bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A machine‐learning model of academic resilience in the times of the COVID‐19 pandemic: Evidence drawn from 79 countries/economies in the PISA 2022 mathematics study
Authors: Cheung Kwok‐cheung , Sit Pou‐seong , Zheng Jia‐qi , Lam Chi‐chio , Mak Soi‐kei , Ieong Man‐kai
Published: September 2024

Background

Given that students from socio‐economically disadvantaged family backgrounds are more likely to suffer from low academic performance, there is an interest in identifying features of academic resilience, which may mitigate the relationship between disadvantaged socio‐economic status and academic performance.

Aims

This study sought to combine machine learning and explainable artificial intelligence (XAI) technique to identify key features of academic resilience in mathematics learning during COVID‐19.

Materials and Methods

Based on PISA 2022 data in 79 countries/economies, the random forest model coupled with Shapley additive explanations (SHAP) value technique not only uncovered the key features of academic resilience but also examined the contributions of each key feature.

Results

Findings indicated that 35 features were identified in the classification of academically resilient and non‐academically resilient students, which largely validated the previous academic resilient framework. Notably, gender differences were shown in the distribution of some key features. Research findings also indicated that resilient students tended to have a stable emotional state, high levels of self‐efficacy, low levels of truancy and positive future aspirations.

Discussion

This study has established a research paradigm essentially methodological in nature to bridge the gap between psychological theories and big data in the field of educational psychology.

Conclusion

To sum up, our study shed light on the issues of education equity and quality from a global perspective in the times of the COVID‐19 pandemic.
Re‐vaccination against SARS‐CoV‐2 in allogeneic HSCT patients: Repeated primary vaccine doses increase seroconversion rates
Authors: Tsoutsoukis Marios , Anthias Chloe , Easdale Sandra , Nicholson Emma
Published: September 2024

Patients with haematological malignancies often exhibit reduced antibody responses to severe acute respiratory syndrome‐related coronavirus vaccines, especially those who have undergone allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Limited data exist on vaccine efficacy in this group. In a retrospective analysis of 75 post‐HSCT patients, we assessed serologic responses to one to four doses of Pfizer‐BioNTech (PB), AstraZeneca (AZ) or Moderna (MU) vaccines within 2 years post‐transplant. Seroconversion rates were 50.7%, 78%, 79% and 83% after the first to fourth doses respectively. The median time from allograft to first re‐vaccination was 145 days (range 79–700). Failure to respond to the first vaccine dose was linked to acute GVHD (p = 0.042) and rituximab treatment within 12 months (p = 0.019). A trend was observed with chronic GVHD and seroconversion failure after the second (p = 0.07) and third (p = 0.09) doses. Patients vaccinated before HSCT showed better antibody responses post‐transplant (p = 0.019). Coronavirus disease 2019 incidence was 16%, with 17% hospitalized and one death (8%). Despite low initial seroconversion rates post‐HSCT, antibody responses improved after the second dose. Early full re‐vaccination and boosters post‐HSCT are recommended to reduce mortality. Rituximab use and active GVHD were identified as risk factors, warranting further investigation.
Trans‐crestal dental implants in the rehabilitation of a severely atrophic maxilla: A retrospective case series
Authors: Agliardi Enrico Luigi , Romeo Davide , Panigatti Stefano , D'Orto Bianca , Agliardi Jacopo , Gherlone Enrico , Del Fabbro Massimo
Published: September 2024

Purpose

To evaluate the mid‐term clinical and radiographic results of immediate fixed full‐arch prosthesis supported by two anterior axial and two posterior trans‐crestally placed tilted implants in patients with severely atrophic posterior maxilla.

Materials and methods

Patients with posterior maxillary ridge less than 4 mm high and 3 mm wide were rehabilitated with an immediate fixed provisional prosthesis supported by two anterior axially placed and two trans‐crestal posterior tilted implants within 3 h after implant surgery. The final prosthesis, consisting of a CAD‐CAM titanium framework and composite teeth was delivered 6 months later. Patients were scheduled for follow‐up visits every 6 months to assess clinical and radiological parameters. Patients' satisfaction was assessed by a questionnaire up to 5 years.

Results

From April 2008 to May 2017, 56 implants (28 axial and 28 tilted) were inserted in 14 subjects (eight female and six male). The average bone loss for the anterior axial implants was 0.99 ± 0.19 mm at 1 year (n = 28 implants), 1.37 ± 0.31 mm at 5 years (n = 28), and 2.05 ± 0.32 mm at 10 years (n = 14). Only for three implants in two subjects the marginal bone loss was higher than 2 mm after 60 months. No implant was lost, and no prosthetic failure occurred after a mean follow‐up of 125 months (range 79–186 months), leading to 100% implant and prosthesis survival rates. The upper 95% confidence limit of the failure rate was 23% and 6% at patient and implant level, respectively. High level of satisfaction was reported at 5‐year follow‐up.

