bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Consumer perception and physicochemical properties of crude groundnut oil in comparison with selected vegetable oil
Authors: Oyeyinka Samson A. , Agabje Ruth O. , Babayeju Adeshola A. , Opaleke Deborah O. , Kolawole Fausat L. , Badmos Abdulhameed A. , Njobeh Patrick B. , Adebo Oluwafemi A.
Published: July 2024

This study investigated the consumer awareness, consumption pattern and the quality of unrefined groundnut oil in comparison with soybean, sesame oil and palm olein obtained from stores in Ilorin South Local Government Area of Kwara State, Nigeria using a structured questionnaire administered to 400 respondents. Approximately 36% of the respondents claimed to know that oil from groundnut oil is different from other vegetable oils. A greater number of the respondents (47%) do not consume oil from groundnuts. About 54% of the respondents use palm olein, which could be due to its availability in the market. Oil type did not significantly (p > 0.05) affect the sensory properties of fried chicken. This study provided information on the consumption pattern of groundnut oil and revealed misconceptions about the presence of cholesterol in groundnut oil. Future studies are essential to educate consumers that groundnut oil is cholesterol-free.
Safety and Privacy in Immersive Extended Reality: An Analysis and Policy Recommendations
Authors: Hine Emmie , Rezende Isadora Neroni , Roberts Huw , Wong David , Taddeo Mariarosaria , Floridi Luciano
Published: July 2024

Extended reality (XR) technologies have experienced cycles of development—“summers” and “winters”—for decades, but their overall trajectory is one of increasing uptake. In recent years, immersive extended reality (IXR) applications, a kind of XR that encompasses immersive virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) environments, have become especially prevalent. The European Union (EU) is exploring regulating this type of technology, and this article seeks to support this endeavor. It outlines safety and privacy harms associated with IXR, analyzes to what extent the existing EU framework for digital governance—including the General Data Protection Regulation, Product Safety Legislation, ePrivacy Directive, Digital Markets Act, Digital Services Act, and AI Act—addresses these harms, and offers some recommendations to EU legislators on how to fill regulatory gaps and improve current approaches to the governance of IXR.
Digital Health Empowerment, Autonomy, and the Capability Approach: Reply to de Proost and Grey
Authors: Nickel Philip J. , Loosman Iris , Frank Lily , Vinnikova Anna
Published: July 2024

De Proost & Grey criticize Nickel et al.’s article “Justice and empowerment through digital health: ethical challenges and opportunities,” arguing that it should have embraced relational autonomy and capability approaches. We distinguish two variants of this critique, one saying that a view of digital health empowerment should welcome these approaches, and one saying that a view of digital health empowerment should essentially be defined in terms of these approaches. We are somewhat open to the first variant: relational autonomy and the capability approach are promising ways of spelling out the ethical values behind digital health empowerment, even if they are not completely unproblematic and uncontroversial. However, there are reasons to reject the second variant. A view that leaves the exact normative commitments of digital health empowerment open is persuasive to a wider audience, and more amenable to different constructs of autonomy, capability, and empowerment across disciplines.
Engineering biomaterials by inkjet printing of hydrogels with functional particulates
Authors: Cheng Cih , Williamson Eric J , Chiu George T.-C. , Han Bumsoo
Published: July 2024

Hydrogels with particulates, including proteins, drugs, nanoparticles, and cells, enable the development of new and innovative biomaterials. Precise control of the spatial distribution of these particulates is crucial to produce advanced biomaterials. Thus, there is a high demand for manufacturing methods for particle-laden hydrogels. In this context, 3D printing of hydrogels is emerging as a promising method to create numerous innovative biomaterials. Among the 3D printing methods, inkjet printing, so-called drop-on-demand (DOD) printing, stands out for its ability to construct biomaterials with superior spatial resolutions. However, its printing processes are still designed by trial and error due to a limited understanding of the ink behavior during the printing processes. This review discusses the current understanding of transport processes and hydrogel behaviors during inkjet printing for particulate-laden hydrogels. Specifically, we review the transport processes of water and particulates within hydrogel during ink formulation, jetting, and curing. Additionally, we examine current inkjet printing applications in fabricating engineered tissues, drug delivery devices, and advanced bioelectronics components. Finally, the challenges and opportunities for next-generation inkjet printing are also discussed.

Graphical Abstract
Association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations and respiratory tract infections requiring hospital admission: analysis of ethnic groups from the UK Biobank cohort
Authors: Bournot A. R , Hart K. H , Givens D. I. , Lovegrove J. A , Bartlett D. B , Lanham-New S. A , Darling A. L
Published: July 2024

Vitamin D status has been found to be inversely associated with risk of respiratory tract infections (RTIs)(1). It varies by ethnicity, with several ethnic minority groups in the United Kingdom (UK) reported to be at a higher risk of vitamin D deficiency (serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations <25 nmol/L) compared to their white counterparts(2, 3). However, the relationship between serum 25(OH)D concentrations and incidence of RTIs by ethnicity in the UK remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the association between serum 25(OH)D concentrations and likelihood of hospitalisation for RTI in UK ethnic groups.

A nested, case-control study was conducted using data from UK Biobank, which has data for 500k adults for serum 25(OH)D and hospital episodes from linked records. Binary logistic regression models were used to explore the association between serum 25(OH)D concentrations and likelihood of RTIs overall, and by ethnicity.

