bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characteristic cortico-cortical connection profile of human precuneus revealed by probabilistic tractography
Authors: Jitsuishi Tatsuya , Yamaguchi Atsushi
Published: February 2023

It is generally hypothesized that functional connectivity (FC) reflects the underlying structural connectivity (SC). The precuneus is associated with highly integrated cognitive functions. However, our understanding of the structural connections that could underlie them is limited. This study aimed to characterize the cortico-cortical connections by probabilistic tractography. The precuneus corresponds to the five cortical areas (7Am, PCV, 7Pm, 7m, POS2) on the HCP MMP atlas. We first conducted the atlas-based probabilistic tractography. The anterior part (7Am) was strongly connected to the sensorimotor region. The dorsal part (7Am, 7Pm) was highly connected with the adjacent parietal and temporal cortex, while the ventral part (PCV, 7m) showed strong connections with the adjacent posterior cingulate and medial prefrontal cortex. The most posterior part (POS2) was explicitly connected to the visual cortex. In addition, there was a correlation between SC and resting-state fMRI connectivity (Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient = 0.322 ± 0.019, p < 0.05 corrected at subject level). Collectively, the current study revealed the characteristic connectional profile of precuneus, which could shed light on the structural heterogeneity for the future functional analyses.
Colour Chemistry
Authors: Christie Robert
Published: February 2023

This revised and up-dated second edition provides a current insight into how the fundamental principles of the chemistry of colour are applied in dyes and pigments. The text has been expanded and re-written throughout, while largely maintaining the structure of the first edition. In particular, the chapter on functional dyes has been substantially re-written to embrace the significant developments in chemistry and technology that this area has experienced in the last decade. As industry and society have become increasingly sensitive towards environmental issues, the chapter describing how the colour industry has been responding is expanded to reflect this growing importance. A new chapter is introduced on colour in cosmetics, with particular emphasis on hair dyes, reflecting the growing international, industrial significance of this topic. This chapter is co-written with Dr Olivier Morel.

Colour Chemistry will be of interest to academics and industrialists who are specialists in colour science or who have involvement with the diverse range of coloured materials, for example traditional application in textiles, paints, printing inks, plastics and cosmetics, and functional applications in electronics and biology. Broad and balanced in its coverage, this book provides an introduction to the chemistry of colour that is ideal for students, graduates and those in industry and academia seeking an introduction to the topic.

Robert Christie is a Professor in Colour Chemistry and Technology at Heriot-Watt University, Scotland, and a Distinguished Adjunct Professor at the King Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia. He also acts as a consultant to the colour manufacturing and application industry worldwide.
Greener Organic Transformations
Authors: Clark James H , Jardine Anwar , Matharu Avtar , Stevens Christian
Published: February 2023

Green chemistry has progressed from being a driver for change in the chemical and allied industries to being a critical part of chemical education at all levels. The future chemist must be able to practice their trade in the light of increasing concerns about waste and resources, the safety of chemicals in consumer products, and increasingly restrictive legislation. While there are green chemistry educational resources available including lectures and experiments as well as numerous books on green chemistry and major green chemical technologies, there is no “green equivalent” of a standard organic chemistry textbook

Systematically covering a variety of well-known reactions that commonly feature in standard organic textbooks this book supplements and supports the standard organic chemistry texts. It highlights the main sustainability issues of classical and contemporary organic transformations and critically evaluates them within a metric of established Green Chemistry Principles noting where additional efforts are needed to improve their environmental footprint. Written by a team of expert authors with a multinational advisory board, this book is a fantastic resource for advanced undergraduate and postgraduate students worldwide.
Molecular dynamics investigation of the asphaltene–kaolinite interactions in water, toluene, and water–toluene mixtures
Authors: Mane Jonathan Y. , Stoyanov Stanislav R.
Published: February 2023

Molecular dynamics simulations of petroleum asphaltenes model compounds interacting with kaolinite surfaces in the presence of explicit solvent environments containing water, toluene, and mixtures of toluene and water in varying proportions.
Photoelectrochemical sensing of glutathione using bismuth vanadate (BiVO4) decorated with polyaniline (PANI) and cadmium sulfide (CdS)
Authors: Zhang Zuxing , Li Mingqing , Zhai Liying , Wu Jiahui , Li Li
Published: February 2023

A ternary nanocomposite photoelectrode composed of CdS, PANI, and BiVO4 was successfully designed by combining cyclic voltammetry with electrochemical deposition and high-temperature calcination.
Visible-light-induced Csp3–H functionalization of glycine derivatives by cerium catalysis
Authors: Wang Shutao , Ye Yanjie , Hu Yansong , Meng Xu , Liu Zhao , Liu Jiyu , Chen Kuan , Zhang Zhengze , Zhang Yuan
Published: February 2023

A Ce(iii)-catalyzed, visible-light-induced aerobic oxidative cross-dehydrogenative coupling/aromatization between glycine derivatives and alkenes is achieved without any external photosensitizer or additive.
Atomically dispersed Mn atoms coordinated with N and O within an N-doped porous carbon framework for boosted oxygen reduction catalysis
Authors: Huo Juanjuan , Cao Xianjun , Tian Yaping , Li Lu , Qu Junpeng , Xie Yuhan , Nie Xinming , Zhao Yufei , Zhang Jinqiang , Liu Hao
Published: February 2023

