bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Our Sex's Rights Have Seen Such Autocratic Treatment: Hedvig Charlotta Nordenflycht on Women's Rights
Authors: Amundsen Bergström Matilda
Published: October 2023

This article discusses Hedvig Charlotta Nordenflycht's (1718–63) poem Fruentimrets Försvar, Emot J. J. Rousseau Medborgare i Genève (Nordenflycht 1761) [Defense of the female sex against J. J. Rousseau, citizen of Geneva], written as a response to Jean-Jacques Rousseau's Lettre sur les spectacles (1758; in Rousseau 1968). Heretofore, Nordenflycht's poem has been considered primarily from the perspective of national literary and intellectual history, but here it is maintained that the poem should be related to the context of the European Enlightenment. Specifically, I argue that Nordenflycht uses key political concepts to create an argument for women's rights as a form of natural, human rights. By focusing on Nordenflycht's contentions regarding natural equality and artificial inequality, the tyrannical treatment of women, and women's right to liberty and occupations, this article elucidates how a woman writer from the periphery of the Enlightenment had created and presented, by the 1760s, a sustained argument—in verse—for female liberty in public life, for the benefit not only of women but of all humankind.
The flexibility and representational nature of phonological prediction in listening comprehension: evidence from the visual world paradigm
Authors: Zhao Zitong , Ding Jinfeng , Wang Jiayu , Chen Yiya , Li Xiaoqing
Published: October 2023

Using the visual world paradigm with printed words, this study investigated the flexibility and representational nature of phonological prediction in real-time speech processing. Native speakers of Mandarin Chinese listened to spoken sentences containing highly predictable target words and viewed a visual array with a critical word and a distractor word on the screen. The critical word was manipulated in four ways: a highly predictable target word, a homophone competitor, a tonal competitor, or an unrelated word. Participants showed a preference for fixating on the homophone competitors before hearing the highly predictable target word. The predicted phonological information waned shortly but was re-activated later around the acoustic onset of the target word. Importantly, this homophone bias was observed only when participants were completing a ‘pronunciation judgement’ task, but not when they were completing a ‘word judgement’ task. No effect was found for the tonal competitors. The task modulation effect, combined with the temporal pattern of phonological pre-activation, indicates that phonological prediction can be flexibly generated by top-down mechanisms. The lack of tonal competitor effect suggests that phonological features such as lexical tone are not independently predicted for anticipatory speech processing.
Reconstruction of topological graphs and their Hilbert bimodules
Authors: Frausino Rodrigo , Ng Abraham C.S. , Sims Aidan
Published: October 2023

We show that the Hilbert bimodule associated with a compact topological graph can be recovered from the

$C^*$

-algebraic triple consisting of the Toeplitz algebra of the graph, its gauge action and the commutative subalgebra of functions on the vertex space of the graph. We discuss connections with work of Davidson–Katsoulis and of Davidson–Roydor on local conjugacy of topological graphs and isomorphism of their tensor algebras. In particular, we give a direct proof that a compact topological graph can be recovered up to local conjugacy from its Hilbert bimodule, and present an example of nonisomorphic locally conjugate compact topological graphs with isomorphic Hilbert bimodules. We also give an elementary proof that for compact topological graphs with totally disconnected vertex space the notions of local conjugacy, Hilbert bimodule isomorphism, isomorphism of

$C^*$

-algebraic triples, and isomorphism all coincide.
High-resolution reconstruction of infiltration in the Southern Cook Islands based on trace elements in speleothems
Authors: Faraji Mohammadali , Borsato Andrea , Frisia Silvia , Hartland Adam , Hellstrom John C. , Greig Alan
Published: October 2023

This study utilizes speleothem trace elements as climate proxies to reconstruct hydroclimate variability over approximately 350 years in the Southern Cook Islands. Stalagmites Pu17 and Pu4 from Pouatea cave were analyzed using high-resolution LA-ICP-MS for trace elements (Mg, Na, Sr, P, U, Y). By monitoring cave dripwater and conducting regression analysis, we found that Mg, Sr, and Na in Pouatea dripwater mostly originated from marine aerosols, while Sr and Ba were primarily from bedrock, with additional Ba coming from marine aerosols and weathered oceanic basalt leaching. Mg was identified as the most reliable element for hydroclimate reconstruction due to its predominantly marine aerosol origin. Infiltration, via dilution of marine aerosols and bedrock inputs, was identified as the main driver of trace element variations in Pouatea at a seasonal scale. Transfer functions were established between each trace element and effective infiltration was calculated, with Mg showing the strongest correlation. The reconstructed infiltration data were compared with climate indices, showing an overarching role of the SPCZ and ENSO in controlling rainfall in the South Pacific. This research demonstrates the potential of speleothem trace elements for paleohydroclimate reconstructions, improving understanding of rainfall variability in the climatically vulnerable South Pacific Islands over the past millennia.
Provenance of the early Palaeozoic volcano-sedimentary successions from eastern part of the Central Sudetes: implications for the tectonic evolution of the NE Bohemian Massif
Authors: Szczepański Jacek , Kaszuba Gabriela , Anczkiewicz Robert , Ilnicki Sławomir
Published: October 2023

