bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploring ligands that target von Willebrand factor selectively under oxidizing conditions through docking and molecular dynamics simulations
Authors: Interlandi Gianluca
Published: June 2024

The blood protein von Willebrand factor (VWF) is a large multimeric protein that, when activated, binds to blood platelets, tethering them to the site of vascular injury and initiating blood coagulation. This process is critical for the normal hemostatic response, but especially under inflammatory conditions, it is thought to be a major player in pathological thrombus formation. For this reason, VWF has been the target for the development of anti‐thrombotic therapeutics. However, it is challenging to prevent pathological thrombus formation while still allowing normal physiological blood coagulation, as currently available anti‐thrombotic therapeutics are known to cause unwanted bleeding, in particular intracranial hemorrhage. This work explores the possibility of inhibiting VWF selectively under the inflammatory conditions present during pathological thrombus formation. In particular, the A2 domain of VWF is known to inhibit the neighboring A1 domain from binding to the platelet surface receptor GpIbα, and this auto‐inhibitory mechanism has been shown to be removed by oxidizing agents released during inflammation. Hence, finding drug molecules that bind at the interface between A1 and A2 only under oxidizing conditions could restore such an auto‐inhibitory mechanism. Here, by using a combination of computational docking, molecular dynamics simulations, and free energy perturbation calculations, a ligand from the ZINC15 database was identified that binds at the A1A2 interface, with the interaction being stronger under oxidizing conditions. The results provide a framework for the discovery of drug molecules that bind to a protein selectively in the presence of inflammatory conditions.
Study of pesticide transformation processes in different wheat varieties and their effects on plant metabolism
Authors: Pszczolińska Klaudia , Płonka Joanna , Perkons Ingus , Bartkevics Vadims , Drzewiecki Sławomir , Strzałka Kazimierz , Barchanska Hanna
Published: June 2024

BACKGROUND

This study aims to obtain systematic understanding of the way by which pesticides are metabolized in plants and the influence of this process on plants' metabolism as this process has a key impact on plant‐based food safety and quality. The research was conducted under field conditions, which enabled to capture metabolic processes taking place in plants grown under multihectare cultivation conditions.

RESULTS

Research was conducted on three wheat varieties cultivated under field conditions and treated by commercially available preparations (fungicides, herbicides, insecticides, and growth regulator). Plant tissues with distinctions in roots, green parts, and ears were collected periodically during spring–summer vegetation period, harvested grains were also investigated. Sample extracts were examined by chromatographic techniques coupled with tandem mass spectrometry for: dissipation kinetics study, identification of pesticide metabolites, and fingerprint‐based assessment of metabolic changes.

CONCLUSION

Tissue type and wheat varieties influenced pesticide dissipation kinetics and resulting metabolites. Metabolic changes of plants were influenced by type of applied pesticide and its concentration in plants tissues. Despite differences in plant metabolic response to pesticide stress during cultivation, grain metabolomes of all investigated wheat varieties were statistically similar. 4‐[cyclopropyl(hydroxy)methylidene]‐3,5‐dioxocyclo‐hexanecarboxylic acid and trans‐chrysantemic acid – metabolites of crop‐applied trinexapac‐ethyl and lambda‐cyhalothrin, respectively, were identified in cereal grains. These compounds were not considered to be present in cereal grains up to now. The research was conducted under field conditions, enabling the measurement of metabolic processes taking place in plants grown under large‐scale management conditions. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
Effects of Hydrogen Bonding in Silicon Nitride/Polyimide Passivation Bilayer in SiC Power Devices
Authors: Scandurra Antonino , Bellocchi Gabriele , Arena Giuseppe , Rascunà Simone , Calabretta Michele , Boscaglia Massimo , Saggio Mario , Mineo Giacometta , Iacono Valentina , Boscarino Stefano , Mirabella Salvatore , Ruffino Francesco , Grimaldi Maria Grazia
Published: June 2024

Composition and morphology of two types of bilayers of plasma‐enhanced chemical vapor deposition hydrogened silicon nitride (SiNx:H) and polyimide (PI), as effcient barrier against moisture in SiC‐based power devices, are investigated. Two types of silicon nitrides are obtained by changing the flow ratios of the SiH4 and NH3 precursors. Rutherford Backscatterered analyses show that the Si/N ratio varies from 0.6 to 0.8. Elastic recoil detection analyses show that the sample with higher nitrogen content has a higher total bound hydrogen content of 7.8 × 1017 cm−2 with respect to the 7.1 × 1017 cm−2. Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy characterizations show Si–H group concentrations of 0.96 × 1017 and 6.86 × 1017 cm−2 and NH groups of 4.82 × 1017 and 2.28 × 1017 cm−2, respectively. Silicon nitride films with higher concentration of N–H groups show higher reactivity and permeability to water, making them less effective as a barrier layer. Atomic force microscopy analyses of a PI layer deposited on the nitride layer, SiNx:H/PI show for both type of samples a similar roughness, indicating planarization that can increase the adhesion of SiNx:H/PI and resistance to moisture. The delamination mechanism of the bilayer under pressure pot test conditions is proposed.
How fair is machine learning in credit lending?
Authors: Babaei Golnoosh , Giudici Paolo
Published: June 2024

