bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
LA RAZÓN MANDA. LA INCOMPARABLE TRANSICIÓN
Authors: CASAÑO SALIDO CARMELO
Published: January 2024

Como, ahora, a pocas fechas de cumplirse los 45 años de las primeras elecciones democráticas, en determinados grupos de opinión, se habla de que España necesitaría, para superar el tiempo difícil que se avecina, un gran pacto  de Estado, semejante al que existe en la República Federal Alemana desde hace más de un lustro, nos parece oportuno recordar que, en puridad, nuestra Transición  fue un amplio e insólito acuerdo estatal, aunque todavía existan españoles, primordialmente jóvenes,  que la desconocen, y eso que el antiquísimo  Herodoto enseñó que “la Historia es la gran maestra de la vida”. Historia, debemos matizar que, al contrario de lo afirmado por Gimbatista Vico en pleno barroco absolutista, nunca se repite aunque, en ocasiones,  pueda parecerse.  También, hay que tener bien presente, cuando se trata de enjuiciar –como haremos a continuación-, la acción pública que, de acuerdo con Bismark, “la política es el arte de lo posible”. Pero conseguir lo posible siempre demanda un conocimiento preciso de los aconteceres pasados y actuar, desde las urgencias  del presente,  con  perspectivas de   futuro
NUEVE REFLEXIONES EN TORNO A LA TRANSICIÓN ESPAÑOLA
Authors: CASAÑO SALIDO CARMELO
Published: January 2024

Se recogen en nueve calas, o prospecciones,  todo lo que tengo pensado sobre la Transición y que  -insisto- es el germen de nuestras ideas, plasmadas en la conferencia sobredicha. Como es normal en estos casos, habrá repeticiones, lógicos retornos que no me preocupan desde que André Gide nos enseñó que, aun estando todo dicho, el escritor debe repetir los pensamientos cardinales, pues cada vez escasean más los que leen, entienden y recuerdan
"Not quite the fairer sex": Análisis del subtitulado de Gentleman Jack desde la perspectiva de género
Authors: Ogea Pozo Maria del Mar , Moreno Fuentes Antonio
Published: January 2024

El presente estudio toma como objeto la serie Gentleman Jack, una adaptación audiovisual de los diarios de Anne Lister, para compilar un corpus bilingüe a partir del texto audiovisual original y los subtítulos traducidos al español para una plataforma de contenido en streaming. De este modo, es posible llevar a cabo el análisis lingüístico del lenguaje de género y de época hallado en el texto audiovisual, aplicando la teoría sobre técnicas traductológicas y feministas en la traducción. Asimismo, gracias a una entrevista con el propio traductor de la versión subtitulada en español, se identifican las principales dificultades de traducción y las soluciones vislumbradas por el mismo durante el proceso. Las conclusiones, basadas en la viabilidad del enfoque de género en la traducción audiovisual, demuestran que durante el proceso traductor se ha tenido en cuenta el objetivo principal de la serie: dar visibilidad a la figura de Anne Lister como mujer empoderada y a la sexualidad LGTB en el contexto de la Inglaterra victoriana.
Reseña: Rodríguez Hidalgo, A. J., y Ortega Ruiz, R. (eds.). (2017). Acoso escolar, ciberacoso y discriminación. Educar en diversidad y convivencia. Madrid: Catarata. 144 pp. ISBN: 978-84-9097-244-1
Authors: Márquez Molleja Isabel
Published: January 2024

El libro Acoso escolar, ciberacoso y discriminación. Educar en diversidad y convivencia ha sido realizado por un equipo interdisciplinar de expertos y expertas con una amplia trayectoria en el ámbito psicoeducativo, con la finalidad de proporcionar una valiosa herramienta que pueda ayudar tanto a los y las docentes, como futuros docentes, en la comprensión y mejora de la intervención educativa en distintos niveles. En esta reseña se hace un recorrido por los puntos más destacados de los nueve capítulos que componen la obra, para finalmnete terminar con una síntesis donde se presenta el valor y aportaciones que este libro hace a la comunidad educativa y universitaria.
A new record of ground sloth in the Ribeira de Iguape valley, southeastern Brazil
Authors: Chahud Artur , Pereira Gabriella da Costa , Costa Paulo Ricardo de Oliveira , Okumura Mercedes
Published: January 2024

In the early 1980s, an assemblage of extinct and extant vertebrates was collected from the Abismo Ponta de Flecha, a vertical cave in southern São Paulo, Brazil, for archaeological, geological, and paleontological analyses. While materials identified as ground sloths have been referenced in earlier publications, they have never been thoroughly described. In this study, we provide the first detailed description of a large, previously unidentified taxon found in Brazil, interpreted herein as belonging to the family Nothrotheriidae. Although direct dating of the specimen was not possible, other dated occurrences from the Ribeira de Iguape Valley suggest that it may have inhabited the region during the Late Pleistocene, coinciding with the local presence of a dense forest cover.
Emilio Rosario Pacahuala Clío en cuestión. Trabajos sobre historia e historiografía
Authors: Saravia Javier
Published: January 2024

