bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Emotion, motivation, decision-making, the orbitofrontal cortex, anterior cingulate cortex, and the amygdala
Authors: Rolls Edmund T.
Published: May 2023

The orbitofrontal cortex and amygdala are involved in emotion and in motivation, but the relationship between these functions performed by these brain structures is not clear. To address this, a unified theory of emotion and motivation is described in which motivational states are states in which instrumental goal-directed actions are performed to obtain rewards or avoid punishers, and emotional states are states that are elicited when the reward or punisher is or is not received. This greatly simplifies our understanding of emotion and motivation, for the same set of genes and associated brain systems can define the primary or unlearned rewards and punishers such as sweet taste or pain. Recent evidence on the connectivity of human brain systems involved in emotion and motivation indicates that the orbitofrontal cortex is involved in reward value and experienced emotion with outputs to cortical regions including those involved in language, and is a key brain region involved in depression and the associated changes in motivation. The amygdala has weak effective connectivity back to the cortex in humans, and is implicated in brainstem-mediated responses to stimuli such as freezing and autonomic activity, rather than in declarative emotion. The anterior cingulate cortex is involved in learning actions to obtain rewards, and with the orbitofrontal cortex and ventromedial prefrontal cortex in providing the goals for navigation and in reward-related effects on memory consolidation mediated partly via the cholinergic system.
Trimer stability of Helicobacter pylori HtrA is regulated by a natural mutation in the protease domain
Authors: Zarzecka Urszula , Tegtmeyer Nicole , Sticht Heinrich , Backert Steffen
Published: May 2023

The human pathogen Helicobacter pylori is a major risk factor for gastric disease development. Serine protease HtrA is an important bacterial virulence factor that cleaves the cell junction proteins occludin, claudin-8 and E-cadherin, which causes gastric tissue damage. Using casein zymography, we discovered that HtrA trimer stability varies in clinical H. pylori strains. Subsequent sequence analyses revealed that HtrA trimer stability correlated with the presence of leucine or serine residue at position 171. The importance of these amino acids in determining trimer stability was confirmed by leucine-to-serine swapping experiments using isogenic H. pylori mutant strains as well as recombinant HtrA proteins. In addition, this sequence position displays a high sequence variability among various bacterial species, but generally exhibits a preference for hydrophilic amino acids. This natural L/S171 polymorphism in H. pylori may affect the protease activity of HtrA during infection, which could be of clinical importance and may determine gastric disease development.
Size-effects of metamaterial beams subjected to pure bending: on boundary conditions and parameter identification in the relaxed micromorphic model
Authors: Sarhil Mohammad , Scheunemann Lisa , Schröder Jörg , Neff Patrizio
Published: May 2023

In this paper we model the size-effects of metamaterial beams under bending with the aid of the relaxed micromorphic continuum. We analyze first the size-dependent bending stiffness of heterogeneous fully discretized metamaterial beams subjected to pure bending loads. Two equivalent loading schemes are introduced which lead to a constant moment along the beam length with no shear force. The relaxed micromorphic model is employed then to retrieve the size-effects. We present a procedure for the determination of the material parameters of the relaxed micromorphic model based on the fact that the model operates between two well-defined scales. These scales are given by linear elasticity with micro and macro elasticity tensors which bound the relaxed micromorphic continuum from above and below, respectively. The micro elasticity tensor is specified as the maximum possible stiffness that is exhibited by the assumed metamaterial while the macro elasticity tensor is given by standard periodic first-order homogenization. For the identification of the micro elasticity tensor, two different approaches are shown which rely on affine and non-affine Dirichlet boundary conditions of candidate unit cell variants with the possible stiffest response. The consistent coupling condition is shown to allow the model to act on the whole intended range between macro and micro elasticity tensors for both loading cases. We fit the relaxed micromorphic model against the fully resolved metamaterial solution by controlling the curvature magnitude after linking it with the specimen’s size. The obtained parameters of the relaxed micromorphic model are tested for two additional loading scenarios.
New Calculation Software for Analytic Support Structure Optimization in Metal Additive Manufacturing
Authors: Tiefnig Raphael , Haas Franz
Published: May 2023

Powder based additive manufacturing systems often require support structures for overhanging geometries and thermal dissipation. On the one hand, the support material should be reduced to a minimum. On the other hand, the stiffness of the structures can be used as a fixture for post-processing. The contribution presents a unique analytic model to determine the stresses occurring in the support structures during post-processing. FEM simulations with different support types are carried out to validate the new calculation model. The results of this analysis subsequently serve as basis for dimensioning the support elements of complex and large parts. By specifying a machining process, it is possible to determine the required dimensions of the support structure (e.g. block, rod, or cross). The aim of this optimization process is to reduce machining time, material consumption and post-processing costs. The results of this contribution and the new software help to implement direct machining into industrial 3D printing processes.
The impact of emotionally challenging situations on medical students’ professional identity formation
Authors: Lönn Annalena , Weurlander Maria , Seeberger Astrid , Hult Håkan , Thornberg Robert , Wernerson Annika
Published: May 2023

