bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Glomerular filtration rate measurement during platinum treatment for urothelial carcinoma: optimal methods for clinical practice
Authors: Stormoen Dag Rune , Joensen Ulla Nordström , Daugaard Gedske , Oturai Peter , Hyllested Emil , Lauritsen Jakob , Pappot Helle
Published: January 2024

Background

We assessed the accuracy of four estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) methods: MDRD, Cockcroft–Gault, CKD-EPI, and Wright.

Method

The four methods were compared to measure GFR (mGFR) in patients with urothelial urinary tract cancer (T2-T4bNxMx) receiving platinum-based chemotherapy at Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, from January 2019 to December 2021. Using standardized assays, creatinine values were measured, and mGFR was determined using Technetium-99 m diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (Tc-99 m-DTPA) or Cr-51-ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (Cr-51-EDTA) plasma clearance. Patients (n = 146) with both mGFR and corresponding creatinine values available were included (n = 345 measurements).

Results

The CKD-EPI method consistently demonstrated superior accuracy, with the lowest Total Deviation Index of 21.8% at baseline and 22.9% for all measurements compared to Wright (23.4% /24.1%), MDRD (26.2%/25.5%), and Cockcroft–Gault (25.x%/25.1%). Bland Altman Limits of agreement (LOA) ranged from − 32 ml/min (Cockcroft–Gault) to + 33 ml/min (MDRD), with CKD-EPI showing the narrowest LOA (− 27 ml/min to + 24 ml/min and lowest bias (0.3 ml/min). Establishing an eGFR threshold at 85 ml/min—considering both the lower limit of agreement (LOA) and the minimum cisplatin limit at 60 ml/min—allows for the safe omission of mGFR in 30% of patients in this cohort.

Conclusion

CKD-EPI equation emerged as the most suitable for estimating kidney function in this patient group although not meeting benchmark criteria. We recommend its use for initial assessment and ongoing monitoring, and suggest mGFR for patients with a CKD-EPI estimated GFR below 85 ml/min. This approach could reduce costs and decrease laboratory time for 30% of our UC patients.
Dissolution recycling for recovery of polypropylene and glass fibres
Authors: Gravgaard Ditte Paikjær , Henriksen Martin Lahn , Hinge Mogens
Published: January 2024

The push for increasing the recycling of plastics is intensifying, and the growing use of composites creates a need to increase the recyclability of polymer composites at their end-of-life. As opposed to thermal and chemical recycling techniques, recycling by dissolution has the benefit of enabling the recovery of both fibre and matrix from thermoplastic composites without altering their chemical composition. In this study, suspensions of polypropylene and glass fibres of varying concentrations were obtained upon dissolution in xylene heated to 130 °C. Subsequent filtration enabled the separation and recovery of both clean fibre and polypropylene fractions. The chemical structures of both fractions were identified by Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy as pure polypropylene and clean glass fibres. The recovered glass fibres contained 1 wt% organic material from glass fibre sizing, and the recovered and pristine polypropylene showed no sign of remaining fibres.
Lifecycle model-based evaluation of infant 4CMenB vaccination in the UK
Authors: Sevilla J. P. , Tortorice Daniel , Kantor David , Regan John , Meszaros Kinga H. , Beck Ekkehard C. , Begum Najida , Bloom David E.
Published: January 2024

Objectives

Invasive meningococcal disease, an uncommon but severe disease, imposes catastrophic health and economic burdens. Cost–utility analysis (CUA) assumes separability in lifetime health and economic variables and cannot capture the full value of preventing such burdens. We overcome these limitations with a retrospective societal perspective cost–benefit analysis (CBA) of meningococcal serogroup B vaccination (4CMenB) of one infant cohort in the United Kingdom using a health-augmented lifecycle model (HALM) incorporating health’s interactions with consumption, earnings, non-market time and financial risk.

Methods

We used a static Markov model of vaccination’s health impact and an HALM to estimate the private willingness to pay (PWTP) for the intrinsic and instrumental value of health under perfect capital markets, financial risk protection in the absence of insurance against permanent disability, parental spillovers, and acute phase disability. We estimated social WTP (SWTP) incorporating social severity preferences. We estimated rates of return that inform health payer reimbursement decisions, finance ministry budgeting decisions, and legislature taxation decisions. An expert Advisory Board investigated the validity of applying the HALM to infant 4CMenB.

Results

The PWTP for a 2 + 1 vaccination schedule is £395, comprising £166 of disability insurance value, £79 of positive parental spillover value, £28 in the value of averting acute phase disability, and £122 in residual intrinsic and instrumental value of health. SWTP is £969.

