bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mechanism of rockburst induced by the microseismic event in the floor strata of high tectonic stress zones: A case study
Authors: Wang Songwei , Cao Anye , Wang Changbin , Guo Wenhao , Xue Chengchun , Liu Jian-gang , Wu Xuesong , Shi Gangsheng
Published: September 2024

With the increase of mining scope, rockburst occurs frequently, but its generation mechanism has not been understood comprehensively. Based on a rockburst in the coal pillar area of high tectonic stress zones (HTSZs), this study analyzed the distribution characteristics of large-energy microseismic (MS) events by using data statistics. The mechanical cause of the MS event that induced the rockburst was revealed by means of seismic moment tensor inversion. On this basis, by using numerical simulation, this study explored the distribution characteristics of static load in rockburst area and the effect of dynamic load in the floor, and then proposed the rockburst mechanism. The results show that under the squeezing action, the floor strata in HTSZs implode and transmit energy outward in the form of stress waves. This causes the cumulative damage and stress of the coal body in the fast track of coal pillar area increase in a short time. Since the coal in this area has already been in the critical stress state, small stress changes may lead to coal failure and rockburst. In this case of rockburst, the high static load of coal is the main force source, and the dynamic load plays a role in increasing coal body damage and inducing rockburst. Combined with seismic moment tensor inversion and numerical simulation, this paper proposes a rockburst research scheme, which makes the simulation of dynamic load more reasonable. The results provide the theoretical basis for rockburst control under similar conditions.
A multi-criteria decision support framework for designing seismic and thermal resilient facades
Authors: Kim Kyujin , Luna-Navarro Alessandra , Ciurlanti Jonathan , Bianchi Simona
Published: September 2024

Facades play a pivotal role in the performance of a building, serving various environmental, structural and operational functions. As climate-induced extreme events become more frequent, developing resilient facades is becoming crucial. Although facades can contribute significantly to the total post-disruption losses, their resilience is not sufficiently addressed in current design approaches. In response to this research gap, this study proposes a multi-criteria decision-making methodology to select optimal facade designs using resilience criteria: resilience loss and economic loss. The framework addresses the complexity of facade design, considering multiple hazards such as earthquakes and heatwaves. For seismic hazard, the facade’s resilience is defined as its ability to mitigate damage. In the case of heat hazard, resilience is assessed based on the ability to keep indoor conditions within a comfortable thermal range. To demonstrate the applicability of the proposed methodology, a case study of an 18-story office building in Izmir (Turkey) is used to compare alternative facade packages. These packages identify the facade design cases, each coupled with a dataset of seismic and thermal fragility curves. Numerical simulations are conducted to derive seismic and thermal resilience curves for each facade package, along with resilience criteria. These criteria are embedded into a practical decision-making process to enable the selection of the optimal design case based on project specifications.
Modulation of liver metabolism and gut microbiota by Alhagi-honey alleviated heat stress-induced liver damage
Authors: Xu Jing , Liu Yundie , Cao Xuanhong , Guo Xinrui , Wang Jie , Liu Yang , Zhou Hongda , Ma Baohua , Peng Sha
Published: September 2024

Alhagi-honey (AH) is a well-established traditional ethnic medicine with advantageous effects against diarrhea and headaches. We aimed to explore the preventive effect of AH on liver damage induced by heat stress (HS) and its underlying mechanism. HS models were established by thermostat, and mice were treated at 39 ℃ for 10 h, lasting for 7 days. Hematoxylin–eosin (H&E) staining and Periodic Acid-Schiff (PAS) staining were used for histological observation, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used for ultrastructure examination of hepatocytes. Gut microbiota (GM) composition and liver metabolites were respectively analyzed by 16S rRNA sequencing and non-targeted metabolome sequencing. AH pretreatment alleviated liver damage caused by heat stress in mice. The main manifestation was that AH alleviated serum aspartate transferase (AST) and aspartate transaminase (ALT). It was found that AH improved symptoms of hepatocyte damage. In addition, the relative abundance of f_Rikenellaceae, g_Incertae_Sedis and s_Staphylococcus_Orisratti, g_Lachnoclostridium, g_GCA-900066575, and s_Alistipes_inops were modified by AH and these bacterial genera showed association with 6 metabolites (2- (3,4-dihydroxyphenyl) acetamide, 3-hydroxy-3-methylpentanedioic acid, PC (17:0/17:1), Y-L-Glutamy-L-glutamic acid, L-Isoleucine, 5-Methyluridine, 8,8-dimethyl-2-phenyl-4H,8H-pyrano [2, 3-h] chromen-4-one). The Pearson analysis also showed a strong correlation between these microbes and 2 risk indicators (AST and ALT) of liver damage. AH alleviated HS-induced liver damage by regulating liver metabolism and maintaining normal GM. It demonstrated that AH held potential as a prophylactic drug for the prevention of HS-induced liver damage.
Translational Science in Vascular Aging: From Bench to Bedside—Insights from a VascAgeNet Roundtable
Authors: Bianchini Elisabetta , Roth Lynn , Boutouyrie Pierre , Badhwar Smriti , Schwarz Achim , Gemignani Vincenzo , Bruno Rosa Maria , Hametner Bernhard , Park Chloe , Pucci Giacomo , Mozos Ioana , Terentes-Printzios Dimitrios , Climie Rachel E. , Guala Andrea , Alastruey Jordi , Mayer Christopher C.
Published: September 2024

