bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effectiveness of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum in enhancing the folate content of injera made with different cereals
Authors: Tamene Aynadis , Mekuriyaw Tesfaye , Baye Kaleab
Published: July 2023

Fermentation can contribute to the supply of essential vitamins like folate, but studies exploring this potential are scarce. Injera is an Ethiopian fermented pancake‐like flatbread made from different cereals. The study aimed to investigate the effect of injera‐making process using different cereals (tef, sorghum, wheat, and barley) on folate content and to evaluate the effectiveness of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum in enhancing folate of injera made with different cereals. Cereals were used alone or in combination (tef and sorghum (1:1), wheat and sorghum (3:1), sorghum (100%), and barley (100%)). L. plantarum previously isolated from tef dough and ersho (fermentation batch) collected from the households were used as starters. Folate content of the flour, dough, and injera was determined by microbiological assay. Contribution of consumption of injera made with different cereals to the folate requirement of children and women of reproductive age was evaluated. Among the studied cereals, the highest average folate content (49.9 μg/100 g) was observed in 100% sorghum flour and the least (32.2 μg/100 g) in 100% barley flour, on dry weight basis. After fermentation, the highest average folate content (60.1 μg/100 g) was observed in 100% sorghum dough fermented with L. plantarum. Highest average folate content (15.45 μg/100 g) per fresh weight was observed in wheat and sorghum (3:1)‐blend injera fermented with L. plantarum. Consumption of L. plantarum–fermented injera made with different cereals contributed up to 8% of the recommended folate intake of women of reproductive age.
Construct validation of Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory‐3 (MMPI‐3) scales relevant to the assessment of bipolar spectrum disorders
Authors: Whitman Megan R. , Sellbom Martin
Published: July 2023

Background

The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory‐3 (MMPI‐3) is a commonly used psychological test that includes several scales relevant to measuring manic and depressive symptoms of bipolar spectrum disorders.

Aims

The goal of the present study was to evaluate the construct validity of MMPI‐3 scale scores with respect to self‐report measures of bipolar psychopathology.

Materials & Methods

Using a sample of 644 university students in New Zealand, we calculated correlations between scores on the MMPI‐3 and the Hypomanic Personality Scale‐Short Form (HPS‐SF) total and factor scores and the Altman Self‐Report Mania Scale (ASRM) total and item scores.

Results

For associations against the HPS‐SF, almost all of the hypotheses were supported, whereas for the ASRM scale, several were not. We also estimated a series of regression models predicting HPS‐SF and ASRM scores from meaningfully associated MMPI‐3 scores. Hypomanic Activation (RC9), Activation (ACT), and Self‐Importance (SFI) scores emerged as the most consistent and substantial predictors of criteria, with SFI scores being more specifically associated with total scores and criteria related to Social Vitality. Several internalizing and thought dysfunction MMPI‐3 scales were also meaningfully associated with scores on the HPS‐SF and ASRM.

Discussion & Conclusion

Implications and limitations, such as the use of a university student convenience sample, are discussed.
HCV spontaneous clearers showed low senescence profile in people living with HIV under long ART
Authors: Lara‐Aguilar Violeta , Crespo‐Bermejo Celia , Llamas‐Adán Manuel , Grande‐García Sergio , Cortijo‐Alfonso María Engracia , Martín‐Carbonero Luz , Domínguez Lourdes , Ryan Pablo , de los Santos Ignacio , Bartolomé‐Sanchez Sofía , Valle‐Millares Daniel , Jiménez‐Sousa María Ángeles , Briz Verónica , Fernández‐Rodríguez Amanda ,   Multidisciplinary HIV/Hepatitis Viral Coinfection Group (COVIHEP)
Published: July 2023

Coinfection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) increases immune activation, inflammation, and oxidative stress that could lead to premature senescence. Different HCV infections, either acute or chronic infection, could lead to distinct premature cellular senescence in people living with HIV (PLWHIV). Observational study in 116 PLWHIV under antiretroviral treatment with different HCV status: (i) n = 45 chronically infected with HCV (CHC); (ii) n = 36 individuals who spontaneously clarify HCV (SC); (iii) n = 35 HIV controls. Oxidative stress biomarkers were analyzed at lipid, DNA, protein, and nitrates levels, as well as antioxidant capacity and glutathione reductase enzyme. Replicative senescence was evaluated by relative telomere length (RTL) measurement. Additionally, 26 markers of Senescence‐Associated Secretory Phenotype (SASP) were analyzed by multiplex immunoassays (Luminex xMAP technology). Differences were evaluated by generalized linear model (GLMs) adjusted by most significant covariates. The SC group had a senescence signature similar to the HIV control group and slightly lower SASP levels. However, significant differences were observed with respect to the CHC group, where an increase in the nitrate concentration [adjusted arithmetic mean ratio, aAMR = 1.73 (1.27–2.35), p < 0.001, q = 0.009] and the secretion of 13 SASP‐associated factors [granulocyte macrophage colony‐stimulating factor (GM‐CSF), interferon‐β, interleukin (IL)‐1β, IL‐2, IL‐8, IL‐13, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α, IL‐1α, IL‐1RA, IL‐7, IL‐15, C‐X‐C motif chemokine ligand 10 (IP‐10), stem cell factor (SCF); q < 0.1)] was detected. The CHC group also showed higher values of IL‐1α, IP‐10, and placental growth factor 1 (PIGF‐1) than HIV controls. The SC group showed a slightly lower senescence profile than the HIV group, which could indicate a more efficient control of viral‐induced senescence due to their immune strengths. Chronic HCV infection in PLWHIV led to an increase in nitrate and elevated SASP biomarkers favoring the establishment of viral persistence.
Salivary inflammatory burden in pre‐ and postmenopausal women: Associations with body mass index, patient‐reported health, serum cytokines, and periodontal parameters
Authors: Yakar Nil , Bostanci Nagihan , Özdemir Güven , Atmaca Harika , Türedi Asena , Şahin Çağdaş , Köse Timur , Emingil Gülnur
Published: July 2023

