bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Green synthesis, characterization and drug-loaded iron oxide nanoparticles derived from Nerium oleander flower extract as a nanocarrier for in vitro antibacterial efficacy
Authors: Sharma Vandana , Sharma J K , Kansay Vishal , Dutta Aarzoo , Raj Mayank , Singh Manoj , Kapoor Anu , Pahwa Chhavi , Sharma Anupam , Kumar Suresh , Sharma A K , Bera M K
Published: February 2024

Application of drug conjugated iron oxide hematite (α-Fe2O3) nanoparticles are of tremendous interest in biomedicine nowadays. Meanwhile, green production of iron oxide nanoparticles is gaining favour due to its sustainability, ease of usage, and biocompatibility. Therefore, this work reports on the use of hexahydrate ferric chloride and nerium oleander flower extract to synthesize nanoscaled hematite (α-Fe2O3) iron oxide particles conjugated with various drugs for antibacterial agents. Diverse morphological, physicochemical, structural, optical, and magnetic characteristics have been characterized using FESEM, EDX, XRD, UV–vis, FTIR, Raman and vibrating sample magnetometer. The synthesis of the polyshaped iron oxide nanoparticles, with average sizes ranging from 47.2 ± 20 nm, was accomplished. Furthermore, temperature-dependent variations in magnetic behavior were observed during calcination. The XRD and Raman spectra revealed hematite (α-Fe2O3) type formation of iron oxide nanoparticles. Only calcinated IO-NPs at high temperatures (700 °C) demonstrated low coercivity and residual magnetism, which revealed weak ferromagnetic ordering; other calcinated samples, including nascent ones, showed incredibly weak ferromagnetic ordering. Besides, the effectiveness of drug-encapsulated iron oxide nanoparticles against bacteria in vitro was examined. It was interesting to observe that gentamycin-coated IO-NPs tended to be more susceptible to S. aureus than E. coli bacteria, but streptomycin-conjugated IO-NPs showed the reverse trend. However, as compared to the nascent sample and the high temperature (700 °C) calcinated sample, both antibiotic-loaded IO-NPs displayed better inhibitory abilities.
Gradient-descent hardware-aware training and deployment for mixed-signal neuromorphic processors
Authors: Cakal Ugurcan , Maryada  , Wu Chenxi , Ulusoy Ilkay , Muir Dylan Richard
Published: February 2024

Mixed-signal neuromorphic processors provide extremely low-power operation for edge inference workloads, taking advantage of sparse asynchronous computation within spiking neural networks (SNNs). However, deploying robust applications to these devices is complicated by limited controllability over analog hardware parameters, as well as unintended parameter and dynamical variations of analog circuits due to fabrication non-idealities. Here we demonstrate a novel methodology for offline training and deployment of SNNs to the mixed-signal neuromorphic processor DYNAP-SE2. Our methodology applies gradient-based training to a differentiable simulation of the mixed-signal device, coupled with an unsupervised weight quantization method to optimize the network’s parameters. Parameter noise injection during training provides robustness to the effects of quantization and device mismatch, making the method a promising candidate for real-world applications under hardware constraints and non-idealities. This work extends Rockpool, an open-source deep-learning library for SNNs, with support for accurate simulation of mixed-signal SNN dynamics. Our approach simplifies the development and deployment process for the neuromorphic community, making mixed-signal neuromorphic processors more accessible to researchers and developers.
On Doyle-Grigor’yan criterion for non-parabolicity
Authors: Bessa G. , Gimeno i Garcia Vicent , Pessoa Leandro , Setti Alberto
Published: February 2024

In this short note we show that Doyle-Grigor’yan criterion for non-parabolicity is not necessary in dimension greater than or equal to four. This gives an negative answer to Problem # 1 of Grigor’yan [Bull. Amer. Math. Soc. (N.S) 36 (1999). pp. 135–249] in this dimensional range.
A characterization of nuclear operators on spaces of vector-valued continuous functions with the strict topology
Authors: Stochmal Juliusz
Published: February 2024

Let

X
X

be a completely regular Hausdorff space, let

E
E

and

F
F

denote Banach spaces. Let

C
b

(
X
,
E
)

C_b(X,E)

denote the space of

E
E

-valued bounded continuous functions on

X
X

and let

β
\beta

be the strict topology on this space. We establish the relationship between nuclear operators

T
:

C
b

(
X
,
E
)
→
F

T:C_b(X,E)\rightarrow F

between the locally convex space

(

C
b

(
X
,
E
)
,
β
)

(C_b(X,E),\beta )

and the Banach space

F
F

and their representing operator-valued Borel measures.
The geproci property in positive characteristic
Authors: Kettinger Jake
Published: February 2024

The geproci property is a recent development in the world of geometry. We call a set of points

Z
⊆

P

k
3

Z\subseteq \mathbb {P}_k^3

an

(
a
,
b
)

(a,b)

-geproci set (for GEneral PROjection is a Complete Intersection) if its projection from a general point

P
P

to a plane is a complete intersection of curves of degrees

a
≤
b

a\leq b

. Nondegenerate examples known as grids have been known since 2011. Nondegenerate nongrids were first described in 2018, working in characteristic 0. Almost all of these new examples are of a special kind called half grids.

