bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Density of Complex and Quaternionic Polyanalytic Polynomials in Polyanalytic Fock Spaces
Authors: Gal Sorin G. , Sabadini Irene
Published: December 2023

In this paper we consider the polyanalytic Fock spaces both in the complex and in the quaternionic case. In this latter case, the polyanalytic functions are considered in the slice regular case, and we shall treat Fock spaces of the first and of the second kind. In all these spaces we prove quantitative results in the approximation by polyanalytic polynomials. The quantitative approximation results are given in terms of higher order$$L^{p}$$Lp-moduli of smoothness.
Association of glycemic variability and time in range with lipid profile in type 1 diabetes
Authors: Salsa-Castelo Mariana , Neves Celestino , Neves João Sérgio , Carvalho Davide
Published: December 2023

Purpose

Hyperglycemia is associated with abnormalities of lipoproteins. The aim of this study was to analyze, in patients with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D), the association of glycemic control with lipid profile, focusing on glycemic variability and time in range obtained from Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM).

Methods

We performed a retrospective cohort in patients with T1D. We analyzed clinical parameters, HbA1c, CGM and lipid profile in two moments 6 to 18 months apart. We evaluated the association of HbA1c and CGM metrics with lipid profile in cross-sectional (n = 242) and longitudinal (n = 90) analyses.

Results

The mean age of the study population was 36.6 ± 12.6 years, 51.7% were male, and the mean diabetes duration was 16.8 ± 10.3 years. In the cross-sectional analysis, higher HbA1c, higher glucose management indicator (GMI), higher time above range and lower time in range were associated with higher triglyceride levels. In the longitudinal analysis, an increase in time below range was associated with a decrease of HDL cholesterol. In both analyses, an increase in the coefficient of variability (CV) was associated with a significant decrease of HDL cholesterol. HbA1c and CGM were not associated with total cholesterol or LDL cholesterol.

Conclusions

We observed a negative association between CV and HDL cholesterol levels and a positive association between hyperglycemia metrics and triglyceride levels. These findings suggest that CGM parameters may be a helpful tool to guide the improvement of both glycemic control and lipid profile in T1D.
Renormalized chemical kinetics and benchmark quantum mechanical rates: activation energies and tunnelling transitivities for the reactions of fluorine atoms with H2 and HD
Authors: Carvalho-Silva Valter H. , Sanches-Neto Flávio O. , Leão Guilherme M. , Cavalli Simonetta , De Fazio Dario , Nucci Maria C. , Aquilanti Vincenzo
Published: December 2023

Experimental, theoretical and computational chemical kinetics contribute to progress both in molecular and materials sciences and in biochemistry, exploring the gap between elementary processes and complex systems. Stationary state quantum mechanics and statistical thermodynamics provide interpretive tools and instruments for classical molecular dynamics simulations for stable or metastable structures and near-equilibrium situations. Chemical reaction kinetics plays a key role at the mesoscales: time-dependent and evolution problems are typically tackled phenomenologically, and reactions through intermediates and transition states need be investigated and modelled. In this paper, scaling and renormalization procedures are developed beyond the Arrhenius equation and the Transition State Theory, regarding two key observables in reaction kinetics, the rate “constant” as a function of temperature (and its reciprocal, the generalised lifetime), and the apparent activation energy (and its reciprocal, the transitivity function). Coupled first-order equations—dependent on time and on temperature—are formulated in alternative coupling scheme they link experimental results to effective modelling, or vice versa molecular dynamics simulations to predictions. The passage from thermal to tunnelling regimes is uniformly treated and applied to converged quantum mechanical calculations of rate constants available for the prototypical three-atom reactions of fluorine atoms with both H2 and HD: these are exothermic processes dominated by moderate tunnel, needing formal extension to cover the low-temperature regime where aspects of universal behaviour are shown to emerge. The results that have been validated towards experimental information in the 10–350 K temperature range, document the complexity of commonly considered “elementary” chemical reactions: they are relevant for modelling atmospheric and astrophysical environments. Perspectives are indicated of advances towards other types of transitions and to a global generality of processes of interest in applied chemical kinetics in biophysics and in astrochemistry.
Some Results on Estimating a Wilcoxon–Mann–Whitney Measure of Effect Size When There are two Covariates
Authors: Wilcox Rand R.
Published: December 2023

A basic method for characterizing the difference between two independent groups is$$\pi $$π, the probability that a randomly sampled value from the first group is less than a randomly sampled value from the second group. Recently, a method for making inferences about$$\pi $$πwas proposed that deals with a covariate. A goal here is to report simulation results when there are two covariates. Included is a suggestion for picking the covariate points. The method is illustrated with data dealing with depressive symptoms among older adults.
Bald Eagle Search Optimization Algorithm Combined with Spherical Random Shrinkage Mechanism and Its Application
Authors: Guo Wenyan , Hou Zhuolin , Dai Fang , Wang Xiaoxia , Qiang Yufan
Published: December 2023

