bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Optimizing Precision Material Handling: Elevating Performance and Safety through Enhanced Motion Control in Industrial Forklifts
Authors: Amio Fahim Faisal , Ahmed Neaz , Jeong Soonyong , Jung Insoo , Nam Kanghyun
Published: May 2024

In adapting to the demands of this modernized landscape, a conventional human-operated forklift within an industrial or warehouse setting falls short. However, the adoption of autonomous forklifts remains a distant prospect for many companies, primarily due to the formidable implementation and switching costs associated with artificial intelligence and complex control mechanisms. To bridge this gap, we present the development of a teleoperated forklift utilizing mecanum wheels for enhanced maneuverability. A key contribution of this work lies in the design of a novel synchronization method for the precise position control of the pallet carriers. This method surpasses the conventional independent and master–slave approaches, demonstrably achieving superior tracking and synchronization performance. Also, a model-based velocity control algorithm was designed for the mecanum wheels to facilitate the mobility of the system. The forklift was successfully able to carry a maximum load of 300 kg. For the comparison of the tracking and synchronization performance, the independent and master–slave methods were also applied to the system. The proposed method showed better performance compared to other structures.
Personalized Federated Learning Incorporating Adaptive Model Pruning at the Edge
Authors: Zhou Yueying , Duan Gaoxiang , Qiu Tianchen , Zhang Lin , Tian Li , Zheng Xiaoying , Zhu Yongxin
Published: May 2024

Edge devices employing federated learning encounter several obstacles, including (1) the non-independent and identically distributed (Non-IID) nature of client data, (2) limitations due to communication bottlenecks, and (3) constraints on computational resources. To surmount the Non-IID data challenge, personalized federated learning has been introduced, which involves training tailored networks at the edge; nevertheless, these methods often exhibit inconsistency in performance. In response to these concerns, a novel framework for personalized federated learning that incorporates adaptive pruning of edge-side data is proposed in this paper. This approach, through a two-staged pruning process, creates customized models while ensuring strong generalization capabilities. Concurrently, by utilizing sparse models, it significantly condenses the model parameters, markedly diminishing both the computational burden and communication overhead on edge nodes. This method achieves a remarkable compression ratio of 3.7% on the Non-IID dataset FEMNIST, with the training accuracy remaining nearly unaffected. Furthermore, the total training duration is reduced by 46.4% when compared with the standard baseline method.
Causal Inference and Prefix Prompt Engineering Based on Text Generation Models for Financial Argument Analysis
Authors: Ding Fei , Kang Xin , Wang Linhuang , Wu Yunong , Nakagawa Satoshi , Ren Fuji
Published: May 2024

The field of argument analysis has become a crucial component in the advancement of natural language processing, which holds the potential to reveal unprecedented insights from complex data and enable more efficient, cost-effective solutions for enhancing human initiatives. Despite its importance, current technologies face significant challenges, including (1) low interpretability, (2) lack of precision and robustness, particularly in specialized fields like finance, and (3) the inability to deploy effectively on lightweight devices. To address these challenges, we introduce a framework uniquely designed to process and analyze massive volumes of argument data efficiently and accurately. This framework employs a text-to-text Transformer generation model as its backbone, utilizing multiple prompt engineering methods to fine-tune the model. These methods include Causal Inference from ChatGPT, which addresses the interpretability problem, and Prefix Instruction Fine-tuning as well as in-domain further pre-training, which tackle the issues of low robustness and accuracy. Ultimately, the proposed framework generates conditional outputs for specific tasks using different decoders, enabling deployment on consumer-grade devices. After conducting extensive experiments, our method achieves high accuracy, robustness, and interpretability across various tasks, including the highest F1 scores in the NTCIR-17 FinArg-1 tasks.
Objective Video Quality Assessment Method for Object Recognition Tasks
Authors: Leszczuk Mikołaj , Janowski Lucjan , Nawała Jakub , Boev Atanas
Published: May 2024

In the field of video quality assessment for object recognition tasks, accurately predicting the impact of different quality factors on recognition algorithms remains a significant challenge. Our study introduces a novel evaluation framework designed to address this gap by focussing on machine vision rather than human perceptual quality metrics. We used advanced machine learning models and custom Video Quality Indicators to enhance the predictive accuracy of object recognition performance under various conditions. Our results indicate a model performance, achieving a mean square error (MSE) of 672.4 and a correlation coefficient of 0.77, which underscores the effectiveness of our approach in real-world scenarios. These findings highlight not only the robustness of our methodology but also its potential applicability in critical areas such as surveillance and telemedicine.
Complete Mitochondrial Genome of Four Peristediidae Fish Species: Genome Characterization and Phylogenetic Analysis
Authors: Liao Xianhui , Shih Yijia , Jia Chenghao , Gao Tianxiang
Published: May 2024

