bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mythological heroes on Czech stages and politics: the case of Phaethon and Antigone
Authors: Čadková Daniela 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Czech culture and society have abundant experience of repressive regimes and political oppression, as well as censorship and bans on speaking publicly and critically about the political situation. This article focuses on two dramatizations of ancient Greek myth and demonstrates their connection with politics: Phaethon by Otakar Theer (1917) is an expression of rebellion against the bondage of the Czech nation in the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy, while The Whore from the City of Thebes by Milan Uhde (1967), a paraphrase of Sophocles’ Antigone, is a cynical analysis of the state of civil society in totalitarian communist Czechoslovakia. These plays tried to appeal to the audiences of the time allegorically, using ‘Aesopian language’ and parables. Both reinterpretations of Greek myth are analysed in their historical and cultural context and compared with contemporary adaptations of classical Greek tragedies.
Mild autonomous cortisol secretion in adrenal incidentalomas and risk of fragility fractures: a large cross-sectional study
Authors: Zavatta Guido , Vicennati Valentina , Altieri Paola , Tucci Lorenzo , Colombin Giacomo , Coscia Kimberly , Mosconi Cristina , Balacchi Caterina , Fanelli Flaminia , Malagrinò Matteo , Magagnoli Matteo , Golfieri Rita , Pagotto Uberto , Di Dalmazi Guido 
Published: March 2023

AbstractObjectiveMild autonomous cortisol secretion (MACS) has been associated with a higher prevalence of osteoporosis, although most data rely on single-center studies with limited sample size. We aimed to assess the prevalence of fragility fractures and contributing factors in a large cohort of patients with adrenal incidentalomas.Design and MethodsMedical records of 1023 patients with adrenal incidentalomas from 1990 to 2019 were reviewed, and 735 patients were selected. Clinically obtained electronic radiological images closest to first endocrine evaluation, such as lateral views of spine X-rays or CT thoraco-abdominal scans, were reviewed to screen for asymptomatic morphometric vertebral fractures. Clinical fragility fractures, hormonal, and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) indices were also recorded.ResultsFour hundred seventy-four patients had nonfunctioning (NF) adrenal incidentalomas, 238 had MACS and 23 adrenal Cushing's syndrome (AC). Prevalence of fragility fractures was different (P = .018) between groups, respectively, 24.1% (NF), 34.0% (MACS), and 30.4% (AC), with significant difference between NF and MACS (P = .012). When analyzed separately by sex and menopausal status, this difference remained significant in postmenopausal women (P = .011), with a fracture prevalence of 22.2% (NF) and 34.6% (MACS). Fracture prevalence was similar in males. Women with MACS aged ≥65 years reported a 48.8% prevalence of fractures, as compared with 29.5% in NF (P &lt; .01). In postmenopausal women, fragility fractures were associated with age (odds ratio [OR] 1.1, P &lt; .001), smoking (OR 1.8, P = .048), and 1 mg-dexamethasone suppression test (DST) cortisol (OR 3.1, P = .029), while in men, only age was associated with fragility fractures.ConclusionsA considerable fracture burden was shown in postmenopausal women with adrenal incidentalomas and MACS, with clinical implications for the evaluation and management of bone metabolism.