In their interactions with patients and health care professionals during work-based learning, medical students are known to experience emotionally challenging situations that can evoke negative feelings. Students have to manage these emotions. Students learn and develop their professional identity formation through interactions with patients and members of the healthcare teams. Earlier studies have highlighted the issues involved with processing emotionally challenging situations, although studies concerning learning and professional identity formation in response to these experiences are rare. In this study, we explored medical students’ experiences of emotionally challenging situations in work-based learning, and the impact these experiences had on forming medical students’ professional identities. We conducted an analysis of narrative data (n = 85), using a constructivist grounded theory approach. The narratives were made up of medical students’ reflective essays at the end of their education (tenth term). The analysis showed that students’ main concern when facing emotionally challenging situations during their work-based education was the struggle to achieve and maintain a professional approach. They reported different strategies for managing their feelings and how these strategies led to diverse consequences. In the process, students also described arriving at insights into their own personal needs and shortcomings. We consider this development of self-awareness and resulting self-knowledge to be an important part of the continuously ongoing socialization process of forming a professional identity. Thus, experiencing emotionally challenging situations can be considered a unique and invaluable opportunity, as well as a catalyst for students’ development. We believe that highlighting the impact of emotions in medical education can constitute an important contribution to knowledge about the process of professional identity formation. This knowledge can enable faculty to provide students with more effective and sufficient support, facilitating their journey in becoming physicians.
Time pattern variation of alien plant introductions in an insular biodiversity hotspot: the Balearic Islands as a case study for the Mediterranean region
Authors: Cerrato M. D. , Cortés-Fernández I. , Ribas-Serra A. , Mir-Rosselló P. M. , Cardona C. , Gil L.
Published: May 2023

Allochthonous plant species are considered among the main environmental issues worldwide, being especially accused in the Mediterranean basin. The present study aims to update Balearic Alien Flora and discuss its time and spatial variation and invasiveness. Information regarding allochthonous plant records of the Balearic Islands were gathered and analysed based on published checklists and online databases. For each species several general traits were assigned based on previous references to characterise the alien Balearic Flora. Records of allochthonous species between 1827 and 2023 indicate that Alien Balearic Flora is composed of 624 taxa recorded unevenly among islands, with lower records in smaller islands. Alien flora is mainly composed of therophytes and phanerophytes being held mainly in human related habitats. Introduction pathway is mainly ornamental, with over 50% of taxa entering through gardening and horticultural practices. Main biogeographical origins are American, Mediterranean, Euroasiatic and Cape origins. Invasive status of Balearic alien flora shows that 44% of all taxa can be regarded as casual, while 35% are naturalised, and 17% can be considered invasive, being the latter increased in smaller islands. Time variations trends starting mainly in the 70 s and predictive models show that alien species increase exponentially, being the most represented taxa from synanthropic habitats, introduced as ornamentals, lianas, phanerophytes and therophytes from Cactaceae, Asteraceae and Leguminosae families. The results of the present study can serve as a model to facilitate the scientifically informed decision making and management of plant invasions both in the Balearic Islands and other continental insular systems and Mediterranean regions.
Electronic and ring size effects of N-heterocyclic carbenes on the kinetics of ligand substitution reactions and DNA/protein interactions of their palladium(II) complexes
Authors: Omondi Reinner O. , Jaganyi Deogratius , Ojwach Stephen O.
Published: May 2023

The synthesis, substitution kinetics and DNA/BSA interactions of four cationic Pd(II) complexes [Pd(1)Cl]BF4 (Pd1), [Pd(2)Cl]BF4 (Pd2), [Pd(3)Cl]BF4 (Pd3) and [Pd(4)Cl]BF4 (Pd4), derived from the reaction of [PdCl2(NCCH3)2] with ligands 2,6-bis(3-methylimidazolium-1-yl)pyridine dibromide (1), 2,6-bis(3-ethylimidazolium-1-yl)pyridine dibromide (2), 2,6-bis(1-methylimidazole-2-thione)pyridine (3), and 2,6-bis(1-ethylimidazole-2-thione)pyridine (4), respectively are reported. The complexes were characterised by various spectroscopic techniques and single crystal X-ray diffraction for compound Pd2. Kinetic reactivity of the complexes with the biologically relevant nucleophiles thiourea (Tu), L-methionine (L-Met) and guanosine 5′-monophosphate sodium salt (5’-GMP) was in the order: Pd1 > Pd2 > Pd3 > Pd4, which was largely dependent on the electronic and ring size of the chelate ligands, consistent with Density functional theory (DFT) simulations. The interactions of the complexes with calf thymus DNA (CT-DNA) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) binding titrations showed strong binding. Both the experimental and in silico data reveal CT-DNA intercalative binding mode.

