bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The genome assembly and annotation of the cricket Gryllus longicercus
Authors: Szrajer Szymon , Gray David , Ylla Guillem
Published: June 2024

The order Orthoptera includes insects such as grasshoppers, katydids, and crickets, among which there are important species for ecosystem stability and pollination, as well as research organisms in different fields such as neurobiology, ecology, and evolution. Crickets, with more than 2,400 described species, are emerging as novel model research organisms, for their diversity, worldwide distribution, regeneration capacity, and their characteristic acoustic communication. Here we report the assembly and annotation of the first New World cricket, that of Gryllus longicercus Weissman & Gray 2019. The genome assembly, generated by combining 44.54 Gb of long reads from PacBio and 120.44 Gb of short Illumina reads, has a length of 1.85 Gb. The genome annotation yielded 19,715 transcripts from 14,789 gene models.
Optimizing microbial strain selection for pyrethroid biodegradation in contaminated environments through a TOPSIS-based decision-making system
Authors: Gangola Saurabh , Chaube Shshank , Bayram Abdullah , Joshi Samiksha , Bhandari Geeta , Malik Sumira , Khan Azmat Ali
Published: June 2024

Improved and contemporary agriculture relies heavily on pesticides, yet some can be quite persistent and have a stable chemical composition, posing a significant threat to the ecology. Removing harmful effects is upon their degradability. Biodegradation must be emphasized to lower pesticide degradation costs, especially in the soil. Here, a decision-making system was used to determine the best microbial strain for the biodegradation of the pyrethroid-contaminated soil. In this system, the criteria chosen as: pH (C1), Temp (C2), RPM (C3), Conc. (C4), Degradation (%) (C5) and Time required for degradation(hrs) (C6); and five alternatives were Bacillus (A1), Acinetobacter (A2), Escherichia (A3), Pseudomonas (A4), and Fusarium (A5). The best alternative was selected by applying the TOPSIS (technique for order performance by similarity to ideal solution) method, which evaluates based on their closeness to the ideal solution and how well they meet specific requirements. Among all the specified criteria, Acinetobacter (A2) was the best and optimal based on the relative closeness value (($${R}_{i}^{*}$$

R

i

∗

) = 0.740 (A2) > 0.544 (A5) > 0.480 (A1) > 0.403 (A4) > 0.296 (A3)). However, the ranking of the other alternatives is also obtained in the order Fusarium (A5), Bacillus (A1), Pseudomonas (A4), Escherichia (A3). Hence this study suggests Acinetobacter is the best microbial strain for biodegradation of pyrethroids; while least preference should be given to Escherichia. Acinetobacter, versatile metabolic nature with various xenobiotic compounds' degradation ability, is gram-negative, aerobic, coccobacilli, nonmotile, and nonspore forming bacteria. Due to less study about Acinetobacter it is not in that much frame as the other microorganisms. Hence, considering the Acinetobacter strain for the biodegradation study will give more optimal results than the other microbial strains. Novelty of this study, the TOPSIS method is applied first time in selecting the best microbial strain for the biodegradation of pyrethroid-contaminated soil, considering this selection process as multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) problem.
Experimental investigation of radiation shielding competence of B2O3-Na2O-Al2O3-BaO-CaO glass system
Authors: Abdel-Gawad Esraa H. , Sayyed M. I. , Hanafy Taha. A. , Elsafi Mohamed
Published: June 2024

Aiming to extend the scope of utilizing glass in radiation shielding, this work investigates the radiation interaction response of a borate-based glass system. Four borate-glass samples of different substituting concentrations of calcium oxide ($$70-x$$

70
-
x

)B2O3:$$10$$

10

Na2O $$:5$$

:
5

Al2O3$$:15$$

:
15

BaO:$$x$$
x
CaO were prepared. To assess the shielding performance of the prepared glass samples, a high-purity germanium detector and different radioactive sources (different energies) were used. Via the narrow beam method, the linear attenuation coefficients (LACs) were experimentally measured. So, the transmission factor (TF), the half-value layer (HVL), the tenth value layer (TVL), the mean free path (MFP), and the radiation protection efficiency (RPE) were calculated for all prepared samples. It was observed that the increase of the concentration of calcium oxide in the proposed borate-based glass samples leads to improve their performance in shielding against radiation. At low energy, the RPE of the samples is almost 100%. However, it was observed that as energy of the radiation source increases, the shielding performance of the samples will decrease. High energy dependence was found when calculating TF, HVL, TVL, and MFP. They were increased with the increase of the energy of the incident photons. At 0.662 MeV, the TF values are equal to 79.26, 79.00, 79.72, and 78.43% for BNABC-1, BNABC-2, BNABC-3, and BNABC-4 in the same oder, respectively. The application of the proposed composition of borate-based glass as a transparent shield against low-energy ionizing radiation was highlighted.
Insect pests and natural enemies associated with lettuce Lactuca sativa L. (Asteraceae) in an aquaponics system
Authors: da Silva Tamara Machado , Cividanes Francisco Jorge , Salles Fernando André , Pacífico Manfrim Perticarrari Amanda Liz , Zambon da Cunha Suzan Beatriz , Monteiro dos Santos-Cividanes Terezinha
Published: June 2024

