bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
BUILDING LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT OF A COLLECTIVE HOUSING BUILDING IN PORTUGAL CONSIDERING DIFFERENT STRUCTURAL MATERIALS
Authors: de Paula Filho José Humberto M. , Garcia Micael B. , Craveiro Hélder D. S. , Guimarães e Leonardo
Published: March 2024

In recent years, the focus on reducing the environmental impact of construction has shifted from operational carbon emissions to embodied carbon or materials due to the constant decarbonization of the energy sector. This paper compares the life‐cycle assessment (LCA) of a collective housing building in Portugal, examining four structural solutions: composite steel and concrete, light steel framing, prefabricated reinforced concrete, and cross‐laminated timber load‐bearing walls. This study aims to aid construction professionals in making environmentally informed decisions by comparing design options composed of different materials and highlighting potential improvements in environmental performance.
STEEL PLATE GIRDERS: RESIDUAL STRESSES FROM THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS
Authors: Ferreira Sebastião Gomes , Nascimento Sérgio , Pedro José Oliveira
Published: March 2024

The manufacturing process of steel plate girders generates residual stresses and geometrical imperfections in the flange and web plates that constitute them. These imperfections must respect the manufacturing tolerances that are presented in the regulation. In the present work several stages of the manufacturing process are studied, being these the thermal cutting of the plates, the assembling of the beam and the flange‐web welding process. This work is also accompanied by several results in terms of residual stresses and geometric imperfections of an experimental study and is made the confrontation of those results with the theoretical information available on the prEN 1993‐1‐14 and with the results obtained by numerical models that simulate the thermal processes of the plates cutting and welding.
ASSESSMENT OF THE MECHANICAL STRENGTH OF A STRUCTURE SUBJECT FO FIRE ATTACK AT THE WILDLAND‐URBAN INTERFACE (WUI)
Authors: Fiorini Cesare , Craveiro Hélder D. , Santiago e Aldina C.
Published: March 2024

Fires at the Wildland‐Urban Interface (WUI) have a strong detrimental impact on the built environment. This study evaluates the effect of fire in the WUI on steel sandwich panels in a prescriptive fire field experience. The heat transfer mechanisms are obtained using a computational fluid dynamic (CFD) simulation, more specifically the adiabatic surface temperatures (AST) of the structure. The ASTs were applied in a finite element model (FEM) as boundary conditions in the thermal field in order to quantify the heat transfer processed by the FEM. In conclusion, it is identified which area of the structure is most affected due to the temperatures in the panels.
A Halogen Bonding [2]Rotaxane Shuttle for Chloride‐Selective Optical Sensing
Authors: Tay Hui Min , Docker Andrew , Taylor Andrew J. , Beer Paul D.
Published: March 2024

The first example of a [2]rotaxane shuttle capable of selective optical sensing of chloride anions over other halides is reported. The rotaxane was synthesised via a chloride ion template‐directed cyclisation of an isophthalamide macrocycle around a multi‐station axle containing peripheral naphthalene diimide (NDI) stations and a halogen bonding (XB) bis(iodotriazole) based station. Proton NMR studies indicate the macrocycle resides preferentially at the NDI stations in the free rotaxane, where it is stabilised by aromatic donor‐acceptor charge transfer interactions between the axle NDI and macrocycle hydroquinone moieties. Addition of chloride ions in an aqueous‐acetone solvent mixture induces macrocycle translocation to the XB anion binding station to facilitate the formation of convergent XB⋅⋅⋅Cl− and hydrogen bonding HB⋅⋅⋅Cl− interactions, which is accompanied by a reduction of the charge‐transfer absorption band. Importantly, little to no optical response was induced by addition of bromide or iodide to the rotaxane, indicative of the size discriminative steric inaccessibility of the interlocked cavity to the larger halides, demonstrating the potential of using the mechanical bond effect as a potent strategy and tool in chloride‐selective chemo‐sensing applications in aqueous containing solvent environments.
Effects of the Introduction of Tertiary Amino Linkages on the Properties of Phenothiazine Derivatives as Delayed Emission Fluorophores
Authors: Keruckiene Rasa , Lekavicius Domantas , Guzauskas Matas , Simokaitiene Jurate , Grazulevicius Juozas V.
Published: March 2024

Two phenothiazine‐based electroactive compounds were synthesized by Buchwald‐Hartwig cross‐coupling reaction. The compounds consist of pyridine‐ or benzonitrile accepting moiety and phenothiazine donor fragments linked through tertiary amino linkage. The resulting electroactive compounds showed high thermal stability with 10 % weight loss temperatures of 270 and 308 °C. Both the compounds showed reversible oxidation after repeated scans of cyclic voltammetry. Experimental results in combination with the outcomes of TD‐DFT calculations, were employed to examine the emission nature of the target compounds. By demonstrating the correct choice of acceptor moiety and linking topology, the synthesized compounds were found to be emitters exhibiting efficient RTP. With emission lifetime reaching 26.04 ms and spin‐orbit coupling value of the triplet states with the singlet ground state of 18.72 cm−1, the radiative recombination of the triplet state is ensured. Having lifetimes of 26 ms and strong sensitivity to oxygen, the benzonitrile‐containing phenothiazine derivative demonstrated fast oxygen response with the quenching constant of 4.97*10−4 ppm−1 at low oxygen concentrations that is comparable to the corresponding characteristics of reported RTP‐based sensors.
Comparison of Vinyldimethylaniline and Indolizine Donor Groups on Si‐Substituted Xanthene Core Shortwave Infrared Fluorophores
Authors: Kaur Ravinder , Kruse Nicholas A. , Smith Cameron , Hammer Nathan I. , Delcamp Jared H.
Published: March 2024