Graphical abstract
Variability of prey preferences and uptake of anthropogenic particles by juvenile white seabream in a coastal lagoon nursery ground
Authors: Müller Carolin , Erzini Karim , Dudeck Tim , Cruz Joana , Corona Luana Santos , Abrunhosa Felipe Eloy , Afonso Carlos Manuel Lourenço , Mateus Miguel Ângelo Franco , Orro Cristina , Monteiro Pedro , Ekau Werner
Published: May 2023

Marine plastic litter, originating from land-based sources, enters the marine environment by passing through coastal ecosystems such as lagoons and estuaries. As early life history stages (ELHS) of many commercially important fish species rely on these transitional areas as nursery grounds, we hypothesized that they encounter a spatial gradient of habitat quality and pollution from inner to outer parts of their vital environment. With sizes < 5 mm, anthropogenic particles (AP), among them microplastic (MP) fibers and fragments, entail a high bioavailability for ELHS of fish, potentially facilitating AP uptake at early developmental stages which may have implications for their survival and growth. This study provides a contextualization baseline between feeding preferences and uptake of AP by the white seabream Diplodus sargus (Linnaeus, 1758) in an estuarine nursery ground on the southern coast of Portugal. Juvenile fish showed a generalized, omnivorous feeding mode with differences in trophic resource utilization between individuals collected at distinct seagrass meadows in the lagoon. A total of 23.13% of the fish (n = 147) were detected with AP in the gastrointestinal tract, and the mean number of AP per AP-feeding individual was 1.64 ± 1.04, with anthropogenic fibers (n = 47) occurring more frequently than fragments (n = 9). Knowledge of the underlying factors for MP ingestion will be greatly enhanced by considering environmental conditions along with species-stage and life-stage specific feeding modes and prey preferences which shape the uptake probability of anthropogenic fibers and fragments.
Differentiated experiences of financial precarity and lived precariousness among international students in Australia
Authors: Mulvey Benjamin , Morris Alan , Ashton Luke
Published: May 2023

Empirical research on international student migrants has sometimes homogenised this group, framing it as predominantly made up of privileged members of the global middle-class. This has led to calls to acknowledge and address the precarity faced by international students in their respective host countries more comprehensively. This study aims to explore how levels of financial precarity vary among international students in Australia, and how this in turn contributes to varying levels of precariousness in the personal spheres of students’ lives. In doing so, we centre and refine the concept of precarity for use in studies of internationally mobile students, arguing for its use as a ‘relational nexus’, bridging financial precarity and broader lived experiences. Drawing on a large-scale survey and semi-structured interviews with 48 students, we emphasise the linkages between financial precarity and precariousness as a socio-ontological experience, explored through the examples of time poverty, physical and mental wellbeing, and relationships.
Combined effects of two abiotic stressors (salinity and temperature) on a laboratory-simulated population of Daphnia longispina
Authors: Venâncio Cátia , Wijewardene Lishani , Ribeiro Rui , Lopes Isabel
Published: May 2023

Sea level rise is expected to continue apace, with a concomitant rise in temperature on the globe's surface. Natural populations genetic pool compromised by increased salinity would contribute to decrease resilience under future temperature changes. Therefore, this work aimed to understand the long-term effects of salinization on the genetic diversity of a cladoceran-simulated laboratory population under different temperature regimes. For that, six clonal lineages of the cladoceran Daphnia longispina were chosen based on their reported differential lethal sensitivity (LCx) to salinity. The chronic experiment was initiated when each individual clonal lineage reached the population’s carrying capacity, and then were exposed to the LC70,48 h for the most tolerant clonal lineage of D. longispina (corresponding to 5.91 mS/cm) to 17°C, 20°C and 23°C for at least 30 days. Salinity affected D. longispina survival and reproduction, with the disappearance of salt-tolerant earlier than salt-sensitive lineages after chronic exposures. Different sensitivity ranks were observed for clonal lineages when comparing short-term and chronic survival, most probably due to acclimation-driven population recovery. Non-optimal tested temperatures (17°C and 23°C) enhanced negative effects of salinity through loss of the most sensitive clonal lineages, suggesting a potential future synergistic effect between both abiotic factors.
Synthesising Programs with Non-trivial Constants
Authors: Abate Alessandro , Barbosa Haniel , Barrett Clark , David Cristina , Kesseli Pascal , Kroening Daniel , Polgreen Elizabeth , Reynolds Andrew , Tinelli Cesare
Published: May 2023

Program synthesis is the mechanised construction of software. One of the main difficulties is the efficient exploration of the very large solution space, and tools often require a user-provided syntactic restriction of the search space. While useful in general, such syntactic restrictions provide little help for the generation of programs that contain non-trivial constants, unless the user is able to provide the constants in advance. This is a fundamentally difficult task for state-of-the-art synthesisers. We propose a new approach to the synthesis of programs with non-trivial constants that combines the strengths of a counterexample-guided inductive synthesiser with those of a theory solver, exploring the solution space more efficiently without relying on user guidance. We call this approach CEGIS($$\mathcal {T}$$
T
), where $$\mathcal {T}$$
T
is a first-order theory. We present two exemplars, one based on Fourier-Motzkin (FM) variable elimination and one based on first-order satisfiability. We demonstrate the practical value of CEGIS($$\mathcal {T}$$
T
) by automatically synthesising programs for a set of intricate benchmarks. Additionally, we present a case study where we integrate CEGIS($$\mathcal {T}$$
T
) within the mature synthesiser CVC4 and show that CEGIS($$\mathcal {T}$$
T
) improves CVC4’s results.
Flux Globalization Based Well-Balanced Central-Upwind Schemes for Hydrodynamic Equations with General Free Energy
Authors: Chen Xi , Kurganov Alexander , Liu Yongle
Published: May 2023

