bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The estimation of healthcare cost of kidney transplantation in Japan using large-scale administrative databases
Authors: Hasegawa Masataka , Kato Hirotaka , Yoshioka Takashi , Goto Rei
Published: November 2024

Background

The financial burden of kidney replacement therapy (KRT) is considerable, and detailed information on KRT costs is essential for managing these huge healthcare costs. However, cost analyses for kidney transplantation (KTx) are limited in Japan. This study aimed to report the healthcare costs of KTx recipients in Japan based on large medical receipt data.

Methods

This cost analysis of KTx recipients using the Japan Medical Data Center Claims Database between January 2005 and August 2020 identified living donor KTx (LDKT) and deceased donor KTx (DKT) recipients. The primary outcome was the total direct healthcare costs of KTx recipients. As an exploratory analysis, we examined the factors that contributed to the increase in the costs of LDKT.

Results

In total, 84 LDKT and 17 DKT recipients were included in this study. The total ﻿healthcare costs for LDKT and DKT recipients during the first year after KTx were 6,639,982 and 6,840,450 JPY/year, respectively. However, after the second year post-KTx, total ﻿healthcare costs decreased to 1,735,931 and 1,348,642 JPY/year for LDKT and DKT recipients, respectively. During the first year, inpatient costs accounted for > 70% of the total ﻿healthcare costs, whereas pharmaceutical costs accounted for more than half after the second year post-KTx. The use of everolimus and male sex were associated with higher and lower total healthcare costs in the first and subsequent years after LDKT, respectively.

Conclusion

Using large-scale administrative databases, this study revealed the total ﻿healthcare costs of KTx in Japan and provided valuable information for the health technology assessment of KTx.
Preparation of cellulose-based optical brightening agent by a two-step one-pot reaction and its application in fiber treatment
Authors: Würfel Hendryk , Fardim Pedro , Günther Wolfgang , Heinze Thomas
Published: November 2024

A simple and efficient two-step one-pot procedure for the manufacturing of a cellulose-based polymeric optical brightening agent is demonstrated. The method employs a consecutive in situ activation of two carboxylic acids in a cellulose solution prepared in N,N-dimethylacetamide and LiCl. As an activating agent, 4-toluenesulfonyl chloride was employed. The optical brightening properties were introduced by a 4-hydroxythiazole moiety. These compounds show strong fluorescence over a large range of the visible electromagnetic spectrum. The properties can be largely tuned by reactions at the 2- and 5-position of the thiazole ring. The water solubility of the cellulose derivative is introduced in the second step, by attaching betaine to the cellulose backbone. This cationic moiety allows not only a fast dissolution of the cellulose mixed ester in water, but also an efficient adsorption onto cellulose fibers via electrostatic interactions. After adsorption onto the fibers, the resulting material appears bright white in daylight and shows a strong blue fluorescence when probed under ultraviolet light. The coating process is fast and almost quantitative as absorption and fluorescence measurements reveal, showing no leaching effect. The cellulose mixed ester synthesized is characterized by means of 1D and 2D 1H- and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance, infrared-, UV–Vis-, and fluorescence spectroscopy. In addition, elemental analysis and size-exclusion chromatography were performed. The polymeric optical brightening agents presented consists of environmentally benign compounds only and can be considered as a green alternative for traditional low molecular optical brightening agents employed today.
Impacts of habitat loss by reservoir inundation on occurrence, abundance, and genetic diversity of an imperiled, river-adapted, benthic-specialist fish, Etheostoma lemniscatum (Tuxedo Darter)
Authors: Blanton Rebecca E. , Brumley Jacob F. , Thomas Matthew R. , Simmons Jeffrey W. , Brandt Stephanie L. , Floyd Michael A.
Published: November 2024

Dams homogenize habitat and alter natural depth and flow regimes of lotic habitats, leading to extirpation of many stream-adapted fishes such as darters (Percidae). The Tuxedo Darter, Etheostoma lemniscatum, is a habitat-specialist of shallow, flowing pools with cobble substrate in the Big South Fork Cumberland River. One threat to this species is Wolf Creek Dam on the Cumberland River that creates Lake Cumberland, which during summer pool, inundates the lower 72 river kilometers (rkms) of the Big South Fork. A six-year period of lower reservoir elevations for dam repairs allowed a 9 rkm reach to return to riverine habitat and E. lemniscatum to colonize this reach. Once dam repairs were complete, the lower 72 rkms were again regularly inundated by Lake Cumberland. To determine the impact of post-dam repair inundation on E. lemniscatum, we compared occurrence, abundance, and genetic diversity metrics estimated from samples from 2015 and from several years post-inundation in 2019 and 2020 from 11 sites spanning the species’ range. Declines in occurrence and abundance were detected within the re-inundated reach. We observed low genetic diversity for the species for both sample periods, but no significant changes in genetic diversity between years. A trend towards lower allelic richness and an increase in the proportion of private alleles was observed in the 2019/2020 samples. Coupled with local extirpation and declines in abundance, these trends may be early warning signs of future declines in genetic diversity. We suggest future genetic monitoring to identify any time delayed responses to inundation not detected herein.
Physiological and oxidative status of soybean seedlings exposed to short term treatment with polystyrene nanoparticles
Authors: Urbański Michał , Yiğit Burak Mete , Ekner-Grzyb Anna , Chmielowska-Bąk Jagna
Published: November 2024