In this paper, based partly on the author’s thesis, we use a feature of geometry in positive characteristic to give new methods of producing geproci half grids and non-half grids.
Some 𝑞-identities derived by the ordinary derivative operator
Authors: Wang Jin , Ruan Ruiqi
Published: February 2024

In this paper, we investigate applications of the ordinary derivative operator, instead of the

q
q

-derivative operator, to the theory of

q
q

-series. As main results, many new summation and transformation formulas are established which are closely related to some well-known formulas such as the

q
q

-binomial theorem, Ramanujan’s

1

ψ
1

{}_1\psi _1

formula, the quintuple product identity, Gasper’s

q
q

-Clausen product formula, and Rogers’

6

ϕ
5

{}_6\phi _5

formula, etc. Among these results is a finite form of the Rogers-Ramanujan identity and a short way to Eisenstein’s theorem on Lambert series.
Moving into a Rotating Frame of Reference, the Taylor–Proudman Theorem, and the Formation of Taylor Columns
Authors: Davidson P A
Published: February 2024

In this chapter, we discuss some of the simplest, but fundamental, consequences of imposing a strong background rotation on a fluid. The topics covered include the Coriolis force, the Rossby and Ekman numbers, geostrophic force balances, the Taylor–Proudman theorem, Taylor columns, and the hidden role of waves in forming Taylor columns. The emphasis throughout is on developing simple (but important) physical ideas with the minimum of mathematical detail. Many of these concepts are surprisingly subtle, especially the notion of quasi-geostrophic flow and of the importance of inertial waves in the formation of Taylor columns and other quasi-geostrophic structures.
Convective Motion in the Earth’s Core and the Geodynamo
Authors: Davidson P A
Published: February 2024

Convection within the earth’s fluid core is of crucial importance as it helps support the terrestrial magnetic field against the natural forces of decay. This chapter starts by reviewing what we know about core convection, much of it gleaned from numerical simulations. Following a brief guide to Maxwell’s equations, and to dynamo theory, the relationship between core convection and the terrestrial magnetic field is discussed. The chapter concludes with some speculative comments about reversals of the earth’s magnetic field. Despite intensive research for over half a century, our understanding of planetary dynamos is still poor, with little in the way of a predictive model.
Simone Weil: A Very Short Introduction
Authors: Rozelle-Stone A. Rebecca
Published: February 2024

This volume provides an overview of the provocative life and ideas of 20th-century French philosopher, mystic, and social activist Simone Weil. Although she died at 34 years of age, the breadth, poignancy, and prescience of Weil’s philosophy—on topics such as dignified work, the importance of attention, authentic religiosity, the meaning of justice, the self’s tendency to ‘fill the void’ in times of suffering, the contagious nature of violence, and the need to respect the world’s limits—has much to offer us today. In keeping with her spirit to consider and address lay people, this volume takes readers, including those who have had little or no previous exposure to Weil or philosophy, on an accessible journey of Weil’s major philosophical impacts. This exploration consists of seven chapters highlighting: her life and manner of death, both characterized by attention; the influence of ancient Greek ideas on her philosophy; her thoughts on labour and politics; her unique and ecumenical religious inspirations, stemming from Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Taoism; her ethical philosophy centred on a specific notion of attentiveness; her understanding of beauty as connected to fragility but also eternity; and finally, her legacy and influence on contemporary writers and issues, particularly as she may help us navigate and critically assess the growing convergence between religious fervour, late capitalist and corporate values, and authoritarian politics.
The people of the Gulag
Authors: Barenberg Alan
Published: February 2024

This chapter examines the prisoner and exile population of the Stalinist Gulag, which was remarkably diverse in terms of gender, class, and national identity. It argues that the categorization of prisoners and exiles led to significant differences in what inmates experienced. Those held in prisons and camps were convicted of a wide range of crimes, from petty theft to official corruption to terrorism, and broadly represented the religious, linguistic, and national diversity of the Soviet empire. Prisoners and exiles came from a wide range of social backgrounds, from the poorest peasantry to the highest ranks of the Soviet elite. Although the camps held significantly more men than women, in exile women outnumbered men. This chapter will also briefly examine Gulag “perpetrators” such as guards and bosses, investigating their backgrounds and the degree to which they were motivated by ideology or were “ordinary” Soviet men and women.
Recent history and future trends in host–plant resistance
Authors: Stout Michael J , Bernaola Lina , Acevedo Flor
Published: February 2024

Host–plant resistance (HPR) is a subdiscipline in entomology that aims to understand, develop, and deploy crop varieties resistant to arthropod herbivores. The seminal figure in HPR was Reginald Painter, whose 1951 monograph Insect Resistance in Crop Plants established a conceptual framework and methodological approach for applied research on plant resistance. In the 75 years since the publication of this book, the empirical and multidisciplinary approach established by Painter has led to the development and use of hundreds of arthropod-resistant crop varieties. Much of the success of HPR research has been, and will continue to be, tied to advances in scientific disciplines related to HPR, such as plant breeding and genetics, analytical chemistry, and plant–insect interactions. However, given the challenges facing agriculture and pest management over the coming decades, increased attention will need to be given to the deployment of resistant varieties and the integration of resistant varieties into integrated pest management (IPM) programs. Recent advances in our understanding of fundamental aspects of the interactions between plants and herbivores provide insights that can facilitate the increased use of plant resistance in IPM programs, and the diverse membership of the Entomological Society of America can play a critical role by increasing communication between scientists interested in applied and fundamental aspects of plant resistance to insects.
Rights against the world
Authors: Sreenivasan Gopal
Published: February 2024

