bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Validation of the Norwegian version of the Parents’ Evaluation of Aural/ Oral Performance of Children (PEACH+) for children with typical hearing aged 12–72 months
Authors: Johansen Lene , Gray Thea , Haukedal Christiane Lingås , Jakhelln Laugen Nina , Diamanti Vasiliki , Löfkvist Ulrika
Published: August 2023

Background

The Parents’ Evaluation of Aural/Oral Performance of Children (PEACH+) is a parent reported questionnaire. It was first developed in Australia (2007) to assess the effectiveness of hearing devices in young children, and to register how oral children under the age of five hear and communicate with others.

Objective

No validated version of the Norwegian translation of PEACH+ exists. This study therefore aims to evaluate the validity and reliability of a back-translated Norwegian version of the PEACH+, from a sample of Norwegian children with typical hearing.

Methods

Parents of 255 children with typical hearing between 12 and 72 months were recruited through kindergartens and social media platforms. Participants were asked to fill in the PEACH+ questionnaire on behalf of their child, in a digital format.

Results

High internal consistency (Cronbach’s Alpha = .917) and satisfactory item-total correlation were found (.342-.678).

Conclusion

The Norwegian translation of PEACH+ shows good psychometric properties that are similar to the original version (Ching and Hill, 2007) and that of other translations. The PEACH+ questionnaire is therefore valid to use in a Norwegian context.
A model of antibiotic resistance genes accumulation through lifetime exposure from food intake and antibiotic treatment
Authors: Todman Henry , Arya Sankalp , Baker Michelle , Stekel Dov Joseph
Published: August 2023

Antimicrobial resistant bacterial infections represent one of the most serious contemporary global healthcare crises. Acquisition and spread of resistant infections can occur through community, hospitals, food, water or endogenous bacteria. Global efforts to reduce resistance have typically focussed on antibiotic use, hygiene and sanitation and drug discovery. However, resistance in endogenous infections, e.g. many urinary tract infections, can result from life-long acquisition and persistence of resistance genes in commensal microbial flora of individual patients, which is not normally considered. Here, using individual based Monte Carlo models calibrated using antibiotic use data and human gut resistomes, we show that the long-term increase in resistance in human gut microbiomes can be substantially lowered by reducing exposure to resistance genes found food and water, alongside reduced medical antibiotic use. Reduced dietary exposure is especially important during patient antibiotic treatment because of increased selection for resistance gene retention; inappropriate use of antibiotics can be directly harmful to the patient being treated for the same reason. We conclude that a holistic approach to antimicrobial resistance that additionally incorporates food production and dietary considerations will be more effective in reducing resistant infections than a purely medical-based approach.
Genetic diversity of thrips populations on Allium species around the world
Authors: Porta Bettina , Vosman Ben , Visser Richard G. F. , Galván Guillermo A. , Scholten Olga E.
Published: August 2023

Thrips are a serious pest in many crops. In onion cultivation, Thrips tabaci is the most important, but not the only thrips species causing damage. We investigated which thrips species affects onion and related species worldwide, how much genetic variation there is within T. tabaci populations, and how this evolves. Furthermore, we determined the reproductive mode and the correlation between the genetic and geographic distances. Thrips samples from infested onions or related species were obtained from 14 different locations worldwide. Species and haplotypes were determined through DNA barcoding with the mitochondrial Cytochrome Oxidase subunit I (COI) gene. Thrips tabaci was the most commonly observed species, but Scirtothrips dorsalis, Thrips palmi, Frankliniella intonsa, Frankliniella occidentalis and Frankliniella tenuicornis were also found, especially at the beginning of the growing seasons and depending on the location. The Nei’s genetic distance within T. tabaci was less than 5% and the haplotypes were clustered into two phylogenetic groups, each linked to a specific mode of reproduction, thelytokous or arrhenotokous. Thelytokous thrips were more common and more widely distributed than arrhenotokous thrips. A high percentage of heteroplasmy was detected in the arrhenotokous group. Heteroplasmic thrips were only found in populations where thelytokous and arrhenotokous were present in sympatry. Some T. tabaci haplotypes were present in high frequency at several sampled locations. No correlation was found between the genetic and geographic distances, which points to anthropic activities spreading thrips haplotypes throughout the world.
Gut-derived peptide hormone receptor expression in the developing mouse hypothalamus
Authors: Cantacorps Lídia , Coull Bethany M. , Falck Joanne , Ritter Katrin , Lippert Rachel N.
Published: August 2023

Objective

In adult organisms, a number of receptors have been identified which modulate metabolic processes related to peptides derived from the intestinal tract. These receptors play significant roles in glucose homeostasis, food intake and energy balance. Here we assess these classical metabolic receptors and their expression as well as their potential role in early development of hypothalamic neuronal circuits.

Methods

Chow-fed C57BL6/N female mice were mated and hypothalamic tissue was collected from offspring across postnatal development (postnatal day 7–21). Subsequent qPCR and Western Blot analyses were used to determine mRNA and protein changes in gut-derived peptide hormone receptors. Correlations to body weight, blood glucose and circulating leptin levels were analyzed.

