bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fifty years of gating currents and channel gating
Authors: Catacuzzeno Luigi , Conti Franco , Franciolini Fabio
Published: July 2023

We celebrate this year the 50th anniversary of the first electrophysiological recordings of the gating currents from voltage-dependent ion channels done in 1973. This retrospective tries to illustrate the context knowledge on channel gating and the impact gating-current recording had then, and how it continued to clarify concepts, elaborate new ideas, and steer the scientific debate in these 50 years. The notion of gating particles and gating currents was first put forward by Hodgkin and Huxley in 1952 as a necessary assumption for interpreting the voltage dependence of the Na and K conductances of the action potential. 20 years later, gating currents were actually recorded, and over the following decades have represented the most direct means of tracing the movement of the gating charges and gaining insights into the mechanisms of channel gating. Most work in the early years was focused on the gating currents from the Na and K channels as found in the squid giant axon. With channel cloning and expression on heterologous systems, other channels as well as voltage-dependent enzymes were investigated. Other approaches were also introduced (cysteine mutagenesis and labeling, site-directed fluorometry, cryo-EM crystallography, and molecular dynamics [MD] modeling) to provide an integrated and coherent view of voltage-dependent gating in biological macromolecules. The layout of this retrospective reflects the past 50 years of investigations on gating currents, first addressing studies done on Na and K channels and then on other voltage-gated channels and non-channel structures. The review closes with a brief overview of how the gating-charge/voltage-sensor movements are translated into pore opening and the pathologies associated with mutations targeting the structures involved with the gating currents.
Bilateral comparison of 1.018 V and 10 V standards between CSIR-NPL (India) and the BIPM, April to June 2022 (part of the ongoing BIPM key comparison BIPM.EM-K11.a and b)
Authors: Solve S , Chayramy R , Stock M , Aloysius R P , Satish S , Patel S M
Published: July 2023

Main text

As part of the ongoing BIPM key comparison BIPM.EM-K11.a and b, a comparison of the 1.018 V and 10 V voltage reference standards of the BIPM and the CSIR National Physical Laboratory (CSIR-NPL), New Delhi (India), was carried out from September 2021 to April 2022. Two BIPM Zener diode-based travelling standards (Fluke 732B), BIPM_4 (Z4) and BIPM_5 (Z5), were transported by freight to the CSIR-NPL and back to the BIPM. In order to keep the Zeners powered during their transportation phase, a voltage stabiliser developed by the BIPM was connected in parallel to the internal battery. At the CSIR-NPL and the BIPM, the reference standard for DC voltage is a Programmable Josephson Voltage Standard (PJVS). The output electromotive force (EMF) of each travelling standard was measured by direct comparison with the primary standard.

The final result of the comparison is presented as the difference between the values assigned to DC voltage standards by CSIR-NPL, at the level of 1.018 V and 10 V, at CSIR-NPL, U
CSIR-NPL, and those assigned by the BIPM, at the BIPM, U
BIPM, at the reference date of the 9th of December 2021.

U
CSIR-NPL - U
BIPM = -2.91 μV; u
c = 0.68 μV, at 1.018 V

U
CSIR-NPL - U
BIPM = -4.97 μV; u
c = 0.19 μV, at 10 V

where u
c is the combined standard uncertainty associated with the measured difference, including the uncertainty of the realisation of the volt at the BIPM and at CSIR-NPL, and the uncertainty related to the comparison.

To reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database https://www.bipm.org/kcdb/.

The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCEM, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA).
Angular dependence of antisymmetric magnetoresistance in Co-Tb thin films with artificial domain wall inclination
Authors: Wang Zhen , Wang Li , Su Yangtao , Xu Tiankuo , Meng Yang , Cao Xinyu , Zhang Ying , Zhao Hongwu
Published: July 2023

We report the observation of angular-dependent antisymmetric magnetoresistance (MR) in artificially deformed Co-Tb Hall bar structures with perpendicular magnetization. Simultaneous transport measurements and domain imaging show that the antisymmetric MR results from the generation of a single domain wall (DW) inclination due to the restricted geometry and is further proportional to the inclination-associated geometry factor. The results are well described by a theoretical model that is supported by analytic and numerical calculations of the nonequilibrium current and Hall voltage distribution in the vicinity of the inclined DW. This finding provides a straightforward and effective approach to control DW geometries, leading to various DW-based spintronic device applications.
Recent insight into nanotechnology in fish processing: a knowledge gap analysis
Authors: Alak Gonca , Atamanalp Muhammed , Parlak Veysel , Uçar Arzu
Published: July 2023