We develop flux globalization based well-balanced central-upwind schemes for hydrodynamic equations with general free energy. The proposed schemes are well-balanced in the sense that they are capable of exactly preserving quite complicated steady-state solutions and also exactly capturing traveling waves, even when vacuum regions are present. In order to accurately track interfaces of the vacuum regions and near vacuum parts of the solution, we use the technique introduced in Chertock et al. (J Sci Comput 90:Paper No. 9, 2022) and design a hybrid approach: inside the no vacuum regions, we use the flux globalization based well-balanced central-upwind scheme, while elsewhere we implement the central-upwind scheme similar to the one proposed in Bollermann et al. (J Sci Comput 56:267–290, 2013) in the context of wet/dry fronts in the shallow water equations. The advantages of the proposed schemes are demonstrated on a number of challenging numerical examples.
Climbing the 'ladder of intrusiveness': the Italian government's strategy to push the Covid-19 vaccination coverage further
Authors: Profeti Stefania , Toth Federico
Published: May 2023

In all Western countries, the vaccination campaign against COVID-19 encountered some resistance. To overcome vaccine inertia and hesitancy, governments have used a variety of strategies and policy instruments. These instruments can be placed on a 'ladder of intrusiveness', starting from voluntary tools based on simple information and persuasion, through material incentives and disincentives of varying nature and magnitude, to highly coercive tools, such as lockdown for the unvaccinated and the introduction of the vaccination mandate. Italy's experience during the vaccination campaign against Covid provides an ideal observational point for starting to investigate this issue: not only was Italy among the top countries with the highest percentage of people vaccinated at the beginning of 2022, but—at least compared to other European countries—it was also one of the countries that had gradually introduced the most intrusive measures to increase vaccination compliance. In the article the different steps of the ‘intrusiveness ladder’ are presented, providing examples from various countries, and then tested on the Italian Covid-19 vaccination campaign between 2021 and the first months of 2022. For each phase of the campaign, the instrument mixes adopted by the Italian government are described, as well as the contextual conditions that led to their adoption. In the final section, an assessment of the composition and evolution of the Italian vaccination strategy is provided, based on the following criteria: legitimacy, feasibility, effectiveness, internal consistency and strategic coherence. Conclusions highlight the pragmatic approach adopted by the Italian government and underline the effects—both positive and negative—of scaling up the intrusiveness ladder.
New optical solitons for perturbed stochastic nonlinear Schrödinger equation by functional variable method
Authors: Mohamed E. M. , El-Kalla I. L. , Tarabia A. M. K. , Kader A. H. Abdel
Published: May 2023

In this paper, the functional variable method is used to obtain new optical soliton solutions for the perturbed stochastic nonlinear Schrödinger equation with generalized anti-cubic nonlinearity and multiplicative white noise. Using some transformations, new rational, Jacobi elliptic, Weierstrass, and hyperbolic stochastic solutions are obtained. Several optical soliton solutions were proposed, including dark, bright, and compacton soliton solutions. Graphical presentations of the obtained optical soliton solutions are shown to illustrate some of its physical parameters.
Good guesses as accuracy-specificity tradeoffs
Authors: Skipper Mattias
Published: May 2023

Guessing is a familiar activity, one we engage in when we are uncertain of the answer to a question under discussion. It is also an activity that lends itself to normative evaluation: some guesses are better than others. The question that interests me here is what makes for a good guess. In recent work, Dorst and Mandelkern have argued that good guesses are distinguished from bad ones by how well they optimize a tradeoff between accuracy and specificity. Here I argue that Dorst and Mandelkern’s implementation of this idea fails to satisfy some plausible constraints on good guesses, and I develop an alternative implementation that satisfies the relevant constraints. The result is a new account of good guesses which retains the positive aspects of Dorst and Mandelkern’s proposal, but without the drawbacks.
INAR approximation of bivariate linear birth and death process
Authors: Chen Zezhun , Dassios Angelos , Tzougas George
Published: May 2023

In this paper, we propose a new type of univariate and bivariate Integer-valued autoregressive model of order one (INAR(1)) to approximate univariate and bivariate linear birth and death process with constant rates. Under a specific parametric setting, the dynamic of transition probabilities and probability generating function of INAR(1) will converge to that of birth and death process as the length of subintervals goes to 0. Due to the simplicity of Markov structure, maximum likelihood estimation is feasible for INAR(1) model, which is not the case for bivariate and multivariate birth and death process. This means that the statistical inference of bivariate birth and death process can be achieved via the maximum likelihood estimation of a bivariate INAR(1) model.
Convergence rate of multiple-try Metropolis independent sampler
Authors: Yang Xiaodong , Liu Jun S.
Published: May 2023

