bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Long COVID: From olfactory dysfunctions to viral Parkinsonism
Authors: Pandey Sanyukta , Bapat Vibha , Abraham Jancy Nixon , Abraham Nixon M. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractNeurological and psychiatric complications continue to be a public health concern in long coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19). This varies from olfactory dysfunctions such as parosmia to cognitive and emotional challenges. Historically, the surge of neurological disorders followed the viral pandemics, for example, the emergence of Encephalitis Lethargica after the outbreak of Spanish Influenza. During and after COVID‐19 infection, the problems associated with the sense of smell and the reports of affected olfactory and limbic brain areas are leading to a growing concern about the similarity with the symptoms and the pattern of degeneration observed at the onset of Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease. These reports reveal the essentiality of long‐term studies of olfactory and cognitive functions in the post‐COVID era and the experiments using animal models to dissect the neural basis of these complications. In this manuscript, we summarize the research reporting the potential correlation between neurological disorders and viral pandemic outbreaks with a historical perspective. Further, we discuss the studies providing evidence of neurodegeneration due to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection by focusing on viral Parkinsonism.
A new proof of Rédei’s theorem on the number of directions
Authors: Somlai Gábor 
Published: April 2024

AbstractRédei and Megyesi proved that the number of directions determined by a p-element subset of $${\mathbb F}_p^2$$

F
p
2

is either 1 or at least $$\frac{p+3}{2}$$

p
+
3

2

. The same result was independently obtained by Dress, Klin, and Muzychuk. We give a new and short proof of this result using a lemma proved by Kiss and the author. The new proof relies on a result on polynomials over finite fields.
On the singularities of distance functions in Hilbert spaces
Authors: Strömberg Thomas 
Published: April 2024

AbstractFor a given closed nonempty subset E of a Hilbert space H, the singular set $$\Sigma _E$$

Σ
E

consists of the points in $$H\setminus E$$

H
\
E

where the distance function $$d_E$$

d
E

is not Fréchet differentiable. It is known that $$\Sigma _E$$

Σ
E

is a weak deformation retract of the open set $$\mathcal {G}_E=\{x\in H: d_{\overline{{\text {co}}}\,E}(x)< d_E(x)\}$$

G
E

=

{
x
∈
H
:

d

co
¯

E

(
x
)

<

d
E

(
x
)

}

. This short paper sheds light on the relationship between the connected components of the three sets $$\Sigma _E\subset \mathcal {G}_E\subseteq H{\setminus } E$$

Σ
E

⊂

G
E

⊆
H
\
E

.
Kinesin KIF3A regulates meiotic progression and spindle assembly in oocyte meiosis
Authors: Liu Jing-Cai , Pan Zhen-Nan , Ju Jia-Qian , Zou Yuan-Jing , Pan Meng-Hao , Wang Yue , Wu Xin , Sun Shao-Chen 
Published: April 2024

AbstractKinesin family member 3A (KIF3A) is a microtubule-oriented motor protein that belongs to the kinesin-2 family for regulating intracellular transport and microtubule movement. In this study, we characterized the critical roles of KIF3A during mouse oocyte meiosis. We found that KIF3A associated with microtubules during meiosis and depletion of KIF3A resulted in oocyte maturation defects. LC–MS data indicated that KIF3A associated with cell cycle regulation, cytoskeleton, mitochondrial function and intracellular transport-related molecules. Depletion of KIF3A activated the spindle assembly checkpoint, leading to metaphase I arrest of the first meiosis. In addition, KIF3A depletion caused aberrant spindle pole organization based on its association with KIFC1 to regulate expression and polar localization of NuMA and γ-tubulin; and KIF3A knockdown also reduced microtubule stability due to the altered microtubule deacetylation by histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6). Exogenous Kif3a mRNA supplementation rescued the maturation defects caused by KIF3A depletion. Moreover, KIF3A was also essential for the distribution and function of mitochondria, Golgi apparatus and endoplasmic reticulum in oocytes. Conditional knockout of epithelial splicing regulatory protein 1 (ESRP1) disrupted the expression and localization of KIF3A in oocytes. Overall, our results suggest that KIF3A regulates cell cycle progression, spindle assembly and organelle distribution during mouse oocyte meiosis.
Tropical mobola plum (Parinari Curatellifolia): a full characterization of wood and bark within the scope of biorefineries
Authors: Malengue Abílio , Lourenço Ana , Patrício Helena , Costa Ricardo A. , Quilhó Teresa , Gominho Jorge 
Published: April 2024

