bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Psychological well-being, food insecurity, academic performance and other risk factors in a sample of university students in Jordan during COVID-19
Authors: Mousa Tamara Y. , Dardas Latefa A.
Published: October 2024

This research validated an Arabic version of the Psychological General Well-being Index-Short version (PGWB-S) and examined the relationship between perceived psychological well-being, and food insecurity, academic achievement, and other risk factors in a sample of university students in Amman, Jordan, during COVID-19. A cross-sectional study was conducted in two phases. Phase 1 translated and validated the Arabic copy of the PGWB-S in 122 students from the University of Jordan. In Phase 2, 414 students completed the demographic questionnaire, Arabic versions of the PGWB-S, the Ryff Psychological Well-being Scale, and the Individual Food Insecurity Experience Scale. The participants had a mean PGWB-S score of 15.82 ± 0.34, and 41.3% had a mean score below 15. Psychological well-being was better in students younger than 21 and/or who had a GPA ≥3.0, were of normal weight or overweight, physically inactive, and food secure, did not drink coffee or smoke, as well as in those whose neighbourhood contained grocery stores and/or public transportation (P < 0.05). In conclusion, during the pandemic, perceived mental well-being was moderate in a Jordanian sample of university students. Perceived psychological well-being was also positively associated with food security and academic performance. These findings suggest that improving food security and academic achievement may contribute to enhanced psychological well-being among university students. Therefore, higher education institutions with the help of the government are encouraged to facilitate the provision of mental health care services to students, mainly post the coronavirus, which according to our knowledge is limited.
Laboratory formation of micro-penitentes at temperatures and pressures relevant to Earth and other worlds
Authors: Berisford Daniel Floyd , Foster Jeffrey Tyler , Kosberg Jacob , Furst Benjamin , Poston Michael Joseph , Daimaru Takuro , Lang Maggie , Backman Lavina , Hand Kevin Peter
Published: October 2024

We conducted a series of experiments that revealed the formation of mm-scale penitente structures in ice illuminated by broadband light under moderate vacuum conditions between 50 and 2000 Pa. The experimental apparatus consists of a 0.3 m diameter cylindrical vacuum chamber with a cooling jacket surrounding the outer radius and bottom surface. Light shines in through an optical window at the top to illuminate most of the ice surface. We observe penitente-like structures at temperatures between −15

$^\circ$

C and

$-2^\circ$

C and pressures close to the equilibrium vapor pressure at the ice surface temperature. The formation of these structures is very sensitive to slight changes in background pressure, and the structures tend to vanish with significant deviations away from the equilibrium curve, resulting in a smooth sublimated crater formation instead of penitentes. Application of the physical model by Claudin and others (2015, doi: 10.1103/PhysRevE.92.033015) at experimental conditions generally agrees with observations for penitente spacing.
The Armenian of hikmet-i cedide: philosophy in the late Ottoman Empire
Authors: Karademir Aret
Published: October 2024

This essay challenges the ethnocentrism of the dominant literature on hikmet-i cedide, or the new philosophy, in the late Ottoman Empire. Hikmet-i cedide was “new” in the sense that it did not confine itself to theological discussions and interpretations of holy books. Instead, it found its source of inspiration in the principles of modern Western philosophy, and especially the philosophy of the Enlightenment and Auguste Comte’s positivism. The dominant literature reduces this hikmet-i cedide to the philosophical writings of Muslim/Turkish intellectuals. Problematizing such ethnocentrism, this essay gives an account of hikmet-i cedide from the perspective of Ottoman–Armenians’ early engagement with positivism and the political philosophy of the Enlightenment. It argues that Armenians’ philosophical discourses in the second half of the nineteenth century were characterized by a belief that the principles of the new philosophy were the sine qua non for national survival in the multi-ethnic and multi-religious context of the Empire. They were also characterized by a commitment to reconciling modern Western philosophy with religious attachments. However, this characterization should not be thought to be confined to so-called “Armenian philosophy” but may be generalized to broader late Ottoman thought.
Access denied: how bureaucrats shape politicians’ incentives to choose restrictive asylum policies
Authors: Marbach Moritz , Horz Carlo M.
Published: October 2024

