bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Anachronistic bias in the study of Arabic grammatical tradition
Authors: Kasher Almog 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
One of the most obscure and most frequently commented on texts in Arabic grammatical tradition is the opening
formulation in its earliest extant book, Sībawayhi’s al-Kitāb, concerning the tripartite division of parts of
speech. For the third part of speech, the particle, around which the present article revolves, Sībawayhi uses a complex term,
whose head is ḥarf, a term which is commonly used by itself by later grammarians for this part of speech. This
article revisits the question of whether the term ḥarf by itself denotes “particle” in al-Kitāb,
alongside the denotation “word”. Following Weiss’ article, published more than a hundred years ago, it will be argued that
ḥarf does not denote “particle” in al-Kitāb, though occurrences thereof may refer to
particles, and that scholars who ascribe the later denotation “particle” to ḥarf in al-Kitāb do
so due to an anachronistic bias.
South Korea and NATO: from unlikely companions to key partners
Authors: Nemeth Bence , Kim Saeme 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Relations between South Korea and NATO have been deepening at a striking pace recently. Yoon Suk Yeol became the first South Korean president to attend a NATO Summit in 2022 and in the same year, Seoul opened its diplomatic mission to NATO in Brussels. South Korea also became the first east Asian country to join a NATO Centre of Excellence, and started increased consultations with NATO's military staffs. There is a gap in the literature on South Korea–NATO relations which this article aims to fill as it examines the reasons behind the rapidly deepening relations between South Korea and NATO in recent years. To understand the dynamics that triggered the rapid development of South Korea–NATO relations, this article applies Bence Nemeth's theory on defence cooperation which focuses on the interplay of three structural and two situational factors. We argue that the constellation of these factors operating together led the two sides to deepen cooperation organically over almost two decades. Path-dependent processes accrued through prior experiences of collaboration and institutional ‘stickiness’, aided by the positive rapport between leaders in office, allowed the two sides to deepen cooperation when the external environment required it following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
The effects of hydrolyzed protein on macronutrient digestibility, fecal metabolites and microbiota, oxidative stress and inflammatory biomarkers, and skin and coat quality in adult dogs
Authors: Hsu Clare , Marx Fabio , Guldenpfennig Ryan , Valizadegan Negin , de Godoy Maria R C 
Published: March 2024

