bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lipid Metabolism-Related Gene Markers Used for Prediction Prognosis, Immune Microenvironment, and Tumor Stage of Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Shu Yuan , Huang Haiqiang , Gao Minjie , Xu Wenjie , Cao Xiang , Jia Xiaoze , Deng Bo
Published: July 2023

Recently, more and more evidence shows that lipid metabolism disorder has been observed in tumor, which impacts tumor cell proliferation, survival, invasion, metastasis, and response to the tumor microenvironment (TME) and tumor treatment. However, hitherto there has not been sufficient research to demonstrate the role of lipid metabolism in pancreatic cancer. This study contrives to get an insight into the relationship between the characteristics of lipid metabolism and pancreatic cancer. We collected samples of patients with pancreatic cancer from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), the Therapeutically Applicable Research to Generate Effective Treatments (TARGET), and the International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC) databases. Firstly, we implemented univariate regression analysis to get prognosis-related lipid metabolism genes screened and a construction of protein–protein interaction (PPI) network ensued. Then, contingent on our screening results, we explored the molecular subtypes mediated by lipid metabolism-related genes and the correlated TME cell infiltration. Additionally, we studied the disparately expressed genes among disparate lipid metabolism subtypes and established a scoring model of lipid metabolism-related characteristics using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression analysis. At last, we explored the relationship between the scoring model and disease prognosis, tumor stage, tumor microenvironment, and immunotherapy. Two subtypes, C1 and C2, were identified, and lipid metabolism-related genes were studied. The result indicated that the patients with subtype C2 have a significantly lower survival rate than that of the patients with subtype C1, and we found difference in abundance of different immune-infiltrating cells. The gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses revealed the association of these differentially expressed genes with functions and pathways related to lipid metabolism. Finally, we established a scoring model of lipid metabolism-related characteristics based on the disparately expressed genes. The results show that our scoring model have a substantial effect on forecasting the prognosis of patients with pancreatic cancer. The lipid metabolism model is an important biomarker of pancreatic cancer. Using the model, the relationship between disease prognosis, molecular subtypes, TME cell infiltration characteristics, and immunotherapy in pancreatic cancer patients could be explored.
DNA barcode-based survey documents underestimated diversity and intricate phylogeographic patterns of aquatic Heteroptera in an endangered Balkan biodiversity hotspot: ancient Lake Skadar basin
Authors: Rewicz Tomasz , Tończyk Grzegorz , Trębicki Łukasz , Gadawski Piotr , Mamos Tomasz , Pešić Vladimir , Zawal Andrzej , Grabowski Michał
Published: July 2023

Lake Skadar with its surrounding springs, wetlands and larger affluents is among the most diverse freshwater ecosystems in the Mediterranean region and a key biodiversity/endemism hotspot in Europe. It is also highly endangered due to climate change and rapid tourism development in the area. Being abundant, diverse and mostly predatory, true aquatic bugs play an important role in the functioning of freshwater ecosystems and are used as indicators of aquatic habitat quality. Nevertheless, this taxonomic group has been scarcely studied in the area. Our survey provides the first comprehensive DNA barcode library for 24 out of 25 species of aquatic Heteroptera collected in the Skadar Lake basin and adjacent regions. By this, we extend the list of species known from the area by 60%. In the case of three species, Notonecta maculata, Hydrometra stagnorum and Nepa cinerea, we detected multiple highly divergent, and also new BINs indicating possible taxonomic inconsistencies, the potential for (pseudo)cryptic diversity and intricate phylogeographic patterns. We show that presumably well-known hotspots, such as Lake Skadar region, are heavily understudied regarding even the prominent insect taxa and, thus, particularly vulnerable to undocumented biodiversity loss. Finally, we underline the value of simple DNA-barcoding-based surveys for providing reference barcode libraries for effective biomonitoring and signalling taxonomic and biogeographic issues.
Innovation of argan (Argania spinosa (L.) Skeels) products and byproducts for sustainable development of rural communities in Morocco. A systematic literature review
Authors: Santoro Antonio , Ongoma Victor , Ait el Kadi Moussa , Piras Francesco , Fiore Beatrice , Bazzurro Alessandra , Romano Federica , Meskour Brahim , Hssaisoune Mohammed , Labbaci Adnane , Tairi Abdellaali , Chfadi Tarik , Bouchaou Lhoussaine
Published: July 2023

Argan tree is endemic of Moroccan arid regions, providing socioeconomic and cultural benefits since ancient times. This study identifies the emerging threats for the argan forest, and the opportunities related to the innovative uses of argan products and byproducts. Argan forest is facing pressure from overgrazing, demand for argan oil and nuts, and land degradation, despite its recognition as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and the inclusion in the FAO Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) Programme. Innovative use and recycling of the waste deriving from argan nuts processing, offer promising opportunities to support a local bio-economy. Argan press cake can be used to integrate livestock feeding, to extract sudan dyes or to produce bioplastics. Argan nut shells can be used to produce environment-friendly and low-cost purifying materials and biochar, or as a source of bioenergy. Argan pulp can be used for bioethanol production or to obtain natural insect repellent. Despite these promising opportunities, the socio-economic impact of innovative uses is still limited. Local population is not sufficiently involved in management and development strategies. To support the sustainable development of local communities, it is necessary to promote a participative approach as well as training and product differentiation among argan women cooperatives.
Metacognitive Transmission Between Parents and Children in the Context of Anxiety Disorders
Authors: Köcher Laura Marie , Schlömer-Böttner Silke , Christiansen Hanna
Published: July 2023

