bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On-chip germanium photodetector with interleaved junctions for the 2-µm wave band
Authors: Wang Jianing , Wang Xi , Li Yihang , Yang Yanfu , Song Qinghai , Xu Ke
Published: January 2024

Recently, the 2-µm wave band has gained increased interest due to its potential application for the next-generation optical communication. As a proven integration platform, silicon photonics also benefit from the lower nonlinear absorption and larger electro-optic coefficient. However, this spectral range is far beyond the photodetection range of germanium, which places an ultimate limit for on-chip applications. In this work, we demonstrate a waveguide-coupled photodetector enabled by a tensile strain-induced absorption in germanium. Responsivity is greatly enhanced by the proposed interleaved junction structure. The device is designed on a 220-nm silicon-on-insulator and is fabricated via a standard silicon photonic foundry process. By utilizing different interleaved PN junction spacing configurations, we were able to measure a responsivity of 0.107 A/W at 1950 nm with a low bias voltage of −6.4 V for the 500-μm-long device. Additionally, the 3-dB bandwidth of the device was measured to be up to 7.1 GHz. Furthermore, we successfully achieved data transmission at a rate of 20 Gb/s using non-return-to-zero on–off keying modulation.
OFDR shape sensor based on a femtosecond-laser-inscribed weak fiber Bragg grating array in a multicore fiber
Authors: Fu Cailing , Xiao Shuai , Meng Yanjie , Shan Rongyi , Liang Wenfa , Zhong Huajian , Liao Changrui , Yin Xiaoyu , Wang Yiping
Published: January 2024

An optical frequency domain reflectometry (OFDR) shape sensor was demonstrated based on a femtosecond-laser-inscribed weak fiber Bragg grating (WFBG) array in a multicore fiber (MCF). A WFBG array consisting of 60 identical WFBGs was successfully inscribed in each core along a 60 cm long MCF using the femtosecond-laser point-by-point technology, where the length and space of each WFBG were 2 and 8 mm, respectively. The strain distribution of each core in two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) shape sensing was successfully demodulated using the traditional cross correlation algorithm, attributed to the accurate localization of each WFBG. The minimum reconstruction error per unit length of the 2D and 3D shape sensors has been improved to 1.08% and 1.07%, respectively, using the apparent curvature vector method based on the Bishop frame.
A novel concept of compact, snapshot hyperspectral camera for ophthalmology.
Authors: Guenot Diego , Alexander Jan , Selvander Madeleine
Published: January 2024

Hyperspectral imaging is an emerging technique that allows to measure the spectral absorption at each point of a scene, thus offering capability to identify and characterize biomarkers important for clinical practice and therapeutic research as well as enhancing image identification of important structures. So far, few hyperspectral cameras have been used for retinal scanning because of the need to acquire the image in a fraction of a second.
Here we present a novel concept of snapshot hyperspectral camera suited for retinal imaging. We demonstrate the technique by presenting the optical density spectrum of a healthy patient’s retina in the 450-700 nm range, together with the spectral response of several retinal features.
Simplistic framework of single-pixel-programmable metasurfaces integrated with a capsuled LED array
Authors: Li Yuxi , Wang Jiafu , Sui Sai , Zhu Ruichao , Han Yajuan , Chen Hongya , Fu Xinmin , Wang Shaojie , Feng Cunqian , Qu Shaobo
Published: January 2024

Coding metasurfaces can manipulate electromagnetic wave in real time with high degree of freedom, the fascinating properties of which enrich the metasurface design with a wide range of application prospects. However, most of the coding metasurfaces are designed based on external excitation framework with the wired electrical or wireless light control devices, thus inevitably causing the interference with electromagnetic wave transmission and increasing the complexity of the metasurface design. In this work, a simplistic framework of single-pixel-programmable metasurfaces integrated with a capsuled LED array is proposed to dynamically control electromagnetic wave. The framework fully embeds the photoresistor in the meta-atom, controlling the LED array to directly illuminate the photoresistor to modulate the phase response. With this manner, the complex biasing network is transformed to the universal LED array, which means the physical control framework can be transformed to a software framework, and thus the functions of the metasurface can be freely manipulated by encoding the capsuled LED array avoiding mutual coupling of adjacent meta-atoms in real time. All the results verify that the far-field scattering pattern can be customized with this single-pixel-programmable metasurface. Encouragingly, this work provides a universal framework for coding metasurface design, which lays the foundation for metasurface intelligent perception and adaptive modulation.
A genome-wide comprehensive analysis of nucleosome positioning in yeast
Authors: Zeitler Leo , André Kévin , Alberti Adriana , Denby Wilkes Cyril , Soutourina Julie , Goldar Arach
Published: January 2024

