bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chlorophyll and phaeo-pigments in mangrove sediments in an arid environment in the Arabian Gulf, east coast of Qatar
Authors: Tayeh Baraa , Yousria Soliman
Published: December 2015

Mangroves are one of the most important ecosystems in Qatar, Arabian Gulf. They support complex, yet poorly studied food chain. Microphytobenthos are known to have better nutritional values and more palatable than mangrove leaves. There are very few studies on the standing stock of the sediment microphytobenthos in the mangroves of the Arabian Gulf. It is important to quantify the micophytobenthos in the mangrove ecosystem in order to understand their role in the food web and in the carbon cycle.
Sediments’ chlorophyll and phaeo-pigments were measured in three locations representing three different ecosystems (natural mangrove, planted mangrove, and sand flat), in the east coast of Qatar. Biweekly samples were collected in the period between Fall 2013 and Spring of 2014. The present study used the chlorophyll concentration as a proxy to quantify the biomass of the microphytobenthos in sediments in the three ecosystems selected. Chlorophyll A, B, C, and phaeopigments were analyzed using the method of Lorenzen and Jeffery (1980). The study compared the biomass of benthic chlorophyll in intertidal and subtidal sediments in three habitats; natural mangrove (Dakhira), planted mangrove (Semisma) as well as a sand flat (the pearl). Chlorophyll-A concentrations were significantly different between mangrove habitats and sand flat (P<0.05). The average concentrations of sediment chlorophyll in natural mangrove was about five times (4.7 μg g−1) compared to that of non-mangrove sand flat (0.98 μg g−1). Chlorophyll B was most abundant in Al-Dakhira mangrove with average concentration of 2.5 μg g−1 that was significantly different from the concentrations determined in the sand flat (P>0.05). High concentrations of phaeopigments were found in Al-Dakhira (6-35 μg g−1 ) indicating higher grazing and biodegradation activities compared with the sand flat (2-11 μg g−1). Natural and planted mangrove ecosystem constituted higher sediment microphytobenthic biomass than sandy beach as hypothesized.
How do the Arabian Gulf's fish assemblages respond to multiple stressors?
Authors: Krupp Friedhelm , Almuftah Abdurrahman M.A. , Carpenter Kent E. , Buchanan Jack R. , Ralph Gina M.
Published: December 2015

About 50 species of elasmobranchs and 460 species of bony fishes are currently known from the Arabian Gulf. They are key components of the region’s marine biodiversity, contributing to ecosystem functions and services, such as food security. Addressing natural and human-induced threats and the absence of adequate species-specific information, bony fishes were recently assessed against the criteria of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species, which assigns species to extinction risk categories, based on objectively verifiable criteria. Two Red List Assessment workshops were held by the IUCN Global Marine Species Assessment team, Qatar University, and Qatar Museums, funded by the Qatar National Research Fund. Regional and international experts on fish taxonomy, fisheries, and Arabian Gulf environmental issues participated.

Preliminary results indicate that 7% of the fish species, including several of high commercial importance, were at an elevated risk of extinction (5% Vulnerable and 2% Endangered); another 2% were designated as Near Threatened. Most species (71%) were listed as Least Concern. For 20% of all species adequate information was unavailable and they were listed as Data Deficient.
Naturally stressful environmental conditions such as high salinities and temperature extremes prevail in the semi-enclosed, shallow Gulf. In addition, degradation resulting from urban and industrial developments, pollution, and unsustainable fisheries is increasing rapidly, aggravated by climate change. The findings of the regional Red List Assessment are attributed to these multiple stressors. While in general, overfishing is the dominant threat, coral-associated species are mainly impacted by habitat loss. Fish assemblages recovered from major oil spills within a few years, but climate change resulted in permanent shifts in species compositions. The high percentage of Data Deficient species underlines the need for more research. Improved scientific knowledge will be the basis for region-specific conservation measures.

Most international scientists participating in the assessments have a museum background, underlining the importance of Natural History Museums in research and conservation. There is an urgent need to establish regional research collections, which will provide Qatar with prime sources of objectively verifiable, species-specific information for management and conservation purposes.
Reviewer Acknowledgements for Journal of Geography and Geology, Vol. 7, No. 4
Authors: Luo Lesley
Published: December 2015

Reviewer Acknowledgements for Journal of Geography and Geology, Vol. 7, No. 4
Mineralogy and Geochemistry of Residual Clay Occurrences in Idi-Ayunre and Akure Areas, Southwestern Nigeria
Authors: J. Adeola Adewole
Published: December 2015

Three residual clay occurrences in Idi-Ayunre, and Akure areas which belong to the Precambrian basement complex of southwestern Nigeria were investigated for their mineralogical, chemical and industrial properties. The investigation was to evaluate their industrial applications and economic importance. The clay within the weathered profiles above banded gneiss at Idi-Ayunre is whitish with red spots, whereas the clays derived from profiles above porphyritic granite and granite gneiss in Akure are grayish and brown in color respectively.

