bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Arteriovenous malformation of the small intestine presenting with a transfusion-dependent anaemia in pregnancy
Authors: Dunphy Louise , Ford Jonathan
Published: March 2023

Gastrointestinal bleeding that originates in the small intestine is often difficult to diagnose. Bleeding from a small intestinal arteriovenous malformation (AVM) is rare, with congenital AVMs more commonly located in the rectum or sigmoid. There is a relative paucity of cases reported in the literature. In the gastrointestinal tract, it can cause acute and chronic bleeding, which can be fatal. Although the incidence of small bowel AVMs is quite low, such lesions can be identified as the bleeding source in patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB) harbouring severe, transfusion-dependent anaemia. It can be exceedingly difficult to localise and diagnose gastrointestinal tract bleeding, particularly in cases of occult small bowel AVMs. CT angiography and capsule endoscopy can help to establish the diagnosis. Laparoscopy is an appropriate and beneficial treatment modality for small bowel resection. The authors present the case of a primigravida woman in her late 20s diagnosed with a symptomatic transfusion-dependent anaemia during her pregnancy. She developed OGIB and despite no history of chronic liver disease became encephalopathic. Due to her physical deterioration and uncertain diagnosis, her caesarean section was performed at 36+6 weeks to expedite investigations and treatment. She was diagnosed with a jejunal AVM and underwent coiled embolisation of her superior mesenteric artery. She became haemodynamically unstable and underwent a laparotomy and small bowel resection. A full non-invasive liver screen was negative, however, her MRI liver described multiple focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) lesions raising the possibility of FNH syndrome in the context of a previous AVM malformation. A prompt stepwise, multimodality diagnostic approach is required to prevent patient morbidity and mortality.
Leiomyoma presenting as an anterior vaginal mass
Authors: Dunphy Louise , Wood Francis , Siraj Mamoon , Neelagandan Somashekar , Sheldon Emma , Swaminathan Ajay
Published: March 2023

Leiomyoma, otherwise known as a fibroid, is commonly encountered in the uterus. Vaginal leiomyomas are extremely rare with a relative paucity of cases reported in the literature. Due to the rarity of the disease and complexity of the vaginal anatomy, definitive diagnosis and treatment are challenging. The diagnosis is often only made postoperatively after resection of the mass. They usually arise from the anterior vaginal wall and women may present with dyspareunia, lower abdominal pain, vaginal bleeding or dysuria. Imaging with a transvaginal ultrasound scan and MRI can confirm the vaginal origin of the mass. Surgical excision is the treatment of choice. The diagnosis is confirmed following histological assessment. The authors present the case of a woman in her late 40s presenting to the gynaecology department with an anterior vaginal mass. Further investigation with a non-contrast MRI was suggestive of a vaginal leiomyoma. She underwent surgical excision. Histopathological features were in keeping with the diagnosis of a hydropic leiomyoma. A high index of clinical suspicion is required to establish the diagnosis as it can be mistaken for a cystocele, Skene duct abscess or Bartholin gland cyst. Although it is a benign entity, local recurrence following incomplete resection and sarcomatous changes have been reported.
Non-traumatic extraocular muscle haemorrhage associated with anticoagulation use
Authors: Al Rayess Dona , Sirju Nicolette , Smith Rachel , Davies Elizabeth Alexandra
Published: March 2023

We present a case of a unilateral extraocular muscle haematoma in an adult female patient who was compliant with life-long oral anticoagulation for recurrent deep vein thrombosis. The patient presented with symptoms of sudden-onset left-sided headache radiating to the temporal region, which started 2 days prior. No obvious triggering factors were identified. Cranial and ocular examinations were within normal limits. Imaging revealed a haemorrhage related to the lateral rectus muscle of the left eye. Conservative management was employed with abstinence from anticoagulation for 2 weeks and a weaning regime of oral steroids. Under the clinical review of ophthalmology and interval radiological monitoring, symptoms were reduced with reduction of haemorrhage size. Anticoagulation was reinstated after 2 weeks. To our knowledge, this is the first case of a non-traumatic extraocular muscle haematoma to be reported in a patient on anticoagulation.
Gait, physical activity and tibiofemoral cartilage damage: a longitudinal machine learning analysis in the Multicenter Osteoarthritis Study
Authors: Costello Kerry E , Felson David T , Jafarzadeh S Reza , Guermazi Ali , Roemer Frank W , Segal Neil A , Lewis Cora E , Nevitt Michael C , Lewis Cara L , Kolachalama Vijaya B , Kumar Deepak
Published: March 2023

Objective

To (1) develop and evaluate a machine learning model incorporating gait and physical activity to predict medial tibiofemoral cartilage worsening over 2 years in individuals without advanced knee osteoarthritis and (2) identify influential predictors in the model and quantify their effect on cartilage worsening.

Design

An ensemble machine learning model was developed to predict worsened cartilage MRI Osteoarthritis Knee Score at follow-up from gait, physical activity, clinical and demographic data from the Multicenter Osteoarthritis Study. Model performance was evaluated in repeated cross-validations. The top 10 predictors of the outcome across 100 held-out test sets were identified by a variable importance measure. Their effect on the outcome was quantified by g-computation.