In eukaryotic cells, the one-dimensional DNA molecules need to be tightly packaged into the spatially constraining nucleus. Folding is achieved on its lowest level by wrapping the DNA around nucleosomes. Their arrangement regulates other nuclear processes, such as transcription and DNA repair. Despite strong efforts to study nucleosome positioning using Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) data, the mechanism of their collective arrangement along the gene body remains poorly understood. Here, we classify nucleosome distributions of protein-coding genes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae according to their profile similarity and analyse their differences using functional Principal Component Analysis. By decomposing the NGS signals into their main descriptive functions, we compared wild type and chromatin remodeler-deficient strains, keeping position-specific details preserved whilst considering the nucleosome arrangement as a whole. A correlation analysis with other genomic properties, such as gene size and length of the upstream Nucleosome Depleted Region (NDR), identified key factors that influence the nucleosome distribution. We reveal that the RSC chromatin remodeler—which is responsible for NDR maintenance—is indispensable for decoupling nucleosome arrangement within the gene from positioning outside, which interfere in rsc8-depleted conditions. Moreover, nucleosome profiles in chd1Δ strains displayed a clear correlation with RNA polymerase II presence, whereas wild type cells did not indicate a noticeable interdependence. We propose that RSC is pivotal for global nucleosome organisation, whilst Chd1 plays a key role for maintaining local arrangement.
Effects of orally administered crofelemer on the incidence and severity of neratinib-induced diarrhea in female dogs
Authors: Guy Michael , Teixeira Andre , Shrier Allison , Meschter Carol , Bolognese James , Chaturvedi Pravin
Published: January 2024

Targeted therapies have increased cancer therapy-related diarrhea (CTD) burden, with high incidence and/or severity of diarrhea for some agents that inhibit epidermal growth factor receptor and receptor tyrosine kinases. Neratinib is a pan-HER tyrosine kinase inhibitor approved for breast cancer treatment and causes severe diarrhea in >95% of patients. Crofelemer, a novel intestinal chloride ion channel modulator, is an approved antidiarrheal drug for symptomatic relief of noninfectious diarrhea in patients with HIV/AIDS receiving antiretroviral therapy. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of crofelemer prophylaxis in reducing the incidence /severity of neratinib-induced diarrhea without concomitant administration of loperamide in female beagle dogs. A pilot study using 3 dogs determined a maximum daily tolerated dose of neratinib was between 40 and 80 mg; this dose would induce a consistent incidence/severity of diarrhea without risking severe dehydration. In the definitive study, 24 female beagle dogs (8/group) received neratinib once daily and placebo capsules (CTR) four times/day, or neratinib once daily and crofelemer 125 mg delayed-release tablets given two times (BID), or neratinib once daily and crofelemer 125 mg delayed-release tablets given four times per day (QID). Fecal scores were collected twice daily using an established canine stool scoring scale called the Purina Fecal Scoring (PFS) System. After 28 days, using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), dogs in the CTR group had a significantly higher average number of weekly loose/watery stools (PFS of 6 or 7) when compared to either crofelemer BID (8.71±2.2 vs. 5.96±2.2, p = 0.028) or crofelemer QID (8.70±2.2 vs. 5.74±2.2, p = 0.022) treatment groups. The average number of weekly loose/watery stools were not different between the crofelemer BID and QID treatment groups (p = 0.84). This study showed that crofelemer prophylaxis reduced the incidence/severity of neratinib-associated diarrhea in female beagle dogs without the need for any loperamide administration.
Effect of acute stress on working memory in pilots: Investigating the modulatory role of memory load
Authors: Liang Yaowei , Peng Xing , Meng Yu , Liu Yueying , Zhu Qi , Xu Zhi , Yang Jiazhong
Published: January 2024

Many practitioners, such as pilots, frequently face working memory (WM) demands under acute stress environments, while the effect of acute stress on WM has not been conclusively studied because it is moderated by a variety of factors. The current study investigated how acute stress affects pilots’ WM under different memory load conditions. There are 42 pilots conducting the experiments, consisting of 21 stress group participants experiencing the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) and 21 control group participants experiencing the controlled TSST (C-TSST). Subsequently, both groups performed N-back tasks under three memory load conditions (0-back, 1-back, and 2-back). State Anxiety Inventory (S-AI), heart rate (HR), and salivary cortisol concentrations (SCC) were collected to analyze acute stress induction. The results revealed that (1) the TSST could effectively induce acute stress with higher S-AI, HR, and SCC; (2) higher memory load reduces WM accuracy (ACC) and delays response times (RT); (3) acute stress increases WM ACC under moderate load conditions (1-back task). These results suggest that acute stress may not necessarily impair WM and even improve WM performance under certain memory load conditions. Potential mechanisms of acute stress effects on WM and alternative explanations for the modulatory role of memory load consistent with the emotion and motivation regulation theory are discussed. These findings not only provide insight into the field of acute stress and WM but are also beneficial for pilot training and the development of stress management strategies.
“Putting the power back into community”: A mixed methods evaluation of a chronic hepatitis B training course for the Aboriginal health workforce of Australia’s Northern Territory
Authors: Hosking Kelly , De Santis Teresa , Vintour-Cesar Emily , Wilson Phillip Merrdi , Bunn Linda , Garambaka Gurruwiwi George , Wurrawilya Shiraline , Bukulatjpi Sarah Mariyalawuy , Nelson Sandra , Ross Cheryl , Stuart-Carter Kelly-Anne , Ngurruwuthun Terese , Dhagapan Amanda , Binks Paula , Sullivan Richard , Ward Linda , Schroder Phoebe , Tate-Baker Jaclyn , Davis Joshua S. , Connors Christine , Davies Jane ,   On behalf of the Hep B PAST partnership
Published: January 2024

Background

Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is endemic in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population of Australia’s Northern Territory. Progression to liver disease can be prevented if holistic care is provided. Low health literacy amongst health professionals is a known barrier to caring for people living with CHB. We co-designed and delivered a culturally safe “Managing hepatitis B” training course for the Aboriginal health workforce. Here, we present an evaluation of the course.

