bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Novel NUP85 Variant Expanding the Phenotypic Spectrum of NUP85‐Associated Steroid‐Resistant Nephrotic Syndrome
Authors: Şükür Eda Didem Kurt , Timucin Emel , Baştuğ Turgut , Ozaltin Fatih
Published: February 2025

Steroid‐resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS) is a severe kidney disorder linked to over 60 genes, including NUP85, which plays a key role in nuclear pore function and glomerulogenesis. We identified a novel homozygous NUP85 variant (NM_024844.5: c.1379G > A, p.Arg460Gln) in a pediatric SRNS patient who also presented with cleft lip‐palate and mild intellectual disability, marking the first reported association of these phenotypes with a NUP85 variant. Molecular dynamics simulations revealed that the variant destabilizes the protein's helix bundle, providing mechanistic insights into its potential pathogenic effects. This study broadens the known phenotypic spectrum of NUP85‐related conditions and highlights the value of computational tools, such as molecular dynamics, in unraveling the impact of novel variants.
Can we use integrated total pelvic floor ultrasound as a screening tool in defaecatory pelvic floor dysfunction? A prospective evaluation of the accuracy of integrated total pelvic floor ultrasound compared with defaecation proctography
Authors: Ralston Charlotte , Reena Max , Solanki Deepa , Morris Samantha , Schizas Alexis M. P. , Williams Andrew B. , Hainsworth Alison J.
Published: February 2025

Aim

Pelvic floor dysfunction is common and includes symptoms such as urinary incontinence, pelvic pain, faecal incontinence, obstructive defaecation syndrome symptoms and pelvic organ prolapse. It is investigated with defaecation proctography (DP) and integrated total pelvic floor ultrasound (TPFUS). Whilst DP is currently the gold standard, TPFUS is efficient and less invasive, offering additional sphincter function assessment. This study aimed to compare TPFUS accuracy to DP in the evaluation of pelvic floor dysfunction.

Methods

From 2015 to 2016, a prospective observational study was conducted at Guy's and St Thomas's Foundation Trust. Symptomatic women with incomplete evacuation were consecutively invited to participate. Patients underwent three scans using both TPFUS and DP. Reports were independently verified by a blinded consultant. Sensitivity, specificity and agreement were calculated for anatomical (rectocele, intussusception, enterocele, cystocele) and functional (coordination, evacuation) features.

Results

A total of 216 patients were included. Moderate agreement was seen between DP and TPFUS in prediction of rectoceles (positive predictive value 85%, negative predictive value 67%, Cohen's kappa 0.46) and on the evaluation of dimensions of rectoceles (R coefficient 0.55) (P < 0.0001). Fair agreement was seen in the assessment of propulsion (positive predictive value 76%, negative predictive value 50%, Cohen's kappa 0.25). Poor agreement was observed on other anatomical and functional objectives.

Conclusion

This is the most extensive prospective comparison of these imaging modalities. While there is limited correlation between DP and TPFUS in exploring anatomical and functional aspects of pelvic floor disorders, TPFUS proves to be an effective screening tool. With enhanced expertise and confidence in its use, TPFUS could potentially guide surgical planning rather than solely identifying those needing DP.
Deep Reinforcement Learning Based Flow Aware‐QoS Provisioning in SD‐IoT for Precision Agriculture
Authors: Alenazi Mohammed J. F. , Al‐Khasawneh Mahmoud Ahmad , Rahman Saeedur , Faheem Zaid Bin
Published: February 2025

To meet the demands of modern technologies such as 5G, big data, edge computing, precision, and sustainable agriculture, the combination of Internet‐of‐Things (IoT) with software‐defined networking (SDN) known as SD‐IoT is suggested to automate the network by leveraging the programmable and centralized SDN interfaces. The previous literature has suggested quality‐of‐service (QoS) aware flow processing using manual strategies or heuristic algorithms, however, these schemes proposed with white‐box approaches do not provide effective results as the network scales or dynamic changes are happening. This article proposes a novel QoS provision strategy using deep reinforcement learning (DRL) to calculate the optimal routes autonomously for SD‐IoT traffic. To satisfy the different demands of flows in the SD‐IoT network the flows are divided into two types. Hence, based on their service demand the routes are generated for them as per service request. The scenario is explained with precision agriculture based on SD‐IoT and results are compared with benchmark strategies. A real internet topology is used for the evaluation of results. The results indicated that the proposed method gives improvements for QoS such as delay, throughput, packet loss rate, and jitter compared with benchmark models.
Pre‐Operative Atrial Deformation Indices Predict Post‐Operative Atrial Fibrillation in Patients Undergoing Lung Resection Surgery
Authors: Schäfer Michal , Contreras Nicolas , Ramakrishna Satvik , Zimmerman Joshua M. , Varghese Thomas K. , Mitzman Brian
Published: February 2025

Background

There are no established predictors of post‐operative atrial fibrillation (POAF) in non‐cardiac thoracic surgery. Pre‐operative left atrial imaging has been shown to identify patients with POAF undergoing cardiac surgery. The purpose of this study was to determine whether pre‐operative left atrial strain (LAS) predicts POAF in patients undergoing lung resection.

Methods

One hundred forty‐nine patients who underwent cancer lung resection were retrospectively analyzed. Pre‐operative imaging involved conventional transthoracic echocardiography with comprehensive speckle‐tracking strain. The additional advanced LAS analysis involved three components of atrial function: reservoir, conduit, and booster.

