bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prognostic and immunological implications of paraptosis‐related genes in lung adenocarcinoma: Comprehensive analysis and functional verification of hub gene
Authors: Zhuo Ying , Song Yan
Published: March 2024

Background

Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) poses significant clinical challenges due to its inherent heterogeneity and variable response to treatment. Recent research has specifically focused on elucidating the role of Paraptosis‐related genes (PRGs) in the progression of cancer and the prognosis of patients.

Methods

We conducted a comprehensive analysis of the differential expression of PRGs in LUAD. Additionally, univariate Cox regression analysis was utilized to determine the prognostic significance of these genes. Furthermore, consensus clustering was employed to differentiate molecular subtypes within LUAD, while immune heterogeneity was assessed. To evaluate treatment outcomes, the expression of immune checkpoint inhibitors was examined, and the sensitivity of LUAD patients to chemotherapy drugs was assessed. Moreover, machine learning algorithms were employed to construct a Paraptosis‐related risk score with prognostic and immunological indicators. Finally, to validate the findings, in vitro experiments were performed to verify the regulatory effect of key PRGs on Paraptosis.

Results

Our analysis identified 24 PRGs that exhibited differential expression, with CDKN3, TP53, and PHB emerging as the most prominently upregulated genes in tumor tissues. Among these genes, seven were identified as prognostic markers, with HSPB8 being the sole protective factor. Notably, our analysis also revealed the existence of two distinct molecular subtypes within LUAD, each characterized by unique prognoses and immune responses. Specifically, Subtype B displayed a poorer prognosis but demonstrated increased sensitivity to both chemotherapy and immunotherapy. In addition, our development of a Paraptosis‐Associated Risk Score yielded a significant prognostic value in predicting patient outcomes. Furthermore, we found regulatory effect of CDKN3 on Paraptosis in two cell lines.

Conclusions

Our study highlights the importance of PRGs in LUAD, particularly in prognosis and treatment response. The identified molecular subtypes and Paraptosis‐Associated Risk Score offer valuable insights for personalized treatment strategies.
Development of a molecularly imprinted polymer on silanized graphene oxide for the detection of 17‐estradiol in wastewater
Authors: Mughal Zaib un Nisa , Aylaz Gulgun , Shaikh Huma , Memon Shahabuddin , Andac Muge
Published: March 2024

This research article demonstrates the synthesis, characterization, and electrochemical evaluation of a molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) on the surface of silanized graphene oxide (silanized GO), which is nanostructured and used to quantify 17‐estradiol (E2) in wastewater. As characterization methods, X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, dynamic scattering light (DSL), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were utilized to examine the synthesized GO, silanized GO, MIP‐GO composite, and non‐imprinted polymer (NIP)–GO (NIP‐GO) composite. FTIR results confirmed the successful synthesis of GO composites. Raman study confirmed the synthesis of monolayer silanized GO, MIP‐GO composite, and NIP‐GO composite. Surface morphology revealed that after polymerization, the surface of silanized GO sheet‐like morphology is covered with nanoparticles. Adsorption kinetics studies revealed that adsorption follows the pseudo‐second‐order kinetics. Further, we studied the performance of a MIP‐GO‐based sensor by optimizing the effects of pH, scan rate, and incubation period. The linear calibration was achieved between the oxidation peak current and E2 concentration from 0.1 to 0.81 ppm, with a detection limit of 0.037 ppm. The selectivity of the MIP‐GO composite was also checked by using other estrogens, and it was found that E2 is 3.3, 0.5, and 1.4 times more selective than equilin, estriol, and estrone, respectively. The composite was successfully applied to the wastewater samples for the detection of E2, and a good percentage of recoveries were achieved. It suggests that the reported composite can be applied to real samples.

Practitioner Points

An innovative electrochemical sensor was developed for selective detection of 17‐estradiol through molecularly imprinted polymer fabricated on the surface of silanized GO (MIP‐GO composite).

The developed method was comprehensively validated and found to be linear in the range of 0.1 to 0.8 ppm of 17‐estradiol, with 0.037 ppm of limit of detection and 0.1 ppm of limit of quantification, respectively.

The developed MIP‐GO‐composite‐based electrochemical sensor was found 3.3, 0.5, and 1.4 times more selective for 17‐estradiol than equiline, estriol, and estrone, respectively.

The applicability of a developed sensor was also checked on wastewater samples, and a good percent recovery was obtained.
Fluoreszenzbasierte Konfokalmikroskopie – vollständige Digitalisierung der Pathologie
Authors: Loth Andreas G. , Fassl Anne , Chun Felix K. H. , Köllermann Jens , Hartmann Sylvia , Gretser Steffen , Ziegler Paul K. , Flinner Nadine , Schulze Falko , Wild Peter J. , Kinzler Maximilian N.
Published: March 2024

Hintergrund

Mit Hilfe der fluoreszenzbasierten Konfokalmikroskopie (FCM) lassen sich virtuelle HE-Schnitte in Echtzeit erstellen. Bislang findet die FCM Anwendung in der Derma‑/Uro- und Gynäkopathologie. Die FCM eröffnet die Perspektive eines digitalen Gefrierschnitts, der den herkömmlichen Gefrierschnitt in Zukunft ersetzen könnte.

Ziel der Arbeit (Fragestellung)

Ziel unserer aktuellen Arbeit ist die Implementierung der FCM als Bestandteil vollständig digitalisierter Abläufe im pathologischen Workflow. Hierfür wird der aktuelle Einsatz der FCM in der Transplantationspathologie auf weitere Fachdisziplinen wie Urologie und HNO ausgeweitet.