The systematic revision of the family Peristediidae remains an unresolved issue due to their diverse and unique morphology. Despite the popularity of using mitochondrial genome research to comprehensively understand phylogenetic relationships in fish, genetic data for peristediid fish need to be included. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the mitochondrial genomic characteristics and intra-family phylogenetic relationships of Peristediidae by utilizing mitochondrial genome analysis. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the phylogenetic relationship of Peristediidae by utilizing mitochondrial genome analysis. The mitochondrial genome of four species of Peristediidae (Peristedion liorhynchus, Satyrichthys welchi, Satyrichthys rieffeli, and Scalicus amiscus) collected in the East China Sea was studied. The mitochondrial gene sequence lengths of four fish species were 16,533 bp, 16,526 bp, 16,527 bp, and 16,526 bp, respectively. They had the same mitochondrial structure and were all composed of 37 genes and one control region. Most PCGs used ATG as the start codon, and a few used GTG as the start codon. An incomplete stop codon (TA/T) occurred. The AT-skew and GC-skew values of 13 PCGs from four species were negative, and the GC-skew amplitude was greater than that of AT-skew. All cases of D-arm were found in tRNA-Ser (GCT). The Ka/Ks ratio analysis indicated that 13 PCGs were suffering purifying selection. Based on 12 PCGs (excluding ND6) sequences, a phylogenetic tree was constructed using Bayesian inference (BI) and maximum likelihood (ML) methods, providing a further supplement to the scientific classification of Peristediidae fish. According to the results of divergence time, the four species of fish had apparent divergence in the Early Cenozoic, which indicates that the geological events at that time caused the climax of species divergence and evolution.
WGCNA Reveals Hub Genes and Key Gene Regulatory Pathways of the Response of Soybean to Infection by Soybean mosaic virus
Authors: Niu Jingping , Zhao Jing , Guo Qian , Zhang Hanyue , Yue Aiqin , Zhao Jinzhong , Yin Congcong , Wang Min , Du Weijun
Published: May 2024

Soybean mosaic virus (SMV) is one of the main pathogens that can negatively affect soybean production and quality. To study the gene regulatory network of soybeans in response to SMV SC15, the resistant line X149 and susceptible line X97 were subjected to transcriptome analysis at 0, 2, 8, 12, 24, and 48 h post-inoculation (hpi). Differential expression analysis revealed that 10,190 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) responded to SC15 infection. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was performed to identify highly related resistance gene modules; in total, eight modules, including 2256 DEGs, were identified. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis of 2256 DEGs revealed that the genes significantly clustered into resistance-related pathways, such as the plant–pathogen interaction pathway, mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) signaling pathway, and plant hormone signal transduction pathway. Among these pathways, we found that the flg22, Ca2+, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and abscisic acid (ABA) regulatory pathways were fully covered by 36 DEGs. Among the 36 DEGs, the gene Glyma.01G225100 (protein phosphatase 2C, PP2C) in the ABA regulatory pathway, the gene Glyma.16G031900 (WRKY transcription factor 22, WRKY22) in Ca2+ and H2O2 regulatory pathways, and the gene Glyma.04G175300 (calcium-dependent protein kinase, CDPK) in Ca2+ regulatory pathways were highly connected hub genes. These results indicate that the resistance of X149 to SC15 may depend on the positive regulation of flg22, Ca2+, H2O2, and ABA regulatory pathways. Our study further showed that superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, H2O2 content, and catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (POD) activities were significantly up-regulated in the resistant line X149 compared with those in 0 hpi. This finding indicates that the H2O2 regulatory pathway might be dependent on flg22- and Ca2+-pathway-induced ROS generation. In addition, two hub genes, Glyma.07G190100 (encoding F-box protein) and Glyma.12G185400 (encoding calmodulin-like proteins, CMLs), were also identified and they could positively regulate X149 resistance. This study provides pathways for further investigation of SMV resistance mechanisms in soybean.
Comprehensive Genetic Evaluation in Patients with Special Reference to Late-Onset Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Authors: Miyanohara Ikuyo , Ohori Junichiro , Tabuchi Minako , Nishio Shin-ya , Yamashita Masaru , Usami Shin-ichi
Published: May 2024

Hearing loss (HL) is a common and multi-complex etiological deficit that can occur at any age and can be caused by genetic variants, aging, toxic drugs, noise, injury, viral infection, and other factors. Recently, a high incidence of genetic etiologies in congenital HL has been reported, and the usefulness of genetic testing has been widely accepted in congenital-onset or early-onset HL. In contrast, there have been few comprehensive reports on the relationship between late-onset HL and genetic causes. In this study, we performed next-generation sequencing analysis for 91 HL patients mainly consisting of late-onset HL patients. As a result, we identified 23 possibly disease-causing variants from 29 probands, affording a diagnostic rate for this study of 31.9%. The highest diagnostic rate was observed in the congenital/early-onset group (42.9%), followed by the juvenile/young adult-onset group (31.7%), and the middle-aged/aged-onset group (21.4%). The diagnostic ratio decreased with age; however, genetic etiologies were involved to a considerable degree even in late-onset HL. In particular, the responsible gene variants were found in 19 (55.9%) of 34 patients with a familial history and progressive HL. Therefore, this phenotype is considered to be a good candidate for genetic evaluation based on this diagnostic panel.
A Simple Nonviral Method to Generate Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Using SMAR DNA Vectors
Authors: Hartley Anna , Burger Luisa , Wincek Cornelia L. , Dons Lieke , Li Tracy , Grewenig Annabel , Taşgın Toros , Urban Manuela , Roig-Merino Alicia , Ghazvini Mehrnaz , Harbottle Richard P.
Published: May 2024

Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are a powerful tool for biomedical research, but their production presents challenges and safety concerns. Yamanaka and Takahashi revolutionised the field by demonstrating that somatic cells could be reprogrammed into pluripotent cells by overexpressing four key factors for a sufficient time. iPSCs are typically generated using viruses or virus-based methods, which have drawbacks such as vector persistence, risk of insertional mutagenesis, and oncogenesis. The application of less harmful nonviral vectors is limited as conventional plasmids cannot deliver the levels or duration of the factors necessary from a single transfection. Hence, plasmids that are most often used for reprogramming employ the potentially oncogenic Epstein–Barr nuclear antigen 1 (EBNA-1) system to ensure adequate levels and persistence of expression. In this study, we explored the use of nonviral SMAR DNA vectors to reprogram human fibroblasts into iPSCs. We show for the first time that iPSCs can be generated using nonviral plasmids without the use of EBNA-1 and that these DNA vectors can provide sufficient expression to induce pluripotency. We describe an optimised reprogramming protocol using these vectors that can produce high-quality iPSCs with comparable pluripotency and cellular function to those generated with viruses or EBNA-1 vectors.
Defining a Haplotype Encompassing the LCORL-NCAPG Locus Associated with Increased Lean Growth in Beef Cattle
Authors: Majeres Leif E. , Dilger Anna C. , Shike Daniel W. , McCann Joshua C. , Beever Jonathan E.
Published: May 2024

Numerous studies have shown genetic variation at the LCORL-NCAPG locus is strongly associated with growth traits in beef cattle. However, a causative molecular variant has yet to be identified. To define all possible candidate variants, 34 Charolais-sired calves were whole-genome sequenced, including 17 homozygous for a long-range haplotype associated with increased growth (QQ) and 17 homozygous for potential ancestral haplotypes for this region (qq). The Q haplotype was refined to an 814 kb region between chr6:37,199,897–38,014,080 and contained 218 variants not found in qq individuals. These variants include an insertion in an intron of NCAPG, a previously documented mutation in NCAPG (rs109570900), two coding sequence mutations in LCORL (rs109696064 and rs384548488), and 15 variants located within ATAC peaks that were predicted to affect transcription factor binding. Notably, rs384548488 is a frameshift variant likely resulting in loss of function for long isoforms of LCORL. To test the association of the coding sequence variants of LCORL with phenotype, 405 cattle from five populations were genotyped. The two variants were in complete linkage disequilibrium. Statistical analysis of the three populations that contained QQ animals revealed significant (p < 0.05) associations with genotype and birth weight, live weight, carcass weight, hip height, and average daily gain. These findings affirm the link between this locus and growth in beef cattle and describe DNA variants that define the haplotype. However, further studies will be required to define the true causative mutation.
Social Support Postpartum: Bengali Women from India on Their Coping Experiences following Childbirth
Authors: Gupta Moumita , Patra Mahua , Hamiduzzaman Mohammad , McLaren Helen , Patmisari Emi
Published: May 2024

Undertaken in Kolkata, India, our study aimed to explore the experiences of Bengali middle-class women on perceived stressful events, social support, and coping experiences following childbirth. Becoming a mother following childbirth is a shared phenomenon irrespective of culture, social strata, or country, while stress during the postpartum period or depression is not. Discrete medical intervention does not sufficiently address the complexities of postpartum experiences since influencing factors also include economic, political, cultural, and social backgrounds. Adopting a feminist and phenomenological approach, individual in-person interviews were conducted with twenty women recruited via snowball sampling. Our findings revealed that events experienced as stressful may lead to poor postpartum well-being. Underpinned by gendered discourse and biases, stressful events included familial imperatives for a male child, poor social and emotional support from the family, mostly partners and fathers, and systemic workplace barriers. The women in our study commonly resided with their mothers postpartum. They expressed feeling sheltered from these experiences, cared for, and supported. We discuss the women’s experiences from a feminist pragmatic worldview, which advocates for a flexible feminism recognizant of the unique and nurturing relationship experiences between Bengali middle-class women and their mothers. In conclusion, we advocate for culturally sensitive, women-centered postpartum care practices that may entail the inclusion of intergenerational care during this critical phase of maternal well-being. These insights underscore the necessity of tailoring postpartum support systems to align with the cultural and familial contexts of the individuals they serve.
Identifying and Responding to Lead in Drinking Water in a University Setting
Authors: Bousquet Audrey G. , Eaves Lauren A. , Haley Kim , Catalano David , Williams Gregory B. , Hartwell Hadley J. , Brennan Catherine , Fry Rebecca C.
Published: May 2024

