bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sinapic Acid Mitigates Pentylenetetrazol-induced Acute Seizures By Modulating the NLRP3 Inflammasome and Regulating Calcium/calcineurin Signaling: In Vivo and In Silico Approaches
Authors: Ali Shimaa O. , Ghaiad Heba R. , Elmasry Ghada F. , Mehana Noha A.
Published: April 2024

Sinapic acid (SA) is a naturally occurring carboxylic acid found in citrus fruits and cereals. Recent studies have shown that SA has potential anti-seizure properties due to its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-apoptotic effects. The present study investigated the neuroprotective role of SA at two different dosages in a pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-induced acute seizure model. Mice were divided into six groups: normal control, PTZ, SA (20 mg/kg), SA (20 mg/kg) + PTZ, SA (40 mg/kg), and SA (40 mg/kg) + PTZ. SA was orally administered for 21 days, followed by a convulsive dose of intraperitoneal PTZ (50 mg/kg). Seizures were estimated via the Racine scale, and animals were behaviorally tested using the Y-maze. Brain tissues were used to assess the levels of GABA, glutamate, oxidative stress markers, calcium, calcineurin, (Nod)-like receptor protein-3 (NLRP3), interleukin (IL)-1β, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein (ASC), Bcl-2–associated death protein (Bad) and Bcl-2. Molecular docking of SA using a multistep in silico protocol was also performed. The results showed that SA alleviated oxidative stress, restored the GABA/glutamate balance and calcium/calcineurin signaling, downregulated NLRP3 and apoptosis, and improved recognition and ambulatory activity in PTZ-treated mice. In silico results also revealed that SA strongly interacts with the target proteins NLRP3 and ASC. Overall, the results suggest that SA is a promising antiseizure agent and that both doses of SA are comparable, with 40 mg/kg SA being superior in normalizing glutathione, calcium and IL-1β, in addition to calcineurin, NLRP3, ASC and Bad.

Graphical Abstract
Review: interaction of water vapour with wood and other hygro-responsive materials
Authors: Hill Callum , Altgen Michael , Penttilӓ Paavo , Rautkari Lauri
Published: April 2024

The purpose of this review is to report on the state-of-the-art on the interaction of moisture with natural materials and fabricated biomimetic functional materials, with an emphasis upon the hygro-responsive behaviour of wood. The primary objective is to examine how water sorption affects dimensional behaviour and how knowledge of this property in natural plant-based (mainly, but not exclusively wood) materials can be used to inform biomimetic design of moisture-responsive materials and devices. The study examines the literature on natural and bio-inspired materials, concentrating upon sorption kinetics, water migration and location of the sorbed water in the materials and their microstructure and mechanical response of the microstructure and how this affects molecular mobility of the sorbate translating to macrostructural changes. Also included within this review, it is an overview of the main experimental techniques which have been used to investigate the interaction of water with these materials at molecular length scales and how modern techniques can resolve the response of these materials at the cell wall level.
Exploration of Hierarchically Porous Perovskite Ba0.5Sr0.5FeO3 Catalyst Through Experimental and Computational Investigations for Sustainable Synthesis of Acrolein
Authors: Essehaity Al-Shaimaa M. , Aman Delvin , Abd El-Hafiz Dalia R. , Khedr Ghada E. , Mikhail Sara , Abdel-Monem Yasser K.
Published: April 2024

Ba0.5Sr0.5FeO3, SrMn0.5Fe0.5O3, and BaMn0.5Fe0.5O3 perovskite catalysts were synthesized via the hydrothermal method. The developing perovskite catalysts with dual bed, redox and acid/base sites, for direct oxidation reactions is one of the recent/important research ideas. Therefore, this study deals with the impact of substituting A and/ or B sites on the catalytic oxidative reactivity of mixed oxides perovskite catalysts. Then, their reactivity was tested in a single reactor oxidative coupling of methanol/ethanol mixture for sustainable acrolein production. The Ba0.5Sr0.5FeO3 perovskite sample has the highest catalytic performance at low temperatures (300○C) with 78% acrolein selectivity, followed by SrMn0.5Fe0.5O3 (65%), then BaMn0.5Fe0.5O3 (58%). The enhanced catalytic reactivity of Ba0.5Sr0.5FeO3 is associated with its effective acidic property and the ability to form O-vacancies easily, so, the strong proclivity for C–C coupling formation.
Effectiveness of a Voice Training Program for Religious Officials in Turkey
Authors: Sezin Rıza Korhan , Yaşar Özlem , Erensoy İbrahim
Published: April 2024