Developing efficient and robust catalysts to replace Pt group metals for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is conducive to achieving highly efficient energy conversion.
Ecofriendly LC-MS/MS and TLC-densitometric methods for simultaneous quantitative assay and monitoring of BEGEV regimen, in vivo pharmacokinetic study application
Authors: Sharkawi Marco M. Z. , Mohamed Norhan R. , El-Saadi Mohammed T. , Amin Noha H.
Published: February 2023

Two rapid, accurate and ecofriendly chromatographic methods were developed for simultaneous determination of bendamustine, gemcitabine and vinorelbine for the purpose of an in vivo pharmacokinetics study in rats.
New Editor-in-Chief for Catalysis Science & Technology
Authors: Pérez-Ramírez Javier , Weckhuysen Bert M. , Southall Maria E.
Published: February 2023

Executive Editor Maria Southall welcomes Bert Weckhuysen as the new Editor-in-Chief of Catalysis Science & Technology and pays tribute to the leadership and many contributions of departing Editor-in-Chief, Javier Pérez-Ramírez.
Correction: Insulative wood materials templated by wet foams
Authors: Ferreira Elisa S. , Dobrzanski Elizabeth , Tiwary Praphulla , Agrawal Prashant , Chen Richard , Cranston Emily D.
Published: February 2023

Correction for ‘Insulative wood materials templated by wet foams’ by Elisa S. Ferreira et al., Mater. Adv., 2023, 4, 641–650, https://doi.org/10.1039/d2ma00852a.
A combined capacitor current balancing method with weighting factor control for multi‐string LED drivers
Authors: Sedghi Hajar , Sarvi Mohammad
Published: February 2023

A multi‐string LED lamp driver is presented involving a boost converter and a multi‐output CLL resonant converter as the first and second stages, respectively. The CLL resonant converter works in a fixed resonant frequency, and output currents are controlled by the boost converter regulated by the Weighting Factor control method. Also, the boost converter improves and controls its input voltage. Since CLL resonant converters operate at fixed resonant frequency, primary‐side MOSFETs can achieve zero voltage switching, while secondary‐side rectifier diodes achieve zero current switching. A prototype of the proposed system was constructed to verify the theoretical results by practical implementation. Also, the general features of the proposed structure were compared with some other similar works. Results confirmed the accuracy and favourable performance of the proposed system. In fact, the proposed LED driver achieved good current balancing in a wide range of input voltage and unbalanced loads making the structure potentially suitable for application in solar home systems (SHS).
Update of the INTEGRAL/IBIS active galactic nuclei catalogue: Deeper on the Galactic plane and wider beyond
Authors: Malizia A. , Bassani L. , Landi R. , Molina M. , Masetti N. , Palazzi E. , Bruni G. , Bazzano A. , Ubertini P. , Bird A. J.
Published: February 2023

In this work we have updated the list of active galactic nuclei (AGN) detected by INTEGRAL taking into account the new objects listed in the last published INTEGRAL/IBIS survey. We have collected 83 new AGN, increasing the number of INTEGRAL-detected active galaxies (436) by 19%. Half of these new additions are located behind the Galactic plane, and for most of them we have full X-ray coverage, obtained through archival data from Swift/XRT, XMM-Newton, and NuSTAR. The soft X-ray data allowed us to associate each high-energy emitter with a single or multiple X-ray counterpart(s) and characterise the spectral shape of these new AGN by estimating the photon index, the intrinsic absorption, and the 2–10 keV flux. A few cases where two soft X-ray counterparts fall within the INTEGRAL error circle and at least one is classified as an AGN have been found and discussed in detail. Thirty-four sources originally listed as AGN candidates or unidentified objects have been recognised as AGN by employing three diagnostic tests: WISE colours, radio emission, and morphology. For 12 sources among the 34 AGN candidates, we reduced the optical spectra and confirmed their AGN nature, providing also their optical class and redshift. This paper is part of an ongoing effort to keep the INTEGRAL AGN catalogue updated in order to provide the scientific community with a hard X-ray selected sample of well-classified and spectrally characterised active galaxies.
Sensomotorik der Halswirbelsäule
Authors: Ernst Markus J.
Published: February 2023

Die Halswirbelsäule spielt für die Sensomotorik eine entscheidende Rolle. Wird ihre Funktion beeinträchtigt, sei es durch Verletzungen oder durch erhöhte Beanspruchung, kann es zu Störungen des sensomotorischen Systems kommen. Kennt man die richtigen Tests, kann man diese Störungen identifiziert und gezielt behandeln.
Oxidation of α-Trifluoromethyl and Nonfluorinated Secondary Alcohols to Ketones Using a Nitroxide Catalyst
Authors: Leadbeater Nicholas E. , Politano Fabrizio , Brydon William P.
Published: February 2023