Translating vascular aging research from bench to bedside presents both significant opportunities and challenges. This paper summarizes insights from a roundtable discussion at the Artery 23 conference, featuring perspectives from basic science, clinical trials, regulation, and industry. The main conclusions of the discussion are as follows: basic science research must align with clinical relevance, using appropriate animal models and standardized measurement techniques. Pragmatic and registry-based clinical trials offer viable alternatives to traditional randomized controlled trials, facilitating real-world applicability. The regulatory landscape, particularly for software medical devices, must evolve to keep pace with technological advancements like artificial intelligence. Industry efforts focus on developing devices or solutions for vascular aging assessment and treatment strategies, yet face hurdles in large-scale adoption and reimbursement. Despite significant progress, the development of pharmacological interventions to mitigate vascular aging remains a critical need. This discussion underscores the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration to overcome barriers and translate scientific discoveries into clinical practice effectively.
Planning strategies and infrastructure development supporting physical activity: analyzing municipal compact city plans in Japan
Authors: Hino Kimihiro , Takeuchi Moe , Fukushima Keita , Kikuchi Hiroyuki , Inoue Shigeru , Lowe Melanie , Cerin Ester
Published: September 2024

Aligned with global goals for healthy and sustainable cities, urban compactness significantly promotes residents’ transport-related physical activity and health. In Japan, amid demographic changes, municipalities have begun formulating Location Normalization Plans focused on making cities more compact. This study examines the associations between health and transport-related physical activity considerations in urban plans, including Location Normalization Plans, the demographic characteristics of municipalities, and the development of infrastructure that supports leisure-time physical activity. Analyzing responses from 725 of 1,374 Japanese municipalities, our research reveals that 38% of urban plans integrated health and physical activity in goals/visions, and 28% recognized these as challenges. The development of physical activity infrastructure such as sports facilities (48%), metropolitan parks (21%), and bicycle paths (14%) was more prevalent in larger municipalities. However, the incorporation of health and physical activity in planning goals/visions or challenges was not exclusive to larger municipalities; smaller ones also demonstrated this capability. Logistic regression analyses revealed that municipalities that included health considerations in their plans’ goals/visions and challenges were more likely to develop or renovate physical activity infrastructure. Prioritizing health and physical activity in planning has the potential to support leisure-time and transport-related physical activity, helping to create healthy and sustainable cities.
Uniform Diophantine approximation and run-length function in continued fractions
Authors: TAN BO , ZHOU QING-LONG
Published: September 2024

We study the multifractal properties of the uniform approximation exponent and asymptotic approximation exponent in continued fractions. As a corollary, we calculate the Hausdorff dimension of the uniform Diophantine set

$$ \begin{align*} {\mathcal{U}(\hat{\nu})}= &\ \{x\in[0,1)\colon \text{for all }N\gg1,\text{ there exists }n\in[1,N],\\&\ \ \text{ such that }|T^{n}(x)-y| < |I_{N}(y)|^{\hat{\nu}}\} \end{align*} $$

for a class of quadratic irrational numbers

$y\in [0,1)$

. These results contribute to the study of the uniform Diophantine approximation, and apply to investigating the multifractal properties of run-length function in continued fractions.
A numerical investigation of momentum flux and kinetic energy transfers between turbulent wind and propagating waves
Authors: Zhang Enwei , Wang Zhan , Liu Qingquan
Published: September 2024

This paper focuses on simulating turbulent flow over propagating waves by solving the full Navier–Stokes equations in a moving frame. A careful comparison of flow statistics with previous experimental and numerical results demonstrates, to some extent, the rationality of simplifying wind waves as turbulent flow over moving wave boundaries. The phase-averaging method is then applied to investigate the momentum and energy transfers between turbulent wind and waves propagating at slow, intermediate and fast speeds. The results suggest that the dominant mechanism for producing Reynolds shear stress (RSS) and turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) is related to the wave age. Slow waves produce RSS and TKE similar to a two-dimensional shear turbulence. However, a fast wave enhances the streamwise Reynolds normal stress, the windward side's negative RSS and the gradient of both streamwise and vertical velocities, leading to additional RSS and TKE productions that can be ignored under the slow wave regimes. A strengthening wave–turbulence exchange is also found for fast waves. The intermediate wave can be regarded as a transitional condition determining this change.
Flow manipulation of a nematic liquid crystal in a Hele-Shaw cell with an electrically controlled viscous obstruction
Authors: Cousins Joseph R.L. , Bhadwal Akhshay S. , Mottram Nigel J. , Brown Carl V. , Wilson Stephen K.
Published: September 2024

The flow of a nematic liquid crystal in a Hele-Shaw cell with an electrically controlled viscous obstruction is investigated using both a theoretical model and physical experiments. The viscous obstruction is created by temporarily electrically altering the viscosity of the nematic in a region of the cell across which an electric field is applied. The theoretical model is validated experimentally for a circular cylindrical obstruction, demonstrating user-controlled flow manipulation of an anisotropic liquid within a heterogeneous single-phase microfluidic device.
Multiple states of two-dimensional turbulence above topography
Authors: He Jiyang , Wang Yan
Published: September 2024

