bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Biology of Kindness
Authors: De Vivo Immaculata , Lumera Daniel 
Published: February 2024

How kindness—and other prosocial behaviors toward others—can help us live longer and healthier lives.
The science is in: being good is actually good for you. In this bracingly original book, The Biology of Kindness—the first in a trilogy on the topic of daily wellness—the science of mindfulness and the findings of biology come together to show how kindness and optimism improve overall well-being in profound, organic, and demonstrable ways. Daniel Lumera, an expert in meditation and mindfulness, and Immaculata De Vivo, a preeminent researcher in molecular epidemiology, outline a revolutionary approach to health, longevity, and quality of life—and explain the scientific evidence that supports their work.
Identifying five fundamental values—kindness, optimism, forgiveness, gratitude, and happiness—and describing six essential strategies for cultivating these values—relationships, nutrition, physical activity, meditation, music, and connection with nature—De Vivo and Lumera chart a practical course for pursuing a long, healthy, and happy life. Along the way they provide the scientific data that reveal the impact such behavior has on biology, particularly on telomeres, the parts of DNA that serve as biomarkers of aging. While DNA is mostly immutable, telomeres are influenced by our choices, and The Biology of Kindness offers incontrovertible evidence that what is commonly ascribed to “spiritual” well-being has a clear and direct impact on physical health, helping to buffer premature aging and decrease the incidence of chronic disease.
At a time when life seems to be ruled by a desire to get “everything and immediately,” Lumera observes, there is a compelling case to be made for the discipline of devotion, dedication, and passion—for the good of the body as well as the soul.
Sex and the Planet
Authors: Battin Margaret Pabst 
Published: February 2024

What if human reproduction was always elective? A prominent bioethicist speculates about the possibilities—and the likely consequences.
What would the world be like if all pregnancy was intended, not unintended as it is nearly half the time now? Considerably better, Margaret Pabst Battin suggests in Sex and the Planet, a provocative thought experiment with far-reaching real-world implications. Many of the world's most vexing and seemingly intractable issues begin with sex—when sperm meets egg, as Battin puts it—abortion, adolescent pregnancy, high-risk pregnancy, sexual violence, population growth and decline. Rethinking reproductive rights and exposing our many mistaken assumptions about sex, Sex and the Planet offers an optimistic picture of how we might solve these problems—by drastically curtailing unintended pregnancies using currently available methods.
How we see this picture—as recommendation, prediction, utopian fantasy, totalitarian plot, hypothetical conjecture, or realistic solution—depends to a great degree on which of thirteen problematic assumptions we maintain, assumptions Battin works to identify and challenge. Taking on sensitive topics like abortion and rape and religious issues around contraception, she shows how a fully informed, nonideological approach could defuse much of the friction such issues tend to generate. Also, in her attention to male contraception and the asymmetry of female and male reproductive control, she pulls in the 50 percent of the human race—those with Y chromosomes—largely left out of discussions of reproductive health. Sex and the Planet, finally, takes a global view, inviting us to consider a possible—even plausible—reproductive future.
The AI Conundrum
Authors: Briggs Caleb , Briggs Rex 
Published: February 2024

A timely, practical guide to AI—its strengths, weaknesses, and real-world applications—for business professionals and policymakers.
Artificial intelligence, or AI, can recognize a pattern from any set of data it is given, which is what makes it such an extraordinarily powerful tool. But because not all patterns are authentic or reliable, AI's pattern-finding superpower can lead to spurious patterns—and to disastrous results for business and government entities that rely on them. Hence the conundrum at the heart of AI: its greatest strength can also be its greatest weakness. Targeting the businessperson who needs to know how to use AI profitably and responsibly, Caleb Briggs and Rex Briggs offer in this book a foundational understanding of AI that is easy to grasp yet thorough enough to be used effectively.
The AI Conundrum:
• Draws on the authors' diverse expertise—in pure math, computer science, marketing, data science, and business—to make AI concepts and applications approachable for readers of all tech levels.
• Provides a framework for comparing AI to the next-best alternative, and for gauging where AI is likely to be successful—or to pose greater risk than benefits.
• Includes dozens of real-world case studies highlighting the successes and failures of AI applications across various industries.
• Offers actionable insights for responsible implementation and risk mitigation.
• Provides a worksheet for identifying potential problem areas and performing a cost-benefit analysis on its companion website.
The AI Conundrum is an invaluable resource for professionals and students seeking a full understanding of AI—its applications, limitations, and ethical considerations—as we enter a brave new era.
From Sensing to Sentience
Authors: Feinberg Todd E. 
Published: February 2024

