bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Temporal and spectral electrooculographic features in a discrete precision task
Authors: Gallicchio Germano , Ryu Donghyun , Krishnani Mudit , Tasker Guy L. , Pecunioso Alessandra , Jackson Robin C.
Published: October 2023

This study aimed to evaluate the utility and applicability of electrooculography (EOG) when studying ocular activity during complex motor behavior. Due to its lower spatial resolution relative to eye tracking (ET), it is unclear whether EOG can provide valid and accurate temporal measurements such as the duration of the Quiet Eye (QE), that is the uninterrupted dwell time on the visual target prior to and during action. However, because of its greater temporal resolution, EOG is better suited for temporal‐spectral decomposition, a technique that allows us to distinguish between lower and higher frequency activity as a function of time. Sixteen golfers of varying expertise (novices to experts) putted 60 balls to a 4‐m distant target on a flat surface while we recorded EOG, ET, performance accuracy, and putter kinematics. Correlational and discrepancy analyses confirmed that EOG yielded valid and accurate QE measurements, but only when using certain processing parameters. Nested cross‐validation indicated that, among a set of ET and EOG temporal and spectral oculomotor features, EOG power was the most useful when predicting performance accuracy through robust regression. Follow‐up cross‐validation and correlational analyses revealed that more accurate performance was preceded by diminished lower‐frequency activity immediately before movement initiation and elevated higher‐frequency activity during movement recorded from the horizontal channel. This higher‐frequency activity was also found to accompany a smoother movement execution. This study validates EOG algorithms (code provided) for measuring temporal parameters and presents a novel approach to extracting temporal and spectral oculomotor features during complex motor behavior.
Resilience patterns of urban road networks under the worst‐case localized disruptions
Authors: Du Chongyang , Ouyang Min , Zhang Hui , Wang Bo , Wang Naiyu
Published: October 2023

Recent events, including COVID‐19, extreme floods, and explosion accidents, commonly induced localized closures and disruptions of urban road networks (URNs), resulting in significant impacts on human mobility and socio‐economic activities. Existing studies on URN resilience to those events mainly took few cases for empirical studies, limiting our understanding on the URN resilience patterns across different cities. By conducting a large‐scale nationwide resilience analysis of URNs in 363 cities in mainland China, this study attempts to uncover the resilience patterns of URNs against the worst‐case single (SLDs) and multiple localized disruptions (MLDs). Results show that the distance from the worst‐case SLD to the city center would be less than 5 km in 62.3% cities, as opposed to more than 15 km in 14.3% cities. Moreover, the average road network resilience of cities in western China could be 7% and 13% smaller than that of the eastern cities under the worst‐case SLDs and MLDs, respectively. This inequality in the worst‐case resilience is partly attributable to variations in urban socio‐economic, infrastructure‐related, and topographic factors. These findings could inspire nationwide pre‐disaster mitigation strategies to cope with localized disruptions and help transfer insights for mitigation strategies against disruptive events across cities.
GIFTdb: a useful gene database for plant fruit traits improving
Authors: Liu Yingwei , Gao Yangyang , Chen Moxian , Jin Yin , Qin Yongbin , Hao Gefei
Published: October 2023

Fruit traits are critical determinants of plant fitness, resource diversity, productive and quality. Gene regulatory networks in plants play an essential role in determining fruit traits, such as fruit size, yield, firmness, aroma and other important features. Many research studies have focused on elucidating the associated signaling pathways and gene interaction mechanism to better utilize gene resources for regulating fruit traits. However, the availability of specific database of genes related to fruit traits for use by the plant research community remains limited. To address this limitation, we developed the Gene Improvements for Fruit Trait Database (GIFTdb, http://giftdb.agroda.cn). GIFTdb contains 35 365 genes, including 896 derived from the FR database 1.0, 305 derived from 30 882 articles from 2014 to 2021, 236 derived from the Universal Protein Resource (UniProt) database, and 33 928 identified through homology analysis. The database supports several aided analysis tools, including signal transduction pathways, gene ontology terms, protein–protein interactions, DNAWorks, Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST), and Protein Subcellular Localization Prediction (WoLF PSORT). To provide information about genes currently unsupported in GIFTdb, potential fruit trait‐related genes can be searched based on homology with the supported genes. GIFTdb can provide valuable assistance in determining the function of fruit trait‐related genes, such as MYB306‐like, by conducting a straightforward search. We believe that GIFTdb will be a valuable resource for researchers working on gene function annotation and molecular breeding to improve fruit traits.
Serial mediation roles of empowerment and self‐care activities connecting health literacy, quality of life, and glycemic control in people with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Zhao Xiaoyan , Liu Qiao , Guo Xiaodi , Hu Xiling , Cheng Li
Published: October 2023

Background

Health literacy, empowerment, and self‐care activities are likely the crucial concepts affecting the quality of life and glycemic control in people with type 2 diabetes (T2D). However, evidence demonstrating the mechanisms underlying these concepts is scarce.

Aims

The aim of this study was to test the serial mediation roles of empowerment and self‐care activities on the relationships between health literacy and quality of life and between health literacy and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) in people with T2D.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study was conducted among 319 people with T2D in Guangzhou, China, from July 2019 to January 2020. Data were collected using the Health Literacy Scale, the Diabetes Empowerment Scale—Short Form, the Summary of Diabetes Self‐Care Activities Measure, and the Adjusted Diabetes—Specific Quality of Life Scale. RStudio 4.2.1 was used for serial mediation analysis.