The recent work of Siegelman & Young (Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA, vol. 120, issue 44, 2023, e2308018120) revealed two extreme states reached by the evolution of unforced and weakly damped two-dimensional turbulence above random rough topography, separated by a critical kinetic energy

$E_\#$

. The low- and high-energy solutions correspond to topographically locked and roaming vortices, surrounded by non-uniform and homogeneous background potential vorticity (PV), respectively. However, we found that these phenomena are restricted to the particular intermediate length scale where the energy was initially injected into the system. Through simulations initialized by injecting the energy at larger and smaller length scales, we found that the long-term state of topographic turbulence is also dependent on the initial length scale and thus the initial enstrophy. If the initial length scale is comparable to the domain size, the long-term flow field resembles the minimum-enstrophy state proposed by Bretherton & Haidvogel (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 78, issue 1, 1976, pp. 129–154), with very few topographically locked vortices; the long-term enstrophy is quite close to the minimum value, especially when the energy is no larger than

$E_\#$

. As the initial length scale becomes smaller, more vortices nucleate and become more mobile; the long-term enstrophy increasingly deviates from the minimum value. Simultaneously, the background PV tends to homogenization, even if the energy is below

$E_\#$

. These results complement the phenomenology of topographic turbulence documented by Siegelman & Young, by showing that the minimum-enstrophy and background PV homogenization states can be adequately approached by large- and small-scale initial fields, respectively, with relatively arbitrary energy.
A generalized wall-pressure spectral model for non-equilibrium boundary layers
Authors: Pargal Saurabh , Yuan Junlin , Moreau Stephane
Published: September 2024

This study uses high-fidelity simulations (direct numerical simulation or large-eddy simulation) and experimental datasets to analyse the effect of non-equilibrium streamwise mean pressure gradients (adverse or favourable), including attached and separated flows, on the statistics of boundary-layer wall-pressure fluctuations. The datasets collected span a wide range of Reynolds numbers (

$Re_\theta$

from 300 to 23 400) and pressure gradients (Clauser parameter from

$-0.5$

to 200). The datasets are used to identify an optimal set of variables to scale the wall-pressure spectrum: edge velocity, boundary layer thickness and the peak magnitude of Reynolds shear stress. Using the present datasets, existing semi-empirical models of the wall-pressure spectrum are shown unable to capture effects of strong, non-equilibrium adverse pressure gradients, due to inappropriate scaling of the wall pressure using the wall shear stress, calibration with limited types of flows and dependency on model parameters based on the friction velocity, which reduces to zero at the detachment point. To address these shortcomings, a generalized wall-pressure spectral model is developed with parameters that characterize the extent of the logarithmic layer and the strength of the wake. Derived from the local mean streamwise velocity profile, these two parameters inherently carry the effect of the Reynolds number, as well as those of the non-equilibrium pressure gradient and its history. Comparison with existing models shows that the proposed model behaves well and is more accurate in strong-pressure-gradient flows and in separated-flow regions.
Fluctuation-driven dynamics of liquid nano-threads with external hydrodynamic perturbations
Authors: Zhang Zhao , Zhao Chengxi , Si Ting
Published: September 2024

Instability and rupture dynamics of a liquid nano-thread, subjected to external hydrodynamic perturbations, are captured by a stochastic lubrication equation (SLE) incorporating thermal fluctuations via Gaussian white noise. Linear instability analysis of the SLE is conducted to derive the spectra and distribution functions of thermal capillary waves influenced by external perturbations and thermal fluctuations. The SLE is also solved numerically using a second-order finite difference method with a correlated noise model. Both theoretical and numerical solutions, validated through molecular dynamics, indicate that surface tension forces due to specific external perturbations overcome the random effects of thermal fluctuations, determining both the thermal capillary waves and the evolution of perturbation growth. The results also show two distinct regimes: (i) the hydrodynamic regime, where external perturbations dominate, leading to uniform ruptures, and (ii) the thermal-fluctuation regime, where external perturbations are surpassed by thermal fluctuations, resulting in non-uniform ruptures. The transition between these regimes, modelled by a criterion developed from linear instability theory, exhibits a strong dependence on the amplitudes and wavenumbers of the external perturbations.
A Novel Class of Unfolding Models for Binary Preference Data
Authors: Lei Rayleigh , Rodríguez Abel
Published: September 2024

We develop a new class of spatial voting models for binary preference data that can accommodate both monotonic and non-monotonic response functions, and are more flexible than alternative “unfolding” models previously introduced in the literature. We then use these models to estimate revealed preferences for legislators in the U.S. House of Representatives and justices on the U.S. Supreme Court. The results from these applications indicate that the new models provide superior complexity-adjusted performance to various alternatives and that the additional flexibility leads to preferences’ estimates that more closely match the perceived ideological positions of legislators and justices.
Depositing skeletal remains in Czech and Moravian ossuaries and associated climatic variations
Authors: Smrčka Václav , Mihaljevič Martin
Published: September 2024

Samples of the bones of 47 individuals from 46 Czech and Moravian ossuaries were dated by the 14C method and analyzed for the collagen isotopic composition of carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N). Most of the data for the ages of the remains corresponded to the cooler and damper periods described over the past 1000 years. Of the studied samples, the greatest number of remains corresponded to the Spörer (1400–1570), Dalton (1790–1830) and Wolf minima (1280–1350). One sample studied falls within the Maunder minimum (1645–1715). It can be assumed that these minima are connected with a reduced production of food and fodder, that may have initiated famines, epidemics and armed conflicts. Individual climatic minima showed positive correlations between δ13C and δ15N values, indicating that the individuals studied consumed complementary plant or animal diets to different degrees. The elevated δ15N values in our studied samples compared to the skeletal compositions of the population of the La Tène period (380 – 150 BC) and Germanic inhabitants in the territory of Bohemia (5th–6th centuries AD) and Great Moravia (9th–early 10th centuries AD) might reflect the effect of greater consumption of animal proteins or the proteins of omnivorous animals and fish, which compensated for the lack of plant foodstuffs during the colder periods.