Results

Of 947 legs in the analysis, 14% experienced medial cartilage worsening at follow-up. The median (2.5–97.5th percentile) area under the receiver operating characteristic curve across the 100 held-out test sets was 0.73 (0.65–0.79). Baseline cartilage damage, higher Kellgren-Lawrence grade, greater pain during walking, higher lateral ground reaction force impulse, greater time spent lying and lower vertical ground reaction force unloading rate were associated with greater risk of cartilage worsening. Similar results were found for the subset of knees with baseline cartilage damage.

Conclusions

A machine learning approach incorporating gait, physical activity and clinical/demographic features showed good performance for predicting cartilage worsening over 2 years. While identifying potential intervention targets from the model is challenging, lateral ground reaction force impulse, time spent lying and vertical ground reaction force unloading rate should be investigated further as potential early intervention targets to reduce medial tibiofemoral cartilage worsening.
When ACL reconstruction does not help: risk factors associated with not achieving the minimal important change for the KOOS Sport/Rec and QoL
Authors: Kaarre Janina , Simonson Rebecca , Ris Viktor , Snaebjörnsson Thorkell , Irrgang James J , Musahl Volker , Samuelsson Kristian , Hamrin Senorski Eric
Published: March 2023

Objectives

To determine factors associated with not achieving a minimal important change (MIC) in the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) Function in Sport and Recreation (Sport/Rec), and Knee-Related Quality of Life (QoL) subscales 1 year after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACL-R).

Methods

This study used data from the Swedish National Knee Ligament Registry. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to identify factors associated with not achieving a MIC. The change in the preoperative and postoperative KOOS Sport/Rec and QoL subscale scores were dichotomised based on not achieving MIC for both subscales versus achieving MIC for either one or both subscales. The MICs for the Sport/Rec and QoL subscales were 12.1 and 18.3, respectively, and were used to combine both subscales into a single variable (Sport & QoL).

Results

Of 16 131 included patients, 44% did not achieve the MIC for the combined Sport/Rec and QoL subscales 1 year after ACL-R. From the multivariable stepwise logistic regression, older patients (OR 0.91, 95% CI 0.88 to 0.94; p<0.0001), males (OR 0.93, 95% CI 0.87 to 0.99; p=0.034) and patients receiving hamstring tendon autograft ACL-R (OR 0.70, 95% CI 0.60 to 0.81; p<0.0001) had lower odds of not achieving the MIC 1 year after ACL-R compared with younger patients, females and patients receiving patellar tendon autograft. Furthermore, patients with cartilage injuries (OR 1.17, 95% CI 1.09 to 1.27; p<0.0001) and higher pre-operative KOOS Sport/Rec and QoL scores (OR 1.34, 95% CI 1.31 to 1.36; p<0.0001) had higher odds of not achieving the MIC.

Conclusion

Younger patients, females and patients with cartilage injuries and higher pre-operative Sport/Rec and QoL KOOS scores are less likely to benefit from ACL-R and subsequently, have a lower probability for improved Sport/Rec and QoL scores after ACL-R. Furthermore, graft choice may also affect the risk of not achieving the MIC.

Level of evidence

Retrospective cohort study, level III.
Conceptualising the episodic nature of disability among adults living with Long COVID: a qualitative study
Authors: O’Brien Kelly K , Brown Darren A , McDuff Kiera , St. Clair-Sullivan Natalie , Solomon Patricia , Chan Carusone Soo , McCorkell Lisa , Wei Hannah , Goulding Susie , O'Hara Margaret , Thomson Catherine , Roche Niamh , Stokes Ruth , Vera Jaime H , Erlandson Kristine M , Bergin Colm , Robinson Larry , Cheung Angela M , Torres Brittany , Avery Lisa , Bannan Ciaran , Harding Richard
Published: March 2023

Introduction

Our aim was to describe episodic nature of disability among adults living with Long COVID.

Methods

We conducted a community-engaged qualitative descriptive study involving online semistructured interviews and participant visual illustrations. We recruited participants via collaborator community organisations in Canada, Ireland, UK and USA.

We recruited adults who self-identified as living with Long COVID with diversity in age, gender, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation and duration since initial COVID infection between December 2021 and May 2022. We used a semistructured interview guide to explore experiences of disability living with Long COVID, specifically health-related challenges and how they were experienced over time. We asked participants to draw their health trajectory and conducted a group-based content analysis.

Results

Among the 40 participants, the median age was 39 years (IQR: 32–49); majority were women (63%), white (73%), heterosexual (75%) and living with Long COVID for ≥1 year (83%). Participants described their disability experiences as episodic in nature, characterised by fluctuations in presence and severity of health-related challenges (disability) that may occur both within a day and over the long-term living with Long COVID. They described living with ‘ups and downs’, ‘flare-ups’ and ‘peaks’ followed by ‘crashes’, ‘troughs’ and ‘valleys’, likened to a ‘yo-yo’, ‘rolling hills’ and ‘rollercoaster ride’ with ‘relapsing/remitting’, ‘waxing/waning’, ‘fluctuations’ in health. Drawn illustrations demonstrated variety of trajectories across health dimensions, some more episodic than others. Uncertainty intersected with the episodic nature of disability, characterised as unpredictability of episodes, their length, severity and triggers, and process of long-term trajectory, which had implications on broader health.

