bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Unveiling vocabulary teaching and learning beliefs of teachers and learners in an EFL context
Authors: Alshumrani Hassan A.
Published: February 2024

Vocabulary is often considered as a key predictor of second language ability, and how teachers and learners’ beliefs and conceptualizations about vocabulary affect their teaching and learning has recently gained unprecedented momentum in the field of second language education. However, despite their importance, there is a paucity of research that has combined data from teachers and learners to illuminate their beliefs and conceptualizations. The main aim of this quantitative study is to combine data from English language teachers and learners to explore their beliefs and conceptualizations about vocabulary learning and knowledge. The study voluntarily recruited 113 learners and 91 teachers from a major Saudi university to fill out an online questionnaire. The findings revealed that both teachers and learners generally valued vocabulary on a par with grammar, listening, speaking, reading, and writing, and that both groups showed a general understanding of the basic components of word knowledge; however, their beliefs differed significantly. The results also indicated that despite showing an awareness of the role of textbooks and the incidental approach to vocabulary learning, there were significant differences in teachers and learners’ beliefs. The study concluded with a range of suggested implications, as well as suggestions for further studies on how to address the present lacunae in the field.
Understanding the relationship between stay-at-home measures and vaccine shortages: a conventional, heterogeneous, and fractional dynamic approach
Authors: Ullah Mohammad Sharif , Kamrujjaman Md. , Kabir K. M. Ariful
Published: February 2024

In light of the global prevalence of a highly contagious respiratory disease, this study presents a novel approach to address the pressing and unanticipated issues by introducing a modified vaccination and lockdown-centered epidemic model. The rapid spread of the disease is attributed to viral transmissibility, the emergence of new strains (variants), lack of immunization, and human unawareness. This study aims to provide policymakers with crucial insights for making informed decisions regarding lockdown strategies, vaccine availability, and other control measures. The research adopts three types of models: deterministic, heterogeneous, and fractional-order dynamics, on both theoretical and numerical approaches. The heterogeneous network considers varying connectivity and interaction patterns among individuals, while the ABC fractional-order derivatives analyze the impact of integer-order control in different semi-groups. An extensive theoretical analysis is conducted to validate the proposed model. A comprehensive numerical investigation encompasses deterministic, stochastic, and ABC fractional-order derivatives, considering the combined effects of an effective vaccination program and non-pharmaceutical interventions, such as lockdowns and shutdowns. The findings of this research are expected to be valuable for policymakers in different countries, helping them implement dynamic strategies to control and eradicate the epidemic effectively.
Unveiling polymorphism and protein structure prediction insights in diacylglycerol O-acyltransferase 1 and telethonin genes of Egyptian buffalo
Authors: Helalia Sahar M. , El Makawy Aida I. , Ali Neama I. , Hassan Nagwa H. A. , Hassanane Mohamed S.
Published: February 2024

Background

The Egyptian buffalo has a sizable impact on Egypt's agricultural sector and food supply. It is regarded as the main dairy animal and an important source of red meat. This study aimed to detect the polymorphisms of the DGAT1 and TCAP genes and assess the potential impact of the discovered nsSNPs on the stability of the tertiary structure polypeptides of selected genes in Egyptian buffalo.

Methods

Allele identification was made by the restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP), and the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were recognized by sequencing the purified PCR products. Protein translation indicated the synonymous and non-synonymous SNPs, and the peptides' 3D tertiary structure of selected genes, as well as the effect of amino acid substitution on the protein structure, was performed using bioinformatics tools.

Results

Analysis of the data revealed that an nsSNP was detected in a tested region of the DGAT1 gene and caused an amino acid substitution in a polypeptide that was predicted to be neutral and located in the coiled part of the protein. The analysis of the TCAP gene showed four nsSNPs that caused four substitutions located in the α-helix region. Protein prediction analysis showed that the amino acid substitutions in DGAT1 and TCAP were non-conserved with low sensitivity to variation. The non-conservative amino acid substitutions result in amino acids with new properties different from the original amino acid that change the protein's structure and function.

Conclusion

We can infer that the DGAT1 and TCAP genes' SNPs may affect meat-related traits and may improve meat quality.
Mitigation of water stress by compost and arginine application and its impacts on barley production
Authors: Hellal Farid , El Sayed Saied , Basha Doaa M. R. Abo , Kader Hanan H. Abdel
Published: February 2024

Background

Water-scarce locations necessitate the deployment of creative and sustainable techniques for managing water for agricultural production. Field experiment was conducted at the Experimental Research Farm of National Research Centre, Nubaria region, Egypt to alleviate the harmful effect of water stress on the yield of Mediterranean barley varieties (Giza 125, Tombari, Ksar Megrine and Tamellat) by compost (0.0, 2.0, 4.0, 6.0-ton fed−1) and arginine application (0.00 and 1000 ppm) under deficit irrigation. The amounts of irrigation water applied were “900 and 450” m3 fed−1 to sufficient irrigation and deficit irrigation, respectively.

