bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pushing the limits of V2
Authors: Zachariassen Ditte
Published: December 2023

Studies of urban dialects in the Germanic languages show a development where the otherwise strict V2 syntax rules are supplemented with V3 syntax in specific syntactic and social contexts. Based on recordings of naturally occurring interaction in multilingual areas of Aarhus, Denmark, this paper adds to existing research with an interactional collection analysis of actions supporting V3. It describes six structural subtypes of V3 characterised by different adverbial and object material in first position and shows how the subtypes are connected to three interactional resources used in organising storytelling, claiming epistemic authority and reframing referents or discourse. V3 is often used when contrasting one type of information with another. It does not result in a different semantic meaning, rather it existing possible meanings that could also be emphasised by extra wording or multiple sentences. In the discussion, I argue that the extra syntactic options allow speakers to say more with fewer words by pushing the limits of the rather strict V2 syntax of Standard Danish.
Analyzing Meat and Seafood Import Demand in Trinidad and Tobago Using the Linear Approximate Almost Ideal Demand System Model
Authors: Forgenie David , Hutchinson Sharon D. , Khoiriyah Nikmatul , Mahase-Forgenie Meera
Published: December 2023

A linear approximated almost ideal demand system model is specified to estimate imported meat and seafood demand in Trinidad and Tobago for the period 1976 to 2019 using annual data. Model parameters were estimated using seemingly unrelated regression with theoretical restrictions imposed. The results found that own-price of imported poultry and seafood negatively affected import expenditure share while own-price positively affected import expenditure share for imported beef, pork, and mutton. In addition, income negatively affected the import expenditure share of imported beef but positively affected the import expenditure share of imported pork, poultry, seafood, and mutton over the study period. Expenditure elasticity for imported meats and seafood reveals that they are all normal goods. Imported beef, pork, poultry, seafood, and mutton had expenditure elasticities of 0.57, 1.13, 1.94, 1.12, and 1.05, respectively. Imported pork, poultry, seafood, and mutton were found to be luxuries with income-elastic import demand. Own-price elasticities reveal that imported poultry was the most import elastic with an own-price elasticity of 1.40, followed by imported seafood (1.22), beef (0.65), mutton (0.54), and pork (0.48). Cross-price elasticities revealed that various complementary and substitution relationships existed among imported meats and seafood over the study period. Hicksian cross-price elasticities showed that mostly substitution relationships existed between various pairs of imported meats and seafood. The study also highlighted some policy recommendations that can be derived from the results.
Die subjektiven und die objektiven Dimensionen des sozialen Lebens. Simmels sozio-anthropologische Perspektive
Authors: Martinelli Monica
Published: December 2023

Simmel’s concern is to analyse the relationship between subjective and objective dimensions and at the same time to search for a horizon of meaning that sustains this relationship. A topic that Simmel analysed from many viewpoints. The focus of this paper is mainly on the socio-anthropological point of view. According to Simmel, when the subjective and objective dimensions are seen as contradictory, the integrity of the individual is undermined. The subject's experience in modernity is submitted to a logic characterised by a strong dualism. Nevertheless, the relationship between the subjective and the objective dimension shapes our experience: society could be seen as the progressive development of this nexus. Simmel suggests that one and the other poles are complementary in a relationship of reciprocity and mutual limitation - an expression of the original duality of life which embodies “the whole being”.
In Search of a Unity or Persistence of Tragedy? On Simmel’s City Writings
Authors: Mele Vincenzo
Published: December 2023

This article is devoted to an analysis of Simmel’s “metaphysical longing” (metaphysische Sehnsucht) and its consequences for his cultural and sociological analysis of the city and, consequently, modernity. Simmel’s “metaphysical longing” expresses itself equally in the sought-after relationship between part and whole, surface and depth, reality and idea. It intends to explore especially how this approach is developed in Simmel’s so-called minor essays, including the essays on historic Italian cities that are often referred to as those most characteristic of this metaphysical longing for unity. However, to understand the essence and characteristics of this approach, it is necessary to explore other minor, preparatory essays, coeval with and following the Philosophy of Money, which attest to Simmel’s path toward the construction of what he himself had defined as “sociological aesthetics,” that is, a space of analysis intermediate between philosophy and empirical sociological science. At the end of this path, we will see some stages of Simmel’s conceptual journey from nostalgia as Sehnsucht toward acceptance of the tragedy of culture, that is, the impossibility for man to find the lost unity of nature and spirit, form and life.
Is it Too Optimistic to Assume Light Touch Interventions can Improve Educational Workers’ Wellbeing? Insights from a Field Randomized Control Trial in Canada
Authors: Larson Emily E. , Xu Yihan , Oreopoulous Philip , Tregebov Sasha
Published: December 2023

Educator wellbeing has broad implications for students and schools. Current approaches to address this problem are generally resource-intensive. This trial used novel nudges to increase wellbeing and decrease burnout among educators and other school-based faculty. We designed a light touch intervention where T1 received evidence-based wellbeing weekly text messages and T2 received weekly messages plus leadership endorsement emails. We evaluated this intervention in a large-scale three-arm RCT with participants (n=1,155) from K-12 schools in Manitoba, Alberta, and British Columbia. When compared to the control group, we saw no significant difference between the control group and T1 and T2 groups on burnout or wellbeing. The failure of these evidence-based text messages in increasing educators’ wellbeing and reducing their burnout highlights both the difficulty of addressing this problem and the importance of learning lessons from trials with null results to contribute to our knowledge base of improving educators’ wellbeing.
Un aperçu de la violence et des comportements agressifs auxquels sont confrontées sept directions d’école de langue française au Canada
Authors: Villella Mélissa , Sider Steve
Published: December 2023

