bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of Food With Different Fat Concentrations on Alectinib Exposure: A Randomized Crossover Pharmacokinetic Trial
Authors: Lanser Daan A.C. , de Leeuw Simon P. , Oomen-de Hoop Esther , de Bruijn Peter , Paats Marthe S. , Dumoulin Daphne W. , Koolen Stijn L.W. , Dingemans Anne-Marie C. , Mathijssen Ron H.J. , Veerman G.D. Marijn
Published: June 2023

Background: Alectinib is the keystone treatment in advanced anaplastic lymphoma kinase–positive (ALK+) non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). An exposure–response threshold of 435 ng/mL has recently been established, albeit 37% of patients do not reach this threshold. Alectinib is orally administered, and absorption is largely influenced by food. Hence, further investigation into this relationship is needed to optimize its bioavailability. Patients and Methods: In this randomized 3-period crossover clinical study in ALK+ NSCLC, alectinib exposure was compared among patients with different diets. Every 7 days, the first alectinib dose was taken with either a continental breakfast, 250-g of low-fat yogurt, or a self-chosen lunch, and the second dose was taken with a self-chosen dinner. Sampling for alectinib exposure (Ctrough) was performed at day 8, just prior to alectinib intake, and the relative difference in Ctrough was compared. Results: In 20 evaluable patients, the mean Ctrough was 14% (95% CI, −23% to −5%; P=.009) and 20% (95% CI, −25% to −14%; P<.001) lower when taken with low-fat yogurt compared with a continental breakfast and a self-chosen lunch, respectively. Administration with a self-chosen lunch did not change exposure compared with a continental breakfast (+7%; 95% CI, −2% to +17%; P=.243). In the low-fat yogurt period, 35% of patients did not reach the threshold versus 5% with the other meals (P<.01). Conclusions: Patients and physicians should be warned for a detrimental food–drug interaction when alectinib is taken with low-fat yogurt, because it results in a clinically relevant lower alectinib exposure. Intake with a self-chosen lunch did not change drug exposure and could be a safe and patient-friendly alternative.
Prognostic and Predictive Markers for Patients With Anal Cancer
Authors: Holliday Emma B. , Peddireddy Arjun , Morris Van K.
Published: June 2023

Squamous cell carcinoma of the anus and anal canal is a rare malignancy with an increasing incidence in the United States. In the past 2 decades, the proportion of Americans diagnosed with incurable, metastatic anal cancer at the time of initial presentation has increased. Most cases are linked to prior infection with HPV. Although concurrent chemoradiotherapy has been the accepted standard treatment for patients with localized anal cancer over the past half century, therapeutic advances have increased options for patients with unresectable or incurable anal cancer over the past 5 years. Specifically, combination chemotherapy and immunotherapy with anti–PD-(L)1 antibodies has demonstrated efficacy in this setting. Greater understanding of molecular drivers of this viral-associated malignancy has provided critical insight into evolving biomarkers for the clinical management of anal cancer. The pervasiveness of HPV across cases of anal cancer has been leveraged for the development of HPV-specific circulating tumor DNA assays as a sensitive biomarker for prognosticating recurrence in patients with localized anal cancer who complete chemoradiation. For patients with metastatic disease, somatic mutations, well-characterized for anal cancer, have not shown utility in identifying patients who benefit from systemic treatments. Although the overall response rate to immune checkpoint blockade therapies is low for metastatic anal cancer, high immune activation within the tumor and PD-L1 expression may identify patients more likely to experience response. These biomarkers should be incorporated into the design of future clinical trials to personalize further treatment approaches in the evolving management of anal cancer.
La reforma de la ciberestafa y la incorporación de los medios de pago digitales en el Código Penal
Authors: Bustos Rubio Miguel
Published: June 2023

Tras la entrada en vigor de la Ley Orgánica 14/2022, de 22 de diciembre, se ha reformado el Código Penal, modificándose la descripción típica del delito de ciberestafa (redefiniendo sus elementos y ampliando su ámbito de aplicación) e incorporándose al terreno de este injusto los instrumentos de pago distintos del efectivo (que ahora abarcan también la utilización de mecanismos de pago digitales). En el marco de una economía de mercado digital como la actual, se hace necesario adaptar la normativa penal para poder hacer frente a conductas delictivas que operan de la mano de la informática para lograr sus objetivos. En este trabajo se analiza la incidencia de estas recientes modificaciones, su interpretación y su extensión, partiendo del estudio de la normativa supranacional que ha impulsado estas reformas, tanto en el ámbito internacional como desde la Unión Europea.
SIMMER employs similarity algorithms to accurately identify human gut microbiome species and enzymes capable of known chemical transformations
Authors: Bustion Annamarie E , Nayak Renuka R , Agrawal Ayushi , Turnbaugh Peter J , Pollard Katherine S
Published: June 2023