Machine learning models are widely used to decide whether to accept or reject credit loan applications. However, similarly to human‐based decisions, they may discriminate between special groups of applicants, for instance based on age, gender, and race. In this paper, we aim to understand whether machine learning credit lending models are biased in a real case study, that concerns borrowers asking for credits in different regions of the United States. We show how to measure model fairness using different metrics, and we explore the capability of explainable machine learning to add further insights. From a constructive viewpoint, we propose a propensity matching approach that can improve fairness.
Finite‐time and fixed‐time consensus of nonlinear multi‐agent systems: A unified two‐phase control
Authors: Zhuang Jiawei , Peng Shiguo , Peng Hao
Published: June 2024

This paper is devoted to achieving finite‐time and fixed‐time average consensus of nonlinear multi‐agent systems (NMASs). Different from the majority of finite‐time and fixed‐time controllers, a novel unified two‐phase control (UTPC) strategy is proposed to drive NMASs to achieve average consensus in finite/fixed time, which cleverly combines aperiodically intermittent impulsive control and unified feedback control. Furthermore, a pivotal lemma is put forward to provide guidance for selecting controller parameters and estimating the settling time. In the light of the developed control framework, meanwhile, several sufficient conditions are derived to guarantee that all agents can reach finite/fixed‐time average consensus. Finally, simulation results are presented to validate the effectiveness of our derived results.
Synthesis, Characterization, Antibacterial and Photocatalytic Studies of Metal Oxides Coupled Nanocomposites
Authors: Ayyakannu Sundaram Ganeshraja , Murugesan Deepak , Kanniah Rajkumar , raj Muniyandi Govinda , Ramesh Lavanya , Kumar Alagarsamy Santhana Krishna
Published: June 2024

In this study, we present a one‐pot synthetic approach for the preparation of metal oxide nanocomposites. Our investigation combines various analytical techniques, including FTIR, XRD, UV‐vis DRS, PL, XPS, SEM, EDX, and XANES, to comprehensively identify heterogeneous structures: SnO2‐CuO, CuO‐SnO2, NiO‐TiO2, and TiO2‐NiO. These metal oxide‐linked semiconductor solids serve as catalysts for dye photodegradation and exhibit remarkable biological activity. Our research is centered on exploring the photocatalytic potential of SnO2‐CuO nanocomposites while emphasizing the optimization of their photocatalytic and biological activities. This optimization is achieved through the careful incorporation of an ideal quantity of SnO2, as confirmed by EDX data, which reveals the composition as follows: O: 78.58 weight percent (0.525 keV), Cu: 12.61 weight percent (0.954 keV), and Sn: 8.81 weight percent (0.400 keV). Notably, under direct sunlight irradiation, the degradation efficiency of Rhodamine B dye surpasses that of pristine CuO, SnO2, TiO2, and NiO nanoparticles. Additionally, we explore the antimicrobial properties of these prepared samples at varying concentrations (50, 100, and 150 μl) against the pathogenic bacterium Staphylococcus aureus. Our findings highlight their effectiveness as antimicrobial agents. This research offers a promising method for developing highly active metal‐oxide‐linked nanomaterials, suitable for efficiently removing organic dye contaminants from water systems and showing great potential in antimicrobial applications.
Growth of Size‐Tunable Ag2O Polyhedra and Revelation of Their Bulk and Surface Lattices
Authors: Chang Pin‐Shiuan , Chen Bo‐Hao , Lin Yu‐Chang , Dai Wan‐Ting , Kumar Gautam , Lin Yan‐Gu , Huang Michael H.
Published: June 2024

By primarily adjusting the reagent amounts, particularly the volume of AgNO3 solution introduced, Ag2O cubes with decreasing sizes from 440 to 79 nm, octahedra from 714 to 106 nm, and rhombic dodecahedra from 644 to 168 nm are synthesized. 733 nm cuboctahedra are also prepared for structural analysis. With in‐house X‐ray diffraction (XRD) peak calibration, shape‐related peak shifts are recognizable. Synchrotron XRD measurements at 100 K reveal the presence of bulk and surface layer lattices. Bulk cell constants also deviate slightly. They show a negative thermal expansion behavior with shrinking cell constants at higher temperatures. The Ag2O crystals exhibit size‐ and facet‐dependent optical properties. Bandgaps red‐shift continuously with increasing particle sizes. Optical facet effect is also observable. Moreover, synchrotron XRD peaks of a mixture of Cu2O rhombicuboctahedra and edge‐ and corner‐truncated cubes exposing all three crystal faces can be deconvoluted into three components with the bulk and the [111] microstrain phase as the major component. Interestingly, while the unheated Cu2O sample shows clear diffraction peak asymmetry, annealing the sample to 450 K yields nearly symmetric peaks even when returning the sample to room temperature, meaning even moderately high temperatures can permanently change the crystal lattice.
A New Class of Polyion Complex Vesicles (PIC‐somes) to Improve Antimicrobial Activity of Tobramycin in Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Biofilms
Authors: Yildirim Turgay , Bali Aghiad , Koch Marcus , Paul Pascal , Latta Lorenz , Schneider‐Daum Nicole , Gallei Markus , Lehr Claus‐Michael
Published: June 2024

Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) is a major healthcare concern due to its tolerance to antibiotics when enclosed in biofilms. Tobramycin (Tob), an effective cationic aminoglycoside antibiotic against planktonic PA, loses potency within PA biofilms due to hindered diffusion caused by interactions with anionic biofilm components. Loading Tob into nano‐carriers can enhance its biofilm efficacy by shielding its charge. Polyion complex vesicles (PIC‐somes) are promising nano‐carriers for charged drugs, allowing higher drug loadings than liposomes and polymersomes. In this study, a new class of nano‐sized PIC‐somes, formed by Tob‐diblock copolymer complexation is presented. This approach replaces conventional linear PEG with brush‐like poly[ethylene glycol (methyl ether methacrylate)] (PEGMA) in the shell‐forming block, distinguishing it from past methods. Tob paired with a block copolymer containing hydrophilic PEGMA induces micelle formation (PIC‐micelles), while incorporating hydrophobic pyridyldisulfide ethyl methacrylate (PDSMA) monomer into PEGMA chains reduces shell hydrophilicity, leads to the formation of vesicles (PIC‐somes). PDSMA unit incorporation enables unprecedented dynamic disulfide bond‐based shell cross‐linking, significantly enhancing stability under saline conditions. Neither PIC‐somes nor PIC‐micelles show any relevant cytotoxicity on A549, Calu‐3, and dTHP‐1 cells. Tob's antimicrobial efficacy against planktonic PA remains unaffected after encapsulation into PIC‐somes and PIC‐micelles, but its potency within PA biofilms significantly increases.
Promoting Li2S Nucleation/Dissolution Kinetics via Multiple Active Sites over TiVCrMoC3Tx Interface
Authors: Zou Qiang , Liang Qi , Zhou Henggang , Guo Yongqiang , Xue Ji , Luo Mingkai , Jia Songyu , Liu Wenlong , Wang Sizhe
Published: June 2024

Lithium–sulfur batteries (LSBs) are still limited by some issues such as polysulfides shuttle and lithium dendrites. Recently, the concept “high‐entropy” has been considered as the research hotspot and international frontier. Herein, a high entropy MXene (TiVCrMoC3Tx, HE‐MXene) doped graphene is designed as the modified coating on commercial separators for LSBs. The HE‐MXene affords multiple metal active sites, fast Li+ diffusion rate, and efficient adsorption toward polysulfide intermediates. Furthermore, strong lithophilic property is favorable for uniform Li+ deposition. The combination of in situ characterizations confirms TiVCrMoC3Tx effectively promotes the Li2S nucleation/dissolution kinetics, reduces the Li+ diffusion barrier, and exhibits favorable lithium uniform deposition behavior. This TiVCrMoC3Tx/G@PP provides a high‐capacity retention rate after 1000 cycles at 1 C and 2 C, with a capacity decay rate of merely 0.021% and 0.022% per cycle. Surprisingly, the cell operates at a low potential of 48 mV while maintaining at 5 mA cm−2/5 mAh cm−2 for 4000 h. Furthermore, it still maintains a high‐capacity retention rate under a high sulfur loading of 4.8/6.4 mg cm−2 and a low E/S ratio of 8.6/7.5 µg mL−1. This work reveals a technical roadmap for simultaneously addressing the cathode and anode challenge, thus achieving potential commercially viable LSBs.
Revisiting the global weights of the integrated watershed health assessment framework and Weyib watershed health analysis: Ethiopia's policy prospects
Authors: Aredo Mesfin Reta , Lohani Tarun Kumar , Mohammed Abdella Kemal
Published: June 2024

Watershed health study has been considered as a global issue embodied in the United Nations' 2030 agenda toward sustainable water resources development, paving the way for integrated water resources management (IWRM) application, and visualizing intervention techniques to comprehend existing challenges. The watershed faces tremendous pressure due to erratic rainfall patterns, drastic water demand increase, hydrological extremes, and natural‐anthropogenic activities. This study aims to re‐evaluate the recently developed Integrated Watershed Health Assessment Framework (IWHF) global weights, Weyib watershed health assessment, and Ethiopia's policy implications using the integration of numerous data and multiple tools. The analytic hierarchy process (AHP) was used to estimate aggregate results from experts' survey responses, which depicted 50.89% priority for ecological conditions, followed by economic 23.30%, policy 13.82%, and 12% for socio‐cultural attributes. A slight discrepancy was exhibited when global weights were re‐evaluated, and the variables with substantial effects on IWHF in developing countries like Ethiopia were integrated. The majority of Weyib watershed health index (WWHI) indicators unveiled promising results except for stakeholders' collaboration and social obligation to restoration activities, information and educational campaigns, hydrology, wetland, and natural land‐cover. The water‐quality parameters laboratory findings were depicted as suitable for irrigation purposes. In general, the WWHI was in good health status, and a medium‐level priority was required for intervention activities to address deteriorated variables. Moreover, enhancing IWRM's application will contribute to tackling bottlenecks such as boost community awareness and stakeholder collaboration, legal and administrative gaps, overlapped mandates, and unpermitted water use resulting in undermining downstream demands and environmental low‐flow.
The Role of Nationalism and Political Identity in Shaping Japanese People’s Perceptions of Immigrants and Refugees
Authors: Kyselova Zdenka P. , Kironska Kristina
Published: June 2024