Of the 36,772 participants included in the analysis, 12,638 (34%) were white Caucasian, 10,311 (28%) Asian, 7,138 (19%) black, 4,034 (11%) other, and 2,651 (7%) of mixed ethnicity. In fully adjusted models, compared to participants with a serum 25(OH)D concentration <15 nmol/L (severe deficiency), those with 25-49 nmol/L, 50-74 nmol/L, and ≥75 nmol/L were found to have statistically significantly lower odds of RTI hospitalisation, with odds ratios (ORs) of 0.53 (95% CI: 0.37, 0.75), 0.61 (95% CI: 0.40, 0.92) and 0.54 (95% CI: 0.30, 0.97), respectively. In the subgroup analysis, ethnic minorities and white individuals with vitamin D deficiency (<25 nmol/L) were more likely to be hospitalised with RTI compared to those that were not deficient, with ORs of 1.36 (95% CI: 1.02, 1.81) and 2.03 (95% CI: 1.30, 3.17), respectively. This association was not statistically significant within ethnic minority subgroups when analysed separately.

Serum 25(OH)D concentrations above 25 nmol/L are associated with lower likelihood of RTI hospitalisation among UK adults. This finding was noted across white and ethnic minority groups, although ethnic minorities with vitamin D deficiency had a lower likelihood of RTIs compared to white individuals. Further studies are warranted to validate these findings and explore the mechanisms underlying the association between vitamin D status and RTIs in different ethnic groups.

Acknowledgements

This project was conducted using the UK Biobank resource under project 15168.
Assessing Radar Attenuation in RIMFAX Soundings at the Jezero Western Fan Front, Mars
Authors: Eide Sigurd , Casademont Titus M. , Shoemaker Emileigh S. , Brovoll Sverre , Berger Tor , Dypvik Henning , Hamran Svein‐Erik
Published: July 2024

Estimates of radar attenuation in the shallow Martian subsurface are retrieved from RIMFAX soundings along the Perseverance rover traverse. Specifically, analyzed data is from the Hawksbill Gap area during the rover's first drives onto the Jezero Western Fan Front. The centroid frequency‐shift method is employed to quantify attenuation in terms of the constant‐Q approximation. Results are then compared with the amplitude decay method, which—in order to calculate attenuation—requires propagation velocities retrieved from radargram analysis. By verifying that results from two separate analyses are consistent, we ensure that quantified radar properties are well constrained. First estimate of constant‐Q is 78.8 ± 11.6. For a subsurface propagation velocity of 0.113 m/ns, that equals an attenuation of −2.1 ± 0.4 dB/m at the RIMFAX 675 MHz center frequency. Results are consistent with dry sedimentary rocks, and are distinguishable from the magmatic lithologies on Jezero Crater Floor.
Water Scarcity Likely to Increase in the Coming Decades
Authors: Kornei Katherine
Published: July 2024

Hydrological modeling suggests that by 2100 more than 65% of the world’s population might, at least sporadically, lack access to clean water.
The complexity of tracking stegosaurs and their gregarious behavior
Authors: Castanera Diego , Mampel Luis , Cobos Alberto
Published: July 2024

Stegosaur tracks were unknown until the identification of Deltapodus more than 20 years ago. Currently, the Iberian Peninsula, especially Teruel Province, is one of the areas globally with the most occurrences of these tracks. However, their identification, based on the global record, is problematic due to their similarities with sauropod tracks. A review of the largest number of analyzed Deltapodus tracks globally, including the holotype of D. ibericus and a description of new occurrences, has been carried out. Our research shows substantial morphological variations, but all the studied tracks can be considered D. ibericus based on the manus morphology and the morphometric data. These variations are related to substrate differences and/or different dynamic foot postures (possibly ontogenetically related) during locomotion, as evidenced by changes within the same trackway. We provide detailed comparisons via 3D modeling with sauropod tracks, and our data show that they generally have proportionally longer manus and wider pes because of the differences in the metapodial bones. The scarcity of stegosaur trackways in the fossil record has prevented the identification of gregarious behavior in this group of herbivorous dinosaurs. Two of the studied tracksites show evidence of this behavior, being the only examples among stegosaurs described thus far in the fossil record.
Clinical characteristics of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients with superoptimal peak inspiratory flow rate
Authors: Kim Taeyun , Moon Ji-Yong , Park Hye Yun , Kim Youlim , Rhee Chin Kook , Lee Chang Youl , Park Joo Hun , Park Yong Bum , Russell Richard , Yoo Kwang Ha , Ra Seung Won
Published: July 2024

Characteristics of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients with superoptimal peak inspiratory flow rates (PIFR) has not been thoroughly investigated. This study aimed to compare the characteristics between COPD patients with superoptimal PIFR and those with optimal and sub-optimal PIFR. PIFR was measured using In-Check DIAL G16 and categorized into sub-optimal (PIFR lower than that required by the patient’s device), optimal, and superoptimal (peak PIFR ≥ 90 L/min). Considering COPD patients with sub-optimal PIFR as the reference group, analyses were performed to identify PIFR-related factors. Subgroup analysis was performed according to the forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) % of the predicted value (%pred). Among 444 post-bronchodilator-confirmed COPD patients from seven tertiary hospitals in South Korea, 98, 223, and 123 were classified into the sub-optimal, optimal, and superoptimal PIFR groups, respectively. The superoptimal PIFR group were younger, had an increased proportion of males, a higher body mass index, lowest number of comorbidities and less frequent exacerbation in the previous year, as well as the highest forced vital capacity %pred. The adjusted odds ratio for frequent exacerbation in the previous year was lower in the superoptimal PIFR group than in the sub-optimal PIFR group and was more pronounced in patients with an FEV1%pred of < 70%. COPD patients with superoptimal PIFR have clinical characteristics different from those patients with the sub-optimal and optimal PIFR. Having a high inspiratory flow may be a favorable trait in COPD.
3D Gravity and magnetic inversion modelling for geothermal assessment and temperature modelling in the central eastern desert and Red Sea, Egypt
Authors: Gaber Gaber M. , Saleh Salah , Kotb Adel
Published: July 2024