One in ten children is affected by an anxiety disorder. Current state of research shows that transgenerational transmission as well as positive (POS) and negative (NEG) metacognitive beliefs are relevant in the context of anxiety disorders in youth. We investigated whether transgenerational transmission is also evident in conjunction with POS and NEG and cross-sectionally surveyed POS, NEG, anxiety symptoms and worry in 8-16-year-old children and adolescents with anxiety disorders (n = 71) and non-clinical controls (n = 40) and one of their parents. Our results revealed significant transgenerational correlations for NEG in both samples, and for POS in the non-clinical sample only. Mediation analysis showed that children’s NEG did at least partly mediate the relationship between parents’ NEG and children’s anxiety and worry. Children’s and parents’ POS did not correlate in either sample with children’s anxiety and worry. Further research on the transgenerational transmission of metacognition and longitudinal data is needed.
Block constrained pressure residual preconditioning for two-phase flow in porous media by mixed hybrid finite elements
Authors: Nardean Stefano , Ferronato Massimiliano , Abushaikha Ahmad
Published: July 2023

This work proposes an original preconditioner that couples the Constrained Pressure Residual (CPR) method with block preconditioning for the efficient solution of the linearized systems of equations arising from fully implicit multiphase flow models. This preconditioner, denoted as Block CPR (BCPR), is specifically designed for Lagrange multipliers-based flow models, such as those generated by Mixed Hybrid Finite Element (MHFE) approximations. An original MHFE-based formulation of the two-phase flow model is taken as a reference for the development of the BCPR preconditioner, in which the set of system unknowns comprises both element and face pressures, in addition to the cell saturations, resulting in a $$3\times 3$$

3
×
3

block-structured Jacobian matrix with a $$2\times 2$$

2
×
2

inner pressure problem. The CPR method is one of the most established techniques for reservoir simulations, but most research focused on solutions for Two-Point Flux Approximation (TPFA)-based discretizations that do not readily extend to our problem formulation. Therefore, we designed a dedicated two-stage strategy, inspired by the CPR algorithm, where a block preconditioner is used for the pressure part with the aim at exploiting the inner $$2\times 2$$

2
×
2

structure. The proposed preconditioning framework is tested by an extensive experimentation, comprising both synthetic and realistic applications in Cartesian and non-Cartesian domains.
The Dark Side of Recruitment in Crowdsourcing: Ethics and Transparency in Micro-Task Marketplaces
Authors: Xie Haoyu , Maddalena Eddy , Qarout Rehab , Checco Alessandro
Published: July 2023

Micro-task crowdsourcing marketplaces like Figure Eight (F8) connect a large pool of workers to employers through a single online platform, by aggregating multiple crowdsourcing platforms (channels) under a unique system. This paper investigates the F8 channels’ demographic distribution and reward schemes by analysing more than 53k crowdsourcing tasks over four years, collecting survey data and scraping marketplace metadata. We reveal an heterogeneous per-channel demographic distribution, and an opaque channel commission scheme, that varies over time and is not communicated to the employer when launching a task: workers often will receive a smaller payment than expected by the employer. In addition, the impact of channel commission schemes on the relationship between requesters and crowdworkers is explored. These observations uncover important issues on ethics, reliability and transparency of crowdsourced experiment when using this kind of marketplaces, especially for academic research.
Hurwitz–Ran spaces
Authors: Bianchi Andrea
Published: July 2023

Given a couple of subspaces $${\mathcal {Y}}\subset {\mathcal {X}}$$

Y
⊂
X

of the complex plane $${\mathbb {C}}$$
C
satisfying some mild conditions (a “nice couple”), and given a PMQ-pair $$({\mathcal {Q}},G)$$

(
Q
,
G
)

, consisting of a partially multiplicative quandle (PMQ) $${\mathcal {Q}}$$
Q
and a group G, we introduce a “Hurwitz–Ran” space $$\text {Hur}({\mathcal {X}},{\mathcal {Y}};{\mathcal {Q}},G)$$

Hur
(
X
,
Y
;
Q
,
G
)

, containing configurations of points in $${\mathcal {X}}\setminus {\mathcal {Y}}$$

X
\
Y

and in $${\mathcal {Y}}$$
Y
with monodromies in $${\mathcal {Q}}$$
Q
and in G, respectively. We further introduce a notion of morphisms between nice couples, and prove that Hurwitz–Ran spaces are functorial both in the nice couple and in the PMQ-group pair. For a locally finite PMQ $${\mathcal {Q}}$$
Q
we prove a homeomorphism between $$\text {Hur} ((0,1)^2;{\mathcal {Q}}_+)$$

Hur
(

(
0
,
1
)

2

;

Q
+

)

and the simplicial Hurwitz space $$\text {Hur} ^{\Delta }({\mathcal {Q}})$$

Hur
Δ

(
Q
)

, introduced in previous work of the author: this provides in particular $$\text {Hur} ((0,1)^2;{\mathcal {Q}}_+)$$

Hur
(

(
0
,
1
)

2

;

