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This study aimed to assess the French version of the Lexington Attachment to Pets Scale (LAPS) and to explore the factors influencing the attachment between French pet owners and their cats and dogs. Given the absence of a French tool to evaluate pet attachment, LAPS was translated into French using a rigorous back-translation method. An online survey was developed to assess LAPS scores, socio-demographic data, and owner characteristics, resulting in 1872 eligible responses. The French LAPS demonstrated strong reliability as well as good internal consistency and repeatability. Median LAPS scores were higher for dog owners (58.5) compared with cat owners (52.0), while individuals who owned both species showed significantly higher scores for their dogs than for their cats. Factors associated with higher attachment scores for owners of both species included the female gender of the owner, living without children, and lower educational background. This study reinforces the existing body of evidence about gender and pet type differences in terms of attachment and highlights the potential influence of social desirability bias. It provides valuable insights into the complexities of human-animal bonds in the French context and shows the influence of social standards on pet attachment.

In recent years, yttrium oxide coatings prepared by atmospheric plasma spraying (APS) have been employed extensively in semiconductor processing equipment. Meanwhile, defects in yttrium oxide coating, such as unmelted particles and pores, reduce the etching resistance of the coating. In this work, two yttrium oxide coatings were prepared by in situ laser-assisted plasma spraying (LAPS) coupled with a 500 W and 600 W laser for comparison with a coating prepared by APS, and the effects of the laser on the coating properties were investigated. The results show that the surface roughness was reduced by 25.7% (500 W) and 25.3% (600 W) and the porosity was reduced by 52.3% (500 W) and 36.9% (600 W) after laser coupling. After being etched by CF4/CHF3 for a long time, it was observed from SEM, EDS and XPS analyses that the intensity ratios of the Y-F bonds in the coating were 1 (APS):1.3 (LAPS+500W):1.1 (LAPS+600W), which indicated that the LAPS+500W coating had a thicker fluorination layer. It was also observed that the fluorination layer at the defect was first eroded; then, the erosion area gradually spread to the surrounding area, and finally, the fluorination layer was etched. This indicated that the defects had a significant impact on the etching resistance. Consequently, the LAPS+500W coating with fewer defects and a thicker fluorination layer showed the lowest etching rate. Therefore, in situ laser-assisted plasma spraying coupled with an appropriate laser power is an effective method to improve the performance of yttrium oxide coatings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A light-addressable potentiometric sensor (LAPS) is a semiconductor-based sensor platform for sensing and imaging of various chemical species. Being a potentiometric sensor, no faradaic current flows through its sensing surface, and no electrochemical reaction takes place in the course of LAPS measurement. In this study, a four-electrode system is proposed, in which a LAPS is combined with the conventional three-electrode electrochemical system. A LAPS is included as the fourth electrode for potentiometric sensing and imaging of the target analyte in the course of an electrochemical reaction taking place on the surface of the working electrode. The integrated system will be useful for analyzing dynamic processes, where both the electrochemical process on the electrode surface and the ion distribution in the solution need to be simultaneously investigated. Different grounding modes of control circuits that can simultaneously conduct potentiostatic/galvanostatic polarization and LAPS measurement are designed, and their functionalities are tested. The interference between polarization and LAPS measurement will also be discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract This study aimed to assess the French version of the Lexington Attachment to Pets Scale (LAPS) and to explore the factors influencing the attachment between French pet owners and their cats and dogs. Given the absence of a French tool to evaluate pet attachment, LAPS was translated into French using a rigorous back-translation method. An online survey was developed to assess LAPS scores, socio-demographic data, and owner characteristics, resulting in 1872 eligible responses. The French LAPS demonstrated strong reliability as well as good internal consistency and repeatability. Median LAPS scores were higher for dog owners (58.5) compared with cat owners (52.0), while individuals who owned both species showed significantly higher scores for their dogs than for their cats. Factors associated with higher attachment scores for owners of both species included the female gender of the owner, living without children, and lower educational background. This study reinforces the existing body of evidence about gender and pet type differences in terms of attachment and highlights the potential influence of social desirability bias. It provides valuable insights into the complexities of human-animal bonds in the French context and shows the influence of social standards on pet attachment.

Abstract Objective The high rate of treatment failure is a common problem in the treatment of methamphetamine use. Therefore, the aim of this research is to identify the most common causes of relapse in methamphetamine users. Method This is a qualitative study and of content analysis type. Information was collected using purposeful sampling and through semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions. The statistical population consisted of all people with the methamphetamine-use disorder in 2022 who were in the abstinence phase and participated in the meetings of the Narcotics Anonymous (NA) Center of Bojnord. Theoretical sampling continued until data saturation. A total of 10 one-on-one interviews were conducted, each lasting between 45 to 80 min. Additionally, two focus group interviews were conducted with six members in each group, lasting between 95 to 110 min and data saturation was achieved through these interviews. Data analysis was done using the content analysis method (Sterling). Recoding and Holsti's method were used to measure reliability; validity was then calculated through content validity assessment. Findings The results of the thematic analysis showed that laps and relapse factors were identified and categorized into 5 organizing themes, including negative emotional states, positive emotional states, negative physical states, interpersonal factors, and environmental factors, consisting of 39 basic themes. Result Identifying the risk factors leading to laps and relapse in methamphetamine users and increasing the knowledge in this field can lay the groundwork for preventive therapeutic interventions in this community.

Using hourly ground observation, wind profile observation and weather radar observation, the diurnal variation characteristics of the reanalysis products of the Local Analysis and Forecasting System (LAPS_LIVE) and the fifth-generation reanalysis product of the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ERA5) during the Meiyu period in 2020 were validated and analyzed. The results show that the correlation between the diurnal variations of surface fields in LAPS_LIVE and ground truth is higher than that in ERA5 overall. Specifically, LAPS_LIVE is not as good as ERA5 in terms of the diurnal variations of surface temperature and humidity in southwest mountainous area. LAPS_LIVE is obviously better than ERA5 in terms of the diurnal variations of sea level pressure and surface temperature and humidity in the Dabie Mountains area. The diurnal variations of sea level pressure and surface temperature and humidity in the Jianghan Plain have small biases for both reanalysis datasets. The bias of mean surface wind field in LAPS_LIVE is smaller than that in ERA5, but the diurnal variation in LAPS_LIVE is weaker and the wind speed is also lower. The diurnal amplitude and mean speed of surface wind in ERA5 are significantly stronger than the observations. The inertial oscillation characteristics of low-level wind profile in LAPS_LIVE are consistent with the observations. The time evolution and vertical shear of low-level wind field in the morning in LAPS_LIVE is better than that in ERA5, but the low-level jet at night in LAPS_LIVE is worse. ERA5 overestimates the low-level northerly winds and the southwest jet in the morning, but its average low-level wind field is closer to the observations than LAPS_LIVE.

