bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
“Mãos de Conforto” (Hands of Comfort): A novel non-pharmacological intervention to ease agitation in elderly persons with dementia
Authors: Julião Miguel , Bruera Eduardo , Silva Carina , Calado José , Cruz Mário , Vaz Marília , Paiva Bianca Sakamoto Ribeiro 
Published: February 2023

AbstractBehavioral symptoms associated with dementia, such as agitation, are frequent and associated with well-known negative consequences for patients, their carers, and their environment. Pharmacological treatments for agitation using sedatives and antipsychotics are known to have several undesirable side effects and modest efficacy. Non-pharmacological alternatives are recommended as first-line options for agitation in persons with dementia with few side effects, but there is limited evidence of efficacy. We developed a novel and simple non-pharmacological alternative for agitation in dementia residents based on a Brazilian intervention using warm water surgical gloves used in patients with COVID-19 in intensive care units during the pandemic. We coined it “Mãos de Conforto” – Hands of Comfort. We report a series of 7 cases in 3 residents with dementia who whore Hands of Comfort.
Which political outsiders do Europeans prefer as ministers?
Authors: Rojon Sebastien , Pilet Jean-Benoit , Vittori Davide , Panel Sophie , Paulis Emilien 
Published: February 2023

AbstractPrevious research suggests that Europeans want more experts in government, but which experts do they want and why? Using survey data collected in 15 European countries, this study compared citizens’ preferences for high-ranking civil servants, university professors, and business executives over traditional political actors (MPs and former ministers) as ministers in government. Overall, university professors were rated more positively than MPs or former ministers in almost all countries, whereas civil servants and business executives were only rated more positively than politicians in Poland, Italy, Spain, Greece, Ireland, and Belgium. While political distrust is a key predictor of preferring political outsiders, we also found that civil servants are not as appealing to politically distrusting individuals, depending on the country. Furthermore, while the demand for more expertise in government mainly influences preferences for university professors, the demand for more government by the people is connected to preferences for business executives and (to a lesser extent) civil servants. The latter finding challenges the common distinction between citizen and expert-oriented visions of democracy and the alleged ‘elitist’ underpinnings of empowering non-elected outsiders.
Differential Trends in Iron Concentrations of Boreal Streams Linked to Catchment Characteristics
Authors: Škerlep M. , Nehzati S. , Sponseller R. A. , Persson P. , Laudon H. , Kritzberg E. S. 
Published: February 2023

AbstractIncreasing iron (Fe) concentrations have been reported for freshwaters across northern Europe over the last decades. This increase, together with elevated concentrations of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), leads to browning of freshwaters, which affects aquatic organisms, ecosystem functioning, biogeochemical cycles, and brings challenges to drinking water production. However, how such increasing trends in stream Fe concentrations reflect the contribution of different catchment sources remains poorly resolved. Here, we explored how catchment characteristics, that is, mires and coniferous soils, regulate spatial and temporal patterns of Fe in a boreal stream network. For this, we determined Fe speciation in riparian and mire soils, and studied temporal Fe dynamics in soil‐water and stream‐water over a span of 18 years. Positive Fe trends were found in the solution of the riparian soil, while no long‐term trend was observed in the mire. These differences were reflected in stream‐water, where three headwater streams dominated by coniferous cover also displayed positive Fe trends, whereas the mire dominated stream showed no trend. Surprisingly, the majority of higher order streams showed declining Fe trends, despite long‐term increases in DOC. In addition, we found that an extreme drought event led to a prolonged release of Fe and DOC from the riparian soils, that could have long‐term effects on stream Fe concentrations. Our results show that riparian forest soils can be major contributors to ongoing increases in freshwater Fe concentrations and that drought can further promote the release of Fe from organic soils.
Coaction of Top and Bottom Drags in Gulf Stream Dynamics
Authors: Renault L. , Marchesiello P. , Contreras M. 
Published: February 2023