Conclusion

Among this sample of adults living with Long COVID, experiences of disability were described as episodic, characterised by fluctuating health challenges, which may be unpredictable in nature. Results can help to better understand experiences of disability among adults living with Long COVID to inform healthcare and rehabilitation.
Risk factors for structural and functional progression of primary open-angle glaucoma in an African ancestry cohort
Authors: Salowe Rebecca J , Chen Yineng , Zenebe-Gete Selam , Lee Roy , Gudiseva Harini V , Di Rosa Isabel , Ross Ahmara G , Cui Qi N , Miller-Ellis Eydie , Addis Victoria , Sankar Prithvi S , Daniel Ebenezer , Ying Gui-shuang , O'Brien Joan M
Published: March 2023

Background/aims

To investigate the rates of structural and functional progression of primary open-angle glaucoma in an African ancestry cohort and identify risk factors for progression.

Methods

This retrospective study included 1424 eyes from glaucoma cases in the Primary Open-Angle African American Glaucoma Genetics cohort, with ≥2 visits for retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) thickness and mean deviation (MD) measurements over ≥6-month follow-up. The rates of structural progression (change in RNFL thickness/year) and functional progression (change in MD/year) were calculated from linear mixed effects models, accounting for intereye correlation and longitudinal correlation. Eyes were categorised as slow, moderate or fast progressors. Risk factors for progression rates were assessed using univariable and multivariable regression models.

Results

The median (interquartile) rates of progression were −1.60 (−2.05 to –1.15) µm/year for RNFL thickness and −0.40 (−0.44 to –0.34) decibels/year for MD. Eyes were categorised as slow (structural: 19%, functional: 88%), moderate (structural: 54%, functional: 11%) and fast (structural: 27%, functional: 1%) progressors. In multivariable analysis, faster RNFL progression was independently associated with thicker baseline RNFL (p<0.0001), lower baseline MD (p=0.003) and beta peripapillary atrophy (p=0.03). Faster MD progression was independently associated with higher baseline MD (p<0.0001), larger cup-to-disc ratios (p=0.02) and lower body mass index (p=0.0004).

Conclusion

The median rates of structural and functional progression in this African ancestry cohort were faster than the rates reported from previously published studies in other ethnic groups. Higher baseline RNFL thickness and MD values were associated with faster progression rates. Results highlight the importance of monitoring structural and functional glaucoma progression to provide timely treatment in early disease.
Efficacy and toxicity of adjuvant radiotherapy in recurrent melanoma after adjuvant immunotherapy
Authors: Bhave Prachi , Hong Angela , Lo Serigne N , Johnson Rebecca , Mangana Johanna , Johnson Douglas B , Dulgar Ozgecan , Eroglu Zeynep , Yeoh Hui-Ling , Haydon Andrew , Lodde Georg C , Livingstone Elisabeth , Khattak Adnan , Kähler Katharina , Hausschild Axel , McArthur Grant A , Menzies Alexander Maxwell , Long Georgina , Wang Wei , Carlino Matteo S
Published: March 2023

Background

In patients with stage III melanoma, despite surgical resection and adjuvant systemic therapy, locoregional recurrences still occur. The randomized, phase III Trans-Tasman Radiation Oncology Group (TROG) 02.01 trial demonstrated that adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) after complete lymphadenectomy (CLND) halves the incidence of melanoma recurrence within local nodal basins without improving overall survival or quality of life. However, the study was conducted prior to the current era of adjuvant systemic therapies and when CLND was the standard approach for microscopic nodal disease. As such, there is currently no data on the role of adjuvant RT in patients with melanoma who recur during or after adjuvant immunotherapy, including those that may or may not have undergone prior CLND. In this study, we aimed to answer this question.

Methods

Patients with resected stage III melanoma who received adjuvant anti-programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1) (±ipilimumab) immunotherapy with a subsequent locoregional (lymph node and/or in-transit metastases) recurrence were retrospectively identified. Multivariable logistic and Cox regression analyses were conducted. Primary outcome was rate of subsequent locoregional recurrence; secondary outcomes were locoregional recurrence-free survival (lr-RFS2) and overall RFS (RFS2) to second recurrence.

Results

In total, 71 patients were identified: 42 (59%) men, 30 (42%) BRAF V600E mutant, 43 (61%) stage IIIC at diagnosis. Median time to first recurrence was 7 months (1–44), 24 (34%) received adjuvant RT and 47 (66%) did not. Thirty-three patients (46%) developed a second recurrence at a median of 5 months (1–22). The rate of locoregional relapse at second recurrence was lower in those who received adjuvant RT (8%, 2/24) compared with those who did not (36%, 17/47, p=0.01). Adjuvant RT at first recurrence was associated with an improved lr-RFS2 (HR 0.16, p=0.015), with a trend towards an improved RFS2 (HR 0.54, p=0.072) and no effect on risk of distant recurrence or overall survival.