Results

The dimension of communicative health literacy accounted for the most total variance (β = 0.810, p < .001) in the construct of health literacy. The serial multiple mediation of empowerment and self‐care activities in the associations between health literacy and quality of life (β = −.046, p = .019) and between health literacy and HbA1c (β = −.045, p = .005) were statistically significant.

Linking evidence to action

This study emphasized the vital role of communicative health literacy when improving health literacy in people with T2D. Diabetes care and education specialists could implement empowerment approaches and flexible self‐care strategies to improve the quality of life and glycemic control in people with T2D. Enhancing health literacy was suggested as a favorable strategy for promoting empowerment and self‐care activities in people with T2D.
Stereotype Threat and Interscholastic Athletic Leadership
Authors: Strode James P. , Czekanski W. Andrew , Parkman Anna W. , Scarlata Meredith K.
Published: October 2023

Women have historically been underrepresented in positions of power within athletic administration. Stereotype threat, or the realization that there is a possibility that one is being judged as confirming or being reduced to a stereotype, can negatively impact the recruitment and retention of woman leaders in sport. This study developed and validated a new scale, the Gender Stereotype Threat in Athletic Administration, and elicited responses from high school athletic directors in two U.S. states. Using multiple analysis of variance, correlation analysis, and structure equation modeling, five hypotheses were tested and supported based on the respondents’ feelings of group identification, belonging uncertainty, extra pressure to succeed, and group reputation threat. The present work extends the findings on stereotype threat in the sport leadership domain and provides a useful instrument to study this phenomenon in future research.
Chemically recyclable polyolefin-like multiblock polymers
Authors: Zhao Yucheng , Rettner Emma M. , Harry Katherine L. , Hu Zhitao , Miscall Joel , Rorrer Nicholas A. , Miyake Garret M.
Published: October 2023

Polyolefins are the most important and largest volume plastics produced. Unfortunately, the enormous use of plastics and lack of effective disposal or recycling options have created a plastic waste catastrophe. In this work, we report an approach to create chemically recyclable polyolefin-like materials with diverse mechanical properties through the construction of multiblock polymers from hard and soft oligomeric building blocks synthesized with ruthenium-mediated ring-opening metathesis polymerization of cyclooctenes. The multiblock polymers exhibit broad mechanical properties, spanning elastomers to plastomers to thermoplastics, while integrating a high melting transition temperature (
T
m
) and low glass transition temperature (
T
g
), making them suitable for use across diverse applications (
T
m
as high as 128°C and
T
g
as low as –60°C). After use, the different plastics can be combined and efficiently deconstructed back to the fundamental hard and soft building blocks for separation and repolymerization to realize a closed-loop recycling process.
Taming secondary benzylic cations in catalytic asymmetric SN1 reactions
Authors: Singh Vikas Kumar , Zhu Chendan , De Chandra Kanta , Leutzsch Markus , Baldinelli Lorenzo , Mitra Raja , Bistoni Giovanni , List Benjamin
Published: October 2023

Benzylic stereogenic centers are ubiquitous in natural products and pharmaceuticals. A potentially general, though challenging, approach toward their selective creation would be asymmetric unimolecular nucleophilic substitution (SN1) reactions that proceed through highly reactive benzylic cations. We now report a broadly applicable solution to this problem by identifying chiral counteranions that pair with secondary benzylic cations to engage in catalytic asymmetric C−C, C−O, and C−N bond-forming reactions with excellent enantioselectivity. The critical cationic intermediate can be accessed from different precursors via Lewis- or Brønsted acid catalysis. Key to our strategy is the use of only weakly basic, confined counteranions that are posited to prolong the lifetime of the carbocation, thereby avoiding nonproductive deprotonation pathways to the corresponding styrene.
Co-creating maps and atlases
Rivals: How Scientists Learned to Cooperate
Lorraine Daston
Columbia Global Reports, 2023. 160 pp.
Authors: Wagner Caroline S.
Published: October 2023

Cooperation was critical to the creation of two major scientific resources
Tracking light-induced charge transport
Authors: Bangle Rachel E. , Mikkelsen Maiken H.
Published: October 2023

Precise charge dynamics could help to improve the operation of solar cells and sensors
Are crabs in hot water?
Authors: Kruse Gordon H.
Published: October 2023

Marine heat waves challenge sustainable fisheries management
Safeguard the world’s worst pathogens
Authors: Millett Piers
Published: October 2023

More people in more places are researching the world’s most dangerous pathogens. This work helps prepare against future pandemics, but it’s not without danger. Pathogens could escape from research facilities, so it is vital for countries to assess potential hazards and have procedures in place to manage the risks. This doesn’t happen enough.
Giant European scope rises as U.S. rivals stumble
Authors: Clery Daniel
Published: October 2023

Past the halfway point, Extremely Large Telescope prepares to receive first mirrors
Restricting use of Indigenous funerary photos splits society
Authors: Wade Lizzie
Published: October 2023