Results

The greatest and most significant values of the chlorophyll values and relative water content values obtained at the treatment supplied with 6.0-ton compost fed−1 and sprayed with Arginine. There was a significant dramatic decrease in proline content with increasing compost application rates and treated barley plants by Arginine for all the studied barley varieties under both studied irrigation treatments. Increasing compost application rate is associated with significant increase in number of spike m−2 without or with arginine. Barley Tombari variety received 6.0-ton compost fed−1 gained changes to give a greatest significant value of grain (ton fed−1) under sufficient irrigation and Tamellat under deficit irrigation situation. The significant maximum values of the grain yield (1.96- and 2.09-ton fed−1) were attained at Tombari and Tamellat varieties which received 6.0-ton fed−1 compost with or without arginine under sufficient irrigation. The increases in compost rate increment changes to incremented grain yield values with arginine application more than untreated one. The greatest and significant grain yield was found at the treatment received 6.0-ton compost fed−1 with arginine foliar application.

Conclusion

Compost application has an important role in maintaining greatest water use efficiency for plant and arginine application reported to contribute in reduction in destructive effects of a biotic stress thus their importance in increasing the barley production under water stress.
Eye signs as a novel risk predictor in pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Li Jianbin , Xiong Jiangbiao , Liu Pengcheng , Peng Yilin , Cai Shuang , Fang Xia , Yu Shujiao , Zhao Jun , Wu Rui
Published: February 2024

Objective

To investigate the role of eye signs in predicting poor outcomes in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).

Methods

This prospective observational study recruited patients diagnosed with SLE-PAH from Jan. 2021 to Dec. 2021 at the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University; those with other potential causes of PAH were excluded. The evaluation of various parameters, such as N-terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), 6-minute walking distance (6MWD), World Health Organization functional class (WHO-FC), echocardiography, and risk stratification based on the 2015 European Society of Cardiology (ESC)/European Respiratory Society (ERS) Guidelines, was conducted at intervals of every 1–3 months, and a 6-month follow-up period was observed. The primary outcome measure considered improvement if there was a decline in the risk stratification grade at the end point and unimproved if there was no decline. Conjunctival microvascular images were observed and recorded.

Results

A total of 29 SLE-PAH patients were enrolled, comprising 12 in the improved group and 17 in the nonimproved group. All SLE-PAH patients showed various manifestations of eye signs, including vessel twisting, dilation, ischaemic areas, haemorrhages, reticulum deformity, and wound spots. The nonimproved group exhibited significantly lower vessel density (VD) and microvascular flow index (MFI) of conjunctival microvascular images than the improved group. Correlation analysis revealed that VD displayed a negative correlation with the WHO-FC (r = −0.413, p = 0.026) and NT-proBNP (r = −0.472, p = 0.010), as well as a positive correlation with the 6MWD (r = 0.561, p = 0.002). Similarly, MFI exhibited a negative correlation with WHO-FC (r = −0.408, p = 0.028) and NT-proBNP (r = −0.472, p = 0.010) and a positive correlation with 6MWD (r = 0.157, p = 0.004). Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that VD (OR 10.11, 95% CI 1.95–52.36), MFI (OR 7.85, 95% CI 1.73–35.67), NT-proBNP, and 6MWD were influential factors in predicting the prognostic improvement of SLE-PAH patients. ROC curve analysis demonstrated that VD, MFI, 6MWD, and NT-proBNP (with respective AUC values of 0.83, 0.83, 0.76, and 0.90, respectively) possessed a sensitivity and specificity of 75 and 100%, as well as 83 and 100%, respectively. Regarding prognostic prediction, VD and MFI exhibited higher sensitivity than 6MWD, whereas MFI displayed higher sensitivity and specificity than NT-proBNP.

Conclusion

SLE-PAH can lead to various conjunctival microvascular manifestations in which vascular density and microvascular flow index can be used to assess cardiopulmonary function and predict therapeutic efficacy and prognosis in SLE-PAH patients.
Plant genes related to Phytophthora pathogens resistance
Authors: Li Qi , Zhu Hai , Ai Gan , Yu Jinping , Dou Daolong
Published: February 2024

Plants have evolved a multilayered and sophisticated immune system to establish effective resistance to a variety of pathogens. Phytophthora species are among the most notorious plant pathogens, causing destructive diseases on a variety of agricultural crops. Understanding the plant immune system is crucial for protecting crops from Phytophthora diseases. Here, we summarize the recent work on genes involved in plant resistance against Phytophthora pathogens, including cell surface pattern recognition receptors, cytoplasmic nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat receptors, regulator genes, and non-host resistance genes, small RNA, and long non-coding RNA are also discussed in this review. Although the molecular mechanisms of only a small proportion of them have been clarified, emergence of new mechanisms of plant defense will offer exciting opportunities for utilization of these genes in disease resistance breeding as well as generation of disease-resistant crop germplasms.
SOLAMEN syndrome in a toddler
Authors: Wang Andrew B. , Grossman Eric , Chow Bernard
Published: February 2024

Background

Segmental overgrowth, lipomatosis, arteriovenous malformation, and epidermal nevus (SOLAMEN) syndrome is a segmental overgrowth syndrome that is part of Cowden’s Syndrome, a subset of the PTEN hamartoma tumor syndrome cluster. Due to SOLAMEN disease’s rarity, clinical suspicion should arise if multiple small nonspecific variably low-attenuated nodular lesions in the back, shoulders, and upper arms are present on CT, which are associated with mucocutaneous lesions. We present a rare case of SOLAMEN syndrome with widespread lipomatous growth, greater than reported in literature, with confirmed PTEN genetic testing.

