bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Barriers and facilitators to adopting healthier lifestyle among low‐income women in Saudi Arabia: A qualitative study
Authors: Alageel Samah , Alhujaili Maysa , Altwaijri Yasmin , Bilal Lisa , Alsukait Reem
Published: February 2023

Introduction

Low socioeconomic status (SES) is significantly associated with increased levels of obesity, unhealthy diet, and physical inactivity leading to a higher risk of chronic diseases. This study aimed to explore low SES women's barriers and facilitators to engaging in a healthy lifestyle and their accounts in developing future behaviour change interventions.

Methods

Qualitative study using focus group interviews informed by the Capability Opportunity Motivation—Behavior (COM‐B) framework. Interviews were conducted with a convenience sample, and data were analysed using thematic analysis. This study is conducted in partnership with Alnahda Society, a prominent nongovernmental organization in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Results

We conducted five focus groups with a total of 29 participants. We identified five overarching themes from the data related to participants' definition of a ‘healthy life’, the difficulties they face that hinder their engagement with a healthy lifestyle, the methods and reasons for changing health behaviour and participants' views of an ideal future behaviour change intervention. Women's definition of a healthy lifestyle did not only include a healthy diet and physical activity but also emphasized the importance of improving mental wellness. Following a healthy lifestyle, although desired, is not always a priority for women with low SES due to the high cost, lack of availability of healthy options and time constraints. Many women in our sample discussed the need to have a routine and discipline to follow and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Family members' support for behaviour change was discussed as a facilitator to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Women highlighted several reasons that would motivate them to change their health behaviour, including having or preventing health conditions, improving mental health, and managing weight. Participants also discussed the characteristics of an ideal behaviour change intervention.

Discussion

This study suggests that women with low SES are faced with several barriers to adopting a healthy lifestyle. Behaviour change intervention targeting this population needs to be tailored to address these barriers and facilitate behaviour change for people with limited resources. National policies to improve the availability and affordability of healthy options are also needed to reduce health disparities.

Patient and Public Contributions

Women of low SES who took part in the study were given a chance at the end of each focus group discussion to reflect on the questions and add any areas important to them that were not covered during the interview. Experts working with disadvantaged populations in a nonprofit organization (Alnahda society) contributed to the design of the topic guide.
Popular science and education of cosmetic surgery in China: Quality and reliability evaluation of Douyin short videos
Authors: Zhang Jianfei , Han Pengpeng , Tang Yujun , Xi Wenwen , Xiao Xia , Yang Feng
Published: February 2023

Background

Douyin APP is the short video APP with the largest number of users in China.

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the quality and reliability of short videos about cosmetic surgery on Douyin.

Methods

In August 2022, we retrieved and screened 300 short videos related to cosmetic surgery from Douyin, extracted basic video information, encoded the content and identified the video source. The quality and reliability of short video information were evaluated using the DISCERN instrument.

Results

A total of 168 short videos of cosmetic surgery were included in the survey, and the video sources included personal accounts and institutional accounts. Overall, the total proportion of institutional accounts (47/168, 27.98%) is significantly less than that of personal accounts (121/168, 72.02%); nonhealth professionals received the most praises, comments and even collections and reposts, while for‐profit academic organizations or institutions received the least. The DISCERN scores of 168 short videos of cosmetic surgery were 3.74–4.58 (average 4.22). Content reliability (p = .04) and overall short video quality (p = .02) are significantly different, but short videos published from different sources have no significant difference in treatment selection (p = .052).

Conclusion

The overall information quality and reliability of short videos about cosmetic surgery on Douyin are satisfactory in China.

Patient or Public Contribution

The participants were involved in developing research questions, study design, management and conduct, interpretation of evidence and dissemination.
Synthesis and characterization of Al2O3‐TiC‐ZrO2 ceramics with intragranular nanostructure by spark plasma sintering
Authors: Wang Zhiyong , Yi Mingdong , Zheng Kai , Chen Zhaoqiang , Xiao Guangchun , Xu Chonghai
Published: February 2023

In this paper, Al2O3‐TiC ceramic composites with intragranular nano‐ZrO2 were prepared in vacuum by spark plasma sintering (SPS). The effect of ZrO2 particles with different nano‐sizes on the microstructure and mechanical properties of ceramics was studied. The results show that SPS can achieve relative densification of materials without generating new impurity phases. At the same time, the sintering densification temperature of ceramic materials can be reduced by adding ZrO2 (20 nm) particles. Under the action of SPS strong electric field, the nano‐ZrO2 adsorbed on the surface of the matrix particles can enter the interior of matrix grains, and form intragranular nanostructures when the grain boundaries move and the particles merge. The microstructure and mechanical properties of ceramic materials can be improved through the intragranular structure formed by nanoparticles. The main reasons for the increased strength and toughness of ceramic materials are crack deflection, crack bridging and transgranular fracture.
Covid‐19 and the work of trade unions: Adaptation, transition and renewal
Authors: Hunt Tom , Connolly Heather
Published: February 2023

