bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Inhibition of Xanthine oxidase by 1-O-methyl chrysophanol, a hydroxyanthraquinone isolated fromAmycolatopsis thermoflavaICTA 103
Authors: Batchu Uma Rajeswari , Reddi Bharati , Surapaneni Joshna Rani , Shetty Prakasham Reddy , Misra Sunil , Addlagatta Anthony 
Published: March 2023

AbstractHyperuricemia caused by elevated levels of serum uric acid is responsible for implication of gout and other associated disorders that influence the human health. So far, Xanthine oxidase (XO) inhibitors are the choice of first line drugs for the treatment of hyperuricemia. The objective of the present study was to isolate a potent XO inhibitor from the actinobacteria and to evaluate its inhibitory mechanism. Initially, XO was isolated from bovine milk using standard protocol and enzyme kinetics were evaluated. Thereafter, culture filtrates of actinobacteria (Amycolatopsis thermoflavaICTA 103),Streptomyces luteireticuliICTA 16,Streptomyces kurssanoviiICTA165 andAmycolatopsis luridaICTA 194) were screened for XO inhibition usingin vitroqualitative NBT plate assay followed by extraction and purification of potent inhibitor 1-O-methyl chrysophanol (OMC), from the culture filtrate ofAmycolatopsis thermoflavaICTA 103, which belongs to hydroxy anthraquinones (HAQ) family. Further,in silicomolecular model building was performed to study the binding affinity of OMC towards XO followed by quantitativein vitrospectroscopic assays. The molecular building study explored the mechanistic view of binding interaction between inhibitor & enzyme and the results were corroborates with thein vitrokinetic study. Thein vitroresults revealed the significant enzyme inhibition potential of OMC with an IC50andKivalue of 24.8 ± 0.072 µM & 2.218 ± 0.3068 µM respectively. These results are comparable to standard allopurinol, however, more significant than its structural analog, chrysophanol. The kinetic analysis revealed that OMC is a reversible slow binding inhibitor and the Lineweaver - Burkplot analysis showed mixed type inhibition of OMC against XO. These results are in agreement with chrysophanol. Findings of this study proposed a new derivative of HAQ in the pipeline of hyperuricemia therapeutic drug candidates.
Current landscape of disparity-focused research: a bibliometric analysis of 260 research articles
Authors: Walia Anushka , Haslam Alyson , Tuia Jordan , Milijković Milos , Prasad Vinay 
Published: March 2023

AbstractThe health disparities research field is rapidly evolving, but not all populations may be adequately represented in research on disparities. This study characterizes the current state of disparities literature and identifies trends, gaps, and opportunities in the field through bibliometric analysis. 260 articles published between January 2020 and August 2022, of which 95% focused on health disparities, were included in the analysis. 67% of studies investigated disparities across racial or ethnic groups, and all 9 articles on physician employment investigated disparities in gender. The majority of studies focused on adults, with 71% of studies having mean or median ages of subjects between 40 and 80 years. Articles on cancer and cardiovascular conditions comprised 34% of health-related disparity studies. Our results highlight a need to study disparities in pediatric and young adult populations. Such research can identify targets of early intervention that may improve long-term health and reduce disparities presenting in late adulthood.
Detection and differentiation ofXanthomonas translucenspathovarstranslucensandundulosafrom wheat and barley by duplex quantitative PCR
Authors: Fu Heting , Fleitas María Constanza , Sarkes Alian , Wang Lipu , Yang Yalong , Zahr Kher , Harding Michael W. , Feindel David , Kutcher Randy , Feng Jie 
Published: March 2023

