bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
New dating approach based on the petrographical, mineralogical and chemical characterization of ancient lime mortar: case study of the archaeological site of Hippo, Annaba city, Algeria
Authors: Gheris Abderrahim
Published: May 2023

This work presents the results of a multidisciplinary study on the characterization of the composition of certain joint mortars from the ancient city of Hippo (Algeria), one of the most important North African cities in antiquity. Twenty mortar samples were analysed by X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF), powder X-ray diffraction (XRPD), optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDS) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Their main physical properties, like solid and dry density and porosity, have been measured by geotechnical procedures. The typological observation by OM showed the existence of four types of sand used as aggregates that ranged from fine to coarse and were mixed with a white to russet natural lime binder. These mortars consisted mainly of mixtures of calcite and rock fragments, and sometimes pieces of red tile. It was recognized that the origins of the natural granules were sands produced by marine erosion of the Edough Mountains. The analysis by XRPD and TGA indicates that the mortars consisted of a mixture of lime/aggregates of low to medium hydraulicity. The analysis of the main chemical components by XRF allowed for the confirmation of the dating of certain monuments and suggested a new dating for other monuments.
Maintenance of chronicity signatures in fibroblasts isolated from recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa chronic wound dressings under culture conditions
Authors: De Gregorio Cristian , Catalán Evelyng , Garrido Gabriel , Morandé Pilar , Bennett Jimena Castillo , Muñoz Catalina , Cofré Glenda , Huang Ya-Lin , Cuadra Bárbara , Murgas Paola , Calvo Margarita , Altermatt Fernando , Yubero María Joao , Palisson Francis , South Andrew P. , Ezquer Marcelo , Fuentes Ignacia
Published: May 2023

Background

Recessive Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa (RDEB) is a rare inherited skin disease caused by variants in the COL7A1 gene, coding for type VII collagen (C7), an important component of anchoring fibrils in the basement membrane of the epidermis. RDEB patients suffer from skin fragility starting with blister formation and evolving into chronic wounds, inflammation and skin fibrosis, with a high risk of developing aggressive skin carcinomas. Restricted therapeutic options are limited by the lack of in vitro models of defective wound healing in RDEB patients.

Results

In order to explore a more efficient, non-invasive in vitro model for RDEB studies, we obtained patient fibroblasts derived from discarded dressings) and examined their phenotypic features compared with fibroblasts derived from non-injured skin of RDEB and healthy-donor skin biopsies. Our results demonstrate that fibroblasts derived from RDEB chronic wounds (RDEB-CW) displayed characteristics of senescent cells, increased myofibroblast differentiation, and augmented levels of TGF-β1 signaling components compared to fibroblasts derived from RDEB acute wounds and unaffected RDEB skin as well as skin from healthy-donors. Furthermore, RDEB-CW fibroblasts exhibited an increased pattern of inflammatory cytokine secretion (IL-1β and IL-6) when compared with RDEB and control fibroblasts. Interestingly, these aberrant patterns were found specifically in RDEB-CW fibroblasts independent of the culturing method, since fibroblasts obtained from dressing of acute wounds displayed a phenotype more similar to fibroblasts obtained from RDEB normal skin biopsies.

Conclusions

Our results show that in vitro cultured RDEB-CW fibroblasts maintain distinctive cellular and molecular characteristics resembling the inflammatory and fibrotic microenvironment observed in RDEB patients’ chronic wounds. This work describes a novel, non-invasive and painless strategy to obtain human fibroblasts chronically subjected to an inflammatory and fibrotic environment, supporting their use as an accessible model for in vitro studies of RDEB wound healing pathogenesis. As such, this approach is well suited to testing new therapeutic strategies under controlled laboratory conditions.
Dedifferentiated liposarcoma lung metastases with different FDG-PET/CT findings
Authors: Imamura Yoshito , Tanaka Satona , Yoshizawa Akihiko , Sakamoto Ryo , Date Hiroshi
Published: May 2023

Background

Dedifferentiated liposarcoma (DDLPS) is a rare tumor and generally shows poor prognosis with the lung frequent metastatic site. 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) is used for staging or metastatic evaluation of this disease. We report a case of bilateral lung metastases of DDLPS showing uncommon imaging on FDG-PET/CT with completely different FDG uptake, which made preoperative diagnosis difficult.

Case presentation

The patient was a male in his 60 s and bilateral lung nodules were noted after proton beam therapy for retroperitoneal DDLPS. FDG-PET/CT showed high FDG uptake in the left S3 15-mm nodule but no uptake in the right S8 10-mm nodule. Thoracoscopic wedge resection for the left nodule was performed, and the pathology revealed metastasis of dedifferentiated liposarcoma. After resection of the left nodule, the right S8 nodule enlarged without FDG uptake. Thoracoscopic right S8 segmentectomy was performed, and metastasis of dedifferentiated liposarcoma was diagnosed. The 2 tumors showed completely different appearances on FDG-PET/CT with similar histopathological findings.