Peu de recherches examinent comment les directions d’école au Canada exercent leur leadership pour inclure les élèves ayant des besoins éducatifs particuliers (EBEP). Notre étude a examiné les expériences influençant le leadership de 285 directions d’école dans six provinces. En particulier, cet article a comme objectif d’aider les chercheur.e.s et les praticien.ne.s à mieux comprendre : 1) les incidents critiques en matière d’inclusion scolaire auxquels sont confrontées sept directions d’école de langue française (DELF) du Québec, du Nouveau-Brunswick et de l’Ontario, et 2) comment la violence et les comportements agressifs des EBEP influencent leur leadership. Les données font partie d’une étude pancanadienne bilingue; elles ont été recueillies au moyen d’un questionnaire et d’entrevues semi-dirigées. Les DELF favorisant l’inclusion des EBEP sont celles sachant comment prévenir les effets de la violence et les comportements agressifs sur le climat scolaire et possédant une formation universitaire avancée en matière d’adaptation scolaire en français.
Creating Visionaries Through Positive Leadership: Shifting Educational Paradigms Towards Strengths
Authors: Dockrill Garrett Melissa
Published: December 2023

Elements of strength-based pedagogy are evident in current practices being implemented in Canadian schools as well as internationally. Classroom teachers appreciate the importance of creating a positive learning environment for students where the latter feel a sense of belonging, choice, and self-efficacy toward their learning (Deci & Ryan, 2008; Rickabaugh, 2016). While many educators apply such practices at the classroom level, strength-focused pedagogies can be organized through the conceptualization of a unifying framework. Building on research which proposed a dual-dimensional approach to student support services, this article explores the role of school leadership in shifting a school’s culture toward one that values, identifies, and leverages the strengths of students and educators to promote flourishing within their schools. Employing an Appreciative Inquiry action research design (Cooperrider et al., 2000; Stowell, 2012) to engage research participants, this study used Keyes’ (2002) dual-dimensional model as a lens through which to investigate the application of strength-based concepts and practices within school and classroom settings.

An Appreciative Inquiry (AI) Action Research Design (Stowell, 2012; Cooperrider et al., 2000) was used to engage research participants, using Keyes’ dual-dimensional model (Keyes, 2002) as a lens through which to investigate the use of strength-based concepts and practices within school and classroom settings.
Verónica Gerber Bicecci en una brumosa orilla
Authors: Parra-Bañón José Joaquín
Published: December 2023

Recensión acerca de las Cinco rutas para repensar los futuros de las artes visuales y la literatura coordinadas por verónica Gerber Bicecci en el ensayo titulado: En una orilla brumosa
De la literatura popular a la reescriptura contemporània: la creació poètica com a eina d’aprenentatge
Authors: Calsina Forrellad Joan , Torrents Sunyol Julieta , Contreras Barceló Elisabet
Published: December 2023

En aquest article, presentem un disseny de proposta didàctica, en els seus vessants teòric i pràctic, que s’ha aplicat durant el curs 2022/2023 en dues assignatures del Grau en educació primària i el Màster en Educació Interdisciplinària de les Arts —ambdues a la Facultat d’Educació de la UB. L’objectiu de la proposta rau a potenciar l’escriptura creativa a partir de personatges de la literatura popular i, més concretament, de la figura arquetípica de la Caputxeta vermella. A partir de l’anàlisi de les obres creades i les respostes a un formulari, els resultats obtinguts mostren que la proposta contribueix a millorar la competència literària, tant amb relació a la recepció com a la producció, i estimula el pensament crític.
La escritura creativa en las aulas de educación superior: nuevos escenarios de aprendizaje
Authors: Pozo-Sánchez Begoña , Haba-Osca Julia
Published: December 2023

El presente volumen de Quaderns de Filologia – Estudis literaris (2023) pretende dar cuenta de la importancia que progresivamente ha ido adquiriendo la escritura creativa dentro del espacio de educación superior en distintas disciplinas, así como en numerosas universidades tanto nacionales como extranjeras. El hecho de abordar a lo largo de estas páginas distintas cuestiones relacionadas con los procesos de aprendizaje vehiculados a través de las herramientas que proporciona la escritura creativa en el aula, permite a quien se acerque a estos textos ser partícipe tanto de su evolución como de su implantación en distintos ámbitos de conocimiento y también en diversos niveles.
Six monographs by A.I. Demchenko
Authors: Serova Natalia
Published: December 2023