Although food is produced in aquaponics systems worldwide, no information is available on the occurrence of insect pests and natural enemies in aquaponic lettuce, Lactuca sativa L. In this study, a survey was carried out in an aquaponic system combining lettuce with lambari, Astyanax altiparanae (Garutti & Briski), aiming to determine the insect pests and natural enemies associated with this system. We also determined the predominant insect species and the effect of meteorological factors on their populations. Insect abundance was estimated by visual sampling during 13 cultivation cycles, totaling 27 sampling dates. The meteorological factors considered were air temperature and relative humidity, and their effects were determined using the Pearson correlation. The thrips Frankliniella schultzei (Trybom) and Caliothrips phaseoli (Hood) and the aphid Aphis spiraecola (Patch) predominated. Ambient temperature and relative humidity were essential factors affecting C. phaseoli and F. schultzei. The natural enemies found on the lettuce plants were the thrips Franklinothrips vespiformis (Crawford) and Stomatothrips angustipennis (Hood) and the ladybugs Cycloneda sanguinea L., Eriopis connexa (Germar), and Hippodamia convergens (Guérin-Méneville). These results constitute the first step for a lettuce-integrated pest-management program in aquaponics systems.
Increase in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus spp. colonization among pregnant individuals during COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Rio-Tinto A. , Costa N. S. , Alvim D. C. S. S. , Oliveira L. M. A. , De Oliveira T. L. R. , Dos Santos K. R. N. , Fracalanzza S. E. L. , Teixeira L. M. , Marinho P. , Taylor S. , Thomas S. , Pinto T. C. A.
Published: June 2024

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus (MRS) has been associated with neonatal infections, with colonization of the anovaginal tract being the main source of vertical transmission. The COVID-19 pandemic has altered the frequency of antibiotic usage, potentially contributing to changes in the dynamics of bacterial agents colonizing humans. Here we determined MRS colonization rates among pregnant individuals attending a single maternity in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil before (January 2019–March 2020) and during (May 2020–March 2021) the COVID-19 pandemic. Anovaginal samples (n = 806 [521 samples before and 285 during the pandemic]) were streaked onto chromogenic media. Colonies were identified by MALDI-TOF MS. Detection of mecA gene and SCCmec typing were assessed by PCR and antimicrobial susceptibility testing was done according to CLSI guidelines. After the onset of the pandemic, MRS colonization rates increased significantly (p < 0.05) from 8.6% (45) to 54.7% (156). Overall, 215 (26.6%) MRS isolates were detected, of which S. haemolyticus was the most prevalent species (MRSH, 84.2%; 181 isolates). SCCmec type V was the most frequent among MRS (63.3%; 136), and 31.6% (68) of MRS strains had a non-typeable SCCmec, due to new combinations of ccr and mecA complexes. Among MRS strains, 41.9% (90) were resistant to at least 3 different classes of antimicrobial agents, and 60% (54) of them were S. haemolyticus harboring SCCmec V. MRS colonization rates and the emergence of multidrug-resistant variants detected in this study indicate the need for continuing surveillance of this important pathogen within maternal and child populations.
Reliable, rapid, and remote measurement of metacognitive bias
Authors: Fox Celine A. , McDonogh Abbie , Donegan Kelly R. , Teckentrup Vanessa , Crossen Robert J. , Hanlon Anna K. , Gallagher Eoghan , Rouault Marion , Gillan Claire M.
Published: June 2024

Metacognitive biases have been repeatedly associated with transdiagnostic psychiatric dimensions of ‘anxious-depression’ and ‘compulsivity and intrusive thought’, cross-sectionally. To progress our understanding of the underlying neurocognitive mechanisms, new methods are required to measure metacognition remotely, within individuals over time. We developed a gamified smartphone task designed to measure visuo-perceptual metacognitive (confidence) bias and investigated its psychometric properties across two studies (N = 3410 unpaid citizen scientists, N = 52 paid participants). We assessed convergent validity, split-half and test–retest reliability, and identified the minimum number of trials required to capture its clinical correlates. Convergent validity of metacognitive bias was moderate (r(50) = 0.64, p < 0.001) and it demonstrated excellent split-half reliability (r(50) = 0.91, p < 0.001). Anxious-depression was associated with decreased confidence (β =  − 0.23, SE = 0.02, p < 0.001), while compulsivity and intrusive thought was associated with greater confidence (β = 0.07, SE = 0.02, p < 0.001). The associations between metacognitive biases and transdiagnostic psychiatry dimensions are evident in as few as 40 trials. Metacognitive biases in decision-making are stable within and across sessions, exhibiting very high test–retest reliability for the 100-trial (ICC = 0.86, N = 110) and 40-trial (ICC = 0.86, N = 120) versions of Meta Mind. Hybrid ‘self-report cognition’ tasks may be one way to bridge the recently discussed reliability gap in computational psychiatry.
Hyaluronidase inhibitor delphinidin inhibits cancer metastasis
Authors: McGuire Jeremy , Taguchi Taketo , Tombline Gregory , Paige Victoria , Janelsins Michelle , Gilmore Nikesha , Seluanov Andrei , Gorbunova Vera
Published: June 2024