Background

The decline of estrogen levels during menopause impacts weight, mood, and overall health, both orally and systemically. This study assessed salivary levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α), interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), IL‐10, and IL‐7 in postmenopausal (PMW) and regularly menstruating premenopausal (RMPW) women, while considering serum cytokine levels, body mass index (BMI), periodontal health, and self‐reported physical and emotional well‐being.

Methods

In this study, 75 PMW and 71 RMPW were included. Clinical and periodontal parameters were evaluated, and perceived health was assessed with the Women's Health Questionnaire (WHQ). Cytokine levels in both saliva and serum were quantified by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Covariate evaluations of salivary cytokines were conducted using hierarchical linear regression modeling.

Results

Cytokines were detectable in saliva from 71 PMW and 67 RMPW. In the initial unadjusted model, IL‐7, IL‐10, and TNF‐α exibited significant differences between RMPW and PMW. However, these differences became non‐significant (p > 0.05) in the final model after adjusting for age, which implies a negligible effect of the investigated covariates on salivary cytokine levels when age was considered. Lower levels of IL‐6 in PMW, which initially showed no significant difference, became borderline (p = 0.054) in the final model after adjusting for age.

Conclusions

After adjusting for multiple factors, no significant difference was found in the salivary levels of the investigated cytokines between RMPW and PMW. Factors such as BMI, perceived health, serum cytokine levels, and periodontal parameters seem to minimally influence these levels in PMW. However, age may be a stronger confounding factor.
Pediatric Otolaryngology Short‐Term Mission Outcomes at a Surgical Mission Hospital in Guatemala
Authors: Richard Kelsey , Sanchez Rosangela , Amado Barbara , Lubner Rory , Niconchuk Jonathan , Chen Heidi , Phillips James , Kynes Matthew , Belcher Ryan H.
Published: July 2023

Objective

The frequency of humanitarian surgical mission trips has grown over recent decades. Unfortunately, research on patient outcomes from these trips has not increased proportionately. We aim to analyze the safety and efficacy of surgeries in a low‐ and middle‐income country missions‐based surgery center in Guatemala City, Guatemala, and identify factors that influence surgical outcomes.

Study Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting

Guatemalan surgery center is called the Moore Center.

Methods

Pediatric patients underwent otolaryngology surgery between 2017 and 2019. All patients required follow up. We analyzed the effect of patient, surgical, and geographic factors on follow up and complications with univariate and multivariate analyses.

Results

 A total of 1094 otolaryngologic surgeries were performed between 2017 to 2019, which comprised 37.4% adenotonsillectomies, 26.8% cleft lip (CL)/cleft palate (CP) repairs, 13.6% otologic, and 20% “other” surgeries. Patients traveled on average 88 km to the center (±164 km). Eighty‐nine percent attended their first follow up and 55% attended their second. The 11% who missed their first follow up lived farther from the center (p < .001) and had a higher ASA classification (p < .001) than the 89% who did attend. Sixty‐nine (6.3%) patients had 1 or more complications. CL/CP surgery was associated with more complications than other procedures (p < .001). Of 416 tonsillectomies, 4 patients (1%) had a bleeding episode with 2 requiring reoperation.

Conclusion

This surgical center models effective surgical care in low‐resource areas. Complications and follow‐up length vary by diagnosis. Areas to improve include retaining complex patients for follow up and reducing complications for CL/CP repair.
Superconducting Complementary Metamaterial‐Based Switchable Device for Terahertz Wave Manipulation
Authors: Li Chun , Teng Yan , Chen Haonan , Su Runfeng , Sun Hancong , Jiang Ling
Published: July 2023

Herein, a tunable superconducting switch that can modulate terahertz waves is designed and experimentally demonstrated. The switchable device consists of two symmetrical split ring resonator antistructures made from niobium nitride film in one unit cell. The relatively high modulation depths of 88.5% can be obtained at resonance peaks of 0.328 THz by applying a very low bias voltage of 0.8 V. Due to the presence of higher‐order resonance modes, the superconducting device also demonstrates a multiband tuning ability at 1.03 and 1.16 THz. To further analyze the modulation mechanism of the superconducting device, the temperature dependence of the switchable device is also measured. The trends of conductivity change are calculated based on the Bardeen–Cooper–Schrieffer theory and the simulations agree well with the experimental results. During the experiment, this device not only owns a good switching capability but also shows significant frequency selective bandpass characteristics. This study delivers a promising approach for designing active and miniaturized devices, especially for applications in THz cryogenic systems.
Yeasts are essential for mucilage degradation of coffee beans during wet fermentation
Authors: Elhalis Hosam , Cox Julian , Zhao Jian
Published: July 2023

