bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Validierung der deutschen Version des Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire (FABQ-D) für Patient*innen mit Schulterbeschwerden
Authors: Pagels Larissa , Lüdtke Kerstin , Schäfer Axel
Published: January 2023

Hintergrund

Mit einer Prävalenz von bis zu 30 % sind Schulterbeschwerden das dritthäufigste muskuloskeletale Symptom weltweit. Sowohl die Entstehung als auch der Verlauf wird durch psychosoziale Faktoren, z. B. bewegungsbezogene Angst, beeinflusst. Eines der international gängigsten Messinstrumente zur Erhebung der bewegungsbezogenen Angst ist der Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire (FABQ).

Ziel der Arbeit

Untersuchung der Reliabilität (interne Konsistenz) und Validität (Struktur‑, Konstrukt- und prädiktive Validität) des FABQ‑D in einer Population mit Schulterbeschwerden.

Material und Methoden

Im Rahmen einer multizentrischen Querschnittsstudie wurden Proband*innen mit Schulterschmerzen eingeschlossen. Es wurden neben den Angst-Vermeidungs-Überzeugungen die Schmerzintensität, die subjektive Beeinträchtigung im täglichen Leben sowie die Kinesiophobie erfasst. Hierzu dienten der FABQ‑D, die numerische Rating-Skala (NRS), der Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI) und die Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK-GV).

Ergebnisse

Insgesamt konnten 49 Proband*innen (24 Frauen und 25 Männer) mit einem mittleren Alter von 41,8 (SD = 12,8) eingeschlossen werden. Die deskriptive Auswertung auf Itemebene zeigte eine gute interne Konsistenz des FABQ‑D (Cronbachs α = 0,88). Die Homogenität der Subskalen variierte dabei stark (Loevingers H = 0,66–0,9). Die Korrelationsberechnungen ergaben keine deutliche Konvergenz des FABQ‑D mit der TSK-GV (r = 0,3501; p = 0,0137). Es konnte eine Divergenz zu den Konstrukten der Messinstrumente NRS (r = 0,1818; p = 0,2112) und SPADI (r = 0,4415; p = 0,0015) bestätigt werden. Die Hypothesentestung ergab 42,87 % angenommene Hypothesen und somit keine gute Konstruktvalidität. Es konnte ein signifikanter gemeinsamer Einfluss des FABQ‑D und der TSK-GV auf die Beschwerdedauer festgestellt werden (R2 = 0,3652; p ≤ 0,0001). Zudem konnte aufgezeigt werden, dass die größten Einflussfaktoren für einen hohen FABQ-D-Wert die funktionellen Beeinträchtigungen (SPADI) und die Beschwerdedauer bilden (R2 = 0,3066; p = 0,0002). Die Subgruppenanalyse zeigte einen signifikant höheren Wert des FABQ‑D bei den älteren Proband*innen (40- bis 65-jährig; t = 3,8084/df = 47, p = 0,0002).

Diskussion

Der FABQ‑D ist ein reliables Messinstrument. Die Konstruktvalidität konnte nur eingeschränkt bestätigt und sollte in zukünftigen Studien weiter untersucht werden. Die Ergebnisse dieser Studie sind vergleichbar mit vorangegangenen Validierungsstudien in anderen Populationen. Der FABQ‑D kann somit als Messinstrument zur Erhebung der bewegungsbezogenen Angst bei Schulterpatient*innen verwendet werden.
Quantitative extensions of reaction systems based on SOS semantics
Authors: Brodo Linda , Bruni Roberto , Falaschi Moreno , Gori Roberta , Levi Francesca , Milazzo Paolo
Published: January 2023

Reaction systems (RSs) are a successful natural computing framework inspired by chemical reaction networks. A RS consists of a set of entities and a set of reactions. Entities can enable or inhibit each reaction and are produced by reactions or provided by the environment. In this paper, we define two quantitative variants of RSs: the first one is along the time dimension, to specify delays for making available reactions products and durations to protract their permanency, while the second deals with the possibility to specify different concentration levels of a substance in order to enable or inhibit a reaction. Technically, both extensions are obtained by modifying in a modular way the Structural Operational Semantics (SOS) for RSs that was already defined in the literature. Our approach maintains several advantages of the original semantics definition that were: (1) providing a formal specification of the RS dynamics that enables the reuse of many formal analysis techniques and favours the implementation of tools, and (2) making the RS framework extensible, by adding or changing some of the SOS rules in a compositional way. We provide a prototype logic programming implementation and apply our tool to three different case studies: the tumour growth, the Th cell differentiation in the immune system and neural communication.
Competition of deltaic feeder systems reflected by slope progradation: a high-resolution example from the Late Miocene-Pliocene, Drava Basin, Croatia
Authors: Špelić Marko , Kovács Ádám , Saftić Bruno , Sztanó Orsolya
Published: January 2023

