bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Do the Bretton Woods Institutions promote economic transparency?
Authors: Hollyer James R. , Pang Xun , Rosendorff B. Peter , Vreeland James Raymond
Published: October 2024

Disseminating data is a core mission of international organizations. The Bretton Woods Institutions (BWIs), in particular, have become a main data source for research and policy-making. Due to their extensive lending activities, the BWIs often find themselves in a position to assist and pressure governments to increase the amount of economic data that they provide. In this study, we explore the association between loans from the BWIs and an index of economic transparency derived from the data-reporting practices of governments to the World Bank. Using a matching method for causal inference with panel data complemented by a multilevel regression analysis, we examine, separately, loan commitments and disbursements from the IMF and the World Bank. The multilevel regression analysis finds a significant association between BWI loans and the improvement of economic transparency in all developing countries; the matching method identifies a causal effect in democracies.
Antiquity market trends in Anatolian figurines 1999–2022: Studies in price, prevalence and provenance
Authors: Devlin Liam
Published: October 2024

In recent decades, the Turkish government has adopted a proactive policy of pursuing the restitution of cultural objects it believes were illegally removed from its territory. Utilising open-access sale data, the following article examines the impact of this formal restitution policy upon antiquity market sales in Anatolian figurines between 1999 and 2022 across three major international auction houses and the internet market. By casting a forensic gaze upon seemingly decreasing sale rates and ostensibly improving standards of provenance, this study suggests that apparent improvements in the market for Anatolian figurines should not be attributed to the Turkish government restitution policy. Instead, it argues that salient commercial dynamics and the profit-oriented business strategies of individual auction houses are the operative factors in shaping antiquity market data. In doing so, it provides the first quantitative market analysis of auction house sales in Anatolian figurines, widens the applicability of existing methodologies for navigating the duplicitous nature of antiquity market data, and offers much needed empirical insights into the illicit antiquities trade.
Health technology assessment and innovation: here to help or hinder?
Authors: Mundy Linda , Forrest Ben , Huang Li-Ying , Maddern Guy
Published: October 2024

Innovative health technologies offer much to patients, clinicians, and health systems. Policy makers can, however, be slow to embrace innovation for many reasons, including a less robust body of evidence, perceived high costs, and a fear that once technologies enter the health system, they will be difficult to remove. Health technology funding decisions are usually made after a rigorous health technology assessment (HTA) process, including a cost analysis. However, by focusing on therapeutic value and cost-savings, the traditional HTA framework often fails to capture innovation in the assessment process. How HTA defines, evaluates, and values innovation is currently inconsistent, and it is generally agreed that by explicitly defining innovation would recognize and reward and, in turn, stimulate, encourage, and incentivize future innovation in the system. To foster innovation in health technology, policy needs to be innovative and utilize other HTA tools to inform decision making including horizon scanning, multicriteria decision analysis, and funding mechanisms such as managed agreements and coverage with evidence development. When properly supported and incentivized, and by shifting the focus from cost to investment, innovation in health technology such as genomics, point-of-care testing, and digital health may deliver better patient outcomes. Industry and agency members of the Health Technology Assessment International Asia Policy Forum (APF) met in Taiwan in November 2023 to discuss the potential of HTA to foster innovation, especially in the Asia region. Discussions and presentations during the 2023 APF were informed by a background paper, which forms the basis of this paper.
Speech cycling experiment on Finnish rhythm
Authors: Vakkilainen Joonas
Published: October 2024

Rhythm typology seeks to classify languages according to the units on which they base their rhythm. The most used categories are stress-timing, syllable-timing, and mora-timing. Traditional rhythm typology has been questioned by instrumental research, because the claimed isochronous units have not been found. Speech cycling is a method that endeavours to find regular rhythmic units by utilising repeated speech that the speaker produces by accommodating to regularly paced stimuli. This is intended to eliminate the irregularities that would otherwise hide the linguistic rhythm. The present study is a speech cycling experiment on Finnish. The subjects read sentences that were varied in the mora and syllable count. The locations of the stressed syllables were analysed on a relative scale to see if they appear at regular phases. The results show that in Finnish the mora, the syllable, and the quantity pattern all affect the phases.
Weber in Jerusalem: The Rabbinical Debate over the Establishment of the Rabbinical Court of Appeals, 1918–1921
Authors: Schlesinger Chagai
Published: October 2024

The twentieth-century processes of legal modernization rendered transformations to the concept of authority and its public perception. This article builds on the complex Weberian articulations of these transformations to analyze a contemporary contentious debate concerning the establishment of a Rabbinical Court of Appeals, in Mandatory Palestine, between 1918 and 1921. This initiative, imposed by the British government and supported by non-religious Jewish leaders, raised a heated controversy between two rabbinical figures—Haim Hirschnson of Hoboken, New Jersey, and Ben-Zion Uziel of Jaffa. Based on a close reading of their texts, juxtaposing them to Weberian conceptualizations of modern authority, and contextualizing them in particular historical circumstances, I argue that both rabbis comprehended the appellate mechanism as transforming the concept of rabbinical authority. By instituting appellate courts, authority shifts from its “charismatic” or “traditional” form to a “legal” institutional-based form. They harshly disagreed, however, if this transformation is a positive development in the modernization of Jewish law, or, on the contrary, will have a detrimental impact on the public's trust in the judiciary. The rabbinical articulations of these Weberian themes, as I suggest to interpret their texts, shed light on the application of the Weberian theory of bureaucracy to the judicial system and legal profession and also provide illuminating insights into the analysis of current church-law relationships, in Israeli law and elsewhere.
Comparison of endovascular infrapopliteal revascularisation strategies based on the angiosome model in diabetics with CLTI
Authors: Kreider-Stempfle Hans-Ulrich , Remp Thomas , Puntscher Sibylle , Siebert Uwe , Kreider Norah
Published: October 2024

