bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tuning Optical Properties of Carbon Dots by Co‐doping Strategy for Versatile Applications
Authors: Ma Huanhuan , Zhang Na , Wang Xinzhu , Lin Kui , Liu Ping , Tian Fei
Published: March 2024

Carbon dots (CDs) with tunable photoluminescence was successfully prepared via selective co‐doping of three elements, including nitrogen, phosphorus and sulfur element by green one‐step hydrothermal method. Nitrogen‐sulfur‐doped CDs (red NS‐CDs), which emitted red fluorescence under UV excitation, were used to detect iron ions in the linear range 1–50 μM, yielding detectable limits as low as 94 nM. The nitrogen‐phosphorus‐doped CDs (blue NP‐CDs) exhibited blue fluorescence with quantum yields up to 34.5 %. When the concentration is 800 μg/mL, it showed excellent anticancer effect in vitro. The nitrogen‐sulfur‐phosphorus‐doped CDs (green NPS‐CDs) emitting green fluorescence showed a low cytotoxicity at a high concentration of 800 μg/mL and were used for intracelluar imaging of NCl−H292 cells. This study demonstrated the photoluminescent characteristics of carbon dots (CDs) and highlighted the ability to modify their peak fluorescence emission wavelengths through the flexible combination of specific reagents under comparable hydrothermal conditions. Additionally, it provided valuable insights into the efficient methodologies for synthesizing CDs suitable for various application scenarios.
Biannual Account of Anti‐malarial Agents reported in 2021 and 2022: A Comprehensive Coverage
Authors: Dhameliya Tejas M. , Patel Diya S. , Kathuria Deepika , Shah Maitri B. , Dabhade Akshada S. , Dave Hetvi S. , Lad Nidhi C. , Chaudhari Amit Z. , Alom Shahnaz , Vyas Vivek K. , Bhatt Hardik G.
Published: March 2024

Malaria remains a severe infectious disease caused by Plasmodium parasites among the primarily afflicting impoverished populations. According to World Health Organization (WHO) report, there were an estimated 247 million malarial cases globally, resulting in approximately 6,19,000 fatalities. Particularly prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions, the development of drug resistance has exacerbated this public health challenge. Consequently, there has been a concrete effort to explore novel compounds with anti‐malarial properties. In continuation of our previous works, this review focuses on heterocyclic compounds documented in 2021 and 2022, including artemisinin, benzimidazole, benzofuran, β‐lactam, coumarin, furan, indole, morpholine, piperazine, pyrimidine, quinoline, triazole, etc. highlighting their efficacy, structural characteristics, in vitro and in vivo activities, among other relevant aspects for the broad interest of medicinal chemists working on the design and development of novel anti‐malarial agents.
The Hydrogenation of CO2 to Free Formic Acid at Room Temperature over Pd/MgAl‐LDH
Authors: Wang Yanyan , Dong Minghua , Liu Shulin , Liu Yanzhen , Zhou Ti , Luan Sen , Cheng Xiaomeng , Liu Huizhen , Han Buxing
Published: March 2024

The hydrogenation of CO2 to free formic acid is not only one of the most effective measures to make waste profitable, but also a significant and promising method for the hydrogen storage. Herein, we firstly achieved the hydrogenation of CO2 to free formic acid at room temperature over Pd/MgAl‐LDH and the TON of free HCOOH could reach 116. The Ni dopant could further improve the performance of the catalyst and the TON could increase to 134 over PdNi/MgAl‐LDH, which results from more electronic‐rich Pd centre. It was also found that the chemical composition of LDH could affect the catalytic performance due to different alkalinity.
A secure and efficient heterogeneous ID‐based signcryption for unmanned aerial vehicular networking system
Authors: Aithekar Ashutosh , Gupta Pratik , Chaudhary Dharminder
Published: March 2024

In the last decade, Internet of Things opened the door to applications of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Since the data is transferred on a public channel, therefore security, privacy, and efficiency are the main concerns of UAVs communication. Signcryption is a technique to execute encryption and signature in one step. However, the usual signcryption is not applicable to UAVs with constrained nature of resources and ground station. Moreover, in particular, UAVs and ground station need a heterogeneous signcryption for UAVs to establish communication with the ground station. But, the bilinear bilinear mapping is a very costly operation, so we need pairless identity based heterogeneous signcryption. The proposed design is unforgeable and secure against chosen message attacks. The experiment shows the efficiency of the proposed method. It takes less communication and computation costs.
Towards Autonomous Materials–Challenges in Chemical Communication
Authors: de Jong P. Jarne , Trigka Foteini , Lerch Michael M.
Published: March 2024

Coordination of functions in multi‐body or multi‐component systems requires communication among its parts and is a prerequisite for achieving complex tasks. While electromagnetic (network) communication provides a key ingredient for modern robotics, its molecular equivalent is largely missing for soft robots. With advancements in programmed cargo release, DNA strand‐displacement reactions, enzymatic cascades, and genetic circuits, budding solutions to such chemical network communication have emerged with the potential to drive function in soft machines. In order for such chemical communication to be useful, however, new control concepts, (orthogonal) communication protocols, and molecular solutions should be found. Herein, we provide a critical perspective on the current state‐of‐the‐art chemical communication and identify key challenges towards autonomous soft materials, including signal processing, dealing with noise, switching signaling modalities, and limitations in time and length scales that determine material design. Building on an emerging body of examples, we illustrate gaps, synergies, and new concepts that may provide possible solutions to achieve standardized and reliable molecular information exchange for regulating (soft) robotic function.
DNA barcoding of the genus Verbascum (Scrophulariaceae) in the Arabian Peninsula
Authors: Alzahrani Ali Mohammed , Brehm Joana Magos , Ghazanfar Shahina A. , Maxted Nigel
Published: March 2024

