bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synthesis, Physicochemical Characterization, Biological Assessment, and Molecular Docking Study of Some Metal Complexes of Alloxan and Ninhydrin as Alterdentate Ligands
Authors: Masoud Mamdouh S. , Yacout Galila A. , Abd-El-Khalek Bassant A. , Ramadan Ahmed M.
Published: April 2023

A series of transition metal complexes of alloxan monohydrate (H2L1) and ninhydrin (H2L2) have been prepared where metal ions are Fe(III), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zr(IV), and Mo(VI). Different microanalytical techniques, spectroscopic methods, and magnetic studies were applied to assign the mode of bonding and elucidate the structure of complexes. All solid complexes are of 1:1 (M:L) stoichiometry and octahedral geometry except nickel (II) complexes exist in a tetrahedral geometry. FTIR spectral interpretation reveals that HL1 coordinates to the central metal ion in a bidentate ON pattern, whereas HL2 behaves as an alterdentate ligand through hydroxyl oxygen and carbonyl oxygen either C(1) = O or C(3) = O. The thermal behavior of some complexes was followed up to 700 °C by different techniques (TGA, DTA, and DSC) where decomposition stages progress in complicated mechanisms and are ended by the formation of metal oxide residue. Besides, biological screening involving antioxidant, antibacterial, and antifungal for ligands and some of their complexes was done. Moreover, four examined metal complexes displayed anticancer activity against hepatocellular carcinoma cells (HepG-2) but to different degrees. According to the IC50 values, Cu-ninhydrin complex, [Cu(HL2)(H2O)4].Cl has a better potency impact in comparison with cisplatin which was used as a reference control. This is in harmony with the molecular docking simulation outcomes that predicted a good binding propensity of the Cu-ninhydrin complex with hepatocellular carcinoma protein (2jrs). Therefore, the Cu-ninhydrin complex should be deemed as a potential chemotherapeutic agent for hepatocellular cancer.

Graphical Abstract
Canopy gap patterns in Mediterranean forests: a spatio-temporal characterization using airborne LiDAR data
Authors: Rodes-Blanco Marina , Ruiz-Benito Paloma , Silva Carlos A. , García Mariano
Published: April 2023

Context

In the last century European forests are experiencing tree damage and mortality rise and it is expected to continue due to increased disturbances under global change. Disturbances generally creates canopy gaps, which leads to secondary succession, compositional changes and landscape mosaic transformations. Forest gap characterization has traditionally been performed in light-limited tropical and boreal forests, but no studies have been found on water-limited Mediterranean forests. Characterising canopy gaps and their dynamics in Mediterranean forests will help to better understand their dynamics across landscapes under ongoing global change.

Objectives

We aimed to characterize canopy gaps and quantify their dynamics identifying hotspots of openings and closings in Mediterranean forests.

Methods

We used low density multitemporal airborne LiDAR data between 2010 and 2016, over a large region (Madrid, Spain, 1732.7 km2) with forests ranging from monospecific conifer and broadleaved to mixed forests, to delineate canopy gaps. The characterization was made through its Gap Size Frequency Distribution (GSFD) by forest type and year. We analysed canopy gap dynamics and identified statistically significant hotspots of gap openings and closings in each forest type.

Results

There were major differences between conifers and broadleaved forest in terms of gap characteristics and GSFD. In general, we found a great dynamism in Mediterranean forests with high rates of forest openings and closings, but a net closing trend. A high spatial heterogeneity was observed finding hotspots of gap openings and closings across the entire study area.

Conclusions

We characterised for the first-time large-scale structure and dynamics of canopy gaps in Mediterranean forests. Our results represents the characterisation of the GSFD of Mediterranean forests and could be considered a benchmark for future studies. The provision of up-to-date periodic maps of hotspots of gap opening, closing and net change help to understand landscape mosaic changes as well as to prioritise forest management and restoration strategies.
Approaching Legal Multinomials from the Sociolinguistic Perspective – Insights into Authorship-Based Distinctions
Authors: Więcławska Edyta
Published: April 2023

The paper explores the hypothesis that multinomials can act as authorship-based style distinguishing markers in legal communication. Specifically, the analysis focuses on identifying the quantitative distribution patterns of structural categories of multinomials as typical for two authorship categories and on their communicative function. The two authorship categories that are contrasted here are legal professionals/experts and lay people. The analysis is conducted in the corpus-based methodology with a custom-designed corpus of English, authentic texts found in the legal trade, in the domain of company registration proceedings. The findings confirm that multinomials that are conventionally considered to be a feature of professional legal communication are also cognitively salient in lay communication. Further, the texts drafted by the two categories of authors are profiled by structurally distinct multinomials. Functionally, it has been demonstrated that the structurally distinct types of multinomials that are found quantitatively salient in the two authorship categories are used predominantly for specific stylistic and/or pragmatic functions. Stylistically, multinomials contribute to conventional and ritual patterns which are used to meet the formality standards that have evolved in specific legal professions where authority is of particular importance. Pragmatic factors which account for quantitative salience of specific, structurally profiled categories of multinomials involve mainly reduplication of multinomials that embody norm-related concepts, which is required on the ground of intertextuality and ensures the materialisation of legal effect.
Quantification of sarcopenia in patients with rheumatoid arthritis by measuring the cross-sectional area of the thigh muscles with magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Salaffi Fausto , Carotti Marina , Poliseno Anna Claudia , Ceccarelli Luca , Farah Sonia , Di Carlo Marco , Giovagnoni Andrea
Published: April 2023

Purpose

To determine the utility of cross-sectional area (CSA) measurements on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), at the level of the thigh muscles, to estimate muscle mass in discriminating rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients with sarcopenia from those without.