Material und Methoden

Der Einsatz der FCM-Technik erfolgt aktuell weiterhin prospektiv bei nativen Gewebeproben potenzieller Spenderlebern. Die herkömmliche Schnellschnittdiagnostik in Gefriertechnik wird vergleichend zu virtuellen FCM-Scans angewandt.

Ergebnisse

Die Daten zeigen eine nahezu perfekte Übereinstimmung für den Nachweis von Cholangitis, Fibrose und Malignität sowie ein hohes Maß an Übereinstimmung für z. B. makrovesikuläre Steatose, Entzündung, Steatohepatitis und Nekrose zwischen virtuellem FCM-Scan und herkömmlichen Schnellschnitt.

Schlussfolgerung

Da die Verfügbarkeit der zeit-, und kostenintensiven Schnellschnittdiagnostik im Rahmen der Transplantationspathologie im Dauerbetrieb (24/7) aufgrund eines zunehmenden Fachkräftemangels mittlerweile nur noch an sehr wenigen universitären Zentren in Deutschland etabliert ist, könnte der Einsatz der FCM-Technik ein wichtiger Baustein im aktuellen Prozess hin zu einer vollständig digitalisierten Pathologie sein und sollte somit auf verschiedene Fachdisziplinen ausgeweitet werden.
Die ärztliche Berufsausübungsgemeinschaft nach dem MoPeG
Authors: Schäfer Carsten , Harf Alexandra
Published: March 2024

Das MoPeG verändert das Recht der Personengesellschaften grundlegend. Soweit die ärztliche
Zusammenarbeit in Form einer GbR mit einem auf die speziellen Bedürfnisse zugeschnittenen Gesellschaftsvertrag
erfolgt, hat die Reform gleichwohl kaum Auswirkungen auf den Praxisalltag. Im Detail kann aber Handlungsbedarf
bestehen, insbesondere mit Blick auf das neue Gesellschaftsregister, auf die geänderten Rechtsfolgen
von Kündigung, Tod oder Gesellschafterinsolvenz und das neue Beschlussmängelrecht. Der Beitrag
nimmt daher die neuen Regeln in den Blick und spricht Handlungsempfehlungen aus. Zudem hat §107 Abs.
1 S. 2 HGB die Personenhandelsgesellschaften für Freiberufler geöffnet. Daher fragt der Beitrag
auch, ob eine Ärzte-OHG/KG eine sinnvolle Rechtsformalternative bildet. Nur ein kurzer Blick wird
auf die Partnerschaftsgesellschaft geworden; hier sind kaum Änderungen zu verzeichnen.
Wie viel „BIO“ braucht die Ökohydraulik? – Neue Ansätze und Modellentwicklungen für die integrative Wasserwirtschaft
Authors: Hauer Christoph , Tritthart Michael , Flödl Peter , Holzapfel Patrick , Unfer Günther , Graf Wolfram , Leitner Patrick , Habersack Helmut
Published: March 2024

Die Modellierung von aquatischen Lebensräumen gewinnt durch die verschiedenen Zielvorgaben auf europäischer und somit auch nationaler Ebene immer mehr an Bedeutung. Neben den Vorgaben der Wasserrahmenrichtlinie und den Zielen zum Ausbau der erneuerbaren Energieträger, inkl. Wasserkraft, sind es auch die neuen Strategien zur Biodiversität und die RED III-Verordnung, die eine integrative Betrachtung der Nutzung aber auch der Sanierung von Fließgewässern zwingend erforderlich machen. Ziel der vorliegenden Arbeit ist es, neue Ansätze der integrativen Modellierung von Lebensräumen in Bezug auf den Einfluss unterschiedlicher Aspekte der Wasserkraftnutzung zu präsentieren. Die Ergebnisse der numerischen Modelle zeigen, dass hier sowohl für Fragen des Sedimentmanagements bei Stauhaltungen von Kleinwasserkraftanlagen als auch bei Spülungen von Feinsedimenten generell ökologische Optimierungen bzw. Abschätzungen der ökologischen Folgen möglich sind. Weiters liefern neue Habitatbewertungsmethoden die Möglichkeit, die Auswirkungen flussbaulicher Maßnahmen oder morphologischer Eigenschaften quantitativ in Bezug auf Schwall-Sunk-Einflüsse zu bewerten. Obwohl diese Prognosemodelle immer ausgereifter sind und immer mehr Prozesse abbilden können, zeigt die Gesamtdiskussion, dass es vor allem weiterhin Grundlagenforschung im Feld, als auch im Experiment braucht, um die integrative Modellierung mit den maßgeblichen biologischen Informationen auszustatten.
Effects of Intravenous Infusion of Iodine Contrast Media on the Tracheal Diameter and Lung Volume Measured with Deep Learning-Based Algorithm
Authors: Yasaka Koichiro , Saigusa Hiroyuki , Abe Osamu
Published: March 2024