Conclusion

This is the first study to investigate the role of adjuvant RT in patients with melanoma with locoregional disease recurrence during or after adjuvant anti-PD-1-based immunotherapy. Adjuvant RT was associated with improved lr-RFS2, but not risk of distant recurrence, demonstrating a likely benefit in locoregional disease control in the modern era. Further prospective studies are required to validate these results.
Professional virtue of civility and the responsibilities of medical educators and academic leaders
Authors: McCullough Laurence B , Coverdale John , Chervenak Frank A
Published: March 2023

Incivility among physicians, between physicians and learners, and between physicians and nurses or other healthcare professionals has become commonplace. If allowed to continue unchecked by academic leaders and medical educators, incivility can cause personal psychological injury and seriously damage organisational culture. As such, incivility is a potent threat to professionalism. This paper uniquely draws on the history of professional ethics in medicine to provide a historically based, philosophical account of the professional virtue of civility. We use a two-step method of ethical reasoning, namely ethical analysis informed by pertinent prior work, followed by identifying the implications of clearly articulated ethical concepts, to meet these goals. The professional virtue of civility and the related concept of professional etiquette was first described by the English physician-ethicist Thomas Percival (1740–1804). Based on a historically informed philosophical account, we propose that the professional virtue of civility has cognitive, affective, behavioural and social components based on a commitment to excellence in scientific and clinical reasoning. Its practice prevents a dysfunctional organisational culture of incivility and sustains a civility-based organisational culture of professionalism. Medical educators and academic leaders are in a pivotal and powerful position to role model, promote and inculcate the professional virtue of civility as essential to an organisational culture of professionalism. Academic leaders should hold medical educators accountable for discharge of this indispensable professional responsibility.
Glacial stream ecosystems and epilithic algal communities under a warming climate
Authors: Sudlow Karson , Tremblay Simonne S. , Vinebrooke Rolf D.
Published: March 2023

Climate change is accelerating the global loss of glaciers with potentially striking consequences for downstream ecosystems. However, there exists limited evidence of the ecological impacts of glacier loss in meltwater streams, particularly in those outside of North America and Europe. We provide a review of the abiotic conditions in glacial streams that are potential factors of their ecosystem function and biodiversity with an emphasis on their key primary producers, namely rock-attached algae or “epilithon”. Here, shrinking glaciers discharge over time less turbid melt waters, resulting in slower moving and more transparent stream conditions that are also warmer and more chemically dilute. We hypothesize that these environmental changes will stimulate epilithic algal growth while also shifting its community structure towards larger and less nutritious taxa. Although such an increase in algal growth may benefit the productive harvestable fish capacity of certain mountain streams, a potential negative trade-off involves the proliferation of nuisance algae (e.g., Didymosphenia geminata), which thrives under clear, nutrient-poor mountain conditions. We advocate the use of long-term ecological monitoring programs and experiments coordinated across global mountain ranges to better predict and understand the ecological consequences of loss of glaciers on mountain stream ecosystems.
The role of Zn ions in the interaction between SARS-CoV-2 orf7a protein and BST2/tetherin
Authors: Botticelli S. , Chiaraluce R. , Consalvi V. , La Penna G. , Pasquo A. , Petrosino M. , Proux O. , Rossi G. C. , Stellato F. , Morante S.
Published: March 2023

In this paper, we provide evidence that Zn$$^{2+}$$

2
+

ions play a role in the SARS-CoV-2 virus strategy to escape the immune response mediated by the BST2-tetherin host protein. This conclusion is based on sequence analysis and molecular dynamics simulations as well as X-ray absorption experiments [1].
Non-invasive evidence of mercury soaps in painted miniatures on ivory
Authors: Garrappa Silvia , Bezdička Petr , Švarcová Silvie , Hradilová Janka , Pech Michal , Hradil David
Published: March 2023

This work focuses on a non-invasive study of two selected painted miniature portraits on ivory to describe the degradation processes resulting from the interaction between mercury-based and lead-based pigments with oils. In the studied miniatures, containing both lead white and cinnabar, the formation of metal soaps has been clearly detected. However, until now they have been identified exclusively as lead soaps. In this study, the formation of mercury soaps has been evidenced in painted artworks for the first time, together with the well-known lead soaps. The fully non-invasive analytical approach involved the use of large-area X-ray fluorescence scanning, X-ray powder diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy accompanied by Raman spectroscopy. It enabled complex description of the miniatures, leading to both the identification and the deduction of approximate composition of mercury soaps. In addition, approximate calculations of the amount of pigments consumed by saponification unveiled the complex processes taking place in the oil-based paint containing both cinnabar and lead white, which were further studied within long-term model experiments monitored by both Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray powder diffraction.
Novel constructed dark, bright and rogue waves of three models of the well-known nonlinear Schrödinger equation
Authors: Khater Mostafa M. A.
Published: March 2023

In this work, three models of the nonlinear Schrödinger equation are looked at to see if traveling wave solutions have unique structures. “The generalized Korteweg–de Vries, (2+1)-dimensional Ablowitz–Kaup–Newell–Segur, and the Maccari models” are among the examined systems. The kinetic energy operator is affected by where the mass is, how it changes over time, and how the kinetic energy operator is shown. Using the generalized Riccati expansion method, new soliton wave solutions are constructed for the models that have been looked at. Several different graphics depict the numerical simulations of the deduced answers. Verifying and improving these methods (Mathematica 13.1) means checking to see if they are right and re-entering the results into the models.
Collective Behavior in Neuronal Networks with Electrical and Hybrid Synapses: Frequency Responses of Oscillations
Authors: Azangue A. B. , Ngouonkadi E. B. Megam , Nono M. Kabong , Fotsin H. B. , Feudjio C. K. , Sone M. Ekonde , Yemele D.
Published: March 2023