Verbascum and Rhabdotosperma are members of the family Scrophulariaceae. The first genus comprises approximately 360 species from almost all parts of the world, while the second contains a total of 8 species from tropical Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. Since 1977, the relationships between Verbascum and Rhabdotosperma continue to be contested. The present study aims to present the phylogenetic relationships and status among Verbascum species in the Arabian Peninsula. For phylogenetic analyses, maximum parsimony and Bayesian inference were performed. In total, 236 DNA sequences from 59 specimens of Arabian Verbascum were analysed. The phylogenetic analysis of one nuclear (ITS) and three chloroplastic (rbcL, matK, trnL) markers confirmed the monophyly of Verbascum, including the genus Rhabdotosperma. In addition to presenting novel phylogenetic relationships among the different Verbascum species in the Arabian Peninsula, our study reduced the species count of Arabian Verbascum to 16. Moreover, the phylogenetic analysis strongly supports the reinstatement of the genus Rhabdotosperma into Verbascum based on the Bayesian and maximum parsimony analyses.
Precision unveiled: Synergistic genomic landscapes in breast cancer—Integrating single‐cell analysis and decoding drug toxicity for elite prognostication and tailored therapeutics
Authors: Jiang Chenglu , Zhang Shengke , Jiang Lai , Chen Zipei , Chen Haiqing , Huang Jinbang , Tang Jingyi , Luo Xiufang , Yang Guanhu , Liu Jie , Chi Hao
Published: March 2024

Background

Globally, breast cancer, with diverse subtypes and prognoses, necessitates tailored therapies for enhanced survival rates. A key focus is glutamine metabolism, governed by select genes. This study explored genes associated with T cells and linked them to glutamine metabolism to construct a prognostic staging index for breast cancer patients for more precise medical treatment.

Methods

Two frameworks, T‐cell related genes (TRG) and glutamine metabolism (GM), stratified breast cancer patients. TRG analysis identified key genes via hdWGCNA and machine learning. T‐cell communication and spatial transcriptomics emphasized TRG's clinical value. GM was defined using Cox analyses and the Lasso algorithm. Scores categorized patients as TRG_high+GM_high (HH), TRG_high+GM_low (HL), TRG_low+GM_high (LH), or TRG_low+GM_low (LL). Similarities between HL and LH birthed a “Mixed” class and the TRG_GM classifier. This classifier illuminated gene variations, immune profiles, mutations, and drug responses.

Results

Utilizing a composite of two distinct criteria, we devised a typification index termed TRG_GM classifier, which exhibited robust prognostic potential for breast cancer patients. Our analysis elucidated distinct immunological attributes across the classifiers. Moreover, by scrutinizing the genetic variations across groups, we illuminated their unique genetic profiles. Insights into drug sensitivity further underscored avenues for tailored therapeutic interventions.

Conclusion

Utilizing TRG and GM, a robust TRG_GM classifier was developed, integrating clinical indicators to create an accurate predictive diagnostic map. Analysis of enrichment disparities, immune responses, and mutation patterns across different subtypes yields crucial subtype‐specific characteristics essential for prognostic assessment, clinical decision‐making, and personalized therapies. Further exploration is warranted into multiple fusions between metrics to uncover prognostic presentations across various dimensions.
An appraisal of the severity of the 2022 drought and its impacts
Authors: Barker Lucy J. , Hannaford Jamie , Magee Eugene , Turner Stephen , Sefton Catherine , Parry Simon , Evans Jonathan , Szczykulska Magdalena , Haxton Tracey
Published: March 2024

The summer of 2022 was particularly notable for the prolonged and extensive hot and dry conditions experienced across the UK. The resultant 2022 drought had widespread impacts and prompted much discussion about the continuing vulnerability of the UK to drought, particularly in the context of anthropogenic warming. Here, we briefly describe the evolution of the drought before focusing on the severity of rainfall, river flow, soil moisture and groundwater level deficits from summer 2022, placing the event into a historical context and addressing the impacts of the drought. We also consider whether the 2022 drought is part of a long‐term trend towards increasing drought severity.
Tektin bundle interacting protein, TEKTIP1, functions to stabilize the tektin bundle and axoneme in mouse sperm flagella
Authors: Geng Xin-Yan , Jin Hui-Juan , Xia Lan , Wang Bin-Bin , Chen Su-Ren
Published: March 2024