Trade unions face long‐term challenges including declining memberships that threaten their influence. COVID‐19 created new challenges and possibilities for renewal. This article presents findings from a study conducted during the pandemic, comprising a large survey and interviews that investigated how unions adapted to the changes to working life they and their members faced. Evidence from UK unions shows unions rapidly changing how they worked, particularly in adopting and investing in new technologies. COVID‐19 became a trigger for adaptation for unions which helped to meet the challenges created by the pandemic and demonstrated unions' creative ability to adapt and maintain relevance. The article contributes new insights about union renewal and argues that renewal should be understood as a continuous and evolving process of adaptation and transition, shaped as much by internal strategy as external shocks. It argues that confidence within unions about their ability to reform is important for understanding renewal.
‘You see similarities more than differences after a while’. Communities of Practice in European industrial relations. The case of the hospital European Sectoral Social Dialogue
Authors: Galetto Manuela , Weber Sabrina , Larsson Bengt , Bechter Barbara , Prosser Thomas
Published: February 2023

This article looks at the hospital European Sectoral Social Dialogue Committee (SSDC) through a Community of Practice (CoP) theoretical lens. Based on a 2‐year project, qualitative in‐depth interviews at the European level and in five Member states, and participant observation of the hospital SSDC, we propose a shift from traditional institutional and resource‐based accounts and provide a learning and knowledge‐focused understanding of this specific area of European industrial relations. Interpreting the SSDCs as a CoP sheds new light on the role of power relations, participation and informal activities among members and on how they work together; this, we find, can alert those interested in more effective functioning of the European Sectoral Social Dialogue on how to strengthen this supra‐national level of industrial relations.
Dy3+‐doped Y2Zr2O7 highly transparent ceramics for ultraviolet excitable warm white light‐emitting applications
Authors: Lu Kailei , Han Wenhan , Cheng Gang , Zhu Xinghua , Li Shirui , Guo Hao , Gu Bosen , Ye Yucheng , Qi Jianqi , Lu Tiecheng
Published: February 2023

Attaining effective warm white light emitting in functionally advantageous transparent polycrystalline ceramics is vitally important to guarantee the development of both human and botanical systems. In response to this aim, a series of Dy3+‐doped Y2Zr2O7 (YZO) transparent ceramics were prepared via a solid‐state reaction and vacuum sintering approach in this work. These fabricated ceramics show high transparency, where the in‐line transmittance at 700 nm is about 76%, which is very close to the theoretical limit (78%). In addition, under the excitation of UV light sources (358 and 384 nm), strong warm white light emissions were observed in these YZO:Dy transparent ceramics. The corresponding photoluminescence characteristics and mechanisms of YZO:Dy ceramics are investigated carefully. The Dy‐doped YZO ceramics integrate with high transparency and UV‐excitable warm white light emission properties, making them promising light‐emitting converter materials for light‐emitting source applications.
The cytoplasmic expression of FSTL3 correlates with colorectal cancer progression, metastasis status and prognosis
Authors: Li Chien‐Hsiu , Fang Chih‐Yeu , Chan Ming‐Hsien , Chen Chi‐Long , Chang Yu‐Chan , Hsiao Michael
Published: February 2023

Follistatin‐like (FSTL) family members are associated with cancer progression. However, differences between FSTL members with identical cancer types have not been systematically investigated. Among the most malignant tumours worldwide, colorectal cancer (CRC) has high metastatic potential and chemoresistance, which makes it challenging to treat. A systematic examination of the relationship between the expression of FSTL family members in CRC will provide valuable information for prognosis and therapeutic development. Based on large cohort survival analyses, we determined that FSTL3 was associated with a significantly worse prognosis in CRC at the RNA and protein levels. Immunohistochemistry staining of CRC specimens revealed that FSTL3 expression levels in the cytosol were significantly associated with a poor prognosis in terms of overall and disease‐free survival. Molecular simulation analysis showed that FSTL3 participated in multiple cell motility signalling pathways via the TGF‐β1/TWIST1 axis to control CRC metastasis. The findings provide evidence of the significance of FSTL3 in the oncogenesis and metastasis of CRC. FSTL3 may be useful as a diagnostic or prognostic biomarker, and as a potential therapeutic target.
Fast drug rotation reduces bacterial resistance evolution in a microcosm experiment
Authors: Zhou Dong‐Hao , Zhang Quan‐Guo
Published: February 2023

Drug rotation (cycling), in which multiple drugs are administrated alternatively, has the potential for limiting resistance evolution in pathogens. The frequency of drug alternation could be a major factor to determine the effectiveness of drug rotation. Drug rotation practices often have low frequency of drug alternation, with an expectation of resistance reversion. Here we, based on evolutionary rescue and compensatory evolution theories, suggest that fast drug rotation can limit resistance evolution in the first place. This is because fast drug rotation would give little time for the evolutionarily rescued populations to recover in population size and genetic diversity, and thus decrease the chance of future evolutionary rescue under alternate environmental stresses. We experimentally tested this hypothesis using the bacterium Pseudomonas fluorescens and two antibiotics (chloramphenicol and rifampin). Increasing drug rotation frequency reduced the chance of evolutionary rescue, and most of the finally surviving bacterial populations were resistant to both drugs. Drug resistance incurred significant fitness costs, which did not differ among the drug treatment histories. A link between population sizes during the early stages of drug treatment and the end‐point fates of populations (extinction vs survival) suggested that population size recovery and compensatory evolution before drug shift increase the chance of population survival. Our results therefore advocate fast drug rotation as a promising approach to reduce bacterial resistance evolution, which in particular could be a substitute for drug combination when the latter has safety risks.
Hospital safety‐net status and postdischarge outcomes: The impact of socioeconomic status and Medicare post‐acute care types
Authors: Zhu Ye , Stearns Sally C.
Published: February 2023