Japan is well-known for its strict immigration and refugee policies. This study examines how Japanese public opinion towards both immigrants and refugees developed in the past, and whether the current trends in public approach towards these phenomena signalise any change in policies. Several studies have already explained the general attitudes of Japanese people towards immigrants and foreigners, while the Japanese attitude towards refugees remains genuinely understudied. In this chapter, public attitudes towards selected groups of nationals, as well as ethnic and religious minorities—and opinions on statements related to immigration and refugee issues—were all analysed. The data used in this chapter have been collected from the Sinophone Borderlands Indo-Pacific Survey, which was co-conducted in 2022 by one of the authors and collected 1219 nationally representative responses. Focusing on the role of the level of nationalist sentiments and political identity, this chapter reveals that nationalism and conservatism have a small impact on how Japanese society perceives refugees and immigrants. In general, the study shows that Japanese society is not welcoming towards foreigners, however, it does demonstrate a high level of awareness regarding the difficulties that Rohingya refugees face and shows support for their resettlement.
UCHL3 induces radiation resistance and acquisition of mesenchymal phenotypes by deubiquitinating POLD4 in glioma stem cells
Authors: Fan Ligang , You Hongtao , Jiang Xiao , Niu Yixuan , Chen Zhengxin , Wang Huibo , Xu Yuan , Zhou Peng , Wei Li , Jiang Tianwei , Deng Danni , Xue Lian , Peng Ya , Xing Wei , Shao Naiyuan
Published: June 2024

Background

The high degree of intratumoral genomic heterogeneity is a major obstacle for glioblastoma (GBM) tumors, one of the most lethal human malignancies, and is thought to influence conventional therapeutic outcomes negatively. The proneural-to-mesenchymal transition (PMT) of glioma stem cells (GSCs) confers resistance to radiation therapy in glioblastoma patients. POLD4 is associated with cancer progression, while the mechanisms underlying PMT and tumor radiation resistance have remained elusive.

Method

Expression and prognosis of the POLD family were analyzed in TCGA, the Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas (CGGA) and GEO datasets. Tumorsphere formation and in vitro limiting dilution assay were performed to investigate the effect of UCHL3-POLD4 on GSC self-renewal. Apoptosis, TUNEL, cell cycle phase distribution, modification of the Single Cell Gel Electrophoresis (Comet), γ-H2AX immunofluorescence, and colony formation assays were conducted to evaluate the influence of UCHL3-POLD4 on GSC in ionizing radiation. Coimmunoprecipitation and GST pull-down assays were performed to identify POLD4 protein interactors. In vivo, intracranial xenograft mouse models were used to investigate the molecular effect of UCHL3, POLD4 or TCID on GCS.

Result

We determined that POLD4 was considerably upregulated in MES-GSCs and was associated with a meagre prognosis. Ubiquitin carboxyl terminal hydrolase L3 (UCHL3), a DUB enzyme in the UCH protease family, is a bona fide deubiquitinase of POLD4 in GSCs. UCHL3 interacted with, depolyubiquitinated, and stabilized POLD4. Both in vitro and in vivo assays indicated that targeted depletion of the UCHL3-POLD4 axis reduced GSC self-renewal and tumorigenic capacity and resistance to IR treatment by impairing homologous recombination (HR) and nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ). Additionally, we proved that the UCHL3 inhibitor TCID induced POLD4 degradation and can significantly enhance the therapeutic effect of IR in a gsc-derived in situ xenograft model.

Conclusion

These findings reveal a new signaling axis for GSC PMT regulation and highlight UCHL3-POLD4 as a potential therapeutic target in GBM. TCID, targeted for reducing the deubiquitinase activity of UCHL3, exhibited significant synergy against MES GSCs in combination with radiation.
Removal of GIT lesions and the role of impedance of the injection solution—an innovative approach to known methods
Authors: Lösle Martina , Grund K. E. , Duckworth-Mothes B.
Published: June 2024

In this work, for the first time, the specific impedances of various injection solutions as well as the surface and tissue impedance after injection of these solutions were analyzed and compared regarding the radio-frequency surgical cutting process. The impedances of 0.9% NaCl, 4% gelatine, 6% hydroxyethyl starch, 10% glycerol/5% fructose, 10% glucose, 5% and 20% albumin, blood, and blood plasma as well as aqua destillata have been tested in vitro. Even if EMR and ESD are routinely used in clinical practice, there is so far no easy, fast, and safe method to remove larger lesions en bloc. We show that the impedance of the injected solution shows to be a crucial factor for safe removal, especially of larger lesions (Ø > 20 mm) and more importantly in accordance with the requirements of oncology and pathology.

Key messages

Impedance is playing a crucial factor in the radio-frequency (RF)-surgery.

With a higher Impedance there will be less current necessary to reach the aimed voltage.

Injection solution Aqua destillata and 10% Glucose, show significantly higher Impedances.

Higher impedances lead to less surgical related complications.

