bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Drug Repurposing‐Based Brain‐Targeting Self‐Assembly Nanoplatform Using Enhanced Ferroptosis against Glioblastoma
Authors: Liang Jiantang , Li Lei , Tian Hailong , Wang Zhihan , Liu Guowen , Duan Xirui , Guo Meiwen , Liu Jiaqi , Zhang Wei , Nice Edouard C. , Huang Canhua , He Weifeng , Zhang Haiyuan , Li Qifu
Published: July 2023

Glioblastoma (GBM), the most aggressive and lethal form of malignant brain tumor, is a therapeutic challenge due to the drug filtration capabilities of the blood‐brain barrier (BBB). Interestingly, glioblastoma tends to resist apoptosis during chemotherapy, but is susceptible to ferroptosis. Developing therapies that can effectively target glioblastoma by crossing the BBB and evoke ferroptosis are, therefore, crucial for improving treatment outcomes. Herein, a versatile biomimetic nanoplatform, L‐D‐I/NPs, is designed that self‐assembled by loading the antimalarial drug dihydroartemisinin (DHA) and the photosensitizer indocyanine green (ICG) onto lactoferrin (LF). This nanoplatform can selectively target glioblastoma by binding to low‐density lipoprotein receptor‐related protein‐1 (LRP1) and crossing the BBB, thus inducing glioblastoma cell ferroptosis by boosting intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and iron overload. In addition, L‐D‐I/NPs have demonstrated the ability to effectively suppress the progression of orthotopic glioblastoma and significantly prolong survival in a mouse glioblastoma model. This nanoplatform has facilitated the application of non‐chemotherapeutic drugs in tumor treatment with minimal adverse effects, paving the way for highly efficient ferroptosis‐based therapies for glioblastoma.
A Hydroscopic Indium Hydrogel Capturing Atmospheric Humidity for Autonomous Agriculture
Authors: Zhao Junnan , Xiong Yuli , Wu Hangfei , Xi Mufeng , Liu Hong , Guo Shuai , Yang Lin , Tan Swee Ching
Published: July 2023

The atmospheric water is ubiquitous and abundant, which can be effectively exploited for various applications. However, limited efforts are devoted to agriculture due to the slowly capture kinetics and highly dehydration temperature. Herein, benefiting from a super hygroscopic hydrogel, a self‐sustainable atmospheric water irrigation system for plant growth at arid land is integrated. The hydrogel harvests water from the air during the nighttime and efficiently releases adsorbed water when the system is exposed to sunlight. The water capture behavior by hydrogel mainly relies on physisorption, multilayer moistures can be accumulated under weak Van der Waals force. With the help of hydrophilic surface, the indium hydrogel has a maximum water uptake of up to 5.5 g g−1 at 90% relative humidity. This hydrogel induces a >40 °C surface temperature under AM 1.5 G solar illumination, which is enough for water releasing, making the solar energy‐driven water recycling possible. Finally, the collected water quality meets the international drinking water standard, resulting in a rapid growth of pea over 6 cm within 8 days.
Frontier Molecular Orbital Offset as an Empirical Descriptor for Predicting Short Circuit Current of Nonfullerene Organic Solar Cells
Authors: Lee Min-Hsuan
Published: July 2023

An efficient computational approach, in contrast to the trial‐and‐error experiment process, for predicting, characterizing, and optimizing the macroscopic performance parameters (e.g., short‐circuit current density (Jsc)) of nonfullerene acceptors‐based organic solar cells (OSCs) remains a rarely addressed and complicated challenge. In this work, a data‐driven approach is used to predict the electrical performance of nonfullerene OSCs and reveal their charge transfer behaviors. The eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) model within empirical descriptors is used to understand the governing feature for enhancement of Jsc, which is vital for the design and discovery of new donor/nonfullerene acceptor photoactive layers for photovoltaic applications. Through the well‐trained XGBoost model and SHapley Additive exPlanations theory, the descriptors impacting the Jsc of nonfullerene OSCs are further explained and analyzed. Remarkably, the XGBoost model combines four empirical descriptors to achieve an impressive prediction accuracy (R2 > 0.8). The results from data‐driven approaches prove that the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) offset (between donor and acceptor) plays the most significant role in increasing the Jsc values of nonfullerene OSCs. Moreover, this study highlights the effect of LUMO offset on the photoinduced charge transfer process of donor/non‐fullerene acceptor blends, which might pave the way toward rapid and precise energy‐level tuning of efficient OSC materials.
Heading in the right direction in 2023? Post‐flood lessons toward building a water‐resilient Pakistan
Authors: Naveed Arooj
Published: July 2023

