bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Neutralizing anti-IFN-γ IgG was increased in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and associated with susceptibility to infection
Authors: Chen Longfang , Chi Huihui , Teng Jialin , Meng Jianfen , Zhang Hao , Su Yutong , Liu Honglei , Ye Junna , Shi Hui , Hu Qiongyi , Zhou ZhuoChao , Yang Chengde , Sun Yue , Cheng Xiaobing
Published: October 2023

Objectives

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complicated autoimmune disease, in which infection is a leading cause of death. Some SLE patients clinically presented with recurrent and refractory infections, which manifested as adult-onset immunodeficiency syndrome due to the production of anti-interferon-γ (anti-IFN-γ) autoantibodies. This study aimed to investigate the role of anti-IFN-γ autoantibodies concerning severe infections in SLE patients.

Methods

We detected serum levels of anti-IFN-γ IgG/IgM isotypes in SLE patients with severe infections (n = 55), SLE patients without severe infections (n = 120), rheumatoid arthritis (n = 24), ankylosing spondylitis (n = 24), and healthy controls (n = 60). The relationship between anti-IFN-γ autoantibodies and clinical characteristics and laboratory parameters were analyzed. We further evaluated the neutralizing ability of anti-IFN-γ IgG.

Results

The level of anti-IFN-γ IgG was significantly elevated in SLE patients with severe infections compared with the other groups (all p < 0.01), and the positive rates of anti-IFN-γ IgG in SLE patients with and without severe infections were 29.1% and 10.8%, respectively. Further analysis indicated that the levels of anti-IFN-γ IgG were positively associated with the SLEDAI score (r = 0.6420, p < 0.001), and it could predict the susceptibility to severe infections in SLE patients. Moreover, the inhibition and function assay showed that purified IgG from anti-IFN-γ IgG-positive SLE patients could neutralize IFN-γ, and further impair IFN-γ-induced STAT1 phosphorylation.

Conclusions

The neutralizing anti-IFN-γ IgG might increase the susceptibility to infection in SLE patients, which has important implications for the treatment.

Key Points• The role of anti-IFN-γ autoantibodies concerning severe infections in SLE patients remains unknown.• The results of this study reveals that anti-IFN-γ IgG levels were significantly elevated in SLE patients with severe infections.• This study suggests that neutralizing anti-IFN-γ IgG might increase the susceptibility to infection in SLE patients.
Country-wide expansion of a VIM-1 carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella oxytoca ST145 lineage in Poland, 2009–2019
Authors: Biedrzycka M. , Urbanowicz P. , Żabicka D. , Hryniewicz W. , Gniadkowski M. , Izdebski R.
Published: October 2023

Purpose

To elucidate the role of the Klebsiella oxytoca species complex (KoSC) in epidemiology of VIM-type MBL-producing Enterobacterales in Poland.

Methods

The study comprised all 106 VIM-positive KoSC isolates collected by the Polish National Reference Centre for Susceptibility Testing during 2009–2019 from 60 institutions in 35 towns. All isolates were sequenced by Illumina MiSeq, followed by MinION sequencing of selected organisms. Genomes were subjected to bioinformatic analysis, addressing taxonomy, clonality, phylogeny and structural characterisation of key resistance determinants within their chromosomal and plasmidic loci.

Results

Among five species identified, K. oxytoca was predominant (n = 92), followed by Klebsiella michiganensis (n = 11). MLST distinguished 18 STs, with the most prevalent Klebsiella oxytoca ST145 (n = 83). The clone segregated a lineage with the In237-like integron [blaVIM-1–aacA4 genes; n = 78], recorded in 28 cities almost all over the country. The integron was located in a ~ 49–50 kb chromosomal mosaic region with multiple other resistance genes, linked to a ~ 51 kb phage-like element. The organism might have originated from Greece, and its evolution in Poland included several events of chromosomal ~ 54–258 kb deletions, comprising the natural β-lactamase blaOXY gene. A group of other isolates of various species and clones (n = 12) carried the integron In916 on self-transmissible IncA-type plasmids, effectively spreading in Italy, France and Poland.

Conclusion

KoSC has been one of the major VIM producers in Poland, owing largely to clonal expansion of the specific K. oxytoca–In237-like lineage. Its apparently enhanced epidemic potential may create a danger on international scale.
High risk of intestinal colonization with ESBL-producing Escherichia coli among soldiers of military contingents in specific geographic regions
Authors: Literacka E. , Konior M. , Izdebski R. , Żabicka D. , Herda M. , Gniadkowski M. , Korzeniewski K.
Published: October 2023

One-hundred Polish soldiers of a contingent in Afghanistan in 2019 were screened for Enterobacterales resistant to newer-generation β-lactams at their departure and return. Seventeen percent were colonized in the gut at the departure, whereas 70% acquired carriage in Afghanistan. The commonest organisms were extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli (ESBL-Ec; 96.6%). All isolates were sequenced and were clonally diverse overall, even within the same sequence type, indicating that independent acquisitions mainly. ESBL-Ec were often multi-drug-resistant. Soldiers stationing in certain regions are at high risk of acquiring resistant bacteria that may cause endogenous infection, be transmitted to vulnerable individuals, and spread resistance genes.
Productivity analysis: roots, foundations, trends and perspectives
Authors: Zelenyuk Valentin
Published: October 2023