Case presentation

We describe a case of a 2-year-old boy with a slowly growing left neck mass since birth. Physical exam revealed macrocephaly and epidermal nevi on left axilla, arm, and fingers, appearing as pink verrucous and has visible veins on chest wall/abdomen. CT and MRI imaging showed a lipomatous hibernoma extending from the leftward neck to the abdominal cavity, encasing vascular structures form the left carotid and subclavian arteries to the diaphragmatic hiatus, in addition to the spleen and kidney. Biopsy of the left shoulder revealed hibernoma, a fatty neoplasm of benign brown fat. Patient had a resection of his left shoulder hibernoma and is currently asymptomatic, undergoing surveillance.

Conclusion

Due to SOMAMEN syndrome’s rarity, clinical suspicion should arise if a patient presents with multiple small-nonspecific variably low-attenuated nodular lesions on CT and mucocutaneous lesions. Ongoing monitoring should be done as there is an increased risk of cancer.
Efficacy improvement of tri-serotypes vaccine for Salmonella using nanomaterial-based adjuvant in chicken
Authors: Ibrahim Hazem M. , Mohammed Gina M. , Sayed Rafik Hamed , Elshoky Hisham A. , Elzorkany Heba Elsayed , Elsaady Shaimaa Abdelall
Published: February 2024

Background

This study aimed to develop a vaccine for controlling salmonellosis, a zoonotic disease affecting both humans and chicken, by employing Fe2O3 ferrous iron oxide (FNPs), silicon dioxide (SiNPs), carboxymethyl chitosan (C.CS NPs), and FNPs-chitosan (FCNPs) nanocomposite as immunological adjuvants. The immune response of vaccinated chicken was assessed through ELISA and challenge tests.

Results

The hydrodynamic diameters of Fe2O3, Fe2O3-CS, C.CS, and SiO2 NPs were found to be 81.95 ± 14.95, 137.1 ± 20.5, 32.86 ± 14.05, and 15.64 ± 3.6 nm, respectively. The incorporation of nanoparticles into the vaccine formulation significantly enhanced its efficacy by eliciting a robust immune response. According to the study, FNPs, SiNPs, C.CS NPs, and FCNPs can be used as immunological adjuvants to strengthen chicken’s immune systems and help prevent salmonellosis. By gradually raising antibody titers, all five vaccine formulations successfully stimulated an immunological response against Salmonella in vaccinated chicken. The size of the immunological response, however, differed amongst the various vaccination formulations. The SiNPs group had the highest antibody titer, followed by the locally administered vaccine.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that the use of silicon dioxide SiNPs as a vaccine delivery system could enhance the immune response to Salmonella in chicken. Overall, the study demonstrates that the use of adjuvanted vaccines with nanomaterials, particularly SiNPs, has significantly increased the protection rate from 67 to 93.3% when compared to the locally used vaccine, which had a protection rate of 83%.
Optimization of simvastatin transdermal patch for hyperlipidemia treatment in rat model
Authors: Neetu  , Anand Anubhav , Panjwani Dharamveer
Published: February 2024

Objective

Biopharmaceutics Classification System says that simvastatin (SMV) is a Class II drug with low bioavailability (5%). This is because it dissolves slowly and is broken down a lot in the first pass. Simvastatin transdermal patches were produced as part of this study's aim to treat hyperlipidemia. The Box–Behnken design (three-factor, three-level) was selected for optimization of patches.

Methodology

The optimization design involved 15 runs with independent factors hydroxypropyl methylcellulose K100, Eudragit L100, and polyethylene glycol 400 percentage, and dependent factors including folding endurance and in-vitro drug release.

Results

The results showed that the concentration of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose K-100 positively impacted the patch’s folding endurance. The fact that factor C was the only scenario where the p-value was less than 0.05 and the coefficient value was higher in the in vitro drug release model means that it has a greater influence on the release of medicines. The patches were also evaluated for drug content, swelling, moisture uptake, moisture content, etc. The optimized patch shows an in vitro drug release of 55.3% in up to 24 h. In vivo antihyperlipidemic activity was evaluated in albino Wistar rats. In the standard treatment (simvastatin oral) groups, there is a decrease in cholesterol (132.76 ± 0.35) and triglyceride level (139.80 ± 76) whereas in the test formulation group or test group, there is also a decrease in cholesterol (169.65 ± 0.21 mg/dL) and triglyceride level (151.20 ± 31 mg/dL) level.

