were employed to examine the association between alcohol use outcomes and loneliness with adjustments for confounders. Women reported feeling lonely more frequently than men (14.8% vs 10.4%). In men, loneliness was positively associated with levels of alcohol consumption (ß = 1.75, SE = 0.76, p = 0.04) and risky drinking (OR = 1.33, 95% CI = 1.07–1.66, p = 0.02) and was even more profound in men with lower educational levels. In women, loneliness was associated with reduced odds of risky consumption (OR = 0.76, 95% CI = 0.60–0.96, p = 0.02) but not with alcohol consumption levels. The findings indicate gender-differential associations of loneliness with increased levels and risky alcohol consumption in men but with decreased risky consumption in women.
Artesunate alleviates 5-fluorouracil-induced intestinal damage by suppressing cellular senescence and enhances its antitumor activity
Authors: Xia Jing , Dai Qian long , He Siyue , Jia Hui-jie , Liu Xian-Guo , Hua Hui , Zhou Min , Wang Xiaobo
Published: July 2023

Background

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most prevalent diagnosed malignancies and one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide. 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) and its combination regimen are commonly used as primary chemotherapeutic agents for advanced CRC. Intestinal mucositis is one of the most frequent side effects of 5-FU. Artesunate (Arte) is derived from the wormwood plant Artemisia annua. Arte is not only effective against malaria but also diabetes, atherosclerosis, inflammation, and other conditions. The mechanism by which 5-FU damages the intestinal tract is unclear, and there is no standard treatment for diarrhea caused by 5-FU. Therefore, it is critical to discover novel and promising therapeutic drugs for 5-FU side effect treatment.

Methods

The morphology and expression of genes and proteins associated with the aging of HUVECs, HIECs, and intestinal tissues were compared to the those of the control group. The cell lines and tissues were evaluated by SA-β-Gal staining, Western blotting, and RT‒qPCR. HIEC and HCT116 cell viability was assessed in vitro by a CCK-8 assay and in vivo by a subcutaneous tumor mouse assay. Tumor cell proliferation and apoptosis was evaluated by immunohistochemistry.

Results

Here, we report that Arte alleviates the adverse side effects caused by 5-FU in intestinal tissue, and that 5-FU-induced intestinal damage is associated with drug-induced chemical inflammation and an increase in the proportion of senescent cells. Arte decreases the ratio of SA-β-Gal-positive cells and downregulated the expression of aging-related proteins (p53, p16) and aging-related genes (p53, p21). Mechanistically, Arte relieves intestinal injury by inhibiting mTOR expression, which is associated with the regulation of aging. Moreover, Arte suppresses the p38MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways, which are related to inflammation regulation. In addition, the combined therapy of Arte plus 5-FU significantly decreases cancer cell viability in vitro. Arte and 5-FU synergistically reduce the growth of colorectal cancer (CRC) xenografts in vivo.

Conclusions

Overall, our findings point to the crucial treatment effect of Arte on inflammation, intestinal cell senescence, and CRC cell proliferation and offer a new option for CRC treatment.
Angle Measurement Based on Second Harmonic Generation Using Artificial Neural Network
Authors: Li Kuangyi , Zhang Zhiyang , Lin Jiahui , Sato Ryo , Matsukuma Hiraku , Gao Wei
Published: July 2023

This article proposed an angle measurement method based on second harmonic generation (SHG) using an artificial neural network (ANN). The method comprises three sequential parts: SHG spectrum collection, data preprocessing, and neural network training. First, the referenced angles and SHG spectrums are collected by the autocollimator and SHG-based angle sensor, respectively, for training. The mapping is learned by the trained ANN after completing the training process, which solves the inverse problem of obtaining the angle from the SHG spectrum. Then, the feasibility of the proposed method is verified in multiple-peak Maker fringe and single-peak phase-matching areas, with an overall angle measurement range exceeding 20,000 arcseconds. The predicted angles by ANN are compared with the autocollimator to evaluate the measurement performance in all the angular ranges. Particularly, a sub-arcsecond level of accuracy and resolution is achieved in the phase-matching area.
Children in the Covid-19 Pandemic: Disruptions and Opportunities
Authors: Stoecklin Daniel
Published: July 2023