The X-ray diffraction studies show that kaolinite is the dominant clay mineral, goethite, microcline, quartz, albite are the major non clay minerals in the samples. Chemical data showed that the average values of SiO2, Al2O3, and Fe2O3 were 52.3. 30.29 and 3.54 wt% respectively constituting 86.13% of the bulk compositions.
Evaluation of the clay thermal characteristic, firing colour, water absorption capacities and shrinkage values show that the brownish Idi-Ayunre clay, gray and brown Akure kaolinitic clays could serve as raw materials for ceramics, building bricks, and other structural wares
Differential Transform Technique for Higher Order Boundary Value Problems
Authors: Opanuga Abiodun Adegboyega , I. Okagbue Hilary , O. Edeki Sunday , O. Agboola Olasunmbo
Published: December 2015

This paper presents the approximate solution of higher order boundary value problems by differential transform method. Two examples are considered to illustrate the efficiency of this method. The results converge rapidly to the exact solution and are shown in tables and graphs.
Integrating Aggregate-Data and Individual-Patient-Data in Meta-Analysis: An Empirical Assessment and an Alternative Method for the Two-Stage Approach
Authors: Nik Idris Nik Ruzni , Misran Nurul Afiqah
Published: December 2015

In this study, we compared the efficacy of the overall meta-analysis estimates that used only the available aggregate data (AD) studies against those that combined the available AD and individual patient data (IPD) studies. We introduced some modifications to the existing two-stage method for combining the AD and IPD studies. We evaluated the effects of these modifications on the estimates of the overall treatment effect, and investigated the influence of the number of studies included in the meta-analysis, N, and the ratio of AD: IPD on these estimates. We used percentage relative bias (PRB), root mean-square-error (RMSE), and coverage probability to assess the overall efficiency of these estimates. The results revealed the superiority of estimates from the combined AD: IPD studies over those that utilized only the available AD in terms of both the accuracy and the RMSE. We found that the current method for combining the AD:IPD studies provided poor coverage probabilityand that the proposed methods generated improved coverage probability by more than 40% while maintaining the level of bias and RMSE at par to their existing counterparts. These findings validated the importance of utilizing both the AD and IPD studies whenever they are available, and demonstrated the significance of proper technique for combining these studies in order to obtain better overall estimates.
Removal of Cyanide-Contaminated Water by Vetiver Grasses
Authors: Wachirawongsakorn Piyada , Jamnongkan Tongsai , Talib Latif Mohd
Published: December 2015

Vetiver grass and it usages have been widely investigated in many researches as the preferred plant species due to its known efficiency, low cost, the ease of availability and spread. This research aimed to use four different vetiver grass (Vetiveria zizanioides) ecotypes to remove cyanide (CN-)-contaminated water for improve its quality. Growth capability, tolerance and removal efficiency were evaluated. The results showed that the vetiver grass had a 100% survival rate for one month after planting. Songkhlar3 had the longest leaves, followed by Surat-Thani, Sri Lanka and Monto, respectively. Root lengths of all ecotypes showed no significant differences (p ≤ 0.05). All vetiver grass ecotypes could potentially purify CN--contaminated water at lower concentrations of ≤ 35 mg CN-/L. The Monto ecotype had the highest CN- removal efficiency at all CN- concentration levels, showing 100% CN- removal from the 5-45 mg CN-/L contaminated water samples within 2-5 weeks growth. The tolerance of vetiver grass to CN- was a more important factor than growth rate when selecting a vetiver grass ecotype for CN- phytoremediation.
Reviewer Acknowledgements for Modern Applied Science, Vol. 9, No. 13
Authors: Lee Sunny
Published: December 2015

Reviewer Acknowledgements for Modern Applied Science, Vol. 9, No. 13
Investigation of Nano Selenium Influence on Productivity and Hematological Exponents of Broiler Chickens
Authors: A. A. Konkov , L.V. Ampleeva , S. D. Polishchuk , G. I. Churilov
Published: December 2015

They have shown the influence of nano selenium water solution on intensification of growth and broiler chickens’ blood exponents change. Chickens’ metabolism modification with nano selenium causes the changes of blood biochemical exponents depending on nano selenium concentration. They have used nano selenium at concentration of 0.1, 0.01 and 0.001 mgr/kg of live weight a day. Independent of the concentration one can see the increase of blood platelets and chickens’ live weight and the decrease of the used fodder in all groups.
A Novel Dynamic Secret key Generation for an Efficient Image Encryption Algorithm
Authors: JAWAD LAHIEB MOHAMMED , SULONG GHAZALI
Published: December 2015

Today, the security of digital images is considered more and more essential and a strong secret key plays a major role in the image encryption. In this paper, a novel method for generating dynamic non-linear secret keys for a symmetric block cipher using XOR-operation is proposed. The dynamic non-linear secret keys generation is based on a combination of logistic and piecewise chaotic map methods with a new automatic creation of initial seed values. The automatic initial seed values creation depends on the development of a novel strategy for seeds creation based on sunflower spiral points. The experimental results indicate that the proposed key generator algorithm has the advantage of large key space with a safety protection of brute force attack. Therefore, the performance analysis of image encryption reveals a correlation coefficient of about (-0.0001) and entropy greater than (7.9978). Furthermore, the results show high security for encryption based on strong dynamic secret key properties.
Expounding the Place of Legal Doctrinal Methods in Legal-Interdisciplinary Research
Authors: Naudé Fourie Andria
Published: December 2015

Expounding the Place of Legal Doctrinal Methods in Legal-Interdisciplinary Research

