bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Unsaturation and polar compounds of vegetable oils affect the properties of sunflower wax‐oleogels
Authors: Hwang Hong‐Sik , Kim Sanghoon , Winkler‐Moser Jill K.
Published: March 2024

Although it is important to understand the factors affecting the physical properties of oleogels for their application in food products, the effects of the kind of oils and components in them are not well understood. Previous studies on the effects of unsaturation and polar compounds of oils on the properties of oleogels reported inconsistent results, presumably, due to different gelling agents, experimental conditions, and different amounts of minor components in oils. In this study, a systematic study was conducted with 12 vegetable oils with and without polar compounds to understand these effects on the properties of 3% and 7% sunflower wax (SW)‐oleogels. In general, oils with higher unsaturation produced oleogels with lower gel strength. Polar compounds in oil negatively affected the gel strength. Melting and crystallization temperatures increased with increasing unsaturation of oil. The platelet shape of SW crystals was almost identical, regardless of the kind of oil. Solid wax content values were similar across the oleogel samples with 12 different oils. This study enlightens several factors affecting the physical properties of SW‐oleogels.

Practical Application: This study provides information about the effects of unsaturation of oil and polar compounds in oil on firmness and melting properties of sunflower wax (SW)‐based oleogels. It was found that the firmness of SW‐oleogel can be significantly different (up to 65%) depending on vegetable oils used, and it decreased with increasing unsaturation of oil. It was also found that the firmness of the oleogel can be increased by up to 36% by removing polar compounds in oil. Solid wax content (SWC) of oleogels did show meaningful correlations with the firmness of SW‐oleogels. All the oleogels examined in this study had very similar shapes and sizes of SW crystals. For practical application, the unsaturation of oil and the polar compound content have to be considered when designing oleogels with desired textural properties.
Experimental investigation of two solar air heaters, with and without employing PCM
Authors: Midhat Yousif Fateh , Aljubury Issam Mohammed Ali
Published: February 2024

In the present study, an experimental test was conducted to investigate the energetic performance of a novel designed solar air heaters (SAHs), with, and without phase change material (PCM). Two identical SAHs were fabricated and tested to compare their performance. The first heater is a jacket‐tube solar air heater (SAH 1), while the second heater is similar to the first but filled with PCM (SAH 2). Experimental results showed that increasing air flow rate increases the daily thermal efficiency. Thermal energy during day hours can be stored in the PCM and used after sunset. SAH 2 gave an additional operating time after sunset for 4 hours at 0.01 kg/s, 2.5 hours at 0.035 kg/s, and 1 hour at 0.06 kg/s. Maximum improvement in the daily thermal efficiency was 15% at SAH 2, more than SAH 1 at 0.01 kg/s air flow rate. Employing PCM, as so as increasing air flow rate can reduce the daily thermal losses.
The impact of dividend payout policies on real estate market diversification
Authors: Ilbasmıs Metin , Gronwald Marc , Zhao Yuan
Published: March 2024

An asymmetric DCC – GJR – GARCH model is applied to the Turkish and US REIT markets in order to estimate the time‐varying correlations between the REIT and stock markets. Using these estimated correlations, we investigate the impact of dividend payouts on the diversification potential of REITs for stock market investors. Our choice of the Turkish REIT market is based on its unique REIT dividend policy, while US data provide a benchmark for comparison. This study has a number of motivations and contributions that make it a worthwhile undertaking. First, we document that REIT dividend policy is related to the correlation between REIT and stock markets. Dividend paying REITs have lower correlations with stock markets, which makes the REIT market a viable portfolio diversifier. Second, we confirm that REITs and stock prices cointegrated more closely due to the 2008 global financial crisis. We additionally document that a similar effect was also present in the correlation during the global Covid‐19 pandemic crisis. It appears that REIT and stock markets become more correlated during times of financial turmoil and diversification opportunities are diminished. Finally, we document that there is a long‐term trend in the time‐varying correlations between REIT and stock markets. Türkiye has been experiencing a negative trend in this regard, while the US has been experiencing a positive trend.
Biosensor‐based multiple cross displacement amplification platform for visual and rapid identification of hepatitis C virus
Authors: Chen Xu , Dong Shilei , Shi Yuanfang , Wu Zengguang , Wu Xue , Zeng Xiaoyan , Yang Xinggui , Zhao Qi , Xiao Zhenghua , Zhou Qingxue
Published: March 2024

Hepatitis C remains a global health problem, especially in poverty‐stricken areas. A rapid and sensitive point‐of‐care (POC) diagnostic tool is critical for the early detection and timely treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Here, for the first time, we reported a novel molecular diagnostic assay, termed reverse transcription multiple cross displacement amplification integrated with a gold‐nanoparticle‐based lateral flow biosensor (RT‐MCDA‐AuNPs‐LFB), which was developed for rapid, sensitive, specific, and visual identification of HCV. HCV‐RT‐MCDA induced rapid isothermal amplification through a specific primer set targeting the 5′untranslated region gene from the major HCV genotypes 1b, 2a, 3b, 6a, and 3a that are prevalent in China. The optimal reaction temperature and time for RT‐MCDA‐AuNPs‐LFB were 68°C and 25 min, respectively. The limit of detection of the assay was 10 copies per test, and the specificity was 100% for the experimental strains. The whole detection procedure, including crude nucleic acid isolation (~5 min), RT‐MCDA (68°C, 25 min), and visual AuNPs‐LFB result confirmation (less than 2 min), was performed within 35 min. The preliminary results indicated that the HCV‐RT‐MCDA‐AuNPs‐LFB assay could be a valuable tool for sensitive, specific, visual, cost‐saving, and rapid detection of HCV and has potential as a POC diagnostic platform for field screening and early clinical detection of HCV infection.
Using computed tomogram atrial myocardial thickness maps in high‐power short‐duration radiofrequency pulmonary vein isolation: UTMOST AF
Authors: Hwang Taehyun , Kwon Oh‐Seok , Yu Hee Tae , Yang Song‐Yi , Kim Daehoon , Kim Tae‐Hoon , Uhm Jae‐Sun , Joung Boyoung , Lee Moon‐Hyoung , Hwang Chun , Pak Hui‐Nam ,   for UTMOST Investigators
Published: March 2024