Summary: Background: Infrapopliteal endovascular interventions (EVT) strategies in diabetic patients are still in debate because the lesions are more likely to be diffuse with a different pattern of collateral arteries ranging from reduced to normal caliber. The aim of this all-comers study was to analyse the outcome of two different infrapopliteal EVT strategies (Group I: angiosome-based direct revascularization – DR vs. Group II: complete (direct + indirect) revascularization strategy – CR) in diabetic patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) in 2 time-periods. Furthermore we analysed the outcome if DR or CR failed and only indirect revascularization (IR) or no revascularization was possible. Both groups were differentiated in patients with collaterals, defined as an intact pedal arch (immediate or after pedal PTA). Patients and methods: The database includes 91 consecutive EVT with two intrapopliteal interventional strategies performed in 68 diabetic patients (pts. 24 female, 44 male, mean age 73±10 years) between 2013–2016 and 2017–2022. Positive clinical outcome was defined as wound healing with or w/o minor amputation, combined with a symptom improvement to Rutherford category 0 or 1 after 6 months. The clinical outcome proportions were compared using the Fisher’s exact test. Results: Successful DR (59%) and successful CR (47%) strategy demonstrated a similar positive clinical outcome (92.6% vs. 90.5%; p=0.594). Indirect revascularization (Group I: 26%; Group II: 44%) showed a significantly lower positive outcome in comparison to a successful DR as well as CR strategy (33.3% vs. 92.6%, p=0.0003; 40% vs 90.5%, p=0.001). IR outcome improved by the presence of collaterals (66.7% vs. 30.8%). Conclusions: In case of successful intervention, both strategies (DR and CR) yielded a similarly high proportion of positive clinical outcome. The role of collaterals and the pedal arch on the clinical outcome are important in patients in whom only IR was possible.
Hot Spot Lavas Around the World May Have Something in Common
Authors: Morris Bill
Published: October 2024

A global study of lavas from volcanic hot spots suggests that contrary to accepted wisdom, Earth’s deep mantle may have the same composition throughout. Not everyone is convinced, however.
Continuous Initial Breakdown Development of In‐Cloud Lightning Flashes
Authors: Pu Yunjiao , Cummer Steven A.
Published: October 2024

Using a 30–250 MHz VHF interferometer, we observed a previously unreported mode of initial lightning development inside thunderclouds. This mode is defined by continuous VHF radiation spanning several km within the first few milliseconds of lightning initiation. Following flash initiation through fast positive breakdown at high altitudes above 9 km, the VHF radiation front of upward negative streamers ascended continuously at a speed of ∼1.0 × 106 m/s, forming a continuous initial breakdown burst (CIBB) about 2 km in length. For the two CIBBs analyzed, the long and narrow CIBB channel was traversed by dart leaders that occurred later in the flash, indicating that the CIBB channel belongs to what becomes the main conducting leader channel. In contrast to classic initial breakdown pulses (IBPs) with sub‐pulses superimposed on the rising edge, CIBBs produced a series of discrete, narrow LF pulses (<10 μs) with an average time interval of 0.20 and 0.14 ms, respectively. We speculate that a CIBB is a continuously developing negative streamer system in the high electric field region at high altitudes, with connections of internal plasma channels producing LF pulses. These results have implications for physical conditions conducive to the formation of a long and continuous negative streamer system.
Ecohydrological Variables Underlie Local Moisture Recycling in Mediterranean‐Type Climates
Authors: Theeuwen Jolanda J. E. , Dekker Stefan C. , Hamelers Bert V. M. , Staal Arie
Published: October 2024

Mediterranean areas are projected to face increased water scarcity due to global changes. Because a relatively large fraction of the precipitation in Mediterranean areas originates locally, changes at the land surface may further dampen local precipitation. Here, we study the contribution of evaporation to local precipitation for the first time on a scale of approximately 50 km using local evaporation recycling (ELMR) and local precipitation recycling (PLMR), and make a comparison among five Mediterranean climate regions: South West Australia, South West US, central Chile, the Mediterranean Basin, and the Cape region of South Africa. Specifically, this study aims to understand the effects of ecohydrological (dependent on vegetation or the hydrological cycle) and non‐ecohydrological variables on ELMR and PLMR. We find that (a) on average, ecohydrological variables correlate more frequently and more strongly to ELMR and PLMR than non‐ecohydrological variables; (b) ELMR is large over wet areas and PLMR is large over dry areas; and (c) there are differences in underlying factors of ELMR and PLMR among the regions due to differences in wetness, topography, and land cover. The results suggest that in Mediterranean regions, changes in vegetation cover or the hydrological cycle may strengthen the local water cycle through enhancing ELMR. Finally, ELMR and PLMR help to identify where in Mediterranean regions we might enhance the local water cycle through land cover changes.
Dynamic control and manipulation of near-fields using direct feedback
Authors: Kher-Aldeen Jacob , Cohen Kobi , Lotan Stav , Frischwasser Kobi , Gjonaj Bergin , Tsesses Shai , Bartal Guy
Published: October 2024