Results

POAF occurred in 17 (11.4%) patients. We found no differences in demographics and peri‐operative variables. Patients with POAF were more likely to have atrial fibrillation history (6.8% vs. 29.4%, p = 0.003). Preoperative imaging analysis revealed an increased LA volume index in patients with POAF (25.9 ± 8.8 vs. 32.3 ± 11.9 mL/m2, p = 0.046). All three components of LAS were reduced in the POAF group. The most prominent reduction was reservoir–compliance strain (35.5% ± 4.6% vs. 24.2% ± 6.6%, p < 0.001), then conduit strain (–18.3% ± 8.7% vs. –12.6% ± 4.7%, p < 0.001), and booster strain (–18.3% ± 8.7% vs. –12.6% ± 4.7%, p < 0.001). On univariable analysis, LAS reservoir strain was associated with POAF status (OR: 0.86 [95% CI: 0.78–0.92]), with a c‐index of 0.81. Optimized multivariable model considering left atrial volume index, reservoir LAS, and atrial fibrillation history improved c‐statistic to 0.880.

Conclusion

Reduced LAS metrics are more specific and sensitive than conventional demographics and standard echocardiography in predicting POAF. Preoperative LA imaging might aid with identifying patients undergoing lung resection who are high‐risk and benefit from prophylactic therapy.
Stronger Response of Plant N:P to Nitrogen Enrichment When Considering Roots
Authors: Ning Yu , Dijkstra Feike A. , Liang Xiao‐Sa , Zhang Xiao‐Jing , Yang Guo‐Jiao , Jiang Liang‐Chao , Han Xing‐Guo , Lü Xiao‐Tao
Published: February 2025

Nitrogen (N) enrichment leads to an imbalance of N and phosphorus (P) in plants by enhancing plant N:P, with consequences for ecosystem processes and function. However, the evidence for a plant N–P imbalance is predominantly from studies on aboveground tissues. It remains unclear whether imbalanced aboveground responses would be paralleled by similar responses in roots, which contribute to nearly 70% of total biomass in grasslands globally. We measured community‐level N:P stoichiometry of both shoots and roots to 1 m depth across a wide‐ranging N addition gradient in a temperate steppe after 7–9 years of treatment. Both shoot N:P (SNP) and root N:P (RNP) showed nonlinear responses to increasing N addition rates, where N:P first increased and then saturated. RNP was significantly higher than SNP and saturated at higher N addition rates than SNP (39.0 vs. 16.8 g N m−2 yr.−1). Furthermore, the inter‐annual stability of RNP was higher than that of SNP. Consequently, N:P in whole plants was higher than that in shoots, indicating more severe N–P imbalance than based on shoot measurements only. Previous results from aboveground parts might have underestimated the enhancement of N enrichment on plant N:P. Our results imply that belowground food webs with roots as their food resource would be more severely suffering from N–P imbalance than aboveground food webs.
The Vices of Modernity: A Reply to ‘A Barthian Critique of Schleiermacher's Doctrine of God’
Authors: Pedersen Daniel J.
Published: February 2025

There is a longstanding critique of Schleiermacher's theology which claims that, due to his account of the divine attributes, we cannot truly speak about God, but only about ourselves. This essay aims to refute this charge – often couched in charges of ‘subjectivism’ or ‘nominalism’ – by direct engagement with a recent and clear articulation of this line of criticism in the spirit of Karl Barth. This essay specifically addresses three main sub‐charges: one, that Schleiermacher denies knowledge of God; two, that he is a causal skeptic in the line of Hume or Kant; and three, that his doctrine of the divine attributes only aims to speak of our consciousness, and not of God. This essay demonstrates that all three sub‐charges are false. This essay then shows how all three of Schleiermacher's views on these matters can be found in a signal Reformed Scholastic thinker, demonstrating that Schleiermacher's views on the doctrine of God are distinctly modern only by selectively, not wholly, parting from his ancient, medieval and early modern forebears.
Icariin Induces Chondrocyte Degeneration via Activation of the NF‐κB Signalling Pathway and Reduces the Inflammation Factor Expression Induced by Lipopolysaccharide
Authors: Zhai Tianjun , Wang Jie , Chen Yeping , Su Jianqing , Feng Wei
Published: February 2025

To investigate the effect of icariin on chondrocytes by activating the nuclear factor kappa‐B (NF‐κB) signalling pathway and the mechanism of icariin in inducing chondrocytes degeneration. Chondrocytes were cultured in vitro and treated with icariin at concentrations of 0, 0.01, 0.1, 10 and 20 μm. Cell proliferation was evaluated by cell counting kit‐8 (CCK8) method, apoptosis was detected by TUNEL method and the expression of NF‐κB was detected by Western blotting (WB) and RT‐PCR. The nuclear localization of NF‐κB p65 protein was observed by immunofluorescence staining. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was used to establish the inflammatory model, and WB and RT‐PCR were used to detect the expression levels of tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) and interleukin‐6 (IL‐6). After treatment with icariin, the proliferation ability of chondrocytes was markedly enhanced, and the apoptosis rate (AR) was markedly decreased (p < 0.05). In addition, icariin could inhibit the nuclear translocation of NF‐κB p65 protein, promote the gene expression of Collagen II (Col‐II) and Aggrecan in chondrocytes, and reduce the expression of NF‐κB. Moreover, icariin markedly reduced the expression of IL‐6 and TNF‐α in LPS‐induced inflammation (p < 0.05). Icariin can enhance chondrocyte proliferation, promote phenotypic gene expression by inhibiting the NF‐κB signal transduction pathways, thus suppressing the chondrocyte degeneration, and can reduce the inflammation factor expression induced by LPS.
Multiple roles of NAC transcription factors in plant development and stress responses
Authors: Xiong Haiyan , He Haidong , Chang Yu , Miao Binbin , Liu Zhiwei , Wang Qianqian , Dong Faming , Xiong Lizhong
Published: February 2025

