bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Health issues and management practices of pesticide exposure in Ethiopia, East Africa
Authors: Aschale Minbale , Dessie Bitew K. , Assegide Endaweke , Tadesse Bamlaku , Alamirew Tena , Amezaga Jaime , Walsh Claire L. , Zeleke Gete
Published: December 2024

Pesticides are commonly used in agriculture for pest control, but their improper usage and handling can lead to high farmer exposures, negative health effects, and pollution of water bodies. The purpose of this study was to investigate farmer’s perceptions of the effects of pesticide runoff on water bodies, and to describe their self-reported knowledge of appropriate pesticide use, methods of application, sources of information, and related health issues and management strategies in Ethiopia. Data were collected via structured questionnaire, which was administered as an in-person interview to 582 farmers who cultivated vegetables. To assess unsafe pesticide handling practices, researchers observed the storage of pesticides and the condition of personal protective equipment and asked farmers about their pesticide disposal methods. The study found that nearly 87.97% of farmers reported mixing pesticides using a stick or their bare hands. Most respondents (88.83%) mixed pesticides to spray just on their farmland, and some (10.14%) were near water sources. It revealed that farmers have a low level of awareness about the risks and effects associated with pesticides and do not follow safe practices. Out of the farmers who had utilized pesticides, 55.67% reported encountering health issues associated with pesticide exposure. To reduce exposure and health risks, the study suggests implementing comprehensive interventions, such as integrated pest management, safety training, and alternative control methods.
AI for women’s financial inclusion—analysis of product design and policy approaches in Nigeria
Authors: Omotubora Adekemi
Published: December 2024

Nigeria has a significant gender financial inclusion gap with women disproportionately represented among the financially excluded. Artificial intelligence (AI) powered financial technologies (fintech) present distinctive advantages for enhancing women’s inclusion. This includes efficiency gains, reduced transaction costs, and personalized services tailored to women’s needs. Nonetheless, AI harbours a paradox. While it promises to address financial inclusion, it can also inadvertently perpetuate and amplify gender bias. The critical question is thus, how can AI effectively address the challenges of women’s financial exclusion in Nigeria? Using publicly available data, this research undertakes a qualitative analysis of AI-powered Fintech services in Nigeria. Its objective is to understand how innovations in financial services correspond to the needs of potential users like unbanked or underserved women. The research finds that introducing innovative financial services and technology is insufficient to ensure inclusion. Financial inclusion requires the availability, accessibility, affordability, appropriateness, sustainability, and alignment of services with the needs of potential users, and policy-driven strategies that aid inclusion.
Are certain African ethical values at risk from artificial intelligence?
Authors: Segun Samuel
Published: December 2024

This paper questions how the drive toward introducing artificial intelligence (AI) in all facets of life might endanger certain African ethical values. It argues in the affirmative that indeed two primary values that are prized in nearly all versions of sub-Saharan African ethics (available in the literature) might sit in direct opposition to the fundamental motivation of corporate adoption of AI; these values are Afro-communitarianism grounded on relationality, and human dignity grounded on a normative conception of personhood. This paper offers a unique perspective on AI ethics from the African place, as there is little to no material in the literature that discusses the implications of AI on African ethical values. The paper is divided into two broad sections that are focused on (i) describing the values at risk from AI and (ii) showing how the current use of AI undermines these said values. In conclusion, I suggest how to prioritize these values in working toward the establishment of an African AI ethics framework.
The SAMI galaxy survey: fossil group centrals are no more likely to be slow rotators
Authors: Scuccimarra Frank , Croom Scott M. , van de Sande Jesse , Barsanti Stefania , Brough Sarah , Bryant Julia J. , Kimmig Lucas C. , Lagos Claudia , Remus Rhea-Silvia , Ristea Andrei , Sweet Sarah M. , Vaughan Sam
Published: December 2024

Simulations suggest that slow rotating galaxies are the result of galaxy-galaxy mergers that have a tendency to randomise stellar orbits. The exact pathway for slow rotator formation, however, is still unclear. Our aim is to see whether there is a relationship between fossil groups - whose central galaxies are thought to have undergone more major merging than other central galaxies – and the stellar kinematic properties of those central galaxies. We classify all galaxy groups in the GAMA redshift survey whose central galaxies were observed with SAMI as: (i) fossil groups, (ii) mass gap groups (fossil-like groups), and (iii) groups that are not dynamically evolved (NDEGs, i.e. controls). We compare the following properties of centrals across the three different group types: spin (

$\lambda_{Re}$

), the fraction of slow rotators (

$f_{SR}$

), and age. We also repeat our analysis on data from the EAGLE and Magneticum hydrodynamical cosmological simulations. In SAMI, we find that the spin parameter, slow rotator fraction, and age are broadly consistent across our three group types, i.e. the fossil groups, mass gap groups and NDEGs. We do find a weak indication that

$f_{SR}$

is slightly lower for fossil group centrals as compared to NDEG centrals. In contrast, in EAGLE and Magneticum, fossil and mass gap group centrals typically have a significantly lower

