bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Concordance between needle electromyography and manual muscle test findings for muscles with motor grades 0 and 1
Authors: Lee Su Ji , Yoo Jeehyun , Park Seongeun , Shin Ji Cheol
Published: June 2023

Introduction

When it is difficult to determine whether a muscle is grade 0 or 1, manual muscle test (MMT) accuracy can be further improved by using needle electromyography (EMG) as a supplementary and confirmatory examination tool.

Objective

To evaluate concordance between needle EMG and MMT findings for key muscles with motor grades 0 and 1 on the International Standards of Neurological Classification of Spinal Cord Injury (ISNCSCI) examination, and to potentially improve the prognosis for grade 0 muscles with proven muscle activity based on needle EMG findings.

Design

A retrospective analysis.

Setting

Inpatient tertiary rehabilitation facility.

Interventions

Not applicable.

Patients

One hundred seven patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) admitted for rehabilitation (n = 1218 key muscles, grades 0 or 1).

Main Outcome Measures

Inter‐rater reliability between MMTs and needle EMG was analyzed using Cohen's kappa coefficient (κ). A Mantel Haenszel linear‐by‐linear association chi‐square test was used to determine whether the presence of motor unit action potentials (MUAPs) in muscles graded 0 on the initial MMT at admission was associated with MMT grades at discharge and readmission.

Results

Moderate‐to‐substantial agreement between needle EMG and MMT findings was observed (κ = 0.671, p < .01). Concerning key upper and lower extremity muscles, moderate and substantial agreement was identified, respectively. The lowest agreement was noted for C6 muscles. During follow up, 68.8% of muscles with proven MUAPs showed improved motor grades.

Conclusions

At initial assessment, distinguishing between motor grades 0 and 1 is imperative because motor grade 1 muscles are more likely to have a better prognosis for improvement. Moderate‐to‐substantial agreement was observed between MMT and needle EMG findings. The MMT is a reliable method of muscle grading, yet needle EMG may be of value in certain clinical situations to evaluate for the presence of MUAPs when evaluating motor function.
New mode of HPLC separation for multi‐charged polymers, peptides, and proteins
Authors: Zelechonok Yury , Widawer Bradley , Kolesnik Olga , Bezkhlebetskiy Yevgeniy , Sgibnev‐Gorodetskaya Tatiana
Published: June 2023

This article explores a new mode of chromatographic separation named BIST™ (Bridge Ion Separation Technique) that is designed specifically for the retention and separation of charged molecules. The proposed mechanism is supported by multiple examples. The separation technique is especially useful for analysis of low molecular weight charged polymers, the class of molecules where ion‐exchange, ion‐exclusion and size exclusion modes of separation do not work effectively. Among low molecular weight polymers, many compounds are of high importance for biological, medicinal, agricultural, and consumer applications. Some examples include heparin, poly amino acids, insulin, polyethyleneimine, as well as other peptides. The wide variety of applications of many charged polymers necessitates a high‐quality analytical technique for testing and research of these compounds.
State of the art on neonatal noninvasive respiratory support: How physiological and technological principles explain the clinical outcomes
Authors: Lavizzari Anna , Zannin Emanuela , Klotz Daniel , Dassios Theodore , Roehr Charles C.
Published: June 2023

Noninvasive respiratory support has gained significant popularity in neonatal units because of its potential to reduce lung injury associated with invasive mechanical ventilation. To minimize lung injury, clinicians aim to apply for noninvasive respiratory support as early as possible. However, the physiological background and the technology behind such support modes are not always clear, and many open questions remain regarding the indications of use and clinical outcomes. This narrative review discusses the currently available evidence for various noninvasive respiratory support modes applied in Neonatal Medicine in terms of physiological effects and indications. Reviewed modes include nasal continuous positive airway pressure, nasal high‐flow therapy, noninvasive high‐frequency oscillatory ventilation, nasal intermittent positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV), synchronized NIPPV and noninvasive neurally adjusted ventilatory assist. To enhance clinicians’ awareness of each support mode's strengths and limitations, we summarize technical features related to the functioning mechanisms of devices and the physical properties of the interfaces commonly used for providing noninvasive respiratory support to neonates. We finally address areas of current controversy and suggest possible areas of research for implementing noninvasive respiratory support in neonatal intensive care units.
Polysomnography in hospitalized children: Characteristics and clinical practice at a single tertiary care center
Authors: Sunkonkit Kanokkarn , Alzaid Mohammed , Xiao Lena , Massicotte Colin , Al‐Saleh Suhail , Amin Reshma
Published: June 2023

Background

Polysomnography (PSG) is the gold standard for the diagnosis of pediatric sleep‐disordered breathing (SDB). However, the literature characterizing the indications for inpatient PSGs and the impact on clinical decision‐making is limited.

Objective

To determine the indications, results, and outcomes for children undergoing inpatient PSGs at our institution.

Methods

We performed a retrospective review of children aged 0–18 years who underwent inpatient diagnostic PSGs between July 2018 and July 2021 at SickKids, Toronto, Canada. Baseline characteristics, indications, and management were reviewed and characterized by descriptive statistics.