NAC (NAM, ATAF1/2, and CUC2) transcription factors (TFs) are a family of plant‐specific TFs that play crucial roles in various aspects of plant development and stress responses. Here, we provide an in‐depth review of the structural characteristics, regulatory mechanisms, and functional roles of NACs in different plant species. One of the key features of NACs is their ability to regulate gene expression through a variety of mechanisms, including binding to DNA sequences in the promoter regions of target genes, interacting with other TFs, and modulating chromatin structure. We discuss these mechanisms in detail, providing insights into the complex regulatory networks that govern the activity of NACs. We explore the diverse functions of these TFs in plant growth and development processes, including embryogenesis, seed development, root and shoot development, floral development and fruit ripening, secondary cell wall formation, and senescence. We also discuss the diverse regulatory roles of NACs in response to various stresses, including drought, flooding, heat, cold, salinity, nutrient deficit, and diseases. Lastly, we emphasize the crosstalk role of NACs between developmental processes and stress responses. This integrated perspective highlights how NACs orchestrate plant growth and resilience. Overall, this review provides a comprehensive overview of the pivotal roles of NACs in plant development and stress responses, emphasizing their potential for engineering stress‐resistant crops and enhancing agricultural productivity.
The Supramolecular Architecture of Mitochondrial Complex I in the Rat Brain Is Altered by Alzheimer's‐Like Cerebral Amyloidosis
Authors: Novack Gisela V. , Galeano Pablo , Defelipe Lucas A. , Campanelli Lorenzo , Campuzano Karen S. , Rotondaro Cecilia , Castaño Eduardo M. , Do Carmo Sonia , Cuello A. Claudio , García‐Alai María M. , Morelli Laura
Published: February 2025

Mitochondrial respiratory complexes are organized into supercomplexes (SC) to regulate electron flow and mitigate oxidative stress. Alterations in SC organization in the brain may affect energy expenditure, oxidative stress, and neuronal survival. In this report, we investigated the amount, activity and organization of mitochondrial complex I (CI) in the hippocampus of 12‐month‐old McGill‐R‐Thy1‐APP transgenic (Tg) rats, an animal model of Alzheimer's‐like cerebral amyloidosis. By means of BN‐PAGE, we found that the organization of SC did not differ between genotypes, but a lower abundance of SC was detected in Tg compared to wild‐type (WT) rats. Using a more sensitive technique (2‐D electrophoresis followed by Western blot), higher levels of free CI and a decrease in the relative abundance of assembled CI in SC (I‐III2 and I‐III2‐IV) were observed in Tg rats. In‐gel activity assays showed that the total activity of CI (CI + SC‐CI) is lower in Tg compared to WT, while Tg samples show a significant decrease in SC‐CI‐associated activity. This alteration in CI assembly was associated with nitro‐oxidative stress and changes in mitochondrial fusion‐fission parameters. To assess CI composition, we applied LC–MS/MS to the isolated CI from BN‐PAGE and found that 11 of 45 subunits described in mammals were found to be less abundant in Tg. We examined the levels of the nuclear‐derived NDUFA9 subunit, which is critical for CI assembly, and found higher levels in the cytoplasmic fraction and lower levels in the mitochondrial fraction in Tg, suggesting that brain amyloidosis affects the import of CI subunits from the cytosol to the mitochondria, destabilizing the SC. This is the first report to characterize the types, abundance and activity of SC in the hippocampus of an animal model of cerebral amyloidosis, providing additional experimental evidence for the molecular mechanisms underlying the brain bioenergetic deficit characteristic of Alzheimer's disease.

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Relationship Between Teachers' Interpersonal Behavior and Students' Motivation to Form and Maintain Relationships with Their Teachers
Authors: Nakai Daisuke , Kakihana Shinichiro
Published: February 2025

Research on specific teacher behaviors that influence students' initiative to form relationships with them is scarce. Applying the self‐determination theory perspective, this study examined the relationship between teachers' need‐supportive or need‐thwarting behaviors and students' motivation to form and maintain relationships with their teachers. A total of 408 junior high school students were surveyed using the Japanese version of the Interpersonal Behaviors Questionnaire and the Motivation Scale for Forming and Maintaining Relationships with Teachers. Structural equation modeling was used to separately examine models wherein teachers' need‐supportive and need‐thwarting behaviors are related to students' motivation to form and maintain relationships with their teachers. The main findings were that (a) teachers' “competence support” and “relatedness support” positively relate to students' “intrinsic regulation” and “identified regulation”; (b) teachers' “autonomy thwarting” positively relates to students' “introjected regulation” and “external regulation”; and (c) teachers' “relatedness thwarting” negatively relates to students' “intrinsic regulation” and “identified regulation.” This study revealed some specific teacher behaviors related to students' motivation to form and maintain relationships with their teachers from a self‐determination theory perspective.
Effects of different seedstrings on the nursery of Pyropia yezoensis
Authors: Xing Qikun , Hwang Jeong Hwa , Jung Jae Woo , Park Ji‐Sook , Yarish Charles , Clough Norman , Heo Jin Suk , Kim Jang K.
Published: February 2025