The Kamieniec Metamorphic Belt (KMB) and the Doboszowice Metamorphic Complex (DMC) expose a fragment of the pre-Variscan volcano-sedimentary cover preserved in the Fore-Sudetic Block in the NE part of the Bohemian Massif. We present the age of detrital and magmatic zircon grains and the bulk rock chemical composition of rock samples from the KMB and the DMC to better understand the evolution of the early Palaeozoic Gondwana margin. The zircon age spectra were acquired by U–Pb LA–ICP–MS dating and represent two groups that differ by maximum depositional age (MDA). The paragneiss from the DMC displays the MDA at 456 Ma, whereas the mica shist from the KMB displays the MDA at 529 Ma. Older age peaks in both groups of samples are represented by the Neoproterozoic and less frequent the Paleoproterozoic and Archean. The data presented indicate that the rock successions were sourced from the Cadomian orogen and deposited in the basins that developed on the Gondwana margin. Our results support the suggestion that the crystalline basement in the eastern part of the Fore-Sudetic Block has an affinity to the Trans-Saharan Belt or West African Craton and was part of a Gondwana shelf. The final stage of evolution of the studied successions was related to the Variscan thermal overprint. Based on presented data, we support the idea that the suture separating the Brunovistulian domain from the rest of the Gondwana-derived terranes is not related to the closure of the Rheic Ocean and represents a local feature.
Ideography, Blissymbolics, standardization, and emergent conformity
Authors: Howard Harry
Published: October 2023

There is an extensive literature on the usage of Blissymbolics in augmentative and alternative communication that contradicts Morin's contention that it fails as an ideography. Morin's notion of “standardization” (target article, sect. X, para. X) is at odds with the highly developed understanding of this notion in linguistics. What Morin seems to have in mind corresponds to the notion of emergence in iterative and multiagent models of language learning.
The centrality of practice in ideographic communication, and the perennial puzzle of positivistic thinking
Authors: Mazur Lucas B. , Plontke Sandra
Published: October 2023

To the extent that we expect ideographs to be closer to the reality they depict than spoken or written words we are succumbing to the perennial allure of positivistic thinking. Morin powerfully argues that human communication, including ideography, cannot be understood apart from practice, thus removing the positivistic assumption that made the “puzzle of ideography” puzzling in the first place.
How standardized must a code be to be useful?
Authors: Riggsby Andrew M.
Published: October 2023

If, as it appears, failure of standardization blocks the rise of general-purpose ideography, then a more precise characterization of “standardization” should help illuminate aspects of the process. Comparison is made with several histories of standardization to outline relevant dimensions and thresholds. This line of inquiry is particularly important for the forward-looking question of whether such ideography can ever arise.
A source- and channel-coding approach to the analysis and design of languages and ideographies
Authors: Moldoveanu Mihnea
Published: October 2023

Can we explain the advantage natural languages enjoy over ideographies in a way that enables us to attempt the design of an ideography that “works”? I deploy an adapted version of Shannon's source- and channel-coding partitioning of a communication system to explain the communicative dynamics and shortfalls of ideographies, and reveal ways in which entrenchable, generalist ideographies could be designed.
On the semiotic and material constraints of ideographies
Authors: Wisher Izzy , Tylén Kristian
Published: October 2023

Despite obvious advantages, no generalised ideographic codes have evolved through cultural evolution to rely on iconicity. Morin suggests that this is because of missing means of standardisation, which glottographic codes get from natural languages. Although we agree, we also point to the important role of the available media, which might support some forms of reference more effectively than others.
How bidialectalism affects non-native speech acquisition: Evidence from Shanghai and Mandarin Chinese
Authors: Liu Xiaoluan , Escudero Paola
Published: October 2023

The current study examines how bidialectalism influences non-native speech production. We compared monodialectal Mandarin Chinese with bidialectal Shanghai-Mandarin Chinese speakers in terms of their ability to produce easy and difficult American English vowels. The results showed a general advantage for the bidialectal group compared with the monodialectal group in the production of the vowel formants and duration of the easy English vowels [i] and [u]. However, for the English vowels [ɪ] and [ʊ] known to be difficult for Chinese learners of English, both groups experienced the same challenges in terms of accurately producing the formants of the target vowels. Nevertheless, the bidialectal Shanghai-Mandarin speakers were still better than the monodialectal Mandarin speakers in the durational aspect of the two difficult English vowels. The results are explained by the Second Language Linguistic Perception (L2LP) model and suggest that the bidialectal advantage in non-native speech acquisition is subject to the modulation of cross-linguistic difficulty of the target speech sounds.
The role of uncertainty in planning for self-funded social care for older people with a diagnosis of dementia
Authors: Baxter Kate , Gridley Kate , Birks Yvonne
Published: October 2023