Over the last two decades, stochastic optimization algorithms have proved to be a very promising approach to solving a variety of complex optimization problems. Bald eagle search optimization (BES) as a new stochastic optimization algorithm with fast convergence speed has the ability of prominent optimization and the defect of collapsing in the local best. To avoid BES collapse at local optima, inspired by the fact that the volume of the sphere is the largest when the surface area is certain, an improved bald eagle search optimization algorithm (INMBES) integrating the random shrinkage mechanism of the sphere is proposed. Firstly, the INMBES embeds spherical coordinates to design a more accurate parameter update method to modify the coverage and dispersion of the population. Secondly, the population splits into elite and non-elite groups and the Bernoulli chaos is applied to elite group to tap around potential solutions of the INMBES. The non-elite group is redistributed again and the Nelder-Mead simplex strategy is applied to each group to accelerate the evolution of the worst individual and the convergence process of the INMBES. The results of Friedman and Wilcoxon rank sum tests of CEC2017 in 10, 30, 50, and 100 dimensions numerical optimization confirm that the INMBES has superior performance in convergence accuracy and avoiding falling into local optimization compared with other potential improved algorithms but inferior to the champion algorithm and ranking third. The three engineering constraint optimization problems and 26 real world problems and the problem of extracting the best feature subset by encapsulated feature selection method verify that the INMBES’s performance ranks first and has achieved satisfactory accuracy in solving practical problems.
Lagrangian Duality in Convex Conic Programming with Simple Proofs
Authors: Trnovska Maria , Hrdina Jakub
Published: December 2023

In this paper, we study Lagrangian duality aspects in convex conic programming over general convex cones. It is known that the duality in convex optimization is linked with specific theorems of alternatives. We formulate and prove the strong alternative theorems to the strict feasibility and analyze the relation between the boundedness of the optimal solution sets and the existence of the relative interior points in the feasible set. We also provide sufficient conditions under which the duality gap is zero and the optimal solution sets are unbounded. As a consequence, we obtain several new sufficient conditions that guarantee the strong duality between primal and dual convex conic programs. Our proofs are based only on fundamental convex analysis and linear algebra results.
Legal Personhood
Authors: Kurki Visa A. J.
Published: December 2023

This Element presents the notion of legal personhood, which is a foundational concept of Western law. It explores the theoretical and philosophical foundations of legal personhood, such as how legal personhood is defined and whether legal personhood is connected to personhood as a general notion. It also scrutinises particular categories of legal personhood. It first focuses on two classical categories: natural persons (human beings) and artificial persons (corporations). The discussions of natural persons also cover the developing legal status of children and individuals with disabilities. The Element also presents three emerging categories of legal personhood: animals, nature and natural objects, and AI systems. This title is also available as Open Access on Cambridge Core.
Optimizing transitions of care antimicrobial prescribing at a community teaching hospital
Authors: Smith Jordan , Frens Jeremy , Mehta Dhaval , Naik Kushal , Sinclair Emily , Baumeister Tyler
Published: December 2023

Objective:

Antibiotic prescribing at hospital discharge is an important focus for antimicrobial stewardship efforts. This study set out to determine the impact of a pharmacist-led intervention at hospital discharge on appropriate antimicrobial prescribing.

Design:

This was a pre-/post-study evaluating the impact of a pharmacist-led review on antibiotic prescribing at hospital discharge. Pharmacists evaluated antibiotic prescriptions at discharge for appropriate duration, spectrum of activity, frequency, and strength of dose. Each of these criteria needed to be met for an antibiotic regimen to be considered appropriate.

Setting:

Moses Cone Hospital is a 535-bed community teaching hospital in Greensboro, North Carolina.

Patients or Participants:

Patients ≥18 years of age discharged from the hospital with an antibiotic prescription were included. Exclusion criteria included patients discharged against medical advice, discharged to a skilled nursing facility, or prescribed indefinite prophylactic antimicrobial therapy.

Interventions:

A review of patients discharged with antibiotics in 2020 was performed. Patients discharged with antibiotic prescriptions from January 2021 to April 2022 were evaluated prior to discharge by pharmacists. The pharmacist made recommendations to providers based on their evaluations.

Results:

162 retrospective patients were screened, and 136 patients were screened at discharge from the hospital in the prospective cohort. 76/162 (47%) retrospective patients received appropriate antibiotic therapy at discharge, while 92/136 (68%) of prospective patients received appropriate discharge therapy (p = 0.001).

Conclusions:

In this study examining the efficacy of stewardship pharmacist intervention at hospital discharge, pharmacist review and recommendations were associated with an increased rate of appropriate antimicrobial prescribing.

Ethics statement:

This study was conducted under the approval of the Institutional Review Board of the Moses H. Cone Health System. The approval protocol number was 1483117-1 and took effect on September 2nd, 2019. As the research was either retrospective in nature or part of the standard of care recommendations, the project was granted expedited review.
On the Practical Significance of Irrelevant Factors
Authors: Yarandi Seyed Mohammad
Published: December 2023

I focus on an overlooked aspect of the challenge of irrelevant influences. The challenge is often framed in terms of whether recognizing the presence of irrelevant factors in the pedigree of a belief provides a defeater. I argue that the epistemic significance of irrelevant factors goes beyond their status as defeaters. I focus on what I call gray cases, where learning about such factors causes epistemic worry without justifying giving up the belief. I argue that in gray cases, the subject finds a commendatory epistemic practical reason to engage in an activity intended to assuage that epistemic worry.
What Does It Mean to Be an American? American Ignorance and Social Imagination of Citizenship
Authors: Fatima Saba
Published: December 2023