Small organic molecules absorbing and emitting in the shortwave infrared (SWIR, 1000–2000 nm) region are desirable for biological imaging applications due to low auto‐fluorescence, reduce photon scattering, and good tissue penetration depth of photons which allows for in vivo imaging with high resolution and sensitivity. Si‐substituted xanthene‐based fluorophores with indolizine donors have demonstrated some of the longest wavelengths of absorption and emission from organic dyes. This work seeks to compare an indolizine heterocyclic nitrogen with dimethyl aniline nitrogen donors on otherwise identical Si‐substituted xanthene fluorophores via optical spectroscopy, computational chemistry and electrochemistry. Three donors are compared including an indolizine donor, a ubiquitous dimethyl aniline donor, and a vinyl dimethyl aniline group that keeps the number of π‐bonds consistent with indolizine. Significantly higher quantum yields and molar absorptivity are observed in these studies for a dimethylamine‐based donor relative to a simple indolizine donor absorbing and emitting at similar wavelengths (~1312 nm emission). Substantially longer wavelengths are obtainable by appending aniline‐based groups to the indolizine donor (~1700 nm) indicating longer wavelengths can be accessed with indolizine donors while stronger emitters can be accessed with anilines in place of indolizine.
On the analytical modeling of fractal memelement and inverse memelement
Authors: Banchuin Rawid
Published: March 2024

In this work, an improved analytical model of fractal memelement in which the pinched point shifting has been considered and the original analytical model of fractal inverse memelement have been proposed. These fractal circuit elements are the memelement, and inverse memelement operates based on the principle of electromagnetic in fractal time/space, which must be applied whenever the current flows through fractal media. These models are important because these memory elements can be realized based on the porous material, which is a fractal media. In addition, they can employ self‐similarity, which is hard to be simulated by using the traditional models. This is because such self‐similarity can be well explained by the fractal set‐based model, yet those traditional models are based on the set of real values. Therefore, for deriving the proposed models, the fractal calculus, which is oriented to the fractal set, has been adopted as the mathematical basis. From the analytical and numerical analyses based on the derived models, it has been found that both memelement and inverse memelement can retain their unique frequency characteristics despite being operated based on the abovementioned principle. In addition, their input–output relationships are mathematically differentiable albeit the inputs and outputs themselves are not.
Novel bispecific nanobody mitigates experimental intestinal inflammation in mice by targeting TNF‐α and IL‐23p19 bioactivities
Authors: Wang Jiewen , Kang Guangbo , Lu Huiying , de Marco Ario , Yuan Haibin , Feng Zelin , Gao Mengxue , Wang Xiaoli , Wang Huahong , Zhang Xiaolan , Wang Yuli , Zhang Miao , Wang Ping , Feng Yuanhang , Liu Zhanju , Cao Xiaocang , Huang He
Published: March 2024

Background

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) pose significant challenges in terms of treatment non‐response, necessitating the development of novel therapeutic approaches. Although biological medicines that target TNF‐α (tumour necrosis factor‐α) have shown clinical success in some IBD patients, a substantial proportion still fails to respond.

Methods

We designed bispecific nanobodies (BsNbs) with the ability to simultaneously target human macrophage‐expressed membrane TNF‐α (hmTNF‐α) and IL‐23. Additionally, we fused the constant region of human IgG1 Fc (hIgG1 Fc) to BsNb to create BsNb‐Fc.  Our study encompassed in vitro and in vivo characterization of BsNb and BsNb‐Fc.

Results

BsNb‐Fc exhibited an improved serum half‐life, targeting capability and effector function than BsNb. It's demonstrated that BsNb‐Fc exhibited superior anti‐inflammatory effects compared to the anti‐TNF‐α mAb (infliximab, IFX) combined with anti‐IL‐12/IL‐23p40 mAb (ustekinumab, UST) by Transwell co‐culture assays. Notably, in murine models of acute colitis brought on by 2,4,6‐trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid（TNBS) and dextran sulphate sodium (DSS), BsNb‐Fc effectively alleviated colitis severity. Additionally, BsNb‐Fc outperformed the IFX&UST combination in TNBS‐induced colitis, significantly reducing colon inflammation in mice with colitis produced by TNBS and DSS.

Conclusion

These findings highlight an enhanced efficacy and improved biostability of BsNb‐Fc, suggesting its potential as a promising therapeutic option for IBD patients with insufficient response to TNF‐α inhibition.

Key points

A bispecific nanobody (BsNb) was created to target TNF‐α and IL‐23p19, exhibiting high affinity and remarkable stability.

BsNb‐Fc inhibited the release of cytokines in CD4+T cells during co‐culture experiments.