The thick Lake Pannon sedimentary record provides insights into the downdip and lateral development of stratigraphic surfaces through the analysis of the basin-scale clinoform progradation. The clinoform architecture from the eastern part of the Drava Basin (Pannonian Basin System) was interpreted to reflect the base-level changes. A major downlap surface interpreted as a flooding event followed by rejuvenation of slope progradation was recognized on 2D seismic sections. Detailed 3D seismic interpretation combined with well data revealed that the large sigmoidal and the overlying small oblique clinoform sets that downlap the large one only apparently produce the geometry of a maximum flooding surface. Instead, the 3D mapping revealed the influence of two competing slope systems arriving from the north and northwest. Lateral switching of sediment input, similar to many recent deltaic systems. e.g., Danube and Po rivers led to the variability of stratigraphic surfaces, lithology, and thickness, which resulted in non-uniform shelf-edge migration. These observations were supported by forward stratigraphic modeling simulating different scenarios, which led to the generation of the depositional architecture with an apparent maximum flooding surface. This study also implies the potential pitfalls in basin analysis based only on scarce 2D seismic and emphasizes the role of lateral variations in sediment input controlling the depositional architecture.
A pilot randomized controlled trial evaluating outdoor community walking for knee osteoarthritis: walk
Authors: Drummen S. J. J. , Balogun S. , Lahham A. , Bennell K. , Hinman R. S. , Callisaya M. , Cai G. , Otahal P. , Winzenberg T. , Wang Z. , Antony B. , Munugoda I. P. , Martel-Pelletier J. , Pelletier J. P. , Abram F. , Jones G. , Aitken D.
Published: January 2023

Objectives

To determine the feasibility of a randomized controlled trial (RCT) examining outdoor walking on knee osteoarthritis (KOA) clinical outcomes and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) structural changes.

Method

This was a 24-week parallel two-arm pilot RCT in Tasmania, Australia. KOA participants were randomized to either a walking plus usual care group or a usual care control group. The walking group trained 3 days/week. The primary outcome was feasibility assessed by changes being required to the study design, recruitment, randomization, program adherence, safety, and retention. Exploratory outcomes were changes in symptoms, physical performance/activity, and MRI measures.

Results

Forty participants (mean age 66 years (SD 1.4) and 60% female) were randomized to walking (n = 24) or usual care (n = 16). Simple randomization resulted in a difference in numbers randomized to the two groups. During the study, class sizes were reduced from 10 to 8 participants to improve supervision, and exclusion criteria were added to facilitate program adherence. In the walking group, total program adherence was 70.0% and retention 70.8% at 24 weeks. The walking group had a higher number of mild adverse events and experienced clinically important improvements in symptoms (e.g., visual analogue scale (VAS) knee pain change in the walking group: − 38.7 mm [95% CI − 47.1 to − 30.3] versus usual care group: 4.3 mm [− 4.9 to 13.4]).

Conclusions

This study supports the feasibility of a full-scale RCT given acceptable adherence, retention, randomization, and safety, and recruitment challenges have been identified. Large symptomatic benefits support the clinical usefulness of a subsequent trial.

Trial registration number

12618001097235.

Key Points• This pilot study is the first to investigate the effects of an outdoor walking program on knee osteoarthritis clinical outcomes and MRI joint structure, and it indicates that a full-scale RCT is feasible.• The outdoor walking program (plus usual care) resulted in large improvements in self-reported knee osteoarthritis symptoms compared to usual care alone.• The study identified recruitment challenges, and the manuscript explores these in more details and provides recommendations for future studies.
The effect of agroforestry farming on wood quality and timber industry and its supportation by Horizon 2020
Authors: Báder Mátyás , Németh Róbert , Vörös Ágnes , Tóth Zsolt , Novotni Adrienn
Published: January 2023

One of the goals of the European Union’s agroforestry plans is to alleviate the shortage of timber in Europe caused by the growing demand for hardwoods and the declining import of tropical timber. The study shows which tree species can be considered in agroforestry systems in Europe, and which of them can be used as raw material for the wood industry and what quality of wood can be produced in agroforestry systems. Since 2005, the European Union has been officially encouraging farmers to plant the crops in an agroforestry system and parallel try to produce trunks for high quality timber. By analysing the current economic developments of the European Union, especially Horizon 2020, our study provides an overview of what can be expected by the participants of the agroforestry sector and the related primary wood industry in the European Union now and in the future. In addition to the distribution analysis, indices describing projects have also been created. Rank correlation was used to examine the relationship between them. Possible decision mechanisms were also outlined using a custom-built expert software system.
Genebanking plant genetic resources in the postgenomic era
Authors: Aubry Sylvain
Published: January 2023

Genebanking, the process of preserving genetic resources, is a central practice in the modern management of crop genetics, especially for the species used for food and agriculture. Closely interrelated networks of local, national and global actors are responsible for ex situ conservation. They all seek to make plant genetic resources accessible for all and now face new challenges arising from digitisation. Plant sciences are entering the postgenomic era, moving fast from initially providing a single reference genome for each species (genomics), to harnessing the extent of diversity within crop species (pangenomics) and among their relatives (referred to as postgenomics). This paper describes the extent to which ex situ collections have already undergone a digital shift, or are planning to do so, and the potential impact of this postgenomic-induced dematerialisation on the global governance of plant genetic resources. In turn, digitising material (seed) collection changes the relationship between genebanks and genomic databases. Comprehensive genomic characterisation of genebank accessions is ongoing, and I argue here that these efforts may provide a unique opportunity for genebanks to further embrace the moral, ethical and ultimately political principles on which they were built. Repurposing genebanks as decentralised digital biocentres could help relocate capabilities and stewardship over genetic resources. Empowering local farmers by providing access, promoting the use and unlocking benefits from state-of-the-art tools of modern plant breeding may allow bridging the breeding divide. However, to accomplish such a paradigm shift, genebanks require a strong political mandate that must primarily originate from the access and benefit-sharing framework. Only so may the global challenges associated with the loss of biodiversity and food insecurity be addressed.
Sexual Stimuli Cause Behavioral Disinhibition in Both Men and Women, but Even More So in Men
Authors: Wiemer Julian , Kurstak Steffen , Sellmann Florian , Lindner Kerstin
Published: January 2023