This study examines the effectiveness of a voice training program designed for Islamic religious officials, who are occupational voice users with a significant vocal load. The participants included 34 healthy religious officials whose acoustic measures were within normal voice ranges for healthy adults (jitter < 1%; shimmer < 3%) and reported no voice complaints. Participants were randomly divided into two groups (experimental, n = 17; control, n = 17). The two-stage voice training program consisted of 32 sessions over 8 weeks with informative and voice exercise stages. Objective and subjective voice measurements were performed at the beginning and end of the research. Objective measurements included fundamental frequency, percentage of vocal pitch perturbation (jitter), percentage of vocal intensity perturbation (shimmer), and harmonics-to-noise ratio. Subjective voice measurements included the Singing Voice Handicap Index, Vocal Fatigue Index (VFI), and Voice-Related Quality of Life (V-RQoL) scores. All initial measurements other than VFI scores were within acceptable limits for both groups. There were no significant differences between the groups initially (p > 0.05) and no significant changes in the control group in the second evaluation (p > 0.05). However, there was significant improvement in the experimental group after the training program in all measures, including VFI scores (p < 0.05). This study shows the positive results of a voice training program. Voice training should be integrated into the formal education of occupational voice users or in-service training programs of relevant institutions.
Gamification, Side Effects, and Praise and Blame for Outcomes
Authors: Nyholm Sven
Published: April 2024

“Gamification” refers to adding game-like elements to non-game activities so as to encourage participation. Gamification is used in various contexts: apps on phones motivating people to exercise, employers trying to encourage their employees to work harder, social media companies trying to stimulate user engagement, and so on and so forth. Here, I focus on gamification with this property: the game-designer (a company or other organization) creates a “game” in order to encourage the players (the users) to bring about certain outcomes as a side effect of playing the game. The side effect might be good for the user (e.g., improving her health) and/or good for the company or organization behind the game (e.g., advertising their products, increasing their profits, etc.). The “players” of the game may or may not be aware of creating these side effects; and they may or may not approve of/endorse the creation of those side effects. The organizations behind the games, in contrast, are typically directly aiming to create games that have the side effects in question. These aspects of gamification are puzzling and interesting from the point of view of philosophical analyses of agency and responsibility for outcomes. In this paper, I relate these just-mentioned aspects of gamification to some philosophical discussions of responsibility gaps, the ethics of side effects (including the Knobe effect and the doctrine of double effect), and ideas about the relations among different parties’ agency.
Philosophical Lessons for Emotion Recognition Technology
Authors: Waelen Rosalie
Published: April 2024

Emotion recognition technology uses artificial intelligence to make inferences about a person’s emotions, on the basis of their facial expressions, body language, tone of voice, or other types of input. Underlying such technology are a variety of assumptions about the manifestation, nature, and value of emotions. To assure the quality and desirability of emotion recognition technology, it is important to critically assess the assumptions embedded in the technology. Within philosophy, there is a long tradition of epistemological, ontological, phenomenological, and ethical reflection on the manifestation, nature, and value of emotions. This article draws from this tradition of philosophy of emotions, in order to challenge the assumptions underlying current emotion recognition technology and to promote a more critical engagement with the concept of emotions in the tech-industry.
Really situated self-control: self-control as a set of situated skills
Authors: Kalis Annemarie , Pascoe Josephine , Ortin Miguel Segundo
Published: April 2024

Traditionally, self-control is conceptualized in terms of internal processes such as willpower or motivational mechanisms. These processes supposedly explain how agents manage to exercise self-control or, in other words, how they act on the basis of their best judgment in the face of conflicting motivation. Against the mainstream view that self-control is a mechanism or set of mechanisms realized in the brain, several authors have recently argued for the inclusion of situated factors in our understanding of self-control. In this paper, we review such recent attempts from the perspective of situated accounts of cognition and argue that even though these accounts integrate situational features, they ultimately still rely on an orthodox, neurocentric view of self-control. Instead, we will argue that in order to develop a really situated account it is necessary to radically rethink what self-control is. Building on recent work on extended skill, we will develop an outline of a really situated account of self-control.
Fictions that don’t tell the truth
Authors: Marsili Neri
Published: April 2024

Can fictions lie? According to a classic conception, works of fiction can never contain lies, since their content is not presented as true, nor is it meant to deceive us. But this classic view can be challenged. Sometimes fictions appear to make claims about the actual world, and these claims can be designed to convey falsehoods, historical misconceptions, and even pernicious stereotypes. Should we conclude that some fictional statements are lies? This article introduces two views that support a positive answer, and two that support a negative one. After examining various ways in which fictions can deceive, it concludes in favour of the view that fictional statements can mislead, but never lie.
Migration motivation and ethnic identity of migrant couples: tied versus lead movers
Authors: Freitas-Monteiro Teresa
Published: April 2024

This study examines how being a tied or lead mover relates to the ethnic identity of migrant spouses. Tied and lead movers differ in their migration motivations, face different constraints, and opportunities (e.g., social network through work). This is likely to be reflected in different investment strategies and adjustment patterns in the host country. To study the adjustment of tied and lead movers, I rely on the IAB-SOEP Migration Sample, which asks migrant spouses who was the main driver of the migration decision and measures several socio-economic outcomes in Germany. Using the Constant et al. (2009) framework to measure ethnic identity, the results provide descriptive evidence that tied movers in Germany are more likely to be separated and less likely to be integrated and assimilated when compared to lead or equal movers. These findings suggest that for tied movers, the benefits of investing in the host country’s culture do not outweigh the costs.
On the computation of the gradient in implicit neural networks
Authors: Szekeres Béla J. , Izsák Ferenc
Published: April 2024

