bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pullulan-Tween 40 emulsified films containing geraniol: production and characterization as potential food packaging materials
Authors: Simões Alexandra , Ramos Ana , Domingues Fernanda , Luís Ângelo
Published: March 2024

Petroleum-based plastics have been widely used as packaging materials because of their low-cost availability and good mechanical properties. However, the use of plastics has become restricted as they are highly resistant to biodegradation, causing environmental problems. This work aimed to produce and characterize emulsified pullulan films incorporating geraniol for application as food packaging materials with potential to substitute the conventional plastics. When geraniol was incorporated in the films, they showed antimicrobial activity against Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212 (inhibition zone diameter = 15.19 ± 0.66 mm) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853 (inhibition zone diameter = 10.99 ± 1.82 mm). Furthermore, scanning electron microscopy showed the inhibition of Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212 biofilms when they were directly formed on the emulsified pullulan films incorporating geraniol. The produced films also demonstrated high transparency (> 90%) and hydrophilic surfaces (water contact angle < 90°). This work demonstrated the viability of using geraniol to produce pullulan active films as new food packaging materials.
Walking (and talking) the plank: dual-task performance costs in a virtual balance-threatening environment
Authors: Raffegeau Tiphanie E. , Brinkerhoff Sarah A. , Clark Mindie , McBride Ashlee D. , Mark Williams A. , Fino Peter C. , Fawver Bradley
Published: March 2024

We evaluated the effects of engaging in extemporaneous speech in healthy young adults while they walked in a virtual environment meant to elicit low or high levels of mobility-related anxiety. We expected that mobility-related anxiety imposed by a simulated balance threat (i.e., virtual elevation) would impair walking behavior and lead to greater dual-task costs. Altogether, 15 adults (age = 25.6 ± 4.7 yrs, 7 women) walked at their self-selected speed within a VR environment that simulated a low (ground) and high elevation (15 m) setting while speaking extemporaneously (dual-task) or not speaking (single-task). Likert-scale ratings of cognitive and somatic anxiety, confidence, and mental effort were evaluated and gait speed, step length, and step width, as well as the variability of each, was calculated for every trial. Silent speech pauses (> 150 ms) were determined from audio recordings to infer the cognitive costs of extemporaneous speech planning at low and high virtual elevation. Results indicated that the presence of a balance threat and the inclusion of a concurrent speech task both perturbed gait kinematics, but the virtual height illusion led to increased anxiety and mental effort and a decrease in confidence. The extemporaneous speech pauses were longer on average when walking, but no effects of virtual elevation were reported. Trends toward interaction effects arose in self-reported responses, with participants reporting more comfort walking at virtual heights if they engaged in extemporaneous speech. Walking at virtual elevation and while talking may have independent and significant effects on gait; both effects were robust and did not support an interaction when combined (i.e., walking and talking at virtual heights). The nature of extemporaneous speech may have distracted participants from the detrimental effects of walking in anxiety-inducing settings.
Imatinib pharmacokinetics and creatine kinase levels in chronic myeloid leukemia patients: implications for therapeutic response and monitoring
Authors: Omran Mervat M. , Ibrahim Amel B. , Abdelfattah Raafat , Shouman Samia A. , Hamza Marwa S.
Published: March 2024

Background

Imatinib treatment for certain cancers can lead to elevated creatine kinase (CK) levels, potentially indicating muscle injury, and ongoing research aims to understand the correlation between imatinib levels and creatine kinase to assess its impact on treatment response.

Methods

This single-center observational study involved 76 chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients receiving imatinib treatment, focusing on evaluating drug and metabolite levels using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS-MS) instrumentation. Serum CK and creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) levels were assessed using Colorimetric kits.

Results

CK and CK-MB levels were measured, CK showed a median value of 211.5 IU/l and CK-MB showed a median value of 4.4 IU/l. Comparing low and high CK groups, significant differences were found in peak and trough plasma concentrations of imatinib and its metabolites. Correlations between CK levels and pharmacokinetic parameters were explored, with notable associations identified. Binary logistic regression revealed predictors influencing the therapeutic response to imatinib and categorized expected CK levels into high or low, with peak levels of imatinib emerging as a significant predictor for CK level categorization.

Conclusion

The study highlights the link between imatinib’s pharmacokinetics and elevated CK levels, indicating a possible correlation between specific metabolites and improved treatment response. Individualized monitoring of CK levels and imatinib pharmacokinetics could enhance care for CML patients.
High prevalence of associated injuries in anterior cruciate ligament tears: A detailed magnetic resonance imaging analysis of 254 patients
Authors: Cristiani Riccardo , van de Bunt Fabian , Kvist Joanna , Stålman Anders
Published: March 2024

Objectives

To evaluate the type and prevalence of associated injuries by using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears.