In our society men are considered more impulsive than women, especially in the violent and sexual domain. This correlation of sex and impulsivity might trace back to enhanced male impulsivity in general or a domain specific effect of emotions on impulsivity. The evidence for sex differences in the interaction of emotional or sexual stimuli and impulsivity has been relatively inconclusive so far. In this study, we investigated the effects of various emotional stimuli on responsivity in a Go/No-Go task. Participants had to respond quickly to a visual cue and withhold their response to another visual cue, while different emotional pictures were presented in the background, including sexual stimuli, non-sexual positive stimuli and negative stimuli. Both men (N = 37) and women (N = 38) made most commission errors in the sexual condition, indicating a disinhibiting effect in both genders. On top of this, men made even more commission errors than women, specifically in the sexual condition and not in other conditions. Men rated sexual stimuli as more positive, but did not differ from women in arousal ratings and pupil dilation. These findings may partly indicate increased impulsive behavior under sexual arousal in men, most likely driven by enhanced approach motivation due to more positive value but not higher arousal of sexual stimuli. The results are consistent with the theory of evolutionarily based concealment of sexual interest in women.
Priming effect depending on land use and soil types in a typical semi-arid landscape in Kenya
Authors: Mganga Kevin Z. , Rolando José L. , Kalu Subin , Biasi Christina , Karhu Kristiina
Published: January 2023

Addition of labile carbon (C) inputs to soil can accelerate or slow down the decomposition of soil organic matter (SOM), a phenomenon known as priming effect (PE). However, the magnitude and direction of PE is often difficult to predict, consequently making its relationship with labile C inputs and nutrient availability elusive. To assess this relationship, we added 13C labelled glucose (corresponding to 50% of initial soil microbial biomass C) to two soil types (Vertisol and Acrisol) with different concentrations of available N and from four land use systems (agricultural, pasture, grassland and shrubland). Parallel laboratory incubations i.e. short-term (6 days) and long-term (6 months), were set up to determine the effect of land use and soil type (N availability) on PE. Addition of labelled glucose in solution led to the retardation of SOM mineralization (negative PE) in both soil types and across all land use systems. This is attributed to preferential substrate utilization characterized by the higher mineralization of added glucose. Land use systems and soil types with higher N-availability displayed weaker negative PE, which is in line with the stoichiometric decomposition theory. In conclusion, our study demonstrate that N-availability plays a major role in determining mineralization of labile C inputs, magnitude and direction of PE in the studied dryland soils and land use systems. The fact that 15–27% of the added 13C remained in the soil at the end of the 6 months incubation and PE was negative, indicates that continuous labile C inputs could contribute to C immobilization and stabilization in these semiarid soils. Moreover, 13C glucose remaining in soils after 6 months in semi-natural pastures was comparable to those under natural grassland and shrubland systems especially in Acrisols. This demonstrates that incorporation and maintaining a perennial cover of native pastures has the potential to increase C sequestration in African semi-arid agricultural soils and landscapes.
Polynomial stochastic dynamical indicators
Authors: Vasile Massimiliano , Manzi Matteo
Published: January 2023

This paper introduces three types of dynamical indicators that capture the effect of uncertainty on the time evolution of dynamical systems. Two indicators are derived from the definition of finite-time Lyapunov exponents, while a third indicator directly exploits the property of the polynomial expansion of the dynamics with respect to the uncertain quantities. The paper presents the derivation of the indicators and a number of numerical experiments that illustrates the use of these indicators to depict a cartography of the phase space under parametric uncertainty and to identify robust initial conditions and regions of practical stability in the restricted three-body problem.
Differential testing for machine learning: an analysis for classification algorithms beyond deep learning
Authors: Herbold Steffen , Tunkel Steffen
Published: January 2023

Differential testing is a useful approach that uses different implementations of the same algorithms and compares the results for software testing. In recent years, this approach was successfully used for test campaigns of deep learning frameworks. There is little knowledge about the application of differential testing beyond deep learning. Within this article, we want to close this gap for classification algorithms. We conduct a case study using Scikit-learn, Weka, Spark MLlib, and Caret in which we identify the potential of differential testing by considering which algorithms are available in multiple frameworks, the feasibility by identifying pairs of algorithms that should exhibit the same behavior, and the effectiveness by executing tests for the identified pairs and analyzing the deviations. While we found a large potential for popular algorithms, the feasibility seems limited because, often, it is not possible to determine configurations that are the same in other frameworks. The execution of the feasible tests revealed that there is a large number of deviations for the scores and classes. Only a lenient approach based on statistical significance of classes does not lead to a huge amount of test failures. The potential of differential testing beyond deep learning seems limited for research into the quality of machine learning libraries. Practitioners may still use the approach if they have deep knowledge about implementations, especially if a coarse oracle that only considers significant differences of classes is sufficient.
Pharmacological heat-shock protein inducers and chemical chaperones inhibit upregulation of interleukin-8 by oxidized phospholipids
Authors: Hellauer Klara , Oskolkova Olga V. , Gesslbauer Bernd , Bochkov Valery
Published: January 2023

