bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Alexander the Great in Mesopotamia in 331 BCE
Authors: Marciak Michał , Sobiech Marcin , Pirowski Tomasz 
Published: February 2023

AbstractThis paper presents a selected aspect of research conducted within the Gaugamela Project, which seeks to finally identify the location of the Battle of Gaugamela. Its particular aim is to analyse the strategic situation of the army of Alexander the Great in Mesopotamia in the summer of 331 BCE, with a special focus on the itinerary and chronology of the army's march. The paper critically reviews Classical sources (Arrian, Curtius, Diodorus, and Plutarch), but also employs topographic and archaeological data as well as GIS capabilities (least cost paths). In contrast to most previous scholarship, it is suggested that the Macedonian troops crossed the Euphrates much later than suggested by Arrian (Anab. 3.7.1) – around September 2, 331 BCE. Their march led across the Tur Abdin escarpment (via Nisibis) and left Mesopotamia through a ford in the vicinity of modern Cizre or Basorin. What is more, the Macedonian marching rate was definitely not slow (contra W. E. Marsden), but faster than average due to the activity of the Persian scouting troops and logistic necessity. In total, the Macedonians covered around 370 to 394 km within a maximum of 16 days.
First jellyfish records for Qatar and further notes on Scyphomedusae species from the Arabian Gulf (Cnidaria, Scyphozoa)
Authors: Daly Yahia Mohamed Nejib , Range Pedro , Giraldes Bruno Welter , Morandini André C. 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
This study focused on a jellyfish monitoring and sampling programme along the eastern Qatar seawaters and reports the first jellyfish records for the Qatar pelagic ecosystem and the occurrence of three scyphozoans: the semaeostome Chrysaora cf. caliparea and the rhizostomes Marivagia stellata and Catostylus perezi, considered as first records of Scyphomedusae for Qatar. Jellyfish monitoring, underwater photography and sample collection were carried out along an inshore-offshore transect composed of five stations along the eastern coast of Qatar. Jellyfish material examined, systematic description, general distribution and sting risk of the three species are provided. The discussion section highlights the blooming capabilities of Chrysaora cf. caliparea and Catostylus perezi, while Marivagia stellata seems scarcer, being spotted for the first time since we started our jellyfish investigation programme in August 2018.
The effectiveness of an extra-curricular lecture for STI prevention and sexual education
Authors: Reinholz M. , Nellessen T. , Wei E. , Zippel S. , Fuchs C. , Kaemmerer T. , Clanner-Engelshofen B. M. , Frommherz L. H. , Rummel M. , French L. E. , Stadler P.-C. 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
While the incidence of infections with the human immunodeficiency virus largely remained unchanged in Germany, an increase of other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) was observed. The aim was to analyse the effectiveness of our sexual education lecture for students in improving the awareness, knowledge and prevention of STIs. We conducted a cross-sectional survey after students had attended our extra-curricular lecture at the Department of Dermatology of the Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Germany (LMU). We compared the data with a previously performed study in which the same survey was carried out before the lecture had started. A total of 5866 questionnaires were included in the analysis. After attending the lecture significantly more students were aware of STIs (syphilis: 36.8% (before) vs. 63.5% (after); chlamydia: 30.5% vs. 49.3%; gonorrhoea: 22.4% vs. 38.2%; human papillomaviruses (HPV): 17.7% vs. 30.2%), the transmission pathways of STIs (oral: 36.6% vs. 82.6%; vaginal: 81.8% vs. 97.3%; anal: 42.8% vs. 94.0%; penile: 68.7% vs. 92.1%), knew that the HPV vaccination is directed against a virus (36.8% vs. 56.9%) and were interested in receiving a vaccination (57.7% vs. 78.8%). This study demonstrates the positive educative effects of our lecture for awareness and improved knowledge of STIs. To satisfy the need for a comprehensive sexual education, a combination of school and health facility-based programmes should be implemented as one single lecture cannot convey the entire information about STIs.
The Songs of Fire (1975): Sonic Narratives of Resistance and Collective Memory
Authors: PAPAETI ANNA 
Published: February 2023