Results

We describe the gene expression and dynamic protein regulation of key gut-derived peptide hormone receptors in the early postnatal period of the mouse brain. Specifically, we show changes to Gastric inhibitory polypeptide receptor (GIPR), glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor (GLP1R), and cholecystokinin receptor 2 (CCK2R) in the developing hypothalamus. The changes to GIPR and InsR seem to be strongly negatively correlated with body weight.

Conclusions

This comprehensive analysis underscores the need to understand the roles of maternal-derived circulating gut hormones and their direct effect on offspring brain development.
Equity, community, and accountability: Leveraging a department-level climate survey as a tool for action
Authors: Barrile Gabriel M. , Bernard Riley F. , Wilcox Rebecca C. , Becker Justine A. , Dillon Michael E. , Thomas-Kuzilik Rebecca R. , Bombaci Sara P. , Merkle Bethann Garramon
Published: August 2023

Organizational climate is a key determinant of diverse aspects of success in work settings, including in academia. Power dynamics in higher education can result in inequitable experiences of workplace climate, potentially harming the well-being and productivity of employees. Quantifying experiences of climate across employment categories can help identify changes necessary to create a more equitable workplace for all. We developed and administered a climate survey within our academic workplace—the Department of Zoology and Physiology at the University of Wyoming—to evaluate experiences of climate across three employment categories: faculty, graduate students, and staff. Our survey included a combination of closed-response (e.g., Likert-scale) and open-ended questions. Most department members (82%) completed the survey, which was administered in fall 2021. Faculty generally reported more positive experiences than staff. Graduate students often fell between these two groups, though in some survey sections (e.g., mental health and well-being) students reported the most negative experiences of departmental climate. Three common themes emerged from the analysis of open-ended responses: equity, community, and accountability. We discuss how these themes correspond to concrete action items for improving our departmental climate, some of which have been implemented already, while others constitute future initiatives and/or require a collective push towards systemic change in academia. Finally, service work of this type often falls outside of job descriptions, requiring individuals to either work more or trade-off productivity in other areas that are formally evaluated. With the goal of minimizing this burden for others, we detail our process and provide the materials and framework necessary to streamline this process for other departments aiming to evaluate workplace climate as a key first step in building a positive work environment for all employees.
The effectiveness of Japanese public funding to generate emerging topics in life science and medicine
Authors: Ohniwa Ryosuke L. , Takeyasu Kunio , Hibino Aiko
Published: August 2023

Understanding the effectiveness of public funds to generate emerging topics will assist policy makers in promoting innovation. In the present study, we aim to clarify the effectiveness of grants to generate emerging topics in life sciences and medicine since 1991 with regard to Japanese researcher productivity and grants from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science. To clarify how large grant amounts and which categories are more effective in generating emerging topics from both the PI and investment perspectives, we analyzed awarded PI publications containing emerging keywords (EKs; the elements of emerging topics) before and after funding. Our results demonstrated that, in terms of grant amounts, while PIs tended to generate more EKs with larger grants, the most effective investment from the perspective of investor side was found in the smallest amount range for each PI (less than 5 million JPY /year). Second, in terms of grant categories, we found that grant categories providing smaller amounts for diverse researchers without excellent past performance records were more effective from the investment perspective to generate EK. Our results suggest that offering smaller, widely dispersed grants rather than large, concentrated grants is more effective in promoting the generation of emerging topics in life science and medicine.
Reduced running performance and greater perceived exertion, but similar post-exercise neuromuscular fatigue in tropical natives subjected to a 10 km self-paced run in a hot compared to a temperate environment
Authors: Rodrigues Jefferson F. C. , Mendes Thiago T. , Gomes Patrícia F. , Silami-Garcia Emerson , Amorim Fabiano T. , Sevilio Mário N. O. , Rossi Fabrício E. , Wanner Samuel P.
Published: August 2023

Environmental heat stress impairs endurance performance by enhancing exercise-induced physiological and perceptual responses. However, the time course of these responses during self-paced running, particularly when comparing hot and temperate conditions, still needs further clarification. Moreover, monitoring fatigue induced by exercise is paramount to prescribing training and recovery adequately, but investigations on the effects of a hot environment on post-exercise neuromuscular fatigue are scarce. This study compared the time course of physiological and perceptual responses during a 10 km self-paced treadmill run (as fast as possible) between temperate (25°C) and hot (35°C) conditions. We also investigated the changes in countermovement jump (CMJ) performance following exercise in these two ambient temperatures. Thirteen recreational long-distance runners (11 men and 2 women), inhabitants of a tropical region, completed the two experimental trials in a randomized order. Compared to 25°C, participants had transiently higher body core temperature (TCORE) and consistently greater perceived exertion while running at 35°C (p < 0.05). These changes were associated with a slower pace, evidenced by an additional 14 ± 5 min (mean ± SD) to complete the 10 km at 35°C than at 25°C (p < 0.05). Before, immediately after, and 1 h after the self-paced run, the participants performed CMJs to evaluate lower limb neuromuscular fatigue. CMJ height was reduced by 7.0% (2.3 ± 2.4 cm) at 1 h after the race (p < 0.05) compared to pre-exercise values; environmental conditions did not influence this reduction. In conclusion, despite the reduced endurance performance, higher perceived exertion, and transiently augmented TCORE caused by environmental heat stress, post-exercise neuromuscular fatigue is similar between temperate and hot conditions. This finding suggests that the higher external load (faster speed) at 25°C compensates for the effects of more significant perceptual responses at 35°C in inducing neuromuscular fatigue.
Regulation of transcriptome networks that mediate ginsenoside biosynthesis by essential ecological factors
Authors: Wang Zhongce , Chen Zhiguo , Tang You , Zhang Meiping , Huang Meng
Published: August 2023