There is a distinct place for legal doctrinal methods in legal-interdisciplinary research methodologies, but there is value to be had in expounding that place – in developing a deeper understanding, for instance, of what legal doctrinal analysis has to offer, wherein lies its limitations, and how it could work in concert with methods and theories from disciplinary areas other than law. This article offers such perspectives, based on experiences with an ‘advanced’ legal-interdisciplinary methodology, which facilitates a long-term study of the growing body of practice generated by citizen-driven, independent accountability mechanisms (IAMs) that are institutionally affiliated with multilateral development banks. The article demonstrates how legal doctrinal methods have contributed towards the design and development of a multipurpose IAM-practice database. This database constitutes the analytical platform of the research project and also facilitates the integration of various types of research questions, methods and theories.
“I Know What Motivation is”: The Politics of Emotion and Viktor Shklovskii's Sentimental Rhetoric
Authors: Borislavov Rad
Published: December 2015

This article discusses Viktor Shklovskii's exilic narratives of the early 1920s,Sentimental Journey: Memoirs, 1917-1922, andZoo, or Letters Not about Love. I suggest that in these texts, published in Berlin shortly after the show trial against the right Socialist Revolutionariès, Shklovskii casts himself as a "sentimental hero," evoking sympathy for the narrator's plight by mobilizing some of the devices of the sentimental novel but also struggling with the implications of this sentimentalism. The article outlines Shklovskii's attempts to prove his political reliability during his exile, juxtaposing his private correspondence with his memoirs, and argues for a more nuanced interpretation of Shklovskii's political biography through the prism of the history of emotions.
The Sacralization of Violence: Bolshevik Justifications for Violence and Terror during the Civil War
Authors: Ryan James
Published: December 2015

This article explores some of the principal themes in the intellectual history of early Soviet state violence. I argue that political religions theory, as applied principally to understanding fascism, is especially useful for understanding Leninism and Bolshevik justifications of violence during the civil war. In addition to its principal focus on the relationship between violence and the Bolshevik conception of the sacred, the article examines the significance of Bolshevik punitive discourse more generally and the alternative currents in the approaches to violence and repression. In comparing the approaches of the Chekas and the Soviet Justice Commissariat to repression, it becomes apparent that distinctly more reformatory and more repressive strands of thought coexisted in the early Soviet state. Yet these distinctions were fluid, and the overtly medicalized nature of Bolshevik punitive discourse ensured a certain harmonization of these strands.
Imperial Incarcerations: Ekaterina Breshko-Breshkovskaia, Vinayak Savarkar, and the Original Sins of Modernity
Authors: Chatterjee Choi
Published: December 2015

Based on a comparison of the prison experiences of Ekaterina Breshko- Breshkovskaia, member of the Socialist Revolutionary Party of Russia, and Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, revolutionary and Hindu fundamentalist, I ask two central questions: How did Breshkovskaia's story about exile and punishment help establish the tsarist genealogy of the gulag in the western consciousness, while the suffering of political prisoners in British India, as exemplified by Savarkar, were completely occluded? How and why did the specificity of incarceration in the Russian empire eclipse systems of punishment designed by other European empires in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries? In this article, I argue that the penumbra of modernity was darkened not only by the savagery of the Holocaust and the gulag but also by the brutal violence of western imperialism. Placing the Russian prison and exile system in comparative global perspective opens up new avenues of research in a field that has relied excessively on the intellectual binaries of a repressive Russia and a liberal western Europe.
Fabrication of Heterogeneous TiO2-CdS Nanotubular Arrays on Transparent Conductive Substrate and Their Photoelectrochemical Properties
Authors: Liu Jing , Meng Chenhui , Liu Zhaoyue
Published: December 2015

This paper describes an easy and time-saving strategy for the fabrication of heterogeneous nanotubular arrays of TiO2-CdS (TCHNTAs) on transparent conductive glass (FTO) and their photoelectrochemical properties. The use of transparent FTO instead of opaque Ti substrate allows incident light from the substrate side. The anodized TiO2 nanotubular arrays were firstly detached from Ti substrate by anodization under a high voltage of 120 V and then transferred to FTO substrate using TiO2 (P25) paste as a binder, followed by sensitization with CdS nanoparticles. After optimizing the deposition cycles of CdS nanoparticles, the TCHNTAs on FTO substrate demonstrated an enhanced photocurrent density in the Na2S/Na2SO3 electrolyte under front-side illumination from the FTO side, which improved by ∼ 21% when compared with the photocurrent density under back-side illumination from the TiO2-CdS side. This improvement in photoelectrochemical properties can be ascribed to the reduced charge recombination on the interface between the TiO2 nanotubes and the CdS nanoparticles under front-side illumination. Our strategy for nanotubular transfer on transparent substrate may extend the applications of TiO2 nanotubular arrays into other fields, such as dye-sensitized solar cells, photochromism and photocatalysis.
Synchrotron X-ray Absorption and In Vitro Bioactivity of Magnetic Macro/Mesoporous Bioactive Glasses
Authors: Charoensuk Thanida , Limphirat Wanwisa , Sirisathitkul Chitnarong , Tangwatanakul Witoon , Jantaratana Pongsakorn , Boonyang Upsorn
Published: December 2015