AbstractResearch on protein hydrolysates has observed various properties and functionalities on ingredients depending on the type of hydrolysate. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of hydrolyzed chicken protein that was incorporated into diets on digestibility, gut health, skin and coat health, oxidative stress, and intestinal inflammation markers in healthy adult dogs. Five complete and balanced diets were manufactured: (1) CONd: 25% chicken meal diet; (2) 5% CLHd: 5% chicken liver and heart hydrolysate plus 20% chicken meal diet; (3) CLHd: 25% chicken liver and heart hydrolysate diet; (4) 5% CHd: 5% chicken hydrolysate plus 20% chicken meal diet; (5) CHd: 25% chicken hydrolysate diet. A replicated 5 × 5 Latin square design was used which included 10 neutered adult Beagles. Each of the 5 periods consisted of a 7-d washout time and a 28-d treatment period. All diets were well accepted by the dogs. Fecal butyrate concentration was higher while fecal isovalerate and total phenol/indole were lower in dogs fed CLHd than CONd (P &lt; 0.05). Dogs fed CHd had higher fecal immunoglobulin A concentration when compared with CLHd (P &lt; 0.05); however, both groups were comparable to the CONd. There was no difference among groups in serum cytokine concentrations, serum oxidative stress biomarkers, or skin and coat health analyses (P &gt; 0.05). Fecal microbiota was shifted by CLHd with higher abundance in Ruminococcus gauvreauii group as well as lower Clostridium sensu stricto 1, Sutterella, Fusobacterium, and Bacteroides when compared with CONd (P &lt; 0.05). There was also a difference in beta diversity of fecal microbiota between CLHd and CHd (P &lt; 0.05). In conclusion, chicken protein hydrolysate could be incorporated into canine extruded diets as a comparable source of protein to traditional chicken meal. The test chicken protein hydrolysates showed the potential to support gut health by modulating immune response and microbiota; however, functional properties of protein hydrolysates are dependent on inclusion level and source.
Symmetric and conflated intuitionistic logics
Authors: Kamide Norihiro 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Two new propositional non-classical logics, referred to as symmetric intuitionistic logic (SIL) and conflated intuitionistic logic (CIL), are introduced as indexed and non-indexed Gentzen-style sequent calculi. SIL is regarded as a natural hybrid logic combining intuitionistic and dual-intuitionistic logics, whereas CIL is regarded as a variant of intuitionistic paraconsistent logic with conflation and without paraconsistent negation. The cut-elimination theorems for SIL and CIL are proved. CIL is shown to be conservative over SIL.
Measuring the Quality of Law Drafting: Did COVID-19 Weaken Evidence-Based Policy Making in Finland?
Authors: Vartiainen Niko , Keinänen Anssi 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
This study examined evidence-based law drafting during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. A total of 311 Finnish government bills from 2020 and 2021 were analysed to detect how urgency and uncertainty caused by the pandemic have been reflected in evidence base utilization in law drafting. The government bills were divided into two groups, COVID-related and non-COVID bills. The difference between the groups was analysed by regression analysis, in which non-COVID bills served as the baseline indicating the level of ‘normal law drafting’. According to the results, there was a statistically significant difference between the groups, which indicates that urgency and uncertainty were associated with less evidence utilization. However, the evidence base utilization was also at an insufficient level in ‘normal law drafting’. Hence, the first step to improve the quality of law drafting in crises situations is to ensure that the main principles of evidence-based decision making are observed in every-day law drafting processes.
Development of a droplet digital polymerase chain reaction assay for the sensitive detection of total and integrated HIV-1 DNA
Authors: Yuan Lin , Liu Zhiying , Zhang Xin , Wei Feili , Guo Shan , Guo Na , Liu Lifeng , Ma Zhenglai , Ji Yunxia , Wang Rui , Lu Xiaofan , Li Zhen , Xia Wei , Wu Hao , Zhang Tong , Su Bin 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Background:
Total human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) DNA and integrated HIV DNA are widely used markers of HIV persistence. Droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR) can be used for absolute quantification without needing a standard curve. Here, we developed duplex ddPCR assays to detect and quantify total HIV DNA and integrated HIV DNA.

Methods:
The limit of detection, dynamic ranges, sensitivity, and reproducibility were evaluated by plasmid constructs containing both the HIV long terminal repeat (LTR) and human CD3 gene (for total HIV DNA) and ACH-2 cells (for integrated HIV DNA). Forty-two cases on stable suppressive antiretroviral therapy (ART) were assayed in total HIV DNA and integrated HIV DNA. Correlation coefficient analysis was performed on the data related to DNA copies and cluster of differentiation 4 positive (CD4+) T-cell counts, CD8+ T-cell counts and CD4/CD8 T-cell ratio, respectively. The assay linear dynamic range and lower limit of detection (LLOD) were also assessed.

Results:
The assay could detect the presence of HIV-1 copies 100% at concentrations of 6.3 copies/reaction, and the estimated LLOD of the ddPCR assay was 4.4 HIV DNA copies/reaction (95% confidence intervals [CI]: 3.6–6.5 copies/reaction) with linearity over a 5-log10-unit range in total HIV DNA assay. For the integrated HIV DNA assay, the LLOD was 8.0 copies/reaction (95% CI: 5.8–16.6 copies/reaction) with linearity over a 3-log10-unit range. Total HIV DNA in CD4+ T cells was positively associated with integrated HIV DNA (r = 0.76, P <0.0001). Meanwhile, both total HIV DNA and integrated HIV DNA in CD4+ T cells were inversely correlated with the ratio of CD4/CD8 but positively correlated with the CD8+ T-cell counts.

