bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Recent innovations in adaptive trial designs: A review of design opportunities in translational research
Authors: Kaizer Alexander M. , Belli Hayley M. , Ma Zhongyang , Nicklawsky Andrew G. , Roberts Samantha C. , Wild Jessica , Wogu Adane F. , Xiao Mengli , Sabo Roy T.
Published: April 2023

Clinical trials are constantly evolving in the context of increasingly complex research questions and potentially limited resources. In this review article, we discuss the emergence of “adaptive” clinical trials that allow for the preplanned modification of an ongoing clinical trial based on the accumulating evidence with application across translational research. These modifications may include terminating a trial before completion due to futility or efficacy, re-estimating the needed sample size to ensure adequate power, enriching the target population enrolled in the study, selecting across multiple treatment arms, revising allocation ratios used for randomization, or selecting the most appropriate endpoint. Emerging topics related to borrowing information from historic or supplemental data sources, sequential multiple assignment randomized trials (SMART), master protocol and seamless designs, and phase I dose-finding studies are also presented. Each design element includes a brief overview with an accompanying case study to illustrate the design method in practice. We close with brief discussions relating to the statistical considerations for these contemporary designs.
Staying Power: Strategies for Weathering Criminal Violence in Marginal Neighborhoods of Medellín and Monterrey
Authors: Bell-Martin Rebecca , Marston Jerome F.
Published: April 2023

Criminal violence in Latin American cities is increasing. Meanwhile, with urbanization, greater numbers of people are moving to cities and into the crossfire. What self-protection strategies do residents adopt to keep safe in violent cities? Drawing on qualitative data from Medellín, Colombia, and Monterrey, Mexico, we document the strategies residents use to stay safe. We synthesize insights from studies of civil war, criminal governance, and urban violence to construct an analytical framework to systematically catalog and name these strategies. We posit that the type of violence residents face—indiscriminate or targeted—influences the strategies they pursue. Responding to either the indiscriminate or targeted form, residents employ survival strategies to avoid, withstand, or confront violence. Our research underscores the centrality of agency for residents’ “staying power” amid urban violence.
On Practical Uses of Ten Sefirot: Material Readings in an Early Modern Kabbalistic Collectaneum (MS Michael 473)
Authors: Paluch Agata
Published: April 2023

By the end of the sixteenth century, textual manifestations of kabbalah—a variety of Jewish mysticism that first emerged in medieval Provence and Catalonia—achieved the status of elite but authoritative lore in Eastern and Central Europe, even if at times they stirred religious opposition. At the same time, and especially in the seventeenth century, the so-called practical kabbalah, associated with magic and a talismanic approach to religious ritual, gained substantial popularity among Ashkenazi (i.e., Eastern and Central European) Jews. This study centers on a multiple-text and composite codex, Oxford-Bodleian MS Michael 473, and throws into relief the dynamics of circulation of various kabbalistic traditions in early modern Eastern and Central Europe. By zooming in on a single codex, this article foregrounds the hermeneutic potential of contextual reading of texts in complex manuscripts and of interpreting material choices taken by their cocreators. It does so with a methodological agenda that goes beyond tracing of authorial genealogies, and beyond the sociology of texts and their producers, toward exploring the interpretive relations of literary and material form in early modern handwritten kabbalistic texts. The article showcases a single textual unit, Qabbalat ‘Eser Sefirot, that MS Michael 473 contains, in order to focus on the position of practical kabbalistic texts and practices within the spectrum of kabbalistic traditions of seventeenth- and early eighteenth-century Eastern and Central Europe, ushered in by the contemporary modes of reading and transcription of texts.
ALIGNING PARTICIPATION AND PROTECTION IN THE WOMEN, PEACE AND SECURITY AGENDA
Authors: Turner Catherine , Swaine Aisling
Published: April 2023

This article presents the first feminist doctrinal textual analysis of cross-pillar synergies within thematic resolutions of the United Nations Security Council. Specifically, it examines the pillars relating to ‘participation’ and ‘protection’ under the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda. In attempts to balance agency with victimhood, normative advancement of both pillars has until recently evolved along parallel tracks, with little acknowledgment of how protection relates to women's participation. This article identifies synergies, gaps and productive tensions as the WPS agenda begins to engage with the inter-relationship between the pillars. It outlines critical implications and considerations for any future moves towards cross-pillar congruence.
NET ZERO EMISSIONS AND FREE TRADE AGREEMENTS: EFFORTS AT INTEGRATING CLIMATE GOALS BY THE UNITED KINGDOM AND AUSTRALIA
Authors: Young Margaret A , Clough Georgina
Published: April 2023