Tektins are microtubule inner proteins (MIPs) and localize at the inside lumen of doublet microtubules (DMTs) of cilia/flagella. TEKTIP1, a newly identified protein by cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM), is proposed to be localized at the center of the tektin bundle and hypothesized to recruit tektins or stabilize the bundle. However, the physiological role of TEKTIP1 is unknown. In this study, we generated Tektip1-knockout (Tektip1−/−) mice and showed that they were male subfertile primarily due to reduced sperm motility. A high percentage of sperm from Tektip1−/− mice showed moderately disorganized axoneme structures and abnormal flagellar waveforms. TEKTIP1 predominately interacted with TEKT3 among tektins. Loss of TEKTIP1 partially disturbed the organization of tektin bundle by mainly affecting the native status of TEKT3 and its interaction with other tektins. Collectively, our study reveals the physiological role and potential molecular mechanism of TEKTIP1 in axonemal structure and sperm motility, highlights the importance of MIPs in stabilizing DMTs, and suggests a potential relevance of TEKTIP1 deficiency to human asthenospermia. Tektip1−/− mice will be an excellent animal model to study the DMT organization of sperm flagella using cryo-EM in future.
Balloon endoscopy-assisted endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography for hepatolithiasis in patients with hepaticojejunostomy
Authors: Hakuta Ryunosuke , Sato Tatsuya , Nakai Yousuke , Kogure Hirofumi , Nishio Hiroto , Kurihara Kouhei , Tange Shuichi , Fukuda Rintaro , Takaoka Shinya , Suzuki Yukari , Oyama Hiroki , Kanai Sachiko , Noguchi Kensaku , Suzuki Tatsunori , Ishigaki Kazunaga , Saito Tomotaka , Hamada Tsuyoshi , Takahara Naminatsu , Fujishiro Mitsuhiro
Published: March 2024

Background and aim

Balloon endoscopy-assisted endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (BE-ERCP) is an emerging procedure for pancreatobiliary diseases in patients with surgically altered anatomy. However, data on BE-ERCP for hepatolithiasis after hepaticojejunostomy (HJS) are still limited.

Methods

Stone removal success, adverse events and recurrence were retrospectively studied in consecutive patients who underwent BE-ERCP for hepatolithiasis after HJS between January 2011 and October 2022. Subgroup analysis was performed to compare clinical outcomes between patients who had undergone HJS over 10 years before (past HJS group) and within 10 years (recent HJS group).

Results

A total of 131 patients were included; 39% had undergone HJS for malignancy and 32% for congenital biliary dilation. Scope insertion and complete stone removal were successful in 89% and 73%, respectively. Early adverse events were observed in 9.9%. Four patients (3.1%) developed gastrointestinal perforation but could be managed conservatively. Hepatolithiasis recurrence rate was 17%, 20% and 31% in 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year after complete stone removal. The past HJS group was the only risk factor for failed stone removal (odds ratio 10.4, 95% confidence interval 2.99–36.5) in the multivariable analysis. Failed scope insertion (20%) and failed guidewire or device insertion to the bile duct (22%) were two major reasons for failed stone removal in the past HJS group.

Conclusions

BE-ERCP for hepatolithiasis was effective and safe in cases with HJS but the complete stone removal rate was low in the past HJS group. Recurrent hepatolithiasis was common and careful follow up study is needed even after complete stone removal.
Remarks on the Levi core
Authors: Dall’Ara Gian Maria , Mongodi Samuele
Published: March 2024

We investigate a few aspects of the notion of Levi core, recently introduced by the authors in Dall’Ara, Mongodi (J l’École Polytech Math 10:1047-1095, 2023): a basic finiteness question, the connection with Kohn’s algorithm, and with Catlin’s property (P).
Uniform Turnpike Property and Singular Limits
Authors: Hernández Martín , Zuazua Enrique
Published: March 2024

Motivated by singular limits for long-time optimal control problems, we investigate a class of parameter-dependent parabolic equations. First, we prove a turnpike result, uniform with respect to the parameters within a suitable regularity class and under appropriate bounds. The main ingredient of our proof is the justification of the uniform exponential stabilization of the corresponding Riccati equations, which is derived from the uniform null control properties of the model.

Then, we focus on a heat equation with rapidly oscillating coefficients. In the one-dimensional setting, we obtain a uniform turnpike property with respect to the highly oscillatory heterogeneous medium. Afterward, we establish the homogenization of the turnpike property. Finally, our results are validated by numerical experiments.
The Effect of Stigma on Family Planning and HIV Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Decisions of Young Women Accessing Post-Abortion Care in Kenya
Authors: Zia Yasaman , Etyang Lydia , Mwangi Margaret , Njiru Roy , Mogaka Felix , June Lavender , Njeru Irene , Makoyo Job , Kimani Susan , Ngure Kenneth , Wanyama Inviolata , Bukusi Elizabeth , Nyerere Bernard , Nyamwaro Cyprian , Mugo Nelly , Heffron Renee ,   PrEDIRA team, Peacock Sue , Thomas Kathy , Odoyo Josephine , Mwangi Florence
Published: March 2024

Adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) in Eastern and Southern Africa face parallel epidemics of unintended pregnancy and HIV. Their sexual health decisions are often dominated by intersecting stigmas. In an implementation science project integrating delivery of daily, oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention into 14 post-abortion care (PAC) clinics in Kenya, we enrolled a subset of PrEP initiating AGYW (aged 15 to 30 years) into a research cohort. Utilizing log binomial models, we estimated the effect of PrEP stigma on PrEP continuation (measured via self-report and urine assay for tenofovir) and abortion stigma on contraceptive initiation. Between April 2022 and February 2023, 401 AGYW were enrolled after initiating PrEP through their PAC provider, of which 120 (29.9%) initiated highly-effective contraception. Overall, abortion and PrEP stigmas were high in this cohort. Abortion stigma was more prevalent among those that were adolescents, unmarried, and reported social harm. Among 114 AGYW returning for the month 1 follow-up visit, 83.5% reported continuing PrEP and 52.5% had tenofovir detected. In this subset, higher levels of PrEP stigma were significantly associated with greater likelihood of PrEP adherence, but not PrEP continuation. For abortion stigma, greater scores in the subdomain of isolation were significantly associated with greater likelihood of initiating a highly-effective contraception, while greater scores in the subdomain of community condemnation were significantly associated with reduced likelihood of initiating a highly-effective contraception. Given the burden of stigma documented by our work, PAC settings are a pivotal space to integrate stigma-informed counseling and to empower young women to optimize contraceptive and PrEP decisions.
3D point cloud-based place recognition: a survey
Authors: Luo Kan , Yu Hongshan , Chen Xieyuanli , Yang Zhengeng , Wang Jingwen , Cheng Panfei , Mian Ajmal
Published: March 2024

Place recognition is a fundamental topic in computer vision and robotics. It plays a crucial role in simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) systems to retrieve scenes from maps and identify previously visited places to correct cumulative errors. Place recognition has long been performed with images, and multiple survey papers exist that analyze image-based methods. Recently, 3D point cloud-based place recognition (3D-PCPR) has become popular due to the widespread use of LiDAR scanners in autonomous driving research. However, there is a lack of survey paper that discusses 3D-PCPR methods. To bridge the gap, we present a comprehensive survey of recent progress in 3D-PCPR. Our survey covers over 180 related works, discussing their strengths and weaknesses, and identifying open problems within this domain. We categorize mainstream approaches into feature-based, projection-based, segment-based, and multimodal-based methods and present an overview of typical datasets, evaluation metrics, performance comparisons, and applications in this field. Finally, we highlight some promising research directions for future exploration in this domain.
The Psychology of Kink: A Cross‐Sectional Survey Investigating the Association Between Adult Attachment Style and BDSM-Related Identity Choice in China
Authors: Li Shengyu
Published: March 2024

BDSM is a type of sexual preference that includes bondage and discipline, dominance and submission, and sadism and masochism. Research has identified three specific power exchange roles in the practice of BDSM: dominance, submission, and switch. It has also been suggested that attachment style potentially influences BDSM interests. This study investigated the potential roles of attachment style in driving BDSM identity. A questionnaire was completed by a cross-sectional Chinese sample (n = 3310, age range 18–30 years), including 1856 BDSM practitioners (436 men, 1420 women). To assess attachment style, the questionnaire included a Chinese translation of the Adult Attachment Scale as well as items surveying BDSM interests. Compared to non-BDSM practitioners, attachment styles were not significantly different from BDSM practitioners. However, practitioners with different BDSM identities showed a significant difference in their attachment styles. Secure and avoidant attachment styles were associated with dominance, whereas submissiveness recorded high average scores of separation anxiety in both males and females. BDSM identities based on gender revealed that 60.5% of female practitioners assumed the role of submissiveness and this group recorded the highest average scores of separation anxiety among all groups. These results show that BDSM identity is related to attachment style. However, the results did not support the hypothesis that attachment styles potentially drive BDSM identities. Further research is needed to explore other psychological processes that drive BDSM identities in order to provide guidance for BDSM practitioners in choosing suitable identities, thereby helping practitioners to choose suitable identity partners and avoid negative experiences during BDSM participation.
Deconstructing neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in early breast cancer: lack of prognostic utility and biological correlates across tumor subtypes
Authors: Garcia-Torralba Esmeralda , Pérez Ramos Miguel , Ivars Rubio Alejandra , Navarro Manzano Esther , Blaya Boluda Noel , Lloret Gil Miguel , Aller Alberto , de la Morena Barrio Pilar , García Garre Elisa , Martínez Díaz Francisco , García Molina Francisco , Chaves Benito Asunción , García-Martínez Elena , Ayala de la Peña Francisco
Published: March 2024

Purpose

The prognostic utility and biological correlates of neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), a potential biomarker of the balance between immune response and the inflammatory status, are still uncertain in breast cancer (BC).

Methods

We analysed a cohort of 959 women with early breast cancer, mostly treated with neoadjuvant or adjuvant chemotherapy. Clinical and pathological data, survival, NLR (continuous and categorical) and stromal tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (sTIL) were evaluated.

Results

NLR was only weakly associated with Ki67, while no association was found for grade, histology, immunohistochemical subtype or stage. Lymphocyte infiltration of the tumor did not correlate with NLR (Rho: 0.05, p = 0.30). These results were similar in the whole group and across the different BC subtypes, with no differences in triple negative BC. Relapse free interval (RFI), breast cancer specific survival (BCSS) and overall survival (OS) changed according to pre-treatment NLR neither in the univariate nor in the multivariate Cox models (RFI: HR 0.948, p = 0.61; BCSS: HR 0.920, p = 0.57; OS: HR 0.96, p = 0.59).