Conclusions:
This ddPCR assay can quantify total HIV DNA and integrated HIV DNA efficiently with robustness and sensitivity. It can be readily adapted for measuring HIV DNA with non-B clades, and it could be beneficial for testing in clinical trials.
Huashi Baidu formula alleviates lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation and acute lung injury in mice by targeting nuclear factor κB/phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and peroxiredoxin 5
Authors: Shen Shengnan , Gu Liwei , Shi Qiaoli , Zhu Yongping , Liu Yanqing , Zhang Junzhe , Meng Yuqing , Wong Yinkwan , Luo Wennan , Jiang Mengyao , Song Ping , Wang Jigang 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Background
Acute respiratory distress syndrome induced by acute lung injury (ALI) is the main cause for the high mortality of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Huashi Baidu formula (HSBD) with the effects of eliminating dampness, clearing heat, ventilating lung, and removing toxin has been proven to be effective in the treatment of COVID-19, especially in severe cases. However, the underlying mechanism and target proteins of HSBD remain unclear.

Objective
To provide evidence and decipher the mechanism of HSBD in alleviating inflammation and ALI.

Materials and Methods
A mouse model of ALI was induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to examine the protective effects of HSBD on the model mice. The cellular thermal shift assay and proteomics analysis were used to predict the target proteins. Furthermore, the A549 cells with peroxiredoxin 5 (PRDX5) knockdown were established to validate the predicted proteins.

Results
Huashi Baidu formula treatment mitigated ALI and inflammatory cytokine dysfunction in LPS-induced mice, thus exerting a therapeutic effect on COVID-19. Huashi Baidu formula could serve as a therapeutic agent to alleviate inflammation and lung injury via nuclear factor κB and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase signaling and interleukin 17 inhibition as well as targeting PRDX5, which could be one of the promising targets for treating inflammation. In the A549 cell line with PRDX5 knockdown (si-Prdx5), the anti-inflammation effects of HSBD, including reversing LPS-induced increase in the nitric oxide level and reduction in the hydrogen peroxide content, were attenuated. Thus, HSBD protected A549 cells from LPS-induced inflammation mainly by targeting PRDX5.

Conclusions
Huashi Baidu formula alleviates ALI by targeting nuclear factor κB/phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and PRDX5, as well as inhibiting the immune response induced by IL-17.
Neural coding in gustatory cortex reflects consumption decisions: Evidence from conditioned taste aversion
Authors: Raymond Martin A. , Chapman Ian F. , Staszko Stephanie M. , Fletcher Max L. , Boughter John D. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractTaste-responsive neurons in the gustatory cortex (GC) have been shown to encode multiple properties of stimuli, including whether they are palatable or not. Previous studies have suggested that a form of taste-involved learning, conditioned taste aversion (CTA), may alter the cortical representation of taste stimuli in a number of ways. We used miniscopes to image taste responses from a large population of neurons in the gustatory cortex of mice before and after CTA to NaCl, comparing taste responses in control and conditioned mice. Following conditioning, no significant effects on the number of responsive cells, or the magnitude of response to either NaCl or other taste stimuli were found. However, population-level analyses showed that in mice receiving a CTA, the representation of NaCl diverged from other appetitive stimuli in neural space and moved closer to that of aversive quinine. We also tracked extinction of the CTA in a subset of animals and showed that as NaCl became less aversive, the neural pattern reverted to match the behavior. These data suggest that the predominant function of the taste representation in GC is palatability; the neuronal response pattern to stimuli at the population level reflects the decision of the animal to consume or not consume the stimulus, regardless of quality or chemical identity.
Understanding the effects of oxytocin receptor variants on OXT–OXT receptor binding: A mathematical model
Authors: Dubey Preeti , Fang Yingye , Tukei K. Lionel , Kuila Shobhan , Liu Xinming , Sahota Annika , Frolova Antonina I. , Reinl Erin L. , Malik Manasi , England Sarah K. , Imoukhuede Princess I. 
Published: March 2024