Fish and other seafood are fundamental nutritional ingredients for a healthy life that are consumed globally. However, the high degree of spoilage of these products has led to the progress of a prevalent variety of preservation, processing, and analytical techniques in this sector. Food safety, authenticity, nutritional quality, and freshness are important features of aquaculture quality. In seafood processing, developing nanotechnology (nanotech), by adapting to new and complex applications, has promising applications for all segments of the food supply chain, including quality assessment, packaging, and storage. In this review, the application of nanotech in food, and especially in seafood, and its positive contributions to processing, preservation, the packaging industry, and the toxicity potential of nanoparticles (NPs) in food and food safety are investigated, and an overview is given. In line with this perspective, by examining the current state of nanotech in seafood processing procedures, not only present practices and future expectations but also studies on this subject are reviewed, and future pathways/future lines of research are predicted is attempted to be formed. In light of this research, it is understood that, depending on their properties, NPs are effective in their fields of use, and their success is related to the application procedures for which they are used. It is seen that these substances, which are synthesized in different ways, especially in recent years, are preferred in applications for improving product quality, product development, storage, and packaging stages of green synthesis particles.
Correcting unintended changes in electroluminescence perturbation for reliable light intensity modulated spectroscopies
Authors: Alvarez Agustin O , Riquelme Antonio J , Fuentes-Pineda Rosinda , Mas-Marzá Elena , Marsal Lluis F , Almora Osbel , Anta Juan A , Fabregat-Santiago Francisco
Published: July 2023

Light intensity modulated photocurrent and photovoltage spectroscopies, IMPS and IMVS respectively, are characterization techniques for studying charge carrier transport and recombination properties of photosensitive samples such as photovoltaic solar cells. In these techniques controlling the modulated light flux is key to obtaining accurate results. Typically, the electroluminescence of the light source is considered frequency-independent and therefore, it may be estimated from the modulated current delivered by the power source. However, some anomalies may appear when the experimental requirements demand large variations in the measurement conditions. Herein, an analysis is presented on the unusual low-frequency response of IMPS and IMVS which appears for some light sources at high illumination intensities. We found that a frequency-dependent modulation of the light source electroluminescence should be accounted for, rather than the traditional steady-state calibration of the setup, as it may affect the accuracy and even produce undesired artifacts during the measurements. A protocol for detecting the modulation of the electroluminescence is proposed, combining the simultaneous use of the IMPS of a reference photodiode and the impedance spectroscopy of the light source. Discerning whether these low-frequency signal ‘tails’ are due to the measurement setup or the sample is of major importance to avoid misinterpretations in any study. This is particularly important for preventing misinterpretations in studies on perovskite solar cells whose instability and ion-conductivity phenomena relate to the low-frequency region of the spectra.
Topological features of polarization ellipse strips built on non-planar contours in the light scattered on a metal nanospheroid
Authors: Yu Kuznetsov N , Grigoriev K S , Makarov V A
Published: July 2023

Topological properties of optical strips of the vectors determining the polarization ellipse orientation which are constructed on non-planar contours were studied for the electric field reflected from a gold particle of ellipsoidal shape while irradiated by a plane monochromatic wave. The twisting of each optical strip traced near the particle can be characterised by the sum of the intrinsic twist index of the strip and writhe and full geometric torsion coefficients of the bypass contour. It is shown that the intrinsic twist index generally does not exceed half the linking number of the strip with the polarization singularity lines of the scattered near-field. The twists of the strips are localized near three distinct surfaces, converging on the C-line and usually change their directions. It is shown that the intrinsic twist index is the most suitable for the role of the main topological feature of the optical strip.
Ready for LHC Run III: the ATLAS New Small Wheel and the MicroMegas chambers performances
Authors: Mancini G.
Published: July 2023

The two New Small Wheels (NSW) for the upgrade of the ATLAS Muon Spectrometer are now installed in the experiment and ready to collect data in LHC Run III, started in July 2022. The NSW is the largest Phase-1 upgrade project of ATLAS. Its challenging completion and readiness for data taking is a remarkable achievement of the Collaboration. The two wheels (10 meters in diameter) replace the first muon stations in the high-rapidity regions of ATLAS and are equipped with multiple layers of two new detector technologies: the small strips Thin Gap Chambers (sTGC) and the MicroMegas (MM). The latter, belong to the family of Micro Pattern Gaseous Detectors (MPGD), for the first time used in such a large scale in HEP experiments. Each detector technology will cover more than 1200 m2 of active area. The new system is designed to assure high tracking efficiency, reduction of fake trigger rates and precision measurement of muon tracks, also in view of the higher background environment foreseen for Hi-Lumi LHC. In this presentation, the motivation of the NSW upgrade and the steps from the commissioning to the data taking together with the first results using the Run III data will be presented, focusing on the MicroMegas
performances.
GEM detectors for the CMS endcap muon system: status of three new detector stations
Authors: Verwilligen Piet
Published: July 2023

