bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Causality methods to study the functional connectivity in brain networks: the basal ganglia – thalamus causal interactions
Authors: Rodriguez-Sabate Clara , Gonzalez Albano , Perez-Darias Juan Carlos , Morales Ingrid , Sole-Sabater Miguel , Rodriguez Manuel 
Published: October 2023

AbstractThis study uses methods recently developed to study the complex evolution of atmospheric phenomena which have some similarities with the dynamics of the human brain. In both cases, it is possible to record the activity of particular centers (geographic regions or brain nuclei) but not to make an experimental modification of their state. The study of “causality”, which is necessary to understand the dynamics of these complex systems and to develop robust models that can predict their evolution, is hampered by the experimental restrictions imposed by the nature of both systems. The study was performed with data obtained in the thalamus and basal ganglia of awake humans executing different tasks. This work studies the linear, non-linear and more complex relationships of these thalamic centers with the cortex and main BG nuclei, using three complementary techniques: the partial correlation regression method, the Gaussian process regression/distance correlation and a model-free method based on nearest-neighbor that computes the conditional mutual information. These causality methods indicated that the basal ganglia present a different functional relationship with the anterior-ventral (motor), intralaminar and medio-dorsal thalamic centers, and that more than 60% of these thalamus-basal ganglia relationships present a non-linear dynamic (35 of the 57 relationships found). These functional interactions were observed for basal ganglia nuclei with direct structural connections with the thalamus (primary somatosensory and motor cortex, striatum, internal globus pallidum and substantia nigra pars reticulata), but also for basal ganglia without structural connections with the thalamus (external globus pallidum and subthalamic nucleus). The motor tasks induced rapid modifications of the thalamus-basal ganglia interactions. These findings provide new perspectives of the thalamus - BG interactions, many of which may be supported by indirect functional relationships and not by direct excitatory/inhibitory interactions.
State-of-the-Art of Stress Prediction from Heart Rate Variability Using Artificial Intelligence
Authors: Haque Yeaminul , Zawad Rahat Shahriar , Rony Chowdhury Saleh Ahmed , Al Banna Hasan , Ghosh Tapotosh , Kaiser M. Shamim , Mahmud Mufti 
Published: October 2023

AbstractRecent advancements in the manufacturing and commercialisation of miniaturised sensors and low-cost wearables have enabled an effortless monitoring of lifestyle by detecting and analysing physiological signals. Heart rate variability (HRV) denotes the time interval between consecutive heartbeats.The HRV signal, as detected by the sensors and devices, has been popularly used as an indicative measure to estimate the level of stress, depression, and anxiety. For years, artificial intelligence (AI)-based learning systems have been known for their predictive capabilities, and in recent years, AI models with deep learning (DL) architectures have been successfully applied to achieve unprecedented accuracy. In order to determine effective methodologies applied to the collection, processing, and prediction of stress from HRV data, this work presents an in depth analysis of 43 studies reporting the application of various AI algorithms. The methods are summarised in tables and thoroughly evaluated to ensure the completeness of their findings and reported results. To make the work comprehensive, a detailed review has been conducted on sensing technologies, pre-processing methods applied on multi-modal data, and employed prediction models. This is followed by a critical examination of how various Machine Learning (ML) models, have been utilised in predicting stress from HRV data. In addition, the reported reseults from the selected studies have been carefully analysed to identify features that enable the models to perform better. Finally, the challenges of using HRV to predict stress are listed, along with some possible mitigation strategies. This work aims to highlight the impact of AI-based stress prediction methodologies from HRV data, and is expected to aid the development of more meticulous techniques.
Pentoxifylline as Add-On Treatment to Donepezil in Copper Sulphate-Induced Alzheimer’s Disease-Like Neurodegeneration in Rats
Authors: Elseweidy Mohamed M. , Mahrous Mohamed , Ali Sousou I. , Shaheen Mohamed A. , Younis Nahla N. 
Published: October 2023