The goal of this article is to give a brief overview of productivity analysis, starting with general concepts, its importance and a brief historical excursion and then focusing on various productivity indexes. We also start from very simple productivity indexes to more sophisticated, such as Malmquist Productivity Indexes, which are among the most popular in academic literature these days. A special attention is on the contributions to this literature from Rolf Färe and Shawna Grosskopf (and their many co-authors), and some of the related works they have inspired.A brief discussion of likely perspectives for the area is also provided.
Pandemieforschung: von Autoantikörpern und Impfstoff-Innovationen
Authors: de la Rosa Kathrin
Published: October 2023

The study of human antibody repertoires and the underlying mechanisms of diversification are key to understand immune dysregulation, as well as to improve vaccine designs. This article outlines, how the interaction of antibodies and vaccines with body-own structures affects disease pathogenesis and vaccine performance. It is discussed why autoantibodies in COVID-19 should be discriminated in specific-pathogenic versus promiscuous-harmless, and how a strategy called BIBAX improves vaccines by design.
Untersuchung der Liganden-Bindung am MHC-Klasse I-Protein
Authors: Borchert Britta , Springer Sebastian
Published: October 2023

Analysis of receptor-ligand interactions is fundamental for the understanding of many biological processes. Our main object of investigation are MHC class I proteins, cell surface receptors and key players of the adaptive immune system. Their ligands are antigenic peptides presented to immune cells for revelation of infection. Ligand binding is inevitable for structural integrity and stability of the MHC class I receptor. In this article, we describe expedient methods for MHC class I analysis: nano-DSF, microscale thermophoresis, and fluorescence anisotropy.
IMS meets HKA: ein neues Tool zur Überwachung von Mikroalgenkulturen
Authors: Mayer Thomas , Steingroewer Juliane , Petrich Ralf , Borsdorf Helko
Published: October 2023

A new method for real-time monitoring of algae cultures in bioreactors has been developed. It is based on ion mobility spectrometry and enables the detection of volatile organic compounds released by the algae. Spectral analysis and principal component analysis can be used to identify growth phases and to detect experimental influences. This continuous monitoring enables early detection of disturbances in the biotechnological process.
Nanokörper – klein, aber vielfältig einsetzbar
Authors: Buser Dominik P.
Published: October 2023

Nanobodies represent the variable domains of heavy-chain-only antibodies and possess the potential to surmount several shortcomings of conventional antibodies. Due to their exceptionally small size, structure, solubility, robust stability, high antigen-binding affinity, and ease of recombinant manipulation and expression, they are not only well suited for biomedical applications, but also provide sophisticated tools for basic research in molecular biology. Here, we discuss applications based on engineered and derivatized nanobodies as tools to systematically study biological processes in the cell.
Trispezifische Antikörper in der Immuntherapie: Drei sind keiner zu viel
Authors: Stadlbauer Katharina , Natale Veronica , Rüker Florian , Wozniak-Knopp Gordana
Published: October 2023

Bispecific antibodies revolutionized immunotherapy by improving the specificity of target recognition and extending the spectrum of treatments by enabling efficient target and effector cell interaction. Engineering strategies have led to novel designs of tri- and multispecific antibodies, which combine even more beneficial properties and promise superior efficacy and safety. Several of them efficiently harvest the patient’s immune response by addressing effector cells of the innate immune system.
Aktivierung natürlicher Killerzellen zur Behandlung von Tumorerkrankungen
Authors: Harwardt Julia , Schoenfeld Katrin , Kolmar Harald
Published: October 2023

Immunotherapy represents a promising tool significantly improving cancer outcomes. The concept of tumor recognition and elimination by harnessing the patients’ immune system has recently been applied to cells of the innate immunity. Particularly, antibody-based NK cell engagers have been explored which specifically target tumor-associated antigens and simultaneously receptors on natural killer cells boosting the immune effector cells’ cytolytic effect and further inducing a multicellular immune response.
Der Crumbs-Komplex – von Epithelpolarität zu retinaler Degeneration
Authors: Knust Elisabeth
Published: October 2023

The evolutionarily conserved Crumbs protein complex, initially identified in Drosophila, is a crucial regulator of epithelial cell polarity and shape in both invertebrates and vertebrates. Mutations are associated with various diseases, which are based on epithelial dysfunction, such as tumorigenesis, and result in retinal degeneration in humans, mice and flies. The plethora of its interaction partner defines the Crumbs complex as an apical hub to coordinate polarity, adhesion and signalling.
Early detection of dyslexia based on EEG with novel predictor extraction and selection
Authors: Parmar Shankar , Paunwala Chirag
Published: October 2023

Dyslexia is a learning disorder caused by difficulties in the brain’s processing of letters and words. This study used EEG recordings to detect dyslexia at a young age. EEG recordings of 53 individuals, including 29 dyslexic and 24 normal individuals, were collected while they were engaged in two distinct mental activities known as the N-Back task and the Oddball task. Predictors were extracted using several methods and reduced using Principal Component Analysis (PCA). A relief-based strategy was applied to select predictors, and Support Vector Machine (SVM) classifier was used to achieve an average accuracy of 79.3% for dyslexia detection, which is better than the performance of its predecessors. The results indicate that EEG recordings and machine learning methods could be useful for identifying dyslexia in children.
Cost efficiency of primary health care facilities in Ghana: stochastic frontier analysis
Authors: Arhin Kwadwo , Oteng-Abayie Eric Fosu , Novignon Jacob
Published: October 2023