Objectives

1. To improve course participants CHB-related knowledge, attitudes, and clinical practice.

2. To evaluate the “Managing hepatitis B” training course.

3. To enable participants to have the skills and confidence to be part of the care team.

Methods

We used participatory action research and culturally safe principles. We used purpose-built quantitative and qualitative evaluation tools to evaluate our “Managing hepatitis B” training course. We integrated the two forms of data, deductively analysing codes, grouped into categories, and assessed pedagogical outcomes against Kirkpatrick’s training evaluation framework.

Results

Eight courses were delivered between 2019 and 2023, with 130 participants from 32 communities. Pre- and post-course questionnaires demonstrated statistically significant improvements in all domains, p<0.001 on 93 matched pairs. Thematic network analysis demonstrated high levels of course acceptability and significant knowledge acquisition. Other themes identified include cultural safety, shame, previous misinformation, and misconceptions about transmission. Observations demonstrate improvements in post-course engagement, a deep understanding of CHB as well as increased participation in clinical care teams.

Conclusions

The “Managing hepatitis B” training course led to a sustained improvement in the knowledge and attitudes of the Aboriginal health workforce, resulting in improved care and treatment uptake for people living with CHB. Important non-clinical outcomes included strengthening teaching and leadership skills, and empowerment.
Differential laboratory passaging of SARS-CoV-2 viral stocks impacts the in vitro assessment of neutralizing antibodies
Authors: Avila-Herrera Aram , Kimbrel Jeffrey A. , Manuel Martí Jose , Thissen James , Saada Edwin A. , Weisenberger Tracy , Arrildt Kathryn T. , Segelke Brent W. , Allen Jonathan E. , Zemla Adam , Borucki Monica K.
Published: January 2024

Viral populations in natural infections can have a high degree of sequence diversity, which can directly impact immune escape. However, antibody potency is often tested in vitro with a relatively clonal viral populations, such as laboratory virus or pseudotyped virus stocks, which may not accurately represent the genetic diversity of circulating viral genotypes. This can affect the validity of viral phenotype assays, such as antibody neutralization assays. To address this issue, we tested whether recombinant virus carrying SARS-CoV-2 spike (VSV-SARS-CoV-2-S) stocks could be made more genetically diverse by passage, and if a stock passaged under selective pressure was more capable of escaping monoclonal antibody (mAb) neutralization than unpassaged stock or than viral stock passaged without selective pressures. We passaged VSV-SARS-CoV-2-S four times concurrently in three cell lines and then six times with or without polyclonal antiserum selection pressure. All three of the monoclonal antibodies tested neutralized the viral population present in the unpassaged stock. The viral inoculum derived from serial passage without antiserum selection pressure was neutralized by two of the three mAbs. However, the viral inoculum derived from serial passage under antiserum selection pressure escaped neutralization by all three mAbs. Deep sequencing revealed the rapid acquisition of multiple mutations associated with antibody escape in the VSV-SARS-CoV-2-S that had been passaged in the presence of antiserum, including key mutations present in currently circulating Omicron subvariants. These data indicate that viral stock that was generated under polyclonal antiserum selection pressure better reflects the natural environment of the circulating virus and may yield more biologically relevant outcomes in phenotypic assays. Thus, mAb assessment assays that utilize a more genetically diverse, biologically relevant, virus stock may yield data that are relevant for prediction of mAb efficacy and for enhancing biosurveillance.
Exploring pathways to optimise care in malignant bowel obstruction (EPOC): Protocol for a three-phase critical realist approach to theory-led intervention development for shared decision-making
Authors: Bravington Alison , Boland Jason W. , Greenley Sarah , Lind Michael , Murtagh Fliss E.M. , Patterson Michael , Pearson Mark , Johnson Miriam J.
Published: January 2024

Introduction

Malignant bowel obstruction is a distressing complication of cancer, causing pain, nausea and vomiting, and often has a poor prognosis. Severe and rapidly developing symptoms, a lack of robust clinical guidelines and the need for multidisciplinary input make treatment decision-making challenging. Sharing decision-making with people with malignant bowel obstruction and their caregivers can be difficult, and inconsistent communication creates serious deficiencies in care by amplifying patients’ distress and uncertainty. Little attention has been paid to the implicit influences on this process–for example, the role of discipline-related norms and the beliefs of decision-makers. This study will explore how these processes work and develop interventions to improve shared decision-making.

Methods and analysis

Exploring Pathways to Optimise Care (EPOC) is a three-phase study set within a critical realist framework: (i) realist review, to develop explanatory theory describing collaborative decision-making in the management of malignant bowel obstruction; (ii) an in-depth interview study using modified grounded theory to explore the active ingredients of this collaboration in practice settings; and (iii) the presentation to stakeholders (practitioners, patients and caregivers) of integrated results from Phase I (theory developed from the literature) and Phase II (theory developed from current practice) as a basis for intervention mapping. We aim to produce recommendations to address the challenges, and to develop a set of tools to (i) aid interaction around shared decision-making and (ii) aid interprofessional interaction around the management of this condition.