The object of the study is the works of the famous Saratov musicologist, professor, Doctor of Art History A.I. Demchenko, published in 2022 and 2023. Monographs devoted to the legacy of Russian composers of the XIX–XX centuries demonstrate an integrative approach characteristic of many publications of this author. The creative figures of M.I. Glinka, S.V. Rachmaninoff, I.F. Stravinsky, S.S. Prokofiev, R.K. Shchedrin, A.G. Schnittke correlate with the historical and cultural context of the epoch, ideas realized in different types of art. This method helps to identify, first of all, ideological aspects in each of the author's systems under consideration. With varying degrees of detail, a wide range of musical works is considered, including textbook ones. The presentation of the material as a whole is subject to chronological order. The principle of semantic dominance, implemented in research, assumes the presence of a fundamental attitude in each composer's style, which ensures its uniqueness. A. Demchenko's works are of undoubted interest, first of all, from the standpoint of the author's approach, since the focus is not on narrow theoretical problems, but on the semantic essence, the conceptual and content base of the considered artistic heritage. Reliance on the method of "conceptual analysis" - as the scientist himself defines it in earlier works - provides for the subordination of all technological observations, historical information to the task of revealing cultural, universal meanings. Some decisions of the author of the monographs are questionable. The issue of foreign influences on Glinka's style seems insufficiently developed; the role of urban associations in Stravinsky's "Sacred Spring", on the contrary, seems somewhat exaggerated. The comments made do not prevent us from making a general conclusion about the productivity of the proposed approaches and the potential relevance of the submitted works in scientific and educational practice.
Yedoma. Part 3. Annals of geocryological research, study of radiocarbon age, the stable-isotope composition studies in the 21st century
Authors: Vasil'chuk Yurij Kirillovich
Published: December 2023

The second decade and the beginning of the third decade of the XXI century in yedoma research were characterized by a variety of high-precision measurements of gas inclusions, molecular biomarkers, and DNA. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the most notable publications of 2010–2023 devoted to radiocarbon dating and stable isotope studies of yedoma in the Russian and North American Arctic. AMS dating and stable isotope analysis continued at Lomonosov Moscow State University (Yu.K. Vasil’chuk, A.C. Vasil’chuk, N.A. Budantseva, I.D. Streletskaya, Ju.N. Chizhova, J.Yu. Vasil’chuk), especially detailed on the yedoma of Batagay, Seyakha, Kotelny, and Faddeevsky islands. Active research was continued by the participants of the Russian-German expedition (A. Yu. Derevyagin, A. I. Kizyakov, S. Wetterich, T. Opel, J. Strauss, G. Grosse and L. Schirrmeister) on the yedoma sections of the New Siberian Islands. They studied the Batagay yedoma together with J. Murton and K. Ashastina. Researchers from the University of Fairbanks (M. Kanevskiy, Y. Shur, M. Jorgenson, and E. Stephani) studied in detail the yedoma of the Itkillik River valley, as well as new yedoma sections in the Fox Tunnel, where radiocarbon and isotope studies were also carried out by M.S. Lachniet and A. Sloat from the University of Las Vegas. Research has begun on molecular biomarkers and DNA (E. Willerslev, T. Jørgensen) in yedoma. The study of PAHs in yedoma ice wedges has also begun (Yu.K. Vasil’chuk). It is emphasized that isotopic data is not an end in itself for research; the next step, paleotemperature reconstruction based on these data, is necessary and logically justified. The accuracy and reliability of the proposed paleotemperature-isotope equations are considered.
Modelling the Distribution of the Little Owl Athene noctua in Bulgaria
Authors: Ignatov Assen
Published: December 2023

The Little owl Athene noctua (Scopoli 1769) is believed to be widespread in Bulgaria but its actual distribution and ecology are insufficiently studied. Historical records and unpublished information on its abiotic requirements, habitat preferences, breeding biology and distribution were analyzed to generate an Ecological Niche Model and documented that A. noctua is found across 90.8% of Bulgaria. We also estimated its potential distribution and ecological requirements within part of its range using Maxent. The Environmental Niche Model has a high degree of predictability. The climate changes are affecting the distribution. Our results revealed that the vertical distribution of the species expands by 100 m a.s.l. In Bulgaria, the main factors which determine the status of the population are elevation, type of land use, human population density and demographic structure which seem to account for most of the variation in suitable climatic conditions, and climatic factors – Annual Mean Temperature and Mean, Driest Quarter. Threats to the Little owl in Bulgaria include habitat loss, destruction of breeding sites, vehicle collisions, poisoning, predation, and persecution due to negative stereotypes or beliefs. Bulgaria, with a high number of breeding pairs as compared to elsewhere in Europe has an opportunity and obligation to preserve the species. The results of this study will help inform conservation decisions and efforts to maintain Little owl populations in Bulgaria.
Emerging variants of SARS-CoV-2 NSP10 highlight strong functional conservation of its binding to two non-structural proteins, NSP14 and NSP16
Authors: Wang Huan , Rizvi Syed RA , Dong Danni , Lou Jiaqi , Wang Qian , Sopipong Watanyoo , Su Yufeng , Najar Fares , Agarwal Pratul K , Kozielski Frank , Haider Shozeb
Published: December 2023

The coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 protects its RNA from being recognized by host immune responses by methylation of its 5’ end, also known as capping. This process is carried out by two enzymes, non-structural protein 16 (NSP16) containing 2’-O-methyltransferase and NSP14 through its N7 methyltransferase activity, which are essential for the replication of the viral genome as well as evading the host’s innate immunity. NSP10 acts as a crucial cofactor and stimulator of NSP14 and NSP16. To further understand the role of NSP10, we carried out a comprehensive analysis of >13 million globally collected whole-genome sequences (WGS) of SARS-CoV-2 obtained from the Global Initiative Sharing All Influenza Data (GISAID) and compared it with the reference genome Wuhan/WIV04/2019 to identify all currently known variants in NSP10. T12I, T102I, and A104V in NSP10 have been identified as the three most frequent variants and characterized using X-ray crystallography, biophysical assays, and enhanced sampling simulations. In contrast to other proteins such as spike and NSP6, NSP10 is significantly less prone to mutation due to its crucial role in replication. The functional effects of the variants were examined for their impact on the binding affinity and stability of both NSP14-NSP10 and NSP16-NSP10 complexes. These results highlight the limited changes induced by variant evolution in NSP10 and reflect on the critical roles NSP10 plays during the SARS-CoV-2 life cycle. These results also indicate that there is limited capacity for the virus to overcome inhibitors targeting NSP10 via the generation of variants in inhibitor binding pockets.
Investigating macroecological patterns in coarse-grained microbial communities using the stochastic logistic model of growth
Authors: Shoemaker William R. , Grilli Jacopo
Published: December 2023

The structure and diversity of microbial communities is intrinsically hierarchical due to the shared evolutionary history of their constituents. This history is typically captured through taxonomic assignment and phylogenetic reconstruction, sources of information that are frequently used to group microbes into higher levels of organization in experimental and natural communities. Connecting community diversity to the joint ecological dynamics of the abundances of these groups is a central problem of community ecology. However, how microbial diversity depends on the scale of observation at which groups are defined has never been systematically examined. Here, we used a macroecological approach to quantitatively characterize the structure and diversity of microbial communities among disparate environments across taxonomic and phylogenetic scales. We found that measures of biodiversity at a given scale can be consistently predicted using a minimal model of ecology, the Stochastic Logistic Model of growth (SLM). This result suggests that the SLM is a more appropriate null-model for microbial biodiversity than alternatives such as the Unified Neutral Theory of Biodiversity. Extending these within-scale results, we examined the relationship between measures of biodiversity calculated at different scales (e.g., genus vs. family), an empirical pattern predicted by the Diversity Begets Diversity (DBD) hypothesis. We found that the relationship between richness estimates at different scales can be quantitatively predicted assuming independence among community members.Contrastingly, only by including correlations between the abundances of community members (e.g., as the consequence of interactions) can we predict the relationship between estimates of diversity at different scales. The results of this study characterize novel microbial patterns across scales of organization and establish a sharp demarcation between recently proposed macroecological patterns that are not and are affected by ecological interactions.
Acetylcholine Modulates the Precision of Prediction Error in the Auditory Cortex
Authors: Pérez-González David , Lao-Rodríguez Ana B. , Aedo-Sánchez Cristian , Malmierca Manuel S.
Published: December 2023

A fundamental property of sensory systems is their ability to detect novel stimuli in the ambient environment. The auditory brain contains neurons that decrease their response to repetitive sounds but increase their firing rate to novel or deviant stimuli; the difference between both responses is known as stimulus-specific adaptation or neuronal mismatch (nMM). Here, we tested the effect of microiontophoretic applications of ACh on the neuronal responses in the auditory cortex (AC) of anesthetized rats during an auditory oddball paradigm, including cascade controls. Results indicate that ACh modulates the nMM, affecting prediction error responses but not repetition suppression, and this effect is manifested predominantly in infragranular cortical layers. The differential effect of ACh on responses to standards, relative to deviants (in terms of averages and variances), were consistent with the representational sharpening that accompanies an increase in the precision of prediction errors. These findings suggest that ACh plays an important role in modulating prediction error signaling in the AC and gating the access of these signals to higher cognitive levels.
Botulinum toxin intoxication requires retrograde transport and membrane translocation at the ER in RenVM neurons
Authors: Yeo Jeremy C , Tay Felicia P , Bennion Rebecca , Loss Omar , Maignel Jacquie , Pons Laurent , Foster Keith , Beard Matthew , Bard Frederic
Published: December 2023

Botulinum neurotoxin A (BoNT/A) is a highly potent proteolytic toxin specific for neurons with numerous clinical and cosmetic uses. After uptake at the synapse, the protein is proposed to translocate from synaptic vesicles to the cytosol through a self-formed channel. Surprisingly, we found that after intoxication proteolysis of a fluorescent reporter occurs in the neuron soma first and then centrifugally in neurites. To investigate the molecular mechanisms at play, we use a genome-wide siRNA screen in genetically engineered neurons and identify over three hundred genes. An organelle-specific split-mNG complementation indicates BoNT/A traffic from the synapse to the soma-localized Golgi in a retromer-dependent fashion. The toxin then moves to the ER and appears to require the Sec61 complex for retro-translocation to the cytosol. Our study identifies genes and trafficking processes hijacked by the toxin, revealing a new pathway mediating BoNT/A cellular toxicity.
The non-muscle actinopathy-associated mutation E334Q in cytoskeletal γ-actin perturbs interaction of actin filaments with myosin and ADF/cofilin family proteins
Authors: Greve Johannes N , Marquardt Anja , Heiringhoff Robin , Reindl Theresia , Thiel Claudia , Di Donato Nataliya , Taft Manuel H , Manstein Dietmar J
Published: December 2023