Plastic is widely used worldwide due to its durability and relatively low production costs. However, its durability also has significant drawbacks - plastic is a slowly degrading material and greatly contributes to the environmental pollution. Increasing body of evidence shows that contamination of the environment with plastic negatively affects plants and other living organisms. The aim of present research was to determine whether short-term exposure to polystyrene nanoparticles (PSNP) has toxic effect on soybean seedlings (Glycine max L). In the first stage of the research, the effect of two hour long incubation in PSNP solutions (10 and 100 mgl−1) on the germination of soybean seeds was determined. In the second part of the study, the potential cytotoxic effect of PSNP on young seedlings was measured. The results indicate that incubation in PSNP solutions inhibits the germination of soybean seeds by approx. 10% (at p = 0.05). However, this effect was only observed after 48 and 72 h of germination and by lower PSNP concentrations, 10 mgl−1. In turn, in young soybean seedlings exposure to PSNP had no effect on growth, cell viability or oxidative status by p = 0.05. The results indicate that germination is a PSNP-sensitive process. In turn, already germinated seedlings are relatively resistant to the short-term exposure to this stressor.
Adaptive variation in opsin expression of sticklebacks from different photic habitats
Authors: Bakker Theo C. M. , Hiermes Meike , Müller Björn , Martin Sebastian , Rennison Diana J. , Rick Ingolf P.
Published: November 2024

We studied phenotypic and genetic adaptation of the visual system of three-spined sticklebacks, Gasterosteus aculeatus, from North Uist, Scotland. We quantified differences in opsin gene expression of the four cone opsin genes among wild-caught fish from three lakes with clear and from three with tea-stained water and their offspring that were raised in clear water. In addition, visual sensitivity of wild-caught fish was modelled from opsin expression levels. Wild-caught fish from tea-stained waters had a lower SWS1 proportional expression than fish from clear waters, a difference that tended to be maintained in lab-bred fish. Compared to lab-bred fish, wild-caught fish had a higher SWS1 but lower SWS2 proportional expression independent of water clarity. For RH2 and LWS there were significant interactions between generation and water clarity. Reproductively mature fish had a higher LWS but lower proportional expression of RH2 than non-reproductive fish. Sex did not have a significant effect on expression. There was a significant positive association and, depending on chromophore ratio, a distinct match between the centre wavelengths, used as a proxy for spectral distribution, of ambient habitat light and spectral sensitivity indicating that the visual system of sticklebacks is tuned to their local light environment, suggesting adaptation.
The thermodynamics of multicomponent high-entropy materials
Authors: Cantor Brian
Published: November 2024

Human development has been based for millennia on manufacturing materials using a conventional alloying strategy of selecting a principal component for the primary property requirement of the material and then adding one or two minor alloying components at relatively low concentrations, either to enhance the primary property or to provide additional secondary properties. We have discovered relatively recently that, with sufficiently large numbers of alloying elements added in sufficiently large concentrations, the configurational entropy of mixing can often become large enough to suppress the formation of brittle compound phases, leading instead to the formation of multicomponent high-entropy solid solutions. In fact, there are literally billions of multicomponent high-entropy single-phase solid-solution materials, with a wide range of exciting new properties, in most cases relatively straightforward to manufacture by conventional processing methods. There seems, however, to be an upper limit to these effects, so that, beyond about ten or twelve alloying components, the inevitable increase in chemical diversity prevents the configurational entropy of mixing from suppressing the increasingly strong chemical reactions between them. This paper discusses in more detail the thermodynamic balance between: (1) increasing configurational entropy and promoting high-entropy solid solutions; and (2) increasing chemical diversity and promoting the formation of brittle compound phases. This is discussed on the basis of regular solution thermodynamics, without the need for more complex, semi-empirical Calphad calculations that can sometimes obscure the underlying key physical and chemical principles. The results show: (1) why large single-phase solid-solution regions are relatively common in multicomponent phase space; (2) why single-phase solid solutions are often favoured over stoichiometric compounds for large numbers of chemically similar components, in concentrated rather than dilute proportions, at high temperatures, and after quenching to room temperature; and (3) the difficulty of detailed thermodynamic analysis in multicomponent materials because of the large numbers of thermodynamic parameters that need to be known and the corresponding lack of underlying thermodynamic measurements.
Analysis of the Staggered DG Method for the Quasi-Newtonian Stokes flows
Authors: Liu Jingyu , Liu Yang , Zhao Lina
Published: November 2024