AbstractParinari curatellifolia is the main species used to produce charcoal in Angola. Its chemical, anatomical, and thermal properties were analyzed. The bark is dark grey, rough, and corky, and the wood is brown to yellow-red. Compared to wood, bark fibers presented lower length, lumen, and wall thickness. There is not much difference between height and cell numbers of rays. Sieve tube elements appear solitary or in small groups (2–3 cells), and vessels were of two diameter classes but diffuse-porous. Bark basic density was lower than wood (505 kg.m− 3vs. 580 kg.m− 3). The mean chemical composition from bark vs. wood of P. curatellifolia was ash (3.2% vs. 1.6%), total extractives (12.2% vs. 10.0%), total lignin (42.4% vs. 28.4%), and suberin 5.4%. Families identified by GC-MS from DCM extracts were predominated by fatty acids in wood and triterpenoid contents in bark. Bark and wood had higher antioxidant activity in FRAP and DPPH methods. The bark had a monomeric lignin composition richer in guaiacyl-units (25.9% vs. 22.5%) and lower syringyl-units (5.7% vs. 8.5%). Potassium was the most abundant mineral, while the least was cadmium found in wood and bark. Regarding thermal properties, bark presented higher moisture content (9.0% vs. 8.0%), ash (3.33% vs. 1.61%), total volatiles (27.5% vs. 20.7%), lower fixed carbon (69.1% vs. 77.7%) and higher heating value (20.9 MJ/kg vs. 19.1 MJ/kg). According to these characteristics, both biomasses are interesting for developing more value-added products (e.g., charcoal, bio-chemicals with phytochemistry and pharmacology activities) besides burning under the context of biorefineries.
Molecular mapping of the broad bean wilt virus 2 resistance locus bwvr in Capsicum annuum using BSR-seq
Authors: Kim Jung-Min , Lee Joung-Ho , Park Se-Ran , Kwon Jin-Kyoung , Ro Na-Young , Kang Byoung-Cheorl 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Key message
Bulked segregant RNA seq of pools of pepper accessions that are susceptible or resistant to Broad bean wilt virus 2 identifies a gene that might confer resistance to this devastating pathogen.

Abstract
The single-stranded positive-sense RNA virus Broad bean wilt virus 2 (BBWV2) causes substantial damage to pepper (Capsicum annuum) cultivation. Here, we describe mapping the BBWV2 resistance locus bwvr using a F7:8 recombinant inbred line (RIL) population constructed by crossing the BBWV2-resistant pepper accession ‘SNU-C’ with the susceptible pepper accession ‘ECW30R.’ All F1 plants infected with the BBWV2 strain PAP1 were susceptible to the virus, and the RIL population showed a 1:1 ratio of resistance to susceptibility, indicating that this trait is controlled by a single recessive gene. To map bwvr, we performed bulked segregant RNA-seq (BSR-seq). We sequenced pools of resistant and susceptible lines from the RILs and aligned the reads to the high-quality ‘Dempsey’ reference genome to identify variants between the pools. This analysis identified 519,887 variants and selected the region from 245.9–250.8 Mb of the Dempsey reference genome as the quantitative trait locus region for bwvr. To finely map bwvr, we used newly designed high-resolution melting (HRM) and Kompetitive allele specific PCR (KASP) markers based on variants obtained from the BSR-seq reads and the PepperSNP16K array. Comparative analysis identified 11 SNU-C-specific SNPs within the bwvr locus. Using markers derived from these variants, we mapped the candidate bwvr locus to the region from 246.833–246.949 kb. SNU-C-specific variants clustered near DEM.v1.00035533 within the bwvr locus. DEM.v1.00035533 encodes the nitrate transporter NPF1.2 and contains a SNP within its 5′ untranslated region. The bwvr locus, which contains four genes including DEM.v1.00035533, could represent a valuable resource for global pepper breeding programs.
Risk of diabetic retinopathy and diabetic macular oedema with sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors and glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists in type 2 diabetes: a real-world data study from a global federated database
Authors: Eleftheriadou Aikaterini , Riley David , Zhao Sizheng S. , Austin Philip , Hernández Gema , Lip Gregory Y. H. , Jackson Timothy L. , Wilding John P. H. , Alam Uazman 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Aims/hypothesis
A protective role of sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) and glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP1-ra) in the development of diabetic retinopathy and diabetic macular oedema has been described in some recent studies, which may extend beyond glycaemic control. We aimed to review the clinical impact of SGLT2i and GLP1-ra therapy on the risk of diabetic retinopathy and diabetic macular oedema in individuals with type 2 diabetes taking insulin.