Shaping and controlling electromagnetic fields at the nanoscale is vital for advancing efficient and compact devices used in optical communications, sensing and metrology, as well as for the exploration of fundamental properties of light-matter interaction and optical nonlinearity. Real-time feedback for active control over light can provide a significant advantage in these endeavors, compensating for ever-changing experimental conditions and inherent or accumulated device flaws. Scanning nearfield microscopy, being slow in essence, cannot provide such a real-time feedback that was thus far possible only by scattering-based microscopy. Here, we present active control over nanophotonic near-fields with direct feedback facilitated by real-time near-field imaging. We use far-field wavefront shaping to control nanophotonic patterns in surface waves, demonstrating translation and splitting of near-field focal spots at nanometer-scale precision, active toggling of different near-field angular momenta and correction of patterns damaged by structural defects using feedback enabled by the real-time operation. The ability to simultaneously shape and observe nanophotonic fields can significantly impact various applications such as nanoscale optical manipulation, optical addressing of integrated quantum emitters and near-field adaptive optics.
Osteopontin is a therapeutic target that drives breast cancer recurrence
Authors: Gu Yu , Taifour Tarek , Bui Tung , Zuo Dongmei , Pacis Alain , Poirier Alexandre , Attalla Sherif , Fortier Anne-Marie , Sanguin-Gendreau Virginie , Pan Tien-Chi , Papavasiliou Vasilios , Lin Nancy U. , Hughes Melissa E. , Smith Kalie , Park Morag , Tremblay Michel L. , Chodosh Lewis A. , Jeselsohn Rinath , Muller William J.
Published: October 2024

Recurrent breast cancers often develop resistance to standard-of-care therapies. Identifying targetable factors contributing to cancer recurrence remains the rate-limiting step in improving long-term outcomes. In this study, we identify tumor cell-derived osteopontin as an autocrine and paracrine driver of tumor recurrence. Osteopontin promotes tumor cell proliferation, recruits macrophages, and synergizes with IL-4 to further polarize them into a pro-tumorigenic state. Macrophage depletion and osteopontin inhibition decrease recurrent tumor growth. Furthermore, targeting osteopontin in primary tumor-bearing female mice prevents metastasis, permits T cell infiltration and activation, and improves anti-PD-1 immunotherapy response. Clinically, osteopontin expression is higher in recurrent metastatic tumors versus female patient-matched primary breast tumors. Osteopontin positively correlates with macrophage infiltration, increases with higher tumor grade, and its elevated pathway activity is associated with poor prognosis and long-term recurrence. Our findings suggest clinical implications and an alternative therapeutic strategy based on osteopontin’s multiaxial role in breast cancer progression and recurrence.
Hydrogen isotope labeling unravels origin of soil-bound organic contaminant residues in biodegradability testing
Authors: Lennartz Sophie , Byrne Harriet A. , Kümmel Steffen , Krauss Martin , Nowak Karolina M.
Published: October 2024

Biodegradability testing in soil helps to identify safe synthetic organic chemicals but is still obscured by the formation of soil-bound ‘non-extractable’ residues (NERs). Present-day methodologies using radiocarbon or stable (13C, 15N) isotope labeling cannot easily differentiate soil-bound parent chemicals or transformation products (xenoNERs) from harmless soil-bound biomolecules of microbial degraders (bioNERs). Hypothesizing a minimal retention of hydrogen in biomolecules, we here apply stable hydrogen isotope – deuterium (D) – labeling to unravel the origin of NERs. Soil biodegradation tests with D- and 13C-labeled 2,4-D, glyphosate and sulfamethoxazole reveal consistently lower proportions of applied D than 13C in total NERs and in amino acids, a quantitative biomarker for bioNERs. Soil-bound D thus mostly represents xenoNERs and not bioNERs, enabling an efficient quantification of xenoNERs by just measuring the total bound D. D or tritium (T) labeling could thus improve the value of biodegradability testing results for diverse organic chemicals forming soil-bound residues.
CSF d18:1 sphingolipid species in Parkinson disease and dementia with Lewy bodies with and without GBA1 variants
Authors: Lerche Stefanie , Wurster Isabel , Valente Enza Maria , Avenali Micol , Samaniego Daniela , Martínez-Vicente Marta , Hernández-Vara Jorge , Laguna Ariadna , Sturchio Andrea , Svenningsson Per , France Nicholas P. , Barlow Carrolee , Sankaranarayanan Sethu , Brockmann Kathrin
Published: October 2024

Variants in GBA1 result in dysregulated sphingolipids. We investigated five CSF d18:1 sphingolipid species in a longitudinal multicenter cohort comprising people with Parkinson’s Disease and Dementia with Lewy bodies with and without GBA1 variants and healthy controls. We found no increase of sphingolipid species in heterozygous GBA1 variant participants and no effect on development of cognitive impairment. Thus, CSF d18:1 sphingolipids are not suitable as state markers in Parkinson’s Disease.
Salmonella enterica virulence databases and bioinformatic analysis tools development
Authors: Han Jing , Tang Hailin , Zhao Shaohua , Foley Steven L.
Published: October 2024