Registration details: The realist review is registered with PROSPERO (CRD42022308251).
On the interdependence of insertion forces, insertion speed, and lubrication: Aspects to consider when testing cochlear implant electrodes
Authors: Fröhlich Max , Schurzig Daniel , Rau Thomas S. , Lenarz Thomas
Published: January 2024

Objectives

During the insertion of cochlear implant (CI) electrode arrays, forces occur which may cause trauma and poorer hearing outcomes. Unfortunately, research groups investigating factors influencing insertion forces come to contradicting results, especially regarding insertion speed. This study was conducted to investigate the origin of these contradicting results and to determine how different testing conditions influence experimental findings.

Methods

Repeated, automated insertions with three different FLEX28 CI electrode arrays (MED-EL, Innsbruck, Austria) were performed into a newly developed, anatomically correct and 3D-printed mean scala tympani phantom. The testing protocol for each electrode included variations in insertion speed (v = 0.1–2.0 mm/s) and lubrication (90%, 50%, and 10% liquid soap), resulting in 51 insertions per electrode array and a total of 153 insertions.

Results

The test setup and protocol allowed for repeatable insertions with only minimal change in the morphology of the insertion force profiles per testing condition. Strong but varying dependencies of the maximal insertion forces and work were found regarding both lubrication and speed: work-speed dependency is constant for the 10% lubricant, negative for the 50% lubricant and positive for the 90% lubricant.

Conclusion

Our results can explain part of the contradicting results found within previous studies by translating interrelations known from lubricated rubber friction to the field of CI electrode array insertion. We show that the main driver behind measured bulk forces are most likely the generated friction forces, which are strongly dependent on insertion speed and lubrication. The employed test setup allows for conducting repeatable and comparable insertion studies, which can be recapitulated by other centers due to the detailed explanation of the test setup as well as the developed and freely available insertion phantom. This study hence represents another important step toward standardizing CI array insertion testing.
Secondary metabolites of Trichoderma spp. as EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors: Evaluation of anticancer efficacy through computational approach
Authors: Gowtham H.G. , Revanasiddappa Prasanna D. , Murali Mahadevamurthy , Singh Sudarshana Brijesh , Abhilash M.R. , Pradeep Sushma , Shivamallu Chandan , Achar Raghu Ram , Silina Ekaterina , Stupin Victor , Manturova Natalia , Shati Ali A. , Alfaifi Mohammad Y. , Elbehairi Serag Eldin I. , Kollur Shiva Prasad
Published: January 2024

The present study explores the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibition efficacy of secondary metabolites in Trichoderma spp. through molecular docking, molecular dynamics (MD) simulation and MM-PBSA approach. The result of molecular docking confirmed that out of 200 metabolites screened, three metabolites such as Harzianelactone A, Pretrichodermamide G and Aspochalasin M, potentially bound with the active binding site of EGFR tyrosine kinase domain(PDB ID: 1M17) with a threshold docking score of ≤– 9.0 kcal/mol when compared with the standard EGFR inhibitor (Erlotinib). The MD simulation was run to investigate the potential for stable complex formation in EGFR tyrosine kinase domain-unbound/lead metabolite (Aspochalasin M)-bound/standard inhibitor (Erlotinib)-bound complex. The MD simulation analysis at 100 ns revealed that Aspochalasin M formed the stable complex with EGFR. Besides, the in silico predication of pharmacokinetic properties further confirmed that Aspochalasin M qualified the drug-likeness rules with no harmful side effects (viz., hERG toxicity, hepatotoxicity and skin sensitization), non-mutagenicity and favourable logBB value. Moreover, the BOILED-Egg model predicted that Aspochalasin M showed a higher gastrointestinal absorption with improved bioavailability when administered orally and removed from the central nervous system (CNS). The results of the computational studies concluded that Aspochalasin M possessed significant efficacy in binding EGFR’s active sites compared to the known standard inhibitor (Erlotinib). Therefore, Aspochalasin M can be used as a possible anticancer drug candidate and further in vitro and in vivo experimental validation of Aspochalasin M of Trichoderma spp. are required to determine its anticancer potential.
Consumer objective and subjective knowledge about healthy foods: An approach to promote healthy lifestyle choices in South Africa
Authors: van der Merwe Daleen , de Beer Hanli , Ellis Susanna , Bester Petra , Marais Frederick , Steyn Adri
Published: January 2024