Methods

Data from the Natural Corollaries and Recovery after ACL injury multicenter longitudinal cohort study were analyzed. Between May 2016 and October 2018, patients aged between 15 and 40 years, who had experienced an ACL tear within the last 6 weeks and sought medical attention at one of seven healthcare clinics in Sweden, were invited to participate. The mean time from injury to MRI was 19.6 ± 15.2 days. An orthopedic knee surgeon and a musculoskeletal radiologist reviewed all the MRI scans. The following structures were assessed: posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), medial collateral ligament (MCL) complex, lateral collateral ligament (LCL), popliteus tendon, medial meniscus (MM), lateral meniscus (LM), and cartilage. In addition, the presence of bone bruising, impaction fractures in the lateral femoral condyle (LFC) or posterolateral tibia (PLT), and Segond fractures were also assessed. 

Results

A total of 254 patients (48.4% males) with a mean age of 25.4 ± 7.1 years were included. The prevalence of associated injuries was as follows: PCL (0.4%), MCL {41.3% [superficial MCL and deep MCL (dMCL) 16.5%; isolated dMCL 24.8%]}, LCL (2.4%), MM (57.4%), LM (25.2%), cartilage (15.0%), bone bruising (92.9%), impaction fracture in the LFC (45.7%) and PLT (4.7%), and Segond fracture (7.5%).

Conclusions

The prevalence of associated injuries in patients with ACL tears was high. The findings reported in this study may serve as a reference tool for orthopedic surgeons and radiologists in the diagnosis of associated injuries using MRI in patients with ACL tears.
Laser-induced emission from iron oxide nanoparticles in spray-flame synthesis: in situ high-speed microscopy
Authors: Jüngst Niklas , Suedholt Benjamin A. , Smallwood Gregory J. , Schulz Christof , Kaiser Sebastian A.
Published: March 2024

Spray-flame synthesis uses low-cost precursors dissolved in organic solvents to produce functional metaloxide nanoparticles. In the spray flame, the precursor-laden droplets show frequent and intense thermally-induced disruption, so-called puffing and micro-explosion. This process is often correlated with high uniformity of particle sizes. Whether puffing and micro-explosion are also directly associated with the formation or release of iron oxide nanoparticles is not clear. Also, the spatiotemporal evolution of nanoparticles in the turbulent flow field of the flame is largely unknown from experiments. We performed simultaneous high-speed microscopic imaging of droplet shadowgraphs at 360 kHz as well as elastic light scattering (ELS) and laser-induced emission (LIE) of nanoparticles at 40 kHz. Comparing ELS and LIE images allows distinguishing signals from droplets, flame, and nanoparticles, as only the nanoparticles will appear in images from both methods. ELS and LIE show nanoparticles as thin narrow filaments, presumably following the local flow. Nanoparticle filaments are found at a height of 50 mm and more above the burner in the spray flame. The filaments show increasing LIE signal and higher confinement with increasing height above the burner. The appearance of LIE and thus nanoparticles does not directly correlate with the presence of droplets or their disruption.
Links of atmospheric circulation to cold days in simulations of EURO-CORDEX climate models for central Europe
Authors: Plavcová Eva , Stryhal Jan , Lhotka Ondřej
Published: March 2024

Despite ongoing climate change and warming, extreme cold events still negatively affect human society. Since cold air incursions are related to specific circulation patterns, the main aims of this study are (1) to validate how well current EURO-CORDEX regional climate models (RCMs) reproduce these synoptic links and (2) to assess possible future changes in atmospheric circulation conducive to cold events. Using anomalies of daily minimum temperature, we define cold days (CDs) in central Europe and analyse their characteristics over the historical (1979−2020) and future (2070−2099) periods. We classify wintertime atmospheric circulation by applying a novel technique based on Sammon mapping to the state-of-the-art ERA5 reanalysis output. We discover that circulation types (CT) conducive to CDs are characterised by easterly advection and/or clear-sky anticyclonic conditions. While the RCM ensemble generally reproduces these synoptic links relatively well, we observe biases in the occurrence of CDs in individual simulations. These biases can be attributed to inadequately reproduced frequencies of CTs conducive to CDs (primarily propagating from driving data), as well as to deviations in the conduciveness within these CTs (primarily originating in the RCMs). Interestingly, two competing trends are identified for the end of the twenty-first century: (1) most RCMs project an increased frequency of CTs conducive to CDs, suggesting more frequent CDs, while (2) the same CTs are projected to warm faster compared to their counterparts, suggesting weaker CDs. The interplay between these opposing trends contributes to the overall uncertainty surrounding the recurrence and severity of future winter extremes in central Europe.
Impact of the Gulf Stream front on atmospheric rivers and Rossby wave train in the North Atlantic
Authors: Ma Xiaohui , Jia Yinglai , Han Ziqing
Published: March 2024