AbstractAlzheimer’s disease (AD), the most common neurodegenerative disorder, is characterized by behavioral, cognitive, and progressive memory impairments. Extensive neuronal loss, extracellular accumulation of insoluble senile amyloid-β (Aβ) plaques, and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) are the major pathological features. The present study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effect of donepezil (DON) and pentoxifylline (PTX) in combination to combat the neurodegenerative disorders (experimental AD) induced by CuSO4intake in experimental rats. Thirty adult male Wistar rats (140–160 g) were used in this study. AD was first induced in rats by CuSO4supplement to drinking water (10 mg/L) for 14 weeks. The AD group received no further treatment. Oral treatment with DON (10 mg/kg/day), PTX (100 mg/kg/day), or DON + PTX for the other three groups was started from the 10th week of CuSO4intake for 4 weeks. Cortex markers like acetylcholine (ACh), acetylcholinesterase (AChE), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and malondialdehyde (MDA) and hippocampus markers like β-amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1), phosphorylated Tau (p-tau), Clusterin (CLU), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), caspase-9 (CAS-9), Bax, and Bcl-2 were measured. The histopathology studies were done by using hematoxylin and eosin and Congo red stains as well as immunohistochemistry for neurofilament. CuSO4induced adverse histological and biochemical changes. The histological injury in the hippocampus was inhibited following the administration of the DON and PTX. The brain tissue levels of AChE, MDA, BACE1, p-tau, CLU, CAS-9, Bax, and TNF-α were significantly increased, while brain tissue levels of ACh, TAC, and Bcl-2 were significantly decreased in CuSO4-treated rats as compared with the untreated control group. The effects induced by either DON or PTX on most studied parameters were comparable. Combined treatment of DON and PTX induced remarkable results compared with their individual use. However, more clinical and preclinical studies are still required to further confirm and prove the long-term efficacy of such combination.
Bridging local and scientific knowledge for area-based conservation of useful plants in Colombia
Authors: Kor Laura , Fernández-Lucero Mateo , Granados Flórez Diego Arturo , Dawson Terence P. , Diazgranados Mauricio 
Published: October 2023

AbstractWhile the importance of interdisciplinary approaches is increasingly recognised in conservation, bridging knowledge systems across scales remains a fundamental challenge. Focusing on the Important Plant Areas (IPA) approach, we evaluate how complementing scientific and local knowledge can better inform the conservation of useful plants in Colombia. We worked in three municipalities to investigate knowledge on useful plant richness, species composition and use types, as well as perceptions on area-based plant conservation approaches. Participatory focus groups and ethnobotanical walks-in-the-woods were undertaken with local communities, while scientific data were represented by occurrence records from global data aggregators and digitised collections. A total of 1190 species with human uses were reported. Combining knowledge systems provided the richest understanding of useful plants but the relative contribution of each system varied between study areas, influenced by the history of scientific studies, socio-ecological context and study design. Meanwhile, local perceptions of how conservation areas should be selected differed from global IPA criteria. These results show that working with local communities can improve biological understanding for spatial conservation planning. Additionally, participatory approaches must move beyond community-based conservation and data collection, to inform the design of global conservation programmes.
Prioritised identification of structural classes of natural products from higher plants in the expedition of antimalarial drug discovery
Authors: Moyo Phanankosi , Invernizzi Luke , Mianda Sephora M. , Rudolph Wiehan , Andayi Andrew W. , Wang Mingxun , Crouch Neil R. , Maharaj Vinesh J. 
Published: October 2023

AbstractThe emergence and spread of drug-recalcitrant Plasmodium falciparum parasites threaten to reverse the gains made in the fight against malaria. Urgent measures need to be taken to curb this impending challenge. The higher plant-derived sesquiterpene, quinoline alkaloids, and naphthoquinone natural product classes of compounds have previously served as phenomenal chemical scaffolds from which integral antimalarial drugs were developed. Historical successes serve as an inspiration for the continued investigation of plant-derived natural products compounds in search of novel molecular templates from which new antimalarial drugs could be developed. The aim of this study was to identify potential chemical scaffolds for malaria drug discovery following analysis of historical data on phytochemicals screened in vitro against P. falciparum. To identify these novel scaffolds, we queried an in-house manually curated database of plant-derived natural product compounds and their in vitro biological data. Natural products were assigned to different structural classes using NPClassifier. To identify the most promising chemical scaffolds, we then correlated natural compound class with bioactivity and other data, namely (i) potency, (ii) resistance index, (iii) selectivity index and (iv) physicochemical properties. We used an unbiased scoring system to rank the different natural product classes based on the assessment of their bioactivity data. From this analysis we identified the top-ranked natural product pathway as the alkaloids. The top three ranked super classes identified were (i) pseudoalkaloids, (ii) naphthalenes and (iii) tyrosine alkaloids and the top five ranked classes (i) quassinoids (of super class triterpenoids), (ii) steroidal alkaloids (of super class pseudoalkaloids) (iii) cycloeudesmane sesquiterpenoids (of super class triterpenoids) (iv) isoquinoline alkaloids (of super class tyrosine alkaloids) and (v) naphthoquinones (of super class naphthalenes). Launched chemical space of these identified classes of compounds was, by and large, distinct from that of ‘legacy’ antimalarial drugs. Our study was able to identify chemical scaffolds with acceptable biological properties that are structurally different from current and previously used antimalarial drugs. These molecules have the potential to be developed into new antimalarial drugs.
“A Single and Indivisible Principle of Unity”: On Growth and Form in Context
Authors: Jarron Matthew 
Published: October 2023