$\lambda_{Re}$

than NDEG centrals. Our results for SAMI suggest that the types of mergers that form fossil groups are not the types of mergers that form slow rotators. Merger count may be less important for slow rotator formation than specific merger conditions, such as the gas content of progenitors. When and where the merging occurs are also suspected to play an important role in slow rotator formation, and these conditions may differ for fossil group formation.
The Logit Model Measurement Problem
Authors: Fillmore-Patrick Stella
Published: December 2024

Traditional wisdom dictates that statistical model outputs are estimates, not measurements. Despite this, statistical models are employed as measurement instruments in the social sciences. In this article, I scrutinize the use of a specific model—the logit model—for psychological measurement. Given the adoption of a criterion for measurement that I call comparability, I show that the logit model fails to yield measurements due to properties that follow from its fixed residual variance.
Effects of prepartum positive and negative dietary cation/anion differences on postpartum calcium concentration and risk factors for subclinical hypocalcemia in Holstein cows
Authors: Sami Mehrdad , Badiei Arya , Beiranvand Hamed , Moosakhani Farhad , Shaghayegh Alireza , Ahmadi Farhad
Published: December 2024

Insufficient data are available about the association between prepartum risk factors including dietary cation–anion difference (DCAD) status and postpartum outcomes of Holstein dairy cows within commercial management systems. The first objective of this experiment was to assess the association between postpartum serum calcium (Ca) dynamics and the risk of metritis development. The second objective was to identify the association of risk factors, including DCAD status of prepartum ration, prepartum serum macrominerals and parity, with the development of subclinical hypocalcemia (SCH) in two commercial herds. Herd A (n = 32) fed a negative DCAD close-up ration and herd B (n = 30) fed a positive DCAD close-up diet. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was run to evaluate the association of serum Ca concentration at 1, 2, and 4 DIM with the risk of developing metritis. A second ROC curve was also created to assess the association of prepartum serum Mg, P, and Ca concentration with the postpartum serum Ca concentration dichotomized into normocalcemic (>8.82 mg/dl) and subclinical hypocalcemic (≤8.82 mg/dl). A logistic regression model was created to assess prepartum DCAD status (negative vs. positive) and parity (classified into a 3-level variable as first, second and third or greater lactations) as potential predictors of SCH classification. Serum Ca concentration at DIM 4 was a significant predictor of metritis (area under the curve = 0.87; P < 0.01). Cows fed positive vs. negative prepartum DCAD diet were more likely to be classified as SCH at 4 DIM. Parity did not show a significant association with the classification of SCH at 4 DIM. Our results demonstrate the importance of the DIM of blood Ca concentration assessment in connection with the diagnosis of metritis, which is crucial for the most accurate categorization of SCH and the related risk factors.
Prisoners of Pakistan: Bengali military personnel and civil servants in Pakistan, 1971–1974
Authors: Chattha Ilyas
Published: December 2024

This article examines, for the first time, a significant aspect of Bangladesh’s Liberation War in 1971: the fate of ‘stranded Bengalis’ in West Pakistan during and after the war. The war ended with over 90,000 Pakistani prisoners of war (POWs) captured in East Pakistan-turned-Bangladesh, who were then transferred to Indian custody. The government of Pakistan responded by holding hostage roughly the same number of Bengali military personnel, civil servants, and their dependants in West Pakistan as leverage for the return of its captured POWs. Neither group would return home immediately in what arguably became one of the largest cases of mutual mass internment post-1945. Drawing on a wide range of untapped sources, both official and personal, this article traces the trajectory of this crisis of captivity in which the Bengali officials and officers—hitherto serving the Pakistani state—found themselves as rightless citizens with ‘enemy’ status after December 1971. Their wartime experiences, more than half a century after the war, warrant recognition in widening the understanding of 1971, not only in the history of regional and global politics but also at what was arguably the home front—a thousand miles away from the ‘war zone’ in East Pakistan.
Career challenges: an exploration into potential barriers faced by Scottish emerging composers
Authors: Morgan Jill
Published: December 2024

This article explores the potential barriers for emerging composers to constructing and maintaining a career in the field of composition in Scotland, viewed through the lens of both those early in their careers and the experience of others who have worked professionally for many years. Thirty-nine composers responded to a survey that highlighted the role of educational mentoring, the need for monetary stability and the challenges faced by female and older emerging composers. The professional lives of current Scottish composers have been seldom studied, and the purpose of this investigation is to explore, inform and provide suggestions for future consideration.
Global epidemiology of serogroup Y invasive meningococcal disease: a literature review
Authors: Tin Tin Htar Myint , Findlow Jamie , Balmer Paul , Swerdlow David
Published: December 2024

Serogroup epidemiology of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) is constantly evolving, varying by time and location. Surveillance reports have indicated a rise in meningococcal serogroup Y (MenY) in some regions in recent years. This systematic literature review explores the evolving epidemiology of MenY IMD globally based on review of recent articles and national surveillance reports published between 1 January 2010 and 25 March 2021. Generally, MenY incidence was low (<0.2/100,000) across all ages in most countries. The reported incidence was more frequent among infants, adolescents, and those aged ≥65 years. More than 10% of all IMD cases were MenY in some locations and time periods. Implementation of vaccination evolved over time as the rise in MenY IMD percentage occurred. Cases decreased in countries with quadrivalent vaccine programs (e.g., United Kingdom, the Netherlands, United States, and Australia), whereas the MenY burden increased and made up a large proportion of cases in areas without vaccine programs. Continuous monitoring of epidemiologic changes of IMD is essential to establish MenY burden and for implementation of prevention strategies.
Identification of novel sources of bacterial leaf blight resistance in wild species of rice
Authors: Tannidi Bhagyasri , V. G Ishwarya Lakshmi , M.S Anantha , G. S. Laha , R. M. Sundaram , P. Senguttuvel , Chandavarapu Raveendra , Dasari Aleena , Ghazi Irfan Ahmad , V Padma , Vamireddy Lakshmi Narayana Reddy , Channappa Gireesh
Published: December 2024