Results

Eighty‐eight inpatient PSGs were performed in 75 children (male 62.7%). Median (interquartile range) age and body mass index z‐score were 1.5 (0.2, 10.8) years and 0.27 (−1.58, 2.66), respectively. The most common indication for inpatient PSG was initiation and titration of ventilation (n = 34/75, 45.3%). Of the 75 children, 48 (64%) had multiple complex chronic conditions (CCCs). Sixty children (80%) underwent a baseline PSG for either the entire night or a portion of the night. Of these studies, 54 (90%) had clinically significant SDB of which isolated obstructive sleep apnea (OSA; 17/60, 28.3%) was the most common. The following management was undertaken for the 54 patients with SDB; respiratory technology (88.9%), surgical intervention (31.5%), positional therapy (1.9%), intranasal steroids (3.7%), and no further intervention (5.6%), respectively.

Conclusions

Our study highlights that inpatient PSG was an important diagnostic tool resulting in directed medical and surgical management. Future multicenter studies are needed to compare indications for inpatient PSGs across institutions to develop evidence‐based clinical practice guidelines.
Update in postinfectious bronchiolitis obliterans
Authors: Teper Alejandro , Colom Alejandro J. , Schubert Ralf , Jerkic Pera‐Silvija
Published: June 2023

Postinfectious bronchiolitis obliterans (PiBO) is a rare and severe form of chronic obstructive lung disease caused by an infectious injury to the lower respiratory tract. The most commonly recognized inciting stimuli leading to PiBO are airway pathogens, such as adenovirus and Mycoplasma. PiBO is characterized by persistent and nonreversible airway obstruction, with functional and radiological evidence of small airway involvement. The literature has limited information on the aetiology, clinical profile, treatment, and outcome of PiBO.
Effect of preterm chorioamnionitis on lung ultrasound score used to guide surfactant replacement
Authors: Vivalda Laura , Loi Barbara , Bisceglie Valeria , Ben‐Ammar Rafik , De Luca Daniele
Published: June 2023

Objective

Lung ultrasound score (LUS) accurately guides surfactant replacement in preterm neonates with respiratory distress syndrome due to surfactant deficiency. However, surfactant deficiency is not the unique pathobiological feature, as there may be relevant lung inflammation, such as in certain cases of clinical chorioamnionitis (CC). We aim to investigate if CC influences LUS and ultrasound‐guided surfactant treatment.

Design

Retrospective (2017–2022), large, cohort study targeted to recruit a homogeneous population treated with unchanged respiratory care policy and lung ultrasound protocol. Patients with (CC+: 207) and without (CC−: 205) chorioamnionitis were analyzed with propensity score matching and subsequent additional multivariate adjustments.

Results

LUS was identical at unmatched and matched comparisons. Consistently, at least one surfactant dose was given in 98 (47.3%) and 83 (40.5%) neonates in the CC+ and CC− matched cohorts, respectively (p = .210). Multiple doses were needed in 28 (13.5%) and 21 (10.2%) neonates in the CC+ and CC− cohorts, respectively (p = .373). Postnatal age at surfactant dosing was also similar. LUS was higher in patients who were diagnosed with neonatal acute respiratory distress syndrome (NARDS) (CC+ cohort: 10.3 (2.9), CC− cohort: 11.4 (2.6)), than in those without NARDS (CC+ cohort: 6.1 (3.7), CC− cohort: 6.2 (3.9); p < .001, for both). Surfactant use was more frequent in neonates with, than in those without NARDS (p < .001). Multivariate adjustments confirmed NARDS as the variable with greater effect size on LUS.

Conclusions

CC does not influence LUS in preterm neonates, unless inflammation is enough severe to trigger NARDS. The occurrence of NARDS is key factor influencing the LUS.
Patterns of distant metastases in patients with triple‐negative breast cancer—A population‐based study
Authors: Gao Yang , Bian Chuanzhen , Gu Kang , Wang Haiyan , Zhuang Shan , Tang Xiaowen , Zhao Yunian
Published: June 2023

This study provided systematic insights into the patterns of triple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC) distant metastases (DM) and investigated the related elements for the prognosis prediction of TNBC patients based on a large sample. We reviewed eligible patients with TNBC from the SEER database between 2010 and 2015. We also analyzed differences in baseline characteristics among patients with diverse modes of metastasis. Meanwhile, we calculated proportional mortality ratio and expression of proportional trends in different patients. Subsequently, KM analysis was employed to investigate the survival outcomes. Finally, the predictive and prognostic factors of DM were identified. In this study, we included 24 822 TNBC patients, including 1026 DM patients and 23 796 non‐DM patients. At the time of initial diagnosis, 4.1% of patients had DM, and 36.9% had multiple metastases. According to the study, the most common sites of metastasis in DM patients were bone (251 cases) and lung (244 cases), while the least common organ of metastasis was brain (37 cases). Age, grade, T, N, and marital status were deemed as risk elements of DM. T stage, insurance status, marital status, surgery treatment, chemotherapy, number of metastatic sites, and metastatic sites also significantly affected the diagnosis of DM. Our study showed that the most common site of metastasis in TNBC patients with DM was bone and the least common site was brain. Different modes of metastasis have different survival and prognostic characteristics. Thus, our research may have important implications for the clinical practice of TNBC patients in the future.
TSNAXIP1 is required for sperm head formation and male fertility
Authors: Sultana Tasrin , Iwamori Tokuko , Iwamori Naoki
Published: June 2023

Purpose

TRANSLIN (TSN) and its binding partner TSNAX have been reported to contribute to a wide spectrum of biological activities including spermatogenesis. TSN accompanies specific mRNA transport in male germ cells through intercellular bridges. A testis‐expressed protein TSNAXIP1 was reported to interact with TSNAX. However the role of TSNAXIP1 in spermatogenesis remained unclear. This study aimed to elucidate the role of TSNAXIP1 in spermatogenesis and male fertility in mice.