AbstractD’Arcy Thompson’sOn Growth and Formis one of the key works at the intersection of science and the imagination. This introductory essay explores the book and its context, drawing on archival sources to provide a unique perspective. It looks at Thompson’s own life and career, his experiences at University College, Dundee, and how he came to write the book. It describes the contents of the 1917 first edition (as many today are familiar only with the 1961 abridgement of the 1942 second edition). It looks at the book’s initial reception, exploring the context of biological ideas of the time, particularly in regard to Thompson’s perceived opposition to Darwinian theory and the debate between vitalism and mechanism. It explores the early influence of the book on ecologists and systems theorists and other early attempts at mathematical biology, as well as its significant influence on artists and architects. It then describes the development of the second edition of the book and the subsequent increase of interest in his work from both artists and scientists. It concludes by summarizing recent initiatives in the D’Arcy Thompson Zoology Museum.
Frailty assessment to individualize treatment in older patients with lymphoma
Authors: Hormigo-Sanchez Ana I. , Lopez-Garcia Alberto , Mahillo-Fernandez Ignacio , Askari Elham , Morillo Daniel , Perez-Saez María A. , Riesco Miriam , Urrutia Celia , Martinez-Peromingo Francisco J. , Cordoba Raúl , Gonzalez-Montalvo Juan I. 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Purpose
A study analyzing the application of a protocol of comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) in older patients with lymphoma was carried out to allow frailty-based patient classification and individualized treatment.

Methods
Lymphoma patients older than 70 years referred to the Geriatric Clinic at a tertiary hospital between May 2016 and March 2021 were included. The assessment protocol included comorbidity, polypharmacy, nutritional, functional, and mental status, geriatric syndromes, and life expectancy. CGA enabled patient classification into four groups (Type I to Type IV) based on frailty assessment instrument scoring and clinical, functional, and mental status. Variables were compared using parametric and non-parametric statistical tests and Kaplan–Meier survival curves.

Results
Ninety-three patients (55.9% women) were included. Median age was 81.1 years (± 5.7). 23 patients (24.7%) were classified as robust (type I), 30 (32.3%) as pre-frail (type II) with potentially reversable deficits, 38 (40.9%) as frail (type III), and 2 (2.2%) as requiring palliative care (type IV). Patients received oncospecific treatment with modifications carried out in 64.5% of cases based on CGA results. Differences in overall survival (p = 0.002), response to treatment (p < 0.001) and likelihood of increased frailty (p = 0.024) were observed, with type III–IV patients showing significantly worse outcomes.

Conclusion
Performance of standardized, systematic CGA by geriatricians permits older lymphoma patients to be classified according to frailty, with significant differences in terms of clinical outcomes across groups. We propose incorporating CGA performed by geriatricians as part of the multidisciplinary care team to optimize therapeutic strategy for these patients.
Biochar improves soil properties and corn productivity under drought conditions in South Korea
Authors: Park Jae-Hyuk , Yun Jin-Ju , Kim Seong-Heon , Park Jong-Hwan , Acharya Bharat Sharma , Cho Ju-Sik , Kang Se-Won 
Published: October 2023

