bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Student mental health and dropout from higher education: an analysis of Australian administrative data
Authors: Zając Tomasz , Perales Francisco , Tomaszewski Wojtek , Xiang Ning , Zubrick Stephen R.
Published: February 2023

Understanding the drivers of student dropout from higher education has been a policy concern for several decades. However, the contributing role of certain factors—including student mental health—remains poorly understood. Furthermore, existing studies linking student mental health and university dropout are limited in both methodology and scope—for example, they often rely on small and/or non-representative samples or subjective measures, and focus almost exclusively on main effects. This paper overcomes many of these shortcomings by leveraging unique linked administrative data on the full population of domestic students commencing undergraduate studies at Australian universities between 2012 and 2015 (n = 652,139). Using these data, we document that approximately 15% of students drop out of university within their first academic year. Critically, students receiving treatment for mental health problems are 4.3 (adjusted) to 8.3 (unadjusted) percentage points more likely to drop out of higher education. This association remains in the presence of an encompassing set of potential confounds, and is remarkably uniform across segments of the student population determined by individual, family, and programme characteristics. Altogether, our findings call for increased policy efforts to improve student mental health and to buffer against its deleterious effects on retention.
On the Emergence of Routines: An Interactional Micro-history of Rehearsing a Scene
Authors: Schmidt Axel , Deppermann Arnulf
Published: February 2023

In workplace settings, skilled participants cooperate on the basis of shared routines in smooth and often implicit ways. Our study shows how interactional histories provide the basis for routine coordination. We draw on theater rehearsals as a perspicuous setting for tracking interactional histories. In theater rehearsals, the process of building performing routines is in focus. Our study builds on collections of consecutive performances of the same instructional task coming from a corpus of video-recordings of 30 h of theater rehearsals of professional actors in German. Over time, instructions and their implementations are routinely coordinated by virtue of accumulated shared interactional experience: Instructions become shorter, the timing of responses becomes increasingly compacted and long negotiations are reduced to a two-part sequence of instruction and implementation. Overall, a routine of how to perform the scene emerges. Over interactional histories, patterns of projection of next actions emanating from instructions become reliable and can be used by respondents as sources for anticipating and performing relevant next actions. The study contributes to our understanding of how shared knowledge and routines accumulate over shared interactional experiences in publicly performed and reciprocally perceived ways and how this impinges on the efficiency of joint action.
Against verb-stranding VP-ellipsis in Japanese: reply to Funakoshi (2016)
Authors: Tanaka Hidekazu
Published: February 2023

Japanese has a deletion operation, called argument ellipsis, that targets arguments (Oku in A theory of selection and reconstruction in the minimalist program, 1998). The operation does not apply to adjuncts, and thus, adjuncts are unelidable. Funakoshi (J East Asian Linguist 25(2):113–42, 2016), following in the footsteps of Otani and Whitman (Linguist Inquiry 22:345–58, 1991), argues that adjuncts can be elided when V-stranding VP-deletion applies. This article refutes Funakoshi’s proposal. Under rigorous control, adjuncts are generally unelidable even when the context strongly favors the adjunct inclusive interpretation, showing that the language lacks VP-deletion. It is also shown that, for a small number of speakers who permit the adjunct inclusive interpretation, the interpretation is sensitive to island constraints. The observation is attributed to covert right dislocation (Tanaka in J Linguist 37:551–79, 2001), marginally available for such speakers.
Initial Effect of Temperature Rise on α-Synuclein Aggregation – Entropic Forces Drive the Exposure of Protein Hydrophobic Groups Probed by Fluorescence Spectroscopy
Authors: Saraiva Marco A. , Florêncio M. Helena
Published: February 2023

The aberrant formation of α-synuclein (Syn) aggregates, varying in size, structure and morphology, has been linked to the development of Parkinson’s disease. In the early stages of Syn aggregation, large protein amyloid aggregates with sizes > 100 nm in hydrodynamic radius have been noticed. These low overall abundant large Syn aggregates are notoriously difficult to study by conventional biophysical methods. Due to the growing importance of studying the early stages of Syn aggregation, we developed a strategy to achieve this purpose, which is the study of the initial effect of the Syn protein aqueous solutions temperature rise. Therefore, the increase of the Syn aqueous solutions entropy by the initial effect of the temperature rise led to the exposure of the protein hydrophobic tyrosyl groups by not interfering with this amyloid protein aggregation. As an attempt to interpret the degree of the referred protein tyrosyl groups exposure, the classic rotameric conformations of the Nα-acetyl-L-tyrosinamide (NAYA) parent compound were used. For both NAYA and Syn, it was determined that the classic rotameric conformations involving the tyrosyl groups indeed accounted for their exposure under steady-state conditions of fluorescence, for lowest molecular species concentrations investigated at least. In this situation, Syn aggregation was observed. For the higher NAYA and Syn concentrations studied, the referred classic rotameric conformation were insufficient in such referred steady-state conditions and, for Syn, in particular, fluorescence anisotropy measurements revealed that less protein aggregation occurs along with its delay. Overall, the developed strategy by focusing on the initial effect of the temperature rise of Syn aqueous solutions in lower concentrations is suitable for informing us about the degree of this protein aggregation in solution.
Local2Global: a distributed approach for scaling representation learning on graphs
Authors: Jeub Lucas G. S. , Colavizza Giovanni , Dong Xiaowen , Bazzi Marya , Cucuringu Mihai
Published: February 2023