Primary health care (PHC) is a universally accepted key strategy to achieve universal health coverage (UHC) and Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3) due to its potential to produce a range of economic benefits through improved health outcomes, health quality, and health system efficiency. However, little evidence exists about the cost efficiency of primary health care facilities (PHCFs) in Sub-Saharan Africa. This study evaluates the cost efficiency of two main types of PHCFs in Ghana that are at the forefront of delivering PHC services to a greater proportion of the population: Community Health Centers (HCs) and Community-Based Health Planning Services (CHPS) compounds. The dataset we used for this study included 39 HCs and 55 CHPS facilities. Furthermore, it examines the factors that influence the cost efficiency of these facilities. The study applies the stochastic frontier analysis (SFA) technique to panel data. The estimated cost efficiency for HCs and CHPS is 61.6% and 85.8%, respectively. The study further revealed that facility size, medical staff density, and facility age are the main factors that explain the differences in the cost efficiency of PHCFs in Ghana. The study's policy recommendation is that the Ghana Health Service should consider utilizing modern technology such as telehealth and telemedicine to enhance access to PHC services for people living in hard-to-reach and densely populated communities. This strategic approach can significantly contribute to improving the cost-efficiency of PHCFs.
Absurdity and Meaning in Contemporary Philosophy and Jewish Thought
Authors: Mittleman Alan L.
Published: October 2023

There is a lively discussion in contemporary philosophy that explores the meaning of life or, more modestly, meaning in life. Philosophers, for the most part, assume that religion has little to contribute to this inquiry. They believe that the Western religions, such as Judaism, have doctrinaire beliefs which have become implausible and can no longer satisfy the search for meaning. In this book, Alan L. Mittleman argues that this view is misconceived. He offers a presentation of core Jewish beliefs by using classical and contemporary texts that address the question of the meaning of life in a philosophical spirit. That spirit includes profound self-questioning and self-criticism. Such beliefs are not doctrinaire: Jewish sources, such as the biblical Book of Ecclesiastes, are, in fact, open to an absurdist reading. Mittleman demonstrates that both philosophy and Judaism are prone to ineliminable doubts and perplexities. Far from pre-empting a conversation, they promote honest dialogue.
The Story of Constitutions
Authors: Voermans Wim
Published: October 2023

Today, 189 out of 193 officially recognised nation-states have a written constitution, and 75% of these have been ratified since 1975. How did this worldwide diffusion of constitutions come about? In this book, Wim Voermans traces the varied and surprising story of constitutions since the agricultural revolution of c.10,000 bce. Adopting an interdisciplinary approach, Voermans shows how human evolution, human nature and the history of thought have all played their part in shaping modern constitutions. Constitutions, in turn, have shaped our societies, creating imagined communities of trust and recognition that allow us to successfully co-operate with one another. Engagingly and wittily told, the story of constitutions is vital to understanding our world, our civilisations and, most significantly, ourselves.
Socio-syntax
Authors: Moore Emma
Published: October 2023

How do we adapt our grammar to communicate social detail? Do all working class people have a local dialect or are we free to use language in ways that transcend our place in the social hierarchy? Seeking to answer these questions, this pioneering book is the first to exclusively and extensively address the relationship between social meaning and grammatical variation. It demonstrates how we use grammar to communicate alignments and stances and to construct our social style or social identity. Based on an ethnographic study of high school girls in Northern England, it also uses the author's own experiences as a working-class student, to argue for change in how we conceive of grammar and how grammar is taught in schools. Lively and engaging real life examples from the study are included throughout, bringing to life new contributions to debates in variationist sociolinguistic and linguistic anthropology.
Urine on the Shelves
Authors: Warner Mark S. , von Wandruszka Ray
Published: October 2023

For 15 years, the University of Idaho has conducted chemical testing of excavated materials from historical sites throughout North America. The most common artifacts tested are sealed containers. Some come from current excavations, but most are from repository shelves. The immediate purpose of the archaeochemistry work is twofold: to identify the contents of the containers for researchers and to provide training for students in analytical chemistry. After testing more than 500 items, project personnel have recognized some unexpected outcomes that have implications for institutions housing the artifacts. Specifically, tested materials identified the small, yet consistent, presence of certain artifacts that can have health implications for personnel working with the items. The article concludes with general guidance on identifying and assessing those risks.
Full envelope nonlinear flight controller design for a novel electric VTOL (eVTOL) air taxi
Authors: Suiçmez E.C. , Kutay A.T.
Published: October 2023