Cancer remains a formidable global health challenge, with metastasis being a key contributor to its lethality. Abundant high molecular mass hyaluronic acid, a major non-protein component of extracellular matrix, protects naked mole rats from cancer and reduces cancer incidence in mice. Hyaluronidase plays a critical role in degrading hyaluronic acid and is frequently overexpressed in metastatic cancer. Here we investigated the potential of targeting hyaluronidases to reduce metastasis. A high throughput screen identified delphinidin, a natural plant compound found in fruits and vegetables, as a potent hyaluronidase inhibitor. Delphinidin-mediated inhibition of hyaluronidase activity led to an increase in high molecular weight hyaluronic acid in cell culture and in mouse tissues, and reduced migration and invasion behavior of breast, prostate, and melanoma cancer cells. Moreover, delphinidin treatment suppressed melanoma metastasis in mice. Our study provides a proof of principle that inhibition of hyaluronidase activity suppresses cancer cell migration, invasion and metastasis. Furthermore, we identified a natural compound delphinidin as a potential anticancer therapeutic. Thus, we have identified a path for clinical translation of the cancer resistance mechanism identified in the naked mole rat.
Follow-up of telemedicine mental health interventions amid COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Roncero Carlos , Díaz-Trejo Sara , Álvarez-Lamas Esther , García-Ullán LLanyra , Bersabé-Pérez Miriam , Benito-Sánchez José Antonio , González-Sánchez Armando
Published: June 2024

The initiation of the program Mental Health Support Program for Coronavirus Infection addressed the increased demand for mental health services in the province of Salamanca, resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. The psychiatry service provided care for COVID-19 patients, their families, and healthcare workers who treated them, as these groups were identified as being at risk. This study aims to describe the assistance provided, including personnel and resources utilized, types of interventions carried out, and to assess the demand for mental health care and predominant symptoms and emotions experienced by patients. Billboards and the complex’s intranet publicized the program. Specific clinical approach using telemedicine were provide from March 2020 to December 2021 to COVID-19 patients, their relatives, and healthcare workers. 216 patients were included with a mean age of 53.2 years, with women comprising 77.3% of this group. All the groups received treatment in similar proportions. Over a period of 730 h, a total of 1376 interventions were performed, with an average duration of 31.8 min per intervention. The program could treat 79.6% of these patients without requiring referrals to other services. When the program concluded, only 21 participants (9.7%) were discharged to the local mental health network to continue their mental health treatment. The program effectively reduced the burden on regular mental health services due to its ability to treat most patients without requiring referrals. The program was able to attend to most mental health requests with minimal involvement of the regular mental health service.
Allosteric modulators of M1 muscarinic receptors enhance acetylcholine efficacy and decrease locomotor activity and turning behaviors in zebrafish
Authors: Widman Corey J. , Ventresca Sestina , Dietrich Jillian , Elmslie Gwendolynne , Smith Hazel , Kaup Gina , Wesley Aaron , Doenecke Madeline , Williams Frederick E. , Schiefer Isaac T. , Ellis John , Messer William S.
Published: June 2024

Allosteric modulation of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChR) has been identified as a potential strategy for regulating cholinergic signaling in the treatment of various neurological disorders. Most positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) of mAChR enhance agonist affinity and potency, while very few PAMs (e.g., amiodarone) selectively enhance G protein coupling efficacy. The key structural features of amiodarone responsible for enhancement of mAChR efficacy were examined in CHO cells expressing M1 receptors. Subsequent incorporation of these structural features into previously identified allosteric modulators of potency (i.e., n-benzyl isatins) generated ligands that demonstrated similar or better enhancement of mAChR efficacy, lower in vivo toxicity, and higher allosteric binding affinity relative to amiodarone. Notable ligands include 8a, c which respectively demonstrated the strongest binding affinity and the most robust enhancement of mAChR efficacy as calculated from an allosteric operational model. Amiodarone derivatives and hybrid ligands were additionally screened in wildtype zebrafish (Danio rerio) to provide preliminary in vivo toxicity data as well as to observe effects on locomotor and turning behaviors relative to other mAChR PAMs. Several compounds, including 8a, c, reduced locomotor activity and increased measures of turning behaviors in zebrafish, suggesting that allosteric modulation of muscarinic receptor efficacy might be useful in the treatment of repetitive behaviors associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other neuropsychiatric disorders.
A drift diffusion model analysis of age-related impact on multisensory decision-making processes
Authors: Bolam Joshua , Diaz Jessica A. , Andrews Mark , Coats Rachel O. , Philiastides Marios G. , Astill Sarah L. , Delis Ioannis
Published: June 2024

Older adults (OAs) are typically slower and/or less accurate in forming perceptual choices relative to younger adults. Despite perceptual deficits, OAs gain from integrating information across senses, yielding multisensory benefits. However, the cognitive processes underlying these seemingly discrepant ageing effects remain unclear. To address this knowledge gap, 212 participants (18–90 years old) performed an online object categorisation paradigm, whereby age-related differences in Reaction Times (RTs) and choice accuracy between audiovisual (AV), visual (V), and auditory (A) conditions could be assessed. Whereas OAs were slower and less accurate across sensory conditions, they exhibited greater RT decreases between AV and V conditions, showing a larger multisensory benefit towards decisional speed. Hierarchical Drift Diffusion Modelling (HDDM) was fitted to participants’ behaviour to probe age-related impacts on the latent multisensory decision formation processes. For OAs, HDDM demonstrated slower evidence accumulation rates across sensory conditions coupled with increased response caution for AV trials of higher difficulty. Notably, for trials of lower difficulty we found multisensory benefits in evidence accumulation that increased with age, but not for trials of higher difficulty, in which increased response caution was instead evident. Together, our findings reconcile age-related impacts on multisensory decision-making, indicating greater multisensory evidence accumulation benefits with age underlying enhanced decisional speed.
The role of Mce proteins in Mycobacterium avium paratuberculosis infection
Authors: Blake Rosemary , Jensen Kirsty , Mabbott Neil , Hope Jayne , Stevens Joanne
Published: June 2024

Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) is the causative agent of Johne’s Disease, a chronic granulomatous enteritis of ruminants. MAP establishes an infection in the host via the small intestine. This requires the bacterium to adhere to, and be internalised by, cells of the intestinal tract. The effector molecules expressed by MAP for this purpose remain to be fully identified and understood. Mammalian cell entry (mce) proteins have been shown to enable other Mycobacterial species to attach to and invade host epithelial cells. Here, we have expressed Mce1A, Mce1D, Mce3C and Mce4A proteins derived from MAP on the surface of a non-invasive Escherichia coli to characterise their role in the initial interaction between MAP and the host. To this end, expression of mce1A was found to significantly increase the ability of the E. coli to attach and survive intracellularly in human monocyte-like THP-1 cells, whereas expression of mce1D was found to significantly increase attachment and invasion of E. coli to bovine epithelial cell-like MDBK cells, implying cell-type specificity. Furthermore, expression of Mce1A and Mce1D on the surface of a previously non-invasive E. coli enhanced the ability of the bacterium to infect 3D bovine basal-out enteroids. Together, our data contributes to our understanding of the effector molecules utilised by MAP in the initial interaction with the host, and may provide potential targets for therapeutic intervention.
Antioxidant and neurodevelopmental gene polymorphisms in prematurely born individuals influence hypoxia-related oxidative stress
Authors: Goričar Katja , Debevec Tadej , Dolžan Vita , Martin Agnès , Pialoux Vincent , Millet Grégoire P. , Osredkar Damjan
Published: June 2024

Preterm born (PTB) infants are at risk for injuries related to oxidative stress. We investigated the association between antioxidant and neurodevelopmental gene polymorphisms and oxidative stress parameters in PTB male young adults and their term-born counterparts at rest and during exercise. Healthy young PTB (N = 22) and full-term (N = 15) males underwent graded exercise tests in normobaric normoxic (FiO2 = 0.21) and hypoxic (FiO2 = 0.13) conditions. CAT rs1001179 was associated with decrease in nitrites in the whole group and in PTB individuals (P = 0.017 and P = 0.043, respectively). GPX1 rs1050450 was associated with decrease in ferric reducing antioxidant power in the whole group and in full-term individuals (P = 0.017 and P = 0.021, respectively). HIF1A rs11549465 was associated with decrease in nitrotyrosine and increase in malondialdehyde (P = 0.022 and P = 0.018, respectively). NOTCH4 rs367398 was associated with increase in advanced oxidation protein products and nitrites (P = 0.002 and P = 0.004, respectively) in hypoxia. In normoxia, NOTCH4 rs367398 was associated with increase in malondialdehyde in the whole group (P = 0.043). BDNF rs6265 was associated with decreased nitrites/nitrates in the whole group and in PTB individuals (P = 0.009 and P = 0.043, respectively). Polymorphisms in investigated genes and PTB might influence oxidative stress response after exercise in normoxic or hypoxic conditions far beyond the neonatal period in young male adults.
Cytosolic N-terminal formyl-methionine deformylation derives cancer stem cell features and tumor progression
Authors: Kim Dasom , Lee Jongeun , Seok Ok-Hee , Lee Yoontae , Hwang Cheol-Sang
Published: June 2024

Eukaryotic cells can synthesize formyl-methionine (fMet)-containing proteins not only in mitochondria but also in the cytosol to some extent. Our previous study revealed substantial upregulation of N-terminal (Nt)-fMet-containing proteins in the cytosol of SW480 colorectal cancer cells. However, the functional and pathophysiological implications remain unclear. Here, we demonstrated that removal of the Nt-formyl moiety of Nt-fMet-containing proteins (via expressing Escherichia coli PDF peptide deformylase) resulted in a dramatic increase in the proliferation of SW480 colorectal cancer cells. This proliferation coincided with the acquisition of cancer stem cell features, including reduced cell size, enhanced self-renewal capacity, and elevated levels of the cancer stem cell surface marker CD24 and pluripotent transcription factor SOX2. Furthermore, deformylation of Nt-fMet-containing proteins promoted the tumorigenicity of SW480 colorectal cancer cells in an in vivo xenograft mouse model. Taken together, these findings suggest that cytosolic deformylation has a tumor-enhancing effect, highlighting its therapeutic potential for cancer treatment.
Multi-optimization for thermal deformation of gravitational wave telescope based on CFRP characteristics
Authors: Li Bohong , Yan Yong , Luo Jian , Fang Sijun , Zhang Rui , Hai Hongwen , Cao Yehao
Published: June 2024

Gravitational wave telescope place extremely high demands on structural thermal deformation, making material selection a critical issue. Carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) is an ideal choice for the support structure of telescope due to its low coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) and designable properties. However, current research on the optimization of the CTE of CFRP is scarce, and conventional methods struggle to find layups that meet the requirements. In this paper, an unconventional layup optimization method is proposed to solve this problem. Initially defining the characteristics of the telescope structure and using different layup material for the main and side support rods to minimize thermal deformation. Subsequently, the NSGA-II algorithm is used to optimize the layups which are divided into conventional and unconventional layups. Specimens are then produced from these results and tested to assess the impact of processing errors on practical applications. The results demonstrate that the optimized CFRP meet the CTE requirements and, when applied to the structure, significantly reduces the thermal deformation in the eccentric direction compared to conventional designs. Additionally, a numerical analysis evaluates the effect of ply orientation errors on the performance of unconventional layups, discussing the method's limitations within these contexts.
Effect of orbital decompression surgery on the choroidal profile in patients with thyroid eye disease
Authors: Rafizadeh Seyed Mohsen , Momeni Ali , Rahimi Masoud , Riazi-Esfahani Hamid , Yaseri Mehdi , Ghanbari Hamidreza , Khalili Pour Elias
Published: June 2024