AbstractTwo probe-based quantitative PCR (qPCR) systems, namely P-Xtt and P-Xtu, were developed for diagnosis of cereal bacterial leaf streak pathogensXanthomonas translucenspv.translucensand pv.undulosa, respectively. P-Xtt is specific to pv.translucens. P-Xtu is specific to pv.undulosa, pv.cerealis, pv.secalisand pv.pistaciae. P-Xtt and P-Xtu worked on all accessible strains of pv.translucensand pv.undulosa, respectively. Both systems could detect 100 copies of the target gBlock DNA. The two systems could be used in both singleplex qPCR and duplex qPCR with similar efficiencies. On genomic DNA from strains of variousX. translucenspathovars, both singleplex qPCR and duplex qPCR could specifically detect and differentiate pv.translucensand pv.undulosa. The duplex qPCR could detect pv.translucensand pv.undulosafrom genomic DNA of 1,000 bacterial cells. On infected barley and wheat grain samples, and on one infected wheat leaf sample, the duplex qPCR showed similar efficiency compared to a previously published qPCR system but with the additional capability of pathovar differentiation. The duplex qPCR system developed in this study will be useful in studies on bacterial leaf streak and detection/differentiation of the pathogens.
An application of virtual twins for fit prediction: case study of women jackets
Authors: Wan Sida , Kuzmichev Victor 
Published: March 2023

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present a fit prediction case study of virtual twins of women jacket. For this reason, several basic principles of clothes fit prediction were developed and verified.Design/methodology/approachTo develop the principles of fit prediction, the women's jacket sleeve was selected as the study object. The study objects were categorized into three types: the patterns and two virtual sleeves generating on full avatar from Clo3D and on dummy (arm partly removed). Through series of subjective and objective evaluation experiments, the relationship between the similar indexes of the patterns and the virtual sleeves was built, including fit criteria range, the categorization of the indexes in terms of its sensitiveness, and the linear regressions to predict several indexes of virtual sleeves after its pattern parameterization. The results obtained were verified in case study by the virtual and real sleeves generating.FindingsThe proposed principles of clothing fit prediction based on parallel research of the flat patterns and its virtual 3D shapes. The principles include the choosing of virtual twins of human body for virtual try-on, the establishing of indexes common schedule for patterns and virtual sleeves, the creation of criteria and its ranges for perfect fit and poor fit evaluation, and the application of existing relations between the patterns and the sleeves for predicting indexes responsible for fit.Research limitations/implicationsThe authors propose and verify the validity of the principles to predict several parameters of virtual 3D sleeve of women's jacket which are forming the level of fit. The result of this study can be used to convenient fit prediction and to find the misfit reasons.Practical implicationsThis study developed basic principles for predicting the fit of the clothing through the virtual simulation and the statistical analysis. Through studying the jacket sleeve, the several related ranges, the row of more sensitive indexes, and the equations were presented and verified, which certified the validity of proposed principles.Social implicationsThe results can effectively predict the sleeve fit before sewing, which reduce the time and materials cost and the operator's skill requirements.Originality/valueThe authors propose and verify the validity of the principles to predict several parameters of virtual 3D sleeve of women's jacket which form the level of fit. The result of this study can be used for convenient fit prediction and to find the misfit reasons.
Taking on the “new normal”: emerging psychologists' reflections on the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Gradidge Sarah , Yap Wai Meng , Liem Andrian , Dass Giselle 
Published: March 2023

PurposeCoronavirus (COVID-19) rapidly became the “new normal” with profound implications for everyone's daily life. In this paper, emerging psychologists from diverse cultural backgrounds discuss four main ways in which COVID-19 impacted diverse psychological populations.Design/methodology/approachThis paper was written as a reflection on how COVID-19 has impacted diverse psychological populations using authors' academic and personal experiences.FindingsFirst, the authors explore inaccessible populations with a focus on domestic violence victims living in rural areas. Second, the authors consider consequences of social isolation with a focus on remote workers. Third, the authors investigate the consequences of public (dis)trust in the pandemic with a focus on migrant worker communities. Finally, the authors discuss pandemic-relevant subcultures with a focus on “anti-vaxxers”.Social implicationsThe paper concludes with a discussion of negative implications of the COVID-19 pandemic on diverse psychological populations, both for the present and the future, and ends with an action plan of possible interventions to overcome these limitations.Originality/valueOverall, the current paper provides a broad overview of how the pandemic has shaped and will continue to shape diverse psychological populations.
Revisiting Peshkin: teaching reflexive practice through categorization
Authors: Pope Elizabeth M. , Shelton Stephanie Anne 
Published: March 2023

