bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Perceived class cohesion as a protection strategy against cyber‐bullying in vulnerable students: A study of secondary school students
Authors: Parisse Chiara , Marini Mara , Prislei Laura , Scarci Federica , Cecalupo Alessandra , Livi Stefano
Published: August 2024

Cyber‐bullying represents a form of verbal or psychological aggression, carried out intentionally and repeatedly, and perpetuated using digital devices that has negative consequences on the health and well‐being of adolescents. This phenomenon is prevented by contextual and dispositional factors. For this reason, our study investigated both these factors, specifically, the role of the perceived class cohesion in presence of vulnerability factors, that is, low levels of positivity. The results collected on a sample of 689 high school students (Mage = 17.3) suggest that the association between perceived class cohesion and victimisation was moderated by positivity. When young people with low positivity perceived low levels of social cohesion in the group, they experienced more cyberbullying victimisation. However, when high levels of perceived group cohesion were present, these experiences were reduced, regardless of their level of positivity. These results underline the importance of building a positive climate in the class group to prevent cyber‐bullying in adolescence, especially for the most vulnerable individuals.
Photo‐Claisen Rearrangement in a Coumarin‐Caged Peptide Leads to a Surprising Enzyme Hyperactivation
Authors: Maller Corina , Marouda Eirini , Köhn Maja
Published: August 2024

Protein phosphatase‐1 (PP1) is a ubiquitous enzyme that counteracts hundreds of kinases in cells. PP1 interacts with regulatory proteins via an RVxF peptide motif that binds to a hydrophobic groove on the enzyme. PP1‐disrupting peptides (PDPs) compete with these regulatory proteins, leading to the release of the active PP1 subunit and promoting substrate dephosphorylation. Building on previous strategies employing the ortho‐nitrobenzyl (o‐Nb) group as a photocage to control PDP activity, we introduced coumarin derivatives into a PDP via an ether bond to explore their effects on PP1 activity. Surprisingly, our study revealed that the coumarin‐caged peptides (PDP‐DEACM and PDP‐CM) underwent a photo‐Claisen rearrangement, resulting in an unexpected hyperactivation of PP1. Our findings underscore the importance of linker design in controlling uncaging efficiency of photocages and highlight the need for comprehensive in vitro analysis before cellular experiments.
Analysis of genetic variability for nutritional quality traits among maize inbreds adapted to Punjab: A North‐Western province of India
Authors: Sharma Heena , Sandhu Surinder , Yousuf Nida , Oberoi Harpreet K. , Karnatam Krishna S. , Bhavyasree Ramakrishnan , Vikal Yogesh , Kumar Vikas
Published: August 2024

Background and Objectives

The deficiency of essential amino acids such as methionine, lysine, and tryptophan in maize protein presents a significant challenge in meeting nutritional demand. Comprehensive evaluation of maize germplasm for variability of essential amino acids, protein content, starch content, and β‐carotene contents in grains, along with their relationships with yield and its associated traits, is a prerequisite for strengthening genetic enhancement for nutritional traits. Thus, the current study presents the profiling of 60 maize inbred lines across 11 nutritional quality and yield, aiming to identify variability in these traits and potential donor candidates for commercial breeding.

Findings

The test inbreds exhibited significant variations in the content of grain methionine (0.04%–0.28%), tryptophan (0.019%–0.069%), lysine (0.063%–0.318%), protein (9.31%–11.80%), starch (58.32%–70.88%), and β‐carotene (2.38 ppm–6.79 ppm). Additionally, variations were noted in grain yield (0.87–2.52 t ha−1). Inter‐relationship analyses suggested the feasibility of simultaneous selection of essential amino acids (methionine, tryptophan, lysine) and β‐carotene. The germplasm stock was clustered, and potential diverse donors identified were recommended for utilization in breeding programs. Furthermore, the use of Attenuated Total Reflectance‐Fourier Transform Infrared (ATR‐FTIR) spectroscopy for screening high methionine and high lysine lines in large germplasm based on differences in peak intensity at 2922 cm−1 and 1110 cm−1 was reported, respectively.

Conclusions

The multilocation experiment revealed genetic diversity in both nutritional quality and yield across the 60 inbreds. The absence of a negative correlation between the amino acids and β‐carotene indicates the possibility of the development of hybrids with elevated essential amino‐acid levels combined with high β‐carotene content.

Significance and Novelty

This is the first holistic report on the variability of nutritional quality traits coupled with yield in maize germplasm. Identified nutrient‐rich inbreds will serve as valuable germplasm in maize biofortification programs. AT‐FTIR is proposed as an easy screening technique and the first report, which can be employed for the initial screening of a large set of germplasm for methionine and lysine content.
A novel fault diagnosis framework empowered byLSTMand attention: A case study on the Tennessee Eastman process
Authors: Zhao Shuaiyu , Duan Yiling , Roy Nitin , Zhang Bin
Published: August 2024

