bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Functional
EPAS1
/
HIF2A
missense variant is associated with hematocrit in Andean highlanders
Authors: Lawrence Elijah S. , Gu Wanjun , Bohlender Ryan J. , Anza-Ramirez Cecilia , Cole Amy M. , Yu James J. , Hu Hao , Heinrich Erica C. , O’Brien Katie A. , Vasquez Carlos A. , Cowan Quinn T. , Bruck Patrick T. , Mercader Kysha , Alotaibi Mona , Long Tao , Hall James E. , Moya Esteban A. , Bauk Marco A. , Reeves Jennifer J. , Kong Mitchell C. , Salem Rany M. , Vizcardo-Galindo Gustavo , Macarlupu Jose-Luis , Figueroa-Mujíca Rómulo , Bermudez Daniela , Corante Noemi , Gaio Eduardo , Fox Keolu P. , Salomaa Veikko , Havulinna Aki S. , Murray Andrew J. , Malhotra Atul , Powel Frank L. , Jain Mohit , Komor Alexis C. , Cavalleri Gianpiero L. , Huff Chad D. , Villafuerte Francisco C. , Simonson Tatum S.
Published: February 2024

Hypoxia-inducible factor pathway genes are linked to adaptation in both human and nonhuman highland species.
EPAS1
, a notable target of hypoxia adaptation, is associated with relatively lower hemoglobin concentration in Tibetans. We provide evidence for an association between an adaptive
EPAS1
variant (rs570553380) and the same phenotype of relatively low hematocrit in Andean highlanders. This Andean-specific missense variant is present at a modest frequency in Andeans and absent in other human populations and vertebrate species except the coelacanth. CRISPR-base-edited human cells with this variant exhibit shifts in hypoxia-regulated gene expression, while metabolomic analyses reveal both genotype and phenotype associations and validation in a lowland population. Although this genocopy of relatively lower hematocrit in Andean highlanders parallels well-replicated findings in Tibetans, it likely involves distinct pathway responses based on a protein-coding versus noncoding variants, respectively. These findings illuminate how unique variants at
EPAS1
contribute to the same phenotype in Tibetans and a subset of Andean highlanders despite distinct evolutionary trajectories.
Physics-based early warning signal shows that AMOC is on tipping course
Authors: van Westen René M. , Kliphuis Michael , Dijkstra Henk A.
Published: February 2024

One of the most prominent climate tipping elements is the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (AMOC), which can potentially collapse because of the input of fresh water in the North Atlantic. Although AMOC collapses have been induced in complex global climate models by strong freshwater forcing, the processes of an AMOC tipping event have so far not been investigated. Here, we show results of the first tipping event in the Community Earth System Model, including the large climate impacts of the collapse. Using these results, we develop a physics-based and observable early warning signal of AMOC tipping: the minimum of the AMOC-induced freshwater transport at the southern boundary of the Atlantic. Reanalysis products indicate that the present-day AMOC is on route to tipping. The early warning signal is a useful alternative to classical statistical ones, which, when applied to our simulated tipping event, turn out to be sensitive to the analyzed time interval before tipping.
Impact-induced initiation of Snowball Earth: A model study
Authors: Fu Minmin , Abbot Dorian S. , Koeberl Christian , Fedorov Alexey
Published: February 2024

During the Neoproterozoic and Paleoproterozoic eras, geological evidence points to several “Snowball Earth” episodes when most of Earth’s surface was covered in ice. These global-scale glaciations represent the most marked climate changes in Earth’s history. We show that the impact winter following an asteroid impact comparable in size to the Chicxulub impact could have led to a runaway ice-albedo feedback and global glaciation. Using a state-of-the-art atmosphere-ocean climate model, we simulate the climate response following an impact for preindustrial, Last Glacial Maximum (LGM), Cretaceous-like, and Neoproterozoic climates. While warm ocean temperatures in the preindustrial and Cretaceous-like climates prevent Snowball initiation, the colder oceans of the LGM and cold Neoproterozoic climate scenarios rapidly form sea ice and demonstrate high sensitivity to the initial condition of the ocean. Given suggestions of a cold pre-Snowball climate, we argue the initiation of Snowball Earth by a large impact is a robust possible mechanism, as previously suggested by others, and conclude by discussing geologic tests.
BCL6 is required for the thymic development of TCRαβ
+
CD8αα
+
intraepithelial lymphocyte lineage
Authors: Xing Qi , Chang Dehui , Xie Shiyuan , Zhao Xiaohong , Zhang Hao , Wang Xiaohu , Bai Xue , Dong Chen
Published: February 2024