Initial pathology in aggressive pituitary tumours and carcinomas: 2b or not 2b?—that is the question
Authors: Trouillas Jacqueline , Burman Pia , Losa Marco , McCormack Ann , Petersenn Stephan , Popovic Vera , Theodoropoulou Marily , Dekkers Olaf M , Raverot Gerald 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
From a cohort of 171 patients comprising 121 aggressive pituitary tumours (APT) and 50 pituitary carcinomas (PC), the clinicopathological or five-tiered classification based on tumour invasion and proliferation evaluated by at least 2 proliferative markers over the cut-offs (Ki-67 ≥3% or ≥10%, p53 positive or expressed in %, mitotic count &gt;2%), could be applied on 43 tumours: 20 PC and 23 APT. At the initial surgery, 29/43 tumours (67.4%) were grade 2b (invasive and proliferative) of which 44.8% developed metastases during follow-up (PC, grade 3). Out of these 29 tumours, 55.1% had a Ki-67 ≥10%, and were classified grade 2b* (invasive and highly proliferative). There was one tumour grade 1b* (non-invasive and highly proliferative) which metastazed. Out of the 43 tumours, 30.2 % were grade 2a (invasive and non-proliferative). The sensitivity and the specificity of grade 2b for the diagnosis of APT at the initial surgery, were 68% and 90% respectively. The comparison of the high percentage (67.4%) of grade 2b tumours in this selected cohort of APT/PC with the low percentage (8.8%) in a surgical cohort of unselected tumours shows that the initial pathological diagnosis of grade 2b tumour may be considered, in the clinic, as representing a diagnosis of APT. In addition, a significant subgroup of tumours, which will develop metastases supports the proposal that an aggressive grade 2b tumour is “a tumour with malignant potential” or “a malignant tumour without metastases”. So, the clinician may take into account the pathological diagnosis, at the initial surgery, to propose a strict follow-up and to consider earlier use of radiotherapy and/or of temozolomide in the presence of tumours with aggressive behaviour.
Random points are optimal for the approximation of Sobolev functions
Authors: Krieg David , Sonnleitner Mathias 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
We show that independent and uniformly distributed sampling points are asymptotically as good as optimal sampling points for the approximation of functions from Sobolev spaces $W_p^s(\varOmega )$ on bounded convex domains $\varOmega \subset{\mathbb{R}}^d$ in the $L_q$-norm if $q&lt;p$. More generally, we characterize the quality of arbitrary sampling point sets $P\subset \varOmega $ via the $L_\gamma (\varOmega )$-norm of the distance function dist$ (\cdot ,P)$, where $\gamma =s(1/q-1/p)^{-1}$ if $q&lt;p$ and $\gamma =\infty $ if $q\ge p$. This improves upon previous characterizations based on the covering radius of $P$.
Sociodemographic Variables Can Guide Prioritized Testing Strategies for Epidemic Control in Resource-Limited Contexts
Authors: Evans Michelle V , Ramiadantsoa Tanjona , Kauffman Kayla , Moody James , Nunn Charles L , Rabezara Jean Yves , Raharimalala Prisca , Randriamoria Toky M , Soarimalala Voahangy , Titcomb Georgia , Garchitorena Andres , Roche Benjamin 
Published: March 2023