In the era of Industry 4.0, substantial research has been devoted to the field of fault detection and diagnosis (FDD), which plays a critical role in preventive maintenance of large chemical processes. However, the existing studies are primarily focused on few‐shot samples of process data and without considering the role of activation functions in temporal diagnostic tasks. In this paper, an end‐to‐end chemical fault diagnosis framework that combines bidirectional long short‐term memory (LSTM) with attention mechanism is proposed. In the preprocessing stage, a special sliding time window function is developed to integrate multivariate samples containing complex temporal information via operation such as subset extraction. Afterwards, the bidirectional LSTM is constructed to address dynamic and temporal relationship on longer series observation, and the attention mechanism is adopted to highlight key fault features by assigning different attention weights. A case application is performed on the enriched Tennessee Eastman process (TEP), which reduces the bias between sample statistics and larger population parameters compared to existing few‐shot sample studies. The metric evaluation experiments for six activations show that the model configured with tanh function can achieve the optimal tradeoff in chemical process tasks, providing a strong benchmark for subsequent fault diagnosis research.
Pressure loss in packed beds of multicomponent mixtures of flat particles with particle overlap, including random chips
Authors: Schonfeldt Evangelina , Hallett William L. H.
Published: August 2024

wPressure loss measurements are presented for packed beds of multi‐component mixtures of thin angular parallelepipeds and of random wood chips for a Reynolds number range of 50 to 500. For flat particles like these, the degree to which the particles overlap is an essential factor in pressure loss, and this was measured using two different methods, including a novel technique involving progressive dismantling and photography of the bed. The experimental friction factors were found to be well represented by the Nemec and Levec pressure loss correlation, an Ergun‐type equation with an explicit dependence of the parameters on particle sphericity, with the equation expanded to include the effects of particle overlap and of packing anomalies at the wall. The friction losses of the mixtures were found to be somewhat higher than those of the individual component particles, requiring a minor change in the correlation parameters. Estimates of the tortuosity of the bed channels showed that the greater losses of the mixtures correspond to an increase in tortuosity.
Pressure‐Triggered Photochromism in Chiral Salicylaldehyde Schiff Bases
Authors: Li Yajing , Fu Jiacong , Yao Bohan , Zeng Pengyu , Peng Qiuchen , Li Yuanyuan , Li Kai , Zang Shuangquan
Published: August 2024

Comprehensive Summary

Salicylaldehyde Schiff base is a kind of important photochromism system, whose photochromism process is widely acknowledged to be co‐determined by the electronic structure and molecular conformation. Normally, salicylaldehyde Schiff base derivatives with α‐type structures tend to exhibit photochromism while those with β‐type structures tend to be photostable. However, more and more counterexamples are found, and the root cause of photochromism property of salicylaldehyde Schiff base is still unclear. In this work, a series of chiral salicylaldehyde Schiff bases and their racemates were prepared. The formers are photochromic while the latters are photostable. Influenced by Wallach's rule, the homochiral counterparts have looser packing modes than that of the racemic counterparts. Mechanism study revealed that the pressure should be the root cause of photochromism property. Close molecule packing can restrict the photochromism property effectively after being pressed, which also explains why the photochromism of salicylaldehyde Schiff base is usually observed in solid state. This work not only reports the unique photo‐responsive difference between the chiral salicylaldehyde Schiff bases and their racemates, more importantly, provides a new perspective to understand the influence of molecule pressure on their photophysical properties.
An archive‐based method for efficiently handling small file problems in HDFS
Authors: Liu Junnan , Jin Shengyi , Wang Dong , Li Han
Published: August 2024

Hadoop distributed file system (HDFS) performs well when storing and managing large files. However, its performance significantly decreases when dealing with massive small files. In response to this problem, a novel archive‐based solution is proposed. The archive refers to merging multiple small files into larger data files, which can effectively reduce the memory usage of the NameNode. The current archive‐based solutions have the disadvantages of long access time, long archive construction time, and no support for storage, updating and deleting small files in the archive system. Our method utilizes a dynamic hash function to distribute the metadata of small files across multiple metadata files. We construct a primary index that combines dynamic and static indexes for these metadata files. Regarding data files, include some read‐only files and one readable–writable file. A small file's contents are written into a readable and writable file. Upon reaching a predetermined threshold, the readable–writable file transitions into read‐only status, with a fresh readable–writable file replacing it. Experimental results show that the scheme improves the efficiency of archive access and archive creation and is more efficient than the original HDFS storage and update efficiency.
Development of a Multifaceted Program for Pharmacogenetics Adoption at an Academic Medical Center: Practical Considerations and Lessons Learned
Authors: Shugg Tyler , Tillman Emma M. , Breman Amy M. , Hodge Jennelle C. , McDonald Christine A. , Ly Reynold C. , Rowe Elizabeth J. , Osei Wilberforce , Smith Tayler B. , Schwartz Peter H. , Callaghan John T. , Pratt Victoria M. , Lynch Sheryl , Eadon Michael T. , Skaar Todd C.
Published: August 2024

In 2019, Indiana University launched the Precision Health Initiative to enhance the institutional adoption of precision medicine, including pharmacogenetics (PGx) implementation, at university‐affiliated practice sites across Indiana. The overarching goal of this PGx implementation program was to facilitate the sustainable adoption of genotype‐guided prescribing into routine clinical care. To accomplish this goal, we pursued the following specific objectives: (i) to integrate PGx testing into existing healthcare system processes; (ii) to implement drug–gene pairs with high‐level evidence and educate providers and pharmacists on established clinical management recommendations; (iii) to engage key stakeholders, including patients to optimize the return of results for PGx testing; (iv) to reduce health disparities through the targeted inclusion of underrepresented populations; (v) and to track third‐party reimbursement. This tutorial details our multifaceted PGx implementation program, including descriptions of our interventions, the critical challenges faced, and the major program successes. By describing our experience, we aim to assist other clinical teams in achieving sustainable PGx implementation in their health systems.
Toward the development of a cross‐compatibility framework to enhance the utilization of peanut CWRs
Authors: García A. V. , Chalup L. , Seijo J. G.
Published: August 2024