Q
+

)

with a cell stratification in the spirit of Fox–Neuwirth and Fuchs.
Response surface analysis of Zn–Ni coating parameters for corrosion resistance applications: a Plackett–Burman and Box–Behnken design of experiments approach
Authors: Nazha Hasan Mhd , Ammar Basem , Darwich Mhd Ayham , Assaad Maher
Published: July 2023

The development of cost-effective coatings with exceptional corrosion resistance is an ongoing challenge in the field of materials science. Among the promising coatings, zinc–nickel (Zn–Ni) coatings have shown great potential, especially when produced using economical electroplating technology. However, achieving optimal performance while minimizing coating thickness remains a complex task. In this study, the behavior of the responses was investigated according to the coating standards and levels, focusing on eight variables including temperature, time, cathodic current density, nickel concentration, substrate hardness, roughness, cathode–anode distance, and magnetic stirring speed. Four responses were investigated: coating thickness, roughness, microhardness, and corrosion rate with potentiodynamic polarization, using two design of experiments (DOE) methods: Plackett–Burman design (12 runs) and response surface methodology with Box–Behnken design (15 runs). The results show the degree of influence of each variable on the responses and their contribution to changing the responses. Additionally, response surfaces have been determined and it is shown that large response values can be achieved with small thicknesses. The morphological study using SEM, EDX, and XRD techniques revealed that the deposition conditions play an important role in the surface morphology. Some samples showed microcracks, while others had small grain size and were free of cracks and pores. Overall, this study provides new insights into the improvement of Zn–Ni coatings with exceptional corrosion resistance and cost-effectiveness.
Neurobehavioral Mechanisms of Comorbidity in Internalizing and Externalizing Psychopathology: An RDoC Multimethod Assessment
Authors: Pasion Rita , Macedo Inês , Paiva Tiago O. , Patrick Christopher J. , Krueger Robert F. , Barbosa Fernando
Published: July 2023

This study links different-modality indicators of RDoC constructs (self-reports, behavior, and error-related brain activity) to explore their association with internalizing and externalizing dimensions of psychopathology. Participants (N = 182; 54% female) completed a questionnaire assessing clinical problems along with self-report scales and EEG tasks mapping the following RDoC constructs: Performance Monitoring (Cognitive Systems), Inhibitory Control (Cognitive Systems), and Sustained Threat (Negative Valence Systems). Unidimensional factors containing self-reported, behavioral, and neurophysiological data were successfully extracted for each of the RDoC constructs by using a psychoneurometric approach. Subsequently, we found that RDoC-based psychoneurometric constructs of Performance Monitoring and Inhibitory Control appeared to reflect distinctive processing deviations associated with the internalizing spectrum, possibly unveiling comorbidity mechanisms across internalizing conditions. In turn, the RDoC-based psychoneurometric factor of Sustained Threat exhibited associations with both internalizing and externalizing dimensions, possibly reflecting a mechanism of comorbidity at the p-factor level and increasing the vulnerability to develop any form of psychopathology. These findings provide a new approach toward a multimethod assessment linking neurobehavioral indicators with self-reported measures and highlight that concrete RDoC constructs relate to mental health outcomes.
Towards a classification of charge-3 monopoles with symmetry
Authors: Braden H. W. , Disney-Hogg Linden
Published: July 2023

We classify all possible charge-3 monopole spectral curves with non-trivial automorphism group and within these identify those with elliptic quotients. By focussing on elliptic quotients the transcendental constraints for a monopole spectral curve become ones regarding periods of elliptic functions. We construct the Nahm data and new monopole spectral curves with $$D_6$$

D
6

and $$V_4$$

V
4

symmetry, the latter based on an integrable complexification of Euler’s equations, and for which energy density isosurfaces are plotted. Extensions of our approach to higher charge and hyperbolic monopoles are discussed.
Joint Node Selection and Power Allocation for Cooperative Positioning Based on Bidding Auction in VANET
Authors: Chen Geng , Cheng Lili , Kong Xiaoxian , Zeng Qingtian , Zhang Yu-Dong
Published: July 2023

Due to buildings blocking GPS and Wi-Fi signals, traditional techniques can’t offer the user’s required positioning accuracy in resource-constrained underground parking, but the cooperation of agent nodes can provide the exact localization information to improve the positioning accuracy. However, some well-localized agents may not be willing to sacrifice additional power to improve the others’ positioning accuracy. To encourage cooperation among nodes and allocate transmission power reasonably, this paper proposes a bidding-auction-based cooperative localization (BACL) algorithm to improve the positioning accuracy of agent nodes by joint node selection incentive and power allocation strategy. Firstly, the contribution of channel parameters and prior localization information of agent nodes for positioning accuracy are quantified and an incentive mechanism of cooperative localization from an economic perspective is proposed. Secondly, a virtual currency incentive rule is developed to compensate agent nodes of cooperative localization reasonably due to the consumption of energy for transmitting their location information. Finally, the simulation results have shown that the proposed BACL algorithm has excellent performance in terms of localization accuracy in resource-constrained scenarios. Compared with the full-power cooperative localization (FPCL) and non-cooperative localization (NCL) algorithms, the proposed BACL algorithm improved the positioning accuracy by 10% and 65%, respectively. Meanwhile, compared with the FPCL algorithm, the proposed algorithm reduced resource consumption by 50%.
MR-guided LITT therapy in patients with primary irresectable glioblastoma: a prospective, controlled pilot study
Authors: Viozzi Ilaria , Overduin Christiaan G. , Rijpma Anne , Rovers Maroeska M. , Laan Mark ter
Published: July 2023

Purpose

Laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) is increasingly being used in the treatment of brain tumors, whereas high-quality evidence of its effectiveness is lacking. This pilot examined the feasibility of conducting a randomized controlled trial (RCT) in patients with irresectable newly diagnosed glioblastoma (nGBM), and generated data on technical feasibility and safety.

