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The reaction of the N,N-diisopropyl bromoiminium salt with excess sodium phosphaethynolate (NaPCO) affords a diphospha-urea 2. Under blue light irradiation (450 nm), carbon monoxide is liberated affording the bis(carbene)P2 adduct 3. Photolysis of a benzene solution of 3 at 365 nm gives rise to the carbene dimer, namely the 1,2-bis(diisopropylamino)ethylene as a cis/trans mixture, along with white and red phosphorus. Under the same experimental conditions, but in the presence of excess 2,3-dimethyl-1,3-butadiene, the classical double Diels-Alder adduct of the triple-bonded diphosphorus P[triple bond, length as m-dash]P was obtained along with the bis(phospholene) formally resulting from a double [4 + 1] reaction of the diene with the bis(phosphinidene) form of P2. A stepwise carbene-carbene exchange reaction also occurs between the monosubstituted aminocarbene of 3 and a cyclic (alkyl)(amino)carbene, possibly involving the transient formation of a diphosphorus analogue of a diazo compound.

Skull base osteomyelitis is a rare and serious condition that primarily affects immunocompromised individuals and can be life threatening if not treated promptly. It can have various origins, with the most common being an extension of necrotizing external otitis. It is difficult to diagnose due to a wide array of clinical presentations. Imaging plays an important role in the diagnosis, identification of the possible source of infection, the extent of the disease, the pattern of spread and identification of associated complications. Early diagnosis is crucial to promptly initiate appropriate treatment. We report here a rare case of a 68-year-old patient presenting with skull base osteomyelitis resulting from bilateral otitis media, which is a rare condition.

Abstract Seed microbial communities have been known to have a crucial role in the life cycle of a plant. In this study, we examined the distribution of the fungal communities in three compartments (husk, brown rice, and milled rice) of the fourteen rice seed samples. Ten fungal genera distributed throughout the three compartments of the rice seeds were identified as the core mycobiome of the rice seeds, regardless of collecting regions or cultivars. Based on the diversity analysis, the distribution of the fungal community in milled rice was found to be more diversified, evenly distributed, and differently clustered from the other two compartments. Among the core mycobiome, Moesziomyces dominated almost 80% of the fungal communities in the outer compartments of rice seeds, whereas the abundances of other endophytic pathogenic fungi declined. Our results provide that antagonistic yeast Moesziomyces may be able to control the endogenous pathogenic fungal communities in rice seeds, hence maintaining the quality of rice seeds. In addition, the distribution of fungal communities differs depending on the rice seed’s compartment, indicating that the compartment can affect the distribution of the seed microbial community.

Abstract Extensive genetic studies have elucidated cardiomyocyte differentiation and associated gene networks using single-cell RNA-seq, yet the intricate transcriptional mechanisms governing cardiac conduction system (CCS) development and working cardiomyocyte differentiation remain largely unexplored. Here we show that mice deleted for Dhx36 (encoding the Dhx36 helicase) in the embryonic or neonatal heart develop overt dilated cardiomyopathy, surface ECG alterations related to cardiac impulse propagation, and (in the embryonic heart) a lack of a ventricular conduction system (VCS). Heart snRNA-seq and snATAC-seq reveal the role of Dhx36 in CCS development and in the differentiation of working cardiomyocytes. Dhx36 deficiency directly influences cardiomyocyte gene networks by disrupting the resolution of promoter G-quadruplexes in key cardiac genes, impacting cardiomyocyte differentiation and CCS morphogenesis, and ultimately leading to dilated cardiomyopathy and atrioventricular block. These findings further identify crucial genes and pathways that regulate the development and function of the VCS/Purkinje fiber (PF) network.

Predicting student performance using educational data is a significant area of machine learning research. However, class imbalance in datasets and the challenge of developing interpretable models can hinder accuracy. This study compares different variations of the Synthetic Minority Oversampling Technique (SMOTE) combined with classification algorithms to create prediction models. The results show that SMOTE with Edited Nearest Neighbors is superior, and the balanced random forest classifier performs better when using SMOTE-ENN, achieving 96% accuracy, precision, and F-value. Smote also has faster execution time. For model interpretability, combining Local Interpretable Model-agnostic Explanations (LIME) and SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) provides deeper insights. LIME is suitable for single-prediction interpretation, while SHAP is better for overall model interpretation. This research offers guidelines to mitigate data imbalance and improve fairness in education through data-driven innovations like early warning systems. It also educates academics on explainability approaches to facilitate wider use of machine learning methods.