We propose a decentralised “local2global” approach to graph representation learning, that one can a-priori use to scale any embedding technique. Our local2global approach proceeds by first dividing the input graph into overlapping subgraphs (or “patches”) and training local representations for each patch independently. In a second step, we combine the local representations into a globally consistent representation by estimating the set of rigid motions that best align the local representations using information from the patch overlaps, via group synchronization. A key distinguishing feature of local2global relative to existing work is that patches are trained independently without the need for the often costly parameter synchronization during distributed training. This allows local2global to scale to large-scale industrial applications, where the input graph may not even fit into memory and may be stored in a distributed manner. We apply local2global on data sets of different sizes and show that our approach achieves a good trade-off between scale and accuracy on edge reconstruction and semi-supervised classification. We also consider the downstream task of anomaly detection and show how one can use local2global to highlight anomalies in cybersecurity networks.
A torsion-based solution to the hyperbolic regime of the $$J_2$$-problem
Authors: Lara Martin , Masat Alessandro , Colombo Camilla
Published: February 2023

A popular intermediary in the theory of artificial satellites is obtained after the elimination of parallactic terms from the $$J_2$$

J
2

-problem Hamiltonian. The resulting quasi-Keplerian system is in turn converted into the Kepler problem by a torsion. When this reduction process is applied to unbounded orbits, the solution is made of Keplerian hyperbolae. For this last case, we show that the torsion-based solution provides an effective alternative to the Keplerian approximation customarily used in flyby computations. Also, we check that the extension of the torsion-based solution to higher orders of the oblateness coefficient yields the expected convergence of asymptotic solutions to the true orbit.
Games as Authorial Platforms? An Exploration of the Legal Status of User-Created Content from Digital Games
Authors: Aroni Gabriele
Published: February 2023

Digital games can be considered as composed of two main components: the props, i.e. visual, textual, and aural elements such as codes, 3D models and animations; and the form, specially the interaction between players and games, the act of playing itself. This dichotomy thus begs the question whether digital games are indeed games if nobody plays them, and ultimately: who is the owner of the gameplay and any by-product of the interaction between the game and the players? This paper explores the copyright status of content created by users with digital games, such as gameplay videos and images, for example art based on digital game assets, namely virtual photography; as well as customized in-game objects. Many modern digital games offer considerable freedom to players, in terms of how the action on screen evolves and the visual outcomes that the game can produce. Scholars have asserted that digital games avatars, the characters created in games, should be considered a joint work between players and the game developers and some game companies allow the commercial use of videos created from their games. Conversely, other companies expressly prohibit such use, and issue DMCA takedown notices to infringers. Attention will be devoted to specific games as authorial tools, such as SpaceEngine and Townscaper, where there are neither objectives nor challenges, but they are rather tools that enable players’ creativity.
A Longitudinal Dyadic Study of Six Leisure Activities in Swedish Couples During the Transition to Parenthood
Authors: Zheng Lucy R. , Naurin Elin , Markstedt Elias , Olander Petrus , Elden Helen , Linden Karolina
Published: February 2023

Parents are not only caregivers to their children; they also have leisure routines that can impact their own well-being. However, little is known about how leisure activities change within the context of a couple during the transition to parenthood. This study uses latent growth curve models and data from the Swedish Pregnancy Panel to examine how often 918 first-time, heterosexual couples participated in six leisure activities from around pregnancy week 19 to one year postpartum. Compared to fathers, mothers less frequently exercised and listened to news, and more frequently read newspapers, spent time for themselves, and spent time with friends. Over time, mothers increased their frequency of praying to God and decreased spending time for themselves and with friends. Fathers decreased frequency of exercise. Within couples, there was a positive correlation between mothers’ and fathers’ frequency of engaging in leisure activities, although most changes over time were not associated. Our finding that two individuals within a couple may change their leisure activities independently of each other during the transition to parenthood can help healthcare professionals and researchers prepare expectant couples for upcoming changes (or lack thereof) and promote parent well-being. Our findings also highlight the possibility that in contexts with more state support for families, parenthood may not exacerbate gender gaps in leisure.
Molecular characterisation and additional morphological descriptions of Eimeria spp. (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from brown kiwi (Apteryx mantelli Bartlett)
Authors: Coker Sarah M. , McInnes Kate , Vallee Emilie , Biggs Patrick , Pomroy William E. , Howe Laryssa , Morgan Kerri J.
Published: February 2023