BsNb‐Fc effectively alleviated colitis severity in mouse model with acute colitis induced by DSS or TNBS, outperforming the IFX&UST combination.
Wi‐Fi 6‐based home area network for demand response in smart grid
Authors: Edirisinghe Sampath , Wijethunge Akila , Ranaweera Chathurika
Published: March 2024

The past decade has brought prolific developments to power systems that range from large‐scale renewable integration to digital twins. Modern power systems consist of highly variable generation clusters. Hence, monitoring and prediction of power generation has become a vital part of today's power systems. On the other hand, detailed real‐time information of power usage is also a key parameter for the control algorithms used for the demand side management. With this information flow, power systems become smart grids which offer improved service and enable many advanced operations. In this regard, the home area network (HAN), which collects the power consumption/generation of household devices, plays a key role. So far, a number of technologies such as ZigBee, Z‐Wave, and Power Line Communication (PLC) have been considered for the HAN. Yet, widely used wireless local area network (WLAN) technology, Wi‐Fi, was not identified as a prominent candidate due to the limitations in its latency and reliability. However, with the introduction of the IEEE 802.11ax standard, Wi‐Fi 6 was developed, and it demonstrates guaranteed latency and reliability for its users. Thus, with its widespread deployment in households, Wi‐Fi is becoming a natural candidate for HAN. In this article, we present a comprehensive HAN protocol based on Wi‐Fi 6 which can achieve guaranteed latency and reliability for HAN users. The results show that when an efficient resource allocation mechanism is in place, using Wi‐Fi for HAN does not adversely affect the other Wi‐Fi users in the normal WLAN.
Construction of imide‐linked covalent organic frameworks with palladium nanoparticles for oxygen reduction reaction
Authors: Guo Zhuangyan , Yang Shuai , Liu Minghao , Xu Qing , Zeng Gaofeng
Published: March 2024

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) have been widely employed as electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) due to their diverse and tunable skeletons and pores. However, their electrocatalytic activity was limited due to the lack of highly active catalytic sites. In this work, we have first immobilized palladium nanoparticles (NPs) into the crystal, porous, and stable imide‐linked COF for ORR. The newly designed COF had pyridine linkers with imide‐linkages in the frameworks serving as the binding sites to anchor Pd sites, and the high surface area and open pore channels provide fast mass transport pathway to the active Pd sites, which contributed highly active performance in ORR. And the designed catalyst delivered onset potential and the half‐wave potential of COF‐Pd of 0.97 and 0.83 V, with a limited current density of 6.1 mA cm−2, respectively. This work provides us insights into developing high crystalline COFs with metal NPs in electrocatalytic systems.
High sensitivity of host Helios+/Neuropilin‐1+ Treg to pretransplant conditioning hampers development of OX40bright/integrin‐β7+ regulatory cells in acute gastrointestinal GvHD
Authors: Lupsa Nikolett , Érsek Barbara , Böröczky Csenge , Kis Dávid , Szarka Eszter , Lumniczky Katalin , Sáfrány Géza , Zádori Zoltán S , Szöőr Árpád , Buzás Edit I , Pós Zoltán
Published: March 2024

This study sought to compare the behavior of Treg subsets displaying different coexpression patterns of Neuropilin‐1 (Nrp1) and Helios, under the influence of gut stress unrelated to hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, pretransplantation conditioning, and posttransplant gastrointestinal acute graft versus host disease (GI‐aGvHD). Host CD4+/CD25hi/Foxp3+ Treg cells, identified by flow cytometry, were isolated from various tissues of mice affected by these stressors. Expression of CD25, CTLA‐4, CD39, OX40, integrin‐β7, LAG3, TGFβ/LAP, granzyme‐A, ‐B, and interleukin‐10 was compared in four Treg subsets displaying Helios or Nrp1 only, both or none. Fluorescence‐activated cell sorter–sorted Treg subsets, displaying markers affected in a conditioning‐ and GI‐aGVHD‐restricted manner, were further investigated by transcriptome profiling and T‐cell suppression assays. We found that conditioning by irradiation greatly diminished the relative frequency of Helios+/Nrp1+ Treg, shifting the balance toward Helios−/Nrp1− Treg in the host. Upregulation of integrin‐β7 and OX40 occurred in GI‐aGvHD‐dependent manner in Helios+/Nrp1+ cells but not in Helios−/Nrp1− Treg. Sorted Treg subsets, confirmed to overexpress Nrp1, Helios, OX40, or integrin‐β7, displayed superior immunosuppressive activity and enrichment in activation‐related messenger RNA transcripts. Our data suggest that conditioning‐induced shrinkage of the Nrp1+/Helios+ Treg subset may contribute to the development of GI‐GvHD by impairing gut homing and decreasing the efficiency of Treg‐mediated immunosuppression.
Certainty and uncertainty in the biological activities of resveratrol
Authors: Drago Lorenzo , Ciprandi Giorgio , Brindisi Giulia , Brunese Francesco Paolo , Dinardo Giulio , Gori Alessandra , Indolfi Cristiana , Naso Matteo , Tondina Enrico , Trincianti Chiara , Varricchio Attilio , Zicari Anna Maria , Ullah Hammad , Daglia Maria ,   the Nutraceutical and Medical Device Task Force of the Italian Society of Pediatric Allergy, Immunology (SIAIP)
Published: March 2024