The 2022 monsoon season presented the worst‐case scenario for Pakistan in terms of what could have been visualized about water when in abundance and mismanaged. Consequently, the very foundation of the society and its people were affected. Post‐floods, as the country silently drifts toward becoming water scarce by 2025, there are valuable lessons that need to be contemplated upon for Pakistan to become water resilient. This discussion paper deliberates on this subject by introducing a policy brief on the background of the country's National Water Policy (NWP) and the 2022 floods that afflicted the lives of millions, submerging one‐third of the country. It goes on to explain insights into post‐flood lessons for the nation; these include equating water abundance and its insufficiency as a national security concern, active recognition and concentration for water management, appreciating the role of individuals, and not only working on policy formulation but its implementation as well. Conclusively, it presents institutional‐constitutional reforms as suggestions in the right direction for building a water‐resilient Pakistan. These include prioritizing water, creating water spaces and leadership, debating the idea of climate–water injustice and building community resilience, addressing subnational water conflicts, channelizing water concerns through media, considering the umbrella framework of water needs, wants, and excess, establishing water laws, practicing the policy of no corruption, and reviewing the 1991 Water Accord while maintaining the Indus Water Treaty (IWT).
Convective instability of blood‐based Au‐Fe3O4 hybrid nanoliquid under the presence of magnetic field with internal heat source: Application to cancer treatment
Authors: Maheshwari Sanjalee , Sharma Yogeshwar Dutt , Yadav Om Prakash
Published: July 2023

Targeted drug delivery is one of the most promising aspects of cancer diagnosis and treatment. Gold nanoparticles are widely used for drug delivery and in the treatment of tumors, but due to the low absorption of infrared light, tumor cells get destroyed. However, iron‐oxide‐coated gold nanoparticles could be used for drug delivery to a targeted spot with the help of an external magnetic field. The present article aims to investigate the thermal instability of the blood flow transporting gold and iron‐oxide nanoparticles through the artery. The Casson fluid model is used to characterize the blood flow, and Maxwell equations, together with Navier–Stokes equations, are used to describe the flow behavior. Further, the linear stability theory and normal mode analysis are used to obtain the secular equation of the thermal Rayleigh number. The influence of pertinent flow governing parameters such as heat source parameter, Chandrashekhar number, the diameter of nanoparticles, and volume fraction of nanoparticles are discussed graphically on the convective instability of the system. The addition of gold nanoparticles makes the system unstable due to their large size and heat generation within the system. On the other hand, the magnetic field stabilizes the system by controlling the trajectory of the nanoparticles injected into the blood vessels.
Introduction
Authors: Polak Regina , Rohs Patrick
Published: July 2023

The introduction presents the idea and aims of this volume. The triad ‘Values – Politics – Religion’ forms the thematic framework within which results of the European Values Study based on the data of 1990, 1999, 2008, and 2017 are presented. The findings are embedded in an interdisciplinary discussion on the results, concepts, and challenges of this long-term study with a focus on the impact of religion on political values and attitudes. Against the background of the ‘crisis permanence’ since at least 2020, the editors argue the timeliness and relevance of this volume, as it offers fundamental empirical insights and theories as a starting point to further develop the expected value transformation in the years to come. Afterwards, the authors introduce the European Values Study, clarify the contested guiding concepts ‘Values – Politics – Religion’, and present the idea, character, outline, and structure of the volume. Furthermore, the research process, aims, and target groups of the volume are described. A summary of the individual contributions offers an overview of their main contents. The volume is intended as an explorative pilot study that aims at stimulating the further development of interdisciplinary values research and contributing to an in-depth, qualified discourse on values – in particular on the relationship between political and religious values – in society, politics, and religious communities.
Political Values and Religion: A Comparison Between Western and Eastern Europe
Authors: Pickel Susanne , Pickel Gert
Published: July 2023

Against the background of successful right-wing populist movements in recent years, a question arises as to whether the democratic political culture remains stable in Europe’s democracies. The EVS 2017 confirms that a high level of legitimacy is still attached to democracy, but that there are differences in support for the current democratic system. In Eastern Europe, we find a strong openness to alternative anti-democratic systems, which helps right-wing populists to gain influence and power. Prejudice provides a bridge between right-wing populists and religion. While socially engaged believers are pro-democratic, fundamentalist have an elective affinity with anti-democratic beliefs. Gender identities that do not follow the heteronormative pattern of binary couple relationships in particular prove to be a bridge to right-wing beliefs (Schneider et al., Zeitschrift für Religion, Gesellschaft und Politik (ZRGP) 5(2), 2021). It is possible that the ongoing progress of secularisation and modernisation in Western Europe is conducive to this. The validity of the secularisation theory must be assumed, because the East-Central European states had swung into line with Western European secularisation shortly after an upheaval of religiosity directly after 1989. If in the Russian region and Southeastern Europe the revitalisation process is confirmed, many Eastern European states have now reached the ‘normal’ level they would have had without socialist repression.
Piper nigrum extract suppresses tumor growth and enhances the antitumor immune response in murine models of breast cancer and melanoma
Authors: Lasso Paola , Rojas Laura , Arévalo Cindy , Urueña Claudia , Murillo Natalia , Nossa Paula , Sandoval Tito , Chitiva Luis Carlos , Barreto Alfonso , Costa Geison M. , Fiorentino Susana
Published: July 2023