Materials and methods

Consecutive female RA patients were enrolled for this cross-sectional study. Patients were assessed for disease activity, radiological damage, handgrip strength, physical performance and for the presence of sarcopenia, identified in accordance with the EWGSOP2 criteria. A 1.5 T MRI machine was used to scan the thigh muscles. A dimensional region growth algorithm (Horos™) was used to segment the muscles CSAs (in cm2) on MR images located 25 cm above the knee joint (MRI-CSA-25). The MRI-CSA-25 was obtained by summing the CSAs of the individual muscles. MRI-CSA-25 was correlated (Pearson's r) with the other variables, and its optimal cut-off point (Youden index) for sarcopenia diagnosis was identified in relation to the EWGSOP2 criteria.

Results

32 RA female patients were studied, 34.4% diagnosed as sarcopenic. The mean MRI-CSA-25 was 151.00 cm2 for patient with sarcopenia, 275.57 cm2 for patient without sarcopenia (p < 0.001). MRI-CSA-25 correlated significantly with measures of physical performance, and disease activity, but not with radiological damage or age. The MRI-CSA-25 optimal cut-off point in discriminating sarcopenic patients was identified at 182.00 cm2 (AUC-ROC = 0.894).

Conclusion

MRI-CSA-25 can differentiate sarcopenic versus non-sarcopenic RA patients, representing an imaging biomarker of this condition.
Clinical evaluation of patients living with obesity
Authors: Dobbie Laurence J. , Coelho Claudia , Crane James , McGowan Barbara
Published: April 2023

Obesity is a significant public health concern which is implicated in cardiometabolic disease, mechanical complications and psychiatric sequelae. BMI is currently used for diagnosis; however, it has limited sensitivity for adiposity in certain circumstances. This has led to the development of risk stratification tools like the Edmonton Staging criteria and the Kings Obesity Staging Criteria: these facilitate and guide comprehensive obesity-related complication assessment. Healthcare professionals working within obesity clinics should adopt evidence-based communication strategies, including shared decision-making, motivational interviewing, and realistic goal setting. It is also vital to avoid weight-stigmatising terminology in all aspects of care, as this can negatively impact patients. Primary care plays an essential part in obesity care and should work to promptly identify cases, initiate treatment and forward on to specialist services where appropriate. Clinical evaluation of the patient living with obesity should take a holistic approach and involve input from bariatric physicians, dietitians, psychologists, and bariatric surgeons, wider members of the multi-disciplinary team should be involved where needed. Clinicians should take a detailed history, examination and order laboratory tests to investigate for complications. Overall, with appropriate evaluation, these assessments can guide patient management and facilitate long-term improvement in health.
Cost awareness amongst irish ophthalmologists
Authors: Power Barry
Published: April 2023

Background

Healthcare systems have increasingly limited and stretched budgets. Clinicians have a key role in budget allocation. Awareness of the costs of high-use clinical items is important.

Aims

Assess awareness of the cost of commonly utilised clinical items amongst Irish Ophthalmologists

Methods

Irish ophthalmologists were contacted and asked to fill out an anonymous survey. We assessed knowledge of hospital costs of surgical materials, medications and anti VEGF drugs as well as retail pharmacy costs of commonly prescribed medications. The cost of items to the hospital was recorded from pharmacy and ward order receipts from a single university hospital. The costs of items to the patient were calculated by taking an average of 3 prices charged by local retail pharmacies. For each estimate we calculated the absolute error from the true price. We calculated the mean absolute errors (MAE) and percentage errors (MAPE) across the different groups.

Results

We received responses from 47 participants (15 Senior House Officers, 11 Registrars, 21 Consultant/Community Ophthalmologists). Despite 70% of respondents agreeing that the cost of an item should have a major role in its use, the average estimate was 124% inaccurate. Less than 50% of responses were within 50% of the true cost of the item. Self-perceived knowledge was acknowledged to be limited or very limited in 73% of responses.

Conclusions

We demonstrate variable and limited levels of cost awareness. Seniority and better self-perceived knowledge were not found to be associated with better estimate accuracy.
Circular RNAs: Promising Targets in Osteoporosis
Authors: Moura Sara Reis , Fernandes Maria João , Santos Susana G. , Almeida Maria Inês
Published: April 2023

Purpose of Review

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are RNA transcripts derived from fragments of pre-messenger RNAs through a back-splicing process. An advantage that rises from their circular covalently closed conformation is their high stability, when compared with their linear counterparts. The current review focuses on the emerging roles of circRNAs in osteoporosis, including in osteogenic differentiation and osteoclastogenesis. Their potential as osteoporosis biomarkers will also be discussed.