This paper introduces and analyzes a staggered discontinuous Galerkin (DG) method for quasi-Newtonian Stokes flow problems on polytopal meshes. The method introduces the flux and tensor gradient of the velocity as additional unknowns and eliminates the pressure variable via the incompressibility condition. Thanks to the subtle construction of the finite element spaces used in our staggered DG method, no additional numerical flux or stabilization terms are needed. Based on the abstract theory for the non-linear twofold saddle point problems, we prove the well-posedness of our scheme. A priori error analysis for all the involved unknowns is also provided. In addition, the proposed scheme can be hybridizable and the global problem only involves the trace variables, rendering the method computationally attractive. Finally, several numerical experiments are carried out to illustrate the performance of our scheme.
Markov Chains in the Domain of Attraction of Brownian Motion in Cones
Authors: Denisov Denis , Zhang Kaiyuan
Published: November 2024

We consider a multidimensional Markov chain X converging to a multidimensional Brownian motion. We construct a positive harmonic function for X killed on exiting the cone. We show that its asymptotic behaviour is similar to that of the harmonic function of Brownian motion. We use the harmonic function to study the asymptotic behaviour of the tail distribution of the exit time

$$\tau $$

τ

of X from a cone.
Forest plant invasions in the eastern United States: evidence of invasion debt in the wildland-urban interface
Authors: Potter Kevin M. , Riitters Kurt H. , Iannone Basil V. , Guo Qinfeng , Fei Songlin
Published: November 2024

Context

Non-native invasive plants are a growing threat to forests. Meanwhile, the amount of forest within the wildland-urban interface (WUI) is increasing, with housing-associated disturbances enabling the spread of non-native plants.

Objectives

We tested whether (1) WUI or non-WUI forests are more invaded, (2) WUI intermix forests (houses mingling with forest) are more invaded than interface forests (housing abutting forest), (3) invasion in WUI forests is delayed (invasion debt) following housing development, and (4) WUI forest invasion is associated with land cover context (a proxy for disturbance and propagule pressure).

Methods

We conducted statistical comparisons of plant invasion metrics using WUI status information intersected with ~ 45,000 forest inventory plots (collected ca. 2015). We evaluated potential drivers of invasion using an ensemble learning approach and adopted a mixed-effects modeling framework to assess relationships between drivers and invasion.

Results

Our analyses revealed that the degree of invasion in WUI forest plots was significantly higher. We found evidence for invasion debt, including greater invasion of plots in the WUI longer. WUI interface forests were more invaded than intermix forests. Agricultural and developed land cover at medium to large scales (~ 66 − 5,300 hectares) were most highly associated with WUI forest invasion.

Conclusions

These findings elucidate dynamic plant invasion patterns and processes occurring within the WUI. They underscore the importance of monitoring and managing forests that have recently entered the WUI, with an emphasis on sources of exotic plant propagules at relatively large scales, before the housing invasion debt comes due.
Discontinuous noun phrases in Iquito
Authors: Murphy Andrew , Wilson Brianna
Published: November 2024

In this paper, we provide an account of the syntactic restrictions on noun phrase discontinuity in Iquito. In Iquito, noun phrases containing determiners that have undergone movement must have a discontinuous realization where the determiner strands the noun. With moved possessive noun phrases, we find apparent pied-piping of the possessum in addition to the determiner only in case the determiner is semantically associated with the possessor. We argue that this “possessum pied-piping” is determined by the syntactic attachment height of the determiner within the noun phrase. In doing so, we provide a novel way of restricting the mechanism of distributed deletion based on configurational properties of the noun phrase, rather than some information structural or phonological property. Furthermore, we show how extending this analysis to phrase-internal syntax also allows us to derive the apparently idiosyncratic word orders we find inside NPs and PPs, thereby providing a unified account of both phrase-level and clause-level word order in Iquito.
Measurement Error and Methodologic Issues in Analyses of the Proportion of Variance Explained in Cognition
Authors: Nichols Emma , Aslanyan Vahan , Adrien Tamare V. , Andrews Ryan M. , Fardo David W. , Gavett Brandon E. , Paterson Theone S. E. , Turney Indira C. , Young Christina B. , Uanhoro James O. , Gross Alden L. , Initiative for the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroim
Published: November 2024

Existing studies examining the predictive ability of biomarkers for cognitive outcomes do not account for variance due to measurement error, which could lead to under-estimates of the proportion of variance explained. We used data from the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) (N = 1084) to estimate the proportion of variance explained by Alzheimer’s disease (AD) imaging biomarkers in four cognitive outcomes: memory, executive functioning, language, and visuospatial functioning. We compared estimates from standard models that do not account for measurement error, and multilevel models that do account for measurement error. We also examined estimates across diagnostic subgroups (normal, MCI, AD). Estimates of the proportion of variance explained from multilevel models accounting for measurement error were larger (e.g., for language, 9–47% vs. 7–34% under standard modeling), with relatively greater differences between standard and multilevel measurement models for cognitive outcomes that have larger measurement error variance. Heterogeneity across subgroups also emphasized the importance of sample composition. Future studies should evaluate measurement error adjustments when considerable measurement error in cognitive outcomes is suspected.
Investigation into the rockfall impact process of a quarry landfill slope under highway expansion
Authors: Gong Bin , Yu Xiang , Zhang Yongjun , Bao Chunyan , Tang Chun’an
Published: November 2024