During wet fermentation, mucilage layers in coffee cherries must be removed completely. To explain mucilage degradation, several controversial hypotheses have been proposed. The aim of this work was to improve our understanding of the kinetics of mucilage breakdown. Pulped coffee beans were wet fermented with seven different treatments for 36 h. Endogenous bacteria and yeasts are selectively suppressed, and pectinases or lactic acid are added. They also involve maintaining the beans at pH 7 throughout fermentation and using spontaneous fermentation without additives as a control. During spontaneous fermentation, yeast and lactic acid bacteria were detected and significantly increased to 5.5 log colony‐forming units (CFU)/mL and 5.2 log CFU/mL, respectively. In the first 12 h of fermentation, there was a significant degree of endogenous pectinolytic activity, which resulted in partly destroyed beans in the absence of microorganisms. By adding pectinase and lactic acid to the fermentation mass, the breakdown process was accelerated in less than 8 h. When yeast was present throughout the fermentation, complete degradation was achieved. Bacteria played no critical role in the degradation. Klebsiella pneumoniae and Erwinia soli were found in a lower population and showed weaker pectinolytic activities compared to Hanseniaspora uvarum and Pichia kudriavzevii. During wet fermentation, mucilage degradation appears to be mediated by endogenous enzymes at the early stage, whereas microbial contributions, mainly yeasts, occur subsequently. H. uvarum and P. kudriavzevii may be promising candidates to be tested in future studies as coffee starter cultures to better control the mucilage degradation process.
On measuring axiom violations due to each tax instrument applied in a real-world personal income tax
Authors: Pellegrino Simone , Vernizzi Achille
Published: July 2023

In their seminal paper, Kakwani and Lambert (Eur J Polit Econ 14:369–380, 1998) state three Axioms an equitable tax system should respect. By proposing a measurement system based on re-ranking indexes of taxes, tax rates and post-tax incomes, they show how to evaluate the negative influences that Axiom violations exert on the redistributive effect of a tax. By considering each element of a real-world personal income tax, i.e. deductions and tax credits as well as statutory tax rates, in this study we take a theoretical step further by decomposing the magnitude of the three Axiom violations produced by all these tax elements. We propose two complementary strategies. The first one is a ‘stepwise’ decomposition computing the effect of each element of the tax on the redistributive effect when they are sequentially applied; the second strategy is an ‘overall and simultaneous’ decomposition always evaluating the effect of small changes in deductions, tax rates and tax credits with respect to the pre-tax income distribution, once all the three tax instruments have been simultaneously applied. These strategies can be more suitable and effective in measuring the loss of the redistributive effect produced by each tax element because of axiom violations. We also show that they can give different information on the existing inequities of the tax. We finally emphasize the goodness of our approach by applying it to a real world personal income tax.
Use of antibiotics contrary to guidelines for children’s lower respiratory tract infections in different health care settings
Authors: Poutanen Roope , Korppi Matti , Csonka Peter , Pauniaho Satu-Liisa , Renko Marjo , Palmu Sauli
Published: July 2023

This study aimed to evaluate antibiotic prescriptions for children with lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) in public and private primary care clinics and in a hospital’s pediatric emergency department (PED) in 2012–2013 (pre-guideline) and in 2014–2015 (post-guideline). Special attention was paid to guideline compliance, especially regarding macrolide prescriptions, which the guidelines discourage. Retrospective data of 1431 children with LRTI in November–December 2012–2015 were collected from electronic registers and checked manually. Three diagnostic groups were analyzed: community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), wheezing bronchitis, and non-wheezing bronchitis. A comparison of the pre- and post-guideline periods revealed antibiotic prescription rates of 48.7% and 48.9% (p = 0.955) for all LRTIs, respectively, and 77.6% and 71.0% (p = 0.053) for non-wheezing bronchitis. The prescription rates for all LRTIs were 24.9% in PED and 45.9% in public (p < 0.001 vs. PED) and 75.4% in private clinics (p < 0.001 vs. PED and p < 0.001 vs. public clinics). During post-guideline periods, antibiotics were prescribed for CAP less often in private (56.3%) than in public clinics (84.6%; p = 0.037) or in PED (94.3%; p < 0.001 vs. private and p = 0.091 vs. public primary clinics). Macrolide prescriptions were highest in private clinics (42.8%), followed by public primary care clinics (28.5%; p < 0.05) and PED (0.8%; p < 0.05 vs. both public and private primary care). Amoxicillin was the predominant antibiotic in public primary care and PED and macrolides in private primary care.

Conclusion: Antibiotic prescribing for children with LRTI differed significantly between healthcare providers. CAP was undertreated and bronchitis overtreated with antibiotics in primary care, especially in the private clinics.

What is Known:• Clinical Treatment Guidelines tend to have modest effect on physicians’ antibiotic prescribing habits.• Pediatric viral LRTIs are widely treated with unnecessary antibiotics.