A new theory of Neurobiological Emergentism that explains how sentience emerges from the brain.
Sentience is the feeling aspect of consciousness. In From Sensing to Sentience, Todd Feinberg develops a new theory called Neurobiological Emergentism (NBE) thatintegrates biological, neurobiological, evolutionary, and philosophical perspectives to explain how sentience naturally emerges from the brain.
Emergent properties are broadly defined as features of a complex system that are not present in the parts of a system when they are considered in isolation but may emerge as a system feature of those parts and their interactions. Tracing a journey of billions of years of evolution from life to the basic sensing capabilities of single-celled organisms up to the sentience of animals with advanced nervous systems, including all vertebrates (for instance, fish, reptiles, birds, and mammals), arthropods (insects and crabs), and cephalopods (such as the octopus), Feinberg argues that sentience gradually but eventually emerged along diverse evolutionary lines with the evolution of sufficiently neurobiologically complex brains during the Cambrian period over 520 million years ago.
Ultimately, Feinberg argues that viewing sentience as an emergent process can explain both its neurobiological basis as well its perplexing personal nature, thus solving the historical philosophical problem of the apparent “explanatory gap” between the brain and experience.
A Mixed Methods Study to Uncover the Adoption Potential of Digital Marketing in Indian SMEs
Authors: Ahmad Khalil , Pandey Naveen 
Published: February 2024

The purpose of this study is to examine the current level of digital marketing adoption among SMEs in India. It aims to assess the extent of adoption, identify challenges hindering adoption, and explore the perceived benefits of digital marketing. The study utilizes a mixed-method approach to provide comprehensive insights into the adoption of digital marketing strategies by SMEs. Data collection was conducted from SMEs operating in various industries. The study analyzes survey responses and conducts focus group discussions to explore the extent of digital marketing adoption, challenges faced by SMEs, and perceived benefits.
The findings indicate that SMEs in India have informative websites but limited adoption of digital marketing tools and strategies. The focus group discussions highlight challenges related to training, security, and legal practices that hinder digital marketing adoption. Despite the challenges, SMEs recognize the advantages of digital marketing, including cost reduction, time savings, market expansion, and quick product launches.
The study focuses on SMEs in India, which may limit the generalizability of the findings to other regions. The research is based on self-reported data, which may be subject to response biases. Future research could explore the effectiveness of specific digital marketing strategies and interventions to overcome adoption barriers.
This research contributes to the existing knowledge by providing insights into the adoption of digital marketing among SMEs in India. The study offers recommendations for future research and practical implications for enhancing digital marketing capabilities among SMEs, addressing a gap in the literature.
Comparative Evaluation Studies of Different Species of Pleurotus for Radial Growth, Biomass and Yield Parameters
Authors: Patel Chestanjali , Shroff Sharad , Soni Chandrakanta , Behar Neha 
Published: February 2024

Aim: This study was undertaken with the major objective of determining the best yielding mushroom among the three species of Pleurotus spp. i.e., P. florida, P. djamor and P. sajor caju.
Study Design: The experiment was laid out in Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with five treatments in three replications.
Place and Duration of Study: The experiment was conducted at Plant Pathology laboratory of Dau Kalyan Singh College of Agriculture & Research Station, Bhatapara, Chhattisgarh.
Methodology: Pure culture was prepared from the spawn and then observations were recorded for radial growth and Biomass by subculturing the isolates in freshly prepared Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) medium. Then, after making spawn of all isolates, they were cultivated for determining the yield of particular isolates.
Results: The results indicated that P. sajor caju is significantly superior with Radial growth -78 mm, Biomass - 4.884 gm & Yield- 804 gm followed by P. florida and then P. djamor respectively.
Conclusion: The results obtained from the present study can help the mushroom growers in selecting superior isolate for cultivation, leading to enhanced quality of spawn thereby increasing the yield of this nutritious & medicinal crop
Influence of Urine on Antimicrobial Gradient and Disk Diffusion Susceptibility Testing of Co-trimoxazole, Fosfomycin, Norfloxacin and Nitrofurantoin against Urinary Escherichia coli
Authors: Kuriakose Anju , Krishna Arathy , Gopika Raj R G  , Sruthi P  , Das Divya , Gopal Anila , Innu S  , Mathews Roopa , Harish Kumar K S  
Published: February 2024