Journal policy aims to boost tribal ties, but critics fear loss of academic freedom
Phage-antibiotic combinations against multidrug-resistant
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
in
in vitro
static and dynamic biofilm models
Authors: Holger Dana J. , El Ghali Amer , Bhutani Natasha , Lev Katherine L. , Stamper Kyle , Kebriaei Razieh , Kunz Coyne Ashlan J. , Morrisette Taylor , Shah Rahi , Alexander Jose , Lehman Susan M. , Rojas Laura J. , Marshall Steven H. , Bonomo Robert A. , Rybak Michael J.
Published: October 2023

Biofilm-producing
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
infections pose a severe threat to public health and are responsible for high morbidity and mortality. Phage-antibiotic combinations (PACs) are a promising strategy for combatting multidrug-resistant (MDR), extensively drug-resistant (XDR), and difficult-to-treat
P. aeruginosa
infections. Ten MDR/XDR
P. aeruginosa
strains and five
P
.
aeruginosa
-specific phages were genetically characterized and evaluated based upon their antibiotic susceptibilities and phage sensitivities. Two selected strains, AR351 (XDR) and I0003-1 (MDR), were treated singly and in combination with either a broad-spectrum or narrow-spectrum phage, phage EM-T3762627-2_AH (EM), or 14207, respectively, and bactericidal antibiotics of five classes in biofilm time-kill analyses. Synergy and/or bactericidal activity was demonstrated with all PACs against one or both drug-resistant
P. aeruginosa
strains (average reduction: −Δ3.32 log
10
CFU/cm
2
). Slightly improved ciprofloxacin susceptibility was observed in both strains after exposure to phages (EM and 14207) in combination with ciprofloxacin and colistin. Based on phage cocktail optimization with four phages (EM, 14207, E20050-C (EC), and 109), we identified several effective phage-antibiotic cocktails for further analysis in a 4-day pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic
in vitro
biofilm model. Three-phage cocktail, EM + EC + 109, in combination with ciprofloxacin demonstrated the greatest biofilm reduction against AR351 (−Δ4.70 log
10
CFU/cm
2
from baseline). Of remarkable interest, the addition of phage 109 prevented phage resistance development to EM and EC in the biofilm model. PACs can demonstrate synergy and offer enhanced eradication of biofilm against drug-resistant
P. aeruginosa
while preventing the emergence of resistance.
A simple undergraduate laboratory exercise for teaching the role of sentinel-level clinical microbiology testing in biological threat identification
Authors: Cox Christina , Askew David S.
Published: October 2023

Undergraduate students in the biomedical sciences are mostly unaware of how clinical microbiology laboratories handle suspected agents of bioterrorism or emerging infectious diseases. The Public Health Security Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002 requires the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to maintain a list of microbes that pose serious biological threats to human health and safety, including Tier 1 agents with the potential for use in bioterrorism. The Laboratory Response Network (LRN), founded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Association of Public Health Laboratories, coordinates the response of sentinel, reference, and national laboratories to these biothreats. The sentinel laboratories, which comprise most hospital-based and commercial laboratories, are the first to encounter a suspicious agent. For this reason, the LRN has published a series of testing guidelines to assist the sentinel laboratories in deciding whether a microbial isolate should be considered potentially hazardous and thus sent to a reference or national laboratory for further characterization. Here, we describe a simple laboratory exercise that teaches sentinel-level testing requirements in the context of an applied setting of a potential outbreak of anthrax that would require a sentinel laboratory to recognize a potential threat, attempt to rule it out, and refer to a national laboratory for identification.
Draft genome sequence of the anatoxin-a producing cyanobacterium
Tychonema bourrellyi
B0820 isolated from the epilimnion of the deep Alpine Lake Garda
Authors: Salmaso Nico , Boscaini Adriano , Cerasino Leonardo , Pindo Massimo , Pinto Federica , Segata Nicola , Donati Claudio
Published: October 2023

We report the draft genome sequence of strain B0820 of the cyanobacterium
Tychonema bourrellyi
isolated from the epilimnion of Lake Garda and assembled from a metagenome of a non-axenic culture. The strain analyzed was shown to produce anatoxin-a, a potent neurotoxin that can cause fatal intoxication in exposed organisms.
Probiotics
Bifidobacterium lactis
M8 and
Lactobacillus rhamnosus
M9 prevent high blood pressure via modulating the gut microbiota composition and host metabolic products
Authors: Zhang Yong , Zheng Tingting , Ma Da , Shi Peng , Zhang Heping , Li Jun , Sun Zhihong
Published: October 2023