Aim

To examine the impact of socioeconomic status (SES) and postacute care (PAC) locations on the association between hospital safety‐net status and 30‐day postdischarge outcomes (readmission, hospice use, or death).

Method

Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey (MCBS) participants during 2006–2011 who were Medicare Fee‐for‐Service beneficiaries aged 65.5 years or older were included. The associations between hospital safety‐net status and 30‐day post‐discharge outcomes were evaluated by comparing the models with and without PAC and SES adjustments. Safety‐net hospital status was defined as being in the top 20% of hospitals ranked by hospital‐level percent of total Medicare patient days. SES was measured using individual‐level SES (dual eligibility, income, and education) and the Area Deprivation Index (ADI).

Results

This study identified 13,173 index hospitalizations for 6,825 patients; 1,428 hospitalizations (11.8%) were in safety‐net hospitals. The average unadjusted 30‐day hospital readmission rate was 22.6% in safety‐net hospitals versus 18.8% in nonsafety‐net hospitals. Regardless of whether patient SES status was controlled or not, safety‐net hospitals had higher estimated probabilities of 30‐day readmission (ranging from 0.217 to 0.222 vs. 0.184 to 0.189), and lower probabilities for having neither readmission nor hospice/death (0.750–0.763 vs. 0.780–0.785); for models additionally adjusted for PAC types, safety‐net patients had lower rates of hospice use or death (0.019–0.027 vs. 0.030–0.031).

Conclusions

The results suggested that safety‐net hospitals had lower hospice/death rates but higher readmission rates relative to outcomes at nonsafety‐net hospitals. Readmission rate differences were similar regardless of patients' SES status. However, the rate of hospice referral or death rate was related to SES, which suggested that the outcomes were affected by SES and PAC types.
Effects of forage phosphorous content on faecal phosphorous excretion and possible markers of low phosphorous intake in foals fed forage‐only diets
Authors: Ögren Gunnilla , Ragnarsson Sveinn , Jansson Anna
Published: February 2023

Knowledge of endogenous nutrient losses is important when estimating the nutrient requirements of animals. It has been suggested that faecal endogenous phosphorus (P) losses differ between growing and adult horses, but studies on foals are scarce. In addition, studies on foals on forage‐only diets with different P contents are lacking. Thus this study: (1) assessed faecal endogenous P losses in foals fed a grass haylage‐only diet close to or below estimated P requirements; (2) evaluated use of serum cross‐linked carboxyterminal telopeptides of type‐I collagen (CTx) as a marker of bone resorption secondary to low‐P intake; and (3) examined whether analysis of faecal P concentration on a dry matter (DM) basis could be used as an indicator of P intake. Six foals were fed three grass haylages (fertilised to contain different amounts of P: 1.9, 2.1, 3.0 g/kg DM) for 17‐day periods in a Latin square design. Total collection of feaces was performed by the end of each period. Faecal endogenous P losses were estimated using linear regression analysis. There was no difference in the concentration of CTx in plasma between diets in samples collected on the last day of each period. A correlation was found (y = 0.64x − 1.51; r2 = 0.75, p < 0.0001) between P intake and faecal P content, but regression analysis indicated that underestimation as well as overestimation of intake is likely if faecal P content is used to assess intake. It was concluded that faecal endogenous P losses in foals are low, probably no higher than in adult horses. It was also concluded that plasma CTx cannot be used to assess short‐term low‐P intake in foals and that faecal P content cannot be used to assess differences in P intake, at least not when P intake is close to or below estimated P requirements.
Fine cassava fibre utilization as a dietary fibre source for dogs: Effects on kibble characteristics, diet digestibility and palatability, faecal metabolites and microbiota
Authors: Souza Camilla M. M. , Bastos Taís S. , Kaelle Gislaine C. B. , Bortolo Marcelino , de Oliveira Simone G. , Félix Ananda P.
Published: February 2023