This study aimed to investigate the effects of intravenous injection of iodine contrast agent on the tracheal diameter and lung volume. In this retrospective study, a total of 221 patients (71.1 ± 12.4 years, 174 males) who underwent vascular dynamic CT examination including chest were included. Unenhanced, arterial phase, and delayed-phase images were scanned. The tracheal luminal diameters at the level of the thoracic inlet and both lung volumes were evaluated by a radiologist using a commercial software, which allows automatic airway and lung segmentation. The tracheal diameter and both lung volumes were compared between the unenhanced vs. arterial and delayed phase using a paired t-test. The Bonferroni correction was performed for multiple group comparisons. The tracheal diameter in the arterial phase (18.6 ± 2.4 mm) was statistically significantly smaller than those in the unenhanced CT (19.1 ± 2.5 mm) (p < 0.001). No statistically significant difference was found in the tracheal diameter between the delayed phase (19.0 ± 2.4 mm) and unenhanced CT (p = 0.077). Both lung volumes in the arterial phase were 4131 ± 1051 mL which was significantly smaller than those in the unenhanced CT (4332 ± 1076 mL) (p < 0.001). No statistically significant difference was found in both lung volumes between the delayed phase (4284 ± 1054 mL) and unenhanced CT (p = 0.068). In conclusion, intravenous infusion of iodine contrast agent transiently decreased the tracheal diameter and both lung volumes.
Manufacturer’s optimal distribution strategy in the platform supply chain: Bundling or add-on?
Authors: Wang Junbin , Wang Shanshan , Shi Yangyan , Venkatesh V. G. , Paul Sanjoy Kumar
Published: March 2024

This study delves into the realm of distribution strategies employed in retail markets, particularly focusing on the widely utilized bundle-and-add-on strategy. Three distinct distribution strategies are examined: bundled-by-the-base-manufacturer (BBBM), bundled-by-the-platform, and the add-on approach within a platform supply chain context. Through comprehensive analysis, this paper investigates the optimal distribution strategy for manufacturers. Significantly, our research reveals that in cases where only bundling is feasible, base manufacturers can reap benefits from a self-bundling strategy when both the platform’s commission rate and the marginal cost of the bundled product are low. Additionally, the platform stands to gain from this approach when the commission rate is low, and the marginal cost of the bundled product is either moderate or very high. Notably, win–win scenarios can emerge for both manufacturers and platforms through specific bundling or platform bundling strategies under specific conditions. Furthermore, the study demonstrates that the price of bundles under the add-on strategy will be lower, attracting more consumers, especially when the commission rate is low. Intriguingly, when the marginal cost of the base product is low, the add-on strategy consistently emerges as the optimal choice; as costs escalate, BBBM might be optimal, especially when the commission rate is low, showcasing a nuanced understanding of the interplay between costs and strategic choices in distribution. The major contribution of this paper lies in its nuanced analysis of these strategies and their implications for both manufacturers and platforms in the retail landscape.
The Role of MicroRNA-206 in the Regulation of Diabetic Wound Healing via Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1-Alpha
Authors: Bai Zeming , Zhou Dapeng , Tao Kai , Lin Feng , Wang Hongyi , Sun Haiwei , Liu Ruidi , Li Zhe
Published: March 2024

Successful wound healing in diabetic patients is hindered by dysregulated miRNA expression. This study aimed to investigate the abnormal expression of miRNAs in diabetic wound healing and the potential therapeutic role of modulating the miR-206/HIF-1α pathway. MicroRNA assays were used to identify differentially expressed miRNAs in diabetic wound sites and adjacent areas. In vitro models and a rat diabetic model were established to evaluate the effects of miR-206 on HIF-1α regulation and wound healing. The study revealed differential expression of miR-206 in diabetic wound tissues, its interaction with HIF-1α, and the inhibitory effect of miR-206 on cell growth under high glucose conditions. Modulating the miR-206/HIF-1α pathway using miR-206 antagomir promoted HIF-1α, CD34, and VEGF expression, ultimately enhancing diabetic wound healing.
Cognitive Reappraisal Moderates the Longitudinal Relationship between Adolescents’ Peer Victimization and Self-Esteem. A Latent Interaction Model
Authors: Spyropoulou Elli , Giovazolias Theodoros
Published: March 2024

Poor self-esteem relates closely to youth maladjustment and appears to be predicted by peer victimization experiences. However, not all peer victimized adolescents face the same risk for self-esteem erosion over time. Drawing upon the Bi-Dimensional Framework for resilience and extant research, the present study examined the potential moderating role of cognitive reappraisal in the prospective relationship from peer victimization to self-esteem. To increase precision of findings the long-term impact of self-esteem on peer victimization was also tested. Self-reported data were collected from 285 early adolescents (Mage = 10.53 years, SD = 0.16; 54.0% girls) at two waves, spaced 1-year. Latent moderated structural equation analysis showed that peer victimization was negatively related to later self-esteem, but only for youth displaying low levels of cognitive reappraisal. For adolescents with high levels of cognitive reappraising, peer victimization was not found to predict any changes in self-esteem over time. The long-term impact of self-esteem on peer victimization was not supported. Overall the present study suggests that enhancing cognitive reappraisal could be a promising avenue for lowering risk for poor self-esteem in young individuals experiencing peer victimization.
Intentional astrobiological signaling and questions of causal impotence
Authors: Haramia Chelsea
Published: March 2024

My focus is on the contemporary astrobiological activity of Messaging ExtraTerrestrial Intelligence (METI). This intentional astrobiological signaling typically involves embedding digital communications in powerful radio signals and transmitting those signals out into the cosmos in an explicit effort to make contact with extraterrestrial others. Some who criticize METI express concern that contact with technologically advanced extraterrestrial life could be seriously harmful to Earth or humanity. One popular response to this critique of messaging is an appeal to causal impotence sometimes referred to as the ‘Barn Door’ Argument—we are already engaged in many other detectable activities not intended for cosmic communication. If the Barn Door Argument is correct, then those who engage in messaging arguably have a moral excuse. They are permitted to continue messaging because there is no point in abstaining. I develop three ways in which the claim of causal impotence in the Barn Door Argument could be understood. I evaluate each of these in turn and demonstrate that only one is appropriate to contemporary messaging. However, this interpretation does not generate the moral excuse on which the proponents of the Barn Door Argument rely; thus, the argument fails. Finally, I entertain and respond to candidate objections.
The 2022 Goesan earthquake of the moment magnitude 3.8 along the buried fault in the central Korean Peninsula
Authors: Lim Hobin , Cho Chang Soo , Son Minkyung
Published: March 2024