Conclusions

HALM-based CBA provides an empirically richer, more utility–theoretically grounded approach to vaccine evaluation than CUA, demonstrating good value for money for legislatures (based on private values) and for all decision-makers (based on social values).
Modulatory effects of dietary prickly pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) peel on high salinity tolerance, growth rate, immunity and antioxidant capacity of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)
Authors: Salem Mohamed E. , Almisherfi Hebatollah M. , El-Sayed Abdel-Fattah M. , Makled Sarah O. , Abdel-Ghany Heba M.
Published: January 2024

This study evaluated the effects of prickly pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) peel (PPP) on salinity tolerance, growth, feed utilization, digestive enzymes, antioxidant capacity, and immunity of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). PPP was incorporated into four iso-nitrogenous (280 g kg−1 protein) and iso-energetic (18.62 MJ kg−1) diets at 0 (PPP0), 1 (PPP1), 2 (PPP2), and 4 (PPP4) g kg−1. Fish (9.69 ± 0.2 g) (mean ± SD) were fed the diets for 75 days. Following the feeding experiment, fish were exposed to a salinity challenge (25‰) for 24 h. Fish survival was not affected by the dietary PPP inclusion either before or after the salinity challenge. Fish fed the PPP-supplemented diets showed lower aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, cortisol, and glucose levels compared to PPP0, with the lowest values being observed in PPP1. Fish fed dietary PPP had higher growth rates and feed utilization than PPP0. Quadratic regression analysis revealed that the best weight gain was obtained at 2.13 g PPP kg−1 diet. The highest activities of protease and lipase enzymes were recorded in PPP1, while the best value of amylase was recorded in PPP2, and all PPP values were higher than PPP0. Similarly, PPP1 showed higher activities of lysozyme, alternative complement, phagocytic cells, respiratory burst, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase, and lower activity of malondialdehyde than in PPP0. Further increases in PPP levels above 2 g kg−1 diet led to significant retardation in the immune and antioxidant parameters. Thus, the inclusion of PPP at about 1 to or 2 g kg−1 diet can improve stress tolerance, immunity, and antioxidant capacity in Nile tilapia.
Unraveling the potential of vitamins C and D as adjuvants in depression treatment with escitalopram in an LPS animal model
Authors: Gammoh Omar , Akasheh Rand T. , Qnais Esam , Al-Taber Sara , Athamneh Rabaa Y. , Hafiz Amin A. , Alqudah Abdelrahim , Aljabali Alaa A. A. , Tambuwala Murtaza M.
Published: January 2024

Depression is linked with oxidative stress and inflammation, where key players include nitric oxide (NO), nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), and Heme Oxidase-1 (HO-1). Augmenting the efficacy of antidepressants represents a compelling avenue of exploration. We explored the potential of vitamins C and D as adjuncts to escitalopram (Esc) in a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced depression model focusing on the aforementioned biomarkers. Male Swiss albino mice were stratified into distinct groups: control, LPS, LPS + Esc, LPS + Esc + Vit C, LPS + Esc + Vit D, and LPS + Esc + Vit C + Vit D. After a 7-day treatment period, a single LPS dose (2 mg/kg), was administered, followed by comprehensive assessments of behavior and biochemical parameters. Notably, a statistically significant (p < 0.05) alleviation of depressive symptoms was discerned in the Esc + Vit C + Vit D group versus the LPS group, albeit with concomitant pronounced sedation evident in all LPS-treated groups (p < 0.05). Within the cortex, LPS reduced (p < 0.05) the expression levels of NOx, Nrf2, BDNF, and HO-1, with only HO-1 being reinstated to baseline in the LPS + Esc + Vit D and the LPS + Esc + Vit C + Vit D groups. Conversely, the hippocampal NOx, Nrf2, and HO-1 levels remained unaltered following LPS administration. Notably, the combination of Esc, Vit C, and Vit D effectively restored hippocampal BDNF levels, which had been diminished by Esc alone. In conclusion, vitamins C and D enhance the therapeutic effects of escitalopram through a mechanism independent of Nrf2. These findings underscore the imperative need for in-depth investigations.
Zero sum subsequences and hidden subgroups
Authors: Imran Muhammad , Ivanyos Gábor
Published: January 2024

We propose a method for solving the hidden subgroup problem in nilpotent groups. The main idea is iteratively transforming the hidden subgroup to its images in the quotient groups by the members of a central series, eventually to its image in the commutative quotient of the original group, and then using an abelian hidden subgroup algorithm to determine this image. Knowing this image allows one to descend to a proper subgroup unless the hidden subgroup is the full group. The transformation relies on finding zero sum subsequences of sufficiently large sequences of vectors over finite prime fields. We present a new deterministic polynomial time algorithm for the latter problem in the case when the size of the field is constant. The consequence is a polynomial time exact quantum algorithm for the hidden subgroup problem in nilpotent groups having constant nilpotency class and whose order only have prime factors also bounded by a constant.
Integration of Engineering Practices into Secondary Science Education: Teacher Experiences, Emotions, and Appraisals
Authors: García-Carmona Antonio , Toma R. Bogdan
Published: January 2024

STEM education is present in most recent curriculum reforms around the world. One of the main novelties of this educational movement is the integration of engineering practices into science education. In the Spanish educational context, this implies an important challenge for science teachers. So, this study analyzes whether secondary science teachers are sufficiently prepared for this purpose, as well as to find out their experiences, emotions, and appraisals in this regard. To this end, a questionnaire was designed and administered to 328 secondary science teachers as a representative sample of science teachers in Spain with a confidence level of just over 93%. The reliability of the questionnaire was evidenced by the high degree of internal consistency of the data (α = 0.88). And its validity was determined by means of an exploratory factor analysis. The results reveal that secondary science teachers, in general, have low levels of pedagogical preparation and self-efficacy to integrate engineering practices into science classes, as well as a predominant emotion of insecurity about it. There is also a strong preference among teachers for this to be done in technology subjects. It is concluded that the effective integration of engineering practices into science education is currently a complex challenge that requires ad hoc teacher training plans.
Microstructural Response of Highly Porous Sintered Nano-silver Particle Die Attachments to Thermomechanical Cycling
Authors: Agyakwa Pearl A. , Robertson Stuart , Dai Jingru , Mouawad Bassem , Zhou Zhaoxia , Liu Changqing , Johnson C. Mark
Published: January 2024