The High-Luminosity LHC (HL-LHC, or Phase-2 LHC) will deliver proton-proton collisions at 5–7.5 times the nominal LHC luminosity, with an expected number of 140–200 pp-interactions per bunch crossing (Pile-up or PU). To maintain the performance of muon triggering and reconstruction under high background, the forward part of the Muon Spectrometer of the CMS experiment will be upgraded with Gas Electron Multipliers (GEM) and improved Resistive Plate Chambers (iRPC) detectors [1,2]. A first GEM station (GE1/1) was installed during Long Shutdown 2 (LS2, 2019–2021), a 2nd station (GE2/1) of Triple-GEM detectors will be installed in winter 2023–24 and 2024–25, while a new 6-layer station (ME0) will be installed in the third Long Shutdown (LS3, 2026–2028). GE11 is considered an early Phase-2 upgrade as it will reduce the pT
threshold by combining GEM and Cathode Strip Chamber (CSC) hits in the forward muon system at twice the LHC design luminosity (ℒ = 2 · 1034 cm-2 s-1, 50 PU). After a successful start of Run-3 in 2022, with almost 40 fb-1 collected, the commissioning of the GE1/1 detector is nearly complete. Most chambers are operated stably with an efficiency in excess of 95%, next being the demonstration of the combined CSC-GEM trigger in 2023. The lessons learnt with the first large-area GEM station have lead to improvements in detector and electronics design for the Phase 2 detectors GE2/1 and ME0. This proceeding will discuss the progress made since last MPGD Conference (MPGD 2019) [3], discussing the commissioning and early performance of GE1/1; the design improvements and start of construction of GE2/1; and the R&D currently ongoing for ME0.
Improving primary-vertex reconstruction with a minimum-cost lifted multicut graph partitioning algorithm
Authors: Kostyukhin V. , Keuper M. , Ibragimov I. , Owtscharenko N. , Cristinziani M.
Published: July 2023

Particle physics experiments often require the simultaneous
reconstruction of many interaction vertices. Usually, this problem
is solved by ad hoc heuristic algorithms. We propose a universal
approach to address the multiple vertex finding through a principled
formulation as a minimum-cost lifted multicut problem. The suggested
algorithm is tested in a typical LHC environment with multiple
proton-proton interaction vertices. Reconstruction errors caused by
the particle detectors complicate the solution and require the
introduction of special metrics to assess the vertex-finding
performance. We demonstrate that the minimum-cost lifted multicut
approach outperforms heuristic algorithms and works well up to the
highest vertex multiplicity expected at the LHC.
On the number of genealogical ancestors tracing to the source groups of an admixed population
Authors: Mooney Jazlyn A , Agranat-Tamir Lily , Pritchard Jonathan K , Rosenberg Noah A
Published: July 2023

Members of genetically admixed populations possess ancestry from multiple source groups, and studies of human genetic admixture frequently estimate ancestry components corresponding to fractions of individual genomes that trace to specific ancestral populations. However, the same numerical ancestry fraction can represent a wide array of admixture scenarios within an individual’s genealogy. Using a mechanistic model of admixture, we consider admixture genealogically: how many ancestors from the source populations does the admixture represent? We consider African-Americans, for whom continent-level estimates produce a 75–85% value for African ancestry on average and 15–25% for European ancestry. Genetic studies together with key features of African-American demographic history suggest ranges for parameters of a simple three-epoch model. Considering parameter sets compatible with estimates of current ancestry levels, we infer that if all genealogical lines of a random African-American born during 1960–1965 are traced back until they reach members of source populations, the mean over parameter sets of the expected number of genealogical lines terminating with African individuals is 314 (interquartile range 240–376), and the mean of the expected number terminating in Europeans is 51 (interquartile range 32–69). Across discrete generations, the peak number of African genealogical ancestors occurs in birth cohorts from the early 1700s, and the probability exceeds 50% that at least one European ancestor was born more recently than 1835. Our genealogical perspective can contribute to further understanding the admixture processes that underlie admixed populations. For African-Americans, the results provide insight both on how many of the ancestors of a typical African-American might have been forcibly displaced in the Transatlantic Slave Trade and on how many separate European admixture events might exist in a typical African-American genealogy.
Assessment of Antimicrobial Stewardship through objective structured clinical examination in pharmacy education
Authors: Lim Angelina , Krishnan Sunanthiny S , Blebil Ali Q , Malone Daniel
Published: July 2023

Objectives

To describe the implementation and assess whether an objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) is a viable assessment tool for testing Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) principles.

Methods

A three-station OSCE set in a hospital and community pharmacy was designed and mapped to the World Health Organisation’s AMS intervention practical guide. This OSCE comprised 39 unique cases and was implemented across two campuses (Malaysia and Australia) at one institute. Stations were 8 min long and consisted of problem-solving and applying AMS principles to drug therapy management (Station 1), counselling on key antimicrobials (Station 2) or managing infectious diseases in primary care (Station 3). Primary outcome measure to assess viability was the proportion of students who were able to pass each case.

Key findings

Other than three cases with pass rates of 50, 52.8 and 66. 7%, all cases had pass rates of 75% or more. Students were most confident with referral to medical practitioner cases and switching from intravenous to oral or empirical to directed therapy.