Methods

TSNAXIP1 knockout (KO) mice were generated using the CRISPR‐Cas9 system. The fertility, spermatogenesis, and sperm of TSNAXIP1 KO males were analyzed.

Results

TSNAXIP1, and especially its domains, are highly conserved between mouse and human. Tsnaxip1 was expressed in testis, but not in ovary. TSNAXIP1 KO mice were generated, and TSNAXIP1 KO males were found to be sub‐fertile with smaller testis and lower sperm count. Although no overt abnormalities were observed during spermatogenesis, lack of TSNAXIP1 induced sperm head malformation, resulting in a unique flower‐shaped sperm head. Moreover, abnormal anchorage of the sperm neck was frequently observed in TSNAXIP1 null sperm.

Conclusion

A testis‐expressed gene TSNAXIP1 has important roles in sperm head morphogenesis and male fertility. Moreover, TSNAXIP1 could be a causative gene for human infertility.
Theℒ1controller synthesis for piecewise continuous nonlinear systems via set invariance principles
Authors: Choi Hyung Tae , Kim Jung Hoon
Published: June 2023

This article provides a synthesis method of the controller for piecewise continuous nonlinear systems in terms of set invariance principles. Following the arguments of Filippov's differential equations, solutions of piecewise continuous differential equations are first characterized by set‐valued functions. Based on such characteristics of solutions equipped with set‐valued functions, the performance of piecewise continuous nonlinear systems, that is, the gain from the associated disturbance to regulated output, is formulated. To clarify the existence of a controller such that the resulting closed‐loop system satisfies the performance in the presence of piecewise continuity, the so‐called generalized controlled invariance domain is proposed. Taking this advanced argument allows us to establish a synthesis procedure for the controller by showing a lower‐semicontinuity of the set‐valued functions involved in the generalized controlled invariance domain. Finally, some numerical examples are provided to evaluate the validity of the existence condition for the controller.
Development of a Digital Tool for Home-Based Monitoring of Skin Disease for Older Adults
Authors: van Egmond Sven , Cai Zhuo R. , Nava Vanessa , Joy de Vere Hunt Isabella , Rapaport Bailie R. , Ko Justin , Chiou Albert S. , Sarin Kavita , Tang Jean , Zhang Lucy , Linos Eleni
Published: June 2023

We developed a digital tool for home-based monitoring of skin disease, our digital tool. In the current observational pilot study, we found that DORA is feasible to use in practice, as it has a high patient compliance, retention and satisfaction. Clinicans rated the photos generally good quality or perfect quality. These results show that the digital health tool DORA can easily be used by patients to send photos to their dermatologist, which could reduce unnecessary clinical visits. It may also be used in other settings where digital literacy barriers and unequal access to dermatologists contribute to healthcare disparities.
Botfly Myiasis after Travel to Bolivia
Authors: Chattopadhyay Aheli , Wang Jason F. , Wei Maria L.
Published: June 2023

Following a trip to Bolivia, a 32-year-old woman developed a left lower leg ulcer with a sensation of movement within the lesion. After being seen by four primary care providers, she was referred to dermatology 7 weeks after her return from Bolivia. At that time, she was found to have a 5 mm weeping ulcer, with a live larva visible at the base. We conducted a punch biopsy for botfly removal, after which the patient healed well. Herein we discuss the ways in which clinical presentation, history of travel, dermoscopy, and ultrasound can contribute to diagnosing botfly myiasis. While treatment of botfly infestation is not required, we discuss the importance of shared decision-making in considering treatment, as well as methods for extraction, including mechanical or surgical removal, which may help to reduce patient anxiety and the risk for secondary infection. As global travel resumes to levels prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, it is important for dermatologists to be aware of the presenting symptoms and treatment of tropical skin disorders.
Acidity: A Key Parameter in Zeolite‐Templated Carbon Formation
Authors: Aumond Thibaud , Vezin Hervé , Batonneau‐Gener Isabelle , Compère Steven , Pouilloux Yannick , Le Person Annaig , Moissette Alain , Sachse Alexander
Published: June 2023

This work reveals the crucial role of zeolite acidity in the synthesis of zeolite‐templated carbons (ZTCs). While textural and chemical properties appear to be independent from acidity at a given synthesis temperature, the spin concentration in hybrid materials appears to be strongly impacted by the zeolite acid site concentration. The electrical conductivity of the hybrids and resulting ZTCs are closely related to the spin concentration in the hybrid materials. The amount of zeolite acid sites hence fundamentally impacts the electrical conductivity of the samples that spans over a range of four magnitudes. Electrical conductivity reveals as key parameter to describe the quality of ZTCs.
2D–3D‐Convertible, pH‐Responsive Lipid Nanosheets
Authors: Zhang Wancheng , Takahashi Shutaro , Shimada Naohiko , Maruyama Atsushi
Published: June 2023