Ginseng, a valuable Chinese medicinal herb, is renowned worldwide for its effectiveness in alleviating certain conditions and promoting overall health. In this study, we performed weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) on the accumulation of essential saponins under the influence of 13 essential environmental factors (including air temperature, air bottom temperature, surface mean temperature, soil temperature, surface shortwave radiation, soil moisture, soil water content, rainfall, total precipitation, elevation, soil type, soil pH, and soil water potential). We identified a total of 40 transcript modules associated with typical environmental factors and the accumulation of essential saponins. Among these, 18 modules were closely related to the influence of typical environmental factors, whereas 22 modules were closely related to the accumulation of essential saponins. These results were verified by examining the transcriptome, saponin contents, environmental factor information and the published data and revealed the regulatory basis of saponin accumulation at the transcriptome level under the influence of essential environmental factors. We proposed a working model of saponin accumulation mediated by the transcriptional regulatory network that is affected by typical environmental factors. An isomorphic white-box neural network was constructed based on this model and the predicted results of the white-box neural network correlated with saponin accumulation. The effectiveness of our correlation-directed graph in predicting saponin contents was verified by bioinformatics analysis based on results obtained in this study and transcripts known to affect the biosynthesis of saponin Rb1. The directed graph represents a useful tool for manipulating saponin biosynthesis while considering the influence of essential environmental factors in ginseng and other medicinal plants.
Indoor air pollutants and respiratory symptoms among residents of an informal urban settlement in Uganda: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Wafula Solomon T. , Nalugya Aisha , Mendoza Hilbert , Kansiime Winnifred K. , Ssekamatte Tonny , Walekhwa Abel W. , Mugambe Richard K. , Walter Florian , Ssempebwa John C. , Musoke David
Published: August 2023

Background

Indoor air pollutants (IAP) and household conditions such as dampness, crowding and chemical exposures have been associated with acute and chronic respiratory infections. In Uganda, literature on the effects of IAP on respiratory outcomes in informal settlements is limited.

Methods

We describe the baseline household characteristics of 284 adults and their children in an informal settlement in Uganda from April to May 2022. We monitored same-day indoor concentrations of particulate matter PM2.5, PM10, Carbon monoxide (CO), relative humidity %, and temperature from 9 am to 2 pm and interviewed caregivers/mothers about their respiratory symptoms and those of their children in the previous 30 days. We employed robust Poisson regressions to evaluate the associations between indoor air indicators and respiratory health symptoms.

Results

Approximately 94.7% of households primarily used biomass fuels and 32.7% cooked from inside their dwelling rooms. The median PM2.5, PM10 and CO levels were 49.5 (Interquartile range (IQR) = 31.1,86.2) μg/m3, 73.6 (IQR = 47.3,130.5) μg/m3 and 7.70 (IQR = 4.1,12.5) ppm respectively. Among adults, a 10 unit increase in PM2.5 was associated with cough (Prevalence Ratio (PR) = 3.75, 95%CI 1.15–1.55). Dwelling unit dampness was associated with phlegm (PR = 2.53, 95%CI = 1.39–4.61) and shortness of breath (PR = 1.78, 95% CI 1.23–2.54) while cooking from outside the house was protective against shortness of breath (PR = 0.62, 95% CI = 0.44–0.87). In children, dampness was associated with phlegm (PR = 13.87, 95% CI 3.16–60.91) and cough (PR = 1.62, 95% CI 1.12–2.34) while indoor residual spraying was associated with phlegm (PR = 3.36, 95%CI 1.71–6.61).

Conclusion

Poor indoor air conditions were associated with respiratory symptoms in adults and children. Efforts to address indoor air pollution should be made to protect adults and children from adverse health effects.
Incidence and associated risk factors of nontuberculous mycobacterial infection in patients with depression
Authors: Ryu Woo Kyung , Lee Jakyung , Park Youngmok , Jung Inkyung , Kang Young Ae
Published: August 2023

Background

It has been reported that the risk of mental health problems such as anxiety or depression increases in patients with nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) infection. However, no studies have investigated whether the incidence of NTM infection increases in patients with depression. This study aimed to investigate the incidence of NTM infection in patients with depression and evaluate the association between NTM infection and depression stratified by age and sex.

Methods

Data from 2002 to 2013 were collected from patients aged ≥ 20 years in the National Health Insurance Service-National Sample Cohort database. Patients with and without depression aged over 20 years were matched with 1 to 4 by sex, age, and year of diagnosis. The incidence rate was calculated in 100,000 person-years, and a multivariable subdistribution hazard model was used to evaluate the adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) for the development of NTM infection.