Salmonella enterica, a prominent foodborne pathogen, contributes significantly to global foodborne illnesses annually. This species exhibits significant genetic diversity, potentially impacting its infectivity, disease severity, and antimicrobial resistance. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) offers comprehensive genetic insights that can be utilized for virulence assessment. However, existing bioinformatic tools for studying Salmonella virulence have notable limitations. To address this gap, a Salmonella Virulence Database with a non-redundant, comprehensive list of putative virulence factors was constructed. Two bioinformatic analysis tools, Virulence Factor Profile Assessment and Virulence Factor Profile Comparison tools, were developed. The former provides data on similarity to the reference genes, e-value, and bite score, while the latter assesses the presence/absence of virulence genes in Salmonella isolates and facilitates comparison of virulence profiles across multiple sequences. To validate the database and associated bioinformatic tools, WGS data from 43,853 Salmonella isolates spanning 14 serovars was extracted from GenBank, and WGS data previously generated in our lab was used. Overall, the Salmonella Virulence database and our bioinformatic tools effectively facilitated virulence assessment, enhancing our understanding of virulence profiles among Salmonella isolates and serovars. The public availability of these resources will empower researchers to assess Salmonella virulence comprehensively, which could inform strategies for pathogen control and risk evaluations associated with human illnesses.
Enhancing transparency and fairness in automated credit decisions: an explainable novel hybrid machine learning approach
Authors: Nwafor Chioma Ngozi , Nwafor Obumneme , Brahma Sanjukta
Published: October 2024

This paper uses a generalised stacking method to introduce a novel hybrid model that combines a one-dimensional convolutional neural network 1DCNN with extreme gradient boosting XGBoost. We compared the predictive accuracies of the proposed hybrid architecture with three conventional algorithms-1DCNN, XGBoost and logistic regression (LR) using a dataset of over twenty thousand peer-to-peer (P2P) consumer credit observations. By leveraging the SHAP algorithm, the research provides a detailed analysis of feature importance, contributing to the model’s predictions and offering insights into the overall and individual significance of different features. The findings demonstrate that the hybrid model outperforms the LR, XGBoost and 1DCNN models in terms of classification accuracy. Furthermore, the research addresses concern regarding fairness and bias by showing that removing potentially discriminatory features, such as age and gender, does not significantly impact the hybrid model’s classification capabilities. This suggests that fair and unbiased credit scoring models can achieve high effectiveness levels without compromising accuracy. This paper makes significant contributions to academic research and practical applications in credit risk management by presenting a hybrid model that offers superior classification accuracy and promotes interpretability using the model agnostic SHAP framework.
Investigating the prevalence and associated factors of depression, anxiety, and loneliness among people with type-2 diabetes in Bangladesh: a community-based study
Authors: Pardhan Shahina , Siddique Abu Bakkar , Motahara Umma , Islam Md. Saiful
Published: October 2024

Diabetes mellitus is a major worldwide health concern. Diabetes has been associated with a number of adverse mental health conditions including depression, anxiety, and loneliness that can negatively impact diabetes outcomes. This study aimed to investigate factors associated with depression, anxiety, and loneliness in people, in the community, suffering with diabetes in Bangladesh. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 600 people with type-2 diabetes (54.83% females; mean age: 52.70 ± 11.56 years) between July and September 2022. Purposive sampling method was used to recruit the participants. A validated semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect demographic and other data. Depression, anxiety, and loneliness were measured using the PHQ-9, GAD-7, and UCLA Loneliness scale, respectively. Bivariate and multivariable linear regression analyses were conducted to ascertain factors that were significantly associated with these mental health conditions. The prevalence of depression, anxiety, and loneliness was 31.17%, 21.83%, and 28.00%, respectively. A lack of formal education, and not taking part in physical activities were significantly associated with all three mental health states. Duration of diabetes and being on medication for high cholesterol were also associated with depression and anxiety. Older age and being widowed were significantly associated with loneliness. This study found that depression, anxiety, and loneliness are prevalent among Bangladeshi people with diabetes, with certain sociodemographic and diabetes-related factors associated with increased risk. The findings emphasize the need for targeted interventions to people within the communities, at grassroot levels in order to improve reduce health inequality, and improve the mental health of people living with diabetes.
Higher risk of recurrence in early-stage breast cancer patients with increased levels of ribosomal protein S6
Authors: Cascardo Florencia , Vivanco Micaela , Perrone María Cecilia , Werbach Andrea , Enrico Diego , Mando Pablo , Amat Mora , Martínez-Vazquez Paula , Burruchaga Javier , Mac Donnell María , Lanari Claudia , Zwenger Ariel , Waisberg Federico , Novaro Virginia
Published: October 2024

PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway is implicated in breast cancer progression and recurrence. The identification of PIK3CA and AKT1 mutations and loss of PTEN serve as selection criterion for targeted therapies involving selective inhibitors. However, they do not consistently align with pathway activation, and high-cost determinations limit their routine application. PI3K-downstream epigenetic regulatory mechanisms broaden the alterations that amplify pathway activity and, consequently, sensitivity to selective inhibitors. In this retrospective observational study, conducted within a cohort of early-stage breast cancer patients, we determined phosphorylated ribosomal protein S6 (pS6) at Ser240/244 by immunohistochemistry as an indicator of PI3K pathway activation. Log-Rank test and Cox proportional hazards regression were used to analyze the clinical relevance of pS6, alone and together with clinicopathological variables, regarding recurrence-free survival. ROC curves and the area under the curves were used to evaluate the calibration and discrimination properties of uni- and multivariate models. Our results show that a high percentage of pS6 positive tumor cells was associated with an unfavorable prognosis in a cohort of 129 hormone receptor positive/HER2 negative breast cancer patients (Hazard Ratio = 5.92; Log-Rank p = 9.5e-08; median follow-up = 53 months). When assessed in combination with lymph node status, the predictive capacity was higher compared to both univariate models individually. In conclusion, pS6 could represent a novel independent marker for predicting recurrence risk in luminal breast cancer.
Design, synthesis, and evaluation of a pyrazole-based corrosion inhibitor: a computational and experimental study
Authors: Matine Abdelmalek , Es-Sounni Bouchra , Bakhouch Mohamed , Bahkali Ali H. , El Alaoui El Abdallaoui Habib , Wang Shifa , Syed Asad , Wong Ling Shing , Saleh Na’il , Zeroual Abdellah
Published: October 2024