Conclusions

We encountered a case of multiple pulmonary metastases of DDLPS which did not follow the same imaging appearance on FDG-PET/CT. Appropriate timing of surgical resection for pathological diagnosis should be determined carefully.
Copper-induced injectable hydrogel with nitric oxide for enhanced immunotherapy by amplifying immunogenic cell death and regulating cancer associated fibroblasts
Authors: Shen Shuilin , Zhang Zimeng , Huang Haixiao , Yang Jing , Tao Xinyue , Meng Zhengjie , Ren Hao , Li Xueming
Published: May 2023

Background

Immunogenic cell death (ICD) induced by different cancer treatments has been widely evaluated to recruit immune cells and trigger the specific antitumor immunity. However, cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs) can hinder the invasion of immune cells and polarize the recruited monocytes to M2-type macrophages, which greatly restrict the efficacy of immunotherapy (IT).

Methods

In this study, an injectable hydrogel induced by copper (Cu) has been designed to contain antibody of PD-L1 and nitric oxide (NO) donor. The therapeutic efficacy of hydrogel was studied in 4T1 cells and CAFs in vitro and 4T1 tumor-bearing mice in vivo. The immune effects on cytotoxic T lymphocytes, dendritic cells (DCs) and macrophages were analyzed by flow cytometry. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, immunofluorescence and transcriptome analyses were also performed to evaluate the underlying mechanism.

Results

Due to the absorbance of Cu with the near-infrared laser irradiation, the injectable hydrogel exhibits persistent photothermal effect to kill cancer cells. In addition, the Cu of hydrogel shows the Fenton-like reaction to produce reactive oxygen species as chemodynamic therapy, thereby enhancing cancer treatment and amplifying ICD. More interestingly, we have found that the released NO can significantly increase depletion of CAFs and reduce the proportion of M2-type macrophages in vitro. Furthermore, due to the amplify of ICD, injectable hydrogel can effectively increase the infiltration of immune cells and reverse the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) by regulating CAFs to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of anti-PD-L1 in vivo.

Conclusions

The ion induced self-assembled hydrogel with NO could enhance immunotherapy via amplifying ICD and regulating CAFs. It provides a novel strategy to provoke a robust antitumor immune response for clinical cancer immunotherapy.

Graphical Abstract
Informed choice and its associated factors among women received immediate postpartum long-acting reversible contraceptives at public hospitals in Sidama Regional State, Ethiopia, 2022
Authors: Samuel Beniyam , Tsegaye Berhan , Dulla Dubale , Aynalem Amdehiwot , Israel Eskinder , Gebrie Meless
Published: May 2023

Introduction

It is crucial to ensure the quality of family planning (FP) services through women's informed choice during the provision of long-acting reversible contraceptives. In Ethiopia, previous studies have focused on the quality of family planning services. However, much emphasis was not given to the informed choice of immediate postpartum long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs), particularly in the study area. This study determines the mangnitude of informed choice and associated factors among immediate postpartum women who received long-acting reversible contraceptives.

Method

An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted from July 1 – August 31, 2022, among 373 immediate postpartum women who received long-acting reversible contraceptives at public hospitals in the Sidama regional state, Ethiopia. Women were selected and interviewed using a systematic random sampling technique and via a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire respectively. Data was collected using Kobo Toolbox software and then exported to the Statistical Package for Social science (SPSS) version 25 for analysis. A logistic regression model was used to identify the predictor variables.

Results

The magnitude of informed choice of long-acting reversible contraceptives was 23.5% (95% CI (19.6%–27.7%)). The messages through posters about long-acting reversible contraceptives at the facility (AOR 3.6, 95% CI (1.92–6.79), postpartum family planning counseling during antenatal care (AOR 2.8, 95% CI (1.2–6.4), previous contraceptive use (AOR 3.23, 95% CI (1.12–9.33), and being secondary and higher educated (AOR 2.92, 95%CI (1.27–6.73) and (AOR 5.7, 95% CI (2.267–14.669) respectively were factors significantly associated with informed choice during immediate postpartum family planning service.

Conclusion and recommendation

In the current study, nearly one-fourth of women were informed about LARCs. Socio-demographic factors, prior use of contraception, exposure to posters that have messages about long-acting reversible contraceptives, and postpartum family planning counselling during antenatal care are factors that affect the woman's ability to make an informed choice. There should be immediate PPFP counselling that focuses on a full range of contraceptive method choices to facilitate postpartum women's ability to make informed choices.
Does country risk impact the banking sectors’ non-performing loans? Evidence from BRICS emerging economies
Authors: Saliba Chafic , Farmanesh Panteha , Athari Seyed Alireza
Published: May 2023

This study aims to fill the gap in the literature by specifically investigating the impact of country risk on the credit risk of the banking sectors operating in Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (BRICS), emerging countries. More specifically, we explore whether the country-specific risks, namely financial, economic, and political risks significantly impact the BRICS banking sectors’ non-performing loans and also probe which risk has the most outstanding effect on credit risk. To do so, we perform panel data analysis using the quantile estimation approach covering the period 2004–2020. The empirical results reveal that the country risk significantly leads to increasing the banking sector’s credit risk and this effect is prominent in the banking sector of countries with a higher degree of non-performing loans (Q.25 = − 0.105, Q.50 = − 0.131, Q.75 = − 0.153, Q.95 = − 0.175). Furthermore, the results underscore that an emerging country’s political, economic, and financial instabilities are strongly associated with increasing the banking sector’s credit risk and a rise in political risk in particular has the most positive prominent impact on the banking sector of countries with a higher degree of non-performing loans (Q.25 = − 0.122, Q.50 = − 0.141, Q.75 = − 0.163, Q.95 = − 0.172). Moreover, the results suggest that, in addition to the banking sector-specific determinants, credit risk is significantly impacted by the financial market development, lending interest rate, and global risk. The results are robust and have significant policy suggestions for many policymakers, bank executives, researchers, and analysts.
Investigating effects of teachers in flipped classroom: a randomized controlled trial study of classroom level heterogeneity
Authors: Buhl-Wiggers Julie , la Cour Lisbeth , Franck Mette Suder , Kjærgaard Annemette
Published: May 2023

