bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A New Era: Power in Partnership Peacekeeping
Authors: Schumann Maurice P , Bara Corinne 
Published: June 2023

AbstractUN blue helmets increasingly deploy in partnership with regional organizations and coalitions of states. While this development is hailed as a way out of geopolitical fragmentation and capacity overstretch, little is known about the effectiveness of these peacekeeping partnerships. We argue that UN and non-UN operations exercise different forms of power, which reinforce each other to reduce battle violence in active wars. If non-UN military operations actively engage in combat, the UN can focus on what it does best—employing its broad toolbox to coerce, induce, and persuade. Our quantitative analysis of the interaction between UN and non-UN peacekeeping supports these expectations: partnership peacekeeping works. With a non-UN partner, UN troops can reduce battlefield violence more effectively, that is, with fewer blue helmets. Importantly, non-UN missions need UN operations to successfully curb violence. The UN’s multidimensional engagement offsets the potential negative effects of an all-too militarized approach to violence reduction. Regional and coalition peacekeeping can only support the UN, not replace it.
Crisis Bargaining in the Shadow of Third-Party Opportunism
Authors: Tarar Ahmer 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
The prospect of a rival opportunistically pressing for gains while one is at war with another rival highly influenced Britain's “two-power standard” as well as the US's “two-war standard.” Conflict scholars have documented numerous instances of third-party opportunism. I analyze a game-theoretic model of crisis bargaining in the shadow of third-party opportunism. Under complete information, a country with multiple rivals, that lacks overwhelming military power, incurs bargaining vulnerabilities with each rival due to potential opportunism by the others. Under incomplete information, uncertainty across dyads can lead to war even if there is complete information within dyads, adding more uncertainty to the interaction can actually reduce the likelihood of war, resolve across disputes can be endogenously correlated in equilibrium (in contrast to the exogenous assumption of reputational models), and a commitment problem can be conducive to peace rather than war.
Historical Claims to the International: The Case of the Suez Canal Experts
Authors: Eijking Jan 
Published: June 2023

AbstractWhat IR scholars refer to as “the international” gets constructed and performed to specific ends, depending on time and place. This results in a plurality of claims to the international, subject to historical variation. To bring such variation into view, this article shows how nineteenth-century claims to internationality were tied to particular conceptions of legitimacy. The article explores this legitimation-by-experts through a case study of the 1855–56 Suez Canal Commission. Based on original archival research, the article shows that expert advice played an important role in claiming the internationality of the Suez Canal by limiting contestation to technical aspects. The central argument is that expertise and claims to the international can get co-constituted in arrangements that are intended to produce legitimacy. These arrangements narrow the terms of contestation in self-serving ways. A technocratic claim to the international was tightly linked to the mobilization and making of the Suez Canal experts, on two fronts. One, expertise and internationality were repeatedly articulated in conjunction, so they would signify each other. Two, the article shows that expert involvement was driven by legitimation concerns more than by epistemic optimization purposes. In sum, the article proposes a new way of historicizing internationality claims and sheds light on the distinctiveness of international expertise.
Metagenomics analysis reveals the performance of homo- and heterofermentative lactic acid bacteria in alfalfa silage fermentation, bacterial community, and functional profiles
Authors: Okoye Charles Obinwanne , Wei Zhenwu , Jiang Huifang , Wu Yanfang , Wang Yongli , Gao Lu , Li Xia , Jiang Jianxiong 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is a kind of roughage frequently utilized as an animal feed but challenging to be ensiled due to its low water-soluble carbohydrate (WSC), high water content, and elevated buffering capacity, thus requiring the application of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) to improve its fermentation. This study employed high-throughput metagenomic sequence technology to reveal the effects of homofermentative LAB, Lactobacillus plantarum (Lp), or Pediococcus pentosaceus (Pp), and heterofermentative LAB, L. buchneri (Lb), or their combinations (LbLp or LbPp) (applied at 1.0 × 109 colony forming units (cfu) per kilogram of alfalfa biomass fresh material) on the fermentation, microbial community, and functional profiles of alfalfa silage after 7, 14, 30, and 60 ensiling days. The results indicated a reduction (P &lt; 0.05) in glucose and pH and higher (P &lt; 0.05) beneficial organic acid contents, xylose, crude protein, ammonia nitrogen, and aerobic stability in Lb-, LbPp-, and LbLp-inoculated alfalfa silages after 30 and 60 d. Also, higher (P &lt; 0.05) WSC contents were recorded in LbLp-inoculated alfalfa silages after 30 d (10.84 g/kg dry matter [DM]) and 60 d (10.92 g/kg DM). Besides, LbLp-inoculated alfalfa silages recorded higher (P &lt; 0.05) LAB count (9.92 log10 cfu/g) after 60 d. Furthermore, a positive correlation was found between the combined LAB inoculants in LbLp-inoculated alfalfa silages and dominant LAB genera, Lactobacillus and Pediococcus, with fermentation properties after 30 and 60 d. In addition, the 16S rRNA gene-predicted functional analyses further showed that the L. buchneri PC-C1 and L. plantarum YC1-1-4B combination improved carbohydrate metabolism and facilitated further degradation of polysaccharides in alfalfa after 60 d of ensiling. These findings reveal the significant performance of L. buchneri and L. plantarum in combination with dominant LAB species in suppressing the growth of Clostridia, molds, and yeasts and improving the fermentation characteristics and functional carbohydrate metabolism of alfalfa after 60 d ensiling, thus suggesting the need for further studies to uncover the diverse performance of the LAB combination and their consortium with other natural and artificial inoculants in various kinds of silages.
miR-130b duplex (miR-130b-3p/miR-130b-5p) negatively regulates goat intramuscular preadipocyte lipid droplets accumulation by inhibiting Krüppel-like factor 3 expression
Authors: Li Yanyan , He Changsheng , Ran Li , Wang Yong , Xiong Yan , Wang Youli , Zhu Jiangjiang , Lin Yaqiu 
Published: June 2023