Conclusion

These results question the utility of NLR as a prognostic biomarker in early breast cancer and suggest the lack of correlation of NLR with tumor microenvironment immune response.
How do sensemaking and climate change education affect climate engagement at the grassroots level? A study of five communities in Southeastern Ghana
Authors: Adobor Henry
Published: March 2024

This study aims to explore how climate change education and sensemaking can lead to climate engagement and adaptive behavior at the grassroots level. The research focuses on five rural communities in Ghana and seeks to answer three key questions related to how people understand and respond to climate change issues. One strength of the study is the use of sensemaking as an organizing framework, which allows for a nuanced understanding of how people at the grassroots level make sense of complex environmental issues like climate change. The study findings suggest that sensemaking was a critical factor in how people noticed and made meaning of the climate crisis, and that deliberative tools like storytelling, conversation, and listening were important tools for facilitating this process. We also found that climate educators needed to address existing misconceptions before framing climate change issues in terms of science and impact on livelihoods. Linking climate change to rural livelihoods resonated more with people than science, and a strategy of guiding communities to recognize the need for adaptive behavior through individual and collective sensemaking was important. The emphasis on linking climate change to rural livelihoods rather than science is an important finding, as it suggests that approaches that emphasize the impact of climate change on local communities and their ability to adapt may be more effective than purely scientific arguments.
Electroretinographic oscillatory potentials in Leber hereditary optic neuropathy
Authors: Barboni Mirella T. S. , Sustar Habjan Maja , Petrovic Pajic Sanja , Hawlina Marko
Published: March 2024

Purpose

Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) affects retinal ganglion cells causing severe vision loss. Pattern electroretinogram and photopic negative response (PhNR) of the light-adapted (LA) full-field electroretinogram (ERG) are typically affected in LHON. In the present study, we evaluated dark-adapted (DA) and LA oscillatory potentials (OPs) of the flash ERG in genetically characterized LHON patients to dissociate slow from fast components of the response.

Methods

Seven adult patients (mean age = 28.4 ± 5.6) in whom genetic diagnosis confirmed LHON with mtDNA or nuclear DNAJC30 (arLHON) pathogenic variants were compared to 12 healthy volunteers (mean age = 35.0 ± 12.1). Full-field ERGs were recorded from both eyes. Offline digital filters at 50, 75 and 100 Hz low cutoff frequencies were applied to isolate high-frequency components from the original ERG signals.

Results

ERG a-waves and b-waves were comparable between LHON patients and controls, while PhNR was significantly reduced (p = 0.009) in LHON patients compared to controls, as expected. OPs derived from DA signals (75 Hz low cutoff frequency) showed reduced peak amplitude for OP2 (p = 0.019). LA OP differences between LHON and controls became significant (OP2: p = 0.047, OP3: p = 0.039 and OP4: p = 0.013) when the 100 Hz low-cutoff frequency filter was applied.

Conclusions

Reduced OPs in LHON patients may represent disturbed neuronal interactions in the inner retina with preserved photoreceptoral (a-wave) to bipolar cell (b-wave) activation. Reduced DA OP2 and high-cutoff LA OP alterations may be further explored as functional measures to characterize LHON status and progression.
Investigating the “Thief in the Night”: The Reproduction and Erosion of Indigenous Forms of Social Resilience in Rural Fiji
Authors: Singh-Peterson Lila , Iranacolaivalu Manoa
Published: March 2024

Across the Republic of Fiji, the combination of slow onset climate change and extreme weather events continues to wreak havoc. In addition to direct damages sustained from climate impacts, the uncertainties associated with changes to natural systems in combination with depletion of natural resources and declines in biodiversity provide substantial challenges for Indigenous cultures and rural semi-subsistence livelihoods. Consequently, the concept of social resilience in terms of peoples’ capacities to cope and adapt to social and ecological changes remains important. In this study, we examine local Indigenous systems of social resilience constructed in alignment with the traditional value of relationalism, and concomitant practices of solesolevaki (working together) and kerekere (requesting, gifting, sharing) to (i). understand how social resilience in this local setting is both reproduced and sustained, and (ii).to examine how moral conflicts and ambiguities arising between traditional modes of living and being, and newer, introduced ontologies attributed to late liberalism are affecting social resilience. We present an ethnographic sketch drawn from fieldwork observations and narratives undertaken in rural Fiji since 2016 and apply Robbins’ (2017) theorising of culture and values to examine how people reconcile competing value systems attached to two porous social orders that structure the practices and rhythms of daily life, which Merlan (2005) refers to as the intercultural.
µSR studies for radical reactions of unsaturated organophosphorus compounds
Authors: Ito Shigekazu
Published: March 2024