Implicit neural networks and the related deep equilibrium models are investigated. To train these networks, the gradient of the corresponding loss function should be computed. Bypassing the implicit function theorem, we develop an explicit representation of this quantity, which leads to an easily accessible computational algorithm. The theoretical findings are also supported by numerical simulations.
Prognostic significance of a signature based on senescence-related genes in colorectal cancer
Authors: Ungvari Zoltan , Ungvari Anna , Bianchini Giampaolo , Győrffy Balázs
Published: April 2024

Colorectal cancer, recognized as a quintessential age-related disease, underscores the intricate interplay between aging mechanisms and disease pathogenesis. Cellular senescence, a DNA damage-induced cellular stress response, is characterized by cell cycle arrest, the expression of an inflammatory senescence-associated secretory phenotype, and alterations in extracellular matrix metabolism. It is widely recognized as a fundamental and evolutionarily conserved mechanism of aging. Guided by geroscience principles, which assert that the pathogenesis of age-related diseases involves cellular mechanisms of aging, this study delves into the role of senescence-related genes in colon cancer progression. Leveraging a gene set reflective of senescence-associated pathways, we employed uni- and multivariate Cox proportional hazards survival analysis combined with the determination of the false discovery rate to analyze correlations between gene expression and survival. The integrated database of 1130 colon cancer specimens with available relapse-free survival time and relapse event data from ten independent cohorts provided a robust platform for survival analyses. We identified senescence-related genes associated with differential expression levels linked to shorter survival. Our findings unveil a prognostic signature utilizing cellular senescence-related genes (hazard ratio: 2.73, 95% CI 2.12–3.52, p = 6.4E − 16), offering valuable insights into survival prediction in colon cancer. Multivariate analysis underscored the independence of the senescence-related signature from available epidemiological and pathological variables. This study highlights the potential of senescence-related genes as prognostic biomarkers. Overall, our results underscore the pivotal role of cellular senescence, a fundamental mechanism of aging, in colon cancer progression.
Modelling Plasmid-Mediated Horizontal Gene Transfer in Biofilms
Authors: Vincent Julien , Tenore Alberto , Mattei Maria Rosaria , Frunzo Luigi
Published: April 2024

In this study, we present a mathematical model for plasmid spread in a growing biofilm, formulated as a nonlocal system of partial differential equations in a 1-D free boundary domain. Plasmids are mobile genetic elements able to transfer to different phylotypes, posing a global health problem when they carry antibiotic resistance factors. We model gene transfer regulation influenced by nearby potential receptors to account for recipient-sensing. We also introduce a promotion function to account for trace metal effects on conjugation, based on literature data. The model qualitatively matches experimental results, showing that contaminants like toxic metals and antibiotics promote plasmid persistence by favoring plasmid carriers and stimulating conjugation. Even at higher contaminant concentrations inhibiting conjugation, plasmid spread persists by strongly inhibiting plasmid-free cells. The model also replicates higher plasmid density in biofilm’s most active regions.
FDG uptake in the cervical muscles after neck dissection: imaging features and postoperative natural course on 18F‑FDG‑PET/CT
Authors: Iritani Yukako , Kato Hiroki , Kaneko Yo , Ishihara Takuma , Ando Tomohiro , Kawaguchi Masaya , Shibata Hirofumi , Ogawa Takenori , Noda Yoshifumi , Hyodo Fuminori , Matsuo Masayuki
Published: April 2024

Purpose

This study aimed to assess the imaging features and postoperative natural course of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake in the cervical muscles after neck dissection.

Materials and methods

This study included 83 patients who underwent preoperative and postoperative 18F-FDG-PET/CT and were diagnosed with head and neck malignancy after neck dissection. Postoperative 18F-FDG-PET/CT was performed within 5 years after neck dissection. Preoperative and postoperative FDG uptake of the trapezius, sternocleidomastoid, scalene, pectoralis major, and deltoid muscles was visually assessed. Increased postoperative uptake was visually defined as higher postoperative FDG uptake than the preoperative one in the corresponding muscle. The maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) was measured in cases with increased postoperative uptakes.

Results

Increased postoperative uptakes were observed in 43 patients (52%). The trapezius (31/83, 37%), sternocleidomastoid (19/83, 23%), and scalene (12/83, 14%) muscles were involved, as opposed to the pectoralis major and deltoid muscles were not. Increased postoperative uptakes were observed on the dissected side in all 43 patients. Significant differences between SUVmax estimated from the mixed-effects model and postoperative months were observed in the trapezius muscle (Coefficient (β) = −0.038; 95% confidence interval (CI): [−0.047, −0.028]; p < 0.001) and sternocleidomastoid muscle (β =  −0.015; 95% CI: [−0.029, −0.001]; p = 0.046).