In its war on terror, the United States tortured and abused individuals in its custody over a decade. This article examines a specific sort of epistemic response by Americans to the use of torture by their government, the sort of response that enables Americans to operate with epistemic ignorance to maintain a favorable construction of their identity as Americans. I lay out the concept of American ignorance as the active production of false and/or incomplete beliefs about what it means to be an American and explore the mechanism through which this ignorance operates in society. The article argues for accountability to create better epistemic environments necessary for any meaningful shift in how Americans perceive themselves qua Americans.
Adolescent athletes have better general than sports nutrition knowledge and lack awareness of supplement recommendations: a systematic literature review
Authors: Hulland Susan C. , Trakman Gina L. , Alcock Rebekah D.
Published: December 2023

Nutrition knowledge (NK) impacts food choices and may be improved through educational programmes. Identifying knowledge gaps related to NK among adolescent athletes may guide future nutrition education programmes. This review aimed to systematically review the level of NK in adolescent athletes based on the currently available published literature. The protocol for this review was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42022321765). A literature search was conducted in April 2022 using MEDLINE, CINAHL, SPORTDiscus, Web of Science and SCOPUS databases. The study design was not restricted, provided that a quantitative NK score was reported for adolescent athletes. Studies were limited to the English language and published between 2010 and April 2022. Studies were assessed for quality and risk of bias using the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Quality Appraisal Checklist. Data extracted included demographics, questionnaire name, number of items, validation status and mean total and subsection NK scores. Meta-analyses were inappropriate due to the heterogeneity of NK assessment tools; therefore, results were presented narratively. Thirty-two studies that assessed NK of 4553 adolescent athletes and 574 comparison participants were included. Critical appraisal of studies resulted in neutral rating ‘moderate quality’ for most (n 30) studies. Studies lacked justification for sample size and often used inadequately validated questionnaires. NK scores ranged from poor (33·3 %) to excellent (90·6 %). The level of NK across studies is difficult to determine due to heterogenous questionnaires often lacking appropriate validation. NK should be assessed using tools validated in the relevant population or revalidated tools previously used for other populations.
Latitudinal shift of the associated hosts inSagamiscintilla thalassemicola(Galeommatoidea: Galeommatidae), a rare ectosymbiotic bivalve that lives on the proboscis of echiuran worms
Authors: Goto Ryutaro , Sato Taigi , Nakajima Hiroki , Sugiyama Takahiro , Ishikawa Hiroshi
Published: December 2023

Sagamiscintilla thalassemicola(Bivalvia: Galeommatoidea: Galeommatidae) is a rare ectocommensal bivalve that lives on the proboscis of echiuran worms,Anelassorhynchusspp. (Annelida: Thalassematidae: Thalassematinae: Thalassematini), and has been known only from the temperate zones of Japan. In this study, we foundS. thalassemicolaon the proboscis of the large echiuranOchetostomasp. (Thalassematidae: Thalassematinae: Thalassematini) on intertidal flats of three islands of the Ryukyu Archipelago, southern Japan. These are the first records ofS. thalassemicolaon non-Anelassorhynchushosts and also from the subtropical regions. Additionally, we also collectedS. thalassemicolafrom an intertidal flat of Kushimoto, Wakayama, Kii Peninsula, Japan, which is an update of the easternmost record of this species. The genetic differences in the mitochondrial cytochromecoxidase subunit I and nuclear internal transcribed spacer 2 genes amongS. thalassemicola, including those withOchetostomasp. from the subtropical region and withAnelassorhynchusspp. from the temperate region, can be considered within the intraspecific variation. These suggest thatS. thalassemicolauses different echiuran hosts in the temperate and subtropical regions, respectively.
Neither hype nor gloom do DNNs justice
Authors: Wichmann Felix A. , Kornblith Simon , Geirhos Robert
Published: December 2023

Neither the hype exemplified in some exaggerated claims about deep neural networks (DNNs), nor the gloom expressed by Bowers et al. do DNNs as models in vision science justice: DNNs rapidly evolve, and today's limitations are often tomorrow's successes. In addition, providing explanations as well as prediction and image-computability are model desiderata; one should not be favoured at the expense of the other.
Advance statements in mental healthcare: time to close the evidence to practice gap
Authors: Lasalvia Antonio , Patuzzo Sara , Braun Esther , Henderson Claire
Published: December 2023

This article discusses advance statements in mental health care, which allow individuals with mental disorders to express their preferences for treatment during mental health crises. Despite the evidence supporting their effectiveness, their implementation in clinical practice remains limited. This article explores variations among advance statements, such as psychiatric advance directives (PADs), joint crisis plans (JCPs) and self-binding directives (SBDs), highlighting their content, development process and legal status. We outline the benefits of advance statements, including empowerment, early intervention, improved therapeutic relationships and reduced compulsory admissions. We then draw attention to the challenges that may contribute to their lack of implementation, including legal complexities, communication issues, cultural factors, potential inequities, healthcare provider knowledge, changing preferences, resource constraints, crisis responses, data privacy, family involvement, and long-term evaluation. In conclusion, advance statements offer significant benefits but require addressing these critical aspects to ensure ethical and effective use. Bridging the evidence-to-practice gap is essential, with a focus on implementation science. Integrating these tools into routine clinical practice can significantly benefit individuals with severe mental disorders and mental health systems.
Laboratory Acousto‐Mechanical Study Into Moisture‐Induced Reduction of Fracture Stiffness in Granite
Authors: Wu Rui , Selvadurai Paul A. , Li Ying , Leith Kerry , Lei Qinghua , Loew Simon
Published: December 2023

