bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Antibacterial activity of colloidal copper nanoparticles against Gram-negative (Escherichia coli and Proteus vulgaris) bacteria
Authors: Sharma P. , Goyal D. , Chudasama B. 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Antibacterial activities of as-synthesized nanoparticles have gained attention in past few years due to rapid phylogenesis of pathogens developing multi-drug resistance (MDR). Antibacterial activity of copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) on surrogate pathogenic Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli (MTCC no. 739) and Proteus vulgaris (MTCC no. 426) was evaluated under culture conditions. Three sets of colloidal CuNPs were synthesized by chemical reduction method with per batch yield of 0·2, 0·3 and 0·4 g. As-synthesized CuNPs possess identical plasmonic properties and have similar hydrodynamic particle sizes (11–14 nm). Antibacterial activities of CuNPs were evaluated by minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) tests, cytoplasmic leakage and reactive oxygen species (ROS) assays. MIC and MBC tests revealed dose dependence bactericidal action. Growth curves of E. coli show faster growth inhibition along with higher cytoplasmic leakage than that of P. vulgaris. This might be because of increased membrane permeability of E. coli. CuNP–microorganism interaction induces oxidative stress generated by ROS. Leakage of cytoplasmic components, loss of membrane permeability and ROS generation are the primary causes of CuNP-induced bacterial cell death. As-synthesized CuNPs exhibiting promising antibacterial activities and could be a promising candidate for novel antibacterial agents.
The efficacy and safety of desmopressin acetate applied for nocturia in benign prostatic hyperplasia patients: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Wang Qihua , Alshayyah Rami , Yang Bo 
Published: January 2022

AbstractBackgroundDesmopressin acetate was recommended for nocturia in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) patients recently, but its effect and safety is still controversial. We aimed to establish a systematic review and meta‐analysis to confirm its effect on symptom relief and adverse effects.MethodsA systematic search was performed in PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Medline, Web of Science and Science Direct databases from January 2000 to October 2021 for controlled trials of BPH patients comparing oral desmopressin with control groups. The mean difference (MD) and odds ratio (OR) were meta‐analyzed.ResultsFour articles with 500 patients were included. Significantly greater benefit was detected for the desmopressin group in the improvement of nocturia (P = .004), international prostate symptom score – storage (IPSS‐S) (P = .03), and quality of life (QoL) (P = .04) scores. Patients treated with desmopressin were at higher risk than the control group for short‐term adverse events (P < .001), including nausea (4.71%, P = .04), headache (20%, P < .00001), dizziness (5.88%, P = .02) and hyponatremia (4.71%, P = .04), but the long‐term incidence might decrease.ConclusionDesmopressin acetate can reduce nocturia frequency and improve the IPSS‐S and QoL score in BPH patients. Some adverse reactions of desmopressin, such as hyponatremia, headache, dizziness and nausea, may be mild and short‐term. No significant difference of desmopressin was found in improving the overall IPSS score and maximum urine flow.
Real‐time geographic settling of a hybrid zone between the invasive winter moth (Operophtera brumata L.) and the native Bruce spanworm (O. bruceata Hulst)
Authors: Andersen Jeremy C. , Havill Nathan P. , Boettner George H. , Chandler Jennifer L. , Caccone Adalgisa , Elkinton Joseph S. 
Published: January 2022

AbstractHybridization plays an important and underappreciated role in shaping the evolutionary trajectories of species. Following the introduction of a non‐native organism to a novel habitat, hybridization with a native congener may affect the probability of establishment of the introduced species. In most documented cases of hybridization between a native and a non‐native species, a mosaic hybrid zone is formed, with hybridization occurring heterogeneously across the landscape. In contrast, most naturally occurring hybrid zones are clinal in structure. Here, we report on a long‐term microsatellite data set that monitored hybridization between the invasive winter moth, Operophtera brumata (Lepidoptera: Geometridae), and the native Bruce spanworm, O. bruceata, over a 12‐year period. Our results document one of the first examples of the real‐time formation and geographic settling of a clinal hybrid zone. In addition, by comparing one transect in Massachusetts where extreme winter cold temperatures have been hypothesized to restrict the distribution of winter moth, and one in coastal Connecticut, where winter temperatures are moderated by Long Island Sound, we found that the location of the hybrid zone appeared to be independent of environmental variables and maintained under a tension model wherein the stability of the hybrid zone was constrained by population density, reduced hybrid fitness, and low dispersal rates. Documenting the formation of a contemporary clinal hybrid zone may provide important insights into the factors that shaped other well‐established hybrid zones.
Genetic isolation by distance underlies colour pattern divergence in red‐eyed treefrogs (Agalychnis callidryas)
Authors: Clark Meaghan I. , Bradburd Gideon S. , Akopyan Maria , Vega Andres , Rosenblum Erica Bree , Robertson Jeanne M. 
Published: January 2022

