bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Morality of Belief II: Three Challenges and An Extension
Authors: Basu Rima
Published: June 2023

In this paper I explore three challenges to the morality of belief. First, whether we have the necessary control over our beliefs to be held responsible for them, i.e., the challenge of doxastic involuntarism. Second, the question of whether belief is really the attitude that we care about in the cases used to motivate the morality of belief. Third, whether attitudes weaker than belief, such as credence, can wrong, I then end by turning to how answers to the previous challenges suggest a way of extending the morality of belief to encompass a way of thinking of the moral mind more generally.
Associations between combinations of 24‐h movement behaviors and physical fitness among Chinese adolescents: Sex and age disparities
Authors: Cai Shan , Zhong Panliang , Dang Jiajia , Liu Yunfei , Shi Di , Chen Ziyue , Zhang Yihang , Hu Peijin , Ma Jun , Dong Yanhui , Song Yi
Published: June 2023

Objective

To analyze the relationship between 24‐h movement behaviors and adolescents' physical fitness, with sex difference and age disparity explored specifically.

Methods

A total of 135 852 Chinese adolescents aged 13–22 years were included in this cross‐sectional study. Self‐reported 24‐h movement behavioral times, including moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA), recreational screen, and sleep, were identified as meeting guidelines based on Canadian recommendations. Physical fitness indicator (PFI) was calculated through sex‐ and age‐specific z scores of body mass index, forced vital capacity, 50 m dash, sit‐and‐reach, standing long jump, body muscle strength, and endurance running, and then classified as: low level (<20th), middle level (20th–80th), and high level (>80th). Mixed effect logistic regression was applied to analyze the association, and interaction terms were constructed to prove the sex and age disparities.

Results

Only 12.4% of adolescents aged 13–22 years met all three recommendations. The number of meeting guidelines exhibited a typical dose–response relationship with high level PFI (OR = 1.22 [95% CI: 1.19–1.25]), and in detail, meeting MVPA + recreational screen (OR = 2.29 [95% CI: 2.09–2.51]) or MVPA‐only (OR = 2.16 [95% CI: 1.93–2.41]) guidelines were better associated with high‐level PFI. Besides, meeting MVPA‐only guideline was proved with stronger association with high‐level PFI for boys (p‐interaction = 0.005). The dose–response relationship in boys of the number of guidelines met with PFI was stronger in 19‐ to 22‐year‐olds (p‐interaction <0.001) and 16‐ to 18‐year‐olds (p‐interaction = 0.001) than that in 13‐ to 15‐year‐olds.

Conclusion

The prevalence of meeting 24‐h movement behaviors guidelines among Chinese adolescents aged 13–22 years was relatively low. It was associated with adolescents' physical fitness, with meeting MVPA + recreational screen or MVPA‐only guidelines bringing greater benefits, and sex difference and age disparity existing.
Hsa_circ_0005085 may suppress cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma growth and metastasis through targeting the miR‐186‐5p/LAMC1 axis
Authors: Wang Lipeng , Liu Yuxin , Gao Qiong , Hu Rongying
Published: June 2023

Background

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) is a severe malignancy derived from the skin. Mounting evidence suggests that circular RNAs (circRNAs) participate in diverse biological functions in human cancers, containing CSCC. However, the biological functions and underlying mechanism of hsa_circ_0005085 in CSCC have not been clearly studied.

Methods

Expression levels of hsa_circ_0005085, microRNA‐186‐5p (miR‐186‐5p), and Laminin subunit gamma 1 (LAMC1) were detected by reverse transcription‐quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Cell counting kit‐8 assay, colony formation assay, and 5‐Ethynyl‐2′‐deoxyuridine assay were used to assess cell proliferation. Transwell assay was conducted to detect cell migration and invasion. Cell apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry. Protein expression of LAMC1, E‐cadherin, Snail, and slug were assessed using western blot assay. Using bioinformatics software, the binding between miR‐186‐5p and hsa_circ_0005085 or LAMC1 was predicted, followed by verification using a dual‐luciferase reporter and RNA‐Immunoprecipitation. The mouse xenograft model was established to investigate the role of hsa_circ_0005085 in vivo.

Results

Hsa_circ_0005085 level was downregulated in CSCC tissues and cells. Overexpression of hsa_circ_0005085 inhibited cell proliferation, migration, invasion, epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT), and promoted cell apoptosis in CSCC. MiR‐186‐5p could restore the effect of hsa_circ_0005085 overexpression on CSCC cells, and the knockdown of LAMC1 reversed the regulation of the miR‐186‐5p inhibitor. In mechanism, hsa_circ_0005085 served as a sponge for miR‐186‐5p to regulate LAMC1 expression. Overexpression of hsa_circ_0005085 reduced growth of tumor via miR‐186‐5p/LAMC1 axis in vivo.