2D nanosheets self‐assembled with amphiphilic molecules are promising tools for biomedical applications; yet, there are challenges to form and stabilize these nanosheets under complex physiological conditions. Here, the development of lipid nanosheets with high structural stability that can be reversibly converted to cell‐sized vesicles by changes in pH within the physiological range robustly, are described. The system is controlled by the membrane disruptive peptide E5 and a cationic copolymer anchored on lipid membranes. It is envisioned that nanosheets formed using the dual anchoring peptide/cationic copolymer system can be employed in dynamic lipidic nanodevices, such as the vesosomes described here, drug delivery systems, and artificial cells.
Modulating Ionic Transport and Interface Chemistry via Surface‐Modified Silica Carrier in Nano Colloid Electrolyte for Stable Cycling of Li‐Metal Batteries
Authors: Lim Minhong , An Hyeongguk , Seo Jiyeon , Lee Mingyu , Lee Hyuntae , Kwon Hyeokjin , Kim Hee‐Tak , Esken Daniel , Takata Ryo , Song Hyun A , Lee Hongkyung
Published: June 2023

Tailoring the Li+ microenvironment is crucial for achieving fast ionic transfer and a mechanically reinforced solid–electrolyte interphase (SEI), which administers the stable cycling of Li‐metal batteries (LMBs). Apart from traditional salt/solvent compositional tuning, this study presents the simultaneous modulation of Li+ transport and SEI chemistry using a citric acid (CA)‐modified silica‐based colloidal electrolyte (C‐SCE). CA‐tethered silica (CA‐SiO2) can render more active sites for attracting complex anions, leading to further dissociation of Li+ from the anions, resulting in a high Li+ transference number (≈0.75). Intermolecular hydrogen bonds between solvent molecules and CA‐SiO2 and their migration also act as nano‐carrier for delivering additives and anions toward the Li surface, reinforcing the SEI via the co‐implantation of SiO2 and fluorinated components. Notably, C‐SCE demonstrated Li dendrite suppression and improved cycling stability of LMBs compared with the CA‐free SiO2 colloidal electrolyte, hinting that the surface properties of the nanoparticles have a huge impact on the dendrite‐inhibiting role of nano colloidal electrolytes.
Anion Exchange Facilitates the In Situ Construction of Bi/BiO Interfaces for Enhanced Electrochemical CO2‐to‐Formate Conversion Over a Wide Potential Window
Authors: Zhao Shulin , Qin Yue , Wang Xuerong , Wang Chun , Chen Xin , Wang Yu , Yu Jie‐Xiang , Liu Xiaojing , Wu Yuping , Chen Yuhui
Published: June 2023

Electrochemical reduction of CO2 (CO2RR) into value‐added products is a promising strategy to reduce energy consumption and solve environmental issues. Formic acid/formate is one of the high‐value, easy‐to‐collect, and economically viable products. Herein, the reconstructed Bi2O2CO3 nanosheets (BOCR NSs) are synthesized by an in situ electrochemical anion exchange strategy from Bi2O2SO4 as a pre‐catalyst. The BOCR NSs achieve a high formate Faradaic efficiency (FEformate) of 95.7% at −1.1 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode (vs. RHE), and maintain FEformate above 90% in a wide potential range from −0.8 to −1.5 V in H‐cell. The in situ spectroscopic studies reveal that the obtained BOCR NSs undergo the anion exchange from Bi2O2SO4 to Bi2O2CO3 and further promote the self‐reduction to metallic Bi to construct Bi/BiO active site to facilitate the formation of OCHO* intermediate. This result demonstrates anion exchange strategy can be used to rational design high performance of the catalysts toward CO2RR.
Insights into Electrode Architectures and Lithium‐Ion Transport in Polycrystalline V2O5 Cathodes of Solid‐State Batteries
Authors: Yu Zhenjiang , Shan Hongmei , Zhong Yunlei , Hong Guo , Hui Kwan San , Zhang Xia , Hui Kwun Nam
Published: June 2023

Polymer‐based solid‐state batteries (SSBs) have received increasing attentions due to the absence of interfacial problems in sulfide/oxide‐type SSBs, but the lower oxidation potential of polymer‐based electrolytes greatly limits the application of conventional high‐voltage cathode such as LiNixCoyMnzO2 (NCM) and lithium‐rich NCM. Herein, this study reports on a lithium‐free V2O5 cathode that enables the applications of polymer‐based solid‐state electrolyte (SSE) with high energy density due to the microstructured transport channels and suitable operational voltage. Using a synergistic combination of structural inspection and non‐destructive X‐ray computed tomography (X‐CT), it interprets the chemo–mechanical behavior that determines the electrochemical performance of the V2O5 cathode. Through detailed kinetic analyses such as differential capacity and galvanostatic intermittent titration technique (GITT), it is elucidated that the hierarchical V2O5 constructed through microstructural engineering exhibits smaller electrochemical polarization and faster Li‐ion diffusion rates in polymer‐based SSBs than those in the liquid lithium batteries (LLBs). By the hierarchical ion transport channels created by the nanoparticles against each other, superior cycling stability (≈91.7% capacity retention after 100 cycles at 1 C) is achieved at 60 °C in polyoxyethylene (PEO)‐based SSBs. The results highlight the crucial role of microstructure engineering in designing Li‐free cathodes for polymer‐based SSBs.
Classification of Sulfides in High‐Sulfur Steel and Establishment of Automatic Sulfide Classification Method
Authors: Shen Ping , Xu Kang , Wu Xing , Guo Cheng , Chi Ruting , Han Yuexing , Fu Jianxun
Published: June 2023