The Central Eastern Desert and Red Sea region have emerged as a significant area of interest for geothermal energy exploration, owing to their unique geological characteristics and active tectonic activity. This research aims to enhance our understanding of the region's geothermal potential through a comprehensive analysis of gravity and magnetic data. By utilizing a 3D gravity inversion model, a detailed examination of subsurface structures and density variations was conducted. Similarly, a 3D magnetic inversion model was employed to investigate subsurface magnetic properties. Integration result from the Pygimli library ensured robustness and accuracy in the inversion results. Furthermore, a temperature model was developed using the WINTERC-G model and inversion techniques, shedding light on the thermal structure and potential anomalies in the study area. The analysis of the Bouguer gravity map, 3D gravity inversion model, and magnetic data inversion yielded significant findings. The Red Sea exhibited higher gravity values compared to the onshore Eastern Desert, attributed to the presence of a thinner and denser oceanic crust as opposed to the less dense continental crust in the Eastern Desert. The 3D gravity inversion model revealed distinct variations in density, particularly high-density zones near the surface of the Red Sea, indicating underlying geological structures and processes. Conversely, density gradually decreased with depth along the onshore line, potentially influenced by a higher concentration of crustal fractures. The magnetic data inversion technique provided additional insights, highlighting areas with demagnetized materials, indicative of elevated temperatures. These findings were consistent with the correlation between high-density areas and low magnetic susceptibility values, reinforcing the proposition of increased heat transfer from the Red Sea. Comparative analysis of temperature profiles further confirmed the presence of elevated temperatures in promising zones, emphasizing the geothermal potential associated with heat transfer from the Red Sea.

This research contributes to the understanding of the geothermal resources in the Central Eastern Desert and Red Sea region. The results from gravity and magnetic data inversions, combined with temperature profiles, provide valuable information for future geothermal exploration and utilization efforts. The findings underscore the importance of geothermal energy in achieving sustainability and contribute to the global discourse on renewable energy sources.
Dietary inflammatory index could increase the risk of sarcopenia in patients with chronic kidney disease
Authors: Mansouri Fatemeh , Jafari Fatemeh , Ranjbar Sara , Souni Fateme , Jahromi Shahrokh Ezzatzadegan , Shateri Zainab , Babajafari Siavash , Nouri Mehran
Published: July 2024

Using a system that incorporates a variety of food items rather than focusing on individual components can aid in assessing the inflammatory effects of a diet on disease outcomes such as chronic kidney disease (CKD). Therefore, we decided to investigate the association between dietary inflammatory index (DII) and the risk of protein–energy wasting (PEW) and sarcopenia in patients with CKD. In this cross-sectional study, 109 patients with CKD were selected from two clinics in Shiraz, Iran. The intake of individuals’ diets was recorded using a validated 168-item food frequency questionnaire. Additionally, Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS) guidelines were utilized to evaluate muscles’ strength, mass, and function. Also, four International Society of Renal Nutrition and Metabolism (ISRNM) criteria (body mass index, intake of protein, albumin, and urine creatinine) were used  to diagnose PEW. Logistic regression was used to assess the association between DII and sarcopenia as well as PEW. The results showed that the intake of saturated fatty acids, trans fatty acids, niacin, beta-carotene, and vitamin C was significantly different between lower and higher DII groups. In the univariate model, higher odds of sarcopenia was observed by each unit increase in DII (odds ratio (OR) = 1.379, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.042–1.824) and age (OR = 1.073, 95% CI: 1.017–1.132). Additionally, in the multivariate model, the association between DII and age with odds of sarcopenia remained significant (DII: OR = 1.379, 95% CI: 1.030–1.846 and age: OR = 1.063, 95% CI: 1.007–1.121). The current study suggests the possible role of pro-inflammatory foods in worsening muscle health, specifically sarcopenia, in CKD patients. Future longitudinal studies may reveal the causative nature of these correlations.
Vestibular hair cells are more prone to damage by excessive acceleration insult in the mouse with KCNQ4 dysfunction
Authors: Hong Hansol , Koo Eun Ji , Park Yesai , Song Gabae , Joo Sun Young , Kim Jung Ah , Gee Heon Yung , Jung Jinsei , Park Kangyoon , Han Gyu Cheol , Choie Jae Young , Kim Sung Huhn
Published: July 2024

KCNQ4 is a voltage-gated K+ channel was reported to distribute over the basolateral surface of type 1 vestibular hair cell and/or inner surface of calyx and heminode of the vestibular nerve connected to the type 1 vestibular hair cells of the inner ear. However, the precise localization of KCNQ4 is still controversial and little is known about the vestibular phenotypes caused by KCNQ4 dysfunction or the specific role of KCNQ4 in the vestibular organs. To investigate the role of KCNQ4 in the vestibular organ, 6-g hypergravity stimulation for 24 h, which represents excessive mechanical stimulation of the sensory epithelium, was applied to p.W277S Kcnq4 transgenic mice. KCNQ4 was detected on the inner surface of calyx of the vestibular afferent in transmission electron microscope images with immunogold labelling. Vestibular function decrease was more severe in the Kcnq4p.W277S/p.W277S mice than in the Kcnq4+/+ and Kcnq4+/p.W277S mice after the stimulation. The vestibular function loss was resulted from the loss of type 1 vestibular hair cells, which was possibly caused by increased depolarization duration. Retigabine, a KCNQ activator, prevented hypergravity-induced vestibular dysfunction and hair cell loss. Patients with KCNQ4 mutations also showed abnormal clinical vestibular function tests. These findings suggest that KCNQ4 plays an essential role in calyx and afferent of type 1 vestibular hair cell preserving vestibular function against excessive mechanical stimulation.
Evaluation of EMLA cream with microneedle patches in palatal anesthesia in children: a randomized controlled clinical trial
Authors: Babakurd Farah M. , Azzawi Shadi K. , Alkhouli Muaaz , Al-Nerabieah Zuhair
Published: July 2024