Oxidised phospholipids such as oxidised palmitoyl-arachidonoyl-phosphatidylcholine (OxPAPC) are increasingly recognised as danger-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) inducing cyto- and chemokines. The pathological impact of oxidised phosphatidylcholine in vivo has been demonstrated in several animal models, as well as in human association studies. In this work, we have tested a number of small molecules with known or potential anti-inflammatory properties for their ability to inhibit secretion of interleukin-8 by OxPAPC-treated endothelial cells. Six compounds capable of inhibiting the induction of IL-8 were selected. Analysis of gene expression has shown that all these substances reduced the OxPAPC-induced elevation of IL-8 mRNA but potentiated induction of heat-shock proteins (HSPs). We further found that drug-like HSP inducers also prevented the induction of IL-8 by OxPAPC. Similar inhibitory action was demonstrated by two chemical chaperones, which stabilise proteins through physicochemical mechanisms thus mimicking effects of HSPs. Our data suggest that proteostatic stress plays an important mechanistic role in the pro-inflammatory effects of OxPAPC and that stabilisation of proteome by overexpression of HSPs or by chemical chaperones can reduce the pro-inflammatory effects of OxPLs.
Meibomian gland secretion quality association with ocular parameters in university students during COVID- 19 restrictions
Authors: Garcia-Queiruga Jacobo , Pena-Verdeal Hugo , Sabucedo-Villamarin Belén , Giraldez Maria J. , Garcia-Resua Carlos , Yebra-Pimentel Eva
Published: January 2023

Purpose

To determine if the Meibomian Gland (MG) secretion quality is associated with symptoms of ocular discomfort, hours of Video Display Terminals (VDT) use, eyelid margin abnormalities, conjunctival hyperemia, and Meibomian Gland Loss Area (MGLA) in a sample of university students.

Methods

An online survey that included an Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire and an extra question about hours of VDT use recruited an initial sample of 183 participants. Only 120 participants that fulfilled the inclusion criteria were scheduled for a battery of ocular surface and MG specific exam. The tests include: 1) meibometry, 2) slit lamp exploration of eyelid margin abnormalities (irregularity, hyperemia and MG orifices plugging), MG secretion quality and conjunctival hyperemia, and 3) Meibography.

Results

Significant positive correlations between the MG secretion quality and eyelid margin hyperemia, MG orifices plugging, MGLA, nasal conjunctival hyperemia, and temporal conjunctival hyperemia (Spearman Rho; all r>0.186, p<0.042) were found. Multivariate regression found association between OSDI with hours of VDT use (B=0.316, p=0.007), and eyelid hyperemia (B=0.434, p≤ 0.001). A statistical association between MG secretion quality and eyelid margin hyperemia, MG orifices plugging, MGLA and conjunctival hyperemia (Fisher’s exact; all p<0.039) were found. Multivariate regression found association between MG secretion quality with MG orifices plugging (B=0.295, p=0.004) and meibometry (B=-0.001, p=0.029).

Conclusion

Participants with higher values in MG secretion quality have higher values in eyelid margin hyperemia, MG plugging, MGLA, and conjunctival hyperemia. No direct relationship between MG secretion quality and hours of VDT use or OSDI were found.
Discrepancies Between Self-reported and Objectively Measured Smartphone Screen Time: Before and During Lockdown
Authors: Júdice Pedro B. , Sousa-Sá Eduarda , Palmeira António L.
Published: January 2023

Screen time shows higher health risks compared to other types of sedentary behaviors. A lockdown may simultaneously increase screen time, reduce physical activity (PA), and change time perception. Our goal was to compare self-reported against objectively measured smartphone screen time (SST) in a sample of active and inactive Portuguese adults before and during a social lockdown. This study was a cross-sectional analysis with 211 Portuguese adults (57.8% males), aged 25.2 ± 8.5 years, from two cohorts, one before the social lockdown and the other during the lockdown. SST was self-reported (SR-SST) and objectively measured using a smartphone (OM-SST). PA was self-reported. Linear regressions were performed to determine the association between SR-SST and OM-SST. A Bland and Altman analysis was used to assess agreement. Independent T-tests were performed for comparisons between cohorts and paired sample T-tests for comparisons within each cohort. The cohort assessed during the lockdown showed a higher SST than the cohort assessed before the lockdown (OM-SST; p < 0.001 and SR-SST; p = 0.009). Before the lockdown, there was no difference between SR-SST and OM-SST (p = 0.100). However, during the social lockdown, although the agreement between SR-SST and OM-SST was good (ICC = 0.72), participants systematically underestimated their SST by ~ 71 min/day (p < 0.001), and this underestimation was higher in inactive participants (~ 85 min/day) than in active individuals (~ 49 min/day). The general population needs to be aware of the benefits of limiting screen time, especially during periods of societal modifications, such as a generalized lockdown. There was a tendency to underestimate SST, meaning a lack of awareness of the actual time spent in this potentially deleterious behavior. This underestimation was more pronounced during the lockdown period and for the inactive participants, thus posing a greater health risk. The findings from this investigation entail relevant information for policy makers to delineate strategies for reducing population screen time from a preventive health perspective.
Staying Together No Matter What: Becoming Young Parents on the Streets of Vancouver
Authors: Fast Danya , Charlesworth Reith , Thulien Madison , Krüsi Andrea , Buxton Jane , West Sarah , Chase Corrina , Manson Daniel
Published: January 2023