Utilizing valuable genes and alleles from crop wild relatives (CWRs) and transferring them to elite varieties requires a thorough understanding of species cross compatibility and reproductive systems. In this review, we examine interspecific crossing among peanut CWRs, chromosome pairing during meiosis, and pollen viability of Filial 1 hybrids. We analyze each parameter in relation to phylogenetic distances and current taxonomic and genomic classification, aiming to develop a cross‐compatibility scheme for the crop's secondary gene pool. Analysis of passport information and species names from research groups worldwide over the past 60 years revealed diverse frequencies of genome combinations (17) and species (26) used in hybridization assays. However, only eight species accounted for nearly 50% of successful hybridizations. In intragenomic hybrids, bivalent frequency ranged from 9.1 to 10, with pollen viability typically between 30% and 60%. Intergenomic hybrids exhibited bivalent frequency between 4.8 and 8.5, with pollen viability below 10%. Outliers were observed in the various parameters and hybrids were analyzed. Phylogenetic distance presented an inverse relationship with all variables; the correlation was low with crossing success while moderate with bivalent frequency and pollen viability. These findings suggest that differences in DNA sequences are not the sole determinants of interspecific cross‐compatibility, indicating the presence of pre‐ or postzygotic hybridization barriers. This organized information is crucial for establishing a framework to facilitate the rational selection of parents with desired traits and appropriate genome combinations, ultimately aiding in the development of new amphidiploids compatible with peanut varieties.
Tirbanibulin (KX2‐391) analog KX2‐361 inhibits botulinum neurotoxin serotype A mediated SNAP‐25 cleavage in pre‐ and post‐intoxication models in cells
Authors: Koc Dilara , Ibis Kubra , Besarat Peri , Banoglu Erden , Kiris Erkan
Published: August 2024

Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNT) inhibit neuroexocytosis, leading to the potentially lethal disease botulism. BoNT serotype A is responsible for most human botulism cases, and there are no approved therapeutics to treat already intoxicated patients. A growing body of research has demonstrated that BoNT/A can escape into the central nervous system, and therefore, identification of BoNT/A inhibitors that can penetrate BBB and neutralize the toxin within intoxicated neurons would be important. We previously identified an FDA‐approved, orally bioavailable compound, KX2‐391 (Tirbanibulin) that inhibits BoNT/A in motor neuron assays. Recently, a structural analog of KX2‐391, KX2‐361, has been shown to exhibit good oral bioavailability and cross BBB with high efficiency in mouse experiments. Therefore, in this work, we evaluated the inhibitory effects of KX2‐361 against BoNT/A. Toward this goal, we first evaluated the compound for its effects on cell viability in PC12 cells, via MTT assay, and in mouse embryonic stem cell (mESC)‐derived motor neurons, with imaging‐based assays. Following, we tested KX2‐361 in mESC‐derived motor neurons intoxicated with BoNT/A holotoxin, and the compound exhibited activity against the toxin in both pre‐ and post‐intoxication conditions. Excitingly, KX2‐361 also inhibited BoNT/A enzymatic component (light chain; LC) in PC12 cells transfected with BoNT/A LC. Furthermore, our molecular docking analyses suggested that KX2‐361 can directly bind to BoNT/A LC. Medicinal chemistry approaches to develop structural analogs of KX2‐361 to increase its efficacy against BoNT/A may provide a critical lead compound with BBB penetration capacity for drug development efforts against BoNT/A intoxication.
Annual temperature, body size, and sexual size dimorphism in the evolution of Pyrgomorphidae
Authors: Cueva del Castillo Raúl , Sanabria‐Urbán Salomón , Mariño‐Pérez Ricardo , Song Hojun
Published: August 2024

In many animal species, larger body size is positively correlated with male mating success and female fecundity. However, in the case of insects, in high seasonality environments, natural selection favors a faster maturation that decreases the risk of pre‐reproductive death. However, this advantageous adaptation comes at a tradeoff, resulting in a reduction in body size. Maturation time is influenced by environmental factors, such as temperature, season length, and food availability during the rains. The geographic variation in these parameters provides an opportunity to study their impact on the adaptive evolution of body size in Pyrgomorphidae grasshoppers. These grasshoppers exhibit remarkable variation in body size and wing development and can be found in diverse plant communities across Africa, Asia, Australia, and tropical America. In this study, we utilized a phylogenetic approach to examine the evolution of body size, considering climatic factors, and the influence of sexual selection on size differences between males and females. We found a positive correlation between mean annual temperature and sexual size dimorphism (SSD). Remarkably, species exhibiting a strong bias toward larger females were found to be adapted to regions with higher temperatures. In the Pyrgomorphidae family, an intermediate body size was identified as the ancestral trait. Additionally, winged male and female grasshoppers were observed to be larger than their wingless counterparts. Despite the potential conflicting pressures on body size in males and females, these grasshoppers adhere to Rench's Rule, suggesting that sexual selection on males' body size may explain the evolution of SSD.
Continuous daily sampling of airborne eDNA detects all vertebrate species identified by camera traps
Authors: Polling Marcel , Buij Ralph , Laros Ivo , de Groot G. Arjen
Published: August 2024