Results

We included 37,554 individuals (12,752 men and 24,802 women) and 149,213 controls in the depression and non-depression groups, respectively. The cumulative incidence of NTM infection did not differ significantly between the depression and non-depression groups during the follow-up period (22.2 vs. 24.5 per 100,000 person-years, p = 0.571). The age- and sex-stratified effects on the incidence of NTM infection were not significantly higher in patients with depression than in those without depression. After adjusting for covariates including age, sex, comorbidity, income, and region, the risk of NTM infection did not significantly differ between the depression and non-depression groups (aHR 0.83, 95% confidence interval 0.58–1.17).

Conclusion

The incidence of NTM infections in patients with depression was not significantly higher than that in patients without depression. However, due to the small number of NTM infections, we might have underestimated the differences between the two groups. Further studies are needed to identify factors associated with NTM pulmonary disease in patients with depression.
Biomechanical analyses of different serve and groundstroke techniques in tennis: A systematic scoping review
Authors: Lambrich Johanna , Muehlbauer Thomas
Published: August 2023

This systematic scoping review aims to summarize findings regarding kinetic, kinematic, and electromyographic analyses of different characteristics (i.e., type/direction and stance style) of the tennis serve and groundstroke. A systematic search of the literature was performed on the databases PubMed, Web of Science, and SportDiscus from their inception date till May 2023. A descriptive analysis of results was conducted. The literature search identified a total of N = 899 records, 23 of which met the inclusion criteria and were analysed in this review. A total of 229 participants aged 18 to 62 years participated in the studies. The studies revealed varying results, ranging from significantly lower/higher values to no significant differences between serve/groundstroke characteristics. These inconsistent results may most likely be attributed to discrepancies in the methodological approach such as players’ age (18–62 years), sex (i.e., men only or both sexes), and performance level (i.e., recreational, intermediate, or advanced) as well as the applied measurement devices (i.e., force plate or pressure-detecting insoles; motion capture system, high-speed video recordings, or IMU sensors) and used outcomes (i.e., measured or estimated force etc.). Future research is needed to provide a comprehensive biomechanical analysis of different serve/groundstroke characteristics. Specifically, it is recommended to compare different tennis serve and groundstroke types/directions and stance styles in female and male age-matched players with diverging performance levels (i.e., recreational, intermediate, advanced) using combined (i.e., kinetic, kinematic, and electromyographic) biomechanical analysis.
Highly reproducible rat arterial injury model of neointimal hyperplasia
Authors: Tan Richard P. , Hung Jui Chien , Chan Alex H. P. , Grant Angus J. , Moore Matthew J. , Lam Yuen Ting , Michael Praveesuda , Wise Steven G.
Published: August 2023

Models of arterial injury in rodents have been invaluable to our current understanding of vessel restenosis and play a continuing role in the development of endovascular interventions for cardiovascular disease. Mechanical distention of the vessel wall and denudation of the vessel endothelium are the two major modes of vessel injury observed in most clinical pathologies and are critical to the reproducible modelling of progressive neointimal hyperplasia. The current models which have dominated this research area are the mouse wire carotid or femoral injury and the rat carotid balloon injury. While these elicit simultaneous distension of the vessel wall and denudation of the luminal endothelium, each model carries limitations that need to be addressed using a complementary injury model. Wire injuries in mice are highly technical and procedurally challenging due to small vessel diameters, while rat balloon injuries require permanent blood vessel ligation and disruption of native blood flow. Complementary models of vascular injury with reproducibility, convenience, and increased physiological relevance to the pathophysiology of endovascular injury would allow for improved studies of neointimal hyperplasia in both basic and translational research. In this study, we developed a new surgical model that elicits vessel distention and endothelial denudation injury using sequential steps using microforceps and a standard needle catheter inserted via arteriotomy into a rat common carotid artery, without requiring permanent ligation of branching arteries. After 2 weeks post-injury this model elicits highly reproducible neointimal hyperplasia and rates of re-endothelialisation similar to current wire and balloon injury models. Furthermore, evaluation of the smooth muscle cell phenotype profile, inflammatory response and extracellular matrix within the developing neointima, showed that our model replicated the vessel remodelling outcomes critical to restenosis and those becoming increasingly focused upon in the development of new anti-restenosis therapies.
Unveiling African narratives on Facebook: Media posts and audience engagement
Authors: Ong’ong’a Daniel O.
Published: August 2023

The issue of African narratives has attracted significant attention in traditional media studies. On social media in general, and on Facebook in particular, little is known about these narratives. This study addresses the public’s concerns about African narratives on social media by meeting the demand for empirical data on African narratives from an alternative media perspective in Africa. The study follows these debates on Facebook, which are frequently used to raise public awareness and sway public opinion on important issues. The study used thematic content analysis to determine the most prevalent themes covered in the selected posts as well as the sentiments expressed in the comments. To make sense of the data, the study applied critical alternative media theory. The study revealed that topical issues about politics and international affairs, domestic conflict and death, sports and health dominated the media, and sentiments in the comments viewed Africans as a solution to Africa’s problems. Furthermore, the study established that negative stories elicited negative responses, and Africans regarded other African countries as crucial to the continent’s growth. As a result, the study shows that Facebook has evolved into an essential platform for media to share alternative African narratives.
Being the environment: Conveying environmental fragility and sustainability through Indigenous biocultural knowledge in contemporary Indigenous Australian science fiction
Authors: Richards Isabel , Jürgens Anna-Sophie
Published: August 2023