The increased popularity of flipped classroom in higher education warrants more thorough investigation of the pedagogical format’s effects on student learning. This paper utilizes two iterations of a randomized field experiment to study the effects of flipped classroom on student learning specifically focusing on heterogeneous treatment effects across the important classroom-level factor of teachers. The empirical setting is an undergraduate macroeconomics course with 933 students and 11 teachers. Our findings show a positive yet insignificant average effect of flipped classroom on both pass rate and final exam grades. We further find substantial shifts in the ranking of the participating teachers’ effectiveness when comparing traditional and flipped classroom conditions, which suggests that the most successful teacher in a traditional teaching environment is not necessarily the most successful teacher in a flipped classroom environment.
Cantonese morning tea (Yum Cha): a bite of Cantonese culture
Authors: Guo Kaiwei , Zhang Na , Zhang Jianfen , Zhang Man , Zhou Mingzhu , Zhang Yue , Ma Guansheng
Published: May 2023

Among various types of breakfast in China, Cantonese morning tea (Yum Cha) is unique in its form and feature. Morning tea is a Cantonese tradition of morning activity, originated in the Qing dynasty. After years of change, it has evolved to the current form, serving an assortment of small dishes (dim sum) alongside Chinese tea. The classification of Chinese tea is based on the colors, shapes, aroma, and fermentation degree. Several types of dim sum dishes in Guangdong are categorized according to the region, ingredients selection, taste, and cooking methods. Yum Cha has a unique etiquette that is different from the folk cultures in other areas. Morning tea plays an essential role in influencing the dietary patterns and eating habits of Cantonese people. In addition, morning tea supports social interactions and connections of daily human life, providing a practical and acceptable channel for old friendships to nurture and new bonds to build. As a symbol of local culture, morning tea shapes Cantonese people physically and mentally. Therefore, the Yum Cha culture should be valued and propagated.
SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant causes brain infection with lymphoid depletion in a mouse COVID-19 model
Authors: Lee Na Yun , Lee Youn Woo , Hong Seung-Min , On Dain , Yoon Gyeong Min , An See-He , Nam Ki Taek , Seo Jun-Young , Shin Jeon-Soo , Choi Yang-Kyu , Oh Seung Hyun , Yun Jun-Won , Lee Ho Young , Choi Kang-Seuk , Seong Je Kyung , Park Jun Won
Published: May 2023

Background

The Omicron variant has become the most prevalent SARS-CoV-2 variant. Omicron is known to induce milder lesions compared to the original Wuhan strain. Fatal infection of the Wuhan strain into the brain has been well documented in COVID-19 mouse models and human COVID-19 cases, but apparent infections into the brain by Omicron have not been reported in human adult cases or animal models. In this study, we investigated whether Omicron could spread to the brain using K18-hACE2 mice susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Results

K18-hACE2 mice were intranasally infected with 1 × 105 PFU of the original Wuhan strain and the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2. A follow-up was conducted 7 days post infection. All Wuhan-infected mice showed > 20% body weight loss, defined as the lethal condition, whereas two out of five Omicron-infected mice (40%) lost > 20% body weight. Histopathological analysis based on H&E staining revealed inflammatory responses in the brains of these two Omicron-infected mice. Immunostaining analysis of viral nucleocapsid protein revealed severe infection of neuron cells in the brains of these two Omicron-infected mice. Lymphoid depletion and apoptosis were observed in the spleen of Omicron-infected mice with brain infection.

Conclusion

Lethal conditions, such as severe body weight loss and encephalopathy, can occur in Omicron-infected K18-hACE2 mice. Our study reports, for the first time, that Omicron can induce brain infection with lymphoid depletion in the mouse COVID-19 model.
How to implement the urban bioeconomy: insights from Leipzig’s current policy mix for transitioning towards a bio-principled city
Authors: Boldt Christin , Thrän Daniela
Published: May 2023

The bioeconomy is envisioned to play a decisive role in accelerating urban transformations towards greater sustainability and resilience. Integrating biological principles, such as metabolism, ecosystems and cycles, into urban planning and city life, and promoting a so-called “bio-principled city” provides significant potential for shaping more sustainable urban development. However, the future vision of a “bio-principled city” currently reflects more of a programmatic idea than a real political agenda. This study therefore draws attention to the existing policy mix of the city of Leipzig and evaluates in how far it already supports the city’s transformation into a bio-principled city. For this purpose, we developed a proper conceptional framework consolidating different research methods to conduct a comprehensive policy mix analysis. The analysis shows that the current policy framework for a bio-principled city in Leipzig is complex, uncoordinated and lacks in definitive actions. Our analysis offers interested policy makers and scientists an example of how an incidental and thus patchy policy mix can look like in practice. By highlighting its strengths and corresponding limitations, we provide a starting point for deliberate interventions to further promote the vision of a bio-principled city politically and thus realize its implementation.
Control of opening duration in a pneumatically operated valve with two-fluid combination and quadratic damping
Authors: Das Debanjan , Waghmare Shrey , Padmanabhan P. , Kumaresan V. , Sudhakar D. P.
Published: May 2023