The objective was to evaluate through three experiments the effects of a fine cassava fibre (CA: 106 µm) on kibble characteristics, coefficients of total tract apparent digestibility (CTTAD) of macronutrients, diet palatability and faecal metabolites and microbiota of dogs. Dietary treatments consisted of a control diet (CO), without an added fibre source and with 4.3% total dietary fibre (TDF), and a diet with 9.6% CA (106 µm), with 8.4% TDF. Experiment I evaluated the physical characteristics of the kibbles. The palatability test was evaluated in experiment II, which compared the diets CO versus CA. In experiment III, 12 adult dogs were randomly assigned to one of the two dietary treatments for 15 days, totalling six replicates/treatment, to assess the CTTAD of macronutrients; faecal characteristics, faecal metabolites and microbiota. The expansion index, kibble size and friability of diets with CA were higher than the CO (p < 0.05). Additionally, the CA diet presented higher palatability than the CO (p < 0.05) but did not affect CTTAD except for those of fibre (p > 0.05). Moreover, a greater faecal concentration of acetate, butyrate and total short‐chain fatty acids (SCFA) and a lower faecal concentration of phenol, indole and isobutyrate were observed in dogs fed the CA diet (p < 0.05). Dogs fed with the CA diet presented a greater bacterial diversity and richness and a greater abundance of genera considered to be beneficial for gut health, such as Blautia, Faecalibacterium and Fusobacterium when compared to the CO group (p < 0.05). The inclusion of 9.6% of a fine CA improves the expansion of kibbles and diet palatability without affecting most of the CTTAD of nutrients. Besides, it improves the production of some SCFA and modulates the faecal microbiota of dogs.
The effectiveness of the behavioural components of cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia in older adults: A systematic review
Authors: McLaren Declan M. , Evans Jonathan , Baylan Satu , Smith Sarah , Gardani Maria
Published: February 2023

Insomnia is more prevalent in older adults (> 60 years) than in the general population. Cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia is the gold‐standard treatment; however, it may prove too cognitively taxing for some. This systematic review aimed to critically examine the literature exploring the effectiveness of explicitly behavioural interventions for insomnia in older adults, with secondary aims of investigating their effect on mood and daytime functioning. Four electronic databases (MEDLINE – Ovid, Embase – Ovid, CINAHL, and PsycINFO) were searched. All experimental, quasi‐experimental and pre‐experimental studies were included, provided they: (a) were published in English; (b) recruited older adults with insomnia; (c) used sleep restriction and/or stimulus control; (d) reported outcomes pre‐and‐post intervention. Database searches returned 1689 articles; 15 studies, summarising the results of 498 older adults, were included – three focused on stimulus control, four on sleep restriction, and eight adopted multicomponent treatments comprised of both interventions. All interventions brought about significant improvements in one or more subjectively measured facets of sleep although, overall, multicomponent therapies demonstrated larger effects (median Hedge's g = 0.55). Actigraphic or polysomnographic outcomes demonstrated smaller or no effects. Improvements in measures of depression were seen in multicomponent interventions, but no intervention demonstrated any statistically significant improvement in measures of anxiety. This corroborates with the existing consensus that multicomponent approaches confer the most benefit, and adds to the literature by demonstrating this to be the case in brief, explicitly behavioural interventions. This review guides future study of treatments for insomnia in populations where cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia is not appropriate.
Arbaeen Event as an Alternative to Esxisting Bottlenecks
Authors: Bod Mahdieh , Korani Zohreh
Published: February 2023

Arbaeen event is the most significant religious tourism event for Shiites. Using the social interpretation approach, this study explores the context for Iranian Shiite participation and understanding of the Arbaeen event. The research methodology is qualitative. Data were collected using ethnography methods and analyzed by grounded theory. According to the results, the inefficiency of the internal decision‐making system as a result of the government and its administrative system facing a variety of crises in various political, economic, social, and cultural arenas, as well as social inequality, contribute to this event's attendance. A feeling of religious discrimination and a lack of rights for the participants leads to this inequality. The meaning reconstruction of the pilgrims’ experience and perception serves as a channel for social participation and solidarity, cultural change, and a bridge between stakeholders and officials. The core category also refers to the Arbaeen event as an alternative to existing bottlenecks.
Genderealogy: Erasure and Repair
Authors: Helmer Christine , Ravenscroft Ruth Jackson
Published: February 2023

This essay addresses the problem of the sexed and gendered subject of genealogy, and the binary central to the fixing of male agents in the self‐narration of disciplines in genealogy. Feminist and womanist theories are considered for their strategies of repair, such as the retrieval of women erased from genealogy, the repositioning of women as transgressive subjects from an hermeneutical perspective, and the task of changing the imaginary around human agency and action. This discussion opens the door to a genderealogical repair on the basis of Schleiermacher's account of singularity as transcendentally fixed, yet relationally constituted in communities of researchers that are open to new constellations in the production of knowledge.
Lymphomatosis cerebri with coexistent anti‐N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate receptor antibody: A case report
Authors: Rattanathamsakul Natthapon , Ongphichetmetha Tatchaporn , Weerachotisakul Pattharasaya , Tisavipat Nanthaya , Cheunsuchon Pornsuk , Jitprapaikulsan Jiraporn
Published: February 2023