Water infiltration into fractures is ubiquitous in crustal rocks. However, little is known about how such a progressive wetting process affects fracture stiffness and seismic wave propagation, which are highly relevant for characterizing fracture systems in situ. We study the acousto‐mechanical behavior of a free‐standing fractured granite subjected to gradual water infiltration with a downward‐moving wetting front over 12 days. We observe significant differences (i.e., by an order of magnitude) in wave amplitudes across the fractured granite compared to an intact granite, with both cases showing a strong correlation between wave amplitudes and wetting front movement. Effects of water infiltration into the fracture and surrounding matrix on seismic attenuation are captured by a numerical model with parameters constrained by experimental data. Back‐calculated fracture stiffness decreases exponentially with the wetting front migration along the fracture. We propose that moisture‐induced matrix expansion around the fracture increases asperity mismatch, leading to reduced fracture stiffness.
Long-term motor activity, cardiopulmonary performance and quality of life in abdominal wall defect patients
Authors: Flucher Christina , Windhaber Jana , Gasparella Paolo , Castellani Christoph , Tschauner Sebastian , Mittl Barbara , Wolfschluckner Vanessa , Singer Georg , Till Holger
Published: December 2023

Aim

To assess whether patients born with an abdominal wall defect (AWD) have impaired cardiorespiratory performance capacity, motor skills, core stability or quality of life in a long-term follow up.

Methods

Patients diagnosed with AWD between 2002 and 2013 were invited to participate in the study, which included clinical examination, spirometry, cardiopulmonary exercise performance testing, assessment of motor activity, ultrasound, electromyography of the abdominal wall and assessment of the Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index (GIQLI). The results were compared to a healthy control group matched for age, sex, BMI, and physical activity levels.

Results

In total, 18 AWD patients (mean age 12.6 ± 3.5 years) were included and there were no significant differences in anthopometric data compared to the control group (n = 18). AWD patients had a significantly lower GIQLI score (AWD mean 137.2 ± 6.8 vs. control mean 141.4 ± 4.9; p = 0.038) and were affected by decreased motor abilities with significantly higher Dordel-Koch-Test values (AWD median 3.54/IQR 1 vs. control median 2.8/IQR 1; p = 0.005).

Conclusion

Follow-up examinations of AWD patients revealed decreased motor abilities and GIQLI scores while cardiopulmonary function was not different compared to healthy controls. The clinical impact of these findings remains to be elucidated.

Impact

Clinical examination, assessment of the gastrointestinal quality of life, sport medical testing, electromyography and abdominal wall ultrasound were performed in patients with congenital abdominal wall defect and compared to an age and sex matched healthy control group.

Results of spirometry and spiroergometry, ultrasound or electromyography did not significantly differ between the groups.

Significantly decreased locomotor function and gastrointestinal quality of life were found in patients with abdominal wall defect. However, the clinical impact of these findings remains to be elucidated.
Saturation genome editing of DDX3X clarifies pathogenicity of germline and somatic variation
Authors: Radford Elizabeth J. , Tan Hong-Kee , Andersson Malin H. L. , Stephenson James D. , Gardner Eugene J. , Ironfield Holly , Waters Andrew J. , Gitterman Daniel , Lindsay Sarah , Abascal Federico , Martincorena Iñigo , Kolesnik-Taylor Anna , Ng-Cordell Elise , Firth Helen V. , Baker Kate , Perry John R. B. , Adams David J. , Gerety Sebastian S. , Hurles Matthew E.
Published: December 2023

Loss-of-function of DDX3X is a leading cause of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD) in females. DDX3X is also a somatically mutated cancer driver gene proposed to have tumour promoting and suppressing effects. We perform saturation genome editing of DDX3X, testing in vitro the functional impact of 12,776 nucleotide variants. We identify 3432 functionally abnormal variants, in three distinct classes. We train a machine learning classifier to identify functionally abnormal variants of NDD-relevance. This classifier has at least 97% sensitivity and 99% specificity to detect variants pathogenic for NDD, substantially out-performing in silico predictors, and resolving up to 93% of variants of uncertain significance. Moreover, functionally-abnormal variants can account for almost all of the excess nonsynonymous DDX3X somatic mutations seen in DDX3X-driven cancers. Systematic maps of variant effects generated in experimentally tractable cell types have the potential to transform clinical interpretation of both germline and somatic disease-associated variation.
Strong chemotaxis by marine bacteria towards polysaccharides is enhanced by the abundant organosulfur compound DMSP
Authors: Clerc Estelle E. , Raina Jean-Baptiste , Keegstra Johannes M. , Landry Zachary , Pontrelli Sammy , Alcolombri Uria , Lambert Bennett S. , Anelli Valerio , Vincent Flora , Masdeu-Navarro Marta , Sichert Andreas , De Schaetzen Frédéric , Sauer Uwe , Simó Rafel , Hehemann Jan-Hendrik , Vardi Assaf , Seymour Justin R. , Stocker Roman
Published: December 2023