AbstractIntramuscular lipid deposition is important for meat quality improvement. microRNAs and their target mRNAs provide a new approach for studying the mechanism of fat deposition. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of miR-130b duplex (miR-130b-5p, miR-130b-3p) and its target gene KLF3 in regulating goat intramuscular adipocyte differentiation. Goat intramuscular preadipocytes were isolated from 7-d-old male Jianzhou big-ear goats and identified by Oil red O staining after differentiation induction. miR-130b-5p and miR-130b-3p mimics or inhibitors and their corresponding controls were transfected into goat intramuscular preadipocytes, respectively, and differentiation was induced by 50μM oleic acid for 48 h. Oil red O and Bodipy staining indicated that both miR-130b-5p and miR-130b-3p can reduce lipid droplets accumulation and triglyceride (TG) content (P &lt; 0.01). Differentiation markers C/EBPα, C/EBPβ, PPARγ, pref1, fatty acids synthesis markers ACC, FASN, DGAT1, DGAT2, AGPAT6, TIP47, GPAM, ADRP, AP2, SREBP1, and TG markers LPL, ATGL, HSL were assessed by qPCR. All the markers measured were downregulated by miR-130b-5p and miR-130b-3p analog (P &lt; 0.01), suggesting that miR-130b inhibits goat intramuscular adipocyte adipogenic differentiation, fatty acids synthesis, and lipid lipolysis. To examine the mechanism of miR-130b duplex inhibition of lipid deposition, TargetScan, miRDB, and starBase were used to predict the potential targets, KLF3 was found to be the only one intersection. Furthermore, the 3ʹUTR of KLF3 was cloned, qPCR analysis and dual luciferase activity assay showed that both miR-130b-5p and miR-130b-3p could directly regulate KLF3 expression (P &lt; 0.01). In addition, overexpression and interference of KLF3 were conducted, it was found that KLF3 positively regulated lipid droplets accumulation by Oil red O, Bodipy staining, and TG content detection (P &lt; 0.01). Quantitative PCR result indicated that KLF3 overexpression promoted lipid droplets accumulation relative genes C/EBPβ, PPARγ, pref1, ACC, FASN, DGAT1, DGAT2, AGPAT6, TIP47, GPAM, ADRP, SREBP1, LPL, and ATGL expression (P &lt; 0.01). Downregulation of KLF3 inhibited the expression of genes such as C/EBPα, C/EBPβ, PPARγ, pref1, TIP47, GPAM, ADRP, AP2, LPL, and ATGL expression (P &lt; 0.01). Taken together, these results indicate that miR-130b duplex could directly inhibit KLF3 expression, then attenuated adipogenic and TG synthesis genes expression, thus leading to its anti-adipogenic effect.
Effects of a Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation product on fecal characteristics, metabolite concentrations, and microbiota populations of dogs undergoing transport stress
Authors: Oba Patrícia M , Carroll Meredith Q , Sieja Kelly M , Yang Xiaojing , Epp Tammi Y , Warzecha Christine M , Varney Jessica L , Fowler Jason W , Coon Craig N , Swanson Kelly S 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
Previously, a Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation product (SCFP) positively altered fecal microbiota, fecal metabolites, and immune cell function of adult dogs. Our objective was to determine the fecal characteristics, microbiota, and metabolites of SCFP-supplemented dogs subjected to transport stress. All procedures were approved by the Four Rivers Kennel IACUC prior to experimentation. Thirty-six adult dogs (18 male, 18 female; age: 7.1 ± 0.77 y; body weight: 28.97 ± 3.67 kg) were randomly assigned to be controls or receive SCFP supplementation (250 mg/dog/d) (n=18/group) for 11 wk. At that time, fresh fecal samples were collected before and after transport in a hunting dog trailer with individual kennels. The trailer was driven 40 miles round trip for about 45 min. Fecal microbiota data were evaluated using Quantitative Insights Into Microbial Ecology 2, while all other data were analyzed using the Mixed Models procedure of Statistical Analysis System. Effects of treatment, transport, and treatment*transport were tested, with P&lt;0.05 being considered significant. Transport stress increased fecal indole concentrations and relative abundances of fecal Actinobacteria, Collinsella, Slackia, Ruminococcus, and Eubacterium. In contrast, relative abundances of fecal Fusobacteria, Streptococcus, and Fusobacterium were reduced by transport. Fecal characteristics, metabolites, and bacterial alpha and beta diversity measures were not affected by diet alone. Several diet*transport interactions were significant, however. Following transport, relative abundance of fecal Turicibacter increased in SCFP-supplemented dogs, but decreased in controls. Following