Palatal injections are considered to be one of the most painful dental procedures. As a result, it was important to find alternatives to this painful injection to improve children's cooperation. The dental literature mentioned using EMLA cream as a possible alternative to conventional injections, but its anesthetic effect was debated. Therefore, it was valuable to research the impact of microneedle patches to enhance the effectiveness of this cream. The purpose of this randomized controlled clinical trial was to compare the effectiveness of different methods of anesthesia and pain levels in children aged 7–11 years. The study compared the use of EMLA cream, EMLA with microneedles, and conventional palatal injections. A total of 90 children were randomly assigned to three groups: Group 1 received conventional palatal anesthesia (control), Group 2 received EMLA cream only, and Group 3 received EMLA with microneedles. Pain levels were assessed using the FLACC and Wong-Baker scales at three different time points: T1(during anesthesia), T2(on palatal probing), and T3(during extraction). The FLACC scale revealed a significant difference in pain between groups only at T1 (P value = 0.000). It was found that the conventional palatal injection group had a higher pain level than the EMLA cream-only group and the group using microneedle patches with EMLA cream (P value = 0.000). However, the other groups did not show significant differences in pain levels during the anesthesia (P value  = 1.00). Similarly, the Wong-Baker scale also demonstrated a statistically significant difference in pain between groups only at T1 (P value  = 0.000). It was found that the conventional palatal injection group had a higher pain level than the EMLA cream-only group and the group using microneedle patches with EMLA cream (P value  = 0.000). However, the other groups did not show significant differences in pain levels during the anesthesia (P value  = 0.091). The study concludes that both EMLA cream alone and EMLA with microneedles can be used as an alternative to conventional palatal anesthesia for children.
Normative data of the Italian Famous Face Test
Authors: Ventura Martina , Caffò Alessandro Oronzo , Manippa Valerio , Rivolta Davide
Published: July 2024

The faces we see in daily life exist on a continuum of familiarity, ranging from personally familiar to famous to unfamiliar faces. Thus, when assessing face recognition abilities, adequate evaluation measures should be employed to discriminate between each of these processes and their relative impairments. We here developed the Italian Famous Face Test (IT-FFT), a novel assessment tool for famous face recognition in typical and clinical populations. Normative data on a large sample (N = 436) of Italian individuals were collected, assessing both familiarity (d′) and recognition accuracy. Furthermore, this study explored whether individuals possess insights into their overall face recognition skills by correlating the Prosopagnosia Index-20 (PI-20) with the IT-FFT; a negative correlation between these measures suggests that people have a moderate insight into their face recognition skills. Overall, our study provides the first online-based Italian test for famous faces (IT-FFT), a test that could be used alongside other standard tests of face recognition because it complements them by evaluating real-world face familiarity, providing a more comprehensive assessment of face recognition abilities. Testing different aspects of face recognition is crucial for understanding both typical and atypical face recognition.
High prevalence of m.1555A > G in patients with hearing loss in the Baikal Lake region of Russia as a result of founder effect
Authors: Borisova Tuyara V. , Cherdonova Aleksandra M. , Pshennikova Vera G. , Teryutin Fedor M. , Morozov Igor V. , Bondar Alexander A. , Baturina Olga A. , Kabilov Marsel R. , Romanov Georgii P. , Solovyev Aisen V. , Fedorova Sardana A. , Barashkov Nikolay A.
Published: July 2024

Mitochondrial forms account approximately 1–2% of all nonsyndromic cases of hearing loss (HL). One of the most common causative variants of mtDNA is the m.1555A > G variant of the MT-RNR1 gene (OMIM 561000). Currently the detection of the m.1555A > G variant of the MT-RNR1 gene is not included in all research protocols. In this study this variant was screened among 165 patients with HL from the Republic of Buryatia, located in the Baikal Lake region of Russia. In our study, the total contribution of the m.1555A > G variant to the etiology of HL was 12.7% (21/165), while the update global prevalence of this variant is 1.8% (863/47,328). The m.1555A > G variant was notably more prevalent in Buryat (20.2%) than in Russian patients (1.3%). Mitogenome analysis in 14 unrelated Buryat families carrying the m.1555A > G variant revealed a predominant lineage: in 13 families, a cluster affiliated with sub-haplogroup A5b (92.9%) was identified, while one family had the D5a2a1 lineage (7.1%). In a Russian family with the m.1555A > G variant the lineage affiliated with sub-haplogroup F1a1d was found. Considering that more than 90% of Buryat families with the m.1555A > G variant belong to the single maternal lineage cluster we conclude that high prevalence of this variant in patients with HL in the Baikal Lake region can be attributed to a founder effect.
Characterization of the GGP gene family in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) and Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) and its expression analysis under hormonal and abiotic stresses
Authors: Ding Zhiqi , Yao Kangding , Yao Yandong , Pan Xuejuan , Luo Lizhen , Li Long , Wang Chunlei , Liao Weibiao
Published: July 2024