On October 28, 2022, a moment magnitude (Mw) 3.8 earthquake occurred in Goesan, South Korea, typically characterized as a stable continental region. Herein, we analyze 42 earthquakes, including the Mw 3.8 earthquake, the largest foreshock (Mw 3.3), which preceded the mainshock by 17 s, and the largest aftershock (Mw 2.9). The primary aim of this study is to identify interactions among the seismic events. To this end, we utilized the permanent seismic networks with the closest station at 8.3 km from the epicenter, and the temporary network deployed eight hours after the mainshock’s occurrence. Relocation results delineate that the mainshock occurred at the southeastern tip of the hypocenter distribution of three foreshocks, trending west-northwest–east-southeast. The aftershocks form an overall spatially diffused seismic pattern that propagates toward both ends of the inferred lineament in the downdip direction. The rupture directivity of the mainshock, along with waveform similarity across the mainshock and foreshocks, confirms the inferred geometry, corresponding well with the focal mechanisms of the mainshock and the largest foreshock. We demonstrate that the change in Coulomb failure stress (ΔCFS) by the largest foreshock was positive where the mainshock occurred and that the mainshock generated ΔCFS capable of triggering the propagation of the aftershocks.
Adventure and contingency in literary theory
Authors: Stockhammer Robert
Published: March 2024

The relation between adventure and contingency is an ambivalent one. This ambivalence can be described by using a distinction of two aspects already tied together in âventiure (as a French foreign word in German), distinguished by Jacob Grimm as “begebenheit” versus “erzählte geschichte selbst,” rendered as ‘type of event’ versus ‘narrative pattern’ in the terminology of the Munich research group Philology of Adventure. On the one hand, it seems obvious that for an adventure, as a type of event, a contingent element is a crucial precondition. An adventurous agent must willingly expose himself to this contingent event and interpret it as a ‘Chance’ (using a French foreign word in German, again), i.e. as opportunity to gain by risking, be it simply capital—as in the economic usage of the word, from English ‘Merchant Adventurers’ to contemporary ‘Venture Capital’—, or be it fame or prestige—as in Medieval and Early Modern adventure epics and novels. On the other hand, adventure, as a narrative pattern, tends to reduce contingencies in order to ‘make sense’. Even if adventure tales tolerate and actually support episodic structures, these episodes must, after all, be motivated and integrated into a plot. In other words: Writing an adventure story always already implies to tame (or perhaps rather frame) the very contingency it is based on. Adventure stories are therefore typical cases of “eliminat[ing] the contingent part of the literary phenomena it deals with” (Duprat and Jordan, introduction to the present special issue). This tension is, however, rarely acknowledged in the history of literary theory—here taken in the longue durée, starting with Early Modern poetics. The present essay discusses some steps from the history of relevant theories, with a particular emphasis on Giorgio Agamben's recent eulogy of adventure.
Legitimising capital: parent organisations and their resistance to testing in England
Authors: Holloway Jessica , Santori Diego
Published: March 2024

This paper presents findings from a year-long network ethnography into the strategies, networks, and outcomes of More Than a Score (MTAS)—a campaign against standardised testing in UK primary schools. Focusing specifically on the parent-based groups of the organisation, we use theorisations of symbolic capital to challenge traditional understandings of how capital can be leveraged for group advancement. We argue that MTAS frames itself as a grassroots organisation, using this image to promote its agenda amongst possible allies. Parent groups serve a critical role in accentuating the ‘grassroots’ image, as they bring a level of credibility to this claim. At the same time, the individuals who run these groups also bring technical skills, professional experiences, and connections that provide logistical and expert capital to the range of MTAS’s strategies and agendas. In doing so, their political and social capital as ‘parents’ provide a sort of legitimising capital to MTAS.
Domain Generalization with Small Data
Authors: Chen Kecheng , Gal Elena , Yan Hong , Li Haoliang
Published: March 2024

In this work, we propose to tackle the problem of domain generalization in the context of insufficient samples. Instead of extracting latent feature embeddings based on deterministic models, we propose to learn a domain-invariant representation based on the probabilistic framework by mapping each data point into probabilistic embeddings. Specifically, we first extend empirical maximum mean discrepancy (MMD) to a novel probabilistic MMD that can measure the discrepancy between mixture distributions (i.e., source domains) consisting of a series of latent distributions rather than latent points. Moreover, instead of imposing the contrastive semantic alignment (CSA) loss based on pairs of latent points, a novel probabilistic CSA loss encourages positive probabilistic embedding pairs to be closer while pulling other negative ones apart. Benefiting from the learned representation captured by probabilistic models, our proposed method can marriage the measurement on the distribution over distributions (i.e., the global perspective alignment) and the distribution-based contrastive semantic alignment (i.e., the local perspective alignment). Extensive experimental results on three challenging medical datasets show the effectiveness of our proposed method in the context of insufficient data compared with state-of-the-art methods.
Dynamic Effects of a Regulating Valve in the Assessment of Water Leakages in Single Pipelines
Authors: Coronado-Hernández Oscar E. , Pérez-Sánchez Modesto , Arrieta-Pastrana Alfonso , Fuertes-Miquel Vicente S. , Coronado-Hernández Jairo R. , Quiñones-Bolaños Edgar , Ramos Helena M.
Published: March 2024