Background

High‐power short‐duration (HPSD) ablation creates wide, shallow lesions using radiofrequency (RF) heating. It is uncertain if adjusting RF energy based on atrial wall thickness provides extra benefits. We studied the safety and effectiveness of tailored HPSD energy based on left atrial (LA) wall thickness (LAWT) for circumferential pulmonary vein isolation (CPVI) in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF).

Methods

We enrolled 212 patients (68.4% male, mean age: 59.5 ± 11.0 years) and randomly assigned them to two groups: LAWT‐guided CPVI (WT, n = 108) and conventional CPVI (control, n = 104). Both groups used an open irrigated‐tip deflectable catheter to apply 50 W for 10 s to the posterior LA, while controls used 60 W for 15 s on other LA regions. RF delivery time in WT was titrated (15 s at LAWT > 2.1 mm, 13 s at 1.4–2.1 mm, and 11 s at <1.4 mm) according to the computed tomogram‐myocardial thickness color map.

Results

After a mean follow‐up of 13.4 ± 7.0 months, the WT and control groups showed no significant difference regarding clinical recurrence rate (13.9% vs. 5.8%, respectively; p = .061) and major complication rate (4.6% vs. 3.8%, respectively; p > .999). The total procedure time, cardioversion rate, and post‐procedural AAD prescription rates did not significantly differ between the groups.

Conclusions

The LAWT‐guided energy titration strategy did not result in improved procedural safety and efficacy compared to the conventional 50–60 W‐HPSD CPVI in patients with PAF.
Processes behind the decrease in Congo Basin precipitation during the rainy seasons inferred from ERA‐5 reanalysis
Authors: Kenfack Kevin , Tamoffo Alain T. , Tchotchou Lucie A. Djiotang , Marra Francesco , Kaissassou Samuel , Nana Hermann N. , Vondou Derbetini A.
Published: March 2024

The ongoing Congo Basin drying is linked to decreasing atmospheric water vapour. To comprehend the processes reducing precipitation, we analysed water and Moist Static Energy components, associated with heating sources using ERA5 reanalysis data over the period 1981–2022. The findings reveal that the precipitation deficit in the Congo Basin during March–April–May and September–October–November is primarily attributed to a decreasing trend in the vertical moisture advection anomaly induced by vertical velocity anomalies. Following this, a horizontal moisture advection anomaly induced by specific humidity anomalies plays a significant role. However, evaporation, horizontal moisture advection anomalies induced by wind anomalies, and vertical moisture advection anomalies induced by specific humidity anomalies do not appear to contribute significantly to the drying trend in the region. The horizontal propagation of MSE advection anomalies exhibits a similar pattern to that of moisture flux advection anomalies, both at different boundaries and within the basin itself. Conversely, the contribution of vertical advection of MSE anomalies remains weak. By integrating moisture and MSE budgets, we interpret the declining precipitation trend as a consequence of uplift driven by horizontal MSE advection. Furthermore, our analysis indicates a decreasing trend in the atmospheric heating source within the basin in association with reduced precipitation. This reduction could signify a decrease in moisture influx into the basin, thereby providing more explanations for the observed drying.
Update on pulse corticosteroid therapy for the management of alopecia areata
Authors: Bernhardt Jolina , Wenzel Joerg
Published: March 2024

Alopecia areata is a nonlife‐threatening autoimmune disorder and often requires systemic treatment to stop the disease from progressing. Pulse corticosteroid therapy (PCT) is a common way to treat severe alopecia areata although the exact benefit on this treatment remains unclear. The aim of this article is to update current knowledge of hair regrowth rates after PCT. Twenty studies with a total of 2144 patients were reviewed. Eight out of 20 studies allow statements on patients who did not respond at all on PCT. From 680 patients in those eight studies, 211 showed no response, which equals a rate of 31.02%. However, nine out of the 20 studies point out how many patients achieved hair regrowth >50% or a reduction in Severity of Alopecia Areata Tool Score by >50%: 131 patients out of 272 achieved a response with >50% hair regrowth, which corresponds to a rate of 48.16%. Complete regrowth of hair was observed and documented in nine studies: Out of the 1757 patients, 677 showed full regrowth leading to a complete response rate of 38.53%. At University Hospital Bonn, Department of Dermatology, Germany, PCT has been an established treatment for severe alopecia areata over the past decades. Nevertheless, many unwanted side effects were observed. A retrospective study on hair regrowth after PCT was performed in 2022 and is also part of this article. Nineteen studies from literature search through the PubMed database and the one own study led to a total of 20 studies being reviewed in this article.
The role of autologous bone grafting in matrix‐associated autologous chondrocyte implantation at the knee: Results from the German Cartilage Registry (KnorpelRegister DGOU)
Authors: Weishorn Johannes , Tischer Thomas , Niemeyer Philipp , Renkawitz Tobias , Bangert Yannic
Published: March 2024

Purpose

To investigate whether concomitant autologous bone grafting adversely affects clinical outcome and graft survival after matrix‐associated autologous chondrocyte implantation (M‐ACI).