Conclusions

Increased postoperative uptakes in the cervical muscles were observed on the dissected side in approximately half of the patients after neck dissection. The SUVmax in the trapezius and sternocleidomastoid muscles decreased after surgery over time.
Endometriosis, a common but enigmatic disease with many faces: current concept of pathophysiology, and diagnostic strategy
Authors: Takeuchi Mayumi , Matsuzaki Kenji , Harada Masafumi
Published: April 2024

Endometriosis is a benign, common, but controversial disease due to its enigmatic etiopathogenesis and biological behavior. Recent studies suggest multiple genetic, and environmental factors may affect its onset and development. Genomic analysis revealed the presence of cancer-associated gene mutations, which may reflect the neoplastic aspect of endometriosis. The management has changed dramatically with the development of fertility-preserving, minimally invasive therapies. Diagnostic strategies based on these recent basic and clinical findings are reviewed. With a focus on the presentation of clinical cases, we discuss the imaging manifestations of endometriomas, deep endometriosis, less common site and rare site endometriosis, various complications, endometriosis-associated tumor-like lesions, and malignant transformation, with pathophysiologic conditions.
Implementation of Food is Medicine Programs in Healthcare Settings: A Narrative Review
Authors: Houghtaling Bailey , Short Eliza , Shanks Carmen Byker , Stotz Sarah A. , Yaroch Amy , Seligman Hilary , Marriott James P. , Eastman Jenna , Long Christopher R.
Published: April 2024

Food is Medicine (FIM) programs to improve the accessibility of fruits and vegetables (FVs) or other healthy foods among patients with low income and diet-related chronic diseases are promising to improve food and nutrition security in the United States (US). However, FIM programs are relatively new and implementation guidance for healthcare settings using an implementation science lens is lacking. We used a narrative review to describe the evidence base on barriers and facilitators to FIM program integration in US healthcare settings following the Exploration, Preparation, Implementation, and Sustainment (EPIS) Framework. Evidence surrounding the EPIS Inner Context was a focus, including constructs Leadership, Organizational Characteristics, Quality and Fidelity Monitoring and Support, Organizational Staffing Processes, and Individual Characteristics. Peer-reviewed and grey literature about barriers and facilitators to FIM programs were of interest, defined as programs that screen and refer eligible patients with diet-related chronic disease experiencing food insecurity to healthy, unprepared foods. Thirty-one sources were included in the narrative review, including 22 peer-reviewed articles, four reports, four toolkits, and one thesis. Twenty-eight sources (90%) described EPIS Inner Context facilitators and 26 sources (84%) described FIM program barriers. The most common barriers and facilitators to FIM programs were regarding Quality and Fidelity Monitoring and Support (e.g., use of electronic medical records for tracking and evaluation, strategies to support implementation) and Organizational Staffing Processes (e.g., clear delineation of staff roles and capacity); although, barriers and facilitators to FIM programs were identified among all EPIS Inner Context constructs. We synthesized barriers and facilitators to create an EPIS-informed implementation checklist for healthcare settings for use among healthcare organizations/providers, partner organizations, and technical assistance personnel. We discuss future directions to align FIM efforts with implementation science terminology and theories, models, and frameworks to improve the implementation evidence base and support FIM researchers and practitioners.
Explaining sustainable purchase behavior in online flight booking—combining value-belief-norm model and theory of planned behavior
Authors: Kortsch Timo , Händeler Phyllis
Published: April 2024

This article of the journal Gruppe. Interaktion. Organisation. focuses on the factors that influence CO2 offsetting behavior when booking flights. By combining the Value Belief Norm model (VBN) and the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), the study investigates which factors generally influence people’s willingness and behavior to make CO2 offsets for air travel. In addition, a concrete booking process is used to experimentally test how high the actual willingness to pay is in this situation and how much it depends on the representation. An online survey with a partially experimental design yielded 514 usable data sets. The results of the structural equation model essentially confirmed the assumptions of the VBN and TPB theories regarding the influence on compensation behavior, with the personal norm being the most important influencing factor. However, the specific fictitious booking process revealed the special role of price: the cheapest compensation packages always had the highest choice probabilities, and absolute price did not play a role. This was confirmed in qualitative analyses. The results expand previous knowledge on factors influencing CO2 compensation behavior and provide flight providers with important information for designing their CO2 compensation offers.
Printed Electronics by Plasma Spraying: Case Study for High Temperature Sensors
Authors: Duminica Florin D. , Karuppasamy Muthu , Dawance Florian , Baber Jens , Friedrich Holger , Guaino Philippe
Published: April 2024

Temperature sensors are critical components in many industrial and research applications, particularly in harsh environments where high temperatures, corrosion and mechanical stress are prevalent. In this paper, we investigate the use of plasma spray technique as a versatile and simple method to print multipoint thermocouples and resistance temperature detectors (RTDs) based on NiCr-NiAl coatings on steel and ceramic substrates using stencil masking and laser scribing. The thickness of alumina the dielectric layer was optimized using metal-insulator-metal test. The thermoelectric properties of the printed thermocouples were investigated up to 1000 °C. The thermal independency of printed thermocouples and the capability of multilocation measurement at the surface on the same substrate was demonstrated. The thermoelectric properties of the printed RTD were investigated up to 850 °C. The electrical resistance of the RTD sensor is linear with the temperature variation from room temperature to 500 °C. The oxidation effect of the printed sensor metallic layers at high temperature was investigated and discussed.
Poverty and the Rise and Fall of the Welfare State in Britain, 1900 to the Present
Authors: Thane Patricia
Published: April 2024

