bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Resilient and Transition Strategies for the Post-pandemic City: A Multi-criteria Analytical Approach for the Case of the Metropolitan City of Reggio Calabria
Authors: Bevilacqua Carmelina , Pizzimenti Pasquale
Published: May 2023

European cities face the challenges of planning their transition to achieve sustainable and resilient urbanization. However, operationalizing suitable urban strategies toward sustainability appears difficult, especially in the light of rising inequalities and disparities within and among EU cities and regions. Urban regeneration strategies appear to be a possible leveraging mechanism for cities’ green and digital transition in the mutated policy context for recovery after the pandemic. In this context, the paper explores how intermediate cities effectively design and implement urban development strategies toward resilience and sustainability in response to the current pressing challenges. The Metropolitan City of Reggio is examined by assessing the city’s ability to address context vulnerabilities in current urban development strategies through a multi-criteria analytical approach. Results point out priority factors that affect the case under investigation and should be prioritized in de-fining future development strategies and the potential role of urban regeneration in the city's future development strategies towards resilience sustainability.
Acid sphingomyelinase expression is associated with survival in resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
Authors: Wilson Gregory C. , Patel Sameer H. , Wang Jiang , Xu Kui , Turner Kevin M. , Becker Katrin Anne , Carpinteiro Alexander , Szabo Ildiko , Ahmad Syed A. , Gulbins Erich
Published: May 2023

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide. Unfortunately, the prognosis of PDAC is rather poor, and for instance, in the USA, over 47,000 people die because of pancreatic cancer annually. Here, we demonstrate that high expression of acid sphingomyelinase in PDAC strongly correlates with long-term survival of patients, as revealed by the analysis of two independent data sources. The positive effects of acid sphingomyelinase expression on long-term survival of PDAC patients were independent of patient demographics as well as tumor grade, lymph node involvement, perineural invasion, tumor stage, lymphovascular invasion, and adjuvant therapy. We also demonstrate that genetic deficiency or pharmacological inhibition of the acid sphingomyelinase promotes tumor growth in an orthotopic mouse model of PDAC. This is mirrored by a poorer pathologic response, as defined by the College of American Pathologists (CAP) score for pancreatic cancer, to neoadjuvant therapy of patients co-treated with functional inhibitors of the acid sphingomyelinase, in particular tricyclic antidepressants and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, in a retrospective analysis. Our data indicate expression of the acid sphingomyelinase in PDAC as a prognostic marker for tumor progression. They further suggest that the use of functional inhibitors of the acid sphingomyelinase, at least of tricyclic antidepressants and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in patients with PDAC, is contra-indicated. Finally, our data also suggest a potential novel treatment of PDAC patients with recombinant acid sphingomyelinase.

Key messages

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a common tumor with poor prognosis.

Expression of acid sphingomyelinase (ASM) determines outcome of PDAC.

Genetic deficiency or pharmacologic inhibition of ASM promotes tumor growth in a mouse model.

Inhibition of ASM during neoadjuvant treatment for PDAC correlates with worse pathology.

ASM expression is a prognostic marker and potential target in PDAC.
Introducing shrinkage in heavy-tailed state space models to predict equity excess returns
Authors: Huber Florian , Kastner Gregor , Pfarrhofer Michael
Published: May 2023

We forecast excess returns of the S &P 500 index using a flexible Bayesian econometric state space model with non-Gaussian features at several levels. More precisely, we control for overparameterization via global–local shrinkage priors on the state innovation variances as well as the time-invariant part of the state space model. The shrinkage priors are complemented by heavy tailed state innovations that cater for potential large breaks in the latent states, even if the degree of shrinkage introduced is high. Moreover, we allow for leptokurtic stochastic volatility in the observation equation. The empirical findings indicate that several variants of the proposed approach outperform typical competitors frequently used in the literature, both in terms of point and density forecasts.
Real-time power theft monitoring and detection system with double connected data capture system
Authors: Zulu Celimpilo Lindani , Dzobo Oliver
Published: May 2023

Power utilities worldwide are facing enormous challenges when it comes to the distribution of electricity. With these challenges, electricity theft is regarded as the most common challenge in the electrical distribution system. Electricity theft can be meter tampering done in consumer houses and illegal connections done using hook-ups from the distribution pole grids. These electricity theft challenges have caused power utilities to reconsider customer engagements focusing on feedback, putting loss detection systems in their distribution system networks, using artificial intelligence to schedule maintenance and other asset management activities, etc. The main focus of this paper is to design a real-time power theft monitoring and detection system that is able to detect power theft in distribution systems. This proposed system utilizes smart meters consisting of an Arduino ATMega328P microcontrollers with GSM modules (Global System for Mobile Communication) used for system communication. Cloud storage is created to store the smart meter data. Simulations of the proposed system were done using Proteus Design Suite v.8.10 SP3 software. The proposed system is practically constructed for prototype measurement results. Should power imbalances be measured by the system, the authority office will receive an SMS notification as an alert for power theft detected by a specific smart metering system. The authority office will analyse the power measurements sent to the cloud storage (MATLAB Online, ThingSpeak IoT channels display), and further action will be taken.
Joint EANM/SNMMI procedure guideline for the use of 177Lu-labeled PSMA-targeted radioligand-therapy (177Lu-PSMA-RLT)
Authors: Kratochwil Clemens , Fendler Wolfgang P. , Eiber Matthias , Hofman Michael S. , Emmett Louise , Calais Jeremie , Osborne Joseph R. , Iravani Amir , Koo Phillip , Lindenberg Liza , Baum Richard P. , Bozkurt Murat Fani , Delgado Bolton Roberto C. , Ezziddin Samer , Forrer Flavio , Hicks Rodney J. , Hope Thomas A. , Kabasakal Levent , Konijnenberg Mark , Kopka Klaus , Lassmann Michael , Mottaghy Felix M. , Oyen Wim J. G. , Rahbar Kambiz , Schoder Heiko , Virgolini Irene , Bodei Lisa , Fanti Stefano , Haberkorn Uwe , Hermann Ken
Published: May 2023

Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is expressed by the majority of clinically significant prostate adenocarcinomas, and patients with target-positive disease can easily be identified by PSMA PET imaging. Promising results with PSMA-targeted radiopharmaceutical therapy have already been obtained in early-phase studies using various combinations of targeting molecules and radiolabels. Definitive evidence of the safety and efficacy of [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 in combination with standard-of-care has been demonstrated in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer, whose disease had progressed after or during at least one taxane regimen and at least one novel androgen-axis drug. Preliminary data suggest that 177Lu-PSMA-radioligand therapy (RLT) also has high potential in additional clinical situations. Hence, the radiopharmaceuticals [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 and [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-I&T are currently being evaluated in ongoing phase 3 trials. The purpose of this guideline is to assist nuclear medicine personnel, to select patients with highest potential to benefit from 177Lu-PSMA-RLT, to perform the procedure in accordance with current best practice, and to prepare for possible side effects and their clinical management. We also provide expert advice, to identify those clinical situations which may justify the off-label use of [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 or other emerging ligands on an individual patient basis.
Bone marrow biopsy can be omitted in the diagnostic workup of CNS lymphoma of DLBCL origin: a population-based retrospective study in the PET-CT era
Authors: Jelicic Jelena , Hansen Dennis Lund , Carlsen Sarah Sand , Thorsgaard Michael , Hersby Ditte Stampe , Kannik Karina , Munksgaard Amalie Sofie Eilsø , Larsen Thomas Stauffer , Juul-Jensen Karen
Published: May 2023

Currently, bone marrow (BM) biopsy (BMB) is recommended in the initial staging of patients with the presumed primary central nervous system (CNS) lymphoma (PCNSL). However, the added value of BMB in the era of positron emission tomography (PET-CT) has been challenged in other lymphoma subtypes. We analyzed BM findings in patients with biopsy-proven CNS lymphoma and a negative PET-CT scan for disease outside CNS. A comprehensive Danish population-based registry search was performed to identify all patients with CNS lymphoma of diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) histology with available BMB results and staging PET-CT without systemic lymphoma. A total of 300 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Of them, 16% had a previous history of lymphoma, while 84% were diagnosed with PCNSL. None of the patients had DLBCL in the BM. A minority (8.3%) had discordant BMB findings, mainly low-grade histologies that did not influence treatment choice in any case. In conclusion, the risk of overlooking concordant BM infiltration in patients with CNS lymphoma of DLBCL histology and negative PET-CT scan is negligible. As we did not find any patient with DLBCL in the BMB, our results suggest that BMB can be safely omitted in the diagnostic workup in patients with CNS lymphoma and a negative PET-CT.
Surgical treatment of ankle instability in children with os subfibulare
Authors: Zgoda Marcin , Arnold Matthew C. A.
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Ankle instability in children due to soft tissue injury usually resolves after non-operative treatment. However, some children and adolescents with chronic instability require surgical treatment. A rarer cause of developing ankle instability is injury to the ligament complex in the presence of os subfibulare, an accessory bone inferior to the lateral malleolus. The aim of this study was to assess the results of operative management of chronic ankle instability in children with os subfibulare.

Materials and methods

16 children with os subfibulare and chronic ankle instability who failed non-operative treatment were enrolled prospectively into the study. One child was lost to follow-up and excluded from analysis. The mean age at the time of the surgery was 14 years and 2 months (range 9.5–17 years). The mean follow-up time was 43.2 months (range 28–48 months). Surgical treatment in all cases involved removal of os subfibulare and a modified Broström-Gould lateral complex reconstruction with anchors. Ankle status was assessed before and after surgery with The 100 mm Visual Analogue Scale and Foot and Ankle Outcome Score questionnaire.

Results

The mean Foot and Ankle Outcome Score improved from 66.8 to 92.3 (p < 0.001). Pain level improved from 67.1 preoperatively to 12.7 (p < 0.001). All children reported improvement in their ankle stability. There was one case of scar hypersensitivity that improved during observation and one superficial wound infection that resolved with oral antibiotics. One child reported intermittent pain without symptoms of instability following another injury.