Minor changes in existing method to improve patent safety.
Transitivity in finite general linear groups
Authors: Ernst Alena , Schmidt Kai-Uwe
Published: June 2024

It is known that the notion of a transitive subgroup of a permutation group G extends naturally to subsets of G. We consider subsets of the general linear group $${{\,\textrm{GL}\,}}(n,q)$$

GL

(
n
,
q
)

acting transitively on flag-like structures, which are common generalisations of t-dimensional subspaces of $$\mathbb {F}_q^n$$

F
q
n

and bases of t-dimensional subspaces of $$\mathbb {F}_q^n$$

F
q
n

. We give structural characterisations of transitive subsets of $${{\,\textrm{GL}\,}}(n,q)$$

GL

(
n
,
q
)

using the character theory of $${{\,\textrm{GL}\,}}(n,q)$$

GL

(
n
,
q
)

and interpret such subsets as designs in the conjugacy class association scheme of $${{\,\textrm{GL}\,}}(n,q)$$

GL

(
n
,
q
)

. In particular we generalise a theorem of Perin on subgroups of $${{\,\textrm{GL}\,}}(n,q)$$

GL

(
n
,
q
)

acting transitively on t-dimensional subspaces. We survey transitive subgroups of $${{\,\textrm{GL}\,}}(n,q)$$

GL

(
n
,
q
)

, showing that there is no subgroup of $${{\,\textrm{GL}\,}}(n,q)$$

GL

(
n
,
q
)

with $$1<t<n$$

1
<
t
<
n

acting transitively on t-dimensional subspaces unless it contains $${{\,\textrm{SL}\,}}(n,q)$$

SL

(
n
,
q
)

or is one of two exceptional groups. On the other hand, for all fixed t, we show that there exist nontrivial subsets of $${{\,\textrm{GL}\,}}(n,q)$$

GL

(
n
,
q
)

that are transitive on linearly independent t-tuples of $$\mathbb {F}_q^n$$

F
q
n

, which also shows the existence of nontrivial subsets of $${{\,\textrm{GL}\,}}(n,q)$$

GL

(
n
,
q
)

that are transitive on more general flag-like structures. We establish connections with orthogonal polynomials, namely the Al-Salam–Carlitz polynomials, and generalise a result by Rudvalis and Shinoda on the distribution of the number of fixed points of the elements in $${{\,\textrm{GL}\,}}(n,q)$$

GL

(
n
,
q
)

. Many of our results can be interpreted as q-analogs of corresponding results for the symmetric group.
Die Informatik und die Krise
Authors: Borghoff Uwe M. , Nitzl Christian
Published: June 2024

In einer sich schnell verändernden Welt, die durch hyperkomplexe Systeme gekennzeichnet ist, reichen Insellösungen einzelner wissenschaftlicher Fachbereiche nicht mehr aus. Daher sind transdisziplinäre Forschungsansätze vonnöten, wobei die Informatik in einer datengetriebenen Welt eine zentrale Rolle einnimmt. Anhand des Beispiels der Krisenfrüherkennung, hier insbesondere der Vorhersage von gewaltsamen Konflikten, wird die praktische Verknüpfung verschiedener wissenschaftlicher Fachbereiche mit der Informatik skizziert. Der Intelligence-Zyklus der Nachrichtendienste dient als übergreifendes Konzept der Informationsverarbeitung, welches veranschaulicht, wie aus Daten Informationen und schließlich Intelligence – also Entscheidungswissen – generiert werden können. Entscheidungswissen beruht auf validierten Zusammenhängen, die dann zu Handlungsempfehlungen führen. Im vorliegenden Beitrag wird argumentiert, dass die Informatik nicht allein technisch verstanden werden darf, im Sinne der Datengenerierung, -speicherung, -verarbeitung und -darstellung, sondern auch in Bezug zum abzubildenden Gegenstand gesehen werden muss.
Chilean children’s adherence to sustainable healthy diets and its associations with sociodemographic and anthropometric factors: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Venegas Hargous Carolina , Orellana Liliana , Corvalan Camila , Strugnell Claudia , Allender Steven , Bell Colin
Published: June 2024

Purpose

To describe adherence to sustainable healthy diets among a sample of 958 Chilean pre-schoolers (3–6 years) and explore associations between adherence and child and maternal sociodemographic and anthropometric characteristics.

Methods

Children’s adherence to sustainable healthy diets was calculated from single multiple-pass 24-h dietary recalls using the Planetary Health Diet Index for children and adolescents (PHDI-C). Higher PHDI-C scores (max score = 150 points) represent greater adherence. Adjusted linear regression models were fitted to explore associations between PHDI-C scores and child and maternal characteristics.

Results

Children obtained low total PHDI-C scores (median 50.0 [IQR 39.5–59.8] points). This resulted from low consumption of nuts & peanuts, legumes, vegetables, whole cereals, and vegetable oils; a lack of balance between dark green and red & orange vegetables, inadequate consumption of tubers & potatoes and eggs & white meats, and excess consumption of dairy products, palm oil, red meats, and added sugars. Mean PHDI-C total score was significantly higher (50.6 [95%CI 49.6, 51.7] vs 47.3 [95%CI 45.0, 49.5]) among children whose mothers were ≥ 25 years compared to those with younger mothers. Positive associations were observed between scores for fruits and maternal education, vegetables and maternal age, added sugars and child weight status, while negative associations were observed between fruits and child age, and vegetable oils and maternal education. Scores for dairy products PHDI-C component were lower among girls.

Conclusion

Adherence to sustainable healthy diets was low among this sample of Chilean children and was significantly associated with maternal age, being lower among children whose mothers were younger.
The benefit of active management in true knot of the umbilical cord: a retrospective study
Authors: Weissbach Tal , Lev Shir , Back Yonatan , Massarwa Abeer , Meyer Raanan , Elkan Miller Tal , Weissmann-Brenner Alina , Weisz Boaz , Mazaki-Tovi Shali , Kassif Eran
Published: June 2024

Purpose

To compare perinatal outcomes between active and routine management in true knot of the umbilical cord (TKUC).

