Limited Range Research Articles

Roads and Woody Vegetation Structure Are Associated With Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) Occurrence at Its Northern Range Limit

ABSTRACTAimThe purported defining features of chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) biogeography are sometimes simplistic and contradictory, yet we rely on these metrics to shape conservation and management planning for this endangered ape. We analysed the cover and configuration of woody vegetation at the northern margins of the species' range in Senegal to elucidate key predictors of chimpanzee biogeography.LocationSoutheastern Senegal.TaxaWestern chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes verus).MethodsWe combined reconnaissance surveys and interviews with published accounts of chimpanzee presence to verify previous estimates of the range limits of the species. High‐resolution, multispectral satellite images were used to quantify the configuration of trees and shrubs at each site. Woody vegetation cover and physiognomy, river density and road density were compared within and outside of the species range with generalised linear mixed models.ResultsOur surveys and interviews support the current estimates of the northern limits of the species range. Chimpanzee‐occupied sites had more patchily‐distributed vegetation, greater patch edge complexity, and slightly higher river density than unoccupied sites. Unoccupied sites had more woody vegetation cover and higher road density. Of all predictors, roads had the highest impact on chimpanzee occupancy.Main ConclusionsIn line with previous findings, anthropogenic modifications of the landscape had a strong impact on chimpanzee occupancy, but surprisingly, woody vegetation cover was negatively associated with chimpanzee occupancy in this region. Instead, more specific metrics of vegetation configuration were positively associated with chimpanzee site occupancy, indicating that precise measures are needed for assessing chimpanzee biogeography at the landscape scale.

A retrospective review of revision and re-revision patella osteosynthesis performed for failure of fixation of initial comminuted fracture patterns: very high complication rates.

Literature on revision osteosynthesis for failed patella fracture fixation is extremely limited. This study reviews the treatment options and outcomes for revision and re-revision osteosynthesis at a Level 1 Trauma Center. All patella revision osteosynthesis between January 2021 and March 2024 were identified using Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes at a single tertiary care academic centre. Medical records, operative reports and radiographs were reviewed to collect details regarding patient demographics, initial injury and fracture management, indications for revision surgery, revision construct, post-operative weight bearing and range of motion restrictions, and outcomes. The primary outcome was major failure defined as loss of fixation or further surgery for non-union or infection. Ten patients underwent revision osteosynthesis for failed fixation. All fractures were initially comminuted fracture patterns (AO/OTA 34-C3), with nine (90%) initially treated with a 2.7mm patella-specific variable angle (VA) locking plate (Synthes, Paoli, PA). Half (n=5) of the patients were revised with the same patella specific plate and half with an all suture transosseous fibertape tension band (Arthrex, Naples, FL). Additional fixation in the form of bony augmentation was performed in 20% (n=2) of cases and soft tissue augmentation in 70% (n=7). There was a 70% (n=7) major failure rate, mostly due to loss of inferior pole fixation. There were four re-revision procedures performed with surgical fixation. Two of these subsequently developed infection, one united and the other had no radiographic signs of union and was lost to follow-up, but was without complication. Regardless of the chosen fixation construct, revision osteosynthesis for failed fixation of initial comminuted fracture patterns has an extremely high rate of failure. Complications increase with further revision surgery.

Highest Occurring Vascular Plants from Ladakh Provide Wood Anatomical Evidence for a Thermal Limitation of Cell Wall Lignification.

As an evolutionary achievement of almost all terrestrial plants, lignin biosynthesis is essential for various mechanical and physiological processes. Possible effects of plant cell wall lignification on large-scale vegetation distribution are, however, not yet fully understood. Here, we present double-stained, wood anatomical stem measurements of 207 perennial herbs (Potentilla pamirica Wolf), which were collected between 5550 and 5850 m asl on the north-western Tibetan Plateau in Ladakh, India. We also measured changes in situ root zone and surface air temperatures along the sampling gradient and applied piecewise structural equation models to assess direct and indirect relationships between the age and size of plants, the degree of cell wall lignification in their stems, and the elevation at which they were growing. Based on the world's highest-occurring vascular plants, the Pamir Cinquefoils, we demonstrate that the amount of lignin in the secondary cell walls decreases significantly with increasing elevation (r = -0.73; p < 0.01). Since elevation is a proxy for temperature, our findings suggest a thermal constrain on lignin biosynthesis at the cold range limit of woody plant growth.