Bacteria within the gut microbiota possess the ability to metabolize a wide array of human drugs, foods, and toxins, but the responsible enzymes for these chemical events remain largely uncharacterized due to the time-consuming nature of current experimental approaches. Attempts have been made in the past to computationally predict which bacterial species and enzymes are responsible for chemical transformations in the gut environment, but with low accuracy due to minimal chemical representation and sequence similarity search schemes. Here, we present an in silico approach that employs chemical and protein Similarity algorithms that Identify MicrobioMe Enzymatic Reactions (SIMMER). We show that SIMMER accurately predicts the responsible species and enzymes for a queried reaction, unlike previous methods. We demonstrate SIMMER use cases in the context of drug metabolism by predicting previously uncharacterized enzymes for 88 drug transformations known to occur in the human gut. We validate these predictions on external datasets and provide an in vitro validation of SIMMER’s predictions for metabolism of methotrexate, an anti-arthritic drug. After demonstrating its utility and accuracy, we made SIMMER available as both a command-line and web tool, with flexible input and output options for determining chemical transformations within the human gut. We present SIMMER as a computational addition to the microbiome researcher’s toolbox, enabling them to make informed hypotheses before embarking on the lengthy laboratory experiments required to characterize novel bacterial enzymes that can alter human ingested compounds.
Structure of the photosynthetic Calvin-Benson-Bassham sedoheptulose-1,7-bisphosphatase SBPase from the model microalga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii
Authors: Moigne Théo Le , Santoni Martina , Jomat Lucile , Lemaire Stéphane D. , Zaffagnini Mirko , Chéron Nicolas , Henri Julien
Published: June 2023

The Calvin-Benson-Bassham cycle (CBBC) performs carbon fixation in photosynthetic organisms. Among the eleven enzymes that participate in the pathway, sedoheptulose-1,7-bisphosphatase (SBPase) is expressed in photo-autotrophs and contributes to the regeneration of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate, the carbon fixation co-substrate used by ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco). While SBPase is structurally similar to fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase (FBPase) involved in both neoglucogenesis and the CBBC, it exclusively functions in the CBBC and is indispensable for building a productive cycle. In this study we report the first structure of an SBPase from a chlorophyte, the model unicellular green microalga
Chlamydomonas reinhardtii
. By combining experimental and computational structural analyses, we describe the topology, conformations and quaternary structure of
Chlamydomonas reinhardtii
SBPase. We identify active site residues and locate sites of redox- and phospho-post-translational modifications that contribute to enzymatic functions. Finally, we observe that CrSBPase adopts distinct oligomeric states that may dynamically contribute to the control of its activity.
Novel axonemal protein ZMYND12 interacts with TTC29 and DNAH1, and is required for male fertility and flagellum function
Authors: Dacheux Denis , Martinez Guillaume , Broster Reix Christine E. , Beurois Julie , Lorès Patrick , Tounkara Magamba , Dupuy Jean-William , Robinson Derrick R. , Loeuillet Corinne , Lambert Emeline , Wehbe Zeina , Amiri-Yekta Amir , Daneshipour Abbas , Hosseini Seyedeh-Hanieh , Zouari Raoudha , Fourati Ben Mustapha Sélima , Halouani Lazhar , Jiang Xiaohui , Shen Ying , Liu Chunyu , Thierry-Mieg Nicolas , Septier Amandine , Bidart Marie , Satre Véronique , Cazin Caroline , Kherraf Zine-Eddine , Arnoult Christophe , Ray Pierre F. , Touré Aminata , Bonhivers Mélanie , Coutton Charles
Published: June 2023

Male infertility is common and complex, presenting a wide range of heterogeneous phenotypes. Although about 50% of cases are estimated to have a genetic component, the underlying cause often remains undetermined. Here, from whole-exome sequencing on samples from 168 infertile men with asthenoteratozoospermia due to severe sperm flagellum, we identified homozygous
ZMYND12
variants in four unrelated patients. In sperm cells from these individuals, immunofluorescence revealed altered localization of DNAH1, DNALI1, WDR66 and TTC29. Axonemal localization of ZMYND12 ortholog TbTAX-1 was confirmed using the
Trypanosoma brucei
model. RNAi knock-down of TbTAX-1 dramatically affected flagellar motility, with a phenotype similar to ZMYND12-variant-bearing human sperm. Co-immunoprecipitation and ultrastructure expansion microscopy in
T. brucei
revealed TbTAX-1 to form a complex with TTC29. Comparative proteomics with samples from
Trypanosoma
and
Ttc29
KO mice identified a third member of this complex: DNAH1. The data presented revealed that ZMYND12 is part of the same axonemal complex as TTC29 and DNAH1, which is critical for flagellum function and assembly in humans, and Trypanosoma. ZMYND12 is thus a new asthenoteratozoospermia-associated gene, bi-allelic variants of which cause severe flagellum malformations and primary male infertility.
A dual function of the IDA peptide in regulating cell separation and modulating plant immunity at the molecular level
Authors: Lalun Vilde Olsson , Breiden Maike , Galindo-Trigo Sergio , Smakowska-Luzan Elwira , Simon Rüdiger GW , Butenko Melinka A
Published: June 2023

The abscission of floral organs and emergence of lateral roots in Arabidopsis is regulated by the peptide ligand inflorescence deficient in abscission (IDA) and the receptor protein kinases HAESA (HAE) and HAESA-like 2 (HSL2). During these cell separation processes, the plant induces defense-associated genes to protect against pathogen invasion. However, the molecular coordination between abscission and immunity has not been thoroughly explored. Here, we show that IDA induces a release of cytosolic calcium ions (Ca2+) and apoplastic production of reactive oxygen species, which are signatures of early defense responses. In addition, we find that IDA promotes late defense responses by the transcriptional upregulation of genes known to be involved in immunity. When comparing the IDA induced early immune responses to known immune responses, such as those elicited by flagellin22 treatment, we observe both similarities and differences. We propose a molecular mechanism by which IDA promotes signatures of an immune response in cells destined for separation to guard them from pathogen attack.
The second language development of past perfective forms in Spanish
Authors: Zahler Sara
Published: June 2023