The isotopic composition of carbon and nitrogen of the bone collagen for the Spörer and Dalton minima differs from the Wolf minimum. The younger minima show higher δ15N values for a given δ13C value.
STONE-PAVED CELLARS IN THE STONE AGE? ARCHAEOLOGICAL EVIDENCE FOR A NEOLITHIC SUBTERRANEAN CONSTRUCTION FROM NYGÅRDSVEJ 3, FALSTER, DENMARK
Authors: Brinch Marie , Philippsen Bente , Groß Daniel , Kanstrup Marie
Published: September 2024

We present the excavation results from a Middle Neolithic site associated with the Funnel Beaker Culture. Within two overlying house phases, a recessed area was recorded, which had been constructed using different sized pebbles. The arrangement and form of the feature clearly indicated anthropogenic origin and is understood as belonging to one of the house phases. Consequently, it is interpreted as a cellar. Several pits and post holes are additional features that were recorded at the site and indicate the presence of a fence structure with up to seven parallel courses. In this paper, we present radiocarbon dates from the features and an age model for the construction and use of the cellar as well as the fences. Moreover, the site Nygårdsvej 3 will be placed in its regional archaeological landscape.
Sarcopenic obesity in patients with head and neck cancer is predictive of critical weight loss during radiotherapy
Authors: Vangelov Belinda , Smee Robert I. , Bauer Judith
Published: September 2024

The impact of computed tomography-defined sarcopenia on outcomes in head and neck cancer has been well described. Sarcopenic obesity (SO) (depleted muscle mass combined with obesity) may pose a more serious risk than either condition alone. We investigated SO and its impact on survival and critical weight loss (≥ 5 %) in patients with head and neck cancer who received curative radiotherapy (± other modalities). Retrospective analysis of computed tomography cross-sectional muscle at cervical (C3), thoracic (T2) and lumbar (L3) regions was conducted. Patients were grouped by BMI and sarcopenia status based on established thresholds. A total of 413 patients were included for analysis, the majority having oropharyngeal carcinoma (52 %), and 56 % received primary concurrent chemoradiotherapy. The majority of the cohort (65 %) was overweight or obese (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2). Sarcopenia was found in 43 %, with 65 % having SO (n 116), equating to 28 % of the whole cohort. Critical weight loss was experienced by 58 % (n 238). A significantly higher proportion of patients with SO experienced critical weight loss (n 70 v. 19, P < 0·001) and were four times more likely to do so during treatment (OR 4·1; 95 % CI 1·5, 7·1; P = 0·002). SO was not found to impact on overall or cancer-specific survival; however, in patients with sarcopenia, those with SO had better overall survival (median 9·1 v. 7·0 years; 95 % CI 5·2, 16·8; P = 0·021). SO at the time of presentation in patients with head and neck cancer is predictive of critical weight loss during treatment, and muscle evaluation can be useful in identifying patients at nutritional risk regardless of BMI and obvious signs of wasting.
When Group Appeals Backfire: Explaining the Asymmetric Effects of Place-Based Appeals
Authors: Haffert Lukas , Palmtag Tabea , Schraff Dominik
Published: September 2024

Group-based identities are an important basis of political competition. Politicians consciously appeal to specific social groups, and these group-based appeals often improve the evaluation of parties and candidates. Studying place-based appeals, we advance the understanding of this strategy by distinguishing between dominant and subordinate social groups. Using two survey experiments in Germany and England, we show that group appeals improve candidate evaluation among subordinate (rural) voters. By contrast, appeals to the dominant (urban) group trigger a negative reaction. While urban citizens’ weaker local identities and lower place-based resentment partly explain this asymmetry, they mainly dislike group-based appeals because of their antagonistic nature. If the same policies are framed as benefiting urban and rural dwellers alike, candidate evaluation improves. Thus, people on the dominant side of a group divide reject a framing of politics as antagonistically structured by this divide, even if they identify with the dominant group.
Financing a Revolution: The Impact of Bolívar's British Networks in the Independence of Colombia
Authors: Brown Matthew , Crow Joanna , Lea Jonathan
Published: September 2024

This article explores the financial and geopolitical networks behind the independence of Gran Colombia. It shows that the failure to obtain official British government support for independence was compensated for by the development of a network of private individuals and partnerships that supplied large quantities of arms, equipment and men. A Colombian government document granting ‘Powers’ to London intermediaries was crucial to the construction of this network. We analyse who the key players were and how the network operated. By exploring the decisions and actions of merchants through the lens of risk, trust, credit and networks, we provide a fresh insight into the wider process of independence in Gran Colombia.
Self-consistent effects in the ponderomotive acceleration of electron beams
Authors: Almansa I. , Russman F. , Peter E. , Marini S. , Rizzato F.B.
Published: September 2024