Conclusion

Based on in-vitro and in-vivo results it can be concluded that simvastatin patches can be an alternative to traditional therapy.
Targeted irradiation in an autochthonous mouse model of pancreatic cancer
Authors: Tesson Mathias , Stevenson Katrina , Karim Saadia A. , Nixon Colin , Chalmers Anthony J. , Sansom Owen J. , O'Neill Eric , Jones Keaton , Morton Jennifer P.
Published: February 2024

The value of radiotherapy in the treatment of pancreatic cancer has been the subject of much debate but limited preclinical research. We hypothesise that the poor translation of radiation research into clinical trials of radiotherapy in pancreatic cancer is due, in part, to inadequate preclinical study models. Here, we developed and refined methods for targeted irradiation in autochthonous mouse models of pancreatic cancer, using a small animal radiotherapy research platform. We tested and optimised strategies for administration of contrast agents, iohexol and the liver imaging agent Fenestra LC, to enable the use of computed tomography imaging in tumour localisation. We demonstrate accurate tumour targeting, negligible off-target effects and therapeutic efficacy, depending on dose, number of fractions and tumour size, and provide a proof of concept that precise radiation can be delivered effectively to mouse pancreatic tumours with a clinically relevant microenvironment. This advance will allow investigation of the radiation response in murine pancreatic cancer, discovery of mechanisms and biomarkers of radiosensitivity or resistance, and development of radiosensitising strategies to inform clinical trials for precision radiotherapy in this disease.
Heatwave 1987: the Piraeus versus Athens case
Authors: Geronikolou Stella , Zimeras Stelios , Tsitomeneas Stephanos , Chrousos George P
Published: February 2024

Background Heatwaves represent the main indices of climate change, while mortality is one of the established markers of their human effects. For unknown reasons populations adapt to temperature variations/challenges differently. Thus, to allow better precision and prediction, heatwave evaluations should be enriched by historical context and local data. Methods The mortality data for 1987 were collected from the Piraeus municipality registry, whereas data for Athens were obtained from literature retrieved from PUBMED. Ambient characteristics were extracted from the Geronikolou’s 1991 BSc thesis and the reports of national organizations. From the death events, the odds ratio and relative risk in Piraeus compared to the Athens were calculated. Finally, a simple neural network proposed the dominant ambient parameter of the heatwave effects in the city residents of each location. Results The 1987 heatwave was more lethal (seven-fold) in Athens than in Piraeus and dependent on atmospheric nitric oxide (NO) concentration (with probability 0.999). In the case of Piraeus in 1987, ozone characterized the phenomenon (with probability 0.993). Conclusions The odds of dying due to a heatwave are highly dependent on lifestyle, population sensitivity to preventive measures and public health policy, while the phenomenon was mainly moderated by ozone in Piraeus in 1987, and NO in Athens irrespective of year.
Bayesian Multi-View Clustering given complex inter-view structure
Authors: Shapiro Benjamin D. , Battle Alexis
Published: February 2024

Multi-view datasets are becoming increasingly prevalent. These datasets consist of different modalities that provide complementary characterizations of the same underlying system. They can include heterogeneous types of information with complex relationships, varying degrees of missingness, and assorted sample sizes, as is often the case in multi-omic biological studies. Clustering multi-view data allows us to leverage different modalities to infer underlying systematic structure, but most existing approaches are limited to contexts in which entities are the same across views or have clear one-to-one relationships across data types with a common sample size. Many methods also make strong assumptions about the similarities of clusterings across views. We propose a Bayesian multi-view clustering approach (BMVC) which can handle the realities of multi-view datasets that often have complex relationships and diverse structure. BMVC incorporates known and complex many-to-many relationships between entities via a probabilistic graphical model that enables the joint inference of clusterings specific to each view, but where each view informs the others. Additionally, BMVC estimates the strength of the relationships between each pair of views, thus moderating the degree to which it imposes dependence constraints. We benchmarked BMVC on simulated data to show that it accurately estimates varying degrees of inter-view dependence when inter-view relationships are not limited to one-to-one correspondence. Next, we demonstrated its ability to capture visually interpretable inter-view structure in a public health survey of individuals and households in Puerto Rico following Hurricane Maria. Finally, we showed that BMVC clusters integrate the complex relationships between multi-omic profiles of breast cancer patient data, improving the biological homogeneity of clusters and elucidating hypotheses for functional biological mechanisms. We found that BMVC leverages complex inter-view structure to produce higher quality clusters than those generated by standard approaches. We also showed that BMVC is a valuable tool for real-world discovery and hypothesis generation.
Comparison of the antimicrobial reduction effect of photodynamic inactivation with the addition of chlorophyll and curcumin photosensitizer in Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans and Enterococcus faecalis
Authors: Arifianto Deny , Astuti Suryani Dyah , Medyaz Sarah Ratri , Lestari Septia Budi , Samian Samian , Nurdin Dezy Zahrotul Istiqomah , Hariyani Dita Ayu , Susilo Yunus , Syahrom Ardiansyah
Published: February 2024