Recent Findings

Although firstly described as non-coding, some of these single-stranded RNAs were recently reported to possess protein-coding capacity. On the other hand, the circRNAs exhibit cell and tissue-specific patterns at the transcriptome level in eukaryotes and are regulated throughout the development or disease progression. Even though thousands of these circular transcripts are listed and annotated, only a limited number of studies describe their biological role in bone processes. Recent evidence indicates inhibitory activator roles in both osteoblasts and osteoclasts differentiation and function. Latest screenings in the blood, plasma, or serum of osteoporosis patients support the potential for circRNA signature to be used as biomarkers in osteoporosis, but further validation is required.

While intense research into circRNAs has been detailing their biological roles, there remains a need for standardization and further research to fulfil the future potential of this emerging and highly promising class of regulatory molecules.
Graphical Discrimination of New Zealand Honey from International Honey Using Elemental Analysis
Authors: Grainger Megan N. C. , Klaus Hannah , Hewitt Nyssa , Gan Han , French Amanda D.
Published: April 2023

This study investigated the potential of utilising the elemental fingerprinting of honey to differentiate New Zealand (NZ) honey from that of international origin. Twenty elements were analysed by ICP-MS in 352 honeys from 34 various countries. Of these, 323 honeys (245 New Zealand honeys, 78 international) and two subsets of data (NZ and European origin, n = 306, and, NZ and Denmark/Germany, n = 280) were visualised using principal component analysis (PCA). For the NZ/Europe subset, 42.2% of data was explained in the first two principal components. Statistical classification rules were also derived using linear discriminant analysis (LDA) and decision tree analysis. Various combinations of elements were explored for classification, considering the effect of soil-derived elements and those from anthropogenic sources. A high degree of accuracy (at least 90%) for the characterisation of New Zealand honey was observed for all statistical models, showing the robustness of these analyses. When using decision tree analysis to distinguish New Zealand samples from international samples, a tree with five terminal nodes (using Cs, Ba and Rb) was created with 92.4% accuracy. This work has demonstrated that elemental fingerprints of honey are a promising tool for categorising New Zealand honey from other geographical locations.
The Hirschfeld Equation and the Queer Afro-Modern
Authors: Gevisser Mark
Published: April 2023

In 1904, seven years after he founded the world’s first homosexual rights movement, the German sexologist Dr. Magnus Hirschfeld published a slim volume calledBerlin’s Third Sex, which detailed the city’s extensive queer life. If Hirschfeld was a pioneer in establishing the founding truth of what we now call the “LGBTQ Rights Movement”—that visibility brings equality—he understood something quite contradictory about the power of the city in this process: it allows you to hide in plain sight. He formulated an equation for queer urban life that has proven to be startlingly durable: “That which is hidden from the uninitiated in the metropolis can be all the more easily discovered by the initiate because it is far less constrained.” In the last few decades, African cities have boomed. The forces of globalization—the digital revolution, industrialization, and rapid urbanization—mean that queer communities have seeded in these cities in ways that are quite similar to the dynamics in Berlin in the twentieth century. But the differences, over time and space, and given the politics of the twenty-first century, are very marked too. This essay thinks with Hirschfeld about the dynamics of visibility and urbanism in African cities today, using research I conducted in Egypt, Uganda, Nigeria, and Senegal for my 2020 book,The Pink Line: Journeys across the world’s queer frontiers,as well as other contemporary African texts.
Disproportionate Expression of ATM in Cerebellar Cortex During Human Neurodevelopment
Authors: Deacon Simon , Dalleywater William , Peat Charles , Paine Simon M. L. , Dineen Rob A.
Published: April 2023

Cerebellar neurodegeneration
is a classical feature of ataxia telangiectasia (A-T), an autosomal recessive condition caused by loss-of-function mutation of the ATM gene, a gene with multiple regulatory functions. The increased vulnerability of cerebellar neurones to degeneration compared to cerebral neuronal populations in individuals with ataxia telangiectasia implies a specific importance of intact ATM function in the cerebellum. We hypothesised that there would be elevated transcription of ATM in the cerebellar cortex relative to ATM expression in other grey matter regions during neurodevelopment in individuals without A-T. Using ATM transcription data from the BrainSpan Atlas of the Developing Human Brain, we demonstrate a rapid increase in cerebellar ATM expression relative to expression in other brain regions during gestation and remaining elevated during early childhood, a period corresponding to the emergence of cerebellar neurodegeneration in ataxia telangiectasia patients. We then used gene ontology analysis to identify the biological processes represented in the genes correlated with cerebellar ATM expression. This analysis demonstrated that multiple processes are associated with expression of ATM in the cerebellum, including cellular respiration, mitochondrial function, histone methylation, and cell-cycle regulation, alongside its canonical role in DNA double-strand break repair. Thus, the enhanced expression of ATM in the cerebellum during early development may be related to the specific energetic demands of the cerebellum and its role as a regulator of these processes.
A monotonicity result for the first Steklov–Dirichlet Laplacian eigenvalue
Authors: Gavitone Nunzia , Piscitelli Gianpaolo
Published: April 2023

In this paper, we consider the first Steklov–Dirichlet eigenvalue of the Laplace operator in annular domains with a spherical hole. We prove a monotonicity result with respect to the hole, when the outer region is centrally symmetric.
Effects of hydrofoil shape and turbine solidity on the wake energy recovery in cross-flow turbines
Authors: Zanforlin Stefania
Published: April 2023