In the present work, we extend the results of a previous investigation on the dynamics of electrons under the action of an inverse free-electron-laser scheme (Almansa et al., Phys. Plasmas, vol. 26, 2019, 033105). While the former work examined electrons as single test particles subject to the combined action of a modulated wiggler plus a laser field, we now look at electrons as composing a particle beam, where collective space-charge effects are relevant and included in the analysis. Our previous work showed that effective acceleration is achieved when the initial velocities of the particles are close enough to the phase velocity of the beat-wave mode formed by the laser and the wiggler fields. Electrons are then initially accelerated by a ponderomotive uphill effect generated by the beat mode and, once reaching the phase velocity of the beat, undergo a final strong resonant acceleration step resembling a catapult effect. The present work shows that, under proper conditions, space-charge effects play a similar role as the initial (or injected) velocity of the beam. Even if acceleration is absent when space charge is neglected, it may be present and effective when charge effects are taken into account. We also discuss how far the space charge can grow without affecting the sustainability of the acceleration process.
Interview with Alexander Bauer, outgoing editor of the Journal
Authors: Vigneron Sophie , Bauer Alexander
Published: September 2024

Sophie Vigneron, incoming editor of the International Journal of Cultural Property, interviewed Alex Bauer, who was the journal’s editor from 2003 to 2023. Alex is an Associate Professor of Anthropology at Queens College and The Graduate Center, City University of New York, and Associate Director of the Sinop Region Archaeological Project, an interdisciplinary archaeological and heritage project on the landscapes and seascapes of the Black Sea coastal community of Sinop (Turkey).
Acquired multiple coronary artery fistulas: a rare complication of congenital heart surgery in a child diagnosed with right heart valve endocarditis
Authors: Sancaktar Arife , Ekici Filiz , Özçobanoğlu Salih
Published: September 2024

Majority of coronary artery fistulas are of the congenital origin, and they have been rarely reported after congenital heart surgery. Here, we present echocardiographic images and prognosis of multiple acquired coronary artery fistulas occurring after surgical myectomy in a child diagnosed with double-chamber right ventricle complicated with infective endocarditis involving the right heart valves.
A granular investigation on the stability of money demand
Authors: Chen Zhengyang , Valcarcel Victor J.
Published: September 2024

A large literature has shown money demand functions constructed from simple-sum aggregates are unstable. We revisit the controversy surrounding the instability of money demand by examining cointegrating income-money relationships with the Divisia monetary aggregates for the U.S., and compare them with their simple-sum counterparts. We innovate by conducting a more granular analysis of various monetary assets and their associated user costs. We find characterizing money demand with simple-sum measures only works well in a period preceding 1980. Divisia aggregates, their components, and their user costs provide a more reliable interpretation of money demand. Subsample analysis across 1980 and 2008 suggests the instability of money demand is a matter of measurement rather than a consequence of a structural change in agents’ preference for monetary assets.
Knowledge, attitude and practices of health professionals with regard to plant-based diets in pregnancy: a scoping review
Authors: McLeod Stephanie C , McCormack Jessica C , Oey Indrawati , Conner Tamlin S , Peng Mei
Published: September 2024

Objective:

This scoping review aimed to systematically map and describe the existing evidence regarding the knowledge, attitudes and practices of health professionals with regard to plant-based diets during pregnancy and to highlight areas for further research.

Design:

Following a pre-registered protocol, online databases were searched using a comprehensive search string, in addition to selected grey literature sources, and reference lists of included studies. The studies were independently screened for eligibility by two authors, SM and JM. Data from all eligible studies were charted by the first author, and a narrative summary was performed.

Setting:

Maternal health care services.

Results:

Ten studies were included for review, from New Zealand (n 2), Australia (n 2), Germany, Netherlands, United Kingdom, France, Italy and Peru. Most of these studies were observational, employed various validated and non-validated survey instruments, interviews and one education intervention. Knowledge was the most frequently assessed outcome in the reviewed studies. Health professionals’ knowledge of plant-based nutrition in pregnancy was reported to be limited and frequently attributed to a lack of nutrition training. Participants’ personal dietary patterns and work specialisation appear to be closely associated with their knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding plant-based diets.

Conclusion:

This review identified a significant research gap regarding health professionals’ practices in relation to plant-based diets during pregnancy. Additionally, this review has demonstrated the need for further research, awareness and practice protocols to promote high-quality care and education or professional development to address the prevalent lack of knowledge among this group.
The Palliative Story Exchange: An innovative storytelling intervention to build community, foster shared meaning, and improve sustainability
Authors: Drutchas Alexis , Rusch Rachel , Leiter Richard
Published: September 2024

Objective

Palliative care (PC) faces a workforce crisis. Seriously ill patients surpass the supply of PC cliniciansin their work clinicians face repeated loss and extreme suffering which can have deleterious consequences, such as burnout and attrition. We urgently need interventions that foster thriving communities in this emotionally complex environment. Storytelling represents a promising path forward. In response to widespread loneliness and moral distress among PC clinicians before, during, and after the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, we created the Palliative Story Exchange (PSE), a storytelling intervention to build community, decrease isolation, and help clinicians rediscover the shared meaning in their work. This paper discusses this novel intervention and initial program evaluation data demonstrating the PSE’s impact thus far.