Emilio Rosario, director del Seminario de Historia Rural Andina (SHRA), nos presenta una compilación de artículos dedicados a la reflexión historiográfica. Los artículos que conforman el libro aparecieron originalmente en revistas especializadas de 2005 a 2010, y son, según palabras del autor, «balances» que permiten aproximarnos a la producción más reciente entemas puntuales, como son: 1) La historiografía contemporánea, 2) El Perú y el siglo XIX, 3) La Guerra del Pacífico y 4) Manuel González Prada.
Los khipu Q’irus: reflexiones para una propuesta de currículo intercultural
Authors: Carbajal Solís Vidal
Published: January 2024

El presente artículo reflexiona sobre el gran desafío de la escuela intercultural actual: el currículo intercultural en el aula. Esta reflexión nace de los datos del khipu Inca, un tipo de khipu encontrado en la comunidad Q’irus de Cusco. El khipu fue utilizado por el khipukamayuq (miembro de la comunidad o comuneros a cargo de la información de la grabación) hasta la era de los estados de los países o de hacienda (1960). El objetivo de este trabajo es mostrar, en cierta medida, estos hallazgos y para reflejar, bajo la propuesta de educación intercultural bilingüe (EIB), la incorporación de estos conocimientos locales y ancestrales en el desarrollo pedagógico de las escuelas que la cultura y el idioma (quechua) se conservan fuertemente a pesar del proceso de aprendizaje acelerado de la lengua española, especialmente entre los jóvenes.
Data recovery methods for DNA storage based on fountain codes
Authors: Schwarz Peter , Freisleben Bernd
Published: January 2024

Today’s digital data storage systems typically offer advanced data recovery solutions for the problem of catastrophic data loss. For conventional hard disk drives, several data recovery mechanisms are available, ranging from software-based disk sector or file analysis to physicallevel data retrieval methods. In contrast, DNA-based data storage exclusively relies on the inherent error correction properties of the encoding methods employed to encode digital data into strands of DNA. In this article, we propose a novel approach to provide data recovery in DNA storage systems. In particular, we present a novel method to automatically reconstruct original data from corrupted data stored and encoded in DNA using fountain codes. Our method exploits the intrinsic relationships between processed packets encoded with fountain codes to identify and rectify errors. Furthermore, we present file type-specific and contentbased error detection and correction methods for three file types, illustrating how a fusion of fountain encoding-specific redundancy and knowledge about the stored data can effectively recover information in a partially corrupted DNA storage system, both in an automatic and in a guided manual manner. To demonstrate the feasibility of our approach, we introduce DR4DNA, a software toolkit that contains all methods presented in this work. Compared to conventional DNA error correction schemes, our approach introduces a fallback recovery approach similar to data recovery services for hard drives. We evaluate DR4DNA using both in-silico and in-vitro experiments.
Hypoxia-induced epigenetic regulation of miR-485-3p promotes stemness and chemoresistance in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma via SLC7A11-mediated ferroptosis
Authors: Yang Yinmo , Tian Xiaodong , liu xinxin , Huang Zhihua , Chen Qiuzheng , Chen Kai , Liu Weikang , Liu Guangnian , Chu Xiangyu , Li Dongqi , Ma Yongsu
Published: January 2024

The mechanism of hypoxia in chemoresistance of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains elusive. In this study, we reveled essential role of miR-485-3p in PDAC, particularly its impact on cancer stemness and gemcitabine resistance under hypoxic condition. We found substantial downregulation of miR-485-3p in PDAC tissues, with lower expression correlating to poor patient outcomes. Mechanistically, miR-485-3p influenced stemness characteristics, as evidenced by reduced tumor sphere formation and increased sensitivity to gemcitabine upon overexpression. Moreover, we identified SOX9 and SLC7A11 as two targets of miR-485-3p, which play vital role in stemness and ferroptosis. Under hypoxic condition, DNMT3B expression was upregulated, leading to hypermethylation of miR-485-3p promoter region. the reduced miR-485-3p expression promoted stemness and chemoresistance of PDAC. In conclusion, our findings elucidate the intricate interplay of hypoxia, epigenetic modifications, and ferroptosis in PDAC and shed light on potential avenues for targeted interventions that modulate cancer stemness and chemosensitivity, offering prospects for improved therapeutic strategies for PDAC.
Genome-wide characterization and analysis of rice DUF247 gene family
Authors: Zhang Feifei , Yang Jun , Sohail Amir , Lu Chengkai , Xu Peng
Published: January 2024

Background
The domain of unknown function 247 (DUF247) proteins are involved in plant development and stress response. Rice is an important worldwide cereal crop, although an increasing number of DUF proteins have been identified, the understanding of DUF proteins is still very limited in rice.
Results
In this study, we identified 69 genes that encode DUF247 proteins in the rice (Oryza sativa) genome by homology searches and domain prediction. All the OsDUF247 proteins were classified into four major groups (I, II, III and IV) by phylogenetic analysis. Remarkably OsDUF247 genes clustered on the chromosomes solely show close phylogenetic relationships, suggesting that gene duplications driven the expansion of the DUF247 gene family in the rice genome. The tissue profile analysis showed that most DUF247 genes expressed at constitutive levels in seedlings, roots, stems, and leaves, except for seven genes (LOC_Os01g21670, LOC_Os03g19700, LOC_Os05g04060, LOC_Os08g26820, LOC_Os08g26840, LOC_Os08g26850 and LOC_Os09g13410) in panicles. These seven genes were induced by various abiotic stress, including cold, drought, heat, hormone treatment, and especially salt, as demonstrated by further experimental analysis. DUF247 proteins contain transmembrane domains located on the membrane, suggesting their significant roles in rice development and adaptation to the environment.
Conclusions
These findings lay the foundation for functional characterizations of DUF247 genes to unravel their exact role in rice cultivars.
Synchronized Incidental Affect Changes Ambiguity Preferences
Authors: Sambrano Deshawn , Dong Bryan , Glimcher Paul , Phelps Elizabeth A.
Published: January 2024