AbstractBottom drag and top drag—associated with the ocean current feedback (CFB) to the atmosphere—are the energy dissipation processes in the oceanic boundary layers. Both are instrumental in regulating western boundary currents, such as the Gulf Stream (GS). However, the sensitivity of model results to bottom drag parameterization has not yet been considered in simulations where top drag is present. So far, in the absence of top drag, the bottom drag coefficient turns out to be a very sensitive parameter of ocean models. Here, we re‐examine this sensitivity when both top and bottom drag are considered in eddy‐rich ocean simulations of the North Atlantic basin. The top drag is addressed with a parameterization that considers the wind adjustment to CFB. In agreement with previous studies, we confirm that top drag has a large control on GS dynamics by reducing mesoscale activity. Next, we show that the energy sink due to bottom drag increases when top drag is neglected, but that this increase only partially compensates for the absence of top drag. As a result, the GS representation is too sensitive to bottom drag. Finally, we propose a simple scale‐aware parameterization of the subgrid‐scale topographic effect on bottom drag. Our results suggest that for a realistic representation of GS dynamics and energy pathways, top and bottom drags must be considered together. Future studies should include processes missing from this study, such as submesoscale dynamics and the surface gravity waves at the ocean‐atmosphere interface.
The Role of Small‐Scale Topography in Modulating Eddy Scale in the Northern South China Sea
Authors: Yang Zhibin , Jing Zhao , Zhai Xiaoming 
Published: February 2023

AbstractA high‐resolution nested model initialized with either smooth or synthetically generated rough topography is used to investigate the role of small‐scale topography in modulating eddy scales in the northern South China Sea. It is found that while adding small‐scale topography leads to negligible changes in the surface eddy scales and their seasonal cycle, it significantly reduces the bottom eddy scales by about 30%–40%. This reduction in bottom eddy scales is mainly contributed by three processes: wave generation due to flow interaction with rough topography and subsequent wave propagation into the ocean interior, forward energy cascade associated with processes such as nonpropagating form drag effect, and the influence of small‐scale topography on the deep boundary current. Our results highlight the importance of small‐scale topography in setting the eddy length scales particularly in the deep ocean.
Application of the Pseudo‐Global Warming Approach in a Kilometer‐Resolution Climate Simulation of the Tropics
Authors: Heim Christoph , Leutwyler David , Schär Christoph 
Published: February 2023

AbstractClouds over tropical oceans are an important factor in the Earth's response to increased greenhouse gas concentrations, but their representation in climate models is challenging due to the small‐scale nature of the involved convective processes. We perform two 4‐year‐long simulations at kilometer‐resolution (3.3 km horizontal grid spacing) with the limited‐area model COSMO over the tropical Atlantic on a 9,000 × 7,000 km2 domain: A control simulation under current climate conditions driven by the ERA5 reanalysis, and a climate change scenario simulation using the Pseudo‐Global Warming approach. We compare these results to the changes projected in the CMIP6 scenario ensemble. Validation shows a good representation of the annual cycle of albedo, in particular for trade‐wind clouds, even compared to the ERA5 reanalysis. Also, the vertical structure and annual cycle of the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) is accurately simulated, and the simulation does not suffer from the double ITCZ problem commonly present in global climate models (GCMs). The response to global warming differs between the COSMO simulation and the analyzed GCMs. While both exhibit an overall weakening of the Hadley circulation, the narrowing of the ITCZ (known as the deep‐tropics squeeze) is not so pronounced in the kilometer‐resolution simulation, likely due to the absence of a double ITCZ bias. Also, there is a more pronounced intensification of the ITCZ at the equator in the kilometer‐resolution COSMO simulation, and a stronger associated increase in the anvil cloud fraction.
Comparison of the efficacy of 0.5% isobaric bupivacaine, 0.5% levobupivacaine, and 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine for spinal anesthesia in lower limb surgeries
Authors: Piacherski Valery , Muzyka Lidziya 
Published: February 2023