In this paper, the µSR studies of some unsaturated organophosphorus compounds containing heavier congeners of cyclobutane-1,3-diyl and anthracene are reviewed by discussing the usefulness of µSR for main group chemistry. The regioselective addition of muonium (Mu = [µ+e–]) to one of the skeletal phosphorus atoms in an electron-donating air-stable crystalline 1,3-diphosphacyclobutane-2,4-diyl leading to the paramagnetic 4-membered P-heterocycle was characterized by the Δ1 (ΔM =  ± 1) resonance signal observed by muon (avoided) level-crossing resonance (µLCR). Meanwhile, a crystalline 1,3-diphosphacyclobutane-2,4-diyl bearing an electron-deficient nitrogen heterocyclic unit was analyzed by transverse-field muon spin rotation (TF-µSR) to characterize predominant muoniation at the skeletal radical carbon centre. A 9-phosphaanthracene bearing the trifluoromethyl (CF3) stabilizing groups at the peri positions was also investigated from the views of radical reactivity, and the regioselective addition of muonium to the skeletal sp2-type phosphorus atom was characterized by the muon hyperfine coupling (hfc) constant observed by TF-µSR and the Δ0 (ΔM = 0) signal of µLCR. The light mass of muon (Mass = 0.1134 amu) causes the larger zero-point energy and promotes the high-energy molecular structure in which the fused aromatic rings are almost flat, although the CF3 groups would prefer the non-planar saddle-like 9-phosphaanthracene skeleton.
Analysis of cell growth, photosynthetic behavior and the fatty acid profile in Tetraselmis subcordiformis under different lighting scenarios
Authors: Montoya Montoya Laura María , Pérez Andrés Alonso Arbeláez , Giraldo Calderón Néstor David , Garcés Lucía Atehortúa
Published: March 2024

Tetraselmis has been investigated as a potential source of lipids. This microalga possesses good growth characteristics and can be used to develop viable platforms for fatty acid production. This research aims to evaluate the effect of high photon flux density with light-dark cycles and light wavelength on biomass production and fatty acid profile in Tetraselmis subcordiformis. A low light control and treatments with high photon flux density with different light-dark cycles (24:0 h, 12:12 h, 1:1 h, and 15:15 min) and different light wavelength (white, green, red, and blue) were evaluated to determine cell concentration, nutrient consumption, chlorophyll content, photosynthetic yields, lipid content, and fatty acid profile. Significant differences were found in all variables, except for phosphate consumption. High photon flux density promotes cell growth with T. subcordiformis reaching biomass productivities of 0.10 g L-1 day-1 when continuous white light is used. However, no differences were observed in biomass productivities and lipid content for all high photon flux density treatments. On the other hand, red light resulted in higher cell growth, with a productivity of 0.12 g L-1 day-1, and the highest lipid content was achieved under white light. There was a significant effect on the fatty acid profile under different light conditions, with palmitic acid, oleic acid, and eicosapentaenoic acid being the most abundant. This study demonstrated that cellular growth and fatty acid profiles in T. subcordiformis can be influenced by different lighting schemes in the cultivation.
Involvement of IL-17 A/IL-17 Receptor A with Neutrophil Recruitment and the Severity of Coronary Arteritis in Kawasaki Disease
Authors: Lin I-Chun , Suen Jau-Ling , Huang Shau-Ku , Chou Ming-Hui , Kuo Hsuan-Chang , Lo Mao-Hung , Kuo Kuang-Che , Wang Lin
Published: March 2024

Purpose

To assess the role of the interleukin (IL)-17 A/IL-17 receptor A (IL-17RA) in Kawasaki disease (KD)-related coronary arteritis (CA).

Methods

In human study, the plasma levels of IL-17 A and coronary arteries were concurrently examined in acute KD patients. In vitro responses of human coronary endothelial cells to plasma stimulation were investigated with and without IL-17RA neutralization. A murine model of Lactobacillus casei cell-wall extract (LCWE)-induced CA using wild-type Balb/c and Il17ra-deficient mice were also inspected.

Results

The plasma levels of IL-17 A were significantly higher in KD patients before intravenous immunoglobulin therapy, especially in those with coronary artery lesion. The pre-IVIG IL-17 A levels positively correlated with maximal z scores of coronary diameters and plasma-induced endothelial mRNA levels of chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand-1, IL-8, and IL-17RA. IL-17RA blockade significantly reduced such endothelial upregulations of aforementioned three genes and inducible nitric oxide synthase, and neutrophil transmigration. IL-17RA expression was enhanced on peripheral blood mononuclear cells in pre-IVIG KD patients, and in the aortic rings and spleens of the LCWE-stimulated mice. LCWE-induced CA composed of dual-positive Ly6G- and IL-17 A-stained infiltrates. Il17ra-deficient mice showed reduced CA severity with the fewer number of neutrophils and lower early inducible nitric oxide synthase and chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand-1 mRNA expressions than Il17ra+/+ littermates, and absent IL-17RA upregulation at aortic roots.