Surprisingly wide climatic niche breadth of a relict mountain species raises hope for survival under climate change

AbstractAimsWe assessed the juvenile climatic niche breadth of a relict mountain species by comparing field observations and transplant experiments within and beyond the elevational limits of its distribution range.LocationLebanon – Near East – Mediterranean region.MethodsWe studied the survival and growth of the Cedar of Lebanon (Cedrus libani) to determine the lower and upper elevational range limits of its juvenile stage through an experimental setup with and without water supplementation and with potentially competing species as a control. The experiment included eight common gardens at elevations ranging from 110 to 2330 m, within and far beyond the warm and cold limits of Cedar distribution observed under natural conditions.ResultsWe observed unexpectedly high survival and growth rates of Cedar at elevations well below the range of its natural distribution in Lebanon. Below the observed warm limit, water stress at very low elevations and competition at low and medium elevations limited juvenile survival. In contrast, cold temperature and water stress limited survival at elevations slightly above the observed upper natural limit. The experimental setup demonstrated that the elevation range suitable for Cedar growth and survival was twice as wide as the range within which Cedar is observed under natural conditions.Main ConclusionsHigh survival rates experimentally observed beyond the warm limit of the natural distribution range of the Cedar of Lebanon raise hope for its resilience to ongoing climate warming. If this pattern were frequent among montane species, it would challenge predictions of massive extinction with climate change and pave the way for promoting adaptive actions such as competition management to improve their survival.

Delivery routing for electric vehicles with en-route mobile battery swapping

Amid increasing environmental concerns, electric vehicles (EVs) are gaining traction as a sustainable transportation alternative. However, the widespread adoption of EVs is hindered by range limitations, inadequate charging infrastructure, and unpredictable access to charging facilities. The battery swapping van (BV) has been proposed as an innovative approach to actively offer on-demand charging at designated locations. This study leverages the novel BV concept and proposes a novel electric vehicle routing model with time windows and en-route mobile battery swapping (EVRPTW-EMBS). This achieves flexible mobile battery swapping services provided by BVs to EVs that are either en route or at customer sites. A tailored heuristic algorithm called CIP-TDP-ILNS is adopted, combining improved large neighborhood search (ILNS) with tree-template dynamic programming (TDP) and cluster-aided integer programming (CIP) to reduce the search space and enhance solving efficiency. Through extensive testing, the CIP-TDP-ILNS algorithm exhibits robust performance, yielding up to 16% cost reductions for the EVRPTW-EMBS compared to the benchmark model. The findings of this study suggest that (1) the EVRPTW-EMBS system is particularly beneficial for servicing clients with wider time windows, and (2) the optimal balance between the quantity of batteries carried and their capacity should be tailored to the logistics network’s size.

Effects of pitch range on singing accuracy training

Recent theory and data suggest that inaccurate ( poor-pitch or poor) singing may be based on impoverished sensorimotor mapping between auditory perceptual representations and motor plans. One of the symptoms of poor singing is a restriction of vocal pitch range during pitch matching tasks that is not reducible to physical vocal limitations. We here test the hypothesis that remediation of poor singing may be best achieved by incorporating a wide pitch range during training. Two treatment groups underwent singing training using a procedure found to be effective in recent research. One group matched pitches from a wider range of one octave, whereas the other matched pitches from a narrower range of seven semitones (a perfect fifth). A third group completed visual imagery tasks for the same period of time and served as a control group. All three groups completed the Seattle Singing Accuracy Protocol (SSAP) before and after training, with all phases completed in a single session. The only significant improvement was found in the wide-range training group, for matching of single pitches from the SSAP, rather than four-note melodies. Results thus offer partial support for the hypothesis and suggest that successful remediation of singing accuracy may benefit from adopting a wide range of pitches.