Ongoing pressures on global biodiversity require conservation action that is not possible without effective biomonitoring. Terrestrial vertebrate surveys are commonly performed using camera traps, a time‐intensive method known to miss many small or arboreal species and birds. Recent advances have shown airborne eDNA to be a potentially suitable technique to more effectively monitor vertebrate communities in a time‐ and cost‐effective manner. Here, we test whether commercially available air samplers that collect air particles 24/7 during a 1‐week period can be used to detect the presence of vertebrates through airborne eDNA. The results are compared to camera trap records at three locations with differing habitats in the Netherlands. Simultaneous sampling with three different air samplers for 3 weeks resulted in detection of 154 vertebrate taxa, of which the majority were birds or mammals (113 and 33 species, respectively), along with four fish and four amphibian species. All species observed using camera traps were also retrieved via airborne eDNA, although not on every day of sampling. The Burkard spore trap, used routinely for pollen monitoring, showed the highest number of vertebrate species, and only in three samples when a mammal species was detected using a camera trap it remained undetected via eDNA. We also detected unique species at the three locations using airborne eDNA, indicative of the habitat in which they were living. However, we also detected species that we could not account for. The multitude of species found using airborne eDNA compared to camera traps indicate the sensitivity of the method; however, subsequent studies should prioritize validation of these findings through alternative biomonitoring approaches.
Multi‐Scale Analysis Combined Operando Elemental/Spectroscopic Measurement Techniques in Oxide‐Type All‐Solid‐State Na Batteries
Authors: Hiraoka Koji , Yamamoto Kazuo , Kobayashi Takeshi , Sakamoto Tetsuo , Seki Shiro
Published: August 2024

Understanding the charge/discharge mechanism of batteries plays an important role in the development of high‐performance systems, but extremely complicated reactions are involved. Because these complex phenomena are also bottlenecks for the establishment of all‐solid‐state batteries (ASSB), we conducted multi‐scale analysis using combined multi‐measurement techniques, to directly observe charge/discharge reactions at hierarchical scales for the oxide‐type ASSB using Na as the carrier cation. In particular, all of measurement techniques are applied to cross‐section ASSB in the same cell, to complementarily evaluate the elemental distributions and structural changes. From Operando scanning electron microscopy–energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, the Na concentration in the electrode layers changes on the micrometer scale under charge/discharge reactions in the first cycle. Furthermore, Operando Raman spectroscopy reveal changes in the bonding states at the atomic scale in the active material, including changes in reversible structural changes. After cycling the ASSB, the elemental distributions are clearly observed along with the particle shapes and can reveal the Na migration mechanism at the nanometer scale, by time‐of‐flight secondary ion mass spectrometry. Therefore, this study can provide a fundamental and comprehensive understanding of the charge/discharge mechanism by observing reaction processes at multiple scales.
Effectiveness of exercise interventions, alone or in combination with dietary modifications, on working memory in overweight and obese individuals: A systematic review
Authors: Cristi‐Montero Carlos , Barriga Victoria , Peña‐Jorquera Humberto , Martínez‐Flores Ricardo , Espinoza‐Puelles Juan Pablo , Flores Olivares Luis Alberto , Quintana Mendias Estefania , Enriquez‐del Castillo Liliana Aracely
Published: August 2024

This systematic review aimed to establish the effectiveness of exercise interventions, alone or in combination with dietary modifications, on working memory (WM) in individuals living with overweight and obesity. A comprehensive literature search was conducted using the Scopus, PubMed, Springer‐Link, RefSeek, and Cochrane Library databases to identify relevant publications up to January 18, 2024. Data on participants' characteristics, intervention settings, and key outcomes related to WM were extracted. The quality of the studies was assessed using the PEDro scale. A total of 15 articles met pre‐established inclusion criteria, involving participants across nine countries with a range of 12–125 individuals and ages spanning from 6 to 80 years old. Among the studies analyzed, 10 exclusively investigated exercise interventions, whereas five explored the combined effects. Notably, 70% of the exercise interventions (7 out of 10) exhibited positive improvements in WM. Likewise, 60% of the combined interventions (3 out of 5) demonstrated favorable enhancements in WM. No differences were found between the two protocols. Common features between the protocols were identified and described. Both protocols showed favorable and promising effects on WM in this clinical population. Nonetheless, the limited evidence addressing the combination of exercise and diet in the same research approach reduces the generalizability of the findings. This review offers valuable insights for future clinical and research applications in people with overweight and obesity.
A Cost‐Effective Electrochemical Sensor Using a Graphite Pencil Electrode for Sensitive Quantification of Phenolic Antioxidants in Human Plasma and Food Samples
Authors: Bakr Ahmed , Newair Emad F. , Ismael Mohamed , Khairy Mohamed
Published: August 2024