The negotiation of the free trade agreement (FTA) between Australia and the United Kingdom promised to integrate trade and climate policies. As a leader of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) conference in Glasgow, the UK seemed well-placed to exert pressure on Australia, a country that was yet to embrace a target of net zero emissions by 2050. This article asks whether the FTA achieves this aim. It explains the link between trade liberalisation and climate change, referring to the scale and composition of economic activity and drawing upon examples from energy, agriculture, building and transportation sectors, as well as strategic factors. It provides an original analytical framework to assess the FTA's contributions to climate change goals, pointing to: (1) provisions to strengthen climate commitments, including net zero targets; (2) provisions to facilitate trade and investment in climate-related areas; and (3) provisions relating to enforcement and cooperation. It compares selected initiatives of other FTAs, including the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), the European Union–Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), the UK–New Zealand FTA and the Singapore–Australia Green Economy Agreement. It reviews the FTA's negotiating process and its aftermath, including complaints about public participation. The article's conclusion that the FTA makes minimal contribution to climate change mitigation has implications for the broader quest for mutually supportive trade and climate policies, and, now that a net zero target has been legislated by the newly elected Australian Parliament, for the FTA's future implementation.
Integrating medical rules to assist attention for sleep apnea detection
Authors: Li Jianqiang , Song Xiaoxiao , Lin Yanning , Wang Junya , Guo Dongying , Chen Jie
Published: April 2023

Sleep apnea is one of the most common sleep disorders. The consequences of undiagnosed sleep apnea can be very serious, increasing the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and Alzheimer’s disease over a long period of time. However, many people are often unaware of their condition. The gold standard for diagnosing sleep apnea is nighttime polysomnography monitoring in a specialized sleep laboratory. However, these diagnoses are expensive and the number of beds is limited, and there is insufficient monitoring in terms of time dimension. Existing methods for automated detection use no more than three physiological signals, but all other signals are also associated with the patient’s sleep. In addition, the limited amount of medical real annotation data, especially abnormal samples, lead to weak model generalization capability. The gap between model generalization capability and medical field needs still exists. In this paper, we propose a method for integrating medical interpretation rules into a long short-term memory neural network based on self-attention with multichannel respiratory signals as input. We obtain attention weights through a token-level attention mechanism and then extract key rules of medical interpretation to assist the weights, improving model generalization and reducing the dependence on data volume. Compared with the best prediction performance of existing methods, the average improvements of our method in accuracy, precision, and f1-score are 3.26%, 7.03%, and 1.78%, respectively. The algorithm tested the performance of our model on the Sleep Heart Health Study data set and found that the model outperformed existing methods and could help physicians make decisions in their practices.
Gerald of Wales (c. 1146–1223): A Canonist Rediscovered
Authors: Doe Norman
Published: April 2023

2023 marks the 800th anniversary of the death of Gerald of Wales. Scholarship to-date has focused on Gerald's extensive non-legal literature. His contribution to canon law has hitherto been neglected. However, Gerald was a canon lawyer of considerable stature. He was a student and teacher of canon law, he administered canon law and defended it against the encroachment of the royal law, and he litigated in canon law to the highest level – the papal court in Rome.
After the Colonial Past: Ambivalences of Assimilation in French Guiana from 1946 to the mid-1950s
Authors: Maurice Edenz
Published: April 2023

Focusing on the case of French Guiana from 1946 to the mid-1950s, this article aims to contribute to reflection on the controversial notion of assimilation. The author therefore pays attention to the trajectories of the préfet, i.e. from 1947 the highest civil representative of the state and Creole teachers, the latter providing the largest contingent of indigenous colonial officials. The article argues that, while assimilation is often perceived as a policy that aims to impose an order designed for the mainland through a universalist ideal that erases differences, in reality it did not produce uniformity and its ideal could be – and often was – negotiated under the constraints of a post-slavery society in which the elites were indeed Black.
Follow the MAPCA: an unusual source of right pulmonary artery flow
Authors: Dalby Stephen T. , Angtuaco Michael J.
Published: April 2023

Major aortopulmonary collateral arteries in the setting of pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum are very rarely encountered, having been documented in only a handful of case reports. We present the right ventriculogram of a patient found to have this rare combination of findings along with right ventricular-dependent coronary artery circulation and unusual supply of the right pulmonary artery.
Where you live explains how much you trust local (and national) institutions: A study of the Italian case
Authors: Angelucci Davide , Vittori Davide
Published: April 2023

Trust in national and local institutions is an essential component of democracy. The literature has dealt mainly with the former, while less attention has been given to the latter. This paper advances a novel theoretical approach to inquire about trust in local institutions, which is also used to test national ones. We posit that trust is affected by the perceptions individuals have of the physical space where they live. Both a) the perceived quality of life in the neighbourhood where individuals live and b) the neighbourhood (perceived) peripherality are hypothesized to affect trust in local (and to a lesser extent) national institutions. We test our hypotheses in Italy, over a large representative sample of more than 40.000 respondents. We show that both variables are crucial predictors of local trust, but only the perceived quality of life predicts national trust. Equally important, social, cultural and economic individual capital does not modify the relation.
Attenuated glucose-stimulated insulin secretion during an acute IGF-1 LR3 infusion into fetal sheep does not persist in isolated islets
Authors: White Alicia , Stremming Jane , Brown Laura D. , Rozance Paul J.
Published: April 2023

Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) is a critical fetal growth hormone that has been proposed as a therapy for intrauterine growth restriction. We previously demonstrated that a 1-week IGF-1 LR3 infusion into fetal sheep reduces in vivo and in vitro insulin secretion suggesting an intrinsic islet defect. Our objective herein was to determine whether this intrinsic islet defect was related to chronicity of exposure. We therefore tested the effects of a 90-min IGF-1 LR3 infusion on fetal glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) and insulin secretion from isolated fetal islets. We first infused late gestation fetal sheep (n = 10) with either IGF-1 LR3 (IGF-1) or vehicle control (CON) and measured basal insulin secretion and in vivo GSIS utilizing a hyperglycemic clamp. We then isolated fetal islets immediately following a 90-min IGF-1 or CON in vivo infusion and exposed them to glucose or potassium chloride to measure in vitro insulin secretion (IGF-1, n = 6; CON, n = 6). Fetal plasma insulin concentrations decreased with IGF-1 LR3 infusion (P < 0.05), and insulin concentrations during the hyperglycemic clamp were 66% lower with IGF-1 LR3 infusion compared to CON (P < 0.0001). Insulin secretion in isolated fetal islets was not different based on infusion at the time of islet collection. Therefore, we speculate that while acute IGF-1 LR3 infusion may directly suppress insulin secretion, the fetal β-cell in vitro retains the ability to recover GSIS. This may have important implications when considering the long-term effects of treatment modalities for fetal growth restriction.
Does Providing External Standards After Keyword Generation Improve Metacomprehension Accuracy and Regulation for High School Students?
Authors: Waldeyer Julia , Roelle Julian
Published: April 2023

Abstract: Our study investigated whether comparing expert keywords after learners have generated keywords on their own improves relative metacomprehension accuracy for high school students – as found by Waldeyer and Roelle (2021 ) with university students. Moreover, we analyzed whether this potential improvement in metacomprehension accuracy in turn affects regulation decisions. We conducted an experiment with 142 high school students who read three expository texts and then were randomly assigned to one of two experimental conditions: (a) generation of keywords after reading and a comparison with expert keywords, or (b) generation of keywords after reading without comparison. We found that relative metacomprehension accuracy did not differ between the conditions. Also, regulation decisions were not affected by condition. Our findings are discussed with respect to limitations and implications.
Rupture Geometry and Slip Distribution of the Mw 7.2 Nippes Earthquake, Haiti, From Space Geodetic Data
Authors: Raimbault B. , Jolivet R. , Calais E. , Symithe S. , Fukushima Y. , Dubernet P.
Published: April 2023

On 14 August 2021 the Mw 7.2 Nippes earthquake struck southern Haiti, rupturing a segment of the Enriquillo‐Plantain Garden Fault system (EPGF), a 300 km‐long strike‐slip fault system that accommodates half of the highly oblique convergence displacement between the Caribbean and the North American plates. We use coseismic surface displacements from Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar and Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) to estimate the geometry of the rupture through a systematic parametric exploration, determine its mechanism, and relate them to the regional tectonics derived from interseismic GNSS measurements. We show that the earthquake ruptured a north dipping fault (66 ± 4° dip) with a geodetically determined moment release that is 40% reverse and 60% strike‐slip. We cannot conclude whether this north‐dipping structure is the EPGF itself or a distinct fault running parallel to the EPGF. The rupture then evolved to the west on a vertical (86 ± 2° dip) fault parallel to the EPGF, the Ravine du Sud fault, with left‐lateral strike‐slip motion. The coseismic slip distribution of the 2010 Léogane and 2021 Nippes earthquakes, consistent with the transpressional interseismic strain rate field, show a segmentation of the Caribbean–North American plate boundary in southern Haiti and imply a revision in our understanding of the mode of earthquake rupture within the EPGF system.
Mechanisms of Subsidence and Uplift of Southern Patagonia and Offshore Basins During Slab Window Formation
Authors: Ding Xuesong , Dávila Federico M. , Lithgow‐Bertelloni Carolina
Published: April 2023

Subduction of bathymetric anomalies (e.g., an active ridge) can alter the morphology of subducted slabs and their coupling to surface processes. A natural laboratory to study these effects is the subduction of the Oceanic Chilean Ridge beneath the South American plate, which led to the formation of the Patagonian slab window. Its formation and subsequent northward migration contributed to the regression of Patagoniense sea and exhumation of marine strata to their present elevation. To date, there is no quantitative analysis of the effects on the sediment routing system of the slab window. We modeled the Neogene topographic change and foreland sedimentary evolution from the Andean Cordillera to Atlantic margin. Our results show that subcrustal‐driven subsidence correlated with accelerated subduction of the Nazca plate is required to explain the timing of the Patagonian transgression and thickness and spatial extent of marine beds during the incursion. In other words, traditional mechanisms, such as foreland flexure and global sea‐level rise, are insufficient. The subsequent regression and accumulation of mid‐Miocene alluvial‐fluvial deposits were associated with the growth of the Cordillera and a possible flattening of Nazca subduction in the middle Miocene. Isostatic uplift of ∼1 km due to lithospheric thinning during slab window formation can explain the foreland exhumation, sediment bypass, and increases in the offshore sedimentation rate. However, spatial‐temporal varying dynamic uplift is required to explain the along‐strike variations in foreland sedimentation. Our study provides new insights into the interplay between slab window formation, crustal deformation, and landscape evolution.
High‐Resolution InSAR Reveals Localized Pre‐Eruptive Deformation Inside the Crater of Agung Volcano, Indonesia
Authors: Bemelmans M. J. W. , Biggs J. , Poland M. , Wookey J. , Ebmeier S. K. , Diefenbach A. K. , Syahbana D.
Published: April 2023