For philosophers, rights against the world are equivalent to rights in rem. Contrary to what Hart thought, however, this does not make them equivalent to general rights. Rights in rem contrast with rights in personam, whereas general rights contrast with special rights. As I explain, rights against the world can be either general rights or special rights. My explanation follows Waldron’s strategy of exhibiting property rights as justified by Locke’s theory of property as a case of rights in rem that are also special rights. Moreover, despite what ‘in rem’ means in Latin, rights against the world include more than property rights. For example, they also include moral human rights. With moral human rights and property rights alike, the correlative duties are borne by ‘everyone’, understood in a dynamic sense I undertake to specify.
Pairing a bioinformatics-focused course-based undergraduate research experience with specifications grading in an introductory biology classroom
Authors: Yang Melinda A , Korsnack Kylie
Published: February 2024

Introducing bioinformatics-focused concepts and skills in a biology classroom is difficult, especially in introductory biology classrooms. Course-based Undergraduate Research Experiences (CUREs) facilitate this process, introducing genomics and bioinformatics through authentic research experiences, but the many learning objectives needed in scientific research and communication, foundational biology concepts, and bioinformatics-focused concepts and skills can make the process challenging. Here, the pairing of specifications grading with a bioinformatics-focused CURE developed by the Genomics Education Partnership is described. The study examines how the course structure with specifications grading facilitated scaffolding of writing assignments, group work, and metacognitive activities; and describes the synergies between CUREs and specifications grading. CUREs require mastery of related concepts and skills for working through the research process, utilize common research practices of revision and iteration, and encourage a growth mindset to learning—all of which are heavily incentivized in assessment practices focused on specifications grading.
Ichthyosis: multinational European study on patient characteristics, involved body sites and impact on quality of life
Authors: El Hachem May , De Marco Rita , Soria de Francisco José María , Audouze Anne , Aldwin-Easton Mandy , Skayem Charbel , Taieb Charles , Saint Aroman Markéta , Ghienne Hélène , Baissac Catherine , Mazereeuw Juliette , Bodemer Christine
Published: February 2024

We present the first large multinational study of ichthyosis to better understand the disease characteristics, the body sites involved and the effect of the disease on the quality of life of patients.
Social Workers’ Professional Failures as Perceived by Welfare Bureau Managers within Arab Society in Israel
Authors: Mahajne Ibrahim , Allassad Alhuzail Nuzha
Published: February 2024

Social workers’ professional failures are considered inevitable occurrences. However, virtually all research on professional failure management relates to the healthcare field. The scant literature on professional failure does not give much weight to the profound implications of context on professional functioning. This pioneer study illustrates how important it is to consider the context to understand the daily workplace occurrence of social workers’ professional failures. The research traced social workers’ professional failures as perceived by welfare bureaus managers. A phenomenological approach elicited data from semi-structured in-depth interviews with twenty Arab welfare bureaus managers in Israel. Findings indicated that the managers encountered a lot of ‘minor’ individual and collective failures in different dimensions, and understood failure as a transient episode, mostly trivial and understandable. The main criterion for failure was damage attributed to a particular intervention. Responsibility for failure was not usually seen as stemming from the social workers’ faulty professional-ethical considerations, rather it was attributed to factors associated with the establishment: lack of appropriate resources and non-culture-sensitive policies. Managers coped creatively with what they defined as failures, preserving their profession’s inalienable assets with a ‘non-confrontational’ policy while ensuring individual learning from the failure, to prevent future repetition.
Serum myostatin as a candidate disease severity and progression biomarker of spinal muscular atrophy
Authors: de Albuquerque Ana Letícia Amorim , Chadanowicz Júlia Kersting , Giudicelli Giovanna Câmara , Staub Ana Lucia Portella , Weber Arthur Carpeggiani , Silva Jordana Miranda De Souza , Becker Michele Michelin , Kowalski Thayne Woycinck , Siebert Marina , Saute Jonas Alex Morales
Published: February 2024