The pressing challenge in electroanalysis revolves around the creation of a user‐friendly analytical sensor that is accessible to individuals lacking specialized expertise. Such sensor should offer minimal cost, while simultaneously ensuring high sensitivity and reproducibility. Herein, graphite pencil electrode (GPE) has emerged as a promising electrochemical sensor for the determination of polyphenolic compounds, including gentisic acid (GEN), gallic acid (GA), caffeic acid (CAF), and sinapic acid (SA). To comprehensively explore the electrochemical oxidation processes of these antioxidants, a range of electrochemical techniques, namely cyclic voltammetry (CV), differential pulse voltammetry (DPV), and chronoamperometry (CA), were deployed. The results of these investigations unveiled a diffusional oxidation wave associated with phenolic hydroxyl groups, involving a two‐electron/two‐proton loss step, occurring within the potential range of 0.4–0.6 V vs. Ag/AgCl. Crucially, the GPE exhibited the capacity to establish linear calibration curves for GEN, GA, CAF, and SA, encompassing concentrations from nanomolar to sub‐micromolar which highlighted by the corresponding limits of detection (LoD), recorded at 0.086, 0.046, 0.112, and 0.115 μM, respectively. The heightened sensitivity and reproducibility demonstrated by the GPE underscore its potential as an efficient tool for the determination of polyphenolic compounds. Beyond its analytical capabilities, the GPE displayed remarkable applicability in facilitating on‐site, cost‐effective determinations of polyphenolic compounds in both plasma and food samples. This versatility positions the GPE as a valuable asset in addressing the challenges associated with electrochemical analysis, making it an attractive option for a wide range of applications where simplicity, affordability, and reliability are paramount.
High‐Performance Single‐Phase Bi‐Directional Novel On‐Board Charger for Electric Vehicles
Authors: Ali Md Inayat , Mandal Rajib , Kumar Amitesh
Published: August 2024

The design and development of a 550 W non‐isolated single‐phase two‐stage level‐1 bidirectional on‐board battery charger (OBC) for electric vehicles (EVs) have been discussed in this article, which is also capable of supplying the utility grid's reactive power needs. There are two stages in this topology. The first stage consists of a full bridge bidirectional AC to DC converter, and the second stage consists of a half‐bridge bidirectional DC to DC converter with enhanced vehicle‐to‐vehicle (V2V) capabilities for emergency roadside charging assistance scenarios. In an emergency, if there is not a charging station nearby and the battery is dead, EVs can use this feature to charge from other EVs. It can also work like a regular vehicle‐to‐grid (V2G) or grid‐to‐vehicle (G2V) system. The suggested charging topology has a maximum efficiency of 99.09%, a power factor of 0.99, and a total harmonic distortion (THD) of 6.31%. MATLAB/Simulink is used to develop and simulate the suggested EV charger, and simulation results are compared with the other on‐board chargers in the literature.
Electric Vehicle Smart‐Charging Control for Parking Lots Based on Individual State of Charge Priority
Authors: Haasis Frederico , Solano Oscar , Dias Daniel , Borba Bruno
Published: August 2024

The integration of electric vehicles (EVs) into the power grid could pose challenges to power quality (PQ) depending on quantity of EVs and when they are connected. To mitigate these impacts without using drastic measures, such as disconnecting EVs, this study investigates centralized control strategies within parking facilities that prioritize EV charging based on individual State of Charge (SoC) levels. The study utilizes the IEEE 34 Bus system and conducts 3888 simulations for different scenarios to assess the impact of the quantity and placement of EVs in parking lots. The study applies the Monte Carlo method to compare the performance of different proposed controls: (i) limiting the charging current to a fixed level and (ii) varying the current based on the voltage droop step. Furthermore, Power Hardware‐in‐the‐Loop (PHIL) simulations were carried out to validate the hierarchical control using the droop step control, demonstrating the best average performance in the previous scenarios. The findings indicated that the control responded within the expected timeframe and successfully addressed voltage sag issues, maintaining PQ in the distribution system in most cases, with its performance being influenced by the placement of parking lots in the network. Additionally, it was confirmed through quartiles that the classification based on SoC leads to a more balanced charging time for different SoC levels.
Accumulation of Parabens, Their Metabolites, and Halogenated Byproducts in Migratory Birds of Prey: A Comparative Study in Texas and North Carolina, USA
Authors: Rojo Macarena , Ball Ashley L. , Penrose Mike T. , Weir Scott M. , LeBaron Hailey , Terasaki Masanori , Cobb George P. , Lavado Ramon
Published: August 2024