Methods

We included patients with irresectable nGBM with KPS ≥ 70 and feasible trajectories to ablate ≥ 70% of the tumor volume. Patients were initially randomized to receive either biopsy combined with LITT or biopsy alone, followed by chemoradiation (CRT). Randomization was stopped after 9 patients as the feasibility endpoint with respect to willingness to be randomized was met. Main endpoints were feasibility of performing an RCT, technical feasibility of LITT and safety. Follow-up was 3 months.

Results

A total of 15 patients were included, of which 10 patients received a biopsy followed by LITT and 5 patients a biopsy. Most patients were able to complete the follow-up procedures (93% clinical, 86% questionnaires, 78% MRI). Patients were planned within 3 weeks after consultation (median 12 days, range 8–16) and no delay was observed in referring patients for CRT (median 37 days, range 28–61). Two CD ≥ 3 complications occurred in the LITT arm and none in the biopsy arm.

Conclusion

An RCT to study the effectiveness of LITT in patients with an irresectable nGBM seems feasible with acceptable initial safety data. The findings from this pilot study helped to further refine the design of a larger full-scale multicenter RCT in the Netherlands.

Protocol and study identifier: The current study is registered at clinicaltrials.gov (EMITT pilot study, NTR: NCT04596930).

Graphical abstract
Stimulating inference-making in second grade children when reading and listening to narrative texts
Authors: van Zeijts Brechtje E. J. , Ganushchak Lesya Y. , de Koning Bjorn B. , Tabbers Huib K.
Published: July 2023

Inference-making is a central element of successful reading comprehension, yet provides a challenge for beginning readers. Text decoding takes up cognitive resources which prevents beginning readers from successful inference-making and compromises reading comprehension. Listening does not require any decoding and could therefore offer a less demanding context to practice inference-making. The present study examined whether stimulating inference-making in a listening context is more effective and less cognitively demanding for beginning readers than a reading context. In three experiments, Dutch second grade children read two narratives and listened to two narratives. Inference-making was stimulated by asking them inferential questions during reading or listening and we compared this to a no-questioning control condition. After each narrative, we measured cognitive load and comprehension. It was expected that inferential questioning would increase cognitive load and negatively affect reading comprehension, but positively affect listening comprehension. The results indeed showed that inferential questioning increased cognitive load, but did not lead to differences in performance on open-ended comprehension questions (Experiment 1 & 2). When measuring comprehension with a free recall protocol (Experiment 3), we found a negative effect on total recall in both the reading and listening conditions. Taken together, we found no support for the hypothesized interaction. This raises questions about the effectiveness of inferential questioning for reading and listening comprehension of beginning readers, and whether listening is a good modality for improving inference-making.
Who Blows the Whistle on Cartels? Finding the Leniency Applicant at the European Commission
Authors: Jiménez Juan Luis , Ojeda-Cabral Manuel , Ordóñez-de-Haro José Manuel
Published: July 2023

Competition authorities need a better understanding of the determinants of cartel self-reporting in order to increase cartel members’ incentives to apply for the benefit from leniency programs and thus improve the effectiveness of anti-cartel policy. Using information on 683 firm groups that participated in 132 cartels that were penalized by the European Commission between 1996 and 2020, we estimate which type of cartel member is most likely to be the first or subsequent leniency applicant. Our results emphasize the role of firm groups as a driver to self-report: The higher is the proportion of firms that are part of the same group (relative to the size of the cartel), the greater is the likelihood of applying for leniency. Fines also incentivize cartelists—with the exceptions of ringleaders—to self-report. While ringleaders or instigators tend to avoid being first confessors, they appear to be more likely to self-report than are others only after someone else has revealed the cartel. Finally, cartels that do bid-rigging are less likely to be uncovered by a leniency application.
Third-Sector Organizations in Area-Based Initiatives: Instruments for Public Policies or Partners in Co-Production?
Authors: Trætteberg Håkon Solbu , Lindén Tord Skogedal , Eimhjellen Ivar
Published: July 2023

Area-based initiatives are central government strategies for community development in particularly deprived urban areas. A core strategy in ABIs is to involve third-sector organizations through co-production. In these areas, the organized civil society is weak, and the public sector has special interests and a willingness to use resources. We ask: if and how can co-production be developed in areas with such power assymetries? Through documents and qualitative interviews, we examined seven ABIs in Norway. We find that managerial ability and coordination, autonomy of action, and, especially, the possession of resources are important dimensions for understanding the development of a co-productive relationship. In the ABIs, we find considerable interdependence between TSO and municipalities as both actors lack resources needed to fulfill their respective goals. This interdependence facilitated co-production.
Burnout Among Hospitalists During the Early COVID-19 Pandemic: a National Mixed Methods Survey Study
Authors: Becker Anne , Sullivan Erin E. , Leykum Luci K. , Brown Roger , Linzer Mark , Poplau Sara , Sinsky Christine
Published: July 2023

Background  

Hospitalist physician stress was exacerbated by the pandemic, yet there have been no large scale studies of contributing factors.