By employing a synergistic blend of experimental and theoretical methodologies, we investigated the corrosion inhibition efficacy of a synthesized pyrazole derivative (BM-01) in a solution of hydrochloric acid (1 M). We utilized molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), density functional theory (DFT), complexation, plus electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). We conducted weight loss (WL) measurements from 298 to 328 K. Inhibition efficacy reached a maximum at a BM-01 concentration of 10−3 M, achieving 90.0% (EIS), 90.40% (WL), and 90.38% (potentiodynamic polarization (PDP)). SEM unveiled the shielding of the carbon-steel surface from acid-induced damage by BM-01. The Langmuir adsorption isotherm exhibited a robust fit with a low sum of squares, standard deviation, and a high correlation coefficient. PDP findings indicated that BM-01 acted as a mixed-type inhibitor, predominantly favoring the cathodic process, suggesting potential corrosion-mitigation properties. Theoretical analyses involving DFT, MD simulations, and radial distribution function were conducted to postulate a mechanism and identify an inhibitory layer. Theoretical outcomes aligned closely with experimental data, thereby reinforcing the validity of our findings.
Preliminary study on the effects of boysenberry juice intake on brown adipose tissue activity in healthy adults
Authors: Furuuchi Ryo , Kato Satoshi , Maejima Daisuke , Amano Tatsuro , Fujiki Shinya , Shimizu Ippei , Minamino Tohru
Published: October 2024

Brown adipose tissue (BAT) plays an important role in energy metabolism because it uses fatty acids for thermogenesis during cold exposure. Preclinical studies found that boysenberry anthocyanins (BoyACs) activate BAT. Therefore, the aim of this preliminary study was to evaluate how BoyAC intake affects BAT in humans. We performed an open-label single-arm nonrandomized study in healthy volunteers. Before and after 4 weeks of daily consumption of 100 ml boysenberry juice (BoyJ) containing 61 mg of BoyACs, participants were assessed at 24 °C and then after 1 h of mild cold exposure (18 °C). An infrared thermography camera was used to measure skin surface temperatures in the supraclavicular BAT region (Tscv) and the non-BAT region of the upper chest (Tch). Energy metabolism was measured by indirect calorimetry. For each endpoint, we calculated Δ as the difference between values before and after cold exposure and compared the values before and after BoyJ intake. 10 volunteers participated (age: 36.1 ± 4.1, body mass index (BMI): 20.9 ± 0.6). After BoyJ intake, ΔTscv-ch was significantly higher (p = 0.029), but Δ energy expenditure, Δ fat oxidation, and Δ carbohydrate oxidation were not significantly different. We found a significant positive correlation between BMI and Δfat oxidation with BoyJ intake. The results indicate that 4 weeks of BoyJ intake activates cold-induced thermogenesis in the scv-BAT but does not have a significant effect on energy metabolism. BoyJ intake may increase fat oxidation during cold exposure in individuals with higher BMI.

Trial registry number: UMIN000043476, 05/03/2021.
Nearsighted empathy: exploring the effect of empathy on distance perception, with eye movements as modulators
Authors: Golbabaei Soroosh , Borhani Khatereh
Published: October 2024

Empathy, a cornerstone of social interaction, involves shared representation, eliciting vicarious emotions. However, its influence on shared perceptual representations, particularly in foundational domains such as distance perception, remains unexplored. In this study, we introduce a novel adaptation of the empathy for pain task to investigate empathy’s influence on distance perception. We also examine how two personality traits, trait empathy and alexithymia, modulate this relationship. Utilizing eye-tracking technology, we examine how attention allocation to different facial and bodily features affects empathy’s impact on distance perception. Our findings indicate that empathy biases individuals to perceive targets as closer, with trait empathy reinforcing this effect and alexithymia attenuating it. Furthermore, we demonstrate that heightened attention to eyes and face correlates with perceiving targets as closer, while attention to hand shows the opposite trend. These results underscore the broader influence of empathy beyond shared emotions, revealing its capacity to alter perceptual processes. By elucidating the interplay between personality traits and visual inputs in shaping these alterations, our study offers valuable insights for future research exploring the role of shared representation in empathy across various perceptual domains.
International dietary quality index and its association with diabetes in RaNCD cohort study
Authors: Mokhtari Zahra , Abdollahzad Hadi , Rezaeian Shahab , Izadi Neda , Darbandi Mitra , Najafi Farid , Pasdar Yahya
Published: October 2024