This study aimed to investigate the effect of orbital wall decompression surgery and reduction of proptosis on the choroidal vascularity index (CVI) and subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) in patients with thyroid eye disease (TED). Fifty-one eyes from 38 patients with controlled TED and proptosis were enrolled in this study. The majority of the patients (50.9%) had a clinical activity score (CAS) of zero, and none had a CAS greater than 2. The patients underwent a complete baseline ophthalmologic examination, and their choroidal profile alterations were monitored using enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT) before and during the three months after surgery. Changes in SFCT, luminance area (LA), total choroidal area (TCA), and the choroidal vascularity index (CVI) were measured as the ratio of LA to TCA in EDI-OCT images. The participants had an average age of 46.47 years, and 22 were female (57.9%). The SFCT of the patients exhibited a significant reduction over the follow-up period, decreasing from 388 ± 103 to 355 ± 95 µm in the first month (p < 0.001) and further decreasing to 342 ± 109 µm by the third month compared to baseline (p < 0.001). The CVI exhibited a drop from 0.685 ± 0.037 at baseline to 0.682 ± 0.035 and 0.675 ± 0.030 at 1 and 3 months post-surgery, respectively. However, these changes were not statistically significant, indicating comparable decreases in both LA and TCA. There was a significant correlation between improved proptosis and reduction in SFCT (p < 0.001) but not with CVI (p = 0.171). In conclusion, during the three months of follow-up following orbital wall decompression, CVI did not change, while SFCT reduced significantly. Additionally, SFCT was significantly correlated with proptosis reduction, whereas CVI was not.
Sleep quality and mental disorder symptoms among correctional workers in Ontario, Canada
Authors: Ricciardelli Rosemary , Taillieu Tamara L. , McElheran Megan , Cramm Heidi , Ajith Harsha , Johnston Matthew S. , Carleton R. Nicholas
Published: June 2024

Correctional workers (CWs) report high levels of work stressors, frequent exposures to potentially psychologically traumatic events (PPTEs), and substantial mental health challenges. There is evidence of associations between sleep disturbances and diverse mental health challenges, including preliminary evidence from public safety personnel; however, replications and extensions would better inform interventions to support mental health. The current study was designed to examine associations between quality of sleep, work stress, and mental health disorders in a sample of diverse CWs employed in a provincial correctional service in Ontario, Canada. Data were analyzed from 943 CWs who participated in the cross-sectional, web-based Ontario Provincial Correctional Worker Mental Health and Well-Being Study conducted from December 2017 to June 2018. Sleep quality indicators included symptoms of insomnia, total hours of sleep per night on work nights and off-shift nights, number of days feeling rested per week, and overall sleep quality. Descriptive statistics, analyses of variance, correlational analyses, and logistic regression were used to examine relationships among sleep quality, stress of shift work, and mental health disorder symptoms. CWs slept an average of 6.0 h per night when working and 7.2 h during off-shift nights. CWs reported waking up feeling rested an average of 2.6 days per week and rated their overall quality of sleep in the fair to poor range. Many CWs (64.9%) screened positive for clinically significant symptoms of insomnia. There were also differences across occupational groups such that CWs working as correctional officers reported the most sleep problems. There were statistically significant relationships between insomnia and mental health disorder symptoms. Higher levels of stress from shift work were associated with worse sleep quality. CWs, especially those working as correctional officers in a provincial prison, reported many indicators consistent with poorer quality of sleep. Poor quality of sleep was also associated with work stress and mental health disorders.
Down-regulation of SLC14A1 in prostate cancer activates CDK1/CCNB1 and mTOR pathways and promotes tumor progression
Authors: Ma Jianbin , Xue Kaihua , Jiang Yifan , Wang Xinyang , He Dalin , Guo Peng
Published: June 2024

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most common cancer among men in the United States and the leading cause of cancer-related death. The Solute Carrier Family 14 Member 1 (SLC14A1) is a member of urea transporters which are important for the regulation of urine concentration. However, the physiological significance of SLC14A1 in PCa still remains unclear. In the present study, via bioinformatics analysis and experiments, we found that expression of SLC14A1 is significantly decreased in PCa progression, which could be attributed to hypermethylation on SLC14A1 promoter region. Moreover, its low expression and hypermethylation on SLC14A1 promoter are closely related to the poor prognosis of PCa patients. On the other hand, overexpression of SLC14A1 inhibited cell proliferation and metastasis while its overexpression also suppressed CDK1/CCNB1 pathway and mTOR/MMP-9 signaling pathway. Additionally, SLC14A1 expression is enriched in prostate basal-type cells. In summary, our study indicates that its low expression level and promoter hypermethylation of SLC14A1 may represent novel indicators for PCa progression and prognosis, and SLC14A1 could inhibit the progression of PCa.
Algae-based and Other Emerging Neat/Modified Feedstocks
Authors: Cerón-Ferrusca Montserrat , Romero Rubi Romero , Alanis Claudia , Natividad Reyna
Published: June 2024