Various heterozygous cytoskeletal γ-actin mutations have been shown to cause Baraitser–Winter cerebrofrontofacial syndrome, non-syndromic hearing loss, or isolated eye coloboma. Here, we report the biochemical characterization of human cytoskeletal γ-actin carrying mutation E334Q, a mutation that leads to a hitherto unspecified non-muscle actinopathy. Following expression, purification, and removal of linker and thymosin β4 tag sequences, the p.E334Q monomers show normal integration into linear and branched actin filaments. The mutation does not affect thermal stability, actin filament nucleation, elongation, and turnover. Model building and normal mode analysis predict significant differences in the interaction of p.E334Q filaments with myosin motors and members of the ADF/cofilin family of actin-binding proteins. Assays probing the interactions of p.E334Q filaments with human class 2 and class 5 myosin motor constructs show significant reductions in sliding velocity and actin affinity. E334Q differentially affects cofilin-mediated actin dynamics by increasing the rate of cofilin-mediated de novo nucleation of actin filaments and decreasing the efficiency of cofilin-mediated filament severing. Thus, it is likely that p.E334Q-mediated changes in myosin motor activity, as well as filament turnover, contribute to the observed disease phenotype.
Framework to perform taint analysis and security assessment of IoT devices in smart cities
Authors: Bhardwaj Akashdeep , Vishnoi Ankit , Bharany Salil , Abdelmaboud Abdelzahir , Ibrahim Ashraf Osman , Mamoun Mohamed , Nagmeldin Wamda
Published: December 2023

The Internet of Things has a bootloader and applications responsible for initializing the device’s hardware and loading the operating system or firmware. Ensuring the security of the bootloader is crucial to protect against malicious firmware or software being loaded onto the device. One way to increase the security of the bootloader is to use digital signature verification to ensure that only authorized firmware can be loaded onto the device. Additionally, implementing secure boot processes, such as a chain of trust, can prevent unauthorized access to the device’s firmware and protect against tampering during the boot process. This research is based on the firmware bootloader and application dataflow taint analysis and security assessment of IoT devices as the most critical step in ensuring the security and integrity of these devices. This process helps identify vulnerabilities and potential attack vectors that attackers could exploit and provides a foundation for developing effective remediation strategies.
The long-term effects of COVID-19 on pulmonary status and quality of life
Authors: Alahmari Ayedh , Krishna Gokul , Jose Ann Mary , Qoutah Rowaida , Hejazi Aya , Abumossabeh Hadeel , Atef Fatima , Almutiri Alhanouf , Homoud Mazen , Algarni Saleh , AlAhmari Mohammed , Alghamdi Saeed , Alotaibi Tareq , Alwadeai Khalid , Alhammad Saad , Alahmari Mushabbab
Published: December 2023

Background

Few studies have looked at how SARS-CoV-2 affects pulmonary function, exercise capacity, and health-related quality of life over time. The purpose of this study was to evaluate these characteristics in post COVID-19 subjects 1 year after recovery.

Methods

The study included two groups. The case group included post COVID-19 subjects who had recovered after a year, and the control group included healthy participants who had never tested positive for COVID-19.

Results

The study screened 90 participants, 42 of whom met the eligibility criteria. The findings revealed that the majority of post COVID-19 subjects had relatively normal lung function 1-year post-recovery. A significant reduction in DLCO (B/P%) was observed in the case group vs. control. The exercise capacity test revealed a clinically significant difference in distance walked and a significant difference in the dyspnea post-walk test in the case group compared to the control group. The case group’s health-related quality of life domain scores were significantly affected in terms of energy/fatigue, general health, and physical function.

Conclusions

The post COVID-19 subjects were shown to have well-preserved lung function after 1 year. However, some degree of impairment in diffusion capacity, exercise capacity, and health-related quality of life remained.
Licencias Creative Commons y derecho de autor para el acceso abierto y ciencia abierta
Authors: Anguita González José , Muñoz Bravo Amelia
Published: December 2023

Este documento se enmarca en el marco del proyecto: "Construyendo las bases para la Ciencia Abierta en la Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. Proyecto de Innovación en la Educación Superior, InES, Ciencia Abierta". Parte de los objetivos que persigue este texto son, primero, conocer qué son las licencias Creative Commons, cómo funcionan y cómo aplicarlas, para compartir y/o reutilizar los resultados de investigación o creación artística en acceso abierto y ciencia abierta. En segundo lugar, incentivar el uso de licencias Creative Commons en toda obra que se decida compartir y/o reutilizar en acceso abierto y ciencia abierta. Tercero, identificar los diferentes tipos de licencias para determinar cuál es la más adecuada de utilizar para los resultados de una investigación o creación artística.
Dinámica temporal en la diversidad de aves y mamíferos silvestres en un paisaje modificado por incendios forestales
Authors: Flores-Cano Jorge , Barragan Felipe , Gómez-Hinojosa Victoria , Gelviz-Gelvez Sandra Milena
Published: December 2023