Conclusions

An AMS-based OSCE is a viable assessment tool in pharmacy education. Further research should explore whether similar assessments can help improve students’ confidence at recognising opportunities for AMS intervention in the workplace.
Global Critical Chart for Local Calabi–Yau Threefolds
Authors: Kinjo Tasuki , Masuda Naruki
Published: July 2023

In this paper, we investigate Keller’s deformed Calabi–Yau completion of the derived category of coherent sheaves on a smooth variety. In particular, for an $n$-dimensional smooth variety $Y$, we describe the derived category of the total space of an $\omega _{Y}$-torsor as a certain deformed $(n+1)$-Calabi–Yau completion of the derived category of $Y$. As an application, we investigate the geometry of the derived moduli stack of compactly supported coherent sheaves on a local curve, that is, a Calabi–Yau threefold of the form $\textrm{Tot}_{C}(N)$, where $C$ is a smooth projective curve and $N$ is a rank two vector bundle on $C$. We show that the derived moduli stack is equivalent to the derived critical locus of a function on a certain smooth moduli space. This result will be used by the first author and Naoki Koseki in their joint work on Higgs bundles and Gopakumar–Vafa invariants.
Formation of College Plans: Expected Returns, Preferences, and Adjustment Process
Authors: Azmat Ghazala , Kaufmann Katja Maria
Published: July 2023

We exploit a large exogenous shock to study the formation, and updating, of educational plans, and to examine how these plans ultimately impact later educational attainment. Using novel, longitudinal, microdata on cohorts of East German adolescents before and after the German Reunification (a change for the East from state socialism to capitalist democracy), and using differences across cohorts induced by the timing of Reunification, we show that shortly after relative to before that time, college plans among high-school students increased substantially, which was followed by sizable increases in the completion of the college entrance certificate 5 years later. To shed light on the underlying mechanisms, we analyze the elasticity of youths’ beliefs and preferences with respect to the large shock. Perceived educational returns and risk, economic preferences (“consumerism”) and social preferences (“individualism”) adapt quickly and are directly linked to changes in plans and outcomes. Cohorts closer to critical educational junctions at the time of Reunification, however, adjusted their plans to a much lesser extent. While they similarly updated the expected returns to education, they exhibited a slower adjustment in their preferences relative to younger cohorts.
Examining the gut microbiota from several human-biting tick species in Northwestern Spain
Authors: Herrera Giovanny , Vieira Lista María Carmen , Páez-Triana Luisa , Muro Antonio , López-Abán Julio , Muñoz Marina , Ramírez Juan David
Published: July 2023

Tick-borne diseases have increased significantly in Europe and Spain in recent years. One strategy explored for tick surveillance and control is the study of the microbiota. The focus is on understanding the relationships between pathogens and endosymbionts within the microbiota and how these relationships can alter these arthropods’ vectorial capacity. Thus, it is pivotal to depict the bacterial communities composing the microbiota of ticks present in specific territories. This work aimed to describe the microbiota present in 29 adult individuals of 5 tick species collected from 4 provinces of Castilla y Leon in northwestern Spain from 2015 to 2022. DNA extraction and sequencing of the V4 hypervariable region of 16S-rRNA was performed on the tick samples, with subsequent analysis of diversity, taxonomic composition, and correlations between genera of microorganisms. There were no differences in the alpha diversity of microbiota by tick species, nor were compositional changes evident at the phylum level for microorganisms. However, interindividual differences at the microbial genus level allowed spatial differentiation of the 5 tick species included in the study. Correlation analyses showed complex interactions between different genera of microbiota members. These findings provide an initial insight into the composition of the gut microbiota of various tick species in northwestern Spain, which can contribute to establishing surveillance and control measures to reduce diseases such as rickettsiosis, Lyme disease, and Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever.
Rickettsial antibodies andRickettsia belliidetection in lagomorphs and their ectoparasites in Northern Baja California, Mexico
Authors: Backus Laura H , López-Pérez Andrés M , Marcek Jacob , Shultz Laura , Zazueta Oscar E , Shooter Savannah , Foley Janet
Published: July 2023

Lagomorphs—principally rabbits and hares—have been implicated as hosts for vectors and reservoirs for pathogens associated with multiple rickettsial diseases. Western North America is home to diverse rickettsial pathogens which circulate among multiple wild and domestic hosts and tick and flea vectors. The purpose of this study was to assess lagomorphs and their ectoparasites in 2 locations in northern Baja California, Mexico, for exposure to and infection with rickettsial organisms. In total, 55 desert cottontail rabbits (Sylvilagus audubonii) (Baird) and 2 black-tailed jackrabbits (Lepus californicus) (Gray) were captured. In Mexicali, ticks were collected from 44% (14/32) of individuals, and were exclusively Haemaphysalis leporispalustrisNeumann (Acari: Ixodidae); in Ensenada, ticks were collected from 70% (16/23) individuals, and 95% were Dermacentor parumapertus. Euhoplopsyllus glacialis affinisBaker (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae) fleas were collected from 72% of rabbits and 1 jackrabbit from Mexicali, while the few fleas found on hosts in Ensenada were Echidnophaga gallinaceaWestwood (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae) and Cediopsylla inaequalis(Siphonaptera: Pulicidae). Rickettsia bellii was the only rickettsial organism detected and was identified in 88% of D. parumapertus and 67% of H. leporispalustris ticks from Ensenada. A single tissue sample from a jackrabbit was positive for R. belli (Rickettsiales: Rickettsiaceae). Hosts in Ensenada had a significantly higher prevalence of rickettsial antibodies than hosts in Mexicali (52.3% vs. 21.4%). Although R. bellii is not regarded as pathogenic in humans or other mammals, it may contribute to immunity to other rickettsiae. The marked difference in distribution of ticks, fleas, and rickettsial exposure between the 2 locations suggests that disease transmission risk may vary markedly between communities within the same region.
Larvicidal constituents from Poncirus trifoliata root extracts
Authors: Meepagala Kumudini M , Estep Alden S
Published: July 2023