During a volcanic crisis, high‐rate, localized deformation can indicate magma close to the surface, with important implications for eruption forecasting. However, only a few such examples have been reported, because frequent, dense monitoring is needed. High‐resolution Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) is capable of achieving <1 m spatial resolution and sub‐weekly revisit times, but is under‐used. Here we use high‐resolution satellite SAR imagery from COSMO‐SkyMed, TerraSAR‐X, and Sentinel‐1 to detect intra‐crater uplift preceding the November 2017 onset of eruptive activity at Agung, Indonesia. Processing the SAR imagery with an up‐to‐date, accurate, high‐resolution digital elevation model was crucial for preventing aliasing of the deformation signal and for accurate georeferencing. We show that >15 cm of line‐of‐sight shortening occurred over a 400‐by‐400 m area on the crater floor in September‐October 2017, accompanying a deep seismic swarm and flank dyke intrusion. We attribute the deformation to the pressurization of a shallow (<200 m deep) hydrothermal system by the injection of magmatic gases and fluids. We also observe a second pulse of intra‐crater deformation of 3–5 cm within 4 days to 11 hr prior to the first phreatomagmatic eruption, which is consistent with interaction between the hydrothermal system and the ascending magma. This phreatomagmatic eruption created the central pathway used during the final stages of magma ascent. Our observations have important implications for understanding unrest and eruption forecasting, and demonstrate the potential of monitoring with high‐resolution SAR.
Disrupted longitudinal restoration of brain connectivity during weight normalization in severe anorexia nervosa
Authors: Kaufmann Lisa-Katrin , Hänggi Jürgen , Jäncke Lutz , Baur Volker , Piccirelli Marco , Kollias Spyros , Schnyder Ulrich , Martin-Soelch Chantal , Milos Gabriella
Published: April 2023

Altered intrinsic brain connectivity of patients with anorexia nervosa has been observed in the acute phase of the disorder, but it remains unclear to what extent these alterations recover during weight normalization. In this study, we used functional imaging data from three time points to probe longitudinal changes in intrinsic connectivity patterns in patients with severe anorexia nervosa (BMI ≤ 15.5 kg/m2) over the course of weight normalization. At three distinct stages of inpatient treatment, we examined resting-state functional connectivity in 27 women with severe anorexia nervosa and 40 closely matched healthy controls. Using network-based statistics and graph-theoretic measures, we examined differences in global network strength, subnetworks with altered intrinsic connectivity, and global network topology. Patients with severe anorexia nervosa showed weakened intrinsic connectivity and altered network topology which did not recover during treatment. The persistent disruption of brain networks suggests sustained alterations of information processing in weight-recovered severe anorexia nervosa.
Increased incidence of vertebral fractures in German adults from 2009 to 2019 and the analysis of secondary diagnoses, treatment, costs, and in-hospital mortality
Authors: Lang Siegmund , Walter Nike , Freigang Viola , Neumann Carsten , Loibl Markus , Alt Volker , Rupp Markus
Published: April 2023

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to present the nationwide rates of hospitalized patients with vertebral fractures over one decade and to comprehensively analyze the treatment characteristics and direct costs incurred in 2019. Therefore, the trends in the incidence rate were quantified based on annual ICD-10 diagnosis codes from all German medical facilities between 2009 and 2019, provided by the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis). The ICD-10 Codes “S12.0-2; S22.0-; S32.0-, and S32.1-2” were evaluated. The relative change from 2009 through 2019 was determined. Using data from the Institute for Hospital Remuneration Systems (InEK) for 2019 the secondary diagnoses, OPS-codes, intensive care unit (ICU) treatment, in-hospital mortality, the proportion of G-DRGs and cumulative costs were evaluated. The documented number of vertebral fractures increased by 45.6% between 2009 and 2019 to an incidence of 150.7 per 100,000 inhabitants. The lumbar spine was most commonly affected with an incidence of 70.5/100,000 inhabitants in 2019 (46.8% of all vertebral fractures). The highest increases were seen in the numbers of subaxial cervical fractures (+ 121.2%) and sacral fractures (+ 306.6%). Of all vertebral fractures in 2019, 63.7% were diagnosed in women and 69.0% in patients aged 70 years or older. Osteoporosis was documented in 17.9% of cases as a concomitant diagnosis. In 10.1% of all cases, an ICU treatment was documented. The in-hospital mortality was 2.0% in 2019. I68D was the most frequently used G-DRG code, accounting for 33.3% of cases. The total direct costs for inpatient treatment in 2019 amounted to €589,205,715. The evaluation of 955,091 vertebral fractures showed a sharp increase in the nation-wide incidence rate. The presented age and sex distribution, the comorbidity profile and the in-hospital mortality rate indicate the importance of comprehensive geriatric assessment and emphasize the need for spinal care centers to be established.
Iron-loaded deferiprone can support full hemoglobinization of cultured red blood cells
Authors: Gallego-Murillo Joan Sebastián , Yağcı Nurcan , Pinho Eduardo Machado , Wahl Sebastian Aljoscha , van den Akker Emile , von Lindern Marieke
Published: April 2023