Wild species of rice possess tremendous genetic variations and harbour resistance genes for biotic stresses. Bacterial blight (BB), caused by Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo), is a major disease affecting rice production globally. The current study characterized 116 accessions from 17 species of Oryza for BB disease during three seasons viz., kharif 2020, rabi 2020–21, kharif 2021 using an isolate of Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo) strain IX-020. A total of 40 accessions including Oryza rufipogon, O. nivara, O. officinalis and O. australiensis showed consistence resistance to the bacterial blight disease across the seasons. These accessions were further subjected to molecular characterization using 11 Xa genes viz., Xa4, xa5, xa13, Xa21, Xa23, Xa27(t), Xa32(t), Xa33, Xa35(t), Xa38 and xa41 with gene-specific markers to ascertain the novelty. Some key resistance genes such as Xa4, Xa23, Xa27(t), Xa32(t), Xa33, Xa35(t) and xa41 were detected in multiple accessions, with O. rufipogon and O. eichingeri harbouring particularly complex combinations of these genes. Notably, several accessions viz., IC521672 (O. nivara), EC861665 (O. officinalis), EC861677 (O. latifolia), EC861711 (O. punctata) and EC861738 (O. eichingeri) did not show the presence of any known genes indicating the possibility of novel genetic loci conferring BB resistance in these wild species. These promising accessions identified in the study are potential novel sources for bacterial leaf blight resistance in rice and will be useful for the development of durable bacterial blight resistance rice cultivars.
Interview of James D. Riley
Authors: Harrison Jay T.
Published: December 2024

James D. Riley became the first lay editor of The Americas journal in 1987, leading the journal to its current status as a leading refereed academic publication of Latin American history and cultural studies. The interview addresses Riley’s formative years as a scholar, his work with the Academy of American Franciscan History and The Americas, and the transformation of the journal from 1987 to his retirement from the academy.
Obesity and metabolic syndrome in adults with a 22q11.2 microdeletion
Authors: Jaspers Faijer-Westerink Hester , von Scheibler Emma N. M. M. , van Rossum Elisabeth F. C. , van Haelst Mieke M. , Vingerhoets Claudia , van Amelsvoort Thérèse A. M. J. , van Eeghen Agnies M. , Boot Erik
Published: November 2024

Objective

Copy number variations (CNVs) may contribute to medical conditions. However, research on the impact of individual CNVs on endocrine disease is limited. This study aimed to provide new data on obesity and metabolic syndrome (MetS) in adults with microdeletion 22q11.2, the pathogenic CNV associated with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome.

Methods

We examined prevalence rates of obesity and MetS in 103 adults with a typical 22q11.2 deletion (45.2% male, at median age 30.0 (range 17–71) years) and compared these rates with population-based data. Generalized obesity was defined by a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m2, abdominal obesity by a waist circumference (WC) of ≥102 cm in males and ≥88 cm in females, and MetS by standard Joint Interim Statement criteria. General linear models were used to examine the independent associations of age, sex, congenital heart defect, smoking, and antipsychotic use with BMI, WC, and the presence of MetS.

Results

Prevalence rates of generalized obesity (32.0%), abdominal obesity (51.5%), and MetS (33.0%) were significantly higher compared to a population-based cohort (15.7% (P < 0.0001), 36.1% (P = 0.002), and 15.2% (P < 0.0001), respectively). In antipsychotic naïve subjects, significant correlations were observed between age and BMI (r = 0.54, P < 0.001), and age and WC (r = 0.60, P < 0.001). These correlations were not present in individuals taking antipsychotic medication. The models predicting BMI (F(5, 97) = 3.083, R2 = 0.137, P = 0.01) and WC (F(5, 92) = 5.985, R2 = 0.245, P < 0.001) were significant. Only age was individually predictive of outcomes (P < 0.05 and P < 0.001). The model predicting MetS was also significant (P < 0.001), with higher age being the only factor associated with MetS (OR = 1.07, 95% CI = 1.03–1.12, P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Generalized and abdominal obesity, as well as MetS, appear to be common in adults with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome, emphasizing the importance of careful monitoring from a young age. These findings contribute to the limited knowledge about the association between pathogenic CNVs, obesity, and MetS.
Identification of biallelic POLA2 variants in two families with an autosomal recessive telomere biology disorder
Authors: Kvarnung Malin , Pettersson Maria , Chun-on Pattra , Rafati Maryam , McReynolds Lisa J. , Norberg Anna , Moura Pedro Luis , Pesonen Ida , Chaireti Roza , Grönros Söderholm Boa , Burlin Julia , Rydén Jenny , Lindberg Eva Hellström , Giri Neelam , Savage Sharon A. , Agarwal Suneet , Nordgren Ann , Tesi Bianca
Published: November 2024