Brown kiwi (Apteryx mantelli Bartlett), a ratite endemic to New Zealand, is currently listed as “Vulnerable” under the IUCN classification system due to predation by introduced mammals. Operation Nest Egg (ONE) raises chicks and juveniles in predator-proof enclosures until they are large enough to defend themselves. These facilities experience an environmental accumulation of coccidial oocysts, which leads to severe morbidity and mortality of these kiwi. Four species of coccidia have been morphologically described from sporulated oocysts with additional opportunistic descriptions of endogenous stages. This research continues the morphological descriptions of these species of Eimeria with an additional novel morphotype also morphologically described. It also provides the first genetic characterisation targeting the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) gene. Based on these findings, it was determined there are at least five morphotypes of Eimeria that infect brown kiwi and co-infections are common at the ONE facilities surveyed. The COI amplicon targeted for this study was sufficient to provide differentiation from other members of this genus. Sanger sequencing yielded ambiguous bases, indicating the need for more in-depth sequencing.
Transgenic HPV11-E2 protein modulates URR activity in vivo
Authors: Wang Shubei , Gramm Vera , Laport Elke , Holland-Letz Tim , Alonso Angel , Schenkel Johannes
Published: February 2023

In vitro experiments have shown that the E2 protein of human papillomaviruses (HPV) binds to the upstream regulatory region (URR) of the viral genome and modulates transcription. Additionally, it seems to be a necessary component for viral DNA replication together with E1. We have developed a transgenic mouse model containing the URR region of the low-risk virus HPV11 that regulates the expression of the lacZ reporter gene. Most interestingly, in these mice, the transgene was exclusively expressed in the bulge region of the hair follicle but not in any other tissues. Further experimental data indicate that in double transgenic mice that also express the HPV11-E2 protein under the control of the Ubiquitin C-promoter, the transcription of the reporter gene is modulated. When E2 is present, the expression of the reporter gene also occurs exclusively in the bulge region of the hair follicles as it does in the single transgenic mice, but the expression of the lacZ driven by the URR is increased and the statistical spread is greater. Even if the expression of the reporter gene occurs in the hair follicles of the dorsal skin of an animal uniform, E2 obviously has the capacity for both to induce and to repress the URR activity in vivo.
Vaccination and mortality from COVID-19: a comparative study between hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, and non-dialysis adult population in Panama
Authors: Courville Karen J. , Bustamante Norman E. , Nuñez-Samudio Virginia , Pecchio Maydelin , Landires Iván , Viggiano Carlos , Durán Herna , Novoa Nadji , Alvarado Ernesto , Vargas Francisco , Salado Dayan , Manzanares José , Haughton Kelly , Cuero César , Niedda María , Valdés Régulo
Published: February 2023

Purpose

Dialysis patients have a different response than the non-dialysis population to infection with COVID-19. This study evaluates the prevalence of infection and lethality in patients receiving hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis in Panama, compared to non-dialysis adult population, and reports of adverse events of vaccination.

Methods

This is a prospective, multi-center cohort study of spatients aged 18 years or older and receiving in-center hemodialysis or ambulatory peritoneal dialysis in 13 centers in Panama from March 2021 to 2022. For comparison with general population, the study used an extended period of two years.

Results

A total of 1531 patients receiving dialysis treatment accepted to participate. PD patients represented an 18% of study patients. Lethality was higher in peritoneal dialysis patients with COVID-19 infection than in hemodialysis in the study group (p 0.02). Total deaths in dialysis patients for 2020 were 156 patients, before vaccination; 79 in 2021; and 25 for the first trimester of 2022. Lethality for the period of 2020–2022 was 9.3% for dialysis patients and 0.2% for non-dialysis population. There was no difference in symptoms in first dose, but with second dose, hemodialysis patients reported fewer symptoms than peritoneal dialysis patients (p < 0.0001).

Conclusion

Ninety one percent of people in the country received BNT162b2 Pfizer BionTech vaccine. Lethality decreased from 30 to 5% once vaccination was available. There were no severe adverse effects and symptoms reported were less frequent than in general population, probably due to low reactogenicity in dialysis patients, or better tolerance to pain.
Tracing the state of sport management research: a bibliometric analysis
Authors: Hammerschmidt Jonas , Calabuig Ferran , Kraus Sascha , Uhrich Sebastian
Published: February 2023

This article presents a state-of-the-art overview of the sport management research discipline through a bibliometric analysis of publication data from the top five sport management journals in the decade 2011–2020. The analysis includes citation and productivity analysis of journals, institutions, countries, and articles, author citation and output analysis, and title and abstract (co-)word analysis. The data identifies the Sport Management Review as the most prolific journal of the last decade. Institutions and authors from the US are dominating the sport management research, which has increased its attractiveness in other disciplines. Co-word analysis shows recent and frequently discussed topics related to management of sport organizations and events, team and game, sport marketing and sponsorship, and behaviour and identification of the spectator. The article serves the ongoing debate on sport management as an academic field with deep insights into the publication structure and thematic dynamics of the last decade.
The Thermodynamic Modelling of the Zn Slag Fuming with the Use of Coal and Ammonia
Authors: Khartcyzov Georgii , Shishin Denis , Ek Magnus , Jak Evgueni
Published: February 2023