The global outbreak of COVID-19 in 2020 became unprecedented and sent shockwaves through financial markets worldwide. This study investigates the impact of the pandemic on the performance of the U.S. financial market from March 1, 2020, to April 14, 2022. Utilizing Bai and Perron’s (1998) least squares with breaks during this period. The study’s test findings validate the existence of seven structural changes, signifying the occurrence of eight effects of independent factors on the S&P 500 index. The empirical findings demonstrate a substantial influence of COVID-19 pandemic on the performance of financial markets. Specifically, the impact of the number of COVID-19 cases and new fatalities on financial market performance, exhibits variations in terms of direction, nature, depth, and level. Based on an analysis of the structural changes, it can be inferred that the initial period exhibits the most pronounced negative impact on the number of new COVID-19 cases. Subsequently, the direction and nature of this impact undergo a transformation from the second to the eighth periods. Specifically, the impact of the number of new COVID-19 cases becomes positive in the second, third, sixth, seventh, and eighth periods, gradually diminishing until it reaches its lowest levels of impact in the eighth period. The research further identifies a detrimental impact on the occurrence of new fatalities. However, the periods spanning from the third to the fifth period exhibit very modest levels of influence, which then transition into a beneficial effect during the fifth period. Moreover, the research reveals that the impact of mortality rates on the performance of the United States stock market was greater than that of COVID-19 cases across all periods linked to structural changes. Additionally, the exchange rate of the dollar has a consistent and favorable impact, and the real interest rate has a pronounced negative impact, which gradually reduces over time and eventually transitions into a positive value by the eighth period.

The relationship between corruption and growth has two primary theories. The concept of “sand the wheels” implies that corruption impedes economic advancement, while the notion of “grease the wheels” contends that corruption facilitates the process of growth (according to this concept, in highly corrupt states with weak institutions and a large amount of bureaucracy (under certain circumstances, such as specific conditions, situations, economic structures, or phases of economic transformation), public officials tend to manipulate: to speed up certain decisions (sometimes significant for the economic growth of the state) if they receive a bribe while moving through legal channels may be slow and sometimes make these decisions impossible). The prevailing consensus in empirical research has primarily backed the “sand the wheels” theory, with minimal acceptance seen for the “grease the wheels” hypothesis. This paper examines the link between corruption and economic growth of 9 East Asian nations and 14 Middle East and North African countries between 1996 and 2019. By embracing the fundamental assumption that the influence of corruption on economic growth may not follow a linear trajectory, linear and non-linear dynamic models were used to incentivize the corruption levels at which its impact on growth transforms. The study finds an inverted U link between corruption and growth, suggesting a threshold of 0.2228, where corruption in these counties has a beneficial impact on growth and a harmful impact above it. The paper also examines the potential indirect influence of corruption on economic growth via the investment channel, explicitly defining the corruption threshold. The empirical findings in these counties show a significant positive relationship between investment and growth when corruption exceeds the threshold value of 0.3028. It means that under certain circumstances and economic contexts, corruption can potentially foster investment, particularly when bureaucratic inefficiencies and strict regulations impede investment endeavors (through various means, including facilitating the acquisition of permits, licenses, and financing and establishing a more foreseeable business environment). This phenomenon is especially evident in industries where time-critical possibilities require prompt decision-making. The findings indicate a statistically significant and advantageous influence of the Rule of law on economic growth (when considering the impacts of institutional factors), a positive considerable link between regulatory quality and prosperity (even when the squared corruption variable was included), a statistically significant negative effect of government spending on growth. According to the results of the calculations, the article emphasizes that in the countries of East Asia, the Middle East and North Africa, the issues of ensuring the Rule of law, accountability, transparency and reduction of bureaucracy are of particular relevance.

Abstract This work focuses on combating bacterial infections in bone tissue using metal elements embedded in bioactive glass. While there is an urgent need for alternative methods with a shrinking number of effective treatment options untouched by antimicrobial resistance, it is crucial to first understand the mechanisms of pathogenesis, persistence, and bacterial resistance in skeletal infection, and then develop effective counterstrategies and innovative alternatives. This review considers the role of antimicrobial metal ions, their mechanism of action, and their incorporation into bioactive glass formulations as these materials can serve as delivery platforms with the least possible complexities. Furthermore, the bacterial infection risk in bone is also examined with specific attention to antibiotic resistance and biofilm formation. This review sheds light on the most promising materials as novel antibacterial agents by presenting a wide range of possible bioactive glass formulations equipped with potential antibacterial ions and in vitro/ in vivo insights, and it also reinforces the importance of continuing studies to develop multi‐faceted antibacterial bioactive glasses.

The patient, a 30-year-old woman, presented with a sudden, painless, and severe decrease in vision in both eyes. The ophthalmological examination revealed a normal anterior segment and intraocular pressure, but a fundus examination showed bilateral macular hemorrhage. In the absence of a known history, a metabolic and hematological biological assessment was conducted. The assessment revealed megaloblastic anemia with a significantly reduced serum vitamin B12 level. Further examination confirmed Biermer’s disease as the cause of her anemia. The patient was started on a regimen of monthly vitamin B12 supplementation, which she will continue for life. This case report highlights the importance of recognizing megaloblastic anemia as a potential cause of spontaneous bilateral retinal hemorrhages. Moreover, it underscores the urgency for healthcare practitioners to promptly investigate and determine the root cause of megaloblastic anemia.