Iron oxides in macro/mesoporous bioactive glasses were characterized by synchrotron X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy. This magnetic phase was introduced by adding Fe(NO3)3 9H2O during the sol-gel synthesis. The obtained bioactive glass scaffolds exhibited superparamagnetism, in which the magnetization was increased with the increase in the Fe molar ratio from 10 to 20%. The linear combination fits of the XANES spectra indicated that the increase in the Fe molar ratio to 20% enhanced the γ-Fe2O3 formation at the expense of the α-Fe2O3 phase. This variation also promoted the formation of fine-grained bone-like apatites on the surface of the scaffolds in the in vitro test. The apatite growth between three and seven days was confirmed by the changing elemental compositions. However, the highest magnetic proportion led to the distortion of the skeleton walls and the collapse of the porous networks.
The Last Word: Putting the ROAR in Reading
Authors: Amorosa Edwina Walker
Published: December 2015

I want to enthusiastically ROAR and share a success story I have had with two of my grandchildren. Meet avid readers Nella, age nine, and Sameena, almost nine.
Biofouling of inlet pipes affects water quality in running seawater aquaria and compromises sponge cell proliferation
Authors: Alexander Brittany E. , Mueller Benjamin , Vermeij Mark J.A. , van der Geest Harm H.G. , de Goeij Jasper M.
Published: December 2015

Marine organism are often kept, cultured, and experimented on in running seawater aquaria. However, surprisingly little attention is given to the nutrient composition of the water flowing through these systems, which is generally assumed to equalin situconditions, but may change due to the presence of biofouling organisms. Significantly lower bacterial abundances and higher inorganic nitrogen species (nitrate, nitrite, and ammonium) were measured in aquarium water when biofouling organisms were present within a 7-year old inlet pipe feeding a tropical reef running seawater aquaria system, compared with aquarium water fed by a new, biofouling-free inlet pipe. These water quality changes are indicative of the feeding activity and waste production of the suspension- and filter-feeding communities found in the old pipe, which included sponges, bivalves, barnacles, and ascidians. To illustrate the physiological consequences of these water quality changes on a model organism kept in the aquaria system, we investigated the influence of the presence and absence of the biofouling community on the functioning of the filter-feeding spongeHalisarca caerulea, by determining its choanocyte (filter cell) proliferation rates. We found a 34% increase in choanocyte proliferation rates following the replacement of the inlet pipe (i.e., removal of the biofouling community). This indicates that the physiological functioning of the sponge was compromised due to suboptimal food conditions within the aquarium resulting from the presence of the biofouling organisms in the inlet pipe. This study has implications for the husbandry and performance of experiments with marine organisms in running seawater aquaria systems. Inlet pipes should be checked regularly, and replaced if necessary, in order to avoid excessive biofouling and to approachin situwater quality.
Low effect of young afforestations on bird communities inhabiting heterogeneous Mediterranean cropland
Authors: Sánchez-Oliver Juan S. , Rey Benayas José M. , Carrascal Luis M.
Published: December 2015

Afforestation programs such as the one promoted by the EU Common Agricultural Policy have spread tree plantations on former cropland. These afforestations attract generalist forest and ubiquitous species but may cause severe damage to open habitat species, especially birds of high conservation value. We investigated the effects of young (<20 yr) tree plantations dominated by pineP. halepensison bird communities inhabiting the adjacent open farmland habitat in central Spain. We hypothesize that pine plantations located at shorter distances from open fields and with larger surface would affect species richness and conservation value of bird communities. Regression models controlling for the influence of land use types around plantations revealed positive effects of higher distance to pine plantation edge on community species richness in winter, and negative effects on an index of conservation concern (SPEC) during the breeding season. However, plantation area did not have any effect on species richness or community conservation value. Our results indicate that the effects of pine afforestation on bird communities inhabiting Mediterranean cropland are diluted by heterogeneous agricultural landscapes.
Wolbachiaco-infection in a hybrid zone: discovery of horizontal gene transfers from twoWolbachiasupergroups into an animal genome
Authors: Funkhouser-Jones Lisa J. , Sehnert Stephanie R. , Martínez-Rodríguez Paloma , Toribio-Fernández Raquel , Pita Miguel , Bella José L. , Bordenstein Seth R.
Published: December 2015

Hybrid zones and the consequences of hybridization have contributed greatly to our understanding of evolutionary processes. Hybrid zones also provide valuable insight into the dynamics of symbiosis since each subspecies or species brings its unique microbial symbionts, including germline bacteria such asWolbachia, to the hybrid zone. Here, we investigate a natural hybrid zone of two subspecies of the meadow grasshopperChorthippus parallelusin the Pyrenees Mountains. We set out to test whether co-infections of B and FWolbachiain hybrid grasshoppers enabled horizontal transfer of phage WO, similar to the numerous examples of phage WO transfer between A and BWolbachiaco-infections. While we found no evidence for transfer between the divergent co-infections, we discovered horizontal transfer of at least three phage WO haplotypes to the grasshopper genome. Subsequent genome sequencing of uninfected grasshoppers uncovered the first evidence for two discreteWolbachiasupergroups (B and F) contributing at least 448 kb and 144 kb of DNA, respectively, into the host nuclear genome. Fluorescentin situhybridization verified the presence ofWolbachiaDNA inC. paralleluschromosomes and revealed that some inserts are subspecies-specific while others are present in both subspecies. We discuss our findings in light of symbiont dynamics in an animal hybrid zone.
The first dromaeosaurid (Dinosauria: Theropoda) from the Lower Cretaceous Bayan Gobi Formation of Nei Mongol, China
Authors: Pittman Michael , Pei Rui , Tan Qingwei , Xu Xing
Published: December 2015