Methods

A retrospective study of singletons born beyond 22 6/7 weeks with TKUC. Active management included weekly fetal heart rate monitoring(FHRM) ≥ 30 weeks and labor induction at 36–37 weeks. Outcomes in active and routine management were compared, including composite asphyxia-related adverse outcome, fetal death, labor induction, Cesarean section (CS) or Instrumental delivery due to non-reassuring fetal heart rate (NRFHR), Apgar5 score < 7, cord Ph < 7, neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission and more.

Results

The Active (n = 59) and Routine (n = 1091) Management groups demonstrated similar rates of composite asphyxia-related adverse outcome (16.9% vs 16.8%, p = 0.97). Active Management resulted in higher rates of labor induction < 37 weeks (22% vs 1.7%, p < 0.001), CS (37.3% vs 19.2%, p = 0.003) and NICU admissions (13.6% vs 3%, p < 0.001). Fetal death occurred exclusively in the Routine Management group (1.8% vs 0%, p = 0.6).

Conclusion

Compared with routine management, weekly FHRM and labor induction between 36 and 37 weeks in TKUC do not appear to reduce neonatal asphyxia. In its current form, active management is associated with higher rates of CS, induced prematurity and NICU admissions. Labor induction before 37 weeks should be avoided.
Compound-specific stable isotope analyses of fatty acids indicate feeding zones of zooplankton across the water column of a subalpine lake
Authors: Pilecky Matthias , Kämmer Samuel K. , Winter Katharina , Ptacnikova Radka , Meador Travis B. , Wassenaar Leonard I. , Fink Patrick , Kainz Martin J.
Published: June 2024

Spatial and temporal zooplankton feeding dynamics across the water column of lakes are key for understanding site-specific acquisition of diet sources. During this 6-week lake study, we examined stable carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) isotopes and conducted compound-specific fatty acid (FA) stable isotope analysis (CSIA) of edible seston in the epi-, meta-, and hypolimnion, and zooplankton of Lake Lunz, Austria. We predicted that CSIA of essential FA can discern the foraging grounds of zooplankton more accurately than the commonly used bulk stable isotopes. The δ13C and δ15N values of seston from different lake strata were similar, whereas a dual CSIA approach using stable carbon and hydrogen isotopes of FA (δ13CFA and δ2HFA) provided sufficient isotopic difference in essential FA to discern different lake strata-specific diet sources throughout the study period. We present a CSIA model that suggests strata-specific foraging grounds for different zooplankton groups, indicating higher preference of cladocerans for feeding on epilimnetic diet sources, while calanoid copepods retained more hypolimnetic resources. The CSIA approach thus yields strata-specific information on foraging strategies of different zooplankton taxa and provides more details on the spatial and temporal trophodynamics of planktonic food webs than commonly used bulk stable isotopes.
Sleep duration, sleep problems and developmental trajectories of urinary incontinence: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Joinson Carol , Grzeda Mariusz T. , Heron Jon , von Gontard Alexander
Published: June 2024

To examine if preschool sleep duration and sleep problems are associated with urinary incontinence (UI) at primary school-age. We used multinomial logistic regression to examine the association of child sleep duration/problems (3½ years) with UI trajectories (4–9 years) in 8751 (4507 boys, 4244 girls) from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children. We adjusted for sex, socioeconomic indicators, mothers’ emotional/practical/financial support, developmental delay, stressful life events, temperament, and emotional/behaviour problems. Preschool children who slept more than 8½ hours per night had a decreased probability of UI at school-age. There was a 33% reduction in odds of daytime wetting per additional hour of sleep (odds ratio [OR] = 0.67, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.52–0.86). Sleep problems were associated with increased odds of UI e.g., getting up after being put to bed was associated with daytime wetting (OR = 2.20, 95% CI 1.43–3.39); breathing problems whilst sleeping were associated with delayed bladder control (OR = 1.68, 95% CI 1.12–2.52), and night-time waking was associated with persistent (day and night) wetting (OR = 1.53, 95% CI 1.16–2.00). Waking during the night and waking up early in the morning were associated with reduced odds of bedwetting at school-age (OR = 0.76, 95% CI 0.61–0.96 and OR = 0.80, 95% CI 0.64–0.99 respectively). Preschool children who sleep for longer have a lower likelihood of UI at school-age, whilst those with sleep problems are more likely to experience daytime wetting and combined (day and night) wetting, but not bedwetting alone. Short sleep duration and sleep problems in early childhood could be indicators of future problems attaining and maintaining bladder control.
Bacteriuria and phenotypic antimicrobial susceptibility testing in 45 min by point-of-care Sysmex PA-100 System: first clinical evaluation
Authors: Alonso-Tarrés Carles , Benjumea Moreno Carla , Navarro Ferran , Habison Aline C. , Gonzàlez-Bertran Elisenda , Blanco Francisco , Borràs Jaume , Garrigó Montserrat , Saker Jarob
Published: June 2024

Purpose

This study compared the results of the new Sysmex PA-100 AST System, a point-of-care analyser, with routine microbiology for the detection of urinary tract infections (UTI) and performance of antimicrobial susceptibility tests (AST) directly from urine.