We study synchronization through the combination of electrical synapse and hybrid synapse, and analyse frequency responses in a network constituted of two subnetworks (layers). We prove the onset of synchronization for two coupled nondelayed neurons when we set properly the coupling strength of electrical and chemical synapses, and neurotransmitter parameters of chemical synapse with constant initial conditions. The chemical synapse takes into consideration inhibitory and excitatory behaviors of the neuron. We further prove that for random initial conditions of few sets of identical nodes which constitute a network with two layers, global synchronization is possible for specific values of coupling strength and inner matrix configuration. To ensure great accuracy of the global synchronization, we add a controller and for all settings of electrical and chemical parameters, we always observe global synchronization in both layers and then, the associated network. Five different network topologies were used for the analysis. We finally verify the robustness of the global synchronization by using an external sinusoidal stimuli and observe that the control action is very powerful to maintain the global synchronization dynamic of the network. We observe equally that the instantaneous frequency can toggle between delta oscillations, awake state of the brain, up to gamma oscillations which are the frequencies of intensive activities of the brain.
Biological Materials, Synthesized Iron Oxide Nanoparticle and Their Prospective Applications for Energy Dissipation (Case Study — Wonderful Kola Seeds)
Authors: Aderonke Morakinyo Deborah , George Moses , Udeaghulu Cletus , Fadahunsi Olumide , Oyeneyin Ope A. , Luqman Adams , Yahaya Tukur Umar , Kehinde Adeyemi David , Owolabi J. A. , Deinyefa Bozegha , Zacchaeus Ibitoye Ayo , Williams Oluwadamilola Michael , Olaoluwa Adeneye Samuel , Madu Ibrahim , Udu Amadi , Mobolaji Azeez , Ridwan Oladipupo Akolade , Ogunbiyi Emmanuel Kolade
Published: March 2023

This research paper briefly describes the analytical and experimental utilizations of data generated from plant (wonderful kola seeds), natural resources (distilled water), organic material (iron chloride salt) and plant-mediated synthesized iron oxide nanoparticles in a bid to understudy their applications and economic relevance. The data extrapolated from the characterization phase were theoretically, chemically and statistically analyzed as a result of comparison with other data set obtained from relatively published articles or journals, which are in line with nuclear applications and energy generation. The data (generated from the experimental procedure) were converted to energy calibrated values in Mega-electron Volt (MeV).
Revisiting Islamic Economics: Comment on Baaquie (2023)
Authors: Azmat Saad
Published: March 2023

This article is a comment on Baaquie (2023). It revisits important discussions on Islamic Economics. I argue that historically Islamic economics is juxtaposed with capitalism and communism with the intent that somehow Islamic economics was capable of improving on the performance of both these systems. Baaquie (2023) is an interesting and important contribution as it tries in its own way to revive the old debates on Islamic economics but at the same time setting a direction which in many ways is also novel. In this “comment” on Baaquie (2023) I discuss the academic reasoning used to make the arguments, the paper’s departure from the existing literature on Islamic economics along with the main argument of the paper. Here I pay particular attention to Baaquie’s (2023) approach of distinguishing the micro and the macro economy in an attempt to establish the macroeconomic foundation of Islamic economics.
Where, When, and Why Do Plant Volatiles Mediate Ecological Signaling? The Answer Is Blowing in the Wind
Authors: Schuman Meredith C.
Published: March 2023

Plant volatiles comprise thousands of molecules from multiple metabolic pathways, distinguished by sufficient vapor pressure to evaporate into the headspace under normal environmental conditions. Many are implicated as ecological signals, but what is the evidence—and how do they work? Volatiles diffuse, are carried by wind, and may be taken up by other organisms or degrade with exposure to atmospheric ozone, radicals, and UV light; visual signals such as color are not subject to these complications (but require a line of sight). Distantly related plants—and nonplants—produce many of the same volatiles, yet specific compounds and blends may be distinct. Here, I present a quantitative review of the literature on plant volatiles as ecological signals, illustrating a field that has focused on developing ideas as much as reporting primary data. I discuss advantages and constraints, review recent advances, and propose considerations for primary studies to elucidate particular functions of plant volatiles.
In Situ/Operando Characterization Techniques of Electrochemical CO2 Reduction
Authors: Hasa Bjorn , Zhao Yaran , Jiao Feng
Published: March 2023

Electrocatalytic conversion of carbon dioxide to valuable chemicals and fuels driven by renewable energy plays a crucial role in achieving net-zero carbon emissions. Understanding the structure–activity relationship and the reaction mechanism is significant for tuning electrocatalyst selectivity. Therefore, characterizing catalyst dynamic evolution and reaction intermediates under reaction conditions is necessary but still challenging. We first summarize the most recent progress in mechanistic understanding of heterogeneous CO2/CO reduction using in situ/operando techniques, including surface-enhanced vibrational spectroscopies, X-ray- and electron-based techniques, and mass spectroscopy, along with discussing remaining limitations. We then offer insights and perspectives to accelerate the future development of in situ/operando techniques.
Land Inequalities in the United States
Authors: Becher Debbie
Published: March 2023