POLA2 encodes the accessory subunit of DNA polymerase α (polα)/primase, which is crucial for telomere C-strand fill-in. Incomplete fill-in of the C-rich telomeric strand after DNA replication has been proposed as a mechanism for Coats plus syndrome, a phenotype within the broader spectrum of telomere biology disorders (TBD). Coats plus syndrome has so far been associated with pathogenic variants in POT1, CTC1, and STN1. Here we report the findings of biallelic deleterious rare variants in POLA2 gene detected by whole genome sequencing and segregation analysis in five young adults from two unrelated families. All five individuals displayed abnormally short telomeres and a clinical phenotype suggesting a TBD disorder with Coats plus features including retinal and gastrointestinal telangiectasias. Our results suggest POLA2 as a novel autosomal recessive gene for a TBD with Coats plus features.
A multicenter trial on the predictors of different subtypes of hemorrhagic infarction after thrombolysis
Authors: Zeinhom Mohamed G. , Ahmed Sherihan Rezk , Kohail Ahmed Mohamed , Kamel Islam Fathallah Mohamed , Abdelrahman ALshimaa Mahfouz , AL-Nozha Omar M. , Almoataz Mohamed , Youssif Tarek Youssif Omar , Daabis Ahmed Mohamed Ali , Refat Hossam Mohamed , Ebied Ahmed Ahmed Mohamed Kamal , Elbassiouny Ahmed , Akl Ahmed Zaki Omar , Shuaib Ashfaq , Ismaiel Mohamed , Ibrahem Asmaa Ibrahem Desouky Mostafa , Khalil Mohamed Fouad Elsayed
Published: November 2024

Worldwide, stroke is a leading cause of long-term disability in adults. Alteplase is the only approved treatment for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) and results in an improvement in a third of treated patients. Most studies evaluated the post-alteplase haemorrhagic transformation of brain infarction as a homogeneous entity but we evaluated the predictors of each subtype of haemorrhagic transformation of brain infarction. Our trial included 616 AIS alteplase-treated patients. We evaluated the ability of different risk factors, clinical presentation, and imaging features to predict different haemorrhagic transformation (HT) subtypes. HT was seen in 152 patients (24.7%), higher NIHSS, cardioembolic stroke and atrial fibrillation were independent predictors of all ECASS-based subtypes of hemorrhagic infarction, in addition, anterior-circulation stroke was an independent predictor of hemorrhagic infarction type 1 (odds ratio [OR], 11.04; 95% CI, 9.81 to 12.70; P-value > 0.001) and type2 (OR, 11.89; 95% CI, 9.79 to 14.44; P-value > 0.001), while older age was also an independent predictor of parenchymal hematoma type1 (OR, 1.312; 95% CI, 1.245 to 1.912; P-value 0.02). In AIS patients treated with alteplase in Egypt and Saudi Arabia, higher NIHSS, cardioembolic stroke and atrial fibrillation were independent predictors of all ECASS-based subtypes of hemorrhagic infarction; in addition, anterior-circulation stroke was an independent predictor of hemorrhagic infarction type 1 and 2, while older age was also an independent predictor of parenchymal hematoma type1. Trial registration: (clinicaltrials.gov NCT06337175), retrospectively registered on 29/03/2024.
Remodeling of intracellular architecture during SARS-CoV-2 infection of human endothelium
Authors: Kubisiak Agata , Dabrowska Agnieszka , Botwina Pawel , Twardawa Patrycja , Kloska Damian , Kołodziej Tomasz , Rajfur Zenon , Pyrc Krzysztof , Targosz-Korecka Marta
Published: November 2024

Clinical data indicate that COVID-19 causes cardiovascular complications, regardless of the severity of the disease. In this work, we have shown that SARS-CoV-2 infection causes vascular dysfunction due to the modification of endothelial cell elasticity. We used human pulmonary endothelial cells (HPAECs) expressing the ACE2 receptor as a model of the endothelium. This system mimics in vivo conditions, as it allows virus entry but not replication. As a reference, we used A549 epithelial cells, a well-described model that supports productive replication of SARS-CoV-2. We show that the infection of HPAECs results in loss of cell elasticity, which correlates with increased polymerization of actin filaments and induction of the inflammatory response. On the contrary, A549 epithelial cells supporting viral replication showed increased elasticity. We also showed that the endothelial cell elasticity were impaired after infection with Alpha, Beta and Delta variants. Consequently, we believe that nonproductive SARS-CoV-2 infection associated with loss of the endothelium elasticity may be clinically relevant and result in dysfunction and damage to this tissue.
Tendon-inspired robust ionic conductive hydrogels with multi-hierarchical structures towards asthmatic patients’ medication monitoring
Authors: Zhou Qi , Lu Shengxu , Xu Pengwu , Niu Deyu , Puglia Debora , Yang Weijun , Ma Piming
Published: November 2024

Tendon-inspired robust ionic conductive hydrogels with multi-hierarchical structures towards asthmatic patients’ medication monitoring and flexible zinc-ion batteries.
Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior on Bone Health in Adults: A
Systematic Review
Authors: da Costa Julio Cesar , Barbosa Cynthia Correa Lopes , Pelegrini Andreia , Serassuelo Junior Hélio , Gomez-Campos Rossana Anelice , Fernandes Rómulo Araujo , Ronque Enio Ricardo Vaz
Published: November 2024