Abstract

Background
Targeted surveillance allows public health authorities to implement testing and isolation strategies when diagnostic resources are limited, and can be implemented via the consideration of social network topologies. However, it remains unclear how to implement such surveillance and control when network data are unavailable.

Methods
We evaluated the ability of sociodemographic proxies of degree centrality to guide prioritized testing of infected individuals compared to known degree centrality. Proxies were estimated via readily available sociodemographic variables (age, gender, marital status, educational attainment, household size). We simulated severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) epidemics via a susceptible-exposed-infected-recovered individual-based model on 2 contact networks from rural Madagascar to test applicability of these findings to low-resource contexts.

Results
Targeted testing using sociodemographic proxies performed similarly to targeted testing using known degree centralities. At low testing capacity, using proxies reduced infection burden by 22%–33% while using 20% fewer tests, compared to random testing. By comparison, using known degree centrality reduced the infection burden by 31%–44% while using 26%–29% fewer tests.

Conclusions
We demonstrate that incorporating social network information into epidemic control strategies is an effective countermeasure to low testing capacity and can be implemented via sociodemographic proxies when social network data are unavailable.
Incorporating the diagnosis and management of female genital schistosomiasis in primary healthcare in Liberia: a mixed methods pilot study
Authors: Nganda Motto , Bettee Anthony K , Kollie Karsor , Nallo Gartee E , Juabeh Matthews , Wright Abednego , Thomson Rachael , Dean Laura 
Published: March 2023

AbstractBackgroundLiberia's national neglected tropical disease (NTD) master plan 2016–2020 adopted the need for integrated approaches to tackle the threat of specific NTDs including schistosomiasis. Female genital schistosomiasis (FGS) affects up to 75% of women and girls living in schistosomiasis-endemic areas. Liberia's Bong and Nimba counties are endemic for schistosomiasis. The communities affected are poor and dependent on primary healthcare services. Incorporating the diagnosis and treatment of FGS within primary healthcare is a critical step in the control and elimination of schistosomiasis in Liberia. The Calling Time for Neglected Tropical Diseases (COUNTDOWN) research programme partnership included the Liberia Ministry of Health NTD programme. Together, partners designed this study to co-develop, pilot and evaluate a primary healthcare package for clinical diagnosis and management of FGS in Liberia.MethodsMixed methods were applied to assess the intervention outcomes and process. Quantitative descriptive analysis of routine health facility (secondary) data was used to characterise women and girls diagnosed and treated for FGS. Qualitative rapid analysis of meeting reports and training observations, thematic framework analysis of in-depth interviews with women and girls and key-informant interviews with health system actors were used to establish the success and sustainability of intervention components.ResultsIn 6 months, 258 women and girls were diagnosed and treated for FGS within routine service delivery across six primary health facilities. Diagnosis and treatment were completed by health facility staff who had been trained in the FGS intervention developed within this study. Some women diagnosed and treated had symptom relief or were optimistic about the intervention due to improved diagnostic and treatment communication by health workers. Health workers and stakeholders were satisfied with the care package and attributed intervention success to the all-inclusive approach to intervention design and development; cascaded training of all cadres of the health system; and the locally driven intervention rollout, which promoted local ownership and uptake of intervention components.ConclusionThis study demonstrates the possibility of using a clinical care package to diagnose women and girls suspected of FGS, including the provision of treatment using praziquantel when it is made available at primary healthcare facilities.
Associations between clinical pathway concordance, cost, and survival outcomes for stage II colon cancer: a population-based study
Authors: Milroy Shannon , Wong Judith , Eberg Maria , Ieraci Luciano , Forster Katharina , Holloway Claire M B , Sutherland Jason M 
Published: March 2023

AbstractThis study measures patient’s concordance between clinical reference pathways with survival or cost among a population-based cohort of colon cancer patients applying a continuous measure of concordance. The primary hypothesis is that a higher concordance score with the clinical pathway is significantly associated with longer survival or lower cost. The study informs whether patient’s adherence to a defined clinical pathway is beneficial to patients’ outcomes or health system. An externally determined clinical pathway for colon cancer was used to identify treatment nodes in colon cancer care. Using observational data up to 2019, the study generated a continuous measure of pathway concordance. The study measured whether incremental improvements in pathway concordance were associated with survival and treatment costs. Concordance between patients’ reference pathways and their observed trajectories of care was highly statistically associated with survivorship [hazard ratio: 0.95 (95% confidence interval, CI, 0.95–0.96)], showing that adherence to the clinical pathway was associated with a lower mortality rate. An increase in concordance was statistically significantly associated with a decrease in health system cost. When patients’ care followed the clinical pathway, survival outcomes were better and total health system costs were lower in this cohort. This finding creates a compelling case for further research into understanding the barriers to pathway concordance and developing interventions to improve outcomes and help providers implement best practice care where appropriate.
Approaches for introducing large DNA molecules into bacterial cells
Authors: Nishida Hiromi 
Published: March 2023