Conclusion

IL-17 A/IL-17RA axis may play a role in mediating aortic neutrophil chemoattraction, thus contributory to the severity of CA in both humans and mice. These findings may help to develop a new therapeutic strategy toward ameliorating KD-related CA.
Assessing students’ perceptions of school climate in primary schools
Authors: Aldridge J. M. , Blackstock M. J.
Published: March 2024

Research at the secondary school level provides compelling evidence to suggest that a positive school climate is related to improved health, wellbeing, and cognitive outcomes for students. In response to these findings, school systems around the world are mandating the collection of school climate data in schools. However, reviews of the literature indicate that there are relatively few instruments that provide evidence to support translation and criterion validity and assess the school climate from the perspectives of primary school students; and all of them were considered unsuitable or problematic for our purposes. To overcome this gap in the literature, this article describes the development and validation of a school climate survey designed to assess primary school students’ perceptions of school climate. Evidence to support translation validity is provided through data collected at various stages of the development process. Further, data collected from a sample of 1193 primary school students (years 3 to 6) were analysed to provide evidence to support convergent, discriminant concurrent, and predictive validity. The survey and evidence of its psychometric properties are significant for researchers, schools, and education systems seeking to assess primary school students’ perception of the school climate.
Some new perspectives on the Kruskal–Szekeres extension with applications to photon surfaces
Authors: Cederbaum Carla , Wolff Markus
Published: March 2024

It is a well-known fact that the Schwarzschild spacetime admits a maximal spacetime extension in null coordinates which extends the exterior Schwarzschild region past the Killing horizon, called the Kruskal–Szekeres extension. This method of extending the Schwarzschild spacetime was later generalized by Brill–Hayward to a class of spacetimes of “profileh” across non-degenerate Killing horizons. Circumventing analytical subtleties in their approach, we reconfirm this fact by reformulating the problem as an ODE, and showing that the ODE admits a solution if and only if the naturally arising Killing horizon is non-degenerate. Notably, this approach lends itself to discussing regularity across the horizon for non-smooth metrics. We will discuss applications to the study of photon surfaces, extending results by Cederbaum–Galloway and Cederbaum–Jahns–Vičánek-Martínez beyond the Killing horizon. In particular, our analysis asserts that photon surfaces approaching the Killing horizon must necessarily cross it.
Twisted index on hyperbolic four-manifolds
Authors: Iannotti Daniele , Pittelli Antonio
Published: March 2024

We introduce the topologically twisted index for four-dimensional $${\mathcal {N}}=1$$

N
=
1

gauge theories quantized on $${\textrm{AdS}_2}\times S^1$$

AdS
2

×

S
1

. We compute the index by applying supersymmetric localization to partition functions of vector and chiral multiplets on $${\textrm{AdS}_2}\times T^2$$

AdS
2

×

T
2

, with and without a boundary: in both instances we classify normalizability and boundary conditions for gauge, matter and ghost fields. The index is twisted as the dynamical fields are coupled to a R-symmetry background 1-form with non-trivial exterior derivative and proportional to the spin connection. After regularization, the index is written in terms of elliptic gamma functions, reminiscent of four-dimensional holomorphic blocks, and crucially depends on the R-charge.
The Hemodialysis Distress Thermometer for Caregivers (HD-DT-C): development and testing of the psychometric properties of a new tool for screening psychological distress among family caregivers of adults on hemodialysis
Authors: Sousa Helena , Ribeiro Oscar , Figueiredo Daniela
Published: March 2024

Purpose

To develop and test the measurement properties of the HD-DT-C, a new tool designed to facilitate the screening of psychological distress and its sources in family caregivers of adults on hemodialysis.

Methods

The present investigation was carried out in three phases: Phase 1 focused on the process of developing and exploring the content validity and clinical utility of the HD-DT-C using a mixed-methods approach and feedback panels; Phase 2, where the psychometric properties of this new tool were tested in a cross-sectional study (n = 106 caregivers); and Phase 3, where the European Portuguese version of the HD-DT-C was translated and culturally adapted into American English using a forward–backward translation procedure, followed by an expert panel review.

Results

Findings suggested that the HD-DT-C was perceived by feedback panels as practical, appropriate, and useful for increasing dialysis provider/family caregiver communication in nephrology centers. The European Portuguese version of the HD-DT-C showed good test–retest reliability (ICC = 0.991 for the barometer and κ ≥ 0.80 in 77% of the checklist items), high diagnostic accuracy (AUC = 0.956), and strong convergent validity (all r ≥ 0.50) with reference measures that assess quality of life, caregiver burden, and symptoms of anxiety and depression. Cutoff scores with good clinical utility (CUI +  ≥ 0.70) were recommended for screening distress in research (≥ 6) and clinical practice (≥ 5).

Conclusion

The HD-DT-C is a brief, reliable, valid, and acceptable measure for identifying self-reported psychological distress and its sources among people caring for a family member or friend on hemodialysis. Future research is needed to explore the measurement properties of the American English version of this new tool.
Limitarianism, Upper Limits, and Minimal Thresholds
Authors: Timmer Dick
Published: March 2024

Limitarianism holds that there is an upper limit to how many resources, such as wealth and income, people can permissibly have. In this article, I examine the conceptual structure of limitarianism. I focus on the upper limit and the idea that resources above the limit are ‘excess resources’. I distinguish two possible limitarian views about such resources: (i) that excess resources have zero moral value for the holder; and (ii) that excess resources do have moral value for the holder but that their claim to such resources is outweighed by other normative concerns. Moreover, I argue that, depending on the values limitarianism seeks to promote, limitarians should care about the number of people with excess resources or the total amount of excess resources (or both), that they can adopt redistributive measures and/or predistributive measures, and that some versions of limitarianism should take into account the distribution of risk among those above the riches line.
Beyond the Passive Absorption of Information: Engaging Students in the Critical Reading of Scientific Articles
Authors: Archila Pablo Antonio , Ortiz Brigithe Tatiana , Truscott de Mejía Anne-Marie
Published: March 2024