On-demand urban air transportation gains popularity in recent years with the introduction of the electric VTOL (eVTOL) aircraft concept. There is an emerging interest in short/medium range eVTOL air taxi considering the critical advantages of electric propulsion (i.e. low noise and carbon emission). Using several electric propulsion systems (distributed electric propulsion (DEP)) has further advantages such as improved redundancy. However, flight controller design becomes more challenging due to highly over-actuated and coupled dynamics. This study defines and resolves flight control problems of a novel DEP eVTOL air taxi. The aircraft has a fixed-wing surface to have aerodynamically efficient cruise flight, and uses only tilting electric propulsion units to achieve full envelope flight control via pure thrust vector control. The aircraft does not have conventional control surfaces such as aileron, rudder or elevator. Using pure thrust vector control has some design benefits, but the control problem becomes more challenging due to the over-actuated and highly coupled dynamics (especially in transition flight). A preliminary flight dynamics model is obtained considering the dominant effects at hover and high-speed forward flight. Hover and forward flight models are blended to simulate the transition dynamics. Two central challenges regarding the flight control are significant nonlinearities in aircraft dynamics during the transition and proper allocation of the thrust vector control specifically in limited control authority (actuator saturation). The former challenge is resolved via designing a sensor-based incremental nonlinear dynamic inversion (INDI) controller to have a single/unified controller covering the wide flight envelope. For the latter one, an optimisation-based control allocation (CA) approach is integrated into the INDI controller. CA requires special attention due to the pure thrust vector control’s highly coupled dynamics. The controller shows satisfactory performance and disturbance rejection characteristics. Moreover, the CA plays a vital role in guaranteeing stable flight in case of severe actuator saturation.
Challenges and opportunities related to penicillin allergy in the Veterans Health Administration: a narrative review
Authors: Kouma Marcus A. , Guastadisegni Jessica M. , Yang Linda , Maxwell Daniel N. , Storey Donald F. , Arasaratnam Reuben J.
Published: October 2023

The presence of a penicillin allergy label in a patient’s medical chart is associated with negative clinical and economic outcomes. Given that less than 10% of reported reactions are truly immunoglobulin E-mediated, removal of unverified penicillin allergy labels is a public health priority and an area of ongoing implementation research. The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated healthcare system in the United States, with almost 9 million veterans currently enrolled. However, studies analyzing the impact of the penicillin allergy label in this population are limited to single facilities and largely focus on short-term outcomes of allergy documentation correction, usage of β-lactams, and avoidance of antibiotic-related side effects. Broader, national VHA studies focusing on health outcomes and costs are lacking. As with non-VHA facilities, penicillin allergy evaluations are limited owing to the absence of formal allergy/immunology services at most VHA facilities. Pharmacy-driven screening and referral for clinic-based penicillin skin testing is a promising and frequently discussed modality in the literature, but its scalability within the VHA is not yet proven. Broader, evidence-based strategies that can be adapted to the available resources of individual VHA facilities, including those without on-site access to allergy providers, are needed.
Building a strong collaborative biostatistics workforce: Strategies for effective intra-unit professional development activities
Authors: Taylor Sandra L. , Podolsky Robert H. , Montez-Rath Maria E. , Slade Emily
Published: October 2023

Ongoing professional development is important for collaborative biostatisticians, as it enables them to remain current with the latest advances in statistical methodology and software, refine their analytical skills, and expand their domain knowledge, thereby facilitating their ability to contribute effectively to biomedical research. Although external opportunities for professional development, such as attending conferences and workshops, are widely recognized and valued in the field of biostatistics, there has been comparatively little attention given to internal opportunities for enhancing the skills and knowledge of biostatisticians which can be implemented with lower financial and time investment than external offerings. The purpose of this paper is to offer guidance for ongoing internal professional development activities that can be employed by collaborative biostatistics units in universities and academic medical centers to complement structured curricula and initial training. Specific examples of activities are provided so that collaborative biostatisticians and/or managers of biostatistical units can flexibly combine components to create an appropriately scaled, customized program that meets the needs of themselves or of the unit.
Epicuticular wax chemicals of Lablab purpureus subsp. bengalensis influence short-range attraction and oviposition responses in Aphis craccivora and Aphis gossypii
Authors: Kumbhakar Sanoj , Das Susmita , Barik Anandamay
Published: October 2023

Lablab purpureus subsp. bengalensis (Jacq.) Verdc. is an important legume of India and Africa. Both aphids, Aphis craccivora Koch and A. gossypii Glover (Hemiptera: Aphididae), are important herbivorous pests of this legume crop. These viviparous females lay nymphs on the leaf surface of this legume plant. Therefore, it is of considerable interest to study whether leaf surface wax chemicals (long-chain alkanes and free fatty acids) of this legume plant served as short-range attractants and oviposition stimulants in both females to lay nymphs. Twenty-one n-alkanes from n-C12 to n-C35 and 11 free fatty acids from C12:0 to C22:0 were identified in leaf surface waxes. Nonacosane and nonadecanoic acid were the most abundant among n-alkanes and free fatty acids, respectively. Both females were attracted towards one leaf equivalent surface wax against the control solvent (petroleum ether) in short Y-tube olfactometer bioassays. A synthetic blend of tetradecane, pentadecane, tetracosane, tridecanoic acid, tetradecanoic acid, and heneicosanoic acid comparable to one leaf equivalent surface wax served as short-range attractants and oviposition stimulants in A. craccivora; whereas a synthetic blend of tetradecane, hexadecane, docosane, nonadecanoic acid, and arachidic acid comparable to one leaf equivalent surface wax acted as short-range attractants and oviposition stimulants in A. gossypii. These results can provide the basis for efficient pest management strategies of A. craccivora and A. gossypii against L. purpureus subsp. bengalensis using host plant leaf surface wax compounds. Further, SEM studies of antennae and forelegs of both aphids were conducted to observe sensilla structures, which help in chemoreception.
Fight and rescue or give up and flee? Behavioural responses of different ant species tending the mutualist walnut aphid Panaphis juglandis to native and exotic lady beetles
Authors: Schifani Enrico , Giannetti Daniele , Castracani Cristina , Spotti Fiorenza A. , Mori Alessandra , Grasso Donato A.
Published: October 2023