This paper considers how a diagnosis of dementia affects people's planning for future social care needs and associated costs. It addresses the gap in knowledge about how people recently diagnosed with dementia, and their family carers, engage with planning for social care needs that are uncertain in timing and scale. The paper also considers people's attitudes to planning for care that they may need to pay for privately, and what facilitates or hinders acting on such plans. We conducted and undertook thematic qualitative analysis of 39 in-depth interviews with 27 people newly diagnosed with dementia and/or their carers over a two-year period. Topics included current care and support, planning and co-ordinating care, paying for care, and expectations and planning for the future. The research took place in England. Our findings indicate that whilst people recognised they would have future care needs, with associated financial implications, this knowledge did not necessarily translate into actively planning for care or its cost. A key reason that recognition did not translate into action was uncertainty, manifested in three areas: the timescales and trajectory of their dementia and thus need for care; the potential for care needs to change and so negate care planning efforts; and uncertainty over their own capabilities to plan for and access paid-for care, given the perceived complexity of social care and associated financial arrangements. The paper discusses how anticipated regret may affect decision-making and contributes to debates about appropriate professional support for older self-funders with dementia. It suggests the task for those involved in the care of people with dementia is to identify the points and places in the care system where worries about future self-funded care can be addressed, and carers and the people they care for can be prompted and supported to act.
Association of SARS-CoV-2 viral load with abnormal laboratory characteristics and clinical outcomes in hospitalised COVID-19 patients
Authors: Zheng Lilan , Qiu Liping , Wu Luxi , Wang Jianwei , Xie Haihua , Wang Junjun , Huang Yi , Chen Fawen
Published: October 2023

We conducted a retrospective, analytical cross-sectional and single-centre study that included 190 hospitalised COVID-19 patients in the Fujian Provincial Hospital South Branch between December 2022 and January 2023 to analyse the correlation of viral loads of throat swabs with clinical progression and outcomes. To normalise the Ct value as quantification of viral loads, we used RNase P gene as internal control gene and subtracted the Ct value of SARS-CoV-2 N gene from the Ct value of RNase P gene, termed △Ct. Most patients were discharged (84.2%), and only 10 (5.6%) individuals who had a lower △Ct value died. The initial △Ct value of participants was also significantly correlated with some abnormal laboratory characteristics, and the duration time of SARS-CoV-2 was longer in patients with severe symptoms and a lower △Ct value at admission. Our study suggested that the △Ct value may be used as a predictor of disease progression and outcomes in hospitalised COVID-19 patients.
Efficacy of a school-based education intervention on the consumption of fruits, vegetables and carbonated soft drinks among adolescents
Authors: Ahmed Kazi R , Kolbe-Alexander Tracy , Khan Asaduzzaman
Published: October 2023

Objectives:

To evaluate the efficacy of a school-based education intervention on the consumption of fruit, vegetables and carbonated soft drinks among adolescents.

Design:

Cluster-randomised controlled trial.

Setting:

Eight secondary schools from Dhaka, Bangladesh, participated in this trial and were randomly allocated to intervention (n 160) and control groups (n 160).

Participants:

A total of 320 students from 8th to 9th grades participated and completed the self-reported questionnaires at baseline, and at 8 and 12 weeks. The intervention included weekly classroom-based nutrition education sessions for students and healthy eating materials for students and parents. Repeated measures ANCOVA was used to assess the effects of the intervention.

Results:

Daily fresh fruit intake was more frequent in the intervention (26 %) compared to the control group (3 %) at 12 weeks (p = 0·006). Participants from the intervention group also reported a significantly (P < 0·001) higher (49 %) proportion of fresh vegetable intake compared to the control group (2 %) at 12 weeks. Frequency of daily carbonated soft drinks intake decreased (25 %) in the intervention group at 12 weeks compared to baseline, while it remained unchanged in the control group; the interaction effect was observed significant (P = 0·002).

Conclusion:

Our school-based education intervention increased the daily frequency of fresh vegetables and fruit intake and decreased carbonated soft drink consumption among adolescents in the intervention group. There is a need for scaling up the intervention to engage students and empower them to develop healthy dietary habits.
Chronic Degradation of Seasonally Dry Tropical Forests Increases the Incidence of Genotoxicity in Birds
Authors: Cevallos‐Solorzano G. , Bailon‐Moscoso N. , Ordóñez‐Delgado L. , Jara P. , Tomás G. , Espinosa C. I.
Published: October 2023

Multiple studies have shown that exposure to pollutants can increase genotoxic damage in different taxa. However, to our knowledge, the effects of environmental stress have been explored little. In certain stressful ecosystems, such as seasonally dry tropical forests, the combined effects of anthropogenic activities and ongoing global changes can cause an increase in environmental stresses, in turn, may trigger physiological and genetic effects on biodiversity. The present aims to assess changes in the prevalence of genotoxic damage in birds within three states of forest degradation in the Tumbesian Region of Western Ecuador. We used blood samples from 50 bird species to determine the frequency of micronucleus and nuclear abnormalities in erythrocytes. Our results revealed a significant impact of forest degradation on the occurrence probability of micronucleus and nuclear abnormalities at the community level. Localities with higher levels of degradation exhibited higher levels of abnormalities. However, when analyzing the dominant species, we found contrasting responses. While Lepidocolaptes souleyetii showed a reduction in the proportion of nuclear abnormalities from the natural to shrub‐dominated localities Troglodytes aedon and Polioptila plumbea showed an increase for semi‐natural and shrub‐dominated respectively. We concluded that the degradation process of these tropical forests increases the stress of bird community generating genotoxic damage. Bird responses seem to be species‐specific, which could explain the differences in changes in bird composition reported in other studies.
Immunogenicity of lipid nanoparticles and its impact on the efficacy of mRNA vaccines and therapeutics
Authors: Lee Yeji , Jeong Michaela , Park Jeongeun , Jung Hyein , Lee Hyukjin
Published: October 2023