PurposeQualitative research is well-established and widely adopted across a range of disciplines; however, there is little discussion of the teaching of qualitative research methods. What engagements there are primarily focus on methods rather than core concepts that inform ethical and effective use of those approaches. “Subjectivity” and “reflexivity” are pervasive concepts taken up in numerous textbooks, handbooks, and journal guidelines. But, despite being an expected and critical aspect of qualitative methodologies, few scholars consider how researchers might learn to engage with these necessary aspects effectively.Design/methodology/approachThis is a conceptual paper written from the authors' experiences teaching qualitative research to graduate students at the master's and doctoral levels.FindingsThis conceptual paper offers an andragogical discussion of how novice and student researchers might learn to consider the concepts of reflexivity and subjectivity. Additionally, it considers how the deep and critical reflection inherent in both subjectivity and reflexivity are valuable aspects in extending discussions and applications of qualitative research in various disciplines.Originality/valueThis paper offers a fresh and unique consideration of teaching novice researchers how to practice reflexivity and examine their subjectivities using the work of Alan Peshkin as a model.
Two cases with bullous pemphigoid relapsed after using interleukin‐17A inhibitors for psoriasis: A paradoxical reaction
Authors: Wang Rui , Wang Aiping , Wang Mingyue 
Published: March 2023

AbstractBiological drugs, including IL‐17A inhibitors, have become the first‐line treating options for moderate to severe psoriasis, and reports show a beneficial effect of IL‐17A inhibitors on bullous pemphigoid. Here, we report two cases of bullous pemphigoid in remission that experienced severe flares during treatment with two major IL‐17A inhibitors, i.e., ixekizumab or secukinumab for their psoriasis vulgaris. The patient with bullous pemphigoid induced by secukinumab became very recalcitrant to control the relapse. This is by far the first and paradoxical report on the IL‐17A inhibitors having a negative effect on bullous pemphigoid patients in previously stable status. Our reports of these two cases alert clinicians to be careful when using IL‐17A in pemphigoid patients. We also suggest that patients with psoriasis vulgaris should be asked for a detailed history of pemphigoid and its BP180 autoantibodies status be checked before using these biologicals.
Airborne laser scanning reveals uniform responses of forest structure to moose (Alces alces) across the boreal forest biome
Authors: Petersen Tanja K. , Kolstad Anders L. , Kouki Jari , Leroux Shawn J. , Potvin Lynette R. , Tremblay Jean‐Pierre , Wallgren Märtha , Widemo Fredrik , Cromsigt Joris P. G. M. , Courtois Coline , Austrheim Gunnar , Gosse John , den Herder Michael , Hermanutz Luise , Speed James D. M. 
Published: March 2023

Abstract

The moose Alces alces is the largest herbivore in the boreal forest biome, where it can have dramatic impacts on ecosystem structure and dynamics. Despite the importance of the boreal forest biome in global carbon cycling, the impacts of moose have only been studied in disparate regional exclosure experiments, leading to calls for common analyses across a biome‐wide network of moose exclosures.

In this study, we use airborne laser scanning (ALS) to analyse forest canopy responses to moose across 100 paired exclosure‐control experimental plots distributed across the boreal biome, including sites in the United States (Isle Royale), Canada (Quebec, Newfoundland), Norway, Sweden and Finland.

We test the hypotheses that canopy height, vertical complexity and above‐ground biomass (AGB) are all reduced by moose and that the impacts vary with moose density, productivity, temperature and pulse disturbances such as logging and insect outbreaks.

We find a surprising convergence in forest canopy response to moose. Moose had negative impacts on canopy height, complexity and AGB as expected. The responses of canopy complexity and AGB were consistent across regions and did not vary along environmental gradients. The difference in canopy height between exclosures and open plots was on average 6 cm per year since the start of exclosure treatment (±2.1 SD). This rate increased with temperature, but only when moose density was high.

The difference in AGB between moose exclosures and open plots was 0.306 Mg ha−1 year−1 (±0.079). In browsed plots, stand AGB was 32% of that in the exclosures, a difference of 2.09 Mg ha−1. The uniform response allows scaling of the estimate to a biome‐wide impact of moose of the loss of 448 (±115) Tg per year, or 224 Tg of carbon.