In the search for effective and environmentally friendly mosquito control agents, we have examined natural sources, such as microbes and plants, and the synthetic analogs of natural products. These plants and microbes have evolved in their ecological niches to produce defensive compounds against other competing organisms in their surroundings such as microbes, plants, and insects as a means to enhance their survival. Thus, some of these plants and microbes have bioactive compounds with insecticidal, fungicidal, and phytotoxic activities. In our previous research, we successfully isolated bioactive constituents from natural sources. We have carried out synthetic modifications and total synthesis of marginally active isolated compounds to achieve significantly higher active compounds. We have focused on plants in the Rutaceae family as the members of this family are known to possess bioactive compounds with algicidal, antifungal, insecticidal, and fungicidal activities. In this article, we report the isolation and structure elucidation of mosquito larvicidal constituents from Poncirus trifoliata (Rutaceae) root extract.
Machine learning for image-based multi-omics analysis of leaf veins
Authors: Zhang Yubin , Zhang Ning , Chai Xiujuan , Sun Tan
Published: July 2023

Veins are a critical component of the plant growth and development system, playing an integral role in supporting and protecting leaves, as well as transporting water, nutrients, and photosynthetic products. A comprehensive understanding of the form and function of veins requires a dual approach that combines plant physiology with cutting-edge image recognition technology. The latest advancements in computer vision and machine learning have facilitated the creation of algorithms that can identify vein networks and explore their developmental progression. Here, we review the functional, environmental, and genetic factors associated with vein networks, along with the current status of research on image analysis. In addition, we discuss the methods of venous phenotype extraction and multi-omics association analysis using machine learning technology, which could provide a theoretical basis for improving crop productivity by optimizing the vein network architecture.
Survival of different microbial strains in pure and diluted tattoo inks
Authors: Briancesco Rossella , Paduano Stefania , Paradiso Rosa , Semproni Maurizio , Bonadonna Lucia
Published: July 2023

Several microorganisms can be found in tattoo inks injected into the skin, despite the ink matrix being considered inhospitable to microbial growth. Studies on the microbial quality of tattoo inks have reported the presence of microorganisms in most of the samples. This study aimed to assess the survival of environmental and human microbial species, selected on the specific criteria, in tattoo inks. Undiluted sterile black ink and serial dilutions (10-fold/100-fold) were each separately seeded with four bacterial strains (Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus pumilus, Mycobacterium fortuitum), one yeast (Candida albicans), and one mould (Fusarium solani). Their survival was periodically tested using cultural methods. No tested microorganisms were able to survive in undiluted ink, except for B. pumilus that survived up to 3 weeks. All the tested species, except for S. aureus, showed survivability for up to 10 weeks in 100-fold diluted inks, and P. aeruginosa, M. fortuitum, and C. albicans were even able to grow. B. pumilus and F. solani had good rates of survival even at the smallest dilution. The ability of microorganisms to survive and grow in tattoo inks could have health implications if contaminated ink dilutions are used during tattooing practices and stored for a long time.
How do Smokers in a Snus-Prevalent Society Consider E-cigarettes, Snus, and Nicotine Replacement Therapy Products as Relevant Replacements for Cigarettes in the Event They Should Stop Smoking?
Authors: Vedøy Tord Finne , Lund Karl Erik
Published: July 2023

Introduction

Around 50 percent of the tobacco in Norway is consumed in the form of snus, a smokeless oral tobacco. We examined Norwegian smokers’ openness, and thereby the potential reach, to use e-cigarettes, nicotine replacement therapy products (NRT), and snus in the event of quitting smoking, in a society where snus use is common.

Methods

Using data from an online survey of 4073 smokers from 2019 to 2021, we calculated predicted probabilities of smokers’ being open, undecided, and not open to use e-cigarettes, snus, and NRT in the event they should quit smoking.

Results

Among daily smokers, the probability of being open to use e-cigarettes in the event of quitting smoking was .32. The corresponding probabilities for using snus and NRT were .22 and .19. Snus was the product with the highest probability of not being open (.60). NRT had the highest probability of being undecided (.39). Among smokers who had never used e-cigarettes or snus, the probabilities of being open were .13 for e-cigarettes, .02 for snus and .11 for NRT.

Conclusions

In a snus-friendly norm climate where smokers have traditionally used snus as an alternative to cigarettes, the probability of using e-cigarettes in the event of smoking cessation was higher compared to both snus and NRT. However, among smokers who had never used e-cigarettes or snus, the likelihood of being open to use of NRT was similar to e-cigarettes, and higher than snus, which suggests that NRT may still play a role in smoking cessation.