Although the antitumor effect of P. nigrum has been widely studied, research related to its possible immunomodulatory effects is relatively scarce. Here, the antitumor and immunomodulatory activity of an ethanolic extract of P. nigrum were evaluated in the murine models of 4T1 breast cancer and B16-F10 melanoma. In vitro evaluations showed that the P. nigrum extract has cytotoxic activity, induces apoptotic cell death, and has a pro-oxidant effect in both cell lines, but it regulates glucose uptake differently in both lines, decreasing it in 4T1 but not in B16-F10. P. nigrum extract significantly reduced tumor size in both models and decreased the occurrence of macrometastases in 4T1 model. Evaluation of immune subpopulations by flow cytometry revealed that the P. nigrum extract significantly increases the frequency of dendritic cells and activated CD8+ T cells and decreases the frequency of myeloid-derived suppressor like cells and Tregs in the tumor microenvironment of both models but with different dynamics. Our findings strongly suggest that the P. nigrum extract exerts immunomodulatory functions, slightly related to the modulation of cellular energy metabolism, which could ultimately contribute to the promising antitumor effect of P. nigrum.
Coracobrachialis muscle morphology and coexisted neural variants: a cadaveric case series
Authors: Piagkou Maria , Tsakotos George , Triantafyllou George , Koutserimpas Christos , Chytas Dimitrios , Karampelias Vasilios , Pantekidis Ioannis , Triantafyllou Anastasia , Natsis Konstantinos
Published: July 2023

Purpose

The current cadaveric case series evaluates the coracobrachialis muscle morphology, the related musculocutaneous nerve origin, course, and branching pattern, as well as associated adjacent neuromuscular variants.

Materials and methods

Twenty-seven (24 paired and 3 unpaired) cadaveric arms were dissected to identify the coracobrachialis possible variants with emphasis on the musculocutaneous nerve course and coexisted neural variants.

Results

Four morphological types of the coracobrachialis were identified: a two-headed muscle in 62.96% (17/27 arms), a three-headed in 22.2% (6/27), a one-headed in 11.1% (3/27), and a four-headed in 3.7% (1 arm). A coracobrachialis variant morphology was identified in 37.04% (10/27). A three-headed biceps brachii muscle coexisted in 23.53% (4/17). Two different courses of the musculocutaneous nerve were recorded: 1. a course between coracobrachialis superficial and deep heads (in cases of two or more heads) (100%, 24/24), and 2. a medial course in case of one-headed coracobrachialis (100%, 3/3). Three neural interconnections were found: 1. the lateral cord of the brachial plexus with the medial root of the median nerve in 18.52%, 2. the musculocutaneous with the median nerve in 7.41% and 3. the radial with the ulnar nerve in 3.71%. Duplication of the lateral root of the median nerve was identified in 11.1%.

Conclusions

The knowledge of the morphology of the muscles of the anterior arm compartment, especially the coracobrachialis variant morphology and the related musculocutaneous nerve variable course, is of paramount importance for surgeons. Careful dissection and knowledge of relatively common variants play a significant role in reducing iatrogenic injury.
Comparison of contemporary transcatheter heart valve prostheses: data from the German Aortic Valve Registry (GARY)
Authors: Rudolph Tanja K. , Herrmann Eva , Bon Dimitria , Walther Thomas , Bauer Timm , Ensminger Stephan , Frerker Christian , Beckmann Andreas , Möllmann Helge , Bekeredjian Raffi , Beyersdorf Friedhelm , Hamm Christian , Baldus Stephan , Böning Andreas , Gummert Jan , Rudolph Volker , Bleiziffer Sabine
Published: July 2023

Background

Various second-generation transcatheter heart valve (THV) prostheses with high clinical efficacy and safety are available, but there is limited large-scale data available comparing their hemodynamic performance and clinical implications.

Objective

To compare the hemodynamic performance and short-term clinical outcome of four second-generation THV prostheses.

Methods

24,124 patients out of the German Aortic Valve Registry who underwent transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) (Evolut™ R n = 7028, Acurate neo™ n = 2922, Portico n = 878 and Sapien 3 n = 13,296) were included in this analysis. Propensity-score weighted analysis was performed to control for differences in age, left ventricular function, STS score and sex. Primary endpoint was survival at one-year, secondary endpoints were 30 days survival, pre-discharge transvalvular gradients, paravalvular leakage and peri-procedural complications.

Results

Thirty-day and one-year survival were not significantly different between the four patient groups. Transvalvular gradients in Evolut™ R and Acurate neo™ were significantly lower as compared to Portico and Sapien 3 at hospital discharge. This difference exists across all annulus sizes. Paravalvular leakage ≥ II occurred significantly less often in the Sapien 3 group (1.2%, p < 0.0001). Rate of severe procedural complications was low and comparable in all groups. Permanent pacemaker implantation rate at one year was lowest in the ACUARATE neo group (13.0%) and highest in the Evolut™ R group (21.9%).

Conclusion

Albeit comparable short-term clinical outcomes there are certain differences regarding hemodynamic performance and permanent pacemaker implantation rate between currently available THV prostheses which should be considered for individual prosthesis selection.

Graphical Abstract
The geography of environmental innovation: a critical review and agenda for future research
Authors: Losacker Sebastian , Hansmeier Hendrik , Horbach Jens , Liefner Ingo
Published: July 2023