Several studies have utilized a lipid nanoparticle delivery system to enhance the effectiveness of mRNA therapeutics and vaccines. However, these nanoparticles are recognized as foreign materials by the body and stimulate innate immunity, which in turn impacts adaptive immunity. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the specific type of innate immune response triggered by lipid nanoparticles. This article provides an overview of the immunological response in the body, explores how lipid nanoparticles activate the innate immune system, and examines the adverse effects and immunogenicity-related development pathways associated with these nanoparticles. Finally, we highlight and explore strategies for regulating the immunogenicity of lipid nanoparticles.
A stepwise activation model for the insulin receptor
Authors: Yunn Na-Oh , Kim Junhong , Ryu Sung Ho , Cho Yunje
Published: October 2023

The binding of insulin to the insulin receptor (IR) triggers a cascade of receptor conformational changes and autophosphorylation, leading to the activation of metabolic and mitogenic pathways. Recent advances in the structural and functional analyses of IR have revealed the conformations of the extracellular domains of the IR in inactive and fully activated states. However, the early activation mechanisms of this receptor remain poorly understood. The structures of partially activated IR in complex with aptamers provide clues for understanding the initial activation mechanism. In this review, we discuss the structural and functional features of IR complexed with various ligands and propose a model to explain the sequential activation mechanism. Moreover, we discuss the structures of IR complexed with biased agonists that selectively activate metabolic pathways and provide insights into the design of selective agonists and their clinical implications.
Mitochondrial DNA damage triggers spread of Parkinson’s disease-like pathology
Authors: Tresse Emilie , Marturia-Navarro Joana , Sew Wei Qi Guinevere , Cisquella-Serra Marina , Jaberi Elham , Riera-Ponsati Lluis , Fauerby Natasha , Hu Erling , Kretz Oliver , Aznar Susana , Issazadeh-Navikas Shohreh
Published: October 2023

In the field of neurodegenerative diseases, especially sporadic Parkinson’s disease (sPD) with dementia (sPDD), the question of how the disease starts and spreads in the brain remains central. While prion-like proteins have been designated as a culprit, recent studies suggest the involvement of additional factors. We found that oxidative stress, damaged DNA binding, cytosolic DNA sensing, and Toll-Like Receptor (TLR)4/9 activation pathways are strongly associated with the sPDD transcriptome, which has dysregulated type I Interferon (IFN) signaling. In sPD patients, we confirmed deletions of mitochondrial (mt)DNA in the medial frontal gyrus, suggesting a potential role of damaged mtDNA in the disease pathophysiology. To explore its contribution to pathology, we used spontaneous models of sPDD caused by deletion of type I IFN signaling (Ifnb–/–/Ifnar–/– mice). We found that the lack of neuronal IFNβ/IFNAR leads to oxidization, mutation, and deletion in mtDNA, which is subsequently released outside the neurons. Injecting damaged mtDNA into mouse brain induced PDD-like behavioral symptoms, including neuropsychiatric, motor, and cognitive impairments. Furthermore, it caused neurodegeneration in brain regions distant from the injection site, suggesting that damaged mtDNA triggers spread of PDD characteristics in an “infectious-like” manner. We also discovered that the mechanism through which damaged mtDNA causes pathology in healthy neurons is independent of Cyclic GMP-AMP synthase and IFNβ/IFNAR, but rather involves the dual activation of TLR9/4 pathways, resulting in increased oxidative stress and neuronal cell death, respectively. Our proteomic analysis of extracellular vesicles containing damaged mtDNA identified the TLR4 activator, Ribosomal Protein S3 as a key protein involved in recognizing and extruding damaged mtDNA. These findings might shed light on new molecular pathways through which damaged mtDNA initiates and spreads PD-like disease, potentially opening new avenues for therapeutic interventions or disease monitoring.
Real-world treatment patterns and overall survival among men with Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer (mCRPC) in the US Medicare population
Authors: Freedland Stephen J. , Davis Matthew , Epstein Andrew J. , Arondekar Bhakti , Ivanova Jasmina I.
Published: October 2023

Background

Real-world treatment patterns and survival in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) have not been characterized for the full fee-for-service Medicare population.

Methods

Men newly diagnosed with mCRPC were identified in Medicare fee-for-service claims during 1/1/2014–6/30/2019. Men had evidence of mCRPC and continuous insurance coverage ≥1 year before and ≥6 months after diagnosis unless patients died. Treatment patterns after diagnosis were described. Survival from mCRPC diagnosis and from start of first-line (1 L) therapy was modeled using Kaplan-Meier analysis.

Results

Among 14,780 men with mCRPC, mean age was 76 and median follow-up after mCRPC was 17.0 months. 22% received no life-prolonging therapy after mCRPC, 78% received ≥1 line of therapy (LOT), 42% underwent ≥2 LOTs, and 20% had ≥3 LOTs. Median time from start of 1 L to next LOT or end of follow-up was 13.7 months, 10.9 months from 2 L start, and 8.9 months from 3 L start. The most common 1 L to 2 L treatment sequences among men with ≥2 lines were NHT followed by a different NHT (33%), chemotherapy followed by NHT (14%), and NHT followed by chemotherapy (13%). For those initiating 1 L treatment with NHTs, only 28% received subsequent treatment with a different class of therapy. Median survival was 25.6 months after mCRPC and 23.4 months following treatment initiation.