Decisions under uncertainty are prevalent, but come under two distinct types. Risk, which has unknown outcomes but known probabilities for those outcomes and ambiguity which contains both unknown outcomes and unknown probabilities. Although there have been several studies linking affect and aversion to ambiguity, there have been no studies that have to identify how changing one’s affective response can change their choices. A total of 166 adults (M = 36.54, SD = 11.80) participated in an online study through Prolific. Participants were presented with a lottery on each trial which varied on its uncertainty type (risky vs ambiguous) and winning characteristics (winning probability and amount). Half of the ambiguous lotteries were paired with an neutral image (e.g., office supplies), while the other half was paired with an emotionally evocative image (e.g., burning house) that was hypothesized to incidentally influence their decisions. As measured by both raw choice data as well as through a computational model, participants were more averse to ambiguity when the lottery was paired with an emotionally evocative image. Follow-up analyses revealed that only lotteries in which the computational model predicted the participant would choose the lottery were affected by the images. This study highlights the phenomenon in which one’s awareness of an affective stimulus can alter its impact on their decisions.
Intellectual Property Protection, Product Life-cycle Lengths, and the Boundaries of Multinational Corporations
Authors: Zhang Yiming , Ye Zuoliang , Li Yunong
Published: January 2024

This paper presents a theoretical model based on transaction cost analysis and the resource-based view. It establishes that the corporate boundaries of multinational corporations are determined by the length of the product life cycle and the level of intellectual property protection in the host country. The empirical results based on the panel data of U.S. multinational corporations' import trade of 208 types of products in 18 countries from 2002 to 2013 validate the extrapolation results of the theoretical model. The study finds that the most significant determinants of multinational corporations' boundaries are the length of the product life cycle and the level of IPR protection in the host country.
Comparative Assessment of the Impact of COVID-19 Lockdown on Air Quality: A Multinational Study of SARS-CoV-2 Hotspots
Authors: Boudia Ahmed Ould , Asheesh Mohamed , Adusei-Mensah Frank , Bounab Yazid
Published: January 2024

In response to the global COVID-19 pandemic, nations implemented lockdown measures to contain the virus. This study assessed air pollution levels during and after lockdowns, focusing on heavily affected locations: Oulu and Helsinki in Finland, Paris in France, Madrid in Spain, Milan in Italy, and Wuhan in China. Air Quality Index (AQI) data from these areas over two years were analyzed to understand lockdown effects. COVID-19 lockdowns in six cities were compared with SARS-CoV-2 measures using statistical methods. Pollutant Outdoor variations were evaluated via tests, showing significant differences. Parametric analyses and regression studied lockdown impacts on pollution and relationships. The study comprehensively analyzed COVID-19 lockdowns' effects on air quality, identifying differences, quantifying changes, and exploring patterns in Oulu and Helsinki. Pollutant correlations varied among cities during lockdowns. Regression analysis highlighted independent variables' impact on pollutants. Decreases in NO2 were seen in Helsinki, Madrid, Oulu, Paris, and Milan, reflecting reduced traffic and industry. PM2.5 and PM10 reductions occurred in these cities and also Wuhan, except for O3 levels which increased. Reduced human activities improved air quality, especially for NO2 and PM10. Regional variations necessitate tailored interventions. We observed that during the COVID-19 lockdowns, there was a substantial decrease in both PM2.5 and NO2 levels, indicating a direct correlation between reduced human activities, such as transportation and industrial operations, and improved air quality. This underscores the potential impact of environmental measures and suggests the need for sustainable practices to mitigate urban pollution.
Physiological studies and transcriptomic analysis reveal the mechanism of saline–alkali stress resistance of Malus sieversii f. niedzwetzkyan
Authors: Jiang Lepu , Yang Yan , Yu Lei , Zhou Zhengli , Xu Tongyao , Wang Tong , Zhao Jianwen , Chen Xuesen , Wang Shaohua
Published: January 2024