Sulfides with different distribution states may have different effects on steel properties. How to separately count each kind of sulfide remains a question. In the current study, sulfides in 1215 free‐cutting and 416 free‐cutting stainless steel are counted by Image‐Pro Plus image‐processing software. The sulfides can be divided into three categories, that is, cluster‐like sulfides, chain‐like sulfides, and individual sulfides. The features of each kind of sulfide are summarized and an automatic sulfide classification method is proposed. By using this method, sulfides in a metallographic photograph of 1215 steel are successfully classified into three types and counted separately. The quantity percentage of chain‐like, cluster‐like, and individual sulfides is 24.65%, 56.79%, and 18.56%, respectively, while the area percentage of different types of sulfides is 34.33%, 52.80%, and 12.87%. Individual sulfides have the highest‐quantity percentage of sulfides with a diameter smaller than 3 μm and with an area smaller than 10 μm2. Through this method, different types of sulfides can be deeply analyzed. It offers reliable data to evaluate whether the sulfides are well controlled or not, providing a guideline for the improvement of sulfide control methods.
Ecosystem sustainability and conservation of waste natural fiber strengthen epoxy composites for lightweight applications
Authors: Poyyamozhi Natesan , Sivanantham Arunachalam , Mukilarasan Nedunchezhiyan , Gopal Kaliyaperumal , De Poures Melvin Victor , Venkatesh Rathinavelu , Naveen Subbaiyan , Perumal Muthumari
Published: June 2023

In recent days, the automobile, aerospace, and marine sectors are imposed to search the similar quality alternative material with desired mechanical and wear characteristics obtained by using natural fiber extracted from environmental wastes. The current investigational characteristics study focuses to increase the mechanical properties of composite by using NaOH‐treated natural fiber like jute and sisal bonded with epoxy resin via the wet filament technique. The four different positions of fibers like the jute‐sisal fiber were dipped with epoxy resin and waved as random (multi‐directional), 0° (unidirectional), 90° (bi‐directional), and interlock position. The developed natural fiber composites were subjected to tensile, impact, and flexural strength made by ASTM procedure. The composite prepared with interlock position showed higher tensile, impact, and flexural strength 49.51 ± 1.51 MPa, 12 ± 0.98 J, and 57.31 ± 1.98 MPa respectively and improved by 12%, 33.3%, and 10% as compared to random (multi‐directional) composite. So the developed composites were enhanced by the conservation of jute/sisal fiber bonded with epoxy as interlocking distribution is utilized for lightweight applications and the conservation of waste natural fiber retained the ecosystem sustainability.
Reconstructing radar reflectivity by integrating GPM and INSAT‐3D observations for near real‐time monitoring of convective storms over India
Authors: Mishra Anoop Kumar , Tomar Chander Singh , Kumar Gajendra , Bhan Subhash Chander
Published: June 2023

This study focuses on integrating dual‐frequency precipitation radar (DPR) observations on‐board the Global Precipitation Mission with the storm index from INSAT‐3D for the development of reconstructed radar reflectivity. Performance of the derived product was tested against the independent DPR observations. A correlation coefficient of 0.81 is reported between the reconstructed radar reflectivity and the DPR observations. Derived reconstructed reflectivity is shown to be an excellent product for the weather monitoring over the regions without radar coverage.
Local discontinuous Galerkin method on graded meshes for a third‐order singularly perturbed problem
Authors: Yan Li , Cheng Yao
Published: June 2023

We consider the local discontinuous Galerkin (LDG) method for a third order singularly perturbed problem with different kinds of boundary layer. On graded Duran‐Shishkin and Duran type meshes, we prove optimal order error estimate in the energy‐norm which is valid uniformly up to a logarithmic factor. Numerical experiments are given to confirm our theoretical findings.
A Crack in the Track of the Hubble Constant
Authors: Gueguen Marie
Published: June 2023

Measuring the rate at which the universe expands at a given time–the ‘Hubble constant’– has been a topic of controversy since the first measure of its expansion by Edwin Hubble in the 1920s. As early as the 1970s, Sandage and de Vaucouleurs have been arguing about the adequate methodology for such a measurement. Should astronomers focus only on their best indicators, e.g., the Cepheids, and improve the precision of this measurement based on a unique object to the best possible? Or should they “spread the risks”, i.e., multiply the indicators and methodologies before averaging over their results? Is a robust agreement across several uncertain measures, as is currently argued to defend the existence of a ‘Hubble crisis’ more telling than a single 1% precision measurement? This controversy, I argue, stems from a misconception of what managing the uncertainties associated with such experimental measurements require. Astrophysical measurements, such as the measure of the Hubble constant, require a methodology that permits both to reduce the known uncertainties and to track the unknown unknowns. Based on the lessons drawn from the so-called Hubble crisis, I sketch a methodological guide for identifying, quantifying and reducing uncertainties in astrophysical measurements, hoping that such a guide can not only help to re-frame the current Hubble tension, but serve as a starting point for future fruitful discussions between astrophysicists, astronomers and philosophers.
Green Marketing as Manifest Performance of Ethical Judgment
Authors: Bengtson Erik , Mossberg Oskar
Published: June 2023

This chapter concludes the book’s discussion and emphasizes the need for discursive conditions and a constructive marketing critique that encourages virtuous marketing practices. The chapter also relates the virtue-framework to the field of marketing ethics, as well as other strands of research, and suggests avenues for future interdisciplinary work. We argue that rhetorical scholarship can contribute to the collaborative effort of steering market dynamics in more sustainable directions.
Female Migration and Stay-Behind Children in Bangladesh
Authors: Luna Sabnam Sarmin
Published: June 2023