TCRαβ
+
CD8αα
+
intraepithelial lymphocytes (CD8αα
+
αβ IELs) are a specialized subset of T cells in the gut epithelium that develop from thymic agonist selected IEL precursors (IELps). The molecular mechanisms underlying the selection and differentiation of this T cell type in the thymus are largely unknown. Here, we found that
Bcl6
deficiency in αβ T cells resulted in the near absence of CD8αα
+
αβ IELs. BCL6 was expressed by approximately 50% of CD8αα
+
αβ IELs and by the majority of thymic PD1
+
IELps after agonist selection.
Bcl6
deficiency blocked early IELp generation in the thymus, and its expression in IELps was induced by thymic TCR signaling in an ERK-dependent manner. As a result of
Bcl6
deficiency, the precursors of IELps among CD4
+
CD8
+
double-positive thymocytes exhibited increased apoptosis during agonist selection and impaired IELp differentiation and maturation. Together, our results elucidate BCL6 as a crucial transcription factor during the thymic development of CD8αα
+
αβ IELs.
Enhancing the activity of zearalenone lactone hydrolase toward the more toxic α-zearalanol via a single-point mutation
Authors: Wang Meixing , Zhang Faying , Xiang La , Li Mengsha , Lu Zhenghui , Wu Pan , Sheng Xiang , Zhou Jiahai , Zhang Guimin
Published: February 2024

The mycotoxins zearalenone (ZEN) and its derivatives pose a significant threat to food safety. Here, we present a highly promising ZEN lactone hydrolase (ZHD), ZHDAY3, which is capable of efficiently degrading both ZEN and the more toxic derivative α-ZAL. Next, the ZHDAY3(N153H) mutant obtained by single-point mutation exhibited the highest specific activity for degrading α-ZAL reported thus far. We further elucidated the molecular mechanisms underlying the enhanced hydrolytic activity of ZHDAY3(N153H) toward α-ZAL. These findings represent the first investigation on the molecular mechanism of ZHDs against α-ZAL and are expected to provide a significant reference for further rational engineering of ZHDs, which will ultimately contribute to addressing the health risks and food safety issues posed by ZEN-like mycotoxins.
Newcastle disease virus activates diverse signaling pathways via Src to facilitate virus entry into host macrophages
Authors: Shi Qiankai , Zhao Ran , Chen Linna , Liu Tianyi , Di Tao , Zhang Chunwei , Zhang Zhiying , Wang Fangfang , Han Zongxi , Sun Junfeng , Liu Shengwang
Published: February 2024

As an intrinsic cellular mechanism responsible for the internalization of extracellular ligands and membrane components, caveolae-mediated endocytosis (CavME) is also exploited by certain pathogens for endocytic entry [e.g., Newcastle disease virus (NDV) of paramyxovirus]. However, the molecular mechanisms of NDV-induced CavME remain poorly understood. Herein, we demonstrate that sialic acid-containing gangliosides, rather than glycoproteins, were utilized by NDV as receptors to initiate the endocytic entry of NDV into HD11 cells. The binding of NDV to gangliosides induced the activation of a non-receptor tyrosine kinase, Src, leading to the phosphorylation of caveolin-1 (Cav1) and dynamin-2 (Dyn2), which contributed to the endocytic entry of NDV. Moreover, an inoculation of cells with NDV-induced actin cytoskeletal rearrangement through Src to facilitate NDV entry via endocytosis and direct fusion with the plasma membrane. Subsequently, unique members of the Rho GTPases family, RhoA and Cdc42, were activated by NDV in a Src-dependent manner. Further analyses revealed that RhoA and Cdc42 regulated the activities of specific effectors, cofilin and myosin regulatory light chain 2, responsible for actin cytoskeleton rearrangement, through diverse intracellular signaling cascades. Taken together, our results suggest that an inoculation of NDV-induced Src-mediated cellular activation by binding to ganglioside receptors. This process orchestrated NDV endocytic entry by modulating the activities of caveolae-associated Cav1 and Dyn2, as well as specific Rho GTPases and downstream effectors.

IMPORTANCE

In general, it is known that the paramyxovirus gains access to host cells through direct penetration at the plasma membrane; however, emerging evidence suggests more complex entry mechanisms for paramyxoviruses. The endocytic entry of Newcastle disease virus (NDV), a representative member of the paramyxovirus family, into multiple types of cells has been recently reported. Herein, we demonstrate the binding of NDV to induce ganglioside-activated Src signaling, which is responsible for the endocytic entry of NDV through caveolae-mediated endocytosis. This process involved Src-dependent activation of the caveolae-associated Cav1 and Dyn2, as well as specific Rho GTPase and downstream effectors, thereby orchestrating the endocytic entry process of NDV. Our findings uncover a novel molecular mechanism of endocytic entry of NDV into host cells and provide novel insight into paramyxovirus mechanisms of entry.
Toward the novel AI tasks in infection biology
Authors: Yakimovich Artur
Published: February 2024

Machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) are becoming more common in infection biology laboratories around the world. Yet, as they gain traction in research, novel frontiers arise. Novel artificial intelligence algorithms are capable of addressing advanced tasks like image generation and question answering. However, similar algorithms can prove useful in addressing advanced questions in infection biology like prediction of host-pathogen interactions or inferring virus protein conformations. Addressing such tasks requires large annotated data sets, which are often scarce in biomedical research. In this review, I bring together several successful examples where such tasks were addressed. I underline the importance of formulating novel AI tasks in infection biology accompanied by freely available benchmark data sets to address these tasks. Furthermore, I discuss the current state of the field and potential future trends. I argue that one such trend involves AI tools becoming more versatile.
Tidal dissipation morphodynamic feedback triggers loss of microtidal marshes
Authors: Zapp Samuel M. , Mariotti Giulio
Published: February 2024