Recent years have seen a surge of politicians campaigning on policies that aim to deter asylum applicants. We present a game-theoretic model in which foreign nationals consider applying for asylum and bureaucrats decide their case if they apply. We show that while policies that make the asylum application less attractive decrease the probability that foreign nationals apply, they also endogenously raise the credibility of applicants’ claims to political persecution and, therefore, may not decrease the number of admitted refugees. Investigating how these competing effects shape asylum policy-making, we show how policy choices depend on bureaucrats’ leniency and politicians’ objectives. Our analysis speaks to the causes of restrictive asylum policies and their limited effectiveness in reducing immigration.
ON A CONJECTURE REGARDING THE SYMMETRIC DIFFERENCE OF CERTAIN SETS
Authors: KE W.-F. , MEYER J. H.
Published: October 2024

Let n be a positive integer and

$\underline {n}=\{1,2,\ldots ,n\}$

. A conjecture arising from certain polynomial near-ring codes states that if

$k\geq 1$

and

$a_{1},a_{2},\ldots ,a_{k}$

are distinct positive integers, then the symmetric difference

$a_{1}\underline {n}\mathbin {\Delta }a_{2}\underline {n}\mathbin {\Delta }\cdots \mathbin {\Delta }a_{k}\underline {n}$

contains at least n elements. Here,

$a_{i}\underline {n}=\{a_{i},2a_{i},\ldots ,na_{i}\}$

for each i. We prove this conjecture for arbitrary n and for

$k=1,2,3$

.
Embodied Gestures of Human Rights: Remorse, Sentiment, and Sympathy in Romantic Regency Drama
Authors: Urban Eva
Published: October 2024

This article demonstrates how the Enlightenment model of sentiment and sympathy is performed in embodied gestures of affective empathy-building, cross-cultural fraternity, and concern for human rights in three Romantic Regency tragedies: Pizarro (1799) by the Romantic dramatist August von Kotzebue, adapted from the German by the Irish dramatist Richard Brinsley Sheridan; Remorse (1813) by the English poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge; and The Apostate (1817) by the Irish dramatist Richard Lalor Sheil. In these plays, protagonists are moved towards sympathy and solidarity with others across cultural divisions and conflict. The discussion also examines how human rights issues are addressed in two plays by Scottish dramatists: Archibald MacLaren’s The Negro Slaves (1799) and Joanna Baillie’s Rayner (1804). Here the protagonists express remorse for engaging in conflict, colonialism, slavery, violence, and human rights abuses against others. All these texts share a common internationalist desire to unite humanity against oppression, injustice, and inequality, advocating human rights, equality, religious tolerance, and cosmopolitan citizenship.
Mysticism as Transgression in Chista Yasrebi’s Rahil
Authors: Montakhabi Bakhtvar Narges
Published: October 2024

As a prominent figure in the contemporary Iranian theatre scene, Chista Yasrebi uses her plays to call for female liberation in the country while navigating the existing political constraints, including censorship. Her 1996 play Rahil, for example, acts as a political allegory through its narrative of the titular woman’s desire for transcendence within the patriarchal realm of Persian mysticism. In its close analysis of the play, this article identifies the historical significance of mystic women in Iran and examines Yasrebi’s use of mysticism to comment on the complexities of gender politics, the oppression faced by Iranian women, and the need for social resistance. Further, it draws on key concepts from Alain Badiou’s political philosophy to demonstrate how Rahil’s journey into mysticism can be seen as an act of transgression. It argues that Yasrebi’s work enriches the ongoing discourse on the role of women in Iranian society and the broader struggle for political transformation.
Travelling wavefronts for the Belousov–Zhabotinsky system with non-local delayed interaction
Authors: Yue Yuanxi , Ou Chunhua
Published: October 2024

This article offers an advanced and novel investigation into the intricate propagation dynamics of the Belousov–Zhabotinsky system with non-local delayed interaction, which exhibits dynamical transition structure from bistable to monostable. We first solved the enduring open problem concerning the existence, uniqueness and the speed sign of the bistable travelling waves. In the monostable case, we developed and derived new results for the minimal wave speed selection, which, as an application, further improved the existing investigations on pushed and pulled wavefronts. Our results can provide new estimate to the minimal speed as well as to the determinacy of the transition parameters. Moreover, these results can be directly applied to standard localised models and delayed reaction diffusion models by choosing appropriate kernel functions.
Efficiency trumps aptitude: Individualizing computer-assisted second language vocabulary learning
Authors: Suzuki Yuichi , Nakata Tatsuya , He Xuehong (Stella)
Published: October 2024