Parabens are alkyl esters of p-hydroxybenzoic acid that are commonly used as preservatives in personal care products such as cosmetics. Recent studies have revealed the presence of parabens in surface and tap water because of their use as disinfection products; however, little is known about their occurrence in biological samples and their bioaccumulation potential, particularly in raptor birds known as sentinels for pollutant detection. We examined the occurrence and tissue distribution of parabens, their metabolites, and halogenated byproducts in the liver, kidney, brain, and muscle of birds of prey from Texas and North Carolina (USA). Methylparaben (MeP), propylparaben (PrP), and butylparaben (BuP) were detected in more than 50% of all tissues examined, with the kidney exhibiting the highest concentration of MeP (0.65–6.84 ng/g wet wt). Para-hydroxybenzoic acid (PHBA), a primary metabolite, had the highest detection frequency (>50%) and a high accumulation range in the liver, of 4.64 to 12.55 ng/g. The chlorinated compounds chloromethylparaben and chloroethylparaben were found in over half of the tissues, of which dichloromethylparaben (2.20–3.99 ng/g) and dichloroethylparaben (1.01–5.95 ng/g) in the kidney exhibited the highest concentrations. The dibrominated derivatives dibromideethylparaben (Br2EtP) was detected in more than 50% of samples, particularly in muscle and brain. Concentrations in the range of 0.14 to 17.38 ng/g of Br2EtP were detected in the kidney. Dibromidepropylparaben (Br2PrP) was not frequently detected, but concentrations ranged from 0.09 to 21.70 ng/g in muscle. The accumulations of total amounts (sum) of parent parabens (∑P), metabolites (∑M), and halogenated byproducts (∑H) in different species were not significantly different, but their distribution in tissues differed among the species. Positive correlations were observed among MeP, PrP, BuP, and PHBA in the liver, suggesting similar origins and metabolic pathways. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024;43:2365–2376. © 2024 The Author(s). Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.
The potential of Gynostemma pentaphyllum in the treatment of hyperlipidemia and its interaction with the LOX1‐PI3K‐AKT‐eNOS pathway
Authors: Shen Zhuyang , Gao Xin , Huang Dan , Xu Xiaojin , Shen Jianping
Published: August 2024

Gynostemma pentaphyllum, a traditional Chinese medicine, is widely used to treat various diseases, but its therapeutic effects and mechanisms of action on hyperlipidemia remain unclear. This study aims to investigate the effects of Danshen leaf on hyperlipidemia through network pharmacology, molecular docking, and cellular experiments, elucidating its multifaceted mechanism of action within the LOX1‐PI3K‐AKT‐eNOS pathway. First, the active ingredients and targets of G. pentaphyllum were screened using the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology database. Then, targets for hyperlipidemia were identified using the OMIM and GeneCards databases, and potential therapeutic targets for G. pentaphyllum in treating hyperlipidemia were determined. An active ingredient‐target network was constructed using Cytoscape software, and a protein–protein interaction (PPI) network was built and visualized using the STRING database and Cytoscape software. Finally, GO functional and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses were performed, and the predicted mechanisms were validated through molecular docking and cell experiments. 85 targets for G. pentaphyllum and 1556 for Hyperlipidemia were screened, with 53 common targets. Twenty‐four active ingredients of G. pentaphyllum were found to be involved in the treatment of hyperlipidemia. Key nodes such as Rhamnazin, Isofucosterol, and quercetin, and targets NCOA2, NR3C2, PGR, and PPARG showed high relevance. In the PPI network, 8 nodes, including IL6, PPARG, and VEGFA, exhibited high centrality. GO functional and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses indicated that G. pentaphyllum may treat hyperlipidemia by influencing various biological functions and pathways, such as DNA‐binding transcription factor binding, RNA polymerase II‐specific DNA‐binding transcription factor binding, and lipid and atherosclerosis. Cell experiments demonstrated that G. pentaphyllum significantly regulated the expression of key proteins in the LOX1‐PI3K‐AKT‐eNOS pathway, thereby improving hyperlipidemia. G. pentaphyllum improves hyperlipidemia by mediating the LOX1‐PI3K‐AKT‐eNOS pathway. This study provides a new theoretical basis and experimental evidence for applying G. pentaphyllum to treating hyperlipidemia.
Reliability‐based state parameter liquefaction probability prediction using soft computing techniques
Authors: Kumar Kishan , Samui Pijush , Choudhary S. S.
Published: August 2024

The state parameter (ѱ) accounts for both relative density and effective stress, which influence the cyclic stress or liquefaction characteristic of the soil significantly. This study presents a ѱ‐based probabilistic liquefaction evaluation method using six soft computing (SC) techniques. The liquefaction probability of failure (PL) is calculated using the first‐order second moment (FOSM) method based on the cone penetration test (CPT) database. Then, six SC techniques, such as Gaussian process regression (GPR), relevance vector machine (RVM), functional network (FN), genetic programming (GP), minimax probability machine regression (MPMR) and multivariate adaptive regression splines (MARS), are used to predict PL. The performance of these models is examined using nine statistical indices. Additionally, plots such as regression plots, Taylor diagrams, error matrix and rank analysis are shown to assess the SC model's performance. Finally, sensitivity analysis is performed using the cosine amplitude method (CAM) to assess the influence of input parameters on output. The current study demonstrates that SC models based on state parameter predict PL effectively. RVM and MPMR models closely follow the GPR model in terms of performance, which is superior to the other models. Notably, two equations are generated using GP and MARS models to predict PL. The results of the sensitivity analysis reveal the magnitude of earthquake (Mw) as the most sensitive parameter. The outcomes of this research will offer risk evaluations for geotechnical engineering designs and expand the use of state parameter‐based SC models in liquefaction analysis.
Later Life Food Insecurity and Social Isolation in Ghana: The Importance of Psychological Factors
Authors: Gyasi Razak M. , Phillips David R. , Aikins Emelia , Peltzer Karl , Accam Burnett Tetteh , Frempong Foster , Dwumah Peter , Koomson‐Yalley Elizabeth Nana Mbrah , Asiedu Hubert Bimpeh , Abass Kabila , Hajek André
Published: August 2024

Background

Social isolation (SI) and food insecurity (FI) are important social determinants of health that can negatively impact well‐being in old age. While research on the association between FI and SI is limited in LMICs, the mediators of this association are largely unknown. This cross‐sectional study examined whether FI is associated with SI among older adults in Ghana and whether psychological factors (i.e., depression, anxiety, and sleep problems) mediated the association.