Among young people who use drugs in the context of entrenched poverty and homelessness, pregnancy is often viewed as an event that can meaningfully change the trajectory of their lives. However, youth’s desires and decision-making do not always align with the perspectives of various professionals and systems regarding how best to intervene during pregnancies and early parenting. Drawing on longitudinal interviews and fieldwork with young people in Vancouver, Canada, we explore how their romantic relationships powerfully shaped understandings of what was right and wrong and which actions to take during pregnancy and early parenting, and how these moral worlds frequently clashed with the imperatives of healthcare, criminal justice, and child protection systems. We demonstrate how a disjuncture between youth’s desires, decision-making and moralities, and the systems that are intended to help them, can further entrench young people in cycles of loss, defeat, and harm. These cycles are powerfully racialized for young Indigenous people in our context.
Information Asymmetry with Heterogeneous Buyers and Sellers in the Housing Market
Authors: Li L. , Chau K. W.
Published: January 2023

This study examines how heterogeneous traders on both sides of transactions behave in the housing market under information asymmetry. Two types of buyers, namely, informed and uninformed buyers, correspond to local and non-local buyers in the empirical tests. Non-local housing buyers in Hong Kong pay a 2.8% premium over local buyers in the second-hand market for housing units with similar observable attributes. We distinguish real estate developers from sellers in the second-hand market. The former has an incentive and ability to reduce information asymmetry by providing a quality guarantee on the building structure and signaling with brand name, none of which can be fulfilled by sellers in the second-hand market. Empirical results show that developers’ efforts to reduce information asymmetry allow them to fetch a higher price than sellers in the second-hand market, holding property characteristics constant. Such efforts are particularly valued by uninformed buyers as non-local buyers prefer to purchase in the first-hand market rather than in the second-hand market, especially when the problem of information asymmetry is serious.
Intuitions are never used as evidence in ethics
Authors: Herok Tomasz
Published: January 2023

One can often hear that intuitions are standardly “appealed to”, “relied on”, “accounted for”, or “used as evidence” in ethics. How should we interpret these claims? I argue that the typical understanding is what Bernard Molyneux calls “descriptive evidentialism”: the idea that intuition-states are treated as evidence of their propositional contents in the context of justification. I then argue that descriptive evidentialism is false- on any account of what intuitions are. That said, I admit that ethicists frequently rely on intuitions to clarify, persuade, discover, or to support things other than the intuitions’ contents. The contents of intuitions are also commonly used as starting premises of philosophical arguments. However claims about these practices need to be sharply distinguished from the prevalent dogma.
Gum Arabic influences the activity of antioxidant enzymes during androgenesis in barley anthers
Authors: Klajmon A. , Makowska K. , Zimny J. , Oleszczuk S. , Libik-Konieczny M. , Sebela M. , Gašparíková I. , Bąba W. , Konieczny R.
Published: January 2023

This study investigated the antioxidant activity of gum Arabic (GA) during androgenesis in barley anthers. After stress pretreatment the anthers were cultured in the presence of 10 mg L−1 GA (Gm) or on control medium (Cm) and compared with respect to activity of selected antioxidant and respiratory enzymes and endogenous hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) content. The anthers from Cm and Gm differed in the strategy against H2O2 overproduction, in that the total peroxidase (POX) activity and the number of POX isoforms were significantly higher in Gm- than in Cm-cultured material. High POX activity on Gm paralleled with H2O2 decrease, suggesting the utilization of this chemical for the POX-mediated cell wall formation and reconstruction during growth of multicellular structures. The total superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity on Cm and Gm were at similar level for most of the culture period but the activity of MnSOD was dozen times higher on Gm and this coincided with high activity of fumarase and cytochrome c oxidase. It indicates close interplay between efficient antioxidative protection and high metabolic rate accompanying efficient androgenesis. Mass spectrometry analysis confirmed the presence of POX and other antioxidative and defense enzymes in protein fraction of GA used in the experiments, however as revealed by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl assay, the Gm and Cm displayed similar total antioxidant capacity. Thus, the effect of GA on androgenic cultures of barley can be linked to its influence on the activity of anther antioxidant system, rather than its native antioxidative properties.
Contents and Spatial Distribution of Arsenic in Vineyard Soils in Mediterranean Environment
Authors: Jiménez-Ballesta Raimundo , Bravo Sandra , Pérez-de-los-Reyes Caridad , Amorós José A. , García-Navarro Francisco J.
Published: January 2023