In this paper, opening characteristics of a pneumatically operated valve and methodology for controlling the valve opening duration have been investigated through numerical simulation. The valve has a poppet mounted with spring which is actuated by a pneumatic command pressure to provide a displacement of 30 mm in fully open condition. The spring housing comprises of columns of two fluids, namely air and oil, and an orifice which communicates with an adjacent auxiliary chamber. As the poppet is actuated, air initially passes through the orifice leading to a fast opening of the valve. Subsequently, opening rate of the valve is reduced as oil column encounters the orifice. The governing differential equations of motion for the valve poppet were solved using a fourth-order Runge–Kutta method, and the resistance offered by the orifice to oil flow was considered using a quadratic damping model. Simulations were carried out for two different orifice sizes, and results were validated with experiments. It was noted that for the same valve assembly, the opening duration can be controlled by varying the length of oil column and/or the orifice diameter, with no change in command pressure.
Examining the validity and fidelity of a virtual reality simulator for basic life support training
Authors: Arthur Tom , Loveland-Perkins Tilly , Williams Charlotte , Harris David , Wilson Mark , de Burgh Toby , Dhanda Jagtar , Vine Sam
Published: May 2023

Background

Virtual reality (VR) offers an immersive and practical method for training medical skills, especially in emergency healthcare settings. However, it is unclear whether learning in VR will translate into real-world performance benefits. To explore these potential transfer effects, we examined the validity and fidelity of a bespoke VR environment for Basic Life Support (BLS) training, a generic skill in medical training programmes.

Methods

Twenty-two medical trainees performed standardised BLS procedures within two simulation conditions: one in VR, using a Pico Neo 3 standalone system; the other in a real-world synthetic environment, which included a physical mannequin and resuscitation equipment. Patterns of task behaviour, workload, sense of presence, and visual attention were derived from user self-report questionnaires, video recordings, and eye-tracking data.

Results

Data showed that the VR training environment was sufficiently high in face validity to immerse the participants, and that trainees were displaying realistic task behaviours and procedural actions. However, the fidelity of user interactions and movements in VR proved atypical, which seemed to disrupt participants’ attentional and motor responses.

Conclusions

Results suggest that VR may have limitations for improving physical skills in the context of BLS training, yet be potentially valuable for developing task procedures and/or perceptual abilities.
TP53 Gain-of-Function and Non–Gain-of-Function Mutations Are Associated With Differential Prognosis in Advanced Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Pan Minggui , Jiang Chen , Zhang Zheyang , Achacoso Ninah , Alexeeff Stacey , Solorzano Aleyda V. , Tse Pam , Chung Elaine , Sundaresan Tilak , Suga Jennifer Marie , Thomas Sachdev , Habel Laurel A.
Published: May 2023

PURPOSE

To examine the impact of TP53 gain-of-function (GOF) and non-GOF mutations on prognosis of advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) among patients with KRAS, CDKN2A, and SMAD4 comutations.

METHODS

This cohort included patients with locally advanced, recurrent, and de novo metastatic PDAC with next-generation sequencing performed from November 2017 to May 2022. We defined R175H, R248W, R248Q, R249S, R273H, R273L, and R282W as GOF and all other p53 mutations (mutp53) as non-GOF. We used Cox regression modeling to examine the association between GOF and non-GOF mutp53 and overall survival (OS), adjusting for demographics, performance status, Charlson comorbidity index, receipt of chemotherapy, and KRAS, CDKN2A, and SMAD4 comutations.

RESULTS

Of 893 total eligible patients, 68.5% had tumors with mutp53, 90.1% had KRAS mutations (mutKRAS), 44.7% had CDKN2A mutations (mutCDKN2A), and 17.0% had SMAD4 mutations. Among patients with mutp53, 121 had GOF and 491 had non-GOF. GOF mutp53 was associated with worse OS than non-GOF mutp53 (hazard ratio [HR], 1.27; 95% CI, 1.02 to 1.59) and wild-type p53 (wtp53; HR, 1.24; 95% CI, 0.98 to 1.57), whereas non-GOF was not associated with worse OS than wtp53 (HR, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.80 to 1.13). In addition, mutKRAS was associated with worse OS than wild-type KRAS in patients with mutCDKN2A (HR, 1.57; 95% CI, 0.88 to 2.80) but not in patients with wild-type CDKN2A (HR, 1.03; 95% CI, 0.76 to 1.39).

CONCLUSION

GOF and non-GOF mutp53 were associated with differential prognosis in advanced PDAC. The adverse effect of mutKRAS on OS appeared to be primarily driven by patients with mutCDKN2A. Our results provide new insight that could be helpful for prognostic stratification in clinical practice and for aiding future clinical trial designs.
Effect of the FetalTHRBGenotype on the Placenta
Authors: Salas-Lucia Federico , Stan Marius N , James Haleigh , Rajwani Aadil , Liao Xiao-Hui , Dumitrescu Alexandra M , Refetoff Samuel
Published: May 2023

Context

Pregnant women with mutations in the thyroid hormone receptor beta (THRB) gene expose their fetuses to high thyroid hormone (TH) levels shown to be detrimental to a normal fetus (NlFe) but not to an affected fetus (AfFe). However, no information is available about differences in placental TH regulators.