Methods
This is a retrospective cohort analysis of approximately two million people with type 2 diabetes receiving insulin across 97 healthcare organisations using a global federated health research network (TriNetX, Cambridge, USA). Two intervention cohorts (SGLT2i + insulin, n=176,409; GLP1-ra + insulin, n=207,034) were compared against a control cohort (insulin with no SGLT2i/GLP1-ra, n=1,922,312). Kaplan–Meier survival analysis was performed and estimated HRs were reported for each outcome. Propensity score was used to 1:1 match for age, sex, ischaemic heart disease, hypertension, microvascular complications, chronic kidney disease, HbA1c, BMI and use of pioglitazone, lipid modifying agents, antilipemic agents, ACE inhibitors, angiotensin II inhibitors and metformin. A sub-analysis comparing the two intervention cohorts was also performed.

Results
SGLT2i with insulin was associated with a reduced HR (95% CI) for diabetic macular oedema compared with the control cohort (0.835; 0.780, 0.893), while GLP1-ra with insulin demonstrated a lack of signal with no statistical significance to the HR (1.013; 0.960, 1.069). SGLT2i with insulin was not associated with a clinically significant increase in the risk of developing diabetic retinopathy (1.076; 1.027, 1.127), while GLP1-ra with insulin increased diabetic retinopathy risk (1.308; 1.261, 1.357). Compared with SGLT2i with insulin, GLP1-ra with insulin was associated with higher risk of diabetic retinopathy (1.205; 1.153, 1.259) and diabetic macular oedema (1.130; 1.056, 1.208).

Conclusions/interpretation
Our study suggests that the combination of SGLT2i and insulin is associated with lower risk of developing diabetic macular oedema. However, the use of GLP1-ra was associated with an increased risk of diabetic retinopathy in individuals with type 2 diabetes also taking insulin. A comparative analysis showed favourable outcomes with SGLT2i and insulin in the development of diabetic macular oedema and diabetic retinopathy. RCTs using dedicated retinal imaging are required to determine the causal relationship with these therapies.

Graphical Abstract
Hic sunt leones. User orientation as a design principle for emerging institutions on social media platforms
Authors: Marin Lavinia , Vică Constantin 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThe phenomenon of missed interactions between online users is a specific issue occurring when users of different language games interact on social media platforms. We use the lens of institutional theory to analyze this phenomenon and argue that current online institutions will necessarily fail to regulate user interactions in a way that creates common meanings because online institutions are not set up to deal with the multiplicity of language games and forms of life co-existing in the online social space. We argue for the need to enable and foster grassroots online institutions that can stabilize the norms of interaction by redesigning algorithms and user interfaces. Such online grassroots institutions would facilitate user orientation at three distinct levels: informational, normative, and semantic-pragmatic. We propose user orientation as a principle that would facilitate the formation of institutions aiming to regulate information exchanges between users inhabiting various forms of life. This principle of user orientation should guide design decisions, while designer teams would need to become aware of the institutional power unleashed when they set up interfaces and algorithms for user-generated content.
Development of polymer/carbon nanotubes incorporated sustainable materials for manufacturing of autobrake pad
Authors: Orji Uyor Uwa , Patricia Popoola Abimbola , Sunday Aigbodion Victor , Olawale Popoola 
Published: April 2024