Cross-flow turbines (CFTs) are arousing a growing interest to harvest both off-shore wind and tidal currents. A promising characteristic of CFTs could be a high power density in case of multi-device clusters or farms, achievable by shortening the distance between arrays as allowed by the fast energy recovery observed inside the wakes. However just few studies, only concerning symmetrical airfoils/hydrofoils, are found in the literature. By means of 3D Unsteady Reynolds Averaged Navier–Stokes (URANS) simulations and a momentum budget simplified approach, this author investigated the effects of blade profile and turbine solidity on the blade tip vortex generation and then on the mixing mechanisms supporting the reintroduction of streamwise momentum into the wake. Results indicate that: (a) pairs of counter-rotating vortices occurs in the wake, which rotation direction depends on blade profile and it is such as to generate positive vertical advection for camber-out profiles, but negative vertical advection for camber-in profiles; (b) camber-out profiles are much more effective in supporting the wake energy recovery due to the massive vertical advection induced by tip vortices; (c) for camber-in profiles the tip vortices poorly contribute to the wake recovery, that appears delayed and promoted by turbulent transport; (d) higher solidity implies stronger tip vortices and higher turbulent transport, therefore, a faster wake recovery.
Mixed Cations Enabled Combined Bulk and Interfacial Passivation for Efficient and Stable Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Wu Pengfei , Wang Shirong , Heo Jin Hyuck , Liu Hongli , Chen Xihan , Li Xianggao , Zhang Fei
Published: April 2023

Here, we report a mixed GAI and MAI (MGM) treatment method by forming a 2D alternating-cation-interlayer (ACI) phase (n = 2) perovskite layer on the 3D perovskite, modulating the bulk and interfacial defects in the perovskite films simultaneously, leading to the suppressed nonradiative recombination, longer lifetime, higher mobility, and reduced trap density. Consequently, the devices’ performance is enhanced to 24.5% and 18.7% for 0.12 and 64 cm2, respectively. In addition, the MGM treatment can be applied to a wide range of perovskite compositions, including MA-, FA-, MAFA-, and CsFAMA-based lead halide perovskites, making it a general method for preparing efficient perovskite solar cells. Without encapsulation, the treated devices show improved stabilities.
A General Strategy for Ordered Carrier Transport of Quasi-2D and 3D Perovskite Films for Giant Self-Powered Photoresponse and Ultrahigh Stability
Authors: Zhu Fei , Lian Gang , Cui Deliang , Wang Qilong , Yu Haohai , Zhang Huaijin , Meng Qingbo , Wong Ching-Ping
Published: April 2023

Organic–inorganic hybrid perovskite materials have been focusing more attention in the field of self-powered photodetectors due to their superb photoelectric properties. However, a universal growth approach is required and challenging to realize vertically oriented growth and grain boundary fusion of 2D and 3D perovskite grains to promote ordered carrier transport, which determines superior photoresponse and high stability. Herein, a general thermal-pressed (TP) strategy is designed to solve the above issues, achieving uniaxial orientation and single-grain penetration along the film thickness direction. It constructs the efficient channel for ordered carrier transport between two electrodes. Combining of the improved crystal quality and lower trap-state density, the quasi-2D and 3D perovskite-based self-powered photodetector devices (with/without hole transport layer) all exhibit giant and stable photoresponse in a wide spectrum range and specific wavelength laser. For the MAPbI3-based self-powered photodetectors, the largest Rλ value is as high as 0.57 A W−1 at 760 nm, which is larger than most reported results. Meanwhile, under laser illumination (532 nm), the FPEA2MA4Pb5I16-based device exhibits a high responsivity (0.4 A W−1) value, which is one of the best results in 2DRP self-powered photodetectors. In addition, fast response, ultralow detection limit, and markedly improved humidity, optical and heat stabilities are clearly demonstrated for these TP-based devices.
Efficient Semi-Transparent Wide-Bandgap Perovskite Solar Cells Enabled by Pure-Chloride 2D-Perovskite Passivation
Authors: Yang Liu , Jin Yongbin , Fang Zheng , Zhang Jinyan , Nan Ziang , Zheng Lingfang , Zhuang Huihu , Zeng Qinghua , Liu Kaikai , Deng Bingru , Feng Huiping , Luo Yujie , Tian Chengbo , Cui Changcai , Xie Liqiang , Xu Xipeng , Wei Zhanhua
Published: April 2023

Wide-bandgap (WBG) perovskite solar cells suffer from severe non-radiative recombination and exhibit relatively large open-circuit voltage (VOC) deficits, limiting their photovoltaic performance. Here, we address these issues by in-situ forming a well-defined 2D perovskite (PMA)2PbCl4 (phenmethylammonium is referred to as PMA) passivation layer on top of the WBG active layer. The 2D layer with highly pure dimensionality and halide components is realized by intentionally tailoring the side-chain substituent at the aryl ring of the post-treatment reagent. First-principle calculation and single-crystal X-ray diffraction results reveal that weak intermolecular interactions between bulky PMA cations and relatively low cation-halide hydrogen bonding strength are crucial in forming the well-defined 2D phase. The (PMA)2PbCl4 forms improved type-I energy level alignment with the WBG perovskite, reducing the electron recombination at the perovskite/hole-transport-layer interface. Applying this strategy in fabricating semi-transparent WBG perovskite solar cells (indium tin oxide as the back electrode), the VOC deficits can be reduced to 0.49 V, comparable with the reported state-of-the-art WBG perovskite solar cells using metal electrodes. Consequently, we obtain hysteresis-free 18.60%-efficient WBG perovskite solar cells with a high VOC of 1.23 V.