ABSTRACTApproximately half of U.S. women giving birth annually receive Pitocin, the synthetic form of oxytocin (OXT), yet its effective dose can vary significantly. This variability presents safety concerns due to unpredictable responses, which may lead to adverse outcomes for both mother and baby. To address the need for improved dosing, we developed a data-driven mathematical model to predict OXT receptor (OXTR) binding. Our study focuses on five prevalent OXTR variants (V45L, P108A, L206V, V281M, and E339K) and their impact on OXT–OXTR binding dynamics in two distinct cell types: human embryonic kidney cells (HEK293T), commonly used in experimental systems, and human myometrial smooth muscle cells, containing endogenous OXTR. We parameterized the model with cell-specific OXTR surface localization measurements. To strengthen the robustness of our study, we conducted a comprehensive meta-analysis of OXT– OXTR binding, enabling parameterization of our model with cell-specific OXT–OXTR binding kinetics (myometrial OXT–OXTR Kd= 1.6 nM, kon = 6.8 × 105M−1min−1, and koff = 0.0011 min−1). Our meta-analysis revealed significant homogeneity in OXT–OXTR affinity across experiments and species with a Kd= 0.52 - 9.32 nM and mean Kd= 1.48 ± 0.36 nM. Our model achieves several valuable insights into designing dosage strategies. First, we predicted that the OXTR complex reaches maximum occupancy at 10 nM OXT in myometrial cells and at 1 µM in HEK293T cells. This information is pivotal for guiding experimental design and data interpretation when working with these distinct cell types, emphasizing the need to consider effects for specific cell types when choosing OXTR-transfected cell lines. Second, our model recapitulated the significant effects of genetic variants for both experimental and physiologically relevant systems, with V281M and E339K substantially compromising OXT–OXTR binding capacity. These findings suggest the need for personalized oxytocin dosing based on individual genetic profiles to enhance therapeutic efficacy and reduce risks, especially in the context of labor and delivery. Third, we demonstrated the potential for rescuing the attenuated cell response observed in V281M and E339K variants by increasing the OXT dosage at specific, early time points. Cellular responses to OXT, including Ca2+release, manifest within minutes. Our model indicates that providing V281M- and E339K-expressing cells with doubled OXT dose during the initial minute of binding can elevate OXT–OXTR complex formation to levels comparable to wild-type OXTR. In summary, our study provides a computational framework for precision oxytocin dosing strategies, paving the way for personalized medicine.
CTCF-anchored chromatin loop dynamics during human meiosis
Authors: Kaiser Vera B. , Semple Colin A. 
Published: March 2024

ABSTRACTBackgroundDuring meiosis, the mammalian genome is organised within chromatin loops, which facilitate synapsis, crossing over and chromosome segregation, setting the stage for recombination events and the generation of genetic diversity. Chromatin looping is thought to play a major role in the establishment of cross overs during prophase I of meiosis, in diploid early primary spermatocytes. However, chromatin conformation dynamics during human meiosis are difficult to study experimentally, due to the transience of each cell division and the difficulty of obtaining stage-resolved cell populations. Here, we employed a machine learning framework trained on single cell ATAC-seq and RNA-seq data to predict CTCF-anchored looping during spermatogenesis, including cell types at different stages of meiosis.ResultsWe find dramatic changes in genome-wide looping patterns throughout meiosis: compared to pre-and-post meiotic germline cell types, loops in meiotic early primary spermatocytes are more abundant, more variable between individual cells, and more evenly spread throughout the genome. In preparation for the first meiotic division, loops also include longer stretches of DNA, encompassing more than half of the total genome. These loop structures then influence the rate of recombination initiation and resolution as cross overs. In contrast, in later mature sperm stages, we find evidence of genome compaction, with loops being confined to the telomeric ends of the chromosomes.ConclusionOverall, we find that chromatin loops do not orchestrate the gene expression dynamics seen during spermatogenesis, but loops do play important roles in recombination, influencing the positions of DNA breakage and cross over events.
Antibiotic ResistantEscherichia coliin Uncooked Meat Purchased from Large Chain Grocery Stores and in Raw Dog Food Purchased From Pet Stores in the Same City
Authors: Sealey Jordan E. , Astley Beth , Rollings Kate , Avison Matthew B. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractAlthough previous studies have associated feeding dogs uncooked meat with their carriage and excretion of antibiotic resistant (ABR)Escherichia coli, this practice remains popular amongst dog owners in some countries, including the UK. Uncooked meat fed to dogs is purchased from stores selling meat primarily for human consumption, or it is a brand of commercial raw dog food (RDF), which is commonly sold frozen and thawed prior to feeding. We tested 58 packets of uncooked meat (beef, chicken, lamb and pork) purchased from large chain grocery stores (15 stores) and 15 packets of thawed, chicken-based RDF (11 brands) for the presence of ABRE. coli. All samples were purchased from the city of Bristol, UK. Among grocery store-purchased meat, chicken samples were significantly more likely to be positive forE. coliresistant to amoxicillin, spectinomycin, streptomycin, and the critically important antibiotics cefotaxime and ciprofloxacin, than other types of meat. When comparing grocery store chicken to chicken-based RDF we found no significant difference in sample-level positivity for resistantE. coli, which, for RDF was 80% (amoxicillin), 80% (spectinomycin), 87% (streptomycin), 27% (amoxicillin-clavulanate), 27% (cefotaxime) and 47% (ciprofloxacin). We conclude that despite it having been purchased frozen and thawed prior to testing according to the manufacturer’s instructions, contamination of RDF with ABRE. coliis similar to that of uncooked meat primarily intended for human consumption after cooking, and so the same strict hygiene practices are advised when handling RDF as uncooked meat. Our findings provide a rationale to explain why feeding uncooked meat or RDF to dogs in the city of Bristol is associated with them excretingE. coliresistant to critically important antibiotics.
Study on the distribution characteristics of clearance in clothing and influence on pressure
Authors: You Bo , Wang Qi Si 
Published: March 2024