Background Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans and Enterococcus faecalis are pathogenic bacteria of the oral cavity that cause various diseases such as periodontitis and endodontics. These bacteria are easily resistant to antibiotics. Photodynamic inactivation (PDI) is a method of inactivating microorganisms that utilizes light to activate a photosensitizer agent (PS) that produces reactive oxygen species causing cell lysis. Methods This study used the PDI method with a 405 nm diode laser at various energy density with the addition PS curcumin or chlorophyll Alfalfa, as much as 1.6 mg/ml on A. actinomycetemcomitans and E. faecalis bacteria. Results The study on E. faecalis bacteria showed that the energy density diode laser irradiation of 1.59 J/cm² gave the percentage of E. faecalis bacteria death 36.7% without PS, 69.30% with the addition of chlorophyll Medicago sativa L and 89.42% with the addition of curcumin. Meanwhile, the bacteria A. actinomycetemcomitans showed that the energy density diode laser irradiation of 1.59 J/cm² gave the percentage of bacterial death 35.81% without PS, 64.39% with the addition of chlorophyll Medicago sativa L and 89.82% with the addition of curcumin. PS was critical to the success of the PDI. Conclusions The addition of PS curcumin increased the effectiveness of reducing bacteria E. faecalis and A. actinomycetemcomitans compared to chlorophyll Medicago sativa L.
Prediction of the effects of the top 10 synonymous mutations from 26645 SARS-CoV-2 genomes
Authors: Boon Wan Xin , Sia Boon Zhan , Ng Chong Han
Published: February 2024

Background The emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) had led to a global pandemic since December 2019. SARS-CoV-2 is a single-stranded RNA virus, which mutates at a higher rate. Multiple works had been done to study nonsynonymous mutations, which change protein sequences. However, there is little study on the effects of SARS-CoV-2 synonymous mutations, which may affect viral fitness. This study aims to predict the effect of synonymous mutations on the SARS-CoV-2 genome. Methods A total of 26645 SARS-CoV-2 genomic sequences retrieved from Global Initiative on Sharing all Influenza Data (GISAID) database were aligned using MAFFT. Then, the mutations and their respective frequency were identified. Multiple RNA secondary structures prediction tools, namely RNAfold, IPknot++ and MXfold2 were applied to predict the effect of the mutations on RNA secondary structure and their base pair probabilities was estimated using MutaRNA. Relative synonymous codon usage (RSCU) analysis was also performed to measure the codon usage bias (CUB) of SARS-CoV-2. Results A total of 150 synonymous mutations were identified. The synonymous mutation identified with the highest frequency is C3037U mutation in the nsp3 of ORF1a. Of these top 10 highest frequency synonymous mutations, C913U, C3037U, U16176C and C18877U mutants show pronounced changes between wild type and mutant in all 3 RNA secondary structure prediction tools, suggesting these mutations may have some biological impact on viral fitness. These four mutations show changes in base pair probabilities. All mutations except U16176C change the codon to a more preferred codon, which may result in higher translation efficiency. Conclusion Synonymous mutations in SARS-CoV-2 genome may affect RNA secondary structure, changing base pair probabilities and possibly resulting in a higher translation rate. However, lab experiments are required to validate the results obtained from prediction analysis.
Transmission of yellow fever vaccine virus from breast feeding mothers to their infants: reporting of yellow fever virus (YFV) RNA detection in milk specimens
Authors: Hassan Tarteel , Bashir Razan A. , Abdelrahman Dina N. , Madni Hassan , M El Hussein Abdel Rahim , Elkidir Isam M. , Enan Khalid A.
Published: February 2024

Background Because of yellow fever’s serious impact on health, vaccination is the principal strategy to control the disease. Administration of the yellow fever vaccine to breastfeeding women should be before they complete 9 months post-delivery, in order to prevent transmission of the yellow fever vaccine virus to their infants through breast feeding. This study aimed to confirm whether the excretion of yellow fever vaccine virus is in milk of vaccinated breastfeeding mothers and to confirm the probable transmission to their infants through breast milk. Methods Samples were taken as follows: one serum specimen was taken 3-14 days after the date of the vaccination, and breast milk specimens were taken at four different time points between 3-4 days apart. Specimens were obtained from eight nursing mothers, who received the YVF vaccine (17DD). Mothers were asymptomatic before and after the vaccine administration but their infants developed symptoms after administration. Maternal serum samples were tested for YFV specific IgM antibodies through immuno-fluorescent assay (IFA). RNA was extracted from serum and breast milk specimens and YFV RNA screened using real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results In total, five mothers (62.5%) were positive for YFV and two mothers (25%) had YFV RNA in serum. Among milk specimens, YFV RNA was detected during the four different mentioned collection times as follows (positive milk specimens/total milk specimens): 3/8 (37.5 %), 4/6 (66.6%) and 1/4(25%). RNA was completely undetectable in the last collection time. Conclusions YFV transmission from mothers to their babies through breast-feeding was highly probable indicated by the temporal relationship to mother’s YF vaccination.
Navigating in the multiverse: Possibilities and limitations of creative practices in online environments
Authors: Sakellariou Yiorgis
Published: February 2024