Implications

In a snus-prevalent country in the endgame phase of the cigarette epidemic, where robust infrastructure for tobacco control in combination with the availability of snus has reduced smoking to a minimum, the remaining smokers seem to prefer e-cigarettes to snus if they should quit smoking. This indicates that availability of several nicotine alternatives might increase the likelihood of a future product replacement within the small group of remaining smokers.
Sperm immotility is associated with epididymis metabolism disorder in mice under obstructive azoospermia
Authors: Gao Sheng , Chen Zhengru , Shi Jie , Chen Zifeng , Yun Damin , Li Xinyao , Wu Xiaolong , Sun Fei
Published: July 2023

Obstructive azoospermia (OA) accounts for approximately 40% of males who suffer from azoospermia of male infertility. Currently, available treatment for OA consists of reproductive tract surgical reconstruction and sperm retrieval from the testis. However, both treatments result in low fertility compared to normal pregnancy, and the main reason remains largely unknown. Previous studies have shown that the quality of sperm retrieved from OA patients is poor compared with normal adult males but without an in‐depth study. Herein, we generated a mouse OA model with vasectomy to evaluate sperm quality systematically. Our results showed that the testis had normal spermatogenesis but increased apoptotic activity in both OA patients and mice. More importantly, epididymal morphology was abnormal, with swollen epididymal tubules and vacuole‐like principal cells. Especially, sperm retrieved from the epididymis of OA mice showed poor motility and low fertilization ability in vitro. Using mass spectrometry in epididymal fluid, we found differences in the expression of key proteins for sperm maturation, such as Angiotensinogen (AGT), rhophilin‐associated tail protein 1 (ROPN1), NPC intracellular cholesterol transporter 2 (NPC2), and prominin 1 (PROM1). Furthermore, our results demonstrated that AGT, secreted by epididymal principal cells, could regulate sperm motility by managing PKCα expression to modify sperm phosphorylation. In conclusion, our data evaluate sperm quality systematically in OA mice and contribute to the understanding between the sperm and epididymis, which may provide novel insight into treating male infertility.
Real-World Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events of Nicorandil and Nitrate in Coronary Heart Disease in Central China: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Li Ping , Chen Juan , Li Na , You Xiang , Shen Lan , Zhou Ning
Published: July 2023

Objective:

Residual cardiovascular risk in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) still needs to be addressed in real-world practice. This study aimed to examine the clinical effectiveness of nicorandil and nitrate in addition to optimal treatment for CHD patients.

Methods:

This retrospective cohort study included patients with CHD between October 2009 and March 2020 from 2 tertiary hospitals in Wuhan, China. Patients were grouped into nicorandil and nitrate groups depending on the first recorded antianginal therapy. Demographic and clinical data were collected from databases of the 2 hospitals. The primary outcome was cumulative 18-month major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE)-free survival, which was evaluated by Kaplan-Meier analysis. Propensity score matching (PSM) and multivariate Cox regression were adopted to adjust for confounding factors.

Results:

A total of 14,275 patients were analyzed, including 590 and 13,685 patients in the nicorandil and nitrate groups, respectively. With a median follow-up of 0.88 (Q1, Q3: 0.21, 1.54) years, the cumulative 18-month MACE-free survival rates were comparable between the 2 groups (80.0% vs. 75.0%, adjusted hazard ratio (aHR): 1.04, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.42–2.56, P = 0.982,7) after 1:4 PSM. The cumulative 18-month stroke-free survival rate was significantly higher in the nicorandil group compared to the nitrate group (93.0% vs. 84.0%, aHR: 0.56, 95% CI: 0.34–0.92, P = 0.023,5).

Conclusion:

This retrospective study showed that nicorandil and nitrate have similar 18-month rates of MACEs in CHD patients, but nicorandil is associated with lower incidence of stroke compared to nitrate. More studies need to be conducted to validate this association and explore the long-term benefit of nicorandil use on the occurrence of MACEs in the future.
Can the Ability to Recognize Facial Emotions in Individuals With Neurodegenerative Disease be Improved? A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Mirzai Naz , Polet Kévin , Morisot Adeline , Hesse Solange , Pesce Alain , Louchart de la Chapelle Sandrine , Iakimova Galina
Published: July 2023

Background:

Facial emotion recognition (FER) is commonly impaired in individuals with neurodegenerative disease (NDD). This impairment has been linked to an increase in behavioral disorders and caregiver burden.

Objective:

To identify interventions targeting the improvement of FER ability in individuals with NDD and investigate the magnitude of the efficacy of the interventions. We also wanted to explore the duration of the effects of the intervention and their possible impacts on behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia and caregiver burden.

Method:

We included 15 studies with 604 individuals who had been diagnosed with NDD. The identified interventions were categorized into three types of approach (cognitive, neurostimulation, and pharmacological) as well as a combined approach (neurostimulation with pharmacological).