What is New:• Remarkable differences in antibiotic prescriptions in pediatric LRTIs between Finnish private and public providers were observed.• Overuse of macrolides was common especially in private clinics.
Importance attribution in neural networks by means of persistence landscapes of time series
Authors: Ferrà Aina , Casacuberta Carles , Pujol Oriol
Published: July 2023

This article describes a method to analyze time series with a neural network using a matrix of area-normalized persistence landscapes obtained with topological data analysis. The network’s architecture includes a gating layer that is able to identify the most relevant landscape levels for a classification task, thus working as an importance attribution system. Next, a matching is performed between the selected landscape levels and the corresponding critical points of the original time series. This matching enables reconstruction of a simplified shape of the time series that gives insight into the grounds of the classification decision. As a use case, this technique is tested in the article with input data from a dataset of electrocardiographic signals. The classification accuracy obtained using only a selection of landscape levels from data was $$94.00\%\pm 0.13$$

94.00
%
±
0.13

averaged after five runs of a neural network, while the original signals achieved $$98.41\% \pm 0.09$$

98.41
%
±
0.09

and landscape-reduced signals yielded $$97.04\% \pm 0.14$$

97.04
%
±
0.14

.
Impact of metal doping on the physical characteristics of anatase titanium dioxide (TiO2) films
Authors: Ahmad Ahmad A. , Alakhras Lina A. , Al-Bataineh Qais M. , Telfah Ahmad
Published: July 2023

This study focuses on the synthesis of anatase titanium dioxide (TiO2) films doped with metals (Mg, Ni, and Sn) using the sol–gel dip coating technique. The main objective was to investigate the chemical, crystal, and morphological structure of the Mg-, Ni-, and Sn-doped TiO2 films. The doping mechanism between the metals and the TiO2 films was confirmed through Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, which revealed characteristic absorption bands associated with the doping process. Additionally, X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns confirmed that all films maintained an anatase phase, indicating the preservation of the desired crystal structure. Furthermore, the introduction of Mg and Sn metals into the TiO2 film resulted in a decrease in the crystallite size, reducing it from 53 to 16 nm and 24 nm, respectively. Conversely, the incorporation of Ni into the TiO2 film increased the crystallite size to 72 nm. Moreover, the presence of these metals in the TiO2 film contributed to a smoother film surface, thereby enhancing the hydrophilicity of the films. The optical bandgap of the TiO2 films decreased with the introduction of Mg, Ni, and Sn, exhibiting values of 3.24 eV, 3.11 eV, and 3.15 eV, respectively, compared to the original value of 3.33 eV. Additionally, the electrical conductivity (σ-value) increased upon the introduction of Mg, Ni, and Sn, reaching values of 0.25 mS.cm−1, 0.37 mS.cm−1, and 2.5 mS.cm−1, respectively. Overall, this work provides insights into the chemical, crystal, and morphological characteristics of Mg-, Ni-, and Sn-doped TiO2 films.
Chromium(III)-substituted hydroxyapatite/silica sol–gel coating: towards novel green coating for corrosion protection of AA2024
Authors: Elbasuney Sherif , Naeem Ibrahim , Mokhtar Mohamed , Sheashea Mohamed , Zorainy Mahmoud , El-Sayyad Gharieb S. , Gobara Mohamed
Published: July 2023

A novel Cr-substituted hydroxyapatite (Cr-HA) nanoparticles were synthesized via continuous hydrothermal technique. Moreover, the synthesized material was embedded into a silica sol–gel matrix and applied on an AA2024 substrate to evaluate the corrosion inhibition efficiency of the coating. TEM and SEM micrographs confirmed the development of Cr-HA nanorods of 20 nm width and 6 µm length. XRD diffractograms demonstrated the evolution of a new crystalline structure; the XRD pattern was analyzed by Material Studio software which confirms the replacement of Ca2+ by Cr3+. The EDX mapping revealed a uniform distribution of Ca and Cr ions within the Cr-HA crystal structure. The atomic ratio of Ca2+: Cr3+ was reported to be 4:1 respectively. The Cr-HA nanoparticles were uniformly distributed in a silica sol–gel matrix and applied on an AA2024 substrate. The corrosion performance of the Cr-HA sol–gel coating composite was evaluated using Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) in an aerated 3.5% NaCl solution and the results compared to those of neat silica sol–gel coating. Whereas pitting corrosion was also observed in the case of a neat sol–gel coated sample within 5 days of immersion, Cr-HA sol–gel coated AA2024 exhibited prolonged pitting resistance over 110 days with no sign of corrosion or delamination. The EIS data fitting suggested the formation of a protective layer that is responsible for the extended corrosion resistance of the Cr-HA-coated sample. The scratch test indicated that the Cr-HA nanocomposite coating might offer short-term self-healing properties in the 3.5% NaCl corrosive media.

Graphical Abstract
Investigation into the Hydration Behavior of K2CO3 Packed Beds: An NMR Study
Authors: Raemaekers Tim , Donkers Pim , Huinink Henk
Published: July 2023

K2CO3 is seen as a promising heat storage material, available for applications in the domestic sector. For practical purposes, the material is hereby often employed in a packed bed containing millimeter-sized particles. To gain more insight into the hydration behavior of these packed beds, quantitative NMR measurements, capable of following the in-situ hydration behavior, are presented for the first time. It is found that hydration behavior varies significantly, depending on the specific hydration conditions that are chosen. At low airflows hydration is found to proceed via a hydration front, while higher airflows cause the hydration front to widen. Since an increase in flow rate coincided with an increase in the supplied water vapor, hydration is eventually found to proceed in a uniform manner. A comparison between TGA and NMR measurements shows that the overall packed bed hydration kinetics hereby transition to the reaction kinetics of single K2CO3 particles.