Mutualism between ants and honeydew-producing hemipterans is a highly successful evolutionary innovation that attains the status of ecological keystone across many terrestrial ecosystems, involving a multitude of actors through direct or cascading effects. In these relationships, ants often protect their hemipteran partners against their arthropod natural enemies, sometimes interfering with the biological control of pest species. However, the dynamics of these interactions are highly variable based on the specific identity of all the actors involved, and baseline data remain scarce. We performed a field experiment exposing colonies of the walnut aphid Panaphis juglandis attended by five European ant species (Camponotus piceus, Ca. vagus, Crematogaster scutellaris, Dolichoderus quadripunctatus, Lasius emarginatus) to a native and an exotic lady beetle (Adalia bipunctata and Harmonia axyridis), documenting the behavioural interactions between these insects and the performance of ants in the protection of the aphids. Our results reveal a significant behavioural diversity among the ant species involved, with D. quadripunctatus and L. emarginatus being the most aggressive and having the best performance as aphid defenders, and Ca. piceus being least effective and often fleeing away. Cr. scutellaris displayed a rare rescue behaviour attempting to pull away the aphids that the lady beetles grabbed. On the other hand, behavioural responses to A. bipunctata and H. axyridis were similar. Further investigations are needed to understand the eco-ethological implications of these differences, while a better understanding of ant behavioural diversity may help refine biological control strategies.
Displaced Scholars as a Contribution to Academic Diversity
Authors: Altinkas Evren
Published: October 2023

Academic diversity has been an important consideration in hiring processes within academia since the late 2010s. The term diversity encompasses race, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, geographical representation, and political beliefs. There are three significant considerations during the hiring process. To put it simply: “equity is the promotion of fairness and justice for each individual that considers historical, social, systemic, and structural issues that impact experience and individual needs; diversity is a measure of representation within a community or population that includes identity, background, lived experience, culture, and many more; and inclusion is the creation of an environment where everyone shares a sense of belonging, is treated with respect, and is able to fully participate.”1
The Rise of the ‘Impenetrable Hedge’: African Intermediaries and the Legacy of Colonial Wars in Northern Ghana, 1896–1920
Authors: Cristofaro Domenico
Published: October 2023

This article sheds light on the effects that the unrest created by early twentieth-century colonial wars had on the increasing power of African colonial intermediaries in the Northern Territories of the Gold Coast. By managing interpretation processes as well as developing a monopoly on the use of violence, interpreters, soldiers, clerks, and chiefs created what the officers called an ‘impenetrable hedge’. Analyzing how these different figures deployed their power, the article argues that there was historical continuity in the formation of the intermediaries and the methods employed by them between the years of the colonial wars and the later British administration. Despite their institutional role, however, precariousness remained a central facet of these agents’ experiences. The article shows that they were continually challenged at a grassroots level, and suggests that it was only through the use of coercion that they were able to maintain their position.
Flattening the curve: COVID-19 induced a decrease in arousal for positive and an increase in arousal for negative words
Authors: Popović Stijačić Milica , Mišić Ksenija , Filipović Đurđević Dušica
Published: October 2023

In this study, we compared affective ratings of emotional valence and arousal for 882 Serbian words at three points in time: before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic (2018), during the COVID-19 lockdown (2020), and after the government measures were abandoned (2022). We did not observe a significant change in average valence or arousal ratings across time points. A more detailed look into the data revealed the change in arousal that was different across the valence values. An increase in their linear correlations and a decrease in the nonlinearity of the GAMM smooth demonstrated that, upon the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, emotionally negative words elicited higher arousal ratings, whereas emotionally positive words elicited lower arousal ratings. It revealed that our participants became more sensitive to the negative content and less sensitive to the positive content. Our results add to the findings, which showed that the relationship between emotional valence and arousal is a function of contextual factors, which primarily influence the arousal of words.
On Academic Activism: A French Perspective
Authors: Heinich Nathalie
Published: October 2023

In this article, I will try to offer both a French perspective on academic activism and a perspective based on my field of competence, that is, the social sciences and humanities. The social sciences and humanities differ from the natural sciences in many respects, but they also share some common properties, among which the most important is their common institutional belonging to the academic field. Nowadays the impact of wokism has added a common concern for the autonomy and quality of our working conditions.
A Millennial‐Scale Oscillation in Latitudinal Temperature Gradients Along the Western North Atlantic During the Mid‐Holocene
Authors: Shuman Bryan N. , Stefanescu Ioana C. , Grigg Laurie D. , Foster David R. , Oswald W. Wyatt
Published: October 2023