Coastal marsh loss is commonly attributed to changes in external forcings, such as an increase in sea-level rise rate or a reduction in sediment supply. Here we show that extensive marsh loss can be caused by internal mechanisms alone, and specifically by autogenic tidal choking. This occurs when the marsh fills in, increasing tidal dissipation by bed friction and eventually decreasing the tidal range in its landward section. The reduced tidal range decreases sediment import on the marsh platform and increases ponding, both of which lead to interior marsh loss even with modest sea-level rise rates. This process is predicted to occur in dissipative microtidal marshes, which are experiencing some of the fastest rates of marsh loss worldwide. Considering this mechanism is essential to understanding the relationship between marsh loss, sea-level rise, and sediment supply and to eventually predicting future marsh evolution.
Animus: human-embodied animals
Authors: Savulescu Julian , Sawai Tsutomu
Published: February 2024

We review recent research to introduce human brain organoids into the brains of infant rats. This research shows these organoids integrate and function to affect behaviour in rats. We argue that this raises issues of moral status that will imminently arise and must be addressed through functional studies of these new life forms. We situate this research in the broader context of the biological revolution, arguing we already have the technological power to create fully human embodied animals. This raises profound, so far unaddressed ethical issues which call for urgent attention.
Porcine in vitro digestion and solubilization of non-starch polysaccharides in corn and wheat supplemented with xylanase and feruloyl esterase
Authors: Njeru Harriet K. , Bach Knudsen Knud E. , Woyengo Tofuko A.
Published: February 2024

A study evaluated porcine in vitro digestion and non-starch polysaccharide (NSP) solubilization of corn and wheat without or with xylanase alone or xylanase plus feruloyl esterase (FE). The enzymes supplied 4000 U of xylanase and 35 U of FE per kilogram of sample. Samples were digested with pepsin at a pH of 2.0 and then with pancreatin at a pH of 6.8. The digested samples were filtered to obtain unhydrolyzed residue, which was then washed using alcohol and acetone. The cereal grains (CGs) before in vitro digestion and the washed unhydrolyzed residues were analyzed for dry matter and NSP. Xylanase improved ( P < 0.05) in vitro digestibility of dry matter (IVDDM) for wheat (85% vs. 89%), but not for corn (78% vs. 79%). Addition of FE to the xylanase-supplemented CGs increased ( P < 0.05) IVDDM for both CGs, and reduced ( P < 0.05) the arabinoxylans in the unhydrolyzed residue for corn, but not for wheat. In conclusion, xylanase product used in the current study is more effective in improving the digestibility of nutrients in wheat than in corn. The FE product used in the current study can improve the efficacy of xylanase in improving the nutrient digestibility of wheat and corn.
Synthesis, characterization, and crystal structures of four 1,3-diisopropylbenzimidazolium salts with iodide, aluminum tetraiodide, tetrakis[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)-phenyl]borate, and triiodide anions
Authors: McClennan William L. , Stack Darcie L. , Clyburne Jason A.C. , Robertson Katherine N. , Masuda Jason D.
Published: February 2024

Four 1,3-disubstituted benzimidazolium salts: 1,3-diisopropylbenzimidazolium iodide (1), 1,3-diisopropylbenzimidazolium aluminum tetraiodide (2), 1,3-diisopropylbenzimidazolium triiodide (3), and 1,3-diisopropylbenzimidazolium tetrakis[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]borate (4) have been characterized using single X-ray diffraction analysis. Compounds 2–4 are new and are characterized by NMR and IR spectroscopy. Compound 2 was prepared by reacting 1 with aluminum triiodide and compound 4 in a metathesis reaction of 1 with sodium tetrakis[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]borate, giving yields of 96% and 93%, respectively. Compound 3 was prepared by reacting 1 with 1 eq. of iodine and was isolated in 34% yield. Compound 1 crystallizes in the Orthorhombic space group P212121 with an asymmetric unit consisting of one benzimidazolium cation and one iodine anion. Compound 2 crystallizes in the Monoclinic space group P21/ n with an asymmetric unit consisting of one benzimidazolium cation and one aluminum tetraiodide anion. Compound 3 crystallizes in the Monoclinic space group C2/ c with an asymmetric unit consisting of one and one-half benzimidazolium cations and one and one-half triiodide anions. Compound 4 crystallizes in the Triclinic space group P-1 with an asymmetric unit consisting of one benzimidazolium cation and one tetrakis[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]borate anion. The NCN angles in all four compounds are approximately 110°, which is consistent with literature values. Stacking and halogen and hydrogen bonding interactions in the series are also discussed.
Geographic variation in the probability of being born with and retaining contrasting tail tip colour (tail luring) in the Common Lancehead Bothrops jararaca
Authors: Siqueira Lucas Henrique Carvalho , Piantoni Carla , Marques Otavio Augusto Vuolo
Published: February 2024