Lead is an established neurotoxicant, and it has known associations with adverse neurodevelopmental and reproductive outcomes. Exposure to lead at any level is unsafe, and the United States (US) has enacted various federal and state legislations to regulate lead levels in drinking water in K-12 schools and childcare facilities; however, no regulations exist for higher education settings. Upon the discovery of lead in drinking water fixtures in the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC-CH) campus, a cross-campus water testing network and sampling plan was developed and deployed. The campaign was based on the US Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) 3Ts (Training, Testing, and Taking Action) guidance. The seven-month campaign involved 5954 tests on 3825 drinking water fixtures across 265 buildings. A total of 502 (8.43%) tests showed lead above the limit of detection (1 part per billion, ppb), which represented 422 (11.03%) fixtures. Fewer than 1.5% of the tests were above the EPA action level for public water systems (15 ppb). In conclusion, systematic testing of all the fixtures across campus was required to identify localized contamination, and each entity in the cross-campus network undertook necessary roles to generate a successful testing campaign. UNC-CH established preventative measures to test drinking water fixtures every three years, which provide a framework for other higher education institutions in responding to lead contamination.
A Holistic Approach to Early Relational Health: Cultivating Culture, Diversity, and Equity
Authors: Charlot-Swilley Dominique , Thomas Kandace , Mondi Christina F. , Willis David W. , Condon Marie-Celeste
Published: May 2024

Early Relational Health (ERH) is the foundation for infant and child emotional and social wellbeing. ERH is a quality of relationships co-created by infants, caregivers, and other members of their families and communities from pregnancy through childhood. Relationships themselves are not ERH; rather, ERH can be a feature of relationships. Those that are characterized by positive, shared emotionality become contexts within which members co-develop mutual capacities that enable them to prevail and flourish. This essay offers a synthesis of current knowledge about ERH in the US and begins to integrate Indigenous and non-Indigenous research and knowledge about ERH in the hope that readers will embrace “Etuaptmumk”—“Two-Eyed Seeing”. The authors maintain that systems of care for infants, families, and their communities must first and foremost attend to revitalization, cultural context, diversity, equity, and inclusion. Authors discuss key concepts in ERH; Indigenous and non-Indigenous research that inform ERH; structural and systemic factors in the US that affect ERH ecosystems; the critical intersections of culture, diversity, equity; the broader concept of village support for fostering ERH; and efforts to revitalize ERH discourse, practices, and policies. The authors advocate for a holistic approach to ERH and suggest future directions for research and advocacy.
Association of School Instructional Mode with Community COVID-19 Incidence during August–December 2020 in Cuyahoga County, Ohio
Authors: Terebuh Pauline D. , Albert Jeffrey M. , Curtis Jacqueline W. , Stange Kurt C. , Hrusch Suzanne , Brennan Kevin , Miracle Jill E. , Yar Wail , Ganesh Prakash R. , Gullett Heidi L. , Rose Johnie
Published: May 2024

Remote and hybrid modes of instruction were employed as alternatives to in-person instruction as part of early mitigation efforts in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. We investigated the impact of a public school district’s instructional mode on cumulative incidence and transmission in the surrounding community by employing a generalized estimating equations approach to estimate the association with weekly COVID-19 case counts by zip code in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, from August to December 2020. Remote instruction only (RI) was employed by 7 of 20 school districts; 13 used some non-remote instruction (NRI) (2–15 weeks). Weekly incidence increased in all zip codes from August to peak in late fall before declining. The zip code cumulative incidence within NRI school districts was higher than in those offering only RI (risk ratio = 1.12, p = 0.01; risk difference = 519 per 100,000, 95% confidence interval (123–519)). The mean effect for NRI on emergent cases 2 weeks after mode exposure, controlling for Social Vulnerability Index (SVI), was significant only for high SVI zip codes 1.30, p < 0.001. NRI may be associated with increased community COVID-19 incidence, particularly in communities with high SVI. Vulnerable communities may need more resources to open schools safely.
Exploring Secondary School Athletic Trainers’ Perspectives in Managing Mental Health Situations
Authors: Jang Suhyun , Drescher Matthew J. , Armstrong Tara A. , Neil Elizabeth R. , Eberman Lindsey E.
Published: May 2024