The aim of this study was to contribute to the field of computer-assisted language learning (CALL) by investigating the individualization of intentional vocabulary learning. A total of 118 Japanese-speaking university students studied 20 low-frequency English words using flashcard software over two learning sessions. The participants practiced retrieval of vocabulary under different learning schedules, with short or long time intervals between encounters of the same word in each learning session: Short–Short, Short–Long, Long–Short, and Long–Long. Two individual difference measures – learning efficiency and language aptitude – were examined as predictors of long-term second language (L2) vocabulary retention. Learning efficiency was operationalized as the number of trials needed to reach a learning criterion in each session, whereas a component of aptitude (rote memory ability) was measured by a subtest of Language Aptitude Battery for the Japanese. Multiple regression and dominance analyses were conducted to evaluate the relative importance of learning efficiency and language aptitude in predicting delayed vocabulary posttest scores. The results revealed that learning efficiency in the second learning session was the strongest predictor of vocabulary retention. Language aptitude, however, did not significantly predict vocabulary retention. Moreover, the predictive power of learning efficiency increased when the data were analyzed within each learning schedule, underscoring the need to assess learners’ abilities under specific learning conditions for optimizing their computer-assisted learning performance. These findings not only inform the development of more effective, individualized CALL systems for L2 acquisition but also emphasize the importance of gauging individuals’ abilities such as learning efficiency in a more flexible, context-sensitive manner.
Recurrent acute kidney injury is associated with delayed language development in infants with Congenital Heart Disease
Authors: Pande Chetna K. , Akcan-Arikan Ayse , Monteiro Sonia , Guffey Danielle , Serrano Faridis , Afonso Natasha , Puri Kriti , Achuff Barbara-Jo , Shekerdemian Lara , Noll Lisa
Published: October 2024

Objective:

Neurodevelopmental delay is common in children who undergo surgery for Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) in infancy. Cardiac surgery associated acute kidney injury (CS-AKI) occurs frequently in the paediatric cardiac Intensive care unit (ICU). Cardiac surgery associated acute kidney injury (CS-AKI) is associated with worse neurodevelopmental scores and delay in cognitive, language, and motor domains in children with CHD. No known data exist regarding the association of CS-AKI and motor and language subscales. In this study, we explored the relationship between CS-AKI and receptive and expressive language, as well as gross and fine motor delay.

Methods:

This was a single centre retrospective observational cohort study. Children who underwent surgery for CHD and developed recurrent CS-AKI in the first year of life who had follow-up neurodevelopmental testing using the Bayley Scale of Infant Development Version III were included. Neurodevelopmental delay subscales assessed included: receptive and expressive language, fine and motor skills.

Results:

The study cohort included 203 children. Recurrent CS-AKI was significantly associated with lower scores in receptive and expressive language, as well as fine and gross motor on unadjusted analyses. On adjusted analyses, recurrent CS-AKI was significantly associated with severe receptive language delay.

Conclusion:

The independent association of recurrent CS-AKI with severe language delay in children who undergo surgery for CHD in infancy is novel. Our findings may contribute to the understanding of language impairment in this population. Further studies are required to better understand this relationship and any potentially modifiable factors.
Safety and feasibility of transcatheter closure of atrial septal defects in small children weighing less than 10 kg
Authors: Puthiyedath Thejaswi , Sagar Pramod , Sivakumar Kothandam
Published: October 2024

Background:

When young patients with an oval fossa defect present early with symptoms of heart failure and pulmonary hypertension, surgical treatment is recommended in small bodyweight rather than transcatheter closure.

Methods:

Outcomes of device closure in consecutive symptomatic children weighing under 10 kg were compared with young children aged below 4 years but weighing above 10 kg. Transthoracic echocardiography under conscious sedation guided the procedure in all without need for balloon sizing, transesophageal echocardiogram, and intubation anaesthesia. Symptoms, anthropometry, shunt ratio, pulmonary pressures, defect and device size, percentage oversizing, device/body weight ratio, complications, and post-procedural growth spurt were compared.