Methods

The present study examines registry data of patients who underwent M‐ACI with or without autologous bone grafting for large‐sized chondral or osteochondral defects. Propensity score matching was performed to exclude potential confounders. A total of 215 patients with similar baseline characteristics were identified. Clinical outcome was assessed at the time of surgery and at 6, 12, 24, 36 and 60 months using the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS). KOOS change, clinical response rate, KOOS subcomponents and failure rate were determined.

Results

Patients treated with M‐ACI and autologous bone grafting achieved comparable clinical outcomes compared with M‐ACI alone. At 24 months postoperatively, the patient‐reported outcome (PRO) of patients treated with M‐ACI and autologous bone grafting was even significantly better as measured by KOOS (74.9 ± 18.8 vs. 79.2 ± 15.4; p = 0.043). However, the difference did not exceed the minimal clinically important difference (MCID). In patients with M‐ACI and autologous bone grafting, a greater change in KOOS relative to baseline was observed at 6 (9.3 ± 14.7 vs. 15.0 ± 14.7; p = 0.004) and 12 months (12.6 ± 17.2 vs. 17.7 ± 14.6; p = 0.035). Overall, a high clinical response rate was observed in both groups at 24 months (75.8% vs. 82.0%; p = n.s.). The estimated survival at the endpoint of reoperation for any reason was 82.1% (SD 2.8) at 8.4 years for isolated M‐ACI and 88.7% (SD 2.4) at 8.2 years for M‐ACI with autologous bone grafting (p = 0.039).

Conclusions

Even in the challenging cohort of large osteochondral defects, the additional treatment with autologous bone grafting leads to remarkably good clinical outcomes in patients treated with M‐ACI. In fact, they tend to benefit more from surgery, have lower revision rates and achieve clinical response rates earlier. Subchondral bone management is critical to the success of M‐ACI and should be addressed in the treatment of borderline defects.

Level of Evidence

Level III.
Measurement approach to improve BH treatment decisions, clinical outcomes
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: March 2024

Supporting advances in behavioral health measurement and recognizing that measures and practices must reflect the whole‐person (integrated) contextual, biopsychosocial and cultural approaches, the National Council for Mental Wellbeing (National Council) last week released new guidance to help mental health and substance use organizations improve treatment decisions, support clinical progress and enhance accountability and efficiency of care.
Efficacy of the enhanced recovery after surgery protocol on reducing surgical disparities related to overweight/obesity in deep inferior epigastric perforator flap breast reconstruction
Authors: Bae Juyoung , Lee Kyeong‐Tae , Alohaideb Nawaf , Mun Goo‐Hyun
Published: February 2024

Background

When choosing a method of deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap for breast reconstruction, concerns regarding the potentially detrimental effects of obesity on postoperative recovery remain. Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) is known to facilitate rapid postoperative recovery. This study aimed to examine the effect of the ERAS protocol on the disparity between normal/underweight and overweight/obese patients after DIEP flap breast reconstruction.

Methods

A retrospective review of consecutive patients who underwent DIEP flap breast reconstruction between January 2015 and November 2022 was conducted. The patients were categorized into two groups: pre‐ERAS and post‐ERAS. In each group, associations between overweight/obese patients (BMI ≥25 kg/m2) and postoperative course were evaluated.

Results

In total, 217 patients in the pre‐ERAS group (including 71 overweight/obese) and 165 in the post‐ERAS group (including 58 overweight/obese) were analyzed. The post‐ERAS group had shorter length of stay (LOS) (8.0 versus 7.0 days, p‐value <.001) and lower postoperative pain scores (5.0 versus 3.0 at postoperative day (POD) 1, p‐value <.001) than the pre‐ERAS group. The complication profiles did not differ according to ERAS adoption. In the pre‐ERAS group, overweight/obese patients showed a significantly longer LOS (8.0 versus 9.0 days, p‐value = .017) and a higher postoperative pain score (3.0 versus 4.0 at POD 2, p‐value = .018) than normal/underweight patients; however, these differences disappeared in the post‐ERAS group, showing similar LOS, pain scores, and analgesic consumption.

Conclusions

Implementation of the ERAS protocol in DIEP free‐flap breast reconstruction may reduce overweight/obesity‐related disparities in postoperative recovery.
Another look at addition theorems for vector spherical wavefunctions
Authors: Martin P. A.
Published: March 2024

Addition theorems for vector spherical wavefunctions are widely used, but they are complicated. A critical survey of methods for their derivation is offered. Then, one derivation is given in detail, combining elementary techniques with known results for scalar addition theorems.
Effect of transcranial direct current stimulation combined with pelvic muscle training in women: Randomized, controlled, double‐blind, and clinical trial
Authors: Corrêa Fernanda Ishida , Ledur Ângela Cristina , Uehara Laura , de Andrade Michele Lacerda , Corrêa João Carlos Ferrari , Fregni Felipe
Published: March 2024

Background

Pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) is widely used for pelvic floor muscle (PFM) weakness in women; however, it has no prolonged effects.