Graphical Abstract
Factors associated with the formation of SARS-CoV-2 case-clusters in Danish schools: a nationwide register-based observational study
Authors: Funk Tjede , Espenhain Laura , Møller Frederik Trier , Ethelberg Steen
Published: July 2023

A register-based retrospective observational study was conducted to describe SARS-CoV-2 cases and case-clusters in schoolchildren of Danish primary and lower secondary schools and identify which factors were associated with the occurrence of case-clusters in schools. The study period was the autumn school semester 2021. Clusters were defined as three or more cases in a school-class level within 14 days. Descriptive analysis was carried out and multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to determine which factors were associated with case introductions (i.e., primary case) being linked to a cluster. More cases and clusters were identified in lower than in higher class levels. Out of 21,497 cases introduced into a school, 41.6% started a cluster. A higher assumed immunity level in a class level was significantly reducing the odds of a case introduction being linked to a cluster (e.g., assumed immunity of ≥80% vs <20%: OR: 0.28; 95%CI: 0.17–0.44). A previous infection (in the primary case) had a protective effect (OR: 0.58; 95%CI: 0.33–0.99). This study suggests that most cases appearing in schools did not induce clusters, but that once cluster occur sizes can be large. It further indicates that vaccination of children markedly reduces the risk of secondary infections.
Models for the Pinching of a Confined Hollow Explosive Cylinder Containing Air
Authors: Curtis J. P.
Published: July 2023

The pinching of a solid cylinder of explosive on an anvil by a hammer has been investigated experimentally in drop tests and with both hydrocode and analytical modelling by many researchers. This paper studies the pinch of a confined hollow explosive cylinder containing air. The explosive is modelled as deforming in two ways: in potential flow and in plastic flow. The trapped gas is modelled as an ideal gas. The equations of continuum mechanics and boundary conditions have been solved analytically to find closed form solutions for the inner radius and the temperature of the gas as functions of time. Gas temperatures well above the critical temperature for ignition are achieved and the ensuing reactions are modelled. The work shows how confinement plays an important part in affecting explosive response.
rec-1loss of function is insufficient to homogenize crossover distribution inCaenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Parée Tom , Noble Luke , Gonçalves João Ferreira , Teotónio Henrique
Published: July 2023

Meiotic control of crossover (CO) position is critical for proper homologous chromosome segregation and organismal fertility, recombination of parental genotypes, and the generation of novel genetic combinations. We here characterize the recombination rate landscape of a loss of function genetic modifier of CO position inCaernorhabditis elegans. By averaging CO position across hermaphrodite and male meioses and by genotyping 203 single-nucleotide variants covering about 95% of the genome, we find that the characteristic chromosomal arm-center recombination rate domain structure is lost in a loss of functionrec-1mutant. Therec-1loss of function mutant smooths the recombination rate landscape but is insufficient to eliminate the non-uniform position of CO. We further find that therec-1mutant is of little consequence for organismal fertility and embryo hatchability and thus for rates of autosomal non-disjunction. However, it specifically increases X chromosome non-disjunction rates and males’ appearance. Our findings question the maintenance of genetic diversity amongC. elegansnatural populations, and they further suggest that manipulating genetic modifiers of CO position will help map quantitative trait loci in low-recombining genomic regions.
Aflatoxin levels and Aspergillus species in maize in the Province of Isabela, Philippines
Authors: Romero Eloi Theresa A. , Cumagun Christian Joseph R.
Published: July 2023

The province of Isabela is the top maize producer in the Philippines. The intensive cultivation and the tropical climate in the region may favour fungal growth and aflatoxin contamination in maize grains. Thus, the study aimed to determine the occurrence of aflatoxin and mycotoxigenic Aspergillus species in maize varieties in this region. Samples were obtained in six municipalities from hybrid (Bt) maize (n = 101) and open‐pollinated varieties (n = 6) during the dry season (March and April) of 2019. Aflatoxin levels were quantified through enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay, and Aspergillus species were identified through cultural and molecular methods. Aflatoxin was detected in 50.5% of maize samples; 49.5% of samples were less than the limit of detection (3 μg/kg), 16.8% with 3–20 μg/kg, 10.9% with 21–50 μg/kg and 22.8% above 50 μg/kg. Samples within the acceptable level were 66.3% for food (<20 μg/kg) and 77.2% for animal feed (<50 μg/kg), while 22.8% of samples were above the acceptable level of the Philippine National Standard for raw maize grains. More than 90% of Aspergillus species detected were A. flavus. Other species identified were A. tamarii and A. terreus. Despite the dry production season in the province with low relative humidity during harvesting, inadequate post‐harvest practices and the presence of A. flavus elevated the level of aflatoxin in sample grains. Additional work involving multi‐year surveys is needed to confirm the results and conclusions of this study.
Automorphisms of procongruence curve and pants complexes
Authors: Boggi Marco , Funar Louis
Published: July 2023