Changes in vegetation in North America indicate Holocene shifts in the latitudinal temperature gradient along the western margin of the North Atlantic. Tree taxa such as oak (Quercus) and birch (Betula) experienced opposing directions of change across different latitudes consistent with changes in temperature gradient steepness. Pollen‐inferred temperatures from 34 sites quantify the gradient changes and reconstruct a long‐term northward steepening in summer and southward steepening in winter. From 4.8 to 3.8 ka, an oscillation in tree distributions interrupted the long‐term trends as a steep temperature gradient developed north of 43.5°N. The shift likely limited cold outbreaks to the south, producing anomalously high summer temperatures at 42–43.5°N, and enabling a northward expansion of oak forests. The forest and temperature gradient changes appear consistent with orbital and ice sheet forcing as well as millennial variability in the North Atlantic pressure field analogous to the North Atlantic Oscillation on interannual time scales.
Digitally Preserving Svalbard’s Fragile Geology
Authors: Morris Bill
Published: October 2023

A team of researchers is making the iconic rock outcrops of Svalbard available to the world through an open-source database of virtual geological models.
Emergence of the Loa Mantle Component in the Hawaiian Islands Based on the Geochemistry of Kauaʻi Shield‐Stage Basalts
Authors: Williamson Nicole M. B. , Weis Dominique , Scoates James S. , Garcia Michael O.
Published: October 2023

Kauaʻi shield‐stage lavas are central to understanding the origin of the distinct Kea and Loa Hawaiian geochemical trends in Hawaiian basalts. These trends reflect two geochemically distinct sides in the Hawaiian plume, with Loa to the southwest and Kea to the northeast. The geochemistry and Sr‐Nd‐Hf isotopic compositions of shield‐stage lavas from Kauaʻi show a transition from Kea to Loa across the island with the Loa mantle source becoming dominant as the volcano grew. This geochemical transition is gradual from west to east Kauaʻi and supports the hypothesis that the Kauaʻi volcano sampled both sides of the bilateral Hawaiian plume, a phenomenon that is unusual for a Hawaiian volcano. Notably, Kauaʻi marks the arrival of progressively larger volumes of Loa compositions within the Hawaiian mantle plume. The new data from Kauaʻi, combined with an updated and comprehensive database of Hawaiian shield‐stage major element oxides, trace element concentrations, and isotopic compositions normalized to the same standard values, allows for the Pb‐Sr‐Nd‐Hf isotopic compositions of the Average Loa (‘ALOA’) common geochemical component to be estimated. Despite the bilateral Loa‐Kea geochemical trend beginning at Molokaʻi, Loa compositions dominate the erupted volume of Hawaiian volcanoes younger than 3 Ma, validating the volumetric importance of the Loa source in the lower mantle portion of the Hawaiian plume.
Acoustic Waves From a Distant Explosion Recorded on a Continuously Ascending Balloon in the Middle Stratosphere
Authors: Popenhagen S. K. , Bowman D. C. , Zeiler C. , Garcés M. A.
Published: October 2023

A helium‐filled mylar balloon carrying a smartphone and infrasound sensors ascended to a stratospheric height of 35 km over the surface detonation of a chemical explosive, with a total acoustic propagation distance of 127 km. The smartphone was configured to collect multi‐modal data at high rates from internal sensors. Analysis of the data shows successful collection of the explosion signal by both the smartphone's microphone and its accelerometers, the first from an ascending balloon. Comparison of the acoustic signal with that collected by other infrasound sensors, both airborne and ground‐based, provides insight into the possibilities and limitations of collecting acoustic data from the stratosphere.
Relationships of stomatal morphology to the environment across plant communities
Authors: Liu Congcong , Sack Lawren , Li Ying , Zhang Jiahui , Yu Kailiang , Zhang Qiongyu , He Nianpeng , Yu Guirui
Published: October 2023

The relationship between stomatal traits and environmental drivers across plant communities has important implications for ecosystem carbon and water fluxes, but it has remained unclear. Here, we measure the stomatal morphology of 4492 species-site combinations in 340 vegetation plots across China and calculate their community-weighted values for mean, variance, skewness, and kurtosis. We demonstrate a trade-off between stomatal density and size at the community level. The community-weighted mean and variance of stomatal density are mainly associated with precipitation, while that of stomatal size is mainly associated with temperature, and the skewness and kurtosis of stomatal traits are less related to climatic and soil variables. Beyond mean climate variables, stomatal trait moments also vary with climatic seasonality and extreme conditions. Our findings extend the knowledge of stomatal trait–environment relationships to the ecosystem scale, with applications in predicting future water and carbon cycles.
Adenosine A1 receptors of the medullary solitary tract arbitrate the nicotine counteraction of neuroinflammation and cardiovascular dysfunction in septic rats
Authors: El-Naggar Amany E. , Helmy Mai M. , El-Gowilly Sahar M. , El-Mas Mahmoud M.
Published: October 2023