transport, relative abundances of fecal Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Prevotella, and Sutterella increased in controls, but not in SCFP-supplemented dogs. In contrast, relative abundances of fecal Firmicutes, Clostridium, Faecalibacterium, and Allobaculum increased and fecal Parabacteroides and Phascolarctobacterium decreased after transport stress in SCFP-supplemented dogs, but not in controls. Our data demonstrate that both transport stress and SCFP alter fecal microbiota in dogs, with transport being the primary cause for shifts. SCFP supplementation may provide benefits to dogs undergoing transport stress, but more research is necessary to determine proper dosages. More research is also necessary to determine if and how transport stress impacts gastrointestinal microbiota and other indicators of health.
The impact of selenium on insects
Authors: So John , Choe Dong-Hwan , Rust Michael K , Trumble John T , Lee Chow-Yang 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
Selenium, a naturally occurring metalloid, is an essential trace element for many higher organisms, including humans. Humans primarily become exposed to selenium by ingesting food products containing trace amounts of selenium compounds. Although essential in these small amounts, selenium exhibits toxic effects at higher doses. Previous studies investigating the effects on insects of order Blattodea, Coleoptera, Diptera, Ephemeroptera, Hemiptera, Hymenoptera, Lepidoptera, Odonata, and Orthoptera revealed impacts on mortality, growth, development, and behavior. Nearly every study examining selenium toxicity has shown that insects are negatively affected by exposure to selenium in their food. However, there were no clear patterns of toxicity between insect orders or similarities between insect species within families. At this time, the potential for control will need to be determined on a species-by-species basis. We suspect that the multiple modes of action, including mutation-inducing modification of important amino acids as well as impacts on microbiome composition, influence this variability. There are relatively few studies that have examined the potential effects of selenium on beneficial insects, and the results have ranged from increased predation (a strong positive effect) to toxicity resulting in reduced population growth or even the effective elimination of the natural enemies (more common negative effects). As a result, in those pest systems where selenium use is contemplated, additional research may be necessary to ascertain if selenium use is compatible with key biological control agents. This review explores selenium as a potential insecticide and possible future directions for research.
Potential insecticidal extracts from Artocarpus lacucha against Spodoptera litura (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) larvae
Authors: Ruttanaphan Torranis , Songoen Weerasak , Pluempanupat Wanchai , Bullangpoti Vasakorn 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
Artocarpus lacucha, a plant in the Moraceae family, has traditionally been used in Southeast Asian medicine to treat various ailments. This study investigated the insecticidal potential against Spodoptera litura of several compounds extracted from A. lacucha using a topical application method. A sequential extraction method was employed with A. lacucha stems to identify the most toxic crude extract by using hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, and methanol solvents. Subsequently, the most toxic crude extract was analyzed for chemical composition by HPLC, followed by the isolation process. Among these crude extracts, the ethyl acetate crude extract was the most toxic to second-instar S. litura larvae (24-h LD50 value of ~9.07 µg/larva). Our results showed that the catechin isolated from the ethyl acetate crude extract exhibited the highest toxicity against this insect (24-h LD50 value of ~8.37 µg/larva). Additionally, catechin significantly decreased the activities of acetylcholinesterase, carboxylesterases, and glutathione S-transferase in the larvae. These findings suggest that catechin isolated from A. lacucha could be a potential insecticidal agent against S. litura. However, the toxicity and persistence of catechin under field conditions need to be further investigated to develop this novel insecticide.
Impact of renal and hepatic function on first opioid prescriptions in cancer patients: an acute care hospital database study linked to medical claims data and laboratory data
Authors: Takahashi Richi , Miyashita Mitsunori , Oba Mari S , Murakami Yoshitaka 
Published: June 2023