High-fructose intake is one of the high-risk factors for hypertension. Several probiotics have been reported to reduce high blood pressure (BP) via modulating gut microbiota, but the mechanism of the antihypertensive effect of probiotics is insufficiently understood. Herein, we investigated the antihypertensive effect of
Bifidobacterium lactis
M8 and
Lactobacillus rhamnosus
M9 based on the integrative analysis of gut metagenome and serum metabolome in high-fructose-treated mice. After 16-week intervention, M8 and M9 significantly reduced the median blood pressure by 16.92% and 15.39% in SBP, and 18.56% and 20.62% in DBP, respectively. Metagenomic analysis revealed that the increased
Lawsonia
and
Pyrolobus
, and reduced
Alistipes
and
Alloprevotella
levels were tightly correlated with lowered BP. Functionally, the decreased pathways of “base excision repair” (BER) and “D-glutamine and D-glutamate metabolism” were associated with BP reduction. Metabolomics data analysis further revealed that the probiotic interventions regulated vascular smooth muscle contraction, serotonergic synapse, cholinergic synapse, and lipid and vitamin metabolism in BP control. Additionally, association analyses indicated a strong negative correlation between
Alistipes
and “steroid hormone biosynthesis,” suggesting that
Alistipes
could affect blood pressure by changing steroid hormone levels. In conclusion, our findings indicate that the probiotic efficacies in alleviating hypertension are linked to specific gut microbes and metabolic pathways, which provide a potential mechanistic understanding of probiotics modulated blood pressure, paving the way for future assessment of the therapeutic potential of probiotics in hypertension management.

IMPORTANCE

Elevated blood pressure affects 40% of the adult population, which accounts for high cardiovascular disease risk and further high mortality yearly. The global understanding of the gut microbiome for hypertension may provide important insights into the prevention.
Bifidobacterium lactis
M8 and
Lactobacillus rhamnosus
M9 originated from human breast milk, were able to decrease blood pressure, and modified metabolites in a high fructose-induced elevated blood pressure mouse model. Moreover, we found there was a close relationship between unexplored gut microbes and elevated blood pressure. Also, subsequently, the cross-link was explored among gut microbes, metabolites, and some metabolic pathways in gut microbial environment through introducing novel prediction methodology and bioinformatic analysis. It allowed us to hypothesize that probiotics can prevent elevated blood pressure via gut microbiota and related metabolism.Thus, utilization of dietary strategies (such as probiotics) to maintain the blood pressure level is of crucial importance.
Tectonically Stable Parts in Iraq Are Not Stable
Authors: Sissakian V. K. , Al-Ansari N. A. , Abdullah L. H. , Laue J.
Published: October 2023

Iraq is located in the extreme northeastern part of the Arabian Plate, which is in collision with the Iranian (Eurasian) Plate. The collision, which is still ongoing has created tens of folds some of which exhibit different types of faults. The exerted compressional forces are believed to be decreasing southwestwards as being far from the collision area (Suture Zone). Accordingly, all the existing tectonic and geological maps compiled by different authors and all the existing published articles, reports and books have considered two main tectonic domains in Iraq. The Stable Shelf and Unstable Shelf or Inner Platform and Outer Platform. The contact between these two main divisions follows almost the Euphrates River; towards the west of the river is the tectonically Stable area and towards the east and north is the tectonically Unstable area, which means the presence of different structural forms. In the current study, we have recognized tens of different Neotectonic evidence in the Stable part indicating that the area is tectonically not stable. Among those indications are abandoned valleys, development of sinkholes along certain lineaments, bending of valleys in right angles, and development of nick-points in valleys along certain lineaments.
Derivation of a Unified Theory from the Holographic Principle
Authors: Sha Zhi Gang , Xiu Rulin
Published: October 2023

Holographic principle and the related self-similarity symmetry are observed widely in nature. Research in black hole, string theory and quantum theory of gravity suggests that holographic principle can be an important symmetry for solving challenging problems in theoretical physics, such as finding the grand unification theory (GUT). In this paper, we derive a quantum theory incorporating the holographic principle by introducing the new concept and elementary information. The derived quantum action incorporating holographic principle, holographic action, turns out to be the generalized action encompassing string theory, general relativity and thermodynamics. This holographic quantum theory indicates that phenomena and laws of physics emerge from the holograms represented by the holographic action. Specifically, it predicts the following: (1) Elementary particles, gravity and gauge interactions and the classical equations of motion are the emergence of the hologram due to Poincaré symmetry, diffeomorphic symmetry and Weyl symmetry, respectively. (2) Dark matter and dark energy are the vibrations on the horizon scale of the universe. (3) Cosmological constant is calculated to be [Formula: see text] in Planck unit, in agreement with the cosmological constant deduced from astrophysical observation (4) The observed space-time is negatively curved if its dimension is greater than 4, positively curved if its dimension is less than 4, and flat if its dimension is 4. (5) It gives the mathematical formula to derive the entropy of black hole and study the internal dynamics of black hole. (6) It provides the mathematical framework to study the dynamics of spacetime compactification and the large hierarchy between Planck scale and electroweak scale. One may conclude that the holographic quantum theory based on holographic principle may be not only a GUT but also able to tackle some of the problems impossible to be addressed before.
Elucidating Failure Mechanisms in Li-ion Batteries Operating at 100 °C
Authors: Hawkins Brendan E. , Asare Harrison , Chen Brian , Messinger Robert J. , West William , Jones John-Paul
Published: October 2023