Objective

Assess remediable components of burnout in hospitalists.

Participants, Study Design and Measures

In this Coping with COVID study, we focused on assessment of stress factors among 1022 hospital-based clinicians surveyed between April to December 2020. We assessed variables previously associated with burnout (anxiety/depression due to COVID-19, work overload, fear of exposure or transmission, mission/purpose, childcare stress and feeling valued) on 4 point Likert scales, with results dichotomized with the top two categories meaning “present”; burnout was assessed with the Mini Z single item measure (top 3 choices = burnout). Quantitative analyses utilized multilevel logistic regression; qualitative analysis used inductive and deductive methods. These data informed a conceptual model.

Key Results

Of 58,408 HCWs (median response rate 32%), 1022 were hospital-based clinicians (906 (89%) physicians; 449 (44%) female; 469 (46%) White); 46% of these hospital-based clinicians reported burnout. Work overload was associated with almost 5 times the odds of burnout (OR 4.9, 95% CIs 3.67, 6.85, p < 0.001), and those with anxiety or depression had 4 times the odds of burnout (OR 4.2, CIs 3.21, 7.12, p < 0.001), while those feeling valued had half the burnout odds (OR 0.43, CIs 0.31, 0.61, p < 0.001). Regression models estimated 42% of burnout variance was explained by these variables. In open-ended comments, leadership support was helpful, with “great leadership” represented by transparency, regular updates, and opportunities to ask questions.

Conclusions

In this national study of hospital medicine, 2 variables were significantly related to burnout (workload and mental health) while two variables (feeling valued and leadership) were likely mitigators. These variables merit further investigation as means of reducing burnout in hospital medicine.
Long-term low-dose tolvaptan efficacy and safety in SIADH
Authors: Bondanelli Marta , Aliberti Ludovica , Gagliardi Irene , Ambrosio Maria Rosaria , Zatelli Maria Chiara
Published: July 2023

Purpose

Tolvaptan, a selective vasopressin V2-receptor antagonist, is approved for the treatment of SIADH-related hyponatremia, but its use is limited. The starting dose is usually 15 mg/day, but recent clinical experience suggests a lower starting dose (<15 mg/day) to reduce the risk of sodium overcorrection. However, long-term low-dose efficacy and safety has not been explored, so far. Aim of our study is to characterize safety and efficacy of long-term SIADH treatment with low-dose Tolvaptan.

Methods

We retrospectively evaluated 11 patients receiving low-dose Tolvaptan (<15 mg/day) for chronic SIADH due to neurological, idiopathic and neoplastic causes. Plasma sodium levels were measured before and 1, 3, 5, 15 and 30 days after starting Tolvaptan and then at 3-month intervals. Anamnestic and clinical data were collected.

Results

Mean time spanned 27.3 ± 29.8 months (range 6 months-7 years). Mean plasma sodium levels were within normal range 1, 3 and 6 months after starting Tolvaptan as well as after 1, 2, 3, 5 and 7 years of therapy. Neither osmotic demyelination syndrome nor overcorrection were observed. Plasma sodium levels normalization was associated with beneficial clinical effects. Neurological patients obtained seizures disappearance, improvement in neurological picture and good recovery from rehabilitation. Neoplastic patients were able to start chemotherapy and improved their general condition. Patients did not show hypernatremia during long-term follow-up and reported mild thirst and pollakiuria.

Conclusions

The present study shows that long-term low-dose Tolvaptan is safe and effective in SIADH treatment. No cases of overcorrection were documented and mild side effects were reported.
Sphingosine 1-Phosphate Lyase in the Developing and Injured Nervous System: a Dichotomy?
Authors: Xiao Junhua
Published: July 2023

Sphingosine 1-phosphate lyase (SPL) is the terminal enzyme that controls the degradation of the bioactive lipid sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) within an interconnected sphingolipid metabolic network. The unique metabolic position of SPL in maintaining S1P levels implies SPL could be an emerging new therapeutic target. Over the past decade, an evolving effort has been made to unravel the role of SPL in the nervous system; however, to what extent SPL influences the developing and mature nervous system through altering S1P biosynthesis remains opaque. While congenital SPL deletion is associated with deficits in the developing nervous system, the loss of SPL activity in adults appears to be neuroprotective in acquired neurological disorders. The controversial findings concerning SPL’s role in the nervous system are further constrained by the current genetic and pharmacological tools. This review attempts to focus on the multi-faceted nature of SPL function in the mammalian nervous systems, implying its dichotomy in the developing and adult central nervous system (CNS). This article also highlights SPL is emerging as a therapeutic molecule that can be selectively targeted to modulate S1P for the treatment of acquired neurodegenerative diseases, raising new questions for future investigation. The development of cell-specific inducible conditional SPL mutants and selective pharmacological tools will allow the precise understanding of SPL’s function in the adult CNS, which will aid the development of a new strategy focusing on S1P-based therapies for neuroprotection.
Understanding decentralized autonomous organizations from the inside
Authors: Augustin Nils , Eckhardt Andreas , de Jong Alexander Willem
Published: July 2023