GDP-l-galactose phosphorylase (GGP) is a key rate-limiting enzyme in plant ascorbic acid synthesis, which plays an important role in plant growth and development as well as stress response. However, the presence of GGP and its function in potato and pepper are not known. In this study, we first identified two GGP genes in each potato and pepper genomes using a genome-wide search approach. We then analyzed their physicochemical properties, conserved domains, protein structures and phylogenetic relationships. Phylogenetic tree analysis revealed that members of the potato and pepper GGP gene families are related to eggplant (Solanum melongena L.), Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana L.), tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.), with tomato being the most closely related. The promoter sequences mainly contain homeopathic elements such as light-responsive, hormone-responsive and stress-responsive, with light-responsive elements being the most abundant. By analyzing the structure of the genes, it was found that there is no transmembrane structure or signal peptide in the GGP gene family of potatoes and peppers, and that all of its members are hydrophilic proteins. The expression profiles of different tissues show that StGGP1 has the highest expression levels in leaves, StGGP2 has the highest expression levels in stamens, and CaGGPs have the highest expression levels in the early stages of fruit development (Dev1). It was found that StGGPs and CaGGPs genes showed different response to phytohormones and abiotic stresses. Abscisic acid (ABA) treatment induced the most significant change in the expression of StGGPs, while the expression of CaGGPs showed the most pronounced change under methyl jasmonate (MeJA) treatment. StGGPs responded mainly to dark treatment, whereas CaGGPs responded mainly to NaCl stress. These results provide an important basis for a detailed study about the functions of GGP homologous genes in potato and pepper in response to abiotic stresses.
Study on the dynamic response and roadways stability during mining under the disturbance of hard roof break
Authors: Peng Kong , Chang Liu , Dechuan Yang , Shihui Li , Ruiju Jin
Published: July 2024

Under the condition that the working face was directly covered with hard roof, the abrupt breaking of hard roof release significant amount of energy, thus prone to triggering dynamic disasters such as roadway instability or rockburst. This paper based on the engineering background of the Xieqiao Coal Mine's 11,618 working face, a numerical simulation method was put forward to study the dynamic response of roadway under the disturbance of hard roof breaking and proposed an evaluation index IC for roadway stability. Research indicates that the elastic energy released during the periodic weighting of the hard roof is higher than that released during the first weighting. Under the dynamic disturbance caused by hard roof breaking, the peak stresses of the roadway was slight decreased, accompanied by a significant increase in the range of stress concentration and plastic zone expansion. Roadway deformation patterns are significantly influenced by hard roof breaking, with noticeable increases in deformation on the roof and right side. During the period of hard roof breaking, the possibility of instability of the roadway increase significantly due to the disturbance caused by the dynamic load. The research results reveal the instability mechanism of roadway under the condition of hard roof, and provide a more reliable basis for evaluating the stability of roadway.
A non-invasive diagnostic nomogram for CHB-related early cirrhosis: a prospective study
Authors: Chen Yuxia , Wei Meijuan , Chen Meng , Wu Chenyu , Ding Hongbing , Pan Xingnan
Published: July 2024

This study aimed to construct a non-invasive diagnostic nomogram based on high-frequency ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging results for early liver cirrhosis patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) which cannot be detected by conventional non-invasive examination methods but can only be diagnosed through invasive liver puncture for pathological examination. 72 patients with CHB were enrolled in this prospective study, and divided into S4 stage of liver cirrhosis and S0-S3 stage of non-liver cirrhosis according to pathological findings. Binary logistic regression analysis was performed to identify independent predictors, and a diagnostic nomogram was constructed for CHB-related early cirrhosis. It was validated and calibrated by bootstrap self-extraction. Binary logistic regression analysis showed that age (OR 1.14, 95% CI (1.04–1.27)), right hepatic vein diameter (OR 0.43, 95% CI 0.23–0.82), presence or absence of nodules (OR 31.98, 95% CI 3.84–266.08), and hepatic parenchymal echogenicity grading (OR 12.82, 95% CI 2.12–77.51) were identified as independent predictive indicators. The nomogram based on the 4 factors above showed good performance, with a sensitivity and specificity of 90.70% and 89.66%, respectively. The area under the curve (AUC) of the prediction model was 0.96, and the predictive model showed better predictive performance than APRI score (AUC 0.57), FIB-4 score (AUC 0.64), INPR score (AUC 0.63), and LSM score (AUC 0.67). The calibration curve of the prediction model fit well with the ideal curve, and the decision curve analysis showed that the net benefit of the model was significant. The nomogram in this study can detect liver cirrhosis in most CHB patients without liver biopsy, providing a direct, fast, and accurate practical diagnostic tool for clinical doctors.
Direct and indirect pathways for heterosynaptic interaction underlying developmental synapse elimination in the mouse cerebellum
Authors: Nakayama Hisako , Miyazaki Taisuke , Abe Manabu , Yamazaki Maya , Kawamura Yoshinobu , Choo Myeongjeong , Konno Kohtarou , Kawata Shinya , Uesaka Naofumi , Hashimoto Kouichi , Miyata Mariko , Sakimura Kenji , Watanabe Masahiko , Kano Masanobu
Published: July 2024