The first dromaeosaurid theropod from the Lower Cretaceous Bayan Gobi Formation is identified based on an incompletely preserved partially-articulated left leg, increasing the known diversity of its understudied ecosystem. The leg belongs to specimen IVPP V22530 and includes a typical deinonychosaurian pedal phalanx II-2 with a distinct constriction between the enlarged proximal end and the distal condyle as well as a typical deinonychosaurian enlarged pedal phalanx II-3. It possesses a symmetric metatarsus and a slender and long MT V that together suggest it is a dromaeosaurid. Two anatomical traits suggest the leg is microraptorine-like, but a more precise taxonomic referral was not possible: metatarsals II, III and IV are closely appressed distally and the ventral margin of the medial ligament pit of phalanx II-2 is close to the centre of the rounded distal condyle. This taxonomic status invites future efforts to discover additional specimens at the study locality because—whether it is a microraptorine or a close relative—this animal is expected to make important contributions to our understanding of dromaeosaurid evolution and biology. IVPP V22530 also comprises of an isolated dromaeosaurid manual ungual, a proximal portion of a right theropod anterior dorsal rib and an indeterminate bone mass that includes a collection of ribs. Neither the rib fragment nor the bone mass can be confidently referred to Dromaeosauridae, although they may very well belong to the same individual to whom the left leg belongs.
KRAS and GNAS mutations in cell‐free DNA and in circulating epithelial cells in patients with intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms—an observational pilot study
Authors: Nitschke Christine , Tölle Marie , Walter Philipp , Meißner Kira , Goetz Mara , Kropidlowski Jolanthe , Berger Andreas W. , Izbicki Jakob R. , Nickel Felix , Hackert Thilo , Pantel Klaus , Wikman Harriet , Uzunoglu Faik G.
Published: September 2024

Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs) are potential precursor lesions of pancreatic cancer. We assessed the efficacy of screening for KRAS proto‐oncogene, GTPase (KRAS), and GNAS complex locus (GNAS) mutations in cell‐free DNA (cfDNA)—using digital droplet polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR) and circulating epithelial cell (CEC) detection—as biomarkers for risk stratification in IPMN patients. We prospectively collected plasma samples from 25 resected patients at risk of malignant progression, and 23 under clinical surveillance. Our findings revealed KRAS mutations in 10.4% and GNAS mutations in 18.8% of the overall cohort. Among resected IPMN patients, KRAS and GNAS mutation detection rates were 16.0% and 32.0%, respectively, whereas both rates were 4.0% in conservatively managed IPMN. GNAS mutations in cfDNA were significantly more prevalent in resected IPMN (P = 0.024) compared with IPMN under surveillance. No CECs were detected. The absence of KRAS and GNAS mutations could be a reliable marker for branch duct IPMN without worrisome features. The emergence of GNAS mutations could prompt enhanced imaging surveillance. Neither the presence of established worrisome features nor GNAS or KRAS mutations appear effective in identifying high‐grade dysplasia among IPMN patients.
Metabolic disrupting chemicals in the intestine: the need for biologically relevant models
Authors: Erradhouani Chedi , Bortoli Sylvie , Aït‐Aïssa Selim , Coumoul Xavier , Brion François
Published: September 2024

Although the concept of endocrine disruptors first appeared almost 30 years ago, the relatively recent involvement of these substances in the etiology of metabolic pathologies (obesity, diabetes, hepatic steatosis, etc.) has given rise to the concept of Metabolic Disrupting Chemicals (MDCs). Organs such as the liver and adipose tissue have been well studied in the context of metabolic disruption by these substances. The intestine, however, has been relatively unexplored despite its close link with these organs. In vivo models are useful for the study of the effects of MDCs in the intestine and, in addition, allow investigations into interactions with the rest of the organism. In the latter respect, the zebrafish is an animal model which is used increasingly for the characterization of endocrine disruptors and its use as a model for assessing effects on the intestine will, no doubt, expand. This review aims to highlight the importance of the intestine in metabolism and present the zebrafish as a relevant alternative model for investigating the effect of pollutants in the intestine by focusing, in particular, on cytochrome P450 3A (CYP3A), one of the major molecular players in endogenous and MDCs metabolism in the gut.
Are Eurasian badgers responsible for lamb predation? An investigation using farmer interviews, post‐mortem examination and molecular tools
Authors: George Sheila , Campbell Steve , Martineau Henny , Hale Catherine , Kaden Jennifer , Webster Lucy M. I.
Published: September 2024

This study investigates farmers' reports of lamb predation by badgers on Scottish sheep farms. Differentiating between predation and scavenging, and identifying the species responsible, is essential for livestock managers to effectively mitigate risk.

Questionnaire‐style interviews established farmer perceptions of lamb predation by badgers and incidents of suspected predation were investigated on farms in 2022 and 2023 using post‐mortem examination and molecular tools.

Farmers submitted 29 carcasses for post‐mortem. Of these, evidence of predation was present on 14 lambs (48%) and predation could not be ruled out for six further lambs (21%). No evidence of predation, but wounds consistent with scavenging after death, were present on nine lambs (31%). Nine (64%) of the 14 predated lambs also showed evidence of scavenging after death.