AbstractAlthough asbestos fiber is used for autobrake pad production due to its heat resistance capacity, it is associated with a challenge of health risk (cancerogenic in nature). This health risk associated with asbestos-based autobrake pads has presented polymeric materials as a better candidate for the application due to their eco-friendliness, lightweight, chemical inertness, easy of processing, etc. However, polymers are associated with low wear and low mechanical properties, which are vital properties for autobrake pads. Therefore, this study developed EP nanocomposites reinforced with a low content of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and eggshell (ES) attached cow bone (CB) particles denoted as (ES@CB) as agro-waste/sustainable materials for the manufacturing of autobrake pads. The hybrid ternary nanocomposites were developed via solution mixing and casting. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) revealed the 1-D structure of the CNTs, and relatively spherical shapes of ES and CB particles, and microstructures of the developed nanocomposites. The nanocomposite showed a low coefficient of friction and a reduction in wear rate in the range of 1.14 × 10−4 mm3/Nm for pure EP to 5.45 × 10−6 mm3/Nm for EP/0.4wt%CNTs-10wt%ES@CB nanocomposite, while the elastic modulus and hardness increased from 1.84 GPa and 128.64 MPa for pure EP to 4.41 GPa and 252.88 MPa for EP/0.2wt%CNTs-20wt%ES@CB nanocomposite, respectively. The comparison of the wear response of the developed nanocomposites with the current asbestos-based brake pads show that the developed epoxy nanocomposites from agro-waste materials are potential option for the manufacturing of autobrake pads, which will ensure sustainability, health risk-free, and environmentally friendly.
Computing perfect stationary equilibria in stochastic games
Authors: Li Peixuan , Dang Chuangyin , Herings P. Jean-Jacques 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThe notion of stationary equilibrium is one of the most crucial solution concepts in stochastic games. However, a stochastic game can have multiple stationary equilibria, some of which may be unstable or counterintuitive. As a refinement of stationary equilibrium, we extend the concept of perfect equilibrium in strategic games to stochastic games and formulate the notion of perfect stationary equilibrium (PeSE). To further promote its applications, we develop a differentiable homotopy method to compute such an equilibrium. We incorporate vanishing logarithmic barrier terms into the payoff functions, thereby constituting a logarithmic-barrier stochastic game. As a result of this barrier game, we attain a continuously differentiable homotopy system. To reduce the number of variables in the homotopy system, we eliminate the Bellman equations through a replacement of variables and derive an equivalent system. We use the equivalent system to establish the existence of a smooth path, which starts from an arbitrary total mixed strategy profile and ends at a PeSE. Extensive numerical experiments, including relevant applications like dynamic oligopoly models and dynamic legislative voting, further affirm the effectiveness and efficiency of the method.
Determination of calcium, iron, and selenium in human serum by isotope dilution analysis using nitrogen microwave inductively coupled atmospheric pressure plasma mass spectrometry (MICAP-MS)
Authors: You Zengchao , Winckelmann Alexander , Vogl Jochen , Recknagel Sebastian , Abad Carlos 
Published: April 2024