Research studies on second language (L2) morphosyntactic variation that include multiple learner course or experience levels often conduct separate statistical analyses of the factors affecting variation, one per learner level, and compare significant constraints and their coefficients across these groups as an indication of L2 development. This method of comparing across multiple regression analyses can lead to the perception of differences across participant groups that may not be statistically significant. Thus, the current study reanalyzes the data from Author (forthcoming), who investigated the development of past perfective form variation by 105 English-speaking L2 learners of Spanish from six course levels. Participants selected between the preterit and PP on a written contextualized task, in which 32 discursive contexts in a narrative were manipulated for four linguistic variables known to affect preterit-PP variation in the Spanish-speaking world: time of action, verb lexical aspect, sequencing, and presence of a temporal adverb. In our analysis, we combined the data from the six distinct Spanish L2 course levels into one model, and included an interaction between course level and each of the linguistic constraints manipulated in the task. We then compared our findings to Author (forthcoming) who conducted separate regression analyses for each course level. Findings indicate that only time of action and sequencing demonstrated significantly different effects across course levels, and that separate regression analyses across learner levels may lead to an overestimation of differences among these levels.
'Uno que otro': A distributive indefinite in Mexican Spanish
Authors: Chapa Barrios José Fernando , Vazquez Rojas Violeta
Published: June 2023

In Mexican Spanish, the indefinite quantifier “uno que otro” is used to refer to low cardinalities of entities separated in space or time. Even though they have a strictly singular form, noun phrases with “uno que otro” always refer to more than one entity. And, despite their notional content of plurality, they reject collective predicates. In this paper we propose a semantic analysis of this expression as a distributive indefinite, that is, an indefinite whose reference covaries as a function of a distributive operator, in the way that adnominal distributive numerals do in other languages ​​(Gil, 1983; Cable, 2014). Distributive numerals are supposed not to exist in Spanish; however, we claim that “uno que otro” is a distributed share marker (Choe, 1987; Bosnić et al 2020) related to a set of events (Balusu, 2006; Cable, 2014; Romero, 2006). This set is necessarily plural, although of low cardinality, and involves the precondition that its elements (atomic events) occur in non-contiguous time or space intervals. The semantic characterization of “uno que otro” as a distributive indefinite captures its referential dependence, its plural sense, its rejection of collective predicates and its content of separation as a secondary effect of a precondition on the events on which it is distributed. We thus show that Spanish has an adnominal expression of the same semantic nature as distributive numerals, with the precision that it requires distribution over events and not over entities.
Make your mouth agua: idioms and the integrated hypothesis
Authors: López Luis , De Nicolás Irati , Laanen Rodi , Pouw Charlotte , Sequeros-Valle José , Parafita Couto M. Carmen
Published: June 2023

Recent work argues that a bilingual linguistic system is fully integrated in one competence system and does not consist of two separate, autonomous systems as is commonly assumed (see Goldrick et al 2016, Grimstad et al 2014, López 2020, Riksam 2017). Here, we explore the organization of the lexicon within the integration hypothesis using data based on idioms and code-switching. The working hypothesis is that if the lexicons of a bilingual person are integrated in the sort of grammatical architecture presented in López (2020), one should be able to code-switch within the idiom and retain the idiomatic meaning. After a pilot study with a community of Papiamentu-Dutch bilinguals, we tested this hypothesis with two communities of bilingual code-switchers: Basque-Spanish, English-Spanish. The task consisted of choosing a meaning out of three choices for a range of sentences, some of which included code-switched idioms. Our results, by-and-large, confirm the hypothesis that code-switching does not destroy the integrity of the idiom.
Fertilizer and herbicide alter nectar and pollen quality with consequences for pollinator floral choices
Authors: Russo Laura , Ruedenauer Fabian , Gronert Angela , Van de Vreken Isabelle , Vanderplanck Maryse , Michez Denis , Klein Alexandra , Leonhardt Sara , Stout Jane C.
Published: June 2023

Background

Pollinating insects provide economically and ecologically valuable services, but are threatened by a variety of anthropogenic changes. The availability and quality of floral resources may be affected by anthropogenic land use. For example, flower-visiting insects in agroecosystems rely on weeds on field edges for foraging resources, but these weeds are often exposed to agrochemicals that may compromise the quality of their floral resources.

Methods

We conducted complementary field and greenhouse experiments to evaluate the: (1) effect of low concentrations of agrochemical exposure on nectar and pollen quality and (2) relationship between floral resource quality and insect visitation. We applied the same agrochemcial treatments (low concentrations of fertilizer, low concentrations of herbicide, a combination of both, and a control of just water) to seven plant species in the field and greenhouse. We collected data on floral visitation by insects in the field experiment for two field seasons and collected pollen and nectar from focal plants in the greenhouse to avoid interfering with insect visitation in the field.