Conclusions

More than 1 in 5 Medicare patients with mCRPC did not receive any life-prolonging therapy, and less than half received 2 L therapy. NHTs were the most common 1 L and 2 L therapies, with patients treated with NHT as 1 L followed by a different NHT for 2 L as the most common treatment sequence. Median survival from diagnosis for all patients was 25.6 months. These data highlight the dramatic undertreatment that occurs for mCRPC patients, particularly for therapies beyond NHTs as well as the common use of sequential NHTs in real-world data.
Waxholm Space atlas of the rat brain: a 3D atlas supporting data analysis and integration
Authors: Kleven Heidi , Bjerke Ingvild E. , Clascá Francisco , Groenewegen Henk J. , Bjaalie Jan G. , Leergaard Trygve B.
Published: October 2023

Volumetric brain atlases are increasingly used to integrate and analyze diverse experimental neuroscience data acquired from animal models, but until recently a publicly available digital atlas with complete coverage of the rat brain has been missing. Here we present an update of the Waxholm Space rat brain atlas, a comprehensive open-access volumetric atlas resource. This brain atlas features annotations of 222 structures, of which 112 are new and 57 revised compared to previous versions. It provides a detailed map of the cerebral cortex, hippocampal region, striatopallidal areas, midbrain dopaminergic system, thalamic cell groups, the auditory system and main fiber tracts. We document the criteria underlying the annotations and demonstrate how the atlas with related tools and workflows can be used to support interpretation, integration, analysis and dissemination of experimental rat brain data.
Comparison of virtual reality to physical box and blocks on cortical an neuromuscualar activations in young adults
Authors: Parker Sheridan M. , Ricks Brian , Zuniga Jorge , Knarr Brian A.
Published: October 2023

The purpose of this study was to assess the changes in neural activations when performing the box and block test (BBT) in virtual reality (VR) compared to the physical BBT. Young healthy participants performed three trials of the BBT with their left and right hands in both the VR BBT, using VR hand controllers, and physical BBT conditions. Electromyography sensors were placed on the upper extremity of both arms and functional near-infrared spectroscopy was used to measure motor cortex activations throughout each condition. While a reduction in BBT score and increased wrist extensor neuromuscular activity is exhibited during the VR condition, there is no statistical difference in motor cortex activation between the two BBT conditions. This work provides a basis for exploring cortical and neuromuscular responses to VR in patient populations.
Intense zonal freshwater transport in the Eurasian Arctic during ice-covered season revealed by in situ measurements
Authors: Osadchiev Alexander , Sedakov Roman , Frey Dmitry , Gordey Alexandra , Rogozhin Vladimir , Zabudkina Zinaida , Spivak Eduard , Kuskova Ekaterina , Sazhin Andrey , Semiletov Igor
Published: October 2023

The Kara Sea receives ~ 1/3 of total freshwater discharge to the Arctic Ocean, mainly from the large Ob and Yenisei rivers. The Ob-Yenisei plume covers wide area in the central part of the Kara Sea during ice-free season (June–October) and accumulates ~ 1000 km3 of freshwater volume. In late autumn, the Kara Sea becomes covered by ice, which hinders in situ measurements at this area. As a result, the fate of the Ob-Yenisei plume below sea ice during winter and spring remains unclear. In this study, we report multiple in situ measurements performed in the Kara Sea shortly before and during ice-covered season. We demonstrate that late autumn convection in the plume shortly before ice formation significantly reduces friction between the plume and the subjacent sea. The subsequent formation of solid sea ice coverage isolates the plume from wind forcing. These two factors precondition the Ob-Yenisei plume to form an intense buoyancy-driven coastal current below sea ice. As a result, the plume advects eastward to the Laptev Sea through the Vilkitsky Strait during several months in November-February. Eventually, by late winter this huge freshwater volume disappears from the Kara Sea and contributes to freshwater content of the Laptev Sea. The obtained result improves our understanding of freshwater balance of the Kara and Laptev seas, as well as provides an important insight into the large-scale freshwater transport in the Eurasian Arctic, which remain largely unknown during ice-covered season.
Do Italian people still wear masks? Analysis of personality and dispositional correlates of facemask use in post Covid-19 scenario
Authors: Rigo Paola , Miscioscia Marina , Spaggiari Silvia , Di Riso Daniela
Published: October 2023

Face mask wearing is a low-cost preventative measure for the Covid-19 pandemic. In Italy, face masks are no longer mandatory indoors from the 1st of May 2022. Some research focused on factors that influence the choice of using masks, but less is known about mask-wearing when non-mandatory. The present study aims to compare those who were still wearing masks indoors when non-mandatory and those who were not, in personality traits, anxiety, depression, and trust in healthcare professions, in Italy, in 2022. Furthermore, we analyze if resilience, reactance, political orientation, and Covid-19 vaccinations moderate between negative affectivity and the choice of wearing masks. 1151 adults, aged 18–64, were recruited. Using the Qualtrics platform, participants filled in a socio-demographic interview, and self-report questionnaires. Results showed that people who were still wearing a mask indoors had higher levels of psychoticism and negative affectivity, worse mental health, greater trust in healthcare professions, and worries about the pandemic. Moreover, resilience partially moderates the relationship between negative affectivity and the choice of wearing a mask. These findings provide a better understanding of individuals’ responses to post-pandemic changes, identifying the personal and contextual aspects that can make people struggle with the process of returning to normality.
Species-specific model to predict amphibian metamorphosis
Authors: Iwai Noriko , Tachiki Yuuya
Published: October 2023