Diabetes and its complications pose a significant threat to global health. Various factors contribute to the development of diabetes, with diet being an important trigger. The Dietary Quality Index-International (DQI-I) serves as an indicator of changes in diet and its association with chronic diseases, including diabetes. The aim of this study is to examine the association between DQI-I and diabetes in adults. Data from the first phase of the Ravansar Non-Communicable Disease Cohort Study (RaNCD) were used for this cross-sectional study. The study included individuals from western Iran aged between 35 and 65 years. The DQI-I was used to assess diet quality and the essential aspects of a healthy diet. Multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to compare DQI-I total score and diabetes. A total of 7,079 individuals were included, including 608 diabetic and 6,471 healthy individuals. The mean DQI-I score was 60.51 ± 8.47 in healthy individuals and 63.12 ± 8.64 in diabetics. The odds of developing diabetes were higher in individuals with a higher DQI-I (adjusted odds ratio: 1.49, 95% CI: 1.30–1.73). The variety was 13.43 ± 4.47 in diabetics and 12.59 ± 4.79 in healthy individuals. Adequacy was 33.23 ± 3.71 in diabetics and 33.79 ± 3.37 in healthy individuals. Moderation was 13.27 ± 6.05 in diabetics and 11.79 ± 5.47 in healthy individuals. The overall balance was 2.88 ± 2.21 in the healthy group and 2.61 ± 2.13 in the diabetics. The macronutrient ratio was 2.15 ± 1.88 in the healthy group and 2.04 ± 1.84 in the diabetics. The fatty acid ratio was 0.72 ± 1.29 in the healthy group and 0.56 ± 1.17 in the diabetic group. The overall balance score was higher in the healthy subjects. The DQI-I total score was higher in diabetics, indicating a positive association between diabetes and the DQI-I. Therefore, the importance of continuous dietary management and education of diabetic patients should be emphasized.
Cellular fate of a plant virus immunotherapy candidate
Authors: Omole Anthony O. , Affonso de Oliveira Jessica Fernanda , Sutorus Lucas , Karan Sweta , Zhao Zhongchao , Neun Barry W. , Cedrone Edward , Clogston Jeffrey D. , Xu Jie , Sierk Michael , Chen Qingrong , Meerzaman Daoud , Dobrovolskaia Marina A. , Steinmetz Nicole F.
Published: October 2024

Cowpea mosaic virus (CPMV) is a plant virus that is currently being developed for intratumoral immunotherapy. CPMV relieves the immune system from tumor-induced immunosuppression; reprograms the tumor microenvironment to an activated state whereby the treated and distant tumors are recognized and eradicated. Toward translational studies, we investigated the safety of CPMV, specifically addressing whether pathogenicity would be induced in mammalian cells. We show that murine macrophage immune cells recognize CPMV; however, there is no indication of de novo viral protein synthesis or RNA replication. Furthermore, we show that CPMV does not induce hemolysis, platelet aggregation and plasma coagulation amongst other assays in human blood and immune cells. Taken together, we anticipate that these results will reinforce the development of CPMV as an immunotherapeutic platform.
Characterizing heatwaves based on land surface energy budget
Authors: Tian Yinglin , Kleidon Axel , Lesk Corey , Zhou Sha , Luo Xiangzhong , Ghausi Sarosh Alam , Wang Guangqian , Zhong Deyu , Zscheischler Jakob
Published: October 2024

Heat extremes pose pronounced threats to social-ecological systems and are projected to become more intense, frequent, and longer. However, the mechanisms driving heatwaves vary across heatwave types and are not yet fully understood. Here we decompose perturbations in the surface energy budget to categorize global heatwave-days into four distinct types: sunny–humid (38%), sunny-dry (26%), advective (18%), and adiabatic (18%). Notably, sunny-dry heatwave-days decrease net ecosystem carbon uptake by 0.09 gC m−2 day−1 over harvested areas, while advective heatwave-days increase the thermal stress index by 6.20 K in populated regions. In addition, from 2000 to 2020, sunny-dry heatwaves have shown the most widespread increase compared to 1979 to 1999, with 67% of terrestrial areas experiencing a doubling in their occurrence. Our findings highlight the importance of classifying heatwave-days based on their underlying mechanisms, as this can enhance our understanding of heatwaves and improve strategies for heat adaptation.
Comparing role of religion in perception of the COVID-19 vaccines in Africa and Asia Pacific
Authors: Jin Shihui , Cook Alex R. , Kanwagi Robert , Larson Heidi J. , Lin Leesa
Published: October 2024

Background

In the midst of the global COVID-19 vaccine distribution challenge, religion stands out as a key determinant of vaccine hesitancy and health choices. Notably, the multifaceted religious environments of Africa and the Asia Pacific remain under-researched in this context.

Methods

Utilizing data from two survey waves conducted between 2021 and 2022, this cross-sectional study investigated the effects of religious beliefs on perceptions of compatibility between religion and vaccines and COVID-19 vaccine acceptance in Africa and Asia Pacific. Logistic regression models were employed, with interaction terms between socio-economic factors incorporated to account for variations among diverse subpopulations.

Results

Among the eight religious groups identified, Atheists and Buddhists in the Asia Pacific exhibit the lowest agreement, with fewer than 60% acknowledging the religious compatibility of vaccines. Willingness to accept vaccines, however, is consistently higher in Asia Pacific by at least four percentage points compared to Africa, with the disparity widening further in the second wave. Impacts of education on vaccine perceptions vary across religious groups, while acknowledging vaccine compatibility with religion positively contributed to vaccine acceptance. Dynamics between region, religion, and other socio-demographic factors have changed substantially over time. All but Atheists and Muslims exhibit a higher propensity to endorse vaccines during Survey Wave 2.