This paper deals with the performance of sintered nano-silver bonds used as wide-bandgap power module die attachment technology. The paper specifically explores the fine-scale microstructures of highly porous sintered attachments under power cycling to provide a deeper understanding of the significance of porosity as a reliability-related microstructural parameter. Attachments prepared at 220°C using a pressure of 6 MPa for 1 s (parameters known to generate approximately 50% porosity from previous work) and subsequently subjected to 650,000 power cycles between 50°C and 200°C are assessed. A correlative workflow integrating x-ray computed tomography, focused ion beam (FIB) and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) data is applied to merge meso- and nanoscale microstructural features to illuminate the degradation mechanisms. The as-sintered Ag layer has a high volume of heterogeneously distributed pores, and consists of randomly oriented equiaxed grains whose sizes vary depending on the local density of the region sampled. Power cycling promotes grain growth and the loss of twin boundaries, and these changes are more pronounced within more dense regions of the Ag attachment. In contrast, the copper substrate appears to undergo some grain refinement, with deformation twins visible within finer-grained zones during power cycling. Cracks, which appear to start off within the Ag layer, propagate across the Ag-Cu boundary and transgranularly through fine-grained regions within the copper with little tortuosity. These observations are discussed within the context of reliability behaviour.

Graphical Abstract
Crossing incentive alignment and adaptive designs in choice-based conjoint: A fruitful endeavor
Authors: Sablotny-Wackershauser Verena , Lichters Marcel , Guhl Daniel , Bengart Paul , Vogt Bodo
Published: January 2024

Choice-based conjoint (CBC) analysis features prominently in market research to predict consumer purchases. This study focuses on two principles that seek to enhance CBC: incentive alignment and adaptive choice-based conjoint (ACBC) analysis. While these principles have individually demonstrated their ability to improve the forecasting accuracy of CBC, no research has yet evaluated both simultaneously. The present study fills this gap by drawing on two lab and two online experiments. On the one hand, results reveal that incentive-aligned CBC and hypothetical ACBC predict comparatively well. On the other hand, ACBC offers a more efficient cost-per-information ratio in studies with a high sample size. Moreover, the newly introduced incentive-aligned ACBC achieves the best predictions but has the longest interview time. Based on our studies, we help market researchers decide whether to apply incentive alignment, ACBC, or both. Finally, we provide a tutorial to analyze ACBC datasets using open-source software (R/Stan).
Stage 3 N2 Lung Cancer: A Multidisciplinary Therapeutic Conundrum
Authors: Carter Lily , Apte Vedika , Shukla Arushi , Ghose Aruni , Mamidi Raj , Petohazi Alexandra , Makker Shania , Banerjee Soirindhri , Boussios Stergios , Banna Giuseppe L.
Published: January 2024

Purpose of Review

The treatment of stage III N2 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains debated. There is an absence of a universally agreed definition of resectability for this heterogeneous group and a lack of trial data.

Recent Findings

We reviewed and compared current international guidelines and evidence surrounding management of stage III N2 NSCLC. The Irish and Australian guidelines advise subcategorising N2 disease into N2a (may be resectable) and N2b (never resectable). On the contrary, American and British guidelines avoid subcategorising N2 disease, emphasising importance of local MDT decisions. It is suggested that evidence for resection of stage III tumours is relatively weak, but that stage IIIA should generally be considered for resection, and stage IIIB is not recommended for resection. For resectable disease, surgery may be combined with neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy, or adjuvant chemotherapy followed by immunotherapy and radiotherapy in selected patients.

There is some evidence that technically resectable disease can be treated solely with radiotherapy with similar outcomes to resection. In the event of unresectable disease, chemoradiotherapy has been the traditional management option. However, recent studies with chemoradiotherapy alongside immunotherapy appear promising. There are many factors that influence the treatment pathway offered to patients with stage III N2 NSCLC, including patient factors, team expertise, and local resources. Therefore, the role of MDTs in defining resectability and formulating an individualised treatment plan is crucial.
Negotiating with the Past: China’s Tactical Use of History, Emotion and Identity in the Sino-British Talks on the Future of Hong Kong
Authors: Hurst Matthew
Published: January 2024