Abstract

Background
Cancer patients often have impaired renal and hepatic function. Opioids are essential to relieve painful symptoms in cancer patients. However, it is unknown which opioids are first prescribed for cancer patients with renal and hepatic impairment. The objective is to investigate the association between the type of first prescribed opioids and the renal/hepatic function of cancer patients.

Methods
We used a multicenter database from 2010 to 2019. The number of days from the first opioid prescription to the death was defined as the prognostic period. This period was divided into six categories. The prevalence of opioid prescriptions was calculated for each assessment of renal and hepatic function, divided into prognostic periods. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was used to explore the influence of renal and hepatic function on the first opioid choice.

Results
The study included 11 945 patients who died of cancer. In all prognostic period categories, the patients with worse renal function received fewer morphine prescriptions. No trend was observed in hepatic function. The odds ratio of oxycodone to morphine with reference to estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≥90 was 1.707 (95% confidence interval: 1.433–2.034) for estimated glomerular filtration rate &lt;30. The odds ratio of fentanyl to morphine with reference to estimated glomerular filtration rate ≥90 was 1.785 (95% confidence interval: 1.492–2.134) for estimated glomerular filtration rate &lt;30. No association was identified between hepatic function and the choice of prescribed opioids.

Conclusion
Cancer patients with renal impairment tended to avoid morphine prescriptions, and no specific trend was observed in cancer patients with hepatic impairment.
Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection Among Hospitalized Infants in Four Middle-Income Countries
Authors: Biggs Holly M , Simões Eric A F , Abu Khader Ilham , Thompson Mark G , Gordon Aubree , Hunt Danielle R , DeGroote Nicholas P , Porter Rachael M , Bino Silvia , Marar Basima I , Gresh Lionel , de Jesus-Cornejo Joanne , Langley Gayle , Thornburg Natalie J , Peret Teresa C T , Whitaker Brett , Zhang Yange , Wang Lijuan , Patel Mira C , McMorrow Meredith , Campbell William , Hasibra Iris , Duka Enkeleda , Al-Gazo Mahmoud , Kubale John , Sanchez Felix , Lucero Marilla G , Tallo Veronica L , Azziz-Baumgartner Eduardo , Simaku Artan , Gerber Susan I ,   IRIS Network, Levine Min Z , Edwards Laura , Balmaseda Angel , Kuan Guillermina , Sanchez Nery , Ojeda Sergio , Al-Sanouri Tareq M , Arbaji Ali , Mendoza-Dancel Lei Lanna , Iana Cruz Karen , Sanvictores Diozele M 
Published: June 2023

Abstract

Background
Understanding respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) global epidemiology is important to inform future prevention strategies.