The Gulf Stream (GS) ocean front exhibits intense ocean–atmosphere interaction in winter, which has a significant impact on the genesis and development of extratropical cyclones in the North Atlantic. The atmospheric rivers (ARs), closely related with the cyclones, transport substantial moisture from the North Atlantic towards the Western European coast. While the influence of the GS front on extratropical cyclones has been extensively studied, its effect on ARs remains unclear. In this study, two sets of ensemble experiments are conducted using a high-resolution global Community Atmosphere Model forced with or without the GS sea surface temperature front. Our findings reveal that the inclusion of the GS front leads to approximately 25% enhancement of water vapor transport and precipitation associated with ARs in the GS region, attributed to changes in both AR frequency and intensity. Furthermore, this leads to a more pronounced downstream response in Western Europe, characterized by up to 60% (40%) precipitation increases (reductions) around Spain (Norway) for the most extreme events (exceeding 90 mm/day). The influence of the GS front on ARs is mediated by both thermodynamic and dynamic factors. The thermodynamic aspect involves an overall increase of water vapor in both the GS region and Western Europe, promoting AR genesis. The dynamic aspect encompasses changes in storm tracks and Rossby wave train, contributing to downstream AR shift. Importantly, we find the co-occurrence of ARs and the GS front is crucial for inducing deep ascending motion and heating above the GS front, which perturbs the deep troposphere and triggers upper-level Rossby wave response. These findings provide a further understanding of the complex interaction between the oceanic front in the western boundary current regions and extratropical weather systems and the associated dynamics behind them.
A multicentre survey on the perception of palliative care among health professionals working in haematology
Authors: Di Lorenzo Sara , Mozzi Lisa , Salmaso Flavia , Silvagni Claudia , Soffientini Silvia , Valenti Vanessa , Zagonel Vittorina
Published: March 2024

Purpose

Patients with haematologic malignancies have less access to palliative care and are referred later than patients with solid tumours. We developed a survey to investigate this phenomenon, with the intention of analysing palliative care perceptions among health professionals who treat haematology patients and identifying barriers and facilitators to referrals to palliative care services.

Methods

This was a multicentre exploratory descriptive web-based survey. A questionnaire was administered to 320 medical and nursing staff members from five Italian haematological units and San Marino’s hospital to investigate their perception of palliative care. Quantitative and qualitative analyses were performed.

Results

A total of 142/320 healthcare professionals completed the survey, achieving a 44% response rate. Most of the respondents supported the integration of haematology and palliative care and were aware of the role of palliative care. Despite this, only half had an in-hospital palliative care team, and only a few had previously attended a specific training course. The majority agreed with palliative care referral when the prognosis was less than 3 months or when the symptoms were incoercible and with blood transfusions even in the last stages of the disease. Many considered the presence of an in-hospital palliative care team or a case manager, as well as structured palliative care training, as fundamental facilitators of palliative care referrals.

Conclusion

These results showed that healthcare professionals in haematology generally hold a favourable attitude and a high interest in integrating palliative care into their patients’ care. The low referral rate could depend on clinical, cultural, and organisational issues.
The Toarcian Posidonia Shale at Salem (North Alpine Foreland Basin; South Germany): hydrocarbon potential and paleogeography
Authors: Ajuaba Stephen , Sachsenhofer Reinhard F. , Galasso Francesca , Garlichs Thorsten U. , Gross Doris , Schneebeli-Hermann Elke , Misch David , Oriabure Jonathan E.
Published: March 2024

The Posidonia Shale in the basement of the North Alpine Foreland Basin of southwestern Germany represents an important archive for environmental changes during the Toarcian oceanic anoxic event and the associated carbon isotope excursion (T-CIE). It is also an important hydrocarbon source rock. In the Salem borehole, the Posidonia Shale is ~ 10 m thick. The lower 7.5 m (1763.5–1756.0 m) of the Posidonian Shale and the uppermost part of the underlying Amaltheenton Formation were cored and studied using a total of 62 samples. Rock–Eval, palynological, maceral, biomarker and carbon isotope data were collected to assess variations in environmental conditions and to quantify the source rock potential. In contrast to most other Toarcian sections in southwest Germany, TOC contents are high in sediments deposited during the T-CIE, but reach a peak in post-CIE sediments. Biomarker ratios suggest that this reflects strong oxygen-depletion during the T-CIE (elegantulum to lower elegans subzones), but also during the falciferum Subzone, which is also reflected by a prolonged dinoflagellate cyst blackout. While sediments of the tenuicostatum Zone to the elegans Subzone are thinner than in neighbouring sections (e.g., Dotternhausen), sediments of the falciferum Subzone are unusually thick, suggesting that increased subsidence might have contributed to anoxia. The T-CIE interval is very thin (0.75 m). δ13C values of n-alkanes show that the maximum negative isotope shift predates the strongest basin restriction during the T-CIE and that the carbon isotope shift is recorded earlier for aquatic than for terrigenous organisms. In Salem, the Posidonia Shale is thermally mature and highly oil-prone. The residual source petroleum potential is about 0.8 tHC/m2.

Graphical Abstract
Three-year follow-up analysis of the short-stitch versus long-stitch technique for elective midline abdominal closure randomized-controlled (ESTOIH) trial
Authors: Fortelny R. H. , Hofmann A. , Baumann P. , Riedl S. , Kewer J. L. , Hoelderle J. , Shamiyeh A. , Klugsberger B. , Maier T. D. , Schumacher G. , Köckerling F. , Pession Ursula , Schirren M. , Albertsmeier M.
Published: March 2024

Background

Clinical trials have shown reduced incisional hernia rates 1 year after elective median laparotomy closure using a short-stitch technique. With hernia development continuing beyond the first postoperative year, we aimed to compare incisional hernias 3 years after midline closure using short or long stitches in patients from the ESTOIH trial.