How did Chinese leaders Deng Xiaoping and Zhao Ziyang feel about Hong Kong? The existing literature has tended to see the Sino-British negotiations over the future of Hong Kong through the economic lens favoured by the British side and described the Chinese side as primarily motivated by nationalism. However, ‘nationalism’ remains a vague concept in need of further definition. This paper focuses on the Chinese side of the negotiation table. It unpacks what ‘nationalism’ meant to Deng and Zhao within the context of the negotiations by examining three interrelated components: history, identity and emotion. This paper then analyses how the Chinese side used history, identity and emotion strategically during the negotiations, focusing on the September 1982 leaders’ meetings as a case study. Adopting a constructivist lens, this paper examines historical documents against frameworks and theories from the social sciences, producing an interdisciplinary analysis of Chinese negotiation tactics. It unravels how China’s leaders used the country’s past to broadcast the Party’s stance to the people, bolster their leadership position and win the advantage over Britain in the Hong Kong negotiations.
Simultaneous PCR detection of Paenibacillus larvae targeting insertion sequence IS256 and Melissococcus plutonius targeting pMP1 plasmid from hive specimens
Authors: Vlkova Katerina , Erban Tomas , Kamler Martin , Titera Dalibor , Bitar Ibrahim , Hrabak Jaroslav
Published: January 2024

Paenibacillus larvae and Melissococcus plutonius represent the most threatening bacterial diseases of honeybee (Apis mellifera)—American and European foulbrood, respectively. For efficient control of those diseases, rapid and accurate detection of the pathogens is crucial. Therefore, we developed a novel multiplex PCR method simultaneously detecting both pathogens. To design and optimize multiplex PCR reaction, four strains of P. larvae representing four ERIC genotypes I–IV (strain DSM 7030—ERIC I, DSM 25430—ERIC II, LMG 16252—ERIC III, DSM 3615—ERIC IV) were selected. Those strains were fully sequenced using long-read sequencing (Sequel I, Pacific Biosciences). For P. larvae, the multicopy insertion sequence IS256 identified in all genotypes of P. larvae was selected to provide high sensitivity. M. plutonius was detected by plasmid pMP1 sequence and the virulence verified by following detection of ETX/MTX2 toxin responsible for pore formation in the cell membrane. As an internal control, a gene encoding for major royal jelly protein 1 specific for honeybees was selected. The method was validated on 36 clinical specimens collected from the colonies suffering from American and European foulbrood in the Czech Republic. Based on the results, sensitivity of PCR was calculated to 93.75% and specificity to 100% for P. larvae diagnosed from hive debris and 100% sensitivity and specificity for honeybee workers and larval scales as well as for diseased brood infected by M. plutonius.
A novel approach of kinship determination based on the physical length of genetically shared regions of chromosomes
Authors: Cho Sohee , Shin Eunsoon , Park Yoon Gi , Choi Seung Ho , Choe Eun Kyung , Bae Jung Ho , Lee Jong-Eun , Lee Soong Deok
Published: January 2024

Background

Determination of genetic relatedness between individuals plays a crucial role in resolving numerous civil cases involving familial relationships and in forensic investigation concerning missing persons. Short tandem repeats (STRs), known for their high degree of DNA polymorphism, have traditionally been the primary choice of DNA markers in genetic testing, but their application for kinships testing is limited to cases involving close kinship. SNPs have emerged as promising supplementary markers for kinship determination. Nevertheless, the challenging remains in discriminating between third-degree or more distant relatives, such as first cousins, using SNPs.

Objective

To investigate a kinship analysis method for distant degree of familial relationships using high-density SNP data.

Methods

A high-density SNP data from 337 individuals of Korean families using Affymetrix Axiom KORV1.0-96 Array was obtained for this study. SNPs were aligned by chromosomal positions, and identity-by-state (IBS) was determined, and then shared regions as consecutive SNPs with IBS of 1 or 2 were investigated. The physical lengths of these IBS segments were measured and summed them to create an Index, as a measure of kinship.

Results

The kinship was determined by the physical length of shared chromosomal regions that are distinguished by each kinship. Using this method, the relationship was able be distinguished up to the fourth degree of kinship, and non-relatives were clearly distinguished from true relatives. We also found a potential for this approach to be used universally, regardless of microarray platforms for SNP genotyping and populations.

Conclusion

This method has a potential to determine the different degree of kinship between individuals and to distinguish non-relatives from true relatives, which can be of great help for practical applications in kinship determination.
Pathogenicity of Puccinia porri on Allium in South Africa
Authors: Boshoff Willem H. P. , Visser Botma , Bender Cornel M. , Pretorius Zacharias A.
Published: January 2024

Allium crops are commonly grown in South Africa and harvested as either fresh produce for the domestic and export markets or as seed. Apart from occasional outbreaks on garlic, rust is problematic as a cosmetic disease with unappealing uredinia regularly observed on freshly packed produce of bunching onion and leek in supermarkets. Spore morphology and phylogenetic analysis of five rust samples collected from A. fistulosum (bunching onion) confirmed the causal organism as Puccinia porri. Garlic and bunching onion varieties were mostly susceptible to P. porri, whereas leek varieties were either susceptible or segregating in their response, with bulb onions being resistant. Microscopy of early infection structures showed appressorium formation, stomatal penetration, and a substomatal structure which differentiated into infection hyphae and haustorium mother cells. At microscopy level differences in host response became visible from 48 h post-inoculation onwards with prehaustorial and early hypersensitivity observed as resistance mechanisms in onions.
Chemical characteristics and microbiological loads of harvested rainwater run-off from roof tops in South Eastern Nigeria
Authors: Nwogu F. U. , Ubuoh E. A. , Kanu S. C.
Published: January 2024