A methodology for the oxidation of α-trifluoromethyl alcohols to the corresponding trifluoromethyl ketones is presented. A catalytic quantity of a nitroxide is used, and potassium persulfate serves as the terminal oxidant. The methodology proves effective for aromatic, heteroaromatic, and conjugated alcohol substrates. It can be extended to nonfluorinated secondary alcohols and, in this case, can be applied to a range of aromatic, heteroaromatic, and aliphatic alcohols.
A Case of Recurrent Urinary Tract Infection Successfully Treated during Homeopathic Supportive Care in Oncology
Authors: Bagot Jean-Lionel , Stahl Georges
Published: February 2023

Introduction A 32-year-old patient with colon cancer consulted for homeopathic supportive care (HSC). She had also suffered from recurrent urinary tract infections (RUTIs) for 20 years. Could homeopathy treat these two very different issues with the same medicine?

The Patient's Main Concerns Though the main reason for the consultation was a fear of the side effects of chemotherapy, the presence of Escherichia coli-induced RUTIs affected the patient's quality of life.

Interventions and Outcomes The repertory listing highlighted Pulsatilla as the patient's homeopathic constitutional medicine. It was prescribed both for HSC and also for RUTI. In association with Arsenicum album and Nerves, Pulsatilla enabled a good tolerance to chemotherapy, with rapid recovery from peripheral neuropathies. In combination with Colibacillinum, Pulsatilla provided relapse-free curing of the RUTIs. The MOdified NARanjo Criteria for Homeopathy (MONARCH) Inventory score was +9.

Conclusion The one individual's two different clinical complaints were treated with a constitutional homeopathic medicine, Pulsatilla, which covered the whole case. However, in HSC, the use of the constitutional remedy alone is rarely sufficient: it was reinforced by individualised symptomatic medication, organotherapy and isotherapy. For RUTI, isopathic and tubercular miasmatic treatments were each helpful. For both complaints, individualised homeopathy gave rapid, long-lasting and effective results.
Long-Term Outcomes of Multiple versus a Single Course of Antenatal Steroids: A Systematic Review
Authors: Ninan Kiran , Liyanage Sugee K. , Murphy Kellie E. , Asztalos Elizabeth V. , McDonald Sarah D.
Published: February 2023

Multiple courses versus a single course of antenatal corticosteroids (ACS) have been associated with mild respiratory benefits but also adverse outcomes like smaller head circumference and birth weight. Long-term effects warrant study. We systematically reviewed long-term outcomes (≥1 year) in both preterm and term birth after exposure to preterm multiple courses (including a rescue dose or course) versus a single course. We searched seven databases from January 2000 to October 2021. We included follow-up studies of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and cohort studies with births occurring in/after the year 2000, given advances in perinatal care. Two reviewers assessed titles/abstracts, articles, quality, and outcomes including psychological disorders, neurodevelopment, and anthropometry. Six follow-up studies of three RCTs and two cohort studies (over 2,860 children total) met inclusion criteria. Among children born preterm, randomization to multiple courses versus a single course of ACS was not associated with adjusted beneficial or adverse neurodevelopmental/psychological or other outcomes, but data are scant after a rescue dose (120 and 139 children, respectively, low certainty) and nonexistent after a rescue course. For children born at term (i.e., 27% of the multiple courses of ACS 5-year follow-up study of 1,728 preterm/term born children), preterm randomization to multiple courses (at least one additional course) versus a single course was significantly associated with elevated odds of neurosensory impairment (adjusted odds ratio = 3.70, 95% confidence interval: 1.57–8.75; 212 and 247 children, respectively, moderate certainty). In this systematic review of long-term outcomes after multiple courses versus a single course of ACS, there were no significant benefits or risks regarding neurodevelopment in children born preterm but little data after one rescue dose and none after a rescue course. However, multiple courses (i.e., at least one additional course) should be considered cautiously: after term birth, there are no long-term benefits but neurosensory harms.

Key Points
Structural inference of networked dynamical systems with universal differential equations
Authors: Koch J. , Chen Z. , Tuor A. , Drgona J. , Vrabie D.
Published: February 2023

Networked dynamical systems are common throughout science in engineering; e.g., biological networks, reaction networks, power systems, and the like. For many such systems, nonlinearity drives populations of identical (or near-identical) units to exhibit a wide range of nontrivial behaviors, such as the emergence of coherent structures (e.g., waves and patterns) or otherwise notable dynamics (e.g., synchrony and chaos). In this work, we seek to infer (i) the intrinsic physics of a base unit of a population, (ii) the underlying graphical structure shared between units, and (iii) the coupling physics of a given networked dynamical system given observations of nodal states. These tasks are formulated around the notion of the Universal Differential Equation, whereby unknown dynamical systems can be approximated with neural networks, mathematical terms known a priori (albeit with unknown parameterizations), or combinations of the two. We demonstrate the value of these inference tasks by investigating not only future state predictions but also the inference of system behavior on varied network topologies. The effectiveness and utility of these methods are shown with their application to canonical networked nonlinear coupled oscillators.
Piecewise integrable neural network: An interpretable chaos identification framework
Authors: Novelli Nico , Belardinelli Pierpaolo , Lenci Stefano
Published: February 2023