The identification of biomarkers for spinal muscular atrophy is crucial for predicting disease progression, severity, and response to new disease-modifying therapies. This study aimed to investigate the role of serum levels of myostatin and follistatin as biomarkers for spinal muscular atrophy, considering muscle atrophy secondary to denervation as the main clinical manifestation of the disease. The study evaluated the differential gene expression of myostatin and follistatin in a lesional model of gastrocnemius denervation in mice, as well as in a meta-analysis of three datasets in transgenic mice models of spinal muscular atrophy, and in two studies involving humans with spinal muscular atrophy. Subsequently, a case-control study involving 27 spinal muscular atrophy patients and 27 controls was conducted, followed by a 12-month cohort study with 25 spinal muscular atrophy cases. Serum levels of myostatin and follistatin were analysed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay at a single centre in southern Brazil. Skeletal muscle gene expression of myostatin decreased and of follistatin increased following lesional muscle denervation in mice, consistent with findings in the spinal muscular atrophy transgenic mice meta-analysis and in the iliopsoas muscle of five patients with spinal muscular atrophy type 1. Median serum myostatin levels were significantly lower in spinal muscular atrophy patients (98 pg/mL; 5–157) compared to controls (412 pg/mL; 299–730) (P < 0.001). Lower myostatin levels were associated with greater disease severity based on clinician-rated outcomes (Rho = 0.493–0.812; P < 0.05). After 12 months, there was a further reduction in myostatin levels among spinal muscular atrophy cases (P = 0.021). Follistatin levels did not differ between cases and controls, and no significant changes were observed over time. The follistatin:myostatin ratio was significantly increased in spinal muscular atrophy subjects and inversely correlated with motor severity. Serum myostatin levels show promise as a novel biomarker for evaluating the severity and progression of spinal muscular atrophy. The decrease in myostatin levels and the subsequent favourable environment for muscle growth may be attributed to denervation caused by motor neuron dysfunction.
Battle between ‘Long’ and ‘Short’ Videos: Fragmented Uses, Diversified Purposes, and the Evolution of China’s Copyright Limitation Rules in the AI Era
Authors: Xie Qingchuan , He Tianxiang
Published: February 2024

The rapid proliferation of artificial intelligence (AI) technology, particularly the deployment of generative AI in the creation of short videos, has exposed the anachronistic and incomplete nature of the copyright limitations and exceptions (L&E) within the Copyright Law of China. The US jurisprudential approach, characterized by the four-factor fair use analysis and the doctrine of transformative use, has been embraced in China by courts as ‘general legal principles’. These principles have been localized within the restrictive framework of the Berne Convention’s three-step test. However, the application of these principles to China’s burgeoning AI and AI-generated content industry, exemplified by the short video sector, reveals a complex landscape. The purposes behind the utilization of copyrighted works are multifaceted, and the intense rivalry between ‘long’ and ‘short’ videos that represent established and emerging giant Internet platform enterprises further muddies the waters in the application of the American ‘purpose transformation’ concept. A better alternative would be to seek guidance from the Copyright Law of Japan. By grounding decisions in pre-existing, enumerated copyright exceptions, systematically categorizing L&E scenarios, and delineating key considerations for various categories, the judiciary can be steered towards a more nuanced and equitable resolution of individual cases and strike a balance between the interest of copyright holders, Internet users, and the emerging Internet platform enterprises.
Prediction of poor exposure in endoscopic mitral valve surgery using computed tomography
Authors: Jung Yochun , van Kuijk Sander M J , Gietema Hester , Maessen Jos G , Sardari Nia Peyman
Published: February 2024

OBJECTIVES

In endoscopic mitral valve surgery, optimal exposure is crucial. This study aims to develop a predictive model for poor mitral valve exposure in endoscopic surgery, utilizing preoperative body profiles and computed tomography images.

METHODS

We enrolled patients undergoing endoscopic mitral valve surgery with available operative video and preoperative computed tomography. The degree of valve exposure was graded into 0 (excellent), 1 (fair), 2 (poor) and 3 (very poor). Intrathoracic dimensions–anteroposterior width (chest anteroposterior) and left-to-right width (chest width) of the thorax, height of right hemi-thorax (chest height), angle between the left ventricular axis and the horizontal plane (left ventricle apex angle), heart width, level of diaphragm in midline, and vertical distance between the midline diaphragm level and the highest top of the right diaphragm (Δdiaphragm) were measured.

RESULTS

Among 263 patients, mitral valve exposure was graded as 0 in 131 (49.8%), 1 in 72 (27.4%), 2 in 46 (17.5%) and 3 in 14 (5.3%). Body mass index, chest width, left ventricle apex angle, heart width and Δdiaphragm were identified as independent predictors of grades 2 and 3 exposure by stepwise logistic regression analysis, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.822 (P < 0.001). Univariate logistic regression for grade 3 exposure prediction revealed that Δdiaphragm had the largest area under the curve (0.826, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Poor mitral valve exposure occurred in approximately one-fourth of the endoscopic surgery series and might be predicted preoperatively using body mass index and computed tomography measurements to help determine the surgical approach.
Daily Rumination Among Older Men and Women: The Role of Perceived Family and Nonfamily Social Partner Life Stress
Authors: Birditt Kira S , Newton Nicky J , Turkelson Angela , Polenick Courtney A , Zhou Zexi , Fingerman Karen L
Published: February 2024

Objectives

Women tend to ruminate more than men, and are generally more hypervigilant to the emotions of others in order to maintain positive social ties. Thus, compared to men, women may ruminate more when their social partners have greater life stresses. However, the literature on stressful events typically focuses on individuals’ experiences and perceptions of stressors experienced by specific social ties such as spousal partners and adult children. The purpose of this study was to examine links between perceptions of a broad array of family and nonfamily social partner stresses and daily rumination among older men and women.

Methods

Adults aged 65 and older (N = 293, 55% women) completed baseline assessments of family and nonfamily life stressors and 5–6 consecutive nightly assessments regarding rumination, interpersonal tensions, worries, and support provision.

Results

Multilevel structural equation models revealed that perceptions of greater family and nonfamily life stressors were associated with greater rumination. The links between family stress and rumination varied by gender: family stress was related to greater rumination among women and not men. Moreover, among women, family and nonfamily stress–rumination links were accounted for by greater daily worries about others, and among men, the nonfamily stress–rumination link was due to greater interpersonal tensions as well as daily worries.