This study presents the contents and spatial distribution of arsenic (As) in vineyard soils from the Valdepeñas Protected Designation Origin (PDO) in central Spain. As content varies within the 108.40–0.03 mg·kg−1 range in surface horizons, and within 151.00–0.03 mg·kg−1 in subsurface horizons. The mean value of both horizons is similar: 4.25 and 4.88 mg·kg−1, respectively. Based on optimal spatial interpolation, the spatial distribution of As in soils was mapped by the IDV method. A simple data and map analysis suggests that pedogeogenic sources are the main sources for As (the As distribution tends to match the lithology and soil types), which indicates minor anthropogenic sources, mainly by agricultural sector activities. Only a high As concentration appears in the NE area, where sporadic moderate contamination is estimated based on Dutch criteria. The data obtained from the study area provide a broader view of the concentration, distribution, enrichment, sources, and the potential environmental contamination by As in the vineyard soils of this large winegrowing zone. The assessment of the results indicates that As does not affect agriculture (vineyards) in the study area because its concentrations are low in the soil types used by agriculture. These data can be employed as a guide to learn the range of values in vineyard soils in the European Mediterranean Region that are relatively unpolluted from industrial sources to make comparisons to more polluted areas.
A Sustainable Method to Reduce Vancomycin Concentrations in Water Using Timber Waste
Authors: Delmond Benjamin , Tretsiakova-McNally Svetlana , Solan Brian , McDermott Rodney , Audoin Alexandre
Published: January 2023

Emerging contaminants are becoming a significant challenge for modern society. Antibiotic resistance is notably among the most urgent public health concerns, and it is well recognised that the problem often originates from wastewater treatment facilities. In developed countries, where affordable and specified, activated carbon can be used as an efficient adsorbent of antibiotic residues present in wastewaters. However, this method is associated with high production and reactivation costs and has a significant carbon footprint. Research at Ulster University proposes a more sustainable and cost-effective solution to this problem. The technique involves the application of modified sawdust waste to treated effluent, reducing tertiary antibiotic contamination. The sawdust used in the current study was from two sources: ash or a mixture of tree species. These materials, in unmodified and modified forms, were applied as the adsorbents in model systems containing vancomycin (antibiotic) dissolved in distilled water at concentrations ranging between 30 and 150 mg/L. It was found that such adsorbents are highly efficient at removing vancomycin from contaminated waters. Antibiotic removal levels reached 63.0% (σ = 2.3%) for the modified mixed sawdust and 56.6% (σ = 5.1%) for the modified ash sawdust. Post-treatment, the sawdust can undergo a thermal conversion for energy production. The preliminary findings of this scoping work indicate the feasibility of converting sawdust waste into a novel means for wastewater treatment systems capable of dealing with antibiotic pollutants. The simplicity of the method offers many developing and developed economies, a sustainable means of managing this dangerous emerging problem.
Selective enrichment, identification, and isolation of diclofenac, ibuprofen, and carbamazepine degrading bacteria from a groundwater biofilm
Authors: Pápai Márton , Benedek Tibor , Táncsics András , Bornemann Till L. V. , Plewka Julia , Probst Alexander J. , Hussein Daood , Maróti Gergely , Menashe Ofir , Kriszt Balázs
Published: January 2023

Diclofenac, ibuprofen, and carbamazepine are three of the most widely detected and most concerning pharmaceutical residues in aquatic ecosystems. The aim of this study was to identify bacteria that may be involved in their degradation from a bacterial biofilm. Selective enrichment cultures in mineral salt solution containing pharmaceutical compounds as sole source of carbon and energy were set up, and population dynamics were monitored using shotgun metagenome sequencing. Bacterial genomes were reconstructed using genome-resolved metagenomics. Thirty bacterial isolates were obtained, identified at species level, and tested regarding pharmaceutical biodegradation at an initial concentration of 1.5 mg l−1. The results indicated that most probably diclofenac biodegrading cultures consisted of members of generaFerrovibrio,Hydrocarboniphaga,Zavarzinia, andSphingopyxis, while in ibuprofen biodegradationNocardioidesandStarkeya, and in carbamazepine biodegradationNocardioides,Pseudonocardia, andSphingopyxismight be involved. During the enrichments, compared to the initial state the percentage relative abundance of these genera increased up to three orders of magnitude. ExceptStarkeya, the genomes of these bacteria were reconstructed and annotated. Metabolic analyses of the annotated genomes indicated that these bacteria harbored genes associated with pharmaceutical biodegradation.Stenotrophomonas humiDIC_5 andRhizobium daejeonenseIBU_18 isolates eliminated diclofenac and ibuprofen during the tests in the presence of either glucose (3 g l−1) or in R2A broth. Higher than 90% concentration reduction was observed in the case of both compounds.
Corporate purpose: from a ‘Tower of Babel’ phenomenon towards construct clarity
Authors: Brosch Nikolai
Published: January 2023