Loss of body weight is dose-dependently associated with reductions in symptoms of hip osteoarthritis.

While weight loss is recommended for managing hip osteoarthritis (OA), most evidence comes from knee OA studies, limiting its applicability to hip OA. This study addresses this gap by examining the effects of weight loss on hip OA symptoms. A retrospective audit of routinely collected healthcare data from participants enrolled in the Osteoarthritis Healthy Weight for Life (OAHWFL) program, designed for individuals with knee or hip OA. In total, 1714 adults with hip OA were selected from the OAHWFL program; 1408 completed the initial 18-week weight loss phase, while 306 did not complete it. After 18 weeks, participants transitioned to an indefinite weight maintenance phase. Percentage change in body weight from baseline at 18 weeks. Changes in the five subscales of the Hip Disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (HOOS) (Pain, Activity Limitations in Daily Living, Stiffness and Range of Motion, Sports and Recreation Function, and Hip-related Quality of Life) from baseline to 18 weeks. Linear regression, adjusted for sex and baseline values of age, weight, and respective HOOS scores, assessed the relationship between percentage weight change (analyzed as both a continuous variable and in categories: ≤2.5%, >2.5-5.0%, >5.0-7.5%, >7.5-10%, and >10% of baseline weight) and changes in all five HOOS subscales. At baseline, participants had a mean age of 65.14 years, 70% were female, and 78% were individuals with obesity (Body Mass Index ≥30 kg/m2). A statistically significant dose-response relationship was observed between weight loss and improvements in all HOOS subscales, with the greatest improvement in the Hip-related Quality of Life subscale (14.42 points, 31.14%) for >10% weight loss. Our findings suggest that weight loss is associated with reduced symptoms of hip OA, supporting weight loss as an effective treatment strategy for hip OA.

The Age of Snakes: a comparison of three Canadian species at their northern peripheries

ABSTRACT Aging animals enables an understanding of life-history strategies, population dynamics, and conservation concerns. Such information is particularly wanting for reptiles at their range peripheries where life-history trade-offs make body size an unreliable surrogate for age. Using skeletochronology we quantified the ages of three species sampled near their northern range limits (Common gartersnake – Thamnophis sirtalis, Western Rattlesnake – Crotalus oreganus, Great Basin Gophersnake – Pituophis catenifer). Considerable range in length was seen for snakes of the same age, and the relationship between age and size was stronger in males. Male gartersnakes reached a size associated with sexual maturity in about half the time of females, but for the other two species there was no significant difference between sexes. The oldest snakes sampled were 10–12 years, with one outlier gartersnake estimated at 15 years. Given that females in northern populations cannot reproduce annually, our estimated ages of these snakes suggest reproductive bouts occur only a small number of times during their lifespan, reflecting the precarious existence of northern snake populations. Age data improves our understanding of how life-history varies with locations (including latitude), and further studies that collect contemporary and widespread data on this basic population parameter are required.

Pengembangan Mesh Network Sebagai Ekspansi Protokol LoRaWAN di Politeknik Negeri Malang