Results:

Ninety-six patients weighing under 10 kg were compared with 160 patients weighing above 10 kg. In total, 83.3% of patients in the study group and 25% of controls were severely malnourished. The median indexed defect size was 35.2 mm/sq.m and 27.4 mm/sq.m, and the device was oversized by 8.7% and 14.2% in the study group and controls, respectively. The device/body weight ratio was 1.93 in study group and 1.4 in controls. Procedure was successful in all except one patient weighing under 10 kg who had a device embolisation. Both groups showed significant growth spurts and proportion, with severe malnutrition reduced to 42% and 11% in the two groups.

Conclusions:

Device closure was feasible and safe in patients under 10 kg. Transthoracic echocardiographic imaging on conscious sedation provided adequate guidance. Symptoms and growth significantly improved after intervention. Despite a larger defect size, smaller patients had comparable outcomes. In symptomatic children under 10 kg needing early closure, transcatheter intervention should not be deferred.
Longitudinal echocardiographic parameters for evaluation of pulmonary hypertension in preterm infants with very low birth weight
Authors: Saengsin Kwannapas , Khuwuthayakorn Varangthip , Prongprot Yupada , Sittiwangkul Rekwan , Phinyo Phichayut , Tanasombatkul Krittai , Langu Munranee
Published: October 2024

Background:

Echocardiography is essential for the evaluation of pulmonary hypertension. We determined the feasible quantitative parameter for screening and monitoring pulmonary hypertension in preterm infants.

Methods:

This secondary analysis of a prospective cohort single-centre study was conducted between August 2019 and September 2020. Serial echocardiography was performed 7 and 28 days after birth and at 36 weeks postmenstrual age. The data of infants who developed pulmonary hypertension at 36 weeks postmenstrual age were compared with those without pulmonary hypertension. We also modelled the parameters’ trend and performed an interaction test using multi-level Gaussian regression.

Results:

Out of 30 infants enrolled in the study, 79 echocardiograms were analysed. Left ventricular eccentric index was obtainable in all infants, while tricuspid jet velocity was measurable in 44.1%. Left ventricular eccentric index correlated well with tricuspid regurgitation jet velocity (r = 0.77, P < 0.001). Six infants were diagnosed with newly developed or persistent pulmonary hypertension at 36 weeks postmenstrual age. Serial left ventricular eccentric index showed a significantly different increasing trend in the pulmonary hypertension group (change per day: +0.004; P = 0.090) from the decreasing trend among a non-pulmonary hypertension group (change per day: –0.001; P = 0.041) (P for interaction = 0.007). Right ventricular systolic function and right ventricular isovolumic systolic velocity revealed a reducing trend in the pulmonary hypertension group, which was different from the improving trend in non-pulmonary hypertension infants. Infants with low current weight, low postmenstrual age, and requiring high-flow oxygen therapy at day 28 of life trended to increase the risk of late pulmonary hypertension.

Conclusion:

Left ventricular eccentric index and right ventricular isovolumic systolic velocity were feasible for assessing pulmonary hypertension and should be incorporated into pulmonary hypertension evaluation. Serial left ventricular eccentric index and right ventricular isovolumic systolic velocity may help predict late pulmonary hypertension and early detection of right ventricular dysfunction.
Reduced red and processed meat consumption is associated with lower diet costs in US households: a national analysis of protein substitutions
Authors: Orta-Aleman Dania , Thorne-Lyman Andrew L , Neff Roni , Wolfson Julia , Caulfield Laura E
Published: October 2024

Objective:

To examine the association between red and processed meat consumption and total food expenditures in US households and explore whether households could reduce food costs by substituting these meats with other protein sources such as poultry, seafood, eggs and plant proteins.

Design:

Cross-sectional study using data from the National Household Food Acquisition and Purchase Survey (FoodAPS). Using adult male equivalents (AME) for standardisation, we categorised red and processed meat purchases into quintiles. We used generalised linear models to explore the association between red or processed meat consumption and food expenditures and the cost effect of substituting meat with other proteins.

Setting:

United States.

Participants:

Data from 4739 households with valid acquisition information from FoodAPS, a stratified multistage probability sample of US households.