Results

We found pollen amino acid concentrations were lower in plants exposed to low concentrations of herbicide, and pollen fatty acid concentrations were lower in plants exposed to low concentrations of fertilizer, while nectar amino acids were higher in plants exposed to low concentrations of either fertilizer or herbicide. Exposure to low fertilizer concentrations also increased the quantity of pollen and nectar produced per flower. The responses of plants exposed to the experimental treatments in the greenhouse helped explain insect visitation in the field study. The insect visitation rate correlated with nectar amino acids, pollen amino acids, and pollen fatty acids. An interaction between pollen protein and floral display suggested pollen amino acid concentrations drove insect preference among plant species when floral display sizes were large. We show that floral resource quality is sensitive to agrochemical exposure and that flower-visiting insects are sensitive to variation in floral resource quality.
Analysis of brain activation and wave frequencies during a sentence completion task: a paradigm used with EEG in aphasic participants
Authors: Lima Claudia , Lopes Jeferson Andris , Souza Victor , Barros Sarah , Winkler Ingrid , Senna Valter
Published: June 2023

Aphasia is a language disorder that occurs after brain injury and directly affects an individual’s communication. The incidence of stroke increases with age, and one-third of people who have had a stroke develop aphasia. The severity of aphasia changes over time and some aspects of language may improve, while others remain compromised. Battery task training strategies are used in the rehabilitation of aphasics. The idea of this research is to use electroencephalography (EEG) as a non-invasive method, of electrophysiological monitoring, with a group of aphasic patients in rehabilitation process in a prevention and rehabilitation unit of the person with disabilities of the Unified Health System (SUS), of reference in the state of Bahia-Brazil. In this study, the goal is to analyze brain activation and wave frequencies of aphasic individuals during a sentence completion task, to possibly assist health professionals with the analysis of the aphasic subject’s rehabilitation and task redefinition. We adopted the functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) paradigm, proposed by the American Society for Functional Neuroradiology as a reference paradigm. We applied the paradigm in the group of aphasics with preserved comprehension, right hemiparesis, and left hemisphere injured or affected by stroke. We analyzed four electrodes (F3/F4 and F7/F8) corresponding to the left/right frontal cortex. Preliminary results of this study indicate a more robust activation in the right hemisphere (average of aphasics), with a difference of approximately 14% higher in Theta and Alpha frequencies, with 8% higher in low Beta (BetaL) and with approximately 1% higher in high Beta frequency (BetaH), Gamma frequency was higher by approximately 3% in the left hemisphere of the brain. The difference in electrical activation may be revealing to us a migration of language to the non-language dominant hemisphere. We point to possible evidence suggesting that EEG may be a promising tool for monitoring the rehabilitation of the aphasic subject.
Kariyer Eğitimi ve Kariyer Planlama Farkındalığının Spor Endüstrisi İçin Önemi
Authors: YURTSIZOĞLU Zühal , GÜL Oğuzhan
Published: June 2023

Spor endüstrisi içinde işletmelerin büyümesi, gelişmesi ve rekabet ortamı içinde ayakta kalabilmesi; kar oranları, verimlilik düzeyleri gibi ekonomik çıktıların sonucundan önemli oranda etkilenir. Fakat bu çıktıların spor işletmesi için olumlu olması işletme çalışanlarının yeterlilikleri, bilgi düzeyleri ve çalışma performanslarının iyi oluşuyla yakından ilgilidir. Eğitim aldıkları dönemde kariyer planlarını doğru yapmış ve kariyer gelişimlerine katkı sunacak eğitimler almış bireylerin, yaptıkları işte daha başarılı olmaları beklenir. Çalışanın başarısı işletmenin başarısına doğrudan yansır. Bu araştırmada, spor bilimleri fakültesinde eğitim gören öğrencilerin kariyerleri ile ilgili farkındalıkları, kariyer seçimlerinde net hedefleri, yetenekleri ve meslekleri ile ilgili inançları, almış oldukları eğitimin yeterliliği ve mesleki seçimlerinin doğruluğu ile ilgili düşüncelerinin araştırılması amaçlanmıştır. Çalışmanın sonucunda, spor endüstrisine insan gücü kaynağı sağlayan spor bilimleri fakültelerinde eğitim gören öğrencilerin kariyer planlama farkındalık ortalamaları yüksek bulunmuş, sınıf ve bölüm değişkeni açısından farklılıklar tespit edilmiştir. Çalışmanın büyüyen bir endüstri olan spor endüstrisi işletmelerine elaman seçiminde yol gösterici olacağı, ayrıca spor bilimleri fakültesi öğrencilerine, eğitimlerini alırken kariyer farkındalığı yaratacak ders ve eğitimler verilmesi hususunda ışık tutacağı düşünülmektedir.
Diversity of wetland zooplankton in the Lachlan River catchment, New South Wales, Australia
Authors: Kobayashi Tsuyoshi , Miller Jan , Shiel Russell J. , Segers Hendrik , Hunter Simon J.
Published: June 2023

Inland wetlands are areas of high biodiversity, providing various ecosystem services. In this study, we assessed the species diversity of wetland zooplankton in the Lachlan River catchment. Biodiversity sampling is labour-intensive and attained sample size is often not large enough to detect all species present. Therefore, we applied integrated rarefaction and extrapolation sampling curves and asymptotic analysis to estimate species richness. We observed 103 species of rotifers, 29 species of cladocerans and 13 species of copepods, with further 14 rotifers, three cladocerans and four copepods identified at higher than species level, totalling 117 taxa of rotifers, 32 taxa of cladocerans and 17 taxa of copepods from 36 wetland sites across the catchment. The observed zooplankton species included the first record of the rotifer Trochosphaera solstitialis in Australia, and the first record of the rotifers Brachionus lyratus tasmaniensis, Keratella shieli, Lepadella tyleri, Notholca salina and N. squamula and the cladoceran Alona setuloides in NSW. Based on the integrated sampling curves and asymptotic analysis of species richness in wetlands of the Lachlan River catchment, greater additions of rotifers (estimated asymptote: ≈ 145) are more likely to be realised with increasing sample size than those of cladocerans (estimated asymptote: ≈ 36) and copepods (estimated asymptote: ≈ 18).
Disaster Response and Recovery Practices among Oil Spill Impacted Communities in Selected States in Niger Delta Region, Nigeria
Authors: Olawuyi I. B. , Obafemi A. A. , Eludoyin O. S.
Published: June 2023