Conclusion

Wider sample sizes will be required to determine whether the presented technique is a reliable treatment option for the immediate rehabilitation of the atrophic maxilla.
Future workplace reimagination: A multiscenario analysis on entrepreneurial small and medium internationalisers
Authors: Mahdiraji Hannan Amoozad , Yaftiyan Fatemeh , Sadeghi Vahid J. , Vrontis Demetris
Published: September 2024

This paper aims to encounter the scholarly demand for comprehensive identification and investigation of the factors that highlight the sense of the “workplace of the future.” Besides, this study sheds in‐depth qualitative and quantitative insights into analysing such drivers in international entrepreneurial small and medium enterprises of emerging economies like Iran. A mixed method of systematic literature review and hesitant triangular fuzzy Delphi was initially employed to identify and finalise the significant factors. Afterwards, the causal level‐based relationship network and the finalised factors' power map were accomplished for three distinct scenarios (i.e., the pessimistic, probable and optimistic conditions). To this end, a novel integration of hesitant triangular fuzzy sets and interpretive structural modelling‐matrix‐based multiplication applied to a classification was designed and applied. As a result, future workplace concerns were systematically reviewed. From the initial list of 34 factors, eight were selected from the perspective of three panels of experts (15 international entrepreneurs) as the most crucial for international small and medium enterprises due to implementing the hesitant triangular fuzzy sets. Furthermore, the selected factors were categorised and levelled according to the novel interpretive structural modelling‐matrix‐based multiplication applied to a classification method developed in this article. Accordingly, for each scenario studied, from low to high uncertainty and indeterminacy, a separate conceptual model illustrating the relationship among the factors propelling the reimagining of the future of the workplace was presented.
The repertoire of G‐protein‐coupled receptor variations in the Japanese population 54KJPN
Authors: Ikuta Tatsuya , Suzuki Riko , Inoue Asuka
Published: September 2024

G‐protein‐coupled receptors (GPCRs) are the largest superfamily in the human genome and the major targets for the market drugs. Recent massive genomics studies revealed numerous natural variations in the general population. 54KJPN is the most extensive Japanese population genomics study, curating the whole genome sequences from about 54,000 individuals. Here, by analyzing 390 non‐olfactory GPCR genes in the 54KJPN dataset, we annotated 25,443 missense single‐nucleotide variations. Among them, we found 120 major variations that appear with an allele frequency greater than 0.5, including variations that occurred on posttranslational modification sites. Structural alignment of GPCRs using the generic numbering system in the GPCRdb reveals enrichment of alterations in the conserved arginine residue within the DRY motif, which contributes to downstream G‐protein signaling. A comparison with the worldwide 1000 Genomes Project (1KGP) dataset found 23 variations that were present exclusively in the 54KJPN dataset. This study will be the basis for future pharmacogenomics studies for the Japanese population.
Exploring Consumer Experiences of Barriers and Enablers to Accessing Rehabilitation That Meets Their Needs: The Rehabilitation Choices Study, Part 2—Consumer Perspectives
Authors: Mason Gillian , Ribbons Karen , Bailey Lucy , O'Malley Adrian , Ward Tracy , Ward Stephen , Pollack Michael , Walker Frederick R. , Nilsson Michael , Hodyl Nicolette
Published: September 2024

Introduction

Improved access to rehabilitation is highlighted as a key pathway to achieving the World Health Organisation's (WHO) goal of ensuring healthy lives and promoting well‐being for all (Sustainable Development Goal 3). This article is the second in a two‐part series outlining the findings from the Rehabilitation Choices study, which aimed to identify how health professionals and consumers in Australia are informed to make decisions about rehabilitation, and their experience with barriers and enablers to accessing that rehabilitation. In this study, we present the perspectives of consumers with different health conditions and a range of experiences with rehabilitation services.

Methods

This was a qualitative study using focus groups and semi‐structured interviews. People with self‐reported lived experience of rehabilitation and carers were recruited using maximum variation sampling. Thematic analysis of data was conducted using an inductive approach.

Results

Fifty‐six consumers with diverse lived experiences of rehabilitation (19–80 years, 49 patients, 7 carers) participated in focus groups and interviews to discuss how they sourced information about rehabilitation and their experiences of what made it hard or easy to access rehabilitative care to meet their needs. Four themes were produced from the data: (1) service‐centricity of options limits access, (2) access is the patient's responsibility, (3) enabling decision‐making about rehabilitation with appropriate information and (4) provision of a psychologically safe environment.

Conclusions

Any planned (re)design of services to improve consumer access to rehabilitation should consider the themes identified in this study. This will ensure that consumers are provided with rehabilitation options that suit their holistic and unique needs beyond consideration of their medical diagnoses, and are actively supported to navigate this access, provided with information to help them make informed choices and provided a psychologically safe environment to engage effectively with rehabilitation.

Patient or Public Contribution

Three consumer research partners with lived experience of rehabilitation as patients or carers were core team members. They were involved in the design and implementation of the recruitment and communications strategies, design of the interview approach and discussion guide, contributed to the interpretation and contextualisation of findings and writing of this manuscript and are included as co‐authors (A. O., T. W. and S. W.).
Inhibition of circular JUN prevents the proliferation and invasion of glioblastoma via miR‐3064‐IGFBP5 axis
Authors: Zhang Yuhao , Liu Shiming , Wu Cheng , Gao Xin , Zhao Hongtao , Li Ou , Gao Faliang
Published: September 2024