Graphical Abstract
COVID-19 and alternative assessments in higher education: implications for academic integrity among nursing and social science students
Authors: Adama Esther Abena , Graf Amanda , Adusei-Asante Kwadwo , Afrifa-Yamoah Ebenezer
Published: April 2023

Background

COVID-19 and its associated restrictions called for innovations in higher education teaching and learning space with many universities resorting to online teaching and alternative assessments. However, little has been done to understand the academic integrity implications in alternative online and non-invigilated assessments.

Aim

This study explored the perceptions of higher education students regarding academic integrity in alternative assessments.

Methods

Cross-sectional mixed method design following the parallel convergent approach was utilised in this study. A convenience sample of 380 undergraduate and postgraduate nursing and social science students completed an online survey on academic integrity behaviours associated with alternative assessments.

Results

High risk (31.7%) of academic misconduct was perceived among young people (18-24 years old). Collusion was common among nursing students (24.5%) and cheating likely to occur in assessments with longer duration—between 2 and 4 hours (18.8%) and between 1 and 2 weeks (46%). Qualitative data resulted in 274 findings and three themes— (i) impossible to cheat; (ii) easy to cheat and (iii) understanding the consequence of cheating. Suggestions for preserving academic integrity in alternative assessments were also made from the qualitative data.

Conclusion

Like other forms of traditional assessments, alternative assessments have increased risk of breach of academic integrity; however, with the right strategies, they could serve as effective means of assessing learning outcomes.
A brief insight into the rare diseases in Egypt
Authors: Taha Tarek , Ahmed Dina , El-Gammal Zaynab , Oura Gehad Atef , Elshenawy Shimaa E. , Gaber Yasmine , Elnagdy Tarek , Amer Khaled
Published: April 2023

Rare diseases (RDs) are a group of lifetime incapacitating or fatal diseases affecting nearly 3.5–5.9% of the global population, reaching 263–446 million individuals. RDs possess a genotypic-phenotypic pleiotropic nature so that the same disease can manifest with different outcomes. This renders definitive diagnosis challenging and thus hinders providing appropriate treatment, if available. Since 80% of rare diseases have a genetic origin, evolution in genetic diagnosis owing to the NGS has widely contributed to proper diagnosis and hence facilitating the future implementation of precision medicine. Currently, treatments covering less than 3% of rare diseases are US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved. Besides, RDs have a very high economic burden. This review sheds the light on Egyptian achievements and efforts in the field of rare diseases to prioritize the rare genomic diseases to be studied in Egypt. This will grab the attention towards conducting further studies that target Egyptians, to include the under-recognized populations potentially affected.
A Comparative Study of Discrete Direction vs. Continuous Distance-Based Cost Function in Energy Classification
Authors: Khashei Mehdi , Etemadi Sepideh , Bakhtiarvand Negar
Published: April 2023

Over the past decades, different classification approaches with different characteristics have been developed to achieve more efficient and accurate results. Although the loss function used in the training procedure is a significant influential factor in the performance of classification models, it has been less considered. In general, in previous research, two main categories of continuous and semi-continuous distance-based loss functions are often applied to estimate the unknown parameters of classification models. Among these, continuous distance-based cost functions are among the most commonly used and most popular loss functions in diverse statistical and intelligent classifiers. In particular, the fundamental of this category of the loss functions is based on the continuous reduction of the distance between the fitted and actual values with the aim of improving the performance of the model. However, since the goal function of classification models belongs to the class of discrete ones, the application of learning procedures based on a continuous distance-based function is not coordinated with the nature of these problems. Consequently, it is theoretically illogical and practically at least inefficient. Accordingly, in order to fill this research gap, the discrete direction-based loss function in the form of mixed-integer programming is proposed in the training procedure of statistical, shallow/deep intelligent classifiers. In this paper, the impact of the loss function type on the classification rate of the classifiers in the energy domain is investigated. For this purpose, the logistic regression (LR), multilayer perceptron (MLP), and deep multilayer perceptron (DMLP), which are respectively among the most widely used statistical, shallow intelligent, and deep learning classifiers, are exemplarily chosen. Numerical outcomes from 13 benchmark energy datasets show that, in all benchmarks, the performances of the discrete direction learning-based classifiers, i.e., discrete learning-based logistic regression (DILR), discrete learning-based multilayer perceptron (DIMLP), and discrete learning-based deep multilayer perceptron (DIDMLP), is higher than its conventional versions. In addition, the proposed DILR, DIMLP, and DIDMLP models can on average yield an 89.88%, 94.53%, and 96.02% classification rate, which indicate a 6.78%, 5.90%, and 4.69% improvement from the classic versions, which only produce an 84.17%, 89.26%, and 91.72% classification rate. Consequently, the discrete direction-based learning methodology can be a more suitable, effective, and valuable alternative for training processes in statistical and shallow/deep intelligent classification models.
Nationalism in the Vernacular
Authors: Puia Roluah
Published: April 2023