The study examined the disaster response and recovery practices among oil spill impacted communities in selected states in Niger Delta region of Nigeria. The study cut-across six (6) LGAs from three (3) states, that is, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa and Delta while questionnaire was administered among 400 respondents with return rate of 94% amounting to 375 valid questionnaires. The returned questionnaires were analysed using descriptive statistics and ANOVA for the study hypotheses. The outcome of the study indicated that abandonment of spilled site (21.3%) is the most adopted response practice while in-situ burning of oil (22.4%) and scooping of the spilled oil (22.1%) as the major recovery practices. Statistically, there was no significant difference in post-disaster practices such as disaster response (where p > 0.05, p= 0.116) and recovery (where p > 0.05, p= 0.775) across the states. In conclusion, there is need for synergy among all the multi-agency and involvement of the community in deriving long lasting post-disaster practices. Harmonizing several overlapping legislations and governance institutions was recommended.
Composition of Flavour Non Volatile Compound Steamed Gourami (Osphronemus gouramy)
Authors: Fivarani Resvia Annisa Ayuda , Pratama Rusky Intan , Nurhayati Atikah , Liviawaty Evi
Published: June 2023

This research aims to identify the composition of non-volatile flavor compounds contained in the steamed gourami (Osphronemus gouramy). The research was carried out experimentally with the treatment of steamed gourami samples (at 100℃ for ± 30 minutes). This research was conducted at the Fisheries Product Processing Laboratory, Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences, Padjadjaran University, Jatinangor; IPB Integrated Laboratory. A simple product description test was carried out on samples which included the appearance of the meat, aroma, texture, and taste. Identification of non-volatile flavor compounds using tools High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). The results showed that steamed gourami has 15 identified non-volatile flavor compounds of 15 amino acid compounds. Two umami-flavored amino acids are 4.09% glutamic acid and 2.67% aspartic acid. The four sweet tasting amino acids are 1.53% alanine, 1.19% threonine, 1.13% glycine and 1.01% serine. The nine bitter amino acids are lysine 2.54%, leucine 2.11%, arginine 1.64%, valine 1.30%, isoleucine 1.29%, phenylalanine 1.14%, tyrosine 0.91%, methionine 0, 79% and histidine 0.66%. Steamed gourami has an intact appearance and is pale white in color. The aroma of steamed gourami is fresh and tasty according to the specific gourami. The texture of the meat is dense, soft and very compact. The taste of steamed gourami is savory according to the specific type.
Efficacy of Synthetic, Botanical and Microbial Pesticides against Tetranychus urticae Koch Infesting Okra under Field Condition
Authors: Kumar Ashish , Tripathi Manoj Kumar , Prasad Surendra
Published: June 2023

Okra is the most important vegetable crop of the tropical and subtropical regions of the world. To investigate on efficient management of Tetranychus urticae Koch infesting okra, synthetic, botanical and microbial pesticides were used in a study established in 2021 and 2022. The crop was treated with propargite (57 EC), clofentazine (50 SC), cyflumetofen (20 SC), fenpyroximate (5 EC), dicofol (18.5% EC), azadirachtin (0.03%), NSKE (5%), neem oil (98%, Paeciomyces fumosoroseus (EC) and Paeciomyces fumosoroseus (dust). The data evaluate the efficacy of pretreatment, 1, 3, 7 and 14th day after treatment. Overall clofentazine (89.96%) was found effective to control mite population followed by cyflumetofen (81.04%), fenpyroximate (77.56%), propargite (73.96%), dicofol (71.87%) in synthetic group. In botanical and microbial pesticides NSKE (52.32%) was found effective followed by azadirachtin (46.52%), neem oil (37.96%), Paeciomyces fumosoroseus 1x109 dust (31.47%) and Paeciomyces fumosoroseus 1x109 EC (27.95%), respectively. All the treatments are shows significant difference at five per cent probability level. Thus farmers can use such pesticides to reduce mite population in okra fields.
Safety Profile of Methotrexate in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Kabara Abhishek L. , Patil Pournima S. , Mohan Prashanth B.
Published: June 2023

Background: Methotrexate (MTX) is recommended as first-line therapy in patients with active Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) as monotherapy or in combination with other disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs). Despite being considered a safe drug, some toxicities of MTX are inevitable and patients discontinue further treatment with MTX for the same.

Objective: To evaluate the safety profile of Methotrexate in patients with RA.

Methodology: An observational cross sectional study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital from 1st January 2020 to 31st December 2020 at rheumatology OPD in department of medicine, KLES, Dr. Prabhakar Kore Hospital, Belagavi. 117 patients diagnosed with RA who had been undergoing methotrexate treatment for at least six months as monotherapy or in combination with other DMARDs were included. Patient demographics, disease and treatment characteristics, side effects, and blood and laboratory markers specific to RA were studied with regards to methotrexate. Continuous variables were presented as mean and standard deviation, while categorical variables were presented as frequency and percentage. Association between categorical variables was done using Fisher exact test and chi square test.