In snakes that are known to be ambush predators, tail luring, in which the movement of a snake’s tail resembles that of a worm or insect larva and is used to attract prey, has emerged as a complementary hunting strategy. In certain species, some individuals may present a conspicuously bright colour at the tail tip, which eventually disappears with age. Some authors argue that the bright colour enhances the resemblance of the snake’s tail with a potential food item, increasing the success of capture. Here, we tested the influence of geographic variation, sex, and environmental factors on the probability that Common Lanceheads Bothrops jararaca (Wied-Neuwied, 1824) from southeastern Brazil were born with this contrasting tail tip and whether snakes retain this trait throughout adulthood. None of the predictors affected the probability of births with a contrasting tail tip. However, a higher proportion of individuals from the coastal populations retained this trait into adulthood. The absence of difference in the probability of being born with this trait indicates that there are other factors influencing tail tip colour, such as phylogenetic correlates, rather than intrinsic or environmental factors. A higher proportion of ectothermic prey in the diet of coastal populations may explain why this population retains tail luring throughout adulthood.
Einstein–Cartan pseudoscalaron inflation
Authors: Di Marco Alessandro , Orazi Emanuele , Pradisi Gianfranco
Published: February 2024

We study a class of early universe cosmological models based on Einstein–Cartan gravity and including a higher derivative term corresponding to a power of the Holst scalar curvature. The resulting effective action is basically given by General Relativity and an additional neutral pseudoscalar field (the pseudoscalaron), unequivocally related to the corresponding components of the torsion, that necessarily acquire a dynamics. The induced pseudoscalaron potential provides a realistic inflationary phase together with a very rich postinflationary epoch, resulting from the coupling of the pseudoscalaron to ordinary matter.
VeriGen: A Large Language Model for Verilog Code Generation
Authors: Thakur Shailja , Ahmad Baleegh , Pearce Hammond , Tan Benjamin , Dolan-Gavitt Brendan , Karri Ramesh , Garg Siddharth
Published: February 2024

In this study, we explore the capability of Large Language Models (LLMs) to automate hardware design by automatically completing partial Verilog code, a common language for designing and modeling digital systems. We fine-tune pre-existing LLMs on Verilog datasets compiled from GitHub and Verilog textbooks. We evaluate the functional correctness of the generated Verilog code using a specially designed test suite, featuring a custom problem set and testing benches. Here, our fine-tuned open-source CodeGen-16B model outperforms the commercial state-of-the-art GPT-3.5-turbo model with a 1.1% overall increase. Upon testing with a more diverse and complex problem set, we find that the fine-tuned model shows competitive performance against state-of-the-art gpt-3.5-turbo, excelling in certain scenarios. Notably, it demonstrates a 41% improvement in generating syntactically correct Verilog code across various problem categories compared to its pre-trained counterpart, highlighting the potential of smaller, in-house LLMs in hardware design automation. We release our training/evaluation scripts and LLM checkpoints as open-source contributions.
Contrastive Language-knowledge Graph Pre-training
Authors: Yuan Xiaowei , Liu Kang , Wang Yequan
Published: February 2024

Recent years have witnessed a surge of academic interest in knowledge-enhanced pre-trained language models (PLMs) that incorporate factual knowledge to enhance knowledge-driven applications. Nevertheless, existing studies primarily focus on shallow, static, and separately pre-trained entity embeddings, with few delving into the potential of deep contextualized knowledge representation for knowledge incorporation. Consequently, the performance gains of such models remain limited. In this article, we introduce a simple yet effective knowledge-enhanced model,
College
(
Co
ntrastive
L
anguage-Know
le
dge
G
raph Pr
e
-training), which leverages contrastive learning to incorporate factual knowledge into PLMs. This approach maintains the knowledge in its original graph structure to provide the most available information and circumvents the issue of heterogeneous embedding fusion. Experimental results demonstrate that our approach achieves more effective results on several knowledge-intensive tasks compared to previous state-of-the-art methods. Our code and trained models are available at
https://github.com/Stacy027/COLLEGE
.
Quantum Measurement Classification Using Statistical Learning
Authors: Utt Zachery , Volya Daniel , Mishra Prabhat
Published: February 2024

Interpreting the results of a quantum computer can pose a significant challenge due to inherent noise in these mesoscopic quantum systems. Quantum measurement, a critical component of quantum computing, involves determining the probabilities linked with quantum states post-multiple circuit computations based on quantum readout values provided by hardware. While there are promising classification-based solutions, they can either misclassify or necessitate excessive measurements, thereby proving to be costly. This article puts forth an efficient method to discern the quantum state by analyzing the probability distributions of data post-measurement. Specifically, we employ cumulative distribution functions to juxtapose the measured distribution of a sample against the distributions of basis states. The efficacy of our approach is demonstrated through experimental results on a superconducting transmon qubit architecture, which shows a substantial decrease (88%) in single qubit readout error compared to state-of-the-art measurement techniques. Moreover, we report additional error reduction (12%) compared to state-of-the-art measurement techniques when our technique is applied to enhance existing multi-qubit classification techniques. We also demonstrate the applicability of our proposed method for higher dimensional quantum systems, including classification of single qutrits as well as multiple qutrits.
Applicability of Neural Combinatorial Optimization: A Critical View
Authors: I. Garmendia Andoni , Ceberio Josu , Mendiburu Alexander
Published: February 2024