Poverty in the UK has recently risen to levels and created conditions not seen since c.1900. Then, the poverty revealed in major surveys by Booth and Rowntree created shock and proposals for change leading to the first measures of what became the Welfare State. Then, as now, a major cause of poverty was inadequate pay for precarious work, though another significant cause now is the decline of the Welfare State. State welfare expanded gradually from 1906 to 1945, then much faster, along with full employment and labour market regulation, especially under Labour governments until the late 1970s. Poverty declined but never disappeared. Under Thatcher’s Conservative government, 1979–1990, state welfare was severely cut and poverty shot up. After some respite under New Labour, 1997–2010, a period of successive Conservative governments since 2010 has witnessed significant cuts to social welfare and an increase in poverty causing serious deprivation comparable with the early 1900s. But there are fewer proposals for reform now than then, though they are urgently needed.
The PositivaMente Program: Universal Prevention of Suicidal Behaviour in Educational Settings
Authors: Díez-Gómez Adriana , Sebastián-Enesco Carla , Pérez-Albéniz Alicia , Lucas-Molina Beatriz , Al-Halabí Susana , Fonseca-Pedrero Eduardo
Published: April 2024

Suicidal behaviour is a major socio-health problem worldwide. However, there are few empirically validated programs for universal prevention of suicidal behaviour in school settings. The aim of the present study was to design and validate the PositivaMente program for the prevention of suicidal behaviour in school-age adolescents aged 14–15 from the North of Spain. A quasi-experimental design was used with pre- and post-treatment evaluation with experimental and control groups and a six-month follow-up. The final sample consisted of 264 participants (M = 14.30 years, SD = 0.56; 54.5% girls), with 161 participants in the experimental group and 103 in the control group. Measuring instruments were administered to assess suicidal behaviour, emotional and behavioural difficulties, depressive symptomatology, prosocial behaviour, subjective well-being, and self-esteem. The PositivaMente program was designed and implemented in educational settings. A statistically significant improvement in subjective well-being was found, as well as a statistically significant reduction in emotional problems and problems with peers among female participants in the experimental group versus those in the control group at the 6-month follow-up. However, male participants did not seem to benefit from the program. The overall evaluation from the sample and satisfaction with PositivaMente were positive. Empirically supported actions for the prevention of suicidal behaviour need to be designed in order to make informed decisions. Future studies should implement the PositivaMente program with other populations and contexts, develop a brief version, and collect information on cost-effectiveness.
Clinical-based phenotypes in children with pediatric post-COVID-19 condition
Authors: Noij Lieke C. E. , Blankestijn Jelle M. , Lap Coen R. , van Houten Marlies A. , Biesbroek Giske , der Zee Anke-Hilse Maitland-van , Abdel-Aziz Mahmoud I. , van Goudoever Johannes B. , Alsem Mattijs W. , Brackel Caroline L. H. , Oostrom Kim J. , Hashimoto Simone , Terheggen-Lagro Suzanne W. J.
Published: April 2024

Background

Pediatric post coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) condition (PPCC) is a heterogeneous syndrome, which can significantly affect the daily lives of children. This study aimed to identify clinically meaningful phenotypes in children with PPCC, to better characterize and treat this condition.

Methods

Participants were children with physician-diagnosed PPCC, referred to the academic hospital Amsterdam UMC in the Netherlands between November 2021 and March 2023. Demographic factors and information on post-COVID symptoms, comorbidities, and impact on daily life were collected. Clinical clusters were identified using an unsupervised and unbiased approach for mixed data types.

Results

Analysis of 111 patients (aged 3–18 years) revealed three distinct clusters within PPCC. Cluster 1 (n = 62, median age = 15 years) predominantly consisted of girls (74.2%). These patients suffered relatively more from exercise intolerance, dyspnea, and smell disorders. Cluster 2 (n = 33, median age = 13 years) contained patients with an even gender distribution (51.5% girls). They suffered from relatively more sleep problems, memory loss, gastrointestinal symptoms, and arthralgia. Cluster 3 (n = 16, median age = 11 years) had a higher proportion of boys (75.0%), suffered relatively more from fever, had significantly fewer symptoms (median of 5 symptoms compared to 8 and 10 for clusters 1 and 2 respectively), and experienced a lower impact on daily life.

Conclusions

This study identified three distinct clinical PPCC phenotypes, with variations in sex, age, symptom patterns, and impact on daily life. These findings highlight the need for further research to understand the potentially diverse underlying mechanisms contributing to post-COVID symptoms in children.