Results:

The three types of approaches pooled together had a significant large effect size for FER ability improvement (standard mean difference: 1.21, 95% CI = 0.11, 2.31, z = 2.15, P = 0.03). The improvement lasted post intervention, in tandem with a decrease in behavioral disorders and caregiver burden.

Conclusion:

A combination of different approaches for FER ability improvement may be beneficial for individuals with NDD and their caregivers.
Combined lactic acidosis and ketoacidosis in a female diabetic patient with severe heart failure
Authors: Nzomessi Desire , Massie Emmanuelle , Gariani Karim , Giraud Raphael , Meyer Philippe
Published: July 2023

SGLT2i are now recommended in a wide spectrum of indications including type 2 diabetes (T2DM), heart failure, and chronic kidney disease. This medication class is now available in combination with metformin, which is still a fundamental treatment in patients with T2DM. Despite excellent proven safety profile for both drugs, the expanding use of these agents in clinical practice may lead to an increased incidence of rare side effects, like metformin-associated lactic acidosis (MALA) and euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis (EDKA), which can be life-threatening. A 58-year-old woman with T2DM and severe heart failure treated by metformin and empagliflozin developed progressive EDKA triggered by fasting that was also complicated by severe acute renal failure and MALA. She was successfully treated with intermittent hemodialysis. This case report highlights the importance of the recognition of rare, but very serious adverse effects due to combined metformin and SGLT2i therapy.
Measuring up: A Comparison of Tapestation 4200 and Bioanalyzer 2100 as Measurement Tools for RNA Quality in Postmortem Human Brain Samples
Authors: Walker Jessica E , Oliver Javon C , Stewart Analisa M , Beh Suet Theng , Arce Richard A , Glass Michael J , Vargas Daisy E , Qiji Sanaria H , Intorcia Anthony J , Borja Claryssa I , Cline Madison P , Hemmingsen Spencer J , Krupp Addison N , McHattie Rylee D , Mariner Monica R , Lorenzini Ileana , Aslam Sidra , Tremblay Cecilia , Beach Thomas G , Serrano Geidy E
Published: July 2023

Determining RNA integrity is a critical quality assessment tool for gene expression studies where the experiment’s success is highly dependent on sample quality. Since its introduction in 1999, the gold standard in the scientific community has been the Agilent 2100 Bioanalyzer’s RNA Integrity Number (RIN) which uses a 1-10 value system with 1 being the most degraded to 10 being the most intact. In 2015, Agilent launched the 4200 Tapestation’s RIN equivalent and reported a strong correlation of r2of 0.936 and median error < ± 0.4 RIN units. To evaluate this claim, we compared the Agilent 4200 Tapestation’s RIN equivalent (RINe) and DV200 to the Agilent 2100 Bioanalyzer’s RIN for 183 parallel RNA samples. In our study, using RNA from a total of 183 human postmortem brain samples, we found that the RIN and RINe values only weakly correlate with an r2of 0.393 and an average difference of 3.2 RIN units. DV200 also only weakly correlated with RIN (r2of 0.182) and RINe (r2of 0.347). Finally, when applying a cut-off value of 6.5 for both metrics, we found that 95.6% of samples passed with RIN, while only 23.5% passed with RINe. Our results suggest that even though RIN (Bioanalyzer) and RINe (Tapestation) use the same 1-10 value system, they should not be used interchangeably, and cut-off values should be calculated independently.
Blood clot resolution using active fluid exchange in the treatment of intraventricular hemorrhage
Authors: Haldrup Mette , Jakobsen Anders Mølgaard , Rasmussen Mads , Dyrskog Stig , Simonsen Claus Ziegler , Grønhøj Mads , Poulsen Frantz Rom , Korshøj Anders Rosendal
Published: July 2023

Objective

Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) is a severe condition with poor outcome and high mortality. New treatments are warranted to facilitate clot removal and accelerate recovery of IVH patients. We examined the effect to intraventricular lavage on IVH resolution, clearance and kinectics. The study is a post-hoc study on a recently performed randomized study, where intraventricular lavage using controlled irrigation and aspiration was tested against passive drainage. The present study describe post hoc analysis of the Active Study to determine the effect of intraventricular lavage on IVH resolution clearance and kinetics.

Method

postPost-hoc analysis using data from the multi-center, randomized, controlled clinical safety/feasibility trial (Active Study,NCT05204849) including 21 patients with IVH. IVH clearance was assessed using volume segmentation of serial CT scans. Clot resolution kinetics were determined and correlated with irrigation rates.

Results

The data set consisted of 77 sequential CT scans from 18 patients (3 of the 21 patients included in the Active study were excluded due to rebleeding or only one CT scan performed). Baseline characteristics were equal in the two groups. Clot resolution followed 0-order kinetics. The clot half-life was 3.9 days in the group treated with intraventricular lavage compared to 5.3 days in the control group treated with passive drainage (p = 0.6). We did not observe accelerated clot resolution in the ventricles containing the catheter tip (3.9 days vs 3.6 days, p = 0.9). In the intervention group, clot resolution was increased by 0.05% per ml increase in irrigation (slope 1.576 ml/cm3 (95%CI 0.55-2.6) p=0.03)

Conclusion

We found that IVH clot resolution followed 0-order kinetics. No significant differences in clot half-life were observed between the two groups. However, the clot resolution rate was positively correlated with the irrigation rates.
Business climate and sustainability of Cameroonian small and medium enterprises in times of COVID-19
Authors: Djeudja Rovier , Salamon Yang
Published: July 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the contribution of the business climate on the sustainability of Cameroonian small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in times of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Design/methodology/approach

To achieve this purpose, the study proceed with a quantitative analysis using the simple LOGIT model on a sample of 52 individuals.