The study evaluated rainwater quality harvested from roof top catchments viz Asbestos, Aluminum, Corrugated and Harvey roof tops in southeastern, Nigeria. Chemical and microbiological species viz pH, Total Dissolved Solids(TDS), Electrical conductivity (EC), Nitrate(NO3−), Sulphate (SO42−), Chloride(Cl−), Total bacteria load(TBL), Total Coliform Count (TCC), Salmonella Shigella Agar (SSA), Thiocitrate Bile-salt Sucrose( TCBS), Eosin Methylene Blue (EMB) were investigated from samples of rainwater roof top run off during onset rain (April), peak rain (July) and cessation (October) rain events in 2022. Results of chemical parameters show significant variation p ≥ 0.05 among the catchments with increased mean concentration of pH(6.5), TDS(25.7 mg/l), EC(43.6μS/cm),NO3−(0.72 mg/l) SO42(4.73 mg/l), Cl(8.81) during onset rain more than the peak and cessation rain, with asbestos rainwater having the highest levels but below WHO/FMENV drinking water limit. Positive and negative correlations existed between the chemical parameters in temporal scale and originating from human activities with the temporal variability in decrease order: April ≥ October ≥ July. Microbial parameters in rainwater revealed mean TBL(6.6 × 104 cfu/ml), TCC(2.6 × 103 cfu/ml) and control (5.8 × 104 cfu/ml) with Aluminum top (8.2 × 104 cfu/ml) recording highest in onset rain more than the peak and cessation rain events. All of the microbial parameters were above the WHO standards which indicates a very high public health risk if consumed without treatment. Organisms found in rainwater from roof types are: Enterobacter sp., Staphylococcus aurous, Streptococcus sp., Bacillus Sp. and Escherichia coli. Based on the results, treatment of rainwater, operation, maintenance methods should be upheld for quality assurance of harvested rainwater.
Bacteriostatic and antidiabetic activities of various extracts from the mixture leaves and stems of Suaeda marimita
Authors: Yasin Hussein Alaa , Al Touby Salem Said , Hossain Mohammad Amzad
Published: January 2024

Humans were always in need of new medications to fight the many developing diseases that they face. In recent years, the race to develop new medicines has increased caused for new diseases to occur by bacteria and viruses developed causing accumulation, local damage, and inflammation or irritation. Suaeda maritima (S. maritima) is a plant that was used in the past to treat illness and the plant extracts showed several biological activities especially hepatoprotective, antimicrobial, and antidiabetic activities. The present goal of this work is to prepare plant extracts with varied polarities from the mixture of leaves and stems of S. maritima and examine their bacteriostatic and antidiabetic activities by in vitro methods. The crude extract was prepared from the mixture of leaves and stems powder samples by methanol using the maceration method for 36 h. The methanol was removed from the extract by the usual method and then fractionated methanol extract with different polarities solvents. The bacteriostatic and antidiabetic activities of plant extracts were determined by using disc diffusion and enzyme methods. The prepared varied polarities extract at four different concentrations (2000, 1000, 500, and 250 µg/mL) were used to evaluate their bacteriostatic activity against the Gram (+ and −) bacterial strains. Among the six plant extracts, ethyl acetate extract showed the highest bacterial activity, and the lowest activity was in DCM extract. However, at low concentrations, almost all plant extracts of the selected plant didn’t show any bacteriostatic activity. The antidiabetic activity of plant varied extracts was assessed by using an α-glucosidase bioassay and the highest IC50 was obtained in methanol extract and the lowest was in hexane extract from this bioassay. The other plant crude extracts also showed promising activity against the α-glucosidase bioassay. The plant extracts with significant activity from the selected plant could be used as natural medication to treat diabetes.
Reproductive Biology of Angiosperms
Authors: Mangla Yash , Khanduri Priyanka , Gupta Charu Khosla
Published: January 2024

Reproductive Biology of Angiosperms: Concepts and Laboratory Methods will cater to the needs of undergraduate and graduate students pursuing core and elective courses in life sciences, botany, and plant sciences. The book is designed according to the syllabi followed in major Indian universities. It provides the latest and detailed description of structures and processes involved in reproduction in higher plants. The inclusion of colour photographs and illustrations will be an effective visual aid to help readers. Interesting and significant findings of the latest research taking place in the field of reproductive biology are also provided in boxes. At the end of each chapter, the methodology of hands-on exercises is presented for the implementation and practice of theoretical concepts.
C∞-Algebraic Geometry with Corners
Authors: Francis-Staite Kelli , Joyce Dominic
Published: January 2024