Conclusion

In our study, hsa_circ_0005085 might inhibit CSCC development by targeting the miR‐186‐5p/LAMC1 axis, which might provide a promising therapeutic target for CSCC.
Spectral properties of substitutions on compact alphabets
Authors: Mañibo Neil , Rust Dan , Walton James J.
Published: June 2023

We consider substitutions on compact alphabets and provide sufficient conditions for the diffraction to be pure point, absolutely continuous and singular continuous. This allows one to construct examples for which the Koopman operator on the associated function space has specific spectral components. For abelian bijective substitutions, we provide a dichotomy result regarding the spectral type of the diffraction. We also provide the first example of a substitution that has countably infinite Lebesgue spectral components and countably infinite singular continuous components. Lastly, we give a non‐constant length substitution on a countably infinite alphabet that gives rise to substitutive Delone sets of infinite type. This extends the spectral theory of substitutions on finite alphabets and Delone sets of finite type with inflation symmetry.
The Symptoms Experienced by Naturally Menstruating Women and Oral Contraceptive Pill Users and Their Perceived Effects on Exercise Performance and Recovery Time Posttraining
Authors: McNulty Kelly L. , Ansdell Paul , Goodall Stuart , Thomas Kevin , Elliott-Sale Kirsty J. , Howatson Glyn , Hicks Kirsty M.
Published: June 2023

This study examined the type, frequency, and severity of symptoms experienced by naturally menstruating women and combined, monophasic, oral contraceptive pill users and their perceived effects on exercise performance and recovery time posttraining. Forty-two recreationally active women; 21 naturally menstruating and 21 combined, monophasic, oral contraceptive pill users participated in the study. Data were collected using two approaches: (a) an online 54-part retrospective survey and (b) a daily questionnaire. “Total number of symptoms,” “symptom index score,” “average symptom severity,” and “symptom index × severity score” were calculated from the retrospective data set. Real-time symptom data (i.e., “symptom frequency per phase” and “phase symptom frequency × severity score”) were calculated across predefined cycle phases from the daily questionnaire. The retrospective survey showed that symptoms were commonly reported by recreationally active women, but there were no differences in symptomology between the groups (p > .113). The daily questionnaire showed both groups experienced a greater frequency and severity of symptoms while bleeding (p ≤ .001), which was associated with perceived reductions in exercise performance (odds ratio = 1.04–1.07) and a perceived longer recovery time posttraining (odds ratio = 1.03–1.04). The results from this study show that cycle-related symptoms were commonly reported by a group of recreationally active women, with no difference in symptomology between naturally menstruating women and combined, monophasic, oral contraceptive pill users. The magnitude of symptoms was greater while bleeding, which was associated with a perceived reduction in exercise performance and a longer recovery time posttraining.
OprF Impacts Pseudomonas aeruginosa Biofilm Matrix eDNA Levels in a Nutrient-Dependent Manner
Authors: Cassin Erin K. , Araujo-Hernandez Sophia A. , Baughn Dena S. , Londono Melissa C. , Rodriguez Daniela Q. , Al-Otaibi Natalie S. , Picard Aude , Bergeron Julien R. C. , Tseng Boo Shan
Published: June 2023

Many pathogens form biofilms, which are bacterial communities encased in an extracellular matrix that protects them against antibacterial treatments. The roles of several matrix components of the opportunistic pathogen
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
have been characterized.
Characterization of the Attachment of Three New Coliphages onto the Ferrichrome Transporter FhuA
Authors: Lewis Jessica M. , Janda Kathryn E. , Kotter David B. , Grose Julianne H. , McCleary William R.
Published: June 2023

Phage attachment is the first step of phage infection and plays a role in governing host specificity. Characterizing the interactions taking place between phage tail fibers and bacterial receptors that better equip bacteria to survive within the human body may provide insights to aid the development of phage therapeutics.
Coregulation of extracellular vesicle production and fluconazole susceptibility in
Cryptococcus neoformans
Authors: Rizzo Juliana , Trottier Adèle , Moyrand Frédérique , Coppée Jean-Yves , Maufrais Corinne , Zimbres Ana Claudia G. , Dang Thi Tuong Vi , Alanio Alexandre , Desnos-Ollivier Marie , Mouyna Isabelle , Péhau-Arnaude Gérard , Commere Pierre-Henri , Novault Sophie , Ene Iuliana V. , Nimrichter Leonardo , Rodrigues Marcio L. , Janbon Guilhem
Published: June 2023

Resistance to fluconazole (FLC), the most widely used antifungal drug, is typically achieved by altering the azole drug target and/or drug efflux pumps. Recent reports have suggested a link between vesicular trafficking and antifungal resistance. Here, we identified novel
Cryptococcus neoformans
regulators of extracellular vesicle (EV) biogenesis that impact FLC resistance. In particular, the transcription factor Hap2 does not affect the expression of the drug target or efflux pumps, yet it impacts the cellular sterol profile. Subinhibitory FLC concentrations also downregulate EV production. Moreover,
in vitro
spontaneous FLC-resistant colonies showed altered EV production, and the acquisition of FLC resistance was associated with decreased EV production in clinical isolates. Finally, the reversion of FLC resistance was associated with increased EV production. These data suggest a model in which fungal cells can regulate EV production in place of regulating the drug target gene expression as a first line of defense against antifungal assault in this fungal pathogen.