Outside of Indigenous studies, sociologists tend to treat land in the United States as governed exclusively by an entrenched private-property regime: Land is a commodity and an object for individual control. This review presents land in the United States as more complicated and contingent. State law and related ideas comprise a dominant, hegemonic power that often appears unitary, coherent, and all-powerful. And yet, land takes on diverse cultural, legal, and material forms—within written laws and official practices, and in informal practices and cultures. Inequalities emerge as these different forms of land provide power, material goods, and a sense of belonging to some while excluding others, and as marginalized groups assert access, security, and meaning in land. Three sections of the review—land tenures, land regulations, and social identities—present conversations about how human relationships with land diverge from the treatment of land as a settled object for individual control.
Visual Representations: Insights from Neural Decoding
Authors: Robinson Amanda K. , Quek Genevieve L. , Carlson Thomas A.
Published: March 2023

Patterns of brain activity contain meaningful information about the perceived world. Recent decades have welcomed a new era in neural analyses, with computational techniques from machine learning applied to neural data to decode information represented in the brain. In this article, we review how decoding approaches have advanced our understanding of visual representations and discuss efforts to characterize both the complexity and the behavioral relevance of these representations. We outline the current consensus regarding the spatiotemporal structure of visual representations and review recent findings that suggest that visual representations are at once robust to perturbations, yet sensitive to different mental states. Beyond representations of the physical world, recent decoding work has shone a light on how the brain instantiates internally generated states, for example, during imagery and prediction. Going forward, decoding has remarkable potential to assess the functional relevance of visual representations for human behavior, reveal how representations change across development and during aging, and uncover their presentation in various mental disorders.
Flow Injection Electrochemical Quartz Crystal Microbalance with ICP-OES Detection: Electroprecipitation and Stripping of Lanthanum and Neodymium in a Flow Cell
Authors: Molina Daniel E. , Wall Nathalie A. , Beyenal Haluk , Ivory Cornelius F.
Published: March 2023

We used an improved version of our hyphenated analysis technique, flow injection electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance with inductively coupled optical emission spectroscopy (FI-EQCM-ICP-OES), to investigate the electroprecipitation of lanthanum and neodymium from flowing solutions. The improved version has two independent flow injection circuits, allowing different conditions for electrochemical precipitation (pH = 4.3 or 2.6) and quick stripping (2% HNO3) with EQCM mass detection and ICP-OES elemental analysis. Lanthanum or neodymium ions in a 500 μl sample were injected into a carrier stream and deposited onto an electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance (EQCM) housed in a micro flow cell, owing to a localized high-pH layer. The deposits are subsequently stripped from the electrode using HNO3 and analyzed downstream using an ICP-OES. We found that using acidic solutions without supporting electrolyte leads to an increase of the amount of lanthanum detected by 4-fold. The enhanced deposition can be attributed to enhanced mass transfer by migration. Moreover, we showed that by applying chronopotentiometry, we can detect a change in the hydrogen evolution reaction mechanism that enables the precipitation of lanthanides on the surface of the electrode. Understanding and enhancing the deposition of lanthanides is relevant for elemental or isotopic detection in nuclear forensics.
Attenuation of noise correlations in the transformation from the frontal eye field to movement
Authors: Larry Noga , Joshua Mati
Published: March 2023

The effect of noise correlations on neural computations has been studied extensively. However, the degree to which correlations affect downstream areas remains unknown. Here, we take advantage of precise measurement of eye movement behavior to estimate the degree to which correlated variability between neurons in the frontal eye field (FEF) affects subsequent behavior. To achieve this, we developed a novel shuffling-based method and verified it using different models of the FEF.
Evaluation of Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Activities of Casein-Derived Bioactive Peptides Using Trypsin Enzyme
Authors: Mokhtari Raziyeh , Rezaei Mansour , Kazemi Fard Mohammad , Dirandeh Essa
Published: March 2023

In this study, bioactive peptides were produced by enzymatic hydrolysis of casein protein with trypsin (pH = 8). The hydrolysates were analyzed for the degree of hydrolysis (DH) and antioxidant activities, viz. 2, 2′-diphenyl-1picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and 3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) assay at three temperatures of 40, 50, and 60°C for 4, 5, and 6 hours. Also, the antimicrobial activity of the experimental samples was evaluated using the disk diffusion method. The dilution method was used to evaluate the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and the minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBC). The antimicrobial activity of the resulting peptides was investigated by forming growth inhibitory region at three concentrations of 2, 2.5, and 3 mg/ml−1 on Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium, Bacillus cereus, and Staphylococcus aureus. As the degree of hydrolysis increased, more peptides were produced, and antioxidant activity was increased. All of the experiments were conducted with three replicates. The highest degree of hydrolysis (28.44%) and antioxidant properties (DPPH: 76.62%; FRAP: 55 mM Fe(II); ABTS: 84.05%) was at 60°C and four hours (

P
<
0.05

). They were compared with the synthetic antioxidant butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT). Peptides had the greatest effect on S. typhimurium at a concentration of 3 mg/ml−1 but did not affect S. aureus (

P
<
0.05

). The lowest MIC and MBC were related to B. cereus (3.412 and 7.725 μg/ml), respectively, and the highest were related to S. typhimurium (8.515 and 8.555 μg/ml). This study examines the antioxidant and antibacterial properties of casein-derived peptides and contrasts them with chemically created ones to see whether these peptides can be substituted by chemical antioxidants and antibiotics. The results showed that the bioactive peptides produced from casein have antioxidant and antibacterial properties and can be recommended for the production, enrichment, and formulation of various food products to increase health.
3-(5-Hydroxyphenyl)-5-Phenyl-2-Pyrazolines as Toll-Like Receptor 7 Agonists
Authors: Kim Ji Hwan , Ahn Seunghyun , Koh Dongsoo , Lee Young Han , Lim Yoongho , Shin Soon Young
Published: March 2023

Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7) is an attractive target for developing immune modulators to enhance innate immunity against ssRNA virus infections, including hepatitis C and COVID-19. Ten 3-(5-hydroxyphenyl)-5-phenyl-2-pyrazolines were tested using TLR7 reporter cells, overexpressing TLR7 and the NF-κB-inducible SEAP reporter gene to discover a novel TLR7 agonist enhancing innate immunity. Of these, 2-(3-(2-hydroxynaphthalen-1-yl)-5-(4-methoxyphenyl)-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)thiazol-4(5H)-one (compound 6) showed the best TLR7 agonistic activity, and further experiments were carried out to study the immune-modulatory capability of compound 6. Treatment with compound 6 rapidly induced phosphorylation of IRAK4, IKKα/β, IκBα, and p65/RelA in THP1 monocytic cells. In addition, it increased the expression of NF-κB-regulated innate cytokines, such as TNFα and IL1β, in THP1 monocytic cells. These data suggest that compound 6 induces an innate immune response by agonizing TLR7 activity in THP1 human monocytic cells. Therefore, compound 6 can be used as an innate immune modulator to develop antiviral agents and vaccine adjuvants.
Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Enhance Biomass Growth, Mineral Content, and Antioxidant Activity in Tomato Plants under Drought Stress
Authors: Alam Mohammad Zahangeer , Choudhury Tasrina Rabia , Mridha M. A. U.
Published: March 2023

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are symbiotically associated with crops. They increase biomass production, nutritional elements, and antioxidant activities in food and vegetable crops grown in soil under stress conditions. The present study focused on the effects of AMF (Acaulospora morrowiae, Paraglomus occultum, Funneliformis mosseae, Rhizophagus clarus, and Rhizophagus intraradices) on biomass growth and yield, contents of chlorophyll and carotenoids, activities of catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and contents of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), malondialdehyde (MDA), and minerals (Na, K, Ca, Mg, and Fe) in Unnayan, LT896, and Minto super tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) varieties grown in soil under drought stress (<10% moisture). The results showed that root length and shoot mass in plants treated with R. clarus and P. occultum were significantly higher than those of the control (non-AMF) in Minto super tomato. Compared to the control, the shoot’s dry weight and yield were enhanced by 28% and 20% with AMF-treated tomatoes. The CAT activity in P. occultum-treated plants was statistically higher than that of the control in Unnayan tomatoes. H2O2 content was detected higher in the control than R. clarus-treated LT896 tomatoes. In plants treated with A. morrowiae and R. clarus, APX activity was significantly higher than that of the control in the Unnayan tomatoes. CAT and APX activity increased by 42% and 66% in AMF-treated leaves of tomatoes compared to non-AMF. Treatment with AMF reduced the content of MDA and H2O2 (ROS) in the leaves of tomato plants by 50% and 2% compared to the control, respectively. Potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and iron (Fe) of tomato fruits increased by 2%, 13%, 24%, and 37% with AMF treatment compared to the control. These results suggested that biomass growth, yield, photosynthetic pigments, antioxidant enzyme activity, and mineral contents could be enhanced by AMF in food crops grown under drought stress. It is concluded that AMF might be used for the development of AMF-enriched biofertilizers that will improve the nutritional quality of food crops grown under stress conditions.
Connectedness of International Stock Market at Major Public Events: Empirical Study via Dynamic Time Warping-Based Network
Authors: Li Kelong , Xie Chi , Ouyang Yingbo , Mo Tingcheng , Zeng Zhijian
Published: March 2023

Several public events have drawn renewed attention to the connectedness of the international stock market since the financial crisis of 2008. We investigate systemic and regional connectedness among stock markets around the world at major public events by constructing correlation networks for 46 markets based on the dynamic time-warping method. We find that (i) geographic regionalization is typically observed in the stock market network, in which France is dominant, (ii) Europe has the greatest and the Middle East and Africa the least within-region connectedness, (iii) the correlation network structure is highly integrated and compact at major public events, and global events influence the international stock market more significantly than regional events do, and (iv) the importance of China reaches its peak during the era of Sino-US trade friction, showing that public events have enormous impacts on the countries involved.
The Relationship between Big Data Analytic-Artificial Intelligence and Environmental Performance: A Moderated Mediated Model of Green Supply Chain Collaboration (GSCC) and Top Management Commitment (TMC)
Authors: Gallo Hafid , Khadem Amir , Alzubi Ahmad
Published: March 2023