In migration studies, male migrants and their stay-behind families, including women and children have been an area of sustained academic investigation in the Global South. The unaccompanied children of female migrants remain, however, an area of peripheral interest in the existing literature. Millions of South Asian female migrants work in two major destination regions: the GCC countries and Southeast Asia. They are often married with children and their traditional role as mothers is transferred to and executed by other members of the extended family, giving rise to an exciting area of migration research in the global South in general and in South Asia in particular. This paper attempts to address this relatively under-studied field of South-South migration by investigating the stay-behind families of female migrants in Bangladesh with a focus on their unaccompanied children.
Sustainable Development of Railway Corridors: Methods and Models for High Speed Rail (HSR) Demand Analysis
Authors: Russo Francesco , Sgro Domenico , Musolino Giuseppe
Published: June 2023

The realization of High Speed Rail (HSR) lines generates different type of effects that have been observed and studied in the scientific literature in last decades. The paper focuses on the travel demand models to estimate the effects of HSR on passenger mobility. The HSR travel demand may be segmented into three main components: diverted demand from other modes, or from other rail services, to HSR; induced demand, which can be direct and indirect; economy-based demand growth. The aim is to analyse and highlight the actual trend of scientific publications on the HSR demand analysis, thus identify the existing research gaps and the needs inside this trend, so the necessary future directions of research.
Methodologies for Sustainable Development of TEN-T/RFC Corridors and Core Ports: Estimation of Time-Series Economic Impact
Authors: Musolino Giuseppe , Cartisano Antonio , Fortugno Giuseppe
Published: June 2023

The container revolution in the last decades of the 20th century determined the arise of container ports. They further evolved in the so-called third-generation ports, becoming generators of value added due to the manipulation of goods in transit. The increase of value added in third-generation ports is amplified in core ports connected to TEN-T/RFC corridors, where Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and the three pillars of smartness (ICT, Transport and Energy) are present. The paper deals with time-series models for the estimation of economic impact of a SEZ in an underdeveloped region of EU. The test case is the Calabria region (Italy). SEZ in Calabria has its fulcrum in the industrial area close to the transhipment hub port of Gioia Tauro. The economic impacts of the SEZ were quantified through two variables: exports and employment of industrial firms settled in Calabria. The comparison of two scenarios (Do-Nothing scenario and SEZ) shows relevant positive impacts in the SEZ one. Future developments concern the calibration and validation of multi-variate time-series models from observations provided by worldwide SEZs.
Entanglement and geometry from subalgebras of the Virasoro algebra
Authors: Caputa Pawel , Ge Dongsheng
Published: June 2023

Abstract

In this work we study families of generalised coherent states constructed from SL(2,R) subalgebras of the Virasoro algebra in two-dimensional conformal field theories. We derive the energy density and entanglement entropy and discuss their equivalence with analogous quantities computed in locally excited states. Moreover, we analyze their dual, holographic geometries and reproduce entanglement entropies from the Ryu-Takayanagi prescription. Finally, we outline possible applications of this universal class of states to operator growth and inhomogeneous quenches.
A two-dimensional string cosmology
Authors: Rodriguez Victor A.
Published: June 2023

Abstract

We study two-dimensional string theory on a time-dependent background, whose worldsheet description consists of Liouville theory at central charge c = 1 and Liouville theory at central charge c = 25, together with the conformal ghosts. We compute the tree-level three-point and four-point components of the cosmological wavefunction in string perturbation theory. The latter is evaluated numerically by decomposing the Liouville four-point correlation functions into Virasoro conformal blocks and three-point function coefficients and integrating over the moduli space of the four-punctured sphere string diagram. This computation numerically confirms a surprisingly simple conjectural result for the four-point wavefunction component whose physical interpretation remains to be clarified.
Accommodating muon (g − 2) and leptogenesis in a scotogenic model
Authors: Alvarez A. , Banik A. , Cepedello R. , Herrmann B. , Porod W. , Sarazin M. , Schnelke M.
Published: June 2023

Abstract

We present a detailed study of a scotogenic model accommodating dark matter, neutrino masses and the anomalous magnetic moment of the muon while being consistent with the existing constraints on flavour violating decays of the leptons. Moreover, this model offers the possibility to explain the baryon asymmetry of the Universe via leptogenesis. We determine the viable regions of the model’s parameter space in view of dark matter and flavour constraints using a Markov Chain Monte Carlo setup combined with a particular procedure to accommodate neutrino masses and the anomalous magnetic moment of the muon at the same time. We also discuss briefly the resulting collider phenomenology.
Kac-Moody symmetry in the light front of gauge theories
Authors: González Hernán A. , Labrin Oriana , Miskovic Olivera
Published: June 2023

Abstract

We discuss the emergence of a new symmetry generator in a Hamiltonian realisation of four-dimensional gauge theories in the flat space foliated by retarded (advanced) time. It generates an asymptotic symmetry that acts on the asymptotic fields in a way different from the usual large gauge transformations. The improved canonical generators, corresponding to gauge and asymptotic symmetries, form a classical Kac-Moody charge algebra with a non-trivial central extension. In particular, we describe the case of electromagnetism, where the charge algebra is the U(1) current algebra with a level proportional to the coupling constant of the theory, κ = 4π2/e2. We construct bilinear generators yielding Virasoro algebras on the null boundary. We also provide a non-Abelian generalization of the previous symmetries by analysing the evolution of Yang-Mills theory in Bondi coordinates.
Classical spin gravitational Compton scattering
Authors: Bjerrum-Bohr N. E. J. , Chen Gang , Skowronek Marcos
Published: June 2023