Objective

To investigate whether there are differences in placentas associated with a NlFe compared with an AfFe, we had the unique opportunity to study placentas from 2 pregnancies of the same woman with THRB mutation G307D. One placenta supported a NlFe while the other an AfFe.

Methods

Sections of placentas were collected and frozen at −80 °C after term delivery of a NlFe and an AfFe. Two placentas from healthy women of similar gestational age were also obtained. The fetal origin of the placental tissues was established by gDNA quantitation of genes on the X and Y chromosomes and THRB gene. Expression and enzymatic activity of deiodinases 2 and 3 were measured. Expression of following genes was also quantitated: MCT10, MCT8, LAT1, LAT2, THRB, THRA.

Results

The placenta carrying the AfFe exhibited a significant reduction of deiodinase 2 and 3 activities as well as the expression of the TH transporters MCT10, LAT1 and LAT2, and THRA.

Conclusion

We present the first study of the effect of the fetal THRB genotype on the placenta. Though limited by virtue of the rarity of THRB mutations and sample availability, we show that the fetal THRB genotype influences the levels of TH regulators in the placenta.
Canagliflozin and Metabolic Associated Fatty Liver Disease in Patients With Diabetes Mellitus: New Insights From CANVAS
Authors: Borisov Angel N , Kutz Alexander , Christ Emanuel R , Heim Markus H , Ebrahimi Fahim
Published: May 2023

Context

Metabolic dysfunction–associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is highly prevalent among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM); however, there is still no approved pharmacological treatment. Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors have been suggested to beneficially modify liver-related outcomes in patients with diabetes.

Objective

We aimed to investigate the effects of the SGLT-2 inhibitor canagliflozin on liver-related outcomes in patients with advanced T2DM and high cardiovascular risk.

Methods

We performed a secondary post hoc analysis of 2 large double-blind randomized controlled trials, CANVAS (NCT01032629) and CANVAS-R (NCT01989754), which included patients with T2DM and high cardiovascular risk who were randomized to receive either canagliflozin or placebo once daily. The primary endpoint was a composite of improvement of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels >30% or normalization of ALT levels. Secondary endpoints included change in noninvasive tests of fibrosis and weight reduction of >10%.

Results

In total, 10 131 patients were included, with a median follow-up of 2.4 years (mean age 62 years; mean duration of diabetes 13.5 years; 64.2% male). Of those patients, 8967 (88.5%) had MAFLD according to hepatic steatosis index and 2599 (25.7%) exhibited elevated liver biochemistry at baseline. The primary composite endpoint occurred in 35.2% of patients receiving canagliflozin and in 26.4% with placebo (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.51; 95% CI, 1.38-1.64; P < .001). Canagliflozin led to improvements in some noninvasive tests of fibrosis (NFS, APRI, FNI). Significant weight reduction of >10% (within 6 years) was achieved in 12.7% with canagliflozin compared to 4.1% with placebo (aOR 3.45; 95% CI, 2.91-4.10; P < .001).

Conclusion

In patients with T2DM, treatment with canagliflozin vs placebo resulted in improvements in liver biochemistry and metabolism and might beneficially affect liver fibrosis.
The REV-ERB Nuclear Receptors: Timekeepers for the Core Clock Period and Metabolism
Authors: Adlanmerini Marine , Lazar Mitchell A
Published: May 2023

REV-ERB nuclear receptors are potent transcriptional repressors that play an important role in the core mammalian molecular clock and metabolism. Deletion of both REV-ERBα and its largely redundant isoform REV-ERBβ in a murine tissue–specific manner have shed light on their specific functions in clock mechanisms and circadian metabolism. This review highlights recent findings that establish REV-ERBs as crucial circadian timekeepers in a variety of tissues, regulating overlapping and distinct processes that maintain normal physiology and protect from metabolic dysfunction.
Tree Stories
Authors: Nassar Dalia , Barbour Margaret
Published: May 2023

This article develops the notion of the “embodied history of trees” and articulates its conceptual and ethical implications. It demonstrates how trees literally embody their environment in their very structure and argues that trees express their environments in the deepest, most responsive, and most immediate way. The article then moves to consider how trees fundamentally shape their environment, showing that just as trees are expressions of their contexts, so their contexts are expressions of the trees. By highlighting the deep reciprocity between trees and their environments, the article raises crucial questions about the usual modes of conceptualizing the relation between organism and environment, and points to the ways in which environmental ethics remains largely wedded to these problematic conceptualizations. It concludes by developing environmental ethical concepts in light of the embodied history of trees, noting how these concepts challenge assumptions within mainstream environmental ethics, while extending the insights of deep ecology, ecofeminism, and Indigenous relational ethics in illuminating ways.
Meditations on Writing Hell
Authors: Singer Hayley
Published: May 2023