Glioblastoma (GBM) remains one of the most aggressive and lethal brain tumours, characterized by rapid progression and limited treatment options. This study investigated the regulatory roles of circular RNA circJUN, and its functional interaction with microRNA miR‐3064 in GBM pathogenesis. We employed bioinformatic analyses and clinical sample validation to identify circJUN as a potential target in GBM. Subsequently, we engineered GBM cell lines with stable circJUN knockout or overexpression, and transfected them with miR‐3064 mimic/inhibitor or IGFBP5 small interfering RNA (siRNA)/expression vector to elucidate the molecular mechanisms governing GBM proliferation and invasion. To investigate the in vivo effects, xenograft tumour models were established in nude mice using engineered cells to assess the roles of circJUN in tumour growth regulation. Our analyses revealed significant overexpression of circJUN in GBM tissues compared to healthy controls, which strongly correlated with poor patient prognosis. In vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrated that circJUN overexpression could enhance GBM cell proliferation and invasion. Mechanistic investigations uncovered EIF4A3 as an interacting factor of circJUN which promotes circJUN expression, and circJUN modulates miR‐3064 activity to regulate the malignancy of GBM cells. Furthermore, we identified IGFBP5, a crucial regulator of cell growth, as a direct target of miR‐3064, thereby establishing an additional layer of control over GBM proliferation and invasion. Our study unveils a complex regulatory network involving circJUN, miR‐3064 and IGFBP5 in GBM pathogenesis, underscoring their potential as novel therapeutic targets for improving patient outcomes. Our findings not only contribute to the understanding of GBM biology but also pave the way for innovative therapeutic approaches in the management of this malignancy.
Thurstonian Models for the Duo‐Trio and Its Variants
Authors: Bi Jian , Kuesten Carla
Published: September 2024

The duo‐trio is one of the basic sensory discrimination methods. There are various variants of the duo‐trio including the double duo‐trio (DDT), the dual reference duo‐trio (DRDT), the paired duo‐trio with AB and BA pairs (PDTAB), and the paired duo‐trio with same (AA or BB) and different (AB or BA) pairs (PDTSD). Thurstonian models, that is, psychometric functions for the duo‐trio and its four variants, DDT, DRDT, PDTAB, and PDTSD, are reviewed and developed in this paper. The theorized performances, that is, statistical powers of the four variants were explored and compared with the conventional duo‐trio. R codes are developed and provided for analyses of the data of the duo‐trio and its variants.
Neurolymphomatosis mimicking a Guillain–Barré syndrome triggered by COVID‐19 vaccination
Authors: Colombo Daniele , Falasca Laura , Monardo Francesca , D'Ambrosio Mario , Di Napoli Arianna , Salerno Antonio , Del Nonno Franca , Comanducci Giovanna
Published: September 2024

Guillain–Barré syndrome (GBS) is an acute disorder of the peripheral nervous system, causing flaccid paralysis, areflexia, and variable sensory involvement. Proximal as well distal muscles of the limbs can be involved, and in most severe and advanced cases progresses to respiratory failure and death. GBS is considered an autoimmune disease, and at the basis of the attack at the peripheral nervous system different mechanisms have been recognized, in particular viral infections or other immune stimulations. Cranial nerve involvement in patients with diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and primary central nervous system lymphoma are rare conditions that could present with similar clinical features. Here we present a case of a 36‐year‐old man hospitalized for acute polyradiculoneuritis of the cranial nerves and lumbar roots that arose a 14 days after severe acute respiratory syndrome COVID‐19 2 (Sars‐CoV‐2) vaccination. Most of the main criteria for the diagnosis of GBS were met, including clinical and electrophysiological criteria. Albuminocytologic dissociation and high protein level in cerebrospinal fluid were also found. Therefore, the patient was treated with a cycle of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) with notable improvement of symptoms and gradual recovery of motility. A five months later, following SARS‐CoV‐2 infection, the patient presented with worsening of neurological symptoms and was readmitted to the hospital. He underwent instrumental tests again and was treated with repeated cycles of IVIG and then with a cycle of plasmapheresis without any improvement. In the following 10 days he developed very serious conditions; he was transferred to intensive care unit and deceased after 6 days. The cause of the neurological syndrome was determined only after autoptic analysis, which revealed the presence of primary peripheral nervous system (PNS) DLBCL. The reported case highlights that GBS‐like presentation always requires a careful differential diagnosis, and physicians should also consider the possibility of an occult cancer.
Application of Intraoperative Individualized Cup Combination—Cup‐on‐Cup Technique in Severe Acetabular Defects
Authors: Li Weihua , Liu Daobi , Liu Xuqiang , Li Xiaofeng
Published: September 2024

This study aimed to investigate the application of the cup‐on‐cup technique in revision total hip arthroplasty (THA) and report clinical and radiographic outcomes from a series of case follow‐ups. Retrospective analysis of 10 patients who underwent acetabular prosthesis revision with cup‐on‐cup technique. According to the Paprosky classification of acetabular bone defects, there were 2 cases of type II C, 3 cases of type III A, and 5 cases of type III B. The average follow‐up was 54.8 ± 5.1 months, and the Harris score of the hip joint increased from 37.0 ± 9.9 preoperatively to 80.5 ± 3.1 postoperatively at the final follow‐up (p < 0.001). Comparing the surgical side's hip center of rotation (COR) to the contralateral side, the preoperative average upward displacement was 33.8 ± 15.0 mm, while the postoperative average upward displacement was 0.2 ± 3.3 mm (p < 0.001). Similarly, the preoperative average inward displacement was 9.1 ± 5.1 mm, while the postoperative average outward displacement was 1.8 ± 1.6 mm (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference (p = 0.71) between the average density values of the contralateral and surgical sides at the final follow‐up, which were 127.4 ± 13.7 and 125.0 ± 14.8, respectively. During the follow‐up period, all patients achieved satisfactory radiographic outcomes, and no prosthetic loosening was observed. The cup‐on‐cup technique can reconstruct acetabular bone defects and restore hip COR in revision THA, with favorable clinical and radiographic outcomes.
Utility of Cardiac Magnetic Resonance in Assessing Arrhythmic Risk in Patients With Nonischemic Cardiomyopathy Undergoing Biventricular Pacing
Authors: El‐Damaty Ahmed , Sayed Mohamed , El‐Maghawry Mohamed , Kandil Hossam , Hassan Mohamed
Published: September 2024