Developmental synapse elimination is crucial for shaping mature neural circuits. In the neonatal mouse cerebellum, Purkinje cells (PCs) receive excitatory synaptic inputs from multiple climbing fibers (CFs) and synapses from all but one CF are eliminated by around postnatal day 20. Heterosynaptic interaction between CFs and parallel fibers (PFs), the axons of cerebellar granule cells (GCs) forming excitatory synapses onto PCs and molecular layer interneurons (MLIs), is crucial for CF synapse elimination. However, mechanisms for this heterosynaptic interaction are largely unknown. Here we show that deletion of AMPA-type glutamate receptor functions in GCs impairs CF synapse elimination mediated by metabotropic glutamate receptor 1 (mGlu1) signaling in PCs. Furthermore, CF synapse elimination is impaired by deleting NMDA-type glutamate receptors from MLIs. We propose that PF activity is crucial for CF synapse elimination by directly activating mGlu1 in PCs and indirectly enhancing the inhibition of PCs through activating NMDA receptors in MLIs.
Dietary liposomal complexes change the fatty acid composition of hepatic bioactive phospholipids in F1(C57blxDBA2\6) mice, as shown by a lipidomic approach
Authors: Palmina Nadezhda , Kononikhin Alexey , Chagovets Vitaliy , Tokareva Alisa , Antipova Anna , Martirosova Elena , Semenova Maria
Published: July 2024

A lipidomic analysis utilising chromatography-mass spectrometry was conducted to investigate alterations in the fatty acid profile of the liver phospholipids of the F1 (C57blxDBA2\6) line of mice receiving liposomal diets.
Functional structures assembled based on Au clusters with practical applications
Authors: Chen Hao , Zou Ligang , Hossain Ekram , Li Yixin , Liu Shaojun , Pu Yaoyang , Mao Xiang
Published: July 2024

Assembled structures of Au NCs in combination with different metal agents are intricately arranged through chemical forces, it resulted a diverse array of multifunctional Au NCs assemblies and being utilized in different biological applications.
Application and prospects of EMOFs in the fields of explosives and propellants
Authors: Tan Bojun , Dou Jinkang , Yang Xiong , Li Wenjie , Zhang Jing , Zhang Pengfeng , Mo Hongchang , Lu Xinming , Wang Bozhou , Liu Ning
Published: July 2024

This paper provides an overview of three major EMOFs suitable for explosives and propellant. Additionally, future development directions and prospects for EMOFs are discussed, providing valuable insights for the application of EMOFs.
Stabilisation of molecular TiO4 species on the pore surface of mesoporous silica for photocatalytic H2 evolution
Authors: Inada Hikaru , Morita Masashi , Maeda Kazuyuki
Published: July 2024

Molecular TiO4 species stabilised onto the pore surface of mesoporous silica were prepared by the grafting of TiO(acac)2 and subsequent chemical etching, which was experimentally proved to have potential photocatalytic activity for H2 evolution.
Multiple-resonance thermally activated delayed fluorescence materials based on phosphorus central chirality for efficient circularly polarized electroluminescence
Authors: Wang Yu , Lv Zi-Yi , Chen Zi-Xuan , Xing Shuai , Huo Zhong-Zhong , Hong Xian-Fang , Yuan Li , Li Wei , Zheng You-Xuan
Published: July 2024

This work presents the first chiral multiple resonance thermally activated delayed fluorescence materials based on a phosphorus chiral center. The circularly polarized devices exhibit high performances with dissymmetry factors of up to 1.46 × 10−3.
Art etching of graphene
Authors: N Gayathri Devi , Mai The-Hung , Gupta Ram K. , Pham Phuong V.
Published: July 2024

Various Euclidean and non-Euclidean geometries of graphene patterns obtained during art etching process of precisely integrated CVD growing/etching using hydrocarbons (CH4, C3H8, C2H6, etc.), Ar, and H2.
Metal-free efficient synthesis of aryl sulfonamides from N-hydroxy sulfonamide and amines
Authors: Venkat Shivaji Ramarao E. V. , Solanke Jayshree Nandkumar , Chatterjee Rana , Gat Savita , Dhayalan Vasudevan , Dandela Rambabu
Published: July 2024

An efficient and simple procedure for the facile synthesis of aryl sulfonamides has been developed using N-hydroxy sulfonamide and cyclic or acyclic amines under mild and eco-friendly conditions.
Key role of cycloalkyne nature in alkyne-dye reagents for enhanced specificity of intracellular imaging by bioorthogonal bioconjugation
Authors: Vidyakina Alexandra A. , Silonov Sergey A. , Govdi Anastasia I. , Ivanov Alexander Yu. , Podolskaya Ekaterina P. , Balova Irina A. , Bräse Stefan , Danilkina Natalia A.
Published: July 2024

Benzothiophene-fused azacyclononyne-dye reagents were created to demonstrate that a less reactive cycloalkyne is preferable to known highly reactive DBCO and BCN in the design of SPAAC intracellular bioimaging reagents.
MoS2 nanosheets coupled on Ti3C2Tx prepared by molten salt etching for enhancing lithium storage performance
Authors: Wang Shaochen , Qu Chenwei , Wang Xin , Lin Daoyong , Cao Tiantian , Huang Guoyong , Xu Shengming , Ye Jianzhong
Published: July 2024

Synthesis of MoS2/Ti3C2Tx nanocomposites through the implementation of a green phase engineering strategy. The incorporation of Ti3C2Tx substrate into the composite improves structural stability, reduces the energy barrier for Li+ diffusion, and enhances electron transfer.
Electro-tuned catalysts: voltage-controlled activity selection of bimetallic exsolution particles
Authors: Summerer Harald , Rath Kirsten , Nenning Andreas , Schachinger Thomas , Stöger-Pollach Michael , Rameshan Christoph , Opitz Alexander K.
Published: July 2024