Rechargeable batteries that function at temperatures as high as 100 °C are desired for drilling instruments, autoclavable medical electronics, and space exploration. However, at 100 °C and beyond, lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) exhibit rapid capacity fade that prevent their use in many applications. Here, an in-depth study of the failure mechanisms was undertaken for LIBs operating at 100 °C containing graphite anodes, LiNi0.33Mn0.33Co0.33O2 (NMC111) cathodes, and organic electrolytes containing lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPF6) and lithium tetrafluoroborate (LiBF4) salts. Electrochemical methods including differential analyses (dV/dQ) of galvanostatic cycling, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and linear polarization (LP) revealed that capacity loss was caused by a loss of lithium inventory in the cell due to film-forming reactions that siphon capacity. We hypothesized that capacity fade results from continual degradation and reformation of the anode solid electrolyte interphase (SEI), causing low coulombic efficiencies and poor cycle life. Crucially, electrode replacement of either the graphite or NMC111 with lithiated electrodes enabled full capacity recovery after high-temperature cycling, revealing that the electrode materials themselves were not inherently unsuitable for use at 100 °C. Overall, this study identifies the failure mechanisms of LIBs cycling at 100 °C, which are expected to guide the development of electrolyte formulations that improve electrode interphase stability and hence the performance of LIBs operating as high as 100 °C.
Electrochemical Sensors Based on Metal-Organic Framework and Conductive Polymer HKUST-1@PANI for High-Performance Detection of Lead Ions
Authors: Wannassi Jassem , Missaoui Nadhem , Mabrouk Chama , Barhoumi Houcine , Crapnell Robert D. , Jaffrezic-Renault Nicole , Banks Craig E. , Kahri Hamza
Published: October 2023

In this research a highly microporous Cu-BTC (denoted as HKUST-1) was synthesized using a simple and rapid synthesis room temperature method. The as-prepared HKUST-1 obtained at room temperature for 10 min exhibited a very high Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area of 1875 m2/g, pore volume (Vp) of 0.789 cm3/g, and average micropore size of 7.84 Å. Based on this product, we successfully fabricated a conductive electrochemical sensor HKUST-1@PANI by polymerizing a conductive polyaniline polymer (PANI) around the metal-organic framework HKUST-1. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra, X-ray diffraction pattern (XRD) support the formation of HKUST-1@PANI. Furthermore, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) studies confirmed that PANI uniformly covered the surface of HKUST-1. We used the resulting material to build a new electrochemical sensor for the reliable detection of lead ions. The electrochemical response of the developed sensor towards ions was evaluated using differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). Under optimized conditions, linear detection was reproducible over the Pb2+ concentration range from 0.005 to 50 μM with a minimum detection limit of 5 nM. The sensor is practically usable in a wide variety of environments, as it is virtually immune to interference from other coexisting ions.
Recent Prospects of Medical Imaging and Sensing Technologies Based on Electrical Impedance Data Acquisition System
Authors: Kumar R. , Ratnesh R. K. , Singh Jay , Chandra R. , Singh G. , Vishnoi V.
Published: October 2023

This paper presents a cost-effective data acquisition & medical imaging system using electrical impedance tomography (EIT). The presented method investigates & analyses the output image retrieved from the electrical conductivity distribution of a test object or phantom. The image reconstruction was performed using a modified imaging algorithm. The experimental setup of the proposed system mainly consists of convertible 16/8/4 electrodes (which are the phantom circumference attached), the accurate static Current Source (Milli Ampere Current with KHz Frequency) for providing current which passes into the boundary of an object through a different pair of electrodes. The output of electrodes is acquired as a voltage that is measured from the boundary of the conductive object of other electrodes pair and fed into a computer for the appropriate computing of the acquired data. EIT systems with GUI are used in the data collection procedure to provide a user-friendly interface for effective picture reconstruction, which is used both like offline and online functioning are possible. Performance testing was carried out utilizing a variety of phantom models that represented human test subjects and different physical objects. The data acquisition (DAQ) techniques used in EIT produced findings that were innovative, comparable and showed enhanced sensitivity, functionality for engineering society.
Effect of Oxalic Acid Additives on Aluminum Anodizing in Formic Acid Containing Ammonium Heptamolybdate
Authors: Chernyakova Katsiaryna , Klimas Vaclovas , Karpicz Renata , Naujokaitis Arnas , Jagminas Arunas
Published: October 2023

This paper reports a systematic study of the role of oxalic acid additives in aluminum anodizing in formic acid containing ammonium heptamolybdate. Adding oxalic acid in a concentration range of 5–20 mM to the 0.4 M formic acid solution containing 0.03 M ammonium heptamolybdate improves anodic film growth, increasing the film thickness and smoothing strongly wavy interface between the film and aluminum, and adding 100 mM of oxalic acid results in an almost complete block of the regular anodic film formation. In the case of aluminum anodizing in formic acid, the ammonium heptamolybdate additive prevents aluminum dissolution more effectively than only oxalic acid. The role of oxalic acid in this process is only to improve film growth and morphology. However, ammonium heptamolybdate improves film growth by increasing its thickness. Linear sweep voltammetry studies combined with SEM investigations of alumina growth show that in heptamolybdate-containing electrolytes, a thin porous alumina film is formed at the beginning of the process. Then, when the electrolyte oxidation potential is reached, the thin film on the surface breaks, resulting in a significant increase in the anodizing surface, and anodic oxide begins to grow rapidly.
Podocyte injury at young age causes premature senescence and worsens glomerular aging
Authors: Veloso Pereira Beatriz Maria , Zeng Yuting , Maggiore Joseph C. , Schweickart Robert Allen , Eng Diana G. , Kaverina Natalya , McKinzie Sierra R. , Chang Anthony , Loretz Carol J. , Thieme Karina , Hukriede Neil A. , Pippin Jeffrey W. , Wessely Oliver , Shankland Stuart J.
Published: October 2023