Background: Most people believe that student–athletes experience fewer difficulties related to mental health than non-sport participants. However, several studies have shown high depression levels or emotional difficulties in adolescent athletes. Most secondary school students have access to athletic trainers in their schools. Secondary school athletic trainers (SSATs) are medical professionals who can provide health care for student–athletes, and they could be appropriate supporters in providing mental health management in secondary schools. However, there are no studies that have addressed their preparedness and confidence level to manage potential risk factors and mental health disorders. This study aims to ascertain preparedness and confidence levels from SSATs’ perspectives in handling mental health disorders using a survey based on the mental health management guidelines and consensus statement. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study design. The research team created an online survey questionnaire based on the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) Mental Health Guidelines for Secondary School and Interassociation Recommendation: A Consensus Statement. Utilizing the NATA Research Survey Service, the online survey was emailed to SSATs who self-categorized as secondary school athletic trainers in the NATA membership system. (n = 171, 65% completion rate). SPSS was used to analyze the survey data. Result: This study found that 29.2% of SSATs reported they have policies or guidelines regarding mental health disorders management for minors. The most frequent policy was mandatory reporting in cases in which an individual is being abused or neglected (80.5%). The highest confidence area was aligned with the most frequent policy. The least frequent policy was considering unique stressors and triggers with student–athletes to recognize the potential mechanisms that may cause a mental illness or exacerbate an existing mental illness (58.5%). Even though the least frequent policy was not aligned with the least confidence area, it was the second lowest confidence level. This study identified significant differences between two different employment structures: school-based employment and hospital-based employment structures. Policies were more common in school-based employment than in hospital-based employment structures. Conclusion: This study demonstrated the gap between organizational and individual preparation. The majority of SSATs respondents expressed moderate to high confidence in their ability to manage mental health disorders, despite the lack of mental health policies or procedures in their secondary schools. This study recommends that SSATs create guidelines or procedures in the areas where they are least confident and prepared to offer mental health management for minor student–athletes. They can use the interassociation recommendations and the NATA guidelines for mental health care to close the gap.
Behind the Hospital Ward: In-Hospital Mortality of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients in Indonesia (Analysis of National Health Insurance Claim Sample Data)
Authors: Darmawan Ede Surya , Permanasari Vetty Yulianty , Nisrina Latin Vania , Kusuma Dian , Hasibuan Syarif Rahman , Widyasanti Nisrina
Published: May 2024

The rising global prevalence of diabetes mellitus, a chronic metabolic disorder, poses significant challenges to healthcare systems worldwide. This study examined in-hospital mortality among patients diagnosed with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) of ICD-10, or Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM), in Indonesia, utilizing hospital claims data spanning from 2017 to 2022 obtained from the Indonesia Health Social Security Agency or Badan Penyelenggara Jaminan Sosial (BPJS) Kesehatan. The analysis, which included 610,809 hospitalized T2DM patients, revealed an in-hospital mortality rate of 6.6%. Factors contributing to an elevated risk of mortality included advanced age, the presence of comorbidities, and severe complications. Additionally, patients receiving health subsidies and those treated in government hospitals were found to have higher mortality risks. Geographic disparities were observed, highlighting variations in healthcare outcomes across different regions. Notably, the complication of ketoacidosis emerged as the most significant risk factor for in-hospital mortality, with an odds ratio (OR) of 10.86, underscoring the critical need for prompt intervention and thorough management of complications to improve patient outcomes.
Elucidating Gender-Specific Distribution of Imipramine, Chloroquine, and Their Metabolites in Mice Kidney Tissues through AP-MALDI-MSI
Authors: Islam Md. Monirul , Rahman Md Foyzur , Islam Ariful , Afroz Mst. Sayela , Mamun Md. Al , Rahman Md. Muedur , Maniruzzaman Md , Xu Lili , Sakamoto Takumi , Takahashi Yutaka , Sato Tomohito , Kahyo Tomoaki , Setou Mitsutoshi
Published: May 2024

Knowledge of gender-specific drug distributions in different organs are of great importance for personalized medicine and reducing toxicity. However, such drug distributions have not been well studied. In this study, we investigated potential differences in the distribution of imipramine and chloroquine, as well as their metabolites, between male and female kidneys. Kidneys were collected from mice treated with imipramine or chloroquine and then subjected to atmospheric pressure matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-mass spectrometry imaging (AP-MALDI-MSI). We observed differential distributions of the drugs and their metabolites between male and female kidneys. Imipramine showed prominent distributions in the cortex and medulla in male and female kidneys, respectively. Desipramine, one of the metabolites of imipramine, showed significantly higher (*** p < 0.001) distributions in the medulla of the male kidney compared to that of the female kidney. Chloroquine and its metabolites were accumulated in the pelvis of both male and female kidneys. Interestingly, they showed a characteristic distribution in the medulla of the female kidney, while almost no distributions were observed in the same areas of the male kidney. For the first time, our study revealed that the distributions of imipramine, chloroquine, and their metabolites were different in male and female kidneys.
Pan-Genome Analysis of Wolbachia, Endosymbiont of Diaphorina citri, Reveals Independent Origin in Asia and North America
Authors: Zhang Jiahui , Liu Qian , Dai Liangying , Zhang Zhijun , Wang Yunsheng
Published: May 2024