Blockchain technology is argued to drastically change the way we operate within an organizational context, with decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) representing a first manifestation of this ongoing trend. DAOs are characterized by an online community that builds the organization’s backbone by providing knowledge and human resources in a transparent, virtual manner, as well as the use of blockchain technology to coordinate their endeavor. Nevertheless, current research highlights the conceptual ambiguity of this emerging phenomenon, leading to potential issues for practitioners and researchers. To provide further clarity on the phenomenon, we study DAOs through the perspective of their members with a two-staged approach by combining elements of a netnographic approach and structural topic modeling. Our findings highlight several contextual features surrounding DAOs, such as their members’ underlying beliefs and views, helping to embed DAOs in existing research streams.
Relating Dispositional Mindfulness and Long-Term Mindfulness Training with Executive Functioning, Emotion Regulation, and Well-Being in Pre-adolescents
Authors: Wimmer Lena , Isherwood Kate R. , Parkinson John , Dorjee Dusana
Published: July 2023

The present study examined whether both dispositional mindfulness without mindfulness training and mindfulness resulting from longer-term mindfulness training are positively associated with pre-adolescents’ well-being, via enhanced executive functioning (EF) and emotion regulation. EF was assessed in a GoNoGo task via behavioral performance and event-related potentials. Study 1 (N = 62) investigated associations of dispositional mindfulness without mindfulness training with EF, well-being and emotion regulation; longitudinal Study 2 with an active control group compared the effects of long-term mindfulness training (N = 28) with a positive psychology intervention (N = 15). Dispositional mindfulness without training was associated with lower EF, unrelated to emotion regulation and the relationship with well-being was mixed. Long-term mindfulness training was positively related to EF and well-being (reduced negative affect), but was uncorrelated with emotion regulation and mindfulness scores. Taken together, long-term mindfulness training was found to have mixed effects. Further research is required in this area.
Overexpression of Brassica napus COMT1 in Arabidopsis heightens UV-B-mediated resistance to Plutella xylostella herbivory
Authors: McInnes Kirsty J. , van der Hooft Justin J. J. , Sharma Ashutosh , Herzyk Pawel , Hundleby Penny A. C. , Schoonbeek Henk-Jan , Amtmann Anna , Ridout Christopher , Jenkins Gareth I.
Published: July 2023

UV-B radiation regulates numerous morphogenic, biochemical and physiological responses in plants, and can stimulate some responses typically associated with other abiotic and biotic stimuli, including invertebrate herbivory. Removal of UV-B from the growing environment of various plant species has been found to increase their susceptibility to consumption by invertebrate pests, however, to date, little research has been conducted to investigate the effects of UV-B on crop susceptibility to field pests. Here, we report findings from a multi-omic and genetic-based study investigating the mechanisms of UV-B-stimulated resistance of the crop, Brassica napus (oilseed rape), to herbivory from an economically important lepidopteran specialist of the Brassicaceae, Plutella xylostella (diamondback moth). The UV-B photoreceptor, UV RESISTANCE LOCUS 8 (UVR8), was not found to mediate resistance to this pest. RNA-Seq and untargeted metabolomics identified components of the sinapate/lignin biosynthetic pathway that were similarly regulated by UV-B and herbivory. Arabidopsis mutants in genes encoding two enzymes in the sinapate/lignin biosynthetic pathway, CAFFEATE O-METHYLTRANSFERASE 1 (COMT1) and ELICITOR-ACTIVATED GENE 3–2 (ELI3-2), retained UV-B-mediated resistance to P. xylostella herbivory. However, the overexpression of B. napus COMT1 in Arabidopsis further reduced plant susceptibility to P. xylostella herbivory in a UV-B-dependent manner. These findings demonstrate that overexpression of a component of the sinapate/lignin biosynthetic pathway in a member of the Brassicaceae can enhance UV-B-stimulated resistance to herbivory from P. xylostella.

Graphical abstract
Numerical investigation on flammability of R32 leakage in heat pump outdoor unit with CFD simulation
Authors: Jung Gitaek , Han Ukmin , Lee Hoseong
Published: July 2023

R32 is receiving significant attention as an alternative refrigerant owing to its higher operating efficiency and lower environmental impact; however, it is classified as flammable refrigerants. There have been some studies on R32 leakages about indoor unit rooms but extremely limited studies about outdoor unit rooms. The outdoor unit room is more cramped than the indoor one, and leakage easily occurs due to high-temperature and high-pressure operating conditions. In this study, the flammability risk was evaluated through a comprehensive R32 leak study in the outdoor unit room. Critical factors including the leak diameter, unit installation height, refrigerant charge, air infiltration, window opening, and room size were carefully selected, and parameter studies and correlation analysis were conducted. As the leak diameter increased from 2 to 8 mm, the R32 volume fraction increased from 7.7 to 46.3%, indicating that the leak diameter is the most significant factor in increasing the R32 volume fraction. Considering that the leak diameter is less than 1 mm in a typical leak accident and the leak occurs with a diameter of 2 mm or more in a catastrophic case, the risk of R32 leak was found to be low under the conditions. By increasing the window opening and unit installation height, the concentration of R32 can be lowered below the LFL, thereby reducing the flammable volume to close to zero.
Can Live-Actor Patients in a Mass Casualty Incident Exercise Benefit as Exercise Players?
Authors: Chou Wei-Kuo , Chiang Wen-Chu , Chen Ya-Wen , Cheng Ming-Tai
Published: July 2023

Objectives:

In a mass casualty incident (MCI) exercise, live-actor patients (LAPs) simulated different scenarios in the exercise. This study compared the benefit to LAPs with that to exercise players (EPs) and nonparticipants (NPs).