Results: The study predominantly consisted of females (85.5%), and the mean age of patients was 47.92±13.398 years. Patient-reported side effects were seen/observed in 47% of patients. Commonly reported minor side effects were fatigue (17.1%), nausea (16.2%), anorexia (11.1%), stomatitis/oral ulcers (10.3%), epigastric burning (8.5%), hair fall (3.4%), and vomiting in 0.9% of patients. Demographic and clinical factors were not associated with side effects. There was no significant association between side effects and type of treatment.

Conclusion: Use of methotrexate in combination with other DMARDs is safe and should be encouraged as first line treatment of RA on routine basis. However, periodic blood and laboratory monitoring along with patient follow-ups are essential for early detection of toxicities.
Some Womanist Inscriptions in Ebony Reigns’ Song Maame Hwɛ: A Literary Approach
Authors: Yeboah Philomena Ama Okyeso , Sanka Confidence Gbolo , Bonku Lucy Korkoi
Published: June 2023

Music is a part of life in Ghana. Studying a people’s music brings one closer to understanding them since music and reality are intertwined. Despite this reality, the contribution of popular music to national discourse has not received adequate research  attention in Ghana. This paper sets out to study the lyrics of one of the songs of Ebony Reigns (Opoku-Kwarteng Priscilla), a Ghanaian musician who died few years ago. Using the womanist theory, the paper investigates how the tenets of this theory are inscribed in the song, the problems that womanism addresses in the song and their implications to the Ghanaian youth. The researchers conclude from the analysis in the paper that the youth have to use social media with caution; they need to listen to advice from the elderly in choosing life partners and the African woman needs to fight for self-expression and liberation through positive cultural means.
A participação indígena no turismo comunitário da Bahia
Authors: Araujo da S. Costa Alicia , Santos Bispo Aline
Published: June 2023

Desde o início dos anos 2000, são múltiplas as estratégias e os esforços sendo levados a cabo pelo povo Pataxó no sentido de ressignificar e se apropriar da arena turística da Terra Indígena da Coroa Vermelha. Dentre elas, destaca-se o etnoturismo, uma modalidade turística autônoma de base comunitária. Tomando como objeto de análise a contribuição ativa da Reserva Pataxó da Jaqueira para o Turismo da Bahia sob a perspectiva da sua participação na Rede Batuc – Turismo Comunitário da Bahia, o presente artigo busca evidenciar, mediante pesquisa bibliográfica e observação participante, a importância da organização de comunidades subalternizadas em redes solidárias e colaborativas, com vistas à ampliação e ao fortalecimento do turismo de base comunitária para muito além do nível local.
Pontos de Cultura no Oeste Baiano
Authors: Figueirêdo Tainara , Brizuela Juan Ignacio
Published: June 2023

O artigo se debruça sobre a gestão territorial de recursos públicos analisando a aplicação e a transferência de recursos pelos editais do Programa Cultura Viva e Pontos de Cultura dos Territórios de Identidade da Bacia do Rio Grande e da Bacia do Rio Corrente, situados no oeste da Bahia. A metodologia segue abordagem qualitativa e a obtenção de dados foi através de acesso a documentos de bases estatísticas, governamentais e acadêmicas. O estudo da gestão de iniciativas culturais de base comunitária realizado com financiamento público desenvolvido no oeste da Bahia, a partir de uma política popularizada como inovadora no seu propósito de democracia cultural, permite visualizar os desafios e gargalos territoriais ao longo dos anos, com avanços e retrocessos na relação com o Estado em suas diversas esferas: federal, estadual e municipal.
siRNAs—A New Class of Medicines
Authors: Khvorova Anastasia
Published: June 2023

This Genomics and Precision Health article explains how small interfering RNA can modulate disease targets considered “undruggable” by small molecules and biologics.
Detecting Selection Bias in Observational Studies—When Interventions Work Too Fast
Authors: Mohyuddin Ghulam Rehman , Prasad Vinay
Published: June 2023

This Viewpoint discusses the limitations that observational studies have in drawing causal inferences.
An Ecological Approach for Advancing the Understanding of Nutrition and Health
Authors: Raiten Daniel J. , Bremer Andrew A.
Published: June 2023

This Viewpoint discusses 2 new programs of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development’s Pediatric Growth and Nutrition Branch that apply an ecological approach to understanding nutrition and public health.
Suppressing the Photoinduced Halide Segregation in Wide‐Bandgap Perovskite Solar Cells by Strain Relaxation
Authors: Liu Hui , Dong Jing , Wang Pengyang , Shi Biao , Zhao Ying , Zhang Xiaodan
Published: June 2023

Efficient and stable wide bandgap (WBG) perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are imperative for fabricating superior tandem devices. However, small crystal grains and light‐induced phase segregation of WBG perovskite result in large open‐circuit voltage (VOC) deficits, critically impeding the development of the related devices. Herein, the effective functional groups of Lewis‐base trans‐Ferulic acid (t‐FA) are employed to release the residual microstrain in the perovskite lattice. Larger perovskite crystals are formed by strengthening the interaction between the perovskite solute and solution. The lattice structure is stabilized to suppress light‐induced halide segregation. Finally, the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of the optimized device with a bandgap of ≈1.77 eV is increased from 17.33% to 19.31% with the enhancement of VOC. Moreover, replacing a mixture of MeO‐2PACZ and Me‐4PACZ as the hole transporting layer (HTL), the PCE further lifts to 19.9% and VOC is 1.32 V, one of the highest performances reported for WBG PSCs, especially for devices prepared entirely by solution spin‐coating. Therefore, this study provides a practicable alternative for realizing efficient WBG PSCs, which can contribute to the growth of perovskite‐based tandem devices.
Thermoelectric and Photoelectric Dual Modulated Sensors for Human Internet of Things Application in Accurate Fire Recognition and Warning
Authors: Li Gang , Hu Yue , Chen Jihao , Liang Lirong , Liu Zhuoxin , Fu Jia , Du Chunyu , Chen Guangming
Published: June 2023