Methods

Our study consisted of adults aged ≥50 years in the Aging, Health, Well‐being, and Health‐seeking Behavior Study. SI was assessed with the Berkman‐Syme Social Network Index, while FI was assessed with dietary inadequacy‐related items. We used an ordinary least squares regression (OLS), logistic regressions, and bootstrapping modeling approach to examine our hypotheses with p < 0.05.

Results

The analysis included 1201 individuals (Mage = 66 [SD = 12], women = 63%). In the full sample (β = 0.21; p < 0.001) and in women (β = 0.30, p < 0.001) but not in men, FI was independently associated with SI. FI was comparably associated with increases in SI for the 50–64 age group (β = 0.21, p < 0.001) and ≥65 age cohort (β = 0.19, p < 0.01). Moreover, FI showed differential associations with specific domains of SI (OR = 1.81 to 1.45, p < 0.001). Finally, the FI‐SI association was mediated by depressive symptoms (65.16%), anxiety symptoms (30.16%), and sleep problems (9.50%).

Conclusions

Our data highlight the fundamental role of FI in SI among older adults, and the effect is explained by psychosocial factors. Interventions targeted toward strengthening interpersonal ties in old age should include addressing FI and older adults' psychosocial outcomes.
Adolescents' trait mindfulness and psychological stress: The mediating role of attention
Authors: Zhang Yaoyao , Liu Xin , Wu Huimin , Li Qing , Guo Cheng
Published: August 2024

Introduction

Based on the Combined Cognitive Biases Hypothesis, the current study via two parallel studies aims to explore the potential mediating role of attention biases and attention control regarding the link between trait mindfulness and psychological stress in adolescents.

Methods

For Study 1, we collected self‐reported data from 2123 Chinese adolescents (mean age = 15.6 years, SD = 2.37; 52.8% female) in four schools. The participants completed measures of trait mindfulness, perceived stress, and attention bias. Mediation analysis was employed to investigate the potential mediating effect of attention bias. In Study 2, 123 participants (mean age = 17.7 years, SD = 2.68; 41.46% female) completed the attention network task after inducing attention bias. Then, trait mindfulness and perceived stress were measured. Mediation analysis was employed to investigate the potential mediating effect of attention control (alerting, orienting, and conflict monitoring) under attention bias.

Results

Study 1 demonstrated a significant mediating effect of negative attention bias ([−0.13, −0.07], p < .05) but not positive attention bias in the relationship between trait mindfulness and psychological stress. Study 2 revealed that conflict monitoring in negative attention bias ([−0.41, −0.16], p < .05), rather than alerting and orienting in negative attention bias, showed a significant mediating effect on the association between trait mindfulness and psychological stress.

Conclusions

Findings from the two studies suggest that conflict monitoring during negative attention bias may be the underlying mechanism through which trait mindfulness helps mitigate psychological stress in adolescents.
Design and preparation of hydrogel microspheres for spinal cord injury repair
Authors: Zheng Jian , Chen Ruilin , Hao Jie , Yang Yang , Xu Shaohu , Zhang Feiyu , Zhang Feng , Yao Yu
Published: August 2024

A severe disorder known as spinal cord damage causes both motor and sensory impairment in the limbs, significantly reducing the patients' quality of life. After a spinal cord injury, functional recovery and therapy have emerged as critical concerns. Hydrogel microspheres have garnered a lot of interest lately because of their enormous promise in the field of spinal cord injury rehabilitation. The material classification of hydrogel microspheres (natural and synthetic macromolecule polymers) and their synthesis methods are examined in this work. This work also covers the introduction of several kinds of hydrogel microspheres and their use as carriers in the realm of treating spinal cord injuries. Lastly, the study reviews the future prospects for hydrogel microspheres and highlights their limitations and problems. This paper can offer feasible ideas for researchers to advance the application of hydrogel microspheres in the field of spinal cord injury.
An Algorithmic Approach to MR Imaging of Hypomyelinating Leukodystrophies
Authors: Sharma Smily , Sundaram Soumya , Kesavadas Chandrasekharan , Thomas Bejoy
Published: August 2024