Wolbachia, a group of Gram-negative symbiotic bacteria, infects nematodes and a wide range of arthropods. Diaphorina citri Kuwayama, the vector of Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas) that causes citrus greening disease, is naturally infected with Wolbachia (wDi). However, the interaction between wDi and D. citri remains poorly understood. In this study, we performed a pan-genome analysis using 65 wDi genomes to gain a comprehensive understanding of wDi. Based on average nucleotide identity (ANI) analysis, we classified the wDi strains into Asia and North America strains. The ANI analysis, principal coordinates analysis (PCoA), and phylogenetic tree analysis supported that the D. citri in Florida did not originate from China. Furthermore, we found that a significant number of core genes were associated with metabolic pathways. Pathways such as thiamine metabolism, type I secretion system, biotin transport, and phospholipid transport were highly conserved across all analyzed wDi genomes. The variation analysis between Asia and North America wDi showed that there were 39,625 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), 2153 indels, 10 inversions, 29 translocations, 65 duplications, 10 SV-based insertions, and 4 SV-based deletions. The SV-based insertions and deletions involved genes encoding transposase, phage tail tube protein, ankyrin repeat (ANK) protein, and group II intron-encoded protein. Pan-genome analysis of wDi contributes to our understanding of the geographical population of wDi, the origin of hosts of D. citri, and the interaction between wDi and its host, thus facilitating the development of strategies to control the insects and huanglongbing (HLB).
Mitophagy Regulates the Circadian Rhythms by Degrading NR1D1 in Simulated Microgravity and Isolation Environments
Authors: Zhou Sihai , Li Xiaopeng , Liang Fengji , Ji Guohua , Lv Ke , Yuan Yanhong , Zhao Yujie , Yan Na , Zhang Chuanjie , Cai Shiou , Zhang Shuhui , Liu Xu , Song Bo , Qu Lina
Published: May 2024

Long-term spaceflight is known to induce disruptions in circadian rhythms, which are driven by a central pacemaker located in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of the hypothalamus, but the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we developed a rat model that simulated microgravity and isolation environments through tail suspension and isolation (TSI). We found that the TSI environment imposed circadian disruptions to the core body temperature, heart rate, and locomotor-activity rhythms of rats, especially in the amplitude of these rhythms. In TSI model rats’ SCNs, the core circadian gene NR1D1 showed higher protein but not mRNA levels along with decreased BMAL1 levels, which indicated that NR1D1 could be regulated through post-translational regulation. The autophagosome marker LC3 could directly bind to NR1D1 via the LC3-interacting region (LIR) motifs and induce the degradation of NR1D1 in a mitophagy-dependent manner. Defects in mitophagy led to the reversal of NR1D1 degradation, thereby suppressing the expression of BMAL1. Mitophagy deficiency and subsequent mitochondrial dysfunction were observed in the SCN of TSI models. Urolithin A (UA), a mitophagy activator, demonstrated an ability to enhance the amplitude of core body temperature, heart rate, and locomotor-activity rhythms by prompting mitophagy induction to degrade NR1D1. Cumulatively, our results demonstrate that mitophagy exerts circadian control by regulating NR1D1 degradation, revealing mitophagy as a potential target for long-term spaceflight as well as diseases with SCN circadian disruption.
Evolutionary Adaptation of an RNA Bacteriophage to Repeated Freezing and Thawing Cycles
Authors: Laguna-Castro Mara , Rodríguez-Moreno Alicia , Lázaro Ester
Published: May 2024

Bacteriophage fitness is determined by factors influencing both their replication within bacteria and their ability to maintain infectivity between infections. The latter becomes particularly crucial under adverse environmental conditions or when host density is low. In such scenarios, the damage experienced by viral particles could lead to the loss of infectivity, which might be mitigated if the virus undergoes evolutionary optimization through replication. In this study, we conducted an evolution experiment involving bacteriophage Qβ, wherein it underwent 30 serial transfers, each involving a cycle of freezing and thawing followed by replication of the surviving viruses. Our findings show that Qβ was capable of enhancing its resistance to this selective pressure through various adaptive pathways that did not impair the virus replicative capacity. Notably, these adaptations predominantly involved mutations located within genes encoding capsid proteins. The adapted populations exhibited higher resistance levels than individual viruses isolated from them, and the latter surpassed those observed in single mutants generated via site-directed mutagenesis. This suggests potential interactions among mutants and mutations. In conclusion, our study highlights the significant role of extracellular selective pressures in driving the evolution of phages, influencing both the genetic composition of their populations and their phenotypic properties.
A Cross-Sectional Study of Glomerular Hyperfiltration in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Authors: Butler Alexandra E. , Lubbad Walaa , Akbar Shahzad , Kilpatrick Eric S. , Sathyapalan Thozhukat , Atkin Stephen L.
Published: May 2024