Resveratrol is a nonflavonoid polyphenolic compound with a chemical structure consisting of two aromatic rings linked by a methylene bridge. It exists in two primary isomers and has a broad range of desirable biological activities, including antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, antidiabetic, cardioprotective, and antitumor activities. Some antioxidant properties of resveratrol are known with certainty, such as its potential to positively impact cardiovascular health, inflammation, and the metabolism. On the other hand, many uncertainties and controversies plague its efficacy, including issues related to its bioavailability, dosing, human clinical trial results, interactions with other food components and drugs, and individual variability. In brief, although promising results have been observed in in vitro and in vivo studies, the translation of these findings to human health remains uncertain. Many human clinical trials on resveratrol are ongoing or have proven inconclusive, making it challenging to definitively determine its efficacy for specific health conditions and its dose and duration of treatment. Resveratrol may interact with medications and have varying effects on individuals. In conclusion, it is essential to approach resveratrol with a balanced perspective, consulting with healthcare professionals, and considering the evolving scientific evidence when making decisions regarding its clinical use.
Effects of increasing sensitizing doses of ovalbumin on airway hyperresponsiveness in asthmatic mice
Authors: Chen Yan‐Jiao , Yuan Yu , Peng Lu , Dong Xin‐Yi , Xu Yu‐Dong , Wang Yu , Yang Yong‐Qing
Published: March 2024

Background

The dosage of ovalbumin (OVA) during the sensitization stage is considered a crucial factor in the development of airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR). However, the inconsistent dosages of sensitizing OVA used in current studies and the lack of research on their impact on AHR are notable limitations.

Methods

We examined the impact of increasing sensitizing doses of OVA in a murine asthma model, which entailed initial sensitization with OVA followed by repeated exposure to OVA aerosols. BALB/c mice were primed with doses of OVA (0, 10, 20, 50, and 100 μg) plus 1 mg Alum on Days 0 and 7, and were challenged with OVA aerosols (10 mg/mL for 30 min) between Days 14 and 17. Antigen‐induced AHR to methacholine (MCh), as well as histological changes, eosinophilic infiltration, and epithelial injury were assessed.

Results

The result indicated that there are striking OVA dose‐related differences in antigen‐induced AHR to MCh. The most intense antigen‐induced AHR to MCh was observed with sensitization at 50 μg, while weaker responses were seen at 10, 20, and 100 μg. Meanwhile, there was a significant increase in eosinophil count with sensitization at 50 μg. The changes of AHR were correlated with total cells count, lymphocytes count, eosinophils count, and basophils count in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid; however, it did not correlate with histological changes such as cellular infiltration into bronchovascular bundles and goblet cell hyperplasia of the bronchial epithelium.

Conclusion

Overall, this study demonstrated that sensitization with 50 μg of OVA resulted in the most significant AHR compared to other dosages. These findings may offer valuable insights for future research on mouse asthma modeling protocols.
Establishment of patient‐derived organoids for guiding personalized therapies in breast cancer patients
Authors: Wu Huizi , Wang Weiwei , Zhang Yinbin , Chen Yinxi , Shan Changyou , Li Jia , Jia Yiwei , Li Chaofan , Du Chong , Cai Yifan , Zhang Yu , Zhang Shuqun , Wu Fei
Published: March 2024

Breast cancer has become the most commonly diagnosed cancer. The intra‐ and interpatient heterogeneity induced a considerable variation in treatment efficacy. There is an urgent requirement for preclinical models to anticipate the effectiveness of individualized drug responses. Patient‐derived organoids (PDOs) can accurately recapitulate the architecture and biological characteristics of the origin tumor, making them a promising model that can overtake many limitations of cell lines and PDXs. However, it is still unclear whether PDOs‐based drug testing can benefit breast cancer patients, particularly those with tumor recurrence or treatment resistance. Fresh tumor samples were surgically resected for organoid culture. Primary tumor samples and PDOs were subsequently subjected to H&E staining, immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis, and whole‐exome sequencing (WES) to make comparisons. Drug sensitivity tests were performed to evaluate the feasibility of this model for predicting patient drug response in clinical practice. We established 75 patient‐derived breast cancer organoid models. The results of H&E staining, IHC, and WES revealed that PDOs inherited the histologic and genetic characteristics of their parental tumor tissues. The PDOs successfully predicted the patient's drug response, and most cases exhibited consistency between PDOs' drug susceptibility test results and the clinical response of the matched patient. We conclude that the breast cancer organoids platform can be a potential preclinical tool used for the selection of effective drugs and guided personalized therapies for patients with advanced breast cancer.
The engineered exosomes targeting ferroptosis: A novel approach to reverse immune checkpoint inhibitors resistance
Authors: Chen Anqi , Zhang Wenjie , Jiang Chuwen , Jiang Zhengting , Tang Dong
Published: March 2024

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have been extensively used in immunological therapy primarily due to their ability to prolong patient survival. Although ICIs have achieved success in cancer treatment, the resistance of ICIs should not be overlooked. Ferroptosis is a newly found cell death mode characterized by the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), glutathione (GSH) depletion, and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) inactivation, which has been demonstrated to be beneficial to immunotherapy and combining ferroptosis and ICIs to exploit new immunotherapies may reverse ICIs resistance. Exosomes act as mediators in cell‐to‐cell communication that may regulate ferroptosis to influence immunotherapy through the secretion of biological molecules. Thus, utilizing exosomes to target ferroptosis has opened up exciting possibilities for reversing ICIs resistance. In this review, we summarize the mechanisms of ferroptosis improving ICIs therapy and how exosomes regulate ferroptosis through adjusting iron metabolism, blocking the ROS accumulation, controlling ferroptosis defense systems, and influencing classic signaling pathways and how engineered exosomes target ferroptosis and improve ICIs efficiency.
What drives the return and volatility spillover betweenDeFisand cryptocurrencies?
Authors: Assaf Ata , Demir Ender , Ersan Oguz
Published: March 2024