Methods

Participants voluntarily complete a post-then-pre wellness survey reflecting on their experience.

Results

Thus far, over 1,000 participants have attended a PSE. In the fall of 2022, we began distributing a post-then-pre-evaluation survey. To date, 130 interprofessional participants from practice locations across 10 different countries completed the survey. Responses demonstrate an increase in the connection that participants felt toward their work and the larger palliative care community after attending a PSE. Further, more than half of all free-text responses include terms such as, “meaningful,” “healing,” “powerful,” and “universal,” to describe their participation.

Significance of Results

Training programs and healthcare organizations use the humanities to support clinician wellness and improve patient care. The PSE builds upon this work through a novel combination of storytelling, community co-creation using reflection, and shared meaning making. Initial survey data demonstrates that after attending a PSE, participants feel increased meaning in their work, in the significance of their own stories, and connection with the PC community. Moving forward, we seek to expand our community of practice, host a facilitator leadership course, and rigorously study the PSE’s impact on clinician wellness outcomes.
A New, Zero‐Iteration Analytic Implementation of Wet‐Bulb Globe Temperature: Development, Validation, and Comparison With Other Methods
Authors: Kong Qinqin , Huber Matthew
Published: September 2024

Wet‐bulb globe temperature (WBGT)—a standard measure for workplace heat stress regulation—incorporates the complex, nonlinear interaction among temperature, humidity, wind and radiation. This complexity requires WBGT to be calculated iteratively following the recommended approach developed by Liljegren and colleagues. The need for iteration has limited the wide application of Liljegren's approach, and stimulated various simplified WBGT approximations that do not require iteration but are potentially seriously biased. By carefully examining the self‐nonlinearities in Liljegren's model, we develop a zero‐iteration analytic approximation of WBGT while maintaining sufficient accuracy and the physical basis of the original model. The new approximation slightly deviates from Liljegren's full model—by less than 1°C in 99% cases over 93% of global land area. The annual mean and 75%–99% percentiles of WBGT are also well represented with biases within °C globally. This approximation is clearly more accurate than other commonly used WBGT approximations. Physical intuition can be developed on the processes controlling WBGT variations from an energy balance perspective. This may provide a basis for applying WBGT to understanding the physical control of heat stress.
Extent of the Magnetotail of Venus From the Solar Orbiter, Parker Solar Probe and BepiColombo Flybys
Authors: Edberg Niklas J. T. , Andrews David J. , Boldú J. Jordi , Dimmock Andrew P. , Khotyaintsev Yuri V. , Kim Konstantin , Persson Moa , Auster Uli , Constantinescu Dragos , Heyner Daniel , Mieth Johannes , Richter Ingo , Curry Shannon M. , Hadid Lina Z. , Pisa David , Sorriso‐Valvo Luca , Lester Mark , Sánchez‐Cano Beatriz , Stergiopoulou Katerina , Romanelli Norberto , Fischer David , Schmid Daniel , Volwerk Martin
Published: September 2024

We analyze data from multiple flybys by the Solar Orbiter, BepiColombo, and Parker Solar Probe (PSP) missions to study the interaction between Venus' plasma environment and the solar wind forming the induced magnetosphere. Through examination of magnetic field and plasma density signatures we characterize the spatial extent and dynamics of Venus' magnetotail, focusing mainly on boundary crossings. Notably, we observe significant differences in boundary crossing location and appearance between flybys, highlighting the dynamic nature of Venus' magnetotail. In particular, during Solar Orbiter's third flyby, extreme solar wind conditions led to significant variations in the magnetosheath plasma density and magnetic field properties, but the increased dynamic pressure did not compress the magnetotail. Instead, it is possible that the increased EUV flux at this time rather caused it to expand in size. Key findings also include the identification of several far downstream bow shock (BS), or bow wave, crossings to at least 60 (1  = 6,052 km is the radius of Venus), and the induced magnetospheric boundary to at least 20 . These crossings provide insight into the extent of the induced magnetosphere. Pre‐existing models from Venus Express were only constrained to within 5 of the planet, and we provide modifications to better fit the far‐downstream crossings. The new model BS is now significantly closer to the central tail than previously suggested, by about 10 at 60 downstream.
Effect of Vertical Shear in the Zonal Wind on Equatorial Electrojet Sidebands: An Observational Perspective Using Swarm and ICON Data
Authors: Sreelakshmi J. , Maute Astrid , Richmond Arthur D. , Vichare Geeta , Harding Brian J. , Alken Patrick
Published: September 2024

The wind dynamo in the ionosphere leads to differential motion of ions and electrons, which in turn sets up electric fields and currents. Observations show that daytime lower thermospheric horizontal winds have large vertical gradients. Numerical modeling conducted approximately 50 years ago demonstrated that the zonal wind shears in the ∼130–180 km altitude range can generate off‐equatorial relative minima (dips) in the daytime height‐integrated eastward current density, appearing as westward sidebands north and south of the equatorial electrojet (EEJ). This study observationally confirms this connection for the first time by combining Ionospheric CONnection explorer zonal wind profiles and Swarm latitudinal zonal currents. We demonstrate observationally that the magnitude of the EEJ sideband current is proportional to the strength of westward turning winds with altitude in the Pedersen conductivity dominated region. Additional numerical experiments explain the importance of wind shear in different altitude regions in generating the sideband current. This study contributes to the better understanding of the neutral wind effect on the local current generation.
Deciphering the ghost proteome in ovarian cancer cells by deep proteogenomic characterization
Authors: Garcia-del Rio Diego Fernando , Derhourhi Mehdi , Bonnefond Amelie , Leblanc Sébastien , Guilloy Noé , Roucou Xavier , Eyckerman Sven , Gevaert Kris , Salzet Michel , Cardon Tristan
Published: September 2024