AbstractThis article focuses on the documentary The Songs of Fire by Nikos Koundouros (1975). Shot immediately after the fall of the military dictatorship (1967–74) in Greece, it exhumes the elation of three public concerts and demonstrations, capturing the enthusiasm for the return to democracy expressed through singing and chanting. The article focuses on the ways in which popular songs became the vehicles of the popular demand for democracy during the early transition to democracy. It shows how the film was crucial in establishing a narrative of resistance in collective memory that was centred on singing and listening, investigating the ways in which this sonic narrative, performed collectively and publicly, also betrays a latent reaction to a brutal regime fought by the few. It argues that collective singing seems to merge in memory with the ‘singing resistance’ performed individually and in secret during the dictatorship. Extended back in time, this sonic narrative registers an unconscious desire to repress the fact that large parts of society had remained silent during the regime's seven-year rule.
Will Warming Climate Affect the Characteristics of Summer Monsoon Rainfall and Associated Extremes Over the Gangetic Plains in India?
Authors: Pant Manas , Bhatla R. , Ghosh Soumik , Das Sushant , Mall R. K. 
Published: February 2023

AbstractThe Indo‐Gangetic Plain (IGP) bears great agricultural importance and contributes to a major share of national GDP of India. In present study, a location‐specific comprehensive analysis of rainfall extremes over IGP, using second generation CORDEX‐CORE simulations in the present and future scenarios (under high emission RCP8.5 scenario) have been performed. Here, the high‐resolution CORDEX‐CORE simulations with International Centre for Theoretical Physics's regional climate model (RegCM4.7) have been considered for the detailed rainfall characteristics assessment. Twelve thresholds‐based climate indices have been analyzed to investigate the characteristics of rainfall extremes during three‐time slices: 1986–2005 (historical), 2041–2060 (near future) and 2080–2099 (far future). The RegCM4 projections suggested a substantial decline in mean Indian Summer monsoon rainfall (ISMR) and wet days (rainfall ≥ 1 mm; 7%–14%) over IGP under high‐emission RCP8.5 scenario. The contribution of 90th and 99th percentile days and total rainfall on wet days, seems to be get enhanced in future by 14%–35%, which implies the increase and intensification in rainfall extremes over IGP by the end of the 21st century. Further, the decline in ISMR and negligible changes in annual rainfall over IGP suggest the possible shift of monsoon regime during the later months of the year in warming climate. Thus, findings of present study may play a crucial role in predicting the ISMR and rainfall extremes over the IGP. Therefore, it can be useful for scientists and policymakers to plan and implement mitigation strategies.
Botulinum neurotoxin A ameliorates depressive-like behavior in a reserpine-induced Parkinson’s disease mouse model via suppressing hippocampal microglial engulfment and neuroinflammation
Authors: Li Yang , Yin Qiao , Li Qi , Huo An-ran , Shen Ting-ting , Cao Jia-qian , Liu Chun-feng , Liu Tong , Luo Wei-feng , Cong Qi-fei 
Published: February 2023

AbstractDepression is one of the common non-motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease (PD). In the clinic, botulinum neurotoxin A (BoNT/A) has been used to treat depression. In this study, we investigated the mechanisms underlying the anti-depressive effect of BoNT/A in a PD mouse model. Mice were administered reserpine (3 μg/mL in the drinking water) for 10 weeks. From the 10th week, BoNT/A (10 U·kg−1·d−1) was injected into the cheek for 3 consecutive days. We showed that chronic administration of reserpine produced the behavioral phenotypes of depression and neurochemical changes in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) and striatum. BoNT/A treatment significantly ameliorated the depressive-like behaviors, but did not improve TH activity in SNpc of reserpine-treated mice. We demonstrated that BoNT/A treatment reversed reserpine-induced complement and microglia activation in the hippocampal CA1 region. Furthermore, BoNT/A treatment significantly attenuated the microglial engulfment of presynaptic synapses, thus ameliorating the apparent synapse and spine loss in the hippocampus in the reserpine-treated mice. Moreover, BoNT/A treatment suppressed microglia-mediated expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-1β in reserpine-treated mice. In addition, we showed that BoNT/A (0.1 U/mL) ameliorated reserpine-induced complement and microglia activation in mouse BV2 microglial cells in vitro. We conclude that BoNT/A ameliorates depressive-like behavior in a reserpine-induced PD mouse model through reversing the synapse loss mediated by classical complement induced-microglial engulfment as well as alleviating microglia-mediated proinflammatory responses.
EEG is better left alone
Authors: Delorme Arnaud 
Published: February 2023