Water losses in water distribution systems are typically analysed using extended period simulations, where its numerical resolution is commonly achieved using the gradient method. These models assume that adjustments to regulating valves occur, either manually or automatically, over an extended period of time, then the system inertia can be neglected. This research introduces the development of a rigid water column model for analysing water leakages in single pipelines, which can be employed to account for regulation valve adjustments in shorter time periods, thereby providing greater accuracy when assessing water losses. The application to a case study is presented to analyse pressure variations and leakage flow patterns over 30, 60, and 180 s. A comparison between the extended period simulation and rigid water column model is presented in order to note the order of magnitude on leakages when the system inertia is not considered. The results confirm that is crucial for water utilities the consideration of inertial system to simulate adequately opening and closure manoeuvres in water distribution systems, since according to the case study the extended period simulation can overestimated or underestimated the total leakage volume in percentages of 37.1 and 55.2 $$\%$$
%
, respectively.
Circulating N-lactoyl-amino acids and N-formyl-methionine reflect mitochondrial dysfunction and predict mortality in septic shock
Authors: Rogers Robert S. , Sharma Rohit , Shah Hardik B. , Skinner Owen S. , Guo Xiaoyan A. , Panda Apekshya , Gupta Rahul , Durham Timothy J. , Shaughnessy Kelsey B. , Mayers Jared R. , Hibbert Kathryn A. , Baron Rebecca M. , Thompson B. Taylor , Mootha Vamsi K.
Published: March 2024

Introduction

Sepsis is a highly morbid condition characterized by multi-organ dysfunction resulting from dysregulated inflammation in response to acute infection. Mitochondrial dysfunction may contribute to sepsis pathogenesis, but quantifying mitochondrial dysfunction remains challenging.

Objective

To assess the extent to which circulating markers of mitochondrial dysfunction are increased in septic shock, and their relationship to severity and mortality.

Methods

We performed both full-scan and targeted (known markers of genetic mitochondrial disease) metabolomics on plasma to determine markers of mitochondrial dysfunction which distinguish subjects with septic shock (n = 42) from cardiogenic shock without infection (n = 19), bacteremia without sepsis (n = 18), and ambulatory controls (n = 19) – the latter three being conditions in which mitochondrial function, proxied by peripheral oxygen consumption, is presumed intact.

Results

Nine metabolites were significantly increased in septic shock compared to all three comparator groups. This list includes N-formyl-l-methionine (f-Met), a marker of dysregulated mitochondrial protein translation, and N-lactoyl-phenylalanine (lac-Phe), representative of the N-lactoyl-amino acids (lac-AAs), which are elevated in plasma of patients with monogenic mitochondrial disease. Compared to lactate, the clinical biomarker used to define septic shock, there was greater separation between survivors and non-survivors of septic shock for both f-Met and the lac-AAs measured within 24 h of ICU admission. Additionally, tryptophan was the one metabolite significantly decreased in septic shock compared to all other groups, while its breakdown product kynurenate was one of the 9 significantly increased.

Conclusion

Future studies which validate the measurement of lac-AAs and f-Met in conjunction with lactate could define a sepsis subtype characterized by mitochondrial dysfunction.
Rassifizierende Humandifferenzierung. Ein Plädoyer für spezifizierende Vergleiche statt ethno–zentrischer Subsumtion
Authors: Hirschauer Stefan , Krings Matthias
Published: March 2024

Loic Wacquant ist zuzustimmen, dass „Rassen“ für die Soziologie nur eine ethnosoziologische Kategorie einer rassifizierenden Praxis sein können und dass international gebräuchliche Begriffe von Race implizit auf einem ethnozentrischen Begriff der US-Gesellschaft beruhen. Dort wird Race freilich auch von den Dominierten substanzialisiert und essenzialisiert. Für den konzeptuellen Rassismus ist eine Reifikationsallianz sozialer Bewegungen und kritischer Soziologie verantwortlich. Eine große Schwäche der Agenda Wacquants liegt darin, dass seine Subsumtion von Race unter einen vagen Begriff von Ethnizität diesen ethno–zentrisch überdehnt. Sie macht es unmöglich zu bestimmen, was allgemein und was spezifisch ist an Race. Stattdessen braucht es spezifizierende Vergleiche von Formen der Humandifferenzierung: Race, Ethnizität, Konfession, Sprache und Staatsbürgerschaft sollten erstens analytisch klar separiert werden, bevor man zweitens darangeht, im Vergleich mit weiteren Unterscheidungen (wie Geschlecht, Klasse, Alter, Disability) ihre Familienähnlichkeiten zu bestimmen, und drittens ihre empirischen Interferenzen mit anderen Unterscheidungen untersucht.
How to design bibliometric research: an overview and a framework proposal
Authors: Öztürk Oğuzhan , Kocaman Rıdvan , Kanbach Dominik K.
Published: March 2024