IMPORTANCE

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are membrane-enveloped particles that are released by cells into the extracellular space. Fungal EVs can mediate community interactions and biofilm formation, but their functions remain poorly understood. Here, we report the identification of the first regulators of EV production in the major fungal pathogen
Cryptococcus neoformans
. Surprisingly, we uncover a novel role of EVs in modulating antifungal drug resistance. Disruption of EV production was associated with altered lipid composition and changes in fluconazole susceptibility. Spontaneous azole-resistant mutants were deficient in EV production, while loss of resistance restored initial EV production levels. These findings were recapitulated in
C. neoformans
clinical isolates, indicating that azole resistance and EV production are coregulated in diverse strains. Our study reveals a new mechanism of drug resistance in which cells adapt to azole stress by modulating EV production.
A
Vibrio
T6SS-Mediated Lethality in an Aquatic Animal Model
Authors: Cohen Hadar , Fridman Chaya M. , Gerlic Motti , Salomon Dor
Published: June 2023

The rise in sea surface temperature has been linked to the spread of bacteria belonging to the genus
Vibrio
and the human illnesses associated with them. Since vibrios often share virulence traits horizontally, a better understanding of their virulence potential and determinants can prepare us for new emerging pathogens.
Global Map of Specialized Metabolites Encoded in Prokaryotic Plasmids
Authors: Saati-Santamaría Zaki
Published: June 2023

Plasmids are mobile DNA elements that can be shared among microbial cells, and they are useful for bringing to fruition some microbial ecological traits. However, it is not known to what extent plasmids harbor genes related to the production of specialized/secondary metabolites (SMs).
Widespread Detection of Yersiniabactin Gene Cluster and Its Encoding Integrative Conjugative Elements (ICE
Kp
) among Nonoutbreak OXA-48-Producing
Klebsiella pneumoniae
Clinical Isolates from Spain and the Netherlands
Authors: Jati Afif P. , Sola-Campoy Pedro J. , Bosch Thijs , Schouls Leo M. , Hendrickx Antoni P. A. , Bautista Verónica , Lara Noelia , Raangs Erwin , Aracil Belén , Rossen John W. A. , Friedrich Alex W. , Navarro Riaza Ana M. , Cañada-García Javier E. , Ramírez de Arellano Eva , Oteo-Iglesias Jesús , Pérez-Vázquez María , García-Cobos Silvia ,   The Dutch and Spanish Collaborative Working Groups on Surveillance on Carbapenemase-Producing Enterobacterales, Maijer-Reuwer A. , Hall M. A. Leversteijn-van , van den Bijllaardt W. , van Mansfeld R. , van Dijk K. , Zwart B. , Diederen B. M. W. , Dorigo-Zetsma J. W. , Notermans D. W. , Ott A. , Ang W. , da Silvia J. , Vlek A. L. M. , Buiting A. G. M. , Bode L. , Paltansing S. , van Griethuysen A. J. , Reijer M. den , van Trijp M. J. C. A. , Wong M. , Muller A. E. , van der Linden M. P. M. , van Rijn M. , Debast S. B. , Waar K. , Kolwijck E. , Alnaiemi N. , Schulin T. , Dinant S. , van Mens S. P. , Melles D. C. , Stuart J. W. T. Cohen , van Ogtrop M. L. , Overdevest I. T. M. A. , van Dam A. , Maat I. , Maraha B. , Sinnige J. C. , Mattsson E. E. , van Meer M. , Stam A. , de Jong E. , Vainio S.J. , Heikens E. , Steingrover R. , Troelstra A. , Bathoorn E. , Trienekens T. A. M. , van Dam D. W. , de Brauwer E. I. G. B. , Bou Germán , Hernández Juan Manuel , Sánchez Ana María Fernández , Fleites Ana María , Rodríguez-Lucas Carlos , García-López María Victoria , Orellana María Ángeles , Martí-Sala Carmina , Pulido Ma Angeles , Armas Mayuli , Cercenado Emilia , González-Praetorius Alejandro , Solís Sonia , Sánchez-Romero María Isabel , Cantón Rafael , Ruiz-Garbajosa Patricia , Lorente Luis López-Urrutia , de la Iglesia Pedro , Iglesias Beatriz , Ruiz-Carrascoso Guillermo , Moreno Mar Olga Pérez , Bartolomé Rosa , González-López Juan José , Conejo Carmen , Pascual Álvaro , Rodríguez-Polo José Antonio
Published: June 2023

Convergence of multidrug resistance and hypervirulence in
Klebsiella pneumoniae
isolates has been reported mostly related to sporadic cases or small outbreaks. Nevertheless, little is known about the real prevalence of carbapenem-resistant hypervirulent
K. pneumoniae
since these two phenomena are often separately studied.
Elastic Neutrino–Atom Scattering as a Probe of Neutrino Millicharge and Magnetic Moment
Authors: Donchenko G. V. , Kouzakov K. A. , Studenikin A. I.
Published: June 2023

Neutrino scattering on a target at low-energy transfer is one of the basic tools for searching for neutrino electromagnetic properties. We consider the effects of the neutrino millicharge and magnetic moment on the atomic recoil spectrum in elastic neutrino–atom scattering. The results of our calculations of differential cross sections for elastic collisions of tritium neutrinos with the H,2H,3He, and4He atomic targets show that the corresponding experiments can achieve sensitivity to the indicated neutrino electromagnetic characteristics by orders of magnitude better than the available measurements of elastic neutrino–electron and neutrino–nucleus collisions.
Analysis of peer reviewers’ response to invitations by gender and geographical region: cohort study of manuscripts reviewed at 21 biomedical journals before and during covid-19 pandemic
Authors: Ben Messaoud Khaoula , Schroter Sara , Richards Mark , Gayet-Ageron Angèle
Published: June 2023

Objectives

To describe gender and geographical inequalities in invitations to review and the response to these invitations and to assess whether inequalities increased during the covid-19 pandemic.

Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting

19 specialist medical journals and two large general medical journals from BMJ Publishing Group.

Population

Reviewers invited to review manuscripts submitted between 1 January 2018 and 31 May 2021. The cohort was followed up to 28 February 2022.

Main outcome measures

Reviewer’s agreement to review.

Results

A total of 180 092 reviewers were invited (39.0% (70 203/180 092) women), and 67 019 (37.2%) agreed to review. Invited reviewers were mainly (168 291; 93.5%) affiliated with high income countries: Europe (95 616; 53.1%), North America (51 923; 28.8%), Asia (14 240; 7.9%), Oceania (12 678; 7.0%), Africa (3224; 1.8%) and South America (2411; 1.3%). Independent factors associated with agreement to review were gender (odds ratio 0.92, 95% confidence interval 0.89 to 0.95, for women compared with men), geographical affiliation (3.66, 3.29 to 4.08, for Africa; 2.87, 2.72 to 3.04, for Asia; 3.36, 2.98 to 3.79 for South America; 1.05, 1.01 to 1.09, for North America; and 1.34, 1.27 to 1.43, for Oceania compared with Europe), and country income (3.34, 3.09 to 3.60, for upper middle income; 5.22, 4.76 to 5.73, for lower middle income; and 4.76, 3.86 to 5.87, for low income compared with high income country). Agreement was also independently associated with editor’s gender (0.96, 0.93 to 0.99, for women compared with men) and editor’s geographical affiliation (1.16, 1.03 to 1.30, for Oceania compared with Europe), last author’s geographical affiliation (0.82, 0.77 to 0.88, for Africa; 0.80, 0.77 to 0.83 for Asia; 0.95, 0.91 to 0.98, for North America; and 0.89, 0.84 to 0.94 for Oceania compared with Europe), impact factor (1.64, 1.15 to 2.42, for >10 compared with <5), and type of peer review process (0.44, 0.29 to 0.69, for open compared with anonymised). During the first and second phases of the pandemic, agreement was lower than in the pre-pandemic period (P<0.001). The interaction between time periods and covid-19 related topic and reviewer’s gender was non-significant. However, significant interaction was found between time periods and covid-19 related topic and reviewer’s geographical affiliation.

Conclusions

To reduce bias and improve diversity, editors need to identify and implement effective strategies and continually evaluate progress against these to ensure that more women and researchers from upper middle income and low income countries are involved in review.
Cardiorenal protective effects of canagliflozin in CREDENCE according to glucose lowering
Authors: Charytan David M , Mahaffey Kenneth W , Jardine Meg J , Cannon Christopher P , Neal Bruce , Lambers Heerspink Hiddo J , Agarwal Rajiv , Bakris George L , de Zeeuw Dick , Levin Adeera , Pollock Carol , Zhang Hong , Zinman Bernard , Rosenthal Norman , Perkovic Vlado , Di Tanna Gian Luca , Yu Jie , Rogers Kris , Arnott Clare , Wheeler David C
Published: June 2023

Introduction

Relationships between glycemic-lowering effects of sodium glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors and impact on kidney and cardiovascular outcomes are uncertain.

Research design and methods

We analyzed 4395 individuals with prebaseline and postbaseline hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) randomized to canagliflozin (n=2193) or placebo (n=2202) in The Canagliflozin and Renal Events in Diabetes with Established Nephropathy Clinical Evaluation trial. Effects on HbA1c were assessed using mixed models. Mediation of treatment effects by achieved glycemic control was analyzed using proportional hazards regression with and without adjustment for achieved HbA1c. End points included combined kidney or cardiovascular death, end-stage kidney disease or doubling of serum creatinine (primary trial outcome), and individual end point components.

Results

HbA1c lowering was modified by baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). For baseline eGFR 60–90, 45–59, and 30–44 mL/min/1.73 m2, overall HbA1c (canagliflozin vs placebo) decreased by −0.24%, −0.14%, and −0.08% respectively and likelihood of >0.5% decrease in HbA1c decreased with ORs of 1.47 (95% CI 1.27 to 1.67), 1.12 (0.94 to 1.33) and 0.99 (0.83 to 1.18), respectively. Adjustment for postbaseline HbA1c marginally attenuated canagliflozin effects on primary and kidney composite outcomes: unadjusted HR 0.67 (95% CI 0.57 to 0.80) and 0.66 (95% CI 0.53 to 0.81); adjusted for week 13 HbA1c, HR 0.71 (95% CI 0.060 to 0.84) and 0.68 (95% CI 0.55 to 0.83). Results adjusted for time-varying HbA1c or HbA1c as a cubic spline were similar and consistent with preserved clinical benefits across a range of excellent and poor glycemic control.

Conclusions

The glycemic effects of canagliflozin are attenuated at lower eGFR but effects on kidney and cardiac end points are preserved. Non-glycemic effects may be primarily responsible for the kidney and cardioprotective benefits of canagliflozin.22
Interventions to improve migrants’ access to sexual and reproductive health services: a scoping review
Authors: Bouaddi Oumnia , Zbiri Saad , Belrhiti Zakaria
Published: June 2023

Introduction

Migrants’ access to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services is constrained by several individual, organisational and structural barriers. To address these barriers, many interventions have been developed and implemented worldwide to facilitate the access and utilisation of SRH services for migrant populations. The aim of this scoping review was to identify the characteristics and scope of interventions, their underlying theory of change, reported outcomes and key enablers and challenges to improve access to SRH services for migrants.