Neural Combinatorial Optimization has emerged as a new paradigm in the optimization area. It attempts to solve optimization problems by means of neural networks and reinforcement learning. In the past few years, due to their novelty and presumably good performance, many research papers have been published introducing new neural architectures for a variety of combinatorial problems. However, the incorporation of such models in the conventional optimization portfolio raises many questions related to their performance compared to other existing methods, such as exact algorithms, heuristics, or metaheuristics. This article aims to present a critical view of these new proposals, discussing their benefits and drawbacks with respect to the tools and algorithms already present in the optimization field. For this purpose, a comprehensive study is carried out to analyze the fundamental aspects of such methods, including performance, computational cost, transferability, and reusability of the trained model. Moreover, this discussion is accompanied by the design and validation of a new neural combinatorial optimization algorithm on two well-known combinatorial problems: the Linear Ordering Problem and the Permutation Flowshop Scheduling Problem. Finally, new directions for future work in the area of Neural Combinatorial Optimization algorithms are suggested.
Static Three-Chamber ZnI2 Redox Batteries and Analyzed Electrochemically
Authors: Liu Jie , Sun Jingtao , Wang Yiran , Zhang Youyuan , Xu Shaohui , Yang Zhenzhong , Xiong Dayuan , Wang Lianwei , Yang Pingxiong , Chu Paul K.
Published: February 2024

Static three-chamber ZnI2 redox batteries are designed and analyzed electrochemically. The reversibility of the zinc plating/stripping process is evaluated by monitoring the cathodic/anodic peaks in the cyclic voltammograms. The electrochemical redox process of iodide on the cathode is analyzed based on the impedance spectra. The reversibility of zinc plating/stripping is related to I2 adsorption and improving performance of three-chamber ZnI2 redox battery could be attributed to the isolation of redox ions. The multi-electrolyte battery limits the influence of I2 adsorption and delivers better performance including of the high discharging voltage and power density.
Exhausted Tumor-infiltrating CD39+CD103+ CD8+ T Cells Unveil Potential for Increased Survival in Human Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Gorchs Laia , Fernández-Moro Carlos , Asplund Ebba , Oosthoek Marlies , Solders Martin , Ghorbani Poya , Sparrelid Ernesto , Rangelova Elena , Löhr Matthias J. , Kaipe Helen
Published: February 2024

In pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, the infiltration of CD8+ T cells within the tumor microenvironment correlates with a favorable prognosis. However, a significant proportion of tumor-infiltrating T cells become trapped within the desmoplastic stroma and lack tumor reactivity. Here, we explored different T-cell subsets in pancreatic tumors and adjacent tissues. We identified a subset of CD8+ T cells, double positive (DP) for CD39 and CD103 in pancreatic tumors, which has recently been described to display tumor reactivity in other types of solid tumors. Interestingly, DP CD8+ T cells preferentially accumulated in central tumor tissues compared with paired peripheral tumor and adjacent non-tumor tissues. Consistent with an antigen encounter, DP CD8+ T cells demonstrated higher proliferative rates and displayed an exhausted phenotype, characterized by elevated expression of PD-1 and TIM-3, compared with CD39−CD103− CD8+ T cells. In addition, DP CD8+ T cells exhibited higher expression levels of the tissue trafficking receptors CCR5 and CXCR6, while displaying lower levels of CXCR3 and CXCR4. Importantly, a high proportion of DP CD8+ T cells is associated with increased patient survival. These findings suggest that DP CD8+ T cells with a phenotype reminiscent of that of tumor-reactive T cells are present in pancreatic tumors. The abundance of DP CD8+ T cells could potentially aid in selecting patients for pancreatic cancer immunotherapy trials.

Significance:

Patients with pancreatic cancer with a high proportion of CD39+CD103+ CD8+ T cells exhibiting a tumor-reactive phenotype have improved survival rates, suggesting their potential utility in selecting candidates for immunotherapy trials.
Effect of Polyphenols on the Ultrastructure of the Dentin Pellicle and Subsequent Erosion
Authors: Schestakow Anton , Rasputnis Wadim , Hannig Matthias
Published: February 2024