AbstractEngineering of the bacterial genome plays a key role in systems biology and synthetic biology. Genetic engineering of the bacterial genome involves the design and synthesis of large DNA molecules. However, functional studies of the designed and synthesized large DNA molecules are lagging. Methods for the transformation of large DNA molecules of bacterial chromosome size into bacterial cells through a single operation have not yet been established. Two major methods can be used for transferring large DNA molecules of bacterial chromosome size into bacterial cells: transformation mediated by liposomes or by microinjection. In both methods, cell wall (peptidoglycan layer)-deficient cells (l-form, protoplast, or spheroplast) should be used as the bacterial host cells. We succeeded in transferring a heterologous bacterial genome into an enlarged bacterial protoplast using a micromanipulator. This method for transferring large DNA molecules into bacterial cells through a single operation will contribute to both fundamental and applied research in microbial genome science.
The-raw shell color determines cooked color and carotenoid profiles of the freshwater prawnMacrobrachium rosenbergii(De Man, 1879) (Decapoda: Caridea: Palaemonidae)
Authors: Li Qingqing , Liao Jiongdong , Lin Li 
Published: March 2023

AbstractOne of the most important criteria in consumer acceptance is the color of the prawn, which has long been linked with its excellent quality. The goal of this study was to compare the shell (exoskeleton) color parameters lightness (L), redness (a), yellowness (b), color difference (dE), and carotenoid content in farmed prawns in ponds between dark- blue and light-yellow varieties of the prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii (De Man, 1879), and the relationship among raw-shell color parameters, cooked shell color parameters, and carotenoid profiles of the prawn. The raw shell of dark-blue prawns recorded a substantially lower b value than light-yellow prawns (P = 0.003), whereas a value was significantly higher in the cooked shell of dark-blue individuals (P = 0.000). Dark-blue had considerably greater total carotenoids (P = 0.006) and astaxanthin (P = 0.002) content in comparison to light-yellow individuals; b of the raw shell was substantially associated with a of the cooked (r = –0.496, P = 0.001); b of raw shell had a significantly negative correlation with total carotenoids (r = –0.674, P = 0.001), astaxanthin (r = –0.689, P = 0.001), and β-carotene (r = –0.658, P = 0.002); but a of cooked shell had a significantly positive correlation with total carotenoids (r = 0.634, P = 0.003), astaxanthin (r = 0.683, P = 0.001), and β-carotene (r = 0.636, P = 0.003). Our findings provide a better understanding on how the raw-shell color influences the carotenoid profiles and cooked color in M. rosenbergii.
A novel image-based method for simultaneous counting of Lactobacillus and Saccharomyces in mixed culture fermentation
Authors: Williamson Cecelia , Kennedy Kevin , Bhattacharya Sayak , Patel Samir , Perry Jennifer , Bolton Jason , Perkins Lewis Brian , Chan Leo Li-Ying 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Mixed microorganism cultures are prevalent in the food industry. A variety of microbiological mixtures have been used in these unique fermenting processes to create distinctive flavor profiles and potential health benefits. Mixed cultures are typically not well characterized, which may be due to the lack of simple measurement tools. Image-based cytometry systems have been employed to automatically count bacteria or yeast cells. In this work, we aim to develop a novel image cytometry method to distinguish and enumerate mixed cultures of yeast and bacteria in beer products. Cellometer X2 from Nexcelom was used to count of Lactobacillus plantarum and Saccharomyces cerevisiae in mixed cultures using fluorescent dyes and size exclusion image analysis algorithm. Three experiments were performed for validation. (1) Yeast and bacteria monoculture titration, (2) mixed culture with various ratios, and (3) monitoring a Berliner Weisse mixed culture fermentation. All experiments were validated by comparing to manual counting of yeast and bacteria colony formation. They were highly comparable with ANOVA analysis showing p-value &gt; 0.05. Overall, the novel image cytometry method was able to distinguish and count mixed cultures consistently and accurately, which may provide better characterization of mixed culture brewing applications and produce higher quality products.
Landscape genetics of the Southern Flying Squirrel (Glaucomys volans) in the northeastern United States