The cholinergic pathway plays a crucial role in improving inflammatory end-organ damage. Given the interplay between cholinergic and adenosinergic neurotransmission, we tested the hypothesis that central adenosine A1 receptors (A1ARs) modulate the nicotine counteraction of cardiovascular and inflammatory insults induced by sepsis in rats. Sepsis was induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) 24-h before cardiovascular measurements. Nicotine (25–100 µg/kg i.v.) dose-dependently reversed septic manifestations of hypotension and impaired heart rate variability (HRV) and cardiac sympathovagal balance. Like nicotine, intracisternal (i.c.) administration of N(6)-cyclopentyladenosine (CPA, A1AR agonist) to CLP rats increased indices of HRV and sympathovagal balance. Moreover, greater surges in these parameters were noted upon simultaneous nicotine/CPA administration. The favorable influences of nicotine on blood pressure and HRV in sepsis were diminished after central blockade of A1ARs by i.c. 8-Cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine (DPCPX). Molecular studies revealed that (i) septic rises in myocardial and brainstem nucleus of solitary tract (NTS) NFκB expression were abrogated by nicotine and largely reinstated after blockade of A1ARs, and (ii) A1AR expression in the same areas was reduced by DPCPX. It is concluded that myocardial and medullary A1ARs facilitate the cholinergic counteraction of cardiac and neuroinflammation induced by sepsis and interrelated cardiomyopathic and neuropathic hitches.
Structural characterization, biofunctionality, and environmental factors impacting rheological properties of exopolysaccharide produced by probiotic Lactococcus lactis C15
Authors: Bamigbade Gafar , Ali Abdelmoneim H. , Subhash Athira , Tamiello-Rosa Camila , Al Qudsi Farah R. , Esposito Gennaro , Hamed Fathalla , Liu Shao-Quan , Gan Ren-You , Abu-Jdayil Basim , Ayyash Mutamed
Published: October 2023

Exopolysaccharides (EPSs) possess distinctive rheological and physicochemical properties and innovative functionality. This study aimed to investigate the physicochemical, bioactive, and rheological properties of an EPS secreted by Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis C15. EPS-C15 was found to have an average molecular weight of 8.8 × 105 Da and was identified as a hetero-EPS composed of arabinose, xylose, mannose, and glucose with a molar ratio of 2.0:2.7:1.0:21.3, respectively. The particle size and zeta potential represented 311.2 nm and − 12.44 mV, respectively. FITR exhibited that EPS-C15 possessed a typical polysaccharide structure. NMR displayed that EPS-C15 structure is → 3)α-d-Glcvi (1 → 3)α-d-Xylv (1 → 6)α-d-Glciv(1 → 4)α-d-Glc(1 → 3)β-d-Man(1 → 2)α-d-Glci(1 → . EPS-C15 scavenged DPPH and ABTS free radicals with 50.3% and 46.4% capacities, respectively. Results show that the antiproliferative activities of EPS-C15 revealed inhibitions of 49.7% and 88.1% against MCF-7 and Caco-2 cells, respectively. EPS-C15 has antibacterial properties that inhibited Staphylococcus aureus (29.45%), Salmonella typhimurium (29.83%), Listeria monocytogenes (30.33%), and E. coli O157:H7 (33.57%). The viscosity of EPS-C15 decreased as the shear rate increased. The rheological properties of the EPS-C15 were affected by changes in pH levels and the addition of salts. EPS-C15 is a promising biomaterial that has potential applications in various industries, such as food, pharmaceuticals, and healthcare.
Fungicides modify pest insect fitness depending on their genotype and population
Authors: Margus Aigi , Saifullah Shahed , Kankare Maaria , Lindström Leena
Published: October 2023

Fungicides are the most sold pesticide group, with an 8% increase in sales in Europe within the last decade. While adverse short-term fungicide effects on non-target insect species have been reported, the long-term effects and their impact on fitness are unclear. As the effects may depend on both the fungicide and the genetic background of the species, we investigated the effects of the commonly used fungicide, fluazinam, on the Colorado potato beetle's life history traits, and whether the effects were dependent on a previously characterized insecticide resistance mutation (S291G in acetylcholinesterase-2 gene) in different populations. Our findings show that fungicide exposure can have both negative and positive, long-lasting effects on beetles, depending on the parental insecticide resistance status and population. In the Belchow population, individuals carrying resistance mutation had higher survival, but they produced offspring with lower egg-hatching rates. While, in the Vermont population, fungicide exposure increased the body mass and offspring quality in the beetles carrying resistance mutation but did not affect the beetles’ survival. Our results suggest that commonly used fungicides can have both negative and positive effects on pest insects’ life-history, however, their impact may differ depending on the population and parental genetic background.
A study on the effect of bioactive glass and hydroxyapatite-loaded Xanthan dialdehyde-based composite coatings for potential orthopedic applications
Authors: Nawaz Muhammad Haseeb , Aizaz Aqsa , Ropari Abdul Qadir , Shafique Huzaifa , Imran Osama bin , Minhas Badar Zaman , Manzur Jawad , Alqahtani Mohammed S. , Abbas Mohamed , Ur Rehman Muhammad Atiq
Published: October 2023