Background

Nonischemic cardiomyopathy (NICM) is responsible for approximately one‐third of heart failure and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Recent data suggested the lack of mortality reduction from adding a defibrillator to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) in all patients with NICM. Myocardial fibrosis detected by cardiac magnetic resonance late gadolinium enhancement (CMR‐LGE) can help risk stratify patients who would benefit from adding a defibrillator to CRT in this patient population.

Objectives

We aim to assess the relationship between the presence of myocardial fibrosis detected by CMR‐LGE and the rate of major arrhythmic events (MAE) that included sustained ventricular tachycardia (VT), appropriate cardiac resynchronization therapy‐defibrillator (CRT‐D) intervention, ventricular fibrillation (VF), and sudden cardiac death (SCD) in patients with NICM undergoing CRT and to compare all‐cause mortality and heart failure improvement between patients receiving cardiac resynchronization therapy‐pacing (CRT‐P) versus those receiving CRT‐D based on the presence of myocardial fibrosis.

Methods

All consecutive patients with NICM satisfying a guideline‐directed indication for CRT implantation were included in the study after excluding patients who refused to consent, patients with acute decompensated heart failure, and those contraindicated for a cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR). Patients were divided into two groups based on the presence of fibrosis in cardiac MRI: the LGE/CRT‐D group and the No LGE/CRT‐P group. They
were then followed for 1 year.

Results

Sixty patients were enrolled. Sixteen patients (26.6%) developed MAE during the study duration, among those patients, seven had myocardial fibrosis (receiving CRT‐D as per protocol), while nine had no myocardial fibrosis (receiving CRT‐P as per protocol), (41.2% vs. 20.9%, p = 0.045). The presence of CMR‐LGE, regardless of the extent and distribution, predicted MAE with an odds ratio of 2.6 (CI = 1.78–8.9, p = 0.04). The presence of ≥7.5% of myocardial fibrosis by CMR was associated with 54% sensitivity and 100% specificity for MAE in the study population. All‐cause mortality was significantly higher in the No LGE/CRT‐P group versus the LGE/CRT‐D group (15 [34.9%] vs. 2 [11.8%], p = 0.076).

Conclusion

In patients with NICM candidates for biventricular pacing, the presence of LGE on CMR, irrespective of the extent or segmental pattern, is independently associated with an MAE and is associated with worse heart failure outcomes. However, the absence of LGE did not rule out MAE, and implanting CRT‐P based on lack of fibrosis may result in higher all‐cause mortality.
Maternal social deprivation and preterm birth: The PreCARE cohort study
Authors: Gottardi Elsa , Lorthe Elsa , Schmitz Thomas , Mandelbrot Laurent , Luton Dominique , Estellat Candice , Azria Elie
Published: September 2024

Background

Maternal exposure to unfavourable social conditions is associated with a higher rate of perinatal complications, such as placental vascular pathologies. A higher risk of preterm birth (PTB) has also been reported, and variations across studies and settings suggest that different patterns may be involved in this association.

Objective

To assess the association between maternal social deprivation and PTB (overall and by phenotype).

Methods

We analysed 9365 patients included in the PreCARE cohort study. Four dimensions (social isolation, insecure housing, no income from work and absence of standard health insurance) defined maternal social deprivation (exposure). They were considered separately and combined into a social deprivation index (SDI). The associations between social deprivation and PTB <37 weeks (primary outcome) were analysed with univariable and multivariable log‐binomial models (adjusted for maternal age, parity, education level and birthplace). Then we used multinomial analysis to examine the association with preterm birth phenotypes (secondary outcome): spontaneous labour, preterm prelabour rupture of membranes (PPROM) and placental vascular pathologies.

Results

In all, 66.3%, 17.8%, 8.9% and 7.0% of patients had an SDI of 0, 1, 2 and 3, respectively. Social isolation affected 4.5% of the patients, insecure housing 15.5%, no income from work 15.6% and no standard health insurance 22.4%. Preterm birth complicated 7.0% of pregnancies (39.8% spontaneous labour, 28.3% PPROM, 21.8% placental vascular pathologies and 10.1% other phenotypes). Neither the univariable nor multivariable analyses found any association between social deprivation and the risk of preterm birth overall (SDI 1 versus 0: aRR 1.02, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.83, 1.26; 2 versus 0: aRR 1.05, 95% CI 0.80, 1.38; 3 versus 0: aRR 0.92, 95% CI 0.66, 1.29) or its different phenotypes.