Aim: The aim of present study is to examine the influence of urine on zone of inhibition and Minimum inhibitory concentration by antimicrobial gradient strips of Co-trimoxazole, Fosfomycin, Norfloxacin and Nitrofurantoin against urinary E. coli.
Study Design: Cross- sectional study.
Place and Duration of Study: Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Medical Education, Kottayam, Kerala, India. Between January 2023 and November 2023.
Methodology: A total of 75 E. coli isolates collected from various diagnostic microbiology laboratories were included in the study. Identification of isolates and antimicrobial susceptibility testing was done. Direct v/s standard zone of inhibition and MIC was determined. The data was statistically analysed using Cohen’s kappa for interrater reliability and Intraclass correlation coefficient for consistency level.
Results: Current study evaluated the effect of urine on zone of inhibition and MIC by disc diffusion and antibiotic gradient testing respectively. The kappa value, a measure of agreement between direct v/s standard zone of inhibition and MIC for Co-trimoxazole, Fosfomycin, Norfloxacin was a perfect 1 (P=.000), indicating complete agreement. While, The kappa value, a measure of agreement between direct and standard MIC determination for Nitrofurantoin, was .67 (P=.000), indicating substantial agreement.
Conclusion: The present study suggest that direct antimicrobial susceptibility testing can be employed for Co-trimoxazole, Fosfomycin, Norfloxacin and Nitrofurantoin which are important drugs in the management of UTI, after further standardization.
Blood Pressure Control and Its Determinants Among Outpatient Hypertensive Subjects in Port Harcourt: A Survey of Two Teaching Hospitals
Authors: Oyan Boma , Abere Sarah , Nwazor Ernest O , Ajala Aisha O , Briggs Florence K , Iroegbu-Emeruem Linda 
Published: February 2024

Background: Elevated blood pressure (BP) is associated with increased cardiovascular disease mortality and all-cause mortality. Despite availability of medication for treatment of hypertension and prevention of complications, the goal of universal optimal BP control has remained elusive. This dual center study aims to assess the level of blood pressure control in hypertensive patients and its determinants.
Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted in the Cardiology outpatient clinics of the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital and the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital. A total of 426 previously diagnosed hypertensive subjects on follow up for at least 6 months were recruited via convenience sampling. Uncontrolled BP was defined as systolic BP of ≥140mmHg and/or diastolic BP of ≥90mmHg. Data was analysed using SPSS version 22. Bivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine predictors of poor blood pressure control and p-values <0.05 were considered statistically significant.
Results: The mean age of the respondents was 57.89±12.17years and 237(55.6%) were women. The mean systolic BP was 139.9±17.5mmHg, whereas the mean diastolic BP was 88.2±14.4mmHg. Controlled BP was recorded in 184(43.2%) persons, while 242(56.8%) had uncontrolled BP. Factors significantly associated with uncontrolled BP were household monthly income (p=0.024), Body Mass Index (p=0.002), poor adherence to medication (p=0.001) and physical inactivity (p=0.047).
Conclusion: Uncontrolled BP was found in more than half of the patients on follow up in tertiary care. There is need to intensify health education and care of hypertensive patients as a strategy to enhance blood pressure control and mitigate cardiovascular complications.
Imaging brain damage in first‐degree relatives of sporadic and familial multiple sclerosis
Authors: De Stefano Nicola , Cocco Eleonora , Lai Marina , Battaglini Marco , Spissu Andrea , Marchi Piernicola , Floris Gianluca , Mortilla Marzia , Stromillo Maria L. , Paolillo Andrea , Federico Antonio , Marrosu Maria Giovanna 
Published: February 2006