In this paper we study the automorphism group of the procongruence mapping class group through its action on the associated procongruence curve and pants complexes. Our main result is a rigidity theorem for the procongruence completion of the pants complex. As an application we prove that moduli stacks of smooth algebraic curves satisfy a weak anabelian property in the procongruence setting.
Inflationary magnetogenesis of primordial magnetic fields with multiple vector fields
Authors: Li Yu , Zhang Le-Yao
Published: July 2023

In this paper, we discussed the multiple vector fields during the inflation era and the inflationary magnetogenesis with multiple vector fields. Instead of a single coupling function in single vector field models, the coupling matrix between vector fields and scalar field which drive the inflation is introduced. The dynamical equations for multiple vector fields are obtained and applied to the inflation era. We discussed three cases for the double-field model. In the no mutual-coupling case, one can find that both electric and magnetic spectrum can be scale-invariant at the end of inflation, meanwhile, the strong coupling problem can be avoided. The effect of mutual coupling between different vector fields is also discussed. We found that weak mutual coupling can lead to a slightly blue spectrum of the magnetic field. On the other hand, in the strong mutual-coupling case, the scale-invariant magnetic spectrum can also be obtained but the energy density of electromagnetic fields either leads to the backreaction problem or is diluted by inflation.
The "Mimic Octopus" (Thaumoctopus mimicus n. gen. et sp.), a new octopus from the tropical Indo-West Pacific (Cephalopoda: Octopodidae)
Authors:   Department of Marine Invertebrates, Museum Victoria, GPO Box 666E, Melbourne, VIC 3001, AUSTRALIA, NORMAN MARK D. , HOCHBERG F. G. ,   Department of Invertebrate Zoology, Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, 2559 Puesta del Sol Road, Santa Barbara, California 93105-2936 USA
Published: July 2023

In recent years considerable media attention has been focussed on the “Mimic Octopus”, an Indo-West Pacific long-armed species which impersonates numerous poisonous or dangerous animals. This distinctive octopus is here described. A combination of unique morphological characters justify this octopus being placed in a new genus. These characters include: absence of a calamus on the copulatory organ, absence of enlarged suckers in either sex; long narrow arms capable of arm autotomy at a set level near the base; and distinctive base components of colour patterns including a white teardrop ring on the mid-dorsal mantle and a distinct white “U” patch on the posterio-dorsal mantle. Thaumoctopus mimicus n. gen. et sp. is reported primarily from the Indo-Malayan Archipelago from New Caledonia to Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines. Photographic records from the Red Sea extend the distribution to the western Indian Ocean. This octopus occurs in shallow waters (0.5–37 m) on soft sediment substrates where it is day-active, foraging for small fish and crustaceans. It is delineated from other long-armed genera and species complexes within the genus Octopus. Other undescribed species are flagged as potential members of the new genus Thaumoctopus. Links between habitat preference and the origins of this unique mimicry are explored.
Fermentation parameters in the rumen of goats supplemented with polyphenol oxidase derived from Gliricidia sepium leaves under in vitro conditions
Authors: HUDA ASRI NURUL , SABARUDIN AKHMAD , JAYANEGARA ANURAGA , SOETANTO HENDRAWAN
Published: July 2023

Abstract. Huda AN, Sabarudin A, Jayanegara A, Soetanto H. 2023. Fermentation parameters in the rumen of goats supplemented with polyphenol oxidase derived from Gliricidia sepium leaves under in vitro conditions. Biodiversitas 24: 3282-3290. The growing demand for healthy foods derived from ruminant products is restricted by the high content of saturated fatty acids in meat or milk due to the process of rumen biohydrogenation. Recent reports from intensive studies using polyphenol oxidase (PPO), an enzyme in plants’ secondary metabolism, as the inhibitor of rumen biohydrogenation cost doubt of ruminant products. PPO is assumed to increase the supply of UFA by reducing the rate of biohydrogenation due to rumen microbes’ activity. Microbes of the rumen, including species of bacteria and protozoa are responsible for rumen biohydrogenation. The present study investigated the effect of adding PPO derived from Gliricidia sepium leaves on fermentation parameters in the rumen, including protozoa density and diversity, fatty acid profile, volatile fatty acid profile, and the efficiency of microbial protein synthesis under in vitro conditions. The experiment was carried out through an in vitro rumen fermentation method, consisting of five treatments, i.e., negative control, positive control, the addition of 0.1 ml, 0.3 ml, and 0.5 ml PPO emulsion. The most dominant type of protozoa among all treatments was Entodinium spp. PPO emulsion increases the efficiency of microbial protein synthesis and volatile fatty acid concentration. 0.5 ml PPO emulsion increases linoleic acid. In conclusion, this finding poses a question on the role of rumen protozoa in lipid biohydrogenation in the rumen. A further experiment on the benefits of adding PPO regarding rumen biohydrogenation under in vivo conditions is warranted.
Representing postcolonial urban change: Recursive infrastructures and forms of liveability in Tram 83
Authors: Mitra Rituparna
Published: July 2023