In contemporary Indigenous Australian fiction, all (non-)human animals, plants and the land are interconnected and interdependent. They are aware that they are not in the environment but are the environment. The planet and its non-human inhabitants have a creative agency and capacity for experience that demands our ethical consideration. In this article we investigate how Ambelin Kwaymullina’s Tribe novels and Ellen van Neerven’s novella Water empower environmental awareness by promoting sustainability and protection of the environment – within their fictional worlds and beyond. We argue that the human–nature relationship explored in these science fiction texts conveys the importance of Indigenous biocultural knowledge for resolving twenty-first-century global challenges. We clarify the role of fictional texts in the broader cultural debate on the power and importance of Indigenous biocultural knowledge as a complement to western (scientific) understanding and communication of environmental vulnerability and sustainability. Contemporary Indigenous Australian literature, this article shows, evokes sympathy in readers, inspires an ecocentric view of the world and thus paves the path for a sustainable transformation of society, which has been recognized as the power of fiction. Indigenous Australian fiction texts help us to rethink what it means to be human in terms of our relationship to other living beings and our responsibility to care for our planet in a holistic and intuitive way.
Shot/countershot: Essaying images of war and violence in the work of Harun Farocki, Hito Steyerl and Rabih Mroué
Authors: Fletcher Alex
Published: August 2023

This article examines the work of three artists – Harun Farocki, Hito Steyerl and Rabih Mroué – who in different ways mobilize the cinematic device of ‘shot/countershot’ in two distinct post-cinematic contexts (the moving image installation and the performance lecture) as a tool for scrutinizing images of war and violence from divergent historical, socio-economic, geopolitical and ethical perspectives. In returning to and reworking this classical cinematic device as an experimental and essayistic mode of montage and critical reflection, all three artists, as I argue, variously seek to counter the ideological naturalization and interpretive framing of representations of war and violence under conditions of digitalization and globalization, as well as to interrogate the interconnections between forms of direct, symbolic and systemic violence.
Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement Restoring Candidacy for Liver Transplant in Patients With Cirrhosis
Authors: Kaafarani Mirna , Shamma Omar , Jafri Syed-Mohammed
Published: August 2023

Guidelines for preoperative workup for an orthotopic liver transplant often rule out patients with severe aortic stenosis as transplant candidates. This case illustrates the potential of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) as a bridge for liver transplants in cirrhotic patients with severe aortic stenosis. The 1-year and 2-year post-liver transplant follow-ups showed no complications in the patient's prosthetic aortic valves, and graft survival was 100% with no evidence of rejection. Notable post-transplant recovery involved medical complications that were not related to the liver function or surgical procedure.
Fulminant Presentation of Budd-Chiari Syndrome Secondary to COVID-19 Infection
Authors: Sanekommu Harshavardhan , Taj Sobaan , Kilada Catherine , Ravilla Jayasree , Ramirez Claudia , Gonzalez Paula Espinosa , Imburgio Steven , Johal Anmol , Sun Xiu , Shah Pranav N. , Hossain Mohammad
Published: August 2023

Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) is a rare condition characterized by the obstruction of hepatic venous outflow. It is estimated to affect 1 in 100,000 people worldwide. In cases of new BCS, inherited and acquired hypercoagulability states must be evaluated. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can induce a hypercoagulable state because of its extensive inflammatory response, and while it has been reported to cause portal vein thrombosis, it rarely causes BCS. This article presents a case of a 22-year-old man who developed fulminant symptoms and was subsequently diagnosed with BCS and portal vein thrombosis secondary to COVID-19 infection, after ruling out other inherited and acquired causes of BCS. In addition, a literature review is provided to understand the presentation and management of such patients. Although most patients improve with medical management, this article emphasizes the consideration of liver transplant for patients who do not improve.
Severe Acetaminophen Toxicity From the Use of Oxycodone-Acetaminophen With Normal Liver Function Tests and a Completely Asymptomatic Course of Hospitalization
Authors: Haider Muhammad Adnan , Gheit Yousra S. , Nagi Talwinder , Vallejo Charles , Suarez Zoilo K. , Hernandez Oscar L. , Gaisinskaya Polina , Markwart Nathan
Published: August 2023