In realizing a smart campus, Politeknik Negeri Malang (Polinema) has implemented digital technology in its learning and administrative processes with the goal of improving efficiency, speed, and operational ease. One of the key areas being developed is the Internet of Things (IoT), which is expected to function autonomously to support various campus activities. However, the main challenges in IoT implementation are the limitations in communication range and device power consumption, which cause issues in sensor and actuator data transmission, especially when data cannot be optimally received between nodes. To address these challenges, Polinema is ex-ploring the application of LoRaWAN technology. Although LoRaWAN is effective, it experiences a decline in data transmission quality when the sender and receiver are located in multi-story buildings, which can lead to delays, packet loss, or other disruptions. As a solution, the use of a Mesh Network is proposed to enhance the range and stability of data transmission. This study collected data using RSSI, SNR, and delay parameters in the civil engineering building at Polinema, with sensor data visualized through Grafana. The results show that the system can be well-integrated without conflicts between WiFi and LoRa. The average transmission time was approximately 29 seconds, with no packet loss detected. Additionally, changing the transmission method to confirmed uplink was necessary to maintain data integrity, while adjusting transmis-sion intervals was crucial to avoid scheduling issues. These findings indicate that implementing a Mesh Network as an extension of the LoRaWAN protocol can significantly improve the perfor-mance of IoT systems in Polinema’s indoor environment.

Measuring fidelity to manualised peer support for people with severe mental health conditions: development and psychometric evaluation of the UPSIDES fidelity scale

BackgroundPeer support workers provide support for people experiencing mental health conditions based on their own lived experience of mental health problems. Assessing fidelity to core ingredients of peer support is vital for successful implementation and intervention delivery. Modifications to its implementation are needed when scaling up to different socio-economic settings, raising further uncertainty about fidelity. As part of a large multi-centre study on peer support called Using Peer Support In Developing Empowering Mental Health Services (UPSIDES), we developed and evaluated the psychometric properties of the UPSIDES Fidelity Scale.MethodsWe constructed the fidelity scale based on an initial item pool developed through international expert consultation and iterative feedback. Scale refinement involved site-level expert consultation and translation, resulting in a service user-rated 28-item version and a peer support worker-rated 21-item version assessing receipt, engagement, enactment, competence, communication and peer support-specific components. Both versions are available in six languages: English, German, Luganda, Kiswahili, Hebrew and Gujarati. The scale was then evaluated at six study sites across five countries, with peer support workers and their clients completing their respective ratings four and eight months after initial peer support worker contact. Psychometric evaluation included analysis of internal consistency, construct validity and criterion validity.ResultsFor the 315 participants, item statistics showed a skewed distribution of fidelity values but no restriction of range. Internal consistency was adequate (range α = 0.675 to 0.969) for total scores and all subscales in both versions. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated acceptable fit of the proposed factor structure for the service user version (χ2/df = 2.746; RMSEA = 0.084) and moderate fit for the peer support worker version (χ2/df = 3.087; RMSEA = 0.093). Both versions showed significant correlations with external criteria: number of peer support sessions; perceived recovery orientation of the intervention; and severity of illness.ConclusionsThe scale demonstrates good reliability, construct and criterion validity, making it a pragmatic and psychometrically acceptable measure for assessing fidelity to a manualised peer support worker intervention. Recommendations for use, along with research and practical implications, are addressed. As validated, multi-lingual tool that adapts to diverse settings this scale is uniquely positioned for global application.Trial registrationISRCTN, ISRCTN26008944. Registered on 30 October 2019.

Biological Ce/Fe-metal organic framework multifunctional nanozyme-based colorimetric sensor array for multi-analyte detection in human sweat

Diabetes, a widespread metabolic disorder, is a major public health concern. To address the ongoing need for effective diagnosis, a novel approach has been developed that allows the rapid, low-cost, and ultra-sensitive detection of disease-specific biomarkers in various body fluids using a single platform. Notably, this method focuses on biomarkers found in human sweat—glucose, L-Tryptophan, uric acid, and acetone—that are indicative of diabetes. The new strategy involves a nanozyme-based colorimetric sensor array made from a Ce/Fe fumarate biological metal–organic framework (Ce/Fe-Fum Bio-MOF) doped with Cu and Ni, and further enhanced with Ag nanoparticles. This nanozyme displays multiple enzyme-like activities, which result in distinct color changes when tested with specific chromogenic substrates. When these color changes are reduced by the introduction of biomarkers, the results can be easily captured using a smartphone. This method offers a wide linear detection range (20–1000 µM) and low detection limits for each biomarker, showing strong selectivity, reproducibility, and practical performance in detecting biomarkers in human sweat samples. The integration of smartphone signaling with this sensor array creates potential for a portable, handheld device for point-of-care applications, and could also be adapted for other sensing and biosensing needs. This colorimetric assay marks a significant advancement in the detection of diabetes biomarkers and the development of point-of-care diagnostic systems.