The ability of marine bacteria to direct their movement in response to chemical gradients influences inter-species interactions, nutrient turnover, and ecosystem productivity. While many bacteria are chemotactic towards small metabolites, marine organic matter is predominantly composed of large molecules and polymers. Yet, the signalling role of these large molecules is largely unknown. Using in situ and laboratory-based chemotaxis assays, we show that marine bacteria are strongly attracted to the abundant algal polysaccharides laminarin and alginate. Unexpectedly, these polysaccharides elicited stronger chemoattraction than their oligo- and monosaccharide constituents. Furthermore, chemotaxis towards laminarin was strongly enhanced by dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP), another ubiquitous algal-derived metabolite. Our results indicate that DMSP acts as a methyl donor for marine bacteria, increasing their gradient detection capacity and facilitating their access to polysaccharide patches. We demonstrate that marine bacteria are capable of strong chemotaxis towards large soluble polysaccharides and uncover a new ecological role for DMSP in enhancing this attraction. These navigation behaviours may contribute to the rapid turnover of polymers in the ocean, with important consequences for marine carbon cycling.
Mid-infrared supermirrors with finesse exceeding 400 000
Authors: Truong Gar-Wing , Perner Lukas W. , Bailey D. Michelle , Winkler Georg , Cataño-Lopez Seth B. , Wittwer Valentin J. , Südmeyer Thomas , Nguyen Catherine , Follman David , Fleisher Adam J. , Heckl Oliver H. , Cole Garrett D.
Published: December 2023

For trace gas sensing and precision spectroscopy, optical cavities incorporating low-loss mirrors are indispensable for path length and optical intensity enhancement. Optical interference coatings in the visible and near-infrared (NIR) spectral regions have achieved total optical losses below 2 parts per million (ppm), enabling a cavity finesse in excess of 1 million. However, such advancements have been lacking in the mid-infrared (MIR), despite substantial scientific interest. Here, we demonstrate a significant breakthrough in high-performance MIR mirrors, reporting substrate-transferred single-crystal interference coatings capable of cavity finesse values from 200 000 to 400 000 near 4.5 µm, with excess optical losses (scatter and absorption) below 5 ppm. In a first proof-of-concept demonstration, we achieve the lowest noise-equivalent absorption in a linear cavity ring-down spectrometer normalized by cavity length. This substantial improvement in performance will unlock a rich variety of MIR applications for atmospheric transport and environmental sciences, detection of fugitive emissions, process gas monitoring, breath-gas analysis, and verification of biogenic fuels and plastics.
Acetylation regulates the oligomerization state and activity of RNase J, the Helicobacter pylori major ribonuclease
Authors: Tejada-Arranz Alejandro , Lulla Aleksei , Bouilloux-Lafont Maxime , Turlin Evelyne , Pei Xue-Yuan , Douché Thibaut , Matondo Mariette , Williams Allison H. , Raynal Bertrand , Luisi Ben F. , De Reuse Hilde
Published: December 2023

In the gastric pathogen Helicobacter pylori, post-transcriptional regulation relies strongly on the activity of the essential ribonuclease RNase J. Here, we elucidated the crystal and cryo-EM structures of RNase J and determined that it assembles into dimers and tetramers in vitro. We found that RNase J extracted from H. pylori is acetylated on multiple lysine residues. Alanine substitution of several of these residues impacts on H. pylori morphology, and thus on RNase J function in vivo. Mutations of Lysine 649 modulates RNase J oligomerization in vitro, which in turn influences ribonuclease activity in vitro. Our structural analyses of RNase J reveal loops that gate access to the active site and rationalizes how acetylation state of K649 can influence activity. We propose acetylation as a regulatory level controlling the activity of RNase J and its potential cooperation with other enzymes of RNA metabolism in H. pylori.
Long-distance migration and venting of methane from the base of the hydrate stability zone
Authors: Davies Richard J. , Yang Jinxiu , Ireland Mark T. , Berndt Christian , Maqueda Miguel Ángel Morales , Huuse Mads
Published: December 2023

Marine methane hydrate is an ice-like substance that is stable in sediment around marine continental margins where water depths are greater than ~450–700 m. The release of methane due to melting of hydrates is considered to be a mechanism for past global carbon-cycle perturbations and could exacerbate ongoing anthropogenic climate change. Increases in bottom-water temperature at the landward limit of marine hydrate around continental margins, where vulnerable hydrate exists at or below the seabed, cause methane to vent into the ocean. However, this setting represents only ~3.5% of the global hydrate reservoir. The potential for methane from hydrate in deeper water to reach the atmosphere was considered negligible. Here we use three-dimensional (3D) seismic imagery to show that, on the Mauritanian margin, methane migrated at least 40 km below the base of the hydrate stability zone and vented through 23 pockmarks at the shelf break, probably during warmer Quaternary interglacials. We demonstrate that, under suitable circumstances, some of the 96.5% of methane bound in deeper water distal hydrates can reach the seafloor and vent into the ocean beyond the landward limit of marine hydrate. This reservoir should therefore be considered for estimating climate change-induced methane release during a warming world.
Morphine aggravates inflammatory, behavioral, and hippocampal structural deficits in septic rats
Authors: Ayieng’a Evans O. , Afify Elham A. , Abuiessa Salwa A. , Elblehi Samar S. , El-Gowilly Sahar M. , El-Mas Mahmoud M.
Published: December 2023