Conclusions

Ankle joint sprain with associated injury to os subfibulare complex can lead to chronic instability in children. If conservative management fails, then surgical treatment with modified Broström-Gould technique and excision of accessory bone is a safe and reliable method.
Combined exposure to heavy physical workload and low job control and the risk of disability pension: A cohort study of employed men and women in Sweden
Authors: Badarin Kathryn , Hemmingsson Tomas , Almroth Melody , Falkstedt Daniel , Hillert Lena , Kjellberg Katarina
Published: May 2023

Objective

To investigate the separate and combined effects of overall heavy physical workload (PWL) and low decision authority on all-cause disability pension (DP) or musculoskeletal DP.

Methods

This study uses a sample of 1,804,242 Swedish workers aged 44–63 at the 2009 baseline. Job Exposure Matrices (JEMs) estimated exposure to PWL and decision authority. Mean JEM values were linked to occupational codes, then split into tertiles and combined. DP cases were taken from register data from 2010 to 2019. Cox regression models estimated sex-specific Hazard Ratios (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). The Synergy Index (SI) estimated interaction effects.

Results

Heavy physical workload and low decision authority were associated with an increased risk of DP. Workers with combined exposure to heavy PWL and low decision authority often had greater risks of all-cause DP or musculoskeletal DP than when adding the effects of the single exposures. The results for the SI were above 1 for all-cause DP (men: SI 1.35 95%CI 1.18–1.55, women: SI 1.19 95%CI 1.05–1.35) and musculoskeletal disorder DP (men: SI 1.35 95%CI 1.08–1.69, women: 1.13 95%CI 0.85–1.49). After adjustment, the estimates for SI remained above 1 but were not statistically significant.

Conclusion

Heavy physical workload and low decision authority were separately associated with DP. The combination of heavy PWL and low decision authority was often associated with higher risks of DP than would be expected from adding the effects of the single exposures. Increasing decision authority among workers with heavy PWL could help reduce the risk of DP.
Robotic versus laparoscopic versus open major hepatectomy – an analysis of costs and postoperative outcomes in a single-center setting
Authors: Knitter Sebastian , Feldbrügge Linda , Nevermann Nora , Globke Brigitta , Galindo Santiago Andres Ortiz , Winklmann Thomas , Krenzien Felix , Haber Philipp K. , Malinka Thomas , Lurje Georg , Schöning Wenzel , Pratschke Johann , Schmelzle Moritz
Published: May 2023

Purpose

In the era of minimal-invasive surgery, the introduction of robotic liver surgery (RS) was accompanied by concerns about the increased financial expenses of the robotic technique in comparison to the established laparoscopic (LS) and conventional open surgery (OS). Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of RS, LS and OS for major hepatectomies in this study.

Methods

We analyzed financial and clinical data on patients who underwent major liver resection for benign and malign lesions from 2017 to 2019 at our department. Patients were grouped according to the technical approach in RS, LS, and OS. For better comparability, only cases stratified to the Diagnosis Related Groups (DRG) H01A and H01B were included in this study. Financial expenses were compared between RS, LS, and OS. A binary logistic regression model was used to identify parameters associated with increased costs.

Results

RS, LS and OS accounted for median daily costs of 1,725 €, 1,633 € and 1,205 €, respectively (p < 0.0001). Median daily (p = 0.420) and total costs (16,648 € vs. 14,578 €, p = 0.076) were comparable between RS and LS. Increased financial expenses for RS were mainly caused by intraoperative costs (7,592 €, p < 0.0001). Length of procedure (hazard ratio [HR] = 5.4, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.7–16.9, p = 0.004), length of stay (HR [95% CI] = 8.8 [1.9–41.6], p = 0.006) and development of major complications (HR [95% CI] = 2.9 [1.7–5.1], p < 0.0001) were independently associated with higher costs.

Conclusions

From an economic perspective, RS may be considered a valid alternative to LS for major liver resections.
Effects of cow reproductive status, parity and lactation stage on behaviour and heavy breathing indications of a commercial accelerometer during hot weather conditions
Authors: Leliveld Lisette M.C. , Lovarelli Daniela , Finzi Alberto , Riva Elisabetta , Provolo Giorgio
Published: May 2023

Heat stress presents one of the most urgent challenges to modern dairy farming, having major detrimental impacts on cow welfare, health, and production. Understanding the effect of cow factors (reproductive status, parity, and lactation stage) on the physiological and behavioural response to hot weather conditions is essential for the accurate detection and practical application of heat mitigation strategies. To study this, collars with commercial accelerometer-based sensors were fitted on 48 lactation dairy cows to record behaviour and heavy breathing from late spring to late summer. The temperature-humidity index (THI) was calculated from measurements of 8 barn sensors. We found that, above a THI of 84, cows in advanced pregnancy (>90 days) spent more time breathing heavily and less time eating and in low activity than other cows, while cows in early pregnancy (≤90 days) spent less time breathing heavily, more time eating and in low activity. Cows with 3+ lactations showed less time breathing heavily and in high activity and more time ruminating and in low activity than cows with fewer lactations. Although lactation stage interacted significantly with THI on time spent breathing heavily, ruminating, eating, and in low activity, there was no clear indication at which lactation stage cows were more sensitive to heat. These findings show that cow factors affect the cow’s physiological and behavioural response to heat, which could be used to provide group-specific heat abatement strategies, thereby improving heat stress management.
Brain stimulation for chronic pain management: a narrative review of analgesic mechanisms and clinical evidence
Authors: Szymoniuk Michał , Chin Jia-Hsuan , Domagalski Łukasz , Biszewski Mateusz , Jóźwik Katarzyna , Kamieniak Piotr
Published: May 2023