In recent years, interest in corporate purpose has gained momentum among both practitioners and academic researchers. Despite this, the construct of corporate purpose is still under-conceptualized and suffers from multiple – and partly divergent – understandings. Given that a field’s development is shaped by the clarity of its constructs, this paper strives to evolve the construct of corporate purpose from a ‘tower of babel’ phenomenon towards construct clarity. To this end, it reviews and synthesizes the literature on corporate purpose and proposes a definition that integrates different approaches. In addition, this paper underpins the definition with seven core characteristics of corporate purpose, delineates scope conditions and elaborates on the relationship of corporate purpose with related concepts including mission, vision, corporate social responsibility and sustainability. By enhancing construct clarity, the paper paves the avenue for further research on corporate purpose and the further development of the field.
From hegemony-reinforcing to hegemony-transcending transformations: horizons of possibility and strategies of escape
Authors: Hamilton Rachel Tome Valencia , Ramcilovic-Suominen Sabaheta
Published: January 2023

In the face of ever escalating global socioecological crises, the necessity of radical systemic transformations has gained increasing political and academic traction over the last decade, among others in the context of ‘green’ and bio-based economies. We draw on the works of political philosophers Ernesto Laclau, Chantal Mouffe and Judith Butler to develop a typology of transformational dynamics. In this typology, the word transformation implies political agendas, processes and outcomes that involve the total structural reordering of a social field, which we juxtapose with ‘inclusion’, which implies cases in which pre-existing logics are further entrenched or extended. Drawing on the theoretical framework of hegemony, inclusions and transformations, we develop an analytical lens that focuses on the relations between hegemony and transformative dynamics. This analytical lens is developed and exemplified by discussing the transformative potentials of multiple socioecological and political agendas, including those associated with eco-modernism, Marxism, decoloniality, eco-feminism, degrowth and eco-anarchism. Depending on the transformative dynamics in relation to hegemony and the dominant political logics, we distinguish between hegemony-reinforcing, hegemony-replacing, and hegemony-transcending transformations. The provided lens and the typologies of transformations should be useful to those seeking to conceptualize, differentiate, analyse, and tactically strategize the realization of an array of socio-ecological agendas.
Integrated Experimental and Thermodynamic Modeling Study of the Pb-Fe-O-S-Si System: Effect of Temperature and p(SO2) on Slag-Matte-Metal-Tridymite Equilibria
Authors: Hidayat T. , Fallah-Mehrjardi A. , Abdeyazdan H. , Shishin D. , Shevchenko M. , Hayes P. C. , Jak E.
Published: January 2023

An integrated experimental and thermodynamic modeling study has been used to characterize phase equilibria in the Pb-Fe-O-S-Si system. The experimental approach developed for investigation of this system, which involves the use of high-temperature equilibration, quenching, and electron probe X-ray microanalysis, has enabled to overcome difficulties associated with high corrosive tendency of the condensed phases and high vaporization rates of Pb species specific to this system. The study shows that systematic, accurate direct experimental measurements of the Pb, Fe, Si, and S concentrations in the coexisting phases in this system are now possible. The results obtained for the slag-matte-metal-tridymite phase equilibria at 1100 °C and 1200 °C appear to be the first systematic quantitative experimental data on phase compositions in equilibrium in the Pb-Fe-O-S-Si system. First systematic experimental measurements have also been undertaken for the gas-slag-matte-tridymite equilibria at p(SO2) = 0.6 atm at 1200 °C. Thermodynamic calculations have been performed using the FactSage thermodynamic package. The experimental data have been used, along with other relevant measurements, to develop a self-consistent thermodynamic database that can be used for optimization of industrial processes.
Microstructural Characterization and Oscillating Sliding Wear Investigations of the Aqueous Suspension Sprayed HVOF WC-12Co Coatings
Authors: Toma Filofteia-Laura , Meyer Anja , Kunze Oliver , Shakhverdova Irina , Matthey Björn , Härtwig Fabian , Mayer Markus , Potthoff Annegret , Pötschke Johannes , Makowski Stefan
Published: January 2023

Thermally sprayed WC-based hardmetal coatings offer high hardness, good sliding wear and abrasion performance and find large applications in mechanical engineering, valve construction, or offshore applications. WC-Co coatings are mainly produced by high-velocity oxy-fuel spraying (HVOF) from conventional spray feedstock powders. In this work, suspension-HVOF spraying (S-HVOF) was used to produce dense-structured WC-12Co coatings and their microstructural, mechanical and tribological properties were investigated. Significant work was devoted to the development of appropriate aqueous suspensions starting from commercially available fine WC and Co raw powders feedstock. Suspension spraying was carried out using gas-fuelled HVOF TopGun system; for comparison purposes, liquid-fuelled HVOF K2 was employed to spray WC-12Co coatings starting from commercially available spray powder. Microstructural characterization, x-ray diffraction and microhardness of the coatings were evaluated. Oscillating sliding wear tests were conducted against sintered alumina and WC-6Co balls. The sliding wear performances of the WC-Co sprayed coatings were discussed in term of their microstructure, phase composition and coating-ball test couples.
Evolution of Bariatric Surgery in Italy in the Last 11 Years: Data from the SICOB Yearly National Survey
Authors: Gentileschi Paolo , Sensi Bruno , Siragusa Leandro , Sorge Roberto , Rispoli Eliana , Angrisani Luigi , Galfrascoli Elisa , Bianciardi Emanuela , Giusti Maria Paola , De Luca Maurizio , Zappa Marco Antonio ,   SICOB Survey Collaborative Group, Arcudi Claudio , Balani Alessandro , Bellini Rosario , Benavoli Domenico , Berardi Giovanna , Casella Giovanni , Basso Nicola , Cerbone Maria Rosaria , Di Lorenzo Nicola , Facchiano Enrico , Foletto Mirto , Forestieri Pietro , Foschi Diego , Grandone Ilenia , Lucchese Marcello , Manno Emilio , Musella Mario , Navarra Giuseppe , Olmi Stefano , Piazza Luigi , PIlone Vincenzo , Raffaelli Marco , Sarro Giuliano , Zaccaroni Alberto
Published: January 2023