Diagnosis of lymphomatosis cerebri (LC) is usually delayed because of its rarity and the need for pathological confirmation. The association of LC with humoral immunity has scarcely been reported. Herein, we present a woman with a 2‐week history of dizziness and gait ataxia, followed by diplopia, altered mental status, and spasticity of all limbs. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain showed multifocal lesions involving bilateral subcortical white matter, deep gray structures, and brainstem. Oligoclonal bands and anti‐N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antibodies were present in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) twice. She was initially treated with methylprednisolone but still worsening. A stereotactic brain biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of LC. This is a report on the distinctive coexistence of the rare CNS lymphoma variant and the anti‐NMDAR antibody.
Examining pre‐service elementary educators' perceptions of teaching science when integrated with poetry
Authors: Love Tyler S. , Napoli Mary , Lee Doris
Published: February 2023

Research has revealed that a small percentage of weekly instructional time in the elementary grades is dedicated to teaching science. Additionally, elementary educators receive limited preparation to teach science concepts compared to math or literacy skills. Therefore, this study examined if utilizing poetry to teach science concepts had a significant influence on elementary pre‐service teachers' (PSTs) self‐efficacy (SE) and expected outcomes (EOs) toward teaching science. Instructors in elementary literacy and science teaching methods courses collaborated to model strategies that integrated poetry within a science unit and mentored the PSTs in creating poems. Following the three‐week integrative unit, analyses of the survey responses revealed significant increases in the PSTs' EOs resulting from their science teaching when integrating poetry. 92% of the PSTs believed poetry would help them integrate more science instruction and in greater depth. Moderate positive correlations were found between PSTs' SE toward teaching science and gains in: (a) perceived knowledge of science concepts, (b) belief that poetry would help integrate more science instruction, and (c) belief that integrating poetry would help students learn science concepts better. This study provides implications for informing teacher preparation programs, professional development experiences, and integrated curricula efforts to expand science instruction in elementary curricula.
Plant chromatin on the move: an overview of chromatin mobility during transcription and DNA repair
Authors: Meschichi Anis , Rosa Stefanie
Published: February 2023

It has become increasingly clear in recent years that chromosomes are highly dynamic entities. Chromatin mobility and re‐arrangement are involved in many biological processes, including gene regulation and the maintenance of genome stability. Despite extensive studies on chromatin mobility in yeast and animal systems, up until recently, not much had been investigated at this level in plants. For plants to achieve proper growth and development, they need to respond rapidly and appropriately to environmental stimuli. Therefore, understanding how chromatin mobility can support plant responses may offer profound insights into the functioning of plant genomes. In this review, we discuss the state of the art related to chromatin mobility in plants, including the available technologies for their role in various cellular processes.
Equine pectinate ligament descemetization is associated with age
Authors: Stonex Tara M. , Watanabe Tatiane Terumi Negrao , Robertson James B. , Westermeyer Hans D.
Published: February 2023

Purpose

To evaluate the correlation between equine pectinate ligament descemetization and ocular disease.

Methods

The pathology database of the North Carolina State University Veterinary Medical Center was searched from 2010–2021 for all equine globes. Disease status was then assigned as affected by glaucoma, uveitis, or “other” based upon clinical records. The iridocorneal angles (ICA) of each globe were evaluated for the presence of pectinate ligament descemetization, the length of descemetization, as well as for the degree of angle collapse and the extent of cellular infiltrate or proteinaceous debris. One slide from each eye was evaluated by two separate, blinded investigators (HW & TS).

Results

A total of 66 eyes from 61 horses were identified, with a total of 124 sections of ICA of sufficient quality to review. 16 horses were affected by uveitis, 8 by glaucoma, 7 by both glaucoma and uveitis, and 30 horses by other ocular disease, most commonly ocular surface disease or neoplasia, which served as controls. Pectinate ligament descemetization was most prevalent in the control group compared to the glaucoma and uveitis groups. Pectinate ligament descemetization length was positively correlated with age, with an increase of 13.5 μm per year of age (p = .016). Infiltrate scores and angle closure scores were higher in both the glaucoma and uveitis group compared to the control group (p < .001).

Conclusions

Equine pectinate ligament descemetization appears to be correlated with increased age and should not be used as a histologic marker for the presence of glaucoma.
New insights into the phylogeny and evolution of Chinese Ovophis (Serpentes, Viperidae): Inferred from multilocus data
Authors: Zeng Yang‐Mei , Li Ke , Liu Qin , Wu Ya‐Yong , Hou Shao‐Bing , Zhao Gui‐Gang , Nguyen Sang Ngoc , Guo Peng , Shi Lei
Published: February 2023

The Asian pitviper genus Ovophis is a group of venomous snakes widely distributed in mid to high elevation mountains in Asia, and presently five species are recognised. However, its systematics, species diversity and species distribution boundaries remain poorly understood. We reconstructed the phylogenetic relationships and explored species diversity of Chinese Ovophis based on two mitochondrial fragments (Cyt b and ND4) and four nuclear genes (BACH1, c‐mos, Rag1, NT3) and also conducted a morphological comparison between focal species. Our results indicated that the species diversity had been underestimated within Ovophis and we described a population from southern Yunnan, China, as a new taxon, naming it as Ovophis malhotrae sp. nov. Based on more extensive sampling, we redefined the distribution of O. monticola and O. makazayazaya in China. Divergence date estimation suggested that Ovophis originated at about 16.79 Ma in the middle Miocene.
The wealth of shared resources: Improving molecular taxonomy using eDNA and public databases
Authors: Fleming James F.
Published: February 2023