Methods

The ESTOIH trial was a prospective, multicenter, parallel-group, double-blind, randomized-controlled study of primary elective midline closure. Patients were randomized to fascia closure using a short- or long-stitch technique with a poly-4-hydroxybutyrate-based suture. A predefined 3-year follow-up analysis was performed with the radiological imaging-verified incisional hernia rate as the primary endpoint.

Results

The 3-year intention-to-treat follow-up cohort consisted of 414 patients (210 short-stitch and 204 long-stitch technique) for analysis. Compared with 1 year postoperatively, incisional hernias increased from 4.83% (20/414 patients) to 9.02% (36/399 patients, p = 0.0183). The difference between the treatment groups at 3 years (short vs. long stitches, 15/198 patients (7.58%) vs. 21/201 (10.45%)) was not significant (OR, 1.4233; 95% CI [0.7112–2.8485]; p = 0.31).

Conclusion

Hernia rates increased significantly between one and 3 years postoperatively. The short-stitch technique using a poly-4-hydroxybutyrate-based suture is safe in the long term, while no significant advantage was found at 3 years postoperatively compared with the standard long-stitch technique.

Trial registry

NCT01965249, registered on 18 October 2013.
A four-cohort study testing the relative impact of take-home and in-class examination on students’ academic performance and wellbeing
Authors: Spiegel Tali , Nivette Amy
Published: March 2024

The current study examines the relative impact of take home (open book) examinations (THE) and in class (closed book) examinations (ICE) on student academic performance and wellbeing outcomes. Specifically, this study contributes to our understanding about students’ long-term knowledge retention, measured four to six months after completing the course. A unique longitudinal dataset consisting of four cohorts of a social science bachelor and master course that implemented either a THE or ICE in successive years was used. Survey data included wellbeing and academic performance measures as well as a 10-item knowledge retention quiz. Within the master course, the ICE cohort had higher examination grades and higher knowledge retention scores than the cohorts that completed a THE. In the bachelor course, there were no differences in knowledge retention across cohorts. Examination score was associated with higher knowledge retention scores across both courses. One bachelor cohort reported lower wellbeing compared to others (cohort 2021–2022); however, we found no further differences in academic or wellbeing outcomes based on examination form. The findings suggest a slight advantage of ICEs over THEs with regard to academic performance.
Health-related resources and social support as enablers of digital device use among older Finns
Authors: Eronen Johanna , Portegijs Erja , Rantanen Taina
Published: March 2024

Aim

Older adults show considerable diversity in their use of digital devices, e.g., computers, tablets, and smart phones: some are non-users, some are learning to use them, and some use them fluently. The factors contributing to older adults’ digital device use are likely to differ between learners and fluent users. This paper examines whether different socioeconomic and health-related factors are associated with different levels of digital device use among older Finnish men and women.

Subject and methods

Data from 750 community-dwelling men and women were collected with face-to-face interviews and postal questionnaires and analyzed using multinomial logistic regression analysis.

Results

Younger age, presence of social support, and being partnered were associated with being a learner in digital device use, and higher education, a higher occupational status in working age, and higher health literacy were associated with being a fluent digital device user. Poor self-rated health was negatively associated with being a fluent user.

Conclusions

Fluent digital device users have personal resources, such as higher education, good health, and high health literacy, that contribute to their digital skills. Social resources are important enablers for those learning to use digital devices.
Reduced disclosure and default risk: analysis of smaller reporting companies
Authors: Yin Shiyan , Yao Kai , Chevapatrakul Thanaset , Huang Rong
Published: March 2024

We examine the causal effect of reduced disclosure levels on the risk of default. Employing regression discontinuity (RD) design as our main identification strategy and the smaller reporting company rule (SRC rule) as the exogenous source of variation, we show that smaller reporting companies (SRCs), which are permitted to provide scaled disclosures in their 10-Ks, experience significantly and economically higher default risk. We demonstrate that, while there is no effect of information loss if a smaller reporting company voluntarily maintains its disclosure level by continuing to report its financial performance in full, there is an increase in its default risk due to the loss of commitment to mandatory disclosure. We also find that, compared to previously qualified SRCs, newly qualified smaller reporting companies face steeper increases in bankruptcy risk during their first year of eligibility. Our analysis indicates that strong external oversight mechanisms, better corporate governance, and credible audit quality attenuate the negative impact of reduced disclosure levels on the risk of default. Our results are robust to alternative model specifications, RD design assumptions, and measures of default risk.
The Curvilinear Impact of Cultural Friction on Foreign Divestment
Authors: Nguyen Ha , Larimo Jorma , Dow Douglas
Published: March 2024