Artificial neural networks (ANNs) are an effective data-driven approach to model chaotic dynamics. Although ANNs are universal approximators that easily incorporate mathematical structure, physical information, and constraints, they are scarcely interpretable. Here, we develop a neural network framework in which the chaotic dynamics is reframed into piecewise models. The discontinuous formulation defines switching laws representative of the bifurcations mechanisms, recovering the system of differential equations and its primitive (or integral), which describe the chaotic regime.
Conformational multiplicity of bacterial ferric binding protein revealed by small angle x-ray scattering and molecular dynamics calculations
Authors: Liu Goksin , Ekmen Erhan , Jalalypour Farzaneh , Mertens Haydyn D. T. , Jeffries Cy M. , Svergun Dmitri , Atilgan Ali Rana , Atilgan Canan , Sayers Zehra
Published: February 2023

This study combines molecular dynamics (MD) simulations with small angle x-ray scattering (SAXS) measurements to investigate the range of conformations that can be adopted by a pH/ionic strength (IS) sensitive protein and to quantify its distinct populations in solution. To explore how the conformational distribution of proteins may be modified in the environmental niches of biological media, we focus on the periplasmic ferric binding protein A (FbpA) from Haemophilus influenzae involved in the mechanism by which bacteria capture iron from higher organisms. We examine iron-binding/release mechanisms of FbpA in varying conditions simulating its biological environment. While we show that these changes fall within the detectable range for SAXS as evidenced by differences observed in the theoretical scattering patterns calculated from the crystal structure models of apo and holo forms, detection of conformational changes due to the point mutation D52A and changes in ionic strength (IS) from SAXS scattering profiles have been challenging. Here, to reach conclusions, statistical analyses with SAXS profiles and results from different techniques were combined in a complementary fashion. The SAXS data complemented by size exclusion chromatography point to multiple and/or alternative conformations at physiological IS, whereas they are well-explained by single crystallographic structures in low IS buffers. By fitting the SAXS data with unique conformations sampled by a series of MD simulations under conditions mimicking the buffers, we quantify the populations of the occupied substates. We also find that the D52A mutant that we predicted by coarse-grained computational modeling to allosterically control the iron binding site in FbpA, responds to the environmental changes in our experiments with conformational selection scenarios that differ from those of the wild type.
Case study of a semantic library underpinning the four-corner model for document exchange
Authors: Holman G. Ken
Published: February 2023

The four-corner model network topology enables parties using non-declarative data to leverage
declarative content in a document exchange network, thus triggering the network effect of
enabling each new user to access all existing users without knowing their trading partner's
use of non-declarative data.
Existence, uniqueness, and long-time behavior of linearized field dislocation dynamics
Authors: Acharya Amit , Slemrod Marshall
Published: February 2023

This paper examines a system of partial differential equations describing dislocation dynamics in a crystalline solid. In particular we consider dynamics linearized about a state of zero stress and use linear semigroup theory to establish existence, uniqueness, and time-asymptotic behavior of the linear system.
Global well-posedness and exponential decay for the inhomogeneous Navier-Stokes equations with logarithmical hyper-dissipation
Authors: Wang Dehua , Ye Zhuan
Published: February 2023

We consider the Cauchy problem for the inhomogeneous incompressible logarithmical hyper-dissipative Navier-Stokes equations in higher dimensions. By means of the Littlewood-Paley techniques and new ideas, we establish the existence and uniqueness of the global strong solution with vacuum over the whole space

R

n

\mathbb {R}^{n}

. Moreover, we also obtain the exponential decay-in-time of the strong solution. Our result holds without any smallness on the initial data and the initial density is allowed to have vacuum.
“Tunisian Islam,” Women’s Rights, and the Limits of French Empire in Twentieth-Century North Africa
Authors: Weideman Julian
Published: February 2023

European colonialism catalyzed a proliferation of arguments linking national territories to allegedly distinctive forms of Islam. I consider “Tunisian Islam” under the French protectorate in Tunisia (1881–1956), a case that allows scholars not simply to track the formation of an orientalist discourse but to reveal the histories that the discourse has elided. This analysis has spatial and temporal parameters. First, the geographies of Muslim scholarship in colonial Tunisia exceeded both the national boundaries and the territory of the French empire. Above all, Muslim intellectuals in Tunisia under French rule pursued a multidirectional exchange with their colleagues in Egypt and the wider Middle East. This transnational context reveals the singular Tunisian Islam to be a specious construction. Second, colonial ideas about so-called Tunisian Islam were far from durable. Independence in 1956 led to a significant rupture as personal status legislation of the Tunisian Republic reconceived Tunisian Islam and created a new “invented tradition.” Crucially, the Tunisian state fused national Islam with promotion of women’s rights, a connection orientalists never made. Yet the regional circuits of intellectual life evident under the protectorate persisted after independence, raising questions about the tenability of the new version of national Islam.
Impact of palladium nanoparticles on plant and its fungal pathogen. A case study:Brassica napus–Plenodomus lingam
Authors: Maryška Lukáš , Jindřichová Barbora , Siegel Jakub , Záruba Kamil , Burketová Lenka
Published: February 2023