Slag fuming process is used to extract zinc from the lead blast furnace slags and recently for the extraction of multiple elements from the complex primary and recycling feed streams, making the thermochemistry of the process challenging. To meet new challenges, computer models with predictive powers outside of the range of normal process conditions are necessary. These models cannot rely exclusively on sets of existing process data and must have a foundation in thermodynamics combined with reasonable kinetic factors. The accuracy of predictions largely depends on the quality of thermodynamic data, including phase equilibria, elemental distributions, and calorimetry measurements. Present study demonstrates the recent developments of the self-consistent thermodynamic model for the gas/slag/matte/metal/speiss/solid phases within the Cu-Pb-Zn-Fe-Ca-Si-O-S-Al-Mg-As-Sb system, applied to zinc fuming, with attention to the phase equilibria and partitioning of minor elements in the process. As a demonstration of calculations far outside of normal operations, the use of ammonia as an alternative to coal is investigated. It was shown that from the thermodynamic point of view the process can reach the same final concentration of zinc and the heat balance of the reactor in the same amount of time when coal is replaced in the process by ammonia.
Prevention of sexual violence in sports boarding schools: a survey from Germany
Authors: Wagner Ingo , Rulofs Bettina
Published: February 2023

Numerous sexual violence cases have been reported in boarding schools as well as in sports organizations. However, no studies have been conducted so far that investigate the prevention of sexual violence in sports boarding schools. Our study explores to what extent sports boarding schools in Germany register sexual violence as a relevant problem in their organizations and which prevention measures they apply. Based on a theoretical framework of organizational development, the organizational structures, the organizational cultures and the grades of change toward the prevention of sexual violence were analyzed. To this end, a survey with representatives from all 59 sports boarding schools in Germany was conducted. The results reveal various aspects that can be improved regarding organizational development and specific prevention measures. Among other results, a regression analysis shows the importance to structurally anchor the topic in the organization, to develop an actively campaigning culture, to establish an internal self-obligation, and to conduct a theme-specific evaluation to ensure better protection of all athletes in sports boarding schools.
Combustion and mass loss behavior and characteristics of a single biomass pellet positioning at different orientations in a fixed bed reactor
Authors: El-Sayed Saad A. , Mostafa Mohamed E. , Khass Tarek M. , Noseir Emad H. , Ismail Mohamed A.
Published: February 2023

This study aims to investigate the combustion characteristics and mass loss behaviors of rice straw and wheat straw biomass pellets experimentally in a laboratory fixed bed combustor under various operating conditions. High-speed photography was used to record images of the combustion process, and a sensitive balance was utilized for recording the particle mass history during the combustion process in addition to K-type thermocouples for temperature measurements. For both materials, the single pellet was exposed to various air temperatures and different flow rates of air. The orientation of the biomass pellet was positioned at various angles from 0 (horizontal), 30°, 45°, 60° (inclined), and 90° (parallel) to the hot air stream at different flow rates. Both glowing reactions and flameless ignition have been noticed in all experiments at all pellet orientations. All pellets experienced low and high luminosity volatiles without flames, followed by a bright radish color and short-lived combustion of the chars. Although the volatile contents of the two materials are identical, the volatile combustion duration of wheat straw (17–258 s) is less than that of rice straw (20–300 s), which could be due to differences in particle sizes, shapes, and structural compositions. The results also show that increased air temperatures lessen the time it takes for volatile and char to ignite and burn off. It also raises the temperature of surface ignition. Starting from the horizontal position and increasing the orientation angle of the pellet, the volatile and char ignition times increase up to 30° and then drop up to 90°, with angle 45° giving the lowest value. The same pattern was also noticed for volatile and char burnout times. The pellet horizontal position (0°) exhibits reduced combustion and mass loss (%) time intervals. The order of increasing the maximum temperature at the pellet surface was 30° > 60° > 90° angles. Increasing the air temperature reduces the times of char combustion, devolatilization, volatile burnout, and char burnout. As the air flow rate increases, the effect on the combustion parameters alternates between increasing and decreasing values.
Investigations on Copper Cast Cakes, Sickle Fragments and a Spout Axe of the Hoard Find from Drassburg/Burgenland
Authors: Haubner Roland , Strobl Susanne
Published: February 2023

The Bronze Age hoard from Drassburg contains among other objects cast cakes, sickles, spout axes and fragments of these. Ten copper alloy samples were examined by metallography. The high Pb content of three cast cakes indicates that Pb or Pb ores were intentionally added to the metallic copper. Two cast cakes contain small amounts of Pb and probably copper from the primary production. One cast cake is a Sn bronze. The sickle and socket axe fragments are Sn bronze with different composition. Most microstructures show dendritic solidification, and sometimes, deformation structures are observed. It can be assumed that the copper alloys of the Drassburg hoard were used for recycling. If one considers the quite different alloy compositions, it is impossible to trace the copper ore sources using Pb isotopy or trace element analysis. This applies to the present copper alloys as well as to objects made from recycled material.
The Potential of Combining Existential Hermeneutic Phenomenology and Zen Practice: Using Western and Eastern Existential Insights to Interpret Managerial Lived Experience
Authors: Müller Michal , Vaseková Veronika
Published: February 2023