AbstractAutomated preprocessing methods are critically needed to process the large publicly-available EEG databases, but the optimal approach remains unknown because we lack data quality metrics to compare them. Here, we designed a simple yet robust EEG data quality metric assessing the percentage of significant channels between two experimental conditions within a 100 ms post-stimulus time range. Because of volume conduction in EEG, given no noise, most brain-evoked related potentials (ERP) should be visible on every single channel. Using three publicly available collections of EEG data, we showed that, with the exceptions of high-pass filtering and bad channel interpolation, automated data corrections had no effect on or significantly decreased the percentage of significant channels. Referencing and advanced baseline removal methods were significantly detrimental to performance. Rejecting bad data segments or trials could not compensate for the loss in statistical power. Automated Independent Component Analysis rejection of eyes and muscles failed to increase performance reliably. We compared optimized pipelines for preprocessing EEG data maximizing ERP significance using the leading open-source EEG software: EEGLAB, FieldTrip, MNE, and Brainstorm. Only one pipeline performed significantly better than high-pass filtering the data.
Genetic predisposition to smoking in relation to the risk of frailty in ageing
Authors: Liu Wei , Yang Hong , Lv Linshuoshuo , Song Jie , Jiang Yuqing , Sun Xiaohui , Ye Ding , Mao Yingying 
Published: February 2023

AbstractFrailty causes emerging global health burden due to its high prevalence and mortality. In this study, we used Mendelian randomization (MR) approach to examine the potential causal relationship between smoking and frailty in ageing. Using inverse-variance weighted (IVW) method, genetically predicted smoking initiation was associated with an increased risk of frailty in ageing (odd ratio (OR) 1.23, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.19–1.27, P = 3.21 × 10–39). Similarly, per year increase in age of initiation of regular smoking was associated with a 25% decrease in the risk of frailty (95% CI 7–39%, P = 7.79 × 10–3, per year), while higher number of cigarettes per day was associated with a 12% increased risk (95% CI 4–20%, P = 1.76 × 10–3). Compared with former smokers, current smokers were associated with an increased risk of frailty (OR 1.12, 95% CI 1.02–1.22, P = 0.01). Lifetime smoking was associated with a 46% higher risk of frailty (95% CI 37–56%, P = 2.63 × 10–29). Sensitivity analysis using alternative MR methods yielded similar results. Our study indicates that genetic predisposition to smoking is associated with the risk of frailty in ageing. Further studies are warranted to examine the exact role of smoking in the development of frailty.
Outcomes of cystoid macular edema following Descemet’s membrane endothelial keratoplasty in a referral center for keratoplasty in Spain: retrospective study
Authors: Moura-Coelho Nuno , Papa-Vettorazzi Renato , Santiesteban-García Imalvet , Dias-Santos Arnaldo , Manero Felicidad , Cunha João Paulo , Güell José 
Published: February 2023

AbstractThe aim of this study was to analyze the outcomes of eyes with visually significant cystoid macular œdema (vs-CMO) after Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) in a referral center for keratoplasty in Spain. We conducted a retrospective, single-surgeon case series of eyes that developed post-DMEK vs-CMO performed between January 2011 and December 2020. Data collected included: indication for DMEK; biometric data; ocular comorbidities; past medical history; time to detection of vs-CMO after DMEK (T, weeks); best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA, logMAR) and central retinal thickness (CRT, µm) at diagnosis of vs-CMO, after resolution of CMO, and at last follow-up; and management strategy. Main outcomes analyzed were incidence of vs-CMO, improvement in BCVA and CRT after treatment of vs-CMO. Of 291 consecutive DMEK surgeries, 14 eyes of 13 patients (4.8%) developed vs-CMO. Five patients (38.5%) had history of CMO, and 28.6% of eyes had ophthalmic comorbidities. Median (P25-P75) T was 4 (3–10) weeks. Treatment success was observed in 12/13 eyes (92.3%), two of which required second-line treatment. In successful cases (median time-to-resolution 3.0 (2.0–3.5) months), median BCVA improved from 0.60 (0.40–0.80) logMAR to 0.30 (0.15–0.40) logMAR (p = 0.002) after treatment, and median CRT improved from 582.5 (400.0–655.0) µm to 278.0 (258.0–294.0) µm (p = 0.005). In our study, we found a 4.8% rate of post-DMEK vs-CMO, with most cases occurring in the first 3 months after surgery. Good functional and anatomical outcomes are expected in most eyes, without treatment-related complications or implications in graft outcomes. Additional studies are encouraged to determine a standardized protocol for post-DMEK vs-CMO.
Assessing the allocation of attention during visual search using digit-tracking, a calibration-free alternative to eye tracking
Authors: Yang Yidong , Mo Lei , Lio Guillaume , Huang Yulong , Perret Thomas , Sirigu Angela , Duhamel Jean-René 
Published: February 2023