This article provides a critical literature review on the regional determinants of environmental innovation. The analysis of the relevant literature on supply-side factors, demand-side factors, and institutional factors reveals the importance of regional determinants in green technology development. Specifically, regional R&D collaborations, university-industry collaborations, and technological relatedness have positive effects on innovation activities in green domains. On the demand side, regional environmental awareness and demonstration effects play a pivotal role in the emergence and diffusion of environmental innovations. Environmental regulations also induce environmental innovation, however, there is only limited evidence at the regional level. Our literature review has informed the development of an agenda for future research, which suggests three avenues for further investigation. Firstly, we recommend abandoning the simple green vs. non-green dichotomy and conducting more technology-sensitive studies on the determinants of environmental innovation. Secondly, we call for a more sophisticated and critical engagement with regional institutions, with a focus on both formal and informal institutions. Lastly, we propose a demand-side turn in research on the regional determinants of environmental innovation in order to better understand their diffusion across space. Overall, our findings suggest that policymakers need to adopt a more nuanced and comprehensive approach to eco-innovation policy, one that considers the spatial and multi-level governance challenges and promotes inclusive regional development.
The synzootic potential of common epidemics in chamois populations
Authors: Garrido-Amaro Cristina , Jolles Anna , Velarde Roser , López-Olvera Jorge Ramón , Serrano Emmanuel
Published: July 2023

Southern chamois (Rupicapra pyrenaica) is a medium-sized and gregarious mountain ungulate with populations affected by periodic outbreaks of border disease virus (BD), infectious keratoconjunctivitis (IKC), and sarcoptic mange (SM). Even though the impact of each disease on chamois populations has been described in detail, there is a lack of information about the potential impact of concomitant epidemics and the synzootic potential (co-occurring enzootic or epizootic processes producing worse health outcomes in wildlife) on chamois populations. Furthermore, whether a specific order of apparition of epidemics is more or less harmful for the host population is practically unknown not only for chamois but also for most mammal populations. Using a population viability analysis (PVA), we studied the consequences of multiple disease outbreaks with synzootic potential on growth rates and probabilities of extinction of virtual populations exposed to hard winters, density dependence, and co-occurring BD, IKC, and SM outbreaks. Such infections are not under cross-immunity nor density-dependent processes and thus are supposed to affect population demography independently. Heavy snowfalls are also likely to occur in our simulated populations. Our simulations showed that a second outbreak, even caused by a low virulent pathogen, causes an increase in the probability of extinction of the host population with regard to the first outbreak. IKC-BD- and SM-BD-affected populations had a higher risk of becoming extinct in 50 years confirming the extra risk of multiple outbreaks on the viability of the affected populations.
Machine learning and the quest for objectivity in climate model parameterization
Authors: Jebeile Julie , Lam Vincent , Majszak Mason , Räz Tim
Published: July 2023

Parameterization and parameter tuning are central aspects of climate modeling, and there is widespread consensus that these procedures involve certain subjective elements. Even if the use of these subjective elements is not necessarily epistemically problematic, there is an intuitive appeal for replacing them with more objective (automated) methods, such as machine learning. Relying on several case studies, we argue that, while machine learning techniques may help to improve climate model parameterization in several ways, they still require expert judgment that involves subjective elements not so different from the ones arising in standard parameterization and tuning. The use of machine learning in parameterizations is an art as well as a science and requires careful supervision.
Volatile-Mediated Signalling Between Potato Plants in Response to Insect Herbivory is not Contingent on Soil Nutrients
Authors: Martín-Cacheda Lucía , Vázquez-González Carla , Rasmann Sergio , Röder Gregory , Abdala-Roberts Luis , Moreira Xoaquín
Published: July 2023

Plant-plant signalling via volatile organic compounds (VOCs) has been studied intensively, but its contingency on abiotic conditions (e.g., soil nutrients, drought, warming) is poorly understood. To address this gap, we carried out a greenhouse experiment testing whether soil nutrients influenced signalling between potato (Solanum tuberosum) plants in response to insect leaf herbivory by the generalist caterpillarSpodoptera exigua. We placed pairs of plants in plastic cages, where one plant acted as a VOC emitter and the other as a receiver. We factorially manipulated soil nutrients for both emitter and receiver plants, namely: unfertilized (baseline soil nutrients) vs. fertilized (augmented nutrients). Then, to test for signalling effects, half of the emitters within each fertilization level were damaged byS. exigualarvae and the other half remained undamaged. Three days after placing larvae, we collected VOCs from emitter plants to test for herbivory and fertilization effects on VOC emissions and placedS. exigualarvae on receivers to test for signalling effects on leaf consumption and larval mass gain as proxies of induced resistance. We found that herbivory increased total VOC emissions and altered VOC composition by emitter plants, but these effects were not contingent on fertilization. In addition, bioassay results showed that receivers exposed to VOCs from herbivore-damaged emitters had lower levels of herbivory compared to receivers exposed to undamaged emitters. However, and consistent with VOC results, fertilization did not influence herbivore-induced signalling effects on receiver resistance to herbivory. In sum, we found evidence ofS. exigua-induced signalling effects on resistance to herbivory in potato plants but such effects were not affected by increased soil nutrients. These results call for further work testing signalling effects under broader range of nutrient concentration levels (including nutrient limitation), teasing apart the effects of specific nutrients, and incorporating other abiotic factors likely to interact or covary with soil nutrients.
Fair crack of the whip? The distribution of augmented wealth in Australia from 2002 to 2018
Authors: Longmuir Maximilian
Published: July 2023