Proteogenomics is becoming a powerful tool in personalized medicine by linking genomics, transcriptomics and mass spectrometry (MS)-based proteomics. Due to increasing evidence of alternative open reading frame-encoded proteins (AltProts), proteogenomics has a high potential to unravel the characteristics, variants, expression levels of the alternative proteome, in addition to already annotated proteins (RefProts). To obtain a broader view of the proteome of ovarian cancer cells compared to ovarian epithelial cells, cell-specific total RNA-sequencing profiles and customized protein databases were generated. In total, 128 RefProts and 30 AltProts were identified exclusively in SKOV-3 and PEO-4 cells. Among them, an AltProt variant of IP_715944, translated from DHX8, was found mutated (p.Leu44Pro). We show high variation in protein expression levels of RefProts and AltProts in different subcellular compartments. The presence of 117 RefProt and two AltProt variants was described, along with their possible implications in the different physiological/pathological characteristics. To identify the possible involvement of AltProts in cellular processes, cross-linking-MS (XL-MS) was performed in each cell line to identify AltProt-RefProt interactions. This approach revealed an interaction between POLD3 and the AltProt IP_183088, which after molecular docking, was placed between POLD3-POLD2 binding sites, highlighting its possibility of the involvement in DNA replication and repair.
Reciprocal regulation of oxidative stress and mitochondrial fission augments parvalbumin downregulation through CDK5-DRP1- and GPx1-NF-κB signaling pathways
Authors: Wang Su Hyeon , Lee Duk-Shin , Kim Tae-Hyun , Kim Ji-Eun , Kang Tae-Cheon
Published: September 2024

Loss of parvalbumin (PV) expressing neurons (PV neurons) is relevant to the underlying mechanisms of the pathogenesis of neurological and psychiatric diseases associated with the dysregulation of neuronal excitatory networks and brain metabolism. Although PV modulates mitochondrial morphology, volume and dynamics, it is largely unknown whether mitochondrial dynamics affect PV expression and what the molecular events are responsible for PV neuronal degeneration. In the present study, L-buthionine sulfoximine (BSO, an inhibitor of glutathione synthesis) did not degenerate PV neurons under physiological condition. However, BSO-induced oxidative stress decreased PV expression and facilitated cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (CDK5) tyrosine (Y) 15 phosphorylation, dynamin-related protein 1 (DRP1)-mediated mitochondrial fission and glutathione peroxidase-1 (GPx1) downregulation in PV neurons. Co-treatment of roscovitine (a CDK5 inhibitor) or mitochondrial division inhibitor-1 (Mdivi-1, an inhibitor of mitochondrial fission) attenuated BSO-induced PV downregulation. WY14643 (an inducer of mitochondrial fission) reduced PV expression without affecting CDK5 Y15 phosphorylation. Following status epilepticus (SE), CDK5 Y15 phosphorylation and mitochondrial fission were augmented in PV neurons. These were accompanied by reduced GPx1-mediated inhibition of NF-κB p65 serine (S) 536 phosphorylation. N-acetylcysteine (NAC), roscovitine and Mdivi-1 ameliorated SE-induced PV neuronal degeneration by mitigating CDK5 Y15 hyperphosphorylation, aberrant mitochondrial fragmentation and reduced GPx1-mediated NF-κB inhibition. Furthermore, SN50 (a NF-κB inhibitor) alleviated SE-induced PV neuronal degeneration, independent of dysregulation of mitochondrial fission, CDK5 hyperactivation and GPx1 downregulation. These findings provide an evidence that oxidative stress may activate CDK5-DRP1- and GPx1-NF-κB-mediated signaling pathways, which would be possible therapeutic targets for preservation of PV neurons in various diseases.
Identification of Gαi3 as a promising molecular oncotarget of pancreatic cancer
Authors: Jiang Jian-zhuo , Qiao Yin-biao , Zhu Xiao-ren , Gu Qian-hui , Lu Jing-jing , Ye Zhen-yu , Xu Lu , Liu Yuan-yuan
Published: September 2024