Previous studies have shown that cat owners seem to care less about their cats than dog owners care about their dogs – both in terms of their emotional state of attachment and in their willingness to pay for services that potentially benefit the animals. One study speculated that this difference is “driven by the behavior of the pet” – that the behavior of dogs encourages care more than the behavior of cats – and therefore is a universal phenomenon. However, previous studies mostly relied on convenience sampling of owners and were undertaken in single countries. Based on responses to a questionnaire from cat and dog owners drawn from representative samples of citizens (18 to 89 years of age) in three different European countries, Denmark, Austria and the United Kingdom, we tested the degree to which owners care about their cats and dogs. We used four different measures: Lexington attachment to pets scale (LAPS), possession of pet health insurance, willingness to pay for life-saving treatment, and expectation of veterinary diagnostic and treatment options. Dog owners had higher LAPS scores in all countries. However, the difference between dog and cat owners was greater in Denmark than in Austria and the United Kingdom. More dogs than cats were insured in all three countries, but the ratio was much less skewed in favor of dogs in the United Kingdom compared to Denmark. In terms of expensive life-saving treatment, in every country, more dog owners than cat owners were willing to spend over a certain amount, but the differences were much more pronounced in Denmark compared to the United Kingdom. In Denmark and Austria, dog owners expected more veterinary treatment options to be available, but species made no difference to the expectations of UK owners. People care more about their dogs than their cats in all countries, but with a clear cross-country variation and a very modest difference in the United Kingdom. Therefore, it does not seem to be a universal phenomenon that people care much less about their cats than their dogs. This finding has practical implications for future efforts to expand the level of veterinary services provided for cat owners.

Objective: The high rate of treatment failure is a common problem in the treatment of methamphetamine use. Therefore, the aim of this research is to identify the most common causes of relapse in methamphetamine users. Method: This is a qualitative study and of content analysis type. Information was collected using purposeful sampling and through semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions. The statistical population consisted of all people with the methamphetamine-use disorder in 2022 who were in the abstinence phase and participated in the meetings of the Narcotics Anonymous (NA) Center of Bojnord. Theoretical sampling continued until data saturation. A total of 10 one-on-one interviews were conducted, each lasting between 45 to 80 min. Additionally, two focus group interviews were conducted with six members in each group, lasting between 95 to 110 min and data saturation was achieved through these interviews. Data analysis was done using the content analysis method (Sterling). Recoding and Holsti's method were used to measure reliability; validity was then calculated through content validity assessment. Findings: The results of the thematic analysis showed that laps and relapse factors were identified and categorized into 5 organizing themes, including negative emotional states, positive emotional states, negative physical states, interpersonal factors, and environmental factors, consisting of 39 basic themes. Result: Identifying the risk factors leading to laps and relapse in methamphetamine users and increasing the knowledge in this field can lay the groundwork for preventive therapeutic interventions in this community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The snow physical parameters are closely related to the sizes, shapes, and chemical composition of light‐absorbing particles (LAPs). By utilizing a computer‐controlled scanning electron microscope software called IntelliSEM‐EPASTM, we first report the measured size‐resolved concentration of soot, dust, and fly ash particles in fresh (wet) and aged (dry deposition) snow samples collected at an industrial city in China during and after a snowfall at intervals of 6–8 days. Due to wet scavenging by seasonal snow, soot and dust particles in snow are absorbed by 69.7% and 30.3% at wavelengths of 550 nm, lowering snow albedo by 0.0089 and 0.0039, respectively. Soot particle size increases slightly during dry deposition, whereas size‐resolved mineral dust does not undergo a significant shift in particle size. These results indicate the essentiality to involve the effects of accurate size and composition of in‐snow LAPs for a better assessment of snow light absorption and reflectance. Plain Language Summary: A field survey was undertaken to collect freshly fallen (1) and aged surface (15) snow samples at 1‐day intervals in the center of Changchun city, China, which is surrounded by heavy industrial emission sources. We used an advanced computer‐controlled scanning electron microscope to determine particle size and number distributions of three major light‐absorbing particle types with diameters of 0.2–10 μm in seasonal snow, namely soot, dust, and fly ash. Soot and dust particles deposited in various ice‐grain sizes via wet and dry deposition were also examined in terms of their contributions to light absorption and snow albedo reduction. We report here a first attempt to detect a combination of log‐normal soot, dust, and fly ash in seasonal snow, as well as their potential effects on the reduction of snow albedo. Key Points: Computer‐controlled scanning electron microscopy was used to identify size‐resolved light‐absorbing particles in surface snowSoot particle size increases slightly during dry deposition, whereas size‐resolved dust doesn't undergo a significant shift in particle sizeSize‐resolved soot and dust are critical factors in the determination of snow light absorption and albedo [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Society has increasingly come to appreciate the relationship between people and pets, and therefore, the demand for research into this subject has also been growing. In Brazil, tools designed to assess the human-animal relationship are still scarce, and so far, there is no tool, adapted for the Brazilian context, designed to evaluate the bond between people and their animals. The Lexington Attachment to Pets Scale (LAPS) is a scale that aims to measure the degree of attachment that an owner has for their pet. It is one of the most used tools to assess the emotional bond between people and their animals. The aim of this study, therefore, was to translate, cross-culturally adapt, and evaluate the psychometric properties of the LAPS for the Brazilian population (LAPS-B). For this purpose, confirmatory factor analysis and reliability tests were conducted on a sample of 2526 dog and cat owners from all over the country, of whom 81.87% were female and who had a mean age of 33.85 years old (standard deviation = 12.81). The comparison between the models showed that the 3-factor correlated model and the hierarchical model had better metrics than the others, and that the hierarchical model was the most suitable. In conclusion, the Brazilian version of the LAPS is a reliable measure of the attachment to dogs or cats, and can be used to assist research and studies that address the human-animal relationship. Future research should investigate the psychometric properties of the scale on other animal species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research was conducted to outline the opportunities and challenges of resolving fintech business disputes through the Alternative Dispute Resolution Institute (LAPS) in Indonesia. The research method used in this research is a legal reasearch approach and qualitative approach that is to review primary and secondary data sources related to regulations on business dispute resolution in Indonesia. The results show that fintech plays a role in encouraging the economic development of the community, especially as an alternative to financing. LAPS serves as a solution to dispute resolution of business people in Indonesia this institution was chosen because it is more effective and efficient, the verdict is final and binding that is contrary to litigation lines that seem time-consuming and expensive costs. LAPS opportunities are very large for the rise of digital-based businesses and payments that still leave many legal problems while LAPS khsusus fintech is not yet available where LAPS provides services that are in line with digital business; the settlement is a win-win solution, which is in accordance with the character of the business world, which is obliged to manage risks, including reputational risk, operational risk and legal risk. While the challenges faced by LAPS in fintech include: Dualism alternative fintech dispute resolution can be through LAPS and can also through the Consumer Dispute Resolution Agency (BPSK); Limited Legal Infrastructure The number of fintech transactions that continue to increase in line with the potential for disputes that will occur; Availability of Mediators and Arbitrators of LAPS Financial Services Sector.