Although pain and sepsis are comorbidities of intensive care units, reported data on whether pain control by opioid analgesics could alter inflammatory and end-organ damage caused by sepsis remain inconclusive. Here, we tested the hypothesis that morphine, the gold standard narcotic analgesic, modifies behavioral and hippocampal structural defects induced by sepsis in male rats. Sepsis was induced with cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) and behavioral studies were undertaken 24 h later in septic and/or morphine-treated animals. The induction of sepsis or exposure to morphine (7 mg/kg) elicited similar: (i) falls in systolic blood pressure, (ii) alterations in spatial memory and learning tested by the Morris water maze, and (iii) depression of exploratory behavior measured by the new object recognition test. These hemodynamic and cognitive defects were significantly exaggerated in septic rats treated with morphine compared with individual interventions. Similar patterns of amplified inflammatory (IL-1β) and histopathological signs of hippocampal damage were noted in morphine-treated septic rats. Additionally, the presence of intact opioid receptors is mandatory for the induction of behavioral and hemodynamic effects of morphine because no such effects were observed when the receptors were blocked by naloxone. That said, our findings suggest that morphine provokes sepsis manifestations of inflammation and interrelated hemodynamic, behavioral, and hippocampal deficits.
Abcc6 deficiency prevents rhabdomyolysis-induced acute kidney injury
Authors: Casemayou Audrey , Belliere Julie , Letavernier Emmanuel , Colliou Eloïse , El Hachem Hélène , Zarowski Jeremy , Bazin Dominique , Kounde Clément , Piedrafita Alexis , Feuillet Guylène , Schanstra Joost P. , Faguer Stanislas
Published: December 2023

Rhabdomyolysis is a risk factor for acute kidney injury, transition towards chronic kidney disease, and death. The role of calcium phosphate deposits in the mechanisms of rhabdomyolysis-induced acute kidney injury (RAKI) is still unclear. Better insight of the role calcium in RAKI could lead to new therapeutic avenues. Here, we show in a mice model of RAKI that calcium phosphate deposits were frequent in the kidney (hydroxyapatite) and partly correlated with the severity of the kidney injury. However, the intensity of deposits was highly heterogeneous between mice. Treatment with sodium chloride, sodium bicarbonate or inorganic pyrophosphate (PPi; an inhibitor of the calcium phosphate crystallization), or combinations thereof, did not improve kidney outcomes and hydroxyapatite deposition during RAKI. Unexpectedly, Abcc6 knockout mice (ko), characterized by PPi deficiency, developed less severe RAKI despite similar rhabdomyolysis severity, and had similar hydroxyapatite deposition suggesting alternative mechanisms. This improved kidney outcome at day 2 translated to a trend in improved glomerular filtration rate at month 2 in Abcc6-/-mice and to significantly less interstitial fibrosis. In addition, whereas the pattern of infiltrating cells at day 2 was similar between wt and ko mice, kidneys of Abcc6-/- mice were characterized by more CD19+ B-cells, less CD3+ T-cells and a lower R1/R2 macrophage ratio at month 2. In summary, kidney calcium phosphate deposits are frequent in RAKI but hydration with sodium bicarbonate or sodium chloride does not modify the kidney outcome. Blocking ABCC6 emerges as a new option to prevent RAKI and subsequent transition toward kidney fibrosis.
Natural bamboo powder and coffee ground as low-cost green adsorbents for the removal of rhodamine B and their recycling performance
Authors: Vo Thi Sinh , Hossain Muhammad Mohsin , Kim Kyunghoon
Published: December 2023

Bamboo and coffee, which are abundant and inexpensive, have been used as green adsorbents for the adsorption of industrial dye rhodamine B (RB). Bamboo and coffee are natural sources of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin, making them promising green materials for industrial dye removal. The effects of various adsorption conditions, such as contact time, temperature, dose of bamboo powder (BP), coffee ground (CG), initial concentration of RB, and pH values of RB solution, were measured. Consequently, the kinetics of RB adsorption onto bamboo and coffee was in accordance with the pseudo-second-order model, with an activation energy of 29.51 kJ mol−1 for bamboo and 27.46 kJ mol−1 for coffee. The Langmuir model is well fitted to the whole adsorption period at different temperatures, in which the increase in the tested temperature has improved the adsorption capacity (i.e., BP: 6.76 mg g−1/30 °C, 6.96 mg g−1/40 °C, 7.64 mg g−1/50 °C and CG: 6.53 mg g−1/30 °C, 6.80 mg g−1/40 °C, 7.51 mg g−1/50 °C). Moreover, the spontaneous nature of the adsorption was based on the negative Gibbs free energy values obtained (i.e., from − 11.09 to − 14.30 kJ mol−1 [BP] and from − 10.34 to − 13.07 kJ mol−1 [CG]). These revealed that RB adsorption occurred at physical and chemical adsorption states. In addition, the recycling capability of adsorbents was determined in five cycles. Therefore, these materials are promising candidates for low-cost adsorbents.
Improving the genetic potential of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) germplasm to tolerate salinity stress
Authors: Haq Ikram ul , Azam Noman , Ashraf Muhammad , Javaid Muhammad Mansoor , Murtaza Ghulam , Ahmed Zeeshan , Riaz Muhammad Asam , Iqbal Rashid , Habib ur Rahman Muhammed , Alwahibi Mona S. , Elshikh Mohamed S. , Aslam Muhammad Usman , Arslan Muhammad
Published: December 2023

Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) is the most consumed vegetable worldwide with the potential for diverse ecological adaptation. However, increasing salinization and changing climatic conditions are posing serious threats to the growth, yield, and quality of okra. Therefore, to mitigate increasing soil salinization and ensure sustainable okra production under rapidly changing climatic conditions, evaluation of new okra germplasm to develop salt tolerant cultivars is direly needed. The present study was designed to evaluate the genetic resources of okra genotypes for salt tolerance at growth and reproductive phases. Based on mophological and physio-biochemical responses of plants under stress condition, genotypes were divided into salt tolerant and succeptible groups. The experiment was comprised of 100 okra genotypes and each genotype was grown under control conditions and 6.5 dS m−1 NaCl concentration in a pot having 10 kg capacity. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design and each treatment was replicated three times. The results showed vast genetic variability among the evaluated okra germplasm traits like days to emergence, pod length, pod diameter, plant height, stem girth, and other yield-related parameters. Correlation analysis showed a highly significant positive association among the number of leaves at first flower and plant height at first flower.Likewise, pod weight also revealed a highly significant positive relationship for pod weight plant-1, pod length, and K+: Na+. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) revealed that out of 16 principal components (PCs), five components showed more than one eigenvalue and the first six PCs contributed 67.2% of the variation. Bi-plot analysis illustrated that genotypes 95, 111, 133, 99, and 128, under salt stress conditions, exhibited both high yield per plant and salt-tolerant behavior in other yield-related traits. On the basis of all studied traits, a salt susceptible group and a salt-tolerant group were formed. The salt tolerant group comprised of 97, 68, 95, 114, 64, 99, 111, 133, 128, and 109 genotypes, whereas, the salt susceptible group contained 137, 139, 130, 94, and 125 genotypes. Salt-tolerant okra genotypes were suggested to be used in further breeding programs aimed to develop salt tolerance in okra. These insights will empower precision breeding, underscore the importance of genetic diversity, and bear the potential to address the challenges of salt-affected soils while promoting broader agricultural resilience, economic prosperity, and food security.
Apparent coordinated and communal hunting behaviours by Erabu sea krait Laticauda semifactiata
Authors: Somaweera Ruchira , Udyawer Vinay , Amarasinghe A. A. Thasun , de Fresnes Joe , Catherall Jay , Molchanova Galina
Published: December 2023

Opportunistic observations of Erabu sea kraits (Laticauda semifaciata) provide evidence that this species undertake a novel foraging tactic; coordinated communal hunting. Erabu sea kraits prey on cryptic fish species in highly complex reef habitats. Intra- and interspecific cooperative hunting strategies may increase chances for all members of the hunting party to encounter and capture prey in these complex habitats. Here, we observed 52 instances of communal hunting by Erabu sea kraits with conspecifics and other predatory fishes at recreational dive sites in Southern Lombok, Indonesia. These observations highlight the potential higher cognitive capacity of sea kraits to coordinate activities around communal hunting events.
Exploring the mediating effect of creativity on the relationship between family capital and academic achievement in geography
Authors: An Zhenni , Ge Jiahao , Xu Yanhua , Liang Xiaoyu , Zhang Jianzhen , Oubibi Mohamed
Published: December 2023

This study examined the relationship between family capital (FC) and academic achievement in geography along with the mediating role of creativity. The main objective was to determine if FC is a positive predictor of creativity and geographic achievement, and whether creativity completely or partially mediates the relationship between FC and geographic achievement. 1268 high school students participated in this study using the Family Capital Questionnaire (FCQ), the Innovative Behavior Scale (IBS), and students’ class geography scores. SPSS 26 and Amos software were used to analyze the descriptive statistics and the correlation between the main variables. The mediating role of creativity was tested using PROCESS version 4. The correlation analyses showed that FC positively affected academic achievement in geography (β = 0.382, SE = 0.019). Creativity also demonstrated a positive effect on geography academic achievement (β = 0.376, SE = 0.022). The mediation analysis showed that creativity mediated and buffered the relationship between FC and academic achievement in geography. Thus, FC directly affected students’ academic achievement in geography and indirectly affected their creativity. This clearly demonstrates that student characteristics and the external environment should be emphasized in geography education, while placing a strong focus on cultivating individual creativity.
A natural product YSK-A blocks SARS-CoV-2 propagation by targeting multiple host genes
Authors: Pham Thuy X. , Huynh Trang T. X. , Kim Bumseok , Lim Yun-Sook , Hwang Soon B.
Published: December 2023