Chronic pain constitutes one of the most common chronic complaints that people experience. According to the International Association for the Study of Pain, chronic pain is defined as pain that persists or recurs longer than 3 months. Chronic pain has a significant impact on individuals’ well-being and psychosocial health and the economy of healthcare systems as well. Despite the availability of numerous therapeutic modalities, treatment of chronic pain can be challenging. Only about 30% of individuals with non-cancer chronic pain achieve improvement from standard pharmacological treatment. Therefore, numerous therapeutic approaches were proposed as a potential treatment for chronic pain including non-opioid pharmacological agents, nerve blocks, acupuncture, cannabidiol, stem cells, exosomes, and neurostimulation techniques. Although some neurostimulation methods such as spinal cord stimulation were successfully introduced into clinical practice as a therapy for chronic pain, the current evidence for brain stimulation efficacy in the treatment of chronic pain remains unclear. Hence, this narrative literature review aimed to give an up-to-date overview of brain stimulation methods, including deep brain stimulation, motor cortex stimulation, transcranial direct current stimulation, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, cranial electrotherapy stimulation, and reduced impedance non-invasive cortical electrostimulation as a potential treatment for chronic pain.
Comparison of anal function and quality of life after conformal sphincter preservation operation and intersphincteric resection of very low rectal cancer: a multicenter, retrospective, case–control analysis
Authors: Sun G. , Zang Y. , Ding H. , Chen Y. , Groothof D. , Gong H. , Lou Z. , Meng R. , Chen Z. , Furnee E. , Xiang J. , Zhang W.
Published: May 2023

Purpose

Conformal sphincter preservation operation (CSPO) is a sphincter preservation operation for very low rectal cancers. Compared to intersphincteric resection (ISR), CSPO retains more dentate line and distal rectal wall, and also avoids damaging the nerves in the intersphincteric space. This study aimed to compare the postoperative anal function and quality of life between the CSPO and ISR.

Method

Patients with low rectal cancer undergoing CSPO (n = 117) and ISR (n = 66) were included from Changhai and Huashan Hospital, respectively, between 2011 and 2020. A visual analog scale (range 0–10) was utilized to evaluate satisfaction with anal function and quality of life. The anal function was evaluated with Wexner scores and low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) score. Quality of life was evaluated with the EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-CR38.

Results

The CSPO group had more male patients (65.8% vs. 50%, p = 0.042), more preoperative chemoradiotherapy (33.3% vs. 10.6%, p < 0.001), lower tumor position (3.45 ± 1.13 vs. 4.24 ± 0.86 cm, p < 0.001), and more postoperative chemotherapy (65% vs. 13.6%, p < 0.001) compared to the ISR group. In addition, CSPO patients had shorter postoperative stay (6.63 ± 2.53 vs. 7.85 ± 4.73 days, p = 0.003) and comparable stoma reversal rates within 1 year after surgery (92.16% vs. 96.97%, p = 0.318). Multivariable analysis showed that CSPO significantly contributed to higher satisfaction with anal function (beta = 1.752, 95% CI 0.776–2.728) and with quality of life (beta = 1.219, 95% CI 0.374–2.064), but not to Wexner, LARS score, or EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-CR38.

Conclusion

CSPO improved the satisfaction with anal function and quality of life but utilized more preoperative chemoradiotherapy. CSPO may be an alternative choice for patients with very low rectal cancers in better physical health and with higher requirements for anal function and quality of life.
Long-term perturbations in four-body systems with mutual highly inclined orbits
Authors: Monzón C. V. , Docobo J. A.
Published: May 2023

Hierarchical Three Body systems with mutual highly inclined orbits have been well-known since the 1960s. Lidov-Kozai cycles arise within them where the inner orbit eccentricity acquires extreme values. In particular, we focus our research on the motion of exoplanets and exomoons on different Three Body stellar scenarios. Our goal is to study how the LK cycles are perturbed by a fourth body (which we called perturbed LK). We analyze the evolution of the eccentricity and inclination of the inner orbit in two cases: the first involves an exoplanet and the second involves an exomoon. Due to the possible stable configurations of a four-body system, we treat two subcases as well: the Totally Hierarchical Configuration and the 2 + 2 configuration. According to that derived from the particular scenarios of study discussed in the present research, the LK perturbed in exomoon orbits around exoplanets seem to exhibit, in general, way less alterations than the exoplanet orbit around its star.
Heroines and Mothers: Female Representation in the Carnegie Medal Winners 1936–2020
Authors: Lindahl-Wise Mette
Published: May 2023