Methods

Native urine samples from 278 female patients with suspected uncomplicated UTI were tested in the Sysmex PA-100 and with reference methods of routine microbiology: urine culture for bacteriuria and disc diffusion for AST.

Results

The analyser delivered bacteriuria results in 15 min and AST results within 45 min. Sensitivity and specificity for detection of microbiologically confirmed bacteriuria were 84.0% (89/106; 95% CI: 75.6–90.4%) and 99.4% (155/156; 95% CI: 96.5–100%), respectively, for bacterial species within the analyser specifications. These are Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis, Enterococcus faecalis and Staphylococcus saprophyticus, which are common species causing uncomplicated UTI. Overall categorical agreement (OCA) for AST results for the five antimicrobials tested in the Sysmex PA-100 (amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, ciprofloxacin, fosfomycin, nitrofurantoin and trimethoprim) ranged from 85.4% (70/82; 95%CI: 75.9–92.2%) for ciprofloxacin to 96.4% (81/84; 95% CI: 89.9–99.3%) for trimethoprim. The Sysmex PA-100 provided an optimal treatment recommendation in 218/278 cases (78.4%), against 162/278 (58.3%) of clinical decisions.

Conclusion

This first clinical evaluation of the Sysmex PA-100 in a near-patient setting demonstrated that the analyser delivers phenotypic AST results within 45 min, which could enable rapid initiation of the correct targeted treatment with no further adjustment needed. The Sysmex PA-100 has the potential to significantly reduce ineffective or unnecessary antibiotic prescription in patients with UTI symptoms.
Exploring the adoption of concept-based curricula: insights from educators and implications for change
Authors: Tweedie Judith , Pelly Fiona , Wright Hattie , Palermo Claire
Published: June 2024

Concept-based approaches to curriculum design have been proposed to solve content and curricula overload and promote conceptual learning. Few health professions have adopted this approach and little is known about how to support this educational change. We aimed to understand how nutrition and dietetics educators may navigate proposed education change towards concept-based curricula. We employed an interpretivist approach and in-depth interviews that explored the views of nutrition and dietetic educators towards using a concept-based approach to curriculum. Employing deductive thematic analysis based on the diffusion of innovation theory, data from twenty experienced dietetics educators were analysed. Three main themes were identified; the need for change champions, concerns about change, and the complexity of the education system. Diffusion of innovation theory highlighted that to enact change, the relative advantage and compatibility of the approach with current structures and systems, with evidence from trialling and observing the new approach in action, were needed. Developing education leaders and infiltrating the social system of education through existing communities of practice is critical to enacting educational change.
An integrated group decision-making framework for assessing S3PRLPs based on MULTIMOORA-WASPAS with q-rung orthopair fuzzy information
Authors: Rong Yuan , Yu Liying , Liu Yi , Peng Xingdong , Garg Harish
Published: June 2024

Sustainable third-party reverse logistics has gradually risen to prominence as a component of contemporary commercial development as a result of the acceleration of global economic integration and the prominent growth of information technology in the logistics industry. In the procedure of sustainable third-party reverse logistics providers (S3PRLPs) selection, indeterminacy and conflict information bring great challenges to decision experts. In view of the significant superiority of q-rung orthopair fuzzy (q-ROF) set in expressing uncertain and vague assessment information, this essay designs a comprehensive assessment framework through merging the best and worst method (BWM), Multiplicative Multi-objective Optimization by Ratio Analysis with Full Multiplicative Form (MULTIMOORA) and weighted aggregated sum product assessment (WASPAS) method to address the S3PRLPs selection issue with entirely unknown weight information under q-ROF setting. Firstly, we present a novel score function for comparing q-ROF numbers after analyzing the inadequacies of previous works. Secondly, the q-ROF Frank interactive weighted average (q-ROFFIWA) and q-ROF Frank interactive weighted geometric (q-ROFFIWG) operators are advanced based on the constructed operations to take into consideration the interactive impact of information fusion procedure. Thirdly, the q-ROF-MULTIMOORA-WASPAS decision framework is built based on novel score function and the developed operators, in which the synthetic weights of the criterion are determined by the modified BWM and entropy weight method to reflect both the subjectivity of the decision expert and the objectivity of the decision information. Ultimately, an empirical example was used to evaluate S3PRLPs to demonstrate the applicability and feasibility of the developed methodology, and a comparative analysis was conducted with other existing methods to highlight its advantages in dealing with complex decision problems. The discussion from the research indicates that the developed methodology can be used to evaluate S3PRLPs and further improve the quality of logistics services for organizations.
A universal formula for derivation operators and applications
Authors: Suárez de la Fuente J.
Published: June 2024

We give a universal formula describing derivation operators on a
Hilbert space for a large class of interpolation methods. It is based on a simple new technique on
“critical points” where all the derivations attain the maximum. We deduce from this a version of Kalton uniqueness theorem for such methods, in
particular, for the real method. As an application of our ideas is the construction of a weak Hilbert space induced by the real J-method. Previously,
such space was only known arising from the complex method. To complete the picture, we show, using a breakthrough of Johnson and Szankowski, nontrivial
derivations whose values on the critical points grow to infinity as slowly as we wish.
A Systematic Review of Gender Dysphoria Measures in Autistic Samples
Authors: Mears Karl , Rai Dheeraj , Shah Punit , Cooper Kate , Ashwin Chris
Published: June 2024