Background Insufficient post-operative future liver remnant (FLR) limits the feasibility of hepatectomy for patients. Staged hepatectomy is an effective surgical approach that can improve the resection rate of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study aimed to compare the safety and efficacy of laparoscopic microwave ablation and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy (LAPS) and classical associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy (ALPPS) in the treatment of hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related HCC. Methods Clinical data of patients with HBV-related HCC who underwent LAPS or ALPPS in our institute between January 2017 and May 2022 were retrospectively analysed. Results A total of 18 patients with HBV-related HCC were retrospectively analysed and divided into the LAPS group (n  =   9) and ALPPS group (n  =   9). Eight patients in the LAPS group and eight patients in the ALPPS group proceeded to a similar resection rate (88.9% vs 88.9%, P  =   1.000). The patients undergoing LAPS had a lower total comprehensive complication index than those undergoing ALPPS but there was not a significant different between the two groups (8.66 vs 35.87, P  =   0.054). The hypertrophy rate of FLR induced by ALPPS tended to be more rapid than that induced by LAPS (24.29 vs 13.17 mL/d, P  =   0.095). The 2-year recurrence-free survival (RFS) was 0% for ALPPS and 35.7% for LAPS (P  =   0.009), whereas the 2-year overall survival for ALPPS and LAPS was 33.3% and 100.0% (P  =   0.052), respectively. Conclusions LAPS tended to induce lower morbidity and FLR hypertrophy more slowly than ALPPS, with a comparable resection rate and better long-term RFS in HBV-related HCC patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To investigate the clinical effectiveness of superior gluteal artery propeller flap combined with postoperative vacuum sealing drainage in the treatment of hip pressure injury. Methods From September 2016 to August 2020, 32 patients with hip pressure injury were treated with superior gluteal artery propeller flap combined with postoperative vacuum sealing drainage. They were 21 males and 11 females, at an average age of 56.87 (14~79) years. There were 12 patients with type Ⅲ, and 30 with type Ⅳ. The defect ranged from 30 to 56 cm2. The patients' ability to tolerate anesthesia and surgical operation for each major organ function was preoperatively evaluated. Their hemoglobin level was adjusted to ≥110 g/L and that of albumin to ≥30 g/L. The survival and therapeutic effect of the flap were observed. Results All patients were treated with superior gluteal artery propeller flap, followed by vacuum sealing drainage to maintain the operating field. All 31 flaps survived postoperatively. One patient suffered from necrosis of the medial edge of the flap due to fecal contamination, which was healed after sigmoid colostomy and redressing. Another patient suffered from secondary infection at the suture site of the flap due to high tension, and underwent skin graft later. The average follow-up period was 18 months, and there was no recurrence of pressure injury. Conclusions The superior gluteal artery propeller flap is reliable in blood supply and easy to operate. It is a reasonable option to combine with vacuum sealing drainage to reduce the complications after operation.

A forward advection scheme is incorporated in an advanced data assimilation model to provide very short-term predictions. The Local Analysis and Prediction System (LAPS) is implemented in the nowcasting mode in a case study of extreme precipitation event over Attica, Greece. The LAPS assimilated remote sensing data from satellite retrievals and XPOL radar precipitation measurements to produce objective analyses alongside their nowcasts in a forecast window up to 3 h. The results indicate that the assimilation of remote sensing data can increase the short-term precipitation predictability, with varying performance depending on the type and the combination of the assimilated remote sensing data.