Discussion

These findings may be due in part to gender role socialization and women’s greater kin-keeping and investment in family ties.
The Annual Wellness Visit Health Risk Assessment: Potential of Patient Portal-Based Completion and Patient-Oriented Education and Support
Authors: Powell Danielle S , Wu Mingche M J , Nothelle Stephanie , Gleason Kelly , Oh Esther , Lum Hillary D , Reed Nicholas S , Wolff Jennifer L
Published: February 2024

Background and Objectives

Patient portals are secure online platforms that allow patients to perform electronic health management tasks and engage in bidirectional information exchange with their care team. Some health systems administer Medicare Annual Wellness Visit (AWV) health risk assessments through the patient portal. Scalable opportunities from portal-based administration of risk assessments are not well understood. Our objective is 2-fold—to understand who receives vs misses an AWV and health risk assessment and explore who might be missed with portal-based administration.

Research Design and Methods

This is an observational study of electronic medical record and patient portal data (10/03/2021–10/02/2022) for 12 756 primary care patients 66+ years from a large academic health system.

Results

Two-thirds (n = 8420) of older primary care patients incurred an AWV; 81.0% of whom were active portal users. Older adults who were active portal users were more likely to incur AWV than those who were not, though portal use was high in both groups (81.0% with AWV vs 76.8% without; p < .001). Frequently affirmative health risk assessment categories included falls/balance concerns (44.2%), lack of a documented advanced directive (42.3%), sedentary behaviors (39.9%), and incontinence (35.1%). Mean number of portal messages over the 12-month observation period varied from 7.2 among older adults affirmative responses to concerns about safety at home to 13.8 for older adults who reported difficulty completing activities of daily living. Portal messaging varied more than 2-fold across affirmative health risk categories and were marginally higher with greater number affirmative (mean = 13.8 messages/year no risks; 19.6 messages/year 10+ risks).

Discussion and Implications

Most older adults were active portal users—a group more likely to have incurred a billed AWV. Efforts to integrate AWV risk assessments in the patient portal may streamline administration and scalability for dissemination of tailored electronically mediated preventive care but must attend to equity issues.
Outcomes of Person-Centered Planning in Medicaid Home- and Community-Based Services
Authors: Chong Natalie , Caldwell Joseph , Kaye H Stephen , Mitra Monika
Published: February 2024

Background and Objectives

Person-centered planning (PCP) allows recipients of home- and community-based service (HCBS) to plan services and supports according to their preferences and needs. The extent to which HCBS systems engage in PCP and evidence for the relationship between PCP and beneficiary outcomes are limited. We examine the prevalence of PCP among HCBS recipients and the relationship between PCP and person-reported outcomes.

Research Design and Methods

We used the 2018–2019 National Core Indicators—Aging and Disability survey, collected among adult Medicaid HCBS recipients in 12 states (n = 5,849). We examined 2 general PCP measures (1 on decision making and another on whether service plans reflected preferences/choices). We also constructed a scale to assess the fidelity of recipients’ service planning meeting to the PCP process. Outcomes included unmet service needs and community living (i.e., participation, control, and satisfaction). We examined recipient characteristics associated with PCP and used adjusted logistic regression models to assess the relationship between PCP and outcomes.

Results

About 72% of HCBS recipients were involved in decision making, 72% reported their service plan reflected their preferences/choices, and 47% had meetings that scored “high fidelity” on the PCP fidelity scale. PCP measures were consistently related to lower likelihood of unmet service needs and greater likelihood of experiencing community living outcomes.

Discussion and Implications

Findings suggest PCP is important for adequately meeting service needs and ensuring community living among HCBS beneficiaries. Additional standardized measures should be developed to facilitate quality improvement and accountability for delivering person-centered HCBS.
Estimation of rock physics properties via full waveform inversion of vertical seismic profile data recorded by accelerometer and fibre-optic sensors
Authors: Hu Qi , Eaid Matthew V , Innanen Kristopher A , Keating Scott D , Cai Xiaohui
Published: February 2024

Combining elastic full waveform inversion (FWI) with rock physics holds promise for expanding the application of FWI beyond seismic imaging to predicting and monitoring reservoir properties. Distributed acoustic sensing (DAS), a rapidly developing seismic acquisition technology, is being explored for its potential in supporting FWI applications. In this study, we implement a sequential inversion scheme that integrates elastic FWI and Bayesian rock physics inversion, using a vertical seismic profile (VSP) data set acquired with accelerometer and collocated DAS fibre at the Carbon Management Canada’s Newell County Facility. Our aim is to establish a baseline model of porosity and lithology parameters to support later monitoring of CO2 storage. Key strategies include an effective source approach for addressing near-surface complications, a modelling strategy to simulate DAS data comparable to field data, and a Gaussian mixture approach to capture the bimodality of rock properties. We conduct FWI tests on accelerometer, DAS, and combined accelerometer-DAS data. While our inversion results accurately reproduce either data set, the elastic models inverted from accelerometer data outperform the other two in matching well logs and identifying the target reservoir. We attribute this outcome to the limited complementarity of DAS data with accelerometer data in our experiment, along with the limitations imposed by single-component measurements on DAS. The porosity and lithology models predicted from accelerometer-derived elastic models are reasonably accurate at the well location and exhibit geologically meaningful spatial distribution.
Distribution of gas hydrate in fractured reservoirs: implications from anisotropic elastic and electrical numerical simulations
Authors: Liu Shengbiao , Han Tongcheng , Fu Li-Yun
Published: February 2024