Wideband microwave frequency response measurement based on optical phase-locked loop

Frequency response measurement, or the forward transmission coefficient (S21) measurement for a two-port network, is the key function of a vector network analyzer (VNA). In this paper, a broadband and high dynamic range (DR) microwave S21 parameter measurement scheme based on an optical phase-locked loop (OPLL) is proposed. By heterodyning two phase-locked hybrid integrated ultra-narrow linewidth lasers, a microwave signal with low phase noise and spurious level is generated as the incident signal and reference signal, and the signal frequency can be easily manipulated over a wide range by tuning the master laser wavelength. In the receiver, the radio frequency (RF) signals are down-converted to intermediate frequency (IF) signals with the phase-locked lasers. By sampling and processing the IF signals the S21 parameter of the DUT can be acquired. A proof-of-concept experiment is performed, and with available photodetectors, phase modulators and phase-locked loops, a measurable range of 2 to 18 GHz is achieved. The demonstrated minimum frequency resolution of the OPLL-based RF signal synthesizer is 10 Hz. The system DR exceeds 68 dB at an equivalent resolution bandwidth of 1 kHz. The S21 parameters of a power divider and a bandpass filter are measured, and the results are well consistent with those of a commercial VNA. The DR and measurable range limit factors and possible extension methods are discussed. The proposed approach offers a high potential way to develop a wideband, high DR, and fully integrated VNA.

Population connectivity and size reductions in the Anthropocene: the consequence of landscapes and historical bottlenecks in white forsythia fragmented habitats

BackgroundWhite forsythia (Abeliophyllum distichum) is an endangered Korean Peninsula endemic that has been subjected to recent population genomics studies using SNPs via RAD sequencing. Here, we primarily employed the often underutilized haplotype information from RAD loci to further describe the species’ previously uninvestigated haplotype-based genomic variation and structure, and genetic-geographic characteristics and gene flow patterns among its five earlier identified genetic groups. We also inferred the time of past events that may have impacted the effective population size of these groups, as well as the species’ potential future distribution amidst the warming climate and anthropogenic threats.ResultsOur findings emphasized the recognition of the species’ regional patterns of genetic structure, and the role of topography and its associated gene flow patterns as some of the possible factors that may have influenced the species’ present-day fragmented population distribution. The inferred bottleneck events during the Anthropocene, some of which aligned with the time of historical catastrophic events on the Peninsula (e.g., the Korean War), were revealed to have contributed to the generally low effective population size of its five lineages, particularly those with marginal distributional range. Future distribution under both optimistic and pessimistic climatic scenarios suggests unlikely suitable habitats for these populations to expand from their current range limits, at least in the next 80 years.ConclusionsThe small effective population size and landscape-driven limited gene flow among white forsythia populations will remain a big challenge for the conservation management of the species’ already fragmented population distribution. To help mitigate these impacts, the merging of various research approaches and the use of genomic data to their full potential is recommended to provide the optimized knowledge-based tools for the conservation of this endangered species, and other similar plants under pressure.