Acetaminophen (N-acetyl-p-aminophenol, APAP), after being metabolized to toxic N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine, can cause irreversible hepatic necrosis. The mainstay of treatment includes N-acetylcysteine and fomepizole or liver transplant in patients who further deteriorate. Currently, many overdoses unintentionally occur in the setting of ingesting combined products that contain APAP. We report a rare case of a 60-year-old woman who presented with altered mental status and APAP toxicity in the setting of oxycodone-APAP overdose. She had a toxic serum APAP level on arrival. During hospitalization, her APAP level remained at the toxic level on the Rumack-Matthew nomogram. However, her liver function tests remained within normal limits, and she remained completely asymptomatic. To our best knowledge, this is the second case report with asymptomatic APAP toxicity and normal liver function tests. We will explore the effect of concomitant oxycodone ingestion on possibly delaying APAP absorption and thus resulting in a more favorable prognosis without hepatotoxicity.
Cannabis Improves Clinical Outcomes and Quality of Life in Patients With Chronic Pouchitis
Authors: Naftali Timna , Bar-Lev Schleider Lihi , Kayless Hen , Bromberg Zohar , Dotan Iris , Broide Efrat
Published: August 2023

Many patients with ulcerative colitis after ileoanal pouch anastomosis report improvement of pouchitis with the use of cannabis. Nine patients with chronic pouchitis used 1 g/d of cannabis: 7 patients were male with average age 51 ± 16 years. Average partial pouchitis disease activity index were 11 (range 8–17), 6 (range 5–8), and 5 (range 4–8); endoscopic subscores were 7 .3 ± 2.3, 6 ± 1.1, and 4.4 ± 0.9; average bowel movements per day were 14 (range 8–20), 8 (range 2–13), and 10 (range 13–8); and quality of life increased from 72 ± 1 to 90 ± 16 and 97 ± 10 (P = 0.001) before cannabis treatment and after 8–12 and 52 weeks, respectively. No adverse events were reported.
TINDAKAN KEJAHATAN CYBER CRIME DALAM BENTUK DEFACE WEBSITE
Authors: Aji Brian Budi
Published: August 2023

Deface website merupakan tindakan yang dilakukan oleh seorang hacker atau peretas dengan tujuan untuk merusak atau mengubah tampilan homepage sebuah website. Tindakan ini sering dilakukan untuk menodai reputasi organisasi atau individu, mengeksploitasi kerentanan dalam sistem keamanan, atau menyampaikan pesan politik atau ideologis. Mempertimbangkan permasalahan tersebut, artikel ini mengkaji evolusi kejahatan dunia maya dalam bentuk website yang terdegradasi dengan menggunakan metode tinjauan sistematis. Dalam diskusi ini dilakukan kajian sistematis dengan terlebih dahulu memilih dan menentukan daftar jurnal yang relevan dengan cybercrime. Berdasarkan hasil penelitian yang dilakukan tentang studi deface web di beberapa website. deface website yang dilakukan peretas berupa menambahkan ataupun merubah keseluruhan tampilan website, Deface website merupakan tindakan yang dilakukan oleh seorang hacker atau peretas dengan tujuan untuk merusak atau mengubah tampilan homepage sebuah website. Tindakan ini sering dilakukan untuk menodai reputasi organisasi atau individu, mengeksploitasi kerentanan dalam sistem keamanan, atau menyampaikan pesan politik atau ideologis salah satu contohnya yang terjadi pada tahun 2020 di website DPR RI.
Kata kunci: deface website, cyber crime, hacker
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Website defacement is an action taken by a hacker or hackers with the aim of destroying or changing the appearance of a website's homepage. These actions are often carried out to tarnish the reputation of organizations or individuals, exploit vulnerabilities in security systems, or convey political or ideological messages. Considering these problems, this article examines the evolution of cybercrimes in the form of degraded websites using a systematic review method. In this discussion, a systematic review is carried out by first selecting and determining a list of journals that are relevant to cybercrime. Based on the results of research conducted on web deface studies on several websites. website defacement by hackers in the form of adding or changing the overall appearance of a website Deface website is an action taken by a hacker or hackers with the aim of damaging or changing the appearance of a website's homepage. These actions are often carried out to tarnish the reputation of organizations or individuals, exploit vulnerabilities in security systems, or convey political or ideological messages, one example that occurred in 2020 on the DPR RI website.
Keywords: deface website, cyber crime, hacker
Fela as a Consciousness Musical Caliban
Authors:   University of Ibadan, Olorunyomi Sola
Published: August 2023

Fela as a Consciousness Musical Caliban
The Afro - Arab conflict in the 21st century
Authors:   University of Ghana Business School, Adwok Nyaba Peter
Published: August 2023

The Afro - Arab conflict in the 21st century
William Esuman-Gwira Sekyi (Kabina Sekyi) of Ghana, (1892-1956): Theory of Politics, Development and Cultural Identity
Authors:   Howard University, Langley Jabez Ayodele
Published: August 2023

William Esuman-Gwira Sekyi (Kabina Sekyi) of Ghana, (1892-1956): Theory of Politics, Development and Cultural Identity
I Live in Naturena - Why Don't You?
Authors:   Academy of Sound Engineering, Sandrock Jo
Published: August 2023

I Live in Naturena - Why Don't You?
The Timbuktu Manuscript Tradition
Authors:   Northwestern University, Hunwick John
Published: August 2023

The Timbuktu Manuscript Tradition
The Power of Logo: The Implication of the Chinese Revolution on Pan-Africanism
Authors:   Aalborg University, Xing Li
Published: August 2023