Findings

Through the administration of questionnaires and estimations, results reveal that certain variables such as the taxation regime of the enterprise, the different types of taxes paid by the enterprise, the frequency of payment of income tax, the nature of the training of managers, the clauses of the debt contracts with banks/EMFs (Microfinance institution), the time taken to apply for a loan from the bank and the nature of the manager’s training have a negative influence on the sustainability of Cameroonian SMEs during COVID-19, while others such as the evolution of financial profitability in the context of the coronavirus pandemic in Cameroon, the company’s sector of activity and the main methods of financing the SME have a positive influence on the sustainability of Cameroonian SMEs during COVID-19 pandemic. The improvement of the business climate by the institutional authorities is, therefore, essential in the perspective of an eventual development of the country; the said development cannot take place without capitalizing on the potential for income and job creation by SMEs.

Research limitations/implications

The first limitation is related to the size of the sample and also to the specificity of our study. In fact, the study is conducted among individuals/actors likely to have access to information on the business climate and sustainability of Cameroonian SMEs at the time of COVID-19 encountered in the city of Yaoundé. In this context, the sample size is considered to be small (52). This element does not immediately allow the results of the present research to be generalized to all regions where SMEs are located in Cameroon, as other criteria or other elements must still be taken into account and the results obtained must, therefore, be interpreted with caution. This research could be deepened in the future by considering more business climate variables on the one hand and a larger sample size extended to all cities in Cameroon on the other.

Practical implications

The results of this research confirm the importance of institutional bodies establishing a rigorous policy of support for businesses. Such a policy would contribute to improving the business climate and extend beyond mere resilience.

Originality/value

The originality of this study lies in the fact that it looks at the sustainability of SMEs in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic in Cameroon using a simple LOGIT econometric model.
Normal force calculation of two-degree-of-freedom direct drive induction motor considering coupling effect
Authors: Nie Rui , Meng Yaqian , Wang Peixin , Su Peng , Si Jikai
Published: July 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to calculate the normal force of a two degree of freedom direct drive induction motor considering coupling effects based on an analytical model. Compared with the traditional single degree of freedom motor, normal force characteristics of two-degree-of-freedom direct drive induction motor (2DOFDDIM) is affected by coupling effect when the machine is in a helical motion. To theoretically explain the influence mechanism of coupling effect, this paper conducts a quantitative analysis of the influence of coupling effect on normal force based on the established analytical model of normal force considering coupling effect.

Design/methodology/approach

Firstly, the normal forces generated by 2DOFDDIM in linear motion, rotary motion and helical motion are investigated and compared to prove the effect of the coupling effect on the normal force. During this study, several coupling factors are established to modify the calculation equations of the normal force. Then, based on the multilayer theoretical method and Maxwell stress method, a novel normal force calculation model of 2DOFDDIM is established taking the coupling effect into account, which can easily calculate the normal force of 2DOFDDIM under different motions conditions. Finally, the calculation results are verified by the results of 3D finite element model, which proves the correctness of the established calculating model.

Findings

The coupling effect produced by the helical motion of 2DOFDDIM affects the normal force.

Originality/value

In this paper, the analytical model of the normal force of 2DOFDDIM considering the coupling effect is established, which provides a fast calculation for the design of the motor.
The impact of perceived fairness, organizational and professor support on students' intentions to quit
Authors: Chambers Silvana , Mayfield Clifton O. , Valenti Alix
Published: July 2023

Purpose

The extant research on student attrition and retention has relied on models that focus on factors over which universities may have limited control and thus not lead to actionable practices. To address this shortcoming, the authors applied organizational support theory (OST) to test the association between students' perceptions of justice, perceived organizational support (POS), perceived professor support, organizational identification, and intention to quit.

Design/methodology/approach

Using items from validated scales, a survey was used to collect data from students in the college of business at a southwestern public university in the United States. A final sample of 316 observations was fitted to a structural equation model to test the study's a priori hypotheses.

Findings

The authors found that professor support and procedural justice had direct positive effects on POS. Distributive justice and interactional justice indirectly influenced POS through professor support. In turn, POS had decreased students' intention to quit and increased their organizational identification. The antecedents of POS indirectly influenced intention to quit and organizational identification. The determinants in the model accounted for 12% of the variance in students' intentions to quit, and 25% of students' organizational identification.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the student attrition literature where few studies have applied OST to student populations despite the strong link between POS and intention to quit in employment settings. In this study, the authors provide evidence of the suitability of the OST framework to predict students' intentions to quit.