Los incendios forestales son el principal factor de perturbación ecológica al reducir hábitats adecuados para la alimentación y reproducción de los organismos silvestres. Nosotros evaluamos la dinámica temporal de comunidades de mamíferos y aves en un ecosistema templado sometido a un incendio forestal. El trabajo se llevó a cabo en la Sierra de Álvarez, S.L.P, México. Para responder a este objetivo, utilizamos puntos de muestreo usando cámaras trampa, considerando tres periodos de tiempo (estación seca, lluvia y fría) tanto en la zona donde ocurrió el incendio como en la parte de bosque que se había conservado. Se analizó la diversidad alfa a través de los indicadores: q⁰, q¹ y q² en ambas zonas. Se comparó la similitud a través de diagramas de Venn y se analizó el grado de recambio de especies entre ambas zonas y periodos de tiempo, aplicando el método de Baselga. Registramos 16 especies de mamíferos y 15 de aves. En aves, no se encontraron diferencias significativas entre los dos tratamientos, sin embargo, para mamíferos, se detectaron diferencias significativas en los tres órdenes de diversidad. Encontramos cambios en la composición de especies entre el bosque quemado y el conservado que dependen de la estación; en la estación fría, siete especies compartidas (seis mamíferos y un ave); lluvias, 11 especies compartidas (nueve mamíferos y dos aves); y seca, 11 especies compartidas (ocho mamíferos y tres aves). La abundancia y no la riqueza de especies es el factor que mejor explica la dinámica temporal encontrada con valores más altos de diversidad en la estación seca.
Evaluation of Acute Toxicity and Phytochemical Analysis of Gliricidia sepium and Xylopia aethiopica Extracts
Authors: Ruth Lidji Casilde Jessica Sintes , Eric-Kevin Bolou Gbouhoury , Ange Konan Gbê Kouakou N’Dri , David N’guessan Jean
Published: December 2023

Objectives: Gliricidia sepium and Xylopia aethiopica are frequently utilized in traditional medicine in Ivory Coast. To mitigate potential risks associated with their uninformed use, it is crucial to assess their safety levels. This study was aimed at evaluating the acute toxicity and analyzing the phytochemicals in ethanolic extracts of Gliricidia sepium leaf and Xylopia aethiopica fruit.

Materials and Methods: Triphytochemistry was carried out using staining and precipitation methods. While the Metabolite determinations were conducted via spectrophotometry. The assessment of acute toxicity followed the OECD protocol 423, employing female rats of the Wistar strain.

Results: Phytochemical analysis revealed that Ethanolic extracts of  Xylopia aethiopica fruit (XAF)  contains 7.72% polyphenols, 4.09% alkaloids, 0.34% tannins, 0.12% saponins, and 0.001% terpenoids. In comparison, Gliricidia sepium leaf (GSL) exhibited levels of 7.49% polyphenols, 3.41% alkaloids, 0.47% tannins, 0.01% saponins, and 0.51% terpenoids. The acute toxicity study demonstrated the absence of mortality and major toxicity issues at maximum doses of 5000 mg/kg body weight.

Conclusion: Ethanolic extracts of XAF and GSL, do not exhibit any acute toxic effect and they both contain some phytochemicals. This validates the frequent utilization and provides assurance to communities usings these plants.
Biological Control of Root knot Nematode, Meloidogyne incognita Using Nematode Antagonist in Tomato
Authors: Jayakumar J. , Shanmugapriya M. , Ganapathy S. , Ravichandran V. , Veeramani P. , Thiruvarassan S.
Published: December 2023

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is the world's largest vegetable crop after potato and sweet potato. Root knot nematodes, Meloidogyne incognita, pose a significant threat to tomato crops worldwide. To combat this nematode pest, biological control methods have been developed to reduce the reliance on chemical nematicide and promote sustainable agriculture practices. The antagonistic fungi/ bacteria can colonize the root zone and produce enzymes that have nematicidal properties. These methods of control not only protect the tomato crop but also promote the overall health and resilience of the agro eco system. Highest reduction of root knot nematode adult females (73.2 per cent), egg masses (81.4 per cent) and eggs (63.5 per cent) and nematode population in soil (65.5 per cent) were occurred with the application of P. lilacinum as soil application among all the treatments. The lowest gall index (1.0) was recorded in case of soil application of P. lilacinum followed by seed treatment (1.42) of the same whereas it was on bar (2.13) with each other while applying seed treatment and soil application of T. asperellum.
Financial and Cost-Volume-Profit Models in Developing a Hotel
Authors: Nugraha Achmad Jaya Adhi , Arifin Benny Mochtar Effendy
Published: December 2023

Companies in search of profit will create a financial model, modeling that is done correctly will help entrepreneurs in making decisions that must be implemented as a result of changes in parameters. One of the financial models in question is Cost Volume Profit (CVP). When making short-term decisions, CVP calculations are required so that the desired budget or profit target can be determined. The research aims to carry out a CVP analysis of changes in selling price per unit, sales volume, variable costs per unit, and fixed product costs in planning the construction of a hotel. The research is descriptive using a literature review and calculation analysis approach. The research results show that: (1) CVP modeling carried out by entrepreneurs can be said to be risky because if the project is carried out it could experience losses in pessimistic conditions (worst-case scenario), although in optimistic conditions (best-case scenario) this project can experience profits Very large, and (2) income performance through the Theory of Constraint shows that there is a profit during the investment period. From the modeling carried out, entrepreneurs can make decisions for the benefit of the company.
Race and Ethnicity of Infants Enrolled in Neonatal Clinical Trials
Authors: Lyle Allison N. J. , Shaikh Henna , Oslin Ellie , Gray Megan M. , Weiss Elliott Mark
Published: December 2023

Importance

Representativeness of populations within neonatal clinical trials is crucial to moving the field forward. Although racial and ethnic disparities in research inclusion are well documented in other fields, they are poorly described within neonatology.