Nationalism in the Vernacular illuminates our understating of the relationship between orality and nationalist politics. In doing so, it provides a new angle to the understanding of nationalism by looking at the popular support and participation of ordinary people in the construction of Mizo nationalism, in short, the vernacularisation of nationalism. The book examines this process of vernacularisation at two levels, the first concerns the process of creating a vernacular language to express nationalist ideas and second, the irrepressibility of the oral against state's violent response to the nationalist movement. Drawing from multiple sources, the book through the rich oral narratives, archival materials, including government and media reports shows how Mizos have remained active agents in asserting and claiming their rights to defining ideas of nationalism in their own terms by making it distinctively Mizo.
New Insight Into Antarctic Ice Sheet Properties Using an Improved Teleseismic P‐Wave Coda Autocorrelation Method
Authors: Zhou Jinju , Fu Lei , Xu Yongzhong , Zhang Wei
Published: April 2023

In the past decades, several gridded datasets of the Antarctic ice sheet have been proposed, which provide important information for detailed modeling of the Antarctic ice sheet. In addition to the radio‐echo sounding method, passive seismological methods have become increasingly popular in recent years to reveal ice sheet properties. But the impact of complex subglacial topography on these methods has not been discussed. In this study, the influence of subglacial topography on teleseismic P‐wave coda autocorrelation was first analyzed. As the dip angle of the ice‐rock interface increased, the time difference caused by the dipping interface became significant. We then demonstrated an approach to estimate the dip parameters of ice bed and ice properties. A test at a pilot station (BYRD) in west Antarctica indicated that the dip parameters estimated by the method are reliable. Finally, it was applied to 65 over‐ice stations in three experiments (TAMSEIS, GAMSEIS, and POLENET). Dip parameters of the ice‐rock interface were well estimated. The azimuths concurred with those extracted from Bedmap2 and BedMachine, while several dip angles were larger at quite a few stations. The valleys revealed in this study are deeper and the mountains are higher. Our in situ results prove the improvements of BedMachine, but the ice bed slope might have been underestimated in some regions. The single‐station passive seismic approach can contribute to new models of the Antarctic ice sheet. The dip parameters and ice sheet properties obtained in this study may assist in other studies, such as ice sheet modeling.
Addressing Complexity in Global Aerosol Climate Model Cloud Microphysics
Authors: Proske Ulrike , Ferrachat Sylvaine , Klampt Sina , Abeling Melina , Lohmann Ulrike
Published: April 2023

In a quest to represent the Earth system, climate models have become more and more complex. This generates problems, for example, hindering model interpretability. This study contributes to a regain of model understanding and proposes simplifications to decrease scheme complexity. We reflect on the reasons for model complexity and the problems it generates or deepens, connecting perspectives from atmospheric science and the philosophy of climate science. Using an emulated perturbed parameter ensemble of the cloud microphysics (CMP) process efficiencies, we investigate the sensitivity of the model to process perturbations. The sensitivity analysis characterizes the scheme and model behavior, contrasting it to physical process understanding as well as an alternative CMP formulation (comparing the 2M (Lohmann et al., 2007, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-7-3425-2007) to the P3 scheme (Morrison & Milbrandt, 2015, https://doi.org/10.1175/JAS-D-14-0065.1; Dietlicher et al., 2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-11-1557-2018)). For the 2M scheme, ice crystal autoconversion dominates the model sensitivity in the ice phase. The P3 scheme removes this artificial process and thus shows more balanced sensitivities. Model behavior sometimes aligns with process understanding, but many process sensitivities are masked by other more dominant processes or the model finally responds differently due to adjustments. We identify processes that the model is not sensitive to and test their simplification. For example, heterogeneous freezing or secondary ice production are drastically simplifiable. Depending on one's modeling vision one may interpret this study's findings as pointing to simplification potential in the CMP scheme or the need for process representation improvements where the model behavior does not tally with our physical understanding.
Seroprevalence of ANTI-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in patients with inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Martin-Arranz M. D. , García-Ramírez L. , Hernandez-Perez M. , Montero Vega D. , Martín-Arranz E. , Sánchez-Azofra M. , Poza Cordon J. , Rueda Garcia J. L. , Noci Belda J. , Verges Martínez-Meco T. , Blanco San Miguel P. , Suarez Ferrer C.
Published: April 2023