Two-photon photodynamic therapy with curcumin nanocomposite

Two-photon photodynamic therapy (TP-PDT) offers an innovative approach to cancer treatment that utilizes near-infrared light to activate photosensitizers and generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) for targeted cancer cell elimination. TiO2-CUR-Sofast (TCS), which uses TiO2 nanoparticles and Sofast cationic polymer to modify curcumin (CUR), has demonstrated potential as a photosensitizer under visible light irradiation, addressing the limitations of CUR's narrow spectral range and low bioavailability. This study explores the utility of the two-photon technique to activate TCS within the infrared spectrum, aiming to enhance ROS production and penetration depth compared to traditional CUR. TCS exhibits a significantly higher ROS production at 900 nm excitation wavelength, approximately 6–7 times that of CUR, signifying a substantial increase in efficiency. In TP-PDT, TCS showed significant phototoxicity against HeLa and T24 cell lines compared to CUR. Furthermore, TCS's photodynamic efficacy is further confirmed by cell apoptosis and necrosis studies, where approximately 89 % of cells treated with TCS under 900 nm light irradiation were observed in an apoptosis/necrosis state. And the TP-PDT effect in deep tissue was simulated using pig skin. It shows that the two-photon excitation has a significant penetration depth advantage over the single-photon excitation. These results indicate that the two-photon PDT scheme of TCS has greater potential than the single-photon PDT scheme in the treatment of cancer, and provides an experimental foundation for the effective treatment of deep lesions.

Dynamic range limitations of non-coherent continous-wave THz photomixing systems with broadband detectors

The dynamic range of non-coherent continuous-wave (CW) THz photomixing (PM) systems with broadband detectors can be significantly limited by various parasitic effects. Specifically, we examine the generation of parasitic (i) THz and (ii) IR radiation, and (iii) higher harmonics in CW THz PM emitters. (i) The parasitic broadband THz radiation, spanning from 100 to 250 GHz with a total output power of 20 nW, results from not perfectly clean laser spectra. As a result, for a frequency-flat Golay cell detector, the PM-system dynamic range is limited to 32.8 dB at 500 GHz, 26.7 dB at 1 THz, and 8.5 dB at 2.3 THz. In the case of detectors with a frequency-declining responsivity, the dynamic range can drop by ∼10 dB more. (ii) The IR radiation leaking from a PM emitter (≈20 μW) is sensitive to the PM emitter bias, which results in its modulation with an amplitude of about 1.3 μW, when a standard PM-emitter bias modulation is applied. The detected IR radiation could be confused for the THz signal. (iii) Parasitic generation of higher harmonics in PM systems can also limit the system’s dynamic range or create spectral artifacts. However, we show that the harmonics are low at least at ∼1 THz and above. Specifically, they are less than 400 pW for fundamental frequencies above 750 GHz, which is more than 43 dB below the power of the fundamental harmonic. The above-stated values were obtained for a commonly-used PIN-diode photomixer mounted on a Si lens and 1.5 μm distributed-feedback lasers. In general, suppression of these parasitic signals is crucial for non-coherent CW THz PM systems.

Fiber Fabry-Perot accelerometer with extended dynamic range and low noise floor

Optical interferometric accelerometers are widely used in seismic monitoring, petroleum resources exploration, and structural health monitoring due to their low noise floor and resistance to electromagnetic interference (EMI). However, their small working range limits further applications. To broaden the working range of the sensor while ensuring the inherent anti-electromagnetic interference capability of the optical sensor, this paper proposes an orthogonal optical path (OP) range broadening scheme (OORBS). The linear working range is widened by splicing the linear intervals in the two interferometric signals. Subsequently, a platform based on a nano-displacement unit was built to validate the feasibility of the OORBS under static and AC cavity length variations. The experimental results show that the OORBS can recover the cavity length completely. Finally, the OORBS was combined with an accelerometer to realize the range broadening. The OORBS extends the accelerometer’s working range from 0.42 mg to 68 mg while maintaining the high sensitivity, which is about a 162-time improvement. The accelerometer’s noise floor reaches 4.8 ng/Hz1/2 at 15 Hz and accordingly, the dynamic range of the accelerometer increases from 98.8 dB to 143 dB. The proposed method is general to address the Fabry-Perot-based dynamic range limitation and can be adapted for various interferometric sensors, such as Fabry-Perot, grating, and Mach–Zehnder.