AbstractObjectiveOur objective was to assess brain damage in first‐degree relatives of patients with sporadic and familial multiple sclerosis (MS).MethodsAsymptomatic first‐degree relatives of sporadic (sMS, n = 152) and familial MS (fMS, n = 88) and healthy volunteers (NC, n = 56) underwent brain MRI and magnetization transfer (MT) imaging on a mobile MR scan. On MR examinations, we visually assessed white matter (WM) lesions and quantified WM lesion volumes, brain volumes, and MT ratio (MTr) in lesions and normal‐appearing WM (NAWM).ResultsA lesional MR pattern similar to that of MS patients was found in 4% sMS and 10% fMS. In these WM lesions, MTr was lower (p < 0.0001) than in the WM of NC. In contrast, there was no difference in NAWM‐MTr and brain volume values between the three groups.InterpretationFocal brain abnormalities indistinguishable from those of MS occur in asymptomatic first‐degree relatives of MS patients. These are twice more frequent in fMS than in sMS but do not lead to the widespread tissue damage commonly found in MS patients. Although there is a genetic susceptibility to develop brain abnormalities suggestive of focal demyelination in first‐degree relatives of MS patients, other factors are probably critical for the development of a diffuse, clinically relevant, pathology. Ann Neurol 2006
A novel role of phospholipase A2 in mediating spinal cord secondary injury
Authors: Liu Nai‐Kui , Zhang Yi Ping , Titsworth William Lee , Jiang Xiaoyan , Han Shu , Lu Pei‐Hua , Shields Christopher B. , Xu Xiao‐Ming 
Published: February 2006

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate whether phospholipase A2 (PLA2) plays a role in the pathogenesis of spinal cord injury (SCI).MethodsBiochemical, Western blot, histological, immunohistochemical, electron microscopic, electrophysiological, and behavior assessments were performed to investigate (1) SCI‐induced PLA2 activity, expression, and cellular localization after a contusive SCI; and (2) the effects of exogenous PLA2 on spinal cord neuronal death in vitro and tissue damage, inflammation, and function in vivo.ResultsAfter SCI, both PLA2 activity and cytosolic PLA2 expression increased significantly, with cytosolic PLA2 expression being localized mainly in neurons and oligodendrocytes. Both PLA2 and melittin, an activator of endogenous PLA2, induced spinal neuronal death in vitro, which was substantially reversed by mepacrine, a PLA2 inhibitor. When PLA2 or melittin was microinjected into the normal spinal cord, the former induced confined demyelination and latter diffuse tissue necrosis. Both injections induced inflammation, oxidation, and tissue damage, resulting in corresponding electrophysiological and behavioral impairments. Importantly, the PLA2‐induced demyelination was significantly reversed by mepacrine.InterpretationPLA2, increased significantly after SCI, may play a key role in mediating neuronal death and oligodendrocyte demyelination following SCI. Blocking PLA2 action may represent a novel repair strategy to reduce tissue damage and increase function after SCI. Ann Neurol 2006
Descriptive epidemiology of anophthalmia and microphthalmia, Hawaii, 1986–2001
Authors: Forrester Mathias B. , Merz Ruth D. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractBACKGROUNDPopulation‐based epidemiologic data on anophthalmia and microphthalmia in the United States are limited and have come mainly from only a few states. The intent of this study was to report on the epidemiology of these eye defects.METHODSCases were derived from a population‐based birth defects registry in Hawaii and comprised all infants and fetuses with anophthalmia and microphthalmia who were delivered during 1986−2001. Anophthalmia and microphthalmia rates per 10,000 births were determined for selected factors, and comparisons were made by calculating the rate ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).RESULTSNinety‐six cases of anophthalmia and microphthalmia were identified, with a rate of 3.21 per 10,000 live births. The eye defects were isolated in 5 cases (5.2%), and 24 cases (25.0%) had confirmed chromosomal abnormalities. The risk of anophthalmia and microphthalmia varied over time and was significantly higher for live‐born infants with low birth weights and gestational ages. The anophthalmia and microphthalmia rates also varied by maternal race/ethnicity, sex, and plurality, although these differences were not statistically significant.CONCLUSIONSAnophthalmia and microphthalmia frequently occurred with other birth defects, and the rate was consistent with that found in the literature. The risk of defects differed significantly with time period, birth weight, and gestational age. The impact of many factors on anophthalmia and microphthalmia in Hawaii was frequently consistent with that reported elsewhere. Birth Defects Research (Part A), 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Interaction between maternal smoking and malnutrition in infant risk of gastroschisis
Authors: Lam Phung K. , Torfs Claudine P. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractBACKGROUNDGastroschisis is a severe birth defect characterized by a tear in the infant's abdominal wall. Young mothers have the highest risk of having an infant with gastroschisis. In an animal model, the defect resulted from exposure of pregnant mice to carbon monoxide (CO) in combination with a low protein and low zinc diet.METHODSWe evaluated this model in a study of 55 infants with gastroschisis and 94 age‐matched controls that included maternal interview with a food frequency questionnaire. Smoking cigarettes (≥1 pack/day) or marijuana (more than once) 3 months prior to pregnancy indicated CO exposure. Low protein or zinc intake and a low body mass index (BMI) indicated maternal malnutrition.RESULTSWhen assessed separately, high CO, low protein, low zinc, and low BMI were each significantly associated with an increased risk of gastroschisis. Although we observed significant CO‐BMI and CO‐zinc interactions after adjusting for income, only a combination of high CO exposure and low BMI yielded a synergistic adverse effect. Compared to the low risk of having an infant with gastroschisis for mothers who did not have low BMI and did not smoke, the risk of having an infant with gastroschisis was 16.3 times (95% CI, 2.49–113.4) higher for mothers who did not have low BMI but smoked, and 19.7 times (95% CI, 4.33–89.6) higher for mothers who did not smoke but had low BMI. However, the risk was 26.5 times (95% CI, 7.85–89.4) higher for mothers who had low BMI and smoked.CONCLUSIONSOur results suggest that young mothers are at increased risk of having an infant with gastroschisis if they smoke and are also malnourished. Birth Defects Research (Part A), 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Determination of nucleic acids based on the quenching effect on resonance light scattering of the Y(III)–1,6‐bi(1′‐phenyl‐3′‐methyl‐5′‐pyrazolone‐4′‐)hexane‐dione system
Authors: Wu Xia , Yang Jing He , Sun Shuna , Guo Changying , Ran Dehuan , Zheng Jinhua 
Published: February 2006