There is a consensus within the science education community that primary scientific literature is a legitimate and desirable educational resource. Moreover, critical reading of scientific articles is widely recognized as a key aspect of scientific literacy. However, university science courses rarely provide students with explicit opportunities to cultivate their critical reading skills. Much of the reason for this is that instructors tend to hold a passive learning view of reading in which students are expected to absorb information from scientific articles. The purpose of this study was to provide research evidence that an active learning scenario (ALS) combining (1) argumentation, (2) peer critique (also referred to as peer assessment), and (3) the Task-Oriented Reading Instruction framework (Ritchey & List, College Teaching, 70(3), 280–295, 2022) could be a concrete and realistic possibility for engaging students in the critical reading of scientific papers. The data analyzed in this study were the written critiques of scientific research articles and written peer feedback produced by sixty-one university students (38 females and 23 males, 19–25 years old). The results indicate that the ALS effectively offered students explicit opportunities to become more active and more critical readers of scientific articles, producing arguments, anticipating counterarguments, and constructing rebuttals. Implications related to critical reading instruction in science education and supporting students’ development of critical reading skills are discussed.
Intersex in the USA’s Best-Selling Undergraduate Psychology Textbooks: Uneven Critique in an Ongoing Scientific and Ethical Crisis
Authors: Hegarty Peter , Vaughan Sam
Published: March 2024

The field of intersex studies is advancing and requires scholars to update their knowledge and representation of people with intersex variations. To examine how psychology students are taught about people with intersex variations, we reviewed best-selling USA psychology textbooks in introductory psychology (n = 8), psychology of women and gender (n = 5), human sexuality (n = 4), and biological psychology (n = 3). All textbooks indexed intersex or cognate terms, with alternative terms (e.g., disorders of sex development) indexed less frequently. Intersex variations were described as emerging during the stages of sex development, and as challenging binary categories for sex. Several specific variations were commonly described as syndromes with little reference to psychological research or lived experiences. Women and girls with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) were most clearly framed as “natural experiments” about how nature and nurture intersect. Diverse sex development involving 46 XY genotypes tended to be described as difference from norms for male endosex development. However, two textbooks included lengthy narratives of people’s lived experiences as intersex, and photographs of intersex-identified individuals were common. Photo images of the South African athlete Caster Semenya depicted more of her body than did the photo images of other intersex-identified individuals. The textbooks generally included critical reflection on the assumptions of a gender binary, and on the attribution of ambiguity to others’ bodies, genetic determinism, the medical gaze, and the sex testing of athletes. We consider how information in these textbooks can shape the representation of intersex among psychology students, and how it may be used to develop more humanizing representations of intersex across all psychology textbooks.
Does Atypical Employment Come in Couples? Evidence from European Countries
Authors: Westhoff Leonie
Published: March 2024

The literature on atypical employment has largely focused on the individual level. This paper provides a novel account of the dynamics of atypical employment, specifically part-time and temporary employment, within couples. Analyzing a sample of 29 European countries using 2016 EU-SILC data, it investigates the association between partner and own atypical employment. The results show that temporary employment does come in couples, in that partner temporary employment is associated with a higher likelihood of own temporary employment. A significant portion of this result is driven by individuals with partners in temporary employment themselves exhibiting characteristics predisposing them to temporary employment. These results are largely consistent across Europe. Accumulation of part-time employment is also observed, albeit at a smaller scale. However, it occurs at the two extremes of the income distribution only, among very low-earning and very high-earning couples. In contrast, in the middle of the income distribution, there is no association between partner and own part-time employment, which is more consistent with classic household specialization patterns. An association between partner and own part-time employment is only found in a minority of European countries, most systematically in Northern and Western Europe, but also in some Southern and Eastern European countries.
Students’ thoughts about dropping out: Sociodemographic factors and the role of academic help-seeking
Authors: Martín-Arbós Sergi , Castarlenas Elena , Morales-Vives Fabia , Dueñas Jorge-Manuel
Published: March 2024

Dropout is a problematic issue in education due to its high prevalence and impact on students and society. In fact, it can limit students’ future options, and it involves a substantial cost for public budgets in most countries. This is not an easy problem to solve, since student dropout is a complex decisional process involving such factors as personal and contextual characteristics, educational variables, and psychosocial aspects. Very few studies have examined whether sociodemographic and psycho-educational variables affect educational dropout at different academic levels. For this reason, the present study aims to provide a better understanding of the role of several variables (age, academic results, gender, sexual orientation, academic help-seeking, academic self-efficacy, and planning as a strategy to cope with academic stress) in educational dropout thoughts in a sample of 759 students resident in Spain (age: M = 22.91, 74.0% women). Regression analyses showed that dropout thoughts were significantly predicted by academic results, planning, sexual orientation, academic self-efficacy, and academic help-seeking. Agreements and discrepancies with previous research are discussed. The results of the current study can be used by educators, policy makers and institutions to develop programmes to reduce student dropout by enhancing self-regulated learning strategies.