AbstractVarious advantages of isobaric bupivacaine, levobupivacaine, and hyperbaric bupivacaine are described. There are no studies reliably determining the benefits of these forms of bupivacaine. The purpose of the study was to compare the efficacy of spinal anesthesia (SA) performed with 0.5% isobaric bupivacaine, 0.5% levobupivacaine, and 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine. The clinical study was approved by the ethics committee. The sample size was calculated for a confidence level of 99%. 111 patients were randomly allocated into 3 equal groups for spinal anesthesia in lower limb surgeries. In group 1 (1B) spinal anesthesia was performed with 3 ml of 0.5% isobaric bupivacaine (n = 37); in group 2 (2L)—3 ml of 0.5% levobupivacaine (n = 37), in group 3 (3H)—3 ml of 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine (n = 37). The criterion for assessing the effectiveness of anesthesia was the need to switch to another type of anesthesia (criterion-no anesthesia), or the need for additional use of narcotic analgesics or local anesthesia during surgery (criterion-reporting of painful feelings during the operation). In 1B anesthesia efficiency by the criterion of additional intraoperative analgesia was 100% (37 patients; 95% CI [0.88–1.0]); 2L—86.4%; (31 patients; 95% CI [0.68–0.92]); 3H—72.9% (27 patients; 95% CI [0.56–0.84]). There were significant differences between groups 1B and 2L: p < 0.05 (p = 0.0104). There were no significant differences between groups 2L and 3H (p = 0.2587). All patients in group 1B developed complete sensory block (++) within 4 (3; 5) min. In group 2L complete sensory block developed in 34 patients (89.4%) within 9 (5; 14) min, in group 3H sensory block developed in all patients within 3 (2.5; 4). The duration of analgesia period between 1B and 2L did not statistically differ (p = 0.73). In 3H the duration of analgesia was 170 (150; 200) min. The study found 83.7% efficacy of levobupivacaine and 72.9% efficacy of hyperbaric bupivacaine in comparison with isobaric bupivacaine (100%) when administered intrathecally in equal volumes and amounts (by the criterion of additional intraoperative analgesia).Trial registration: NCT05184465 (Initial Release: 12/01/2021; date of first publication—11/01/2022).
CRISPR/Cas9-mediated targeted knock-in of large constructs using nocodazole and RNase HII
Authors: Eghbalsaied Shahin , Kues Wilfried A. 
Published: February 2023

AbstractOn-target integration of large cassettes via homology-directed repair (HDR) has several applications. However, the HDR-mediated targeted knock-in suffered from low efficiency. In this study, we made several large plasmids (12.1–13.4 kb) which included the CRISPR/Cas9 system along with a puromycin transgene as part of the large DNA donor (5.3–7.1 kb insertion cassettes) and used them to evaluate their targeted integration efficiency into a transgenic murine embryonic fibroblast (MEF) cell line carrying a single copy of a Venus transgene. We established a detection assay by which HDR events could be discriminated from the error-prone non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ) events. Improving the plasmid quality could considerably leverage the cell toxicity impediment of large plasmids. The use of the TILD (targeted integration with linearized dsDNA) cassettes did not improve the HDR rate compared to the circular plasmids. However, the direct inclusion of nocodazole into the electroporation solution significantly improved the HDR rate. Also, simultaneous delivery of RNase HII and the donor plasmids into the electroporated cells considerably improved the HDR events. In conclusion, the results of this study showed that using cell synchronization reagents in the electroporation medium can efficiently induce HDR rate in the mammalian genome.
Synthesis and characterization of two self-assembled [Cu6Gd3] and [Cu5Dy2] complexes exhibiting the magnetocaloric effect, slow relaxation of magnetization, and anticancer activity
Authors: Bhanja Avik , Roy Chaudhuri Sangeeta , Canaj Angelos B. , Vyas Shachi Pranjal , Ortu Fabrizio , Smythe Lucy , Murrie Mark , Goswami Ritobrata , Ray Debashis 
Published: February 2023

Two interesting Cu6Gd3 and Cu5Dy2 cluster has been synthesized. Cu6Gd3 shows magnetocaloric properties and zero field SMM behaviour is prevalent for Cu5Dy2. A comparative study on anticancer activity, DNA and protein binding has also been performed.
The improved constant false alarm rate detector based on multi‐frame integration for fluctuating target detection in heavy‐tailed clutter
Authors: Cao Chenghu , Zhao Yongbo 
Published: February 2023