Swabs were taken from 39 dead or injured lambs for potential predator/scavenger DNA recovery, and from 20 live control lambs. Badger DNA was obtained from the partial remains of two (5%) lambs. Badger DNA was not present on any of the carcasses submitted for post‐mortem or from any living, wounded lambs. Fox DNA was obtained from 34 (87%) dead or injured lambs, including all lambs that exhibited evidence consistent with predation at post‐mortem. Dog DNA was present on 12 (31%) lambs.

While the results of this study cannot fully rule out the occurrence of lamb predation by badgers, no direct evidence was found to suggest that it does occur. The overall contribution of wildlife predation to lamb losses is considered to be low, but the results strongly suggest that foxes are likely to be responsible for lamb predation where it does occur. For livestock managers, a review of predator management strategies should be a key response to prevent future predation incidents.

Practical implications. This study highlights the value of using post‐mortem examination and molecular evidence to accurately confirm predation events and to identify predator species, informing appropriate management interventions.
B cell and aquaporin‐4 antibody relationships with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder activity
Authors: Bennett Jeffrey L. , Pittock Sean J. , Paul Friedemann , Kim Ho Jin , Irani Sarosh R. , O'Connor Kevin C. , Patterson Kristina R. , Smith Michael A. , Gunsior Michele , Mittereder Nanette , Rees William A. , Cimbora Daniel , Cree Bruce A. C.
Published: September 2024

This post hoc analysis of the randomized, placebo‐controlled N‐MOmentum study (NCT02200770) of inebilizumab in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) evaluated relationships between circulating B‐cell subsets and aquaporin‐4 immunoglobulin G (AQP4‐lgG) titers and attacks. Among participants receiving placebo, CD20+ and CD27+ B‐cell counts were modestly increased from the pre‐attack visit to attack; plasmablast/plasma cell gene signature was increased from baseline to the pre‐attack visit (p = 0.016) and from baseline to attack (p = 0.009). With inebilizumab treatment, B‐cell subset counts decreased and did not increase with attacks. No difference in change of AQP4‐IgG titers from baseline to time of attack was observed.
Effects of intravenous pulse methylprednisolone in neuromyelitis optica during the acute phase
Authors: Wang Shengnan , Xue Mengru , Wang Jianglong , Wu Rui , Shao Yanqing , Luo Ke , Liu Jiacheng , Zhu Mingqin
Published: September 2024

Background

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is an anti‐aquaporin 4 (anti‐AQP4) autoantibodies‐mediated idiopathic inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system. While intravenous pulse methylprednisolone (IVMP) is the recommended initial treatment option for acute onset NMOSD, its therapeutic mechanism remains unclear. We hypothesized that IVMP would reduce the expression of pro‐inflammatory factors and increase the resolution of inflammation in patients with NMOSD.

Methods

Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was used to screen meaningful inflammatory and resolution factors for inclusion. Three MR methods with inverse variance weighting (IVW) were primarily used to identify positive results. Interleukin (IL)‐10, IL‐1β, IL‐6, C‐X‐C motif chemokine ligand 12 (CXCL12), and tumor necrosis factor‐related apoptosis‐inducing ligand (TRAIL) were screened from 41 inflammatory factors, and resolvin D1 (RvD1), maresin 1 (MaR1), and lipoxin A4 (LXA4) were screened from 6 resolution markers for inclusion. Subsequently, 12 patients with NMOSD were enrolled and treated with IVMP. Serum levels of the aforementioned inflammatory and resolution markers were measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay before and after IVMP treatment.

Results

High levels of TRAIL, CXCL12, and IL‐1β were associated with an increased risk of NMOSD (TRAIL: odds ratio [OR], 1.582; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.003–2.495; CXCL12: OR, 3.610; 95% CI, 1.011–12.889; IL‐1β: OR, 4.500; 95% CI, 1.129–17.927). High levels of RvD1, MaR1, and LXA4 were associated with a reduced risk of NMOSD (RvD1: OR, 0.725; 95% CI, 0.538–0.976; MaR1: OR, 0.985; 95% CI, 0.970–0.999; LXA4: OR, 0.849; 95% CI, 0.727–0.993). Among patients with NMOSD, serum levels of IL‐6, CXCL12, and TRAIL significantly decreased following IVMP treatment, compared with pretreatment levels, while levels of IL‐1β, LXA4, and MaR1 significantly increased after IVMP treatment (p < 0.05). A significant positive correlation was observed between CXCL12 levels and Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores (r = 0.451, p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Several systemic inflammatory regulators associated with the pathogenesis of NMOSD were identified. The protective roles of LXA4 and MaR1 may be indispensable components of glucocorticoid treatment. Therefore, the use of resolution markers may be a potential strategy for improving central nervous system injury in individuals with NMOSD.
Clinical characteristics of double negative atypical inflammatory demyelinating disease: A prospective study
Authors: Jiang Fei , Cai Haobing , Li Hongliang , Yin Weifan , Ouyang Song , Hu Jue , Tu Ewen , Fu Ke , Yin Junjie , Zhao Zhen , Yang Jieyu , Zeng Qiuming , Yang Huan
Published: September 2024

Objective

This study aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics and predictors of relapse in double negative atypical inflammatory demyelinating disease (IDD) and to explore potential antigenic targets by tissue‐based assays (TBA) using rat brain indirect immunofluorescence.