Controlling the surface state of bimetallic exsolution nanoparticles to either enhance or inhibit the reaction kinetics of H2 oxidation/H2O splitting by applying a voltage.
A lignocellulosic biomass-derived polyurethane elastomer with high toughness and excellent crack tolerance
Authors: Guo Xiwei , Zhang Kun , Dong Yue , Qin Jianliang , Xiang Yang , Zhu He
Published: July 2024

A tough and recyclable polyurethane elastomer was successfully synthesized from liquified banana stems.
Potential-driven restructuring of lithium cobalt oxide yields an enhanced active phase for the oxygen evolution reaction
Authors: Ryabin Alexander A. , Choi Subin , Heo Yumin , Kunze Sebastian , Pelegov Dmitry V. , Lim Jongwoo
Published: July 2024

Increasing the oxidation potential improved electrochemical performance by inducing LiCoO2 delithiation and restructuring into β-CoOOH. Raman spectroscopy revealed heterogeneity and dynamic phase evolution within and between particles.
Electrochemical performance of M(dca)2pyz (M = Fe, Co and Ni) MOFs as sustainable anodes in lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Ciria-Ramos Isabel , García-Fernández Alberto , Mayoral Álvaro , Orera Alodia , Juarez-Perez Emilio J. , Haro Marta
Published: July 2024

A family of Metal–Organic Frameworks (MOFs) based on the ligands pyrazine (pyz) and dicyanamide (dca) and the metal centers Fe, Co and Ni with the unit formula M(dca)2pyz has been studied as anodes for Li-Ion Batteries (LIBs).
An integrated platform for decoding hydrophilic peptide fingerprints of hepatocellular carcinoma using artificial intelligence and two-dimensional nanosheets
Authors: Li Zhiyu , Ma Bingcun , Shui Shaoxuan , Tu Zunfang , Peng Weili , Chen Yuanyuan , Zhou Juan , Lan Fang , Ying Binwu , Wu Yao
Published: July 2024

A multifunctional platform integrating artificial intelligence, hydrophilic nanosheets, and MALDI-MS testing. This platform aims to achieve highly sensitive hydrophilic peptide fingerprints for accurate hepatocellular carcinoma diagnosis.
Laser-induced photoelectrochemical lithography
Authors: Du Bingqian , Han Lianhuan , Guo Chengxin , Zhan Dongping , Tian Zhao-Wu
Published: July 2024

Functional 3D-MNSs can be processed directly on semiconductor wafers with high precision and efficiency based on photoelectrochemical lithography, which does not require photoresists or any auxiliary processes.
Water-induced controllable synthesis of CsPbBr3 nanorods/nanocubes from CsBr nanocrystals
Authors: Ni Chuanxin , Xie Jinfeng , Xue Qi , Zeng Ying , Qian Qingyi , Wang Qingqing , Huang He
Published: July 2024

We present a post-synthetic process for fabricating CsPbBr3 nanorods or nanocubes at room temperature via the transformation of CsBr nanocrystals via regulating water amount and the concentrations of ligands in PbBr2 solutions.
Gstp1 negatively regulates blood pressure in hypertensive rat via promoting APLNR ubiquitination degradation mediated by Nedd4
Authors: Lei Jianzhen , Zheng Fen , Chen Luyao , Zhang Ruyi , Yang Yang , Yin Zhimin , Luo Lan
Published: July 2024

Hypertension is a leading risk factor for disease burden worldwide. Vascular contraction and remodeling contribute to the development of hypertension. Glutathione S-transferase P1 (Gstp1) plays several critical roles in both normal and neoplastic cells. In this study, we investigated the effect of Gstp1 on hypertension as well as on vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) contraction and phenotypic switching. We identified the higher level of Gstp1 in arteries and VSMCs from hypertensive rats compared with normotensive rats for the first time. We then developed Adeno-associated virus 9 (AAV9) mediated Gstp1 down-regulation and overexpression in rats and measured rat blood pressure by using the tail-cuff and the carotid catheter method. We found that the blood pressure of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) rose significantly with Gstp1 down-regulation and reduced apparently after Gstp1 overexpression. Similar results were obtained from the observations of 2-kidney-1-clip renovascular (2K1C) hypertensive rats. Gstp1 did not influence blood pressure of normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats and Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Further in vitro study indicated that Gstp1 knockdown in SHR-VSMCs promoted cell proliferation, migration, dedifferentiation and contraction, while Gstp1 overexpression showed opposite effects. Results from bioinformatic analysis showed that the Apelin/APLNR system was involved in the effect of Gstp1 on SHR-VSMCs. The rise in blood pressure of SHR induced by Gstp1 knockdown could be reversed by APLNR antagonist F13A. We further found that Gstp1 enhanced the association between APLNR and Nedd4 E3 ubiquitin ligases to induce APLNR ubiquitination degradation. Thus, in the present study, we discovered a novel anti-hypertensive role of Gstp1 in hypertensive rats and provided the experimental basis for designing an effective anti-hypertensive therapeutic strategy.
Is the TCA cycle malate dehydrogenase-citrate synthase metabolon an illusion?
Authors: Omini Joy , Dele-Osibanjo Taiwo , Kim Heejeong , Zhang Jing , Obata Toshihiro
Published: July 2024