AbstractDigit-tracking, a simple, calibration-free technique, has proven to be a good alternative to eye tracking in vision science. Participants view stimuli superimposed by Gaussian blur on a touchscreen interface and slide a finger across the display to locally sharpen an area the size of the foveal region just at the finger's position. Finger movements are recorded as an indicator of eye movements and attentional focus. Because of its simplicity and portability, this system has many potential applications in basic and applied research. Here we used digit-tracking to investigate visual search and replicated several known effects observed using different types of search arrays. Exploration patterns measured with digit-tracking during visual search of natural scenes were comparable to those previously reported for eye-tracking and constrained by similar saliency. Therefore, our results provide further evidence for the validity and relevance of digit-tracking for basic and applied research on vision and attention.
Family before work: task reversion in workers of the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta in the presence of brood
Authors: Starkey Jesse , Tamborindeguy Cecilia 
Published: February 2023

AbstractAmong social insects, task allocation within its group members remains as one of the paramount pillars of social functionality. Division of labor in many eusocial insects is maintained by behavioral flexibility that can shift according to the needs of the colony they reside in. Workers typically, over time as they age, shift from intranidal nurses to extranidal foragers. If the needs of the colony change, either from the needs of the adults or the brood therein, workers shift their behavior in order to compensate for the need of a particular task to be done. This shift, either accelerating towards a behavior associated with an older worker, or regressing back into the nest, is not clearly understood in social insects outside of honeybees. In this study, evaluated how brood type affected the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta, worker task reversion and acceleration. Through observation of worker behaviors performed over multiple time-points per day, we discovered that worker task reversion and acceleration does occur within this ant species. Furthermore, the type of brood influenced the rate at which this occurred, with larvae having the strongest effect of all types. Finally, there was a propensity for workers to maintain their new behavior throughout the experiment. This study shows that the needs of brood within a social insect colony can influence the behavior workers perform, reversing the age polyethism that is common among social insect species.
Rheological properties and volumetric isothermal expansivity of bamboo kraft black liquor with high solids content and low lignin content
Authors: Chen Shenglin , Xu Yongjian , Guo Kangkang , Yue Xiaopeng 
Published: February 2023

AbstractIn this study, a certain percentage of lignin in original bamboo kraft black liquor (BKBL) was separated, and the residual BKBL with low lignin content was expected to be fed into the alkali recovery boiler to reduce the heat transfer load of the alkali recovery boiler. With the decrease in lignin content, the rheological properties/volumetric isothermal expansivity (VIE) of BKBL change. When the lignin content was 70% remaining in the original BKBL, the viscosity of BKBL with low lignin content is close to that of the passivated BKBL at the same solids content, the dynamic viscoelasticity is superior, and the VIE decreases by 57.2%. When the amount of desilication agent is 1.5%, the viscosity of BKBL with low lignin content did not change much, and the VIE increased sharply and was 62.7% higher than that of the passivated BKBL. Therefore, the combination of partial lignin separation process and sodium aluminate desilication process can effectively improve the ability of alkali recovery boiler to deal with BKBL and reduce the influence of “silicon interference”.
Neuroprotective activity of novel phenanthrene derivative from Grewia tiliaefolia by in vitro and in silico studies
Authors: Rajput Ankita , Sharma Palvi , Kumar Nitish , Kaur Sarabjit , Arora Saroj 
Published: February 2023