Glomerular function is decreased by aging. However, little is known about the molecular mechanisms involved in age-related glomerular changes and which factors could contribute to a worse glomerular aging process. Here, we reported that podocyte injury in young mice and culture podocytes induced senescence, a marker of aging, and accelerates glomerular aging when compared with healthy aging mice.
It is not just the work you do, but how you do it: the metabolic cost of walking uphill and downhill with varying grades
Authors: Jessup Luke N. , Kelly Luke A. , Cresswell Andrew G. , Lichtwark Glen A.
Published: October 2023

We use a method for quantifying nonsteady-state energetics to show that regardless of whether the same total gain and loss in elevation (i.e., same total external mechanical work) is achieved over the same period of time, the total energy expenditure of different graded walking conditions can vary depending on the grades that are walked at and for how long they are walked at.
Does COVID-19 impair V̇o2peak in patients with cardiorespiratory disease? Insight from cardiopulmonary responses to maximal exercise pre- and post-illness
Authors: Fernandes Igor A. , Balavenkataraman Arvind , Bonvie-Hill Natalie E. , Patel Neal M. , Taylor Bryan J. , Helgeson Scott A.
Published: October 2023

There is accumulating evidence that reduced exercise capacity is, or can be, an outcome following COVID-19. However, evidence to date relies upon cross-sectional approaches that either do not consider patients with concomitant cardiorespiratory disease or account for pre-infection exercise capacity data. Accounting for V̇o2peak before COVID-19 and including a group of control patients, we find limited evidence for reduced exercise capacity as a sequela of SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients with concomitant cardiorespiratory disease.
Investigation of the Dual Role of Scorzonera pygmaea: Cytotoxic Activity and Antioxidant Potential
Authors: Sarimahmut Mehmet
Published: October 2023

Scorzonera pygmaea, an indigenous plant of western Anatolia, belongs to the Scorzonera genus, which includes various species recognized for their edible and medicinal properties. This study is aimed at investigating the phenolic composition of S. pygmaea; evaluating its antioxidant, cytotoxic, apoptotic, and genotoxic activities; and assessing the impact of S. pygmaea on the expression of cell cycle regulatory genes. HPLC-DAD analysis identified chlorogenic acid as the predominant phenolic compound, potentially linking plant to dietary benefits. The antioxidant potential, evaluated using DPPH radical scavenging and CUPRAC assays, yielded an IC50 value of

63.53
±
6.29

 μg/ml and a Trolox equivalent of

0.061
±
0.013

 g/g, respectively. To assess antigrowth activity, the S. pygmaea extract was tested against MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell lines, along with the nonmalignant MCF-10A cell line, using sulforhodamine B and ATP cell viability assays. The results exhibited highly consistent IC50 values of 104.63, 179.27, and 90.83 μg/ml, respectively. Notably, the S. pygmaea extract induced apoptosis in all cell lines, with MDA-MB-231 cells displaying a higher percentage of early apoptotic cells under fluorescence microscopy. The comet assay revealed that S. pygmaea extract induced DNA damage in all cell lines, with MCF-7 and MCF-10A cells showing an accumulation of DNA damage over time. Gene expression analysis revealed significant alterations in cell cycle regulators, with each cell line displaying distinct and time-dependent patterns after exposure to S. pygmaea. Collectively, these findings underscore the cytotoxic, apoptotic, and genotoxic activities of S. pygmaea while simultaneously emphasizing its antioxidant potential, especially given its high chlorogenic acid content. The dual role of S. pygmaea, evidenced by its cytotoxic and antioxidant properties, suggests the potential for further exploration of its utilization within the food industry as a possible dietary resource, while necessitating further studies to fully understand its implications.
IgE Immune Complexes Mitigate Eosinophilic Immune Responses through NLRC4 Inflammasome
Authors: Oylumlu Ece , Uzel Goksu , Durmus Lubeyne , Ciraci Ceren
Published: October 2023

Immune complexes (ICs) skew immune responses toward either a pro- or anti-inflammatory direction based on the type of stimulation. Immunoglobulin E (IgE) is associated with Th2 immune responses and known to activate innate immune cells. However, roles of antigen (Ag)-specific-IgE ICs in regulating human eosinophil responses remain elusive; therefore, this study builts upon the mechanism of which ovalbumin (Ova)-IgE ICs affects eosinophilic responses utilizing human EoL-1 cell line as a model. Eosinophils are granulocytes functioning through pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) and destructive granule contents in allergic inflammation and parasitic infections. One of the PRRs that eosinophils express is NLRC4, a member of the CARD domain containing nucleotide-binding oligomerization (NOD)-like receptor (NLR) family. Upon recognition of its specific ligand flagellin, NLRC4 inflammasome is formed and leads to the release of interleukin-1β (IL-1β). We exhibited that Ova-IgE ICs induced the NLRC4-inflammasome components, including NLRC4, caspase-1, intracellular IL-1β, and secretion of IL-1β, as well as the granule contents MMP9, TIMP1, and TIMP2 proteins via TLR2 signaling; these responses were suppressed, when NLRC4 inflammasome got actived in the presence of ICs. Furthermore, Ova-IgE ICs induced mRNA expressions of MMP9, TIMP2, and ECP and protein expressions of MMP9 and TIMP2 in EoL-1 through FcɛRII. Interestingly, TLR2 ligand and Ova-IgE ICs costimulation elevated the number of CD63+ cells, a degranulation marker, as compared to the native IgE. Collectively, our findings provide a mechanism for the impacts of Ova-IgE ICs on eosinophilic responses via NLRC4-inflammasome and may help understand eosinophil-associated diseases, including chronic eosinophilic pneumonia, eosinophilic esophagitis, eosinophilic granulomatosis, parasitic infections, allergy, and asthma.
Physicochemical Properties and Bacterial Diversity of Sediment in Sea Cucumber Culture Ponds under High Summer Temperatures
Authors: Chen Lei , Chen Lin-Yu , Wang Xiao-Yu , Wang Guang-Yu
Published: October 2023