Iron, supplemented as iron-loaded transferrin (holotransferrin), is an essential nutrient in mammalian cell cultures, particularly for erythroid cultures. The high cost of human transferrin represents a challenge for large scale production of red blood cells (RBCs) and for cell therapies in general. We evaluated the use of deferiprone, a cell membrane-permeable drug for iron chelation therapy, as an iron carrier for erythroid cultures. Iron-loaded deferiprone (Def3·Fe3+, at 52 µmol/L) could eliminate the need for holotransferrin supplementation during in vitro expansion and differentiation of erythroblast cultures to produce large numbers of enucleated RBC. Only the first stage, when hematopoietic stem cells committed to erythroblasts, required holotransferrin supplementation. RBCs cultured in presence of Def3·Fe3+ or holotransferrin (1000 µg/mL) were similar with respect to differentiation kinetics, expression of cell-surface markers CD235a and CD49d, hemoglobin content, and oxygen association/dissociation. Replacement of holotransferrin supplementation by Def3·Fe3+ was also successful in cultures of myeloid cell lines (MOLM13, NB4, EOL1, K562, HL60, ML2). Thus, iron-loaded deferiprone can partially replace holotransferrin as a supplement in chemically defined cell culture medium. This holds promise for a significant decrease in medium cost and improved economic perspectives of the large scale production of red blood cells for transfusion purposes.
Bi-glandular and persistent enterovirus infection and distinct changes of the pancreas in slowly progressive type 1 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Fukui Tomoyasu , Kobayashi Tetsuro , Jimbo Erika , Aida Kaoru , Shimada Akira , Oikawa Yoichi , Mori Yasumichi , Fujii Takeshi , Koyama Rikako , Kobayashi Kazuhiko , Takeshita Akira , Yagihashi Soroku
Published: April 2023

In slowly progressive type 1 diabetes mellitus (SPIDDM), the pancreas shows sustained islet inflammation, pancreatitis, pancreatic acinar cell metaplasia/dysplasia (ADM), and intraepithelial neoplasia (PanIN), a precancerous lesion. The mechanisms underlying these changes remain unclear. The presence of enterovirus (EV) encoded-capsid protein 1 (VP1) and -2A protease (2Apro) and the innate immune responses of the pancreas were studied using immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization in 12 SPIDDM and 19 non-diabetic control pancreases. VP1, 2Apro, and EV-RNA were detected in islets and the exocrine pancreas in all SPIDDM pancreases. Innate immune receptor, melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 (MDA5), and interferon (IFN)-beta1 were intensified in the islets of SPIDDM patients with short disease duration. However, expressions of MDA5 and IFN-beta1were suppressed in those with longer disease duration. CD3+ T cell infiltration was observed in the VP1- and insulin-positive islets (insulitis) and exocrine acinar cells. CD11c+ dendritic cells (DCs) in islets were scarce in long-term SPIDDM. This study showed the consistent presence of EV, suggesting an association with inflammatory changes in the endocrine and exocrine pancreas in SPIDDM. Suppressed expressions of MDA5 and IFN-beta1, as well as decreased numbers of DCs in the host cells, may contribute to persistent EV infection and induction of ADM/PanIN lesions, which may potentially provide a scaffold for pancreatic neoplasms.
Functional characterization and molecular fingerprinting of potential phosphate solubilizing bacterial candidates from Shisham rhizosphere
Authors: Joshi Samiksha , Gangola Saurabh , Jaggi Vandana , Sahgal Manvika
Published: April 2023

Phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) are important role players in plant growth promotion. In the present study, we aimed to screen the functionally active phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) associated with Dalbergia sissoo Roxb. (Shisham) from different provenances. Screening for phosphate solubilization was done on Pikovskaya's agar, and 18 bacteria positive for the tri-calcium phosphate (Ca3(PO4)2 solubilization showing visible dissolution halo zones were identified. All 18 isolates showed zinc solubilization, indole acetic acid (IAA), siderophore, and hydrogen cyanide (HCN) production. The morphological and biochemical characterization with 16S rDNA gene-based phylogenetic analysis identified bacterial strains as belonging to the genus Pseudomonas, Klebsiella, Streptomyces, Pantoea, Kitasatospora, Micrococcus, and Staphylococcus. Among all the isolates, one of the isolates named L4, from Lacchiwala region was the most efficient P solubilizer with a high P solubilization index (4.75 ± 0.06) and quantitative P solubilization activity (891.38 ± 18.55 μg mL−1). The validation of phosphate solubilization activity of PSB isolates was done by amplification of the Pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) genes, pqqA and pqqC. Based on this study, we have selected the bacterial strains which are efficient phosphate solubilizers and could be economical and eco-friendly in plant growth promotion, disease suppression, as an antioxidant, and for subsequent enhancement of yield.
The nematicidal potential of novel fungus, Trichoderma asperellum FbMi6 against Meloidogyne incognita
Authors: Saharan Ritul , Patil J. A. , Yadav Saroj , Kumar Anil , Goyal Vinod
Published: April 2023