AbstractMedicinal plants possess range of phytochemicals accountable for their diverse biological activities. Presently, such compounds have been isolated from medicinal plants, characterized and evaluated for their pharmacological potential. In the present study, the efforts have been made to isolate the compound(s) from Grewia tiliaefolia Vahl., plant known for its ameliorative effect on brain related diseases such as anxiety, depression, cognitive disorders and Parkinson’s disease. Plant extract was subjected to isolation of compound(s) using column chromatography and isolated compound was characterized by NMR FTIR and LCMS. The isolated compound was novel with the IUPAC name of the compound is propyl 3-hydroxy-10,13-dimethyl-6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17-dodecahydro-3H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthrene-17-carboxylate, designated as A-1 and has not been reported before. A-1 was further evaluated for its antioxidant potential using in vitro antioxidant assays (2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate, DPPH assay and reducing power assay, RPA). Also, Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory potential of A-1 and extract was analysed. Results showed that A-1 exhibited significantly higher antioxidant activity in both DPPH and RPA assay as compared to plant extract. In case of AChE inhibitory activity again, A-1 has shown significantly higher activity as compared to plant extract. In silico study was conducted to predict its action on proteins playing crucial role in neurological and neurodegenerative disorders such as gamma amino butyric acid (GABA) receptor and glutamate α amino-3-hydroxyl-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (Glu AMPA) receptor in epilepsy and AChE enzyme in Alzheimer’s diseases. The compound has shown interaction in following order: AChE > GABA receptor > Glu AMPA receptor. Further, molecular dynamic simulations and ADME studies of A-1 and AChE enzyme revealed that A-1 yielded good results in all parameters and hence can relieve Alzheimer’s like symptoms.
Absence of microbiome triggers extensive changes in the transcriptional profile of Hermetia illucens during larval ontogeny
Authors: Auger Laurence , Bouslama Sidki , Deschamps Marie-Hélène , Vandenberg Grant , Derome Nicolas 
Published: February 2023

AbstractBlack soldier fly larvae (BSF, Hermetia illucens) have gained much attention for their industrial use as biowaste recyclers and as a new source of animal proteins. The functional effect that microbiota has on insect health and growth performance remains largely unknown. This study clarifies the role of microbiota in BSF ontogeny by investigating the differential genomic expression of BSF larvae in axenic conditions (i.e., germfree) relative to non-axenic (conventional) conditions. We used RNA-seq to measure differentially expressed transcripts between axenic and conventional condition using DESeq2 at day 4, 12 and 20 post-hatching. Gene expression was significantly up or down-regulated for 2476 transcripts mapped in gene ontology functions, and axenic larvae exhibited higher rate of down-regulated functions. Up-regulated microbiota-dependant transcriptional gene modules included the immune system, the lipid metabolism, and the nervous system. Expression profile showed a shift in late larvae (day 12 and 20), exposing a significant temporal effect on gene expression. These results provide the first evidence of host functional genes regulated by microbiota in the BSF larva, further demonstrating the importance of host-microbiota interactions on host ontogeny and health. These results open the door to optimization of zootechnical properties in alternative animal protein production, biowaste revalorization and recycling.
Therapeutic Hypothermia Treatment for an Infant with Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy and Gastroschisis: A Case Report
Authors: Flores-Fenlon Nicole , Shafer Grant , Awan Saeed , Ahmad Irfan 
Published: February 2023

AbstractGastroschisis is a congenital, typically isolated, full-thickness abdominal wall defect in which the abdominal contents, usually only the small intestine, remain outside the abdominal cavity. It is commonly detected on fetal ultrasonography, and has generally excellent survival and outcomes, though these can be decreased in cases of complicated gastroschisis. We present the case of a female infant with a prenatal diagnosis of gastroschisis who required a prolonged and complex resuscitation after delivery. In addition to her gastroschisis, she presented with a history and physical examination consistent with severe hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy and was treated with therapeutic hypothermia (TH) without further compromise to her bowel. In addition, careful consideration of neuroprotection, fluid status, bowel viability, and hemodynamics were undertaken in her care. She was discharged home on full enteral feeds, with only mild language and gross motor delays at 6 months of age. To our knowledge, there are no reports in the literature of the use of TH in the setting of unrepaired simple gastroschisis.