Introduction: Erosive tooth wear is a highly prevalent dental condition that is modified by the ever-present salivary pellicle. The aim of the present in situ study was to investigate the effect of polyphenols on the ultrastructure of the pellicle formed on dentin in situ and a subsequent erosive challenge. Methods: The pellicle was formed on bovine dentin specimens for 3 min or 2 h in 3 subjects. After subjects rinsed with sterile water (negative control), 1% tannic acid, 1% hop extract, or tin/fluoride solution containing 800 ppm tin and 500 ppm fluoride (positive control), specimens were removed from the oral cavity. The erosive challenge was performed on half of the specimens with 1% citric acid, and all specimens were analyzed by transmission electron microscopy. Incorporation of tannic acid in the pellicle was investigated by fluorescence spectroscopy. Results: Compared to the negative control, ultrastructural analyses reveal a thicker and electron-denser pellicle after application of polyphenols, in which, according to spectroscopy, tannic acid is also incorporated. Application of citric acid resulted in demineralization of dentin, but to a lesser degree when the pellicle was pretreated with a tin/fluoride solution. The pellicle was more acid-resistant than the negative control when modified with polyphenols or tin/fluoride solution. Conclusion: Polyphenols can have a substantial impact on the ultrastructure and acid resistance of the dentin pellicle, while the tin/fluoride solution showed explicit protection against erosive demineralization.
South African Land Reforms Under the Auspices of the “Radical Economic Transformation”
Authors: Yingi Edwin , Benyera Everisto
Published: February 2024

The land question is an emotive issue across the world. At independence, erstwhile colonies adopted land reforms to address colonial imbalances in landholding. South Africa is one such country that has embarked on land reforms with the view to correcting economic imbalances created by the apartheid past. However, land reform in South Africa has not only been slow but has failed to deal with the twin challenges of poverty and inequality. Using qualitative research design and neoclassical theory, this paper investigates South Africa’s land reforms under the auspices of radical economic transformation. The paper argues that the wholesale expropriation of land without compensation does not fit into the obtaining (neoliberal) economic blueprint that has dominated the country over the years. The call for a radical transformation of landholding rights in the country without structural changes in macroeconomic management remains political rhetoric.
From Lifeline to Weapon: The Role of Companion Animals in the Lives of Entangled Victims
Authors: Atwood Dana
Published: February 2024

Growing evidence suggests that companion animals play a significant role in the lives of victims of domestic abuse. The aim of this paper is to extend this research to include a broader range of domestic abuse victims. Drawing from 45 face-to-face interviews with participants who identify as “entangled victims,” this research evidences a complex and varied relationship between entangled victims and companion animals. In this light, policy changes regarding domestic violence victimization are encouraged. Specifically, changes to the power and control wheel, conceptualization of who constitutes a domestic abuse victim, and intervention strategies recognizing that companion animals can be used as both lifelines and weapons.
Does Viewing Cats and Dogs Influence People’s Mood, Optimism, and the Desire to Have Children?
Authors: Machová Kamila , Flegr Jaroslav
Published: February 2024

Photos of cats and dogs are among the most popular kinds of material on the internet. Our large-scale study (N = 8,865) tested the influence of viewing cat and dog images on the desire to have children, mood, and optimism. The main effects of priming on these three variables were insignificant, both in the general population and subpopulations of cat and dog lovers. Nevertheless, a priming–gender interaction had a slight influence on optimism in the general population. Additionally, liking of companion animals was associated with a lower number of children, whereas keeping of animals was associated with a higher number of children. This may indicate that animals do not decrease the fertility of their keepers as previously suggested, but that having children decreases liking for these animals. Our results showed that the effect of watching cats and dogs might be much weaker than previous studies suggest.
The relationship between flight initiation distance and cognition of urban-living yellow mongooses, Cynictis penicillata
Authors: Müller Mijke , Pillay Neville
Published: February 2024

Reduced flight initiation distance (FID) enables urban-living animals to forage closer to humans, while improved cognitive abilities may be beneficial in assessing the level of danger. We assessed whether yellow mongooses, Cynictis penicillata, which are more tolerant to human disturbances, are also better problem-solvers. Mongooses in two locations (), differing in levels of human contact, were presented with a puzzle-box containing a food incentive. FID was longer in the location with more human contact, but reduced at sites closer to humans. With greater human contact, mongooses fled further from the puzzle box and took longer to recover. Despite differences in tolerance to human disturbance and the subsequent recovery, location did not affect problem-solving efficiency. However, the fear response and recovery time decreased in mongooses with lower tolerance of humans, whereas problem-solving decreased in mongooses that were more tolerant to humans, possibly a result of habituation to the humans.
Divine and Human Hatred in Ancient Egypt
Authors: Joseph Amgad
Published: February 2024

This article examines the conceptualization of hatred as a complicated and intense emotion in the realms of humans and deities in ancient Egypt. It thoroughly discusses the addressees, psychology, effects, justifications, and incitements of hatred, as well as the possibility of the pacification of its feelings. It discusses the attestations of hatred, its perceived consequences and experience by the deities, living and dead humans. The article also examines the phraseology, contextualization, and lexical semantics of hatred in a detailed lexicographical and linguistic analysis.