Methods

We compared the clinical, laboratory, and MRI data of double negative atypical IDD with other IDD patients. Serum samples were collected for TBA. The predictors of relapse were examined over a minimum of 24 months follow‐up.

Results

In our cohort of 98 patients with double negative atypical IDD, there was no significant female predominance (58.2%, 57/98). The lesions primarily affected the spinal cord and brain stem, with fewer cases of involvement in the area postrema (5.1%, 5/98) and longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis (43.9%, 43/98). A total of 62.5% (50/80) patients tested positive for anti‐astrocyte antibodies based on rat brain TBA. Over a median duration of 39.5 months, 80 patients completed the entire follow‐up, and 47.5% (38/80) patients exhibited monophasic course. A total of 36% (18/50) patients positively for anti‐astrocyte antibodies had a monophasic course, which is significantly lower than patients negatively for anti‐astrocyte antibodies (66.7%, 20/30) (p = 0.008). The presence of anti‐astrocyte antibodies (hazard ratio (HR), 2.243; 95% CI, 1.087–4.627; p = 0.029) and ≥4 cerebrum lesions at first attack (HR, 2.494; 95% CI, 1.224–5.078; p = 0.012) were risk factors for disease relapse, while maintenance immunotherapy during remission (HR, 0.361; 95% CI, 0.150–0.869; p = 0.023) was protective factor.

Interpretation

Double negative atypical IDD are unique demyelinating diseases with a high relapse rate. Maintenance immunotherapy is helpful to the prevention of relapse, particularly in patients with anti‐astrocyte antibodies or ≥4 cerebrum lesions at first attack.
Evidence‐based reasoning: Results from an intervention
Authors: Du Hongcui , List Alexandra
Published: September 2024

In two studies, we develop and evaluate an intervention focused on one significant challenge that undergraduate students have with evidence‐based reasoning—reasoning about different evidence types. Our Evidence‐Based Reasoning intervention teaches students about three common evidence types—comparative, correlational, and causal—often discussed in the popular press. In Study 1, using a within‐subjects design, we find students' performance on an objective evidence‐based reasoning (OEBR) measure to be significantly improved post‐intervention (Cohen's d = 2.05). In Study 2, we add two open‐ended measures to examine the effects of the intervention on students' evaluations of evidence‐based conclusions. We again find students to perform significantly better on the OEBR measure (Cohen's d = 0.96), as well as on two open‐ended conclusion evaluation tasks (Cohen's d = 0.97 and d = 0.69). Moreover, we find some of these benefits to persist on a delayed post‐test, administered three weeks after intervention.
The Greater the Interaction, the Stronger the Learning Performance? Examining Pedagogical Agents' Interactive Presence in Instructional Videos
Authors: Wu Changcheng , Li Yichun , Yang Hailiang , Wang Xinyue , Li Xuemei , Jing Bin
Published: September 2024

Technological advances in video‐based education practices have led to the creation of pedagogical agents (PA), and an important question now is how to optimize their visual presence. This study explored how different PA presence forms in instructional videos influence children's learning. Four videos were created, each featuring a different type of PA presence: continuous presence of a realistic or a virtual panda, alternative or interactive presence of human and panda PAs. In the experiment, 112 third‐grade students were randomly assigned to watch one of the videos. Results showed that the interactive presence video led to the highest scores in retention, transfer, learning motivation, social presence, and germane cognitive load. Social presence mediated the influence of interactive presence on retention, whereas social presence and germane cognitive load mediated the influence on transfer. The findings confirm and better clarify the benefits of introducing interactive PA presence design in children's video learning.
Random Learning Leads to Faster Convergence in ‘Model‐Free’ ILC: With Application to MIMO Feedforward in Industrial Printing
Authors: Aarnoudse Leontine , Oomen Tom
Published: September 2024

Model‐free iterative learning control (ILC) can lead to high performance by attenuating repeating disturbances completely, using dedicated experiments on the real system to replace the traditional model. The aim of this paper is to develop a fast data‐driven method for MIMO ILC that uses random learning in the form of efficient unbiased gradient estimates. This is achieved by developing a stochastic conjugate gradient algorithm, in which the search direction and optimal step size are generated using dedicated experiments. The approach is applied to MIMO automated feedforward tuning. Simulation and experimental results show that the method is superior to earlier stochastic and deterministic methods.
Bio‐p–n Junction–Derived Bio–Diodes With Opto‐Ionotronic Switching and Rectification Effects
Authors: Lv Yujia , Xie Shiwang , Huang Jiayin , Lu Shanfu , Luo Dan , Xiang Yan
Published: September 2024

The advancement of bio‐ionotronics for the brain‐computer interaction necessitates an exploration of the mechanisms of electron‐ion coupled transport in solid state devices. In this study, a bio‐p–n junction composed of n‐type bacteriorhodopsin and p‐type P3HT are proposed. By leveraging electron‐proton synergistic effects, an opto‐ionotronic bio‐diode capable of performing ionotronic switching and rectification functions is fabricated. The switching behavior of the bio‐diode can be controlled both optically and electrically. Under light illumination, the ionotronic bio‐diode exhibits a rectification effect approaching that of an ideal diode, with a reliability of 99% and a rectification ratio of ≈661. Additionally, this bio‐organic composite ionotronic bio‐diode exhibits wide pH responsiveness, good photostability, and high biocompatibility. The proposed opto‐ionotronic bio‐diode can be utilized as a fundamental component in logic circuits, bridging the gap between semiconductor technology and biological systems, and represents a novel paradigm for the advancement of brain‐computer interaction.
Versatile NbOx‐Based Volatile Memristor for Artificial Intelligent Applications
Authors: Ju Dongyeol , Kim Sungjun
Published: September 2024