AbstractNucleic acids can quench resonance light scattering (RLS) intensity of the Y(III)–1,6‐bi(1′‐phenyl‐3′‐methyl‐5′‐pyrazolone‐4′‐)hexane‐dione(BPMPHD) complex in the pH range 5.0–5.8. Under optimal conditions, there are linear relationships between the quenching of RLS and the concentration of nucleic acids in the range 6.3 × 10−8–2.1 × 10−5 g/mL for fish sperm DNA (fsDNA), 1.2 × 10−8–5.0 × 10−5 g/mL for calf thymus DNA (ctDNA) and 6.0 × 10−8–2.0 × 10−5 g/mL for yeast RNA (yRNA). The detection limits (3 s) of fsDNA, ctDNA and yRNA are 0.7 ng/mL, 3.8 ng/mL and 4.2 ng/mL, respectively. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Increased recombinant protein production in Escherichia coli strains with overexpressed water‐forming NADH oxidase and a deleted ArcA regulatory protein
Authors: Vemuri G.N. , Eiteman M.A. , Altman E. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractGlycolytic flux is increased and acetate production is reduced in Escherichia coli by the expression of heterologous NADH oxidase (NOX) from Streptococcus pneumoniae coupled with the deletion of the arcA gene, which encodes the ArcA regulatory protein. In this study, we examined the overproduction of a model recombinant protein in strains of E. coli expressing NOX with or without an arcA mutation. The presence of NOX or the absence of ArcA reduced acetate by about 50% and increased β‐galactosidase production by 10–20%. The presence of NOX in the arcA strain eliminated acetate production entirely in batch fermentations and resulted in a 120% increase in β‐galactosidase production. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.