The increasing mortality rate of pancreatic cancer globally necessitates the urgent identification for novel therapeutic targets. This study investigated the expression, functions, and mechanistic insight of G protein inhibitory subunit 3 (Gαi3) in pancreatic cancer. Bioinformatics analyses reveal that Gαi3 is overexpressed in human pancreatic cancer, correlating with poor prognosis, higher tumor grade, and advanced classification. Elevated Gαi3 levels are also confirmed in human pancreatic cancer tissues and primary/immortalized cancer cells. Gαi3 shRNA or knockout (KO) significantly reduced cell viability, proliferation, cell cycle progression, and mobility in primary/immortalized pancreatic cancer cells. Conversely, Gαi3 overexpression enhanced pancreatic cancer cell growth. RNA-sequencing and bioinformatics analyses of Gαi3-depleted cells indicated Gαi3’s role in modulating the Akt-mTOR and PKA-Hippo-YAP pathways. Akt-S6 phosphorylation was decreased in Gαi3-depleted cells, but was increased with Gαi3 overexpression. Additionally, Gαi3 depletion elevated PKA activity and activated the Hippo pathway kinase LATS1/2, leading to YAP/TAZ inactivation, while Gαi3 overexpression exerted the opposite effects. There is an increased binding between Gαi3 promoter and the transcription factor TCF7L2 in pancreatic cancer tissues and cells. Gαi3 expression was significantly decreased following TCF7L2 silencing, but increased with TCF7L2 overexpression. In vivo, intratumoral injection of Gαi3 shRNA-expressing adeno-associated virus significantly inhibited subcutaneous pancreatic cancer xenografts growth in nude mice. A significant growth reduction was also observed in xenografts from Gαi3 knockout pancreatic cancer cells. Akt-mTOR inactivation and increased PKA activity coupled with YAP/TAZ inactivation were also detected in xenograft tumors upon Gαi3 depletion. Furthermore, bioinformatic analysis and multiplex immunohistochemistry (mIHC) staining on pancreatic cancer tissue microarrays showed a reduced proportion of M1-type macrophages and an increase in PD-L1 positive cells in Gαi3-high pancreatic cancer tissues. Collectively, these findings highlight Gαi3’s critical role in promoting pancreatic cancer cell growth, potentially through the modulation of the Akt-mTOR and PKA-Hippo-YAP pathways and its influence on the immune landscape.
Elevated origin recognition complex subunit 6 expression promotes non-small cell lung cancer cell growth
Authors: Sang Yong-hua , Luo Chun-ying , Huang Bing-tao , Wu Siyang , Shu Jian , Lan Chang-gong , Zhang Fuquan
Published: September 2024

Exploring novel targets for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains of utmost importance. This study focused on ORC6 (origin recognition complex subunit 6), investigating its expression and functional significance within NSCLC. Analysis of the TCGA-lung adenocarcinoma database revealed a notable increase in ORC6 expression in lung adenocarcinoma tissues, correlating with reduced overall survival, advanced disease stages, and other key clinical parameters. Additionally, in patients undergoing surgical resection of NSCLC at a local hospital, ORC6 mRNA and protein levels were elevated in NSCLC tissues while remaining low in adjacent normal tissues. Comprehensive bioinformatics analyses across various cancers suggested that ORC6 might play a significant role in crucial cellular processes, such as mitosis, DNA synthesis and repair, and cell cycle progression. Knocking down ORC6 using virus-delivered shRNA in different NSCLC cells, both primary and immortalized, resulted in a significant hindrance to cell proliferation, cell cycle progression, migration and invasion, accompanied by caspase-apoptosis activation. Similarly, employing CRISPR-sgRNA for ORC6 knockout (KO) exhibited significant anti-NSCLC cell activity. Conversely, increasing ORC6 levels using a viral construct augmented cell proliferation and migration. Silencing or knockout of ORC6 in primary NSCLC cells led to reduced expression of several key cyclins, including Cyclin A2, Cyclin B1, and Cyclin D1, whereas their levels increased in NSCLC cells overexpressing ORC6. In vivo experiments demonstrated that intratumoral injection of ORC6 shRNA adeno-associated virus markedly suppressed the growth of primary NSCLC cell xenografts. Reduced ORC6 levels, downregulated cyclins, and increased apoptosis were evident in ORC6-silenced NSCLC xenograft tissues. In summary, elevated ORC6 expression promotes NSCLC cell growth.
SALL2 regulates neural differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells through Tuba1a
Authors: Xiong Hui , Lin Bowen , Liu Junyang , Lu Renhong , Lin Zheyi , Hang Chengwen , Liu Wenjun , Zhang Lei , Ding Jie , Guo Huixin , Zhang Mingshuai , Wang Siyu , Gong Zheng , Xie Duanyang , Liu Yi , Shi Dan , Liang Dandan , Liu Zhen , Chen Yi-Han , Yang Jian
Published: September 2024

The spalt (Sal) gene family has four members (Sall1-4) in vertebrates, all of which play pivotal roles in various biological processes and diseases. However, the expression and function of SALL2 in development are still less clear. Here, we first charted SALL2 protein expression pattern during mouse embryo development by immunofluorescence, which revealed its dominant expression in the developing nervous system. With the establishment of Sall2 deficient mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs), the in vitro neural differentiation system was leveraged to interrogate the function of SALL2, which showed impaired neural differentiation of Sall2 knockout (KO) ESCs. Furthermore, neural stem cells (NSCs) could not be derived from Sall2 KO ESCs and the generation of neural tube organoids (NTOs) was greatly inhibited in the absence of SALL2. Meanwhile, transgenic expression of E1 isoform of SALL2 restored the defects of neural differentiation in Sall2 KO ESCs. By chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq), Tuba1a was identified as downstream target of SALL2, whose function in neural differentiation was confirmed by rescuing neural phenotypes of Sall2 KO ESCs when overexpressed. In sum, by elucidating SALL2 expression dynamics during early mouse development and mechanistically characterizing its indispensable role in neural differentiation, this study offers insights into SALL2’s function in human nervous system development, associated pathologies stemming from its mutations and relevant therapeutic strategy.