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the distribution characteristics of airflow in mine ventilation suits with different pipeline structures when the human body is bent at various angles. On this basis, the stress points are extracted to investigate the pressure variation of a ventilation suit under different ventilation rates and pipeline structures.Design/methodology/approachBased on the three-dimensional human body scanner, portable pressure test and other instruments, a human experiment was conducted in an artificial cabin. The study analyzed and compared the distribution characteristics of clearance under three different pipeline structures, as well as the pressure variation of the ventilation suit.FindingsThe study found that the clearance in front of two pipeline structures gradually increased in size as the degree of bending increased, and there was minimal clearance in the chest and back. The longitudinal structure exhibits a significant decrease in clearance compared to the spiral structure. The pressure value of the spiral pipeline structure with the same ventilation volume is low, followed by the transverse structure, while the longitudinal structure has the highest pressure value. The increase in clothing pressure value of a spiral pipeline structured ventilation suit with varying ventilation volumes is minimal.Originality/valueThe ventilation suit has a promising future as a type of personal protective equipment for mitigating heat damage in mines. It is of great value to study the pipeline structure of the ventilation suit for human comfort.
Connectedness across commodities, stocks, exchange rates and bonds markets in Africa: the Covid-19 pandemic case
Authors: Boakye Robert Owusu , Mensah Lord , Kang Sanghoon , Osei Kofi 
Published: March 2024

PurposeThe study measures the total systemic risks and connectedness across commodities, stocks, exchange rates and bond markets in Africa during the Covid-19 pandemic.Design/methodology/approachThe study uses the Diebold-Yilmaz spillover and connectedness measures in a generalized VAR framework. The author calculates the net transmitters or receivers of shocks between two assets and visualizes their strength using a network analysis tool.FindingsThe study found low systemic risks across all assets and countries. However, we found higher systemic risks in the forex market than in the stock and bond markets, and in South Africa than in other countries. The dynamic analysis found time-varying connectedness return shocks, which increased during the peak periods of the first and second waves of the pandemic. We found both gold and oil as net receivers of shocks. Overall, over half of all assets were net receivers, and others were net transmitters of return shocks. The network connectedness plot shows high net pairwise connectedness from Morocco to South Africa stock market.Practical implicationsThe study has implications for policymakers to develop the capacities of local investors and markets to limit portfolio outflows during a crisis.Originality/valuePrevious studies have analyzed spillovers across asset classes in a single country or a single asset across countries. This paper contributes to the literature on network connectedness across assets and countries.