Methods

A scoping review was conducted according to the Arksey and O’Malley (2005) guidelines. We searched three electronic databases (MEDLINE, Scopus and Google Scholar) and carried out additional searches using manual searching and citations tracking of empirical studies addressing interventions aimed at improving access and utilisation of SRH services for migrant populations published in Arabic, French or English between 4 September 1997 and 31 December 2022.

Results

We screened a total of 4267 papers, and 47 papers met our inclusion criteria. We identified different forms of interventions: comprehensive (multiple individual, organisational and structural components) and focused interventions addressing specific individual attributes (knowledge, attitude, perceptions and behaviours). Comprehensive interventions also address structural and organisational barriers (ie, the ability to pay). The results suggest that coconstruction of interventions enables the building of contextual sensitive educational contents and improved communication and self-empowerment as well as self-efficacy of migrant populations, and thus improved access to SRH.

Conclusion

More attention needs to be placed on participative approaches in developing interventions for migrants to improve access to SRH services.
Impact of primary care usual provider type and provider interdependence on outcomes for patients with diabetes: a cohort study
Authors: Everett Christine , Christy Jacob , Batchelder Heather , Morgan Perri A , Docherty Sharron , Smith Valerie A , Anderson John B , Viera Anthony , Jackson George L
Published: June 2023

Background

Interprofessional primary care (PC) teams are key to the provision of high-quality care. PC providers often ‘share’ patients (eg, a patient may see multiple providers in the same clinic), resulting in between-visit interdependence between providers. However, concern remains that PC provider interdependence will reduce quality of care, causing some organisations to hesitate in creating multiple provider teams. If PC provider teams are formalised, the PC usual provider of care (UPC) type (physician, nurse practitioner (NP) or physician assistant/associate (PA)) should be determined for patients with varying levels of medical complexity.

Objective

To evaluate the impact of PC provider interdependence, UPC type and patient complexity on diabetes-specific outcomes for adult patients with diabetes.

Design

Cohort study using electronic health record data from 26 PC practices in central North Carolina, USA.

Participants

Adult patients with diabetes (N=10 498) who received PC in 2016 and 2017.

Outcome

Testing for diabetes control, testing for lipid levels, mean glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) values and mean low-density lipoprotein (LDL) values in 2017.

Results

Receipt of guideline recommended testing was high (72% for HbA1c and 66% for LDL testing), HbA1c values were 7.5% and LDL values were 88.5 mg/dL. When controlling for a range of patient and panel level variables, increases in PC provider interdependence were not significantly associated with diabetes-specific outcomes. Similarly, there were no significant differences in the diabetes outcomes for patients with NP/PA UPCs when compared with physicians. The number and type of a patient’s chronic conditions did impact the receipt of testing, but not average values for HbA1c and LDL.

Conclusions

A range of UPC types on PC multiple provider teams can deliver guideline-recommended diabetes care. However, the number and type of a patient’s chronic conditions alone impacted the receipt of testing, but not average values for HbA1c and LDL.
End-of-life experiences in the dying process: scoping and mixed-methods systematic review
Authors: Silva Taís Oliveira , Ribeiro Henrique Gonçalves , Moreira-Almeida Alexander
Published: June 2023

Objectives

To identify the current state of understanding about end-of-life experiences (ELEs) and examine evidence concerning prevalence, the impact on the process of dying and the perceptions/explanations of patients, relatives and healthcare professionals (HCPs) with regard to ELEs.

Methods

Scoping review and mixed-methods systematic review (ScR and MMSR). Nine academic databases were searched for a screening of the available scientific literature (ScR). Articles reporting qualitative, quantitative or mixed-methods studies were selected (MMSR), the quality of which was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) standardised critical appraisal tools. The quantitative data were synthesised in narrative form while a meta-aggregation approach was adopted for the qualitative results.

Results

The ScR identified 115 reports, with 70.4% published after 2010, 55.6% from the USA and the most common terminology for ELE was deathbed visions (29%). The MMSR included 36 papers, describing 35 studies in various settings. The combination of quantitative and qualitative evidence indicated a greater prevalence of ELEs in samples of patients and HCPs compared with relatives. The most common ELEs were visions and dreams of the presence of deceased relatives/friends with references to making ready for a journey. The impact of ELEs was mainly positive, and there was a tendency to interpret them as spiritual experiences inherent to the process of dying.

Conclusions

ELEs are often reported by patients, relatives and HCPs and have a significant, generally positive impact on the process of dying. Guidelines for the furtherance of studies and clinical applications are discussed.
Atherosclerosis-related biomarker PABPC1 predicts pan-cancer events
Authors: Lin Miao , Hu Liubing , Shen Si , Liu Jiyue , Liu Yanyan , Xu Yixian , Chen Honglin , Sugimoto Kazuo , Li Jianshuang , Kamitsukasa Ikuo , Hiwasa Takaki , Wang Hao , Xu Anding
Published: June 2023

Background

Atherosclerosis (AS) and tumours are the leading causes of death worldwide and share common risk factors, detection methods and molecular markers. Therefore, searching for serum markers shared by AS and tumours is beneficial to the early diagnosis of patients.