AbstractInvestigating the spatial distribution of genetic and phenotypic variation can provide insights into the evolutionary processes that shape diversity in natural systems. We characterized patterns of genetic and phenotypic diversity to learn about drivers of colour‐pattern diversification in red‐eyed treefrogs (Agalychnis callidryas) in Costa Rica. Along the Pacific coast, red‐eyed treefrogs have conspicuous leg colour patterning that transitions from orange in the north to purple in the south. We measured phenotypic variation of frogs, with increased sampling at sites where the orange‐to‐purple transition occurs. At the transition zone, we discovered the co‐occurrence of multiple colour‐pattern morphs. To explore possible causes of this variation, we generated a single nucleotide polymorphism data set to analyse population genetic structure, measure genetic diversity and infer the processes that mediate genotype–phenotype dynamics. We investigated how patterns of genetic relatedness correspond to individual measures of colour pattern along the coast, including testing for the role of hybridization in geographic regions where orange and purple phenotypic groups co‐occur. We found no evidence that colour‐pattern polymorphism in the transition zone arose through recent hybridization. Instead, a strong pattern of genetic isolation by distance indicates that colour‐pattern variation was either retained through other processes such as ancestral colour polymorphisms or ancient secondary contact, or else it was generated by novel mutations. We found that phenotype changes along the Pacific coast more than would be expected based on genetic divergence and geographic distance alone. Combined, our results suggest the possibility of selective pressures acting on colour pattern at a small geographic scale.
Accommodating Ambiguity Within Aquinas’ Philosophy Of Truth
Authors: Nancekievill Catherine 
Published: January 2022

AbstractTo what extent can Aquinas' philosophy of truth accommodate ambiguity? If an ambiguous object is that which exhibits multiple conflicting meanings, and truth, as ‘the conformity of thing and intellect', has its source and purpose in the divine, does the ambiguous lead us away from God? If so, how do we square this with the experience of the ambiguous, such as in art, that appears to draw us towards the divine? The paper explores this aporia by an analysis of the first two questions of De Veritate in conversation with Feser's Scholastic Metaphysics and Pickstock's Truth in Aquinas. Drawing on these three sources, truth is posited as a translation of being. However, it becomes clear that any translation is imperfect, given the difference between the medium of the existence of the thing and the medium of truth in the intellect. Hence, multiple, sometimes contradictory, propositions are needed in order to express the being of the thing. Moreover, it is shown how the ambiguous can prompt recursive returning to the singular, drawing us beyond merely identifying ‘what' a thing is, and beyond propositions, to share in the divine actualization of existence.
Impaired neuromuscular transmission in facial muscles of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: A single‐fiber electromyography study
Authors: Watanabe Keisuke , Shibuya Kazumoto , Misawa Sonoko , Nagashima Kengo , Suzuki Yo‐ichi , Suichi Tomoki , Kojima Yuta , Nakamura Keigo , Kano Hiroki , Prado Mario , Uzawa Akiyuki , Kuwabara Satoshi 
Published: January 2022