The objective was to analyze the longitudinal associations of physical activity
(PA) and Sedentary behavior (SB) on bone health indicators (BHI) in healthy
young adults. Articles were selected from five databases and 17 longitudinal
studies were selected after meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Among
these, only one study assessed the association between childhood PA and adult
BHI, the results showed no significant association between PA and BHI. Positive
associations between adolescence and adulthood were observed between PA with
bone mineral content and density and bone microarchitecture. In adulthood, the
results were divergent; among the three studies located, two found a positive
association. SB was negatively associated with bone mineral density and content
from childhood to adulthood. However, from adolescence to adulthood, it was
negatively associated with total tibia area but positively associated with
trabecular thickness, cortical thickness, and cortical bone mineral. The
evidence of the positive effect of PA and its intensities between adolescence
and adulthood on BHI seems to be more consolidated, and it is still necessary to
understand the role of intensities, volume of PA and SB in different periods of
life with BHI in adulthood.
Overall Accuracy of the Modified Duke Criteria—A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Caldonazo Tulio , Tasoudis Panagiotis , Doenst Torsten , Moris Dimitrios , Kang Lillian , Moschovas Alexandros , Kirov Hristo , Treml Ricardo E. , Sá Michel Pompeu , Hagel Stefan , Diab Mahmoud
Published: November 2024

Background Rapid and accurate diagnosis of infective endocarditis (IE) allows timely management of this life-threatening disease and improves outcome. The Duke criteria have traditionally been the clinical method for diagnosing IE. These criteria were reformulated at different timepoints. We aimed to evaluate the real accuracy of the modified Duke criteria based on several studies that concluded the diagnosis of IE.

Methods Three databases were assessed. Studies were considered for inclusion if they reported the use of modified Duke criteria as the initial approach and the confirmation of the diagnosis with the gold standard methods. The meta-analysis of diagnostic test accuracy was performed after fitting the hierarchical summary receiver operating characteristic model (HSROC) with bivariate model and displaying the summarized measures of sensitivity and specificity, and positive and negative likelihood ratios.

Results A total of 11 studies were included. Accuracy in the included studies ranged from 62.3 to 92.2%, sensitivity ranged from 58.3 to 84.0%, and specificity ranged from 50.0 to 100%. The combined overall sensitivity and specificity were 85% (95% CI: 0.77–0.90) and 98% (95% CI: 0.89–0.99), respectively. The positive likelihood ratio was 40.2 (95% CI: 7.26–220.74) and the negative likelihood ratio was 0.15 (95% CI: 0.01–0.23).

Conclusion The analysis reveals that the modified Duke criteria have a high positive likelihood ratio, suggesting a robust correlation between a positive test result and the existence of IE, and a very good overall specificity at 98%. The latter aspect holds significant importance in order to prevent unnecessary overtreatment, given the intricacies involved in managing IE.
Assessing NATO’s cohesion: methods and implications
Authors: Kunertova Dominika , Schmitt Olivier
Published: November 2024

While united in initial responses to Putin’s aggression in Ukraine, NATO members face challenges as the alliance adapts to a significantly worsened security environment. Although Russia’s war in Ukraine provided NATO with a unifying threat, we argue that external factors are not sufficient to maintain its cohesion. This forum contribution develops a conceptual tool to assess alliance cohesion across both political and military dimensions, thus highlighting the agency of the “architects”, “bricoleurs”, and “agnostics” in shaping NATO’s internal politics. This approach allows for estimating the degree to which allies coordinate their political objectives, as well as the effectiveness of strategies to achieve them. To estimate the strength of alliance cohesion, we introduce four cohesion drivers—security threats, norms, institutions, and leadership—and assessment criteria. This article outlines three scenarios modelled on the war in Ukraine, suggesting that alliance cohesion suffers the most during prolonged security crises. Using this assessment tool can provide the “architects” of European security with ideas for policies aimed at strengthening NATO cohesion.
Photoinduced ultrafast multielectron transfer and long-lived charge-accumulated state in a fullerene-indacenodithiophene dumbbell triad
Authors: Wang Chong , Wu Bo , Li Yang , Jiang Ying , Dong Tianyang , Zhou Shen , Wang Chunru , Bai Chunli
Published: December 2024

Photoinduced ultrafast multielectron transfer (m-ET) and long-lived charge-accumulated states in single molecules hold promise for light-energy conversion and utilization. However, compared to single-electron transfer (s-ET), m-ET tends to be thermodynamically and kinetically unfavorable. Here, we construct a dumbbell-shaped fullerene-indacenodithiophene triad,
IT2
, modified with two C
60
units in the donor indacenodithiophene. Exciting the C
60
units, ultrafast m-ET occurs with a time constant of 0.5 ps, accumulating two holes with a lifetime of 10 μs. Benefitting from a larger driving force, lower reorganization energy, and smaller structural changes, the rate of m-ET is 23 times faster than that of s-ET, and the lifetime of the m-ET product is 1.4 × 10
5
times longer than that of the s-ET products. These attributes endow
IT2
with superior photocatalytic performance in multielectron oxidation reactions. This is an instance of achieving faster m-ET and a longer m-ET product lifetime than s-ET in a single molecule. This finding provides unique insights for the construction and application of intramolecular m-ET and charge accumulation systems in photocatalysis and molecular devices.
Enhancement of bacterial rheotaxis in non-Newtonian fluids
Authors: Torres Maldonado Bryan O. , Théry Albane , Tao Ran , Brosseau Quentin , Mathijssen Arnold J. T. M. , Arratia Paulo E.
Published: December 2024