Graphical abstract
MicroRNAs from edible plants reach the human gastrointestinal tract and may act as potential regulators of gene expression
Authors: Díez-Sainz Ester , Milagro Fermín I. , Aranaz Paula , Riezu-Boj José I. , Lorente-Cebrián Silvia
Published: April 2024

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small single-stranded non-coding RNA molecules that regulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. A cross-kingdom regulatory function has been unveiled for plant miRNAs (xenomiRs), which could shape inter-species interactions of plants with other organisms (bacteria and humans) and thus, be key functional molecules of plant-based food in mammals. However, discrepancies regarding the stability and bioavailability of dietary plant miRNAs on the host cast in doubt whether these molecules could have a significant impact on human physiology. The aim of the present study was to identify miRNAs in edible plants and determine their bioavailability on humans after an acute intake of plant-based products. It was found that plant food, including fruits, vegetables and greens, nuts, legumes, and cereals, contains a wide range of miRNAs. XenomiRs miR156e, miR159 and miR162 were detected in great abundance in edible plants and were present among many plant foods, and thus, they were selected as candidates to analyse their bioavailability in humans. These plant miRNAs resisted cooking processes (heat-treatments) and their relative presence increased in faeces after and acute intake of plant-based foods, although they were not detected in serum. Bioinformatic analysis revealed that these miRNAs could potentially target human and bacterial genes involved in processes such as cell signalling and metabolism. In conclusion, edible plants contain miRNAs, such as miR156e, miR159 and miR162, that could resist degradation during cooking and digestion and reach the distal segments of the gastrointestinal tract. Nevertheless, strategies should be developed to improve their absorption to potentially reach host tissues and organs and modulate human physiology.
US Trade Policy Uncertainty and Nigeria’s Participation in Global Value Chains: Evidence from Frequency Domain Causality, Wavelet Coherence Analysis, and Time-Varying Causality
Authors: Oshodi Ayodele Folorunso , Olasehinde-Williams Godwin
Published: April 2024

This study examines for the first time whether trade policy uncertainty emanating from the United States significantly predicts Nigeria’s participation in global value chains. It further examines the kind of global value chain participation in Nigeria (forward or backward linkages) that is most predictable by the United States trade policy uncertainty. To achieve the study objective, frequency domain causality, wavelet coherence analysis, and time-varying causality are employed in analyzing annual data sets over the period 1990–2019. The summary of the study findings is as follows; first, trade policy uncertainty emanating from the United States significantly predicts Nigeria’s overall integration into global value chains. Second, there is a positive association between Nigeria’s integration into global value chains and the United States trade policy uncertainty. Third, Nigeria’s overall integration into global value chains is highly correlated with the United States trade policy uncertainty in periods around the global economic crisis of 2007/08 and Nigeria’s recession of the late 2010s. Fourth, most of the predictability noticed in the relations between trade policy uncertainty generated by the United States and the overall global value chain participation is caused by the relations between the United States trade policy uncertainty and Nigeria’s forward linkage into global value chain participation.
Elucidating co-conditioning strategies of aluminium-based sludge using natural biopolymeric magnetite composite for leveraging dewaterability
Authors: Elsayed Zahraa A. , El-Sayed Ibrahim E. , Tony Maha A.
Published: April 2024

Significant co-conditioning of aluminum-based sludge using alternative conditioner (natural biopolymer-magnetite/H2O2) as a Fenton conditioner for improving the sludge dewaterability is investigated in the current study. Firstly, natural biopolymer/magnetite (NBP-M) were prepared in various ratios and the samples labeled as (NBP-M-(1:1); NBP-M-(1:3) and NBP-M-(2:1). Focuses were placed on factors influencing such novel Fenton conditioner. Capillary suction time (CST) was utilized to assess sludge dewaterability. Experiments have exhibited that significant development of alum sludge dewaterability could be attained at minimum reaction time and using low concentrations of the applied catalyst, i.e. natural biopolymer/magnetite and H2O2. It was found that sludge conditioning and dewaterability became better with increasing both reagents concentrations. A Box–Behnken experimental design based on the response surface methodology was investigated to explore the optimum of the influencing variables, i.e. catalyst (NBP-M) concentration, H2O2 loading and pH. The optimized values for NBP-M, H2O2, and pH are 46 and 380 mg/L, respectively at pH 3.0, at which the CST reduction efficiency of 58 ± 3% can be attained, this approved with that predicted by an established polynomial model in the current investigation.
Water quality index and health risk assessment for heavy metals in groundwater of Kashiani and Kotalipara upazila, Gopalganj, Bangladesh
Authors: Shaibur Molla Rahman , Howlader Masum , Ahmmed Ishtiaque , Sarwar Sabiha , Hussam Abul
Published: April 2024