Although in the past qualitative research in the field of management did not achieve much acknowledgement, mainly due to the impossibility of synthesising subjective experiences into generally valid statements, there is now a recognition of the significant importance of it. This is due to dynamic changes in society and global challenges that place high demands on managers and put pressure on the need to come up with new creative solutions to problems. The qualitative approach allows understanding the value orientation and the very ways of being of a manager, which is an important prerequisite for their self-development and learning. This paper highlights the intersections between the existential themes found in the research perspectives of existential hermeneutic phenomenology and Zen practice and proposes the development of a cross-cultural research framework that provides an interpretation of the lived experience of managers. The core existential insights that help to understand the lived experience of managers are the positive meaning of existential disruptions and dilemmas, authenticity of experience, and dialogical learning.
Non-negative low-rank approximations for multi-dimensional arrays on statistical manifold
Authors: Ghalamkari Kazu , Sugiyama Mahito
Published: February 2023

Although low-rank approximation of multi-dimensional arrays has been widely discussed in linear algebra, its statistical properties remain unclear. In this paper, we use information geometry to uncover a statistical picture of non-negative low-rank approximations. First, we treat each input array as a probability distribution using a log-linear model on a poset, where a structure of an input array is realized as a partial order. We then describe the low-rank condition of arrays as constraints on parameters of the model and formulate the low-rank approximation as a projection onto a subspace that satisfies such constraints, where parameters correspond to coordinate systems of a statistical manifold. Second, based on information-geometric analysis of low-rank approximation, we point out the unexpected relationship between the rank-1 non-negative low-rank approximation and mean-field approximation, a well-established method in physics that uses a one-body problem to approximate a many-body problem. Third, our theoretical discussion leads to a novel optimization method of non-negative low-rank approximation, called Legendre Tucker rank reduction. Because the proposed method does not use the gradient method, it does not require tuning parameters such as initial position, learning rate, and stopping criteria. In addition, the flexibility of the log-linear model enables us to treat the problem of non-negative multiple matrix factorization (NMMF), a variant of low-rank approximation with shared factors. We find the best rank-1 NMMF formula as a closed form and develop a rapid rank-1 NMF method for arrays with missing entries based on the closed form, called A1GM.
Transfer-free graphene passivation of sub 100 nm thin Pt and Pt–Cu electrodes for memristive devices
Authors: Tappertzhofen S. , Braeuninger-Weimer P. , Gumprich A. , Chirca I. , Potočnik T. , Alexander-Webber J. A. , Hofmann S.
Published: February 2023

Memristive switches are among the most promising building blocks for future neuromorphic computing. These devices are based on a complex interplay of redox reactions on the nanoscale. Nanoionic phenomena enable non-linear and low-power resistance transition in ultra-short programming times. However, when not controlled, the same electrochemical reactions can result in device degradation and instability over time. Two-dimensional barriers have been suggested to precisely manipulate the nanoionic processes. But fabrication-friendly integration of these materials in memristive devices is challenging.Here we report on a novel process for graphene passivation of thin platinum and platinum/copper electrodes. We also studied the level of defects of graphene after deposition of selected oxides that are relevant for memristive switching.
Fiction and Pragmatics
Authors: Locher Miriam A. , Jucker Andreas H. , Landert Daniela , Messerli Thomas C.
Published: February 2023

This Element outlines current issues in the study of the pragmatics of fiction. It starts from the premise that fictional texts are complex and multi-layered communicative acts which deserve attention in pragmatic research in their own right, and it highlights the need to understand them as cultural artefacts rich in possibilities to explore pragmatic effects and pragmatic theorising. The issues covered are (1) the participation structure of fictional texts, (2) the performance aspect of fictional texts, (3) the interaction between readers and viewers and the fictional texts, as well as (4) the pragmatic effects of drawing on indexical linguistic features for evoking ideologies in characterisation. This title is also available as Open Access on Cambridge Core.
John Wyclif on War and Peace
Authors: Cox Rory
Published: February 2023

New investigation of John Wyclif's writings on the theory of the 'just war' shows him to be the first genuine pacifist of medieval Europe.
The Secret War Between the Wars
Authors: Quinlan Kevin
Published: February 2023

The methods developed by British intelligence in the early twentieth century still resonate today, like before the Second World War, focused on immediate threats posed by subversive, clandestine networks against a backdrop of shifting great power politics.
Gender, Home and Identity
Authors: Grabska Katarzyna
Published: February 2023

This book analyses the experiences of exile and return of Nuer women and men of all ages and how they negotiate and reshape gender identities and relations in the context of prolonged war and violence.
Social Relations and Urban Space
Authors: Williamson Fiona
Published: February 2023