Objective

To describe the race and ethnicity of infants included in a sample of recent US neonatal clinical trials and the variability in this reporting.

Evidence Review

A systematic search of US neonatal clinical trials entered into Cochrane CENTRAL 2017 to 2021 was conducted. Two individuals performed inclusion determination, data extraction, and quality assessment independently with discrepancies adjudicated by consensus.

Findings

Of 120 studies with 14 479 participants that met the inclusion criteria, 75 (62.5%) included any participant race or ethnicity data. In the studies that reported race and ethnicity, the median (IQR) percentage of participants of each background were 0% (0%-1%) Asian, 26% (9%-42%) Black, 3% (0%-12%) Hispanic, 0% (0%-0%) Indigenous (eg, Alaska Native, American Indian, and Native Hawaiian), 0% (0%-0%) multiple races, 57% (30%-68%) White, and 7% (1%-21%) other race or ethnicity. Asian, Black, Hispanic, and Indigenous participants were underrepresented, while White participants were overrepresented compared with a reference sample of the US clinical neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) population from the Vermont Oxford Network. Many participants were labeled as other race or ethnicity without adequate description. There was substantial variability in terms and methods of reporting race and ethnicity data. Geographic representation was heavily skewed toward the Northeast, with nearly one-quarter of states unrepresented.

Conclusions and Relevance

These findings suggest that neonatal research may perpetuate inequities by underrepresenting Asian, Black, Hispanic, and Indigenous neonates in clinical trials. Studies varied in documentation of race and ethnicity, and there was regional variation in the sites included. Based on these findings, funders and clinical trialists are advised to consider a 3-point targeted approach to address these issues: prioritize identifying ways to increase diversity in neonatal clinical trial participation, agree on a standardized method to report race and ethnicity among neonatal clinical trial participants, and prioritize the inclusion of participants from all regions of the US in neonatal clinical trials.
Prescriptions for Buprenorphine in Michigan Following an Education Intervention
Authors: Chen Liying , Sethi Sheba , Poland Cara , Frank Christopher , Tengelitsch Elizabeth , Goldstick Jason , Sussman Jeremy B. , Bohnert Amy S. B. , Lin Lewei (Allison)
Published: December 2023

Importance

Buprenorphine is an underused treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD) that can be prescribed in general medical settings. Founded in 2017, the Michigan Opioid Collaborative (MOC) is an outreach and educational program that aims to address clinician and community barriers to buprenorphine access; however, the association between the MOC and buprenorphine treatment is unknown.

Objective

To evaluate the association between MOC service use and county-level temporal trends of density of buprenorphine prescribers and patients receiving buprenorphine.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This cohort study exploited staggered implementation of MOC services across all Michigan counties. Difference-in-difference analyses were conducted by applying linear fixed-effects regression across all counties to estimate the overall association of MOC engagement with outcomes and linear regression for each MOC-engaged county separately to infer county-specific results using data from May 2015 to August 2020. Analyses were conducted from September 2021 to November 2023.

Exposures

MOC engagement.

Main Outcomes and Measures

County-level monthly numbers of buprenorphine prescribers and patients receiving buprenorphine (per 100 000 population).

Results

Among 83 total counties, 57 counties (68.7%) in Michigan were engaged by MOC by 2020, with 3 (3.6%) initiating engagement in 2017, 19 (22.9%) in 2018, 27 (32.5%) in 2019, and 8 (9.6%) in 2020. Michigan is made up of 83 counties with a total population size of 9 990 000. A total of 5 070 000 (50.8%) were female, 1 410 000 (14.1%) were African American or Black, 530 000 (5.3%) were Hispanic or Latino, and 7 470 000 (74.7%) were non-Hispanic White. The mean (SD) value of median age across counties was 44.8 (6.4). The monthly increases in buprenorphine prescriber numbers in the preengagement (including all time points for nonengaged counties) and postengagement periods were 0.07 and 0.39 per 100 000 population, respectively, with the absolute difference being 0.33 (95% CI, 0.12-0.53) prescribers per 100 000 population (P = .002). The numbers of patients receiving buprenorphine increased by an average of 0.6 and 7.15 per 100 000 population per month in preengagement and postengagement periods, respectively, indicating an estimated additional 6.56 (95% CI, 2.09-11.02) patients receiving buprenorphine per 100 000 population (P = .004) monthly increase after engagement compared with before.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this cohort study measuring buprenorphine prescriptions in Michigan over time, counties’ engagement in OUD-focused outreach and clinician education services delivered by a multidisciplinary team was associated with a temporal increase in buprenorphine prescribers and patients receiving buprenorphine.
A Painless Right Anterior Neck Mass
Authors: Hermann Julia , Atay Scott , Swanson Mark
Published: December 2023