AbstractBiochar has been shown to improve soil properties and plant productivity in soils with inherently low fertility. However, little has been reported for upland corns under dry and wet precipitation regimes. This study investigates the effect of biochar addition on a range of soil physicochemical, biological, and hydrological properties, and corn growth and productivity under agrometeorological drought and wet conditions. Here, experiments were laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications at two sites during 2017 and 2018 in South Korea. Treatments included (i) CN: control (ii) IF: inorganic fertilizer (N–P–K) at 145–30–60 kg ha−1; (iii) BS: barley straw at 5 t ha−1; (iv) CWBC: corn waste biochar at 5 t ha−1; (v) CWBC + IF: corn waste biochar + inorganic fertilizer; (vi) CWBC + BS: corn waste biochar + barley straw. The year 2017 was relatively dry, whereas the year 2018 was wet. Despite drought conditions in the year 2017, biochar facilitated soil water conservation. However, higher precipitation in 2018 increased the quantity and distribution of soil water and nutrients in the top 15 cm. Biochar reduced soil bulk density, and increased porosity, cation exchange capacity and total organic carbon in both years but increased total bacterial counts during the dry year only. Bacterial population was generally higher under wet conditions. Similarly, more soil CO2 was emitted in the wet year than in the dry year. Results further indicated that biochar can enhance corn biomass and grain yield regardless of precipitation conditions. The grain index was, however, affected by rainfall and was significantly different across treatments in the year 2018 only. All biomass, grain yield, and grain index were highest in CWBC + IF treatment and lowest under CN treatment. Indeed, biochar addition appeared to improve soil quality and soil conditioning effects in the drought and wet years, ameliorating soil and plant properties. Overall, biochar can improve water and nutrients storage, availability, and uptake, and therefore corn productivity during hydrological extremes.
Graphical abstract
Entwicklung und Validierung eines Evaluationsinstruments zur Erfassung der Qualität des Lehrens und Lernens im Schweizer Kinder- und Jugendsport
Authors: Herrmann C. , Seiler S. , Siffert A. , Dapp L. C. , Gashaj V. , Studer F. 
Published: October 2023

ZusammenfassungJugend und Sport (J + S) ist das größte Schweizer Sportförderungssystem und vereint in einem staatlich subventionierten und inhaltlich regulierten Ausbildungssystem über 90 Sportarten. Um die Qualität der Sportaktivitäten zu gewährleisten, bedarf es einer ansprechenden und qualitativ hochwertigen Ausbildung von J + S-Leiter*innen. Im J + S-Ausbildungsmodell werden im Handlungsbereich „Vermitteln“ Ausbildungsinhalte zu qualitätsvollen J + S-Aktivitäten an die Leitenden weitergegeben, welche sich eng am aktuellen Forschungsstand der Unterrichtsqualitätsforschung orientieren. Zur systematischen Evaluation dieses Handlungsbereichs in der Praxis wurde das J + S-Evaluationsinstrument entwickelt. Damit sollen die an J + S-Aktivitäten teilnehmenden Kinder und Jugendlichen mittels Fragebogenitems zu vier Handlungsbereichen digital befragt werden.Aufbauend auf drei qualitativen Pilotstudien wurde eine schweizweite quantitative Validierungsstudie durchgeführt. Es wurden zwei Umfragen mit N = 1230 (53,7 % weiblich; M = 13,99 Jahren, SD = 2,36) und N = 851 (53,7 % weiblich; M = 13,96 Jahren, SD = 2,18) Kinder und Jugendlichen durchgeführt. Zur Prüfung der faktoriellen Validität und Reliabilität des entwickelten J + S-Evaluationsinstruments wurden konfirmatorische Faktoranalysen (CFA) berechnet. Die CFA ergaben nach systematischer Itemreduktion durchgehend eine gute Modellanpassung. Alle vier Handlungsbereiche mit ihren 17 Handlungsempfehlungen konnten mittels 51 Items valide und reliabel abgebildet werden, sodass das Evaluationsinstrument als valide und reliabel bewertet werden kann.Damit steht ein validiertes Evaluationsinstrument in deutscher, französischer und italienischer Sprache zur Verfügung, das zukünftig jährlich in der Schweiz in J + S-Aktivitäten eingesetzt werden kann.
Interfacial catalysis of metal-oxide nanocatalysts in CO2 hydrogenation to value-added C1 chemicals
Authors: Wang Ziwei , Zhang Zhenhua 
Published: October 2023