This systematic review investigated how studies have measured gender dysphoria (GD) in autistic samples and the impact of using different measures on study results. The literature search identified 339 relevant papers, with 12 of them meeting the inclusion criteria. Results showed that seven different measures of GD characteristics have been used with autistic samples and that the studies consistently reported a greater number of GD characteristics and a greater severity of GD in autistic compared to non-autistic samples. Methodological common practices were found in recruiting participants from clinical settings rather than the general population, having more autistic males than females in the samples, for studies being conducted in Europe, North America, and Oceania, and using single-item measures of GD for samples of autistic children. Issues were identified with study designs and measures of GD, suggesting a need for a more standardized multi-item self-report measure of GD for use in clinical and non-clinical samples across different ages and cultures.
Transformers and meta-tokenization in sentiment analysis for software engineering
Authors: Cassee Nathan , Agaronian Andrei , Constantinou Eleni , Novielli Nicole , Serebrenik Alexander
Published: June 2024

Sentiment analysis has been used to study aspects of software engineering, such as issue resolution, toxicity, and self-admitted technical debt. To address the peculiarities of software engineering texts, sentiment analysis tools often consider the specific technical lingo practitioners use. To further improve the application of sentiment analysis, there have been two recommendations: Using pre-trained transformer models to classify sentiment and replacing non-natural language elements with meta-tokens. In this work, we benchmark five different sentiment analysis tools (two pre-trained transformer models and three machine learning tools) on 2 gold-standard sentiment analysis datasets. We find that pre-trained transformers outperform the best machine learning tool on only one of the two datasets, and that even on that dataset the performance difference is a few percentage points. Therefore, we recommend that software engineering researchers should not just consider predictive performance when selecting a sentiment analysis tool because the best-performing sentiment analysis tools perform very similarly to each other (within 4 percentage points). Meanwhile, we find that meta-tokenization does not improve the predictive performance of sentiment analysis tools. Both of our findings can be used by software engineering researchers who seek to apply sentiment analysis tools to software engineering data.
Experimenting with Standard Young Tableaux
Authors: Ekhad Shalosh B. , Zeilberger Doron
Published: June 2024

Using symbolic computation with Maple, we can discover lots of (rigorously-proved!) facts about Standard Young Tableaux, in particular the distribution of the entries in any specific cell, and the sorting probabilities.
Ablation Resistance of ZrB2-SiC-Si Composite Coatings Applied on Graphite Substrate by Spark Plasma Sintering
Authors: Jaberi Zamharir Mehran , Shahedi Asl Mehdi , Zakeri Mohammad , Jahangiri Zahra
Published: June 2024

In this research, a protective composite coating made of ultra-high-temperature ceramics (UHTCs) was applied on the graphite substrate to boost the ablation resistance of the graphite substrate. Spark plasma sintering (SPS) was used to create such coatings on the graphite substrates. Efforts were made to identify the appropriate chemical composition for the composite coating and the conditions for the SPS (temperature, pressure and holding time). The coatings with a base composition of ZrB2-15 vol.% Si-15 vol.% SiC as well as MoSi2 and WC additives in the same amounts of 0 vol.%, 2.5 vol.% and 5 vol.% of each were applied on the graphite substrates under sintering conditions of final temperature of 1875 ± 25°C, initial pressure of 10 MPa, final load of 25 MPa and holding time of 5 min. The results obtained from the ablation test by oxyacetylene flame verified that the presence of the protective composite coating significantly increases the ablation performance of the graphite substrate. The sample without WC and MoSi2 additives had the lowest mass reduction in longer ablation times, which indicates the high ablation resistance of the base sample compared to the samples with those additives.
Family Climate, Perception of Academic Achievements, Peer Engagement in Cyberbullying, and Cyber Roles among Adolescents
Authors: Sasson Hagit , Tur-Sinai Aviad , Dvir Keren
Published: June 2024

Cyberbullying is a disturbing form of behavior associated with the use of communication technologies among adolescents. Many studies have been devoted to cyberbullies and cyber victims, neglecting an important growing group: cyberbullies who are also cyber victims. Moreover, few studies refer to all cyberbullying roles and factors associated with them. Therefore, the goal of this study is to examine differences in family climate, peers’ engagement in cyberbullying, and perception of academic achievements among involvements in cyberbullying roles. Data are collected by telephone or face-to-face from a sample of 277 eleventh- to twelfth-grade students in Israel who are asked to participate in the survey. Cyberbullying roles are composed of two variables—cyberbullies and cyber victims, creating four groups: cyberbullies, cyber victims, cyberbullies-and-victims, and non-involved. Three types of family climate are measured: warmth, order and supervision, and conflict. Respondents report their perceptions of peers’ engagement in cyberbullying. At the personal level, gender, perception of academic achievements, and school absence are measured. Multinomial logistic regression findings show that boys are more likely to be cyberbullies and cyberbullies-victims than are girls; family conflicts increase the odds of being cyberbullies and cyber victims; and family warmth decreases the odds of being cyber victims and cyberbullies-cyber victims. Perception of peers’ engagement in cyberbullying increases the odds of being cyberbullies and cyberbullies-victims. Perception of academic achievements and school absence have opposite effects on cyber victims, the former increasing the odds of being cyber victims and the latter decreasing them. The results emphasize the role of family and peers in adolescents’ cyber behavior. Limitations and conclusions are discussed.