Schemes in algebraic geometry can have singular points, whereas differential geometers typically focus on manifolds which are nonsingular. However, there is a class of schemes, 'C∞-schemes', which allow differential geometers to study a huge range of singular spaces, including 'infinitesimals' and infinite-dimensional spaces. These are applied in synthetic differential geometry, and derived differential geometry, the study of 'derived manifolds'. Differential geometers also study manifolds with corners. The cube is a 3-dimensional manifold with corners, with boundary the six square faces. This book introduces 'C∞-schemes with corners', singular spaces in differential geometry with good notions of boundary and corners. They can be used to define 'derived manifolds with corners' and 'derived orbifolds with corners'. These have applications to major areas of symplectic geometry involving moduli spaces of J-holomorphic curves. This work will be a welcome source of information and inspiration for graduate students and researchers working in differential or algebraic geometry.
Every complex Hénon map is exponentially mixing of all orders and satisfies the CLT
Authors: Bianchi Fabrizio , Dinh Tien-Cuong
Published: January 2024

We show that the measure of maximal entropy of every complex Hénon map is exponentially mixing of all orders for Hölder observables. As a consequence, the Central Limit Theorem holds for all Hölder observables.
Modularity of trianguline Galois representations
Authors: Bellovin Rebecca
Published: January 2024

We use the theory of trianguline

$(\varphi ,\Gamma )$

-modules over pseudorigid spaces to prove a modularity lifting theorem for certain Galois representations which are trianguline at p, including those with characteristic p coefficients. The use of pseudorigid spaces lets us construct integral models of the trianguline varieties of [BHS17], [Che13] after bounding the slope, and we carry out a Taylor–Wiles patching argument for families of overconvergent modular forms. This permits us to construct a patched quaternionic eigenvariety and deduce our modularity results.
Floquet stability analysis of a two-layer oscillatory flow near a flexible wall
Authors: Bárcenas-Luque Antonio J. , Coenen W. , Gutiérrez-Montes C. , Martínez-Bazán C.
Published: January 2024

We investigate the linear Floquet stability of two fluid layers undergoing oscillations in the direction parallel to the flexible wall that separates them. This canonical configuration is inspired by the cerebrospinal fluid flow in the spinal canal of subjects with hydromyelia/syringomyelia. The analysis focuses on the marginal conditions for the onset of instability, and how these depend on the spatial wavelength of the perturbation, and on the values of the control parameters, which are the two channel widths, the Reynolds number and the wall stiffness. Unstable perturbations are found to oscillate synchronous with the base flow. The wavelength of the most unstable perturbation, of the order of the stroke length of the basic oscillatory motion, depends strongly on the wall stiffness, but is only weakly influenced by the channel widths and the Reynolds number. In general, around criticality, it was found that increasing the Reynolds number has a destabilizing effect, and that decreasing the canal widths stabilizes the instability. The wall stiffness on the other hand has a non-monotonic effect, exhibiting an intermediate value for which the instability is maximally amplified. The present analysis is a first step towards a better understanding of the physical mechanisms that govern many (bio)fluid mechanical problems that involve oscillatory flows near compliant walls.
Commentary on Perspective Article: ‘Institutional Logics: Motivating Action and Overcoming Resistance to Change’ – Heather A. Haveman, David Joseph-Goteiner, and Danyang Li
Authors: Raynard Mia , Greenwood Royston
Published: January 2024

Haveman, Joseph-Goteiner, and Li's (2023) perspective article contributes important insights into China's transition away from central planning and redistribution toward greater market coordination of economic exchange. In our commentary on their insightful article, we build on and extend their arguments in three main ways. First, we discuss how future studies might extend the authors’ work by leveraging the ‘messiness’ of institutional change to explore the cross-level dynamics involved in transforming institutional logics. Second, we build on the authors’ call for more historically grounded, contextualized research on institutional logics to argue that the conditions surrounding logic emergence have important implications for inter-logic dynamics and organizational responses. Third, we build on the authors’ suggestions for future research to underscore the broader consequences of institutional logics and their potential to perpetuate or exacerbate social inequalities and other societal challenges.
Dysfunction of circulating endothelial progenitor cells in major depressive disorder
Authors: Liou Ying-Jay , Chen Mu-Hong , Hsu Ju-Wei , Huang Kai-Lin , Huang Po-Hsun , Bai Ya-Mei
Published: January 2024

Objectives:

Despite mounting evidence demonstrates circulating endothelial progenitor cells (cEPCs) quantitative changes in depression, no study has investigated cEPC functions in major depressive disorder (MDD). We investigated the role of cEPC adhesive and apoptotic functions in MDD.

Methods:

We recruited 68 patients with MDD and 56 healthy controls (HCs). The depression symptoms, anxiety, psychosomatic symptoms, subjective cognitive dysfunction, quality of life, and functional disability were evaluated using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and Montgomery–Åsberg Depression Rating Scale, Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale, Depression and Somatic Symptoms Scale (DSSS), Perceived Deficits Questionnaire-Depression, 12-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12), and Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS), respectively. Working memory and executive function were assessed using a 2-back task and Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST). Inflammatory marker (soluble interleukin-6 receptor, C-reactive protein, and tumor necrosis factor-α receptor-1), cEPC adhesive, and apoptotic levels were measured using in vitro assays.

Results:

The MDD patients showed significantly lower cEPC adhesive levels than the HCs, and this difference in adhesive function remained statistically significant even after adjusting for inflammatory marker levels. The cEPC adhesion levels were in inverse correlations with commission and omission errors in 2-back task, the percent perseverative response and percent perseverative errors in WCST, and the DSSS and SDS scores, but in positive correlations with SF-12 physical and mental component scores. cEPC apoptotic levels did not differ significantly between the groups.