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) treated with biologic and/or immunosuppressant drugs are at increased risk for opportunistic infections. Seroprevalence studies can confirm the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infections as well as the associated risk factors. This is a descriptive study which primary endpoints were to highlight the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in a cohort of IBD patients in March 2021, and to analyze seroconversion in patients with known COVID-19 infection and its relationship with IBD treatments. Patients filled in a questionnaire about symptoms of COVID-19 infection and clinical information about their IBD. All included patients were tested for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. 392 patients were included. Among patients with clinical infection, 69 patients (17,65%) were IgG-positive, 286 (73,15%) IgG-negative and 36 (9,21%) indeterminate. In relation to seroconversion among patients under biologic treatment, 13 patients of the 23 with a previous positive CRP developed antibodies (56.5%). However, when the influence of immunosuppressive treatment on the probability of developing antibodies was analyzed, no significant differences were seen between those patients with or without treatment (77.8% vs. 77.1%, p = 0.96). In our cohort of IBD patients, after one year of pandemic, there were 18.64% IgG positive patients, a higher prevalence than the general population (15.7%).
Identification and phenotypic characterization of patients with LADA in a population of southeast Mexico
Authors: Nolasco-Rosales Germán Alberto , Ramírez-González Dania , Rodríguez-Sánchez Ester , Ávila-Fernandez Ángela , Villar-Juarez Guillermo Efrén , González-Castro Thelma Beatriz , Tovilla-Zárate Carlos Alfonso , Guzmán-Priego Crystell Guadalupe , Genis-Mendoza Alma Delia , Ble-Castillo Jorge Luis , Marín-Medina Alejandro , Juárez-Rojop Isela Esther
Published: April 2023

Latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA) has clinical and metabolic features of type 1 and type 2 diabetes. LADA does not have specific features for its diagnosis apart from autoantibody detection; however, these tests are not affordable in clinical settings. In this cross-sectional study, we analyzed clinical criteria, metabolic control, pharmacological treatment, and diabetic complications in two groups of patients with diabetes -LADA and T2D- in order to identify specific characteristic of these clinical entities. Finally, we evaluated if the estimated glucose disposal rate (eGDR) and age at diagnosis of diabetes could be used as a diagnostic criterion for LADA. Demographic, biochemical, clinical and treatment were measured in 377 individuals with diabetes. The diagnostics of LADA were determined using Glutamic acid decarboxylase autoantibodies levels. Chi-square test or t-Student test were used to establish differences between groups. To identify factors associated with LADA, a logistic regression analysis was used. Finally, a ROC curve was plotted to assess the possible variables as diagnostic criteria for LADA. The 377 patients with diabetes were separated into 59 patients with LADA and 318 patients with T2D. Patients with LADA showed lower fasting glucose values, fewer diabetic complications, younger age at diagnosis of diabetes, higher insulin use, and higher eGDR in comparison to patients with T2D. Both groups had a mean BMI classified as overweight. The ROC evaluated the sensitivity and specificity, this analysis indicated that an age younger than 40.5 years and an eGDR value higher than 9.75 mg/kg/min correlated better with LADA. These parameters could be useful to identify patients suspected to have LADA at the first level of medical care in the population of southeastern Mexico and refer them to a second level of care.
Continuous-flow and safe synthesis of 3-amino-4-amidoximinofurazan
Authors: Weng Shichun , Feng Wei , Wu Wenqian , Guo Zichao , Li Junjie , Chen Huanhuan , Chen Liping , Chen Wanghua
Published: April 2023

3-Amino-4-amidoximinofurazan (AAOF) is an important precursor for the synthesis of high energy furazan energetic materials.
The slippery slope of dust attenuation curves
Authors: Hamed M. , Małek K. , Buat V. , Junais  , Ciesla L. , Donevski D. , Riccio G. , Figueira M.
Published: April 2023

Aims.We investigate the dust attenuation of 122 heavily dust-obscured galaxies detected with the Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA) andHerschelin the COSMOS field. We search for correlations between dust attenuation recipes and the variation of physical parameters, namely, the effective radii of galaxies, their star formation rates, and stellar masses. We aim to understand which of the commonly used laws best describes dust attenuation in dusty star-forming galaxies (DSFGs) at high redshift.

Methods.We made use of the extensive photometric coverage of the COSMOS data combined with highly resolved dust continuum maps from ALMA. We usedCIGALEto estimate various physical properties of these dusty objects, namely: their star formation rates (SFR), their stellar masses, and their attenuation at short wavelengths. We inferred the effective radii (Re) of galaxies using GALFIT in theYband of HSC and ALMA continuum maps. We used these radii to investigate the relative compactness of the dust continuum and the extension of the rest-frame UV/optical Re(y)/Re(ALMA).

Results.We find that the physical parameters calculated from our models strongly depend on the assumption of the dust attenuation curve. As expected, the most impacted parameter is the stellar mass, which leads to a change in the “starburstiness” of the objects. We find that taking into account the relative compactness of star-to-dust emission prior to SED fitting is crucial, especially when studying dust attenuation of dusty star-forming galaxies. Shallower attenuation curves do not show a clear preference of compactness with attenuation, while the Calzetti attenuation curve is shown to prefer a comparable spatial extent of unattenuated stellar light and dust emission. The evolution of theRe(UV)/Re(ALMA) ratio with redshift peaks around the cosmic noon in our sample of DSFGs, showing that this compactness is correlated with the cosmic SFR density of these dusty sources.
Using Australian genomics to predict dairy cattle performance in New Zealand
Authors: Mckimmie Craig , Khansefid Majid , Amirpour-Najafabadi Hamed
Published: April 2023