Synthesis: Analysis of ALS data from distributed exclosure experiments identified a largely uniform response of forest canopies to moose across regions, facilitating scaling of moose impacts across the whole biome. This is an important step towards incorporating the effect of the largest boreal herbivore on the carbon cycling of one of the world's largest terrestrial biomes.
Can China's new rural pension scheme alleviate the relative poverty of rural households? An empirical analysis based on thePSM‐DIDmethod
Authors: Wen Limin , Sun Shufang 
Published: March 2023

AbstractBased on five‐period panel data from the China Family Panel Studies 2010–2018, this paper uses the propensity score matching difference‐in‐differences (PSM‐DID) method to comprehensively evaluate the effects of the New Rural Pension Scheme (NRPS) on alleviating rural households' relative poverty. At the same time, based on the theory of sustainable livelihoods of rural households, the mediating effects model is applied to analyse the mechanism of rural households' livelihood capital. The results of the study are as follows. (1) The NRPS helps alleviate the relative poverty of rural households. (2) The livelihood capital of rural households is an important mechanism for the NRPS to alleviate the relative poverty of rural households, and social capital, financial capital, and human capital all play a part in the mediating effect. (3) The results of the heterogeneity tests based on the stage of rural households' participation in the NRPS and the region of participation in the NRPS indicate that the governance effects of the NRPS on rural households' relative poverty are more significant among households in the contributory stage and the central and western regions. Additionally, the results are supported by robustness tests, such as replacing the dependent variable and the PSM method. The findings of this paper have important implications for the establishment of a long‐term mechanism to address relative poverty and the construction of a more efficient and inclusive rural social pension insurance system in China and other developing countries.
Social action as a route to the ballot box: Can youth volunteering reduce inequalities in turnout?
Authors: FOX STUART 
Published: March 2023

AbstractA serious challenge facing Western democracies is the falling propensity of successive cohorts of citizens to vote. Over the last 50 years, newly eligible voters – particularly from poorer backgrounds – have become less likely to vote in their first elections, and more likely to develop habits of non‐voting. This trend has prompted greater interest in policies with the potential to increase first‐time voter turnout, such as lowering the voting age or compulsory political education. Despite a growing academic interest in volunteering as a means of youth political expression or route to civic revival, however, the promotion of youth volunteering has not been seriously considered as a potential tool to help address generational turnout decline.An extensive literature argues that volunteering can increase first‐time voter turnout, but it is hindered by the limited use of panel data and failure to account for confounding and selection effects. It has not, moreover, considered the potential for the effects of childhood volunteering to be conditional on prior political socialisation, particularly the influence of parents, which is necessary to assess its potential to reduce turnout gaps reflecting socio‐economic status. This study uses the United Kingdom Household Longitudinal Study and structural equation modelling to overcome these limitations and examine the impact of childhood volunteering on the turnout of newly eligible voters. It shows that for most young volunteers there is no significant benefit, but for the children of politically disengaged parents, volunteering does have a significant, positive effect.
Physiological but not morphological adjustments along latitudinal gradients in a human commensal species, the Eurasian tree sparrow
Authors: ZHANG Qian , LI Mo , YIN Yuan , GE Shiyong , LI Danjie , AHMAD Ibrahim M. , NABI Ghulam , SUN Yanfeng , LUO Xu , LI Dongming 
Published: March 2023