Unhealthy food choices and consumption, coupled with sedentary lifestyles among consumers, intensify public health concerns regarding the quadruple disease burden, despite Primary Health Care (PHC) policy. However, the current relationship between consumer knowledge about healthy foods and following a healthy lifestyle needs to be explored. Our study, therefore, aimed to determine the association between consumers’ subjective and objective knowledge about healthy foods and various healthy lifestyle choices. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among employed consumers (N = 157) from South African corporate settings. We used structural equation modelling (SEM) to determine associations between subjective and objective knowledge about healthy foods and healthy lifestyle choices. Our findings showed that most participants scored high on making healthy lifestyle choices relating to avoiding smoking (69.5%) and limiting drinking alcohol (68.7%) but less so for food and sleep (44.4%) while neglecting exercise, relaxation (13.7%), and choices that require dedicated effort (25.2%). On average, participants had high levels of subjective (mean = 3.59; 5-point Likert scale) knowledge and objective knowledge about healthy foods (88.4−95.9% correct responses). However, their objective knowledge about weight and cholesterol had severe deficiencies (36.7%). SEM confirmed an association between subjective knowledge and most healthy lifestyle choice categories, while income contributed to dedicated effort lifestyle choices. By contrast, objective knowledge did not associate with such choices. Our structural model suggests that subjective knowledge about healthy foods contributes to healthy lifestyle choices. Therefore, subjective knowledge and the objective knowledge deficiencies we identified among corporate consumers can serve as a valuable starting point for informed education to promote PHC policy and healthy lifestyle choices.
Research on the motivation system and path simulation of collaborative agglomeration of Chinese culture and tourism industries based on system dynamics
Authors: Chi Yihan , Fang Yongheng , Liu Jiamin
Published: January 2024

In the context of industrial integration, the collaborative agglomeration of the cultural and tourism industries is an important way to promote their integrated development and achieve both industrial transformation and upgrading. This article first analyzes the dynamics of the cultural and tourism industries as a collaborative agglomeration. A system dynamics model is then presented which represents the perspective and reveals the mechanics of this partnership between the two industries. Finally, the authors use this model to simulate the path made possible by their collaborative agglomeration. The results show: (1) From the perspective of industrial policy, the promotion and guidance function of industrial policy elements still needs strengthening in the collaborative development of China’s cultural and tourism industries. (2) From the perspective of industrial economy, the promotion function of industrial economic factors still needs improving in the collaborative agglomeration and development of China’s cultural and tourism industries. (3) From the perspective of the joint effect of industrial policy and economy, the collaborative effect of industrial policies and economic factors is more conducive to promoting the collaborative agglomeration development of China’s cultural and tourism industries. The research in this article can provide theoretical support and policy recommendations for promoting coordinated development of China’s cultural and tourism industries and can also provide the experience needed to serve as a reference for the joint development of tourism and culture in other similar regions.
When and how scientists influence technological performance: A moderated mediation model
Authors: Ji Jinxing , Song Jieyu , Liu Na
Published: January 2024

Previous studies have primarily investigated scientists’ direct impact on technological performance. Expanding on this, the study explores the nuanced ways and timing through which scientists influence team-level technological performance. By integrating knowledge-based and network dynamics theories, the study establishes and assesses membership turnover as a significant mediator of the science–technological performance process. Furthermore, it investigates the moderating effects of team internationalization and coreness on the mediation effects. Employing an unbalanced panel dataset from Huawei and Intel from 2000 to 2022, the study applied the Tobit and Negative Binomial models and conducted robustness tests for data analysis. The findings support the indirect influence of scientists within an invention team on the quantity and quality of inventions through membership turnover. Moreover, team internationalization diminishes the relationship between membership turnover and the quantity and quality of inventions, thereby impairing scientists’ indirect effects on technological performance through membership turnover. Team coreness enhances the relationship between membership turnover and the quantity and quality of inventions, strengthening the indirect impact of scientists on these dimensions through membership turnover.
How sudden- versus slow-onset environmental events affect self-identification as an environmental migrant: Evidence from Vietnamese and Kenyan survey data
Authors: Nguyen Quynh , Spilker Gabriele , Koubi Vally , Böhmelt Tobias
Published: January 2024

In response to changing climatic conditions, people are increasingly likely to migrate. However, individual-level survey data reveal that people mainly state economic, social, or political reasons as the main drivers for their relocation decision–not environmental motives or climate change specifically. To shed light on this discrepancy, we distinguish between sudden-onset (e.g., floods and storms) and slow-onset (e.g., droughts and salinity) climatic changes and argue that the salience of environmental conditions in individuals’ migration decisions is shaped by the type of climate event experienced. Empirically, we combine individual-level surveys with geographic information on objective climatic changes in Vietnam and Kenya. The empirical evidence suggests that sudden-onset climate events make individuals more likely to link environmental conditions to their migration decision and, hence, to identify themselves as “environmental migrants.” Regression analyses support these results and are consistent with the view that slow-onset events tend to be linked with migration decisions that are more economically motivated.
Predicting the incidence of mild cognitive impairment with a computer-based cognitive assessment tool in community-dwelling older adults: The Otassha study
Authors: Takahashi Junta , Kawai Hisashi , Ejiri Manami , Fujiwara Yoshinori , Hirano Hirohiko , Sasai Hiroyuki , Obuchi Shuichi
Published: January 2024