Objective

To evaluate the effect of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) associated with PFMT on PFM contraction, sexual function and quality of life (QoL) in healthy women.

Study Design

32 nulliparous women, aged 22.7 ± 0.42 years, were randomized into two groups: G1 (active tDCS combined with PFMT) and G2 (sham tDCS combined with PFMT). The treatment was performed three times a week for 4 weeks, totaling 12 sessions. PFM function was assessed using the PERFECT scheme (P = power, E = endurance, R = repetitions, F = rapid contractions, ECT = each timed contraction) and the perineometer (cmH2O). Sexual function was assessed by The Female Sexual Function Index, and QoL by the SF‐36 questionnaire. These assessments were performed before and after the 12nd treatment session and after 30‐day follow‐up.

Results

There was a significant increase (p = 0.037) in the power of G2 compared to G1; repetitions and fast contraction increased in the G1 group, and the resistance increased in both groups, however, without statistical difference between the groups. ECT increased in the G1 group (p = 0.0).

Conclusion

Active tDCS combined with PFMT did not potentiate the effect of the PFMT to increase the PFM function, QoL, and sexual function in healthy women. However, adjunctive tDCS to PFMT improved the time of contractions, maintaining it during follow‐up.
Static and dynamic mechanical behavior of intra‐hybrid jute/sisal‐reinforced polypropylene composites: Effect of stacking sequence
Authors: Gairola Sandeep , Chaitanya Saurabh , Kaushik Deepak , Sinha Shishir , Singh Inderdeep
Published: March 2024

In the current research investigation, jute and sisal intra‐hybrid woven fabric were specifically tailored to maintain jute and sisal in weft and warp directions, respectively. Jute sisal intra‐hybrid composites were prepared with four layers of intra‐hybrid woven fibers using a compression molding technique. Physical, mechanical (static and dynamic), and thermal stability behavior were investigated, and their structure–property relationship has been established. The obtained results showed that jute‐sisal cross‐interplay‐based hybrid composites recorded maximum tensile and flexural modulus values with minimum anisotropy. It can be concluded from the current experimental investigation that weft/warp orientation and stacking sequence play a significant role in defining the mechanical performance and anisotropic nature of woven fiber‐reinforced laminated composites. Also, the anisotropic properties can be minimized by investigating the effect of fiber orientation and hybridization of natural fibers‐based laminated composites.

Highlights

Woven mats were tailored to orient different fibers in warp and weft directions.

The influence of the fiber's orientation and stacking sequence was analyzed.

Fiber orientation and hybridization have influenced mechanical performance.

The alternative stacking sequence has shown the highest mechanical properties.
Captains on call: A qualitative investigation of an intervention to support children with retinoblastoma undergoing regular eye examinations
Authors: Rich Vanessa , Plummer Karin , Padhy Sofia , Barratt Tamsin , Tran Johnson , Treadgold Claire , Robertson Eden G.
Published: March 2024

Background

Retinoblastoma is a rare childhood ophthalmic cancer that requires frequent eye examinations under anaesthesia and painful or distressing procedures. This can cause significant anxiety for children and their families.

Objective

We evaluated a Starlight Children's Foundation programme, ‘Captains on Call’, at the Queensland Children's Hospital, which aims to provide positive distraction and reduce stress, anxiety and pain during the perioperative journey for children in the retinoblastoma treatment pathway. This study examined the impact of the programme on the perioperative experience of the children and their families, using a qualitative design.

Methods

This study was conducted in a paediatric operating suite at a tertiary‐level children's hospital in Australia. We interviewed a parent from 20 families (from a cohort of 40 families, including 44 children), whose children received treatment or screening for retinoblastoma, focusing on the programme's impact on the child and family at various stages during the perioperative journey. We undertook a thematic analysis of transcribed interviews.

Results

We identified two themes, each with two sub‐themes: (1) the programme positively contributed to the overall treatment journey, by addressing different needs at different times, and helping to reframe a traumatic medical experience, and (2), the programme supported the whole family unit by empowering children through play, and adopting a family systems approach which recognised the impact of cancer treatment on the whole family.

Conclusion

This study highlights the value of the Captains on Call programme in supporting children with retinoblastoma and their families during perioperative visits. The Captains, particularly as non‐medicalised professionals in a healthcare setting, built trust and rapport with the children through play over repeated episodes of care. The interprofessional collaborative approach with a reflective cycle of practice extended it beyond a programme providing simple distraction. Other retinoblastoma services may benefit from implementing a similar approach.
Ethnoracial differences in income and safety net patterns among low‐income postpartum families before and during the Great Recession
Authors: Bellisle Dylan J. F. , Ybarra Marci
Published: March 2024