AbstractHuman commensal species take advantage of anthropogenic conditions that are less likely to be challenged by the selective pressures of natural environments. Their morphological and physiological phenotypes can therefore dissociate from habitat characteristics. Understanding how these species adjust their morphological and physiological traits across latitudinal gradients is fundamental to uncovering the eco‐physiological strategies underlying coping mechanisms. Here, we studied morphological traits in breeding Eurasian tree sparrows (ETSs; Passer montanus) among low‐latitude (Yunnan and Hunan) and middle‐latitude (Hebei) localities in China. We then compared body mass; lengths of bill, tarsometatarsus, wing, total body, and tail feather; and baseline and capture stress‐induced levels of plasma corticosterone (CORT) and the metabolites including glucose (Glu), total triglyceride (TG), free fatty acid (FFA), total protein, and uric acid (UA). None of the measured morphological parameters varied with latitude except in the Hunan population, which demonstrated longer bills than those in other populations. Stress‐induced CORT levels significantly exceeded baseline levels and decreased with increasing latitude, but total integrated CORT levels did not vary with latitude. Capture stress‐induced significantly increased Glu levels and decreased TG levels, independent of site. However, the Hunan population had significantly higher baseline CORT, baseline and stress‐induced FFA levels, but lower UA levels, which differed from other populations. Our results suggest that rather than morphological adjustments, physiological adjustments are mainly involved in coping mechanisms for middle‐latitude adaptation in ETSs. It is worth investigating whether other avian species also exhibit such dissociation from external morphological designs while depending on physiological adjustments.
Lung fusion with the liver in chick and quail embryos
Authors: Kim Ji Hyun , Hayashi Shogo , Murakami Gen , Rodríguez‐Vázquez José Francisco , Miyaki Takayoshi 
Published: March 2023

AbstractEven in mammals with the diaphragm, the lung and liver are likely to attach mutually without separation by any structure in embryos. The aim of this study was to examine whether or not the lung attaches to the liver in embryonic development of birds without diaphragm. First, we ensured the topographical relation between the lung and liver in 12 human embryos at 5 weeks. After the serosal mesothelium was established, the human lung sometimes (3 embryos) attached tightly to the liver without interruption by the developing diaphragm in the pleuroperitoneal fold. Second, we observed the lung–liver interface in chick and quail embryos. At 3–5 days' incubation (stages 20–27), the lung and liver were fused at bilateral narrow areas just above the muscular stomach. Therein, mesenchymal cells, possibly derived from the transverse septum, were intermingled between the lung and liver. The interface tended to be larger in the quail than the chick. At and until 7 days' incubation, the fusion of the lung and liver disappeared and, instead, a membrane connected them bilaterally. The right membrane extended caudally to attach to the mesonephros and caudal vena cava. At 12 days' incubation, bilateral thick folds, containing the abdominal air sac and pleuroperitoneal muscle (striated muscle), separated the dorsally located lung from the liver. Therefore, the lung–liver fusion occurred transiently in birds. Rather than the presence of the muscular diaphragm, whether the lung and liver were fused seemed to depend on a timing and sequence of development of the mesothelial coverings of these viscera.
Complexity of plant–pollinator interaction networks in East African high‐elevation wetlands
Authors: Nkurikiyimana Donath , Manishimwe Aloysie , van der Hoek Yntze 
Published: March 2023

AbstractFor six selected Afromontane wetlands in Volcanoes National Park (VNP), Rwanda, located at varying elevations, we present preliminary insights into the pollination biology of six selected plant species. We found bees and flies to be particularly common flower visitors across plants and wetlands, followed by five species of birds, beetles, butterflies, and moths. We observed no obvious elevational trends in visitation rates, but pollinator specialisation did seem to vary across both plant species and wetlands. We provide insights into a partial pollinator network as a baseline reference for further studies or monitoring efforts of plant–pollinator interaction patterns and processes.
Changes in corporate social responsibility activity during a pandemic: The case of COVID‐19
Authors: Mellahi Kamel , Rettab Belaid , Sharma Sangeeta , Hughes Mathew , Hughes Paul 
Published: March 2023

AbstractThis study examines the practice of corporate social responsibility (CSR) during COVID‐19. Little is known about how organizations practice CSR during acute exogenous crises. Overlooking how CSR practices change during a crisis matters because organizations are compelled into trade‐offs that carry implications for their CSR initiatives. Analysis of interview data with CSR managers, from 21 Dubai‐based business organizations during COVID‐19, uncovers changes in the content and process of CSR during the pandemic. The results show that the practice of CSR underwent a fundamental change in focus as organizations shifted to an employee‐centric model of CSR and away from an environmental one. Measures placed on organizations and society to combat the pandemic also led to a recalibration of stakeholder and issue salience, with notable effects on CSR that challenge the capability of the power–legitimacy–urgency framework to anticipate these shifts. We consider the impacts associated with the shift in the content of CSR initiatives and process of their implementation and discuss the implications of the findings for CSR theory, research, policy, and practice.