The most important challenge faced in designing orthopedic devices is to control the leaching of ions from the substrate material, and to prevent biofilm formation. Accordingly, the surgical grade stainless steel (316L SS) was electrophoretically deposited with functional composition of biopolymers and bioceramics. The composite coating consisted of: Bioglass (BG), hydroxyapatite (HA), and lawsone, that were loaded into a polymeric matrix of Xanthan Dialdehyde/Chondroitin Sulfate (XDA/CS). The parameters and final composition for electrophoretic deposition were optimized through trial-and-error approach. The composite coating exhibited significant adhesion strength of “4B” (ASTM D3359) with the substrate, suitable wettability of contact angle 48°, and an optimum average surface roughness of 0.32 µm. Thus, promoting proliferation and attachment of bone-forming cells, transcription factors, and proteins. Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopic analysis revealed a strong polymeric network formation between XDA and CS. scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis displayed a homogenous surface with invariable dispersion of HA and BG particles. The adhesion, hydrant behavior, and topography of said coatings was optimal to design orthopedic implant devices. The said coatings exhibited a clear inhibition zone of 21.65 mm and 21.04 mm with no bacterial growth against Staphylococcus aureus (S. Aureus) and Escherichia coli (E. Coli) respectively, confirming the antibacterial potential. Furthermore, the crystals related to calcium (Ca) and HA were seen after 28 days of submersion in simulated body fluid. The corrosion current density, of the above-mentioned coating was minimal as compared to the bare 316L SS substrate. The results infer that XDA/CS/BG/HA/lawsone based composite coating can be a candidate to design coatings for orthopedic implant devices.
Electrical stimulation facilitates NADPH production in pentose phosphate pathway and exerts an anti-inflammatory effect in macrophages
Authors: Uemura Mikiko , Maeshige Noriaki , Yamaguchi Atomu , Ma Xiaoqi , Matsuda Mami , Nishimura Yuya , Hasunuma Tomohisa , Inoue Taketo , Yan Jiawei , Wang Ji , Kondo Hiroyo , Fujino Hidemi
Published: October 2023

Macrophages play an important role as effector cells in innate immune system. Meanwhile, macrophages activated in a pro-inflammatory direction alter intracellular metabolism and damage intact tissues by increasing reactive oxygen species (ROS). Electrical stimulation (ES), a predominant physical agent to control metabolism in cells and tissues, has been reported to exert anti-inflammatory effect on immune cells. However, the mechanism underlying the anti-inflammatory effects by ES is unknown. This study aimed to investigate the effect of ES on metabolism in glycolytic-tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA) cycle and inflammatory responses in macrophages. ES was performed on bone marrow-derived macrophages and followed by a stimulation with LPS. The inflammatory cytokine expression levels were analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction and ELISA. ROS production was analyzed by CellRox Green Reagent and metabolites by capillary electrophoresis-mass spectrometry. As a result, ES significantly reduced proinflammatory cytokine expression levels and ROS generation compared to the LPS group and increased glucose-1-phosphate, a metabolite of glycogen. ES also increased intermediate metabolites of the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP); ribulose-5-phosphate, rebose-5 phosphate, and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate, a key factor of cellular antioxidation systems, as well as α-Ketoglutarate, an anti-oxidative metabolite in the TCA cycle. Our findings imply that ES enhanced NADPH production with enhancement of PPP, and also decreased oxidative stress and inflammatory responses in macrophages.
Dogs outperform cats both in their testability and relying on human pointing gestures: a comparative study
Authors: Salamon Attila , Uccheddu Stefania , Csepregi Melitta , Miklósi Ádám , Gácsi Márta
Published: October 2023

The dog is a so far unique species to study interspecific communication and a promising evolutionary model for preverbal human communication. Recently cats were reported to show some similar skills to dogs. Here we directly compared both the testability and the success of companion dogs and cats in relying on human distal pointing gestures. Due to differences in their domestication, social and ecological background, and developmental processes, we expected better performance from dogs compared to cats. Using an object-choice task, cats made considerably fewer choices than dogs in the laboratory environment, and their tendency to make a choice declined during trials. They were slightly more testable at home, where their willingness to choose did not decrease over time. Dogs made more successful choices than cats, both at the group and individual level, irrespective of the type of the pointing gesture. Older cats were more successful. Despite the two species’ rather similar role nowadays as human companions, our results support previous findings suggesting that, compared to the dog, the cat is a less ideal model to study some human communicative abilities in a laboratory environment.
Sustainable approach of La doped CuFe2O4 nanomaterial for electrochemical lead and paracetamol sensing action with multiple applications
Authors: Giridhar Meenakshi , Manjunath B. C. , Surendra B. S. , Harish K. N. , Prashantha S. C. , Kiran T. , Uma B. , Murthy H. C. Ananda
Published: October 2023

This present research aimed to investigate the novel applications of synthesized La doped CuFe2O4 nanomaterial (LCF NMs) using renewable bio-fuel (Aegle Marmelos extract) by combustion process. The sensor applications were accomplished by modified electrode using LCF NMs with graphite powder and examined its excellent sensing action towards heavy metal (Lead content) and drug chemical (Paracetamol) substances. The thermodynamics of redox potential and super-capacitor behavior of LCF NMs were investigated through Cyclic Voltametric (CV) and Electrochemical Impedance Spectral (EIS) methods under specific conditions at scan rate of 1 to 5 mV/s. The heterogeneous photo-catalytic process of prepared NMs on Fast orange Red (FOR) dye-decolouration was investigated and noted its excellent degradation (91.7%) at 90 min using 20 ppm of dye solution and 40 mg of synthesized samples under Sun-light irradiation. Further, the antibacterial activity of synthesized NMs is investigated against various strains of gram positive (Bacillus subtillis) and gram negative bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa), which confirms that the LCF NMs have higher activity towards gram positive bacteria with an average inhibition zone of 19 mm. This synthesized LCF NMs is a multi-functional material with stable and eco-friendly materials.