Conclusions

Our study reveals complex, context-dependent connections between vaccine attitudes and religion and the heterogeneous effects of time and education among different religious affiliations. Understanding the underlying drivers of these temporal variations helps inform tailored approaches aimed at addressing vaccine hesitancy, promoting vaccine uptake, and improving the well-being of each religious group.
Impact of commonly administered drugs on the progression of spinal cord injury: a systematic review
Authors: Bourguignon Lucie , Lukas Louis P. , Kondiles Bethany R. , Tong Bobo , Lee Jaimie J. , Gomes Tomás , Tetzlaff Wolfram , Kramer John L. K. , Walter Matthias , Jutzeler Catherine R.
Published: October 2024

Background

Complications arising from acute traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) are routinely managed by various pharmacological interventions. Despite decades of clinical application, the potential impact on neurological recovery has been largely overlooked. This study aims to highlight commonly administered drugs with potential disease-modifying effects.

Methods

This systematic literature review included studies referenced in PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science from inception to March 31st, 2021, which assess disease-modifying properties on neurological and/or functional recovery of drugs routinely administered following spinal cord injury. Drug effects were classified as positive, negative, mixed, no effect, or not (statistically) reported. Risk of bias was assessed separately for animal, randomized clinical trials, and observational human studies.

Results

We analyzed 394 studies conducting 486 experiments that evaluated 144 unique or combinations of drugs. 195 of the 464 experiments conducted on animals (42%) and one study in humans demonstrate positive disease-modifying properties on neurological and/or functional outcomes. Methylprednisolone, melatonin, estradiol, and atorvastatin are the most common drugs associated with positive effects. Two studies on morphine and ethanol report negative effects on recovery.

Conclusion

Despite a large heterogeneity observed in study protocols, research from bed to bench and back to bedside provides an alternative approach to identify new candidate drugs in the context of SCI. Future research in human populations is warranted to determine if introducing drugs like melatonin, estradiol, or atorvastatin would contribute to enhancing neurological outcomes after acute SCI.
Correction: The improved targeting of an aspirin prodrug albumin-based nanosystem for visualizing and inhibiting lung metastasis of breast cancer
Authors: Zhang Wancun , Xia Lili , Ren Xiangyu , Cui Mengyuan , Liu Tianguang , Ling Chen , Xu Yanqi , Deng Dawei , Zhang Xianwei , Gu Yueqing , Wang Peng
Published: October 2024

Correction for ‘The improved targeting of an aspirin prodrug albumin-based nanosystem for visualizing and inhibiting lung metastasis of breast cancer’ by Wancun Zhang et al., Biomater. Sci., 2020, 8, 5941–5954, https://doi.org/10.1039/D0BM01035A.
Lipid–polymer hybrid-vesicles interrupt nucleation of amyloid fibrillation
Authors: Sen Newton , Krüger Stephanie , Binder Wolfgang H.
Published: October 2024

Hybrid-vesicles composed of amphiphilic polymers in POPC-lipids inhibit Aβ1–40 peptide fibrillation by interfering with primary and secondary nucleation, most pronounced by the cholesteryl-anchored polymers.
Alleviating effect of whey protein supplementation on oxidative stress in hypothyroidism
Authors: Sajan Ann Liya , Pazheparambil Jerom Jenat , Nair Bhagyasree Rajasekharan , Sajitha Devanandana Dileep Kumar , Soman Reshma , Jalal Ajmal , Harikumaran Nair Raveendran
Published: October 2024

Supplementation with whey protein is effective for treating hypothyroidism-associated oxidative stress by enhancing the antioxidant system, reducing lipid peroxidation and maintaining cellular ionic balance.
Mechanistic insights into EGCG's preventive effects on obesity-induced precocious puberty through multi-omics analyses
Authors: Gu Qiuyun , Du Qiujv , Xia Lina , Lu Xiaoting , Wan Xiaoqing , Shao Ying , He Jieyi , Wu Peiying
Published: October 2024

Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) has demonstrated potential effects on obesity-induced precocious puberty, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear.
Recent advances in stretchable hydrogel-based triboelectric nanogenerators for on-skin electronics
Authors: Zhang Baosen , Wang Ruge , Wang Ruizhi , Chen Baojin , Li Haidong , Shen Ao , Mao Yanchao
Published: October 2024

This review summarizes the properties of stretchable hydrogels and their optimization for TENGs in on-skin electronics, highlighting applications and addressing challenges related to durability and user comfort.
Manganese(iii) acetate in organic synthesis: a review of the past decade
Authors: Wang Jian , Zhang Yan , Zhou Ying , Gu Xin , Han Bingxu , Ding Xuelu , Liang Shuai
Published: October 2024

In this review, we summarize the latest developments and applications of Mn(OAc)3 in organic synthesis over the past decade, focusing on efforts to achieve milder reaction conditions while expanding the scope of synthesis possibilities.
Discovery of a novel benzimidazole conjugated quinazolinone derivative as a promising SARS-CoV-2 3CL protease inhibitor
Authors: Hue Bui Thi Buu , Nguyet Huong Giang Huynh , Nguyen Cuong Quoc , Chou Feng-Pai , La Duc Thanh Danh , Tran Quang De , Hieu Vo Trung , Hoang Phuong Mai Lam , Lin Hong-Cheu , Wu Tung-Kung
Published: October 2024

This report presents the design and synthesis of quinazolinone-based derivatives as promising SARS-CoV-2 3CL protease inhibitors.
Zaluzanin-D enriched Vernonia arborea extract mediated copper oxide nanoparticles synthesis and their anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and DNA methylation altering properties
Authors: Sadiq Muhammad , Sivasubramanian Arvind , Karanath-Anilkumar Aswathy , Anjum-Musthafa Shazia , Kamaraj Chinnaperumal , Munuswamy-Ramanujam Ganesh
Published: October 2024