The omission of pension wealth potentially distorts the international comparison of wealth distributions. Private pension wealth is often included in households’ wealth portfolios, while public pension claims are not. Augmented wealth, the sum of net worth and pension wealth, resolves this limitation by including the present value of social security pension wealth. This article provides a detailed analysis of augmented wealth in Australia between 2002 and 2018, capturing the establishment of the compulsory private pension scheme, Superannuation, which was introduced in 1992. Augmented wealth is slightly less equally distributed in Australia than in Germany or Switzerland but more equal than in the United States. The article also explores the relationship between Superannuation dissaving rates and the means-tested public pension scheme, Age Pension, and its distributional implications.
The Role of a Loop in the Non-catalytic Domain B on the Hydrolysis/Transglycosylation Specificity of the 4-α-Glucanotransferase from Thermotoga maritima
Authors: Llopiz Alexey , Ramírez-Martínez Marco A. , Olvera Leticia , Xolalpa-Villanueva Wendy , Pastor Nina , Saab-Rincon Gloria
Published: July 2023

The mechanism by which glycoside hydrolases control the reaction specificity through hydrolysis or transglycosylation is a key element embedded in their chemical structures. The determinants of reaction specificity seem to be complex. We looked for structural differences in domain B between the 4-α-glucanotransferase fromThermotoga maritima(TmGTase) and the α-amylase fromThermotoga petrophila (TpAmylase)and found a longer loop in the former that extends towards the active site carrying a W residue at its tip. Based on these differences we constructed the variants W131G and the partial deletion of the loop at residues 120-124/128-131, which showed a 11.6 and 11.4-fold increased hydrolysis/transglycosylation (H/T) ratio relative to WT protein, respectively. These variants had a reduction in the maximum velocity of the transglycosylation reaction, while their affinity for maltose as the acceptor was not substantially affected. Molecular dynamics simulations allow us to rationalize the increase in H/T ratio in terms of the flexibility near the active site and the conformations of the catalytic acid residues and their associated pKas.
The Boundaries of Legal Personhood: Disability, Gender and the Cyborg
Authors: Renz Flora
Published: July 2023

By considering the death of the disability activist Engracia Figueroa as the consequence of her wheelchair being damaged by an airline, this article asks whether law could accommodate a definition of legal personhood that encompasses the possibility of bodies augmented by prosthetics, technology, and mobility aids. The use of mobility aids by disabled people and the role of prosthetic penises in so-called ‘gender fraud’ cases offer two useful provocations to consider the ways in which legal personhood, if defined as largely mapping on to an ideal, normative body, is becoming an increasingly inadequate legal concept in the modern age. Drawing on the work of Donna Haraway and the figure of the cyborg, this article argues that a more protean, flexible, and fluctuating understanding of legal personhood would offer both a more accurate and utopian conception of the body in law than the current essentialist approach found in a number of legal areas and particularly in English criminal law.
Real earnings management and the strategic release of new products: evidence from the motion picture industry
Authors: Gong James Jianxin , Young S. Mark , Zhou Aner
Published: July 2023

Prior studies on real earnings management (REM) focus mainly on estimating abnormal operating and investing activities at the firm level. We extend this literature by providing micro-level evidence regarding how financial reporting pressures influence new product release decisions, or product-level REM. Specifically, we compare how public and private studios differentially time the release of their movies. We find that, faced with pressure to boost quarterly revenues and earnings, public studios are more likely to release movies with high expected revenues in the last month of a fiscal quarter, compared to private studios. This documented result is stronger for firms with recent poor past performance, but is not present for movies in genres with a more targeted release window (e.g., romance and horror movies) and those using directors who have a history of collaboration with the studio. These results suggest that studios choose REM activities that have a lower impact on consumer demand and that minimize conflict with talent, consistent with choosing less costly activities to achieve financial reporting goals. A negative consequence of this financial reporting–driven product release strategy is that movies released in the last month of a quarter have lower international box office revenues. Taken together, these results provide evidence of the existence and consequences of product-level REM.
Vascular risk factors and astrocytic marker for the glymphatic system activity
Authors: Wei Yi-Chia , Hsu Chih-Chin Heather , Huang Wen-Yi , Lin Chemin , Chen Chih-Ken , Chen Yao-Liang , Chen Pin-Yuan , Shyu Yu-Chiau , Lin Ching-Po
Published: July 2023

Objectives

Glymphatic system maintains brain fluid circulation via active transportation of astrocytic aquaporin-4 in perivascular space. The diffusion tensor imaging analysis along the perivascular space (DTI-ALPS) is an established method measuring perivascular glymphatic activity, but comprehensive investigations into its influential factors are lacking.

Methods

Community-dwelling older adults underwent brain MRI scans, neuropsychiatric, and multi-domain assessments. Blood biomarker tests included glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) for astrocyte injury.

Results

In 71 enrolled participants, the DTI-ALPS index was associated with modifiable factors, including lipid profile (high-density lipoprotein, r = 0.396; very-low-density lipoprotein, r =  − 0.342), glucose intolerance (diabetes mellitus, standardized mean difference (SMD) = 0.7662; glycated hemoglobin, r =  − 0.324), obesity (body mass index, r =  − 0.295; waist, r =  − 0.455), metabolic syndrome (SMD =   − 0.6068), cigarette-smoking (SMD =  − 0.6292), and renal clearance (creatinine, r =  − 0.387; blood urea nitrogen, r =  − 0.303). Unmodifiable associative factors of DTI-ALPS were age (r =  − 0.434) and sex (SMD = 1.0769) (all p < 0.05).