In this paper, we study the return and volatility connectedness between cryptocurrencies and DeFi Tokens, considering the impact of different uncertainty indices on their connectivity. Initially, we estimate a TVP‐VAR model to obtain the total connectedness between the two markets. We find that returns on the cryptocurrencies transmit significantly larger shocks and, thus, are responsible for most variations in the majority of DeFis' returns. Then, to analyse the impact of uncertainty on total return and volatility connectedness, we use four factors, namely, Economic Policy Uncertainty (EPU), The Chicago Board Options Exchange Volatility Index (VIX), Infectious Disease Equity Market Volatility Tracker (ID‐EMV) and Geopolitical Risks (GPR). We find that except for geopolitical risks, all three measures have a positive impact on return and volatility connectedness, while GPR exerts a negative impact. Finally, we provide implications for researchers, market participants and policymakers.
Risk factors related to the SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccine additional doses hesitancy among pregnant and non‐pregnant people of reproductive age and partners: A Brazilian cross‐sectional study
Authors: Charles Charles M. , Noles Marcelo , Munezero Aline , Gallardo Negli , Bahamondes Luis , Bento Silvana F. , de Pádua Karla S. , Nhauche Marta , Metelus Sherly , Cecatti José G. , Souza Renato T. , Pacagnella Rodolfo C.
Published: March 2024

Objective

The aim of this study was to assess the predictors of acceptance and hesitancy of additional doses of any SARS‐CoV‐2 (COVID‐19) vaccine among pregnant or recently pregnant and non‐pregnant people of reproductive age and partners in Brazil.

Methods

We conducted an online cross‐sectional study from June 2022 to April 2023 and invited women and partners between 18 and 49 years old to participate. We employed a snowball strategy to reach all potential eligible participants. Our primary outcome was the acceptance rate of the COVID‐19 booster vaccine. We estimated the frequency and percentage for the three groups and compared categorical variables using the Chi‐square test. Moreover, bivariate, backward stepwise regression, and subgroup analyses were performed to evaluate risk factors and predictors of COVID‐19 vaccine booster hesitancy. We reported the effect size as OR with a 95% CI.

Results

We included 1487 participants, and among them, 334 (22.5%) were pregnant or recently pregnant people, 905 (60.8%) were non‐pregnant people, and 247 (16.6%) were male partners. Pregnant and recently pregnant people showed greater hesitancy for the COVID‐19 vaccine booster than non‐pregnant people (28% vs 15%, P < 0.001) and male partners (28% vs 16%, P < 0.001). Non‐pregnant women accepted the COVID‐19 vaccine more often than pregnant or recently pregnant people (OR 1.75; 95% CI: 1.13–2.70). The associated factors to the reduced COVID‐19 vaccine booster acceptance were family income between US$ 566–945.00 (54%), evangelic religion (65%), concern about vaccine safety (80%) and perceived common vaccine importance (93%).

Conclusion

Pregnant people were more hesitant than non‐pregnant people to accept the COVID‐19 booster vaccine. Family income, religious beliefs, vaccine safety concerns, and perceived common vaccine importance were significant barriers to accepting COVID‐19 booster vaccines. The impact of these factors was more evident among pregnant or recently pregnant people, emphasizing the harmful effect of misinformation among this vulnerable population.
Understanding prolonged grief from an existential counseling perspective
Authors: Ivers Nathaniel N. , Johnson David A. , Casares D. Robert , Lonn Marlise R. , Duffey Thelma , Haberstroh Shane
Published: March 2024

In this article, we examine prolonged grief through an existential theoretical lens. In particular, we critically compare criteria for prolonged grief disorder with existential theoretical principles, including existential phenomenology, existential relatedness, and existential givens of human existence: death anxiety, existential freedom, existential isolation, and existential meaning/meaninglessness. We explore how existential perspectives and principles provide a clinically useful explanation for the presence and etiology of many of the symptoms of prolonged grief. We also describe counseling implications for treating prolonged grief phenomenologically, relationally, and through the lens of the four existential givens.
Guided inquiry‐based learning to enhance student engagement, confidence, and learning
Authors: Nguyen Vuvi H. , Halpin Richard , Joy‐Thomas Anita R.
Published: March 2024

Purpose

This study explores the impact of guided inquiry‐based learning (IBL) on student engagement and performance in a dental hygiene program. The research was conducted with 36 dental hygiene students, focusing on enhancing student engagement using a guided IBL methodology that could ultimately lead to improved student performance and confidence.

Methods

Delivered through two interventions, pre‐, post‐, and delayed post‐tests evaluated student performance and confidence, while the ASPECT survey assessed student engagement. The interventions included a lecture (intervention #1) and a group‐based IBL worksheet activity (intervention #2). Statistical analyses using analysis of variance (ANOVA) tested the impact of these interventions on student performance and confidence‐adjusted scores.