Academics and practitioners have shown growing interests in big data analytics and artificial intelligence (BDA-AI) in recent years. Despite this, research on the application of BDA-AI for green supply chain collaboration (GSCC) and its influence on environmental performance (EP) is still limited. The current research addresses this gap and extends organizational information processing theory by incorporating BDA-AI and exploring top management commitment (TMC) as a moderator. The current study developed a moderated mediation model based on 402 samples of data from Turkish manufacturing firms. The result revealed that the application of BDA-AI has a positive impact on GSCC and EP. The results also indicated that GSCC has a positive impact on EP. Our findings revealed that GSCC mediated the association between BDA-AI and EP. The results also revealed that TMC moderated the positive relationship between BDA-AI and GSCC, such that the strength of the positive relationship is further intensified at higher levels of TMC. The results also show that TMC moderated the positive relationship between BDA-AI and EP, such that the strength of the positive relationship is dampened at lower levels of TMC; significant findings have not been outlined in the extant literature. The current research will assist supply chain and logistics managers and top management in deploying BDA-AI technology to support GSCC and improve EP.
Evaluation of Railway Transportation Performance Based on CRITIC-Relative Entropy Method in China
Authors: Zhang Liangliang , Cheng Qian , Qu Siyuan
Published: March 2023

Railway transportation affects the overall transportation process and integrated sustainable development. Evaluation of the railway transportation performance is of great significance for building an efficient and comprehensive railway transportation system. The research establishes a methodology to evaluate railway transportation performance in China. Firstly, the research determines the indexes for evaluation of railway transportation performance, including railway safety, infrastructure, equipment, operation efficiency, and green development. Second, the weight of each index is calculated by using criteria importance through the intercriteria correlation method (CRITIC). Third, the railway transportation performance is assessed based on multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM), by applying the CRITIC-relative entropy method. Finally, the empirical analysis shows that, in 2018, the railway transportation performance is underdeveloped in almost half of China’s railway bureaus and that there are obvious differences between railway bureaus in the east and west. The evaluation of railway transportation performance could be used to improve the sustainable ability of railway transportation in China.
Combined Effects of Domestication and Extraction Technique on Essential Oil Yield, Chemical Profiling, and Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities of Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.)
Authors: Sakar El Hassan , Zeroual Ahmed , Kasrati Ayoub , Gharby Said
Published: March 2023

We aimed at comparing the effects of domestication and extraction technique on the chemical profiling and antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of Rosmarinus officinalis essential oil (ROEO). This was isolated from wild (WR) and cultivated rosemary (CR) using microwave-assisted extraction (ME) and Clevenger hydrodistillation (CH). Domestication was the main variability source in ROEO constituents, while yield was equally determined by domestication and extraction techniques. Our results revealed important variations, owing to domestication and isolation technique, in terms of ROEO yield (1.10–2.85%), major compounds: α-pinene (14.07–42.03%), camphene (2.26–8.19%), β-pinene (0.35–3.76%), α-terpinene (0.55–2.92%), p-cymene (1.22–4.18%), limonene (0.64–2.79%), 1,8-cineole (31.73–40.72%), β-myrcene (2.09–3.2%), linalool (0.22–1.94%), camphor (12.12–19.66%), borneol (0.53–1.67%), and α-terpineol (1.46–7.45%) as well as minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC, 6.17–15.50 μg/mL), and antioxidant activity (IC50, 2.61–8.58 mg/mL). WR performed better in terms of yield, limonene, cineole, camphor, MIC, and IC50, while the remaining compounds were better expressed in CR. ME displayed high records of ROEO traits except for limonene, camphor, and verbenone (better expressed in CH). Principal component analysis confirmed the obtained findings via the separation of WR, CR, and techniques through the first two components (over 93% of data variability). In conclusion, R. officinalis domestication results in differentiated effects on ROEO traits, fostering a better accumulation of some compounds but reducing yield of other compounds and therefore antioxidant along with antimicrobial activity. ME could be recommended as a green method for ROEO isolation since it was more efficient in terms of the investigated ROEO traits.
Molecular Identification, Pathogenesis, and Life Cycle of Sarcocystis cruzi from Cattle (Bos taurus) in New Valley Governorate, Egypt
Authors: El-Mahdi Mohammed B. M. , Rabie Soheir A. , Hassanine Reda M. El-S. , Hassan Amal A. , Abo Elhussien Obaida F. , Ghoneum Mamdooh , El-Gerbed Mohamed S. A.
Published: March 2023

Sarcocystis cruzi was identified by molecular methods from an intermediate host, cattle (Bos taurus), in El-Kharga, New Valley Governorate, Egypt, and its life cycle and pathogenicity were studied in the final host, dogs (Canis familiaris). 600 slaughtered cattle aged 6–8 years (480/120 males/females) were included. In addition, three laboratory-bred, coccidian-free puppies aged 2–3 months were fed infected bovine muscles to locate the definitive host and analyze sporogony. 18S rRNA-specific gene primers were used for DNA amplification from esophageal muscles. These polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplicons were subjected to restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and molecular sequence analysis. Infection was detected in 78.8% (473/600; 95% CI, 75.56–82.11%). Histopathological examination of esophageal muscles showed oval- to spherical-shaped cysts, 96.7 μm wide by 326.9 μm long; cysts in cardiac muscles were ovoid and smaller. Infected puppies began shedding sporocysts in feces 7 days post-inoculation and showed distorted organ architecture, severe cellular damage, and inflammatory lesions in liver, kidney, esophagus, and stomach. Three oocysts with different shapes and sizes were identified. Partial 18S rRNA gene sequences of isolated New Valley sarcocysts were identical to S. cruzi isolated from different areas, verifying their genetic relatedness. Our analysis suggests that S. cruzi is the most prevalent in slaughtered cattle in New Valley Governorate, Egypt.