This review discusses the intriguing yet controversial concept of metabolons, focusing on the malate dehydrogenase-citrate synthase (MDH-CISY) metabolon as a model. Metabolons are multienzyme complexes composed of enzymes that catalyze sequential reactions in metabolic pathways. Metabolons have been proposed to enhance metabolic pathway efficiency by facilitating substrate channeling. However, there is skepticism about the presence of metabolons and their functionality in physiological conditions in vivo. We address the skepticism by reviewing compelling evidence supporting the existence of the MDH-CISY metabolon and highlighting its potential functions in cellular metabolism. The electrostatic interaction between MDH and CISY and the intermediate oxaloacetate, channeled within the metabolon, has been demonstrated using various experimental techniques, including protein–protein interaction assays, isotope dilution studies, and enzyme coupling assays. Regardless of the wealth of in vitro evidence, further validation is required to elucidate the functionality of MDH-CISY metabolons in living systems using advanced structural and spatial analysis techniques.
TAAC: Secure and Efficient Time‐Attribute‐Based Access Control Scheme in SDN‐IoT
Authors: Hu Jiamin , Shen Zhonghua , Chen Kefei , Liu Yuying , Meng Qian , Wang Fuqun , Liu Yong
Published: July 2024

The convergence of software‐defined networking (SDN) and the Internet of Things (IoT) provides a scalable method for handling the considerable volumes of data produced by IoT devices. However, the lack of appropriate security measures can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data, potential breaches, and privacy violations, as well as time‐consuming and inefficient data retrieval methods in SDN‐IoT systems that require decrypting the entire dataset. To address these challenges, this article proposes the time‐attribute‐based access control scheme in SDN‐IoT (TAAC). The TAAC scheme combines ciphertext‐policy attribute‐based encryption with a novel time‐attribute‐based access tree to ensure fine‐grained access control on time and attributes, enabling secure ciphertext interaction and information sharing across domains. Furthermore, the TAAC scheme also incorporates searchable encryption, which enhances the efficiency of data retrieval. By implementing searchable encryption techniques, the data receiver can generate trapdoors to search and retrieve specific encrypted data without the need to decrypt the entire dataset. In summary, the TAAC scheme improves storage efficiency and computation, enhances scalability, and provides robust security, offering an efficient and secure solution for ciphertext sharing in SDN‐IoT environments. Experimental results have demonstrated that the TAAC scheme shows excellent performance and outperforms other attribute‐based searchable encryption algorithms.
Massive star cluster formation
Authors: Polak Brooke , Mac Low Mordecai-Mark , Klessen Ralf S. , Wei Teh Jia , Cournoyer-Cloutier Claude , Andersson Eric P. , Appel Sabrina M. , Tran Aaron , Lewis Sean C. , Wilhelm Maite J. C. , Portegies Zwart Simon , Glover Simon C. O. , Rieder Steven , Wang Long , McMillan Stephen L. W.
Published: July 2024

The mode of star formation that results in the formation of globular clusters and young massive clusters is difficult to constrain through observations. We present models of massive star cluster formation using the TORCH framework, which uses the Astrophysical MUltipurpose Software Environment (AMUSE) to couple distinct multi-physics codes that handle star formation, stellar evolution and dynamics, radiative transfer, and magnetohydrodynamics. We upgraded TORCH by implementing the N-body code PETAR, thereby enabling TORCH to handle massive clusters forming from 106 M⊙ clouds with ≥105 individual stars. We present results from TORCH simulations of star clusters forming from 104,  105, and 106 M⊙ turbulent spherical gas clouds (named M4, M5, M6) of radius R = 11.7 pc. We find that star formation is highly efficient and becomes more so at a higher cloud mass and surface density. For M4, M5, and M6 with initial surface densities 2.325 × 101,2,3 M⊙ pc−2, after a free-fall time of tff = 6.7,2.1,0.67 Myr, we find that ∼30%, 40%, and 60% of the cloud mass has formed into stars, respectively. The end of simulation-integrated star formation efficiencies for M4, M5, and M6 are ϵ⋆ = M⋆/Mcloud = 36%, 65%, and 85%. Observations of nearby clusters similar in mass and size to M4 have instantaneous star formation efficiencies of ϵinst ≤ 30%, which is slightly lower than the integrated star formation efficiency of M4. The M5 and M6 models represent a different regime of cluster formation that is more appropriate for the conditions in starburst galaxies and gas-rich galaxies at high redshift, and that leads to a significantly higher efficiency of star formation. We argue that young massive clusters build up through short efficient bursts of star formation in regions that are sufficiently dense (Σ ≥ 102 M⊙ pc−2) and massive (Mcloud ≥ 105 M⊙). In such environments, stellar feedback from winds and radiation is not strong enough to counteract the gravity from gas and stars until a majority of the gas has formed into stars.
Charge sign dependence of recurrent Forbush decreases in 2016–2017
Authors: Romaneehsen L. , Heber B. , Marquardt J.
Published: July 2024

Context. This study investigates the periodicities of galactic cosmic ray flux attributed to corotating interaction regions (CIRs) using Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS-02) data from late 2016 to early 2017.

Aims. We determine the rigidity dependence of recurrent Forbush decrease (RFD) amplitudes induced by CIRs for different particles with a focus on charge sign.

Methods. We carried out a frequency analysis using a Lomb-Scargle algorithm and superposed epoch analysis for all particles. For protons and helium, we compared the results with a single Forbush decrease (FD) analysis.

Results. Our results reveal that the rigidity dependence of proton amplitudes attributed to the northern coronal hole is in qualitative agreement with previous findings. In contrast, the amplitudes attributed to the southern coronal hole show no rigidity dependence. Furthermore, the amplitude of the helium modulation exceeds that of protons, in line with the observation for long-term modulation. For positrons, statistical limitations stand in the way of any definitive conclusions. In comparison to the positively charged particles, the modulation behavior of electrons reveals a different pattern.