A correlation of DTI-ALPS and blood GFAP was noticed (r =  − 0.201, one-tailed t-test for the assumption that astrocytic injury impaired glymphatic activity, p = 0.046). Their cognitive correlations diverged, domain-specific for DTI-ALPS (Facial Memory Test, r = 0.272, p = 0.022) but global cognition-related for blood GFAP (MoCA, r =  − 0.264, p = 0.026; ADAS-cog, r = 0.304, p = 0.010).

Conclusion

This correlation analysis revealed multiple modifiable and unmodifiable association factors to the glymphatic image marker. The DTI-ALPS index correlated with various metabolic factors that are known to increase the risk of vascular diseases such as atherosclerosis. Furthermore, the DTI-ALPS index was associated with renal indices, and this connection might be a link of water regulation between the two systems. In addition, the astrocytic biomarker, plasma GFAP, might be a potential marker of the glymphatic system; however, more research is needed to confirm its effectiveness.
Pancreatic steatosis and metabolic pancreatic disease: a new entity?
Authors: Caldart Federico , de Pretis Nicolò , Luchini Claudio , Ciccocioppo Rachele , Frulloni Luca
Published: July 2023

Overweight and obesity are some of the most important health challenges. Many diseases are related to these metabolic disorders, and, among them, the pancreatic fat accumulation, also called "pancreatic steatosis" or “nonalcoholic fatty pancreas”, seems to have an emerging role in different conditions. There are different method to evaluate the fat content in the pancreas, such as histology, different imaging techniques and endoscopic ultrasound, but there is no gold standard for the correct diagnosis and for the identification of “inter/intralobular” and “intra-acinar” pancreatic fat. However, the fat storage in the pancreas is linked to chronic inflammation and to several conditions, such as acute and chronic pancreatitis, type 2 diabetes mellitus and pancreatic cancer. In addition, pancreatic fat accumulation has also been demonstrated to play a role in surgical outcome after pancreatectomy, in particular for the development of postoperative pancreatic fistula. Different possible therapeutic approaches have been proposed, but there is still a lack of evidence. The aim of this review is to report the current evidence about the relationship between the obesity, the pancreatic fat accumulation and its potential role in pancreatic diseases.
Reporting of conflict fatalities in the UCDP Georeferenced Event Dataset: insights from Kosovo
Authors: Gromes Thorsten
Published: July 2023

Many studies rest on the assumption that Uppsala Conflict Data Program data allow for an unbiased approximation to the temporal and spatial variation of deadly violence across cases. This research note compares fatality data in the program’s Georeferenced Event Dataset with the name-by-name compilation of victims in the Kosovo Memory Book for the period 1 January 1998–30 June 1999. The extent of underreporting of fatalities in the Georeferenced Event Dataset increases with conflict intensity. Events outside Kosovo and events with many fatalities are disproportionally covered. The Georeferenced Event Dataset is more likely to ignore an event when many other events occur on the same day. Surprisingly, international observer missions do not make an event more likely to be reported. Despite the mentioned problems, the dataset’s high estimates of conflict deaths mirror the temporal and spatial variation of violence fairly well. Some of the inconsistencies and biases identified in the selected case plausibly also occur in other conflicts. Events that span several months or lack specific location data impede analysis and are more prominent in the dataset’s entries for Kosovo than in the entire Georeferenced Event Dataset.
Antenatal Exposure to Plastic Pollutants: Study of the Bisphenols and Perfluoroalkyls Effects on Human Stem Cell Models
Authors: Gaggi Giulia , Di Credico Andrea , Barbagallo Federica , Ballerini Patrizia , Ghinassi Barbara , Di Baldassarre Angela
Published: July 2023

Endocrine disruptors (EDs), such as Bisphenols (BPs) and Perfluoroalkyls (PFs), are a class of plastic pollutants widely used in industrial applications. Human exposure to these molecules usually occurs through ingestion of contaminated food and water. Once entered the human body they can interfere with endogenous hormone signaling, leading to a wide spectrum of diseases. It has been reported that BPs and PFs can cross the placental barrier accumulating in the fetal serum, but the detrimental consequences for human development remain to be clarified. Here we analyze the effects of different doses of bisphenol A and S (BPA, BPS) perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) on proliferation and mitochondrial health on different types of stem cells: through an integrated approach that combines data from pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) with that from the “environment” in which the embryo develops (fetal annexes-derived perinatal stem cells) we verified the potential developmental toxicity of the in utero EDs exposure. Data obtained showed that overall, BPs, and PFs tended to increase the proliferation rate of perinatal stem cells; a similar response was observed in hiPSCs exposed to very low doses of BPs and PFs, while at higher concentrations these chemicals were toxic; in addition, both the BPs and the PFs exerted a mitotoxic effects hiPSCs at all the concentration studied. All these data suggest that antenatal exposure to BPs and PFs, also at very low concentrations, may modify the biological characteristics of stem cells present in both the developing fetus and the fetal annexes, thus perturbing normal human development.
MCCFNet: Multi-channel Color Fusion Network For Cognitive Classification of Traditional Chinese Paintings
Authors: Geng Jing , Zhang Xin , Yan Yijun , Sun Meijun , Zhang Huiyuan , Assaad Maher , Ren Jinchang , Li Xiaoquan
Published: July 2023