International business scholars have long recognized the potential influence of cultural differences on foreign divestment; however, the empirical results are mixed. Our study helps resolve this contradiction and contribute to the existing literature in three ways. First, we advocate the use of cultural friction metric, instead of the more traditional cultural distance approach. This overcomes a key limitation in the modelling the impact of cultural differences. The friction construct metric includes an index of firm-specific factors, referred to as the degree of ‘cultural interaction’. This index moderates the impact of cultural distance, reflecting firm—level differences. We also build on calls for more Positive Organizational Scholarship by challenging the negative bias in the international business literature and propose a curvilinear effect of cultural differences on divestment probability. Lastly, we investigate a potential boundary condition—the moderating effect of entry mode on the main hypothesis. Our empirical sample include 2120 Finnish foreign subsidiaries operating in 40 countries during 1970–2010. Our analyses confirm that the cultural differences, when measured by the friction metric, appear to be a significant and superior predictor of subsidiary divestment probability, and that the relationship appears to be U-shaped. Our robustness analyses also highlight the importance of which cultural framework is applied and controlling for selection bias.
Impact of a Multicomponent Exercise Training Program on Muscle Strength After Bariatric Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Boppre Giorjines , Diniz-Sousa Florêncio , Veras Lucas , Bezerra Andrea , Devezas Vitor , Preto John , Santos-Sousa Hugo , Oliveira José , Fonseca Hélder
Published: March 2024

Purpose

This study examined the benefits of an 11-months multicomponent exercise program (MEP) on muscular strength (MS) after bariatric surgery.

Methods

Of the 84 randomized patients, 41 participants from the exercise group (EG) and 20 participants from the control group (CG) were included in the analysis. The EG received supervised MEP for 11 months, starting 1-month post-bariatric surgery (BS) in addition to standard medical care, while the CG received medical care recommendations only. Knee and trunk MS was assessed by isokinetic dynamometry pre-surgery, 1-, 6-, and 12-month post-surgery, while body composition was assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry.

Results

The MEP did not significantly impact absolute MS in the dominant knee and trunk regions at 6- and 12-month post-BS. However, relative MS showed significant improvements. At 6-month post-BS, knee flexion at 60°/s relative to body weight (BW) increased significantly (p = 0.047), as did knee extension at 180°/s relative to BW (p = 0.009), and knee extension at 60°/s relative to total lean mass (p=0.040). At 12-month post-BS, knee flexion at 60°/s relative to BW also significantly improved (p=0.038).

Conclusion

While absolute MS was not significantly improved with MEP, this study found significant enhancements in relative MS, particularly in dominant knee flexion post-MEP participation. Further research should explore different exercise intensities and frequencies to optimize postoperative MS recovery post-BS.

Clinical Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02843048)

Graphical Abstract
Why advertisers should embrace event typicality and maximize leveraging of major events
Authors: Carrillat François A. , Mazodier Marc , Eckert Christine
Published: March 2024

The current study details how marketing campaigns featuring event-typical ads adapted to sporting events (e.g., a car ad that displays its brand logo on an Olympic podium) affect brand attitudes and incentive-aligned brand choice in more positive ways than proven advertising strategies such as product category consistency. Presenting four field and lab experiments across a total of 3 events and 32 ads, we show that these effects are driven by the combination of 3 mechanisms: event-typical ads’ capacity to trigger a sufficient feeling of knowing what the ad is about, provoke curiosity, and transfer attributes from the event to the brand, even with very short ad exposures. Advertisers, brand managers, or event organizers can thus exploit the creative potential around sporting events by using event-typical ads. Furthermore, when these stakeholders know the most typical elements of an event, they can either adapt their marketing activities or register them to avoid ambush marketing (i.e., advertisers willing to associate their brand with the event in the absence of any legitimate link with it).
Cell-Cycle-related Protein Centromere Protein F Deficiency Inhibits Cervical Cancer Cell Growth by Inducing Ferroptosis Via Nrf2 Inactivation
Authors: Tang Xin hui , Zhao Tian nan , Guo Li , Liu Xin yue , Zhang Wei na , Zhang Ping
Published: March 2024

Cervical cancer (CC) is one of the severe cancers that pose a threat to women’s health and result in death. CENPF, the centromere protein F, plays a crucial role in mitosis by regulating numerous cellular processes, such as chromosome segregation during mitosis. According to bioinformatics research, CENPF serves as a master regulator that is upregulated and activated in cervical cancer. Nevertheless, the precise biological mechanism that CENPF operates in CC remains unclear. The aim of this study was to analyze the function of CENPF on cervical cancer and its mechanism. We conducted immunohistochemistry and western blot analysis to examine the expression levels of CENPF in both cervical cancer tissues and cells. To explore the hidden biological function of CENPF in cell lines derived from CC, we applied lentivirus transfection to reduce CENPF manifestation. CENPF’s main role is to regulate ferroptosis which was assessed by analyzing Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), malonaldehyde (MDA), etc. The vitro findings were further validated through a subcutaneous tumorigenic nude mouse model. Our research finding indicates that there is an apparent upregulation of CENPF in not merely tumor tissues but also cell lines in the carcinomas of the cervix. In vitro and vivo experimental investigations have demonstrated that the suppression of CENPF can impede cellular multiplication, migration, and invasion while inducing ferroptosis. The ferroptosis induced by CENPF inhibition in cervical cancer cell lines is likely mediated through the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway. The data herein come up with the opinion that CENPF may have a crucial role in influencing anti-cervical cancer effects by inducing ferroptosis via the triggering of the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway.
A study on the influence of a single bout of moderate-intensity exercise on processing bias towards emotional information of individuals with high psychosocial stress levels
Authors: Rongrong Cui , Jian Yang
Published: March 2024