This article presents quantitative research into the representations of females in Carnegie Medal-winning books 1936–2020. The relative presence or absence of female protagonists (heroines) and their mothers are used as proxies for gauging whether the representation of females is equitable. The research shows male protagonists outnumber female ones by a ratio of 1.58. Further, adult females are underrepresented in the narratives, as only 42% feature mothers who are alive and present in the story. Mothers are even underrepresented in fictional lone-parent families. While there is a strong correlation between female authors and female characters, the bias against fictional females is pronounced and so pervasive that it may signal a ‘symbolic annihilation’ of females in this particular cultural product. Societal changes and realities appear to have been slow to manifest in the Carnegies and a bias against females has not been attenuated even in recent years. Reflecting the diversity of lived experience in books is essential, and it is imperative that readers, including girls, are offered opportunities for identification—not only with protagonists but also adult females who might serve as role models to help them navigate towards adulthood.
Empowering Green Girls: An Ecofeminist Reading of Baba Yaga and the Black Sunflower and The Girl Who Swallowed a Cactus
Authors: Bayoumy Heidi Mohamed
Published: May 2023

To children, nature is not only the shelter, savior, and life-maintaining force, but also the impressive world that they are involuntarily attracted to. The immense fascination with nature in children’s literature shows the significance of such a relation. This paper seeks to examine two plays for children that deal with the relation between young girls and nature: Baba Yaga and the Black Sunflower (2000) by Carol Korty and The Girl Who Swallowed a Cactus (2020) by Eric Coble. Both plays do not merely highlight the importance of nature and the natural world, but also emphasize the relentless attempts of young girls to protect nature and reconcile with its inhabitants. The protagonists in both plays emerge as the central driving force; they embark on a journey to the natural world in which they find peace, understand the value of nature, and, finally, save the natural and the human world as well. Drawing upon ecofeminism, the paper aims to examine both plays as ecofeminist texts through analyzing the young girls’ perception of the injustice done to the natural world and its dwellers, and their journeys that end with the reconciliation with nature.
Densities of codes of various linearity degrees in translation-invariant metric spaces
Authors: Gruica Anina , Horlemann Anna-Lena , Ravagnani Alberto , Willenborg Nadja
Published: May 2023

We investigate the asymptotic density of error-correcting codes with good distance properties and prescribed linearity degree, including (sub)linear and nonlinear codes. We focus on the general setting of finite translation-invariant metric spaces, and then specialize our results to the Hamming metric, to the rank metric, and to the sum-rank metric. Our results show that the asymptotic density of codes heavily depends on the imposed linearity degree and the chosen metric.
Novel gas exposure system for the controlled exposure of plants to gaseous hydrogen fluoride
Authors: DeMille Katherine F. , Emsbo-Mattingly Stephen D. , Krieger Gary , Howard Michael , Webster Katie B. , DaCosta Michelle
Published: May 2023

Plants can serve as sensitive bioindicators of the presence of contaminant vapors in the atmosphere. This work describes a novel laboratory-based gas exposure system capable of calibrating plants as bioindicators for the detection and delineation of the atmospheric contaminant hydrogen fluoride (HF) as a preparatory step for monitoring release emissions. To evaluate changes in plant phenotype and stress-induced physiological effects attributed to HF alone, the gas exposure chamber must have additional controls to simulate otherwise optimal plant growth conditions including variables such as light intensity, photoperiod, temperature, and irrigation. The exposure system was designed to maintain constant growth conditions during a series of independent experiments that varied between optimal (control) and stressful (HF exposure) conditions. The system was also designed to ensure the safe handling and application of HF. An initial system calibration introduced HF gas into the exposure chamber and monitored HF concentrations by cavity ring-down spectroscopy for a 48-h period. Stable concentrations inside the exposure chamber were observed after approximately 15 h, and losses of HF to the system ranged from 88 to 91%. A model plant species (Festuca arundinacea) was then exposed to HF for 48 h. Visual phenotype stress-induced responses aligned with symptoms reported in the literature for fluoride exposure (tip dieback and discoloration along the dieback transition margin). Fluoride concentrations in exposed tissues compared to control tissues confirmed enhanced fluoride uptake due to HF exposure. The system described herein can be applied to other reactive atmospheric pollutants of interest in support of bioindicator research.
Green consumers’ behavioral intention and loyalty to use mobile organic food delivery applications: the role of social supports, sustainability perceptions, and religious consciousness
Authors: Hasan Md. Mahedi , Al Amin Md. , Arefin Md. Shamsul , Mostafa Tanjim
Published: May 2023

Consumer behavior in the food industry has undergone significant changes in recent years, largely driven by growing consumer awareness of environmental, technological, religious, and social concerns. As a result, organic food has emerged as a popular alternative to conventionally produced food. Many emerging nations, including Bangladesh, promote its consumption due to its perceived health and safety benefits. Despite this growing trend, there remains a need for more understanding of consumer behavior, particularly concerning their motivations for continuous purchases toward mobile organic food delivery applications. In order to fill this knowledge gap, this study looks at how six indirect predictors (emotional support, informational support, environmental consciousness, religious consciousness, trust, and technological consciousness) affect customer loyalty through the intention to use organic food. This study employed a purposive sampling technique (i.e., judgmental sampling) and collected data from 386 respondents across three cities in Bangladesh. Data analysis was conducted using SmartPLS 3 software. The study found that all predictors, except for technological consciousness, significantly influenced behavioral intention, which, in turn, significantly influenced loyalty. Additionally, the study revealed that the five predictors, excluding technological consciousness, indirectly influenced loyalty through behavioral intention. The results of this study add to the existing literature on organic food by extending social support theory to include consumers' primary motivations, such as environmental, religious, technological, and social consciousness, as predictors of loyalty to use mobile organic food delivery applications. The study highlights the importance of sustainable food consumption in promoting environmental protection, ensuring social justice, creating economic success, and providing valuable insights for implementers looking to expand the organic food market.