Conclusion:

The findings indicate that cEPC adhesive function is diminished in MDD and impacts various aspects of cognitive and psychosocial functions associated with the disorder.
Changing Lives Through Hip-Hop in Casablanca Beats: Interview with Nabil Ayouch and review of the film
Authors: Abraham Nevine
Published: January 2024

The following interview took place via Zoom with Moroccan film director, producer, and writer Nabil Ayouch on Tuesday, March 22, 2022 at 11:00 AM EST. Lightly edited for ease of comprehension.
Associations of childhood diet quality scores with arterial stiffness and carotid artery intima-media thickness in adolescence/early adulthood: findings from the ALSPAC cohort
Authors: Buckland Genevieve , Northstone Kate , Emmett Pauline M. , Taylor Caroline M.
Published: January 2024

This study examined the relationship between childhood diet quality and arterial stiffness and thickness during adolescence/early adulthood. Participants were from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) with dietary data at ages 7, 10 and 13 years and pulse wave velocity (PWV) and carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) at ages 17 and/or 24 years. Diet quality (DQ) was assessed using five scores: a children’s Mediterranean-style diet (C-rMED) Z-score, a children’s Dietary Inflammatory Z-score (C-DIS), a DASH diet Z-score, a children’s Eatwell Guide (C-EWG) Z-score reflecting UK dietary guidelines and a data-driven obesogenic Z-score. Adjusted regression models examined the associations between DQ scores at 7–13 years and PWV and cIMT at 17 and 24 years. In adjusted models, a high v. low Obesogenic Z-score at 7 and 10 years was associated with higher PWV at 17: β 0.07 (95 % CI 0.01, 0.13) and β 0.10 (95 % CI 0.04, 0.16), respectively. A high v. low C-rMED Z-score at 7 years was associated with lower PWV at 17 (β −0.07; 95 % CI −0.14, −0.01). A high (more anti-inflammatory) vs low C-DIS Z-score at 10 years was associated with a lower PWV at 17 years: β −0.06 (95 % CI −0.12, −0.01). No other associations were observed. In conclusion, an Obesogenic dietary pattern in childhood (7–10 years) was related to increased arterial stiffness, while Mediterranean-style and anti-inflammatory diets were related to decreased arterial stiffness in adolescence. This highlights the importance of establishing healthy dietary habits early in life to protect against vascular damage.
Automated precision beekeeping for accessing bee brood development and behaviour using deep CNN
Authors: Rathore Neha , Agrawal Dheeraj
Published: January 2024

Bees play a significant role in the health of terrestrial ecosystems. The decline of bee populations due to colony collapse disorder around the world constitutes a severe ecological danger. Maintaining high yield of honey and understanding of bee behaviour necessitate constant attention to the hives. Research initiatives have been taken to establish monitoring programs to study the behaviour of bees in accessing their habitat. Monitoring the sanitation and development of bee brood allows for preventative measures to be taken against mite infections and an overall improvement in the brood's health. This study proposed a precision beekeeping method that aims to reduce bee colony mortality and improve conventional apiculture through the use of technological tools to gather, analyse, and understand bee colony characteristics. This research presents the application of advanced digital image processing with computer vision techniques for the visual identification and analysis of bee brood at various developing stages. The beehive images are first preprocessed to enhance the important features of object. Further, object is segmented and classified using computer vision techniques. The research is carried out with the images containing variety of immature brood stages. The suggested method and existing methods are tested and compared to evaluate efficiency of proposed methodology.
Cloning and spatio-temporal expression of CsKr-h1 encoding the juvenile hormone response gene in Coccinella septempunctata L
Authors: Cheng Ying , Zhou Yuhang , Li Fengliang
Published: January 2024

The gene encoding juvenile hormone response (Krüppel homolog1, Kr-hl) in Coccinella septempunctata was investigated by cloning and analysing expression profiles in different developmental stages and tissues by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). C. septempunctata Kr-hl (CsKr-hl) encoded a 1338 bp open reading frame (ORF) with a predicted protein product of 445 amino acids; the latter showed high similarity to orthologs in other species and contained eight highly-conserved Zn-finger motifs for DNA-binding. CsKr-hl was expressed in different developmental stages of C. septempunctata. The expression levels of CsKr-hl in eggs, 2nd, 3rd, 4th instar larvae, and pupa were 3.31, 2.30, 7.09, 0.58, and 7.48 times the number of 1st instar larvae, respectively. CsKr-hl expression levels in female adults gradually increased at 25–30 days and were significantly higher than expression at 1–20 days. CsKr-hl expression in 20–30 days-old male adults was significantly higher than males aged 1–15 days. CsKr-hl expression levels in heads of male and female adults were significantly higher than expression levels in the thorax, adipose, and reproductive system. Interestingly, CsKr-hl expression levels in the adipose and reproductive system of female adults were significantly higher than in adult male corresponding organs, which suggest that CsKr-hl plays an important role in regulating reproductive development in C. septempunctata.
Life table parameters and digestive physiology of Aulacophora lewisii Baly (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) on three Luffa acutangula (L.) Roxb. (Cucurbitaceae) cultivars
Authors: Das Susmita , Kumbhakar Sanoj , Debnath Rahul , Barik Anandamay
Published: January 2024