Seedstring cultivation is a fundamental method for Pyropia yezoensis aquaculture, as it provides an artificial substrate for the attachment of P. yezoensis spores and growth of gametophytes. This method has been widely used in the P. yezoensis aquaculture all over the world because of its convenience for seaweed management and harvest. However, the composition and types of seedstrings vary in different countries. Little is known about the effect of different seedstrings in terms of spore attachment and early development of gametophytes in P. yezoensis. In this study, four types of commercially available seedstrings from Korea (KR), China (CN), and Japan (JP1 and 2) and three new seedstring types developed by W.L. Gore & Associates, Inc. (Gore A, B, and C) were compared in terms of seeding density, growth rate, and biomass yield. Our results show that the Gore C seedstring had the highest seeding density and yield among all seedstrings. The Gore B had the lowest seeding density and yield. The Gore A and B seedstrings had the highest growth rate at early stages in development. The CN and KR seedstring showed lower growth rates than the other seedstring types. A comprehensive evaluation shows that the Gore C seedstring type had the best performance among all seven seedstrings under laboratory conditions. Future studies are needed to test the performance of the seedstrings on Pyropia farms.
Material Semiotic Narratives of Finnishness Through a Mundane Object: The Case of the Plastic Bucket
Authors: Onali Alma
Published: February 2025

This article explores how Finnishness is constructed in media texts with and through plastic buckets. By so doing, the article contributes to research on materiality and nationalism through examining the role of a mundane object instead of official national symbols. It also examines the material and cultural influence of plastics in contemporary society. The data consist of 211 media texts published between 2012 and 2023. Through analysing the affective material semiotics of the bucket phenomenon in these texts, I have identified three narratives that aim to define Finnishness and offer national subject positions in relation to buckets. I call the narratives (1) a glorifying narrative, (2) a demeaning narrative and (3) an affirmative narrative. The article argues that the free plastic bucket has become an unofficial national symbol of Finnish culture and that the symbolic values are closely entangled with the materiality of buckets and embodied bucket‐related practices.
Validation of real‐time viewing distance and ambient illumination measurement with two wearable sensors
Authors: Sarkar Samrat , Khuu Sieu K. , Vera‐Diaz Fuensanta A. , Kang Pauline
Published: February 2025

Purpose

To report the repeatability and accuracy of viewing distance and ambient illumination measured with the Vivior and Clouclip wearable sensors in a controlled laboratory setting and while young adults performed different near visual tasks.

Methods

For Study 1, viewing distance and ambient illumination were measured repeatedly for 2 days with two sensors mounted on a mannequin. Results were compared with standard measures (ruler, lux meter) using linear regression and Bland–Altman analysis. In Study 2, viewing distances were captured in 13 young adults while they performed four near tasks for 20 min each (reading a printed article, reading an article on an iPad, typing on a laptop or watching videos on an iPad) under three illuminations (500, 250 and 25 lux). Results were compared between the devices and with a standard ruler and differences tested statistically using ANOVA and Tukey's multiple comparison tests.

Results

In Study 1, a positive linear relationship was observed between viewing distances measured by each sensor and the standard ruler (mean [SD] difference of −0.12 cm [0.23] for Vivior, −0.18 cm [0.51] for Clouclip), with good repeatability (mean [SD] difference between 2 days was 0.02 cm [0.24] for Vivior, −0.14 cm [0.35] for Clouclip). A positive linear relationship was also observed between illumination measured by each sensor and the luxmeter (mean [SD] difference of −16.85 lux [325.5] for Vivior, 39.12 lux [335.6] for Clouclip). In Study 2, the viewing distances during the four near tasks were not significantly different between the three methods used. Shorter working distances were measured with all methods when reading a printed article compared to typing on a laptop and watching a video on the iPad (all p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Vivior and Clouclip are recommended for real‐time capture of near vision duration, distance and light exposure in future studies aiming to understand the effect of habitual visual environment.
OsLC1, a transaldolase, regulates cell patterning and leaf morphology through modulation of secondary metabolism
Authors: Wu Sha , Tian Lianfu , Guo Shasha , Lei Han , Zhao Xinjie , Hao Xiaohua , Li Shaozhuang , Xie Zijing , Hu Wenli , Huang Liqun , Tan Ying , Long Xueying , Li Dongping
Published: February 2025

Leaf morphogenesis is a crucial process in plants that governs essential physiological functions such as photosynthesis and transpiration. Despite significant advances in understanding leaf development, the mechanism of intricate cellular patterning remains elusive. We characterize the OsLC1 mutant, which displays a curly leaf phenotype alongside reductions in plant height and tiller number, which are indicative of multiple morphological abnormalities. Through map‐based cloning, we identified OsLC1 as encoding a transaldolase (TA) protein, whose genetic variations in OsLC1 lead to the disruptions of cell patterning across the vasculature, bundle sheath cells, mesophyll, stomata, bulliform cells and sclerenchyma cells. OsLC1 exhibited TA activity and modulated metabolic flux to the shikimic pathway, thereby affecting phenylpropanoid metabolism. This regulation influenced lignin and flavonoid biosynthesis, ultimately modulating cellular pattern formation through perturbations to flavonoid‐mediated auxin or lignin homeostasis. Notably, loss of OsLC1 function led to a reduction in leaf water status, which, along with abnormal cellular patterns in oslc1, caused leaf curling. Overall, our findings provide insights into the regulatory mechanisms underlying cell patterning in the leaf and offer valuable perspectives on leaf morphogenesis in rice.
Identification, Sequencing and Genetic Diversity of Zucchini Tigre Mosaic Virus Infecting Cucurbita Species in Argentina
Authors: Carivali M. Florencia Brugo , Luciani Cecilia E. , Celli Marcos Giovani , Olmos Sofia Eugenia , Obregon Veronica G. , Silva Milagros I. , Fernandez Franco D. , Mederos Dariel Cabrera , Perotto María Cecilia
Published: February 2025