Exploring the timing of life-history transitions has been a pivotal focus in the field of evolutionary ecology. Studies on amphibian metamorphosis are well suited to investigate this aspect. We propose a species-specific model to predict the optimal metamorphosis point for frog individuals with different larval growth trajectories. Because overall fitness will be determined throughout both aquatic and terrestrial stages, we included growth and survival rates of aquatic and terrestrial stages in the fitness equation. Then we conducted a rearing experiment on a brown frog, Rana ornativentris, as an example to obtain the size at metamorphosis, larval period, and larval growth trajectory. Based on these results, we determined the model's parameters to fit the actual metamorphosis patterns. Because the parameters are supposed to be evolutionarily maintained, our data-driven approach enabled obtaining fundamental ecological information (evolutionally-based life-history parameters) of the target species. Comparing the parameters among species will allow us to understand the mechanisms in determining life-history transition more deeply.
The effect of shrubs admixture in pine forest stands on soil bacterial and fungal communities and accumulation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
Authors: Lasota Jarosław , Ważny Rafał , Kaźmierczak Marzena , Błońska Ewa
Published: October 2023

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a group of persistent toxic pollutants. The species composition of the stand is important in shaping the quality of soil organic matter and, consequently, the PAH content. The main purpose of the research was to determine the role of shrubs in shaping PAH accumulation in forest soils. The study covered the soils of the pine stands of the Rybnik Forest District, which experiences some of the highest deposition of industrial emissions in Europe. Pine stands with admixture of shrubs (alder buckthorn Frangula alnus and European hazelnut Coryllus avellana) growing in the same soil conditions were selected for the study. Samples for analyses were collected from the organic horizon (O) (from a depth of 0–7 cm) and humus mineral horizon (A) (from a depth of 7–15 cm). The organic C and total N concentrations, pH, alkaline cation content, soil enzyme activity and PAH content were determined. Additionally, the taxonomic composition of soil bacterial and fungal communities was determined. The highest activity of enzymes was noted in soils under influence of shrubs. The enzymatic activity was positively correlated with the content of total N, organic C, pH H2O and KCl and negatively with the C/N ratio. The highest PAH content was recorded in the soils of pine stands without the admixture of shrubs. Our research indicates the importance of shrubs in shaping the properties of surface horizons of forest soil and, consequently on the accumulation of PAHs. Shrubs stimulate biochemical activity of soils which results in lower PAHs accumulation by providing more easily decomposable organic matter.
Evaluating the effect of body mass index and 25-hydroxy-vitamin D level on basal cell carcinoma using Mendelian randomization
Authors: Chen Xuezhao , Song Shan , Shi Jinyu , Wang Zhiyao , Song Wenyu , Wang Jiaxin , Wang Guoyan , Wang Xiaobing
Published: October 2023

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common cancer with a rising incidence among white-skinned individuals. A number of epidemiological studies have suggested that obesity and serum 25-hydroxy-vitamin D (25(OH)D) levels may affect the arising of BCC. To address this, we selected 443 and 96 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with body mass index (BMI) and serum level of 25(OH)D from large-scale genome-wide association studies (GWAS), respectively. The univariable and multivariable two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses were conducted with a series of sensitivity analyses to ensure the results were reliable and reproducible. The results of univariable two-sample MR analysis showed that higher BMI was related to lower risk for BCC (Odds ratio(OR) = 0.90; 95% confidence interval (CI),[0.81,0.99]; p = 0.02). In addition, this causal effect of BMI on BCC still remained (OR = 0.88; 95%CI,[− 0.22, − 0.03], p-value = 0.008) after adjusting for 25(OH)D level in the multivariable MR analysis. However, the results suggested that 25(OH)D level was not associated with BCC(OR = 1.02; 95%CI, [0.94,1.09], p-value = 0.67). In conclusion, similar to the conclusions of retrospective observational studies, the MR results indicate that high BMI is an independent protective factor for BCC. Meanwhile, vitamin D levels may not be causally associated with the risk of basal cell carcinoma and increasing vitamin D supplementation is unlikely to reduce the risk.
Synechococcus nitrogen gene loss in iron-limited ocean regions
Authors: Sharpe Garrett , Zhao Liang , Meyer Meredith G , Gong Weida , Burns Shannon M , Tagliabue Allesandro , Buck Kristen N , Santoro Alyson E , Graff Jason R , Marchetti Adrian , Gifford Scott
Published: October 2023