The computational modeling and analysis of traditional Chinese painting rely heavily on cognitive classification based on visual perception. This approach is crucial for understanding and identifying artworks created by different artists. However, the effective integration of visual perception into artificial intelligence (AI) models remains largely unexplored. Additionally, the classification research of Chinese painting faces certain challenges, such as insufficient investigation into the specific characteristics of painting images for author classification and recognition. To address these issues, we propose a novel framework called multi-channel color fusion network (MCCFNet), which aims to extract visual features from diverse color perspectives. By considering multiple color channels, MCCFNet enhances the ability of AI models to capture intricate details and nuances present in Chinese painting. To improve the performance of the DenseNet model, we introduce a regional weighted pooling (RWP) strategy specifically designed for the DenseNet169 architecture. This strategy enhances the extraction of highly discriminative features. In our experimental evaluation, we comprehensively compared the performance of our proposed MCCFNet model against six state-of-the-art models. The comparison was conducted on a dataset consisting of 2436 TCP samples, derived from the works of 10 renowned Chinese artists. The evaluation metrics employed for performance assessment were Top-1 Accuracy and the area under the curve (AUC). The experimental results have shown that our proposed MCCFNet model significantly outperform all other benchmarking methods with the highest classification accuracy of 98.68%. Meanwhile, the classification accuracy of any deep learning models on TCP can be much improved when adopting our proposed framework.
TRPC Channels Activated by G Protein-Coupled Receptors Drive Ca2+ Dysregulation Leading to Secondary Brain Injury in the Mouse Model
Authors: Parmar Jasneet , von Jonquieres Georg , Gorlamandala Nagarajesh , Chung Brandon , Craig Amanda J. , Pinyon Jeremy L. , Birnbaumer Lutz , Klugmann Matthias , Moorhouse Andrew J. , Power John M. , Housley Gary D.
Published: July 2023

Canonical transient receptor potential (TRPC) non-selective cation channels, particularly those assembled with TRPC3, TRPC6, and TRPC7 subunits, are coupled to Gαq-type G protein-coupled receptors for the major classes of excitatory neurotransmitters. Sustained activation of this TRPC channel-based pathophysiological signaling hub in neurons and glia likely contributes to prodigious excitotoxicity-driven secondary brain injury expansion. This was investigated in mouse models with selective Trpc gene knockout (KO). In adult cerebellar brain slices, application of glutamate and the class I metabotropic glutamate receptor agonist (S)-3,5-dihydroxyphenylglycine to Purkinje neurons expressing the GCaMP5g Ca2+ reporter demonstrated that the majority of the Ca2+ loading in the molecular layer dendritic arbors was attributable to the TRPC3 effector channels (Trpc3KO compared with wildtype (WT)). This Ca2+ dysregulation was associated with glutamate excitotoxicity causing progressive disruption of the Purkinje cell dendrites (significantly abated in a GAD67-GFP-Trpc3KO reporter brain slice model). Contribution of the Gαq-coupled TRPC channels to secondary brain injury was evaluated in a dual photothrombotic focal ischemic injury model targeting cerebellar and cerebral cortex regions, comparing day 4 post-injury in WT mice, Trpc3KO, and Trpc1/3/6/7 quadruple knockout (TrpcQKO), with immediate 2-h (primary) brain injury. Neuroprotection to secondary brain injury was afforded in both brain regions by Trpc3KO and TrpcQKO models, with the TrpcQKO showing greatest neuroprotection. These findings demonstrate the contribution of the Gαq-coupled TRPC effector mechanism to excitotoxicity-based secondary brain injury expansion, which is a primary driver for mortality and morbidity in stroke, traumatic brain injury, and epilepsy.
Caregiver-Implemented Feeding Interventions for Autistic Children with Food Selectivity: a Systematic Review
Authors: Blennerhassett Claire , Richards Michael , Clayton Stephen
Published: July 2023

Caregiver-led interventions have been implemented to improve food selectivity in autistic children. This systematic review assesses the meaningfulness of improvements in food, behaviour, and family outcomes, alongside the acceptability of said interventions. Four key academic databases were searched using key terms related to autism, food selectivity, and parent-led interventions. Thirsty-six studies were reviewed and improvements in food outcomes were reported in all studies, but it was unclear how meaningful this was for the child’s nutritional status. In addition, it was difficult to draw meaningful conclusions about the acceptability of interventions in the family environment. Future parent-led interventions should measure food outcomes in a standardised way that considers the nutritional status of the child and include detailed exploration of intervention acceptability.
Kognitives und emotionales Erleben als Indikator psychischer (Fehl‑)Beanspruchung in der Tiermedizin
Authors: Woitha Ulrike , Pohl Robert , Gonschor Cecile , Thielmann Beatrice , Böckelmann Irina
Published: July 2023

Hintergrund

Verschiedene Studienergebnisse weisen auf hohe physische und psychische Belastungen von TierärztInnen hin, die sich einerseits in hohen Prävalenzen psychischer Erkrankungen und andererseits in einer besorgniserregend hohen Suizidalität in dieser Berufsgruppe niederschlagen. Ziel dieser Untersuchung ist es, arbeitsbedingte Belastungsfaktoren der TierärztInnen in Deutschland darzustellen und deren Auswirkung auf die kognitive und emotionale Irritation als Indikator psychischer (Fehl‑)Beanspruchung geschlechtsdifferenziert darzustellen.