This book offers an insight into the social relationships and topographies that fashioned both city life and landscape and serves as a useful counterpoise in a field that has largely focused on London.
Subantarctic Mode Water Biogeochemical Formation Properties and Interannual Variability
Authors: Bushinsky Seth M. , Cerovečki Ivana
Published: February 2023

Subantarctic mode water (SAMW) is a key water mass for the transport of nutrients, oxygen, and anthropogenic carbon into the ocean interior. However, a lack of biogeochemical observations of SAMW properties during wintertime formation precluded their detailed characterization. Here we characterize for the first time SAMW properties across their entire wintertime formation regions based primarily on biogeochemical profiling floats. Observations show that the SAMW properties differ between the two main formation regions in the Pacific and Indian sectors of the Southern Ocean. SAMW formed in the Pacific is colder, fresher, and higher in oxygen, nitrate, and dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) than its Indian Ocean counterpart. The relationship between potential density and biogeochemical water properties is nearly identical between the two formation regions; property differences thus predominantly reflect the difference in mean densities of SAMW formed in each region. SAMW is undersaturated in oxygen during formation, which will impact calculations of derived quantities that assume preformed oxygen saturation. SAMW is at or above atmospheric pCO2 during wintertime and therefore not a direct sink of contemporary carbon dioxide during the formation period. Results from the Biogeochemical Southern Ocean State Estimate suggest anti‐correlated interannual variability of DIC, nitrate, and oxygen between the central and southeastern Pacific formation regions similar to previously established patterns in mixed layer physical properties. This indicates that the mean properties of SAMW will vary depending on which sub‐region has a stronger formation rate, which is in turn linked to the Southern Annual Mode and the El‐Niño Southern Oscillation.
Shrubs Compensate for Tree Leaf Area Variation and Influence Vegetation Indices in Post‐Fire Siberian Larch Forests
Authors: Bendavid Nadav S. , Alexander Heather D. , Davydov Sergei P. , Kropp Heather , Mack Michelle C. , Natali Susan M. , Spawn‐Lee Seth A. , Zimov Nikita S. , Loranty Michael M.
Published: February 2023

In post‐fire Siberian larch forests, where tree density can vary within a burn perimeter, shrubs constitute a substantial portion of the vegetation canopy. Leaf area index (LAI), defined as the one‐sided total green leaf area per unit ground surface area, is useful for characterizing variation in plant canopies. We estimated LAI with allometry for trees and tall shrubs (>0.5 and <1.5 m) across 26 sites with varying tree stem density (0.05–3.3 stems/m2) and canopy cover (4.6%–76.9%) in a uniformly‐aged mature Siberian larch forest that regenerated following a fire ∼75 years ago. We investigated relationships between tree density, tree LAI, and tall shrub LAI, and between LAI and satellite observations of Normalized Difference and Enhanced Vegetation Indices (NDVI and EVI). Across the density gradient, tree LAI increases with increasing tree density, while tall shrub LAI decreases, exhibiting no patterns in combined tree‐shrub LAI. We also found significant positive relationships between tall shrub LAI and NDVI/EVI from PlanetScope and Landsat imagery. These findings suggest that tall shrubs compensate for lower tree LAI in tree canopy gaps, forming a canopy with contiguous combined tree‐shrub LAI across the density gradient. Our findings suggest that NDVI and EVI are more sensitive to variation in tall shrub canopies than variation in tree canopies or combined tree‐shrub canopies in these ecosystems. The results improve our understanding of the relationships between forest density and tree and shrub leaf area and have implications for interpreting spatial variability in LAI, NDVI, and EVI in Siberian boreal forests.
Associations of changes in physical activity and sedentary time with weight recurrence after bariatric surgery: a 5-year prospective study
Authors: Sundgot-Borgen C. , Bond D. S. , Sniehotta F. F. , Kvalem I. L. , Hansen B. H. , Bergh I. , Rø Ø. , Mala T.
Published: February 2023

Background

Increasing physical activity and limiting sedentary time may minimize weight recurrence after bariatric surgery. However, few studies have evaluated potential associations of objectively-measured physical activity and sedentary time with post-surgical weight recurrence over time.

Aims

To evaluate associations of change in physical activity and sedentary time with weight recurrence after bariatric surgery.

Methods

Participants from the Oslo Bariatric Surgery Study, a prospective cohort study, wore an ActiGraph monitor for seven days at 1- and 5 years after surgery to assess daily physical activity and sedentary time. Participants’ weight was measured at in-person clinic visits. Chi-square Test and Paired-samples T-test evaluated group differences and change over time, while Pearson’s Correlation, multiple logistic and linear regression investigated associations between variables.

Results

Five years after surgery 79 participants (70.5% response rate, 81% female) (mean (sd) age: 54.0 (±9.3), BMI: 32.1 (±4.7)) had valid monitor data. Participants increased their sedentary time (71.4 minutes/day (95% CI: 54.2–88.6, p = <0.001)) and reduced daily steps (−1411.1 (95% CI: 737.8–208.4), p = <0.001), light physical activity (−54.1 min/day (95% CI: 40.9–67.2, p = <0.001)), and total physical activity (−48.2 (95% CI: 34.6–63.3), p = <0.001) from 1- to 5 years after surgery. No change was found for moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity. No associations were found between changes in steps, physical activity or sedentary time and weight recurrence.