This essay is a broken elemental thing composed of cuts, by which is meant outtakes. Outtakes are scenes or sequences that never make it into a film. The scenes collected here have been retrieved from the cutting floor of the editing suite in its author's mind and reassembled in ways that hold onto an ambitious claim—to think of narrative cuts and silences as interruptive forces in the operation of writing and the imaginative rendering of the abattoir. Working with outtakes helps the author approach, in a new way, questions the author has been exploring for a while now: How can writers critically respond to the existence of abattoirs? What strategies might writers engage to render normalized forms of violence against animals strange and even intolerable through particularly literary practices, strategies, and generic forms? Literally, caesura means “cutting.” It evokes pause. Space for breath, for detours in modes of multispecies literary representation. If the line—working on the assembly line and writing a certain kind of poetic line—is an orientation that draws literature and the abattoir together, as Joseph Ponthus's autofictional poem essay On the Line: Notes from a Factory (2021) suggests, this essay also suggests that the slash is an allied critical-creative orientation that equally requires engagement.
Limb bone strains during climbing in green iguanas (Iguana iguana): testing biomechanical release as a mechanism promoting morphological transitions in arboreal vertebrates
Authors: Munteanu V. David , Diamond Kelly M. , Blob Richard W.
Published: May 2023

Across vertebrate diversity, limb bone morphology is typically expected to reflect differences in the habitats and functional tasks that species utilize. Arboreal vertebrates are often recognized to have longer limbs than terrestrial relatives, a feature thought to help extend the reach of limbs across gaps between branches. Among terrestrial vertebrates, longer limbs can experience greater bending moments that might expose bones to a greater risk of failure. However, changes in habitat or behavior can impose changes in the forces that bones experience. If locomotion imposed lower loads in trees than on the ground, such a release from loading demands might have produced conditions under which potential constraints on the evolution of long limbs were removed, making it easier for them to evolve in arboreal species. We tested for such environmental differences in limb bone loading using the green iguana (Iguana iguana), a species that readily walks over ground and climbs trees. We implanted strain gauges on the humerus and femur, and then compared loads between treatments modeling substrate conditions of arboreal habitats. For hindlimbs, inclined substrate angles were most correlated with strain increases, whereas the forelimbs had a similar pattern but of lesser magnitude. Unlike some other habitat transitions, these results do not support biomechanical release as a mechanism likely to have facilitated limb elongation. Instead, limb bone adaptations in arboreal habitats were likely driven by selective pressures other than responses to skeletal loading.
The genome sequence of the Red-green Carpet, Chloroclysta siterata (Hufnagel, 1767)
Authors: Boyes Douglas , Holland Peter W.H. ,   University of Oxford and Wytham Woods Genome Acquisition Lab,   Darwin Tree of Life Barcoding collective,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Tree of Life programme,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Scientific Operations: DNA Pipelines collective,   Tree of Life Core Informatics collective,   Darwin Tree of Life Consortium
Published: May 2023

We present a genome assembly from an individual male Chloroclysta siterata (the Red-green Carpet; Arthropoda; Insecta; Lepidoptera; Geometridae). The genome sequence is 437.9 megabases in span. Most of the assembly is scaffolded into 21 chromosomal pseudomolecules including the Z sex chromosome. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 16.7 kilobases in length. Gene annotation of this assembly on Ensembl identified 11,814 protein coding genes.
The genome sequence of the barbel, Barbus barbus (Linnaeus, 1758)
Authors: Pitman Richard , Hänfling Bernd , Bista Iliana ,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Tree of Life programme,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Scientific Operations: DNA Pipelines collective,   Tree of Life Core Informatics collective,   Darwin Tree of Life Consortium
Published: May 2023

We present a genome assembly from an individual male Barbus barbus (the barbel; Chordata; Actinopteri; Cypriniformes; Cyprinidae). The genome sequence is 1,584.9 megabases in span. Most of the assembly is scaffolded into 50 chromosomal pseudomolecules. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 16.6 kilobases in length.
Human activities outcomes on the composition of woody plant species of Ngarama Southern Forest Reserve in Kilwa District, Tanzania
Authors: JILALA ZAWADI J. , MWAKALUKWA EZEKIEL E. , CHAMSHAMA SHABANI A. O.
Published: May 2023

Abstract. Jilala ZJ, Mwakalukwa EE, Chamshama SAO. 2019. Human activities outcomes on the composition of woody plant species of Ngarama Southern Forest Reserve in Kilwa District, Tanzania. Asian J Ethnobiol 2: 108-118. This study evaluated the effects of human activities on the composition of woody plant species of the Ngarama Southern Forest Reserve (NSFR) in Kilwa District, Tanzania. Vegetation research was conducted in 40 systematically arranged rectangular test plots, aligned in five transepts over 2,070 ha forest. Information recorded in each plot included: species name, diameter at breast height (DBH), the height of selected timber species with a diameter ? 5 cm, and various indicators of human disturbance. Landsat TM and ETM+ images from 1995, 2000, and 2011 were used to locate and quantify the land cover change in the NSFR over the past 20 years. Inventory data was analyzed using Microsoft Excel and R software, while Landsat images were analyzed using the academic software ILWIS 3.0. About 126 plant species belonging to 34 families have been identified. Trees contributed 63% (28 families), and shrubs 37% (17 families). The Shannon-Wiener index and Simpson's diversity indices were 3.95 and 0.03, respectively. In addition, a mean stem density of 667 ± 19 stems ha-1 and a basal area of ??13.11 ± 0.34 m2 ha-1 were obtained. Twenty-three stumps (7 ± 3 ha-1 stems) with a mean baseline area of ??0.24 ± 0.09 m2 ha-1 stumps were removed, indicating ongoing anthropogenic disturbances in the forest. Other indicators of disturbance recorded were damage from fire (50%), paths / roads (13%), silage (8%), lumber/planks/pile harvesting (8%), cultivation (5%) and logging ( 8%). Although NSFR has a decent species richness and is well-diversified, there has been a consistently negative change in forest cover concerning low trunk density, average tree height, average DBH, and basal area, indicative of anthropogenic disturbance. Conservation measures are recommended to improve governance and accountability regarding accountability for intensive forest resource management.
Ethnobotanical relevance and conservation of medicinal plants used to treat human diseases in Ifedore, Ondo-State, Nigeria
Authors: OLANIPEKUN MARY K.
Published: May 2023