My article explores complex urbanisms of the Global South enmeshed in the enduring aftermath of colonialism. I examine Congolese writer Fiston Mwanza Mujila’s novelTram 83that fictionalizes Lubumbashi in the Democratic Republic of Congo, built and developed around exploitative mining and forced migrant labour, and mediates and captures forms of urban change beyond the metrics of gentrification. The novel charts the volatile existence of miners, students and ordinary citizenry of ‘the City-State’ where they work from dawn to dusk deep in the bowels of the earth and between dusk and dawn cavort deep in the belly of nightclub Tram 83. There seems to be an acceleration and contraction of life itself, available only in limited, repetitive futures, and a drive towards total expenditure. Mujila’s novel, however, also uncovers tempo-spatialities within these extractive spaces that allow openings into other forms of urban liveability. Mujila mobilizes the affective and embodied lives of the mining city as a constitutive aspect of urban informality that at once exceeds and clarifies colonial infrastructural remains.
O lugar do ensino da disciplina História da Educação na Escola Normal Oficial de Uberaba: um olhar sobre sua trajetória, percalços e descobertas
Authors: Silva Marlon César
Published: July 2023

A obra intitulada “O Ensino de História da Educação na Escola Normal: entre o prescrito e a realidade escolar (Uberaba, Minas Gerais, 1928-1970)”, de autoria de Rosângela Maria Castro Guimarães, foi publicada em 2016 pela Editora da Universidade Federal de Uberlândia (Edufu), na série “Monografias” da coleção “História, Pensamento e Educação”. A obra foi lançada no formato 16 x 23 cm, em papel pólen, o que confere um tom amarelado às páginas e favorece o descanso visual. Apresenta iconografia relevante à discussão empreendida e gráficos analíticos construídos pela própria autora a partir de documentos encontrados durante a investigação, os quais foram transformados em documentos essenciais para a validação de fontes documentais. A imagem de capa apresenta fotografia em preto e branco, apresentando discentes e docentes da Escola Normal na estação ferroviária, antes da partida para uma excursão a Uberlândia, datada de04 de outubro de 1935.
Irrealis-marked interrogatives as rhetorical questions
Authors: Brown Colin
Published: July 2023

I describe and compare two strategies to form rhetorical questions (RQs) in Sm’algyax (Tsimshianic). I show that one kind is isomorphic to ordinary, information-seeking questions, and is compatible with positive and negative answers, while the second is marked with irrealis morphology and only allows negative answers. I provide evidence from answerability and embedding to suggest that both types of RQs in Sm’algyax behave like questions in terms of their syntax/semantics, and propose that the irrealis subordinator present in the second type signals to the addressee that a negative answer is expected. These findings have implications for the presence of irrealis and subjunctive morphology appearing in RQs crosslinguistically.
The Analysis of Instrument Quality to Measure Graduate Students’ Higher Order Thinking Skill in Environmental Education Learning
Authors: Wihardjo R. Sihadi Darmo , Muktiono Ayub , Ramadhan Syahrul , Salman Ibnu , Hadiana Deni
Published: July 2023

This research aims to develop a valid and reliable assessment instrument for measuring students' Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) in environmental education learning. The study follows a research and development design, adapted from the development model proposed by Borg and Gall. The researcher modified the original model into several stages, including (1) gathering information, (2) making a plan, (3) preparing the product form, (4) conducting revisions of the initial product, and (5) implementing the final product. The trial subjects for this research consisted of 34 graduate students enrolled in the Population and Environmental Education Study Program at Jakarta State University. Data collection involved administering a test comprising 20 multiple-choice items related to environmental education learning, specifically focusing on HOTS. The QUEST program was utilized to analyze the collected data, examining the validity, reliability, difficulty level, and question differentiator of the assessment instrument. The results of this research demonstrate the successful development of a feasible assessment instrument for measuring graduate students' HOTS. The instrument exhibits high validity and reliability, ensuring that it accurately measures the targeted higher-order thinking skills. Moreover, the difficulty level and question differentiator of the items are well-balanced, allowing for effective differentiation among students' thinking abilities. This assessment instrument holds significant potential as an alternative tool for evaluating graduate students' HOTS in environmental education learning. It provides educators with a reliable means to assess and monitor students' higher-order thinking abilities, enabling the identification of areas that require further development. By incorporating this instrument into the assessment process, educators can facilitate the cultivation of critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity skills among graduate students.
A Coherent Analytical Review of Indapamide
Authors:   K. K. Wagh Arts, Commerce, Science & Computer Science College, Nashik - 422003, India, Rajput A.P. , Edlabadkar A. P. ,   Z.B. Patil Arts, Science and Commerce College, Deopur, Dhule (MS) - 424002, India
Published: July 2023