The multiple-try Metropolis method is an interesting extension of the classical Metropolis–Hastings algorithm. However, theoretical understanding about its usefulness and convergence behavior is still lacking. We here derive the exact convergence rate for the multiple-try Metropolis Independent sampler (MTM-IS) via an explicit eigen analysis. As a by-product, we prove that an naive application of the MTM-IS is less efficient than using the simpler approach of “thinned” independent Metropolis–Hastings method at the same computational cost. We further explore more variants and find it possible to design more efficient algorithms by applying MTM to part of the target distribution or creating correlated multiple trials.
Exploring the performance and portability of the k-means algorithm on SYCL across CPU and GPU architectures
Authors: Faqir-Rhazoui Youssef , García Carlos
Published: May 2023

The aim of SYCL is to reduce the gap between the performance and code portability of the main accelerators used in HPC, such as multi-vendor CPUs, GPUs, and FPGAs. To evaluate SYCL’s performance portability, this paper uses the k-means algorithm as a case study. The k-means algorithm is simple to code but can be complex to optimize. In this research, we compare our developed SYCL version with the most efficient implementations of CUDA and OpenMP. Our resulting SYCL code can potentially run on multi-vendor CPUs and GPUs. Additionally, we have created a hand-tuned SYCL variation that is optimized for specific device architectures (CPU, NVIDIA GPU, and Intel GPU) to evaluate the performance difference between a standard version and an optimized one. The results show that SYCL outperforms Intel GPUs and CPUs compared to the state-of-the-art He-Vialle version, while on NVIDIA GPUs SYCL offers equivalent performance compared to its native CUDA implementation.
TeleDAL: a regression-based template-less unsupervised method for finding anomalies in log sequences
Authors: Horváth Gábor , Mészáros András , Szilágyi Péter
Published: May 2023

Several machine learning-based methods are available in the literature to find anomalies in large log sequences. Recently, deep learning based solutions demonstrated promising performance in this domain. The majority of these methods formulate the problem as a classification task, where the final layer of the neural network model is a softmax layer. This paper presents a different, regression-based approach. The input of the model is a sequence of numeric vectors representing the semantic information of the log lines, and the output is also a numeric vector corresponding to the expected log line. To cope with the inherent uncertainty of log sequences, we introduce “Top-K” layers, allowing the model to emit multiple predictions, from which the best one is chosen. This feature, together with the “Top-K” loss function, makes it possible to develop an unsupervised, fully template-less model that can also handle log lines it has never seen during the training phase, which is essential for online applications. On benchmark data sets we demonstrate that the model achieves competitive performance.
Epistemic diversity and industrial selection bias
Authors: Pinto Manuela Fernández , Pinto Daniel Fernández
Published: May 2023

Philosophers of science have argued that epistemic diversity is an asset for the production of scientific knowledge, guarding against the effects of biases, among other advantages. The growing privatization of scientific research, on the contrary, has raised important concerns for philosophers of science, especially with respect to the growing sources of biases in research that it seems to promote. Recently, Holman and Bruner (2017) have shown, using a modified version of Zollman (2010) social network model, that an industrial selection bias can emerge in a scientific community, without corrupting any individual scientist, if the community is epistemically diverse. In this paper, we examine the strength of industrial selection using a reinforcement learning model, which simulates the process of industrial decision-making when allocating funding to scientific projects. Contrary to Holman and Bruner’s model, in which the probability of success of the agents when performing an action is given a priori, in our model the industry learns about the success rate of individual scientists and updates the probability of success on each round. The results of our simulations show that even without previous knowledge of the probability of success of an individual scientist, the industry is still able to disrupt scientific consensus. In fact, the more epistemically diverse the scientific community, the easier it is for the industry to move scientific consensus to the opposite conclusion. Interestingly, our model also shows that having a random funding agent seems to effectively counteract industrial selection bias. Accordingly, we consider the random allocation of funding for research projects as a strategy to counteract industrial selection bias, avoiding commercial exploitation of epistemically diverse communities.
Rutin protects against gamma-irradiation and malathion-induced oxidative stress and inflammation through regulation of mir-129-3p, mir-200C-3p, and mir-210 gene expressions in rats’ kidney
Authors: Ismail Amel F. M. , Salem Asmaa A. , Eassawy Mamdouh M. T.
Published: May 2023

Kidney injury represents a global concern, leading to chronic kidney disease. The organophosphate insecticide malathion (MT) demonstrates environmental disturbance and impairment of different mammalian organs, including kidneys. Likewise, gamma-irradiation (IRR) provokes destructive effects in the kidneys. Rutin is a flavonoid glycoside that exhibits nephro-protective and radio-protective properties. This manuscript focused on investigating the protective response of rutin on MT- and IRR-triggered kidney injury in rats. Rats were randomly divided into eight groups of twelve: G1 (C), control; G2 (Rutin), rutin-treated rats; G3 (IRR), gamma-irradiated rats; G4 (MT), malathion-treated rats; G5 (IRR/MT), gamma-irradiated rats treated with malathion; G6 (IRR/Rutin), gamma-irradiated rats treated with rutin; G7 (MT/Rutin), rats treated with malathion and rutin; and G8 (IRR/MT/Rutin), gamma-irradiated rats treated with malathion and rutin, every day for 30 days. The results demonstrated that rutin treatment regulated the biochemical parameters, the oxidative stress, the antioxidant status, and the inflammatory responses due to the down-regulation of the renal NF-κB p65 protein expression. Moreover, it amended the activity of acetylcholinesterase (AchE), angiotensin ACE I, and ACE II-converting enzymes. Besides, it regulated the iNOS, eNOS, miR-129-3p, miR-200c, and miR-210 gene expressions and bradykinin receptor (B1R and B2R) protein expressions. Histopathological examinations of the kidney tissue confirmed these investigated results. It could be concluded that rutin demonstrated nephro/radioprotection and counteracted the toxicological effects triggered in the kidney tissues of IRR, MT, and IRR/MT intoxicated rats, via regulating miR-129-3p, miR-200c-3p, and miR-210-3p gene expressions, which consequently regulated B2R protein expressions, ACE II activity, and HIF-1α production, respectively.
Schlüsselübergabe an Universitäten
Authors: Berli Oliver , Reuter Julia
Published: May 2023