The groundwater quality of the Gopalganj district in Bangladesh was not well documented. Therefore, this research was done to determine the groundwater quality in the study area. The water quality index and the human health risk for heavy metal ingestion were used to describe the water quality. The water quality was performed through the estimation of turbidity, pH, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, and concentration of sodium, potassium, ammonium, nitrate, iron, manganese, zinc, copper, and arsenic. The mean turbidity, pH, and total dissolved solids in the two upazila were within the permissible limit. However, the electrical conductivity in both the upazila was higher than the WHO-prescribed value in which the higher concentration was in Kotalipara. Excess concentrations of iron and arsenic were found in the Kashiani upazila, but these were below the detection limit in Kotalipara upazila. The water quality index revealed that roughly 61.0% of samples of Kashiani upazila were of poor quality. However, about 96.0% of samples of Kotalipara upazila were of excellent quality. Chronic health risks due to the revelation of drinking have also been determined by assessing the hazard quotient and hazard index. In Kashiani, almost 85.0% of samples were elevated chronic risks for adults and 100.0% of the samples were very high chronic risks for children. In Kotalipara, all the samples (almost 100%) were suggested to have a lower chronic risk for adults and children. The results suggested that the carcinogenic risk of arsenic via oral exposure was very high for both adults and children in Kashiani upazila.
An experimental comparison of 3D velocity components around single and twin piers installed in a sharp bend under the influence of upstream implemented vanes
Authors: Safaripour Neda , Vaghefi Mohammad , Mahmoudi Amin
Published: April 2024

To reduce the trend of scouring, understanding the flow pattern around the bridge piers is necessary. By using hydraulic structures such as submerged vanes, it is possible to alter the flow pattern of water, thus scouring process and sediment transport in riverbeds. Since the scouring mechanism for pier groups differs from single pier, experiments were conducted in a 180° sharp bend channel in the laboratory to investigate the flow pattern around pier group and single pier under the influence of 25% submerged vanes. Furthermore, a comparison was made between the flow patterns in single pier and pier group conditions. Three-dimensional velocities along the bend and different depths were measured using an Acoustic Doppler Velocimeter (ADV(. The results suggest that the maximum vorticity value at the apex position of the bend (location of piers) and the maximum secondary flow value, at the distance between the piers and the vanes, were found to be, 0.15 and 0.89, respectively. In the twin pier experiment, the maximum Reynolds shear stress value $${\tau }_{yx}$$

τ

yx

decreased by about 36%, and the minimum value decreased by about 49% compared to the single pier experiment. The final results indicated that using submerged vanes obtained the maximum $${\tau }_{yx}$$

τ

yx

and $${\tau }_{zx}$$

τ

zx

near the vanes. Near the bed and mid-depth of the water flow, the geometric location of the maximum velocity also occurred around the vanes in both experiments. Therefore, the vanes are important in altering the water flow pattern, diverting the flow from around piers and consequently reducing the bridge pier scouring.
A first species-wide phylogenetic analysis of small mammals from Costa Rica using mitochondrial cytochrome b
Authors: Gómez-Lépiz Alexander , Sampaio Sara , Hughes Jonathan J. , Valdés Sara María Cáceres , Alves Paulo Célio , Paupério Joana , Searle Jeremy B.
Published: April 2024

Costa Rica is within the Mesoamerican biodiversity hotspot and has about 53 native species of small mammals. This high diversity, along with recent records of new species and indications of cryptic genetic diversity, suggest that application of the DNA barcoding approach would be worthwhile. Here we used 131 tissue samples of small mammals from multiple localities in Costa Rica and sequenced the complete mitochondrial cytochrome b (1140 bp). These samples represented 17 recognized species and two taxa of uncertain status. The new sequence data were supplemented with previously published data from INSDC. Our phylogenetic analyses are consistent with and extend upon recent revisions in Heteromys, Peromyscus and Reithrodontomys and suggest possible new cryptic forms within what are currently named Melanomys chrysomelas, Nyctomys sumichrasti and Proechimys semispinosus. The previously named “Heteromys sp” is indeed likely a new species requiring a full taxonomic description. Moreover, we found new localities for previously described species substantiating recent taxonomic surveys and field guides for the small mammals of Costa Rica. To confirm the presence of cryptic species and major genetic forms in Heteromys, Peromyscus, Reithrodontomys, Melanomys, Nyctomys and Proechimys there needs to be greater sampling, additional genetic markers, morphometrics and other studies. Scotinomys also shows interesting phylogenetic subdivision, requiring further investigation.
Low-pressure gasoline direct injection system development and emissions analysis for a reciprocating two-stroke engine
Authors: Gutiérrez E. , Sala D. , Delpeuch J.
Published: April 2024

This study presents the design and construction of an electronic low-pressure gasoline direct injection system for two-stroke engines, with the objective to study engine performance and the emission of exhaust polluting gases, maintaining the expectations of this type of engine. The investigation includes a test bench with an incorporated engine and the required control devices for this, as well as a gas analyzer Class 0, a computerized data acquisition and several tools for displaying and process all the electronic signals from the engine in real time. In order to manage this system, a custom electronic injection control unit has been designed and built, which allows to control the fuel injection timing and duration. This unit uses the signal from an inductive sensor installed in the crankshaft as a reference and synchronization point. Additionally, modifications have been made to the fuel feeder circuit and the electronic of the test engine, as well as to some parts of the mechanism in order to adapt them to this technology. The implementation of the engine tests is described, and the performance and operational points of the original system and those of the new injection system are evaluated.
Analysis of impact deformation of elastic-perfectly plastic particles
Authors: Saifoori Saba , Nezamabadi Saeid , Ghadiri Mojtaba
Published: April 2024