A quarry landfill slope is commonly partially or entirely filled with quarry waste. On the surface, a substantial amount of rough stone waste accumulates. This study specifically investigated the hazards posed by individual rockfalls and cluster rockfalls induced by landslides in such slopes, using an engineering slope as an illustrative example. The discontinuous deformation and displacement analysis method was employed to analyze the individual and cluster rockfall motion characteristics, as well as the dynamic response of protection structures. The results indicate that: (1) The impact of individual falling rocks on structures results in deformation and damage that far surpasses that caused by a flat plane impact. Interestingly, the stress generated upon rockfall contact with the structure is not initially at its maximum; it gradually increases to a peak as deformation occurs. When the structure is damaged or rebounds, the impact stress significantly diminishes. For wedge-shaped falling rocks impacting the upper part of the structure, bending tilting failure tends to occur. Conversely, irregular blocks with larger volumes impacting the lower part of the structure often lead to direct toppling failure; (2) Clusters falling rocks impede the movement of the sliding body. As the front and rear sliding bodies fracture along the middle, the rear sliding body tilts. Consequently, accumulated blocks are struck by the sliding body, initiating oblique throwing movements. There is a high likelihood of these rocks crossing protective structures; (3) The protection rate of the protective structure against single block stone impact stands at 86.7%. However, when subjected to the impact of a group of rockfalls, the protective structure completely fails. Overall, although the current protective measures are relatively cost-effective, the extremely high probability of casualties makes them unacceptable.
The contribution of emotion vocabulary to the reading comprehension of the text and the task
Authors: Sabag-Shushan Tami , Katzir Tami , Kanat-Maymon Yaniv
Published: November 2024

This study investigates the contributions of emotion vocabulary, non-emotion vocabulary, and reading fluency to various aspects of reading comprehension in monolingual Hebrew-speaking children. We examined these contributions across different levels of understanding (simple and complex) and text types (narrative and informative). The study included the Herut test, a novel vocabulary measure incorporating emotion words (ɑ = 0.81). A comprehensive battery of measures was administered to 960 fourth- and fifth-grade students from 21 schools. Multilevel modelling analyses revealed that emotion vocabulary consistently emerged as the strongest predictor across all reading comprehension tasks, surpassing both non-emotion vocabulary and reading fluency. Emotion vocabulary showed a particularly strong association with complex comprehension tasks and narrative texts. Significant classroom-level effects were also observed. These findings challenge existing models of reading comprehension and suggest the need for a more integrated approach that incorporates emotion vocabulary as a core component. The results have important implications for both theory and practice in literacy education.
The future of interaction rituals: an interview with Randall Collins
Authors: Johannessen Lars E. F. , Collins Randall
Published: November 2024

This interview with Randall Collins explores the role of interaction rituals (IR) in our increasingly digital world. For Collins, IR is a micro-sociological mechanism that provides both the glue that holds social groups together and the energy that fuels disputes and domination. Crucially, Collins posits that IRs are most effective under face-to-face or “bodily copresent” conditions. The pivotal question of this interview is how well this proposition holds in an age where interaction increasingly takes place through and with technologies. The interview begins with Collins explaining how he became interested in IR, before moving on to consider topics such as whether bodily copresence is as important today as it was when he wrote Interaction Ritual Chains (2004); the relative importance of online and offline IRs; how AI might change our ritual landscape; the role of materiality in the ritual process; and whether IR theory will continue to be as relevant in the future.
Differential morphophysiological and epigenetic responses during in vitro multiplication of Quercus robur depending on donor age and plant growth regulators
Authors: Martins João Paulo Rodrigues , Wawrzyniak Mikołaj Krzysztof , Kalemba Ewa Marzena , Ley-López Juan Manuel , Mendes Marcel Merlo , Naskręt-Barciszewska Mirosława Zofia , Barciszewski Jan , Chmielarz Paweł
Published: November 2024

In the in vitro cloning of specific individuals of woody species, a challenge can be the low viability of explants collected from old mature donor trees due to the recalcitrance of their plant material. Other factors, such as the auxin–cytokinin balance, must also be considered. We investigated how in vitro conditions and donor age can modulate the regeneration capacity, morphophysiology, and DNA methylation of Quercus robur. Explants from two different donors (70- and 600-year-old trees) were subjected to 8 different treatments, which consisted of 0, 1.25, 3.5, or 7.0 µM 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) combined with two concentrations of 0 or 0.5 µM 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA). In the absence of BAP, there was no shoot induction, and root formation was achieved only in the shoots of the 70-year-old clone. Shoot number was lower in the shoots of the 600-year-old clone. Both clones showed increased regeneration capacity under BAP exposure, which was positively correlated with 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-oxo-dG) levels and the antioxidant capacity of total phenolics. In contrast, shoot induction was negatively correlated with 5-methylcytosine (m5C) levels. Treatments with increased BAP concentrations induced the development of anatomical and biochemical characteristics such as underdeveloped tissues and/or delayed tissue development, and this effect was less intense in the 600-year-old clone. Global hypomethylation strongly correlates with guanine hyperoxidation and the de novo regeneration response. Our results suggest that explants collected from fully mature trees may have different growth regulator supplementation needs due to the ‘donor age’ factor. Older clones may require a higher concentration of cytokinins to ensure a regenerative response.
Chiral method validation and stereoselective degradation of profoxydim isomers in paddy soil
Authors: Cervantes-Díaz Álvaro , Mateo-Miranda Miguelina , Alonso-Prados José Luis , Sandín-España Pilar
Published: November 2024