Methods
Hospitalized infants &lt;1-year-old with acute illness were enrolled prospectively in Albania, Jordan, Nicaragua, and Philippines during respiratory seasons in 2015–2017. Medical chart review, parental interview, and post-discharge follow up were conducted. Respiratory specimens were tested using real-time RT-PCR for RSV. Infant characteristics associated with very severe illness (intensive care unit [ICU] admission or receipt of supplemental oxygen) were assessed using logistic regression to adjust for potential confounders (age, sex, study site, and preterm birth).

Results
Of 3634 enrolled hospitalized infants, 1129 (31%) tested positive for RSV. The median age of RSV-positive infants was 2.7 (IQR: 1.4–6.1) months and 665 (59%) were male. Very severe illness in 583 (52%) RSV-positive infants was associated with younger age (aOR 4.1, 95% CI: 2.6–6.5 for 0–2 compared to 9–11-months; P &lt; .01), low weight-for-age z-score (aOR 1.9, 95% CI: 1.2–2.8; P &lt; .01), ICU care after birth (aOR 1.6, 95% CI: 1.0–2.5; P = .048), and cesarean delivery (aOR 1.4, 95% CI: 1.0–1.8; P = .03). RSV subgroups A and B co-circulated at all sites with alternating predominance by year; subgroup was not associated with severity (aOR 1.0, 95% CI: 0.8–1.4). Nine (0.8%) RSV-positive infants died during admission or within ≤30 days of discharge, of which 7 (78%) were &lt;6-months-old.

Conclusions
RSV was associated with nearly a third of infant acute illness hospitalizations in four middle-income countries during the respiratory season, where, in addition to young age, factors including low weight-for-age might be important predictors of severity. RSV prevention strategies targeting young infants could substantially reduce RSV-associated hospitalizations in middle-income countries.
Salvage high-dose rate brachytherapy for myxofibrosarcoma of the brachium: a technical report
Authors: Murakami Naoya , Nakatani Fumihiko , Takahashi Kana , Nakamura Satoshi , Igaki Hiroshi , Shikama Naoto 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
An 80-year-old male presented with T1N0M0 myxofibrosarcoma in or next to the humeral canal, which is located between the biceps and triceps of the right upper arm. Because the tumor was close to critical anatomical structures such as the brachial artery, median nerve and ulnar nerve, it was deemed impossible to perform limb-sparing surgery with an adequate resection margin. Therefore, preoperative external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) followed by limb-sparing surgery was offered. Magnetic resonance imaging taken after 40 Gy/20 fractions of EBRT showed an inadequate response, and limb-sparing surgery was not deemed possible at this point. Amputation of the right arm was offered, but the patient refused. Therefore, salvage high-dose-rate interstitial brachytherapy (HDR-ISBT) was offered. Under local anesthesia and sedation, 14 plastic needles were inserted, and 36 Gy in 6 fractions of HDR-ISBT was performed. Although radiation-induced incomplete paralysis of the median nerve was noted, no local progression or distant metastasis was found on the CT that was taken 2 years after the treatment.
A giant chylolymphatic cyst of the retroperitoneum: a case report
Authors: Alafandi Bana Zuhair , Al Aliwy Marwan , Hakim Raghad , Merjaneh Laura , Balid Mohamed Muhanad , Markaby Joud , Shehade Linda , Agha Sarab , Ayoub Kusay 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
Chylolymphatic cysts are an extremely rare variant of mesenteric cysts and account for 7.3% of all abdominal cysts. They can develop anywhere along the mesentery of the gastrointestinal tract and present in a wide range of symptoms. A 46-year-old male presented with mild abdominal pain and intermittent claudication in his right leg for the last 2 months and a history of a retroperitoneal resection of a simple abdominal cyst 5 years ago. Abdominal ultrasound and computerized tomography showed a fluid-filled cystic lesion measuring 17 × 11 × 10 cm in the right retroperitoneum. The cyst was surgically excised, and the histopathological examination was consistent with the chylolymphatic cyst. On a 1-year follow-up, the patient is recovered with no recurrence observed. Our report presents a case of a giant retroperitoneal chylolymphatic cyst with uncommon presenting symptoms and a rare etiology.