The Power of Logo: The Implication of the Chinese Revolution on Pan-Africanism
Theresa Musoke, East Africa's Top Female Artist, has Carved out a Niche in Wildlife Paintings (Her Brush Tames Wildlife)
Authors:   Makerere University, Kisambira Edris
Published: August 2023

Theresa Musoke, East Africa's Top Female Artist, has Carved out a Niche in Wildlife Paintings (Her Brush Tames Wildlife)
Influence of the molecular structure of phenylamine antioxidants on anti-migration and anti-aging behavior of high-performance nitrile rubber composites
Authors: Liu Wei , Zou Hua , Xing Baotong , Wang Shuqi , Mao Hongda , Zhang Jiyang
Published: August 2023

The structure of antioxidants significantly affects the anti-migration and thermal-oxidative aging properties of nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) composites, which are crucial for applications in aerospace, biomedical, and fuel cell stack sealing industries. The findings reveal that the migration rate of N-(4-anilino phenyl) maleic imide (MC), with a reactive double bond, is only 15.6%, exhibiting the best extraction resistance. 2,4,6-Tris-(N-1,4-dimethylpentyl-p-phenylenediamino)-1,3,5-triazine (TMPPD), with a greater weight and dendritic structure, follows at 47.7%, while N-isopropyl-N′-phenyl-p-phenylenediamine (4010NA) performs the worst, with 77.8%. Furthermore, after thermal-oxidative exposure, the cross-link density of NBR composites increases, generating oxygenated substances, such as ethers, aldehydes, and acids. The addition of antioxidants in the composites improves the thermal-oxidative aging properties compared to those without any antioxidants. Moreover, antioxidants 4010NA and TMPPD display superior resistance to thermal-oxidative aging properties compared to antioxidant MC.
In situ observation and understanding of the arc erosion behavior of electrical contact materials
Authors: Zhang Chao , Ren Wanbin , Zheng Zhe , Liu Jian , Liu Xiujie
Published: August 2023

Arc erosion studies are carried out on electrical contact materials in the switching current experiment. A test rig is developed to capture the 2-D image and the 3-D profile of eroded silver tin oxide electrical contact material in situ. Image processing algorithms are specially presented to accurately recognize the features of erosion region. The initial small patch of erosion traces gradually evolves into the deep crater with the increment of switching cycle enabling a study of the arc erosion behavior. 2-D image, 3-D profile, and micro surface morphologies of the eroded contacts are analyzed and then related to the extent of erosion. The results show that the evolution process of central erosion region could be divided into the enlargement in breadth of contact surface and the extension in depth of contact profile. The end result of arc erosion is the net loss of contact material, which would lead to the substantial reduction of contact force and potential electrical contact instability.
Explicit Chebyshev Petrov–Galerkin scheme for time-fractional fourth-order uniform Euler–Bernoulli pinned–pinned beam equation
Authors: Moustafa Mohamed , Youssri Youssri Hassan , Atta Ahmed Gamal
Published: August 2023

In this research, a compact combination of Chebyshev polynomials is created and used as a spatial basis for the time fractional fourth-order Euler–Bernoulli pinned–pinned beam. The method is based on applying the Petrov–Galerkin procedure to discretize the differential problem into a system of linear algebraic equations with unknown expansion coefficients. Using the efficient Gaussian elimination procedure, we solve the obtained system of equations with matrices of a particular pattern. The

L

∞

{L}_{\infty }

and

L

2

{L}_{2}

norms estimate the error bound. Three numerical examples were exhibited to verify the theoretical analysis and efficiency of the newly developed algorithm.
A Review of Malta’s Pre-Temple Neolithic Pottery Wares
Authors: Richard-Trémeau Emma , Brogan Catriona , Betts John C. , Anastasi Maxine , Vella Nicholas C.
Published: August 2023

Sites from the earliest known phases of Maltese prehistory often consist of scatters of sherds for the Għar Dalam and Skorba phases (6000–4800 BCE), and tomb contexts for the Żebbuġ phase (3800–3600 BCE). Neolithic studies are, therefore, heavily reliant on the study of pottery. Although traditional typological and seriation-based analyses of the pottery record have substantially enhanced our knowledge of Early Neolithic Malta, there is a growing appreciation of the need to go beyond these approaches to gain new insights. This study reviews the accessible literature on fabric studies on assemblages found in the Maltese Islands, presenting the state of knowledge for the pottery of the Għar Dalam, Skorba (Early Neolithic), and Żebbuġ (Late Neolithic) phases. Microphotographs of pottery wares were selected from a compilation produced for an ongoing project (the MaltaPot project) to illustrate the descriptions found in the literature. The advances made by archaeologists in studying the Maltese Neolithic pottery are reviewed, and suggestions for building on them are proposed, as archaeometric and petrographic techniques have not been applied systematically to Neolithic pottery from Malta.
Biopolymeric conjugation with synthetic fibers and applications
Authors: Biswal Trinath
Published: August 2023