A light-addressable potentiometric sensor (LAPS) is a chemical sensor that is based on the field effect in an electrolyte–insulator–semiconductor structure. It requires modulated illumination for generating an AC photocurrent signal that responds to the activity of target ions on the sensor surface. Although high-power illumination generates a large signal, which is advantageous in terms of the signal-to-noise ratio, excess light power can also be harmful to the sample and the measurement. In this study, we tested different waveforms of modulated illuminations to find an efficient illumination for a LAPS that can enlarge the signal as much as possible for the same input light power. The results showed that a square wave with a low duty ratio was more efficient than a sine wave by a factor of about two. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The light-addressable potential sensor (LAPS) was invented in 1988 and has developed into a multi-functional platform for chemical and biological sensing in recent decades. Its surface can be flexibly divided into multiple regions or pixels through light addressability, and each of them can be sensed independently. By changing sensing materials and optical systems, the LAPS can measure different ions or molecules, and has been applied to the sensing of various chemical and biological molecules and cells. In this review, we firstly describe the basic principle of LAPS and the general configuration of a LAPS measurement system. Then, we outline the most recent applications of LAPS in chemical sensing, biosensing and cell monitoring. Finally, we enumerate and analyze the development trends of LAPS from the aspects of material and optical improvement, hoping to provide a research and application perspective for chemical sensing, biosensing and imaging technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Macronutrients (carbohydrates, fat and protein) are the cornerstones of daily diet, among which carbohydrates provide energy for the muscles and central nervous system during movement and exercise. The breakdown of carbohydrates starts in the oral cavity, where they are primarily hydrolyzed to glucose and then metabolized to organic acids. The end products may have an impact on the oral microenvironment, so it is necessary to monitor the process of microbial metabolism and to measure the pH change. Although a pH meter has been widely used, it is limited by its sensitivity. We then introduce a light addressable potentiometric sensor (LAPS), which has been used in extracellular acidification detection of living cells with the advantages of being objective, quantitative and highly sensitive. However, it is difficult to use in monitoring bacterial metabolism because bacteria cannot be immobilization on the LAPS chip as easily as living cells. Therefore, a microphysiometric system integrated with Transwell insert and microfluidic LAPS chip was designed and constructed to solve this problem. The decrease in pH caused by glucose fermentation in Lactobacillus rhamnosus was successfully measured by this device. This proves the feasibility of the system for metabolism detection of non-adhere targets such as microorganisms and even 3D cells and organoids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concept of romantic love directed towards a young bride is an ideological construction in the history of European culture as manifested in works of Rousseau, Novalis, and Edgar Allan Poe. Any given author's modification of this form of love is an important indication of his religious, ethical, and aesthetic beliefs, which are in turn indicative of his cultural trend and which reflect the fears and ideals of the given author's contemporary society. Here, I will trace the transformation of this topic in the late work of Vasily Zhukovsky in its intersection with the Rousseauist topos of the last or "twilight" love. I will also analyze the transformation of the image of the girl-bride, previously canonized by the patriarch of Russian Romanticism, in the poetry of Pyotr Vyazemsky, Fyodor Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment, and Vladimir Nabokov's Lolita - works which represent different literary-ideological programs which respond in different ways to Jean-Jacques Rousseau's Confessions (1769, published 1782).

Light‐addressable potentiometric sensor (LAPS) is highly attractive in many sectors, including human disease detection, drug screening, and environmental monitoring. Currently, classical LAPS chips adopt inorganic semiconductors, such as silicon, as the photosensitive layer. Organic semiconductors can provide the next generation of the photosensitive layer because of their high absorption efficiency, large structural variability, eco‐friendliness, and bendability. However, no promising organic materials have been reported so far for the construction of LAPS chips. Here, the authors demonstrate the potential of fullerene (C60), a π‐conjugated carbon molecule with high n‐type conduction, as a candidate material for the photosensitive layer of LAPS. They report on a peculiar bipolar photo‐response under both reverse and forward biased conditions for C60‐based LAPS. An oxygen‐trap‐induced space‐charge mechanism is proposed to explain the unique bipolar photo‐response phenomenon. The proposed C60‐based LAPS exhibits an excellent pH sensitivity of 150 mV/pH as well as a high spatial resolution of 3.8 µm. The authors anticipate that these results will spark interest in this field and enable the replacement of the inorganic‐semiconductor photosensitive layer by organic semiconductor materials for the construction of high‐performance LAPS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The model initialization with high-resolution SAR wind data provided by the Sentinel-1 mission and its impact on the meteorological model WRF-ARW simulations is discussed. The activity is performed within the Horizon 2020 CEASELESS project, focusing on one of the target areas, the northern Adriatic Sea (northern-central Mediterranean). The Sentinel-1 SAR wind is ingested into LAPS, a numerical system developed at NOAA, specifically designed for data analysis and nowcasting issues, since it has the advantage of being faster and less computational demanding than advanced data assimilation methods. Here, LAPS analyses are used to perform a smarter initialization of the WRF-ARW model simulations than using simply global model fields. The impact of the Sentinel-1 SAR wind on the model simulations is evaluated for twenty cases, ranging through several atmospheric conditions occurring in different seasons of the years 2014–2018. For each case study, a reference WRF-ARW simulation is forced with GFS analysis and forecasts used as initial and boundary conditions, respectively. Additional model runs are initialized with the LAPS analyses, which include the information of Sentinel-1 SAR wind, METAR data and the SEVIRI/MSG (Eumetsat) brightness temperature. A statistical evaluation of the WRF-ARW simulations is performed versus an independent set of surface records, provided by the Friuli Venezia Giulia regional station network (northeastern Italy), and METAR data. The comparison is performed for 10 m wind, 2 m air and dew point temperature. The results show a positive, albeit modest, impact on the WRF model simulations initialized with the LAPS analyses. The initialization with the Sentinel-1 SAR wind show benefits for all surface variables. Finally, a Mediterranean tropical-like cyclone (Medicane), occurred in the Ionian Sea in November 2017, is considered in order to show how the use of Sentinel wind data can contribute to a better analysis and simulation of severe weather episodes in the Mediterranean. The improvement in the simulation of the pressure minimum location is remarkable.

Prokaryotic translation is among the major targets of diverse natural products with antibacterial activity including several classes of clinically relevant antibiotics. In this review, we summarize the information about the structure, biosynthesis, and modes of action of translation inhibiting ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides (RiPPs). Azol(in)e-containing RiPPs are known to target translation, and several new compounds inhibiting the ribosome have been characterized recently. We performed a systematic search for biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) of azol(in)e-containing RiPPs. This search uncovered several groups of clusters that likely direct the synthesis of novel compounds, some of which may be targeting the ribosome.