Classification of vegetation of the Barents Sea coast at the mouth of the Indiga River

Classification of coastal vegetation from the standpoint of the ecological-phytocoenotic approach at the estuary of the Indiga River, flowing into the southeastern part of the Barents Sea, is presented. On the base of 131 relevés of coastal vegetation, 23 associations in 18 formations were identified. The coastal vegetation in different biotopes differs in the structure and features of the phytocoenoses floristic composition. Based on the signs of vegetation cover, mesorelief, and hydrological features of the shores, the following biotopes were identified: saline and brackish marshes, beaches and dunes, tidal flats at the mouths of estuaries, saline and brackish lagoon lakes on marshes. The marches with 14 described associations have the highest phytocoenotic diversity. A phytocoenotic diversity of the beaches is noticeably less, 4 associations are described there. The vegetation background of the beaches is formed by the communities of the Leymeta arenarii formation, the vegetation background of the salty marshes is formed by the communities of the Cariceta subspathaceae, Cariceta glareosae, and Cariceta mackenziei formations. In saline lakes, large areas are occupied by communities of the Hippurideta tetraphyllae formation, and the communities of the Triglochineta maritimi and Plantagineta subpolaris formations are rare, the northern limit of their range runs approximately along the Indiga mouth. The vegetation of brackish marshes is mainly formed by the Cariceta salinae herbosum, Junceta gerardii, and Cariceta rariflorae communities. At the mouth of Indiga estuary, large areas are occupied by communities of the Magnocariceta formation. In the mouth of the Indiga, a little north of the range limit, communities of Eleocharis uniglumis, a rare species in the Nenets Autonomous Okrug, are described for the first time at the rank of association Eleocharitetum uniglumis. The aquatic vegetation of desalinated lagoon lakes is represented by the Myriophylleta sibirici formation. The halophyte vegetation of the Indiga River estuary is compared with the estuaries of the rivers of the Kanin Peninsula and the Pechora Bay. The ordination of geobotanical relevés shows a greater similarity of the coastal vegetation of the Indiga estuary with the estuaries of the rivers flowing on the Kanin Peninsula of the White and Barents Seas basins and with the vegetation of the rivers estuaries of the Pechora Bay coast. The article has an electronic appendix (https://journals.rcsi.science/0006-8136/issue/archive).

Fabrication of natural enzyme-covered / amino-modified Pd-Pt bimetallic-doped zeolitic imidazolate framework for ultrasensitive detection of metabolites.

The present article introduced an natural enzyme-covered/amino-modified Pd-Pt bimetallic-doped zeolitic imidazolate framework (NAPPZ) for ultrasensitive and specific detection of glucose. The dodecahedral nanomaterial zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF-8)-loaded Pd-Pt bimetallic nanoparticles endowed the composite with peroxidase-like activity. The modification with glucose oxidase (GOx) facilitated the rapid access of H2O2 produced through glucose oxidation to the Pd-Pt nanoparticles vicinity reducing diffusion. GOx specifically catalyzes the transformation of glucose into H2O2, which then H2O2 rapidly migrates to the Pd-Pt nanoparticles, catalyzing the oxidation of colorless o-phenylenediamine into the orange-yellow product 2,3-diaminophenazine. Based on the aforementioned cascade reaction, the NAPPZ and NAPPZ based on ChOx were utilized for detecting glucose in human urine samples and cholesterol in milk, respectively. The NAPPZ strategy presented a broad detection range (20-1100μmol L-1) and a low detection limit (15.9μmol L-1) for glucose, and the NAPPZ based on ChOx strategy approach offered a broad detection range (10-500μmol L-1) and low detection limit (6.4μmol L-1) for cholesterol. Therefore, this novel method holds significant potential in the areas of clinical diagnostics and food safety.