Apple (Malus) is one of the world’s most economically significant fruit varieties. The inability of apple trees to tolerate saline–alkali soil has long limited their growth and yield. Malus sieversii f. niedzwetzkyan is a wild species capable of growing on saline–alkali soil in Xinjiang.Here, we conducted a hydroponic experiment in which M. niedzwetzkyana and M. domestica “Royal Gala” seedlings were subjected to 150 mM saline–alkali stress. Physiological data indicated that the saline–alkali resistance of M. niedzwetzkyana was higher than that of M. “Royal Gala,” as the concentrations of ROS were lower and Na+/K+ ratios were higher in M. niedzwetzkyana than in M. “Royal Gala” under saline–alkali stress. Transcriptome analysis was conducted on the leaves and roots of M. niedzwetzkyana at different time points under saline–alkali stress (0 h, 6 h, and 12 h). A total of 599 differentially co-expressed genes associated with saline–alkali stress were identified. GO and KEGG pathway analysis revealed that DEGs in the leaves were enriched in glutathione metabolism, hydrolase activity, and heme binding following exposure to saline–alkali stress. However, DEGs in the roots were enriched in phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, flavonoid biosynthesis and iron ion binding. We identified hub genes related to superoxide dismutase and Na+, K+ transport using weighted gene co-expression network analysis.Our findings provided new insights into the saline–alkali tolerance of M. niedzwetzkyana at the physiological and molecular levels. this research provides an important genetic resource for identifying genes involved in responses to saline–alkali stress.
Patterns and trends of antimicrobial resistance in bacterial isolates from urine cultures in Eritrea, 2010–2021: a secondary dataset analysis
Authors: Garoy Eyob Yohannes , Ghebrehiwet Matiwos Araya , Fessehaye Nahom , Achila Oliver Okoth , Gebrehiwet Ghirmay Yemane , Abraham Feven Gebremeskel , Berhe Sador Daniel , Berhe Yonatan Laine , Mengistu Samuel Tekle , Buthuamlak Abrehet Marikos , Syum Biniam Efrem , Hamida Mohammed Elfatih
Published: January 2024

Background: Although the threat posed by antibacterial resistance (AMR) in urinary tract infections (UTI) is well documented; significant knowledge gaps remain for most countries in sub-Saharan Africa. In this study, we set out to describe the most common uropathogens in Eritrea. The magnitude, trends, and factors associated with AMR and MDR were also assed.
Methods: A retrospective record review of data (January 2010 - 2021) collected from all urine samples from patients from multiple treatment centers in Eritrea and analysed at the microbiology department at the National Reference Laboratory (NHL) was undertaken. Main outcomes included patient characteristics, magnitude of AMR, MDR, and associated patterns and trends. SPSS was used for statistical analysis, and Microsoft Excel was used to plot figures.
Results: Our analysis indicates that 64.9% (1940) of the patients were male; median age (IQR) was 50 years (35-58 years); and > 50% of the age range of patients were in the 36 to 65 year age band. Antibiotic susceptibility was stable over time except for ciprofloxacin (96% in 2004, 97% in 2009, and 94% in 2014; P < 0.05). With decreasing frequency, the most common isolates were UPEC (39.7%, n=1,190); Kliebsiella spp. (10.7%, n=322), Citrobacter spp. (8.7%, n=260), Enterobacter spp.(7.1%, n=213), Proteus spp. (7%, n=209), Streptococcus Group D (6.5%, n=194) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa(6.4%, n=193). The prevalence of AMR in UTI is high with a strong involvement of ESKAPE organisms. A high proportion (2414 (80.5%)) of MDR (and potentially uropathogens from XDR and PDR) was also reported. Furthermore, a MAR index > - 2 in GNB was obtained in 81.1% of the isolates. Although age and the presence of indwelling devices were significantly associated with the probability of MDR in the aPR; the relationship was attenuated in the uPR. Finally, only sex (higher in males: uPR: 2.97) and isolates of a specific genus were associated with MDR. Compared to UPEC, the probability of MDR followed the following sequence: Pseudomonas aeruginosa > (uPR: 16.9) > Proteus spp. (uPR: 5.2) > other GNBs (uPR: 2.1) > Citrobacter spp (uPR: 1.67). Interestingly, all GPBs (S. aureus, Streptococcus group D) had a reduced likelihood of MDR.
Conclusion: We identified a high and increasing prevalence of AMR and MDR in patients with UTI in Eritrea. The findings emphasize the urgent need to address gaps in laboratory infrastructure, AST testing strategies, AMR surveillance, infection control, reporting, and the use of locally generated data to optimize treatment guidelines.
THERANOVA-LIM: Optimizing the city hospital link to support patients on oral anticancer drugs
Authors: Boucheteil Marion , Leobon Sophie , Baffert Kim-Arthur , Darbas Tiffany , Peyramaure Clémentine , brun-Ly Valérie Le , Pestre Julia , Venat Laurence , Thuillier Frédéric , HUET Soline , Jost Jeremy , Touati Mohamed , DELUCHE Elise
Published: January 2024

Purpose: Recent developments in oral chemotherapy and targeted therapies have radically changed the way in which cancer patients are managed. Ambulatory care is now common, associated with the development of organizations that foster, secure home treatments, and reinforce the city hospital link.
Methods: THERANOVA-LIM (NCT04931329), a prospective, interventional study, assessed the satisfaction of healthcare professionals and patients who benefited from improved access to information on appropriate drug use imparted by a drug vigilance card or a prescription with a QR code.
Results: Initially, an e-questionnaire was used to explore the practices and expectations of retail pharmacists; only 40% stated that they felt comfortable when managing patients on oral therapy. A total of 128 patients were included in the study, 55 in a “medication vigilance card” group and 73 in a “prescription with QR code” group. Patients were satisfied with the new systems and with the simplicity afforded by both the card and the prescription (p = 0.8). Similarly, 93.2% of professionals were satisfied with the new system. However, they felt that the prescription with a QR code was of greater assistance than the drug vigilance card (p = 0.02). There was no significant between-group difference in compliance (p = 0.3595)
Conclusion: The two systems improved the management of patients on oral chemotherapy; the QR-coded prescription was optimal. The fact that both patients and healthcare professionals were satisfied encourages us to extend the innovations and evaluate them further.
Trial Registration Number and the date of registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04931329. 2021-05-10
Self-Reported Confidence of DPT Students in Assessing and Treating Different Body Regions Within Musculoskeletal Physical Therapy Practice
Authors: Lowe Scott , Wiley Jennifer
Published: January 2024