Results:

Higher red and processed meat consumption were both significantly associated with higher total weekly food expenditures, particularly among households with low income. Substituting red or processed meat with poultry, eggs or plant proteins did not significantly affect overall food expenditures, whereas replacing meat with seafood, especially varieties high in n-3 fatty acids, led to increased costs.

Conclusions:

Reducing red and processed meat consumption could offer savings for households, particularly those with low income. Although substitutions with seafood high in n-3 could increase expenses, alternative protein sources like poultry and plant proteins may serve as cost-neutral replacements. Public health strategies should emphasise dietary shifts’ economic, health and environmental benefits and aim to make nutritious yet affordable protein sources more accessible.
Social Capital, Social Health Insurance, and Health-related Quality of Life among People with Chronic Disease: Cultural and Ideational Perspectives
Authors: Amoah Padmore Adusei , Oteng Samuel Ampadu
Published: October 2024

This study extends debates on implications of informal welfare for population health and well-being. It examines whether cultural and ideational precepts such as social capital, affect enrolment in National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) among people living with chronic disease(s) in Ghana. It also explores how NHIS enrolment explains the association between social capital and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) using empirical data from five regions in Ghana. Results indicate that bonding social capital was associated with HRQoL. Bridging and linking social capital were positively and negatively associated with enrolment in NHIS, respectively. Enrolment in the NHIS explained the relationships of trust in neighbours, bridging and linking social capital with HRQoL. Thus, while social capital can improve HRQoL of people living with chronic disease(s), it does so by, among others, influencing their participation in formal health protective services. Culturally driven informal welfare resources are critical to making formal programmes meaningful to people.
New Details About a Very Old Eruption and Flood
Authors: Sidik Saima
Published: October 2024

One of the most dramatic volcanic eruptions in history occurred more than 1,000 years ago. Scientists are still piecing together the aftermath.
Finding the Frequency of a Fjord
Authors: Besl J.
Published: October 2024

A massive tsunami churned up a mysterious 9-day noise in East Greenland. As the climate warms, more fjords may start singing.
TBC1D15-regulated mitochondria–lysosome membrane contact exerts neuroprotective effects by alleviating mitochondrial calcium overload in seizure
Authors: Xie Yinyin , Zhang Wanwan , Peng Tingting , Wang Xiaoyi , Lian Xiaolei , He Jiao , Wang Cui , Xie Nanchang
Published: October 2024

Mitochondrial calcium overload plays an important role in the neurological insults in seizure. The Rab7 GTPase-activating protein, Tre-2/Bub2/Cdc16 domain family member 15 (TBC1D15), is involved in the regulation of mitochondrial calcium dynamics by mediating mitochondria–lysosome membrane contact. However, whether TBC1D15-regulated mitochondria–lysosome membrane contact and mitochondrial calcium participate in neuronal injury in seizure is unclear. We aimed to investigate the effect of TBC1D15-regulated mitochondria–lysosome membrane contact on epileptiform discharge-induced neuronal damage and further explore the underlying mechanism. Lentiviral vectors (Lv) infection and stereotaxic adeno-associated virus (AAV) injection were used to regulate TBC1D15 expression before establishing in vitro epileptiform discharge and in vivo status epilepticus (SE) models. TBC1D15’s effect on inter-organellar interactions, mitochondrial calcium levels and neuronal injury in seizure was evaluated. The results showed that abnormalities in mitochondria–lysosome membrane contact, mitochondrial calcium overload, mitochondrial dysfunction, increased levels of reactive oxygen species, and prominent neuronal damage were partly relieved by TBC1D15 overexpression, whereas TBC1D15 knockdown markedly deteriorated these phenomena. Further examination revealed that epileptiform discharge-induced mitochondrial calcium overload in primary hippocampal neurons was closely associated with abnormal mitochondria–lysosome membrane contact. This study highlights the crucial role played by TBC1D15-regulated mitochondria–lysosome membrane contact in epileptiform discharge-induced neuronal injury by alleviating mitochondrial calcium overload.
Effect of temperature and extraframework cation type on CHA framework flexibility
Authors: Cametti Georgia , Giordani Matteo
Published: October 2024