AbstractIn this study, we demonstrate the applicability of nitrogen microwave inductively coupled atmospheric pressure mass spectrometry (MICAP-MS) for Ca, Fe, and Se quantification in human serum using isotope dilution (ID) analysis. The matrix tolerance of MICAP-MS in Na matrix was investigated, revealing that high Na levels can suppress the signal intensity. This suppression is likely due to the plasma loading and the space charge effect. Moreover, 40Ca and 44Ca isotopic fractionation was noted at elevated Na concentration. Nine certified serum samples were analyzed using both external calibration and ID analysis. Overestimation of Cr, Zn, As, and Se was found in the results of external calibration, which might result from C-induced polyatomic interference and signal enhancement, respectively. Further investigations performed with methanol showed a similar enhancement effect for Zn, As, and Se, potentially supporting this assumption. The mass concentrations determined with ID analysis show metrological compatibility with the reference values, indicating that MICAP-MS combined with ID analysis can be a promising method for precise Ca, Fe, and Se determination. Moreover, this combination reduces the influence of matrix effects, broadening the applicability of MICAP-MS for samples with complex matrixes.
Graphical abstract
Atmospheric pressure field desorption-trapped ion mobility-mass spectrometry coupling
Authors: Gross Jürgen H. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractWhile field ionization (FI) and field desorption (FD) are established soft vacuum ionization methods in mass spectrometry (MS), the technique of atmospheric pressure field desorption (APFD) has only recently been added to the repertoire. Similar to FI and FD, APFD can yield both positive even-electron ions of highly polar or ionic compounds and positive molecular ions, M+•, e.g., of polycyclic aromatic compounds. Thus, a dedicated APFD source assembly has been constructed and demonstrated to allow for robust APFD operation. This device also enabled observation of the emitter during operation and allowed for resistive emitter heating, thereby speeding up the desorption of the analytes and expanding the range of analytes accessible to APFD. While initial work was done using a Fourier transform-ion cyclotron resonance (FT-ICR) mass spectrometer, the new APFD source offered the flexibility to also be used on a trapped ion mobility-quadrupole-time-of-flight (TIMS-Q-TOF) instrument, and thus, it would be possible to be mounted to any Bruker mass spectrometer featuring an atmospheric pressure (AP) interface. Operating an APFD source at a TIMS-Q-TOF instrument called for the exploration of the combined use of APFD and TIMS. Here, operation, basic properties, and capabilities of this new atmospheric pressure field desorption-trapped ion mobility-mass spectrometry (APFD-TIMS-MS) coupling are described. APFD-TIMS-MS is employed for the separation of individual components of oligomers and for the accurate determination of their collision cross section (CCS). This work describes the application of APFD-TIMS-MS on poly(ethylene glycol) forming [M + Na]+ ions by cationization and on an amine-terminated poly(propylene glycol) yielding [M + H]+ ions. Some compounds forming molecular ions, M+•, by field ionization such as [60]fullerene and a mixture of four polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are examined. In APFD-TIMS-MS, the limits of detection (LODs) of fluoranthene and benzo[a]pyrene M+• ions are determined as ≈100 pg and <1 pg, respectively. Finally, [60]fullerene is analyzed by negative-ion APFD-TIMS-MS where it yields a molecular anion, M−•.
Graphical abstract
A note on the capacity estimate in metastability for generic configurations
Authors: Avelin Benny , Julin Vesa 
Published: April 2024

AbstractIn this paper we further develop the ideas from Geometric Function Theory initially introduced in Avelin et al. (Commun Math Phys 404:401–437, 2023), to derive capacity estimate in metastability for arbitrary configurations. The novelty of this paper is twofold. First, the graph theoretical connection enables us to exactly compute the pre-factor in the capacity. Second, we complete the method from Avelin et al. (Commun Math Phys 404:401–437, 2023) by providing an upper bound using Geometric Function Theory together with Thompson’s principle, avoiding explicit constructions of test functions.
Meta-analysis of the Microbial Diversity Cultured in Bioreactors Simulating the Gut Microbiome
Authors: Garcia Mendez David Felipe , Egan Siobhon , Wist Julien , Holmes Elaine , Sanabria Janeth 
Published: April 2024

AbstractUnderstanding the intricate ecological interactions within the gut microbiome and unravelling its impact on human health is a challenging task. Bioreactors are valuable tools that have contributed to our understanding of gut microbial ecology. However, there is a lack of studies describing and comparing the microbial diversity cultivated in these models. This knowledge is crucial for refining current models to reflect the gastrointestinal microbiome accurately. In this study, we analysed the microbial diversity of 1512 samples from 18 studies available in public repositories that employed cultures performed in batches and various bioreactor models to cultivate faecal microbiota. Community structure comparison between samples using t-distributed stochastic neighbour embedding and the Hellinger distance revealed a high variation between projects. The main driver of these differences was the inter-individual variation between the donor faecal inocula. Moreover, there was no overlap in the structure of the microbial communities between studies using the same bioreactor platform. In addition, α-diversity analysis using Hill numbers showed that highly complex bioreactors did not exhibit higher diversities than simpler designs. However, analyses of five projects in which the samples from the faecal inoculum were also provided revealed an amplicon sequence variants enrichment in bioreactors compared to the inoculum. Finally, a comparative analysis of the taxonomy of the families detected in the projects and the GMRepo database revealed bacterial families exclusively found in the bioreactor models. These findings highlight the potential of bioreactors to enrich low-abundance microorganisms from faecal samples, contributing to uncovering the gut microbial “dark matter”.