Copper oxide nanoparticles successfully synthesized using Zaluzanin-D enriched leaf extract of Vernonia arborea, showed antioxidant properties, anti-inflammatory activity in activated monocytes (THP-1) and reduced toxicity in zebra fish model.
Synthesis of (FeCoNiCuMn)3O4 spinel-high entropy oxide and green carbon from agricultural waste for supercapacitor application
Authors: Chandra Mohanty Gobinda , Das Shubhasikha , Verma Anu
Published: October 2024

This article highlights (FeCoNiCuMn)3O4 high-entropy oxide prepared via liquid state induction melting techniques for supercapacitor application shows XRD, FTIR, FESEM images respectively.
Selective and naked eye colorimetric detection of creatinine through aptamer-based target-induced passivation of gold nanoparticles
Authors: Das Chiranjit , Raveendran Jeethu , Bayry Jagadeesh , Rasheed P. Abdul
Published: October 2024

We report a simple naked eye colorimetric detection assay developed for creatinine using the surface passivation of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs)-creatinine binding aptamer conjugate in presence of creatinine.
A cocktail of Cu2+- and Zn2+-peptoid-based chelators can stop ROS formation for Alzheimer's disease therapy
Authors: Behar Anastasia E. , Maayan Galia
Published: October 2024

The formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the brain can cause neuropathologic degradation associated with Alzheimer's Disease (AD). We report on a cocktail of two chelators that target Cu and Zn and effectively inhibit ROS formation.
Antiaromaticity in molecular assemblies and materials
Authors: Lavendomme Roy , Yamashina Masahiro
Published: October 2024

Antiaromatic rings can be assembled into discrete or polymeric assemblies to explore emerging properties. This perspective compares antiaromatic rings as potential building blocks and covers reported antiaromatic ring assemblies.
Room-temperature thermochemical water splitting: efficient mechanocatalytic hydrogen production
Authors: Yamamoto Takuya , Ashida Sho , Inubuse Nanami , Shimizu Shintaro , Miura Yui , Mizutani Tomoya , Saitow Ken-ichi
Published: October 2024

We report the accidental discovery and subsequent investigation of room-temperature thermochemical water splitting in a ball mill. High-purity H2 (>99%) was produced using water and/or seawater feedstocks in a compact (∼50 cm) low-power reactor.
A C8P monolayer with cross-sp-hybridized phosphorus atoms and ultrahigh energy density as a K-ion battery anode
Authors: Yan Xu , Wang Sheng , Ding Shicong , Rehman Javed , Liu Yong , Yang Guochun
Published: October 2024

The proposed C8P monolayer and its derivatives are promising candidates as anode materials for high performance K-ion batteries.
Effect of supramolecular peptide hydrogel scaffold charge on HepG2 viability and spheroid formation
Authors: Xin Yu , Ligorio Cosimo , O’brien Marie , Collins Richard , Dong Siyuan , Miller Aline F. , Saiani Alberto , Gough Julie E.
Published: October 2024

Understanding how fibre charge in self-assembling peptide hydrogel networks affect HepG2 cell fate and spheroid formation.
Variation in the zero-point energy difference via electrostatic interactions in Co(ii)-Cltpy-based spin-crossover molecular materials
Authors: Dutta Mousumi , Dutta Ajana , Ghosh Prabir , Maiti Shubhankar , Stoleriu Laurentiu , Enachescu Cristian , Chakraborty Pradip
Published: October 2024

The graphic illustrates the variation in the thermal spin-crossover behavior by changing their crystallographic asymmetric units. The inset depicts the ratio between the positive and negative average electrostatic interactions.
Investigation on the role of nitrates in the microwave-assisted autoclave Pechini synthesis of aluminoborate phosphors
Authors: Cathalan Jérémy , Salaün Mathieu , Potdevin Audrey , Réveret François , Chadeyron Geneviève , Gautier-Luneau Isabelle
Published: October 2024

The different studies, with or without nitrate counterions, highlight their role enhancing the white photoluminescence properties of aluminoborate phosphors.
Anion-induced chiral assembly: construction of Ag(i) coordination polymers for photocatalytic degradation of organic dyes
Authors: Huang Chao , Liang Jin-Xia , Zhu Bi-Xue
Published: October 2024

Assembly of a racemic ligand with different Ag(i) salts leads to homo/heterochiral polymers. The photocatalytic experiments indicate CPs 4–8 are active for the degradation of rhodamine B and methylene blue under UV irradiation.
Strongly fluorescent spiro-type tetracoordinate complexes of dibenzo[b,e][1,4]thiaborinine dioxide with functionalized 2-(benzo[d]heterazol-2-yl)phenolate ligands displaying TADF
Authors: Urban Mateusz , Wrochna Karolina , Marek-Urban Paulina H. , Natkowski Dawid R. , Woźniak Krzysztof , Pander Piotr , Monkman Andrew P. , Durka Krzysztof , Luliński Sergiusz
Published: October 2024

A series of spiro tetracoordinate organoboron chelate complexes showing strong and tuneable luminescence as well as TADF character were synthesised and comprehensively characterized.
Self-powered graphene-based composites for rain energy harvesting
Authors: Zheng Yi , Zheng Hongyu , Yue Yuanchong , Lu Liying , Wang Yingli , Tang Qunwei
Published: October 2024

Rain-responsive G-CB/PVC composite films are made to generate electricity.