Abstract

We introduce a novel bootstrap method for heavy-mass effective field theory classical Compton scattering amplitudes involving two massless particles and two arbitrary-spin infinite-mass limit particles. Using a suitable ansatz, we deduce new and explicit classical spin results for gluon four and five-point infinite mass processes that exhibit a certain exponentiated three-point tree-level factorizations and feature no spurious poles. We discuss the generalization of our bootstrap to higher multiplicities and summarize future potential applications.
Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Effects of α-Lipoic Acid on Lipopolysaccharide-induced Oxidative Stress in Rat Kidney
Authors: Skibska Beata , Kochan Ewa , Stanczak Andrzej , Lipert Anna , Skibska Agnieszka
Published: June 2023

α-Lipoic acid (α-LA) is a naturally occurring organosulfur component. Oxidative stress plays an essential role in the pathogenesis of various diseases, such as kidney and cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, neurodegenerative disorders, cancer and aging. Kidneys are especially vulnerable to oxidative stress and damage. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of α-LA on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced oxidative stress parameters in rat kidneys. The experimental rats were divided into four groups: I—control (0.9% NaCl i.v.); II—α-LA (60 mg/kg b.w. i.v.); III—LPS (30 mg/kg b.w. i.v.); and IV—LPS + LA (30 mg/kg b.w. i.v. and 60 mg/kg b.w. i.v., respectively). In kidney homogenates the concentration of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), sulfhydryl groups (−SH), total protein, superoxide dismutase (SOD), total glutathione (tGSH), reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione disulphide (GSSG) and the GSH/GSSG ratio were determined. In addition, the levels of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and interleukin (IL)-6 were measured to assess inflammation and was estimated kidney oedema. Studies have shown that α-LA administered after LPS administration attenuated kidney oedema and significantly decreased TBARS, H2O2, TNF-α, and IL-6 levels in rat kidneys. α-LA also resulted in increase −SH group, total protein, and SOD levels and ameliorated the GSH redox status when compared to the LPS group. The results suggest that α-LA plays an important role against LPS-induced oxidative stress in kidney tissue as well as downregulating the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines.

Graphical Abstract
Freeze‐dried noncoagulating platelet‐derived factor concentrate is a safe and effective treatment for early knee osteoarthritis
Authors: Ohtsuru Tadahiko , Otsuji Masaki , Nakanishi Jun , Nakamura Norimasa , Lyman Stephen , Hanai Hiroto , Shimomura Kazunori , Ando Wataru
Published: June 2023

Purpose

While a wide variety of platelet‐rich plasma (PRP) solutions has been developed, innovation continues. In this case, the freeze‐dried platelet factor concentrate (PFC‐FD) represents another step in PRP refinement. The preparation of PFC‐FD at a central laboratory with freeze drying for shelf stabilization should provide additional quality improvements if clinical effectiveness can be demonstrated. Therefore, this study was undertaken to assess the safety and effectiveness of PFC‐FD in a prospective open‐label trial of patients suffering from knee osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods

312 consecutive knee OA patients (67% female, mean age 63 ± 10 years), were prospectively recruited in an outpatient knee clinic in Japan. Of these, 10 (3.2%) were lost to follow‐up at < 12 months and 17 (5.5%) sought additional knee therapy during the follow‐up period. The primary outcome of interest was achievement of the OMERACT‐OARSI responder criteria with secondary outcomes of adverse events and PROMs scores 1, 3, 6, 12 months following a single PFC‐FD injection.

Results

285 patients (91%) completed 12 month PROMs. The 17 who sought additional therapy were considered failures leaving an effective sample size of 302 for our primary outcome in which 62% of patients achieved OMERACT‐OARSI responder status by 12 months. This varied by OA class with Kellgren–Lawrence grade 4 patients 3.6 times less likely to be responders than grade 1–2 patients. 6% of patients experienced a non‐serious adverse event, primarily pain or swelling at the injection site.

Conclusions

PFC‐FD provides an observable clinical improvement in 62% of knee OA patients at 12 months post‐injection with very little risk of any clinically relevant adverse event. Of course, nearly 40% of patients did not experience an observable clinical improvement, primarily among those with worse KL grades.

Level of evidence

Therapeutic, Level II.
Do traumatic cervical disc ruptures occur in low velocity accidents?
Authors: Eckardt N. , Schwarz F. , Hubig M. , Mall G. , Muggenthaler H.
Published: June 2023

Background

Generally, disc changes are of degenerative origin and develop over a longer time span. Accidental incidents with isolated traumatic disc ruptures are rare events; however, occupants involved in low velocity accidents often claim a causal relationship between disc changes and accidents. In forensic casework the adequacy of the biomechanical load to cause traumatic disc rupture has to be assessed.

Objective

Based on patient data we addressed the following issues:

– Do traumatic cervical disc rupture occur in low velocity accidents?

– Are there always accompanying injuries in neuroradiological imaging?

– What are the main injury mechanisms?