AbstractBackgroundDecremental responses in repetitive nerve stimulation studies have been reported in the limb muscles of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).AimTo reveal the function of neuromuscular junction (NMJ) in the frontalis muscle, which is less affected in ALS.MethodsWe performed axonal‐stimulated single‐fiber EMG studies in the frontalis muscles in 27 patients with ALS, 32 with myasthenia gravis (MG), and 12 healthy controls were performed.ResultsThe mean value of mean consecutive difference (MCD) in ALS was greater than controls (P < .05), but smaller than MG (P < .01) [ALS; 26.5, MG;47.7, control;16.4 (µs)]. The percentage of endplates with increased jitter (MCD >51μs) in ALS was also greater than controls (P < .001) but smaller than MG (P < .001) [ALS; 7.7, MG; 29.4, control; 0.8 (%)]. In ALS, the mean MCD was negatively correlated with the bulbar subset of ALS functional rating scale revised (ALSFRS‐R) (r = −0.67, P < .01). No axonal blocking was observed in all cohorts. In the facial muscles that are relatively preserved in ALS, jitter in single‐fiber EMG was significantly increased, possibly caused by dysfunction of the presynaptic NMJ and motor nerve terminals.ConclusionsAssessment of neuromuscular transmission could provide a new insight into the pathophysiology of motor nerve terminal dysfunction in ALS.
Exogenous progesterone short‐termly affects the periodontal environment in perimenopausal women
Authors: Man Ying , Sun Lu , Qin Jianyong , Zhang Xinyue , Yan Shengjie , Niu Feifei 
Published: January 2022

AbstractObjectiveThis study aimed to evaluate the effects of exogenous progesterone in the periodontal environment of perimenopausal women.MethodsEither with or without periodontitis, 100 perimenopausal women received 3 months of progesterone treatment, as well as age‐matched 100 perimenopausal and 100 postmenopausal women without treatments were enrolled (N = 50). The gingival index (GI), probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), and tooth mobility (TM), as well the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) levels of IL‐6 and TNF‐α were analyzed.ResultsPeriodontitis showed higher GI, PD, and CAL than non‐periodontitis at perimenopausal and postmenopausal periods. In women without periodontitis, the GI and PD, and the GCF levels of IL‐6 and TNF‐α were increased by 3 months of progesterone treatment, but recovered from the 6th month in the absence of progesterone. In women with periodontitis, only the PD was short‐termly increased by progesterone treatment. For those without progesterone treatment, the GI, PD, and TM were not significantly different between perimenopausal and postmenopausal women either with periodontitis or not.ConclusionsExogenous progesterone short‐termly exacerbated the inflammation and PD in perimenopausal women without periodontitis, and the PD in those with periodontitis.
Imagination as a process
Authors: Wiltsher Nick 
Published: January 2022

AbstractAccording to recent orthodoxy, imagination is best characterised in terms of distinctive imaginative states. But this view is ill‐suited to characterisation of the full range of imaginative activities—creation, fantasy, conceiving, and so on. It would be better to characterise imagination in terms of a distinctive imaginative process, with the various imaginative activities as more determinate implementations of the determinable process.
Joint optimization of mission abort and protective device selection policies for multistate systems
Authors: Zhao Xian , Chai Xiaofei , Sun Jinglei , Qiu Qingan 
Published: January 2022

AbstractFor safety‐critical systems such as aircrafts and submarines, mission abort is commonly deployed to enhance system survivability at the cost of reducing mission success probability. In addition to mission abort, protective device can also mitigate the failure risk of safety‐critical systems by reducing the magnitude of external shocks. Considering the effect of protective device on system failure behavior, this article proposes a condition‐based mission abort policy where a mission is terminated and rescue procedure starts immediately if the state of system is worse than a control limit. Based on the developed mission abort policy, mission reliability and system survivability are evaluated to analyze the risk of mission failure and system failure. The optimal mission abort threshold balancing the tradeoff between mission reliability and system survivability is investigated. Furthermore, the joint optimization of mission abort and protective device selection policies is explored by simultaneously optimizing the defensive factor and abort threshold. A numerical example on a hydraulic system is presented to illustrate the applicability of the proposed policies.
Depth‐dependent hydration dynamics in human skin: Vehicle‐controlled efficacy assessment of a functional 10% urea plus NMF moisturizer by near‐infrared confocal spectroscopic imaging (KOSIM IR) and capacitance method complemented by volunteer perception
Authors: Gallinger Julia , Kuhn Andreas , Wessel Sonja , Behm Peter , Heinecke Silke , Filbry Alexander , Hillemann Linus , Rippke Frank 
Published: January 2022