Synechococcus are the most abundant cyanobacteria in high latitude regions and are responsible for an estimated 17% of annual marine net primary productivity. Despite their biogeochemical importance, Synechococcus populations have been unevenly sampled across the ocean, with most studies focused on low-latitude strains. In particular, the near absence of Synechococcus genomes from high-latitude, High Nutrient Low Chlorophyll (HNLC) regions leaves a gap in our knowledge of picocyanobacterial adaptations to iron limitation and their influence on carbon, nitrogen, and iron cycles. We examined Synechococcus populations from the subarctic North Pacific, a well-characterized HNLC region, with quantitative metagenomics. Assembly with short and long reads produced two near complete Synechococcus metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs). Quantitative metagenome-derived abundances of these populations matched well with flow cytometry counts, and the Synechococcus MAGs were estimated to comprise >99% of the Synechococcus at Station P. Whereas the Station P Synechococcus MAGs contained multiple genes for adaptation to iron limitation, both genomes lacked genes for uptake and assimilation of nitrate and nitrite, suggesting a dependence on ammonium, urea, and other forms of recycled nitrogen leading to reduced iron requirements. A global analysis of Synechococcus nitrate reductase abundance in the TARA Oceans dataset found nitrate assimilation genes are also lower in other HNLC regions. We propose that nitrate and nitrite assimilation gene loss in Synechococcus may represent an adaptation to severe iron limitation in high-latitude regions where ammonium availability is higher. Our findings have implications for models that quantify the contribution of cyanobacteria to primary production and subsequent carbon export.
A new modality for cholesterol impact tracking in colon cancer development – Raman imaging, fluorescence and AFM studies combined with chemometric analysis
Authors: Beton-Mysur K. , Brożek-Płuska B.
Published: October 2023

Diagram showing the structure of cholesterol (A), the main roles of cholesterol in the human body (B), the early stages of cholesterol biosynthesis (including the main regulatory step modulated by statins) (C), and the main sites of cholesterol biosynthesis and absorption (D).
A new synthesis strategy for nitrogen-doped carbon nanofibers with cobalt oxide nanoparticles as anodic electrode materials for lithium ion batteries
Authors: Liu Feng-Ming , Zhao Ming-Yang , Wang Shuo , Chen Ming , Qian Xing , Yuan Zhong-Yong , Sun Yan , Li Chun-Sheng , Wan Rong
Published: October 2023

The nitrogen-doped carbon nanoribbons and nanotubes confining Co3O4 nanoparticles have been successfully synthesized and served as high-performance anodes for high power LIBs.
The effective regulation of heterogeneous N-heterocyclic carbenes: structures, electronic properties and transition metal adsorption
Authors: Liu Wei , Sun Jingchao , Xie Yunhao , Chen Liang , Xu Jing
Published: October 2023

Introducing two classes of typical five-membered carbenes in varying proportions to graphene lattice creates novel 2D heterogeneous N-heterocyclic carbene nanomaterials with distinct electronic properties and significant catalytic potential.
Simulation of the ligand-leaving process of the human heat shock protein
Authors: Hu Yi-Xiao , Fei Jun-wen , Bie Li-Hua , Gao Jun
Published: October 2023

The free energy profile of the ligand leaving processes of the human heat shock protein was simulated by umbrella sampling and the steered molecular dynamics methods. The slower pulling velocity was are recommended, and the faster pulling velocity may lead to unphysical conformational change.
Pressure-induced novel ZrN4 semiconductor materials with high dielectric constants: a first-principles study
Authors: Yao Shaoting , Li Junzhao , Huang Le , Xie Xing , Dong Huafeng , Long Hui , Zhang Xin , Wu Fugen , Mu Zhongfei , Wen Minru
Published: October 2023

Four dynamically stable ZrN4 semiconductor structures with high dielectric constants are predicted in this study and their band structures, density of states, dielectric constants, and the response of bandgaps to pressure are investigated.
Correction: Silver complexes with substituted terpyridines as promising anticancer metallodrugs and their crystal structure, photoluminescence, and DNA interactions
Authors: Li Jiahe , Wang Zhiyuan , Chen Zhongting , Xue Xingyong , Lin Kejuan , Chen Hailan , Pan Lixia , Yuan Yulin , Ma Zhen
Published: October 2023

Correction for ‘Silver complexes with substituted terpyridines as promising anticancer metallodrugs and their crystal structure, photoluminescence, and DNA interactions’ by Jiahe Li et al., Dalton Trans., 2023, 52, 9607–9621, https://doi.org/10.1039/D2DT03463H.
Multifunctional Eu(iii)-modified HOFs: roxarsone and aristolochic acid carcinogen monitoring and latent fingerprint identification based on artificial intelligence
Authors: Zhu Kai , Yan Bing
Published: October 2023

A Eu3+-functionalized HOF-BTB was fabricated to be used for latent fingerprint (LFP) identification and roxarsone and aristolochic acid carcinogen monitoring based on artificial intelligence.
Exploring high-energy and low-sensitivity energetic compounds based on experiments and DFT studies
Authors: Li Qiaoli , Li Shenshen , Xiao Jijun
Published: October 2023

DHADAT shows a high nitrogen content, high detonation velocity and low impact sensitivity. Furthermore, DHADAT exhibits a good ductility, resistance to deformation and stiffness.
Nanozymes with versatile redox capabilities inspired in metalloenzymes
Authors: López-Domene Rocío , Kumar Krishan , Barcelon Jose Eduardo , Guedes Gabriela , Beloqui Ana , Cortajarena Aitziber L.
Published: October 2023