One of the most damaging pests in vegetable crops is the root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) worldwide. The continuous use of nematicide is costly and has unintended consequences for human and environmental health. To minimize nematicides, eco-friendly integrated nematode management is required. Trichoderma, an antagonistic fungus has been explored to control root-knot nematode. The fungal bio-control strain FbMi6 was identified as Trichoderma asperellum (accession no. MT529846.1). T. asperellum FbMi6 showed substantial nematicidal activity in the laboratory, with egg hatch suppression (96.6%) and juvenile mortality (90.3%) of M. incognita. T. asperellum FbMi6 was examined under pot and field  conditions (after neem cake enrichment), both alone and in combination, and compared with controls. Application of T. asperellum FbMi6 enriched neem cake (1-ton ha-1) increased (28.3%) the okra yield and decreased (57.1%) nematode population as compared with control. T. asperellum FbMi6 enriched neem cake had higher polyphenol content (resistance enhancer) in okra compared with inoculated check.
Chopped straw and coffee husks affect bedding chemical composition and the performance and foot pad condition of broiler chickens
Authors: Biesek Jakub , Banaszak Mirosław , Grabowicz Małgorzata , Wlaźlak Sebastian
Published: April 2023

Bedding material is a crucial environmental factor for chickens. Coffee husks are waste from the industry that could be reused. The study aimed to analyze the chemical composition of various bedding types and assess their impact on the performance characteristics of broiler chickens and the incidence of footpad dermatitis (FPD). Ross 308 broilers were used in the study. Birds were divided into 3 groups (216 chickens, 72 per group). Group 1 was kept on chopped straw (S). Group 2 was kept on coffee husks (CHs), and the 3rd group (PB) was kept on pellet bedding made from S and CHs in a 1:1 ratio. The dry matter (DM), crude fiber (CF), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K) content, and the pH of the bedding were analyzed. Production results were examined during 42 days of rearing. FPD was assessed on a point scale. The tissue composition of the carcasses and qualitative physicochemical characteristics of the meat (pH, color, water holding capacity, drip loss) and bone-breaking strength were analyzed. Straw had a higher CF content. In total, the highest N content in CHs was noticed. P content was lower in the S, and K was the highest in the CHs group, followed by S and PB. The pH of the bedding was lower in the CHs group, higher in PB, and highest in S bedding. The DM was decreasing within the days of rearing. A significant interaction was demonstrated between the type of bedding and rearing days on the bedding (manure) composition. On days 1–14, FCR deteriorated in the PB group compared to the S group. The presence of FPD was significantly lower in the PB group than in the others. In the PB group, chickens had a higher slaughter yield than in the S group and a lower weight and liver share than in the CHs group. The weight and proportion of abdominal fat were higher in the group kept on S than on CHs. It can be concluded that coffee husks as a component of pellets had a beneficial effect on reducing FPD in chickens and their slaughter yield and enriched bedding with nutrients, which with poultry manure, could be a good fertilizer for agricultural soils after rearing. It could be recommended to use pelleted bedding.
Minimal requirements for ISO15189 validation and accreditation of three next generation sequencing procedures for SARS-CoV-2 surveillance in clinical setting
Authors: Maschietto Céline , Otto Gaëtan , Rouzé Pauline , Debortoli Nicolas , Bihin Benoît , Nyinkeu Lesly , Denis Olivier , Huang Te-Din , Mullier François , Bogaerts Pierre , Degosserie Jonathan
Published: April 2023

Rapid and recurrent breakthroughs of new SARS-CoV-2 strains (variants) have prompted public health authorities worldwide to set up surveillance networks to monitor the circulation of variants of concern. The use of next-generation sequencing technologies has raised the need for quality control assessment as required in clinical laboratories. The present study is the first to propose a validation guide for SARS-CoV-2 typing using three different NGS methods fulfilling ISO15189 standards. These include the assessment of the risk, specificity, accuracy, reproducibility, and repeatability of the methods. Among the three methods used, two are amplicon-based involving reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (Artic v3 and Midnight v1) on Oxford Nanopore Technologies while the third one is amplicon-based using reverse complement polymerase chain reaction (Nimagen) on Illumina technology. We found that all methods met the quality requirement (e.g., 100% concordant typing results for accuracy, reproducibility, and repeatability) for SARS-CoV-2 typing in clinical setting. Additionally, the typing results emerging from each of the three sequencing methods were compared using three widely known nomenclatures (WHO, Pangolineage, and Nextclade). They were also compared regarding single nucleotide variations. The outcomes showed that Artic v3 and Nimagen should be privileged for outbreak investigation as they provide higher quality results for samples that do not meet inclusion criteria for analysis in a clinical setting. This study is a first step towards validation of laboratory developed NGS tests in the context of the new European regulation for medical devices and in vitro diagnostics.
Male germ cell proliferation and apoptosis in sexually immature meagre Argyrosomus regius (Asso, 1801) treated with recombinant follicle stimulating hormone
Authors: Zupa Rosa , Duncan Neil , Giménez Ignacio , Mylonas Constantinos C. , Pousis Chrysovalentinos , Passantino Letizia , Cuko Rezart , Corriero Aldo
Published: April 2023