Macronutrients (carbohydrates, fat and protein) are the cornerstones of daily diet, among which carbohydrates provide energy for the muscles and central nervous system during movement and exercise. The breakdown of carbohydrates starts in the oral cavity, where they are primarily hydrolyzed to glucose and then metabolized to organic acids. The end products may have an impact on the oral microenvironment, so it is necessary to monitor the process of microbial metabolism and to measure the pH change. Although a pH meter has been widely used, it is limited by its sensitivity. We then introduce a light addressable potentiometric sensor (LAPS), which has been used in extracellular acidification detection of living cells with the advantages of being objective, quantitative and highly sensitive. However, it is difficult to use in monitoring bacterial metabolism because bacteria cannot be immobilization on the LAPS chip as easily as living cells. Therefore, a microphysiometric system integrated with Transwell insert and microfluidic LAPS chip was designed and constructed to solve this problem. The decrease in pH caused by glucose fermentation in Lactobacillus rhamnosus was successfully measured by this device. This proves the feasibility of the system for metabolism detection of non-adhere targets such as microorganisms and even 3D cells and organoids.

The light-addressable potential sensor (LAPS) was invented in 1988 and has developed into a multi-functional platform for chemical and biological sensing in recent decades. Its surface can be flexibly divided into multiple regions or pixels through light addressability, and each of them can be sensed independently. By changing sensing materials and optical systems, the LAPS can measure different ions or molecules, and has been applied to the sensing of various chemical and biological molecules and cells. In this review, we firstly describe the basic principle of LAPS and the general configuration of a LAPS measurement system. Then, we outline the most recent applications of LAPS in chemical sensing, biosensing and cell monitoring. Finally, we enumerate and analyze the development trends of LAPS from the aspects of material and optical improvement, hoping to provide a research and application perspective for chemical sensing, biosensing and imaging technology.

There is increasing evidence that cardiorespiratory endurance (CRE) is declining among Chinese children and youth. The 20-meter shuttle run test (20-m SRT) is considered the most effective and widely used field-based measurement of CRE for children and youth worldwide. However, there have been few attempts to set 20-m SRT norms for Chinese children and youth. We aimed to develop sex- and age-specific 20-m SRT norms for Chinese children and youth, and compare them with international standards. Participants were 69,960 healthy children and youth aged 917 years from six geographical areas of China, selected using a stratified cluster random sampling method. Sex- and age-specific 20-m SRT percentiles and curves were extracted for four common 20-m SRT metrics (laps, completed stages/minutes, speed at the last complete stage, estimated peak oxygen uptake). We also estimated the prevalence of healthy CRE according to the interim international cut-points (42 mL.kg-1min-1 for boys, 35 mL⋅kg⋅¹min-1 for girls). Chinese boys consistently outperformed girls, while more girls (86.4%) exhibited healthy CRE than boys (67.1%). Younger children and youth were more likely to meet the standards compared with the older, regardless of sex. Chinese children and youth underperformed international norms by 0.85% for boys and 3.1% for girls. The performance indicator (z-score) of Chinese children and youth was -0.01, indicating that 20-m SRT performance was worse than the international mean. The sex differences were also higher for international than Chinese students. This study provided national sex- and age-specific 20-m SRT Chinese norms, offering a valuable tool for screening, monitoring and identifying target groups for future interventions and early prevention of cardiovascular risk factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prokaryotic translation is among the major targets of diverse natural products with antibacterial activity including several classes of clinically relevant antibiotics. In this review, we summarize the information about the structure, biosynthesis, and modes of action of translation inhibiting ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides (RiPPs). Azol(in)e-containing RiPPs are known to target translation, and several new compounds inhibiting the ribosome have been characterized recently. We performed a systematic search for biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) of azol(in)e-containing RiPPs. This search uncovered several groups of clusters that likely direct the synthesis of novel compounds, some of which may be targeting the ribosome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a previous study, a thin In-Ga-Zn-oxide light addressable potentiometric sensor (IGZO LAPS) was indicated to have the advantages of low interference from ambient light, a high photocurrent and transfer efficiency, and a low cost. However, illumination optimization to obtain two-dimensional (2D) chemical images with better spatial resolutions has not been fully investigated. The trigger current and AC-modulated frequency of a 405-nm laser used to illuminate the fabricated IGZO LAPS were modified to check the photocurrent of the sensing area and SU8–2005 masking area, obtaining spatial resolution-related functions for the first time. The trigger current of illumination was adjusted from 0.020 to 0.030 A to compromise between an acceptable photocurrent and the integrity of the SU8–2005 masking layer. The photocurrent (PC) and differential photocurrent (DPC) versus scanning length (SL) controlled by an X-Y stage were used to check the resolved critical dimensions (CDs). The difference between resolved CD and optically measured CD (e.g., delta CD) measured at an AC frequency of 500 Hz revealed overall smaller values, supporting precise measurement in 2D imaging. The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) has an optimized range of 2.0 to 2.15 for a better resolution for step spacings of both 10 and 2 μm in the scanning procedure to construct static 2D images. Under illumination conditions with a trigger current of 0.025 A and at an AC frequency of 500 Hz, the spatial resolution can be reduced to 10 μm from the pattern width of 6 μm. This developed methodology provides a quantitative evaluation with further optimization in spatial resolution without an extra cost for applications requiring a high spatial resolution, such as single-cell activity.

The Cat/Dog–Owner Relationship Scale (C/DORS) can be administered to both dog and cat owners. However, the scale as a whole has never been validated on a sample of dog owners. Furthermore, it has never been translated into Italian. The aim of this study was to translate the C/DORS into Italian, modify its response scale in order to improve the degree of response variability, and test its validity and reliability on a sample of dog-owners. Exploratory factor analysis revealed the same three-factor structure (Perceived Emotional Closeness = PEC, Pet–Owner Interactions = POI, Perceived Costs = PC) as the original English version, although some items had to be removed because of low- or cross-loadings. The validity of the construct was confirmed by confirmatory factor analysis, by the correlations between each of the subscales and the C/DORS total score, and by the correlations with the Lexington Attachment to Pets Scale. Cronbach’s α values for each subscale were above acceptable levels. Student owners scored higher on PEC and POI than owners with other occupations. Owners of dogs with behavioural problems scored lower on PEC and higher on PC. Keeping the dog outdoor was associated with lower POI. Finally, pet dog owners scored higher on PEC than AAI dog owners.