Public databases such as the NCBI's GenBank have been used as repositories for genomic studies for more than 30 years. In this time, our understanding of the natural world, and especially the genomic world, has expanded vastly, and the size of these databases represent this genomic revolution. Databases like GenBank now help populate many molecular studies, supplementing a researcher's newly gathered data with publicly available sequences. Despite this, older sequence records, particularly those from understudied taxa, are frequently not updated in line with this burgeoning understanding, and this means that analyses that leverage this public data – from BLAST through to phylogenetic analyses – cannot do so with the full force of its collective understanding. This is particularly true for environmental DNA (eDNA) records, where older sequence records may identify sequences only to the phylum level, limiting their use in many studies. Here, with a case study of tardigrade 18S sequences, the family identities of 630 sequences, previously only identified to the phylum level, were established using 501 family, genus and species level 18S sequences, effectively doubling the depth and taxonomic resolution of tardigrade 18S sequences in GenBank.
Characterizing candidates for Cannon's conjecture from geometric measure theory
Authors: Cheetham‐West Tamunonye , Nolte Alexander
Published: February 2023

We show that recent work of Song implies that torsion‐free hyperbolic groups with Gromov boundary arerealized as fundamental groups of closed 3‐manifolds of constant negative curvature if and only if the solution to an associated spherical Plateau problem for group homology is isometric to such a 3‐manifold, and suggest some related questions.
Fantástica: una lógica para inventar mundos
Authors: Acosta Gutiérrez Joselín
Published: February 2023

Este libro presenta algunos avances de la fantasía ya no por vía de su gramática, sino de su lógica. Indaga una particular forma de concebir el mundo y la manera de darle orden a la experiencia humana con aprecio por la sensibilidad, la invención y el trabajo enjuiciador de la razón sobre las obras logradas.
Mitoxantrone targets both host and bacteria to overcome vancomycin resistance in
Enterococcus faecalis
Authors: da Silva Ronni A. G. , Wong Jun Jie , Antypas Haris , Choo Pei Yi , Goh Karlyn , Jolly Shreya , Liang Cui , Tay Kwan Sing Leona , Veleba Mark , Hu Guangan , Chen Jianzhu , Kline Kimberly A.
Published: February 2023

Antibiotic resistance critically limits treatment options for infection caused by opportunistic pathogens such as enterococci. Here, we investigate the antibiotic and immunological activity of the anticancer agent mitoxantrone (MTX) in vitro and in vivo against vancomycin-resistant
Enterococcus faecalis
(VRE). We show that, in vitro, MTX is a potent antibiotic against Gram-positive bacteria through induction of reactive oxygen species and DNA damage. MTX also synergizes with vancomycin against VRE, rendering the resistant strains more permeable to MTX. In a murine wound infection model, single-dose MTX treatment effectively reduces VRE numbers, with further reduction when combined with vancomycin. Multiple MTX treatments accelerate wound closure. MTX also promotes macrophage recruitment and proinflammatory cytokine induction at the wound site and augments intracellular bacterial killing in macrophages by up-regulating the expression of lysosomal enzymes. These results show that MTX represents a promising bacterium- and host-targeted therapeutic for overcoming vancomycin resistance.
Human disturbances dominated the unprecedentedly high frequency of Yellow River flood over the last millennium
Authors: Yu Shi-Yong , Li Wen-Jia , Zhou Liang , Yu Xuefeng , Zhang Qiang , Shen Zhixiong
Published: February 2023

A warming climate may increase flood hazard through boosting the global hydrological cycle. However, human impact through modifications to the river and its catchment is not well quantified. Here, we show a 12,000-year-long record of Yellow River flood events by synthesizing sedimentary and documentary data of levee overtops and breaches. Our result reveals that flood events in the Yellow River basin became almost an order of magnitude more frequent during the last millennium than the middle Holocene and 81 ± 6% of the increased flood frequency can be ascribed to anthropogenic disturbances. Our findings not only shed light on the long-term dynamics of flood hazards in this world’s most sediment-laden river but also inform policy of sustainable management of large rivers under anthropogenic stress elsewhere.
Off-Target Integron Activity Leads to Rapid Plasmid Compensatory Evolution in Response to Antibiotic Selection Pressure
Authors: Souque Célia , Escudero José A. , MacLean R. Craig
Published: February 2023

Tackling the public health challenge created by antibiotic resistance requires understanding the mechanisms driving its evolution. Mobile integrons are widespread genetic platforms heavily involved in the spread of antibiotic resistance.
Nonvanishing gravitational contribution to matter beta functions for vanishing dimensionful regulators
Authors: de Brito Gustavo P. , Eichhorn Astrid
Published: February 2023