The meagre Argyrosomus regius (Asso, 1801) is a marine fish species that has an increasing aquaculture production in Europe. Lowering the age at maturity of hatchery-produced juveniles would support meagre aquaculture by reducing time between generations in selective breeding programs and reducing industrial costs for broodstock maintenance. The aim of this work was to assess the effects of a treatment with recombinant follicle stimulating hormone (rFsh), produced in ovarian cells of Chinese hamsters, on male germ cell proliferation and apoptosis in sexually immature meagre. The rFsh-treated fish had higher gonadosomatic index, larger seminiferous tubules, more abundant luminal spermatozoa, a lower density of anti-PCNA positive single A spermatogonia, a higher density of anti-PCNA positive spermatocysts and a lower incidence of germ cell apoptosis than control groups. The present study demonstrated the effectiveness of the produced rFsh in stimulating testis development and spermatogenesis in pre-pubertal meagre. Moreover, the rFsh treatment proved to be highly efficient in removing the apoptotic block of spermatogenesis observed in juvenile meagre, allowing spermatogonial survival and progress towards meiosis. The administration of rFsh did not stimulate spermatogonial self-renewal, a process whose control still needs to be elucidated.
On-admission and dynamic trend of laboratory profiles as prognostic biomarkers in COVID-19 inpatients
Authors: Siavoshi Fatemeh , Safavi-Naini Seyed Amir Ahmad , Shirzadeh Barough Siavash , Azizmohammad Looha Mehdi , Hatamabadi Hamidreza , Ommi Davood , Jalili Khoshnoud Reza , Fatemi Alireza , Pourhoseingholi Mohamad Amin
Published: April 2023

This large-scale study aimed to investigate the trend of laboratory tests of patients with COVID-19. Hospitalized confirmed and probable COVID-19 patients in three general hospitals were examined from March 20, 2020, to June 18, 2021. The confirmed and probable COVID-19 patients with known outcomes and valid laboratory results were included. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) and Cox regression were used to select admittance prognostic features. Parallel Pairwise Comparison of mortality versus survival was used to examine the trend of markers. In the final cohort, 11,944 patients were enrolled, with an in-hospital mortality rate of 21.8%, mean age of 59.4 ± 18.0, and a male-to-female ratio of 1.3. Abnormal admittance level of white blood cells, neutrophils, lymphocytes, mean cellular volume, urea, creatinine, bilirubin, creatine kinase-myoglobin binding, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), Troponin, c-reactive protein (CRP), potassium, and creatinine phosphokinase reduced the survival of COVID-19 inpatients. Moreover, the trend analysis showed lymphocytes, platelet, urea, CRP, alanine transaminase (ALT), and LDH have a dissimilar trend in non-survivors compared to survived patients. This study proposed a novel approach to find serial laboratory markers. Serial examination of platelet count, creatinine, CRP, LDH, and ALT can guide healthcare professionals in finding patients at risk of deterioration.
Peptide microarray-based identification of dormancy-associated Mycobacterium tuberculosis antigens inducing immune responses among latent tuberculosis infection individuals in Thailand
Authors: Hanthamrongwit Jariya , Aruvornlop Panicha , Saelee Chutiphon , Wanta Nattiya , Poneksawat Passarun , Soe Phyu Thwe , Kyaw Soe Paing , Khaenam Prasong , Warit Saradee , Valentini Davide , Mahasirimongkol Surakameth , Dhepakson Panadda , Soonthornchartrawat Sakulrat , Chootong Patchanee , Leepiyasakulchai Chaniya
Published: April 2023

Multi-stage tuberculosis (TB) vaccines composed of active- and dormancy-associated antigens are promising to trigger the immune protection against all TB stages. However, scientists are still in quest of the suitable vaccine candidates. In this study, we identified the potential targets for this vaccine in a high TB burden country, Thailand. Peptide microarray was applied to gauge IgA and IgG antibodies specific to 16,730 linear epitopes of 52 dormancy-associated Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tb) proteins in three study groups: active tuberculosis (ATB), latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) and endemic healthy control (EHC). Preferential IgA recognition against epitopes of dormancy-associated proteins was identified in LTBI group. Validation of these findings revealed that LTBI subjects exhibited the greater levels of Rv2659c- and Rv1738-specific IgA than those of household contacts, but less than did ATB subjects. Frequencies of IFNγ-producing CD4+ and CD8+ T cells induced by proteins Rv2659c and Rv1738 were higher in LTBI than ATB individuals. The results indicated that LTBI group in a high TB burden country demonstrated cell-mediated immune response to proteins Rv2659c and Rv1738 stronger than those of ATB. These immune responses likely contribute to natural protection against dormant M. tb and might be potential targets for a multi-stage TB vaccine.
Synthesis of liquid crystals bearing 1,3-dioxane structures and characterization of their ferroelectricity in the nematic phase
Authors: Matsukizono Hiroyuki , Iwamatsu Koki , Endo Sota , Okumura Yasushi , Anan Shizuka , Kikuchi Hirotsugu
Published: April 2023

The introduction of electron-withdrawing groups such as CN and NO2 groups at the end position of C3-DIO analogues increases the dipole moments above 8.5 D, which is effective method for the emergence of ferroelectric nematic phases in C3-DIO series.
Bacteria engineered with intracellular and extracellular nanomaterials for hierarchical modulation of antitumor immune responses
Authors: Song Panpan , Han Xiaoqing , Li Xiumin , Cong Yalin , Wu Yunyun , Yan Jiao , Wang Yanjing , Wang Xingbo , Mu Zhengzhi , Wang Liming , Li Xi , Zhang Haiyuan
Published: April 2023