To explore the impact of a single bout of moderate-intensity exercise on cognitive bias of individuals with high psychosocial stress levels. 42 college students with high stress levels were recruited and divided into a exercise group (N = 21) and a no-exercise group (N = 21). The psychological and behavioral characteristics were studied using word-face stroop task, memory bias task, and interpretion bias task. College students with high psychosocial stress levels have attention bias, memory bias, and Interpretion bias towards negative emotional information, and a single bout of moderate-intensity exercise can increase attention bias towards neutral and positive emotional information, and memory bias towards neutral emotional information, interpretation bias towdrds positive emotional information. A single bout of moderate-intensity exercise can increase the positive cognitive bias towards emotional information, which is beneficial for regulating psychosocial stress levels.
Designing a conversational agent for supporting data exploration in citizen science
Authors: Stein Carolin , Teubner Timm , Morana Stefan
Published: March 2024

Data is ubiquitous in today’s digitized society. However, access to and literacy in handling data plays a pivotal role in determining who can benefit from it and who can use—or potentially misuse—it. To combat inequalities and address issues such as misinformation, it is essential to enable citizens to effectively access and understand data within their local ecosystems. To address this challenge, we focus on the case of citizen science and propose using a conversational agent to support data exploration and lower barriers to citizen engagement in research projects. Using a design science research approach, we derive design principles and develop a prototypical artifact. Moreover, we conduct an experimental evaluation, demonstrating strong interest among citizens to participate in scientific data analysis and that conversational agents hold great potential in increasing data literacy.
Circ_0020460 drives tumorigenesis in cervical cancer through miR-485-3p sponging
Authors: Yan Kun , Hu Chunyan , Cheng Yali , Zheng Lingzhi , Zeng Baojin , Zhao Sujun , Liu Chen
Published: March 2024

Deregulation of circular RNAs (circRNAs) is widely recognized in cancer progression. Our study aims to investigate the role of circ_0020460 in the development of cervical cancer (CC) and its potential mechanism of action. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and western blot assays were used to detect the expression levels of circ_0020460, miR-485-3p and C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 1 (CXCL1). The roles of circ_0020460 on cell proliferation, cell migration, cell invasion, cell apoptosis, and angiogenesis were investigated using cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and Ethynyl deoxyuridine (Edu) assay, wound healing assay, transwell assay, flow cytometry assay, and tube formation assay, respectively. The putative relationship predicted by bioinformatics analysis was verified by dual-luciferase reporter assay and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assay. Xenograft models were constructed to explore the role of circ_0020460 in vivo. The expression of circ_0020460 and CXCL1 expression were increased, while miR-485-3p expression was declined in CC tissues and cells. Circ_0020460 knockdown suppressed CC cell proliferation, cell migration, cell invasion, angiogenesis, and promoted cell apoptosis. Circ_0020460 functioned as a miR-485-3p sponge to inhibit miR-485-3p level, and the anti-cancer effects mediated by circ_0020460 knockdown were reversed by miR-485-3p inhibitor. MiR-485-3p bound to CXCL1 3ʹ untranslated region (3ʹUTR) to degrade CXCL1 expression, and the anti-cancer effects of miR-485-3p restoration were impaired by CXCL1 overexpression. Circ_0020460 downregulation inhibited CC xenograft tumor growth. These results suggest that circ_0020460 promoted the malignant behavior of CC cells by modulating the miR-485-3p/CXCL1 axis.
Radical Change and Dominant Character of Digital Transformation in Artificial Intelligence Entrepreneurship in Less Innovative Economies
Authors: Bustamante Rafael Palacios , Pérez Xochitl Margarita Cruz , del Pilar Escott-Mota María
Published: March 2024

The company’s rapid adaptation to digital transformation (DT) both in the most innovative economies and in the less innovative economies is one of the topics that keeps the field of innovation studies very busy but also governments. The artificial intelligence (AI) sector is one of the areas that is having the greatest degree of influence due to the effects of DT. While it is true that with DT these companies have a high potential for innovation, it is also true that their business models require a permanent readaptation process with the dynamics and complexity of technological changes. This research contributes to help companies to understand the complexity and dynamics of DT. Through a set of configurations based on the qualitative comparative analysis (QCA) method, it is possible to identify the positioning of the companies in the artificial intelligence sector in relation to this technological pattern. One of the most relevant conclusions is that the construction of configurations related to radical changes allows companies to observe the complexity and dynamics of these changes.
Fractional periodic boundary value and Cauchy problems with Hilfer–Prabhakar operator
Authors: Marynets Kateryna , Tomovski Živorad
Published: March 2024