This study examined the ability of a computer-based cognitive assessment tool (CompBased-CAT) to predict mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in community-dwelling older adults. A two-year longitudinal study was conducted using data from 2016 to 2018 from the Otassha study cohort of community-dwelling older adults. MCI was defined as a Mini-Mental Status Examination (MMSE) score of <27. The CompBased-CAT was used at baseline, with each subtest score converted into a Z-score. Subsequently, the total Z-scores were calculated. Participants were divided into robust and MCI groups, and all variables were compared using the t-test or χ2 test. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and logistic regression analyses were conducted, with MCI and total Z-scores as dependent and independent variables, respectively. Among the 455 participants (median age, 72 years; range, 65–89 years; 282 women and 173 men), 32 developed MCI after two years. The participants in the MCI group were significantly older. They had lower maximal gait speed, baseline MMSE scores, subtest Z-scores, and total Z-scores than those in the robust group. The area under the ROC curve was 0.79 (95% confidence interval: 0.70–0.87; P <0.01). The sensitivity was 0.76, and the specificity was 0.75. The logistic regression analysis showed an odds ratio of 1.34 (95% confidence interval: 1.18–1.52; P <0.01). This study showed that CompBased-CAT can detect MCI, which is an early stage of dementia. Thus, CompBased-CAT can be used in future community health checkups and events for older adults.
Sperm function is required for suppressing locomotor activity of C. elegans hermaphrodites
Authors: Suo Satoshi
Published: January 2024

Sex differences in sex-shared behavior are common across various species. During mating, males transfer sperm and seminal fluid to females, which can affect female behavior. Sperm can be stored in the female reproductive tract for extended periods of time and used to fertilize eggs. However, the role of either sperm or embryo production in regulating female behavior is poorly understood. In the androdioecious nematode C. elegans, hermaphrodites produce both oocytes and sperm, enabling them to self-fertilize or mate with males. Hermaphrodites exhibit less locomotor activity compared to males, indicating sex difference in behavioral regulation. In this study, mutants defective in the sperm production and function were examined to investigate the role of sperm function in the regulation of locomotor behavior. Infertile hermaphrodites exhibited increased locomotor activity, which was suppressed after mating with fertile males. The results suggest that sperm, seminal fluid, or the presence of embryos are detected by hermaphrodites, leading to a reduction in locomotor activity. Additionally, females of closely related gonochoristic species, C. remanei and C. brenneri, exhibited reduced locomotor activity after mating. The regulation of locomotion by sperm function may be an adaptive mechanism that enables hermaphrodites lacking sperm or embryo to search for mates and allow females to cease their search for mates after mating.
Bodies, beauty, brands: Professional, personal and everyday life online
Authors: Checcaglini Chiara
Published: January 2024

This article focuses on two successful Italian web personalities who work in the beauty industry and embody the overlapping between business and public identity. Clio MakeUp (Clio Zammatteo, @cliomakeup) and Estetista Cinica (Cristina Fogazzi, @estetistacinica) are two professionals whose success and personal histories are similar and different at the same time. Coming from low-to-middle-class backgrounds, they are both ‘self-made-women’ who managed to build two beauty enterprises (a make-up brand of the same name, the former; a skincare and beauty brand, VeraLab, the latter) tightly intertwined to their public personas. In both cases their business’ success is strictly connected to two loyal online communities: Clio Zammatteo built her whole career around her online presence, starting in 2008 as the first successful Italian make-up YouTuber, reaching a large community way before she entered the beauty business with her make-up brand; Cristina Fogazzi worked her way from beautician to businesswoman, and successfully used Instagram to communicate her brand and personal philosophy, conquering a large and engaged community of followers and customers. This article will address Zammatteo’s and Fogazzi’s interconnected personal and professional identities from different perspectives. First, I will explore how they put themselves and their own non-conforming bodies at the centre of a communication strategy that defies conventional beauty standards and constantly connects their social media presence to their brands’ body-positive and non-judgemental approach. Second, I will focus on the habit of sharing their everyday life to reinforce their public personas and their brands. Third, I will analyse how their fashion choices intersect their media presence and the conversation about normative appearance, and how they resonate with their respective communities. Finally, building on the recurring presence of their domestic space on social media, I will investigate how both Zammatteo and Fogazzi negotiated their presence, bodies and personal spaces online during the pandemic.
BORATION OF HUMIC ACIDS OF VARIOUS ORIGIN
Authors: Yarkova Tat `yana Aleksandrovna
Published: January 2024

Humic acids of various origins can be subjected to targeted structural changes. The presence of active functional groups makes it possible to obtain preparations based on these natural compounds containing elements that are initially absent in natural humic acids, for example, borinated. The paper shows the fundamental possibility of obtaining boron-containing humic preparations. It has been established that humic acids of peat and brown coal origin are borated differently: the boron content in modified brown coal preparations is 15–30% higher than in peat preparations, which is consistent with the number of oxygen-containing functional groups. The process of hydrolysis of boron-containing humic preparations has been investigated. The ability of the modified peat humic preparation to increase the mass of the aboveground and root parts of plants by 1.5–2 times, and the brown coal – to increase the number of buds by 2 times compared with peat was revealed.
STRUCTURE AND BIOMEDICAL PROPERTIES OF LIGNINS (REVIEW)
Authors: Karmanov Anatoliy Petrovich , Ermakova Anastasia Vladimirovna , Raskosha Oksana Veniaminovna , Bashlykova Ludmila Anatolievna , Rachkova Natalia Gelievna , Kocheva Ludmila Sergeevna
Published: January 2024