Fractured hydrate-bearing reservoirs are extensively discovered worldwide and show notable anisotropic geophysical properties. Hydrate distribution in fractures significantly affects the anisotropic properties, and hence plays an important role in the accurate assessment of hydrate resources. However, the knowledge about how the hydrate distribution impacts the anisotropic geophysical properties of fractured reservoirs, which is the premise for the identification and quantification of hydrate in fractured reservoirs, is still poorly understood. To obtain such knowledge, we forward study the effects of various hydrate distribution (including floating, bridging and evolving hydrate distribution) in aligned fractures on the anisotropic elastic, electrical and joint elastic–electrical properties of a digital core using validated numerical methods. We show that for all the hydrate distribution, the anisotropic velocities increase, while the conductivities decrease with increasing hydrate saturation, with the effects of the floating and bridging distribution being the least and greatest, respectively. We also show that the anisotropic velocities and conductivities for the floating and bridging distribution vary approximately linearly with hydrate saturation, leading to linear correlations between the elastic and electrical properties. Further investigation illustrates that the difference in the slopes of the linear joint correlations between the two distribution is significantly greater than that of the individual properties as a function of hydrate saturation. The results have revealed the distinct effects of hydrate distribution on the anisotropic elastic and electrical properties of fractured reservoirs, and have confirmed the superiority of the joint elastic–electrical properties for the distinguishment of hydrate distribution in fractures over individual physical properties.
RNA sequencing analysis reveals PgbHLH28 as the key regulator in response to methyl jasmonate-induced saponin accumulation in Platycodon grandiflorus
Authors: Zhang Wuhua , Zhang Jinzhu , Fan Yingdong , Dong Jie , Gao Peng , Jiang Wanzheng , Yang Tao , Che Daidi
Published: February 2024

Platycodon grandiflorus (Jacq.) A. DC, known for its saponin content, can potentially prevent and treat cerebrovascular diseases and COVID-19. Triterpenoid saponin biosynthesis in plants is enhanced by methyl jasmonate (MeJA) application. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms of MeJA-induced saponin biosynthesis remain unknown in P. grandiflorus. In the current study, exogenous application of 100 μmol/l MeJA was identified to be optimal for promoting saponin accumulation. RNA sequencing analysis demonstrated the PgbHLH28 gene as a key regulatory factor responding to MeJA during saponin accumulation. Overexpression of PgbHLH28 in P. grandiflorus increased saponin content, while silencing of PgbHLH28 significantly inhibited saponin synthesis, suggesting that PgbHLH28 acts as a positive regulator of saponin biosynthesis. Yeast one-hybrid and dual luciferase assays demonstrated that PgbHLH28 directly bound to the promoters of PgHMGR2 and PgDXS2 to activate gene expression. PgHMGR2 and PgDXS2 transformation promoted saponin accumulation, while silencing of these genes inhibited saponin biosynthesis. This study determined that MeJA promoted saponin accumulation in P. grandiflorus by inducing PgbHLH28 gene expression and activating downstream genes (PgHMGR2 and PgDXS2) involved in saponin biosynthesis. In conclusion, a complex regulatory network governing saponin biosynthesis following MeJA treatment was elucidated, offering a theoretical foundation for enhancing saponin content and biosynthesis efficacy in P. grandiflorus.
Transcriptomic analyses to summarize gene expression patterns that occur during leaf initiation of Chinese cabbage
Authors: Sun XiaoXue , Liu Zihan , Liu Rui , Bucher Johan , Zhao Jianjun , Visser Richard G F , Bonnema Guusje
Published: February 2024

In Chinese cabbage, rosette leaves expose their adaxial side to the light converting light energy into chemical energy, acting as a source for the growth of the leafy head. In the leafy head, the outer heading leaves expose their abaxial side to the light while the inner leaves are shielded from the light and have become a sink organ of the growing Chinese cabbage plant. Interestingly, variation in several ad/abaxial polarity genes is associated with the typical leafy head morphotype. The initiation of leaf primordia and the establishment of leaf ad/abaxial polarity are essential steps in the initiation of marginal meristem activity leading to leaf formation. Understanding the molecular genetic mechanisms of leaf primordia formation, polar differentiation, and leaf expansion is thus relevant to understand leafy head formation. As Brassica's are mesa-hexaploids, many genes have multiple paralogues, complicating analysis of the genetic regulation of leaf development. In this study, we used laser dissection of Chinese cabbage leaf primordia and the shoot apical meristem (SAM) to compare gene expression profiles between both adaxial and abaxial sides and the SAM aiming to capture transcriptome changes underlying leaf primordia development. We highlight genes with roles in hormone pathways and transcription factors. We also assessed gene expression gradients along expanded leaf blades from the same plants to analyze regulatory links between SAM, leaf primordia and the expanding rosette leaf. The catalogue of differentially expressed genes provides insights in gene expression patterns involved in leaf development and form a starting point to unravel leafy head formation.
Ethylene-responsive VviERF003 modulates glycosylated monoterpenoid synthesis by upregulating VviGT14 in grapes
Authors: Wang Ya-Chen , Wei Yi , Li Xiang-Yi , Zhang Hui-Min , Meng Xiao , Duan Chang-Qing , Pan Qiu-Hong
Published: February 2024