Hypomyelinating leukodystrophies (HLDs) are a heterogeneous group of white matter diseases characterized by permanent deficiency of myelin deposition in brain. MRI is instrumental in the diagnosis and recommending genetic analysis, and is especially useful as many patients have a considerable clinical overlap, with the primary presenting complains being global developmental delay with psychomotor regression. Hypomyelination is defined as deficient myelination on two successive MR scans, taken at least 6 months apart, one of which should have been obtained after 1 year of age. Due to subtle differences in MRI features, the need for a systematic imaging approach to diagnose and classify hypomyelinating disorders is reiterated. The presented article provides an explicit review of imaging features of a myriad of primary and secondary HLDs, using state of the art genetically proven MR cases. A systematic pattern‐based approach using MR features and specific clinical clues is illustrated for a quick yet optimal diagnosis of common as well as rare hypomyelinating disorders. The major MR features helping to narrow the differential diagnosis include extent of involvement like diffuse or patchy hypomyelination with selective involvement or sparing of certain white matter structures like optic radiations, median lemniscus, posterior limb of internal capsule and periventricular white matter; cerebellar atrophy; brainstem, corpus callosal or basal ganglia involvement; T2 hypointense signal of the thalami; and presence of calcifications. The authors also discuss the genetic and pathophysiologic basis of HLDs and recent methods to quantify myelin in vivo using advanced neuroradiology tools. The proposed algorithmic approach provides an improved understanding of these rare yet important disorders, enhancing diagnostic precision and improving patient outcomes.

Evidence Level

4

Technical Efficacy

Stage 5
Surface adhered titanium particles on 3D printed off‐the‐shelf acetabular cups
Authors: Nicum Arya , Di Laura Anna , Hothi Harry , Henckel Johann , Schlueter‐Brust Klaus , Hart Alister
Published: August 2024

3D printing is a rapidly growing manufacturing method of medical implants. In orthopedics, this method enables the construction of complex porous structures with the aim of improved bone fixation. A known by‐product of the 3D printing process is surface adhered particles which are often challenging to remove from the strut surfaces of the porous region. This study investigates the presence of these particles in the porous region of unused 3D printed off‐the‐shelf acetabular cup from five manufacturers. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and image analysis software were used to determine the frequency and diameters of particles present on these implants. Surface adhered particles were found in the porous structures of all implants with some exhibiting more particles at the subsurface level than the surface level. Implants manufactured via Selective Laser Melting (SLM) exhibited a higher number of surface adhered particles per mm2 at both the surface and subsurface levels than those manufactured by Electron Beam Melting (EBM). Additionally, and consistent with previous literature, the particle diameter of the SLM cups was found to be smaller than those on the EBM cups, as well as having a visually lower level of adherence which could raise concern about the likelihood of breakage of these particles in‐vivo.
Impacts of nitrogen fertilization on CO2 efflux with and without organic amendments in a high‐pH soil
Authors: Zhao Haolin , Zhu Zhu , Wang Xiujun , Xu Minggang , Huang Ni
Published: August 2024

Organic amendments and nitrogen fertilization are common practices in agriculture, which have complex influences on the carbon cycle. To evaluate the effects of nitrogen‐organic carbon combination on CO2 efflux, we conducted a field incubation experiment with control, N fertilization without and with straw/biochar amendments for 20 months in a typical soil of North China Plain. CO2 efflux was measured every ~3–4 weeks, and water‐extractable organic carbon and soil microbial biomass carbon were analyzed in spring, summer, and autumn. Our results showed an asymmetric seasonality (slow increase in spring but rapid decrease in fall) in the control and biochar treatments, but a symmetric seasonality under straw treatments. Organic amendments with N fertilization caused an increase of CO2 efflux in most seasons (comparing without N fertilization), with a much greater increase in spring–summer of the first year (22%–35%) than the second year (1%–3%). Nitrogen fertilization caused a much greater increase in cumulative CO2 efflux with biochar (7%–13%) and with straw treatment (20%) than without organic amendments (3%) over the period of 20 months. SIC content showed an increase under organic amendments, with a greater increase under biochar amendments than straw amendments. The increases of CO2 efflux under nitrogen‐biochar and nitrogen‐straw combinations could be explained mainly by enhanced decomposition of SOC, biochar, and straw rather than SIC dissolution. Our study indicated that biochar amendments were more effective for carbon sequestration than straw amendments and nitrogen fertilization with organic amendments could cause changes in various processes of CO2 production in the cropland of north China.
Access to Medicines for Parkinson's Disease in Kenya: A Qualitative Exploration
Authors: Fothergill‐Misbah Natasha , Hooker Juzar , Kwasa Judith , Walker Richard
Published: August 2024

Background

The accessibility of Parkinson's disease medicines is limited across sub‐Saharan Africa, which can have negative health, social and financial consequences for people with Parkinson's disease and their families. However, there is a stark gap in the literature regarding the impact of poor access to medicines on individuals.

Objectives

The study objective was to understand the accessibility of Parkinson's disease medicines in Kenya from the perspective of people with Parkinson's disease, their caregivers and neurologists.

Methods

In‐depth qualitative interviews were conducted with 55 people with Parkinson's disease, 23 caregivers and 8 neurologists to understand their experience regarding challenges with accessing Parkinson's disease medicines and the health, social and financial impact of poor availability and affordability.

Results

Medicines for Parkinson's disease were deemed to be largely unavailable and unaffordable across Kenya. People with Parkinson's disease, caregivers and neurologists expressed the financial burden caused by long‐term treatment in the absence of health insurance coverage. Further, barriers accessing medicines negatively impacted symptom control, social relations, and quality of life.

Conclusions

Access to Parkinson's disease medicines in Kenya is limited, with severe implications for symptom management and quality of life. People with Parkinson's disease should be able to access and afford the medicines they need to manage their condition.