The sorption properties of zeolites are controlled by several factors, i.e. Si/Al ratio of the aluminosilicate framework [AlSiO4]-, the type and position of the extraframework (EF) cations, and the applied temperature. Here we investigate the flexibility of CHA framework as a function of EF cation-content and temperature (20–350 °C). Two CHA forms (Na- and Cu-CHA) with Si/Al = 2 were analysed. The main objectives were: (i) to shed light on the HT behaviour of Na-CHA, for which contrasting results exist in literature; (ii) define the role of temperature and EF cation-type in the response to the heating stimuli. We show that at 75 °C, Na-CHA undergoes a severe contraction of the unit-cell volume (-12%) accompanied by a symmetry lowering (R-3m to I2/m). The transformation is reversible, if the dehydrated Na-CHA is exposed to ambient conditions. In contrast, Cu-CHA experiences a significant different dehydration path, which involves minor changes of the CHA framework, and a net positive thermal-expansion after dehydration. The implications of the observed transformations for gas separation processes are finally discussed.
Clinical relevance of proteinuria selectivity index and fractional excretion of sodium in patients with nephrotic syndrome
Authors: Nakayama Takashin , Azegami Tatsuhiko , Yamaguchi Shintaro , Hirano Keita , Komatsu Motoaki , Fujii Kentaro , Futatsugi Koji , Urai Hidenori , Kawaguchi Takahisa , Itoh Tomoaki , Yoshimoto Norifumi , Hagiwara Aika , Hishikawa Akihito , Matsuda Hiroto , Ando Takashi , Yamaji Yasuyoshi , Murakami Marohito , Hashiguchi Akinori , Kaneko Yuko , Yokoo Takashi , Hayashi Kaori
Published: October 2024

Proteinuria selectivity index (PSI) is a potential tool for histological classification and prediction of treatment response in nephrotic syndrome, but evidence is insufficient. Clinical relevance of fractional excretion of sodium (FENa) in nephrotic syndrome remains largely unexplored. This multicenter retrospective study included patients with nephrotic syndrome who underwent kidney biopsy between January 2012 and June 2022. Optimal cutoffs for predicting complete remission based on PSI and FENa were determined using receiver operating characteristic curves. Patients were divided into two groups using these cutoffs and followed until complete remission. Of the 611 patients included, 177 had minimal change disease (MCD), 52 had focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), and 149 had membranous nephropathy (MN). Median (interquartile range) PSI were 0.14 (0.09–0.19) for MCD, 0.33 (0.23–0.40) for FSGS, and 0.20 (0.14–0.30) for MN. FENa were 0.24 (0.09–0.68), 1.03 (0.50–2.14), and 0.78 (0.41–1.28). Patients with low PSI and FENa had a higher incidence of complete remission. Cox regression analyses demonstrated that both parameters were associated with achieving complete remission (HR 2.73 [95% CI 1.97–3.81] and HR 1.93 [95% CI 1.46–2.55], respectively). PSI and FENa may be useful for histological classification and predicting remission in nephrotic syndrome.
Association between red blood cells transfusion and 28-day mortality rate in septic patients with concomitant chronic kidney disease
Authors: Chen Lei , Lu Honglei , Lv Chenwei , Ni Haibin , Yu Renjun , Zhang Bing , Hu Xingxing
Published: October 2024

Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) often have impaired immune function, making them more prone to infections that can lead to sepsis. The coexistence of these conditions can result in decreased hemoglobin levels and is associated with a higher mortality rate. To investigate whether the transfusion of red blood cells (RBCs) improves the prognosis of septic patients with concomitant CKD and to explore the indications for red blood cell transfusion. This retrospective cohort study utilizes data from the MIMIC-IV (v2.0) database. The study enrolled 6,604 patients with sepsis and concomitant CKD admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Propensity score matching (PSM) was applied to adjust for confounding factors. Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed an association between RBC transfusion and a decreased risk of 28-day mortality (HR: 0.61, 95% CI: 0.54–0.70, P < 0.001). Following a meticulous 1:1 propensity score matching analysis between the two cohorts, the matched population revealed a notable decrease in 28-day mortality within the RBC transfusion group (HR: 0.60, 95% CI: 0.51–0.71; P < 0.001). Additionally, we observed that a SOFA score ≥ 5, a Base Excess (BE) value < 3, and an estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) < 30 may be considered when evaluating the potential need for RBC transfusion. This study demonstrated an association between RBC transfusion and decreased 28-day mortality in patients with sepsis accompanied by CKD. The patient’s BE value, SOFA score, and eGFR are crucial factors influencing the treatment outcome and should be considered when deciding on RBC transfusion.
Correction: A focused ion beam-fabricated high-performance electrodeposited nickel–ruthenium–ruthenium oxide nano-supercapacitor
Authors: Biswas Sudipta , Morag Ahiud , Shauloff Nitzan , Maman Nitzan , Jelinek Raz
Published: October 2024