We explore the effect of quantum gravity on matter within a Renormalization Group framework. First, our results provide an explicit example of how misleading conclusions can be drawn by analyzing the gravitational contributions to beta functions, instead of analyzing universal quantities, such as critical exponents, that can be extracted from the beta functions. This could be key to explain differences between perturbative studies and Functional Renormalization Group studies. Second, we strengthen the evidence that asymptotically safe gravity could generate a predictive ultraviolet completion for matter theories with gauge interactions, even in the limit of vanishing dimensionful regulator function. We also find that the situation can be more subtle with higher-order, gravity-induced matter interactions.
Radiating stars and Riccati equations in higher dimensions
Authors: Naidoo Noeleen , Maharaj Sunil D. , Govinder Keshlan S.
Published: February 2023

The objective of this study is to investigate spherically symmetric radiating stars undergoing gravitational collapse, in higher dimensional general relativity, inclusive of acceleration, expansion, shear, an electromagnetic field and a cosmological constant. Methods that can be used to obtain exact solutions to the boundary condition with/without a linear equation state are studied. Two distinct approaches are investigated. In the first approach, the boundary condition is expressed as a Riccati equation in terms of one of the dependent variables, and restrictions are placed to obtain new exact solutions. In the second approach, transformations that map the boundary condition into a new Riccati equation are investigated. The resulting new transformed equation is solved, by placing restrictions on the coefficients, to obtain new exact models. Special properties of the transformation are shown when appropriate restrictions on the parameters of the transformation are placed. This allows the order of the boundary condition to be reduced from a second order partial differential equation into a first order partial differential equation. The versatility of the transformation on other equations is exhibited when new solutions to the system of equations consisting of both the boundary condition and equation of state are obtained. When the dimension is set to four, some known solutions are recovered. It is shown that horizons can be identified by using a special case of the transformation. Our results elucidates the importance of the use of transformations that map the coordinates of differential equations into new and different coordinate systems.
Polarized image of a rotating black hole surrounded by a cold dark matter halo
Authors: Qin Xin , Chen Songbai , Zhang Zelin , Jing Jiliang
Published: February 2023

We have studied the polarized image of an equatorial emitting ring around a rotating black hole surrounded by a cold dark matter (CDM) halo. Results show that the CDM halo density has the similar effects of the halo’s characteristic radius on the polarized image for the black hole. The effects of the CDM halo on the polarized image depend on the magnetic field configuration, the fluid velocity and the observed inclination. With the increase of the CDM halo parameters, the observed polarization intensity decreases when the magnetic field lies in equatorial plane, but in the case where the magnetic field is perpendicular to the equatorial plane, the change of the observed polarization intensity with CDM halo also depends on the position of the emitting point in the ring. The change of the electric vector position angle (EVPA) with the CDM halo becomes more complicated. Our results also show that the influence of the CDM halo on the polarized image is generally small, which are consistent with the effects of dark matter halo on black hole shadows. These results could help to further understand dark matter from black hole images.
Magnetic monopoles with no strings attached: a portal to the dark side of dual electrodynamics
Authors: Govaerts Jan
Published: February 2023

It has long been known that in the absence of electric charges and currents, Maxwell’s electromagnetism in 4 dimensional vacuum Minkowski space-time is invariant under SO(2) dual transformations that mix its electric and magnetic fields. Extending this symmetry to include the coupling to electrically charged matter, requires a dual coupling to magnetically charged matter as well, leading to Maxwell equations for SO(2) dual electrodynamics. Based on a doubled ensemble of SO(2) dual 4-vector gauge potentials which does away with the need of Dirac string singularities for magnetic monopoles, a local Lagrangian action principle for SO(2) dual electromagnetism is known, which manifestly displays all the required space-time and internal symmetries, and reduces to the experimentally well established Maxwell electrodynamics in the absence of magnetic charges and currents. Applying the same considerations for the matter action of electrically and magnetically charged point particles, a unique SO(2) dual generalised Lorentz force is identified for SO(2) dual electrodynamics, truly different from the usual SO(2) dual invariant choice motivated by simplicity, but yet made arbitrarily and which does not derive from some action principle. This generalised Lorentz force involves a single real and new coupling constant of unknown value, without the requirement of a Dirac–Schwinger–Zwanziger quantisation condition for electric and magnetic charges of dyons. A physical consequence for SO(2) dual electrodynamics of this coupling constant if nonvanishing, is to open a channel, or portal between the otherwise mutually totally “dark” sectors of electric and magnetic charges for electromagnetic interactions.
Biocomposites: Prospects and Manifold Applications for Human and Environmental Sustainability
Authors: Lavania Shilpi , Mehta Jimmy , Bhardwaj Pallavi , Tripathi Ashutosh , Gupta Niraj , Gupta Pallav
Published: February 2023