Conclusion

Participants increased sedentary time and decreased light- and total physical activity between 1- and 5 years post-surgery. Overall, changes in physical activity and sedentary time were not associated with weight recurrence. Interventions to help patients increase physical activity and limit sedentary time after bariatric surgery are needed.
An intrinsic purine metabolite AICAR blocks lung tumour growth by targeting oncoprotein mucin 1
Authors: Aftab Fareesa , Rodriguez-Fuguet Alice , Silva Luis , Kobayashi Ikei S. , Sun Jiao , Politi Katerina , Levantini Elena , Zhang Wei , Kobayashi Susumu S. , Zhang Wen Cai
Published: February 2023

Background

Lung cancer cells overexpress mucin 1 (MUC1) and active subunit MUC1-CT. Although a peptide blocks MUC1 signalling, metabolites targeting MUC1 are not well studied. AICAR is a purine biosynthesis intermediate.

Methods

Cell viability and apoptosis were measured in AICAR-treated EGFR-mutant and wild-type lung cells. AICAR-binding proteins were evaluated by in silico and thermal stability assays. Protein–protein interactions were visualised by dual-immunofluorescence staining and proximity ligation assay. AICAR-induced whole transcriptomic profile was determined by RNA sequencing. EGFR-TL transgenic mice-derived lung tissues were analysed for MUC1 expression. Organoids and tumours from patients and transgenic mice were treated with AICAR alone or in combination with JAK and EGFR inhibitors to evaluate treatment effects.

Results

AICAR reduced EGFR-mutant tumour cell growth by inducing DNA damage and apoptosis. MUC1 was one of the leading AICAR-binding and degrading proteins. AICAR negatively regulated JAK signalling and JAK1-MUC1-CT interaction. Activated EGFR upregulated MUC1-CT expression in EGFR-TL-induced lung tumour tissues. AICAR reduced EGFR-mutant cell line-derived tumour formation in vivo. Co-treating patient and transgenic mouse lung-tissue-derived tumour organoids with AICAR and JAK1 and EGFR inhibitors reduced their growth.

Conclusions

AICAR represses the MUC1 activity in EGFR-mutant lung cancer, disrupting protein–protein interactions between MUC1-CT and JAK1 and EGFR.
Genome sequencing-based discovery of a novel deep intronic APC pathogenic variant causing exonization
Authors: Bozsik Anikó , Butz Henriett , Grolmusz Vince Kornél , Polgár Csaba , Patócs Attila , Papp János
Published: February 2023

Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) is a hereditary cancer syndrome that occurs as a result of germline mutations in the APC gene. Despite a clear clinical diagnosis of FAP, a certain proportion of the APC variants are not readily detectable through conventional genotyping routines. We accomplished genome sequencing in duo of the disease-affected proband and non-affected sibling followed by in silico predictions and a series of RNA-based assays clarifying variant functionality. By prioritizing variants obtained by genome sequencing, we discovered the novel deep intronic alteration APC:c.531 + 1482 A > G that was demonstrated to cause out-of-frame exonization of 56 base pairs from intron 5 of the gene. Further cDNA assays confirmed, that the aberrant splicing event was complete and its splice product was subject to nonsense-mediated decay. Co-segregation was observed between the variant carrier status and the disease phenotype. Cumulative evidence confirmed that APC:c.531 + 1482 A > G is a pathogenic variant causative of the disease.
Terminal hairpins improve protein expression in IRES-initiated mRNA in the absence of a cap and polyadenylated tail
Authors: Solodushko Victor , Fouty Brian
Published: February 2023

Synthesizing mRNA in vitro is a standard and simple procedure. Adding the 5′ cap and 3′ polyadenylated (poly(A)) tail to make this mRNA functional for use as a vaccine or therapy increases the time and cost of production and usually decreases the yield, however. We designed mRNA that lacked a cap and poly(A) tail but included an internal ribosomal entry site (IRES) to initiate protein translation. To protect the 5′ and 3′ ends of mRNA from exonucleases, we added stable terminal hairpins. When compared against typical mRNA (i.e., mRNA that contained a cap and poly(A) tail but lacked hairpins), expression of the delivered reporter protein in HEK293 cells was similar. Using a triple instead of a single hairpin at each end increased protein expression even more. This method has the potential to simplify the production and reduce the cost of synthesizing exogenous mRNA for use as biologics or vaccines.
Stabilizing electromagnons in CuO under pressure
Authors: Verseils M. , Hemme P. , Bounoua D. , Cervasio R. , Brubach J-B. , Houver S. , Gallais Y. , Sacuto A. , Colson D. , Iijima T. , Mochizuki M. , Roy P. , Cazayous M.
Published: February 2023