Cucurbit crops are constantly threatened by viral diseases. In Argentina, five potyviruses have been identified, including the recently discovered zucchini tigre mosaic virus (ZTMV). This study aimed to evaluate the molecular epidemiology of ZTMV. The virus was identified and characterised using molecular techniques including reverse transcription‐PCR, Sanger sequencing and Oxford Nanopore sequencing. Eighteen coat protein (CP) sequences and one complete genome sequence were obtained. Phylogenetically, the new Argentine isolates formed their own clade separated from all other ZTMV isolates. Population genetic analyses of CP sequences revealed high haplotype diversity and moderate‐to‐high nucleotide diversity across phylogroups. This region was under a strong negative selection. Neutrality tests were not statistically significant. The genetic differentiation parameters were statistically significant, indicating that ZTMV phylogenetic groups were different and supporting the proposed novel structure. Moreover, an infrequent gene flow between populations was observed. Haplotype analysis of 63 CP sequences revealed 54 distinct haplotypes, 15 of which originated from Argentina with a high number of mutations between clusters. The network grouped the haplotypes in the same clusters as those observed in the phylogenetic tree. One event of intraspecific recombination was found, which encompassed P1 and HC‐Pro coding regions. The results obtained suggest that Argentine ZTMV populations have developed an evolutionary strategy characterised by low genetic diversity, low mutation rates and intraspecific recombination. All these strategies contribute to the virus adaptation to survival in new environments and hosts.
Hidden Brain States Reveal the Temporal Dynamics of Neural Oscillations During Metaphor Generation and Their Role in Verbal Creativity
Authors: Yu Yuhua , Krebs Lindsay , Beeman Mark , Lai Vicky T.
Published: February 2025

We investigated the oscillatory brain processes while people generated metaphors for science concepts. Applying a hidden Markov model, we extracted brain states, representing temporally disentangled oscillatory processes, from EEG data. By associating the trial‐by‐trial occupancy of brain states with the creative quality, novelty, and aptness of the generated metaphors, we identified oscillatory processes that played a role in creative ideation in a data‐driven manner. Metaphor novelty was positively associated with occupancy in a state featuring widespread alpha‐band synchronization during the early trial stage and occupancy in a state featuring alpha‐band desynchronization during the later trial stage. In addition, metaphor novelty was negatively associated with gamma‐band power. Our results not only extend previous literature on the role of oscillatory processes in creative ideation but also highlight the importance of temporal dynamics in understanding the brain mechanisms during sustained cognitive task performance.
Comparative Effects of Facemask Therapy and Anteroposterior TransForce Appliance in Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate (UCLP) Patients With Developing Class III Malocclusion: A Single‐Center Prospective Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Hari A Vishnuprasad , Batra Puneet , Mohan Stuti , Juneja Achint , Talwar Aditya , Sood Sundereshwar C.
Published: February 2025

Objective

To comparatively evaluate the effects of Sagittal TransForce appliance and Tooth borne Facemask appliance in Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate patients.

Setting

Single‐center prospective randomized clinical trial conducted in a hospital setting.

Sample Population

Patients from the age group of 7–12 years with a repaired complete Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate (UCLP) and GOSLON score of 3 requiring maxillary protraction and preparation for secondary alveolar bone grafting were selected for the study.

Materials and Methods

Patients were randomly divided into two groups of 18 patients each. Group I patients received tooth‐borne Facemask therapy with Alt‐RAMEC protocol and Group II received Sagittal TransForce appliance. Cone‐beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans were done before (T0) and at the end of the active treatment (T1). Two lateral cephalograms were obtained from CBCT scans at the Pretreatment stage (T0) and Posttreatment stage (T1).

Result

In patients treated with the TransForce appliance, a statistically significant difference was found in dental parameters like U1‐NA angular (7.67° ± 1.49), U1‐NA linear (2.01 ± 1.82 mm) measurement and U1‐SN (13.98° ± 6.82), whereas in the Face mask group, skeletal parameters were found to be statistically significant, such as SNA angle (3.020 ± 1.72) and convexity at point A (3.260 ± 0.27). Pitchfork analysis shows 80% dental changes and 20% skeletal changes for the TransForce group whereas 41% dental and 58% skeletal changes for the Facemask group.