Authors: Vivas-Toro Isabela , Martínez-Méndez Norberto , Sagot María , León-Avila Gloria , Ortega Jorge 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Understanding how changes in landscape properties influence common species is relevant as it allows us to identify patterns that could be shared with co-distributed species that occupy the same landscapes. The northeastern United States (NE-USA: New York state and the six states of New England) is heavily urbanized and affected by continuous and prolonged anthropogenic activities, leading to intensive landscape fragmentation and loss of natural forests. Here, we used a landscape genetics approach to explore the genetic diversity and structure of the Southern Flying Squirrel, Glaucomys volans, and how resulting patterns may be related to landscape fragmentation and forest loss in the NE-USA. To study G. volans genetic variation and population structure, we amplified and genotyped 10 microsatellites loci from DNA extracted from tissue samples stored in biological collections and natural history museums. To assess the influence of landscape on gene flow and connectivity, we used two genetic distances metrics–proportion of shared alleles and codominant marker, and tested two landscape cost models approaches–least cost path and isolation by resistance. We identified three genetic clusters, with low but significant genetic differentiation between them. We did not find correlation between geographic distance and genetic variation in these populations. According to landscape models, land cover and elevation were the best predictors of genetic connectivity of G. volans, although were poorly related to genetic distances. Our results suggest that gene flow occurs between G. volans populations across the NE-USA despite the changed landscape configuration, implying potential dispersal of individuals between patches. Nonetheless, individuals from the eastern periphery of the distribution may have been temporarily isolated in the past due to historical deforestation. The current regeneration of hardwood forests represents a positive outlook for the genetic integrity of G. volans populations in the NE-USA because more possibilities for corridors and patches of habitable forests emerge. These changes would improve the connectivity of the species in the region and avoid possible local extinction events.
Myotis Roost Use Is Influenced by Seasonal Thermal Needs
Authors: Rensel Leah J , Hodges Karen E , Lausen Cori L 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Reproductive bats switch frequently among roosts to select the most advantageous microclimates and avoid predation or parasitism. Many bats use human-made structures, such as bat boxes and buildings, in areas where natural structures are less abundant. Artificial structures, which may be warmer and larger than natural structures, may affect bat behavior and roost use. We studied Yuma Myotis (Myotis yumanensis) and Little Brown Myotis (M. lucifugus) in artificial structures at two sites to understand how roost conditions and reproductive pressures influenced roost switching in maternity colonies in the lower mainland of British Columbia, Canada. During summer 2019, we used Passive Integrated Technology (PIT tags and scanners) to track daily roosting locations of individuals. Yuma myotis and little brown myotis used at least five roosts at each site and switched almost daily among roosts. Bats were less likely to switch from roosts that were 25–42°C and switch roosts during lactation, particularly when the young were nonvolant. Our findings suggest that reproductive female myotis that use artificial roosts seek out warm roosts to limit energy expenditure and speed up offspring development. We also found that bats boxes were not thermally stable environments and the behavior of bats reflected temperature variability. Land managers should ensure that multiple nearby roosts are available to maternity colonies, as reproductive bats require a range of temperatures and roost types during summer.
Older Refugee Perspectives on Death, Remembrance, and Burial: The East Timorese in Indonesia
Authors: Sakti Victoria Kumala 
Published: March 2023

AbstractBased on extensive ethnographic research, this article examines the perspectives and practices related to death, remembrance, and burial among older East Timorese people who have resettled in Indonesia. The study reveals how their heightened awareness of mortality shapes their experiences of forced migration and intergenerational relations in later life, providing new insights into the challenges faced by displaced communities in various socio-cultural contexts. Through a nuanced analysis of translocal practices related to death, the article shows how older refugees navigate competing familial and cultural expectations while grappling with the legacies of the Indonesian occupation. The article also highlights the ongoing processes of dealing with the past and aspirations for the future, as older East Timorese contemplate their future burial places. By exploring the intertwinements of ageing and death in a forced migration context, this study sheds light on how ‘belonging’ emerges as a significant issue and the importance of intergenerational relationships in such contexts.