Bibliometric analysis has recently become a popular and rigorous technique used for exploring and analyzing the literature in business and management. Prior studies principally focused on ‘how to do bibliometric analysis’, presenting an overview of the bibliometric methodology along with various techniques and step-by-step guidelines that can be relied on to rigorously conduct bibliometric analysis. However, the current body of evidence is limited in its ability to provide practical knowledge that can enhance the design and performance of bibliometric research. This claim is supported even by the fact that relevant studies refer to their work as ‘bibliometric analysis’ rather than ‘bibliometric research’. Accordingly, we endeavor to offer a more functional framework for researchers who wish to design/conduct bibliometric research on any field of research, especially business and management. To do this, we followed a twofold way. We first outlined the main stages and steps of typical bibliometric research. Then, we proposed a comprehensive framework for specifying how to design/conduct the research and under what headings the relevant stages (step-by-step) will be used and/or presented. Thus, the current paper is expected to be a useful source to gain insights into the available techniques and guide researchers in designing/conducting bibliometric research.
Nicotinamide protects against diabetic kidney disease through regulation of Sirt1
Authors: Yang Yeping , Huang Jinya , Xie Lijie , Wang Yilin , Guo Shizhe , Wang Meng , Shao Xiaoqing , Liu Wenjuan , Wang Yi , Li Qin , Wu Xia , Zhang Zhaoyun , Zeng Fangfang , Gong Wei
Published: March 2024

Purpose

To investigate the effect of nicotinamide (Nam) on diabetic kidney disease (DKD) in mice and explore its mechanism.

Methods

Thirty DBA/2 J mice were randomly assigned to three groups. After 8 weeks of hyperglycemia induced by streptozocin (STZ), Nam and saline were administrated to STZ + Nam and STZ + NS mice, respectively, for 8 weeks. Non-diabetic mice (NDM) were used as control group. Twenty In2−/− Akita mice were randomly divided into two groups. After 8 weeks of hyperglycemia, Nam and saline were administered to Akita + Nam and Akita + NS mice, respectively, for 6 weeks. Wild-type littermates were used as control group. Markers of renal injury were analyzed, and the molecular mechanisms were explored in human proximal tubular HK2 cells.

Results

Urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) and kidney injury molecule 1 (KIM-1) decreased in the STZ + Nam and Akita + Nam groups. Pathological analysis showed that Nam improved the structure of glomerular basement membrane, ameliorated glomerular sclerosis, and decreased the accumulation of extracellular matrix and collagen. Compared to the diabetic control group, renal fibrosis, inflammation, and oxidative stress were reduced in the Nam-treated mice. The expression of sirtuin 1 (Sirt1) in human proximal tubular HK2 cells was inhibited by high glucose and Nam treatment enhanced its expression. However, in HK2 cells with Sirt1 knockdown, the protective effect of Nam was abolished, indicating that the beneficial effect of Nam was partially dependent on Sirt1.

Conclusions

Nam has a renoprotective effect against renal injury caused by hyperglycemia and may be a potential target for the treatment of DKD.
Hydrogeochemical evolution and water–rock interaction processes in the multilayer volcanic aquifer of Yogyakarta-Sleman Groundwater Basin, Indonesia
Authors: Razi Muhammad Haikal , Wilopo Wahyu , Putra Doni Prakasa Eka
Published: March 2024

Volcanic aquifers have become valuable resources for providing water to approximately 2.5 million people in the Yogyakarta-Sleman Groundwater Basin, Indonesia. Nevertheless, hydrogeochemical characteristics at the basin scale remain poorly understood due to the complexity of multilayered aquifer systems. This study collected sixty-six groundwater samples during the rainy and dry seasons for physicochemical analysis and geochemical modeling to reveal the hydrogeochemical characteristics and evolution in the Yogyakarta-Sleman Groundwater Basin. The results showed that groundwater in the unconfined and confined aquifers exhibited different hydrogeochemical signatures. The Ca–Mg–HCO3facies dominated groundwater from the unconfined aquifer. The groundwater facies evolved into a mixed Ca–Mg–Cl type along the flow direction towards the discharge zone. Meanwhile, groundwater from the confined aquifer showed mixed Ca–Na–HCO3, Na–HCO3, and Na–Cl–SO4facies. The presence of Mg in the confined aquifer was replaced by Na, which was absorbed in the aquifer medium, thus showing the ion exchange process. The main geochemical processes can be inferred from the Gibbs diagram, where most groundwater samples show an intensive water–rock interaction process mainly influenced by the weathering of silicate minerals. Additionally, only groundwater samples from the confined aquifer were saturated with certain minerals (aragonite, calcite, and dolomite), confirming that the groundwater followed the regional flow system until it had sufficient time to reach equilibrium and saturation conditions. This study successfully explained the hydrogeochemical characteristics and evolution of a multilayer volcanic aquifer system that can serve as a basis for groundwater basin conservation.
Recurrent, ICD-associated L. monocytogenes bacteraemia with multiple septic pulmonary embolisms over a 2-year period
Authors: Füszl Astrid , Schindler Stefanie , Heger Florian , Markowicz Mateusz , Indra Alexander , Pietzka Ariane , Hyden Patrick , Cabal Adriana , Wenzel René R.
Published: March 2024

Background

Listeria monocytogenes is a bacterial pathogen known for causing listeriosis, a foodborne illness with a wide spectrum of clinical presentations ranging from mild gastroenteritis to severe invasive disease, particularly affecting immunocompromised individuals, pregnant women, newborns, and the elderly. Successful treatment of patients with recurring listeria episodes due to colonised foreign material is often challenging, typically requiring a combination of antimicrobial treatment and surgical removal.

Case presentation

Here, we present a particularly complex case of chronic invasive listeriosis with a total of six relapses. After extensive investigations, the patient's ICD device was identified as the focus of infection.