Cadaveric decellularized bone tissue is utilized as an allograft in many musculoskeletal surgical procedures. Typically, the allograft acts as a scaffold to guide tissue regeneration with superior biocompatibility relative to synthetic scaffolds. Traditionally these scaffolds are machined into the required dimensions and shapes. However, the geometrical simplicity and, in some cases, limited dimensions of the donated tissue restrict the use of allograft scaffolds. This could be overcome by additive manufacturing using granulated bone that is both decellularized and demineralized. In this study, the large area projection sintering (LAPS) method is evaluated as a fabrication method to build porous structures composed of granulated cortical bone bound by polycaprolactone (PCL). This additive manufacturing method utilizes visible light to selectively cure the deposited material layer-by-layer to create 3D geometry. First, the spreading behavior of the composite mixtures is evaluated and the conditions to attain improved powder bed density to fabricate the test specimens are determined. The tensile strength of the LAPS fabricated samples in both dry and hydrated states are determined and compared to the demineralized cancellous bone allograft and the heat treated demineralized-bone/PCL mixture in mold. The results indicated that the projection sintered composites of 45-55 wt %. Demineralized bone matrix (DBM) particulates produced strength comparable to processed and demineralized cancellous bone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract A fluorographene sensing membrane on silicon nitride (Si 3 N 4) for light-addressable potentiometric sensors (LAPS) is investigated. Three layers of monolayer graphene grown using low-pressure chemical vapor deposition (LPCVD) were transferred and stacked on a Si 3 N 4 LAPS and then treated with CF 4 plasma with a filter shielding. Clear fluorination of the 3-layer graphene is proven by studying the Raman spectrum, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and contact angle measurement. The pH sensitivity and linearity of this fluorographene sensing membrane are 56.8 mV/pH and 99.4%, respectively. The drift coefficient and hysteresis are 2.6 mV/h and 2.9 mV, respectively. This sensing performance is comparable to a Si 3 N 4 sensing membrane. A significant negative bias shift in the photocurrent versus gate bias characteristics can be observed in the fluorographene sensing membrane, which could be explained by the fact that the work function increases owing to the dipole effect of carbon–fluorine bonds. A two-dimensional (2D) image of photocurrent measured in a pH 7 buffer solution for a sample with fluorographene and a Si 3 N 4 sensing membrane on the same surface is generated by the scanning controlled by an X Y stage and LAPS measurement system. The high and the low photocurrents of the fluorographene and Si 3 N 4 sensing membrane can be clearly distinguished in the static 2D pH image with an appropriate gate bias voltage. Through these experimental results, fluorographene is proven to be a suitable pH-sensing membrane. Further study on surface immobilization is suggested for biomedical targets in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rabbits are becoming one of the most popular pets in western countries, including the Czech Republic. Until now, the welfare-husbandry conditions of rabbits in correlation with owner attachment to the rabbit has never been investigated. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the bond with a rabbit and selected factors, such as ownership of a dog and/or cat, the time spent with the rabbit, and the age of any children living in the household, have an impact on a pet rabbit's husbandry conditions. Data was gathered on the basis of a questionnaire survey conducted among pet rabbit owners in the Czech Republic. In total, 1651 completed questionnaires were collected through various channels, namely veterinary surgeries, pet shops, breeders, and social media. The questions covered demographics, living conditions, the presence of children and/or other pets, and the strength of the bond. We found that living with a child/children under 12 years of age, owning a dog and a cat, and spending less time with the rabbit were associated with a decreased bond between the owner and the rabbit. It was also found that decreased time spent with the rabbit is associated with decreased animal husbandry conditions. However, only a weak association was found between the bond of the owners to their rabbit and its welfare-husbandry conditions. Overall, the most alarming finding was that over 80% of companion rabbits in Czech Republic are kept in isolation. In conclusion, the amount of time owners spend with their rabbit appears to be a suitable parameter for determining the strength of the bond attachment and husbandry conditions of the rabbit. There were minimal differences between the strength of the bond and the breeding status of the rabbit if there was a child and/or other pets such as a dog and/or cat in the household. The role of rabbits has changed recently, and it is therefore necessary to conduct comprehensive research into rabbit welfare. • The strength of the owner-rabbit bond correlates weakly with the husbandry conditions of the rabbit. • Amount of time spent with the rabbit was associated with strength of owner-rabbit bond. • Living with young children in one household were associated with weaker owner-rabbit bond. • Weaker owner-rabbit bond was associated with simultaneous ownership of dog and/or cat. • Rabbits' husbandry conditions were associated with amount of time spent with the rabbit.. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Jasa keuangan merupakan salah satu sektor yang banyak berperan dalam pembangunan ekonomi suatu negara. Otoritas Jasa Keuangan Indonesia sebagai lembaga independen pengatur dan pengawas di sektor jasa keuangan memiliki salah satu tugas penting untuk memberikan perlindungan terhadap konsumen di sektor jasa keuangan, salah satunya dengan mengatur prosedur penanganan pengaduan serta penyelesaian sengketa konsumen secara sederhana, cepat, dan biaya terjangkau. Sebagai tindak lanjutnya, OJK menerbitkan POJK Nomor 1/POJK.07/2014 tentang Lembaga Alternatif Penyelesaian Sengketa di Sektor Jasa Keuangan. Artikel ini dimaksudkan untuk menggambarkan bagaimana konsep alternatif penyelesaian sengketa sebagaimana diatur di dalam POJK No. 1/2014 dikaitkan dengan sistem penyelesaian sengketa perdata yang ada. Lebih lanjut lagi, akan diuraikan pula Lembaga Alternatif Penyelesaian Sengketa yang telah ditetapkan OJK untuk melaksanakan tugas dan peranannya dalam penyelesaian sengketa dibidangnya masing-masing serta tantangan yang dihadapi dalam mewujudkan perlindungan terhadap konsumen sektor jasa keuangan. Abstract Financial service is one of the essential sectors in economic development of a country. Indonesian Financial Services Authority (OJK) is an independent institution which regulates and supervises the financial services sector and has its important role in providing consumer protection in financial services sector, i.e. by regulating the procedure of consumer complaint and dispute settlement in simple, prompt, and affordable manners. Following up such role, OJK issued Regulation 1/POJK.07/2014 regarding Alternative Dispute Resolution Institution in Financial Services Sector. This article is intended to describe the concept of alternative dispute resolution as stipulated in Regulation of OJK No. 1/2014 in connection with the existing private dispute settlement system. Furthermore, this article also describes the institutions of alternative dispute resolution assigned by OJK to conduct their duty and role in dispute settlement for each respective sectors and its challenge to provide consumer protection in financial services sector.