Aulacophora lewisii Baly (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) is an important pest of Luffa acutangula (L.) Roxb. (Cucurbitaceae) in India. Larvae of A. lewisii feed on the roots, while adults consume leaves of L. acutangula. In the current study, effects of three L. acutangula cultivars (Abhiskar, Debsundari, and Jaipur Long) on the life table parameters by age-stage, two-sex approach, and key digestive enzymatic activities (amylolytic, proteolytic, and lipolytic) of the larvae and adults of A. lewisii were determined. Further, nutrients (total carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, amino acids, and nitrogen content) and antinutrients (total phenols, flavonols, and tannins) present in the roots and leaves of three cultivars were estimated. The development time (egg to adult emergence) was fastest and slowest on Jaipur Long (31.80 days) and Abhiskar (40.91 days), respectively. Fecundity was highest and lowest on Jaipur Long (279.91 eggs) and Abhiskar (137.18 eggs), respectively. The intrinsic rate of increase (r) was lowest on Abhiskar (0.0511 day−1) and highest on Jaipur Long (0.0872 day−1). The net reproductive rate (R0) was lowest on Abhiskar (23.32 offspring female−1). The mean generation time (T) was shortest on Jaipur Long (52.59 days) and longest on Abhiskar (61.58 days). The amylolytic, proteolytic, and lipolytic activities of larvae and adults of A. lewisii were highest and lowest on Jaipur Long and Abhiskar, respectively. The lower level of nutrients and higher level of antinutrients influenced higher larval development time and lower fecundity of A. lewisii on Abhiskar than other cultivars. Our results suggest that Abhiskar cultivar could be promoted for cultivation.
On the role of numerical diffusivity in MHD simulations of global accretion disc dynamos
Authors: Nixon C.J. , Pringle C.C.T. , Pringle J.E.
Published: January 2024

Observations, mainly of outbursts in dwarf novae, imply that the anomalous viscosity in highly ionized accretion discs is magnetic in origin and requires that the plasma

${\beta \sim 1}$

. Until now, most simulations of the magnetic dynamo in accretion discs have used a local approximation (known as the shearing box). While these simulations demonstrate the possibility of a self-sustaining dynamo, the magnetic activity generated in these models saturates at

$\beta \gg 1$

. This long-standing discrepancy has previously been attributed to the local approximation itself. There have been recent attempts at simulating magnetic activity in global accretion discs with parameters relevant to the dwarf novae. These too find values of

$\beta \gg 1$

. We speculate that the tension between these models and the observations may be caused by numerical magnetic diffusivity. As a pedagogical example, we present exact time-dependent solutions for the evolution of weak magnetic fields in an incompressible fluid subject to linear shear and magnetic diffusivity. We find that the maximum factor by which the initial magnetic energy can be increased depends on the magnetic Reynolds number as

${\mathcal {R}}_{m}^{2/3}$

. We estimate that current global numerical simulations of dwarf nova discs have numerical magnetic Reynolds numbers around six orders of magnitude less than the physical value found in dwarf nova discs of

${\mathcal {R}}_{m} \sim 10^{10}$

. We suggest that, given the current limitations on computing power, expecting to be able to compute realistic dynamo action in observable accretion discs using numerical MHD is, for the time being, a step too far.
The mental health of Australians bereaved during the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic: a latent class analysis
Authors: Maccallum F. , Breen L. J. , Phillips J. L. , Agar M. R. , Hosie A. , Tieman J. , DiGiacomo M. , Luckett T. , Philip J. , Ivynian S. , Chang S. , Dadich A. , Grossman C. H. , Gilmore I. , Harlum J. , Kinchin I. , Glasgow N. , Lobb E. A.
Published: January 2024

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted many areas of life, including culturally accepted practices at end-of-life care, funeral rites, and access to social, community, and professional support. This survey investigated the mental health outcomes of Australians bereaved during this time to determine how these factors might have impacted bereavement outcomes.

Methods

An online survey indexing pandemic and bereavement experiences, levels of grief, depression, anxiety, and health, work, and social impairment. Latent class analysis (LCA) was used to identify groups of individuals who shared similar symptom patterns. Multinomial regressions identified pandemic-related, loss-related, and sociodemographic correlates of class membership.

Results

1911 Australian adults completed the survey. The LCA identified four classes: low symptoms (46.8%), grief (17.3%), depression/anxiety (17.7%), and grief/depression/anxiety (18.2%). The latter group reported the highest levels of health, work, and social impairment. The death of a child or partner and an inability to care for the deceased due to COVID-19 public health measures were correlated with grief symptoms (with or without depression and anxiety). Preparedness for the person's death and levels of pandemic-related loneliness and social isolation differentiated all four classes. Unemployment was associated with depression/anxiety (with or without grief).

Conclusions

COVID-19 had profound impacts for the way we lived and died, with effects that are likely to ricochet through society into the foreseeable future. These lessons learned must inform policymakers and healthcare professionals to improve bereavement care and ensure preparedness during and following future predicted pandemics to prevent negative impacts.