Results

Results showed significant improvements in student performance and confidence following both interventions, with notably higher gains after the IBL activity. Analysis of ASPECT survey data revealed positive perceptions of engagement, emphasizing the importance of group dynamics, instructor roles, and the activity's value. Students reported enhanced understanding and engagement through group interactions and individual study. The study also highlighted the critical role of the instructor in facilitating and guiding the IBL activity.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the study demonstrates that guided IBL strategies can significantly enhance student confidence and performance, suggesting a sustainable impact on learning outcomes. These findings underscore the importance of active, engaged learning methodologies in healthcare education, particularly in enhancing long‐term retention and understanding of complex topics. The study advocates for integrating such strategies into academic curricula to foster deeper student engagement and improved educational experiences.
Langat virus inhibits the gp130/JAK/STAT signaling by reducing the gp130 protein level
Authors: Lin Shaoli , Wang Xiaochun , Sallapalli Bhargava Teja , Hage Adam , Chang Peixi , He Jia , Best Sonja M. , Zhang Yanjin
Published: March 2024

The tick‐borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) serocomplex includes several medically important flavivirus members endemic to Europe, Asia, and North America, which can induce severe neuroinvasive or viscerotropic diseases with unclear mechanisms of pathogenesis. Langat virus (LGTV) shares a high sequence identity with TBEV but exhibits lower pathogenic potential in humans and serves as a model for virus‐host interactions. In this study, we demonstrated that LGTV infection inhibits the activation of gp130/JAK/STAT (Janus kinases (JAK) and signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)) signaling, which plays a pivotal role in numerous biological processes. Our data show that the LGTV‐infected cells had significantly lower phosphorylated STAT3 (pSTAT3) protein upon oncostatin M (OSM) stimulation than the mock‐infected control. LGTV infection blocked the nuclear translocation of STAT3 without a significant effect on total STAT3 protein level. LGTV inhibited JAK1 activation and reduced gp130 protein expression in infected cells, with the viral NS5 protein mediating this effect. TBEV infection also reduces gp130 level. On the other hand, pretreatment of Vero cells with OSM significantly reduces LGTV replication, and STAT1/STAT2 knockdown had little effect on OSM‐mediated antiviral effect, which suggests it is independent of STAT1/STAT2 and, instead, it is potentially mediated by STAT3 signlaing. These findings shed light on the LGTV and TBEV‐cell interactions, offering insights for the future development of antiviral therapeutics and improved vaccines.
Mallard brood movements and survival in an urbanized landscape
Authors: Dykstra Laura R. , Huang Min T. , Rittenhouse Tracy A. G.
Published: March 2024

When selecting a nest site, mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) balance differing habitat requirements for the nesting and brood‐rearing periods, such that the juxtaposition of these habitats in the landscape may influence the female's reproductive strategy and reproductive success. Mallard populations in the northeastern United States have declined since the mid‐1990s, and increasing urban development in this region may pose risks to broods and cause high duckling mortality. We assessed mallard brood and duckling survival in the urbanized landscapes of Connecticut, USA, and evaluated whether differences in brood movements, home ranges, and habitat use in urbanized areas influence brood survival. We monitored 32 mallard broods from females with global positioning system (GPS) transmitters in Connecticut in 2021 and 2022. Apparent brood survival to 30 days (0.48, n = 29 broods) was comparable to previous estimates in the Northeast (range = 0.21–0.72), but individual duckling survival (0.18, n = 257 ducklings) was lower than many previous estimates for this region (range = 0.14–0.44), suggesting this parameter warrants continued evaluation because it may be contributing to population declines in Connecticut and the greater Northeast region. Mallard females demonstrated different reproductive strategies and seemed to prioritize either high‐quality nesting habitat or proximity to high‐quality brood‐rearing habitat. High‐quality nesting habitat is not necessarily near high‐quality brood‐rearing habitat, and 61% (17/28) of females moved their ducklings an average of 1.1 ± 0.9 km (SD) shortly after hatch to a brood‐rearing site, often traveling along small streams. A similar proportion of successful (9/12) and failed (7/13) broods moved. We provide evidence of limited availability of brood‐rearing habitat, as females moved long distances to brood‐rearing wetlands and only 1 brood made additional inter‐wetland moves. Management actions that create or modify nesting and brood‐rearing habitat should consider connectivity between these sites; females may choose to nest away from wetlands to minimize exposure to predators but may depend on small streams for travel to brood‐rearing wetlands.
Space‐Time Projection Enabled Ultrafast All‐Optical Diffractive Neural Network
Authors: Zhang Ziyang , Feng Fu , Gan Jiaan , Lin Wei , Chen Guangyong , Somekh Michael G , Yuan Xiaocong
Published: March 2024

All‐optical neural networks have advantages in higher throughput, higher speed as well as lower energy consumption compared to electrical neural networks. Optical neural networks have already shown great potential in various applications; however, the operation speed of the network is limited by the 2D detector as most optical neural networks rely on space to space projection. Here, a space to time projection approach to build diffractive deep neural network (D2NN) is proposed, which can project spatial intensity distribution into time‐domain intensity variation, thus bypassing the detection speed limit of 2D imaging device. Based on this scheme, high‐speed all‐optical logic gates are theoretically analyzed and experimentally realized. In this case, the network's operation speed is only limited by the photodetector (PD), which can reach GHz levels. Moreover, the method will show great advantage when it comes to wavelengths where 2D detectors are not achievable easily such as infrared, terahertz or microwaves.
Predicting corrosion for life estimation of ocean and coastal steel infrastructure
Authors: Melchers Rob E. , Jeffrey Robert , Chaves Igor A. , Petersen Robert B.
Published: March 2024