AbstractCatalytic CO2 hydrogenation to valuable chemicals is an excellent approach to address the increasingly serious “greenhouse effect” caused by CO2 emission generated from the utilizations of nonrenewable fossil energies, while such a process is limited by chemical inertia and thermal stability of the CO2 molecule and complex hydrogenation routes. In this review, we first summarized the recent progresses of metal-oxide nanocatalysts considered as a category of the most promising catalysts in CO2 hydrogenation to value-added C1 chemicals including CH4/CO, formic acid/formate, and methanol. These studies involve with different structural factors affecting the metal-oxide interfacial catalysis including the structures of both the metals (type, particle size, morphology/crystal plane, and bimetal alloy) and the supports (type, particle size, crystal phase, morphology/crystal plane, and composite) and their (strong) metal-support interactions so as to identify the key factor determining the reaction activity, product selectivity, and catalytic stability in CO2 hydrogenation. Finally, we further discuss challenging coupling with future research opportunities for tunable interfacial catalysis of metal-oxide nanocatalysts in CO2 conversion.
On Thakur’s basis conjecture for multiple zeta values in positive characteristic
Authors: Chang Chieh-Yu , Chen Yen-Tsung , Mishiba Yoshinori 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
In this paper, we study multiple zeta values (abbreviated as MZV’s) over function fields in positive characteristic. Our main result is to prove Thakur’s basis conjecture, which plays the analogue of Hoffman’s basis conjecture for real MZV’s. As a consequence, we derive Todd’s dimension conjecture, which is the analogue of Zagier’s dimension conjecture for classical real MZV’s.
Visual (data) observation in International Relations: Attentiveness, close description, and the politics of seeing differently
Authors: Austin Jonathan Luke , Bramsen Isabel 
Published: October 2023

AbstractHas Visual International Relations (IR) become too distant from the content of visual artefacts? This is a paradoxical question. Visual IR is a vibrant and pluralist field exploring visuals in innumerable ways. Nonetheless, the field tends to focus on ‘deep’ readings of the socio-political implications of visual artefacts at the expense of a close and attentive observation and description of the events, situations, or phenomena they may depict. Simply put, visual IR usually analyses visuals-as-visuals rather than seeing them as entry points for studying the social world. But might a video of torture teach us something about the practicality of torture? Might a video of peace negotiations teach us something about their successes or failures? Can we gain a fleeting glimpse of ‘reality’ within visuals? We address these questions by first situating our focus on close ‘visual (data) observation’ in conceptual conversation with the literature’s existing focus on deep interpretation. Second, we outline three approaches to visual observation as they are deployed outside IR. Third, we unpack how those approaches might be of value for IR, especially vis-à-vis the study of practice, materiality, and discourse. Finally, we conclude by asking if visual data observation can retain critical political potentiality.
Individual differences in L2 listening proficiency revisited: Roles of form, meaning, and use aspects of phonological vocabulary knowledge
Authors: Saito Kazuya , Uchihara Takumi , Takizawa Kotaro , Suzukida Yui 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
The present study revisits the differential roles of form, meaning, and use aspects of phonological vocabulary knowledge in L2 listening proficiency. A total of 126 Japanese English-as-a-foreign-language listeners completed the TOEIC Listening test, working memory and auditory processing tests, the Metacognitive Awareness Listening Questionnaire, and several tasks designed to tap into three broad aspects of phonological vocabulary knowledge: (1) the ability to access phonological forms without any orthographic cues (phonologization), (2) the ability to recognize words regardless of the talker (generalization), and (3) the ability to determine the semantic and collocational appropriateness of words in global contexts in a fast and stable manner (automatization). Whereas the perceptual, cognitive, and metacognitive variables made relatively small contributions to L2 listening proficiency (0.4%–21.3%), the vocabulary factors explained a large amount of the variance (77.6%) in the full regression model (R2 = .507). These large lexical effects uniquely derived from the three different aspects of phonological vocabulary knowledge—automatization (55.3%), phonologization (20.8%), and generalization (1.5%). The findings suggest that successful L2 listening skill acquisition draws on not only various levels of phonological form-meaning mapping (phonologization, generalization) but also the spontaneous and robust retrieval of such vocabulary knowledge in relation to surrounding words (automatization).