Methods

The sera of 23 patients with AS-related transient ischaemic attack were screened by serological identification of antigens through recombinant cDNA expression cloning (SEREX), and cDNA clones were identified. Pathway function enrichment analysis was performed on cDNA clones to identify their biological pathways and determine whether they were related to AS or tumours. Subsequently, gene–gene and protein–protein interactions were performed and AS-associated markers would be discovered. The expression of AS biomarkers in human normal organs and pan-cancer tumour tissues were explored. Then, immune infiltration level and tumour mutation burden of various immune cells were evaluated. Survival curves analysis could show the expression of AS markers in pan-cancer.

Results

AS-related sera were screened by SEREX, and 83 cDNA clones with high homology were obtained. Through functional enrichment analysis, it was found that their functions were closely related to AS and tumour functions. After multiple biological information interaction screening and the external cohort validating, poly(A) binding protein cytoplasmic 1 (PABPC1) was found to be a potential AS biomarker. To assess whether PABPC1 was related to pan-cancer, its expression in different tumour pathological stages and ages was screened. Since AS-associated proteins were closely related to cancer immune infiltration, we investigated and found that PABPC1 had the same role in pan-cancer. Finally, analysis of Kaplan-Meier survival curves revealed that high PABPC1 expression in pan-cancer was associated with high risk of death.

Conclusions

Through the findings of SEREX and bioinformatics pan-cancer analysis, we concluded that PABPC1 might serve as a potential biomarker for the prediction and diagnosis of AS and pan-cancer.
Acute effect of a beverage containing Brazil and cashew nuts on oxidative stress, lipemia, and blood pressure of women with cardiometabolic risk (Brazilian Nuts Study): a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Bonifácio Dandara Baia , Caldas Ana Paula Silva , Costa Mirian Aparecida de Campos , Rocha Daniela Mayumi Usuda Prado , Hermsdorff Helen Hermana Miranda , Bressan Josefina
Published: June 2023

Nuts are important sources of antioxidants that combat oxidative stress and improve lipid profile as well as vascular function. However, the intake of typical Brazilian nuts and its acute effect on cardiovascular health needs to be better understood. Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate the acute effect of a beverage containing cashew ( Anacardium occidentale L.) and Brazil nuts ( Bertholletia excelsa H.B.K.) on postprandial oxidative stress, lipemia, and blood pressure of adult women aged 20 to 55 years with cardiometabolic risk. This was an acute, randomized, parallel arm, controlled clinical trial. The participants received either a beverage containing nuts (30 g Brazil nuts + 15 g cashew nuts) or a beverage without nuts with similar macronutrient composition. Oxidative stress markers and lipid profiles were evaluated at fasting and 4 h after beverage consumption. Blood pressure was measured during fasting and after beverage intake (1, 2, 3, and 4 h). In the postprandial state, there was a greater reduction in malondialdehyde levels in the intervention group compared to the control group (−12.3 ± 0.59 vs. −10.7 ± 0.43 µmol/mL; p < 0.05), which was positively correlated with the concentrations of TG ( r = 0.399; p < 0.05), VLDL ( r = 0.399; p < 0.05), TG/HDL ( r = 0.380; p < 0.05), and blood pressure (iAUC SBP r = 0.391; p < 0.05, iAUC DBP r = 0.409; p < 0.05). The remaining oxidative stress markers showed similar postprandial changes between groups. In women with cardiometabolic risk, a beverage containing Brazilian nuts promoted a significant acute reduction on postprandial malondialdehyde levels.

The study was registered in the Brazilian Clinical Trials Registry—ReBEC (protocol: RBR-3ntxrm).
Effect of variable confining pressure on the long-term cyclic behaviour of calcareous sand: experimental observation and microstructural interpretation
Authors: He Shao-Heng , Ding Zhi , Goudarzy Meisam , Sun Yifei , Yin Zhen-Yu
Published: June 2023

Subgrade soils are exposed to simultaneous cyclic deviatoric stress and variable confining pressure (VCP) caused by traffic loading. However, the effect of VCP on cyclic behaviour is still debated and no attempt was made to investigate its effect on calcareous sand. In this study, high-cyclic triaxial tests with a wide range of mean effective stress, cyclic stress ratio ( ζ), and VCP amplitude were conducted to understand the effect VCP on the long-term cyclic behaviour of calcareous sand. The results demonstrate that VCP has a considerable effect on the accumulated axial strain ([Formula: see text]) and shakedown behaviour of calcareous sand, both of which depend greatly on the stress levels. At a low ζ, the effect of VCP on the [Formula: see text] and plastic shakedown behaviour is insignificant, where the application of VCP tends to slightly promote the [Formula: see text]. However, at a high ζ, [Formula: see text] decreases significantly with an increase in the VCP amplitude. For different ζ, the damping ratio increases and resilient modulus decreases significantly as VCP amplitude increases. Moreover, microscopic observations of pore size distribution were obtained through nuclear magnetic resonance tests, and were analysed to discover the microstructural mechanism highlighting how VCP affects cyclic behaviour.
Stability of layered soil slope with tension crack: a closed-form solution
Authors: Dai Guangyu , Gao Yufeng , Zhang Fei , Shu Shuang
Published: June 2023