Conclusion

While overjet correction was observed in both groups. Tooth‐borne facemask with Alt‐RAMEC protocol seemed to be effective in improving mild to moderate skeletal discrepancy whereas the Transforce appliance seemed to be effective in improving the dental profile of the patients.
Making air pollution legible: Environmental‐health data and the naturalization of the smoky season in Northern Thailand†
Authors: Mostafanezhad Mary , Vaddhanaphuti Chaya , Evrard Olivier
Published: February 2025

Air pollution is one of the most significant environmental threats to human health, causing over seven million premature deaths annually, with two‐thirds occurring in the Asia‐Pacific region. Each year, from February to April, northern Thailand experiences some of the world's worst air quality. The region's seasonal air pollution is primarily blamed on biomass burning from maize cultivation in the highlands and is perceived to have deteriorated over the past two decades. However, official data only partially supports these claims, while local knowledge often counters them. Drawing on ethnographic research between 2019 and 2024, we trace how the ‘smoky season’ evolved into the ‘haze crisis’ through wide‐ranging interpretations of air pollution data that facilitated the delegitimation of local environmental management practices. We argue that while air pollution is broadly recognized as a significant environmental health crisis, solutions are often framed as technocratic challenges rather than problems that require a fundamental restructuring of socioeconomic relations of production. This paper contributes to ongoing debates at the nexus of political ecology and science and technology studies (STS) on the social production of environmental‐health data and its consequences for environmental justice.
Pro‐Inflammatory Cytokines in Aqueous Humor From ADAMTS10‐Mutant Beagles at an Early Stage of Open‐Angle Glaucoma
Authors: Collins Elisabeth , Harman Christine D. , Jacobson Amanda L. , Mehaffy Carolina , Love Kim R. , Komáromy András M. , de Linde Henriksen Michala
Published: February 2025

Objective

To investigate the level of pro‐inflammatory cytokines in aqueous humor from ADAMTS10‐mutant research Beagles at an early stage of open‐angle glaucoma (OAG).

Animals Studied

Twenty‐four research Beagles were enrolled into this case‐controlled study. Three groups of ADAMTS10‐mutant research Beagles were enrolled in this study: (1) Intraocular pressure (IOP) 15–25 mmHg (normotensive IOP), (2) IOP 25–30 mmHg, and (3) IOP 30–36 mmHg. An unaffected control group of Beagles that were either ADAMTS10‐wildtype (WT) or heterozygote‐carrier with normotensive IOPs were also enrolled.

Procedures

Aqueous humor samples were collected and analyzed for 16 pro‐inflammatory cytokines using the Canine Cytokine SpikeMix and target mass spectrometry via multiple reaction monitoring (MRM‐MS). Statistical differences between the four groups' pro‐inflammatory cytokines, as well as correlations between pro‐inflammatory cytokines and IOPs, were analyzed using Kruskal‐Wallis tests and Spearman's rho (ρ) correlations, respectively.

Results

IOP 15–25 mmHg (n = 8); IOP 25–30 mmHg (n = 6); IOP 30–36 mmHg (n = 5); and Control (WT n = 3, carrier n = 2, total n = 5). There were no differences between pro‐inflammatory cytokines across the four groups (all p‐values > 0.05). IL‐13 had a moderate positive correlation with IOP, but was non‐significant (ρ = 0.373, p = 0.073); IL‐1β had a moderate negative correlation with IOP but was also non‐significant (ρ = −0.344, p = 0.100). All other pro‐inflammatory cytokines had only mild correlation with IOPs (|ρ| < 0.229, p > 0.05).

Conclusions

There were no significant changes in the investigated pro‐inflammatory cytokines with elevated IOP in canine ADAMTS10‐OAG.
Separability properties of higher rank GBS groups
Authors: Lopez de Gamiz Zearra Jone , Shepherd Sam
Published: February 2025

A rank generalized Baumslag–Solitar group is a group that splits as a finite graph of groups such that all vertex and edge groups are isomorphic to . In this paper, we classify these groups in terms of their separability properties. Specifically, we determine when they are residually finite, subgroup separable, and cyclic subgroup separable.
Action of W$W$‐type operators on Schur functions and Schur Q‐functions
Authors: Liu Xiaobo , Yang Chenglang
Published: February 2025

In this paper, we investigate a series of W‐type differential operators, which appear naturally in the symmetry algebras of KP and BKP hierarchies. In particular, they include all operators in the W‐constraints for tau‐functions of higher KdV hierarchies that satisfy the string equation. We will give simple uniform formulas for actions of these operators on all ordinary Schur functions and Schur Q‐functions. As applications of such formulas, we will give new simple proofs for Alexandrov's conjecture and Mironov–Morozov's formula, which express the Brézin–Gross–Witten and Kontsevich–Witten tau‐functions as linear combinations of Q‐functions with simple coefficients, respectively.
Nonuniqueness of normalized ground states for nonlinear Schrödinger equations on metric graphs
Authors: Dovetta Simone
Published: February 2025

We establish general nonuniqueness results for normalized ground states of nonlinear Schrödinger equations with power nonlinearity on metric graphs. Basically, we show that, whenever in the ‐subcritical regime a graph hosts ground states at every mass, for nonlinearity powers close to the ‐critical exponent , there is at least one value of the mass for which ground states are nonunique. As a consequence, we also show that, for all such graphs and nonlinearities, there exist action ground states that are not normalized ground states.
Hook‐lengths, symplectic/orthogonal contents and Amdeberhan's conjectures
Authors: Yang Chenglang
Published: February 2025

The symplectic/orthogonal contents of partitions are related to the dimensions of irreducible representations of symplectic/orthogonal groups. In 2012, motivated by Nekrasov–Okounkov's hook‐length formula and Stanley's hook‐content formula, Amdeberhan proposed several conjectures about infinite product formulas for certain generating functions of hook‐lengths and symplectic/orthogonal contents. Some special cases of his conjectures were recently proved by Amdeberhan, Andrews and Ballantine. In this paper, we prove the general cases of Amdeberhan's conjectures.
Integrity Issues for Underground Gas Storage Wells
Authors: Kaya Gorkem , Dahi Taleghani Arash
Published: February 2025