The herbicide profoxydim, which is chiral in nature, is commonly used for weed control in rice. However, traditional achiral analysis treats profoxydim isomers as a single compound, providing only partial and inaccuracy information assuming identical behavior for the four isomers. To address this issue, a sensitive and straightforward chiral analytical method was developed using QuEChERS and chiral HPLC–MS/MS to determine the residues of all four stereoisomers of profoxydim in soil. The method was validated and found to have good accuracy and precision, with recoveries ranging from 88.27 to 104.93% for dry soil and from 98.25 to 106.53% for soaked soil, with RSD values lower than 11.14%. The limit of detection for the profoxydim isomers was 7.6 µg/kg, and the limit of quantification was 25.0 µg/kg. Furthermore, the proposed method was employed for the first time to investigate the individual degradation of novel isolated stereoisomers of profoxydim in soil and the kinetics and evolution of the generated degradation products (DPs). The degradation of the four stereoisomers followed first-order kinetics and was found to be stereoselective, with isomers 1 and 4 preferentially degrading with half-lives of 14.7 and 15.6 h respectively. The profoxydim enantiomers remained configurationally stable without any interconversion throughout the experiment. The findings of this study provide a robust scientific basis for improving profoxydim risk assessment and highlight the need to characterize chiral agrochemical isomers to better understand their environmental distribution and fate.
A comparative study on the chronic responses of titanium dioxide nanoparticles on aerobic granular sludge and algal–bacterial granular sludge processes
Authors: Kedves Alfonz , Haspel Henrik , Yavuz Çağdaş , Kutus Bence , Kónya Zoltán
Published: November 2024

The chronic effects of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) on aerobic granular sludge (AGS) and algal–bacterial granular sludge (ABGS) was examined in this study. Sequencing batch bioreactors (SBRs) and photo sequencing batch bioreactors (PSBRs) were operated with synthetic wastewater containing 0, 1, 5, 10, 20, 30, and 50 mg L−1 TiO2 NPs for 10 days. Nanoparticles at concentrations of 1 and 5 mg L−1 did not impact nutrient removal but led to an increase in extracellular polymeric substances (EPSs), primarily in protein (PN). With increasing nanoparticle concentration, the negative effect became more pronounced, mainly in the AGS SBRs. At 50 mg L−1 TiO2, chemical oxygen demand (COD), ammonia–nitrogen (NH3-N), and phosphorus (PO43−) removal decreased by 20.9%, 12.2%, and 35.1% in AGS, respectively, while in ABGS, they reached only 13.4%, 5.7%, and 14.2%. ABGS exhibited steady-state nutrient removal at 30 and 50 mg L−1 TiO2 NPs after around 5 days. The higher microbial activity and EPS content in the sludge, coupled with the symbiotic relationship between algae and bacteria, contributed to the higher tolerance of ABGS to nanoparticles. Finally, although nanoparticles reduced biomass in both types of bioreactors, the accumulation of TiO2 NPs in the sludge, confirmed by Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis, and the absence of detectable titanium concentrations in the effluent wastewater, measured by Inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry, may be attributed to the specific operational conditions of this study, including the relatively short operation period (10 days) and high initial MLSS concentration (6 g L−1).
Disentangling mappings defined on ICIS
Authors: Fernández-Hernández Alberto , Nuño-Ballesteros Juan J.
Published: November 2024

We study germs of hypersurfaces

$$(Y,0)\subset (\mathbb {C}^{n+1},0)$$

(
Y
,
0
)

⊂

(

C

n
+
1

,
0
)

that can be described as the image of

$${\mathscr {A}}$$

A

-finite mappings

$$f:(X,S)\rightarrow (\mathbb {C}^{n+1},0)$$

f
:

(
X
,
S
)

→

(

C

n
+
1

,
0
)

defined on an icis (X, S) of dimension n. We extend the definition of the Jacobian module given by Fernández de Bobadilla, Nuño-Ballesteros and Peñafort-Sanchis when

$$X=\mathbb {C}^n$$

X
=

C

n

, which controls the image Milnor number

$$\mu _I(X,f)$$

μ
I

(
X
,
f
)

. We apply these results to prove the case

$$n=2$$

n
=
2

of the generalised Mond conjecture, which states that

$${\mu _I(X,f)\ge \text{codim}_{\mathscr {A}_e}(X,f)}$$

μ
I

(
X
,
f
)

≥

codim

A
e

(
X
,
f
)

, with equality if (Y, 0) is weighted homogeneous.
A combination of upstream alleles involved in rice heading hastens natural long-day responses
Authors: Kim Myung-Shin , Kim Joung Sug , Song Sang Ik , Jun Kyong Mi , Shim Su-Hyeon , Jeon Jong-Seong , Lee Tae-Ho , Lee Sang-Bok , Lee Gang-Seob , Kim Yeon-Ki
Published: November 2024

Background

The female parental line Jinbuol (JBO, early heading) and two recombinant isogenic lines, JSRIL1 and JSRIL2, have been shown to flower 44, 34 and 16 days earlier, respectively, than the male parental line Samgwang (SG, late heading) in paddy fields.