Evaluating the stability of layered slopes, a common type of terrain in nature and engineering practice, poses a fundamental challenge in the field of geotechnique. The emergence and extension of tension cracks play a crucial role in the failure process of layered slopes, but accurately predicting the location of layered slope cracking and assessing its impact on layered slopes remains a challenge using conventional analytical methods. Herein, we present a closed-form solution for evaluating the layered slope stability with tension cracks without any priori assumptions. The presented closed-form solution enables the location and depth of tension crack, the critical failure surface in different soil layers, and the corresponding normal stress distribution to be determined for all single/layered slopes. Effects of tension cracks on layered slopes are investigated, considering slope inclination, soil properties, layer thickness, and dominant failure mechanism. Note that, the results show that the dominant failure mode of layered slopes could change from toe failure (without cracks) to face/base failure (with tension cracks), which has not been previously reported. Multiple cracks are possible to develop in layered slopes. The proposed closed-form solution can be applied to improve the stability assessment and engineering design of layered slopes considering tension crack.
Numerical simulation study of self-driven microdroplet on locally restrictive discontinuous wetting gradient surface using front tracking method
Authors: Zhang Ying , Gao Ruifeng , Tu Yuwei , Huang Yichen , Ke Zhaoqing
Published: June 2023

The motion of droplet on surface with discontinuous wetting gradient is of great importance for understanding lab-on-a-chip systems and other microfluidic devices. Different wetting gradients are known to be the main influencing factor in the droplet self-driven process, but the effect of different wall structures on the droplet migration process also deserves further investigation. In this paper, we analyze the self-driven process of liquid droplets on a local wetting gradient surface under microgravity conditions using front tracking method. The effects of different driving stripe lengths [Formula: see text], different restrictive stripe lengths [Formula: see text], and different surface wetting gradients Δcos⁡  θ on the droplet migration process and droplet morphology are analyzed. A theoretical formula that can predict the lateral spreading length of droplets is also proposed. The results show that different driving stripe length [Formula: see text] lengths and the wetting gradient Δcos  θ have significant effects on the migration velocity of droplets, while different restrictive stripe length [Formula: see text] lengths have very significant effects on the final morphological characteristics of droplets. When restrictive stripe length [Formula: see text], the hindering effect generated by the restrictive region ΙΙΙ has more and more significant effects on the morphological structure of droplets in the migration process. When the correction factor ε = 0.735 in the prediction equation, the predicted value calculated by the theoretical equation has a good degree of similarity with the numerical simulation results.
Gaussian Process Regression for Astronomical Time Series
Authors: Aigrain Suzanne , Foreman-Mackey Daniel
Published: June 2023

The past two decades have seen a major expansion in the availability, size, and precision of time-domain data sets in astronomy. Owing to their unique combination of flexibility, mathematical simplicity, and comparative robustness, Gaussian processes (GPs) have emerged recently as the solution of choice to model stochastic signals in such data sets. In this review, we provide a brief introduction to the emergence of GPs in astronomy, present the underlying mathematical theory, and give practical advice considering the key modeling choices involved in GP regression. We then review applications of GPs to time-domain data sets in the astrophysical literature so far, from exoplanets to active galactic nuclei, showcasing the power and flexibility of the method. We provide worked examples using simulated data, with links to the source code; discuss the problem of computational cost and scalability; and give a snapshot of the current ecosystem of open-source GP software packages. In summary:
▪GP regression is a conceptually simple but statistically principled and powerful tool for the analysis of astronomical time series.▪It is already widely used in some subfields, such as exoplanets, and gaining traction in many others, such as optical transients.▪Driven by further algorithmic and conceptual advances, we expect that GPs will continue to be an important tool for robust and interpretable time-domain astronomy for many years to come.
Prediction of Battery SOH and RUL Based on Cooperative Characteristics in Voltage-Temperature-Time Dimensions
Authors: Tang Ruoli , Zhang Peng , Ning Siwen , Zhang Yan
Published: June 2023

In the prognostics health management (PHM) of marine power lithium batteries, the estimation of the state of health (SOH) and the prediction of remaining useful life (RUL) are of great importance to ensure the battery operational safety and efficiency. In this study, an improved multivariate dimensionality-reduction for Bayesian optimized bi-directional long short-term memory (IMD-BiLSTM) algorithm is proposed and applied to realize SOH estimation and RUL prediction of lithium battery. Specifically, based on the discharging data of lithium battery under specific operating conditions, several health indicators are proposed for the work. On this basis, a collaborative dimensionality reduction algorithm based on Pearson correlation and principal component analysis is proposed to further retain feature information and reduce input dimensionality. Then, the prediction model based on BiLSTM is established, in which the hyperparameters are optimized by Bayesian algorithm. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed IMD-BiLSTM method is verified by experiments based on the NASA PCoE dataset, and the prediction accuracies of SOH and RUL are emphatically analyzed. Numerical simulation results show that the proposed IMD-BiLSTM-method can effectively extract battery health characteristics and achieve dimensionality reduction. In addition, the proposed IMD-BiLSTM-method significantly outperforms the compared state-of-the-art algorithms in SOH/RUL prediction accuracy and robustness.
Electrochemical Hydrogen Storage Kinetics and Microstructure of the Rapidly Quenched Alloy Mg2Ni0.75Zn0.25
Authors: Hai Shan , Liu Xiangdong , Li Jiaxin , He Ru , Liu Chang
Published: June 2023