AbstractBackgroundStratum corneum (SC) hydration is vital for the optimal maintenance and appearance of healthy skin. In this context, we evaluated the efficacy of an NMF‐enriched moisturizer containing 10% urea on different aspects of SC hydration of dry skin.Material and MethodsIn two clinical studies, the hydration efficacy of the moisturizer in comparison to its vehicle was investigated. In the first study, 42 subjects applied the moisturizer and the vehicle to one lower leg each. Thirty minutes and 24 h after this single treatment, SC hydration was measured by corneometry. Volunteers also rated skin moisturization and evaluated product properties. In the second study, 27 subjects each treated one forearm twice daily for 2 weeks with the moisturizer and the vehicle. Then, depth‐resolved water‐absorption spectra were measured by near‐infrared confocal spectroscopic imaging (KOSIM IR).ResultsThe moisturizer exerted a superior hydrating effect compared to the vehicle. KOSIM IR measurements show that, compared to the vehicle, the moisturizer significantly improved the water gradient in the SC from the surface to a depth of 15 μm. Moreover, the moisturizer received high acceptance ratings from the volunteers and was preferred to the vehicle.ConclusionThe humectants applied in the investigated moisturizer improved SC water content in total and as a function of depth. The combination of depth‐resolved data (KOSIM IR) with classical corneometry provides an integrated concept in the measurement of skin hydration, rendering both methods complementary. These findings were in line with the volunteers` self‐assessments of the moisturizer properties that are relevant to treatment adherence.
Differential diagnosis of basal cell carcinoma by high‐resolution ultrasound elastography
Authors: Han Xiaohua , Li Jiyou , Zeng Fuqiang , Liu Hongmei , He Yanni 
Published: January 2022

AbstractThe aim of this study was to assess the value of high‐resolution ultrasonic quantitative parameters of shear wave elastography (SWE) in basal cell carcinoma (BCC). A total of 86 cases of BCC were enrolled as the case group, and 38 other similar skin pigmented lesions were randomly selected as the control group. Using pathological results as the gold standard, the diagnostic test method was used to evaluate the ability of high‐frequency ultrasonic elastography to diagnose BCC, and the 2D ultrasonographic features, blood flow image characteristics, and SWE of BCC were summarized.
Identification and distribution of pathogens coinfecting with Brucella spp., Coxiella burnetii and Rift Valley fever virus in humans, livestock and wildlife
Authors: Middlebrook Earl A. , Romero Alicia T. , Bett Bernard , Nthiwa Daniel , Oyola Samuel O. , Fair Jeanne M. , Bartlow Andrew W. 
Published: January 2022

SummaryZoonotic diseases, such as brucellosis, Q fever and Rift Valley fever (RVF) caused by Brucella spp., Coxiella burnetii and RVF virus, respectively, can have devastating effects on human, livestock, and wildlife health and cause economic hardship due to morbidity and mortality in livestock. Coinfection with multiple pathogens can lead to more severe disease outcomes and altered transmission dynamics. These three pathogens can alter host immune responses likely leading to increased morbidity, mortality and pathogen transmission during coinfection. Developing countries, such as those commonly afflicted by outbreaks of brucellosis, Q fever and RVF, have high disease burden and thus common coinfections. A literature survey provided information on case reports and studies investigating coinfections involving the three focal diseases. Fifty five studies were collected demonstrating coinfections of Brucella spp., C. burnetii or RVFV with 50 different pathogens, of which 64% were zoonotic. While the literature search criteria involved ‘coinfection’, only 24/55 studies showed coinfections with direct pathogen detection methods (microbiology, PCR and antigen test), while the rest only reported detection of antibodies against multiple pathogens, which only indicate a history of co‐exposure, not concurrent infection. These studies lack the ability to test whether coinfection leads to changes in morbidity, mortality or transmission dynamics. We describe considerations and methods for identifying ongoing coinfections to address this critical blind spot in disease risk management.
Hard gluon evolution in warming medium
Authors: Ben F. G. , Machado M. V. T. 
Published: January 2022