In the absence of paid family leave, postpartum low‐income unmarried women often rely on a patchwork of resources from wage earnings, public safety‐net programs, and informal familial support. The Great Recession (2007–2009) caused massive unemployment, with Black and Latine families disproportionately impacted by the economic fallout. Public safety‐net provisions attenuated economic hardship, yet it's unclear if postpartum low‐income women patched together comparable resources during the recession and if there were racially disparities in women's access to resources. Using a sample of low‐income unmarried women who gave birth between 2004 and 2011 from the Survey of Income and Public Program, we examine whether safety‐net provisions and familial support attenuated the fallout of the Great Recession by examining income patterns and safety‐net use (SNAP, WIC, and TANF) among postpartum low‐income unmarried women by ethnoracial group before and during the recession. Our findings suggest the Great Recession had a disparate negative impact on the economic well‐being of postpartum Black women, particularly through lower wage earnings. Increased SNAP income may have attenuated some, but not all, of the deleterious impact of the recession on Black women, and increased WIC participation may also have provided crucial support for addressing food insecurity among Black women. Implications for maternal and infant health and policy are discussed.
Relationship between FEV1/FVC and age in children with asthma
Authors: Ahmed Amal , Brown Amy , Pollack Yehudit , Vazhappilly Joshua , Perry Carrighan , Thomas Erica R. , Krishnan Sankaran , Dozor Allen J.
Published: March 2024

Introduction

Forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1)/forced vital capacity (FVC) normally decreases through childhood, increases briefly during early adolescence, and then declines throughout life. The physiology behind this temporary increase during early adolescence is not well understood. The objective of this study was to determine if this pattern occurs in children with asthma.

Design

Single‐center, cross‐sectional, retrospective analysis of pulmonary function tests obtained over a 5‐year period in children 5–18 years of age with persistent asthma.

Results

A total of 1793 patients satisfied all inclusion and exclusion criteria. The mean age (±SD) was 10.4 ± 3.8 years. Forty‐eight percent were female. Mean FEV1/FVC was 0.83 ± 0.09. FEV1/FVC was lower at 5 years of age than in healthy children, declined from age 5 to 11 by 5.7% compared to 7.3% in healthy girls, and 5.8% compared to 9.4% in healthy boys. FEV1/FVC increased in early adolescence, but at age 16, was 5.6% lower in male children compared to healthy children, and 5.4% lower in females. The ratio was lower in obese children at all ages but demonstrated the same curvilinear shape as healthy children. In absolute terms, FEV1 grew proportionately more than FVC during early adolescence, so the ratio of FEV1/FVC increased during that period. The curvilinear shape of the curve remained in postbronchodilator testing, though significantly blunted.

Conclusions

FEV1/FVC is lower in children with persistent asthma than healthy children, but the “Shepherd's Hook” pattern is preserved. This was true in obese patients with asthma, although their FEV1/FVC ratios were lower throughout all stages of childhood and adolescence.
Preparation and Characterization of Alkali Activated Carbon Based Theobroma Cocoa Pods: Application for Electrochemical Determination of Xanthine in Fresh Fish Sample
Authors: Somba Alex Vincent , Kamgaing Théophile , Fotsop Cyrille Ghislain , Deffo Gullit , Nkuigoua Bibiane Wandji , Tagne Rufis Fregue Tiegam , Tajeu Kevin Yemele , Temgoua Ranil Clément Tonleu , Njanja Evangeline , Tonlé Ignas Kenfack
Published: March 2024

In order to propose an alternative for the sensors made with complex materials, a cheap and facile electrode material based on the preparation of activated carbon from cocoa pods (Theobroma cacao) has been proposed for the electroanalysis of xanthine (Xa). Raw cocoa pods (RCP) and activated carbon cocoa pods (ACCP) were prepared and characterized by pH at the zero point of charge, FTIR, SEM/SEM‐mappings, EDX, XRD, Raman spectroscopy, BET/BJH analysis, 13C NMR, and TGA/DSC. RCP and ACCP were drop coated on the surface of a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) and characterized by cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The electrodes GCE/RCP and GCE/ACCP were used through differential pulse voltammetry to optimize the different parameters that can affect the determination of Xa and a calibration curve has been plotted in the range from 1.0 to 12.0 μM, leading to a detection limit of 0.264 μM. The interference, reproducibility, and stability were evaluated and the sensor was successfully applied in fresh fish sample. Therefore, the simple way of preparation of ACCP and the significant role played by GCE/ACCP in resolving the oxidation of Xa is expected to impact significantly the future sensor research through substitution of the costly and hazardous materials.
Visible‐Light‐Active Electrospun Membranes Based on Cobalt‐Doped ZnO Nanohybrids: Applications for Food Packaging
Authors: Deshapriya Sachini D. , Munaweera Imalka
Published: March 2024

A cellulose acetate electrospun membrane based on Cobalt doped ZnO (Co‐ZnO) was developed. The synthesis of pure zinc oxide nanoparticles (NPs) and cobalt‐zinc oxide nanorods with varying cobalt‐to‐zinc atomic ratios of 5 %, 10 %, 15 %, and 20 % was carried out, using the co‐precipitation method. The successful incorporation of cobalt into ZnO was confirmed by using the techniques of Powder X‐ray Diffraction (PXRD), X‐ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), and Energy Dispersive X‐ray Spectroscopy (EDX). Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) studies denoted the change in shape from spherical to rod‐shaped upon doping Co. A red shift was observed in band gap energies from 3.26‐3.01 eV upon increasing the Co concentration. The photocatalytic activity was evaluated, using methylene blue under sunlight and a 50 W LED lamp. The most effective photocatalyst observed in this study was a composition consisting of 15 % Co‐ZnO. When exposed to sunshine, this photocatalyst demonstrated a degradation rate of 40 % over a one‐hour period. Similarly, when subjected to a lamp, the degradation rate was found to be 24 % over the same duration. A nanofiber membrane was produced by incorporating Co‐ZnO at a concentration of 15 % (w/w) into the cellulose acetate (CA) polymer matrix by the electrospinning technique. The created CA nanofiber mat with Co‐ZnO was employed to extend the shelf life of strawberries up to 18 days along with the reduced pH increase and lower reduction of weight, firmness, and titratable acidity.
Machine collaboration
Authors: Liu Qingfeng , Feng Yang
Published: March 2024