Die Rede vom Ruhestand als Ende der wissenschaftlichen Karriere ist analytisch ungenau, insofern als damit ein abrupter Ausstieg zum Zeitpunkt der Dienstaltersgrenze gemeint ist. Sie übersieht, dass Ruhestand ein Prozess ist, der sowohl Ungleichzeitigkeiten im Hinblick auf die unterschiedlichen Dimensionen einer Wissenschaftskarriere wie Ungleichheiten im Zusammenwirken von Organisation und Person bereithält. In einem Forschungsprojekt zur Statuspassage professoraler Ruhestand dokumentieren wir diese Ungleichzeitigkeiten und Ungleichheiten, die von den Beteiligten ein hohes Erwartungsmanagement erfordern.
Alltag (mit) Baustelle. Potenzial einer praxeologischen Baustellenforschung
Authors: Neubert Christine
Published: May 2023

Der Beitrag skizziert eine praxeologische Baustellenforschung in ihrem Erkenntnispotenzial und methodologischer Ausrichtung. Anhand ethnografischer Daten, die bei der mehrmonatigen Begleitung einer Straßenbaustelle erhoben wurden, beobachte ich die Baustelle als Praxis. Es werden dabei drei analytische Themen herausgestellt: die Relationalität von Störung und situierter Alltag, die sozio-materielle Kopplung von Baustelle und Umgebung sowie die Aushandlung unterschiedlicher Lebensräume von Menschen, Flora und Fauna mittels alltäglicher Praktiken. Das so verstandene vielschichtige Wissen der Baustelle dient in soziologischer Hinsicht als Fundus für integrierte und praktisch wirksame Zugriffe auf Störungen alltäglicher Räume und macht die Arbeit an Infrastrukturen als verortete und sich räumlich entfaltende Praktiken einsehbar. Abschließend wird der Nutzen einer vergleichenden, empirisch-qualitativen Soziologie der Baustelle angezeigt.
The Role of MX Carbonitrides for the Particle-Stimulated Nucleation of Ferrite in Microalloyed Steel
Authors: Sobotka Evelyn , Kreyca Johannes , Fuchs Nora , Wojcik Tomasz , Kozeschnik Ernst , Povoden-Karadeniz Erwin
Published: May 2023

The role of titanium and vanadium carbonitrides (Ti,V)(C,N) of the MX series on the austenite-to-ferrite transformation in microalloyed steels and their potential of acting as pre-nuclei for intragranular ferrite nucleation is examined experimentally and by computational simulation. Thermal treatments and single-hit compression tests are performed on a dilatometer and a Gleeble® 3800 thermomechanical simulator to investigate the phase transition and precipitation sequences within microalloyed steel. The analysis of the microstructure and examination of formed precipitates is carried out by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). In situ observations are realized via high-temperature laser scanning confocal microscopy (HT-LSCM). The experimental results are compared to kinetic precipitation simulations for MX precipitates’ particle-stimulated intragranular ferrite formation using an on-particle nucleation model for ferrite on the surface of the MX carbonitrides. A particular focus is the comparison of precipitation trends between non-deformed and deformed samples. The physically appropriate modeling of MX precipitation kinetics in combination with intragranular ferrite formation serves as a basis for future industrial process optimizations without extensive experimental work.
Overcoming barriers to transformation in manufacturing firms. A path-dependence perspective of digital servitization
Authors: Brekke Thomas , Lenka Sambit , Kohtamäki Marko , Parida Vinit , Solem Birgit Andrine Apenes
Published: May 2023

Manufacturing firms struggle to break away from their pre-existing business models, offerings, routines, and capabilities. The present study used path dependency as a theoretical lens to investigate a single longitudinal case study of a leading manufacturing company based on in-depth interviews with senior executives and managers. The analysis contributes to extending the digital servitization and path-dependence literature by proposing four path-breaking mechanisms: (1) organizational reconfiguration, (2) reconfiguration of value offerings, (3) opportunity exploration, and (4) knowledge reconfiguration. The framework developed based on these mechanisms generated valuable insights for manufacturing firms seaking to to break away from their dominant paths.
Plant-Based Diets Reduce Blood Pressure: A Systematic Review of Recent Evidence
Authors: Tomé-Carneiro João , Visioli Francesco
Published: May 2023

Purpose of Review

Accumulating data on the consumption of plant-based diets and their impact on blood pressure indicate a consensus that plant-based diets are linked to reduced blood pressure. The suggested mechanisms of action are manifold, and, in this systematic review, we provide a summary of the most recent findings on plant-based diets and their impact on blood pressure, along with an analysis of the molecules accountable for the observed effects.