Glomerular hyperfiltration (GH) has been reported to be higher in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and is an independent risk factor for renal function deterioration, metabolic, and cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study was to determine GH in type A PCOS subjects and to identify whether inflammatory markers, markers of CKD, renal tubule injury markers, and complement system proteins were associated. In addition, a secondary cohort study was performed to determine if the eGFR had altered over time. In this comparative cross-sectional analysis, demographic, metabolic, and proteomic data from Caucasian women aged 18–40 years from a PCOS Biobank (137 with PCOS, 97 controls) was analyzed. Slow Off-rate Modified Aptamer (SOMA)-scan plasma protein measurement was undertaken for inflammatory proteins, serum markers of chronic kidney disease (CKD), tubular renal injury markers, and complement system proteins. A total of 44.5% of the PCOS cohort had GH (eGFR ≥ 126 mL/min/1.73 m2 (n = 55)), and 12% (n = 17) eGFR ≥ 142 mL/min/1.73 m2 (super-GH(SGH)). PCOS-GH women were younger and had lower creatinine and urea versus PCOS-nonGH. C-reactive protein (CRP), white cell count (WCC), and systolic blood pressure (SBP) were higher in PCOS versus controls, but CRP correlated only with PCOS-SGH alone. Complement protein changes were seen between controls and PCOS-nonGH, and decay-accelerator factor (DAF) was decreased between PCOS-nonGH and PCOS-GSGH (p < 0.05). CRP correlated with eGFR in the PCOS-SGH group, but not with other inflammatory or complement parameters. Cystatin-c (a marker of CKD) was reduced between PCOS-nonGH and PCOS-GSGH (p < 0.05). No differences in tubular renal injury markers were found. A secondary cohort notes review of the biobank subjects 8.2–9.6 years later showed a reduction in eGFR: controls −6.4 ± 12.6 mL/min/1.73 m2 (−5.3 ± 11.5%; decrease 0.65%/year); PCOS-nonGH −11.3 ± 13.7 mL/min/1.73 m2 (−9.7 ± 12.2%; p < 0.05, decrease 1%/year); PCOS-GH (eGFR 126–140 mL/min/17.3 m2) −27.1 ± 12.8 mL/min/1.73 m2 (−19.1 ± 8.7%; p < 0.0001, decrease 2%/year); PCOS-SGH (eGFR ≥ 142 mL/min/17.3 m2) −33.7 ± 8.9 mL/min/17.3 m2 (−22.8 ± 6.0%; p < 0.0001, decrease 3.5%/year); PCOS-nonGH eGFR versus PCOS-GH and PCOS-SGH, p < 0.001; no difference PCOS-GH versus PCOS-SGH. GH was associated with PCOS and did not appear mediated through tubular renal injury; however, cystatin-c and DAF were decreased, and CRP correlated positively with PCOS-SGH, suggesting inflammation may be involved at higher GH. There were progressive eGFR decrements for PCOS-nonGH, PCOS-GH, and PCOS-SGH in the follow-up period which, in the presence of additional factors affecting renal function, may be clinically important in the development of CKD in PCOS.
The Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Targets of Atherosclerosis: From Basic Research to Interventional Cardiology
Authors: Borovac Josip Andelo
Published: May 2024

The goal of this Special Issue was to collect original pieces as well as state-of-the-art review articles from scientists and research groups with specific interests in atherosclerosis research [...]
What Is the Relationship between Corporate Social Responsibility and Financial Performance in the UK Banking Sector?
Authors: Giannopoulos George , Pilcher Nicholas , Salmon Ioannis
Published: May 2024

This study rigorously investigates the intricate dynamics between Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), quantified through Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) scores, and financial performance (FP), measured via the return on assets (ROA) and return on equity (ROE), within the UK banking sector. Our analysis is based on a comprehensive dataset from Bloomberg. This research encapsulates data from 32 banks publicly listed on the London Stock Exchange over a six-year span from 2017 to 2022. Employing panel data regression models while controlling leverage and bank size, we delve into the relationship between banks’ CSR engagements, as reflected in their ESG scores, and their financial outcomes. Our findings indicate a negative correlation between the ESG score and both the ROA and ROE, suggesting that elevated CSR commitments may inversely impact short-term financial returns. This finding not only challenges prevailing narratives within the sector but also fosters a crucial discourse on the balance between ethical banking practices and profitability. The implications of this research study are manifold, extending to policymakers, banking executives, and investors, suggesting a revaluation of CSR strategies in alignment with long-term value creation and sustainable banking. This study not only enriches academic discourse on CSR within the financial sector but also serves as a beacon for future inquiries into the evolving landscape of responsible banking, advocating for a nuanced understanding of CSR’s role in shaping the financial and ethical contours of the banking industry.
Effects of Affordable Housing Land Supply on Housing Prices: Evidence from 284 Cities in China
Authors: Han Xue , Feng Changchun
Published: May 2024