Electromagnons (Electroactive spin wave excitations) could prove to be decisive in information technologies but they remain fragile quantum objects, mainly existing at low temperatures. Any future technological application requires overcoming these two limitations. By means of synchrotron radiation infrared spectroscopy performed in the THz energy range and under hydrostatic pressure, we tracked the electromagnon in the cupric oxide CuO, despite its very low absorption intensity. We demonstrate how a low pressure of 3.3 GPa strongly increases the strength of the electromagnon and expands its existence to a large temperature range enhanced by 40 K. Accordingly, these two combined effects make the electromagnon of CuO under pressure a more ductile quantum object. Numerical simulations based on an extended Heisenberg model were combined to the Monte-Carlo technique and spin dynamics to account for the magnetic phase diagram of CuO. They enable to simulate the absorbance response of the CuO electromagnons in the THz range.
Curvilinear regression analysis of benzenoid hydrocarbons and computation of some reduced reverse degree based topological indices for hyaluronic acid-paclitaxel conjugates
Authors: Ravi Vignesh , Desikan Kalyani
Published: February 2023

Graph theoretical molecular descriptors alias topological indices are a convenient means for expressing in numerical form the chemical structure encoded in a molecular graph. The structure descriptors derived from molecular graphs are widely used in quantitative structure-property relationship (QSPR) and quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) studies. The reason for introducing new indices is to obtain predictions of target properties of considered molecules that are better than the predictions obtained using already known indices. In this paper, we apply the reduced reverse degree based indices introduced in 2021 by Vignesh et al. In the QSPR analysis, we first compute the reduced reverse degree based indices for a family of benzenoid hydrocarbon molecules and then we obtain the correlation with the Physico-chemical properties of the considered molecules. We show that all the properties taken into consideration for the benzenoid hydrocarbons can be very effectively predicted by the reduced reverse degree based indices. Also, we have compared the predictive capability of reduced reverse degree based topological descriptors against 16 existing degree based indices. Further, we compute the defined reduced reverse degree based topological indices for Hyaluronic Acid-Paclitaxel Conjugates $$(HAP)_{n}$$

(
H
A
P
)

n

, $$n \ge 1$$

n
≥
1

.
Genetic diversity of virus auxiliary metabolism genes associated with phosphorus metabolism in Napahai plateau wetland
Authors: Yu Hang , Xiong Lingling , Li Yanmei , Wei Yunlin , Zhang Qi , Li Haiyan , Chen Wei , Ji Xiuling
Published: February 2023

Viruses play important roles in ecosystems by interfering with the central metabolic pathways of the host during infection via the expression of auxiliary metabolic genes (AMGs), altering the productivity of ecosystems and thus affecting geochemical cycling. In this study, the genetic diversity of phosphorus metabolism AMGs phoH, phoU and pstS was investigated by phylogenetic analysis, PCoA analysis, and alpha diversity analysis based on metagenomic data. It was found that the majority of the sequences were unique to Napahai plateau wetland. It was shown that the genetic diversity of phoH, phoU and pstS genes was independent of both habitats and host origins. In addition, the metabolic pathway of AMGs associated with the phosphorus cycling was identified based on metagenomic data. When phosphorus is deficient, virus utilizes AMGs to affect the metabolic pathway, contributing to higher phosphorus levels in the host and facilitating virus survival, replication, and propagation in the host cell.
Enlightening the bimetallic effect of Au@Pd nanoparticles on Ni oxide nanostructures with enhanced catalytic activity
Authors: Bruno Luca , Scuderi Mario , Priolo Francesco , Falciola Luigi , Mirabella Salvo
Published: February 2023

Bimetallic decoration of semiconductor electrodes typically improves catalytic and sensing performances because of a well-claimed synergistic effect. A microscopic and quantitative investigation of such an effect on energy bands of semiconductor can be really useful for further exploitation. Au, Pd and Au@Pd (core@shell) nanoparticles (10–20 nm in size) were synthesized through chemical reduction method and characterized with scanning and transmission microscopy, Rutherford backscattering spectrometry, cyclic voltammetry electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and Mott–Schottky analysis. The nanoparticles have been used to decorate Ni-based nanostructured electrodes with the aim to quantitatively investigate the effect of decoration with mono or bimetallic nanoparticles. Decorated electrodes show higher redox currents than bare ones and a shift in redox peaks (up to 0.3 V), which can be ascribed to a more efficient electron transport and improved catalytic properties. These effects were satisfactorily modeled (COMSOL) employing a nano Schottky junction at the nanoparticle–semiconductor interface, pointing out large energy band bending (up to 0.4 eV), space charge region and local electric field (up to$${10}^{8}\mathrm{ V }{\mathrm{m}}^{-1}$$108Vm-1) in bimetallic decoration. Sensing test of glucose and H2O2by decorated Ni oxide electrodes were performed to consolidate our model. The presence of bimetallic nanoparticles enhances enormously the electrochemical performances of the material in terms of sensitivity, catalytic activity, and electrical transport. The modification of energy band diagram in semiconductor is analyzed and discussed also in terms of electron transfer during redox reactions.