Bio-polymers composites have gained much popularity for the development of eco-friendly devices and biodegradable products. A clean, pollution-free environment and reduction of waste materials are the need of the hour. Being biocompatible and biodegradable, these polymers offer a solution. The utilization of bio-polymers composite is not limited to an alternative to petrochemical-based material but these are progressively being equipped in electronics, medicine, pharmaceutics, construction, automobile, packaging, adhesive industry, and so forth. Smart bio-polymers are lightweight, possess higher strength, good thermal properties, low density, and require less energy while integrating and assembling. As green technology is the demand of the future, the production of biodegradable composites, bio-binders, and bio-fibers is the toughest challenge. This review paper strives to specifically address the electrical and mechanical properties of bio-polymers composites and their applications in electronic and mechanical industries.
Thermoelectric Performance of n-type Filled Skutterudites RECo4Sb12 Using Rare Earths as Filler Atoms (RE=Nd,Sm,Eu,Yb)
Authors: Benaouad Ahlam , Meskine Said , Boukortt Abdelkader , Benbedra Abdesamed , Beklaouz Hadj Larbi
Published: February 2023

In this work, we perform first-principles calculations based on density functional theory and the semi-classical Boltzmann method to study the structural, mechanical, electronic, and thermoelectric properties of rare Earths filled skutterudites RECo4Sb12 (RE = Nd,Sm,Eu,Yb). It is found that these compounds are n-type semiconductors with high effective mass and narrow bandgap. The main focus here is to investigate the effect of filler rare Earth elements on the thermoelectric response of binary skutterudite CoSb3. In doing so, we compute for each compound the Seebeck coefficient, electrical conductivity, electronic thermal conductivity, and figure of merit in the temperature range from 400 K to 1000 K. The relaxation time and lattice thermal conductivity are calculated as well. Our results reveal that low thermal conductivity and high Seebeck coefficient can be achieved at the same time in RE-filled skutterudites RECo4Sb12, thereby improving their thermoelectric performance which makes them attractive thermoelectric materials at high temperatures.
The Spatial‐Temporal Evolution and Influencing Factors of Public Attention to 5G: Empirical Analysis Based on Baidu Index from 2011 to 2021
Authors: Liu Pan , Wang Guanyu , Liu Kai , Li Junke , Chen Yanlin
Published: February 2023

The development of 5G (fifth‐generation wireless systems) determines the future direction of technology and economy and has received extensive public attention. Studying the changing rules of public attention to 5G can provide an important guiding significance for the sustainable development of 5G. This paper takes Baidu Index as the measurement index of 5G public attention and analyzes the spatial and temporal evolution characteristics and influencing factors of public attention to 5G from 2011 to 2021 by using the elasticity coefficient, Gini coefficient, geographical concentration index, and panel data model. The results of the study show the following. (1) The public concern to 5G is generally on the rise, but the heat has declined in the past two years. (2) The public’s 5G attention shows a seasonal effect, with the highest attention in March and June. (3) The spatial difference of 5G public attention is obvious. The eastern region has a high degree of attention, the internal differences between the eastern and western regions are obvious, and the central region is relatively balanced. (4) The factors such as local economic level, education level, Internet development, and media attention have significantly affected the public focus on 5G. Also, some suggestions are made for the sustainable development of 5G and the planning of 6G (sixth‐generation wireless systems).
Diagenetic Evolution of Marine Carbonate Reservoirs: A Case Study from M51-2 Submember of Middle Ordovician Majiagou Formation in SE Ordos Basin, China
Authors: Wu Haiyan , Liang Ting , Gao Chao , Wu Yanjun , Cao Hongxia , Yu Jun , Bai Fenfei , Sun Jianbo , Li Keyong , Guo Yanqin
Published: February 2023

In the Yan’an gas field, southeast of Ordos Basin, the discovered natural gas reserves are 114 billion cubic meters. Highly productive gas reservoirs were formed in paleokarst. By using 164 samples from 27cores, the geochemical study of diagenetic evolution was carried out, and the relationship between different diagenesis environments was discussed by using scanning electron microscopy, carbon and oxygen isotope, and isotopic and fluid inclusion microthermometric observations. Results show that the lithology of reservoir is anhydrite-bearing mud powder crystal dolomite, powder crystal dolomite, and karst breccia dolomite; the filling includes dolomite, calcite, anhydrite, quartz, fluorite, and clay minerals; δ13C (‰ PDB) value is between −6.31‰ and 1.01‰, δ18O (‰ PDB) value ranges from −11.36‰ to −6.54‰, and the 87Sr/86Sr value ranges from 0.7077 to 0.7081. The overall carbon isotope of Majiagou Formation decreases first and then increases, and the strontium isotope evolution curve generally increases first and then decreases, indicating that the water environment of Majiagou Formation experienced a relatively high salinity concentration period and a relative desalinization period during deposition. The stratigraphic development shows a cyclical trend, responding to the multistage transgression and regression process. The homogenization temperature of fluid inclusions is 70–100°C, salinity is 0–3.5%, homogenization temperature of fluid inclusions is 70–100°C, salinity is >3.5%, homogenization temperature of fluid inclusions is 100–160°C, salinity is 0–3.5%, homogenization temperature of fluid inclusions is 100–160°C, salinity is >3.5%, homogenization temperature of fluid inclusion temperature is 160–200°C, and salinity is >3.5%, indicating that the fluid source in the sedimentation and diagenesis process is seawater, atmospheric freshwater, hydrocarbon fluid, and deep thermal fluid. The diagenetic environments are divided into marine diagenetic environments, metric freshwater diagenetic environments, and burial diagenetic environments.