Methodik

Es nahmen 1046 TierärztInnen an der Onlinebefragung teil (64,7 % Frauen, 35,3 % Männer). Neben soziodemografischen Daten wurde kognitive und emotionale Irritation mittels der Irritationsskala nach Mohr et al. erhoben und im Geschlechtervergleich analysiert. Eine einfaktorielle Varianzanalyse wurde unter Berücksichtigung unabhängiger Variablen wie Geschlecht, Familienstand, Alter, Fachbereich und Anstellungsart mit Berechnung der Effektstärke durchgeführt.

Ergebnisse

Die Auswertung der berufsbezogenen Daten nach den Geschlechtern ergab keine signifikanten Unterschiede. Es zeigte sich, dass etwa ein Drittel der untersuchten Stichprobe (29,4 %) ihren Lohn als nicht leistungsgerecht und fair empfinden, hingegen 52,5 % ihre wirtschaftliche Lage als gut bis sehr gut bewerten. Die TierärztInnen leisteten viele Überstunden. Die Stichprobe wies hohe Werte kognitiver und emotionaler Irritation auf ohne signifikante geschlechtsbezogene Unterschiede der Irritationsausprägungen (MW Kognitive Irritation: 6,8 [± 2,01] vs. 7,0 [± 1,90]; MW Emotionale Irritation: 6,4 [± 2,13] vs. 6,5 [± 2,01]; MW Gesamtindex: 6,8 [± 2,01] vs. 6,9 [± 1,96]). Über die Hälfte der praktizierenden TierärztInnen weisen eine überdurchschnittliche Ausprägung der Irritationsskalen aus.

Diskussion

Die emotionale und kognitive Irritation in dieser Berufsgruppe ist hoch und scheint geschlechterunabhängig zu sein. Da die Irritation als Indikator für (Fehl‑)Beanspruchung gesehen wird, sollten Präventions- und Interventionsprogramme bereits früh im Berufsleben oder vorab in den Universitäten angeboten werden.
The Publications of The Bedfordshire Historical Record Society Volume XVI
Authors: Marshall Lydia M.
Published: July 2023

Contains 'In Memoriam J. E. M.', (Dr John Edward Morris).

'The Rural Population of Bedfordshire, 1671 to 1921', by Lydia M. Marshall (Based on the hearth tax return of 1671 and the census returns of 1801 and 1921, with a transcription of the Hearth tax return (TNA E 179, 72/301)).
The Railway Age in Bedfordshire
Authors: Cockman F. G.
Published: July 2023

This is an account of the impact made by railways on Victorian society in Bedfordshire between 1846 and 1890. There are chapters about the main railway lines through and within the county; schemes that failed; contractors and navvies, travelling by rail; accidents; railwaymen; and crime. Two maps illustrate railways built 1846-1872 and those proposed but not built 1844-1910. Appendices contain a selection of timetables and fares (including five special excursion timetables) of LNWR, MR and GNR and their branches.
British-French Technology Transfer from the Revolution to Louis Philippe (1791–1844): Evidence from Patent Data
Authors: Nuvolari Alessandro , Tortorici Gaspare , Vasta Michelangelo
Published: July 2023

This paper examines the patterns of technology transfer from Britain to France during the early phases of industrializing using a dataset comprising all patents granted in France in the period 1791–1844. Exploiting the peculiarities of French legislation, we construct an array of patent quality indicators and investigate their determinants. We find that patents filed by British inventors or French inventors with personal connections to British inventors were of relatively higher quality. Overall, our results show that the French innovation system was capable of attracting and effectively absorbing key technologies from Britain.
Drivers of scarcity in the globally threatened Taita Falcon Falco fasciinucha: competition and habitat quality in the eastern escarpment region of South Africa
Authors: Jenkins A. R. , van Zyl A. J. , Colyn R. B. , Brink C. W. , Smit-Robinson H. A. , Whitecross M. A.
Published: July 2023

The Taita Falcon Falco fasciinucha is known to occur and breed at only a few locations in eastern and southern Africa and is currently listed as globally “Vulnerable” and “Critically Endangered” in South Africa. An accurate estimation of its conservation status is however hampered by a lack of data and understanding of the species’ habitat requirements and competitive interactions with congeners. Our aim was to address some of these knowledge gaps. We conducted cliff-nesting raptor surveys across a substantial area of the Mpumalanga/Limpopo escarpment in north-eastern South Africa and modelled habitat suitability for nesting Taita Falcons in relation to the proximity of conspecifics and a community of five other sympatric cliff-nesting raptor species, and in relation to a suite of biotic and abiotic environmental variables. Results suggested the location of Taita Falcon nest sites was negatively associated with distance to the nearest pair of conspecifics and the nearest pair of Lanner Falcons Falco biarmicus, and positively associated with tracts of intact, unfragmented forest and woodland around the base of the cliffs. Our results indicated that Taita Falcon and Lanner Falcon appeared to be responding in opposite ways to a directional change in environmental conditions. This response appeared to be detrimental to Taita Falcon and beneficial to Lanner Falcon. Furthermore, the degradation and destruction of Afrotropical woodland and forest is a documented and ongoing reality, both locally and across much of the Taita Falcon’s global distribution. We argue that our findings are sufficient to justify uplisting Taita Falcon to globally “Endangered”.