Conclusions

In the French PreCARE cohort, we observed no association between markers of social deprivation and the risk of preterm birth, regardless of phenotype.
I paid into it with every paycheck I earned: How benefit type and beneficiary contributions shape attitudes about increasing or decreasing administrative burdens for social protections
Authors: Haeder Simon F. , Sylvester Steven
Published: September 2024

Administrative burdens are an important policy tool that has received growing scholarly attention. Burdens are consequential and serve as a contributor to incomplete program take‐up. However, our knowledge is limited on how program characteristics affect public attitudes toward burden‐increasing or decreasing policies. Based on our knowledge of public attitudes toward the welfare state, two such characteristics, whether benefits are “earned” and whether they come in the form of in‐kind services or cash payments, may also affect perceptions of administrative burdens. Using a nationally representative survey (N = 2904), we tested support for two administrative burdens (in‐person interviews and requirements for government‐issued documents) and two administrative easings (presumptive eligibility and express lane eligibility) for Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) in the United States. In general, we found no strong and consistent differences along both dimensions. However, Republicans, Conservatives, and those high in racial resentment consistently favored increasing burdens and opposed decreasing burdens with the opposite effect for Democrats, Liberals, and those low in racial resentment. Americans supported administrative burdens in the form of documentation requirements across all programs. However, they were open to burden decreases.
Bivariate GWA mapping reveals associations between aliphatic glucosinolates and plant responses to thrips and heat stress
Authors: Arouisse Bader , Thoen Manus P.M. , Kruijer Willem , Kunst Jonathan F. , Jongsma Maarten A. , Keurentjes Joost J.B. , Kooke Rik , de Vos Ric C.H. , Mumm Roland , van Eeuwijk Fred A. , Dicke Marcel , Kloth Karen J.
Published: September 2024

Although plants harbor a huge phytochemical diversity, only a fraction of plant metabolites is functionally characterized. In this work, we aimed to identify the genetic basis of metabolite functions during harsh environmental conditions in Arabidopsis thaliana. With machine learning algorithms we predicted stress‐specific metabolomes for 23 (a)biotic stress phenotypes of 300 natural Arabidopsis accessions. The prediction models identified several aliphatic glucosinolates (GLSs) and their breakdown products to be implicated in responses to heat stress in siliques and herbivory by Western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis. Bivariate GWA mapping of the metabolome predictions and their respective (a)biotic stress phenotype revealed genetic associations with MAM, AOP, and GS‐OH, all three involved in aliphatic GSL biosynthesis. We, therefore, investigated thrips herbivory on AOP, MAM, and GS‐OH loss‐of‐function and/or overexpression lines. Arabidopsis accessions with a combination of MAM2 and AOP3, leading to 3‐hydroxypropyl dominance, suffered less from thrips feeding damage. The requirement of MAM2 for this effect could, however, not be confirmed with an introgression line of ecotypes Cvi and Ler, most likely due to other, unknown susceptibility factors in the Ler background. However, AOP2 and GS‐OH, adding alkenyl or hydroxy‐butenyl groups, respectively, did not have major effects on thrips feeding. Overall, this study illustrates the complex implications of aliphatic GSL diversity in plant responses to heat stress and a cell‐content‐feeding herbivore.
Integrating multiregulatory analysis reveals the negative regulatory function of miR482a in the response of poplar to canker pathogen infection
Authors: Yang Xiaoqian , Yu Ruen , Liu Jiahao , Xiao Dandan , Wang Chun , Fu Tiantian , Yang Yuzhang , Rong Kaijing , Wang Yanwei
Published: September 2024

Canker disease caused by the bacterium Lonsdalea populi is one of the most destructive diseases affecting poplar stems. However, the detailed stress response mechanisms of poplar have not been widely characterized. To explore the diverse regulatory RNA landscape and the function of key regulators in poplar subjected to L. populi stress, we integrated time‐course experiment with mock‐inoculation (CK) and inoculation (IN) with L. populi at the first, third, and sixth day (IN1, IN3, IN6) on Populus × euramericana cv. ‘74/76’ (107), small RNA‐seq, whole transcriptome‐wide analysis, degradome analysis and transgenic experiments. A total of 98 differentially expressed (DE) miRNA, 17 974 DEmRNA, and 807 DElncRNA were identified in poplar infected by L. populi, presenting dynamic changes over the infection course. Regulatory networks among RNAs were further constructed. Notably, a network centered on ptc‐miR482a in CK‐vs‐IN3 contained most DEGs. We show that miR482a and miR1448 are located in one transcript as a polycistron. Overexpression of pre‐miR482a‐miR1448 (OX482‐1448) and pre‐miR482a (OX482) increased poplar susceptibility to canker pathogen with reduced accumulation of reactive oxygen species, while the suppression of miR482a (STTM482) conferred poplar disease resistance. PHA7 was validated as the target of miR482a with degradome sequencing and tobacco transient co‐transformation, its expression being downregulated in OX482‐1448 and OX482 lines. Additionally, a series of phasiRNAs were triggered by miR482a targeting PHA7, forming regulatory cascades with more RLP, NBS‐LRR, and PK genes, further verifying the defense function of miR482a. These findings provide insights for understanding the roles of ncRNAs and regulatory networks involved in poplar immunity.
Dual ablation of the RyR2‐Ser2808 and RyR2‐Ser2814 sites increases propensity for pro‐arrhythmic spontaneous Ca2+ releases
Authors: Janicek Radoslav , Camors Emmanuel M. , Potenza Duilio M. , Fernandez‐Tenorio Miguel , Zhao Yanting , Dooge Holly C. , Loaiza Randall , Alvarado Francisco J. , Egger Marcel , Valdivia Hector H. , Niggli Ernst
Published: September 2024