Objective

To explore how photoperiodicity-related genes are involved in differential heading among these lines.

Methods

Deep sequencing was conducted for these lines, photoperiodicity-related genes (71) were categorized, and qRT-PCR was performed for some key genes.

Results

Deep sequencing revealed a nearly even contribution of parental groups, with 48.5% and 45% of the chromosomes in JSRIL1 and JSRIL2, respectively, inherited from the female parent JBO; however, Chr6 contained the most biased parental contribution, with 99.4% inherited from the female parent. The variation in single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) among many known flower-inducing genes, including rice GIGANTEA (OsGI); grain number, plant height and heading date 7 (Ghd7); and EARLY HEADING DATE 1 (Ehd1), was minimal. In the JSRILs, HEADING DATE 1 (Hd1) and VERNALIZATION INSENSITIVE 3-LIKE 1 (OsVIL2) originated from JBO, whereas FLAVIN-BINDING, KELCH REPEAT, F BOX 1 (OsFKF1) originated from SG. Interestingly, HEN1 suppressor 1 (OsHESO1) originated from SG in JSRIL1 and JBO in JSRIL2. RNA sequencing and qRT‒PCR analyses of plants at the floral meristem stage revealed that transcriptional regulation through chromosomal restructuring and posttranscriptional regulation might control minute gene regulation, resulting in delayed heading in JSRILs.

Conclusion

Our gene expression and SNP analyses of elite recombinant isogenic lines could be helpful in understanding how photoperiodicity-related genes in rice are modulated.
Orthogonality of skew type and characterization of inner product spaces
Authors: Xia Jinyu , Liu Qi , Wang Yuxin , Xu Wenhui , Hu Yongmo , Li Yongjin
Published: November 2024

In this paper, we investigate the generalization of Hermite-Hadamard-type orthogonality within skew structures. Moslehian and Rassias (Commun Math Anal 8:16–21, 2010) characterized inner product spaces by employing the parallelogram law for skew structures in their research. We introduce the concept of skew orthogonality by integrating the parallelogram law of skew structures with Hermite-Hadamard-type orthogonality and discuss its properties. Finally, we characterize inner product spaces using mappings that preserve skew orthogonality.
Social Distance and Affection: A Negative, Negative Correlation
Authors: Clavijo-Alvarez Alvaro Arturo , Krejci-Muñoz Klaus , Molano-Gallardo Juan Pablo , Cruz-Chaparro Sulibeth
Published: November 2024

Altruistic behavior is a function of social distance, but why do individuals put others at a particular distance? Social distance is a multidimensional concept, and affection is one of its dimensions. This study evaluated whether there is a negative correlation between social distance and an affection rating. As the affection report allowed the participants to give negative valuations to the people on the list, the study also evaluated whether participants gave negative values to distant people. Colombian University students and young professionals created a social distance list with a variation of the open-field procedure. Then, they gave the people on the list an affection rating between -100 and 100. We found a negative correlation between the positions on the social distance list and the affection ratings. Participants gave affection similarly to how most participants in social discounting research give money, discounting hyperbolically. Furthermore, some participants gave negative affection ratings to distant people on the list. Affection partially explains why individuals put others on a social distance list in different positions.
Successful Live Birth Outcome in A Patient with Empty Follicle Syndrome: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Hong Fang , Chen Bin , Liu Liu , Tong Xiaomei
Published: November 2024

Here, we report on a rare case of a successful live birth in a patient with empty follicle syndrome. A 35-year-old woman with ovulatory disorder and a 4-year history of primary infertility conducted in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) treatment in our hospital. The patient experienced six controlled ovarian stimulation cycles. In the first two cycles, despite adequate ovarian response, normal development of multiple follicles, and normal serum estradiol (E2) levels, no oocytes were retrieved from these mature follicles during the aspiration procedure. The patient was diagnosed with “empty follicle syndrome”. Whole exome sequencing (WES) identified a missense mutation in the luteinizing hormone/chorionic gonadotropin receptor (LHCGR). In subsequent cycles, we try to increase the trigger dosage, combine gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists (GnRH agonist) with human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) for a dual trigger, supplement with luteinizing hormone (LH)-like active substances during the stimulation process, and extend the time between triggering and oocyte retrieval. In the end, successful oocyte retrieval and pregnancy were achieved.
Experimental Center El Remanso ECER in Choachi-Colombia. A Laboratory Eco-Village to Learn and Co-build a Circular Learning
Authors: Rojas-Jimenez Hector Heraldo
Published: November 2024