Physical infrastructure in coastal and offshore locations often is constructed from mild and low alloy steels. These are prone to marine corrosion even with the application of protective coatings and cathodic protection. Particularly for high‐value assets such as energy facilities (wind farms, oil and gas production and subsea pipelines), the prediction of their safe and economic life is of much interest. Herein, a review is given of the modern development of models for the prediction of long‐term marine corrosion of steel exposed to various marine environments. These include immersion, tidal, splash and atmospheric zones and contact with sands and soils. The effects of temperature and water pollution are especially important, as is the ability of the steels or irons to form protective corrosion products. Comments are made also about other alloys such as copper‐nickels and aluminium. All show that corrosion, including pitting corrosion, develops with increased exposure time in a bimodal manner. The reasons for such behaviour are considered, together with the practical implications, important for containment structures such as pipelines, tanks and floating offshore energy platforms.
Cathodic protection of aluminium in seawater
Authors: Knudsen Ole Øystein , Vada Eystein , Krieger Waldemar , Bertram Jan , Jevremovic Ivana , Wilson Håvard
Published: March 2024

Cathodic protection of various 6000 aluminium alloys and variants of EN AW‐5083 in seawater has been studied. The alloys were immersed in seawater and polarized to about −1.06 V versus Ag/AgCl for 1 year. The cathodic current density increased initially due to formation of a copper film on the surface, but the effect was temporary. After 200 days, the current demand for cathodic protection had stabilized on all the investigated alloys at 0 to about 20 mA/m2, depending on the Fe/Si ratio in the alloy. Depending on the content of noble intermetallic particles, the aluminium will corrode at a low and constant rate. Application of a coating on the aluminium will decrease the cathodic current demand for cathodic protection significantly. Coatings on submerged aluminium are very stable and not susceptible to degradation mechanisms like cathodic disbonding.
Insertion sequence transposition activates antimycobacteriophage immunity through an lsr2‐silenced lipid metabolism gene island
Authors: Li Yakun , Wei Yuyun , Guo Xiao , Li Xiaohui , Lu Lining , Hu Lihua , He Zheng‐Guo
Published: March 2024

Insertion sequences (ISs) exist widely in bacterial genomes, but their roles in the evolution of bacterial antiphage defense remain to be clarified. Here, we report that, under the pressure of phage infection, the IS1096 transposition of Mycobacterium smegmatis into the lsr2 gene can occur at high frequencies, which endows the mutant mycobacterium with a broad‐spectrum antiphage ability. Lsr2 functions as a negative regulator and directly silences expression of a gene island composed of 11 lipid metabolism‐related genes. The complete or partial loss of the gene island leads to a significant decrease of bacteriophage adsorption to the mycobacterium, thus defending against phage infection. Strikingly, a phage that has evolved mutations in two tail‐filament genes can re‐escape from the lsr2 inactivation‐triggered host defense. This study uncovered a new signaling pathway for activating antimycobacteriophage immunity by IS transposition and provided insight into the natural evolution of bacterial antiphage defense.
Reconstruction of an initial function from the solutions of the fractional wave equation on the light cone trace
Authors: Park Dabin , Moon Sunghwan
Published: March 2024

We reconstruct the initial functions from the trace of the solution of an initial value problem for the wave equation on the light cone. A method to recover the initial function from the solution of the wave equation on the light cone is already known for odd spatial dimensions. We generalize their work to the fractional wave equation and all dimensions. In other words, we present a method to reconstruct the initial functions from the solution of the fractional wave equation on the light cone.
An integrative review of home care recommendations for women after caesarean section
Authors: Mdoe Mwajuma Bakari , Mselle Lilian Teddy , Kibusi Stephen Mathew
Published: March 2024

Aim

To describe home‐based care and practices recommended for mothers after caesarean section (CS), existing in the literature.

Design

Systematic review.

Methods

This integrative literature review was conducted by using Google Scholar, PubMed and Hinari databases from its inception to June 2021. The search included research articles, protocols and guidelines that describe home care practice after CS and assessed for their quality. Synthesis of recommendations from the included literature was classified based on the type of study design, and the review was guided by methodology registered in Prospero (ID CRD42021276905).

Results

A total of 681 literatures were found, and 12 met the criteria. Recommended home care components were divided into four major categories; wound care practice (wound cleaning, drying and bandage change); nutrition (high‐protein diet, vitamin C, fibre and balanced diet); exercise (pelvic floor muscle, walking and breathing exercise) and hygiene (bathing and wearing clean clothes). There was limited literature addressing the components of perineal care and home environment. Varying recommendations were found regarding wound cleaning and dressing in the studies done in low‐ and high‐income countries.
A path to human‐raccoon dog harmony: Identifying factors influencing the tolerance of urban residents in Shanghai towards a neglected species
Authors: Zhao Qianqian , Wang Yihan , Wu Lejie , Feng Yidi , Li Yuhan , Zhang Zhuojin , Zhao Qing , Wang Fang
Published: March 2024

Human‐wildlife interactions become increasingly common in urban areas across all continents and ecosystem types. Depending on the context, human‐wildlife interactions can be categorized as harmonious, neutrality, or in conflict and raises cultural, economic and ecological challenges in maintaining urban biodiversity. Understanding the mechanism behind the tolerance of residents to the presence of wildlife is vital to promoting a harmonious coexistence between humans and wildlife in urban environments.