AbstractWe describe the energy distribution of hard gluons travelling through a dense quark–gluon plasma whose temperature increases linearly with time, within a probabilistic perturbative approach. The results were applied to the thermalization problem in heavy ion collisions. In the weak coupling picture this thermalization occurs from “the bottom up”: high energy partons, formed early in the collision, radiate low energy gluons which then proceed to equilibrate among themselves, forming a thermal bath that brings the high energy sector to equilibrium. We see that, in this scenario, the dynamic we describe must set in around $$t \sim 0.5$$

t
∼
0.5

fm/c after the collision in order to reach a fully thermalized state at $$t \sim 1$$

t
∼
1

fm/c. We then look at the entropy density and average temperature of the soft thermal bath, as the system approaches (local) thermal equilibrium.
(Invited) Transition from Coupon Observation to Part Processing and the Challenges in Between
Authors: Hall Timothy D , Garich Holly , Vijapur Santosh H. , Radhakrishnan Rajeswaran , Xu Jing , Skinn Brian , Snyder Stephen , Taylor E. J. , Inman Maria 
Published: January 2022

Faraday Technology Inc. is a research, development and engineering firm developing electrochemical innovations based has pulse/pulse reverse electrolytic principles [1]. With that founding basis Faraday has been able to bridge the gap between academic understanding and small scale demonstration to commercialization of practical components over 27 years of operation.
This presentation will discuss some of the observations and challenges that have come up as a result of moving from exemplar “coupon scale” materials toward practical part shapes and geometries. Furthermore, we will discuss a range of applications and materials including but not limited to Cu/Cr single metal plating, CoMn/NiCr alloy plating, included deposit formations with CrAlY or WC particles, electropolishing of additively manufactured components, and Nb cavity polishing. Within each of these very distinct processes and applications we will try to identify similarities and differences in the observed challenges and ways that many could be overcome either by electrochemical engineering, process developments, or program planning.

References:

J. Taylor “Adventures in Pulse/Pulse Reverse Electrolytic Processes: Explorations and Applications in Surface Finishing” J. Applied Surface Finsihing,
3(4), 178-189 (2008).
The Diagnostic Efficacy of the American College of Radiology (ACR) Thyroid Imaging Report and Data System (TI-RADS) and the American Thyroid Association (ATA) Risk Stratification Systems for Thyroid Nodules
Authors: Chen Fei , Sun Yungang , Chen Guanqi , Luo Yuqian , Xue Guifang , Luo Kongmei , Ma Haoyuan , Yao Jiaxin , Zhu Zhangtian , Li Guanbin , Li Qiang 
Published: January 2022

Background. This study is aimed at evaluating the diagnostic efficacy of ultrasound-based risk stratification for thyroid nodules in the American College of Radiology (ACR) Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (TI-RADS) and the American Thyroid Association (ATA) risk stratification systems. Methods. 286 patients with thyroid cancer were included in the tumor group, with 259 nontumor cases included in the nontumor group. The ACR TI-RADS and ATA risk stratification systems assessed all thyroid nodules for malignant risks. The diagnostic effect of ACR and ATA risk stratification system for thyroid nodules was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis using postoperative pathological diagnosis as the gold standard. Results. The distributions and mean scores of ACR and ATA rating risk stratification were significantly different between the tumor and nontumor groups. The lesion

diameter
>
1

cm subgroup had higher malignant ultrasound feature rates detected and ACR and ATA scores. A significant difference was not found in the ACR and ATA scores between patients with or without Hashimoto’s disease. The area under the receiver operating curve (AUC) for the ACR TI-RADS and the ATA systems was 0.891 and 0.896, respectively. The ACR had better specificity (0.90) while the ATA system had higher sensitivity (0.92), with both scenarios having almost the same overall diagnostic accuracy (0.84). Conclusion. Both the ACR TI-RADS and the ATA risk stratification systems provide a clinically feasible thyroid malignant risk classification, with high thyroid nodule malignant risk diagnostic efficacy.