This comment on the contributions to this volume, dedicated to children’s perspectives during the COVID-19 pandemic, identifies some transversal topics that are covered by the authors, namely distance learning, children and social bonding, social distance and construction of the self, and disruption as a chance. Reflecting children’s diverse geographies, these contributions go beyond ideological debates about childhood in the dominant representations of children as vulnerable and incompetent as they reveal both negative and positive impacts of lockdown, like exacerbated inequalities and children’s agency. The phenomenological approach, focusing on children’s understandings of the impact of the pandemic on their subjective well-being, required heightened vigilance about methodological procedures at all stages. This focus on children’s understandings is considered an epistemic opportunity that may favor more child-friendly politics.
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Research on the Application of Big Data Intelligence Technology in the Optimization of Accounts Receivable Management of E-commerce Enterprises Under the Financial Sharing Mode
Authors: Yang Xiaofeng
Published: July 2023

Accounts receivable management has always been an important part of the financial management of the financial sharing center. However, due to manual operation, problems like long working hours, uncontrollable errors and low efficiency of invoicing still exist. To solve this problem, we study K-means clustering method to grade customer credit, and use BP model to improve the clustering algorithm. Then, we study BP model to establish enterprise risk prediction model. Finally, we use RPA to make the billing process and reconciliation as well as write-off process optimized in accounts receivable. Through the above operations, an optimized model of account receivable management of e-commerce enterprises based on big data intelligent technology has been built. According to experimental analysis, the accuracy rate of risk prediction of e-commerce enterprise A is 95.63%. After applying the optimized management model, the ratio of accounts receivable balance to current assets has decreased from 34.3% to 28.5%. Studying and constructing models can effectively optimize corporate financial management and play a positive role in the stable development of enterprises. Applying this model to practical teaching can bring new vitality to the practical teaching of vocational education and provide new teaching methods for schools. The limitations of traditional accounts receivable management limit the effectiveness of teaching for financial students. This model effectively optimizes the management mode and brings more skilled knowledge to students.
High-frequency instabilities in supersonic compression-ramp flow
Authors: Broadley H.M. , Hewitt R.E. , Gajjar J.S.B.
Published: July 2023

We consider high Reynolds number supersonic flow over a compression ramp in the triple-deck formulation. Previous studies of compression-ramp stability have shown rapid growth of high-frequency disturbances in initial-value computations; however, no physical or numerical origin has yet been identified robustly. By considering linear perturbations to steady compression-ramp solutions, we show that instabilities observed in previous studies do not have a growth rate that is described by the integral eigenrelation of Tutty & Cowley (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 168, 1986, pp. 431–456) for a (long-wave) Rayleigh instability. We solve both the temporal and spatial instability problems in the limit of asymptotically large wavenumber

$K$

(or equivalently frequency) and show that the growth rate of the instability remains

$o(K)$

, being dominated by higher-order terms in the expansion at moderate ramp angles.
Terahertz generation by a rotating relativistic electron beam in a magnetized plasma column
Authors: Gupta Devki Nandan , Gurjar Mukesh Chand , Jain Arohi
Published: July 2023

Terahertz (THz) field excitation by a rotating relativistic electron beam in a magnetized plasma column is described using numerical analysis and particle-in-cell simulation. A rotating electron beam propagating through a cylindrical plasma column excites plasma wakefields. The plasma wakefields couple with the electron beam to excite transverse currents at THz frequency. As a result, the energy of the wakefield directly converts into the form of electromagnetic radiation in the THz range. The magnetic field supports the transverse modes via electron cyclotron resonance. The strength of the THz field is enhanced due to scattering of the spiralling electron beam on the plasma density perturbation. The THz field amplitude is controllable by the electron beam velocity and beam density. On increasing the beam current, the THz field is enhanced significantly. The analytical results are compared with particle-in-cell simulations and are found to be in reasonable agreement.