Underground gas storage (UGS) well integrity presents significant challenges for environmental safety and operational reliability, particularly in aging infrastructure. This comprehensive review synthesizes the current understanding of zonal isolation issues in UGS wells, analyzing mechanical failures, thermal cycling effects, and chemical degradation mechanisms that compromise wellbore integrity. Through analysis of field data from global UGS facilities, we identify that 55% of well component failures occur in casings and 32.5% in wellheads, with corrosion and human intervention as primary causes. Laboratory studies reveal that conventional cement formulations show limited effectiveness under cyclic loading conditions, radial stress increases linearly from 17 MPa to 24 MPa during operational cycles, which can lead to the formation of micro-annuli at cement interfaces. Our analysis of thermal cycling effects demonstrates that cement sheaths in sandstone formations exhibit significant degradation after 20 cycles, while shale formations show better stability. Field observations indicate that reducing plug length from 200 m to 100 m increases leakage rates by approximately 60%, highlighting the critical relationship between cement barrier design and containment effectiveness. We evaluate emerging solutions, including nano-enhanced cement and shape-memory polymers, finding variable field performance despite promising laboratory results, particularly in high-salinity environments. The study presents a novel risk-based approach for optimizing cement barrier designs, considering reservoir characteristics, gas properties, and operational conditions. These findings provide crucial insights for improving UGS well integrity, particularly for those wells that were not originally planned for gas storage.
Independent Validation of Sedentary Time and Physical Activity Intensity Accelerometer Algorithms in Adolescents
Authors: Sirard John R. , Kumar Tanusree , Marcotte Robert T. , Chase John , Cox Melanna F. , Amalbert-Birriel Marcos , Staudenmayer John W.
Published: February 2025

Few accelerometer data processing methods target adolescents, and the appropriateness of child or adult methods in adolescent samples is not clear. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to validate commonly used youth and adult methods for processing accelerometer data into intensity categories in a sample of 13- to 17-year-old adolescents, using free-living direct observation as the criterion measure. Methods: N = 42 (mean ± SD; age = 15.2 ± 1.5 years, 50% male) engaged in their usual behaviors during four 1-hr video-recorded free-living sessions. Participants simultaneously wore right hip and nondominant wrist accelerometers, both sampling at 80 Hz. Videos were annotated for all changes in behaviors lasting ≥1 s, and age-adjusted metabolic equivalent values categorized sedentary behavior, light, moderate, vigorous, as well as moderate and vigorous physical activity. Accelerometer data were processed using 12 youth and nine adult methods, then synchronized with the video annotations. Agreement statistics, bias with 95% confidence interval, and mean absolute percent error were calculated for minutes spent in each intensity category. Results: No method was unbiased for all intensity categories. The Crouter 2015 youth wrist (vertical axis and vector magnitude) methods and the Hildebrand 2014 adult hip method were not biased for moderate physical activity, vigorous physical activity, or moderate and vigorous physical activity. Several other youth and adult methods were unbiased for sedentary behavior, including those using the 100 counts/min hip cut point. Conclusion: No youth or adult method accurately classified all intensity categories in this sample of adolescents. Additional methods need to be independently validated or developed to provide a method or a set of compatible methods that can work across life stage transitions.
We’re Hiring! Preparing Students for Sport Industry Employment Through an Exploration of Current Hiring Practices
Authors: Sattler Liz , LeCrom Carrie , Achen Rebecca M.
Published: February 2025

Hiring entry-level employees has become more challenging in recent years. This is particularly true for sport organizations, who often struggle to compete with other industries offering more-flexible and better-paying work opportunities. Thus, it is imperative at this time to better understand the hiring practices of sport organizations and to explore potential challenges and opportunities. While prior sport management scholarship has explored hiring criteria and skills sought by practitioners, few studies have focused on the hiring process itself. This study attempts to fill that gap through qualitative interviews with 38 active sport industry hiring managers. Data analysis revealed three major themes related to hiring: difficulty in hiring, subjectivity of hiring decisions, and conventional hiring process. Implications for sport practitioners and sport management faculty are provided.
Chronic exposure to glucocorticoids amplifies inhibitory neuron cell fate during human neurodevelopment in organoids
Authors: Dony Leander , Krontira Anthi C. , Kaspar Lea , Ahmad Ruhel , Demirel Ilknur Safak , Grochowicz Malgorzata , Schäfer Tim , Begum Fatema , Sportelli Vincenza , Raimundo Catarina , Koedel Maik , Labeur Marta , Cappello Silvia , Theis Fabian J. , Cruceanu Cristiana , Binder Elisabeth B.
Published: February 2025