Introduction
This study examined Doctorate of Physical Therapy (DPT) students' self-reported confidence in assessing and treating musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions based on body regions. We hypothesized that there would be identifiable differences in self-perceived confidence across the different body regions. Most literature assessing DPT students' readiness for clinical practice has come from the perspective of educators and clinicians, whereas student perspectives have not been reported.
Methods:
The study is a descriptive, observational online survey. Participants were final-year DPT students in the United States. Participants rated their comfort level in assessing and treating patients with MSK complaints, both in general and specifically for each body region. Additionally, we asked for written comments to elaborate on the answers provided.
Results:
A total of 148 eligible responses were collected. The respondents had the highest self-reported confidence in the assessment and treatment of the knee by a significant margin, with a mean score of 4.24 out of 5. Hip and Lumbar spine were the next highest-scored areas.
The Wrist and Hand had the lowest reported confidence at 2.63. Thoracic spine and pelvis were the second lowest scores. Qualitative data included multiple mentions of the distal upper extremity being deemphasized and the impact of COVID-19 on their preparedness for practice.
Conclusion:
Lower average confidence in the assessment and treatment of the wrist and hand, thoracic spine, and pelvis indicate that modification of existing methods of teaching these topics should be considered.
Trends identified in this research provide actionable data for both didactic and clinical educators. Furthermore, this data provides topics of discussion for those mentoring and educating new graduate clinicians. With these findings in mind, educators should consider reviewing instructional strategies in areas which showed the least perceived preparedness.
Trial Registration: Not applicable
Features of fume distribution in the working zone during arc welding operations with various covered electrodes
Authors: Kirichenko K. Yu. , Stratidakis A. K. , Kholodov A. S. , Karakitsios S. , Mezhuev Y. O. , Papadopoulou P. , Rogulin R. S. , Vakhnuk I. A. , Zakharenko A. M. , Gridasov A. V. , Karabtsov A. A. , Il'yashchenko D. P. , Tsatsakis A. , Sarigiannis D. A. , Golokhvast K. S.
Published: January 2024

Particles in welding fumes (WFs) generated through arc welding operations pose serious health concerns to the welders through their exposure to heavy metals. In this study, the influence of different covering types of industrial electrodes (rutile, basic, acid, rutile-cellulose) on the particle size distribution, morphology, and elemental composition of particles of welding fumes was investigated. Quantitative analysis was conducted in order to determine the distribution of particles with diameters of 10μm, or less, (PM10 fraction) of the WFs within the workplace, followed by the comparison of the results with the current international normative documents on the maximum permissible concentration of the PM10 fraction in the working zone air. The most hazardous types of electrode coverings were determined based on the dispersion, chemical composition, and concentration of formed particles of the PM10 fraction in space and time. The dependence of the particle size distribution time of the WFs in the working zone was identified for a basic covered industrial electrode. The maximum sizes of WF particles were reported for operations held at 100 A with electrodes having the rutile-cellulose type of covering, and at 150 A having the basic type of covering. A concentration of 0.05 mg/m3 for the PM10 fraction of WFs in the workplace was achieved after 1 hour of the welding machine operation at a current equal to 100 A. Thus, the results of the characterization of WFs demonstrate the risks of the arc welding process to human health and stress the need for their control and mitigation. According to the results of the study, a proportional relationship between the average particle diameter and the WF particle distribution period in the workplace has been demonstrated, which has been particularly evident from the height of the WF particles. 3D modeling of the dispersion of WF particles during welding arc operations proved to be a suitable method for their characterization.
Evaluation and impact factors of cobalt resource industrial international competitiveness: A perspective based on trade networks
Authors: Xu Ligang , Guo Xiang , Xu Meijuan , Jia Yanglei , Zhong Zhengfang
Published: January 2024