The addressed research problem strives to ascertain whether deities and humans, either living or dead, manifest the same feelings, purposes, incitements, and justifications of hatred or not. Thus, both the negative and positive connotations of hatred are examined. The methodology followed is to examine and analyse attestations in which hate feelings are demonstrated for a better understanding of the phenomenon. The study comes to the conclusion that hatred in ancient Egypt had positive connotations, in contrast to its present-day negative emotional valence as suggested.
Impact of ginger supplementation on serum PGE2, COX2, and IL-6 in response to exhaustive exercise in female taekwondo athletes
Authors: Karizak S.Z. , Shahnehzad M. , Zar A.
Published: February 2024

Inflammation and muscle soreness sometimes occur after high-intensity exercise in some athletes. This study aimed to determine the effect of a ginger supplement period on serum cyclooxygenase-2 (COX2), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and interleukin (IL)-6 in response to exhaustive exercise in female taekwondo athletes. In this semi-experimental study, 24 semi-professional female taekwondo athletes (mean age 19.75 ± 2.03 years, height 160 ± 6 cm, weight 53.99 ± 7.49 kg) were selected voluntarily. Subjects were randomly assigned to the ginger supplement + exhaustive (GE + EE) and exhaustive exercise (EE) groups. 24 doses of 2,000 mg of pure ginger supplement (3 days/week for 8 weeks) were taken in the morning and evening (4 capsules of 500 mg: 2 in the morning and 2 in the evening). Then Bruce’s test was performed as an exhaustive exercise. Blood samples were collected in two stages before and after the intervention, and serum levels of COX2, PGE2, and IL-6 were measured using the Elisa method. T-tests and analysis of variance with repeated measures were used to examine intra-group changes and compare between groups from pre-test to post-test using SPSS version 25 software. The results showed a significant increase in the level of serum COX2 (), and no significant increase in the level of serum PGE2 () and IL-6 () in the EE group compared to baseline levels. Also, there was a significant decrease in the level of serum PGE2 (), COX2 (), and IL-6 () in the group of GE + EE compared to baseline levels. In addition, there was a significant difference between the group of GE + EE and the EE (). GE + EE group, in comparison with the EE group, partially reduced inflammation. Taking 8-weeks of ginger supplementations can effectively reduce muscle inflammation following exhaustive exercise in female taekwondo athletes.
Crowdsourced Meteorological Data to Supplement Limited Official Sources: A Survey and Case Study of Precipitation Monitoring in Guangzhou, China
Authors: Yu Yu , Cao Lei , Ren Zhihua , Xu Yan , Feng Wei , Zhao Licheng
Published: February 2024

Crowdsourced meteorological data may provide a useful supplement to operational observations. However, the willingness of various parties to share their data remains unclear. Here, a survey on data applications was carried out to investigate the willingness to participate in crowdsourcing observations. Of the 21 responses, 71% expressed difficulty in meeting the requirement of data services using only their own observations and revealed that they would be willing to exchange data with other parties under some framework; moreover, 90% expressed a willingness to participate in crowdsourcing observations. The findings suggest that in a way the social foundation of crowdsourcing has been established in China. Additionally, a case study on precipitation monitoring was performed in Guangzhou, the capital city of Guangdong Province, South China. Three sources of hourly measurements were combined after data quality control and calibration and interpolated over Guangzhou (gridded precipitation was based on combined data, and it is referred to as the COM grid). Subsequently, the COM grid was compared with the grid data based only on observations from the China Meteorological Administration using three indices, namely, cumulative precipitation, precipitation intensity, and heavy rain hours. The results indicate that requirement for more observations could benefit from crowdsourced data, especially on uneven terrain and in regions covered by sparse surface stations.
A Systematic Review of the Performance of Agricultural Marketing in Malawi
Authors: Chitete Moses M.N. , Mgomezulu Wisdom R. , Bwanaisa Mercy , Damazio Chitsanzo , Kaunda Robert Tauka , Dzanja Joseph
Published: February 2024

The main purpose of this study was to review the performance of agricultural marketing in Malawi. Using a systematic review, the study synthesizes factors affecting performance of agricultural marketing in Malawi. It identifies key issues such as a lack of an efficient market system, information asymmetry in the market, inadequate agricultural marketing policies for non-food crops, price uncertainty, and lack of export incentives to encourage and boost agricultural exports. To that end, the study urges the necessity for a thorough examination of agricultural marketing policies that places an emphasis on dealing with important challenges in the agricultural sector that are supported by empirical data in order to foster economic growth.
“I Done Been Through a Lot of Stuff and I Done Seen a Lot of Things”: A Qualitative Analysis of Chronic Stress and Violence Among Justice-Involved Black Men
Authors: Green Cherrell
Published: February 2024

In the United States, low-income Black men endure substantial stressors shaped by their social ecology (e.g., impoverished neighborhoods) and societal systems (e.g., criminal legal system) that produce racialized harm over the course of their lives. Although the stress literature has demonstrated a strong relationship between stressors and adverse health consequences, much remains unknown as to how low-income Black men experience trauma and adversity. This study draws on semistructured interviews with 20 men to understand how they experience and cope with trauma. Findings reveal that Black men experience multiple and enduring stressors—childhood trauma, interpersonal violence, loss of loved ones to violence, and police violence, throughout their lives. Participants’ chronic exposure to trauma resulted in adverse psychological outcomes including desensitization, hypervigilance, and fatalism. Finally, how low-income Black men responded to trauma, sometimes resulted in additional adversity and further involvement in the criminal legal system.
Spice up the moment: The influence of spicy taste on people's metaphorical perspectives on time
Authors: Qin Yutian
Published: February 2024