Terpenoids are important contributors to the aroma of grapes and wines. Grapes contain terpenoids in both volatile free form and non-volatile glycosidic form, with the latter being more abundant. Glycosylated terpenoids are deemed as latent aromatic potentials for their essential role in adding to the flowery and fruity bouquet of wines. However, the transcriptional regulatory mechanism underlying glycosylated terpenoid biosynthesis remains poorly understood. Our prior study identified an AP2/ERF transcription factor, VviERF003, through DNA pull-down screening using the promoter of terpenoid glycosyltransferase VviGT14 gene. This study demonstrated that both genes were co-expressed and synchronized with the accumulation of glycosylated monoterpenoids during grape maturation. VviERF003 can bind to the VviGT14 promoter and promote its activity according to yeast one-hybrid and dual-luciferase assays. VviERF003 upregulated VviGT14 expression in vivo, leading to increased production of glycosylated monoterpenoids based on the evidence from overexpression or RNA interference in leaves, berry skins, and calli of grapes, as well as tomato fruits. Additionally, VviERF003 and VviGT14 expressions and glycosylated monoterpenoid levels were induced by ethylene in grapes. The findings suggest that VviERF003 is ethylene-responsive and stimulates glycosylated monoterpenoid biosynthesis through upregulating VviGT14 expression.
A Machine Learning–Based Risk Score for Prediction of Infective Endocarditis Among Patients With Staphylococcus aureus Bacteremia—The SABIER Score
Authors: Lai Christopher Koon-Chi , Leung Eman , He Yinan , Ching-Chun Cheung , Oliver Mui Oi Yat , Qinze Yu , Li Timothy Chun-Man , Lee Alfred Lok-Hang , Li Yu , Lui Grace Chung-Yan
Published: February 2024

Background

Early risk assessment is needed to stratify Staphylococcus aureus infective endocarditis (SA-IE) risk among patients with S. aureus bacteremia (SAB) to guide clinical management. The objective of the current study was to develop a novel risk score that is independent of subjective clinical judgment and can be used early, at the time of blood culture positivity.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective big data analysis from territory-wide electronic data and included hospitalized patients with SAB between 2009 and 2019. We applied a random forest risk scoring model to select variables from an array of parameters, according to the statistical importance in predicting SA-IE outcome. The data were divided into derivation and validation cohorts. The areas under the curve of the receiver operating characteristic (AUCROCs) were determined.

Results

We identified 15 741 SAB patients, among them 658 (4.18%) had SA-IE. The AUCROC was 0.74 (95%CI 0.70–0.76), with a negative predictive value of 0.980 (95%CI 0.977–0.983). The four most discriminatory features were age, history of infective endocarditis, valvular heart disease, and community onset.

Conclusions

We developed a novel risk score with performance comparable with existing scores, which can be used at the time of SAB and prior to subjective clinical judgment.
Implications of absenteeism of health workers on achieving universal health coverage in Nigeria: exploring lived experiences in primary healthcare
Authors: Agwu Prince , Odii Aloysius , Orjiakor Charles , Ogbozor Pamela , Mbachu Chinyere , Onwujekwe Obinna
Published: February 2024

Primary healthcare facilities are the bedrock for achieving universal health coverage (UHC) because of their closeness to the grassroots and provision of healthcare at low cost. Unfortunately, in Nigeria, the access and quality of health services in public primary healthcare centres (PHCs) are suboptimal, linked with persistent occurrence of absenteeism of health workers. We used a UHC framework developed by the World Health Organization-African Region to examine the link between absenteeism and the possible achievement of UHC in Nigeria. We undertook a qualitative study to elicit lived experiences of healthcare providers, service users, chairpersons of committees of the health facilities, and policymakers across six PHCs from six local government areas in Enugu, southeast Nigeria. One hundred and fifty participants sourced from the four groups were either interviewed or participated in group discussions. The World Health Organization-African Region UHC framework and phenomenological approach were used to frame data analysis. Absenteeism was very prevalent in the PHCs, where it constrained the possible contribution of PHCs to the achievement of UHC. The four indicators toward achievement of UHC, which are demand, access, quality, and resilience of health services, were all grossly affected by absenteeism. Absenteeism also weakened public trust in PHCs, resulting in an increase in patronage of both informal and private health providers, with negative effects on quality and cost of care. It is important that great attention is paid to both availability and productivity of human resources for health at the PHC level. These factors would help in reversing the dangers of absenteeism in primary healthcare and strengthening Nigeria’s aspirations of achieving UHC.
Humor and Foreign Policy Narration: The Persuasive Power and Limitations of Russia’s Foreign Policy Pranks
Authors: Chernobrov Dmitry
Published: February 2024