Conclusion

The confirmation of relapses through cgMLST analysis highlights the persistence of Listeria monocytogenes and the potential for recurrence even after apparent resolution of symptoms in patients with foreign material. It emphasises the necessity for a comprehensive assessment to identify and mitigate the risk of relapses, thereby ensuring optimal management and outcomes.
A multiclass deep learning algorithm for healthy lung, Covid-19 and pneumonia disease detection from chest X-ray images
Authors: Mohan Geethu , Subashini M. Monica , Balan Shuba , Singh Shreyansh
Published: March 2024

A crucial step in the battle against the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic is efficient screening of the Covid affected patients. Deep learning models are used to improve the manual judgements made by healthcare professionals in classifying Chest X-Ray (CXR) images into Covid pneumonia, other viral/bacterial pneumonia, and normal images. This work uses two open source CXR image dataset having a total of 15,153 (dataset 1), and 4575 (dataset 2) images respectively. We trained three neural network models with a balanced subset of dataset 1 (1345 images per class), balanced dataset 2 (1525 images per class), and an unbalanced full dataset 1. The models used are VGG16 and Inception Resnet (IR) using transfer learning and a tailor made Convolutional Neural Network (CNN). The first model, VGG16 gives an accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and F1 score of 96%, 97.8%, 95.92%, 97% respectively. The second model, IR gives an accuracy, sensitivity, specificity and F1 score of 97%, 98.51%, 97.28%, 99% respectively. The third and best proposed model, CNN gives an accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and F1 score of 97%, 98.21%, 96.62%, 98% respectively. These performance metrics were obtained for the balanced dataset 1 and all models used 80:10:10 cross validation technique. The highest accuracy using CNN for all the three datasets are 97%, 96%, and 93% respectively. Gradient-weighted Class Activation Mapping (Grad-CAM) is used to ensure that the model uses genuine pathology markers to generalize.
A Multi-scale Attention-Based Transfer Model for Cross-bearing Fault Diagnosis
Authors: Li Puda
Published: March 2024

Bearings are key components of mechanical equipment, and fault diagnosis is a necessary and important measure to ensure bearing safety. Driven by industrial big data and deep learning (DL), intelligent fault diagnosis (IFD) has made great progress in recent years. However, most of the existing methods mainly focus on the fault diagnosis of individual bearings, and the feature extraction and fault classification rely on traditional networks and expert experience, which cannot meet the diagnostic requirements of cross-bearing conditions. To fill this research gap, this paper proposes a multi-scale attention-based transfer model (MSATM). First, the collected vibration signals are converted into time–frequency maps as samples, and the proposed MSATM employs multi-scale residual learning and attention mechanism to adaptively extract sensitive fault features, and recognizes faults of new bearings by deep transfer learning using the trained MSATM. A large number of experimental results based on a bearing benchmark validate the effectiveness and superiority of the proposed method and provide a promising tool for cross-bearing fault diagnosis.
Relative rank and regularization
Authors: Lampert Amichai , Ziegler Tamar
Published: March 2024

We introduce a new concept of rank – relative rank associated to a filtered collection of polynomials. When the filtration is trivial, our relative rank coincides with Schmidt rank (also called strength). We also introduce the notion of relative bias. The main result of the paper is a relation between these two quantities over finite fields (as a special case, we obtain a new proof of the results in [21]). This relation allows us to get an accurate estimate for the number of points on an affine variety given by a collection of polynomials which is of high relative rank (Lemma 3.2). The key advantage of relative rank is that it allows one to perform an efficient regularization procedure which is polynomial in the initial number of polynomials (the regularization process with Schmidt rank is far worse than tower exponential). The main result allows us to replace Schmidt rank with relative rank in many key applications in combinatorics, algebraic geometry, and algebra. For example, we prove that any collection of polynomials

$\mathcal P=(P_i)_{i=1}^c$

of degrees

$\le d$

in a polynomial ring over an algebraically closed field of characteristic

$>d$

is contained in an ideal

$\mathcal I({\mathcal Q})$

, generated by a collection

${\mathcal Q}$

of polynomials of degrees

$\le d$

which form a regular sequence, and

${\mathcal Q}$

is of size

$\le A c^{A}$

, where

$A=A(d)$

is independent of the number of variables.
Higher dietary methyl donor micronutrient consumption is associated with higher muscle strength in adults: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Mirrafiei Amin , Radkhah Parisa , Chambari Mahla , Davarzani Samira , Babaee Nadia , Djafarian Kurosh , Shab-Bidar Sakineh
Published: March 2024

Methyl donor micronutrients might affect muscle strength via DNA methylation. We aimed to evaluate the combined relationship of dietary methyl donor micronutrients containing betaine, choline, methionine, vitamin B12, vitamin B6 and folate on muscle strength. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 267 subjects including 113 men and 154 women. Dietary intake of micronutrients was assessed utilising a validated 168-item semi-quantitative FFQ, and methyl donor micronutrient score (MDMS) was calculated. The muscle strength of the participants was measured using a digital handgrip dynamometer. The association was determined using linear regression analysis. The mean age of participants was 36·8 ± 13·2 years. After taking into account potential confounding variables, there was no significant association between dietary methyl donor micronutrient score (MDMS) and the mean left-hand muscle strength (β: 0·07, se: 0·05, P = 0·07); however, the changes were significant in the mean right-hand muscle strength (β: 0·09, se: 0·04, P = 0·03). There was also a significant positive relationship between mean muscle strength and methyl donors’ intake after fully adjusting for potential confounders (β: 0·08, se: 0·04, P = 0·04). In conclusion, our findings revealed that higher dietary methyl donor micronutrient consumption is associated with enhanced muscle strength. As a result, advice on a higher intake of methyl donor-rich foods including grains, nuts, dairy products and seafood might be recommended by dietitians as a general guideline to adhere to. Additional prospective studies are needed to confirm the findings.
Temperature-induced effects on development, reproduction, and predation of Harmonia axyridis fed on first instar larvae Spodoptera litura
Authors: Islam Yasir , Shah Farhan Mahmood , Güncan Ali , Naeem Afifa , Zhou Xingmiao
Published: March 2024