Abstract. Olanipekun MK. 2023. Ethnobotanical relevance and conservation of medicinal plants used to treat human diseases in Ifedore, Ondo-State, Nigeria. Asian J Ethnobiol 6: 7-19. An ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants used by the local people in Ifedore Local Government Area, Nigeria, was conducted to document indigenous knowledge of the importance of medicinal plants. Eighty-four respondents were selected randomly from four villages, and 20 key informants were selected with the help of local administrators, elders, and other community members. Semi-structured interviews, group discussions, and field observation were used for data collection. Descriptive statistics were used for ethnobotanical data analysis. In this study, 98 medicinal plant species belonging to 47 families were collected, identified, and documented. Asteraceae and Solanaceae were the highest families. Most plants were collected from the wild, and herbs were the most growth form. Leaf (63.2%) was the most frequently utilized part. The majority of the identified plants were herbs (55 species, 56%); followed by trees (36 species; 36.7%); climbers (4 species, 4%), and shrubs (3 species, 3%), respectively. The plants were not cultivated (70.4%). The most popular modes of preparation and route of administration were decoction and oral route, respectively. The medicinal plants were reportedly used mostly for treating respiratory tract infections 41 (41.8%). The local people believed that heart disease, liver disease, and urinary tract incontinence had no effective modern medication like herbal mixtures. Ocimum basilicum L. was highly effective in treating diarrhea. Agricultural expansion and building purposes, amongst others, were the most common factors for diminishing the number of medicinal plants. Training and supporting traditional healers with incentives increase their interest in conserving medicinal plants.
Utilization of medicinal plants by the Lintang Tribe Community in Talang Baru Village, Empat Lawang District, Indonesia
Authors: MAWADHA NUR RIZKY , FEBRYANO INDRA GUMAY , TSANI MACHYA KARTIKA , DURYAT DURYAT
Published: May 2023

Abstract. Mawadha NR, Febryano IG, Tsani MK, Duryat. 2023. Utilization of medicinal plants by the Lintang Tribe Community in Talang Baru Village, Empat Lawang District, Indonesia. Asian J Ethnobiol 6: 20-25. The use of plants as medicine is still maintained for generations. This study aimed to determine the plant species, parts, and habitus used as medicine by the Lintang Trible, Empat Lawang District, South Sumatra, Indonesia. Data were collected using a qualitative approach through in-depth interviews involving observations and documentation studies. Data analysis was carried out descriptively to determine the use of plants in traditional medicine. The results showed that 57 species of plants belonging to 35 families were used as medicine. The most widely used plant family was Zingiberaceae because they can grow easily and are widely used as cooking spices by the people in Talang Baru Village. The plant parts used were root, stem, fruit, flower, leaf, shoot, rhizome, sap, bark, and fruit skin. The leaf was the most widely used part of the plant because it is easy to obtain, has many properties, and removing several leaves will not damage the plants. The plants used can be found in various habitus, namely herb, vine, fern, palm, shrub, tree, and succulent plants. Herbs were the most used plants for medicine. The government should support the conservation of these medicinal plants by creating special places to cultivate medicinal plants so that they remain sustainable.
An ethnobotanical survey of traditional medicinal plants used against tuberculosis and symptoms associated in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire
Authors: KANDE BRAHIMA , GRAH ZIRIMBA M. , MOYABI ARMEL G.A. , SORO YENILOUGO , KONE WITABOUNA M.
Published: May 2023

Abstract. Kande B, Grah ZM, Moyabi AGA, Soro Y, Kone WM. 2023. An ethnobotanical survey of traditional medicinal plants used against tuberculosis and symptoms associated in Abidjan (Côte d'Ivoire). Asian J Ethnobiol 6: 38-47. Infectious diseases, including tuberculosis, are responsible for one-third of the world's mortality due to the mechanism of resistance to antibiotics. Faced with this alarming situation, the search for active principles from natural substances is a primordial need. In this study, semi-structured questionnaires conducted an ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plants used against tuberculosis and associated symptoms in Abidjan. Information was gathered from 171 herbalists. The respondents were asked questions regarding their use of medicinal plants to treat tuberculosis and associated symptoms. Information entailing plants used to treat tuberculosis, associated symptoms, plant parts used, mode of preparation, and dosage was recorded. The results showed that it is known among traditional medicine practitioners to cure tuberculosis but is better understood by its associated symptoms. These surveys revealed a diversity of 41 species of medicinal plants against this disease and its associated symptoms. They are mostly trees. Alchornea cordifolia (Schumach. & Thonn.) Müll.Arg. (Euphorbiaceae), Bombax costatum Pellegr. & Vuillet (Bombacaceae), Ficus sur Forssk. (Moraceae), Kigelia africana (Lam.) Benth. (Bignoniaceae), Nephrolepis bisserata (Sw.) Schott (Nephrolepidaceae), Terminalia glaucescens Planch. ex Benth. (Combretaceae) and Vitellaria paradoxa C.F.Gaertn. (Sapotaceae) are the most cited plant species. Leaves are the most used organs, decoction is the main mode of preparation, and the oral route is the main way to administer the remedies.
Synthesis of 3,4-dihydropyrano[c]chromene derivatives using porous copper oxide as nanocatalyst and their electrochemical study
Authors: Chanderiya Aayushi , Roy Atish , Das Ratnesh
Published: May 2023