This article explores the persuasive power and limitations of humor in narrating foreign policy issues to publics. I focus on audience reception of humor produced by state and state-affiliated actors to advance foreign policy narratives, deflect external criticism, and ridicule opponents. This article examines Russia’s foreign policy pranks, widely assumed to be a tool of influence and persuasion, and their reception by their primary, domestic audience. Using focus groups to discuss pranks on the theme of mutual interference between Russia and the United States, this study relates participants’ reactions to wider foreign policy narratives and questions links between reception and political views. I argue that while humor drives the popularity of the pranks, their power to convince remains ambiguous. Their persuasive power is mostly limited to reinforcing existing views and already popular narratives, while both pro-government and oppositional publics expressed strong suspicions of their fake or propagandistic nature. Even when doubting the pranks’ politics, however, participants were entertained by their humor—suggesting that humorous narration of foreign policy presents means for increased outreach first and persuasion second. Any adverse reactions were mostly directed at the pranksters rather than government officials—highlighting how humor can be a politically expedient way of narrating contentious foreign policy issues to publics through proxies.
Effects of β-mannanase supplementation on intestinal health and growth of nursery pigs
Authors: Jang Ki Beom , Kim Young Ihn , Duarte Marcos Elias , Kim Sung Woo
Published: February 2024

Two experiments were conducted using 120 pigs to test the hypothesis that supplementation of β-mannanase could reduce digesta viscosity, enhance nutrient digestion, and improve intestinal health and growth of nursery pigs. In experiment 1, 48 crossbred barrows were randomly allotted to four treatments with increasing levels of β-mannanase at 0, 200, 400, and 600 U/kg in feeds. All pigs were euthanized on day 12 to collect jejunal digesta to measure digesta viscosity and ileal digesta to measure apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of dry matter (DM), gross energy (GE), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and acid detergent fiber (ADF). In experiment 2, 72 nursery pigs were randomly allotted to three treatments with increasing levels of β-mannanase at 0, 400, and 600 U/kg in feeds. Plasma collected on day 9 was used to measure tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), immunoglobulin G (IgG), malondialdehyde (MDA), and protein carbonyl (PC). All pigs were euthanized on day 10 to collect duodenal and jejunal tissues to evaluate the production of TNF-α, IL-6, and MDA, morphology, crypt cell proliferation, and expression of tight junction proteins in the jejunum. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure for polynomial contrasts and the NLMIXED procedure for broken-line analysis of SAS. In experiment 1, β-mannanase supplementation tended to have quadratic effects on digesta viscosity (P = 0.085) and AID of GE (P = 0.093) in the pigs. In experiment 2, jejunal digesta viscosity of the pigs was reduced (P < 0.05) when β-mannanase was supplemented at 360 U/kg of feed. β-Mannanase supplementation linearly reduced (P < 0.05) TNF-α, IgG, MDA, and PC in the duodenum, and TNF-α, IgG, and MDA in the jejunum of the pigs. β-Mannanase supplementation linearly increased (P < 0.05) villus height to crypt depth ratio and crypt cell proliferation in the jejunum. β-Mannanase supplementation tended to linearly improve (P = 0.083) expression of zonula occludens-1 in the jejunum. In conclusion, supplementation of β-mannanase at 360 U/kg reduced the digesta viscosity and up to 600 U/kg positively affected intestinal health and growth of pigs by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress whilst enhancing structure and barrier function in the jejunum.
A characterization of crossed self-similarity on crossed modules in L-algebras
Authors: Çetin Selim , Gürdal Utku
Published: February 2024

We introduce crossed modules in cycloids, as a generalization of cycloids, which are algebraic logical structures arising in the context of the quantum Yang–Baxter equation. As a spacial case, we in particular focus on the crossed modules of $L-$algebras. These types of crossed modules are exceptional, since the category of $L-$algebras is not protomodular, nor Barr-exact, but it nevertheless has natural semidirect products that have not been described in category theoretic terms. We identify crossed ideals of crossed module in $L-$algebras, and obtain some characteristics of these objects that are normally not encountered on crossed modules of groups or algebras. As a consequence, we characterize crossed self-similarity completely in terms of properties of $L-$algebras and the boundary map forming the crossed module.
‘Where did you learn to write Arabic?’: A Critical Analysis of Some Ḥadīths on the Origins and Spread of the Arabic Script
Authors: Little Joshua J
Published: February 2024

According to some ḥadīths, the art of writing Arabic in the pre-Islamic Hijaz was learned from the city of al-Ḥīra (the capital of the Lakhmid kingdom) in southern Iraq, whilst al-Ḥīra in turn learned writing from the city of al-Anbār in central Iraq. Based on a combined isnād-cum-matn analysis, form-critical analysis, and geographical analysis of these ḥadīths, the earliest iteration of this material can be dated back to the middle of the eighth century ce (i.e., the early second century ah) in Kufa, but no earlier. A further historical-critical analysis also exposes the broader cultural and ideological tendencies at play behind the creation and elaboration of this material, including salvation history, a ‘great man’ theory of history, and—above all—the creation and elaboration of an Iraq-focused Arabian folk history in eighth-century ce Iraq. This small set of reports thus exemplifies the rich potential of ḥadīth in general as both a tool and an object of historical analysis: by applying my combined approach to ḥadīth, we can trace the creation, transmission, and elaboration of the material; we can locate its geographical origins; and we can identify the broader context that ultimately produced it.