The purpose of this article was to show the progress in the implementation of an Eco-Village that incorporated elements of bioconstruction with the use of bamboo-guadua cane framed in a circular design and integrated planning approaches for the increasing resilience in an area of high seismic risk in the Colombian Andes Mountains. Likewise, it included energy transition elements advancing towards decarbonization with the use of solar panels for electricity generation and water heating. At the same time, it integrated clean production linked to regenerative agriculture and circular bioeconomy using closed water circuits from bioprospection purification processes in internal treatment plants, equally, waterless toilets that allow the use of human waste as an input for composting and urine mixed with water for nitrogen fixation in permaculture gardens. Likewise, Experimental Center El Remanso ECER has allowed the application of Interdisciplinary education related to Ecological Engineering Education. The project is framed in the concepts and theories of bioeconomy and degrowth (Georgescu-Roegen, Latouche). An exploratory qualitative methodology was considered based on the participatory action research PAR proposals of Fals Borda. In addition to, the meeting with the traditional knowledge of the indigenous people and the peasant communities of the area in the production and cooking of food and the recovery of soils and ecosystems, as well as, the implementation of associativity processes related to the design and execution of tourist routes. As result of the research, the importance of co-creation, respect for ancestral knowledgement and the dialogue of knowledges are recognized, among others. The used of the small sample size of the different information access instruments were recognized as a limitation in the research. However, future actions linked to the results of the implementation of the PAR are been planned.
Mission-Oriented Research and Theory of Change: Driving Australia’s Transition to a Circular Economy
Authors: Schandl Heinz , Boxall Naomi J , MacMillan Colleen , Porter Natasha , Terhorst Andrew , Kong Taryn , Walton Andrea , Skidmore Melissa , Muhlhausler Bev , Hodgkinson Jane , Ambrose Michael
Published: November 2024

Australia’s linear economic system hinders the collective pursuit of sustainability, equity, and well-being. As demands for housing, food, energy, transportation, and goods escalate, transitioning to a circular economy becomes imperative. Such a transition necessitates a transformation in business and governance models, as well as cultural shifts, to foster sustainable material flows. The proposed change will likely unfold in five phases: envisioning a circular economy future, evaluating options and trade-offs, initiating local actions, amplifying national efforts, and solidifying global agreements. This shift will occur within the context of significant technical, environmental, social, and economic megatrends, and each phase is likely to overlap with the next, with some phases occurring concomitantly and ongoing. It will reshape socio-technical systems and social practices that fulfil our essential needs. Moreover, this transformation process is inherently circular, characterised by continuous cycles of learning, adaptation, and risk management.
Femtosecond Raman-induced Kerr effect spectroscopic study of the intermolecular dynamics in aqueous solutions of imidazolium hydrochloride, imidazole, sodium triazolide, and triazole: concentration dependence
Authors: Shimizu Masako , Shirota Hideaki
Published: November 2024

In this study, we employed femtosecond Raman-induced Kerr effect spectroscopy to analyze the concentration-dependent intermolecular dynamics in positively or negatively charged aromatics and their neutral analogous aromatics (imidazolium hydrochloride (ImHCl), imidazole (Im), sodium triazolide (NaTr), and triazole (Tr)) in aqueous solutions at 293 K. We also measured their liquid properties, such as density, viscosity, and surface tension, at 293 K, and compared them with their dynamic properties. Furthermore, we performed the quantum chemistry calculations of the target aromatics and some clusters to elucidate their optimized structures, interaction energies, charge populations, and Raman-active normal modes. We characterized the Kerr transients over 2 ps using a triexponential function. The results revealed that the aqueous solutions’ intermediate and slow relaxation time constants were linearly proportional to the viscosities. The slopes of the time constants to the viscosity of the aqueous ImHCl solutions were steeper than those of the aqueous Im solutions, whereas the slopes of the aqueous NaTr solutions were milder than those of the aqueous Tr solutions. These findings indicated that the charge of the aromatics in the aqueous solutions affected the coupling parameter between the solute and solvent in the orientational dynamics with different ways. The first moment (M
1) of the low-frequency band (< 200 cm−1), coming from the intermolecular vibrations, in the difference spectra between the aqueous aromatic solutions and neat water shifted to the high-frequency region as the concentration increased. The M
1 slope to the concentration for the aqueous ImHCl solutions was steeper than that for the aqueous Im solutions. Conversely, the concentration dependence of M
1 for the aqueous NaTr solutions was similar to that for the aqueous Tr solutions. We used the local structures of the target aromatics based on the quantum chemistry calculations to rationally clarify their concentration-dependent intermolecular dynamics in the aqueous solutions.

Graphical abstract
Development and validation of a predictive model for the efficacy of ropivacaine lumbar-square muscle block for analgesia after cesarean delivery
Authors: Zhang Yaoyao , Li Jiawei , Feng Kaidi , Yuan Yingchuan , Wang Denglan
Published: November 2024

Background

Effective postoperative analgesia is essential in the clinical management of cesarean sections, with the lumbar square muscle block (Quadratus Lumborum Block, QLB) recognized as a viable analgesic option. Nonetheless, the development of a predictive model for its analgesic efficacy postoperatively remains underexplored.