We propose a new ensemble framework for supervised learning, called machine collaboration (MaC), using a collection of possibly heterogeneous base learning methods (hereafter, base machines) for prediction tasks. Unlike bagging/stacking (a parallel and independent framework) and boosting (a sequential and top‐down framework), MaC is a type of circular and recursive learning framework. The circular and recursive nature helps the base machines to transfer information circularly and update their structures and parameters accordingly. The theoretical result on the risk bound of the estimator from MaC reveals that the circular and recursive feature can help MaC reduce risk via a parsimonious ensemble. We conduct extensive experiments on MaC using both simulated data and 119 benchmark real datasets. The results demonstrate that in most cases, MaC performs significantly better than several other state‐of‐the‐art methods, including classification and regression trees, neural networks, stacking, and boosting.
Report of the Nomenclature Committee for Fungi: 24
Authors: May Tom W.
Published: March 2024

An addition to the list of names for protection under Art. F.2.1 from the Cordyceps Working Group, containing two names of genera, is approved. The following two family names are recommended for conservation: Physaraceae against Fuliginaceae; and Metschnikowiaceae against Nectaromycetaceae and Torulopsidaceae. The following six generic names are recommended for conservation: Blastomyces Gilchrist & W.R. Stokes against Blastomyces Costantin & Rolland; Cercospora with a conserved type; Didymium against Mucilago and Spumaria; Discula with a conserved type; Metschnikowia against Torulopsis; and Phyllopsora against Triclinum and Crocynia. The proposal concerning the gender of the genus Glomus is referred to the General Committee. The following 15 species names are recommended for conservation: Agaricus cingulatus (Tricholoma cingulatum) against A. ramentaceus; A. psammopus (Tricholoma psammopus) against A. concolor; Apioporthe corni (Aurantioporthe corni, Cryptodiaporthe corni) against Sphaeronaema aurantiacum and Myxosporium nitidum; Ditiola mucida (Holwaya mucida) against Acrospermum caliciiforme (Crinula caliciiformis); Entoloma sericeum against Agaricus pascuus (E. pascuum); Geoglossum uliginosum Hakelier against G. uliginosum (Pers.) P. Crouan & H. Crouan; Microsphaera alphitoides (Erysiphe alphitoides) with a conserved type; Peziza cinnamomea (Pezicula cinnamomea) against Naemaspora grisea; Phyllosticta yuccae against Leptodothiorella notabilis; Puccinia psidii (Austropuccinia psidii) against Caeoma eugeniarum and Uredo neurophila; Tolypocladium inflatum against Cordyceps subsessilis; Tricholoma sciodes against Agaricus hordus; Tuber aestivum Vittad. against T. aestivum (Wulfen) Spreng. and T. blotii; T. magnatum against T. griseum; and T. melanosporum against T. nigrum. The following two species names are recommended for rejection under Art. 56: Ramularia gibba and Tuber cibarium. Proposal 2307 (concerning Hypocrea lutea (Tode) Petch) is no longer relevant, following the removal in the Shenzhen Code (Turland & al. in Regnum Veg. 159. 2018) of Art. 57.2 of the Melbourne Code (McNeill & al. in Regnum Veg. 154. 2012). Proposal 2233 (to conserve Bipolaris against Cochliobolus) and four proposals concerning names in Trichoderma and Hypocrea (2305, 2306, 2308 and 2309) have been withdrawn because the names were included in a list for protection from an approved working group: for Bipolaris, the Dothideomycetes Working Group, and for Trichoderma, the International Subcommission on Trichoderma and Hypocrea. Three works by Paulet, the unpaginated “Index” of Traité des champignons and two editions of Tabula plantarum fungosarum, are recommended for suppression under Art. 34.
Digital storytelling for peacebuilding in a multilingual community
Authors: Vinogradova Polina , Linville Heather A.
Published: March 2024

This conceptual article discusses how a digital storytelling (DS) project encouraged inner, interpersonal, and intergroup peacebuilding between members of one Midwestern community in the United States. The article reports on a DS project where (1) multilingual participants explored themes of multilingualism and migration as they produced DS in a week‐long workshop and (2) community members viewed and responded to these DS in a series of public showings. The DS process helped create opportunities for connections across linguistic and cultural differences and provided a multimodal platform for multilingual community members to share their stories of migration and belonging. The process of DS production facilitated inner peacebuilding as multilingual speakers reflected upon internal conflicts related to multilingualism, migration, and their sense of belonging. Further, workshop participants were empowered to express their multilingual experiences, and their DS revealed continued searching for inner and interpersonal peace. During public showings, community members viewed the DS and then responded to prompts about migration, multilingualism, and belonging. Their answers revealed emotional responses, eagerness to understand multilingual experiences, and the desire to create harmonious relationships among community members. The authors believe that sharing the stories of multilingual speakers and hearing their experiences in their own words is a powerful tool for peacebuilding—rooting out conflict and striving to create a happy, healthy, and prosperous community.
New president for BVA Northern Ireland Branch
Authors: Verner Sharon
Published: March 2024