The emergence of the Internet of Things (IoT) era has necessitated the development of intelligent wearable electronics for fire warning to mitigate fire hazards prior to ignition. Although significant advancements are achieved in thermoelectric materials and devices, the design of a specific thermoelectric wearable device for precision fire warning still remains challenging. In this study, an intelligent sensing system for human IoT fire warning that utilizes a novel light/heat dual‐parameter‐responsive single‐walled carbon nanotube/poly(3‐hexylthiophene‐2,5‐diyl) (SWCNT/P3HT) composite is developed. This system comprises the composite, a circuit microcontroller, and a message transmission system, which together create an intelligent fire source sensing device. The synergistic effect of light and heat is observed to enhance the output voltage and response time under concurrent stimuli, as compared to heating alone. The intelligent sensing system is found to effectively identify and alarm for fire sources, owing to the high thermoelectric and photoelectric performance of the SWCNT/P3HT composite, precise fire recognition, and the ability to adjust the alarming threshold for detecting fire hazards. This study presents a new approach for designing light/heat dual‐parameter‐responsive materials and wearable devices, which hold potential applications in smart home living environments, including child protection against fire hazards.
Ion Irradiation Activated Catalytic Activity of MoSe2 Nanosheet for High‐Efficiency Hydrogen Evolution Reaction
Authors: Huang Liqiu , Wei Guo , Wang Jiaqi , Li Derun , Jia Shuangfeng , Wu Shixin , Jiang Tao , Guo Yakun , Liu Yichao , Ren Feng
Published: June 2023

Developing highly efficient, low cost, and stable electrocatalysts that work at a large current density is crucial for upgrading the current industrial electrochemical water splitting to produce H2. Molybdenum selenide (MoSe2) is a promising 2D transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD), however, its reported output is inadequate due to its inert basal plane. Herein, the catalytic activity of MoSe2 nanosheet arrays is activated by a novel and controllable method of He+ ion irradiation to introduce multiple vacancies simultaneously into their inert basal planes. The vacancies activated MoSe2 have improved electrocatalytic performance and stability with a minimum overpotential of 90 mV at 10 mA cm−2, a Tafel slope of 49 mV dec−1 and high stability of 650 h at the industry‐level large current density of 1000 mA cm−2 compared to several hours for the pristine sample. The DFT results reveal that single Se and single Mo vacancies on the MoSe2 basal plane can efficiently increase the electrical conductivity and reduce energy barriers for water dissociation and subsequent proton adsorption, thus improving the electrocatalytic capability. This finding proves the application of ion beam in defect engineering for effective hydrogen evolution in TMDs‐based catalysts.
Biofloc technology as part of a sustainable aquaculture system: A review on the status and innovations for its expansion
Authors: McCusker Stephen , Warberg Majbritt Bolton , Davies Simon J. , Valente Cecilia de Souza , Johnson Mark P. , Cooney Ronan , Wan Alex H. L.
Published: June 2023

Increased food demand, reflecting a rising global human population, attaining 8 billion in 2022, has furthered the intensification of farmed aquatic animal production. Intensification practices can be resource demanding for micro and macronutrients, dedicated feeds, fossil fuels, chemotherapeutics, and water. Water replaces evaporative losses and may be used to dilute nutrient‐rich wastewater. As an alternative to wastewater discharge, biofloc technology (BFT) uses microbes to manage nutrient levels in production systems. A microbial community grown at high densities can assimilate waste metabolites for growth. This is promoted by increasing the carbon–nitrogen (C:N) ratio using a combination of aquafeed fed to the fish and an additional carbohydrate source, for example, starch, molasses, or bran. The microbial biomass offers a continuous and additional food source to the farmed animal, thus reducing the need for finished aquafeeds and lowering the feed conversion ratio. Although the approach relies on multiple interacting species, BFT can be deployed in relatively low technology settings. This review considers the basis of BFT and identifies areas for innovation and expansion. For example, control of light quantity and quality can influence the biofloc and hence the growth of cultured species. Research on biofloc aquaculture is dominated by studies using tilapia and shrimp, but the technology could be applied to other species, particularly species that are tolerant of biofloc conditions and not highly carnivorous. Biofloc may be a useful biosecurity tool for all or part of the life cycle, and meals made from dried biofloc may enhance the production of cultured species. The key benefits of BFT can potentially be seen in reduced water consumption, lower feed requirements, and improved fish health. This review differs from current review papers in proposing the use of a life cycle assessment in conjunction with BFT, which may be a useful tool for describing and communicating the relative benefits of biofloc systems and their wider environmental impact. This study will serve as a useful knowledge base of BFT information for students, researchers, and stakeholders alike, offering a central source of the main aspects around the culturing of biofloc, key parameters, common species used, areas of potential improvement, and a discussion on where the future of BFT may lie.
Light‐absorbing copolymers of polyimides as efficient photothermal materials for solar water evaporation
Authors: Li Shi‐Qin , Deng Yuan , Huang Jiang , Wang Pu , Liu Guoliang , Xie He‐Lou
Published: June 2023