Background: Indapamide is a diuretic of particular importance in an antihypertensive therapeutic regime that is profoundly applied to treat hypertension. Besides using as an individual drug for its diuretic and thereby antihypertensive effect, the drug is also a part of crucial combinations with Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme inhibitors. The recent combinations of Indapamide with Perindopril and Delapril work as the best therapies for heart patients. Purpose: Considering the therapeutic and pharmaceutical importance of the drug molecule and its potential to be explored in future drug discovery and delivery, we made efforts to portray the pharmaceutical analytical profile of the drug molecule at ease. Method: The present article is a composition entailing the comparative and critical evaluation of the various analytical approaches explored for the pharmaceutical estimation ofIndapamide as a particular drug in combinations and pharmaceutical as well as biological matrices. The analyses are reviewed for the specificapplications of analytical methods tested Indapamide alone or with other medications. Result: The anticipated study revealed the comparative usage of different research techniques for Indapamide estimation. The study influences the possibility of constraints and focuses on the recent trend in Indapamide analysis. The article also provides an understanding of sample processing, drug extraction method, validation protocols/approaches, and stability studies, including but not limited to the bioanalytical perspectives. Conclusion: This review can be explored thoroughly for the future analytical and pharmaceutical insights of Indapamide to the fullest.
The European Ideal of an Inclusive City: Interculturalism and “Good Social Practices” in Barcelona
Authors: Peruzzi Castellani Beniamino
Published: July 2023

Within the contemporary debate about what could be broadly called the “challenge of inclusion,” three major interrelated trends can be identified: First, a growing dissatisfaction with the traditional approach known as multiculturalism, which in Europe led to the emergence of interculturalism as a new approach to managing cultural diversity; second, the shared acknowledgment that the concept of diversity must be reconsidered in terms of super‐diversity and properly understood through an intersectional lens; third, the emergence of cities as pivotal new players in a multi‐level framework. Notwithstanding the growing interest in the topic of inclusion, the theoretical level is still limited by strong barriers among different disciplines, and the practices of promotion of social inclusion often result in a few specific projects characterized by an episodic nature and, consequently, by very limited impact in the middle‐ to long‐term. This article critically analyzes how Barcelona is re‐conceptualizing and developing its understanding of interculturalism as the basis for building its self‐image as a European model of an inclusive city. After a brief overview of the formulation of interculturalism as a contemporary approach to managing diversity at the city level, I analyze the development and implementation of interculturalism in Barcelona. Finally, by focusing on some initiatives selected in the project Bones Pràctiques Socials, I critically discuss some of the main opportunities and challenges for the promotion of social inclusion stemming from the cooperation between municipal institutions and social actors in Barcelona.
Health Equity in Rheumatology: A Global Health Perspective
Authors: Sandhu Nimrat K ,   Department of Public Health, The University of California Merced, California, USA, Wright Grace ,   Association of Women in Rheumatology, New York, NY, USA, Fajardo Kristina ,   Association of Women in Rheumatology, New York, NY, USA, Gupta Latika ,   Division of Musculoskeletal and Dermatological Sciences, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK,   City Hospital, Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust, Birmingham, UK,   Department of Rheumatology, Royal Wolverhampton Hospital NHS Trust, Wolverhampton, UK
Published: July 2023

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals emphasize the importance of ensuring the health and wellbeing of all human beings as a necessary precondition for peace and prosperity in the world. The spread of egalitarian values in the modern era has generated discussions about health disparities, with renewed calls to lessen health inequities for vulnerable and marginalized populations. This article briefly discusses health disparities and inequities in medicine, focusing on rheumatology. It is well documented that rheumatic disorders present differently among patients of different sex, gender, race and ethnicity. Despite this, most educational materials and guidelines in rheumatology use images and treatment regimens best suited for Caucasian patients. These differences are amplified by the limited recruitment of diverse patients in clinical trials, resulting in disease stereotypes that are based primarily on Caucasian patients, and do not represent disease manifestations across patient populations. These disparities create significant health inequities when combined with socioeconomic differences, and are further enhanced by implicit and explicit biases faced by patients from minoritized and marginalized communities when seeking healthcare services. Ultimately, this results in worse health outcomes for minority patients, further driving healthcare disparities and inequities across patient populations.There is an urgent need to address these disparities through multiple strategies including the diversification of the healthcare workforce, the introduction of implicit bias training for clinicians, and the creation of educational materials which accurately portray disease manifestations among patients of all races, genders and ethnicities.
An Update on Biosimilars in Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Disorders
Authors: Malik Mariam ,   University Hospital Southampton, Southampton, UK, Holroyd Christopher ,   University Hospital Southampton, Southampton, UK
Published: July 2023

Biosimilars contain a version of the active substance of an approved biologic medicine. They were introduced several years ago; the first biosimilar was approved by the European Medicine Agency in 2006. They are now commonly used to treat several immune-mediated conditions, and large evidence-based national and international guidelines support their use. Biosimilars are licensed for use after going through a comprehensive approval process to demonstrate clinical equivalence to the reference biologic in at least one randomized controlled trial. Once biosimilarity is demonstrated in one indication, this can be used to approve the drug for other indications if the mechanism of action is the same across different indications. Biosimilars do not have any clinically meaningful differences from the originator medicine in terms of quality, safety and efficacy but have a cost-saving benefit. NHS England supports the use of biosimilars, stating that clinicians should use the best-value biological product, including biosimilars. In 2021, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence lowered the biologic eligibility criteria for rheumatoid arthritis by recommending the use of anti-tumour necrosis factor medications with licensed biosimilars for treating moderate rheumatoid arthritis after conventional disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs have failed. This recommendation has enabled more patients to access advanced therapy at an earlier stage of the disease, thus potentially increasing the likelihood of inducing remission and limiting disease progression.