BVA Northern Ireland Branch and the North of Ireland Veterinary Association (NIVA) have jointly elected Sharon Verner as their new president.
Diary of a veterinary parliamentary intern: trade bills and animal welfare standards
Authors: Shuttleworth Fiona
Published: March 2024

Vet and parliamentary intern to Lord Trees Fiona Shuttleworth discusses proposed implementation of trade partnerships and how animal welfare must be considered in both import and export agreements.
Previous career choices gave me a robust set of skills to use when becoming a vet
Authors: Donald Helen
Published: March 2024

After an unsatisfying degree in history and a successful career in PR Helen Donald took up the challenge and started vet school, going on to become principal specialist in wildlife health at Natural England.
Effective Governance for Sustainable Soil Management at National Level: Selected Recommendations Based on African and German Soil Law Studies
Authors: Ginzky Harald , Ruppel Oliver C.
Published: March 2024

Although soils provide social and ecological services which are of a clearly transnational dimension, the management of soils need to be addressed locally. Thus, an appropriate—or better—effective governance for sustainable soil management at national level is essential. This chapter provides some fundamental recommendations for an effective governance based on legal studies on soil governance in several African states and in Germany.
An African Legal, Cultural and Religious Perspective of Sustainable Soil Governance
Authors: Sambo Pamela Towela
Published: March 2024

This chapter adopts a desktop review of diverse literature to understand the legal, cultural and religious underpinning of sustainable soil governance in Africa. The role of traditional knowledge systems in achieving sustainable soil governance in Africa will also be evaluated. The African Union recognises five geographic regions on the continent namely, North, South, West, East and Central. A sixth region consisting of people of African descent living outside the continent is also categorized but it is not materially relevant for the present analysis. The countries highlighted in this chapter are only used representatively of the entire continent to the extent possible. Africa is a large continent with diverse traditions, cultures and religions upon which the legal systems responsible for natural resources and environmental protection are anchored. It is therefore impossible to discuss any issue pertinent to the continent with homogeneity. Africa is no doubt one of the most resource-abundant continents. Natural resources such as gold, diamond, oil, natural gas, copper, uranium, among others are mined in different parts of the continent. Almost every country in Africa has a deposit of natural resources because the continent is endowed with about 97% of the world’s chromium, 90% of the world’s cobalt, 85% of the word’s platinum, 70% of the world’s cocoa, and 60% of the world’s coffee. Despite this abundance of natural resources, Africa is also among the poorest continents. One of the factors that has led to the continent’s extreme poverty levels is that the extraction of land or soil based natural resources is minimally utilised to the benefit of the African countries themselves. The process of natural resources extraction causes immense damage primarily to land and soil as well as the general environment. Against this background, this chapter assesses how culture, traditional norms and religion have shaped sustainable soil governance in Africa.
Unsealing: Benefits, Potentials, Legal Provisions and Funding: The German Experience
Authors: Pannicke-Prochnow Nadine , Albrecht Juliane
Published: March 2024

Soil ecosystem services are unavailable or very limited in urban areas with a high degree of soil sealing, thereby undermining the long-term quality of life of local residents at a time of climate change. To counter this, unsealing measures can contribute to soil protection and the provision of ecosystem services and thus to climate adaptation. In addition, unsealing measures are essential to compensate for new soil sealing and to ensure land degradation neutrality (SDG 15.3). However, the benefits of unsealing are undermined by the low availability of potential sites for unsealing and a number of obstacles to implementation.

In Germany, various legal instruments are available to activate unsealing potentials. Relevant regulations may be found in the fields of building and soil law as well as in water, nature protection and planning law. In practice, however, such regulations are limited in their impact. The paper shows how to better exploit unsealing potentials by a more consistent application of regulatory and planning legislation by authorities and legal revisions on the part of the legislator.
UNFCCC CoP26: Key Outcomes for Soil Management
Authors: De Andrade Corrêa Fabiano , Vidar Margret , Rao Tejas
Published: March 2024

Declining soil health does not often reach the frontpages of newspapers or dominate the news cycle. Yet the importance of soil health cannot be understated. The health of soil everywhere is threatened by climate change. Unsustainable soil policy and use can contribute to the advancing of climate change, whereas sustainable soil management can and should be part of the solution(s). Against this background, this brief paper aims to expand on the value of soil. After establishing this context for the purposes of the climate conversation, the paper expands on the international legal frameworks on soil and its place within the international climate change regime. From this, it discusses key advancements made at the UNFCCC CoP26 held in Glasgow, Scotland in 2021, with a particular focus on the Korovia Joint Work in Agriculture, the Global Methane Targets, and the Glasgow Declaration on Forests and land use. We conclude by looking forward to what might happen at the upcoming UNFCCC CoP27 in Sharm-el-Sheikh, Egypt in 2022.
The Mainstreaming Agenda of the Convention on Biological Diversity and Its Value to Protecting and Enhancing Soil Ecosystem Services
Authors: Robb Cairo
Published: March 2024