Currently, the use of fossil fuels dominates the energy sector, but it is highly polluting due to greenhouse gas emissions. To reduce these emissions, several alternative fuels have emerged, such as biodiesel, which can be produced from different raw materials such as algae and waste cooking oil (WCO). This chapter presents relevant information on the use of algae and WCO as feedstocks in biodiesel production, and the characteristic stages of the process using one or the other. It also highlights the challenges in the development of sustainable biodiesel production from these two raw materials. In addition, an analysis of life-cycle assessment reports was also conducted and some environmental impacts (global warming potential, ozone depletion potential, acidification, and eutrophication) of biofuels from microalgae and WCO with homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts were compared.
Non-aqueous battery electrolytes: high-throughput experimentation and machine learning-aided optimization of ionic conductivity
Authors: Yan Peng , Fischer Mirko , Martin Harrison , Wölke Christian , Krishnamoorthy Anand Narayanan , Cekic-Laskovic Isidora , Diddens Diddo , Winter Martin , Heuer Andreas
Published: June 2024

We study the ionic conductivity of a bi-salt (LiPF6, LiFSI) and ternary solvent (EC, EMC, PC) liquid battery electrolyte with high throughput experimentation and the open source Liquid Electrolyte Composition Analysis (LECA) Machine-Learning library.
Synthesis of zirconium(iv) and hafnium(iv) isopropoxide, sec-butoxide and tert-butoxide
Authors: Dhaene Evert , Seno Carlotta , De Roo Jonathan
Published: June 2024

We revisited the synthesis of zirconium(iv) and hafnium(iv) alkoxides, namely the metal isopropoxide isopropanol complex (M(OiPr)4·iPrOH, M = Zr, Hf) and the metal sec- and tert-butoxide (M(OsBu)4 and M(OtBu)4, M = Zr, Hf).
A sheet-like tin-based metal–organic framework with enhanced lithium storage
Authors: Ruan Zikang , Jiang Tingting , Meng Xianhe , Hu Xiaoyu , Kang Qiaoling , Yan Lijing , Yu Nengjun , Liu Bingyu , Fan Meiqiang , Ma Tingli
Published: June 2024

A novel sheet-like tin-based metal–organic framework containing chlorine functional groups has been synthesized and demonstrates superior lithium storage capacity and cycling stability.
Synthesis and reactivity of N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) gold-fluoroalkoxide complexes
Authors: Arnaut Pierre , Bracho Pozsoni Nestor , Nahra Fady , Tzouras Nikolaos V. , Nolan Steven P.
Published: June 2024

We report a new family of gold-fluoroalkoxide complexes bearing various NHC ligands, and gauge their potential in organometallic synthesis.
Li3Na7B4P6O26: a new ultraviolet transparent congruently melting non-linear optical crystal
Authors: Yu Sujuan , Fan Jiangtao , Hu Zhanggui , Wu Yicheng
Published: June 2024

The exploration of nonlinear optical crystals with ultraviolet (UV) transparent ranges and easy-to-grow large-size crystals is one of the current research interests.
Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis LPL-RH improves postoperative gastrointestinal symptoms and nutrition indexes by regulating the gut microbiota in patients with valvular heart disease: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Lan Wanqi , Yang Heng , Zhong Zhiwang , Luo Chao , Huang Qin , Liu Wu , Yang Juesheng , Xiang Haiyan , Tang Yanhua , Chen Tingtao
Published: June 2024

Schematic diagram of the effect of B. animalis subsp. lactis LPL-RH on postoperative gastrointestinal symptoms, gut microbiota, and other clinical indicators in patients with VHD.
Propulsion mechanisms of micro/nanorobots: a review
Authors: He Tao , Yang Yonghui , Chen Xue-Bo
Published: June 2024

Micro/nanomotors (MNMs) are intelligent, efficient and promising micro/nanorobots (MNR) that can respond to externalstimuli (e.g., chemical energy, temperature, light, pH, ultrasound, magnetic, biosignals, ions) and perform specific tasks.
Modular synthesis of pyrrole-fused heterocycles via glucose-mediated nitro-reductive cyclization
Authors: Panday Surabhi , Hazra Amitava , Gupta Pankaj , Manna Srimanta , Laha Joydev K.
Published: June 2024

The synthesis of pyrrole-fused heterocycles is demonstrated using the first biomass-derived glucose-mediated one-pot multicomponent nitro reductive cyclization method.
The treatment of high concentration wastewater in the natural gas processing industry
Authors: Gong Zi-li , Hu Wan-jin , Qu Yang , Yu Ya-lan , Liu Wen-shi , Lan Zheng
Published: June 2024

The operation of the Cansolv tail gas treatment device in natural gas plants generates acidic and alkaline wastewater from the venturi unit and amine purification unit (APU), respectively.
Development of an aptasensor for dibutyl phthalate detection and the elucidation of assay inhibition factors
Authors: Song Hyerin , Lim Hyun Jeong , Son Ahjeong
Published: June 2024

DBP detection using SG-aptasensor and the elucidation of inhibition effects.
Influence of halogen–halogen interactions in the self-assembly of pillar[5]arene-based supramolecular polymers
Authors: Vinodh Mickey , Alshammari Anwar A. , Al-Azemi Talal F.
Published: June 2024

We report the impact of 1,4-dihalobutanes in the self-assembly of supramolecular polymer based on pillar[5]arene driven by guest halogen–halogen interactions in solution, in addition their disassembly promoted by N-containing compound.
Size and morphology control over MOF-74 crystals
Authors: Wu Chunhui , Chu Xinxin , Wu Xiaoling , Zhou He , Zeng Youshi , Wang Dongxu , Liu Wei
Published: June 2024