Context The national breeding objective in New Zealand (NZ) was designed with the intention to breed dairy cows that efficiently convert feed into profit. The breeding worth index (BW) is used to rank bulls and cows according to their ability to meet this objective. The Australian equivalent to BW is the balanced performance index (BPI). These selection indexes represent national economic weights for important traits in dairy industry in each country. The introduction of Australian genomics has allowed the selection and ranking of young sires from around the world on BPI. Aims This study aims to demonstrate the relationship between different traits and selection indexes in Australia (AU) and NZ by comparing sires with daughter proofs in both countries and the validity of predicting BW for NZ sires using Australian genomic predictions and regression equations. Methods Data files for sires with daughters in both AU and NZ were merged to identify common bulls used in both countries. An analysis was conducted to determine whether Australian breeding values (ABVs) for sires could be used to predict the performance of the sires that have no progeny in NZ. ABVs for nine traits in BW were converted to their equivalent NZ breeding values (NBVs) and used to calculate an index equivalent to BW. Key results On the basis of a regression equation, a new index called genomic New Zealand index (gNZI) for selecting sires for NZ dairy herds was developed. The correlation coefficients between gNZI and BW in Holstein Friesian (HF), Jersey, and Red breeds were 0.90, 0.91, and 0.88 respectively. Conclusions The regression equation from genomic ABVs to produce gNZI was a reliable genomic predictor of future BW for sires with insufficient ancestry information in NZ and to enhance the ancestry proofs and increase the reliability of selecting young NZ-born bulls. Implications The high correlations between traits in AU and NZ and the simple proposed conversion method can build industry confidence when selecting young bulls using gNZI, as genomic prediction of BW through New Zealand Animal Evaluation (NZAEL) is not currently available.
A homogeneous atmospheric pressure air plasma in a 10 mm gap based on a three-electrode configuration
Authors: LI Zhiyu , LIU Dawei , LU Xinpei , NIE Lanlan
Published: April 2023

Generation of atmospheric pressure homogeneous air plasma in a large gap (> 4 mm) is a challenge. In this study, an atmospheric pressure homogeneous air plasma generated in a gap up to 10 mm is reported, which is based on a three-electrode configuration, where a high-voltage (HV) electrode and a middle electrode form a surface dielectric barrier discharge (S-DBD), and together with the ground electrode form the main volume discharge. High-speed photographs confirm that the discharge in the main gap is homogeneous. The gas temperature of the plasma estimated from the N2(C3∏u-B3∏g) (Δv = −2) emission is about 320 K, which is close to room temperature. A detailed analysis shows that the discharge ignited between the HV electrode and the middle electrode is serving as an electron source, and the electrons deposited on the dielectric plate are due to the S-DBD along with the applied voltage generating a driving force, which results in a high concentration of seed electrons in the main gap and induces the homogeneous plasma. Further analysis shows that the electric field in the main gap is only about 18.45 kV·cm−1, which is much lower than the typical breakdown electric field of 30 kV·cm−1 for atmospheric pressure air discharge.
Epidemiology, real-world treatment and mortality of patients with status epilepticus in Germany: insights from a large healthcare database
Authors: Mevius Antje , Joeres Lars , Gille Patrick , Molzan Manuela , Foskett Nadia , Wilke Thomas , Maywald Ulf , Rosenow Felix , Strzelczyk Adam
Published: April 2023

Status epilepticus is a life-threatening emergency, and to date, few studies have reported on its long-term treatment and outcomes. This study aimed to estimate the incidence, the treatment and outcomes, the healthcare resource utilization and the costs of status epilepticus in Germany. Data from 2015 to 2019 were obtained from German claims (AOK PLUS). Patients with ≥1 status epilepticus event and no event in the preceding 12 months (baseline) were included. A subgroup of patients with an epilepsy diagnosis during baseline was also analysed. Of the 2782 status epilepticus patients (mean age = 64.3 years; 52.3% female), 1585 (57.0%) were previously diagnosed with epilepsy. The age- and sex-standardized incidence was 25.5 cases/100 000 persons in 2019. The mortality rate after 12 months was 39.8% overall (19.4% and 28.2% after 30 and 90 days, respectively) and 30.4% in the epilepsy patient subgroup. Factors associated with higher mortality were age, comorbidity status, presence of brain tumours and an acute stroke. An epilepsy-related hospitalization at onset of or 7 days prior to the status epilepticus event as well as prescription of antiseizure medication during baseline was associated with a better survival rate. Overall, 71.6% of patients (85.6% in the epilepsy subgroup) were prescribed with out-patient antiseizure medication and/or rescue medication within 12 months. All patients sustained on average 1.3 status epilepticus–related hospitalizations (20.5% had more than one) during a mean follow-up period of 545.2 days (median 514 days); total direct costs including in-patient and out-patient status epilepticus treatments were 10 826€ and 7701€ per patient-year overall and for the epilepsy patient subgroup, respectively. The majority of status epilepticus patients received an out-patient treatment in line with epilepsy guidelines, and patients previously diagnosed with epilepsy have a higher likelihood to receive it. The mortality in the affected patient population is high; risk factors were older age, higher comorbidity burden, the presence of brain tumours or an acute stroke.
Environmental and economic considerations for diagnostic biopsies in basal cell carcinomas. Comment on ‘Biopsy type does not affect the number of stages during Mohs micrographic surgery: a retrospective study’
Authors: Afzal Usamah M , Ali Faisal R
Published: April 2023

Where there is clinical equipoise in the type of diagnostic biopsy undertaken, clinicians should account for the environmental and economic impact and opt for shave biopsies, rather than punch biopsies, more frequently.