The Mg2Ni0.75Zn0.25 alloys are prepared from Mg2Ni as master alloy and pure Zinc ingot by remelting process in this work. The microstructures, electrochemical properties and desorption kinetics of the as-cast and melt-spun alloys are investigated. The phase compositions and microstructures of the alloys are investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and electron backscattering diffraction (EBSD). The results show that the segregation atoms rich in Zn can inhibit the growth of Mg2Ni grains, especially the nanocrystalline grains formed in Mg2Ni0.75Zn0.25 alloy after melt-spinning process. The rapidly quenched Mg2Ni0.75Zn0.25 alloy exhibits the largest discharge performance (102.1 mAh g−1) and dehydrogenation activation energy (14.68 kJ mol−1). The improvement of the kinetic properties is related to the hydrogen diffusion rate (D) in the alloys and the charge transfer reaction on the surface. The rapidly quenched Mg2Ni0.75Zn0.25 alloy has the largest D, 6.187 × 10−11 cm2 s−1. The doping of Zn aggravates the corrosion of alloy electrodes, which destroys the oxide layer on the alloy surface, provides a channel for the diffusion of hydrogen atoms.
Analysis of the Tunneling Blast Safety Criterion Based on Longitudinal Shocks
Authors: Wang Xiao , Zhao Wen-bo , Zhou Hou-you , Liu Dian-shu
Published: June 2023

In modern tunneling construction, the blasting seismic effect seriously threatens the safety and stability of the existing engineering construction. Meanwhile, due to the complexity of blasting loading, there is a very large difference from real blasting by using the sample triangle dynamic loading model or trapezoid dynamic loading model to analyze the blasting vibration problem. In this paper, based on the analysis of the pressure change, volume expansion, fracture development, and blasting gas motion, an accurate blasting loading model was proposed. Then, adopting plane longitudinal shock theory, the coupled loading of multiple holes can be obtained. Subsequently, the 3D simulation analysis of the tunnel blasting shows an error of 2% compared with on-site monitoring data, meeting engineering requirements. Finally, based on the simulation results, regression prediction function of the velocity curve and effective tensile stress curve under different safety criteria are established, achieving accurate prediction of the damage degree of the host rock and liner line under different engineering requirements.
Childhood-Onset COPA Syndrome Recognized Retrospectively in the Context of Polyarticular Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Nikolic Roko P. A. , Moran Toro Cristina
Published: June 2023

COPA syndrome is a very rare autoinflammatory disorder manifesting with childhood-onset arthritis and pulmonary and renal disease, of which awareness may remain lacking. We present the case of a twenty-year-old male patient seen in the Young Adults with Rheumatic Disease clinic. Initially diagnosed with seropositive polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis, the patient’s early childhood complaints of fatiguability, paroxysmal dyspnea, and pneumonia-like episodes were long to be felt unrelated to his arthritis. Upon transition to adult rheumatology care, a thorough review of the patient’s history prompted imaging which revealed interstitial lung disease. Restrictive spirometry and genetic testing confirmed the retrospective diagnosis of COPA syndrome.
Ficus sycomorus as a Sustainable Source of Leather Dyeing Material: An Ecofriendly Approach
Authors: Kefale Girmaw Yeshanbel , Wodag Awoke Fenta
Published: June 2023

Natural colorants play a vital role in the production of eco-leather by substituting environmentally hazardous and toxic synthetic dyestuffs. In this study, a natural dye is extracted and optimized from the bark of Ficus sycomorus, a plant species locally known as shola, by designing different combinations of concentration, temperature, and time parameters. A dye extracted from 120 g/l concentration at a temperature of 1000°C for 60 minutes showed the highest absorbance value, and it has been used for further dyeing processes with and without mordant. Properties such as color strength (k/s), L

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values, and color fastness of a dyed leather specimen were measured and analyzed. Oxalic acid mordant-dyed leather samples mordanted with the postmordanting method have revealed the highest k/s value among other experimental samples. Moreover, better color fastness properties were obtained from a leather sample mordanted with oxalic acid. Consequently, a dye extracted from the bark of Ficus sycomorus can be used as a leather dyeing material.
Data from Integrative analysis of a large real-world cohort of small cell lung cancer identifies distinct genetic subtypes and insights into histological transformation
Authors: Sivakumar Smruthy , Moore Jay A. , Montesion Meagan , Sharaf Radwa , Lin Douglas I. , Colon Caterina I. , Fleischmann Zoe , Ebot Ericka M. , Newberg Justin Y. , Mills Jennifer M. , Hegde Priti S. , Pan Quintin , Dowlati Afshin , Frampton Garrett M. , Sage Julien , Lovly Christine M.
Published: June 2023

Abstract
Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is a recalcitrant neuroendocrine carcinoma with dismal survival outcomes. A major barrier in the field has been the relative paucity of human tumors studied. Here we provide an integrated analysis of 3,600 “real-world” SCLC cases. This large cohort allowed us to identify new recurrent alterations and genetic subtypes, including STK11-mutant tumors (1.7%) and TP53/RB1 wild-type tumors (5.5%), as well as rare cases that were human papillomavirus-positive. In our cohort, gene amplifications on 4q12 are associated with increased overall survival while CCNE1 amplification is associated with decreased overall survival. We also identify more frequent alterations in the PTEN pathway in brain metastases. Finally, profiling cases of SCLC containing oncogenic drivers typically associated with NSCLC demonstrates that SCLC transformation may occur across multiple distinct molecular cohorts of NSCLC. These novel and unsuspected genetic features of SCLC may help personalize treatment approaches for this fatal form of cancer.