Methods

In this study we analyzed cases of traumatic disc ruptures without other severe injuries in patients who underwent surgical treatment between 2010 and 2021. The purpose was to identify cases with traumatic disc ruptures following low velocity scenarios. The sample contained 16 cases with the main diagnosis of traumatic cervical disc rupture.

Results

Falls caused traumatic disc rupture in 14 of the cases, while traffic accidents caused disc injury in 2 cases only. Radiological signs of acute trauma as well as sensorimotor deficits or pain were present in every case. Of the patients six did not sustain accompanying fractures. In the majority of cases a hyperextension mechanism was assumed, even though an exact reconstruction of the load was not possible in every case.

Conclusion

This study renders traumatic genesis of a disc rupture highly unlikely in patients involved in low velocity scenarios. Medical imaging without accompanying injuries or signs of acute trauma, e.g., in terms of bleeding, bony or ligamentous lesions, supports a non-accidental cause of disc changes. Nevertheless, expert opinions require case by case evaluation taking account of patient-specific and case-specific conditions.
On Forced Periodicity of Perfect Colorings
Authors: Herva Pyry , Kari Jarkko
Published: June 2023

We study forced periodicity of two-dimensional configurations under certain constraints and use an algebraic approach to multidimensional symbolic dynamics in which d-dimensional configurations and finite patterns are presented as formal power series and Laurent polynomials, respectively, in d variables. We consider perfect colorings that are configurations such that the number of points of a given color in the neighborhood of any point depends only on the color of the point for some fixed relative neighborhood, and we show that by choosing the alphabet suitably any perfect coloring has a non-trivial annihilator, that is, there exists a Laurent polynomial whose formal product with the power series presenting the perfect coloring is zero. Using known results we obtain a sufficient condition for forced periodicity of two-dimensional perfect colorings. As corollaries of this result we get simple new proofs for known results of forced periodicity on the square and the triangular grids. Moreover, we obtain a new result concerning forced periodicity of perfect colorings in the king grid. We also consider perfect colorings of a particularly simple type: configurations that have low abelian complexity with respect to some shape, and we generalize a result that gives a sufficient condition for such configurations to be necessarily periodic. Also, some algorithmic aspects are considered.
Choosing the right density for a concentrated protein system like gluten in a coarse-grained model
Authors: Mioduszewski Łukasz
Published: June 2023

Large coarse-grained simulations are often conducted with an implicit solvent, which makes it hard to assess the water content of the sample and the effective concentration of the system. Here the number and the size of cavities and entanglements in the system, together with density profiles, are used to asses the homogeneity and interconnectedness of gluten. This is a continuation of an earlier article, "Viscoelastic properties of wheat gluten in a molecular dynamics study" (Mioduszewski and Cieplak 2021b). It turns out there is a wide range of densities (between 1 residue per cubic nanometer and 3 residues/nm$$^3$$

3

) where the system is interconnected, but not homogeneous: there are still large empty spaces, surrounded by an entangled protein network. Those findings should be of importance to any coarse-grained simulation of large protein systems.
COVID-19-Impfstatus von Pflegenden und assoziierte Faktoren in der stationären Langzeitpflege
Authors: Hering Christian , Gangnus Annabell , Kohl Raphael , Steinhagen-Thiessen Elisabeth , Kuhlmey Adelheid , Gellert Paul
Published: June 2023

Hintergrund

Das Pflegepersonal in der vollstationären Langzeitpflege wurde prioritär geimpft, um die Infektionsgefahr für Bewohnende zu reduzieren und die Arbeitsfähigkeit zu erhalten. Zwar wurde die Impfquote des Pflegepersonals durch eine einrichtungsbezogene Impfpflicht erhöht, Untersuchungen zu assoziierten Faktoren des Impfstatus liegen für Deutschland jedoch nicht vor.

Ziel

Identifikation von assoziierten Faktoren des COVID-19-Impfstatus von Pflegepersonal in der vollstationären Langzeitpflege.

Methoden

Im Zeitraum vom 26.10.2021 bis 31.01.2022 antworteten insgesamt N = 1546 Pflegekräfte auf eine Online-Befragung im Rahmen des Projekts Covid-Heim, welche u. a. die Impfkampagne fokussierte und mittels logistischer Regressionsanalysen ausgewertet wurde.

Ergebnisse

Acht von 10 Pflegekräften gaben an, gegen COVID-19 geimpft zu sein (80,6 %). Etwa 7 von 10 Pflegekräften dachten seit Beginn der Pandemie mindestens einige Male daran, ihren Beruf aufzugeben (71,4 %). Ein positiver COVID-19-Impfstatus war assoziiert mit höherem Alter, einer Vollzeitbeschäftigung, COVID-19-Todesfällen in der Einrichtung, einem Tätigkeitsort in Nord- oder Westdeutschland. Häufige Gedanken an eine Aufgabe des Berufs waren mit einem negativen COVID-19-Impfstatus assoziiert.

Diskussion

Die vorliegenden Befunde geben erstmalig Hinweise auf Faktoren, die mit dem COVID-19-Impfstatus von Pflegepersonal in der stationären Langzeitpflege in Deutschland zusammenhängen. Weiterführende quantitative wie qualitative Untersuchungen sind notwendig für ein tieferes Verständnis der Entscheidung für oder gegen eine COVID-19-Impfung bei Pflegenden in der stationären Langzeitpflege, um künftige Impfkampagnen in diesem Bereich zielgerichteter umsetzen zu können.