Many microorganisms exhibit upstream swimming, which is important to many biological processes and can cause contamination of biomedical devices and the infection of organs. This process, called rheotaxis, has been studied extensively in Newtonian fluids. However, most microorganisms thrive in non-Newtonian fluids that contain suspended polymers such as mucus and biofilms. Here, we investigate the rheotactic behavior of
Escherichia coli
near walls in non-Newtonian fluids. Our experiments demonstrate that bacterial upstream swimming is enhanced by an order of magnitude in shear-thinning (ST) polymeric fluids relative to Newtonian fluids. This result is explained by direct numerical simulations, revealing a torque that promotes the alignment of bacteria against the flow. From this analysis, we develop a theoretical model that accurately describes experimental rheotactic data in both Newtonian and ST fluids.
Towards a reconstruction of Proto-Coastal Min voiced coronal affricate and fricative initials
Authors: Kwok Bit-Chee
Published: December 2024

In this paper, we compare the corresponding sets across the Coastal Min dialects and reconstruct three voiced coronal initials, namely, *dʒ-, dʒh- and *ð-, for Proto-Coastal Min. The main reason of reconstructing voiced initials is that the Eastern Min varieties have undergone fricativization of some earlier affricates, which only occur in the yang tonal register. The development of these initials in modern languages is also discussed. It is found that while the Pu-Xian dialects share some similar features with Eastern Min regarding the initials under discussion, there is no strong reason to assume that they are genetically closer within the Coastal Min family.
On the finiteness of complement clauses in Chinese
Authors: Hu Bo , Chen Hong
Published: December 2024

This paper investigates the finiteness of complement clauses in
Chinese within the theoretical framework of the Minimalist Program, with a
specific focus on the independency and opacity features. Following He (2020) and Huang (2022), this study proposes that the feature
[IND] represents the independent reference time of the complement clause, and
the feature [OPA] indicates the degree of opacity for syntactic operations. By
integrating these two features, the paper establishes a robust differentiation
between finiteness and nonfiniteness within Chinese complement clauses. Under
the assumption that all complement clauses in Chinese are CP, a propositional CP
is classified as finite when its Co head is positively specified for
both features [+IND, +OPA]. Conversely, an event/action CP is considered
nonfinite when the Co head carries a negative specification: [+ IND, −OPA] or
[−IND, −OPA]. It is worth noting that if the reference time of a complement
clause depends on the matrix clause, it cannot be opaque, and therefore exhibits
transparency. This research sheds light on the intricate relationship between
the independency and opacity features, providing valuable insights into the
syntactic mechanisms underlying complement clauses in Chinese.
Detecting the stochastic gravitational wave background from primordial black holes in slow-reheating scenarios
Authors: Padilla Luis E. , Hidalgo Juan Carlos , Malik Karim A. , Mulryne David
Published: December 2024

After primordial inflation, the universe may have experienced a prolonged reheating epoch, potentially leading to a phase of matter domination supported by the oscillating inflaton field. During such an epoch, perturbations in the inflaton virialize upon reentering the cosmological horizon, forming inflaton structures. If the primordial overdensities are sufficiently large, these structures collapse to form primordial black holes (PBHs).
To occur at a significant rate, this process requires an enhanced primordial power spectrum (PPS) at small scales.
The enhancement of the PPS, as well as the formation and tidal interaction of the primordial structures, will in turn source a stochastic gravitational wave background (SGWB)
that could be detected by current and/or future gravitational wave detectors.
In this paper, we study the SGWB arising from these different sources
during slow-reheating, focusing
on a PPS that satisfies the requirements necessary for the formation of PBHs with a mass of MPBH ≃ 1021 and that constitute the entirety of dark matter in the universe.
Compression optical coherence elastography as a new tool for non-invasive identification of precancerous lesions of the oral mucosa
Authors: Plekhanov Anton A , Gazhva Svetlana I , Ibragimova Yuliya S , Sovetsky Alexander A , Mishina Natalia V , Potapov Arseniy L , Matveev Lev A , Kalinkin Kirill I , Anina Anastasia A , Matveyev Alexander L , Sirotkina Marina A , Gladkova Natalia D , Zaitsev Vladimir Y
Published: December 2024

We demonstrate the possibilities and prospects of a new application of compression optical coherence elastography (C-OCE) for diagnosing precancerous lesions of the oral mucosa. C-OCE allows the study of nonlinear elasticity of bio-tissues and mapping of various elasticity parameters to differentiate individual morphological structures and pathologies in human tissues. This work demonstrates the first utilization of C-OCE to identify oral leukoplakia lesions in the palate and buccal mucosa using changes in epithelial stiffness caused by the development of hyperkeratosis, which leads to the appearance of a pronounced keratin layer on the surface of the lesions. C-OCE-based quantification of characteristic stiffness values makes it possible to differentiate various types of hyperkeratosis in proliferative verrucous leukoplakia lesions, such as orthohyperkeratosis and corrugated keratosis. Quantification of the dimensionless nonlinear elastic parameter