Material Point Method is used to study the impact deformation of elastic-perfectly plastic spherical particles. A wide range of material properties, i.e. density, Young’s modulus and yield strength, are considered. The method is particularly suitable for simulating extensive deformation. The focus of the analysis is on linking the coefficient of restitution and the percentage of the incident kinetic energy dissipated by plastic deformation, Wp/Wi × 100, to the material properties and impact conditions. Dimensionless groups which unify the data for the full range of material properties have been identified for this purpose. The results show that when the particle deforms extensively, Wp/Wi × 100 and the equivalent plastic strain, are only dependent on the particle yield strength and the incident kinetic energy, as intuitively expected. On the other hand, when the deformation is small, Young’s modulus of the particle also affects both Wp/Wi × 100 and the equivalent plastic strain. Moreover, coefficient of restitution is insensitive to Young’s modulus of the material. Dimensionless correlations are then suggested for prediction of the coefficient of restitution, the equivalent plastic strain and Wp/Wi × 100. Finally, it is shown that the extent to which the particle flattens due to impact can be predicted using its yield strength and initial kinetic energy.
Does Medical Curriculum Impact on Empathy? A Longitudinal Study in a Sample of Undergraduate Medical Students
Authors: Ardenghi Stefano , Russo Selena , Rampoldi Giulia , Bani Marco , Strepparava Maria Grazia
Published: April 2024

Empathy in medical students is receiving increasing attention as it is fundamental to build and develop a functional patient-physician relationship. When looking at its determinants, demographic and academic factors seem to concur in shaping empathy in this population. Although data show strong gender differences and changes in empathy throughout medical school, it is not clear the direction of these changes and whether gender and curriculum features modulate them. This longitudinal study examined changes in empathy and explored gender differences throughout the medical school. Four consecutive cohorts of Italian medical students (N = 336) completed the Jefferson Scale of Empathy – Student (JSE-S) and the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI) in their second year of study (before any clinical clerkship and communication skills courses) and fifth year of study (after a 2-year clinical clerkship and communication skills courses). Analysis of variance for repeated-measures revealed that, beyond the effect of gender, JSE-S total score and IRI Perspective Taking increased, whereas IRI Personal Distress and IRI Fantasy significantly decreased throughout medical school. No significant change in IRI Empathic Concern emerged over time. Student’s t-tests showed that female students displayed significantly higher mean scores than their male counterparts for all empathy measures in both their second and fifth years of medical training. The findings suggest that the medical curriculum affects self-reported empathy dimensions among undergraduate medical students. Further research is needed to deepen the understanding of the educational factors that promote the changes in empathy levels during medical training.
VertiBayes: learning Bayesian network parameters from vertically partitioned data with missing values
Authors: van Daalen Florian , Ippel Lianne , Dekker Andre , Bermejo Inigo
Published: April 2024

Federated learning makes it possible to train a machine learning model on decentralized data. Bayesian networks are widely used probabilistic graphical models. While some research has been published on the federated learning of Bayesian networks, publications on Bayesian networks in a vertically partitioned data setting are limited, with important omissions, such as handling missing data. We propose a novel method called VertiBayes to train Bayesian networks (structure and parameters) on vertically partitioned data, which can handle missing values as well as an arbitrary number of parties. For structure learning we adapted the K2 algorithm with a privacy-preserving scalar product protocol. For parameter learning, we use a two-step approach: first, we learn an intermediate model using maximum likelihood, treating missing values as a special value, then we train a model on synthetic data generated by the intermediate model using the EM algorithm. The privacy guarantees of VertiBayes are equivalent to those provided by the privacy preserving scalar product protocol used. We experimentally show VertiBayes produces models comparable to those learnt using traditional algorithms. Finally, we propose two alternative approaches to estimate the performance of the model using vertically partitioned data and we show in experiments that these give accurate estimates.
Intuitionistic fuzzy time series forecasting method based on dendrite neuron model and exponential smoothing
Authors: Cansu Turan , Bas Eren , Egrioglu Erol , Akkan Tamer
Published: April 2024

Methods based on artificial neural networks for intuitionistic fuzzy time series forecasting can produce successful forecasting results. In the literature, exponential smoothing methods are hybridised with artificial neural networks due to their simple and efficient structures to improve the forecasting performance. The contribution of this paper is to propose a new forecasting approach combining exponential smoothing methods and intuitionistic fuzzy time series. In this study, a forecasting algorithm based on the dendrite neuron model and simple exponential smoothing methods is proposed for modelling intuitionistic fuzzy time series. In the fuzzification stage of the proposed method, the intuitionistic fuzzy c-means method is used. The proposed method is a modular method using two separate dendrite neuron model neural networks and the grey wolf optimisation algorithm is used to estimate all parameters of the method. The performance of the proposed method is applied on four different random time series obtained for Index of Coin Market Cap and the performance of the method is compared with some other fuzzy forecasting methods. As a result of the analyses, it is concluded that the proposed modular method has better forecasting results than other methods.