Graphical abstract
Sustainability assessment of optimal location of electric vehicle charge stations: a conceptual framework for green energy into smart cities
Authors: Abdel-Basset Mohamed , Gamal Abduallah , Hezam Ibrahim M. , Sallam Karam M.
Published: May 2023

Electric vehicles (EVs) have achieved a great deal of success, indicating that the motor industry will soon be emission-free. They run on electricity stored in batteries, which their drivers can recharge using an external source of electricity. Therefore, the development of an infrastructure for charging EVs has become a necessity. In this paper, a real case study in Zagazig, Egypt, for evaluating, operating, and determining the most sustainable location for an EV charging station is presented. Identifying such a location is a complex task that requires considering many influencing factors and their sub-factors. Consequently, a general evaluation system that includes six key factors, in addition to nineteen sub-factors, has been developed. A multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) approach is applied to deal with this problem. The neutrosophic theory with type-2 neutrosophic numbers (T2NNs) and a type-2 neutrosophic number weighted averaging (T2NNWA) operator are used to combine expert and specialized views since they are ambiguous and uncertain. Firstly, the Decision-making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) method is applied to prioritize key factors and sub-factors. Then, the Complex Proportional Assessment (COPRAS) technique selects six sustainable sites for EV charging stations. Also, comparison and sensitivity evaluations verify the approach's reliability, strength, stability, and performance. Finally, this article provides good information for policymakers and the results of the case study indicate that the economic factor is the most important factor in selecting the optimal location followed by the technical factor.
Dual-use implications of AI text generation
Authors: Koplin Julian J.
Published: May 2023

AI researchers have developed sophisticated language models capable of generating paragraphs of 'synthetic text' on topics specified by the user. While AI text generation has legitimate benefits, it could also be misused, potentially to grave effect. For example, AI text generators could be used to automate the production of convincing fake news, or to inundate social media platforms with machine-generated disinformation. This paper argues that AI text generators should be conceptualised as a dual-use technology, outlines some relevant lessons from earlier debates on dual-use life sciences research, and calls for closer collaboration between ethicists and the machine learning community to address AI language models’ dual-use implications.
The vertebrate sialylation machinery: structure-function and molecular evolution of GT-29 sialyltransferases
Authors: Harduin-Lepers Anne
Published: May 2023

Every eukaryotic cell is covered with a thick layer of complex carbohydrates with essential roles in their social life. In Deuterostoma, sialic acids present at the outermost positions of glycans of glycoconjugates are known to be key players in cellular interactions including host-pathogen interactions. Their negative charge and hydrophilic properties enable their roles in various normal and pathological states and their expression is altered in many diseases including cancers. Sialylation of glycoproteins and glycolipids is orchestrated by the regulated expression of twenty sialyltransferases in human tissues with distinct enzymatic characteristics and preferences for substrates and linkages formed. However, still very little is known on the functional organization of sialyltransferases in the Golgi apparatus and how the sialylation machinery is finely regulated to provide the ad hoc sialome to the cell. This review summarizes current knowledge on sialyltransferases, their structure–function relationships, molecular evolution, and their implications in human biology.
Inventory of on-farm sorghum landrace diversity and climate adaptation in Tigray, Northern Ethiopia: implications for sorghum breeding and conservation
Authors: Semere Tesfakiros , Fjellheim Siri , Tsehaye Yemane , Westengen Ola T.
Published: May 2023

The study was conducted with the aim of inventorying and assessing the level of sorghum landraces richness, estimating the extent and patterns of phenotypic diversity, identifying race type, and predicting suitable areas of production using future climate scenarios in Tigray, Northern Ethiopia. Overall, 358 landraces from 125 independent farmers’ fields in 20 districts belonging to four zones of Tigray were surveyed. Landraces richness, frequency of character states, and diversity levels were estimated via Margalef’s, Menhinick’s and Shannon–Weaver (H′) indices for each zone and altitude classes. Suitable areas for sorghum cultivation in the future were predicted using DIVA-GIS. Altogether, 140 distinctly named landraces were identified and collected. Southern zone has the highest richness (DMg = 10.74, DMn = 5.0) followed by central (DMg = 8.54, DMn = 3.80). The estimated H′ for the phenotypic character states ranged from 0.24 (seed form) to 0.95 (rachis branch length). Highest diversity estimate was found in northwest (H′ = 0.71) followed by central zone (H′ = 0.64). Respectively, H′ was 0.70, 0.68, and 0.61 in lowland, intermediate, and highland elevations. In general, lowlands of northwest, central, and southern zones are identified as potential sites for germplasm conservation and utilization. The races durra, bicolor, caudatum, and durra-bicolor were found with durra as the dominant race (79%). All the currently surveyed areas and many other sites in Tigray are predicted to be suitable for future sorghum production under the changing climate scenario. Copies of all the 358 sorghum landraces are deposited in the national gene bank for use in future sorghum breeding work. The wealth of sorghum landraces diversity could be used in sorghum improvement programs.
Assessment of optimal growth conditions for biomass and exopolysaccharides production in the thermotolerant cyanobacterium Phormidium sp. ETS-05
Authors: Zampieri Raffaella Margherita , Caldara Fabrizio , La Rocca Nicoletta
Published: May 2023