During exercise or stress, the sympathetic system stimulates cardiac contractility via β‐adrenergic receptor (β‐AR) activation, resulting in phosphorylation of the cardiac ryanodine receptor (RyR2). Three RyR2 phosphorylation sites have taken prominence in excitation–contraction coupling: S2808 and S2030 are described as protein kinase A specific and S2814 as a Ca2+/calmodulin kinase type‐2‐specific site. To examine the contribution of these phosphosites to Ca2+ signalling, we generated double knock‐in (DKI) mice in which Ser2808 and Ser2814 phosphorylation sites have both been replaced by alanine (RyR2‐S2808A/S2814A). These mice did not exhibit an overt phenotype. Heart morphology and haemodynamic parameters were not altered. However, they had a higher susceptibility to arrhythmias. We performed confocal Ca2+ imaging and electrophysiology experiments. Isoprenaline was used to stimulate β‐ARs. Measurements of Ca2+ waves and latencies in myocytes revealed an increased propensity for spontaneous Ca2+ releases in DKI myocytes, both in control conditions and during β‐AR stimulation. In DKI cells, waves were initiated from a lower threshold concentration of Ca2+ inside the sarcoplasmic reticulum, suggesting higher Ca2+ sensitivity of the RyRs. The refractoriness of Ca2+ spark triggering depends on the Ca2+ sensitivity of the RyR2. We found that RyR2‐S2808A/S2814A channels were more Ca2+ sensitive in control conditions. Isoprenaline further shortened RyR refractoriness in DKI cardiomyocytes. Together, our results suggest that ablation of both the RyR2‐Ser2808 and RyR2‐S2814 sites increases the propensity for pro‐arrhythmic spontaneous Ca2+ releases, as previously suggested for hyperphosphorylated RyRs. Given that the DKI cells present a full response to isoprenaline, the data suggest that phosphorylation of Ser2030 might be sufficient for β‐AR‐mediated sensitization of RyRs.

image

Key points

Phosphorylation of cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+‐release channels (ryanodine receptors, RyRs) is involved in the regulation of cardiac function.

Ablation of both the RyR2‐Ser2808 and RyR2‐Ser2814 sites increases the propensity for pro‐arrhythmic spontaneous Ca2+ releases, as previously suggested for hyperphosphorylated RyRs.

The intra‐sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ threshold for spontaneous Ca2+ wave generation is lower in RyR2‐double‐knock‐in cells.

The RyR2 from double‐knock‐in cells exhibits increased Ca2+ sensitivity.

Phosphorylation of Ser2808 and Ser2814 might be important for basal activity of the channel.

Phosphorylation of Ser2030 might be sufficient for a β‐adrenergic response.
GENETIC DIVERSITY AND POPULATION STRUCTURE OF JUNIPERUS SERAVSCHANICA KOM. IN CENTRAL ASIA REVEALED BY MICROSATELLITE MARKERS
Authors: Yermagambetova M.M. , Almerekova S.S. , Abugalieva S.I. , Turginov O. , Sultangaziev O. , Turuspekov Y.K.
Published: September 2024

Juniperus seravschanica Kom. is a widely distributed and significant tree species in Central Asia, thriving in the mountain ranges from Oman to Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan. It plays a vital role in forming shrub-forest massifs in mountainous regions, contributing to soil drainage and stabilization at medium to high altitudes. To gain a detailed understanding of the current status of J. seravschanica and to develop effective conservation strategies, a comprehensive study of the species' genetic diversity and population structure was conducted.
Leaf samples were collected from 15 J. seravschanica populations across Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan to assess genetic diversity and population structure. Using 11 polymorphic simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers, genetic diversity parameters such as the number of alleles, the number of effective alleles, the percentage of polymorphic loci, and Nei's genetic diversity index were evaluated. Nei's genetic diversity index for J. seravschanica populations averaged 0.450, ranging from 0.407 to 0.566. The AMOVA revealed that 90.3% of the total genetic variation was within populations, indicating a high level of genetic diversity within each population. Gene flow, calculated using alleles from all populations, was estimated at 4.654. Population structure analysis showed weak clustering among the studied populations, supporting the AMOVA findings.
This study provides valuable insights into the genetic diversity and population structure of J. seravschanica in Central Asia. The high genetic diversity within populations suggests a strong adaptive capacity to environmental changes. These findings can be effectively utilized to develop conservation strategies for J. seravschanica, ensuring the long-term sustainability of this important tree species in Central Asia.
This work was supported by Grant No.AP09259027 of the Science Committee of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
PLASTID GENOME SEQUENCING OF TULIPA SPECIES FROM KAZAKHSTAN: INSIGHTS INTO GENOMIC STRUCTURE, REPEATS, NUCLEOTIDE DIVERSITY, AND PHYLOGENETIC RELATIONSHIPS
Authors: Almerekova S. , Yermagambetova M. , Ivaschenko A. , Turuspekov Y. , Abugalieva S.
Published: September 2024