CuSVNP20009NB could chemotactically migrate towards hypoxic tumor region, induce ICD under NIR, inhibit IDO-1 activity and repolarize TAMs. In conclusion, CuSVNP20009NB activated anti-tumor immunity and significantly inhibited tumor growth.
Dual roles of sub-nanometer NiO in alkaline hydrogen evolution reaction: breaking the Volmer limitation and optimizing d-orbital electronic configuration
Authors: Guo Fei , Zhang Zeyi , Chen Runzhe , Tan Yangyang , Wu Wei , Wang Zichen , Zeng Tang , Zhu Wangbin , Lin Caoxin , Cheng Niancai
Published: April 2023

In this work, NiO nanoclusters were simulated by DFT for reducing the free energy of water dissociation and optimizing the Pt d-orbital electronic configuration, accelerating the alkaline HER kinetics.
Organocatalysed one-pot three component synthesis of 3,3′-disubstituted oxindoles featuring an all-carbon quaternary center and spiro[2H-pyran-3,4′-indoline]
Authors: Nichinde Chandrakant B. , Patil Baliram R. , Chaudhari Suryakant S. , Mali Bhupendra P. , Gonnade Rajesh G. , Kinage Anil K.
Published: April 2023

A simple and efficient methodology for the one-pot synthesis of 3,3′-disubstituted oxindoles and spiro[2-H-pyran-3,4′-indoline] featuring an all-carbon quaternary center has been demonstrated through l-proline catalysed three-component reaction.
Development and optimization of natural deep eutectic solvent-based dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction coupled with UPLC-UV for simultaneous determination of parabens in personal care products: evaluation of the eco-friendliness level of the developed method
Authors: Alqarni Abdulmalik M. , Mostafa Ahmed , Shaaban Heba , Gomaa Mohamed S. , Albashrayi Danyah , Hasheeshi Batool , Bakhashwain Nujud , Aseeri Atheer , Alqarni Abdulaziz , Alamri Abdulgani A. , Alrofaidi Mohammad A.
Published: April 2023

Dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction (DLLME) combined with ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-diode array detector (UHPLC-DAD) method has been developed and validated for the determination of parabens in personal care products.
Synergistic effects boosting hydrogen evolution performance of transition metal oxides at ultralow Ru loading levels
Authors: Yang Miao , Yang Hong , Wang Feng , Niu Yulan , Li Pan
Published: April 2023

The novel Ru–NiMoO4–NF catalysts were fabricate through simple experimental strategy, which exhibited outstanding hydrogen evolution reaction performances in alkaline.
Synthesis of Pd–AuAg trimetal nanohybrids with controlled heterostructures and their application in the continuous flow catalytic reduction of Cr(vi)
Authors: Pradysti Astrini , Kim Hyeon Jin , Hyun Woo Jin , Kim Mun Ho
Published: April 2023

A novel method that combines the concepts of nanocomposite hydrogels and flow catalysis was developed for the efficient conversion of Cr(vi) to Cr(iii) in water.
Recent advances in type I organic photosensitizers for efficient photodynamic therapy for overcoming tumor hypoxia
Authors: Lu Bingli , Wang Lingyun , Tang Hao , Cao Derong
Published: April 2023

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) with an oxygen-dependent character is a noninvasive therapeutic method for cancer treatment.
Comparative analysis and improved design of LLC inverters for induction heating
Authors: Esteve Vicente , Jordán José , Dede Enrique J. , Martinez Pedro J. , Ferrara Kevil J. , Bellido Juan L.
Published: April 2023

This work presents a comparative analysis and design procedure of a converter based on an LLC resonant inverter used for induction heating applications depending on the transistor technology used and the selected operating frequency. A major objective of the work is to determinate the inverter design requirements leading to the optimal sizing of the components, improving its operation and minimizing power losses. Additionally, it proposes a design to obtain a great insensitivity of the inverter operation against large variations of load impedance. This article analyzes the operation of the inverter where the power regulation is carried out by phase‐shift (PS) modulation. Simple rules are formulated for the design of the resonant circuit components. The design has been verified testing a 25‐kW inverter in an industrial application of induction hardening operating at 500 kHz. Inverter efficiency is around 98.5% when using Silicon Carbide (SiC) MOSFETs.
A time‐scale adaptive a forecasting and dispatching integration strategy of the combined heat and power system considering thermal inertia
Authors: Wang Xiaojing , Han Li , Li Mengjie , Lu Panpan
Published: April 2023

With the integration of wind, electricity and heat, the combined heat and power system has the characteristic of multi‐time scales, in which the wind power has high uncertainty, the thermal system is difficult to synchronize with the power system for the large inertia and delay. Therefore, the fixed time‐scale dispatching is unable to guarantee the reliability of the system. Given the above problems, this paper proposes a time‐scale adaptive dispatching strategy of the combined heat and power system considering thermal inertia. This strategy analyzes the time characteristics of wind power forecasting error and the thermal inertia, while later establishing time‐scale adaptive dispatching sub‐main model of combined heat and power system. Specifically, in the time‐scale adaptive method, the system available reserve model is improved due to the power support of the thermal inertia. Based on the existing fixed time‐scale dispatching, this method dynamically adjusts the steps of forecasting and the time‐scales of dispatching when the system available reserve is inadequate to compensate for the wind power forecasting error. Taking the 4‐h fixed time‐scale dispatching as an example, the simulation results suggest that the proposed strategy achieves the dynamic dispatching of the combined heat and power system, while improving its reliability and stability.