The technological exploitation of palladium or palladium nanoparticles (PdNPs) is increasing, and their wider usage relates to an unwanted release of pollutants into the environment, raising public health concerns about the infiltration of palladium into the consumption chain. This study focuses on the effect of spherical gold-cored PdNPs of 50 ± 10 nm diameter stabilized by sodium citrate on the interaction between an oilseed rape (Brassica napus) and the fungal pathogen Plenodomus lingam. Pretreatment of B. napus cotyledons with PdNPs suspension 24 h before but not 24 h after inoculation with P. lingam resulted in a decrease in the extent of disease symptoms; however, this effect was caused by Pd2+ ions (35 mg l–1 or 70 mg l–1). Tests to determine any direct antifungal activity on P. lingam in vitro demonstrated that the residual Pd2+ ions present in the PdNP suspension were responsible for the antifungal activity and that PdNPs themselves do not contribute to this effect. Brassica napus plants did not show any symptoms of palladium toxicity in any form. PdNPs/Pd2+ slightly increased the chlorophyll content and the transcription of pathogenesis-related gene 1 (PR1), indicating the activation of the plant defence system. We conclude that the only toxic effect of the PdNP suspension was on P. lingam via ions and that PdNPs/Pd2+ did not have any deleterious effect on the B. napus plants.
Promoter–motif extraction from co-regulated genes and their relevance to co-expression usingE. colias a model
Authors: Nayarisseri Anuraj , Bhrdwaj Anushka , Khan Arshiya , Sharma Khushboo , Shaheen Uzma , Selvaraj Chandrabose , Khan Mohammad Aqueel , Abhirami Rajaram , Pravin Muthuraja Arun , Shri Gurunathan Rubha , Raje Dhanjay , Singh Sanjeev Kumar
Published: February 2023

Gene expression varies due to the intrinsic stochasticity of transcription or as a reaction to external perturbations that generate cellular mutations. Co-regulation, co-expression and functional similarity of substances have been employed for indoctrinating the process of the transcriptional paradigm. The difficult process of analysing complicated proteomes and biological switches has been made easier by technical improvements, and microarray technology has flourished as a viable platform. Therefore, this research enables Microarray to cluster genes that are co-expressed and co-regulated into specific segments. Copious search algorithms have been employed to ascertain diacritic motifs or a combination of motifs that are performing regular expression, and their relevant information corresponding to the gene patterns is also documented. The associated genes co-expression and relevant cis-elements are further explored by engaging Escherichia coli as a model organism. Various clustering algorithms have also been used to generate classes of genes with similar expression profiles. A promoter database ‘EcoPromDB’ has been developed by referring RegulonDB database; this promoter database is freely available at www.ecopromdb.eminentbio.com and is divided into two sub-groups, depending upon the results of co-expression and co-regulation analyses.
Comment on ‘Clinical, histopathological and ultrastructural features of human monkeypox infection in the 2022 outbreak’
Authors: Kleebayoon Amnuay , Wiwanitkit Viroj
Published: February 2023

A comment on a Letter to the Editor discussing monkeypox; several additional issues for consideration.
Integrated molecular approaches for fermented food microbiome research
Authors: Walsh Aaron M , Leech John , Huttenhower Curtis , Delhomme-Nguyen Hue , Crispie Fiona , Chervaux Christian , Cotter Paul D
Published: February 2023

Molecular technologies, including high-throughput sequencing, have expanded our perception of the microbial world. Unprecedented insights into the composition and function of microbial communities have generated large interest, with numerous landmark studies published in recent years relating the important roles of microbiomes and the environment—especially diet and nutrition—in human, animal, and global health. As such, food microbiomes represent an important cross-over between the environment and host. This is especially true of fermented food microbiomes, which actively introduce microbial metabolites and, to a lesser extent, live microbes into the human gut. Here, we discuss the history of fermented foods, and examine how molecular approaches have advanced research of these fermented foods over the past decade. We highlight how various molecular approaches have helped us to understand the ways in which microbes shape the qualities of these products, and we summarize the impacts of consuming fermented foods on the gut. Finally, we explore how advances in bioinformatics could be leveraged to enhance our understanding of fermented foods. This review highlights how integrated molecular approaches are changing our understanding of the microbial communities associated with food fermentation, the creation of unique food products, and their influences on the human microbiome and health.
Enterocolic phlebitis: a rare cause of bowel ischemia and review of the literature
Authors: Bowee Stefanie , Matter Sophia B , Dawson Heather , Inglin Roman A
Published: February 2023