Since metabolism, survival, and reproduction in hexapods are closely related to temperatures; changes in the mean and variance of temperature are major aspects of global climate change. In the typical context of biological control, understanding how predator–prey systems are impacted under thermal conditions can make pest control more effective and resilient. With this view, this study investigated temperature-mediated development and predation parameters of the predator Harmonia axyridis against the potential prey Spodoptera litura. The age-stage, two-sex life table of the predator was constructed at four temperatures (i.e. 15, 20, 25, and 30°C) by feeding on the first instar larvae of S. litura. Our results showed that the mean generation time (T) decreased but the intrinsic rate of increase (r) and the finite rate of increase (λ) increased with increased temperature. The mean duration of the total preadult stage decreased with higher temperatures. The T and r were 70.47 d and 0.0769 d−1 at 15°C; 58.41 d and 0.0958 d−1 at 20°C; 38.71 d and 0.1526 d−1 at 25°C; and 29.59 d and 0.1822 d−1 at 30°C, respectively. The highest net reproductive rate (R0) and fecundity were obtained at 25°C. The highest λ (1.1998 d−1) and lowest T (29.59 d) were obtained at 30°C, whereas the maximum net predation rate (C0) was at 25°C. Total population and predation rates projections were the highest at 30°C. Based on these findings, we anticipate that biological control strategies for this predator release against S. litura should be attuned to warming scenarios to achieve better biocontrol functions.
Incubation experiments using nitrogen isotope discrimination to estimate ammonia emission from amended sheep manure treatments
Authors: Khanaki Hassan , Dewhurst Richard J. , Leury Brian J. , Song Yumeng , Chen Deli , Cheng Long
Published: March 2024

Two 10-day in vitro experiments were conducted to investigate the relationship between nitrogen (N) isotope discrimination (δ15N) and ammonia (NH3) emissions from sheep manure. In Exp. 1, three different manure mixtures were set up: control (C); C mixed with lignite (C + L); and grape marc (GM), with 5, 4 and 5 replications, respectively. For C, urine and faeces were collected from sheep fed a diet of 550 g lucerne hay/kg, 400 g barley grain/kg and 50 g faba bean/kg; for C + L, urine and faeces were collected from sheep fed the C diet and 100 g ground lignite added to each incubation system at the start of the experiment; for GM, urine and faeces were collected from sheep fed a diet consisting of C diet with 200 g/kg of the diet replaced with GM. In Exp. 2, three different urine-faeces mixtures were set up: 2U:1F, 1.4U:1F and 1U:1F with urine to faeces ratios of 2:1, 1.4:1 and 1:1, respectively, each with 5 replications. Lignite in C + L led to significantly lower cumulative manure-N loss by 81 and 68% in comparison with C and GM groups, respectively (P = 0.001). Cumulative emitted manure NH3-N was lower in C + L than C and GM groups by 35 and 36%, respectively (P = 0.020). Emitted manure NH3-N was higher in 2U:1F compared to 1.4U:1F and 1U:1F by 18 and 26%, respectively (P < 0.001). This confirms the relationship between manure δ15N and cumulative NH3-N loss reported by earlier studies, which may be useful for estimating NH3 losses.
Efficacy of commercially available entomopathogenic nematodes against insect pests of canola in Alberta, Canada
Authors: Patuwatha Withanage D.B.M. , Briar S.S. , Edeogu I.
Published: March 2024

Certain entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) in the families Steinernematidae and Heterorhabditidae are among the most studied biocontrol tools, some of which are commercially available against pest insects. Their use against foliar and subterranean insect pests is largely unexplored in the Canadian Prairies. We conducted a laboratory-based study to produce baseline information on the biocontrol potential of a few commercial EPN species. Percent mortality of flea beetles, diamondback moths (DBMs), lygus, cabbage root maggots, and black cutworms (BCWs) was assessed after 72 hours exposure to Steinernema carpocapsae, S. kraussei, S. feltiae, and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora at varying concentrations (25, 50, 100, and 200 infective juveniles (IJs) per larvae, pupae, or cm2 of soil surface). Irrespective of concentration level, S. carpocapsae and S. kraussei caused significant mortality in DBM and BCW larvae compared with H. bacteriophora.S. kraussei, and S. feltiae were more efficient than S. carpocapsae in controlling root maggot larvae. H. bacteriophora caused zero mortality to root maggots at any concentration. Root maggot pupae were resistant to entry to EPN species tested, likely due to hard outer covering. Compared with root maggot pupae, a moderate level of mortality was observed in DBM pupae, suggesting differential ability of the tested EPNs in killing different life stages of certain pests. All nematode species tested caused low mortality (≤10%) in flea beetle adults. The findings of this investigation form fundamental data essential for carrying out field-based studies on canola and other related crops aimed at control and management of these pest species.