This study examined the effect of aquaculture management parameters on sea cucumbers in culture ponds during high summer temperatures. The physicochemical properties of 18 sediment samples from six sea cucumber culture ponds were assessed at a high temperature (HT) and the end of the high temperature (EHT) stages of summer. High-throughput sequencing was used to analyze the bacterial community composition and diversity of the sediment in the culture pond. The results showed that total nitrogen (TN), total carbon (TC), total organic carbon (TOC), ammonia nitrogen (NH4+), total sulfur (TS), sulfate (SO42−), and sulfide (S2−) contents were the lowest in the Geziling sediments at both stages, indicating a favorable sediment environment. The TN, TC, TOC, and NH4+ contents decreased significantly in the Wulei Island sediments during the EHT stage, indicating strong self-purification capacity. The TN, TC, TOC, NH4+, TS, SO42−, and S2− were higher in the Rushankou and Xiaohongcun sediments during both stages, indicating a worse sediment environment. Alpha diversity analysis revealed increased bacterial diversity in the sediments during the HT stage when compared to that during the EHT stage. Correlation analysis between bacterial diversity and the physicochemical properties of the TN sediments had the greatest impact on bacterial diversity, followed by TOC, TC, NH4+, TS, S2−, SO42−, and NO2− (in order). Our results suggest that the physicochemical properties (TC, TOC, TN, and NH4+) of the culture pond sediment can significantly influence bacterial community composition and diversity. Management measures for aquaculture, including desilting and monthly water change, could positively affect these physicochemical properties and the bacterial community structure of the sediment. These findings will provide a reference for healthier aquaculture practices of Apostichopus japonicus under high summer temperatures.
Impact of SARS-CoV-2 and Other Upper Respiratory Tract Viral Infections on Reproductive Parameters in Young Healthy Men with Mild Symptoms of Disease
Authors: Elenkov Angel , Nilsson Anna , Kondic Alexandra , Bottiger Blenda , Broden Marcus , Bergman Ebba , Dahl Annie , Giwercman Aleksander
Published: October 2023

Data regarding excretion of SARS-CoV-2 in semen are inconclusive and counseling regarding risk of sexual transmission is still challenging. Our knowledge on the effect of upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) on male reproductive system is also scarce. Apart from negative effect of fever on spermatogenesis virtually no study has been able to compare reproductive parameters in men with COVID-19 or other URTI with predisease data. Eleven men who developed symptoms of URTI during the first and second wave of COVID-19 pandemic and who had preexistent fertility and hormonal data, participated in the study leaving sperm and blood samples. Three additional subjects were recruited among proven SARS-CoV-2 positive male hospital workers (without previous data). SARS-CoV-2 RNA was present in the ejaculate from 2 of 5 (40%) young men with mild COVID-19. In one of them viral particles could be detected in the semen sample 2 weeks after the first sampling. Men with any URTI showed higher LH (

p
=
0.02

), lower sperm concentration (

p
=
0.047

), and free testosterone (

p
=
0.008

) when compared to their samples delivered 10 years earlier. When SARS-CoV-2 positive subjects were compared to subjects with other URTIs, no difference in levels of reproductive parameters or inflammatory markers was seen. In conclusion, SARS-CoV-2 RNA can be present in the ejaculate but does not seem to affect reproductive parameters any more than other viruses. However, mild URTI was shown to affect the sperm concentration, LH, and free testosterone negatively.
TABLE 3 from Predicting Mammogram Screening Follow Through with Electronic Health Record and Geographically Linked Data
Authors: Davis Matthew , Simpson Kit , Lenert Leslie A. , Diaz Vanessa , Alekseyenko Alexander V.
Published: October 2023

Summary statistics of MUSC cohort selected for study
TABLE 2 from Predicting Mammogram Screening Follow Through with Electronic Health Record and Geographically Linked Data
Authors: Davis Matthew , Simpson Kit , Lenert Leslie A. , Diaz Vanessa , Alekseyenko Alexander V.
Published: October 2023

Results of the study cohort selection
Supplementary Table 3 from Predicting Mammogram Screening Follow Through with Electronic Health Record and Geographically Linked Data
Authors: Davis Matthew , Simpson Kit , Lenert Leslie A. , Diaz Vanessa , Alekseyenko Alexander V.
Published: October 2023