AbstractIn this paper, attention is devoted to the analysis of the detection threshold based on the multi‐frame integration in heavy‐tailed clutter for the radar with high resolution and even smaller grazing angle. The closed‐form expressions of both the probability of the detection and the probability of false alarm for the heavy‐tailed clutter background, which can be used for the theoretical analysis of constant false alarm rate (CFAR) detectors, are derived with the multi‐frame integration technique. Accordingly, an improved CFAR detector is designed to work well with the presence of target‐like outliers in the heavy‐tailed clutter. In addition, the proposed CFAR detector is capable to alleviate the masking‐effect resorting to the additive feedback operation when a target is large enough to cross several cells in multi‐target case. The theoretical analysis and numerical simulations demonstrate that the proposed CFAR detector based on multi‐frame integration can improve the signal‐to‐clutter rate of the targets exhibiting better performance than ones based on single frame in heavy‐tailed clutter background. It is validated from the simulations that the proposed CFAR detector with additive feedback operation can deal with masking‐effect for large target occupying several cells.
Debris disk color with the Hubble Space Telescope
Authors: Ren Bin B. , Rebollido Isabel , Choquet Élodie , Zhou Wen-Han , Perrin Marshall D. , Schneider Glenn , Milli Julien , Wolff Schuyler G. , Chen Christine H. , Debes John H. , Hagan J. Brendan , Hines Dean C. , Millar-Blanchaer Maxwell A. , Pueyo Laurent , Roberge Aki , Serabyn Eugene , Soummer Rémi 
Published: February 2023

Context. Multiwavelength scattered light imaging of debris disks may inform dust properties including typical size and mineral composition. Existing studies have investigated a small set of individual systems across a variety of imaging instruments and filters, calling for uniform comparison studies to systematically investigate dust properties.
Aims. We obtain the surface brightness of dust particles in debris disks by post-processing coronagraphic imaging observations, and compare the multiwavelength reflectance of dust. For a sample of resolved debris disks, we perform a systematic analysis on the reflectance properties of their birth rings.
Methods. We reduced the visible and near-infrared images of 23 debris disk systems hosted by A through M stars using two coron-agraphs on board the Hubble Space Telescope: the STIS instrument observations centered at 0.58 µm, and the NICMOS instrument at 1.12 µm or 1.60 µm. For proper recovery of debris disks, we used classical reference differential imaging for STIS, and adopted non-negative matrix factorization with forward modeling for NICMOS. By dividing disk signals by stellar signals to take into account intrinsic stellar color effects, we systematically obtained and compared the reflectance of debris birth rings at ≈90º scattering angle.
Results. Debris birth rings typically exhibit a blue color at ≈90º scattering angle. As the stellar luminosity increases, the color tends to be more neutral. A likely L-shaped color–albedo distribution indicates a clustering of scatterer properties.
Conclusions. The observed color trend correlates with the expected blow-out size of dust particles. The color-albedo clustering likely suggests different populations of dust in these systems. More detailed radiative transfer models with realistic dust morphology will contribute to explaining the observed color and color–albedo distribution of debris systems.
Identifying and characterising the population of hot sub-luminous stars with multi-colour MeerLICHT data
Authors: Ranaivomanana P. , Johnston C. , Groot P. J. , Aerts C. , Lees R. , IJspeert L. , Bloemen S. , Klein-Wolt M. , Woudt P. , Körding E. , Le Poole R. , Pieterse D. 
Published: February 2023