β

additionally enables differentiation of the keratin layer from the epithelial layer in proliferative verrucous leukoplakia lesions with corrugated keratosis. The first reported results obtained for excised tissue samples substantiate the prospects of C-OCE for the realization of new clinical tools for non-invasive diagnosis of oral pathologies.
A qPCR Assay for the Quantification of the Overwintering Chasmothecia of Erysiphe necator in Grapevine Bark
Authors: Taibi Othmane , Furiosi Margherita , León Maela , González-Domínguez Elisa , Rossi Vittorio , Berbegal Mónica
Published: December 2024

Powdery mildew (PM) disease causes serious losses in Mediterranean vineyards, where suitable environmental conditions promote conidial infections. The frequency and intensity of these infections are directly linked to the amount of primary Erysiphe necator inoculum, i.e., the chasmothecia embedded in the trunk. In this study, we set up a protocol to extract and quantify E. necator chasmothecia in grapevine bark samples based on a quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay. Moreover, we observed PM severity and ascocarp production on leaves in the first season and primary infection in the following season in different grapevine cvs. with known PM susceptibility levels. The qPCR analysis showed a significant relationship between E. necator DNA concentration in bark samples and primary infection (R2 = 0.970) and disease severity development (R2 = 0.776), as well as chasmothecia development on leaves (R2 = 0.455). The results demonstrate that this methodology can be used for quantifying chasmothecia, improving current methods based on visual counting, proving the interrelationships between PM epidemics and chasmothecia, as well as refining PM disease prediction models and subsequent fungicide application. Rapid and easy quantification of ascosporic inoculum will greatly facilitate the reconciliation of control actions to the risks posed by greatly differing levels of ascosporic inoculum.
Comparison of Urine Output Response of Intravenous Bumetanide and Furosemide in Acute Decompensated Heart Failure: an observational analysis
Authors: Kefer Emily , Gulbis Brian , Weeks Phillip
Published: December 2024

Loop diuretics are a fundamental cornerstone in management of hypervolemia encountered in acute decompensated heart failure. There is variation in literature describing relative potency of loop diuretic agents, and very limited available data specific to the heart failure population. In this retrospective cohort study, we aimed to compare the urine output response between intravenous furosemide and bumetanide in patients with acute decompensated heart failure.

Patients were eligible for inclusion if they were admitted between July 1, 2021 and June 30, 2022, with acute decompensated heart failure and received intravenous bumetanide or furosemide within 48 hours of admission. Propensity matching was utilized to determine comparison groups. The primary outcome was total urine output for 24 hours following initiation of the diuretic regimen.

A total of 120 patients (60 in each group) were matched after exclusion criteria were applied. The total urine output was similar between groups. The bumetanide group did demonstrate a greater urine output: furosemide equivalent response (52 ± 46 mL/mg versus 33 ± 25 mL/mg; p=0.007).

Based on our analysis, similar urine output may be achieved with either intravenous bumetanide or furosemide in acute decompensated heart failure; however a higher dose of furosemide may be required than what has been previously established as an equivalent dose to bumetanide to achieve a similar diuretic effect. These results should warrant further investigation to better establish dose-response relationships with loop diuretics in the acute decompensate heart failure.
The Prognostic Impact of SIRT1, STAT3, and YAP1 in Colorectal Carcinoma
Authors: Elkholy Shimaa , Abdelbary Aya , Elazab Dina , Elkablawy Mohamed , Abdou Asmaa G.
Published: December 2024

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the most common gastrointestinal malignancy with a complicated behavior including relapse, metastasis, and development of resistance to chemotherapeutic drugs. Silent information regulator 2 homologue 1 (SIRT1), signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), and yes-associated protein (YAP) are cancer-related genes that have unclarified actions and even controversial roles in many human cancers including CRC. The current study aimed to evaluate the prognostic roles of SIRT1, STAT3, and YAP in CRC. Hundred and 13 CRC archival blocks were processed by TMA technique and immunostained with SIRT1, STAT3, and YAP antibodies. SIRT1, STAT3, and YAP are expressed in both tumor and stromal cells. SIRT1 expression in both the epithelial and stromal compartments was associated with favorable prognostic parameters, including longer overall and recurrence-free survival. In contrast, the epithelial and stromal expression of both STAT3 and YAP1 was associated with poor prognostic parameters, including short overall and recurrence-free survival. STAT3 and YAP epithelial expression showed a positive correlation with one another, but a negative correlation with epithelial SIRT1. While SIRT1 stromal expression was inversely correlated with stromal YAP expression, STAT3 and YAP concurrent stromal expression demonstrated a positive correlation with one another. There is crosstalk between CRC tumor and stromal cells by the coparallel expression of molecules such as SIRT1, STAT3, and YAP. There is a synergism between the STAT3 and YAP pathways in CRC at the level of the tumor and stroma. The tumor microenvironment of CRC could modulate tumor behavior by expressing markers suppressing invasion, such as SIRT1 or enhancing invasion, such as STAT3 and YAP.
Induction of Early Pulmonary Senescence in Experimental Sepsis
Authors: Mösenlechner Martin , Schlösser Daniela , Braumüller Sonja , Dörfer Lena , Mannes Marco , Kawach Rawan , Strauss Gudrun , Schmidt Christoph Q. , Lupu Ludmila , Huber-Lang Markus S.
Published: December 2024