In recent years, with the development of the new energy industry, the demand for cobalt as a raw material for power batteries has been increasing. However, China itself has a shortage of cobalt resources. Therefore, overcoming poor resource conditions and enhancing the international competitiveness of the cobalt industry have become urgent issues. This paper is based on global trade data on cobalt resources from 2007 to 2020. A panel regression model is constructed from the perspective of trade networks, and Entropy-Topsis is used to construct a comprehensive evaluation index system for the international competitiveness of critical nonferrous metals. This study empirically examines the impact of the trade network characteristics of cobalt resources on international competitiveness, assigns practical significance to trade network characteristic indicators, and analyses the overall competitiveness changes in the global cobalt industry chain and its upstream, midstream, and downstream sectors. The research findings reveal the following key points: (1) In recent years, the competitive focus of the cobalt industry chain in various countries has shifted from upstream and midstream to midstream and downstream, with increasingly fierce trade competition downstream, gradually tilting toward countries such as South Korea, Japan, and China. (2) Cobalt trade competition, which was initially characterized by competition among multiple countries, has gradually become more centralized and stable, with differences in the competitiveness of various countries occurring at different stages of the cobalt industry chain. (3) Network centrality and network heterogeneity both have a significant promoting effect on the international competitiveness of the industry, while network connectivity has a significant inhibitory effect on the improvement of international competitiveness.
Resting-State EEG Signature of Early Consciousness Recovery in Comatose Traumatic Brain Injury Patients
Authors: Alkhachroum Ayham , Flo Emilia , Manolovitz Brian , Stradecki-Cohan Holly Marie , Shammassian Berje , Bass Danielle , Aklepi Gabriela , Monexe Esther , Ghamasaee Pardis , Sobczak Evie , Samano Daniel , Saavedra Ana Bolaños , Massad Nina , Kottapally Mohan , Merenda Amedeo , Cordeiro Joacir Graciolli , Jagid Jonathan , Kanner Andres M. , Rundek Tatjana , O'Phelan Kristine , Claassen Jan , Sitt Jacobo
Published: January 2024

Background
Resting-state electroencephalogram (rsEEG) is usually obtained to assess seizures in comatose patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients. We aim to investigate rsEEG measures and their prediction of early recovery of consciousness in comatose TBI patients.
Methods
This is a retrospective study of comatose TBI patients who were admitted to a level-1 trauma center (10/2013-1/2022). Demographics, basic clinical data, imaging characteristics, and EEG data were collected. We calculated using 10-minute rsEEGs: power spectral density (PSD), permutation entropy (PE – complexity measure), weighted symbolic-mutual-information (wSMI – global information sharing measure), Kolmogorov complexity (Kolcom – complexity measure), and heart-evoked potentials (HEP - the averaged EEG signal relative to the corresponding QRS complex on electrocardiogram). We evaluated the prediction of consciousness recovery before hospital discharge using clinical, imaging, rsEEG data via Support Vector Machine with a linear kernel (SVM).
Results
We studied 113 (out of 134, 84%) patients with rsEEGs. A total of 73 (65%) patients recovered consciousness before discharge. Patients who recovered consciousness were younger (40 vs. 50, p .01). Patients who recovered consciousness had higher Kolcom (U = 1688, p = 0.01,), increased beta power (U = 1652 p = 0.003), with higher variability across channels ( U = 1534, p = 0.034), and epochs (U = 1711, p = 0.004), lower delta power (U = 981, p = 0.04) and showed higher connectivity across time and channels as measured by wSMI in the theta band (U = 1636, p = .026, U = 1639, p = 0.024) than those who didn’t recover. The ROC-AUC improved from 0.66 (using age, motor response, pupils’ reactivity, and CT Marshall classification) to 0.69 (p < 0.001) when adding rsEEG measures.
Conclusion
We describe the rsEEG EEG signature in recovery of consciousness prior to discharge in comatose TBI patients. Resting-state EEG measures improved prediction beyond the clinical and imaging data.
Effect of heat treatment at mild temperatures on the composition and physico-chemical properties of Scots pine resin
Authors: Sansonetti Errj , Cirule Dace , Kuka Edgars , Andersone Ingeborga , Andersons Bruno , Meile Kristine , Vevere Laima
Published: January 2024

A major function of resin in trees is to provide defense against external attacks by releasing the resin flow on the attacked or damaged area. Nonetheless, the leakage of the resin on the surface can have a negative aesthetic and economic impact on wood material. The aim of this study was to investigate how heat treatment affects the chemo-physical properties of the resin of Pinus sylvestris L. in order to hinder the exudation on wood surface during service. To reduce the fluidity of the resin, it is necessary to remove the volatile fraction of resin, and several studies have been carried out in this direction, providing useful information about this process. The results from thermal analyses (DSC, TGA) confirmed that heat treatment at mild temperatures, 80 °C, 90 °C and 100 °C, respectively, had a positive effect on increasing the glass transition temperature Tg and showed a good correlation between the Tg and the residual volatile content. FTIR spectroscopy, before and after heat treatment, did not show major changes in chemical structures, whilst UHPLC-DAD-MS analysis revealed significant differences for the ratios of compounds, which are the result of possible chemical reactions, such as dehydrogenation, oxidation and isomerization.
Soil carbon and nitrogen dynamics under conservation agriculture components for direct seeded rice-green gram system
Authors: Patra Gayatri , Chatterjee Dibyendu , Moharana Khitish Chandra , Nayak Bitish Kumar , Tripathi Rahul , Shahid Mohammad , Pani Dipti Ranjan , Das Saikat Ranjan , Panda Bipin Bihari , Munda Sushmita , Kumar Upendra , Nayak Amaresh Kumar
Published: January 2024