Methods:

An MCI exercise was conducted in 2018. Emergency department (ED) nurses were assigned as EPs, LAPs, or NPs and asked to attend a pre-exercise lecture. A pre-exercise survey evaluated all ED nurses’ background, confidence level, and knowledge of MCI management. Knowledge assessment included disaster medicine knowledge (DMK) and on emergency operation plan familiarity (EOPF). The same survey was conducted again after the exercise. A paired t-test was used to analyze the difference before and after the exercise in the 3 groups.

Results:

Twenty-nine ED nurses completed both surveys. Confidence improved significantly for both the EP and LAP groups. The DMK of the LAP group improved significantly. EOPF also improved significantly for all 3 groups. A comparison of the improvement levels showed no significant difference between the EP and LAP groups for confidence, DMK, and EOPF.

Conclusions:

ED nurses can benefit from participating as LAPs in full-scale MCI exercises. Having ED nurses act as LAPs makes it possible to train more staff in 1 exercise.
NF-κB: a mediator that promotes or inhibits angiogenesis in human diseases?
Authors: Jiang Yijing , Zhang Jie , Shi Conglin , Li Xingjuan , Jiang Yongying , Mao Renfang
Published: July 2023

The nuclear factor of κ-light chain of enhancer-activated B cells (NF-κB) signaling pathway, which is conserved in invertebrates, plays a significant role in human diseases such as inflammation-related diseases and carcinogenesis. Angiogenesis refers to the growth of new capillary vessels derived from already existing capillaries and postcapillary venules. Maintaining normal angiogenesis and effective vascular function is a prerequisite for the stability of organ tissue function, and abnormal angiogenesis often leads to a variety of diseases. It has been suggested that NK-κB signalling molecules under pathological conditions play an important role in vascular differentiation, proliferation, apoptosis and tumourigenesis by regulating the transcription of multiple target genes. Many NF-κB inhibitors are being tested in clinical trials for cancer treatment and their effect on angiogenesis is summarised. In this review, we will summarise the role of NF-κB signalling in various neovascular diseases, especially in tumours, and explore whether NF-κB can be used as an attack target or activation medium to inhibit tumour angiogenesis.
On L-derivatives and biextensions of Calabi–Yau motives
Authors: Golyshev Vasily
Published: July 2023

We prove that certain differential operators of the form

$ DLD $

with

$ L $

hypergeometric and

$ D=z\frac{\partial }{dz} $

are of Picard–Fuchs type. We give closed hypergeometric expressions for minors of the biextension period matrices that arise from certain rank 4 weight 3 Calabi–Yau motives presumed to be of analytic rank 1. We compare their values numerically to the first derivative of the

$ L $

-functions of the respective motives at

$ s=2 $

.
Turbulent drag reduction by spanwise wall forcing. Part 1. Large-eddy simulations
Authors: Rouhi A. , Fu M.K. , Chandran D. , Zampiron A. , Smits A.J. , Marusic I.
Published: July 2023

Turbulent drag reduction (DR) through streamwise travelling waves of the spanwise wall oscillation is investigated over a wide range of Reynolds numbers. Here, in Part 1, wall-resolved large-eddy simulations in a channel flow are conducted to examine how the frequency and wavenumber of the travelling wave influence the DR at friction Reynolds numbers

$Re_\tau = 951$

and

$4000$

. The actuation parameter space is restricted to the inner-scaled actuation (ISA) pathway, where DR is achieved through direct attenuation of the near-wall scales. The level of turbulence attenuation, hence DR, is found to change with the near-wall Stokes layer protrusion height

$\ell _{0.01}$

. A range of frequencies is identified where the Stokes layer attenuates turbulence, lifting up the cycle of turbulence generation and thickening the viscous sublayer; in this range, the DR increases as

$\ell _{0.01}$

increases up to

$30$

viscous units. Outside this range, the strong Stokes shear strain enhances near-wall turbulence generation leading to a drop in DR with increasing

$\ell _{0.01}$

. We further find that, within our parameter and Reynolds number space, the ISA pathway has a power cost that always exceeds any DR savings. This motivates the study of the outer-scaled actuation pathway in Part 2, where DR is achieved through actuating the outer-scaled motions.
Separate and joint clustering characteristics of large-Stokes-number sprays subjected to turbulent co-flows
Authors: Rostami Ali , Li Ri , Kheirkhah Sina
Published: July 2023