Engineered artificial metalloenzymes based on protein-templated Pt nanoclusters yield highly efficient nanozymes serving as redox catalysts.
The Mars–Van Krevelen cycle and non-noble metal Ni jointly promoting Z-scheme charge transfer: a study on the photothermal synergy effect applied in selectively oxidizing aromatic alcohols
Authors: Chen Gaoli , Li Jing , Gui Shu , Wang Ya , Zhang Sujuan , Wang Zhongliao , Zheng Xiuzhen , Meng Sugang , Ruan Chaohui , Chen Shifu
Published: October 2023

This work reports the successful construction of a novel 60% NCO/CdS composite catalyst for oxidizing aromatic alcohols by photothermal catalysis under atmospheric pressure with nearly 100% selectivity. A photothermal synergy mechanism was proposed.
Synthesis of an eco-inspired anticorrosive composite for mild steel applications
Authors: Kawsihan Anoja , Dissanayake D. M. S. N. , Rathuwadu N. P. W. , Perera H. C. S. , Dayananda K. E. D. Y. T. , Koswattage K. R. , Mahadeva Rajesh , Ganguly Arnab , Das G. , Mantilaka M. M. M. G. P. G.
Published: October 2023

We synthesised a polyaniline/mica (Mica–PANI) nanocomposite using naturally occurring muscovite mica by a top-down approach as an anticorrosive coating.
Vibrational spectroscopy as a probe of heterogeneities within geochemical thin films on macro, micro, and nanoscales
Authors: Kim Deborah , Townsley Samantha , Grassian Vicki H.
Published: October 2023

Geochemical thin films of different minerals and mineral samples were analyzed using several vibrational probes including microspectroscopic photothermal IR probes to uncover heterogeneity in these samples on micro and nanoscales.
Exploration of the structural, vibrational, electronic, mechanical and thermal properties of Ru4Al3B2 and Ru9Al3B8: a DFT study
Authors: Chakraborty Arpon , Liton M. N. H. , Sarker M. S. I. , Rahman M. M. , Khan M. K. R.
Published: October 2023

Newly synthesized intermetallic compounds Ru4Al3B2 and Ru9Al3B8 are mechanically and dynamically stable, exhibit excellent transport properties and are suitable for thermal barrier coatings and absorber materials.
A comparison between oestradiol aptamers as receptors in CNT FET biosensors
Authors: Cassie Erica , Dunham Hamish , Happe Erica , Nguyen Hong Phan T. , Pitman Janet L. , Plank Natalie O. V.
Published: October 2023

Two oestradiol aptamers as receptors on carbon nanotube sensors are compared. We show differences in sensor behaviour between the aptamers that are not explained by published KD values, which aid in understanding and optimising these sensors.
Efficient detection of bilirubin in human serum through a displacement approach
Authors: Singla Nancy , Ahmad Manzoor , Mahajan Vishal , Singh Prabhpreet , Kumar Subodh
Published: October 2023

The displacement of bilirubin in human serum with THYQ provides fluorescence “turn on” detection for bilirubin, which is in good agreement with the clinical results.
Bridging the gap between collective motility and epithelial–mesenchymal transitions through the active finite voronoi model
Authors: Huang Junxiang , Levine Herbert , Bi Dapeng
Published: October 2023

In this work, we construct an Active Finite Voronoi (AFV) model and comprehensively map out the different emergent phases. Interestingly, the model exhibits a rich set of epithelial and mesenchymal morphological and dynamical phases.
A zinc-ion battery-type self-powered strain sensing system by using a high-performance ionic hydrogel
Authors: Li Yueqin , Miao Runtian , Yang Yong , Han Lin , Han Qiangshan
Published: October 2023

A stretchable ionic conductive PAAM/CMC/TA hydrogel with self-healing capacity is applied in a flexible zinc ion battery, which not only could function as an energy source but also a strain sensor, thus realizing a self-powered strain sensing system.
Lightweight neural network based SNIP for CSI feedback in massive MIMO
Authors: Cui Yue , Liu Hongfu , Xu Fangmin , Li Bin , Zhao Chenglin
Published: October 2023

CsiNet, a deep neural network framework, utilizes an autoencoder to efficiently transmit downlink channel state information (CSI) in the feedback link, which reduces the cost of feedback, and significantly improves the quality of the reconstruction. However, the model with massive parameters incurs a lot of storage space and high computational complexity, which is impractical for low‐cost and low‐power edge devices. In this work, a lightweight CsiNet based SNIP (Single‐shot Network Pruning) is implemented, which prunes the model using the gradient information of the first training epoch, eliminating both pretraining and the complex pruning schedule. Numerical simulation results show that, under the same compression rates, the method can achieve a similar or even better reconstruction effect and more effectively reduce computational complexity, compared to traditional lightweight methods.
A zero‐watermarking technique based on i‐vector model for audio copyright protection
Authors: Xu Longting , He Mingrui , Guo Xing
Published: October 2023

Audio zero‐watermarking is a promising technology for audio copyright protection. It does not modify the content of the original carrier and has good imperceptibility. Considering that i‐vector model can map audio signals of different lengths into a vector space of fixed length, which has good robustness against desynchronization attacks, a robust audio zero‐watermarking technique based on i‐vector model is proposed here. The proposed scheme extracts the i‐vector of the input signal to identify its inherent stability features and then generates a key by XOR operation on the watermark and encoded feature sequences. Experimental results show that this scheme can effectively resist common attacks and desynchronization attacks.