This work describes the effects of various synthetic conditions, including the reactant ratio, reaction solution, acidity and capping agent on the size and morphology of MOF-74 crystals to understand the regulated principle of MOF-74 crystals.
Photoinduced [4 + 2]-cycloaddition reactions of vinyldiazo compounds for the construction of heterocyclic and bicyclic rings
Authors: Bao Ming , Bohórquez Arnold R. Romero , Arman Hadi , Doyle Michael P.
Published: June 2024

Under blue light vinyldiazoacetate reagents selectively form unstable cyclopropenes that undergo intermolecular cycloaddition reactions at a faster rate than their competitive ene dimerization.
Interplay between wall slip and shear banding in a thixotropic yield stress fluid
Authors: Geri Michela , Saint-Michel Brice , Divoux Thibaut , McKinley Gareth H. , Manneville Sébastien
Published: June 2024

Thixotropic paraffin gels with non-monotonic flow curves display an original shear-banding scenario that can be modeled by considering wall slip and the characteristic time scales of microstructure evolution.
Engineering semiconductor quantum dots for co-upcycling of CO2 and biomass-derived alcohol
Authors: Zhang Lin-Xing , Tang Zi-Rong , Qi Ming-Yu , Xu Yi-Jun
Published: June 2024

A heterointerface engineering strategy of immobilizing core–shell CdSe/CdS quantum dots onto SiO2 spheres was realized to efficiently integrate CO2 photoreduction with the oxidation of furfuryl alcohol in one system.
Nanoscale halide perovskites for photocatalytic CO2 reduction: product selectivity, strategies implemented, and charge-carrier separation
Authors: Wang Zhe , Mak Chun Hong , Feng Jianpei , Shen Hsin-Hui , Han Bin , Santoso Shella Permatasari , Yuan Mingjian , Li Fang-Fang , Song Haisheng , Lee Duu-Jong , Colmenares Juan Carlos , Hsu Hsien-Yi
Published: June 2024

This review summarizes recent advances and provides a comprehensive discussion on nanoscale halide perovskites (NHPs) CO2 photocatalysis, including product selectivity, retrofitting strategies, and charge transport mechanism characterization.
The origin of high electrochemical stability of iridium oxides for oxygen evolution
Authors: Ding Yunlong , Liu Wenwen , Xu Zirui , Duan Zhiyao
Published: June 2024

The exceptional stability of IrO2 is attributed to the highly activated Ir reconstruction due to the inherently stable Ir4+ in the rutile phase, which hinders the facile water oxidation induced reconstruction mechanism as in Ru dissolution.
Chiral supramolecular polymer functionalized two-dimensional transition metal-based catalyst for enhancing the electrochemical water splitting via spin-polarized charge transfer
Authors: Utkarsh Utkarsh , Pramatha Sai Rachana , Balo Anujit , Gosh Utpal Kumar , Rao Kotagiri Venkata , Ghosh Koyel Banerjee
Published: June 2024

Augmentation of the electrocatalytic activity of a sulfur-doped Ni, Fe-containing layered double hydroxide for the oxygen evolution reaction using chiral supramolecular polymer functionalization through chiral induced spin selectivity (CISS).
Ionization-triggered low exciton binding energy in covalent organic frameworks for efficient photocatalytic synthesis of benzimidazole
Authors: Huang Dekang , Zhang Yuwei , Pang Huaji , Hu Xianwen , Xiang Yonggang
Published: June 2024

Ionization of covalent organic frameworks (COFs) can lower the exciton dissociation energy, thus contributing to the high photocatalytic performance for benzimidazole synthesis.
Dual-independent active sites for efficient hydrogen production
Authors: Feng Yangyang , Guan Yongxin , Wen Lei , Liu Yunxia
Published: June 2024

Dual-independent active sites are achieved on Mo2C@C/Co@C as a general model to incorporate bifunctional active sites and maximize activities.
Ultrahigh energy storage capacities in high-entropy relaxor ferroelectrics
Authors: Huang Yunyao , Shang Kaili , Yang Yule , Shi Wenjing , Zhang Leiyang , Laletin Vladimir , Shur Vladimir , Jing Ruiyi , Jin Li
Published: June 2024

This study shows that entropy engineering can enhance the energy-storage performance of lead-free BNT-based dielectrics, achieving a recoverable energy density of 11.24 J cm−3 and 88.3% efficiency, with excellent stability and rapid discharge.
NUAK: never underestimate a kinase
Authors: Skalka George L. , Whyte Declan , Lubawska Dominika , Murphy Daniel J.
Published: June 2024

NUAK1 and NUAK2 belong to a family of kinases related to the catalytic α-subunits of the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) complexes. Despite canonical activation by the tumour suppressor kinase LKB1, both NUAKs exhibit a spectrum of activities that favour tumour development and progression. Here, we review similarities in structure and function of the NUAKs, their regulation at gene, transcript and protein level, and discuss their phosphorylation of specific downstream targets in the context of the signal transduction pathways and biological activities regulated by each or both NUAKs.
Acquisition of Gutturals by Ammani-Jordanian Arabic–Speaking Preschoolers
Authors: Mashaqba Bassil , Hadban Farah
Published: June 2024

Purpose:

This study aims at investigating the phonological development of the six guttural consonants of Jordanian Arabic, /χ/, /ʁ/, /ħ/, /ʕ/, /ʔ/, and /h/.