Context. Colour–magnitude diagrams reveal a population of blue (hot) sub-luminous objects with respect to the main sequence. These hot sub-luminous stars are the result of evolutionary processes that require stars to expel their obscuring, hydrogen-rich envelopes to reveal the hot helium core. As such, these objects offer a direct window into the hearts of stars that are otherwise inaccessible to direct observation.
Aims. MeerLICHT is a wide-field optical telescope that collects multi-band photometric data in six band filters (u, g, r, i, z, and q), whose primary goals are to study transient phenomena, gravitational wave counterparts, and variable stars. We showcase MeerLICHT’s capabilities of detecting faint hot subdwarfs and identifying the dominant frequency in the photometric variability of these compact hot stars, in comparison to their Gaia DR3 data. We hunt for oscillations, which will be an essential ingredient for accurately probing stellar interiors in future asteroseismology.
Methods. Comparative MeerLICHT and Gaia colour–magnitude diagrams are presented as a way to select hot subdwarfs from our sample. A dedicated frequency determination technique is developed and applied to the selected candidates to determine their dominant variability using time-series data from MeerLICHT and Gaia DR3. We explore the power of both datasets in determining the dominant frequency.
Results. Using the g − i colour, MeerLICHT offers a colour–magnitude diagram that is comparable in quality to that of Gaia DR3. The former, however, is more sensitive to fainter objects. The MeerLICHT colour–colour diagrams allow for the study of different stellar populations. The frequency analysis of MeerLICHT and Gaia DR3 data demonstrates the superiority of our MeerLICHT multi-colour photometry in estimating the dominant frequency compared to the sparse Gaia DR3 data.
Conclusions. MeerLICHT’s multi-band photometry leads to the discovery of high-frequency faint subdwarfs. Continued observations tuned to asteroseismology will allow for mode identification using the method of amplitude ratios. Our MeerLICHT results are a proof-of-concept of the capacity of the BlackGEM instrument currently in the commissioning stage at ESO’s La Silla Observatory in Chile.
A Chitosan Hydrochloride Mediated, Simple and Efficient Approach for the Synthesis of Hydrazones, their in vitro Antimycobacterial Evaluations, and Molecular Modeling Studies (Part III)
Authors: Mali Suraj N. , Pandey Anima , Thorat Bapu 
Published: February 2023

AbstractA simple, eco-friendly and straightforward synthesis of hydrazones has been devised that is conducted in the presence of chitosan Hydrochloride (chitosan·HCl) as catalyst in aqueous-ethanol medium at room temperature. The current protocol offers metal-free synthesis, adaptability to large-scaleup, good yields, and quicker reaction time. All ten synthesized hydrazones also showed good antimycobacterial activity, with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) ranging from 3.12 to 6.25 μg/mL. One of the products presented strong binding affinity against M. tuberculosis pantothenate synthetase (pdb id: 3IVX) with a Glide docking score of –8.803 kcal/mol. Molecular dynamics simulation analysis of its complex with 3IVX retained good stability over the simulation period of 20 ns.
Presurgical Perspective and Postsurgical Evaluation of Instability and Microinstability Secondary to Ankle Ligaments Injury
Authors: Perez Alexeys , Vega Jordi , Llopis Eva , Cerezal Luis 
Published: February 2023

AbstractInjuries of the ankle ligaments complexes are very common, and ∼ 20 to 40% of patients can develop chronic ankle instability (CAI). Current concepts in CAI allow a better understanding of the ankle biomechanics needed to repair it. The surgical treatment of CAI has evolved in the last decade, and ankle arthroscopy has become an essential tool in the treatment of instability with promising results. We review the different surgical techniques to treat CAI, both those frequently used and the new approaches, as well as the normal postsurgical appearance of ankle ligaments repair and the most common complications.
Bilateral leadership in critical moments: France, Germany, and the management of major European integration crises
Authors: Schramm Lucas 
Published: February 2023

AbstractNot least in view of the past decade, crises in the European Union (EU) have attracted much scholarly attention. At the same time, difficult decision-making situations and turning points have always been parts of the European integration process. Moreover, as founding and the two largest member states, France and Germany have been key drivers in the development of today’s EU polity. Strikingly, a systematic analysis of major crises covering the entire integration process and the comparative role that France–Germany have played, so far is lacking. Scholars tend to focus on instances of ‘successful’ crisis resolution or, more recently, on a presumably hegemonic Germany. This article, by contrast, argues and demonstrates why and how France and Germany, together, have been essential for the management and resolution of European-level political controversies and deadlock. To do so, the article considers nine major integration crises. It highlights different ways and means of bilateral leadership and their resulting impact on European integration. Case selection includes both successful crisis management and instances of failed or absent leadership.