Enterocolic phlebitis (EP) is a rare cause of bowel ischemia due to isolated venulitis of the bowel wall and mesentery without arterial involvement. EP is often misdiagnosed as inflammatory bowel disease, carcinoma, or diverticulitis due to non-specific symptoms as well as non-specific clinical and radiological findings. While unresponsive to pharmacotherapy, surgical resection of the affected bowel appears to be the only successful therapy with a very low recurrence rate. Etiology of EP remains unknown. We report a case of EP with rare presentation in the left hemicolon and unusual histological findings emphasizing the heterogeneity of this cause of enterocolic ischemia. The review and comparison of the three entities—EP, mesenteric inflammatory veno-occlusive disease (MIVOD), and idiopathic myointimal hyperplasia of mesenteric veins (IMHMV), all describing patterns of bowel ischemia due to isolated pathology of mesenteric veins—reveal that the current terminology is unclear. EP and MIVOD are very similar and may be considered the same disease. IMHMV, though, differs in localization, symptom duration, and histological findings but also shares features with EP and MIVOD. Further studies and harmonized terminology are inevitable for better understanding of the disease, prevention of unnecessary pharmacotherapy, and reduction in time to diagnosis.
Genome Evolution in Plants: Complex Thalloid Liverworts (Marchantiopsida)
Authors: Linde Anna-Malin , Singh Shilpi , Bowman John L , Eklund Magnus , Cronberg Nils , Lagercrantz Ulf
Published: February 2023

Why do some genomes stay small and simple, while others become huge, and why are some genomes more stable? In contrast to angiosperms and gymnosperms, liverworts are characterized by small genomes with low variation in size and conserved chromosome numbers. We quantified genome evolution among five Marchantiophyta (liverworts), measuring gene characteristics, transposable element (TE) landscape, collinearity, and sex chromosome evolution that might explain the small size and limited variability of liverwort genomes. No genome duplications were identified among examined liverworts and levels of duplicated genes are low. Among the liverwort species, Lunularia cruciata stands out with a genome size almost twice that of the other liverwort species investigated here, and most of this increased size is due to bursts of Ty3/Gypsy retrotransposons. Intrachromosomal rearrangements between examined liverworts are abundant but occur at a slower rate compared with angiosperms. Most genes on L. cruciata scaffolds have their orthologs on homologous Marchantia polymorpha chromosomes, indicating a low degree of rearrangements between chromosomes. Still, translocation of a fragment of the female U chromosome to an autosome was predicted from our data, which might explain the uniquely small U chromosome in L. cruciata. Low levels of gene duplication, TE activity, and chromosomal rearrangements might contribute to the apparent slow rate of morphological evolution in liverworts.
The emerging role of extracellular vesicles in the testis
Authors: Ma Yi , Ma Qin-Wen , Sun Yun , Chen Xiang-Feng
Published: February 2023

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are nano-sized membrane-bounded particles, released by all cells and capable of transporting bioactive cargoes, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids, to regulate a variety of biological functions. Seminal plasma is enriched in EVs, and extensive evidence has revealed the role of EVs (e.g. prostasomes and epididymosomes) in the male genital tract. Recently, EVs released from testicular cells have been isolated and identified, and some new insights have been generated on their role in maintaining normal spermatogenesis and steroidogenesis in the testis. In the seminiferous tubules, Sertoli cell-derived EVs can promote the differentiation of spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs), and EVs secreted from undifferentiated A spermatogonia can inhibit the proliferation of SSCs. In the testicular interstitium, EVs have been identified in endothelial cells, macrophages, telocytes, and Leydig cells, although their roles are still elusive. Testicular EVs can also pass through the blood–testis barrier and mediate inter-compartment communication between the seminiferous tubules and the interstitium. Immature Sertoli cell-derived EVs can promote survival and suppress the steroidogenesis of Leydig cells. Exosomes isolated from macrophages can protect spermatogonia from radiation-induced injury. In addition to their role in intercellular communication, testicular EVs may also participate in the removal of aberrant proteins and the delivery of antigens for immune tolerance. EVs released from testicular cells can be detected in seminal plasma, which makes them potential biomarkers reflecting testicular function and disease status. The testicular EVs in seminal plasma may also affect the female reproductive tract to facilitate conception and may even affect early embryogenesis through modulating sperm RNA. EVs represent a new type of intercellular messenger in the testis. A detailed understanding of the role of testicular EV may contribute to the discovery of new mechanisms causing male infertility and enable the development of new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for the treatment of infertile men.
Distinct Situational Cue Processing in Individuals with Kleptomania: A Preliminary Study
Authors: Asaoka Yui , Won Moojun , Morita Tomonari , Ishikawa Emi , Goto Yukiori
Published: February 2023

Background

Impulse control disorder has been suggested to meet the criteria of addiction and is often considered a behavioral addiction; however, few studies have examined whether the disorder involves altered responses to situational cues that are associated with symptoms. In this study, we examined behavioral and neural responses to situational cues among individuals with an impulse control disorder: kleptomania.

Methods

Healthy adults and kleptomania patients whose symptoms were characterized by repetitive, uncontrolled shoplifting of sales goods in stores were recruited. Images with and without situational cues (e.g., a grocery store) were presented, and gazing patterns for the images were detected with the eye-tracker. Additionally, prefrontal cortical (PFC) responses were measured using functional near-infrared spectroscopy. PFC activities were further examined while participants were watching video clips in virtual reality with and without situational cues.