Recent Findings

The overwhelming majority of intervention studies demonstrate that plant-based diets result in lower blood pressure readings when compared to diets that are based on animal products. The various mechanisms of action are being clarified.

The data discussed in this systematic review allow us to conclude that plant-based diets are associated with lower blood pressure and overall better health outcomes (namely, on the cardiovascular system) when compared to animal-based diets. The mechanisms of action are being actively investigated and involve many macro- and micronutrients plentiful in plants and the dishes prepared with them.
Proceedings of the North American Society of Head and Neck Pathology Companion Meeting, New Orleans, LA, March 12, 2023: Classification of Salivary Gland Tumors: Remaining Controversial Issues?
Authors: Skalova Alena , Hyrcza Martin D.
Published: May 2023

The salivary gland section in the 5th edition of the World Health Organization Classification of Head and Neck Tumours includes a description of several new entities. In addition, numerous tumor variants were described and new concepts proposed, most of which have been based on recent molecular discoveries. However, there are still some controversial issues that remain to be resolved, and some of them are discussed in this review.
Newcomers and ‘Roots Migrants’: Chain Migrations and the Revitalization of Rural Shrinking Areas in Spain
Authors: Alonso-Pardo Paula , Oso Laura , Santaballa Leticia
Published: May 2023

This article analyses the processes of rural shrinking/revitalisation in Spain from the perspective of chain mobilities. It attempts to go beyond the vision that focuses on the depopulation approach. The chain migration perspective is a dynamic means, as it considers the articulation between internal/international, historical/recent migrations and shrinking/revitalisation processes. Spatial mobility is also analysed in relation to the articulation of the local and immigrant population’s intergenerational social mobility processes. The research is based on intensive fieldwork (109 semi-structured interviews) conducted in several shrinking regions in Spain (Galicia, Andalusia and Castilla-La Mancha). Our research reveals how the internal and international exodus of the second half of the twentieth century in Spain, driven by the ‘Developmentalist’ economic model and implemented by Franco’s regime, is the bases for the territorial imbalances and configuration of shrinking rural areas in this country. It also shows how de-agrarianisation and the lack of intergenerational replacement explains the arrival of immigrant populations in rural areas from the turn of the century onwards, in order to meet the needs of labour markets segmented by ethnic origin and gender. Together with newcomers, the shrinking areas are also benefiting from the arrival of returnees and root migrants (from both external and internal migration), who decide to return to their origins, drawn by emotional ties. These migration patterns (newcomers, returnees and root migrants) are different and complementary in terms of sustaining life in rural areas. The impact of migration on the revitalisation of rural areas is visible in demographic, economic and social terms.
Two-Term Spectral Asymptotics in Linear Elasticity
Authors: Capoferri Matteo , Friedlander Leonid , Levitin Michael , Vassiliev Dmitri
Published: May 2023

We establish the two-term spectral asymptotics for boundary value problems of linear elasticity on a smooth compact Riemannian manifold of arbitrary dimension. We also present some illustrative examples and give a historical overview of the subject. In particular, we correct erroneous results published by Liu (J Geom Anal 31:10164–10193, 2021).
Establishment of a N1-methyladenosine-related risk signature for breast carcinoma by bioinformatics analysis and experimental validation
Authors: Li Leilei , Yang Wenhui , Jia Daqi , Zheng Shiqi , Gao Yuzhe , Wang Guanghui
Published: May 2023

Objectives

Breast carcinoma (BRCA) has resulted in a huge health burden globally. N1-methyladenosine (m1A) RNA methylation has been proven to play key roles in tumorigenesis. Nevertheless, the function of m1A RNA methylation-related genes in BRCA is indistinct.

Methods

The RNA sequencing (RNA-seq), copy-number variation (CNV), single-nucleotide variant (SNV), and clinical data of BRCA were acquired via The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. In addition, the GSE20685 dataset, the external validation set, was acquired from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. 10 m1A RNA methylation regulators were obtained from the previous literature, and further analyzed through differential expression analysis by rank-sum test, mutation by SNV data, and mutual correlation by Pearson Correlation Analysis. Furthermore, the differentially expressed m1A-related genes were selected through overlapping m1A-related module genes obtained by weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in BRCA and DEGs between high- and low- m1A score subgroups. The m1A-related model genes in the risk signature were derived by univariate Cox and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression analyses. In addition, a nomogram was built through univariate and multivariate Cox analyses. After that, the immune infiltration between the high- and low-risk groups was investigated through ESTIMATE and CIBERSORT. Finally, the expression trends of model genes in clinical BRCA samples were further confirmed by quantitative real-time PCR (RT‒qPCR).