Continuous monocropping of puddled rice in Eastern India has decreased crop productivity and contributed to the deterioration of soil structure. To address this issue, conservation agriculture (CA) is being developed as a method to promote sustainability of the rice-based cropping system in eastern India. The study was conducted with the objectives to evaluate the influence of CA components on C and N mineralization and to study the impact of CA on the soil enzymes, C and N fractions. At the research farm of ICAR National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, Cuttack, a study was conducted using components of conservation agriculture in different combinations. The study included the effects of different components of CA, such as reduced tillage (T), addition of crop residues (R), and crop diversification (D) both alone and in combinations. Standard methods were used to determine carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) fractions, mineralization, and soil enzyme activities. Results showed that the addition of residue and crop diversification components (crop residues, crop residues with reduced tillage, crop residues with diversification and crop residues with reduced tillage and diversification) had higher CO2-C levels. Carbon mineralization in terms of mean cumulative CO2-C (mg CO2-C kg-1) fit well with first-order kinetics (R2=0.97-0.99), suggesting that degradation is concentration-dependent. Potentially mineralizable N (N0) content ranged from 191.27 to 219.53 kg ha-1, with the highest value in diversification (D). It showed the highest dehydrogenase activity and nitrate reductase activity, while residue addition in rice-green gram system (RD) showed the highest fluorescein di-acetate and β-glucosidase activities. At all growth stages, diversification (D) had the highest values for microbial biomass C, ammonium N and nitrate N. Correlation study shows a positive interaction between carbon and nitrogen fractions with soil enzymatic activities. It can be concluded that the influence of crop diversification (component D) and residue addition (component R) were more effective in C and N mineralization, fractions and soil enzyme activities than the other component of CA. The beneficial effect of incorporating residues is even more effective when it is combined with crop diversification. The combination of some of the components of CA are as good as complete CA in C and N mineralization, fractions and soil enzyme activities for rice-green gram cropping system.
How can we support research participants who stop taking part? Communications guidance developed through public-researcher collaboration
Authors: Cragg William J , Bishop Liam , Gilberts Rachael , Gregg Michael , Lowdon Terry , Mancini Mary , de Barros Clara Martins , Wheatstone Pete
Published: January 2024

Background
Research study participants can stop taking part early, in various circumstances. Sometimes this experience can be stressful. Providing participants with the information they want or need when they stop could improve participants' experiences, and may benefit individual studies' objectives and research in general. A group of public contributors and researchers at the Clinical Trials Research Unit, University of Leeds, aimed to develop a communication template and researcher guidance. This would address how to provide information sensitively to participants stopping or significantly reducing their level of participation.
Methods
The project lead conducted a literature review to identify relevant prior evidence and derive a list of potential information topics to communicate to participants who stop taking part. The topic list was reviewed by research professionals and public contributors before finalisation. Further public contributors were identified from a range of networks. The contributors formed a 'development group', to work on the detail of the planned resources, and a larger 'review group' to review the draft output before finalisation. The involvement was planned so that the development group could shape the direction and pace of the work.
Results
The literature review identified 413 relevant reports, resulting in 94 information topics. The review suggested that this issue has not been well explored previously. Some evidence suggested early-stopping participants are sometimes excluded from important communications (such as study results) without clear justification. The development group agreed early to focus on guidance with reusable examples rather than a template. We took time to explore different perspectives and made decisions by informal consensus. Review group feedback was broadly positive but highlighted the need to improve resource navigability, leading to its final online form.
Conclusions
We co-developed a resource to provide support to research participants who stop taking part. A strength of this work is that several of the public contributors have direct lived experience of stopping research participation. We encourage others to review the resource and consider how they support these participants in their studies. Our work highlights the value of researchers and participants working together, including on complex and ethically challenging topics.
Close follow-up of early breast cancer patients in Greece. A single-center survey based on a one-to-one interview with questions. A cross-sectional descriptive study
Authors: Papadopoulos Lazaros , Katsimi Margarita , Fokianou Anna , Maniatis Dimitrios , Ntasiou Panagiota , Alevizou Romina , Pavlakis Emmanouil , Kontogianni Panagiota , Selmani Joninda , Kechagioglou Ioannis , Iosifidou Christina , Eleftheriadou Stavroula-Dafne , Fostira Florentia , Filippidou Sofia , Xepapadakis Grigorios
Published: January 2024

Purpose
Follow-up protocols for breast cancer patients differ among different countries and health systems. Our institutional guidelines suggest close follow-up with a physical exam followed by a breast ultrasound every 6 months and mammography and Dexa scans annually. Imaging of the abdomen, pelvis, and brain is based on the physician's choice. We aimed to estimate breast cancer patients’ preferences in Greece concerning their follow-up care program, given the information that no differences were detected in overall survival in patients who followed an intensive program compared to patients who followed a less frequent program.
Materials and Methods
In total, 283 non-metastatic breast cancer patients were asked on an individual basis how they found their follow-up protocol and if they wished changes to be made. A 20-question survey was used.
Results
In total, 22.7% of participants preferred less frequent follow-up (PLFF) care. Overall, 88.3% of patients did not consider the number of tests excessive, and 77.3% of participants did not prefer to be tested less frequently. The percentage of PLFF is higher when patients have undergone surgery recently and decreases with time from the surgery (-0.124, p < 0.05). PLFF is also negatively associated with feeling secure as a result of frequent examination (-1.86, p < 0.01). In contrast, a positive association with PLFF (0.883, p < 0.05) was observed among patients who did not receive chemotherapy.
Conclusion
Our findings highlight that patients’ reported follow-up care preferences should be considered when planning the follow-up protocols in the healthcare system.
Senecavirus cetus a novel picornavirus isolated from cetaceans represents a major host switching to the marine environment
Authors: Vernygora Oksana , Sullivan Daniel , Nielsen Ole , Huntington Kathleen Burek , Rouse Natalie , Popov Vsevolod , Lung Oliver
Published: January 2024