Background: Sepsis continues to pose a significant threat to human life and represents a substantial financial burden. In addition to replicative stress resulting from telomeric loss, recent studies have identified multiple factors contributing to cell cycle arrest. Furthermore, our understanding of pathways associated with cellular senescence, such as CD47-mediated suppression of efferocytosis, has expanded. However, beyond in vitro experiments, the impact of cell stress during complex systemic illnesses, including sepsis, remains poorly understood. Consequently, we conducted an investigation into molecular alterations related to senescence-associated pulmonary mechanisms during experimental non-pulmonary sepsis.

Methods: Male C57BL/6JRj mice were anesthetized and subjected to either control conditions (sham) or cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) to induce sepsis. 24 h or 7 d after CLP, animals were sacrificed and blood, bronchoalveolar fluids and lungs were harvested and analyzed for morphological and biochemical changes.

Results: Histological damage in pulmonary tissue, as well as increases in plasma levels of surfactant protein D, indicated development of alveolar-focused acute lung injury after CLP. Additionally, we observed a significant upregulation of the CD47-QPCTL-SHP-1-axis in lungs of septic mice. Whereas the expression of p16, a marker primarily indicating manifested forms of senescence, was decreased after CLP, the early marker of cellular senescence, p21, was increased in the lungs during sepsis. Later, at 7 d after CLP, pulmonary expression of CD47 and QPCTL-1 was decreased, whereas SHP-1 was significantly enhanced.

Conclusion: Our findings suggest an activation of senescent-associated pathways during experimental sepsis. However, expanding the experiments to other organ systems and in vivo long-term models are necessary to further evaluate the sustained mechanisms and immunopathophysiological consequences of cellular senescence triggered by septic organ injury.
Towards Non-Invasive White Blood Cell Count in Humans
Authors: Bagramyan Arutyun , Wu Juwell W. , Mirsanaye Kamdin , Alt Clemens , Lin Charles P.
Published: November 2024

Despite rapid advances in diagnostic and imaging technologies, a method for noninvasive monitoring of the immune system does not exist. The standard white blood cell count (WBCC), a key clinical measure for assessing patients’ health, requires drawing blood, which poses inherent risks for secondary infection and anemia in vulnerable patient populations. In addition, the specialized equipment, expertise, and infrastructure are not always available in resource-poor settings. Here we present a method for noninvasive and label-free WBCC by imaging human oral mucosa with a miniaturized oblique back-illumination microscope (mOBM). In a pilot study involving 34 healthy subjects, we validated our system’s ability to detect and quantify circulating leukocytes and compared our image-based WBCC to standard laboratory measurements. The ability to perform noninvasive WBCC will enable real-time assessment of the immune status during infection and inflammation or in response to therapeutic intervention without repetitive blood sampling.
Online prediction of optimal deep brain stimulation contacts from local field potentials in chronically-implanted patients with Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Muller Marjolein , Scafa Stefano , Hanafi Ibrahem , Varescon Camille , Palmisano Chiara , van der Gaag Saskia , Zutt Rodi , van der Gaag Niels A , Hoffmann Carel F.E. , Bloch Jocelyne , Jiménez Mayte Castro , Bally Julien F. , Capetian Philipp , Isaias Ioannis U. , Moraud Eduardo M. , Contarino M. Fiorella
Published: November 2024

Background

The selection of optimal contacts for chronic deep brain stimulation (DBS) requires manual iterative testing of multiple stimulation configurations: the monopolar review. This requires time, highly trained personnel, and can cause patient discomfort. The use of neural biomarkers may help speed up this process.

Objective

This study aimed to validate the use of local field potentials (LFP) from a chronically implanted DBS neurostimulator to inform clinical selection of optimal stimulation contact-levels.

Methods

We retrospectively analysed bipolar LFP-recordings performed in patients with Parkinson’s disease OFF-medication and OFF-stimulation across three centres. For each contact-level chosen clinically, we ranked the recordings obtained by different channels according to the informative value of various beta-band (13-35Hz) power measures. We then developed two prediction algorithms: (i) a “decision-tree” method for direct, in-clinic use, and (ii) a “pattern based” method for offline validation. We finally compared these approaches to existing prediction algorithms.

Results

We included 68 subthalamic nuclei from the Netherlands (NL), 21 from Switzerland (CH), and 32 from Germany (DE). Recording channel rankings depended on the clinically chosen contact-level. When predicting the first two contact-levels, the online “decision tree” method achieved a predictive accuracy of 86.5% (NL), 86.7% (CH), and 75.0% (DE), respectively. The offline “pattern based” technique attained similar results. Both prediction techniques outperformed an existing algorithm and were robust in different clinical and recording conditions.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates that using these new methods, LFP-signals recorded in-clinic can support the selection of stimulation contact-levels, with high accuracy, reducing DBS programming time by half.