We sequenced and analyzed the plastid genomes of Tulipa species using the Illumina NovaSeq 6000 platform. The plastomes exhibited a typical quadripartite structure with LSC, SSC, and IR regions, displaying a GC content ranging from 36.63% to 36.69%. Gene annotation revealed 136 genes across all species, including 80 protein-coding, 30 tRNA, and 4 rRNA genes. Repeat sequence analysis identified simple sequence repeats, predominantly mononucleotide repeats, and long repeat types, with palindromic repeats being the most abundant. Nucleotide diversity analysis indicated protein-coding genes with high variability. Phylogenetic analysis based on nucleotide sequences of complete plastid genomes grouped the species into three main clades corresponding to Tulipa subgenera. This study provides insights into the plastid genome structure, repeat sequences, and phylogenetic relationships in Tulipa, highlighting the potential of the ycf1 gene as a DNA barcode for Tulipa species.
This research was funded by the Science Committee of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan (Grant No. AP14870612).
Cementerio General de San Salvador: de personajes y monumentos. Su origen, crecimiento y evolución con la ciudad y la sociedad. Reflexión y futuro del cementerio como patrimonio cultural
Authors: Melara Martínez Mario Alberto
Published: September 2024

Los cementerios en Latinoamérica describen fielmente a la sociedad que los construye y a la ciudad que los contiene. Esta es una premisa abordada en investigaciones de diferente naturaleza sobre espacios mortuorios. A ésta se referirá el artículo y mostrará cómo se aplica al caso del Cementerio General de San Salvador. A partir del análisis sobre la consolidación de su espacio, en semejanza y relación directa a la ciudad y sociedad, se explicará el papel que en ello jugaron gobernantes, organizaciones cívicas, grupos sociales, económicos y políticos, y las variables que incidieron en su paulatina monumentalización y patrimonialización, entendida la primera como el inicio del culto nacional y la aparición de sus respectivos monumentos y espacios conmemorativos, y la segunda como un proceso de masificación del espacio mortuorio en el que conviven lo monumental y lo popular cuyo contraste favorece el discurso patrimonial y valores de consumo, y en el cual se percibe una realidad física de decadencia junto a la presencia de nuevos grupos y condición humana que insuflan vitalidad y resignifican el espacio. Se evidencia desde un inicio el claro afán institucionalizador de los gobiernos y la mirada intencional, colaboradora, siempre retrospectiva y sublimante de los distintos grupos hacia el pasado, tanto más idealizado en cuanto más lejos se encuentra del punto de referencia del observador. Al llegar al momento actual se analizará como la memoria, ciertos juicios de valor, aspectos administrativos, iniciativas consumistas y actitudes de cultura política y ciudadana son inherentes al estado actual de desamparo, continuo expolio y deterioro del lugar. Se evidencia el papel anónimo de los que hacen algo por mantener este espacio privilegiado para el futuro y se dan luces sobre lo que el cementerio, en el contexto salvadoreño, es y puede llegar a ser a partir de algunas líneas esenciales para potenciar su significado.
Bat Sound y Chiroptera: dos experiencias de divulgación de la ciencia por medio del arte
Authors: Jaramillo Rodríguez Santiago , Úsuga Holguín Estefanía
Published: September 2024

Colombia es el segundo país del mundo con mayor variedad de murciélagos, 209 de las 1.400 especies que existen habitan en su territorio. Las investigaciones que aquí se presentan buscan visibilizar la importancia de los quirópteros para los múltiples ecosistemas en los que actúan y mejorar la percepción que los habitantes de las regiones tienen sobre ellos. Los productos artísticos desarrollados incentivan la apropiación sociocultural de la información científica y los saberes populares relacionados con los murciélagos.
Tejidos audiovisuales y poéticas radicales: Organización y lucha de pueblos indígenas en el cine colombiano
Authors: Cristancho Altuzarra José Gabriel
Published: September 2024

Este artículo presenta resultados de una investigación que estudió las producciones cinematográficas Nuestra voz de tierra, memoria y futuro y Quintín Lame. Raíz de pueblos, para identificar elementos alternativos a los regímenes audiovisuales construidos sobre lo indígena por las industrias culturales hegemónicas. El trabajo parte ubicando los regímenes audiovisuales sobre lo indígena en el marco de la colonialidad en el contexto contemporáneo. A partir de esto, se analizan las dos películas, identificando los procesos organizativos de pueblos indígenas colombianos desde las primeras décadas del siglo XX como contexto de su realización; y se expone cómo las dos producciones entrelazan como un tejido la agencia comunicativa con una perspectiva estético-poética radical que cuestiona la explotación sobre los pueblos indígenas y explicita su capacidad de construcción de conciencia política y voluntad colectiva, fortaleciendo su memoria e identidad, las lenguas y culturas propias, la recuperación de territorios y la reivindicación de sus derechos.
La democracia digital
Authors: Galindo Vácha Juan Carlos
Published: September 2024

El presente artículo surge del trabajo de investigación doctoral que el autor adelantó en la Universidad de Salamanca y que culminó en 2024, cuya tesis sirvió de base fundamental para su preparación. El objetivo del escrito es analizar la realidad actual del modo político democrático, a la luz de los avances tecnológicos, para constatar si los adelantos electrónicos obtenidos por la humanidad en las últimas décadas han tenido un impacto en este sistema de organización política. La metodología utilizada incluyó una investigación teórica sobre los modelos políticos, los desarrollos de la tecnología y luego un análisis prospectivo para proponer una descripción teórica de lo que deben entenderse por democracia digital y sus elementos, así como una verificación de los beneficios y riesgos que generan los hitos técnicos de la actualidad sobre la democracia. La conclusión fundamental es que el estadio de la democracia participativa ha migrado hoy a un nivel superior, el de la democracia digital, en el que la tecnología está brindando nuevos instrumentos de participación política. Asimismo, este nuevo modelo ha abierto los canales de participación social, económica y política a nuevos actores diferentes a los ciudadanos (menores de edad, personas jurídicas), aquellos que cuenten con las herramientas tecnológicas de comunicación y de interacción electrónica.
Modelling and Simulation of Steam Carnot Battery With Electric-Thermal Complementarity
Authors: Zhao Quan , Lin Xiaojie , Xu Jiahao
Published: September 2024