Currently, and especially since the breakout of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been an increase of online concerts, talks and even artist residencies. There has also been a development of webstreaming sound studios and online interactive platforms that accommodate art works. Moreover, museums and galleries offer virtual tours to their exhibitions. All this is part of a promise of widening access to cultural, educational and creative opportunities and a suggestion to escape from the limitations and boundaries of time and physical distance. Nonetheless, creative practitioners, curators and art aficionados are urgently compelled to critically analyse, doubt and challenge this promise of limitless possibilities that the online world is offering. In this era of digital information, what expectations does a virtual artwork raise? What is its utilitarian purpose and social value? How do the disembodiment and technological displacement of human beings shape and affect their cultural and communal bonding? To find some answers or, rather, to extend these questions, I will reflect on my artistic practice and experience of creating works that are available on online platforms and controlled with the use of digital interactive tools. A primary analytical tool will be the phenomenological concept of the lived body as well as socio-anthropological arguments about time and materiality. My aim is not to create a fixed and dogmatic theory but to negotiate what role, if any, artistic practice can have in the virtual world.
The genome sequence of Tadarida brasiliensis I. Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 1824 [Molossidae; Tadarida]
Authors: Webster Cara F. , Smotherman Michael , Pippel Martin , Brown Thomas , Winkler Sylke , Pieri Myrtani , Mai Meike , Myers Eugene W. , Teeling Emma C. , Vernes Sonja C. ,   The Bat1K Consortium
Published: February 2024

We present a genome assembly from an individual male Tadarida brasiliensis (The Brazilian free-tailed bat; Chordata; Mammalia; Chiroptera; Molossidae). The genome sequence is 2.28 Gb in span. The majority of the assembly is scaffolded into 25 chromosomal pseudomolecules, with the X and Y sex chromosomes assembled.
A.I. Solzhenitsyn's Journalism as a Means of Cultural and Philosophical Communication
Authors: Makarchuk I.
Published: February 2024

Journalism is traditionally considered as one of the means of effective communication. At the same time, writers often use a journalistic word to broadcast their ideological position regarding socio-cultural phenomena, respectively expressing original judgments of a cultural-philosophical nature. Among such authors is undoubtedly the outstanding Russian writer, thinker, historian, researcher of cultural and philosophical aspects of Russian history, public figure Alexander Solzhenitsyn (11.12.1918–03.08.2009), whose 105 th birthday is celebrated this year. The purpose of this article is to consider what cultural philosophical ideas this writer communicated to contemporaries and future generations in his journalistic works. The methodological basis of the research was made up of general scientific and interdisciplinary methods, as well as cultural analysis and cultural and philosophical tradition. According to the results of the research, the author comes to the conclusion that A. I. Solzhenitsyn actively used his journalistic works for cultural and philosophical communication with readers, which was expressed in philosophical and cultural reflection on such phenomena as, for example, freedom, nation, truth and lies, morality, morality, spirituality.
Bidirectional Relationship Between Depression and Frailty in Older Adults aged 70-84 years using Random Intercepts Cross-Lagged Panel Analysis
Authors: Shin Ji Hye , Kang Gyeong A , Kim Sun Young , Won Won Chang , Yoon Ju Young
Published: February 2024

Purpose: Depression and frailty are common health problems that occur separately or simultaneously in later life. The two syndromes are correlated, but they need to be distinguished to promote successful aging. Previous studies have examined the reciprocal relationship between depression and frailty, but there are limitations in the methods or statistical analysis. This study aims to confirm the potential prospective bidirectional and causal relationship between depression and frailty. Methods: We used data from 887 older adults aged 70 to 84 from the Korean Frailty and Aging Cohort Study (KFACS) in 2016, 2018, and 2020 (3 waves). We separated the within-individual process from the stable between-individual differences using the random intercepts cross-lagged panel model. Results: Significant bidirectional causal effects were observed in 2 paths. Older adults with higher depression than their within-person average at T1 had a higher risk of frailty at T2 (β=.22, p=.008). Subsequently, older adults with higher-than-average frailty scores at T2 showed higher depression at T3 (β=.14, p=.010). Autoregressive effects were only significant from T2 to T3 for both constructs (Depression: β=.16, p=.044; Frailty: β=.13, p=.028). At the between-person level, the correlation was significant between the random intercepts between depression and frailty (β=.47, p<.001). Conclusions: We find that depressed older adults have an increased risk of frailty, which contributes to the onset of depression and the maintenance of frailty. Therefore, interventions for each condition may prevent the entry and worsening of the other condition, as well as prevent comorbidity.
Crowdkeeping in Last-Mile Delivery
Authors: Wang Xin , Arslan Okan , Delage Erick
Published: February 2024

In order to improve the efficiency of the last-mile delivery system when customers are possibly absent for deliveries, we propose the idea of employing the crowd to work as keepers and to provide storage services for their neighbors. Crowd keepers have extra flexibility, more availability, and lower costs than fixed storage options such as automated lockers, and this leads to a more efficient and a more profitable system for last-mile deliveries. We present a bilevel program that jointly determines the assignment, routing, and pricing decisions while considering customer preferences, keeper behaviors, and platform operations. We develop an equivalent single-level program, a mixed-integer linear program with subtour elimination constraints, that can be solved to optimality using a row generation algorithm. To improve the efficiency of the solution procedure, we further derive exact best response sets for both customers and keepers, and approximate optimal travel times using linear regression. We present a numerical study using a real-world data set from Amazon. The fixed-storage and no-storage systems are used as benchmarks to assess the performance of the crowdkeeping system. The results show that the crowdkeeping delivery system has the potential to generate higher profits because of its ability to consolidate deliveries and to eliminate failed deliveries.

Funding: Funding provided by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada [Grants 2022-04979 and 2022-05261], the Canada Research Chair program [Grant CRC-2018-00105], and the China Scholarship Council [Grant 202006190051] is gratefully acknowledged.