Natural products and herbal medicine have been widely used in drug discovery for treating infectious diseases. Recent outbreak of COVID-19 requires various therapeutic strategies. Here, we used YSK-A, a mixture of three herbal components Boswellia serrata, Commiphora myrrha, and propolis, to evaluate potential antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2. We showed that YSK-A inhibited SARS-CoV-2 propagation with an IC50 values of 12.5 µg/ml and 15.42 µg/ml in Vero E6 and Calu-3 cells, respectively. Using transcriptome analysis, we further demonstrated that YSK-A modulated various host gene expressions in Calu-3 cells. Among these, we selected 9 antiviral- or immune-related host genes for further study. By siRNA-mediated knockdown experiment, we verified that MUC5AC, LIF, CEACAM1, and GDF15 host genes were involved in antiviral activity of YSK-A. Therefore, silencing of these genes nullified YSK-A-mediated inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 propagation. These data indicate that YSK-A displays an anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity by targeting multiple antiviral genes. Although the exact antiviral mechanism of each constituent has not been verified yet, our data indicate that YSK-A has an immunomodulatory effect on SARS-CoV-2 and thus it may represent a novel natural product-derived therapeutic agent for treating COVID-19.
Comparative analysis of the carrot miRNAome in response to salt stress
Authors: Szymonik Kamil , Klimek-Chodacka Magdalena , Lukasiewicz Aneta , Macko-Podgórni Alicja , Grzebelus Dariusz , Baranski Rafal
Published: December 2023

Soil salinity adversely affects the yield and quality of crops, including carrot. During salt stress, plant growth and development are impaired by restricted water uptake and ion cytotoxicity, leading to nutrient imbalance and oxidative burst. However, the molecular mechanisms of the carrot plant response to salt stress remain unclear. The occurrence and expression of miRNAs that are potentially involved in the regulation of carrot tolerance to salinity stress were investigated. The results of small RNA sequencing revealed that salt-sensitive (DH1) and salt-tolerant (DLBA) carrot varieties had different miRNA expression profiles. A total of 95 miRNAs were identified, including 71 novel miRNAs, of which 30 and 23 were unique to DH1 and DLBA, respectively. The comparison of NGS and qPCR results allowed identification of two conserved and five novel miRNA involved in carrot response to salt stress, and which differentiated the salt-tolerant and salt-sensitive varieties. Degradome analysis supported by in silico-based predictions and followed by expression analysis of exemplary target genes pointed at genes related to proline, glutathione, and glutamate metabolism pathways as potential miRNA targets involved in salt tolerance, and indicated that the regulation of osmoprotection and antioxidant protection, earlier identified as being more efficient in the tolerant variety, may be controlled by miRNAs. Furthermore, potential miRNA target genes involved in chloroplast protection, signal transduction and the synthesis and modification of cell wall components were indicated in plants growing in saline soil.
Artemisia carvifolia Buch silver nanoparticles downregulate the Rap2A gene in liver cancer
Authors: Javid Sabahat , Dilshad Erum
Published: December 2023

Liver cancer is the second main reason of death globally. In the current study, Rap2A protein a member of Ras Gtpase was selected as a drug target for liver cancer which has been identified as an oncogene in different types of tumors. The present study aimed to evaluate Artemisia carvifolia Buch extract and its silver nanoparticles against liver cancer targeting the Rap2A gene. The synthesized silver nanoparticles showed an absorbance peak at 450 nm by a UV–Vis spectrophotometer. SEM revealed that polyhedral silver nanoparticles had a size ranging from 80 ± 6 nm. Furthermore, amines, aldehydes, ketones and alcohols of Artemisia carvifolia were found involved in the reduction and stabilization of nanoparticles by FTIR. Moreover, XRD and EDX confirmed the cubic crystalline nature and particle elemental composition, respectively. Furthermore, the cytotoxicity against HePG2 cancer cell lines was also found significant with an IC50 value of 2.57 µM for silver nanoparticles and 11.57 µM for plant extract. The gene expression and protein level of Rap2A were also decreased in plant extract and nanoparticle-treated cells compared to control groups. The apoptotic potential of extract and nanoparticles was also determined by evaluating the apoptotic pathway genes and protein including BAX, caspase 3, 8 and 9. Significantly elevated levels of expression of these genes by real-time qPCR along with increased protein levels by ELISA were found. This is the first-ever report describing the synthesis and efficacy of silver nanoparticles of Artemisia carvifolia Buch against liver cancer.
Early brain microstructural development among preterm infants requiring caesarean section versus those delivered vaginally
Authors: Bobba Pratheek S. , Weber Clara F. , Malhotra Ajay , Bahtiyar Mert O. , Copel Joshua , Taylor Sarah N. , Ment Laura R. , Payabvash Seyedmehdi
Published: December 2023

It is known that the rate of caesarean section (C-section) has been increasing among preterm births. However, the relationship between C-section and long-term neurological outcomes is unclear. In this study, we utilized diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to characterize the association of delivery method with brain white matter (WM) microstructural integrity in preterm infants. We retrospectively analyzed the DTI scans and health records of preterm infants without neuroimaging abnormality on pre-discharge term-equivalent MRI. We applied both voxel-wise and tract-based analyses to evaluate the association between delivery method and DTI metrics across WM tracts while controlling for numerous covariates. We included 68 preterm infants in this study (23 delivered vaginally, 45 delivered via C-section). Voxel-wise and tract-based analyses revealed significantly lower fractional anisotropy values and significantly higher diffusivity values across major WM tracts in preterm infants delivered via C-section when compared to those delivered vaginally. These results may be partially, but not entirely, mediated by lower birth weight among infants delivered by C-section. Nevertheless, these infants may be at risk for delayed neurodevelopment and could benefit from close neurological follow up for early intervention and mitigation of adverse long-term outcomes.