About 75% energy demand and emissions all concentrate in urban areas, especially in the metropolises, placing a heavy burden on both the energy supply system and the environment system. To explore low emission pathways and provide policy recommendations for the Shanghai energy system and the environmental system to reach the carbon dioxide (CO2) peak by 2030 and attain emission reduction targets for local air pollutants (LAPs), a regional energy–environment optimization model was developed in this study, considering system costs, socio-economic development and technology. To verify the reliability of the model simulation and evaluate the model risk, a historical scenario was defined to calculate the emissions for 2004–2014, and the data were compared with the bottom-up emission inventory results. By considering four scenarios, we simulated the energy consumption and emissions in the period of 2020–2030 from the perspective of energy policies, economic measures and technology updates. We found that CO2 emissions might exceed the amount of 250 million tons by the end of 2020 under the current policy, and carbon tax with a price of 40 CNY per ton of carbon dioxide is an imperative measure to lower carbon emissions. Under the constraints, the emissions amount of SO2, NOx, PM10, and PM2.5 will be reduced by 95.3–180.8, 207.8–357.1, 149.4–274.5, and 59.5–119.8 Kt in 2030, respectively.

Severe hydrometeorological hazards such as floods, droughts, and thunderstorms are expected to increase in the future due to climate change. Due to the significant impacts of these phenomena, it is essential to develop new and advanced early warning systems for advance preparation of the population and local authorities (civil protection, government agencies, etc.). Therefore, reliable forecasts of extreme events, with high spatial and temporal resolution and a very short time horizon are needed, due to the very fast development and localized nature of these events. In very short time-periods (up to 6 h), small-scale phenomena can be described accurately by adopting a “nowcasting” approach, providing reliable short-term forecasts and warnings. To this end, a novel nowcasting system was developed and presented in this study, combining a data assimilation system (LAPS), a large amount of observed data, including XPOL radar precipitation measurements, the Chemical Hydrological Atmospheric Ocean wave System (CHAOS), and the WRF-Hydro model. The system was evaluated on the catastrophic flash flood event that occurred in the sub-urban area of Mandra in Western Attica, Greece, on 15 November 2017. The event was one of the most catastrophic flash floods with human fatalities (24 people died) and extensive infrastructure damage. The update of the simulations with assimilated radar data improved the initial precipitation description and led to an improved simulation of the evolution of the phenomenon. Statistical evaluation and comparison with flood data from the FloodHub showed that the nowcasting system could have provided reliable early warning of the flood event 1, 2, and even to 3 h in advance, giving vital time to the local authorities to mobilize and even prevent fatalities and injuries to the local population.

Crevice corrosion is a type of local corrosion which occurs when a metal surface is confined in a narrow gap on the order of 10 μm filled with a solution. Because of the inaccessible geometry, experimental methods to analyze the inner space of the crevice have been limited. In this study, a light-addressable potentiometric sensor (LAPS) was employed to estimate the potential distribution inside the crevice owing to the IR drop by the anodic current flowing out of the structure. Before crevice corrosion, the I–V curve of the LAPS showed a potential shift, depending on the distance from the perimeter. The shift reflected the potential distribution due to the IR drop by the anodic current flowing out of the crevice. After crevice corrosion, the corrosion current increased exponentially, and a local pH change was detected where the corrosion was initiated. A simple model of the IR drop was used to calculate the crevice gap, which was 12 μm—a value close to the previously reported values. Thus, the simultaneous measurement of the I–V curves obtained using a LAPS during potentiostatic electrolysis could be applied as a new method for estimating the potential distribution in the crevice.