Supplemental Material: The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/trsc.2022.0323 .
On the Efficiency Impacts of Berthing Priority Provision
Authors: Lin Xi , Pu Xinyue , Bai Xiwen
Published: February 2024

Facing intensified interport competition in the global container shipping market, an increasing number of ports choose to offer berthing priority for carriers to increase their attractiveness. This study is the first to theoretically analyze the efficiency impacts of such prioritization. Specifically, this study models the steady-state dynamics for each terminal in a biterminal port as a prioritized queuing system. We explore the equilibrated shipping flow distribution and resulting total system cost (i.e., bunker consumption cost and waiting time cost) with and without priority provision, along with their major analytical properties. Then, we examine the “second-order” effects of these priority schemes on just-in-time (JIT) arrivals, an increasingly popular green port management tool. Specifically, we investigate how the equilibrium state associated with JIT arrivals could change with priority berthing. These analyses generate some interesting results, including (1) the total system cost increases or remains unchanged when a priority scheme is implemented under a symmetric port with equal service capacities for both terminals; (2) under the asymmetric biterminal case, however, it is also possible that berth prioritization could reduce the total system cost, and such phenomenon occurs only if the terminal which offers prioritization owns larger service capacity; (3) the results indicate that the “price of prioritization” could reach [Formula: see text] in port operation when the berth loading is heavy, implying that priority provision may significantly harm the operational efficiency; and (4) lastly, priority provision has a negative second-order effect on JIT strategies in a symmetric port, and such negative effect may neutralize the positive ones. Those theoretical results are validated by numerical experiments, and some of them are also supported by empirical data. The results provide important practical implications for the decision making of the port (or terminal) agencies.

Funding: This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China [Grants 72371143 and 72188101].

Supplemental Material: The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/trsc.2022.0411 .
Increased rates of perinatal mental illness following COVID-19: the call for sufficient midwifery provision
Authors: Terry Ruth , Hudson Traci
Published: February 2024

The perinatal period is a known time of increased vulnerability to mental health illnesses, which are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The COVID-19 pandemic saw rates of perinatal mental illness increase, remaining elevated ever since. In this article, postnatal depression is considered a specific perinatal mental health illness, which demonstrates the unique challenges in defining and diagnosing perinatal mental illness, and mitigating the long-term consequences to the infant. As public health practitioners, midwives are effective in preventing postnatal depression, yet may be limited in their ability to support women because of service constraints. Key drivers in the UK are mandating the parity of esteem of mental health and the improved provision of perinatal services, with the recruitment and retention of a sufficient midwifery service highlighted as priority.
Sporadic gastrinoma with refractory benign esophageal stricture: A case report
Authors: Chen Qian-Nan , Bai Bing-Qing , Xu Yan , Mei Qiao , Liu Xiao-Chang
Published: February 2024

BACKGROUND

Gastrinoma is characterized by an excessive release of gastrin, leading to hypersecretion of gastric acid, subsequently resulting in recurrent peptic ulcers, chronic diarrhea, and even esophageal strictures. This case report aims to improve awareness and facilitate early diagnosis and treatment of gastrinoma by presenting a rare case of gastrinoma with refractory benign esophageal stricture (RBES). Additionally, it highlights the persistent challenges that gastroenterologists encounter in managing RBES.

CASE SUMMARY

This case demonstrates a patient with gastrinoma who developed RBES and complete esophageal obstruction despite management with maximal acid suppressive therapy, multiple endoscopic bougie dilations and endoscopic incisional therapy (EIT).

CONCLUSION

It is essential to diagnose gastrinoma as early as possible, as inadequately controlled acid secretion over an extended period increases the risk of developing severe esophageal strictures. In patients with esophageal strictures causing complete luminal obstruction, blind reopening EIT presents challenges and carries a high risk of perforation.
Cardiac remodeling in patients with atrial fibrillation reversing bradycardia-induced cardiomyopathy: A case report
Authors: Gao De-Kui , Ye Xiang-Lin , Duan Zhen , Zhang Hong-Yang , Xiong Tao , Li Zheng-Hong , Pei Hai-Feng
Published: February 2024

BACKGROUND

Bradycardia-induced cardiomyopathy (BIC), which is a disease resulting from bradycardia, is characterized by cardiac chamber enlargement and diminished cardiac function. The correction of bradycardia can allow for significant improvements in both cardiac function and structure; however, this disease has been infrequently documented. In this case, we conducted a longitudinal follow-up of a patient who had been enduring BIC for more than 40 years to heighten awareness and prompt timely diagnosis and rational intervention.

CASE SUMMARY

A woman who presented with postactivity fatigue and dyspnea was diagnosed with bradycardia at the age of 7. Since she had no obvious symptoms, she did not receive any treatment to improve her bradycardia during the 42-year follow-up, except for the implantation of a temporary pacemaker during labor induction surgery. As time progressed, the patient's heart gradually expanded due to her low ventricular rate, and she was diagnosed with BIC. In 2014, the patient developed atrial fibrillation, her ventricular rate gradually increased, and her heart shape gradually returned to normal. This report describes the cardiac morphological changes caused by the heart rate changes in BIC patients older than 40 years, introduces another possible outcome of BIC, and emphasizes the importance of early intervention in treating BIC.