Presently, several different kinds of polymer composite materials of varying properties have been developed and these composite materials play a vital role in construction and automotive industries. Polymer composites are normally preferred owing to some of their unique properties such as light weight, low cost, good surface finishes, more durability, and non-corrosiveness. But it is a challenge to environmental sustainability, therefore researchers are emphasizing on development of new modified biodegradable polymer composite materials. The biopolymer matrix reinforced by synthetic fibers is a viable alternative, which exhibits adequate mechanical properties and biodegradability. Although various advanced and improved composite materials are developed by using synthetic fibers, natural fibers, and nanoparticles, the use of synthetic fibers as reinforcing material is cost effective and shows improved performance. Among the various kinds of synthetic fibers, normally glass fibers (GF) in the form of short fiber are the most widely used reinforcing material, which is cost effective, provides good impact resistance, stiffness, strength, thermal stability, and chemical resistance. For requirement of high stiffness of the composite material, carbon fibers (CF) are more suitable than GF. Some other synthetic fibers such as aramid (AF), polypropylene fibers (PP-F), polyacrylonitrile fiber (PAN-F), basalt (BF), and polyethylene terephthalate fiber (PET-F) are some cases used as reinforcing material for synthesis of composites. The composite reinforced with synthetic fibers are used as a highly suitable material for manufacturing of various components in cars, space vehicles and railways. Recently some new hybrid composite materials are developed by using both natural and synthetic fibers as reinforcing material, which exhibits dynamic thermal, mechanical properties and potentially suitable from automobile to construction industry. Recently, numerous new biomaterial composite has been developed by using biopolymer as matrix with reinforcement of various kinds of synthetic fibers, which are used as good implant material for tissue engineering applications.
Environmental footprints and implications of converting GHG species to value-added chemicals: a review
Authors: Kula Karolina , Klemeš Jiří Jaromír , Fan Yee Van , Varbanov Petar Sabev , Gaurav Gajendra Kumar , Jasiński Radomir
Published: August 2023

This paper assesses various approaches that use captured greenhouse gases (GHG) as feedstocks for chemical synthesis. The analysis focuses mainly on the two most abundant anthropogenic GHG, such as carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4), as well, their conversion technologies to obtain methanol (MeOH), formic acid (FA) and dimethyl carbonate (DMC). These GHG conversions to chemicals technologies are compared with the conventional industrial methods based on fossil feedstocks. The essential information, such as the ranges of energy requirements, environmental footprint and economic production aspects, are summarised. According to the collected information and analysis, the conventional, non-GHG conversion methods are still more environmentally sustainable. Chemicals production technologies based on CO2, such as direct catalytic synthesis to obtain both MeOH and FA, as well as transesterification with MeOH to obtain DMC, are relatively good candidates for implementation on a large scale when a good source of co-reactants such as hydrogen, ethylene carbonate and urea will be provided. In turn, electrochemical methods to synthesise the target chemicals are less feasible due to energy consumption related to the concentration and purification stages of products being the main hotspots. Chemical synthesis based on captured CH4 is currently difficult to evaluate as too little information is available to draw a credible conclusion. However, it may be a trend in future. The limitations of GHG-based conversion for application are related to the capture and transport stages.
Reconsidering the Essential Nature and Indestructibility of the Soul in the Affinity Argument of the
Phaedo
Authors: Stephanides Stephanos
Published: August 2023

This paper offers a fresh examination of a salient distinction located at the beginning of the Affinity Argument between the composite (τὸ σύνθετον) and the incomposite (τὸ ἀσύνθετον). I offer reasons for why Plato may have intended for us to assume that the soul is an incomposite unity in its essential nature. I then substantiate this claim by reviving an ancient interpretation to the Affinity Argument according to which the soul is of the same metaphysical kind as the Forms. I thus suggest that the argument may be seen as supporting the basic indestructibility cum immortality of all souls.
From local to long-distance: Neolithic and Bronze Age ceramic networks in north-western China
Authors: Womack Andrew , Li Xinwei , Guo Zhiwei , Wang Hui , Zhou Jing , Flad Rowan
Published: August 2023

During the Neolithic and Bronze Age, goods and ideas moved between Central Asia and the Chinese Central Plain via north-western China. While the crops, animals and technologies exchanged are well documented, the local and social bases of these interactions are poorly known. Here, the authors use petrographic analysis of ceramic sherds from Gansu Province, China, to document the local production of pottery vessels and their circulation between sites. Individual vessel forms are associated with multiple paste recipes indicating the production of similar products by different communities of practice. It is argued the circulation of these vessels forged inter-community relationships. In aggregate, these local networks underpinned longer-distance exchange between Central and East Asia.
Animals hidden in plain sight: stereoscopic recording of Palaeolithic rock art at La Pasiega cave, Cantabria
Authors: Asiain Raquel , Ontañon Roberto , Saura Pedro
Published: August 2023

Cantabrian cave art is familiar from photographs reproduced in textbooks, but these two-dimensional images do not capture the irregularities of the rock surfaces on which animals and other designs were painted or engraved. Here, the authors use stereoscopic photography to review the parietal art of La Pasiega cave. By documenting the uneven surfaces of the cave's walls alongside painted and engraved marks, they identify new animal figures and reinterpret others, previously thought to be partial representations, as complete. The results show the positioning of animal figures to make use of concave/convex surfaces and rock edges to define the outlines of animals, reinforcing the need to record and interpret cave art three-dimensionally.