Embodied cognition contends that sensorimotor experiences undergird cognitive processes. Three embodied cross-domain metaphorical mappings constitute quintessential illustrations: spatial navigation and orientation underpin the conceptualization of time and emotion and gustatory sensation underlies the formulation of emotion. Threading together these strands of insights, the present research consisted of three studies explored the potential influence of spicy taste on people's metaphorical perspectives on time. The results revealed a positive correlation between spicy taste and the ego-moving metaphor for time such that individuals who enjoyed spicy taste (Study 1) and who consumed spicy (vs. salty) snack (Study 2) exhibited a predilection for the ego-moving perspective when cognizing a temporally ambiguous event. Because both spicy taste and the ego-moving metaphor are associated with anger and approach motivation, the latter two were postulated to be related to the novel taste-time relationship. Corroborative evidence for the hypothesis was found, which indicated that spicy (vs. salty) intake elicited significantly stronger anger toward and significantly greater approach-motivated perception of a rescheduled temporal event (Study 3). Taken together, the current findings demonstrate that spicy taste may play a role in people's perspectives on the movement of events in time and highlight the involved embodied interrelation between language, emotion, and cognition.
Research on a novel compliant mechanism applied in the vehicle side door latch and stability analysis via Lyapunov exponents
Authors: Wang Ming-Yuan , Hang Lu-Bin , Zhong Chuan-Lei , Qin Peng-Cheng
Published: February 2024

The functional reliability of the vehicle latch is very important and is determined by the internal mechanism’s motion stability. In this paper, a novel compliant mechanism constructed with a novel compliant joint is applied to the vehicle latch, and multiple mode motions of the mechanism realize the newly added electric power release function. The repeatability of mechanism trajectories and phase diagrams of several different periodic motions is creatively regarded as the stability of the compliant mechanism. In this compliant mechanism, the endpoint of the groove-coupler is chosen as a characteristic point and the compliant joint’s spring stiffness kT is taken as the key parameter to obtain trajectories and phase diagram. It is found that all cycle overlapping phase diagrams possess intuitively good repeatability, except in two locally specific regions. Then, Wolf’s numerical calculation method of Lyapunov exponents is utilized to analyze the motion stability of the compliant mechanism. An appropriate range (1.0–1.05 N mm/°) of the joint stiffness kT is obtained, satisfying the stability criterion. Finally, characteristic point trajectory and functional experiments with kT = 1 N mm/° are conducted to verify the motion stability of the compliant mechanism. The method of mechanism motion stability analysis by means of Lyapunov exponents can be applied to other under-actuated mechanisms.
Study on the thermal-stress coupling simulation and surface friction of mechanical seal for water pump
Authors: Xiang Jin , Lin Rong , Wu Xian , Zhang Lingbo
Published: February 2024

In view of the problems that the mechanical seal for the water pump is prone to deformation, friction and wear, and loss of sealing performance in the process of use, taking the temperature change of end surface as the research entry point, the temperature distribution, stress and strain diagram of rotating ring, and stationary ring are obtained by thermal-stress coupling simulation. The temperature change of stationary ring is studied by the experiments, and the friction state of end surface of rotating ring and stationary ring are observed. The results indicate that the test temperature of stationary ring is slightly lower than simulation temperature, which is related to the thermocouple fixed on the side of the stationary ring for temperature measurement. In addition, comparing the micro morphology of end surface of rotating ring before and after the experiment, it is found that there is significant plastic deformation on the inner diameter of rotating ring, which is related to the stress generated by the thermal-mechanical coupling of inner diameter of rotating ring exceeding the material limit, consistent with the simulation results.
Modeling the long-term relationship between transportation, economic growth, poverty and environmental degradation in Tunisia
Authors: Ouni Manel , Ben Abdallah Khaled
Published: February 2024

The transportation sector plays a crucial role in driving economic development, reducing poverty, and contributing significantly to environmental impacts. While there have been numerous studies exploring the interconnections among transportation, economic development, and environmental degradation, there hasn’t been extensive research on how poverty affects transport-related CO2 emissions in the Tunisian context. This study aims to address this gap by analyzing the complex relationship between poverty, economic growth, energy consumption in road transport, urbanization, trade openness, road infrastructure, and environmental degradation in the Tunisia's transportation sector from 1980 to 2020. To estimate the long-term relationship between these variables, we use the ARDL bounds test approach. The result of VECM Granger causality test indicates a feedback between road infrastructure, road energy consumption, and transport emissions in both the short and long term. Moreover, our study identifies a bidirectional causality between poverty and transport emissions, emphasizing the importance of poverty alleviation strategies that consider environmental consequences. Our research also reveals a feedback between poverty and road transport infrastructure, as well as between transport emissions and economic growth. These results provide a comprehensive overview of the factors influencing CO2 emissions in the transport sector and their relationship with poverty. They offer a valuable insight to the field of energy and environmental studies, serving as guidance to policymakers, researchers, and practitioners engaged in promoting sustainable transportation practices in Tunisia.