Rehabilitation Protocol Variability Following Arthroscopic Bankart Repair and Remplissage for Management of Anterior Shoulder Instability: A Systematic Review.

Augmentation of an arthroscopic Bankart repair with the remplissage (ABR) procedure has shown to confer a decrease in recurrence rates, yet, at the expense of potentially compromising shoulder motion. The purpose was to examine clinical studies that described a post-operative rehabilitation protocol after an arthroscopic Bankart repair and remplissage procedure. It was hypothesized that a review of the literature would find variability among the studies and that, among comparative studies, there would be a limited distinction from protocols for isolated Bankart repairs. Systematic Review. A search was conducted using three databases (PubMed, EMBASE, and CINAHL) according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The following terms were combined while utilizing Boolean operators: (Bankart lesion OR labral tear) AND (remplissage). Studies evaluating patients after arthroscopic stabilization for unidirectional anterior glenohumeral instability with the addition of the remplissage procedure and at least 1 year follow-up were included for analysis. A total of 41 studies (14 Level IV, 24 Level III, 2 Level II, and 1 Level I) were included with a total of 1,307 patients who underwent ABR. All patients had <30% glenoid bone loss and a range of 10-50% humeral head size Hill-Sachs lesion. Type and position of immobilization were the most reported outcomes (41/41) followed by time of immobilization (40/41). Moreover, 23/41 studies described their initial post-operative shoulder range of motion restrictions, while 17/41 specified any shoulder motion allowed during this restrictive phase. Time to return to sport was also described in 37/41 of the retrieved studies. Finally, only two of the 27 comparative studies tailored their rehabilitation protocol according to the specific procedure performed, underscoring the lack of an individualized approach (i.e.same rehabilitation protocol for different procedures). The results of the present systematic review expose the variability among rehabilitation protocols following ABR. This variability prompts consideration of the underlying factors influencing these disparities and underscores the need for future research to elucidate optimal rehabilitation. Based on the results of this systematic review and the senior authors´ clinical experience, a rehabilitation approach similar to an isolated Bankart repair appears warranted, with additional precautions being utilized regarding internal rotation range of motion and external rotation strengthening. Level 3.

Effects of High-intensity Continuous Ultrasound on Infrapatellar Fat Pad Stiffness and Gliding in Healthy Participants: A Randomized, Single-blind, Placebo-controlled Crossover Trial

ObjectiveUltrasound therapy effectively treats a joint range of motion limitation and pain originating from soft tissue in knee osteoarthritis (OA). Few interventional studies have focused on the infrapatellar fat pad (IFP), and the effects of high-intensity continuous ultrasound (HICUS) on IFP stiffness and gliding have not been investigated. Therefore, we aimed to determine the effects of HICUS on IFP stiffness and gliding. MethodsThis single-blind, randomized, controlled crossover study involved 24 healthy participants. The HICUS and placebo conditions were applied to the knee joint on 2 different days. HICUS was performed (1 MHz, 2.5 W/cm², duty cycle 100%, 5 min) using an ultrasound machine equipped with an applicator and adsorption-type fixed automatic rotation irradiation function. The main outcomes were IFP stiffness and gliding measured at 10 degrees and 120 degrees knee flexion. Gliding was measured as the difference between the patellar-tendon tibial angles at 10 degrees and 120 degrees knee flexion. Measurements were performed before (T1), immediately after (T2), and 15 min after (T3) treatment. ResultsTwo-way repeated measures analysis of variance showed a significant interaction of IFP stiffness at 10 degrees knee flexion; post-test results showed that HICUS decreased stiffness at T2 and T3. There was no significant difference at 120 degrees. A significant interaction of gliding was observed under the HICUS condition. Post-tests showed that HICUS significantly improved gliding at T2 and T3. ConclusionHICUS is a simple, safe intervention for improving IFP stiffness and gliding in healthy participants, with sustained effects. Further studies are needed to evaluate its efficacy in patients.