The proposed literature review is in line with current trends in the development of nature-like technologies and is devoted to the analysis of the chemical structure and the search for new ways to use lignins for biomedical applications. Lignins are unique biopolymers of plant origin, the structural organization of which is multivariate and largely depends on the biological species of the plant. Fundamental structural and chemical studies are increasingly clarifying our understanding of the macromolecules structure of this key plant biopolymer, and the study of various taxonomic origins lignins shows to what extent evolution and natural variability have led to a complication of the chemical structure of macromolecules, including through the inclusion of "unconventional" phenolic monomers. This suggests that lignins contain much more structural units than the three monolignol variants described in lignin chemistry textbooks. As a result, as the analysis of the literature data shows, the very definition of lignin continues to expand and refine. Currently, there is a dramatic increase in interest in lignin-based materials, mainly due to their diverse beneficial properties, such as biodegradability, reactivity, biocompatibility, low toxicity and a wide range of biological activity. One of the main objectives of this article is to identify and discuss the mechanisms of biological action of lignins on living organisms to assess the biomedical potential and substantiate the possibility of their use as innovative drugs of antioxidant, radioprotective and geroprotective action. Finding new ways to use lignins is necessary to meet the challenges of maintaining health and improving the quality and duration of people's lives.
ELEMENTAL CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF THE LARIX SIBIRICA NEEDLE IN THE PREDBAIKALIA
Authors: Afanasyeva Larisa Vladimirovna , Kalugina Ol'ga Vladimirovna , Kharpukhaeva Tat'yana Mikhaylovna
Published: January 2024

The content of 31 chemical elements in the Larix sibirica needles growing in the Predbaikalia was determined using the ICP MS. Most of the elements in the needles are characterized by low (N, K, Mg, P, Na, Zn, F, Sc, Sb, Pb, Mo, Be) and medium (Ca, S, Al, Fe, Ti, Cu, Ni, As, Cr, V, Cd, Ce, Y) level of variability. High coefficients of variation (> 36%) were found for Mn, Sr, Co, and Li; their concentration in needles depended on growing conditions (forest type), including the level of mobile forms in the soil. It was shown L. sibirica is characterized by potassium-nitrogen type of mineral nutrition. The sequence of macroelements in the rows of accumulation is constant; the group of ultramicroelements (n×10-6 mg/kg) is characterized by a high mobility. The ratios of physiologically important elements (N/P/K, P/N, K/Ca, K/Mg, K/P, Ca/Mg, Fe/Mn, Cu/Zn, Fe/Zn, Cu/Mo) in the dry matter of needles have been established; the dependence of several ratios on growth conditions was found. The data obtained can serve as a basis for a comparative analysis of the balance of the main nutrients of L. sibirica in other territories.
IN SITU SYNTHESIS AND STUDY OF TWO-PHASE HYBRID HYDROGELS OF β-CYCLODEXTRIN/CELLULOSE BY SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY AND FTIR SPECTROSCOPY
Authors: Kotelnikova Nina Efimovna , Vlasova Elena Nikolaevna , Saprikina Natalia Nikolaevna , Mikhailidi Aleksandra Mikhailovna
Published: January 2024

Two-phase hybrid hydrogels from powder cellulose (PC) and/or microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) and biologically active natural cyclic oligosaccharide β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) were obtained by combining them in the solvent N,N-dimethylacetamide/LiCl and regenerating the hydrogels from the solutions. Cellulose-cyclodextrin hybrid hydrogels were synthesized for the first time without use of cross-agents and/or other gel-promoting components, and without precipitants and anti-solvents under atmospheric conditions. The properties of the composites depended on the type of pristine cellulose and the method of combining the components. Optimally, composite hydrogels were obtained by combining a 1–3 wt.% solution of PC in DMAA/LiCl followed by the addition of β-CD powder to the solution. The water-retention capacity of MCC/β-CD hydrogel was 48.8 g g-1, that of deciduous and flax PC/β-CD hydrogels 62.9 and 55.5 g g-1 respectively. The morphology of the hybrid gels was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and the functional content was determined by Fourier transform IR spectroscopy. It was shown that the hydrogels seem to be two-phase interpenetrating systems that interact at the interface. Both phases coexist as a monolithic agglomerate stabilized additionally by hydrogen bonds. Each phase has an individual shape and morphological structure. The results allow the use of cellulose-containing materials, including waste materials, in the elaboration of new hybrid materials to be predicted.
ISOLATION OF BIOLOGICALLY ACTIVE SUBSTANCES OF PHENOLIC NATURE FROM THE LICHEN HYPOGYMNIA PHYSODES
Authors: Brovko Ol'ga Stepanovna , Sloboda Anatoliy Anatol'yevich , Zhil'tsov Dmitriy Vladimirovich , Boytsova Tat'yana Aleksandrovna , Pustynnaya Mariya Andreyevna , Ivakhnov Artem Dmitriyevich
Published: January 2024