To advance our knowledge of this mechanism, we developed a questionnaire to survey residents in Shanghai, China about their knowledge of and attitude towards raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides), a species whose population is increasing in urban areas. Using 281 questionnaires, we conducted structural equation modelling to examine how relational values, including familiarity with raccoon dogs, perceived benefits and risks, together with residents' trust in wildlife management authorities, interactively influence the tolerance for this species.

We found that the residents' familiarity with raccoon dogs positively influenced their tolerance, both directly and indirectly through increased perceived benefits and reduced perceived risks. Furthermore, trust in wildlife management authorities contributed to higher tolerance through perceived benefits. Our results suggested that education about the relational values of raccoon dogs to the public can reduce the traditional negative connotation for this species and promote the coexistence of people and raccoon dogs in Shanghai urban environment.

Based on our understanding about how raccoon dogs were culturally constructed and the willingness of residents to share landscapes with the species, we advocate that relational values play an important role in future urban biodiversity conservation planning. We also advocate for education programs that familiarize the public with raccoon dogs as well as other species, which can turn urban human‐wildlife conflicts into harmonious relationships in Shanghai and other urban areas.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
A cross‐cultural latent profile analysis of university students' cognitive test anxiety and related cognitive‐motivational factors
Authors: Thomas Christopher L. , Ozer Omer
Published: March 2024

The successful treatment of test anxiety treatment requires an understanding of the unique barriers and challenges faced by test‐anxious students. Therefore, the current study utilized a combination of person‐centered and qualitative methods to investigate the existence of unique subpopulations or subtypes of test‐anxious students within Turkish and United States student samples. University students (N = 422) completed measures of cognitive test anxiety, self‐efficacy, academic buoyancy, failure appraisal, academic self‐handicapping, and goal commitment. Participants also completed open‐ended questions assessing facilitators and inhibitors of academic success. The results of a multigroup latent profile analysis identified four learner subtypes in both the Turkish and United States samples. However, our analyses revealed structural differences in latent profiles identified in two cultural contexts. Furthermore, the qualitative results emphasized the importance of self‐regulated learning, buoyancy, goal commitment, and self‐actualization to academic success. Our discussion emphasizes the importance of considering learners' unique characteristics when designing educational supports.
Parliament, petitions and pandemic: Conspiracism in Australia's federal e‐petitions system, 2020−2021
Authors: Lyall Ben , Marple Patrick
Published: March 2024

During the COVID‐19 pandemic, some groups and individuals rearticulated state power through conspiracy theories. Despite their fringe status, conspiracy theory beliefs can directly animate citizen's engagements with institutions. Drawing on Barkun's ‘conventional’ and ‘stigmatised’ knowledge types, we analyse the appearance of conspiracism in citizen e‐petitions, and their rebuttal by government ministries. Our data are e‐petitions submitted to the House of Representatives in the Parliament of Australia between 2020 and 2021. Petitions and responses are snapshots of pandemic governance in motion: unfolding through contested interpretations of a diverse range of subjects including virology, immunisation and border security. The novel characteristics of conspiracist petitions allow theories to persist, irrespective of their place in wider society: they appropriate e‐petition system affordances, compete directly with institutions and officials, reframe events to maintain narratives over time, and serve as entrepreneurial activity for individual conspiracists. E‐petitions remain an essential democratic forum between citizens and federal parliament but represent challenges for policymaking and government communication in uncertain times.
An empirical confinement model for ANFO explosive
Authors: Suceska Muhamed , Bohanek Vjecislav , Dobrilovic Ivana , Skrlec Vinko
Published: March 2024

Ammonium‐nitrate‐fuel‐oil (ANFO) explosive, one of the most used mining explosives, exhibits highly non‐ideal behaviour. The non‐ideality of the detonation is manifested in the strong dependence of the detonation velocity on the charge radius and existence and the characteristics of confinement. This can lead to the detonation velocities as low as one‐third of the ideal velocity. The literature reported experimental detonation velocities of cylindrical ANFO charges confined in different confiners (aluminium, copper, steel, polymethyl methacrylate, and polyvinyl chloride) are analysed in this paper. An empirical confinement model, which relates the detonation velocity to the charge radius and the mass of the confiner to the mass of explosive ratio per unit length, is proposed. The model predicts the detonation velocity of unconfined and confined ANFO charges with a mean average percentage error of 8.8 %.
The impact of the new trend of urban‐to‐urban migration on fertility behaviors
Authors: Yi Yang , Shangguan Yiwen
Published: March 2024

In China, urban‐to‐urban migration is an emerging migration trend that may have different impacts on fertility behavior. Based on the China General Social Survey, this study provides an in‐depth examination of the impact of urban‐to‐urban migration on fertility behavior. The findings show that urban‐to‐urban migrants tend to adopt more conservative fertility decisions, including lowering the likelihood of having children, delaying the age of first birth, and lengthening birth intervals. Traditional catch‐up and interference hypotheses fail to account for these results, whereas findings from the selectivity hypothesis suggest that urban‐to‐urban migrants anticipate lower numbers of children and maintain more open attitudes towards sexuality, potentially contributing to the conservative fertility behaviors. In addition, the study also reveals that urban‐to‐urban migration appears to promote a more open and liberal attitude towards childbearing, particularly weakening discriminatory attitudes towards women entrenched in feudal notions. This study has not only enriched the theories of migrant fertility behavior but also offered a new perspective on the recent changes in China's fertility rate.