Method:

An articulation test is designed to involve two tasks: picture naming and repetition. The test includes 54 words for picture naming and 18 words for repetition, representing all possible positions of the targeted guttural sounds. Samples are collected from 40 typically developing Ammani-Jordanian Arabic–speaking monolingual children, living in Amman, Jordan. Respondents are equally divided into eight age-related trajectories: 2–2;6, 2;6–3, 3–3;6, 3;6–4, 4–4;6, 4;6–5, 5–5;6, and 5;6–6 (years;months). No child with a history of hearing, speech, or vision disorders is included. The data are analyzed using
production accuracy
, where the three developmental trajectories of production (customary, acquisition, and mastery) are determined for each guttural, and
error analysis
, addressed based on perceptual judgments, providing details of every mispronounced or deleted guttural.

Results:

The results show that /χ/, /ħ/, /ʕ/, and /ʔ/ are acquired before the age of 6 years, while /ʁ/ and /h/ are still not acquired by this age. Respondents use relatively variant alternatives for the mispronounced cognates, including guttural, nonguttural sounds, and vowel substitution. The /ʁ/ is the guttural with the highest number of alternatives, while /ʔ/ gets the least. The analysis also reveals patterns of guttural deletion, with variations across different guttural sounds and positions. Despite errors/deviations made, respondents score accuracy percentages that gradually increase in correlation with age. The guttural /ʁ/ starts with the lowest accuracy percentages, while /ʔ/ and /ħ/ start with the highest.

Conclusions:

These findings illuminate on the developmental trajectory of guttural acquisition and enrich our understanding of children's evolving perception and production abilities. They offer valuable insights into the patterns of guttural sound production in Jordanian Arabic–speaking children, laying the groundwork for further research and the development of targeted assessment and intervention strategies to support phonological development in this population.
Improvement of LVRT capability of grid‐connected wind‐based microgrid using a hybrid GOA‐PSO‐tuned STATCOM for adherence to grid standards
Authors: Yameen Muhammad Zubair , Lu Zhigang , Rao Muhammad Amir Akram , Mohammad Alsharef , Nasimullah  , Younis Waqar
Published: June 2024

The increase in wind power‐based microgrids emphasizes the importance of addressing stability challenges during low‐voltage ride‐through (LVRT) events in weak AC grid‐connected doubly fed induction generator systems. Compliance with grid standards, notably LVRT capabilities, is critical as wind power plants integrate increasingly into power systems, raising concerns about generation loss and post‐fault oscillations in microgrids. Previously, researchers have utilized techniques like fuzzy logic, ant colony, and genetic algorithms for static synchronous compensator (STATCOM) tuning to enhance microgrid stability during fault scenarios. This study uses the grasshopper optimization algorithm (GOA), particle swarm optimization (PSO), and a novel hybrid GOA‐PSO. On the main grid, the power system is subject to both symmetrical and asymmetrical faults. The proposed novel technique aims to improve LVRT, minimize generation loss during faults, and reduce after‐fault oscillations by optimizing reactive power flow between the point of common coupling and the microgrid while adhering to the LVRT grid code. MATLAB/Simulink is utilized to evaluate the LVRT performance of a 16 MW DFIG‐based microgrid operating in grid‐connected mode. The performance of the GOA‐PSO‐tuned STATCOM is evaluated by comparing it with conventional, PSO, and GOA‐tuned STATCOM in three fault scenarios. The comparison shows that GOA‐PSO‐tuned STATCOM improves grid stability and reliability.
An empirical isochrone archive for nearby open clusters
Authors: Rottensteiner Alena , Meingast Stefan
Published: June 2024

Context. The ages of star clusters and co-moving stellar groups contain essential information about the Milky Way. Their special properties and placement throughout the galactic disk make them excellent tracers of galactic structure and key components to unlocking its star formation history. Yet, even though the importance of stellar population ages has been widely recognized, their determination remains a challenging task often associated with highly model-dependent and uncertain results.

Aims. We propose a new approach to this long-standing problem, which relies on empirical isochrones of known clusters extracted from high-quality observational data. These purely observation-based data products open up the possibility of relative age determination, free of stellar evolution model assumptions.

Methods. For the derivation of the empirical isochrones, we used a combination of the statistical analysis tool principal component analysis for preprocessing and the supervised machine learning method support vector regression for curve extraction. To improve the statistical reliability of our result, we defined the empirical isochrone of a color-magnitude diagram (CMD) of a cluster as the median calculated from a set of nboot = 1000 curves derived from bootstrapped data. The algorithm requires no physical priors, is computationally fast, and can easily be generalized over a large range of CMD combinations and evolutionary stages of clusters.

Results. We provide empirical isochrones in all Gaia DR2 and DR3 color combinations for 83 nearby clusters (d < 500 pc), which cover an estimated age range of 7 Myr to 3 Gyr. In doing so, we pave the way for a relative comparison between individual stellar populations based on an age-scaling ladder of empirical isochrones of known clusters. Furthermore, due to the exceptional precision of the available observational data, we report accurate lower main sequence empirical isochrones for many clusters in our sample, which are of special interest as this region is known to be especially complex to model. We validate our method and results by comparing the extracted empirical isochrones to cluster ages in the literature. We also investigate the added information that empirical isochrones covering the lower main sequence can provide on case studies of the IC 4665 cluster and the Meingast 1 stream.

Conclusions. The archive of empirical isochrones offers a novel approach to validating age estimates and can be used as an age-scaling ladder or age brackets for new populations and serve as calibration data for further constraining stellar evolution models.