A comparative analysis of the efficiency of extraction of phenolic compounds (low molecular weight phenols, flavonoids, atranorin) from the lichen thallus of the species Hypogymnia physodes using various extraction methods was carried out: maceration, exhaustive extraction in a Soxhlet apparatus, extraction under the action of a microwave field, and supercritical fluid extraction. It has been established that during extraction in the Soxhlet apparatus, among the studied extractants (ethanol, acetone, chloroform, water), ethanol allows extracting the largest amount of low molecular weight phenols and flavonoids from the lichen thallus: up to 8.4% of the absolutely dry weight of the lichen, while the highest degree of extraction atranorine is achieved by extraction with acetone: up to 4.1% of the absolutely dry weight of the lichen. The method of maceration with 96% ethanol makes it possible to extract up to 3.8% of phenolic compounds from the absolutely dry mass of lichen, while it was found that the optimal duration of the process for the isolation of low molecular weight phenols and atranorine is 60 minutes, and for flavonoids - 120 minutes. It has been shown that the use of microwave treatment during maceration with 96% ethanol does not lead to an increase in the yield of phenolic compounds, which is commensurate with that during maceration without additional treatment. It has been established that during supercritical fluid extraction, there is a high selectivity to the group of compounds of a phenolic nature: their content in the extract reaches 90.8% of the total yield of dry substances, but their yield only slightly increases (up to 8.9% of the absolutely dry mass of lichen) in compared with Soxhlet extraction.
Efficacy and Safety of Upadacitinib in the Treatment of Chronic Pouchitis, Cuffitis, and Crohn's Disease of the Pouch
Authors: Lan Nan , Shen Bo
Published: January 2024

Upadacitinib has shown efficacy in the treatment of moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease (CD). The use of upadacitinib in the treatment of chronic antibiotics-refractory pouchitis (CARP), as well as CD of the pouch, has not been previously reported. We treated a series of 6 patients with CARP or CD of the pouch with a minimal 6 weeks of upadacitinib. The patients showed minimal or no significant improvement in clinical and endoscopic presentations. Our findings warrant further study to validate the efficacy and safety of upadacitinib in the treatment of CARP or CD of the pouch.
Polonia Restituta – w dziewięćdziesiątą rocznicę
Authors: Grodziski Stanisław
Published: January 2024

The 90-year period that has passed since Poland regained independence after partitions has not as yet been fully accounted for and objectively evaluated. The whole period may be divided in three clearly cut epochs:

I. The Second Republic of Poland (1918-1945),II. The Polish People's Republic (1944-1989), III. The Third Republic of Poland (1989 onwards).

In the Polish historiography each of the three epochs has been described and assessed. However, there remain certain issues that must be handled and explained, the objective truth must be recognised, and all facts brought to light. Only when that is done, Polonia Restituta will finally enjoy a full and complete account of its then unabridged history.
Back matter
Authors: CPH 61(1)
Published: January 2024

Odezwa zjazdowa ... 529Komunikaty organizacyjne ... 531
Continuous CM-regularity and generic vanishing
Authors: Raychaudhury Debaditya
Published: January 2024

We study the continuous CM-regularity of torsion-free coherent sheaves on polarized irregular smooth projective varieties (X, O
X
(1)), and its relation with the theory of generic vanishing. This continuous variant of the Castelnuovo–Mumford regularity was introduced by Mustopa, and he raised the question whether a continuously 1-regular such sheaf F is GV.

Here we answer the question in the affirmative for many pairs (X, O
X
(1)) which includes the case of any polarized abelian variety. Moreover, for these pairs, we show that if F is continuously k-regular for some positive integer k ≤ dim X, then F is a GV−(k−1) sheaf. Further, we extend the notion of continuous CM-regularity to a real valued function on the ℚ-twisted bundles on polarized abelian varieties (X, O
X
(1)), and we show that this function can be extended to a continuous function on N
1(X)ℝ. We also provide syzygetic consequences of our results for Oℙ(E)(1) on ℙ(ɛ) associated to a 0-regular bundle ɛ on polarized abelian varieties.

In particular, we show that Oℙ(E)(1) satisfies the Np
property if the base-point freeness threshold of the class of O
X
(1) in N
1(X) is less than 1/(p + 2). This result is obtained using a theorem in the Appendix A written by Atsushi Ito.
Duality related with key varieties of ℚ-Fano threefolds constructed from projective bundles
Authors: Takagi Hiromichi
Published: January 2024

In our previous paper [31], we show that all primeℚ-Fano 3-folds X with only 1/2(1, 1, 1)-singularities in certain 5 classes can be embedded as linear sections into bigger dimensionalℚ-Fano varieties called key varieties; each key variety is constructed from data of the Sarkisov link starting from the blow-up at one 1/2(1, 1, 1)-singularity of X. In this paper, we introduce varieties associated with the key varieties which are dual in a certain sense. As an application, we interpret a fundamental part of the Sarkisov link for each X as a linear section of the dual variety. In a natural context describing the variety dual to the key variety of X of genus 5 with one 1/2(1, 1, 1)-singularity, we also characterize a general canonical curve of genus 9 with a

g

7

2

.

$g_{7}^{2}.$
A note on polarized varieties with high nef value
Authors: Liu Zhining
Published: January 2024

We study the classification problem for polarized varieties with high nef value. We give a complete list of isomorphism classes for normal polarized varieties with high nef value. This generalizes classical work on the smooth case by Fujita, Beltrametti and Sommese. As a consequence we obtain that polarized varieties with slc singularities and high nef value are birationally equivalent to projective bundles over nodal curves.