Results

Among kleptomania patients, the gazing pattern for an image with situational cues was distinct from gazing patterns for other images; such differences were not observed in healthy individuals. Consistent with gazing patterns, PFC local network responses by hemoglobin changes to images and videos with situational cues were substantially different from other images and videos in kleptomania patients, whereas PFC responses were consistent across all image and video presentations in healthy individuals.

Conclusions

These results suggest that kleptomania patients may perceive situational cues associated with their problematic behaviors differently from healthy individuals.
Error bound and exact penalty method for optimization problems with nonnegative orthogonal constraint
Authors: Qian Yitian , Pan Shaohua , Xiao Lianghai
Published: February 2023

This paper is concerned with a class of optimization problems with the non-negative orthogonal constraint, in which the objective function is $L$-smooth on an open set containing the Stiefel manifold $\textrm {St}(n,r)$. We derive a locally Lipschitzian error bound for the feasible points without zero rows when $n>r>1$, and when $n>r=1$ or $n=r$ achieve a global Lipschitzian error bound. Then, we show that the penalty problem induced by the elementwise $\ell _1$-norm distance to the non-negative cone is a global exact penalty, and so is the one induced by its Moreau envelope under a lower second-order calmness of the objective function. A practical penalty algorithm is developed by solving approximately a series of smooth penalty problems with a retraction-based nonmonotone line-search proximal gradient method, and any cluster point of the generated sequence is shown to be a stationary point of the original problem. Numerical comparisons with the ALM [Wen, Z. W. & Yin, W. T. (2013, A feasible method for optimization with orthogonality constraints. Math. Programming, 142, 397–434),] and the exact penalty method [Jiang, B., Meng, X., Wen, Z. W. & Chen, X. J. (2022, An exact penalty approach for optimization with nonnegative orthogonality constraints. Math. Programming. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10107-022-01794-8)] indicate that our penalty method has an advantage in terms of the quality of solutions despite taking a little more time.
Exposure to Violence as Explanatory Variable: Meaning, Measurement, and Theoretical Implications of Different Indicators
Authors: Yaylacı Şule , Price Christopher G
Published: February 2023

The study of intra-state violence has been a main focus of scholars since the end of the Cold War, and in recent years particular attention has been paid to the consequences of civil wars on future political, social, and economic development. Yet, understanding the consequences of political violence requires a clear working definition of what we mean when we say that someone was “exposed to” or was “a victim of” violence. Researchers use disparate measures ranging from living in a country that is categorized as a civil war case, despite living hundreds of miles away from areas of conflict, to being displaced and losing most of one’s family members in attacks. In this essay, we offer conceptual clarification for various forms of victimization and indirect forms of exposure, present examples of works using these different measurement strategies, and examine how different measures affect findings using a sample of articles. We conclude with recommendations about indicators researchers can choose from and suggest that future research should probe further into the use of subjective measures of exposure.
Ecology, Impacts, and Management of Common Late-season Defoliators of Southern Hardwoods
Authors: Oten Kelly L F , Jetton Robert M , Coyle David R
Published: February 2023

Late-season lepidopteran defoliators in the genera Anisota, Dryocampa, Datana, and Lochmaeus are usually considered minor pests which primarily cause aesthetic damage on hardwood trees in managed and natural areas. While foliage loss late in the season does not typically impact tree health, severe defoliation can occur on individual branches or entire trees, causing great concern to homeowners and land managers. We review the distribution, biology, damage, and management of several native late-season hardwood defoliators in the southeastern United States, including oakworms, mapleworms, yellownecked caterpillars, and variable oakleaf caterpillars. Affected hardwood trees typically leaf out the following spring even after severe defoliation. While management is seldom recommended due to timing or amount of damage, it may be warranted in certain situations. We provide management recommendations for these late-season defoliators, including chemical and nonchemical options for homeowners and land managers.
Growth of Acinetobacter baumannii impacted by iron chelation
Authors: Eales Brianna M , Bai Bing , Merlau Paul R , Tam Vincent H
Published: February 2023

Acinetobacter baumannii (AB) has become multidrug-resistant (MDR) in recent years, and, currently, there are limited effective treatment options. Nutrient metals (e.g. iron) are essential to the metabolic functions of AB. This study examined the impact of iron chelation on the growth of AB in vitro and in vivo. Susceptible and MDR-AB bloodstream isolates (n = 9) were recovered from different patients between 2011 and 2018. Clonal diversity was ascertained by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. In vitro bacterial densities were measured over 20 h to determine growth profiles. Variable amounts of a chelating agent [deferiprone (DFP)] were added to create a concentration gradient. Galleria mellonella larvae were inoculated with an isolate, with and without DFP. Quantitative culture was used to ascertain the bacterial burden of aggregate larvae immediately and 4 h post-infection. Increasing concentrations of DFP caused a transient and concentration-dependent hindrance to in vitro growth, compared to the no-treatment group. In vivo bacterial burden immediately post-infection in both groups was comparable. After 4 h, the burden was much higher in the control group comparatively (8.7 and 6.7 log CFU g−1). These results support that micro-nutrient limitation has the potential of being a novel approach for treating high-risk infections due to MDR-AB.
Ultradense dark matter haloes accompany primordial black holes
Authors: Delos M Sten , Silk Joseph
Published: February 2023