The policy objectives of affordable housing programs in China are two-fold: on the one hand, they are designed to assist low- and moderate-income families and reduce inequality; on the other hand, they are intended to lower commodity housing prices. However, the effects of affordable housing land on housing prices, particularly the between-city variation and the mechanisms behind the market effects, have not been sufficiently examined, making it difficult to evaluate the housing policy and improve it accordingly. In this study, we address these gaps by using a prefecture-level panel dataset covering 2009–2020, obtained from national land and housing transaction information platforms. We use a threshold model to investigate the threshold effect of population size and a mediating model to uncover the channels through which the supply of affordable housing land affects housing prices. The results confirm that the affordable housing land supply can have a beneficial influence in terms of slowing down the increase in housing prices. The population size plays a significant role in explaining the between-city market effect variations. In cities with a population greater than 10.78 million, increasing the supply of affordable housing land would cause the housing prices to increase. Meanwhile, in cities with smaller populations, increasing the supply of affordable housing land could lower the housing prices. The underlying mechanisms of the market effects vary across cities with different population sizes. Although affordable housing land crowds out commodity housing land in all cities, housing demand diversion only exists in cities with a smaller population. At present, China is experimenting with city-specific housing policies; our findings imply that decision makers should explore additional policy options, besides building on incremental construction land, in order to make housing more affordable in supercities in China.
Prosodic Rephrasing and Violations of the Phase Impenetrability Condition
Authors: Güneş Güliz
Published: May 2024

According to the Phase Impenetrability Condition (PIC), phasal domains are opaque to further syntactic operations. Some researchers claim that the PIC applies in the phonological component of grammar (i.e., at PF). Others, however, claim that there is no PIC at PF. I use data from Turkish to provide new arguments against the PIC-at-PF view and conclude that the PIC can only possibly hold in syntax. I show that the PIC-at-PF view is too restrictive, as it makes incorrect predictions about variable prosodic domain formation and optional prosodic variation in Turkish.
The Protective Effect of the Crosstalk between Zinc Hair Concentration and Lymphocyte Count—Preliminary Report
Authors: Urbanowicz Tomasz , Hanć Anetta , Tomczak Jolanta , Michalak Michał , Olasińska-Wiśniewska Anna , Rzesoś Patrycja , Szot Mateusz , Filipiak Krzysztof J. , Krasińska Beata , Krasiński Zbigniew , Tykarski Andrzej , Jemielity Marek
Published: May 2024

Background: An imbalance between pro- and anti-inflammatory mechanisms is indicated in the pathophysiology of atherosclerotic plaque. The coronary artery and carotid disease, despite sharing similar risk factors, are developed separately. The aim of this study was to analyze possible mechanisms between trace element hair–scalp concentrations and whole blood counts that favor atherosclerotic plaque progression in certain locations. Methods: There were 65 (36 (55%) males and 29 (45%) females) patients with a median age of 68 (61–73) years enrolled in a prospective, preliminary, multicenter analysis. The study group was composed of 13 patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD group) referred for surgical revascularization due to multivessel coronary disease, 34 patients with carotid artery disease (carotid group) admitted for vascular procedure, and 18 patients in a control group (control group). Results: There was a significant difference between the CAD and carotid groups regarding lymphocyte (p = 0.004) counts. The biochemical comparison between the coronary and carotid groups revealed significant differences regarding chromium (Cr) (p = 0.002), copper (Cu) (p < 0.001), and zinc (Zn) (p < 0.001) concentrations. Spearman Rank Order Correlations between lymphocyte counts and trace elements in the analyzed groups were performed, revealing a strong correlation with zinc (R = 0.733, p < 0.001) in the control group (non-CAD, non-carotid). Conclusion: Significant differences in hair–scalp concentrations related to atherosclerosis location were observed in our analysis. The interplay between zinc concentration and lymphocyte count may play a pivotal role in cardiovascular disease development.
A Comprehensive Analysis of Renal and Endothelium Dysfunction Markers Fourteen Years after Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome Contraction
Authors: Ledina Dragan , Ivić Ivo , Tadin Ante , Bodulić Kristian , LeDuc James W. , Markotić Alemka
Published: May 2024

While the pathology of acute hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) has been widely researched, details on the chronic HFRS sequelae remain mainly unexplored. In this study, we analyzed the clinical and laboratory characteristics of 30 convalescent HFRS patients 14 years after the disease contraction, mainly emphasizing several endothelial dysfunction parameters. Convalescent HFRS patients exhibited significantly higher serum levels of erythrocyte sedimentation rate, von Willebrand factor, uric acid, C-reactive protein and immunoglobulin A when compared to healthy individuals. Furthermore, 24 h urine analyses revealed significantly lower sodium and potassium urine levels, as well as significantly higher proteinuria, microalbumin levels and β2-microglobulin levels when compared to healthy individuals. First morning urine analysis revealed significantly higher levels of hematuria in convalescent HFRS patients. None of the additional analyzed endothelium dysfunction markers were significantly different in post-HFRS patients and healthy individuals, including serum and urine P-selectin, E-selectin, soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1, vascular intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (sVCAM-1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). However, binary logistic regression revealed a weak association of serum sVCAM-1 and urine VEGF levels with HFRS contraction. Generally, our findings suggest mild chronic inflammation and renal dysfunction levels in convalescent HFRS patients 14 years after the disease contraction.