This chapter highlights the importance of soil biodiversity in the provision of ecosystem services, and its relevance in the context of the Convention on Biological Diversity ‘mainstreaming’ agenda, and Convention architecture. It provides case studies relating to the mainstreaming of soil biodiversity, as well as a ‘Soil Biodiversity Perception Checklist’, to help integrate soil biodiversity, soil health and soil ecosystem services into decision making at all levels and across all sectors, including in policy, and land use and management strategy and practice.
When Private Speech Goes Public: Libertinage, Crypto-Judaic Conversations, and the Private Literary World of Jean Fontanier 1621
Authors: Horsley Adam
Published: March 2024

This chapter explores the exceptional role of private conversations in the trial of Jean Fontanier, who stood accused of having written and taught from a text seeking to convert its readers to Judaism. Unlike most authors of the libertine canon, Fontanier invited his would-be students across the public/private threshold into the privacy of his own home, where he was able not only to supervise their readership of his text, but also to invite them to join him as co-authors through dictation. In blending literary studies with legal history, Horsley highlights the role of private conversations in Fontanier’s case from the point of view of the author, his readers, and his judges.
Prescriptive unitarity from positive geometries
Authors: Ferro Livia , Glew Ross , Łukowski Tomasz , Stalknecht Jonah
Published: March 2024

Abstract

In this paper, we define the momentum amplituhedron in the four-dimensional split-signature space of dual momenta. It encodes scattering amplitudes at tree level and loop integrands for $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 4 super Yang-Mills in the planar sector. In this description, every point in the tree-level geometry is specified by a null polygon. Using the null structure of this kinematic space, we find a geometry whose canonical differential form produces loop-amplitude integrands. Remarkably, at one loop it is a curvy version of a simple polytope, whose vertices are specified by maximal cuts of the amplitude. This construction allows us to find novel formulae for the one-loop integrands for amplitudes with any multiplicity and helicity. The formulae obtained in this way agree with the ones derived via prescriptive unitarity. It makes prescriptive unitarity naturally emerge from this geometric description.
Color confinement and random matrices. A random walk down group manifold toward Casimir scaling
Authors: Bergner Georg , Gautam Vaibhav , Hanada Masanori
Published: March 2024

Abstract

We explain the microscopic origin of linear confinement potential with the Casimir scaling in generic confining gauge theories. In the low-temperature regime of confining gauge theories such as QCD, Polyakov lines are slowly varying Haar random modulo exponentially small corrections with respect to the inverse temperature, as shown by one of the authors (M. H.) and Watanabe. With exact Haar randomness, computation of the two-point correlator of Polyakov loops reduces to the problem of random walk on group manifold. Linear confinement potential with approximate Casimir scaling except at short distances follows naturally from slowly varying Haar randomness. With exponentially small corrections to Haar randomness, string breaking and loss of Casimir scaling at long distance follow. Hence we obtain the Casimir scaling which is only approximate and holds only at intermediate distance, which is precisely needed to explain the results of lattice simulations. For (1 + 1)-dimensional theories, there is a simplification that admits the Casimir scaling at short distances as well.
Stability of the Faber-Krahn inequality for the short-time Fourier transform
Authors: Gómez Jaime , Guerra André , Ramos João P. G. , Tilli Paolo
Published: March 2024

We prove a sharp quantitative version of the Faber–Krahn inequality for the short-time Fourier transform (STFT). To do so, we consider a deficit $\delta (f;\Omega )$
δ
(
f
;
Ω
)
which measures by how much the STFT of a function $f\in L^{2}(\mathbb{R})$
f
∈

L
2

(
R
)
fails to be optimally concentrated on an arbitrary set $\Omega \subset \mathbb{R}^{2}$
Ω
⊂

R
2

of positive, finite measure. We then show that an optimal power of the deficit $\delta (f;\Omega )$
δ
(
f
;
Ω
)
controls both the $L^{2}$

L
2

-distance of $f$
f
to an appropriate class of Gaussians and the distance of $\Omega $
Ω
to a ball, through the Fraenkel asymmetry of $\Omega $
Ω
. Our proof is completely quantitative and hence all constants are explicit. We also establish suitable generalizations of this result in the higher-dimensional context.
The Feather Moss Hylocomium splendens Affects the Transcriptional Profile of a Symbiotic Cyanobacterium in Relation to Acquisition and Turnover of Key Nutrients
Authors: Alvarenga Danillo Oliveira , Priemé Anders , Rousk Kathrin
Published: March 2024

Moss-cyanobacteria symbioses were proposed to be based on nutrient exchange, with hosts providing C and S while bacteria provide N, but we still lack understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms of their interactions. We investigated how contact between the ubiquitous moss Hylocomium splendens and its cyanobiont affects nutrient-related gene expression of both partners. We isolated a cyanobacterium from H. splendens and co-incubated it with washed H. splendens shoots. Cyanobacterium and moss were also incubated separately. After 1 week, we performed acetylene reduction assays to estimate N2 fixation and RNAseq to evaluate metatranscriptomes. Genes related to N2 fixation and the biosynthesis of several amino acids were up-regulated in the cyanobiont when hosted by the moss. However, S-uptake and the biosynthesis of the S-containing amino acids methionine and cysteine were down-regulated in the cyanobiont while the degradation of selenocysteine was up-regulated. In contrast, the number of differentially expressed genes in the moss was much lower, and almost no transcripts related to nutrient metabolism were affected. It is possible that, at least during the early stage of this symbiosis, the cyanobiont receives few if any nutrients from the host in return for N, suggesting that moss–cyanobacteria symbioses encompass relationships that are more plastic than a constant mutualist flow of nutrients.