We introduce a successive approximations method to study one fractional periodic boundary value problem of the Hilfer-Prabhakar type. The problem is associated to the corresponding Cauchy problem, whose solution depends on an unknown initial value. To find this value we numerically solve the so-called ’determining system’ of algebraic or transcendental equations. As a result, we determine an approximate solution of the studied problem, written in a closed form. Finally, we evaluate efficiency of our method on a nonlinear numerical example.
Fast Combat Support Ship HNLMS Zuiderkruis
Authors: Mulder Jantinus
Published: March 2024

HNLMS Zuiderkruis (1975-2012) was the second Fast Combat Support Ship of the Royal Netherlands Navy. It was primarily intended for Replenishment At Sea, fueling task groups and NATO units. As a modern design Zuiderkruis enabled a 'one stop replenishment' and also carried AVCAT, fresh water and spare parts. A helicopter deck facilitated vertical replenishment.
PCE 1604 Series, Frigate Panter
Authors: Mulder Jantinus , Visser Henk
Published: March 2024

The six Frigate Panters were all built in the USA with MDAP funds. They were designed to escort slow coastal convoys in the Channel and North Sea areas and were operated as a single squadron by the Royal Netherlands Navy. They proved useful in a number of peacetime tasks, especially fishery protection, and some retained this role in the North Sea until the mid-1980s.
Guided Missile Frigate Tromp
Authors: Mulder Jantinus , Visser Henk
Published: March 2024

Both Tromp-class frigates entered service in 1975-76. Their primary task was area air defense. They acted as flagships for the COMNLTG (Commander Netherlands Task Group). Their large radome (which housed a 3D radar antenna) is why the ships had the nickname 'Kojak', after the bald-headed actor in the famous crime tv-series.
The Influence of Caregivers and Environmental Education during Childhood on Adult Pro-environmental Motivation and Behaviour
Authors: Ferguson Sarah , Snell Tristan
Published: March 2024

Although individuals are exposed to a variety of pro-environmental influences in childhood, it is unclear which has the biggest impact on adult beliefs and behaviour. The aim of the current study therefore examined how formal sustainability education and childhood caregiver pro-environmental motivations, beliefs and behaviour, influence motivations and behaviours in adulthood. An Australian adult sample (n = 230) completed a survey measuring pro-environmental motivation, anthropogenic climate change beliefs and pro-environmental behaviour. Recollections of childhood caregivers’ anthropogenic climate change beliefs and pro-environmental behaviours, and formal completion of sustainability education were obtained. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis found childhood caregiver pro-environmental behaviour significantly and uniquely predicted pro-environmental behaviour. Moderation analysis found no influence from formal sustainability education on this relationship. Caregiver and individual climate change belief were associated, but caregiver belief was not associated with pro-environmental motivation. No differences in adult pro-environmental behaviour were noted when considering childhood sustainability education. Results suggest transmission of anthropogenic climate change belief and pro-environmental behaviour occurs from childhood caregivers. Comparatively, formal childhood sustainability education was not significant in establishing ongoing pro-environmental behaviour patterns. This research adds to limited existing literature demonstrating caregiver impact on sustained pro-environmental behaviour and provides possible future direction for promoting sustainable behaviour.
Extreme heat wave sampling and prediction with analog Markov chain and comparisons with deep learning
Authors: Miloshevich George , Lucente Dario , Yiou Pascal , Bouchet Freddy
Published: March 2024

We present a data-driven emulator, a stochastic weather generator (SWG), suitable for estimating probabilities of prolonged heat waves in France and Scandinavia. This emulator is based on the method of analogs of circulation to which we add temperature and soil moisture as predictor fields. We train the emulator on an intermediate complexity climate model run and show that it is capable of predicting conditional probabilities (forecasting) of heat waves out of sample. Special attention is payed that this prediction is evaluated using a proper score appropriate for rare events. To accelerate the computation of analogs, dimensionality reduction techniques are applied and the performance is evaluated. The probabilistic prediction achieved with SWG is compared with the one achieved with a convolutional neural network (CNN). With the availability of hundreds of years of training data, CNNs perform better at the task of probabilistic prediction. In addition, we show that the SWG emulator trained on 80 years of data is capable of estimating extreme return times of order of thousands of years for heat waves longer than several days more precisely than the fit based on generalized extreme value distribution. Finally, the quality of its synthetic extreme teleconnection patterns obtained with SWG is studied. We showcase two examples of such synthetic teleconnection patterns for heat waves in France and Scandinavia that compare favorably to the very long climate model control run.
Generalized second order vectorial ∞-eigenvalue problems
Authors: Clark Ed , Katzourakis Nikos
Published: March 2024

We consider the problem of minimizing the

$L^\infty$

norm of a function of the hessian over a class of maps, subject to a mass constraint involving the

$L^\infty$

norm of a function of the gradient and the map itself. We assume zeroth and first order Dirichlet boundary data, corresponding to the “hinged” and the “clamped” cases. By employing the method of