CONCLUSION

BIC can induce atrial fibrillation, causing an increased ventricular rate and leading to positive cardiac remodeling.
Double plasma molecular adsorption system for Stevens–Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis: A case report
Authors: Tan You-Wen , Liu Li-Ping , Zhang Kai
Published: February 2024

BACKGROUND

Stevens–Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis (SJS/TEN) are very serious skin allergies, with an etiology related to infections and medication. Since the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 has also been considered to cause SJS/TEN.

CASE SUMMARY

We report the case of a woman in her thirties who took acetaminophen after contracting COVID-19. After 3 d of fever relief, she experienced high fever and presented with SJS/TEN symptoms, accompanied by intrahepatic cholestasis. Three days of corticosteroid treatment did not alleviate the skin damage; therefore, double plasma molecular adsorption system (DPMAS) therapy was initiated, with treatment intervals of 48 h. Her skin symptoms improved gradually and were resolved after seven DPMAS treatments.

CONCLUSION

DPMAS therapy is beneficial for abrogating SJS/TEN because plasma adsorption and perfusion techniques reduce the inflammatory mediators (e.g. , tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-10 and-12) speculated to be involved in the pathology of the skin conditions.
Simultaneous Estiamtion of Dolutegravir and Rilpivirine and Their Impurities using RP-HPLC
Authors: Abburi Ramarao , Abbaraju V D N Kumar , K Pushpalatha , Chinnamaneni Satya Vani , Rao G. Venkata , Rao M. V. Basaveswara
Published: February 2024

A very simple, more accurate, and highly precise process is refined to development of two combination drugs Dolutegravir (DUA), Rilpivirine (RPV)in the tablet dosage form. For this development Agilent 100-5C18 column (250mm x 4.6mm).Acetonitrile as 40v/v and Phosphate buffer which is maintained at pH 4.0as 60v/vis passed with the help of column. Flow rate was measure as 0.80ml/min. Column temperature is accompanied as ambient. Upgraded wavelength is 235 nm. Run time is identified as 10 minutes and the volume injected for this analysis is 20 µl. Retention time of DUA and RPV were found to be 2.6 & 3.9min. %RSD of the DUA and RPV were and found to be 0.87, 0.40 as intraday and 0.75 and 0.56 as inter day precision. % Recovery was obtained as 98.59%, 100.7% for DUA and RPV respectively. The Rt values are minimized as well as run time was decreased. Finally, concluded that this proposed and developed process is more simple as well as economical which should be prevalent in regular QC labs and present in the plasma samples.
An Overview on Free Radicals and Role of Antioxidants in The Management of Cancer
Authors: Uniyal Sushmita , Kumar Neeraj , Joshi Bhuwan Chandra
Published: February 2024

Many diseases are associated with free radicals and oxidative stress, which result from reactive oxygen and nitrogen species. These high ROS levels affect various metabolic and signalling mechanisms leading to changes in physiological processes and the emergence of illnesses like cancer. In addition to dietary, mammalian cells have natural ROS scavenging mechanisms that includes enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants. This review discuss the free radicals with relation to cancer development, as well as the role of antioxidants in the immune defence mechanism against free radicals. The review also explores various approaches for manipulating antioxidants and free radicals in the prevention and management of cancer, such as gene therapy, genetically engineered plants with higher antioxidant levels, artificial antioxidant enzymes, novel biomolecules, and antioxidant-rich foods. Future applications of these approaches are also discussed.
Synthesis, Spectral, Thermal Studies and Antimicrobial Evaluation of Transition Metal Complexes with Novel Schiff Base Ligand
Authors: Adhao Sopan Tejrao , Wagh Rahul Ramchandra
Published: February 2024

A novel coumarin Schiff base “(E)-7-hydroxy-4-methyl-8-(1-(1-(naphthalen-2-yl) ethylimino) ethyl)-2H-chromen-2-one” [HOMNEIEC] ligand was synthesized by the condensation of “8-acetyl-7-hydroxy-4-methyl-2H-chromen-2-one” [AHMC] with “1-(naphthalen-1-yl) ethylamine” [NEA]. The transition metal (II) ions complexes with this ligand were synthesized by a common method. The synthesized ligand and metal (II) complexes were studied using spectral (1H NMR, FTIR, Mass Spectrometry) and thermal (TGA) techniques for their structures. The 1H NMR and FTIR spectra of ligand confirm the formation of azomethine bond. The FTIR spectral data validated the formation of coordinate bond through phenolic oxygen on coumarin ring and nitrogen of azomethine with the metal ions. The m/z values in mass spectrum of ligand and its metal complexes were in agreement with their theoretical values of molecular/formula weights. The TGA thermograms suggested there are of two coordinated/lattice H2O molecules in each of the complex. The ligand and metal complexes were evaluated for their in vitro antimicrobial activities using broth microdilution method using DMSO solvent/diluent against Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa a gram-negative bacterial strain, Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes a gram-positive bacterial strain, and Candida albicans, Aspergillus clavatus and Aspergillus niger a fungal strain. The metal complexes were found to have enhanced antimicrobial activities compare to the Schiff base ligand.