Disruptions in the tightly regulated process of human brain development have been linked to increased risk for brain and mental illnesses. While the genetic contribution to these diseases is well established, important environmental factors have been less studied at molecular and cellular levels. Here, we used single-cell and cell type–specific techniques to investigate the effect of glucocorticoid (GC) exposure, a mediator of antenatal environmental risk, on gene regulation and lineage specification in unguided human neural organoids. We characterized the transcriptional response to chronic GC exposure during neural differentiation and studied the underlying gene regulatory networks by integrating single-cell transcriptomics with chromatin accessibility data. We found lasting cell type–specific changes that included autism risk genes and several transcription factors associated with neurodevelopment. Chronic GC exposure influenced lineage specification primarily by priming the inhibitory neuron lineage through transcription factors like
PBX3
. We provide evidence for convergence of genetic and environmental risk factors through a common mechanism of altering lineage specification.
Artificial intelligence–powered 3D analysis of video-based caregiver-child interactions
Authors: Weng Zhenzhen , Bravo-Sánchez Laura , Wang Zeyu , Howard Christopher , Xenochristou Maria , Meister Nicole , Kanazawa Angjoo , Milstein Arnold , Bergelson Elika , Humphreys Kathryn L. , Sanders Lee M. , Yeung-Levy Serena
Published: February 2025

We introduce HARMONI, a three-dimensional (3D) computer vision and audio processing method for analyzing caregiver-child behavior and interaction from observational videos. HARMONI operates at subsecond resolution, estimating 3D mesh representations and spatial interactions of humans, and adapts to challenging natural environments using an environment-targeted synthetic data generation module. Deployed on 500 hours from the SEEDLingS dataset, HARMONI generates detailed quantitative measurements of 3D human behavior previously unattainable through manual efforts or 2D methods. HARMONI identifies longitudinal trends in child-caregiver interaction, including child movement, body pose, dyadic touch, visibility, and conversational turns. The integrated visual and audio analysis further reveals multimodal trends, including associations between child conversational turns and movement. Open-sourced for large-scale analysis, HARMONI facilitates advancements in human development research. HARMONI achieves 63 to 80% consistency on key attributes with human annotators on SEEDLingS and 84 to 93% consistency on videos taken from a laboratory setting while achieving >100 times savings in time.
Switching polariton screening in MoS
2
microcavity toward polaritonics
Authors: Mondal Ashok , Biswas Chandan , Ghising Pramod , Moon Byoung Hee , Kim Ki Kang , Lee Young Hee
Published: February 2025

Despite the known behaviors of exciton-polariton in van der Waals transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), achieving electrical control over these polaritons remains a challenge, particularly for manipulating multiple polariton states and further tuning polariton screening in polaritonics. Here, we identify various polariton states via electrical bias within a monolayer of n-type MoS
2
. The MoS
2
channel was squeezed within a distributed Bragg reflector microcavity which was combined with a transparent graphene gate-electrode and a hexagonal boron nitride insulator. We observe trion polaritons with distinct lower polariton branch (LPB) and upper polariton branch (UPB). This allows us to modulate the intensity and energy switchings via gate bias: At gate bias below threshold voltage, both polaritons are decoupled, and above threshold voltage, they are coupled to form LPB-UPB pair, and at high bias, complex polaritons (CPB) emerge due to polariton screening, a phenomenon consistent with Rabi splitting. Further, we observe a peculiar nonlinearity at intermediate power regime.
In situ albumin tagging for targeted imaging of endothelial barrier disruption
Authors: Dang Zetao , Zheng Xue , Gao Yanli , Du Yijing , Zhang Yuewei , Zhu Shoujun
Published: February 2025

The endothelial barrier (EB) is a critical component of the body’s homeostatic mechanisms, thus developing effective imaging techniques to visualize its integrity is essential. The EB disruption is accompanied by the alternations in permeability and even the breakdown of tight junctions (TJs), leading to the leakage of albumin; thus, albumin can serve as a biomarker for EB disruption. Herein, we develop an albumin-specific, covalently tagged near-infrared II (NIR-II) dye, with its high selectivity for endogenous albumin, for targeted imaging EB disruption. Our albumin-tagging dye serves as a chromophore to construct NIR-II fluorescent proteins in situ, with substantially improved brightness. Thus, through in situ dye tagging of endogenous albumin as the efficient “targeting agent,” we can precisely image disruptions in various endothelial barriers. Unlike the traditional exogenous targeting agents (e.g., dye-labeled antibodies) with enzymatic degradation or immune system capture issues, in situ albumin tagging demonstrates superhigh performance for targeted imaging.
Squalene acts as a feedback signaling molecule in facilitating bidirectional communication between tea plants
Authors: Jin Jieyang , Zhao Mingyue , Yu Keke , Zhang Mengting , Wang Jingming , Hu Yutong , Guo Danyang , Wang Kai , Wang Qiang , Cui Jilai , Liu Yuantao , Jing Tingting , Schwab Wilfried , Song Chuankui
Published: February 2025

Plants respond to environmental stimuli by releasing volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which play diverse roles in plant-to-plant interactions. Previous studies have primarily focused on how receiving plants respond. However, little is known about how these receivers communicate back to the emitter plants and their subsequent impacts. Our findings indicated increased plant tolerance when neighboring plants were present, suggesting bidirectional plant communication. Furthermore, we established a model to explore the role of signals from receiver plants, identifying squalene as a crucial feedback signal enhancing the cold tolerance in emitter plants by up-regulating
CsCBF5
expression. Further analysis using yeast one-hybrid analysis coupled with inhibition of brassinosteroid pathways suggested that squalene-induced castasterone (CS) accumulation directly activated
CsCBF5
expression modulated by
CsBES1/BZR1
. Overall, these results demonstrated the role of the squalene-CS-
BES1/BZR1
-
CBF5
pathway in the bidirectional communication between plants, expanding our understanding of plant interactions.