$L^p$

approximations, we establish the existence of a special

$L^\infty$

minimizer, which solves a divergence PDE system with measure coefficients as parameters. This is a counterpart of the Aronsson-Euler system corresponding to this constrained variational problem. Furthermore, we establish upper and lower bounds for the eigenvalue.
The Left Wing Turn to Human Rights in Tunisia
Authors: Schade-Poulsen Marc
Published: March 2024

This article explores the turn to human rights of Tunisian Maoist activists in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Many of these Tunisians later became human rights activists. I argue against prevailing views that ideological changes toward human rights in the late 1970s were the result of paradigmatic ideological shifts or the demise of socialist, anti-imperialist thinking, or an outcome of international human rights norm diffusion. Doubt or loss of faith in some or all parts of Marxism-Leninism led to a diversity of ideological transformations that were complex and hybrid. Drawing on interviews with former Tunisian Maoists, as well as on their writings, the article outlines the political and ideological environment in which they operated. It describes their solidarity work for political prisoners and explores their encounter with Amnesty International as well as the Tunisian League for Human Rights in its first years of existence, showcasing how multiple approaches to human rights existed among the activists.
Biodiversity, multi-level governance, and policy implementation in Europe: a comparative analysis at the subnational level
Authors: Ferraro Gianluca , Failler Pierre
Published: March 2024

International efforts to protect biodiversity date back to the 1970s. The effectiveness of Multilateral Environmental Agreements and regional legal instruments has been influenced by national implementation. In this process, subnational governance plays a crucial role. Although policy implementation has been extensively investigated, its subnational dimension has been somewhat neglected, particularly in peripheral areas such as the Outermost Regions of Europe. These remote territories are critical areas in the global fight against biodiversity loss since their ecosystems’ richness makes them biodiversity hotspots. The article applies the knowledge cumulated in policy research to the implementation of biodiversity policy in two of these territories – Reunion Island (France) and the Canary Islands (Spain) – and analyzes policy implementation in the context of multi-level governance. The article questions whether and to what extent decentralization benefits biodiversity policies and highlights salient trade-offs: local empowerment versus fragmentation of competences; responsiveness versus subnational discretion; and accountability versus policy capture.
Radegund and Amalfrid in The Wife’s Lament
Authors: North Richard
Published: March 2024

Who is the woman in The Wife’s Lament? This essay makes her out to be St Radegund (c. 520–587), deaconess of Sainte-Croix in Poitiers. Reevaluating the narrative syntax mainly of the first half of this poem, the argument finds not the one man conventionally taken to be the woman’s lover or husband in this poem, but four male subjects there whose actions fit the stories of Radegund’s cousin Amalfrid, her husband Clothar, her unnamed but murdered brother, and lastly Lord Jesus. The poet’s main sources are argued to be the two Vitae of St Radegund and the poems of Venantius Fortunatus (c. 530–c. 609), mostly his (and possibly also her) lament De excidio Thoringiae (c. 568). The essay finally claims that The Wife’s Lament is related to the winileodos banned by Charlemagne in 789, and that it was composed in this period as an elegiac riddle for St Radegund.
Precis of The Objects of Credence
Authors: Mahtani Anna
Published: March 2024

The Objects of Credence grew from a simple insight, which is that credence claims are opaque (or ‘hyperintensional’). This central idea can be illustrated using the following example:

(1)

Tom has a high credence that George Orwell is a writer.

(2)

Tom has a low credence that Eric Blair is a writer.
Does Performance Matter? The Influence of Attitudes Towards Welfare State Performance on Voting for Rightwing and Leftwing Populist Parties
Authors: Saxonberg Steven , Sirovátka Tomáš , Guzi Martin
Published: March 2024

In recent decades, populist parties and leaders have obtained great political success. Since populism plays on voter dissatisfaction with the political elite, we might expect that dissatisfaction with the welfare state should also play a role. In this study, we suggest measures to assess welfare state performance (WSP), and we examine how assessment of WSP helps to explain support for the populist political parties – both rightwing and leftwing. Our findings are based on the sixth round of European Social Survey data that has a special module on democracy, which includes questions that enables us to measure WSP. This article shows that WSP is a significant predictor in explaining support for populist parties, but the dynamics differ between how WSP influences support for leftwing populist (LWP) and rightwing populist (RWP) parties.
How did COVID-19 Social Security Measures Resemble Universal Basic Income? A Comparative Study of OECD Countries
Authors: Mäntyneva Päivi , Hiilamo Heikki
Published: March 2024

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, governments were mainly relaying on pre-pandemic policies when introducing changes to social policies. However, the crisis did lead to transformative action as well. In this article, we explored the novel direct payments, delivered beyond existing social risk categories such as unemployment or sickness. Our exploration demonstrates that most Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries did not introduce novel payments. Exceptions were Australia, Chile, Colombia, Denmark, Israel, Italy, Japan, Spain, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Seven countries also continued and modified payments while the crisis continued. All the novel direct payments met some of the characteristics of universal basic income (UBI). The idea of universality was realised in Japan and South Korea. The key findings of this study suggest that the COVID-19-related novel direct payments were primarily emergency benefits for people affected by the pandemic and interpreted as quasi-basic income in times of crisis.