A 58-year-old woman presents with a several-week history of a painless right-sided swelling on her anterior neck. What is your diagnosis?
Filtration and tubular handling of EWE‐hC3Nb1, a complement inhibitor nanobody, in wild type mice and a mouse model of proteinuric kidney disease
Authors: Fast Morten Schøler , Weyer Kathrin , Pedersen Henrik , Andersen Gregers Rom , Birn Henrik
Published: December 2023

Tubular activation and deposition of filtered complement proteins have been implicated in the progression of proteinuric kidney disease. The potent C3b‐specific nanobody inhibitor of the alternative pathway, EWE‐hC3Nb1, is likely freely filtered in the glomerulus to allow complement inhibition in the tubular lumen and may provide a novel treatment option to prevent tubulointerstitial injury. However, more information on the pharmacokinetic properties and renal tubular handling of EWE‐hC3Nb1 nanobody is required for its pharmacological application in relation to kidney disease. Here, we examined the pharmacokinetic properties of free EWE‐hC3Nb1 in mouse plasma and urine, following subcutaneous injection in wild‐type control and podocin knock out (KO) mice with severe proteinuria. Tubular handling of filtered EWE‐hC3Nb1 was assessed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) on kidney tissue from control, proteinuric mice, and KO mice deficient in the proximal tubule endocytic receptor megalin. Rapid plasma absorption and elimination of EWE‐hC3Nb1 was observed in both control and proteinuric mice; however, urinary excretion of EWE‐hC3Nb1 was markedly increased in proteinuric mice. Urinary EWE‐hC3Nb1 excretion was amplified in megalin KO mice, and substantial accumulation of EWE‐hC3Nb1 was observed in megalin‐expressing renal proximal tubules by IHC. Moreover, free EWE‐hC3Nb1 was found to be rapidly cleared from plasma. In conclusion, filtered EWE‐hC3Nb1 is reabsorbed by a megalin‐dependent process in the proximal tubules. Increased load of filtered proteins in the tubular fluid may inhibit the megalin‐dependent uptake of EWE‐hC3Nb1 in proteinuric mice. Treatment with EWE‐hC3Nb1 may allow investigation of the effects of complement inhibition in the tubular fluid.
Böden, das vierdimensionale Naturobjekt
Authors: Stahr Karl
Published: December 2023

Das Wissen über die Bodenfruchtbarkeit wird seit alters her dokumentiert. Dabei wird sie häufig an Bodenmerkmale gebunden. Böden sind Körper, ohne dass ihre Dimensionen bis ins 12. Jahrhundert (Hildegard von Bingen) problematisiert wurden. Den größten Fortschritt verdanken wir V. V. Docuchajev (1883), der Böden als Naturkörper beschreibt und die bodenbildenden Faktoren einschließlich der Zeit aufzeigt. Diese Theorie wird von Hans Jenny (1941) vollendet. Heute wissen wir, dass der Faktor Zeit den Zustand der Bodeneigenschaften und den Fortschritt der Bodenentwicklung am maßgeblichsten bestimmt.
Effects of temperature on viral load, inclusion body formation, and host response in Pacific Herring with viral erythrocytic necrosis (VEN)
Authors: Salzer J. E. , Greer J. B. , Groner M. L. , MacKenzie A. H. , Gregg J. L. , Hershberger P. K.
Published: December 2023

Objective

The primary objective of this study was to determine the effects of temperature on viral erythrocytic necrosis (VEN) progression under controlled conditions. Secondarily, this study was intended to evaluate the combined effects of temperature and VEN on the Pacific Herring Clupea palasii transcriptome.

Methods

The effects of temperature on VEN progression were assessed by waterborne exposure of laboratory-reared, specific-pathogen-free Pacific Herring to tissues homogenates containing erythrocytic necrosis virus (ENV) at 6.9, 9.0, or 13.5°C.

Result

Exposure of Pacific Herring to ENV resulted in the establishment of infections characterized by high infection prevalence (89%; 40/45) and mean viral loads (5.5 log10[gene copies/μg genomic DNA]) in kidney tissues at 44 days postexposure. Mean viral loads were significantly higher in fish from the ambient (mean = 9.0°C) and warm (mean = 13.5°C) treatments (6.1–6.2 log10[gene copies/total genomic DNA]) than in fish from the cool (mean = 6.9°C) treatment (4.3 log10[gene copies/μg genomic DNA]). Similarly, the peak proportion of diseased fish was directly related to temperature, with cytoplasmic inclusion bodies detected in 21% of fish from the cool treatment, 52% of fish from the ambient treatment, and 60% of fish from the warm treatment. The mean VEN load in each fish (enumerated as the percentage of erythrocytes with cytoplasmic inclusions) at 44 days postexposure increased with temperature from 15% in the cool treatment to 36% in the ambient treatment and 32% in the warm treatment. Transcriptional analysis indicated that the number of differentially expressed genes among ENV-exposed Pacific Herring increased with temperature, time postexposure, and viral load. Correlation network analysis of transcriptomic data showed robust activation of interferon and viral immune responses in the hepatic tissue of infected individuals independent of other experimental variables.

Conclusion

Results from this controlled laboratory study, combined with previous observations of natural epizootics in wild populations, support the conclusion that temperature is an important disease cofactor for VEN in Pacific Herring.