Data dictionary after feature selection used in machine learning classification experiments as well as final logistic regression model.
Supplementary Table 2 from Predicting Mammogram Screening Follow Through with Electronic Health Record and Geographically Linked Data
Authors: Davis Matthew , Simpson Kit , Lenert Leslie A. , Diaz Vanessa , Alekseyenko Alexander V.
Published: October 2023

Data dictionary showing encoding of each feature prior to feature selection steps, along with a description of the variable.
Supplementary Table 1 from Predicting Mammogram Screening Follow Through with Electronic Health Record and Geographically Linked Data
Authors: Davis Matthew , Simpson Kit , Lenert Leslie A. , Diaz Vanessa , Alekseyenko Alexander V.
Published: October 2023

Logistic Regression Calibration showing model performance at various probability cutoff thresholds.
Data from Predicting Mammogram Screening Follow Through with Electronic Health Record and Geographically Linked Data
Authors: Davis Matthew , Simpson Kit , Lenert Leslie A. , Diaz Vanessa , Alekseyenko Alexander V.
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States, and breast cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death, with 42,275 women dying of breast cancer in the United States in 2020. Screening is a key strategy for reducing mortality from breast cancer and is recommended by various national guidelines. This study applies machine learning classification methods to the task of predicting which patients will fail to complete a mammogram screening after having one ordered, as well as understanding the underlying features that influence predictions. The results show that a small group of patients can be identified that are very unlikely to complete mammogram screening, enabling care managers to focus resources.
Significance:
The motivation behind this study is to create an automated system that can identify a small group of individuals that are at elevated risk for not following through completing a mammogram screening. This will enable interventions to boost screening to be focused on patients least likely to complete screening.
Effectiveness of Antibiotics for Uncomplicated Diverticulitis: A Retrospective Investigation Using a Nationwide Database in Japan
Authors: Moroi Rintaro , Tarasawa Kunio , Nagai Hiroshi , Shimoyama Yusukue , Naito Takeo , Shiga Hisashi , Hamada Shin , Kakuta Yoichi , Fushimi Kiyohide , Fujimori Kenji , Kinouchi Yoshitaka , Masamune Atsushi
Published: October 2023

Introduction: The efficacy of antibiotics for diverticulitis without abscess or peritonitis (uncomplicated diverticulitis) is controversial. We aimed to investigate the effectiveness of antibiotics for uncomplicated diverticulitis. Methods: We collected admission data for patients with acute uncomplicated diverticulitis using a nationwide database. We divided eligible admissions into two groups according to antibiotic initiation within 2 days after admission (antibiotic group vs. nonantibiotic group). We conducted propensity score matching and compared the rates of surgery (intestinal resection and stoma creation), in-hospital death, and medical costs between the groups. We also performed multivariate analysis to identify the clinical factors that affect surgery. Results: We enrolled 131,936 admissions; among these, we obtained 6,061 pairs after propensity score matching. Rates of both intestinal resection and stoma creation in the antibiotic group were lower than those in the nonantibiotic group (0.61 vs. 3.09%, p < 0.0001, and 0.08 vs. 0.26%, p = 0.027, respectively). Median costs in the antibiotic group were higher than those in the nonantibiotic group (315,820 JPY vs. 300,175 JPY, p < 0.0001, respectively). Multivariate analysis showed that non-initiation of antibiotics within 2 days after admission was a clinical factor that increased the risk of intestinal resection (odds ratio [OR] = 5.19, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.38–6.16, p < 0.0001) and stoma creation (OR = 2.68, 95% CI: 1.53–4.70, p = 0.0006). Conclusion: Our results indicated that antibiotics for uncomplicated diverticulitis expected to have moderate to severe disease activity may reduce the risk of intestinal resection and stoma creation. Further investigations are warranted.
Pleuraergüsse: Serum-Erguss-Albumin-Gradient ermöglicht die schnelle Erkennung von Transsudaten
Authors: Stanzel Franz
Published: October 2023

Introduction: While Light’s criteria exhibit high sensitivity (98%) in detecting exudative pleural effusions, the capacity to rule out transudates is relatively limited. A previous study showed that approximately one-fifth of patients with congestive cardiac failure on diuretics also met the criteria for exudate. This study compares the diagnostic value of Light’s criteria, the serum-effusion albumin gradient (SEAG) method, and pleural effusion glucose levels for accurately categorizing pleural effusion as transudate or exudate. Methodology: We conducted this cross-sectional observational study in a tertiary care hospital in Ahmedabad, India. Two hundred patients with pleural effusion undergoing thoracentesis were included. Laboratory parameters measured in pleural fluid analysis included pleural fluid protein, pleural fluid lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), pleural fluid albumin, and pleural fluid glucose. Serum protein, serum LDH, and serum albumin were also collected. Mean values and standard deviations (SDs) were calculated for analysis. Results: A significant difference was observed in the mean value of exudative and transudative effusions for each parameter (pleural fluid protein/serum fluid protein ratio, pleural fluid LDH/serum fluid LDH ratio, pleural fluid LDH, SEAG, and pleural fluid glucose) (P < 0.001). Light’s criteria demonstrated the highest efficacy in diagnosing exudates (accuracy = 97.50%), while SEAG demonstrated the highest efficacy in diagnosing transudates (accuracy = 97.50%).