Primordial black holes (PBHs) form from large-amplitude initial density fluctuations and may comprise some or all of the dark matter. If PBHs have a broadly extended mass spectrum, or in mixed PBH-particle dark matter scenarios, the extreme density fluctuations necessary to produce PBHs also lead to the formation of a much greater abundance of dark matter minihaloes that form during the radiation epoch with internal densities potentially of the order of 1012 M⊙ pc−3. We develop an analytical description of the formation of these ultradense haloes and use it to quantitatively compare PBH and halo distributions. PBHs that contribute only a per cent level fraction of the dark matter are accompanied by ultradense haloes that nevertheless comprise an order–unity fraction. These haloes would consist of either particle dark matter or much smaller PBHs. This finding significantly alters the predictions of many PBH scenarios, enabling a variety of new observational tests.
Association of sleep behaviors with white matter hyperintensities and microstructural injury: a cross-sectional and longitudinal analysis of 26 354 participants
Authors: Ning Jing , Zhang Wei , Chen Shu-Fen , Li Hong-Qi , Wang Rong-Ze , Feng Jianfeng , Cheng Wei , Dong Qiang , Yu Jin-Tai
Published: February 2023

Study Objectives

This study assessed the associations between sleep behaviors with white matter macro and microstructure.

Methods

A total of 26 354 participants in the UK Biobank (mean [standard deviation], age, 63.7 [7.5] years, 53.4% female) were included in this study. A healthy sleep score integrated sleep behaviors including chronotype, insomnia, sleep duration, daytime sleepiness, and snoring. Linear and nonlinear relationships were calculated between individual and aggregate sleep behaviors with white matter hyperintensities (WMH) and microstructural injury.

Results

A “U-shaped” relationship was revealed between sleep duration and WMH, and the lowest WMH was at 7.7 h per night. Four unhealthy sleep behaviors including late chronotype, sleep duration (>8 h or <7 h), excessive daytime sleepiness, and snoring significantly increased WMH impacts. Lower healthy sleep score was linked with increased WMH impacts (β = 0.164, 95% CI = 0.110–0.218), and worse microstructure in association and thalamic white matter tracts. Increased body mass index, glycated hemoglobin A1c, and systolic blood pressure were potential mediators of the relationships between unhealthy sleep behaviors and increased WMH. However, higher BMI and low-density lipoprotein were revealed as protective mediators between snoring and improved white matter integrity including lower MD and higher ICVF.

Conclusions

Unhealthy sleep behaviors were associated with increased WMH impacts and worse white matter microstructure in specific tracts across middle and older age. These findings provide the potential to improve white matter integrity by reversing unhealthy sleep behaviors.
Abortion Rights Attitudes in Europe: Pro-Choice, Pro-Life, or Pro-Nation?
Authors: Brysk Alison , Yang Rujun
Published: February 2023

Despite modernization in women’s public roles, reproductive rights attitudes and policies are becoming more restrictive in some societies. While existing literature depicts abortion opinion as a clash of feminist pro-choice vs. religious pro-life frames, feminist analysis suggests that nationalism may influence reproductive attitudes. Yet no cross-national research has empirically examined the relationship between ethnonationalist sentiments and abortion attitudes. We use the 2017 European Values Survey to analyze how ethnonationalist attitudes are associated with abortion approval in thirty European countries. We find that strong ethnonational identity and distrust of foreigners are positively correlated with individuals’ disapproval of abortion. Counterintuitively, this association between abortion attitudes and ethnonationalism is stronger among less religious and more liberal individuals—and in more “modernized” European countries. Our findings contribute a new factor to the cross-national abortion opinion literature and an empirical demonstration of feminist theory with relevance for reproductive rights.
Associations between Solitary Confinement and Psychosis Symptoms in the Postrelease Community Setting
Authors: Moore John Randolph , Eikenberry Jacob , Fedina Lisa , DeVylder Jordan
Published: February 2023

Some evidence suggests that the practice of solitary confinement in incarceration settings is linked to poor mental health outcomes; however, prior research has not yet examined associations between experiences of solitary confinement and psychosis symptoms. To address this gap, authors conducted a cross-sectional survey of 201 formerly incarcerated men and women in the United States to examine the relationship between solitary confinement and psychosis symptoms in the postrelease community setting. Results indicated that solitary confinement was significantly associated with higher levels of current psychosis symptoms after controlling for demographic factors and clinical characteristics. These findings highlight the need for short-term and long-term community-based mental health interventions and prevention efforts in the postrelease community setting. Social workers and practitioners in community mental health settings should be cognizant of patients’ histories with solitary confinement and consider how these experiences may present risks to current mental health symptoms (i.e., early onset psychosis). Future studies are needed on protective mechanisms that may buffer the effects of prior solitary confinement on psychosis.