This research describes a multi-component condensation reaction of 3,4-dihydropyrano[c]chromene from aldehydes, Dicyanomethane, and 4-Hydroxy-2H-chromen-2-one in a solvent system having water and ethanol at ambient temperature. The ratio of water and ethanol was 1:1. Mild reaction temperatures, quick reaction durations, facile product isolation, use of less hazardous solvents, and excellent yields are all essential and valuable characteristics of this approach. In addition, nanoparticles showed perfect catalytic activity since they have more surface area. The electrochemical study of the synthesized product has been done by cyclic voltammetry.
Examining the effect of permanganate (KMnO4) on bamboo fiber (Bambusa vulgaris) reinforced with bio-resin natural honey (melitera) and pawpaw (Carica papaya) leaves extract
Authors: Obibuenyi Ifeanyi John , Onukwuli Okechukwu Dominic , Ezeamaku Luvia Uche , Eze Ochiagha Innocent
Published: May 2023

Bamboo fibers are modified for improved interfacial bonding and reduction of moisture absorption. This is achievable through various treatments. The bamboo fiber's mechanical and chemical properties were examined with a Tensile machine and FTIR instrument. Natural fibers have many advantages over manufactured fibers like low density, low cost, biodegradability, poor compatibility between them and the matrix, relatively high moisture sorption, etc. The treatments are vital to modify the surface properties. For this, potassium permanganate (KMnO4) was used in this study. The Fourier transform Infra-red (FT-IR) analysis of untreated bamboo fiber showed the presence of the Hydrogen-bonded (O-H) stretch, H-C-H asymmetric and symmetric stretch, C-H stretch of C=O, C≡N stretch, N=O Bend, and C-O stretch. For the treated bamboo fiber, the analysis shows similar results. Similarly, results of reinforced bamboo fiber showed hydrogen-bonded O-H stretch, C-H stretch of C=O, C≡C stretch (C-O stretch), N=O stretch, and N-H bend. The treated Bamboo fiber was reinforced with a bio-resin (natural honey and pawpaw extract). Mechanical testing was done to get the tensile strength at increased concentration, and FT-IR was used to get the effects of chemical treatment on the fibers. Potassium permanganate treatment improved the properties with increased concentrations.
Social inclusion of refugees via family centres? A qualitative longitudinal research study on challenges in social work
Authors: Lüken-Klaßen Doris , Baumtrog Anastasia
Published: May 2023

As the scale of global refugee migration has steadily increased, Germany has become a major immigration country. The social inclusion of refugee families is crucial for both the families and the receiving society, and thus represents an important societal challenge. Family centres, which already offer low-threshold, universal family support services, could facilitate this process of social inclusion. Implementing a qualitative longitudinal research study, the authors conducted problem-centred expert interviews with social workers in 2016 (32 interviews) and again in 2019 (33 interviews) to explore the local experiences of social work for and with refugee families. The systematically analysed data revealed not only various good practices of how family centres actively include refugees in family support programmes but also the frustration and exhaustion of social workers, who face several challenges that seem to hinder the inclusion of refugee families. Over the short period of three-and-a-half years, the data show evidence of a shift in activities, challenges and attitudes.
All-optical switching of liquid crystals at terahertz frequencies enabled by metamaterials
Authors: Beddoes Ben , Perivolari Eleni , Kaczmarek Malgosia , Apostolopoulos Vasilis , Fedotov Vassili A.
Published: May 2023

Nematic liquid crystals integrated with metallic resonators (metamaterials) are intriguing hybrid systems, which not only offer added optical functionalities, but also promote strong light-matter interactions. In this report, we show with an analytical model that the electric field generated by a conventional oscillator-based terahertz time domain spectrometer is strong enough to induce partial, all-optical switching of nematic liquid crystals in such hybrid systems. Our analysis provides a robust theoretical footing for the mechanism of all-optical nonlinearity of liquid crystals, which was recently hypothesised to explain an anomalous resonance frequency shift in liquid crystal-loaded terahertz metamaterials. The integration of metallic resonators with nematic liquid crystals offers a robust approach to explore optical nonlinearity within such hybrid material systems in the terahertz range; paves the way towards increased efficiency of existing devices; and broadens the range of applications of liquid crystals in the terahertz frequency range.
Wanted: Optics and Photonics Technicians
Authors: Wills Stewart
Published: May 2023

The optics community continues to wrestle with a shortage of
skilled technical workers for labs and shop floors—a decades-long
problem that could hold back the industry’s growth.
Microscopy’s Cutting Edge
Authors: Kim Meeri
Published: May 2023

More than two decades after its birth, super-resolution microscopy continues to push the boundaries of what can be revealed with light.
The Race to Electronic Photography
Authors: Ahrenkiel Richard K.
Published: May 2023

A participant in some of the Kodak Research Lab’s early
efforts in CCD-based imaging shares a view of the company’s
contribution to the development of digital cameras.