Large diameter bars and high reinforcement ratios – part 1: anchorages and laps According to Eurocode 2, large diameter bars > ∅ 32 mm may only be positioned taking additional rules into account. In contrast, the proposal for Eurocode 2 does not include any additional rules for large diameter bars. The additional rules were investigated with ∅ 40 mm reinforcing bars within two comprehensive experimental investigations at three institutes. After the investigation of ∅ 40 mm reinforcing bars, tests with ∅ 28 mm bars were also conducted to find the connection to conventional bar diameters. This article describes the experimental bond tests conducted at RWTH Aachen University that comprised beam‐end tests, four‐point bending tests with laps and end anchorages in simply supported beams. The test results are used to relax some additional rules. In the following, different design approaches are analysed with a database evaluation for the maximum steel stress to be developed in anchorages and laps. The design approaches for the calculation of necessary anchorage and lap lengths were compared on the basis of a database. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The light-addressable potentiometric sensor (LAPS) is a spatially resolved biochemical sensor based on a field-effect structure. Over the past three decades, it has gained significant attention for the detection of various ions, biomolecules (e.g. enzymes, antibodies, DNA, and biomarkers), cellular metabolic activities as well as neuronal action potentials. To improve the sensor function and performance, all of these applications rely on the physical or chemical modifications of LAPS with different transducer materials and/or bio(chemical) recognition elements. With the rapid development of biomaterials associated with new sensing and fabrication techniques, remarkable advances in LAPS design, fabrication and applications have been achieved. In this review, the features and fabrication technologies of different gate insulators of LAPS are illustrated. Especially, ultrathin insulators such as organic monolayers are highlighted. The state-of-the-art technologies for LAPS modification and construction as well as their consequent applications in chemical and biological fields are summarized and discussed. Finally, current research challenges and future prospectives, for instance the combination of LAPS with microfluidic chips, will be presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inductively coupled plasma reactive-ion etching (ICP-RIE) is first applied to decrease the thickness of a Si substrate for light-addressable potentiometric sensor (LAPS) characterization. A simple and reliable process flow with the self-aligned Al layer as a hard mask layer in ICP-RIE is used to fabricate a thin semiconductor substrate with Al back-side contact. A single-side polished P-type Si wafer with a thickness of 350 μm is decreased to 100 μm by ICP-RIE from the polished side. The thickness of the thin Si substrate and the dimensions of the designed patterns determined by ICP-RIE are verified using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and an optical microscope (OM). A selective high-dielectric constant insulator, niobium oxide (NbOx), is directly deposited on the unpolished side of the thin Si substrate as the sensing membrane of a LAPS by reactive ratio frequency (rf) sputtering. A high photocurrent was found in the ICP-RIE LAPS sample under back-side illumination, particularly in high-frequency operation. Compared to an Si substrate without ICP-RIE, 3-fold and 6.5-fold higher photocurrents were achieved by the proposed LAPS with ICP-RIE measured at 1 and 50 kHz of light modulated frequency, respectively. The highest modulated frequency of illumination was 50 kHz for an acceptable photocurrent in the LAPS with ICP-RIE, which is sufficient for two-dimensional (2D) images acquired with high-speed scanning. The NbOx layer deposited on the unpolished Si surface could automatically generate higher pH sensitivity than conventional polished Si surfaces because of the higher surface roughness. The calculated pH sensitivity and linearity were 55.8 mV/pH and 99.6%, respectively, in a pH range from 2 to 12. No clear degradation of hysteresis was found for the LAPS with ICP-RIE. For the designed patterns of the Al hard mask layer, the spatial resolution of the 2D image of the LAPS with ICP-RIE could be obtained by the difference between dimensions observed by OM and the dimensions calculated from the photocurrent versus scanning length controlled by the X-Y stage. A pattern with a length of 250 μm generated by ICP-RIE was measured as 255 μm in the LAPS with scanning step of 5 μm. ICP-RIE is demonstrated to achieve a spatial resolution of 5 μm in the Si-based LAPS. Further reduction of the thickness of an Si substrate by ICP-RIE controlling and its ability to create a dynamic 2D image are suggested for future investigation in spatial resolution optimization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A device structure made from the Si substrate etched from the smooth surface by KOH wet etching is investigated for use as a light-addressable potentiometric sensor (LAPS). Stacked Si3N4/SiO2 layers were used as the sensing membrane on the top side, and a hard mask layer generated by KOH etching comprises the bottom side of the LAPS. A single-side polished P-type Si wafer with a thickness of 350~\mu \textm was reduced to 175~\mu \textm by KOH wet etching of the polished side. A high photocurrent was observed in an LAPS sample with increased surface roughness while under backside illumination. Additionally, the increased roughness of the sensing membrane on the top side generated by the unpolished Si surface in the same sample produced higher pH sensitivity than conventional polished Si surfaces. The pH sensitivity and linearity were 45.4 mV/pH and 99.7%, respectively, for pH values ranging from 2 to 12. A 4.4-fold higher photocurrent was achieved using the thin-Si LAPS with a thickness of 175~\mu \textm measured at a light-modulated frequency of 1 kHz compared with that using a Si substrate with a thickness of 550~\mu \textm . An acceptable photocurrent was obtained with a modulated illumination frequency up to 20 kHz, which is beneficial for 2-D images acquired by high-speed scanning. This simple device structure consisting of a thin-Si LAPS increases the photocurrent and pH sensitivity. The thickness of the LAPS Si substrate could be reduced in the future to optimize the process stability and sensing performance. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A light-addressable potentiometric sensor (LAPS) is a chemical sensor with a field-effect structure based on semiconductor. Its response to the analyte concentration is read out in the form of a photocurrent generated by illuminating the semiconductor with a modulated light beam. As stated in its name, a LAPS is capable of spatially resolved measurement using a scanning light beam. Recently, it has been pointed out that a part of the signal current is lost by the return current due to capacitive coupling between the solution and the semiconductor, which may seriously affect the sensor performance such as the signal-to-noise ratio, the spatial resolution, and the sensitivity. In this study, a circuit model for the return current is proposed to study its dependence on various parameters such as the diameter of contact area, the modulation frequency, the specific conductivity of the solution, and the series resistance of the circuit. It is suggested that minimization of the series resistance of the circuit is of utmost importance in order to avoid the influence of the return current. The results of calculation based on this model are compared with experimental results, and its applicability and limitation are discussed.

A light-addressable potentiometric sensor (LAPS) is a semiconductor electrochemical sensor based on the field-effect which detects the variation of the Nernst potential on the sensor surface, and the measurement area is defined by illumination. Thanks to its light-addressability feature, an LAPS-based chemical imaging sensor system can be developed, which can visualize the two-dimensional distribution of chemical species on the sensor surface. This sensor system has been used for the analysis of reactions and diffusions in various biochemical samples. In this review, the LAPS system set-up, including the sensor construction, sensing and substrate materials, modulated light and various measurement modes of the sensor systems are described. The recently developed technologies and the affecting factors, especially regarding the spatial resolution and temporal resolution are discussed and summarized, and the advantages and limitations of these technologies are illustrated. Finally, the further applications of LAPS-based chemical imaging sensors are discussed, where the combination with microfluidic devices is promising.

Cadaveric decellularized bone tissue is utilized as an allograft in many musculoskeletal surgical procedures. Typically, the allograft acts as a scaffold to guide tissue regeneration with superior biocompatibility relative to synthetic scaffolds. Traditionally these scaffolds are machined into the required dimensions and shapes. However, the geometrical simplicity and, in some cases, limited dimensions of the donated tissue restrict the use of allograft scaffolds. This could be overcome by additive manufacturing using granulated bone that is both decellularized and demineralized. In this study, the large area projection sintering (LAPS) method is evaluated as a fabrication method to build porous structures composed of granulated cortical bone bound by polycaprolactone (PCL). This additive manufacturing method utilizes visible light to selectively cure the deposited material layer-by-layer to create 3D geometry. First, the spreading behavior of the composite mixtures is evaluated and the conditions to attain improved powder bed density to fabricate the test specimens are determined. The tensile strength of the LAPS fabricated samples in both dry and hydrated states are determined and compared to the demineralized cancellous bone allograft and the heat treated demineralized-bone/PCL mixture in mold. The results indicated that the projection sintered composites of 45–55 wt %. Demineralized bone matrix (DBM) particulates produced strength comparable to processed and demineralized cancellous bone.