Phormidium sp. ETS-05 is one of the target cyanobacteria species conferring anti-inflammatory properties to the therapeutic muds applied by spas of the Euganean Thermal District (Italy) to treat arthro-rheumatic pathologies. Beneficial mud is prepared by spas following a traditional method, called maturation, leading to the growth of a specific microbiota on natural raw clay irrigated by flowing thermal water at 37–47 °C for about two months. The effectiveness of the mud is related to heat, electrolytes and bioactive molecules synthesized by the microbiota. A clear role in the anti-inflammatory activity of muds has been demonstrated for the exopolysaccharides, EPS, produced by the entire microbiota and Phormidium sp. ETS-05. Considering the interest in this species, we assessed its optimal growth conditions to obtain the higher EPS production in relation to temperature, light spectra, and intensity and nitrogen availability. The production of biomass and pigments was also taken into account, as other high-value compounds can be obtained in parallel with EPS. We found that exposure to a temperature of 45 °C under white light at 100 µmol photons m−2 s−1 is optimal to reach the highest biomass (1.13 g L−1) and an average production of 75 mg gDW−1 phycocyanin and of 150 mg gDW−1 EPS for Phormidium sp. ETS-05 cultured in lab-scale photobioreactors for 9 days. Putative genes linked with EPS assembly and export have also been identified in its genome, some of which have been investigated for their expression levels, opening up the possibility of biotechnologically boost EPS production.
Applications of Microct Imaging to Archaeobotanical Research
Authors: Barron Aleese
Published: May 2023

The potential applications of microCT scanning in the field of archaeobotany are only just beginning to be explored. The imaging technique can extract new archaeobotanical information from existing archaeobotanical collections as well as create new archaeobotanical assemblages within ancient ceramics and other artefact types. The technique could aid in answering archaeobotanical questions about the early histories of some of the world’s most important food crops from geographical regions with amongst the poorest rates of archaeobotanical preservation and where ancient plant exploitation remains poorly understood. This paper reviews current uses of microCT imaging in the investigation of archaeobotanical questions, as well as in cognate fields of geosciences, geoarchaeology, botany and palaeobotany. The technique has to date been used in a small number of novel methodological studies to extract internal anatomical morphologies and three-dimensional quantitative data from a range of food crops, which includes sexually-propagated cereals and legumes, and asexually-propagated underground storage organs (USOs). The large three-dimensional, digital datasets produced by microCT scanning have been shown to aid in taxonomic identification of archaeobotanical specimens, as well as robustly assess domestication status. In the future, as scanning technology, computer processing power and data storage capacities continue to improve, the possible applications of microCT scanning to archaeobotanical studies will only increase with the development of machine and deep learning networks enabling the automation of analyses of large archaeobotanical assemblages.
Inherited CD19 Deficiency Does Not Impair Plasma Cell Formation or Response to CXCL12
Authors: Walker Kieran , Mistry Anoop , Watson Christopher M. , Nadat Fatima , O’Callaghan Eleanor , Care Matthew , Crinnion Laura A. , Arumugakani Gururaj , Bonthron David T. , Carter Clive , Doody Gina M. , Savic Sinisa
Published: May 2023

Background

The human CD19 antigen is expressed throughout B cell ontogeny with the exception of neoplastic plasma cells and a subset of normal plasma cells. CD19 plays a role in propagating signals from the B cell receptor and other receptors such as CXCR4 in mature B cells. Studies of CD19-deficient patients have confirmed its function during the initial stages of B cell activation and the production of memory B cells; however, its role in the later stages of B cell differentiation is unclear.

Objective

Using B cells from a newly identified CD19-deficient individual, we investigated the role of CD19 in the generation and function of plasma cells using an in vitro differentiation model.

Methods

Flow cytometry and long-read nanopore sequencing using locus-specific long-range amplification products were used to screen a patient with suspected primary immunodeficiency. Purified B cells from the patient and healthy controls were activated with CD40L, IL-21, IL-2, and anti-Ig, then transferred to different cytokine conditions to induce plasma cell differentiation. Subsequently, the cells were stimulated with CXCL12 to induce signalling through CXCR4. Phosphorylation of key downstream proteins including ERK and AKT was assessed by Western blotting. RNA-seq was also performed on in vitro differentiating cells.