Separate and joint droplets, clusters, and voids characteristics of sprays injected in a turbulent co-flow are investigated experimentally. Simultaneous Mie scattering and interferometric laser imaging for droplet sizing along with separate hotwire anemometry are performed. The turbulent co-flow characteristics are adjusted using zero, one or two perforated plates. The Taylor-length-scale-based Reynolds number varies from 10 to 38, and the Stokes number estimated based on the Kolmogorov time scale varies from 3 to 25. The results show that the mean length scale of the clusters normalized by the Kolmogorov length scale varies linearly with the Stokes number. However, the mean void length scale is of the order of the integral length scale. It is shown that the number density of the droplets inside the clusters is approximately 7 times larger than that in the voids. The ratios of the droplets number densities in the clusters and voids to the total number density are independent of the test conditions and equal 5.5 and 0.8, respectively. The joint probability density function of the droplets diameter and clusters area shows that the droplets with the most probable diameter are found in the majority of the clusters. It is argued that intensifying the turbulence broadens the range of turbulent eddy size in the co-flow which allows for accommodating droplets with a broad range of diameters in the clusters. The results are of significance for engineering applications that aim to modify the clustering characteristics of large-Stokes-number droplets sprayed into turbulent co-flows.
Learning speaker-specific linguistic ‘style’ is mediated by deviance from common language use
Authors: Trainin Nitzan , Shetreet Einat
Published: July 2023

Different speakers sometimes convey similar meanings differently. This study examined whether listeners could learn to associate a specific linguistic ‘style’ with a certain speaker, with no apparent difference in meaning, and the role of unnatural linguistic choices (or unexpectedness) in such learning. We created an inter-speaker variation in ‘style’ using the weak adjective ordering preferences in Hebrew. Participants were exposed to two different speakers, each producing a different adjective order, consistently. We manipulated the combinations of order pairings, based on their naturalness (with two natural orders, a natural and an unnatural order, and two unnatural orders), and examined participants’ ability to associate a unique order with a specific speaker. In two experiments, using different statistical analyses, we show that listeners can learn speaker-specific language use when it is irrelevant for meaning inferences, when deviance from natural or expected language use is involved. We further discuss whether learning may be facilitated by differences in naturalness or structural form. Our findings suggest that listeners are sensitive to inter-speaker variability in ‘style’, mostly when this ‘style’ is unexpected. This is in line with the predictions of Surprisal theory, and may suggest that surprisal plays a major role in learning speaker-specific language use.
Patriotism and Black Internationalism
Authors: Grant Nicholas
Published: July 2023

On February 2, 2023, Ilhan Omar took to the floor of the House of Representatives to address what being an American meant to her. Responding to Republican efforts to remove her from the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, the representative for Minnesota's fifth congressional district asked, “Who gets to be an American? What opinions do you have to have to be counted as American?”1In attacking Omar for her past comments on Israel and track record of criticizing U.S. foreign policy, House Republicans were conflating progressive politics with foreignness, arguing that this combination is subversive and represents a real threat to the American government and the stability of the nation.2Indeed, the vote to remove Omar came just a few years after President Donald J. Trump had implored Omar and her progressive allies in “The Squad”—House Democrats Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ayanna Pressley, and Rashida Tlaib—to “go back” to the “crime infested places from which they came.”3Acknowledging how her race and identity were once again being used by Republicans to question her Americanness and delegitimize her politics, Omar offered the following rebuttal:

Representation matters. Continuing to expand our ideas of who is American and who can partake in the American experiment is a good thing. I am an American … Someone who knows what it means to have a shot at a better life here in the United States. And someone who believes in the American dream, in the American possibility and the promise, and the ability to voice that in a democratic process.4
Finite domination and Novikov homology over strongly -graded rings
Authors: Hüttemann Thomas , Steers Luke
Published: July 2023

Let

$R$

be a strongly

$\mathbb {Z}^2$

-graded ring, and let

$C$

be a bounded chain complex of finitely generated free

$R$

-modules. The complex

$C$

is

$R_{(0,0)}$

-finitely dominated, or of type

$FP$

over

$R_{(0,0)}$

, if it is chain homotopy equivalent to a bounded complex of finitely generated projective

$R_{(0,0)}$

-modules. We show that this happens if and only if

$C$

becomes acyclic after taking tensor product with a certain eight rings of formal power series,  the graded analogues of classical Novikov rings. This extends results of Ranicki,  Quinn and the first author on Laurent polynomial rings in one and two indeterminates.
RADIOCARBON DATING ON ECHOMICADAS, LSCE, GIF-SUR-YVETTE, FRANCE: NEW AND UPDATED CHEMICAL PROCEDURES
Authors: Hatté Christine , Arnold Maurice , Dapoigny Arnaud , Daux Valérie , Delibrias Georgette , Du Boisgueheneuc Diane , Fontugne Michel , Gauthier Caroline , Guillier Marie-Thérèse , Jacob Jérémy , Jaudon Michel , Kaltnecker Évelyne , Labeyrie Jacques , Noury Claude , Paterne Martine , Pierre Monique , Phouybanhdyt Brian , Poupeau Jean-Jacques , Tannau Jean-François , Thil François , Tisnérat-Laborde Nadine , Valladas Hélène
Published: July 2023

The Laboratoire des Sciences du Climat et de l’Environnement (LSCE) has operated a radiocarbon dating laboratory for almost 70 years. It has evolved from a traditional ß-decay counting to an accelerator mass spectrometry facility. In 2015, the LSCE received a major upgrade with the installation of a MICADAS. This evolution required adjustments in sample preparation to match the new capability to date samples as small as a few tens of µgC. We summarize here the sample cleaning procedures and the chemical purification or extraction treatment that we apply to the samples. We also report values of blank and reference materials of different matrices that match the large diversity of samples handled at LSCE.