The energy consumption in China’s industrial terminals includes electricity, steam, and compressed air, with electricity and steam being the primary carriers. To achieve the peak carbon emission in the industrial sector, it is essential to address the challenges of energy storage and steam production in industrial parks. Utilizing a novel energy storage technology known as the Carnot battery, which operates on thermodynamic cycles, this method addresses the mismatch between production demands and traditional energy conversion equipment within industrial parks. When electricity generation exceeds demand, the surplus is converted into thermal energy for storage. In times of insufficient energy supply, stored thermal energy is utilized to drive a heat engine for power generation or directly supply heat to the surroundings. This paper introduces a steam Carnot battery based on sensible heat storage, capable of utilizing green electricity from industrial parks for charging and achieving the output of both electricity and steam during discharge. The EBSILON model of the steam Carnot battery is constructed to investigate steam output, round trip efficiency, and Coefficient of Performance (COP) under different configurations. The results indicate that reciprocating efficiency increases with the number of steam compression stages, reaching a maximum of 43.95%. At this state, the COP is 3.07, and the system can output steam at 150°C.
Formulating a Meteorological Year for Modeling Solar PV and Wind Turbine Electricity Harvest and Hydrogen Storage to Meet Electricity Demand in a Yearly Cycle
Authors: Alfulayyih Yasir , Li Peiwen , Gwesha Ammar
Published: September 2024

One of the most promising solutions of increasing the reliability to accelerate the penetration of the renewable electricity in the power sector worldwide is to reduce the uncertainty due to weather variability. The present study aims at developing a weather year generation methodology (WYGM) for sizing a solar PV and WT power plant and hydrogen energy storage (SWHPP) for a year-round reliable electricity supply such that the uncertainty is efficiently identified so its effect can be minimized. The formulated WYGM named “SITY”, which stands for speed-irradiance-temperature year. SITY has four major steps: global-sensitivity-analysis-based selection of parameters (GHI, wind speed, and ambient temperature), true-variability-and-real-sequence-based selection of block-size (equals to the temporal resolution), typical-to-extreme scenarios considerations in the generated formats (i.e., average, most-frequent, worst, and best), and applying an all-parameters-at-once candidacy criterion (Euclidean distance of a 3D-space) for selecting the best representative data point. In particular, for generating SITY, of the most-frequent format, a new method has been developed, which matches the nature of the selected parameters, and it operates in a site-specific fashion. SITY has been applied for a selected site and was input to an adopted sizing algorithm. According to SITY, the uncertainty, due to weather, can reach up to ±3.01% and ±5.6% out of the required area and energy storage capacity, respectively, for a SWHPP. Also, the normalized-percentage MBE and RMSE and the index of agreement, for the purpose of evaluating the efficacy of SITY to capture the true variability and real sequence of the most influenced parameters, were obtained, of the all four formats, as follows (range): (−4.24)–(1.48)/0.9–9.67/0.939–0.999, (−14.34)–(2.22)/2.67–28.94/0.59–0.99, (−14.25)–(10.25)/5.83–17.03/0.89–0.98; for GHI, wind speed and temperature, respectively. In future, SITY would be implemented in a software generator to avoid the site-specific limitation of applicability.
Investigating the Performance of Supercritical CO2 Heating: A Comparative Study of Variable and Uniform Pin Height Designs in Additive Manufactured Micro-Pin Receivers
Authors: Bahrami Leyli , Gutierrez Plascencia Jesus , Fronk Brian M.
Published: September 2024

There has been a recent investigation on connecting multiple micro-pin-based unit-cells (∼17 cm × ∼17 cm) fabricated via additive manufacturing in parallel to achieve Megawatt scale solar thermal heating of supercritical carbon dioxide. The use of additive manufacturing allows the geometry of each module to be tailored to the expected incident flux on that receiver location to maximize overall performance. In this paper, we extend our prior investigations by conducting simulations to explore a central receiver design consisting of multiple micro-pin modules with varying pin height for a given location, desired thermal duty, and maximum allowable surface temperature.

This receiver’s primary function is to heat supercritical carbon dioxide at a pressure of 20 MPa, elevating its temperature from 500°C to 720°C while ensuring its surface temperature remains below 800°C. The receiver’s structural composition consists of hundreds of micro-pin array unit cells operating in parallel, all produced through additive manufacturing techniques. In this research, we will choose the pin diameter and spacing to guarantee satisfactory mechanical performance, treating the pin height as a variable that can be adjusted. The resulting variable pin height design is then compared to a receiver with a uniform pin height.

The results of our research reveal that the receiver with variable pin height delivers higher temperatures, on average, while also exhibiting lower pressure drops when subjected to the same incident flux conditions and with the same surface area. This finding suggests that tailored receiver designs, accommodating varying pin heights, have the potential to enhance overall efficiency and reduce the levelized cost of energy. In future work, this methodology will be extended to more complicated tailored geometries and for designing receivers for producing process heat.