Objective

This study aims to establish a predictive model for the postoperative analgesic effects of QLB through retrospective analysis, thereby offering a scientific foundation for clinical practice.

Methods

A total of 338 patients who underwent cesarean sections under intrathecal anesthesia, accompanied by QLB, at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University from February 2018 to December 2023 were included in this analysis. The predictive model was developed utilizing univariate analysis, Lasso regression, and multifactorial logistic regression analysis, with validation conducted through Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves, calibration curves, and the Hosmer–Lemeshow test.

Results

The model demonstrated high accuracy and calibration.

Conclusion

The predictive model developed in this study holds significant potential for early assessment of the analgesic effects of QLB, thereby equipping clinicians with a scientifically grounded and precise tool for pain management.
Serious mental health conditions and exposure to adulthood trauma in low- and middle-income countries: a scoping review
Authors: Stevenson Anne , Girma Engida , Kitafuna Benon Kabale , Harerimana Boniface , Koenen Karestan C. , Seedat Soraya
Published: November 2024

Background

There is a strong link between trauma exposure and serious mental health conditions (SMHCs), such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. The majority of research in the field has focused on childhood trauma as a risk factor for developing an SMHC and on samples from high-income countries. There is less research on having an SMHC as a risk factor for exposure to traumatic events, and particularly on populations in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

This scoping review aimed to synthesize the nature and extent of research on traumatic events that adults with SMHCs face in LMICs. It was conducted across five databases: PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO, Web of Science Core Collection and Africa-Wide Information/NiPad in December 2023 and by hand searching citation lists.

Findings

The database search returned 4,111 articles. After removing duplicates and following a rigorous screening process, 51 articles met criteria for inclusion. There was one case study, one mixed methods study, 12 qualitative studies and 37 quantitative studies. Ten countries were represented, with the most studies from India (n = 19), Ethiopia (n = 9) and China (n = 6). Schizophrenia was the most studied type of SMHC. Of the trauma exposures, more than 76% were on interpersonal violence, such as sexual and physical violence. Of the studies on interpersonal violence, more than 23% were on physical restraint (e.g., shackling) in the community or in hospital settings. There were no studies on man-made or natural disasters.

Implications

Much of our data in this population are informed by a small subset of countries and by certain types of interpersonal violence. Future research should aim to expand to additional countries in LMICs. Additional qualitative research would likely identify and contextualize other trauma types among adults with SMHCs in LMICs.
Phelan-McDermid syndrome-associated psychosis: a systematic review
Authors: Colijn Mark A.
Published: November 2024

Objective:

Phelan-McDermid syndrome is a rare genetic disorder characterised by various neurodevelopmental, medical, and psychiatric issues. Although bipolar disorder-like presentations and catatonia are particularly common, psychosis has also been reported but is less well described. As such, this systematic review sought to characterise the phenomenology of psychosis in Phelan-McDermid syndrome, clarify the association of psychotic symptoms with other neuropsychiatric features of the disorder, and describe antipsychotic treatment response.

Methods:

A literature search was completed in July 2024 using PubMed and Scopus. Only English-language articles that reported the occurrence of psychotic symptoms in Phelan-McDermid syndrome were eligible for inclusion. 18 articles describing 35 individuals were included in the main analyses. Three additional articles of relevance are discussed separately, as they either provided limited clinical information or did not present data in a patient-specific manner.

Results:

The average age of psychosis onset was ∼17 years, and 65% of individuals developed symptoms at or before age 15. ∼69% of individuals also experienced catatonia, ∼81% experienced mood symptoms, and 50% experienced both. Visual hallucinations were the most commonly reported psychotic symptom. Where reported, ∼76% of individuals exhibited at least a partial and/or temporary response to antipsychotic therapy.

Conclusion:

Psychotic presentations in Phelan-McDermid syndrome may qualitatively differ from schizophrenia. Although numerous antipsychotics may be efficacious in the treatment of Phelan-McDermid syndrome-associated psychosis, this review most importantly highlights the paucity of available high-quality evidence to guide treatment decisions in this respect, and as such indicates the need for more reports to be published.
Arithmetic Ramsey theory over the primes
Authors: Chapman Jonathan , Chow Sam
Published: November 2024

We study density and partition properties of polynomial equations in prime variables. We consider equations of the form

$a_1h(x_1) + \cdots + a_sh(x_s)=b$

, where the ai and b are fixed coefficients and h is an arbitrary integer polynomial of degree d. We establish that the natural necessary conditions for this equation to have a monochromatic non-constant solution with respect to any finite colouring of the prime numbers are also sufficient when the equation has at least

$(1+o(1))d^2$

variables. We similarly characterize when such equations admit solutions over any set of primes with positive relative upper density. In both cases, we obtain lower bounds for the number of monochromatic or dense solutions in primes that are of the correct order of magnitude. Our main new ingredient is a uniform lower bound on the cardinality of a prime polynomial Bohr set.