Results

Eighty-five differentially expressed m1A-related genes were obtained. Among them, six genes were selected as prognostic biomarkers to build the risk model. The validation results of the risk model showed that its prediction was reliable. In addition, Cox independent prognosis analysis revealed that age, risk score, and stage were independent prognostic factors for BRCA. Moreover, 13 types of immune cells were different between the high- and low-risk groups and the immune checkpoint molecules TIGIT, IDO1, LAG3, ICOS, PDCD1LG2, PDCD1, CD27, and CD274 were significantly different between the two risk groups. Ultimately, RT-qPCR results confirmed that the model genes MEOX1, COL17A1, FREM1, TNN, and SLIT3 were significantly up-regulated in BRCA tissues versus normal tissues.

Conclusions

An m1A RNA methylation regulator-related prognostic model was constructed, and a nomogram based on the prognostic model was constructed to provide a theoretical reference for individual counseling and clinical preventive intervention in BRCA.
An ecological economic comparison between integrated rice-fish farming and rice monocultures with low and high dikes in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam
Authors: Berg Håkan , Lan Thai Huynh Phuong , Tam Nguyen Thanh , Trang Duong Huyen , Van Pham Huynh Thanh , Duc Huynh Ngoc , Da Chau Thi
Published: May 2023

This study makes an ecological economic comparison between three different rice farming strategies in the Mekong Delta. Interviews were made with 30 farmers with two crops of rice and low dikes (2RLd), 30 farmers with three crops of rice and high dikes (3RHd) and 18 farmers with two crops of rice and one crop of fish (2RF). 2RF farmers had the highest annual net income and benefit cost ratio, because of low production costs and high yields of rice and fish. 2RLd farmers had the lowest annual net income. 3RHd had the highest annual rice yield, but also used the highest amount of rice seeds and agrochemicals, generating the lowest benefit cost ratio. Most farmers (70%) preferred two crops because of a higher production efficiency. High dikes and frequent use of pesticides and fertilizers were seen to decrease the water and rice quality, connectivity and biodiversity in farms with three crops. It is concluded that rice farming with two crops, and especially if integrated with fish and applying IPM, provides a sustainable alternative to rice farming with three crops and high dikes, because it makes use of the high connectivity within the rice-field ecosystem for an efficient production of healthy food through increased recycling of nutrients and  natural pest control mechanisms.
Modeling place-based nature-based solutions to promote urban carbon neutrality
Authors: Cong Cong , Pan Haozhi , Page Jessica , Barthel Stephan , Kalantari Zahra
Published: May 2023

Nature-based solutions (NbS) are recognized as widely available and cost-effective mechanisms for sequestering carbon and offsetting carbon emissions. Realistic NbS implementations for carbon neutrality need to be effective at the global level and also appropriate for the socio-economic and physical conditions prevailing at the local level. This paper presents a framework that can help stakeholders identify demands, locations, and types of NbS interventions that could maximize NbS benefits at the local scale. Key processes in the framework include (1) interpolating carbon emissions data at larger spatial scales to high-resolution cells, using land use and socio-economic data; (2) assessing NbS effects on carbon reduction and their location-related suitability, through qualitative literature review, and (3) spatially allocating and coupling multiple NbS interventions to land use cells. The system was tested in Stockholm, Sweden. The findings show that the urban center should be allocated with combinations of improving access to green spaces and streetscapes, while the rural and suburban areas should prioritize preserving and utilizing natural areas. Our proposed method framework can help planners better select target locations for intended risk/hazard-mitigating interventions.
Green synthesis of bismuth nanoparticles using green coffee beans extract
Authors: Saha Prianka , Habib Md. Ahsan , Islam A. B. M. Nazmul , Karim Kaykobad Md. Rezaul , Mahiuddin Md.
Published: May 2023

A green synthetic process based on plant sources could be an alternative option to conventional chemical one to synthesize nanostructured bismuth. This study explored a facile and green synthetic protocol for synthesizing bismuth nanoparticles (BiNPs) in an aqueous solution employing green coffee bean extract as a key reducing and capping agent. Several techniques, including X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis, have been used to characterize the resultant product. The outcomes show that crystalline BiNPs are successfully produced using the green synthesis method based on plant sources. The obtained BiNPs have a spherical shape, a diameter ranges of 20 to 40 nm, and are stabilized by phytochemicals. The purpose of the current study is to ascertain the potential impact of plant sources on the environmentally friendly synthesis of BiNPs.
The United States–China Trade War and Impact on the Post-Conservation Reserve Program Land Allocation
Authors: Lee Meongsu , Westhoff Patrick , Thompson Wyatt
Published: May 2023

We use a Bayesian approach to estimate elasticities of former Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) land allocation and the impact of the US–China trade conflict on post-CRP land transitions. Economically acceptable elasticities of land exiting CRP are important for applied analysis, including market shocks and environmental policy. Taking as given the total area exiting the CRP, the Phase 1 deal raised the posterior mean of national post-CRP soybean area by 155 thousand acres and the market facilitation program by 89 thousand acres. Cross-commodity effects are important, and elasticities vary depending on the direction and magnitude of changes in net returns and payments.