Background

Bariatric surgery (BS) is a relatively novel surgical field and is in continuous expansion and evolution.

Purpose

Aim of this study was to report changes in Italian surgical practice in the last decade.

Methods

The Società Italiana di Chirurgia dell’Obesità (SICOB) conducted annual surveys to cense activity of SICOB centers between 2011 and 2021. Primary outcome was to detect differences in frequency of performance of adjustable gastric banding (AGB), sleeve gastrectomy (SG), Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), one anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB), bilio-pancreatic diversion (BPD), and gastric plication (GP). Secondary outcome was to detect differences in performance of main non-malabsorptive procedures (AGB + SG) and overall bypass procedures (RYGB + OAGB). Geographical differences were also investigated.

Results

Median response rate was 92%. AGB declined from 36% of procedures in 2011 to 5% in 2021 (p < 0.0001). SG increased from 30% in 2011 to 55% in 2021 (p < 0.0001). RYGB declined from 25 to 12% of procedures (p < 0.0001). OAGB rose from 0% of procedures in 2011 to 15% in 2021 (p < 0.0001). BPD underwent decrease from 6.2 to 0.2% in 2011 and 2021, respectively (p < 0.0001). Main non-malabsorptive procedures significantly decreased while overall bypass procedures remained stable. There were significant differences among regions in performance of SG, RYGB, and OAGB.

Conclusions

BS in Italy evolved significantly during the past 10 years. AGB underwent a decline, as did BPD and GP which are disappearing and RYGB which is giving way to OAGB. The latter is rising and is the second most-performed procedure after SG which has been confirmed as the preferred procedure by Italian bariatric surgeons.

Graphical Abstract
Prognostic value of 12-month response to therapy in pediatric patients with differentiated thyroid cancer
Authors: Zampella Emilia , Piscopo Leandra , Manganelli Mariarosaria , Volpe Fabio , Nappi Carmela , Gaudieri Valeria , Pace Leonardo , Schlumberger Martin , Cuocolo Alberto , Klain Michele
Published: January 2023

Purpose

In pediatric patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) we assessed the prognostic value of the 12-month response to therapy after initial treatment with surgery and radioactive iodine (RAI).

Methods

We retrospectively evaluated 94 pediatric patients with DTC, treated with surgery and RAI who were initially classified as low, intermediate or high risk of relapse of disease according to the American Thyroid Association (ATA) guidelines. Twelve months after RAI administration the response to therapy was assessed by serum thyroglobulin (Tg) measurement and neck ultrasound and patients were classified as having excellent response (ER) or no-ER.

Results

At the 12 months evaluation, 62 (66%) patients had ER and 32 (34%) no-ER. During a mean follow-up time of 86 months (range 9–517), 19 events occurred (20% cumulative event rate). Events occurred more frequently in younger patients (p < 0.05), in those at ATA intermediate/high risk (p < 0.01) and with a pre-RAI therapy Tg level > 10 ng/mL (p < 0.001), and in those with no-ER (p < 0.001). At multivariate analysis, the evidence of no-ER was the only independent predictor of events.

Conclusion

In pediatric patients with DTC, the response to therapy evaluated 12 months after initial treatment has an independent prognostic impact and is able to predict mid-term outcome. Patients with no-ER at 12 months after RAI therapy should be closely followed-up.
Attachment to others and callous-unemotional traits in a sample of high school students
Authors: Baroncelli Andrea , Facci Carolina , Sica Luigia Simona , Fusco Luca , Di Palma Tiziana , Ciucci Enrica
Published: January 2023

Although several evidences suggested the importance to consider the quality of relationships with others as a key element for the understanding of callous-unemotional traits in youths, to date few studies investigated the specific role of youths’ attachment. The aim of the present study was to explore the association between attachment styles and callous-unemotional traits within a community sample of 786 high school students (41.48% females, M age = 16.90 years, SD = 1.45 years). A linear hierarchical regression approach showed that, over and above gender, age, and levels of both internalizing and externalizing problems, unique variance in callous-unemotional traits was accounted for by low confidence, high discomfort with closeness, and low preoccupation with relationships. Moreover, focusing on specific subcomponents of callous-unemotional traits, it was found that high levels of perceiving relationships as secondary were related to the callous-lack of empathy component, while higher levels in discomfort with closeness were associated to the restricted affect component. Emerged results were discussed within the context of the Sensitivity to Threat and Affiliative Reward (STAR) Model, that was recently advanced to in-depth understand callous-unemotional traits in children and adolescents.