Polyimide (PI), an important engineering polymer with a rigid chemical structure, readily has excellent chemical stability, heat resistance, and electrical insulation but lacks broadband photothermal properties. Herein, we design and synthesize PI copolymers that embrace intrinsic photothermal properties by using two diamine monomers of (Z)‐2,3‐bis(4‐aminophenyl) acrylonitrile (CNDA) and 4,4‐diphenyldiamine (NDA) with strong ultraviolet (UV), and near‐infrared (NIR) absorption capabilities, respectively. Tuning the molar ratio of the two diamines can modulate UV and NIR light absorption and regulate the intrinsic photothermal properties of PIs. After condensation with pyromellitic dianhydride, the resulting PI‐0.5 with a unit molar ratio of CNDA:NDA = 1 shows the best photothermal efficiency. PI‐0.5 is used to construct 3D steam generators with vertically dried channels by a freeze‐drying method. The 3D steam generators show a good water evaporation rate and continuously operate with excellent stability under varying salinity and pH conditions. The synthetic design herein suggests that PI can be molecularly engineered to be intrinsic photothermal materials, expanding the properties and applications of existing PIs.
Techno‐economic analysis of dynamic, end‐to‐end optimal pharmaceutical campaign manufacturing using PharmaPy
Authors: Casas‐Orozco Daniel , Laky Daniel J. , Wang Vivian , Abdi Mesfin , Feng Xin , Wood Erin , Reklaitis Gintaras V. , Nagy Zoltan K.
Published: June 2023

Increased interest in the pharmaceutical industry to transition from batch to continuouos manufacturing motivates the use of digital frameworks that allow systematic comparison of candidate process configurations. This article evaluates the technical and economic feasibility of different end‐to‐end optimal process configurations, namely, batch, hybrid and continuous, for small‐scale manufacturing of an active pharmaceutical ingredient. Production campaigns were analyzed for those configurations containing continuous equipment, where significant start‐up effects are expected given the relatively short campaign times considered. Hybrid operating mode was found to be the most attractive process configuration at intermediate and large annual production targets, which stems from combining continuous reactors and semi‐batch vaporization equipment. Continuous operation was found to be more costly, due to long stabilization times of continuous crystallization, and thermodynamic limitations of flash vaporization. Our work reveals the benefits of systematic digital evaluation of process configurations that operate under feasible conditions and compliant product quality attributes.
Herbs are not just small plants: What biomass allocation to rhizomes tells us about differences between trees and herbs
Authors: Harris Timothy , Klimeš Adam , Martínková Jana , Klimešová Jitka
Published: June 2023

Premise

Biomass accumulation over years in vertical stems of trees leads to hypoallometric scaling between stem and leaf biomass within this growth form, while for herbaceous species, biomass allocation between these organ types typically exhibits isometry. However, biomass accumulation in herbs can occur in belowground perennating organs (e.g., rhizomes) that are, contrary to aboveground parts of herbs, long‐lived. Although ecologically important, biomass allocation and accumulation in rhizomes (and similar organs) have mostly not been studied.

Methods

We assembled data on biomass investments into plant organs for 111 rhizomatous herbs based on a literature survey and greenhouse experiment. We estimated the proportion of whole‐plant biomass invested into rhizomes and, using allometric relationships, analyzed scaling between rhizome and leaf biomass and whether it is more variable than for other organs.

Results

On average, rhizomes comprise 30.2% of the total plant biomass. The proportion allocated to rhizomes does not change with plant size. Scaling between rhizome and leaf biomass is isometric, and allocation to rhizomes is not more variable than allocation to other organs.

Conclusions

Rhizomatous herbs accumulate substantial biomass in rhizomes, and rhizome biomass scales isometrically with leaves, contrary to the hypoallometric relationship between stem and leaves in trees. This difference suggests that the rhizome biomass is in balance with aboveground biomass—a resource of carbon for rhizome formation that, at the same time, is dependent on carbon stored in rhizomes for its seasonal regrowth.
Predicting amyloid‐beta pathology in the general population
Authors: Nguyen Ho Phuong Thuy , van Arendonk Joyce , Steketee Rebecca M. E. , van Rooij Frank J. A. , Roshchupkin Gennady V. , Ikram M. Arfan , Vernooij Meike W. , Neitzel Julia
Published: June 2023

INTRODUCTION

Reliable models to predict amyloid beta (Aβ) positivity in the general aging population are lacking but could become cost‐efficient tools to identify individuals at risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.

METHODS

We developed Aβ prediction models in the clinical Anti‐Amyloid Treatment in Asymptomatic Alzheimer's (A4) Study (n = 4,119) including a broad range of easily ascertainable predictors (demographics, cognition and daily functioning, health and lifestyle factors). Importantly, we determined the generalizability of our models in the population‐based Rotterdam Study (n = 500).

RESULTS

The best performing model in the A4 Study (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.73 [0.69–0.76]), including age, apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε4 genotype, family history of dementia, and subjective and objective measures of cognition, walking duration and sleep behavior, was validated in the independent Rotterdam Study with higher accuracy (AUC = 0.85 [0.81–0.89]). Yet, the improvement relative to a model including only age and APOE ε4 was marginal.

DISCUSSION

Aβ prediction models including inexpensive and non‐invasive measures were successfully applied to a general population–derived sample more representative of typical older non‐demented adults.