Results

Long-read nanopore sequencing identified the homozygous pathogenic mutation c.622del (p.Ser208Profs*19) which was corroborated by the lack of CD19 cell surface staining. CD19-deficient B cells that are predominantly naïve generate phenotypically normal plasma cells with expected patterns of differentiation-associated genes and normal levels of CXCR4. Differentiated CD19-deficient cells were capable of responding to CXCL12; however, plasma cells derived from naïve B cells, both CD19-deficient and sufficient, had relatively diminished signaling compared to those generated from total B cells. Additionally, CD19 ligation on normal plasma cells results in AKT phosphorylation.

Conclusion

CD19 is not required for generation of antibody-secreting cells or the responses of these populations to CXCL12, but may alter the response other ligands that require CD19 potentially affecting localization, proliferation, or survival. The observed hypogammaglobulinemia in CD19-deficient individuals is therefore likely attributable to the lack of memory B cells.
Solubility of Gases in Liquids. 23: High-Precision Determination of Henry’s Law Constants of Propane Dissolved in Liquid Water from T = 278 K to T = 318 K
Authors: Rettich T. R. , Battino Rubin , Wilhelm Emmerich
Published: May 2023

The solubility of propane (C3H8, component 2) in pure liquid water (H2O, component 1) was determined at a total pressure of about 100 kPa from about T = 278 K to T = 318 K using an analytical method characterized by an imprecision of about ± 0.1% or less. The measurements were made with a Benson-Krause-type apparatus at roughly 5 K intervals. From the experimental results, Henry’s law constants $$h_{2,1} \left( {T,P_{\sigma ,1} } \right)$$

h

2
,
1

T
,

P

σ
,
1

, also known as Henry fugacities, at the vapor pressure $$P_{\sigma ,1} \left( T \right)$$

P

σ
,
1

T

of water, as well as the Ostwald coefficient $$L_{2,1}^{\infty } \left( {T,P_{{{\sigma ,}1}} } \right)$$

L

2
,
1

∞

T
,

P

σ
,

1

at infinite dilution are rigorously obtained. The temperature dependence is accounted for by a three-constant Benson-Krause equation, i.e., by fitting $$\ln \left[ {{{h_{2,1} \left( {T,P_{\sigma ,1} } \right)} \mathord{\left/ {\vphantom {{h_{2,1} \left( {T,P_{\sigma ,1} } \right)}{\text {kPa}}}} \right. \kern-0pt}{\text {kPa}}}} \right]$$

ln

h

2
,
1

T
,

P

σ
,
1

/

kPa

to a power series in 1/T. Subsequently, the partial molar enthalpy changes on solution $$\Delta H_{2}^{\infty }$$

Δ

H

2

∞

of propane in water, and the partial molar heat capacity changes on solution $$\Delta C_{P,2}^{\infty }$$

Δ

C

P
,
2

∞

, are reported (van ‘t Hoff analysis) and compared with calorimetrically determined quantities: agreement is highly satisfactory. We believe that our new values for the Henry fugacity and the Ostwald coefficient of propane dissolved in liquid water are the most reliable ones to date.
Optimality and Complexity in Measured Quantum-State Stochastic Processes
Authors: Venegas-Li Ariadna , Crutchfield James P.
Published: May 2023

If an experimentalist observes a sequence of emitted quantum states via either projective or positive-operator-valued measurements, the outcomes form a time series. Individual time series are realizations of a stochastic process over the measurements’ classical outcomes. We recently showed that, in general, the resulting stochastic process is highly complex in two specific senses: (i) it is inherently unpredictable to varying degrees that depend on measurement choice and (ii) optimal prediction requires using an infinite number of temporal features. Here, we identify the mechanism underlying this complicatedness as generator nonunifilarity—the degeneracy between sequences of generator states and sequences of measurement outcomes. This makes it possible to quantitatively explore the influence that measurement choice has on a quantum process’ degrees of randomness and structural complexity using recently introduced methods from ergodic theory. Progress in this, though, requires quantitative measures of structure and memory in observed time series. And, success requires accurate and efficient estimation algorithms that overcome the requirement to explicitly represent an infinite set of predictive features. We provide these metrics and associated algorithms, using them to design informationally-optimal measurements of open quantum dynamical systems.
Modeling Adolescent Social Inclusion to Improve School Completion
Authors: Renner Heidi M. , Rowland Bosco , Hutchinson Delyse , Toumbourou John W.
Published: May 2023

Enhancing social inclusion in young people could increase engagement in education, yet few longitudinal studies have examined this relationship. This study aimed to identify whether social inclusion in an Australian adolescent sample predicted high school completion three years later. Using state-representative data from the International Youth Development Study, two waves of the youngest cohort (51.6% female and 94.6% Australian born) during mid-adolescence (n = 825, Mage = 15.99, SD = 0.39) and post-secondary school (n = 809, Mage = 19.03, SD = 0.44) were analyzed. Factor analysis identified a 4-factor structure that represented an overarching social inclusion construct: (1) Citizenship, (2) Connectedness to Community, (3) Connectedness to Family, and (4) Connectedness to and Participation in School. Multivariate regression analyses indicated higher social inclusion levels in mid-adolescence predicted an increased likelihood of high school completion three years later. The implementation of strategies that incorporate the enhancement of social inclusion may improve educational outcomes for young people.