Senecavirus A(SVA), an emerging virus that causes vesicular disease in swine, was, until recently, the only member of theSenecavirusgenus (Picornaviridae). Here, we report the isolation and complete genome sequence of two isolates of cetacean picornavirus 1 (Senecavirus cetus), a novel picornavirus species of theSenecavirusgenus from dead stranded cetaceans from Alaska. One isolate was from a harbor porpoise stranded in 2017, and another from a beluga whale, stranded in 2019. Whole-genome sequencing ofSenecavirus cetusstrains showed genome-wide nucleotide identity of 98.8% and a genome size of 7455 nucleotides. TheSenecavirus cetusgenomes are most similar to SVA with a 58.3% genome-wide pairwise nucleotide identity. Infection of eleven available cell lines from terrestrial and aquatic animals showed that beluga and sheep cells were susceptible to infection bySenecavirus cetus. Phylogenetic and ancestral state reconstruction analyses supported the novel virus being a member of theSenecavirusgenus and provided the first evidence ofSenecavirus-like picornavirus infecting marine mammals and likely descending from a terrestrial host ancestor. These discoveries provided important information on the evolutionary relationships and taxonomy of picornaviruses and increased our understanding of the genomic characteristics and potential host range ofSenecavirus cetus.
Optimization of enzymatic transesterification of acid oils for biodiesel production using a low-cost lipase: the effect of transesterification conditions and the synergy of lipases with different regioselectivity
Authors: Moschona Alexandra , Spanou Androniki , Pavlidis Ioannis V. , Karabelas Anastasios J. , Patsios Sotiris I.
Published: January 2024

This study describes the enzymatic production of 2nd generation biodiesel using low-quality acid oil as a substrate. Biolipasa-R, a commercially available and low-cost lipase, was employed for enzymatic transesterification. Response surface methodology was applied to optimize the enzymatic transesterification process. The optimal conditions for biodiesel production, which comprised 42% lipase concentration (per weight of oil), 32% water content (per weight of oil), a methanol to oil molar ratio of 3:1, pH 7.0 and reaction temperature 30oC, resulted in the highest fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) content (71.3%). Subsequently, the synergistic effect of two lipases with different regioselectivities, under the optimum transesterification conditions, was studied, aiming at the enhancement of process efficiency. The transesterification efficiency of immobilized Biolipasa-R was determined and compared to that of Biolipasa-R in its free form. The results revealed a good performance on FAME content (66.5%), while the recycling of immobilized lipase resulted in a decrease of transesterification efficiency after three consecutive uses.
Sensitivity of the linear and nonlinear optical properties to electric field and doping density in CdSe/MgSe single quantum well
Authors: Jbeli Anouar
Published: January 2024

In the present paper, we have explored the impact of doping concentration and applied electric field on both the linear and nonlinear optical properties based upon the intersubband transitions of CdSe/MgSe single quantum well (QWs) in the framework of the Effective Mass Approximation (EMA) using the compact density matrix approach. The energy levels and their relative wave functions are obtained by solving the coupled equations of Schrödinger-Poisson by the Finite Difference Method (FDM) under the envelope wave functions approximation. The third order nonlinear optical susceptibility, the refractive index change (RIC) and the absorption coefficient (AC) were investigated as a function of doping concentration. The numerical results revealed that the increase of the doping concentration ND blue shifts the peak position of the linear and nonlinear optical properties with a substantial enhancement of their magnitudes. The same behavior related to the third order nonlinear susceptibility was noted when the considered structure is undergone to an external electric field.
Thermochemistry of Monocharged Anion Substitutions in Ionic Solids
Authors: Glasser Leslie
Published: January 2024

Modification of materials to achieve specific changes in their physical and chemical properties often involves the substitution of ions. While this process is commonly discussed in structural terms, our recent publication focussed on exploring the thermochemical consequences, including enthalpy, entropy, heat capacity, and formula unit volume, associated with substituting monocharged cations for sodium ions as a reference set. In the current study, we extend our analysis to investigate the consequences of substituting monocharged anions, specifically the halides F−, Br−, I−, as well as H−, OH−, and NO3−, for chloride anions. This exploration is conducted through least-squares regression analysis of data obtained from 431 chloride ion-exchanged materials. In the case of cation substitutions, the regression trendlines for different substitutions appear to be roughly parallel to each other but vertically displaced. For anion substitutions, however, the trendlines for enthalpy and formula unit volume exhibit a fan-like spread from their data origin. We delve into the reasons behind this observed difference. A detailed analysis of a few outliers is undertaken to identify potential reasons for the discrepancies. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the implications and variations in ion substitutions, shedding light on the intricacies of material modification processes.