To achieve cost‐effectiveness, researchers are exploring various memristors for their adaptation in neuromorphic computing. Recent studies have focused on developing versatile functioning singular memristors, such as those involved in on‐receptor computing, which integrates sensory functions into current neuromorphic computing paradigms. Additionally, adaptations like reservoir computing are being investigated for computing systems. In this study, a memristor composed of a stack of Ti/NbOx/Pt layers is fabricated to explore multifunctional behaviors within a single memristor. By applying bias toward the top Ti electrode, gradual current changes with volatile features are demonstrated, revealing an ion‐migration‐based nonfilamentary switching memristor. Leveraging this volatile functionality, an artificial nociceptor is first implemented, demonstrating key functions of biological nociceptors including thresholding, relaxation, no‐adaptation, and sensitization. Subsequently, synapse emulation akin to the biological brain is achieved through easy conductance potentiation and depression with diverse synapse functions, enabling the memristor to mimic learning activities with spike firing. Lastly, computational applications are explored by adapting edge computing and multi‐bit reservoir computing, expanding the memristor's applications across diverse fields with versatile behaviors.
Flexible, Breathable and Hydrophobic SnO2–SnS2–SiO2/SiO2 All‐Inorganic Self‐Supporting Nanofiber Membrane for Ultralow‐Concentration NO2 Sensing Under High Humidity
Authors: Liu Jia , Zhang Jinniu , Yu Qian , Liu Yumeng , Zhang Xinlei , Zhu Gangqiang , Jia Yanmin , Lu Hongbing , Gao Jianzhi , Wang Hongjun , Zhu Benpeng
Published: September 2024

Inorganic semiconductor gas sensors, being widely utilized in gas‐sensing applications, face significant challenges in attaining mechanical flexibility and humidity resistance in wearable sensing fields. Herein, a highly flexible, breathable, and hydrophobic all‐inorganic self‐supporting nanofiber (NF) gas sensor is developed using electrospinning combined with thermal sulfidation approach. This innovative sensor features a bilayer configuration, with an amorphous SiO2 nanofiber substrate layer and an interwoven SiO2 and SnO2–SnS2 nanofiber active layer. The relatively low elastic modulus of the amorphous SiO2 nanofibers, combined with the three‐dimensional network interwoven structure, endow the SnO2–SnS2–SiO2/SiO2 sensor with superior mechanical flexibility. The sensor exhibits excellent sensitivity, selectivity, moisture resistance, and cycling stability (>10 000 cycles at 140° bending) to both high and low concentration NO2. Notably, an excellent flexible detecting capability of the sensor to NO2, an asthma‐related biomarker, is demonstrated at ultralow concentrations (≈25 ppb) in simulated exhaled breath environments. The enhanced moisture resistance is attributed to the effective inhibition of hydrogen bond formation from H2O molecules by the Sn─S bonds formed through sulfidation of SnO2 nanofibers. This work represents a substantial advancement in the universal fabrication of flexible, breathable and moisture‐resistant inorganic semiconductor sensors for wearable breath sensing applications.
Ultrafast One‐Step Synthesis of Garnet‐Type Solid Electrolytes With Modified Surface and Microstructure for Solid‐State Lithium‐Metal Batteries
Authors: Kim Jong Heon , Kim Doosoo , Nanda Siddhartha , Khani Hadi
Published: September 2024

Garnet‐type Li6.5La3Zr1.5Ta0.5O12 (LLZTO) solid electrolytes provide the necessary electrochemical stability and ionic conductivity for solid‐state lithium‐metal batteries (SSLMBs). However, their wider application is hindered by their high interfacial resistance with electrodes and a lengthy synthesis process. This study presents the synthesis of densified LLZTO electrolytes using unconventional Li2O and Li2ZrO3 precursors through an ultrafast (≈60 s) Joule heat‐assisted synthesis approach in a single‐step process. The lower sintering temperature of Li2ZrO3 compared to traditional ZrO2 precursor yields LLZTO with larger grains, resulting in enhanced Li+ conductivity (7.0 × 10−4 S cm−1 at 25 °C), reduced electronic conductivity (1.7 × 10−10 S cm−1), and higher density (94.2%). Applying a 52–80 nm Sn:SnF2 coating on the LLZTO surface using a melt‐quenching approach produces a uniform interlayer that chemically converts to Li‐Sn alloy and LiF upon contact with lithium, resulting in a near‐zero interfacial resistance and a critical current density of 4.2 mA cm−2 at 25 °C. The SSLMBs, incorporating Sn:SnF2‐coated LLZTO electrolyte with NMC811 cathode, demonstrate remarkable initial capacity (181.1 mAh g−1) and cycle performance (88.63% capacity retention at 3000th cycle). The results indicate that this approach has the potential to advance the commercial fabrication technology for high‐performance solid electrolytes for SSLMBs.