Correction for ‘A focused ion beam-fabricated high-performance electrodeposited nickel–ruthenium–ruthenium oxide nano-supercapacitor’ by Sudipta Biswas et al., J. Mater. Chem. A, 2024, 12, 20887–20893, https://doi.org/10.1039/D4TA03734K.
Modeling and dosimetric characterization of a 3D printed pregnant woman phantom for fetal dosimetry in radiotherapy
Authors: CHAIKH A. , CHAABANE A. , JARDIN C. , BASSOT S. , BEAUMONT T. , CHEA M. , KHALAL M. , JENNY C. , THOMAS S. , HUET C. , ISAMBERT A. , EDOUARD M.
Published: October 2024

A phantom-based estimation of the fetal dose for pregnant women undergoing radiotherapy and its optimization are recommended by the French society for radiation oncology. The objective of this study was to model and print 3D bellies representing various stages of pregnancy, that could be added to a female ATOM® phantom, enabling fetal dose assessment through measurements for optimization studies. The bellies were designed based on fundal height values from gynecological references and printed using a Stratasys 3D Printer and VeroWhite resin. Its chemical composition was determined using a CHONS analyzer: 65.51% carbon (C), 7.95% hydrogen(H), 23.3% oxygen (O), and 2.89% nitrogen (N). Its physical density was assessed using the helium pycnometry method: 1.190 +/-0.001. The linear attenuation coefficients for VeroWhite resin were evaluated using two methods: by calculations based on the linear attenuation coefficients of each chemical element and by experimental attenuation measurements using a 6MV beam. Consistent results were obtained with both methods; the VeroWhite resin is approximately 15% higher attenuation than water according to the calculation method and approximately 12% higher attenuation than RW3 water equivalent plates with the experimental method. These results were considered as acceptable for comparative parametric studies of fetal dose.
National diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) for general and interventional radiography, mammography, and CT scan based on the latest surveys in Iran
Authors: Sina Sedigheh , Reza Kardan Mohammad , Karimi Ashtiani Hossein , Bahreinipour Mostean , Rakeb Zahra , Hossein Sadeghi Mohammad , Amin Nazari Jahromi Mohammad , Fasaie Behzad , Reza Deevband Mohammad , Paydar Reza , Norooz Alizadeh Fatemeh , Reza Ghanbarpour Mohammad , Farajzadeh Ebrahim
Published: October 2024

Establishing Diagnostic Reference Levels (DRLs) is crucial for optimizing patient radiation protection during diagnostic imaging procedures. This study aims to develop national DRLs for diagnostic radiology in Iran, based on a comprehensive retrospective analysis of previous research projects, and studies. Necessary information was gathered from various data, including research project reports, graduate theses, and articles published in scientific journals, or presented in national and international conferences. After initial data validation, DRL values were developed by detailed analysis. DRLs were established for various imaging modalities, including radiology, computed tomography (CT), mammography, and interventional radiology. For instance, the DRL for radiology abdomen imaging was set at an entrance surface dose (ESD) of 3.29 mGy, while for CT head imaging, the DRL was a CTDIvol of 49 mGy. Comparison with DRLs from other countries showed variability, underscoring the need for localized DRLs. The study highlights the importance of standardized guidelines and cooperative efforts among academic and research institutions for accurate DRL determination. This study provides optimized data for future DRL measurements and contributes to the global effort in radiological protection.
Implementierung der rehabilitativen Kurzzeitpflege in die
Regelversorgung: Modelle zur Finanzierung und Vergütung
Authors: Hüer Theresa , Wasem Jürgen , Raszke Pascal , Frankenhauser-Mannuss Julia , Bauer Jürgen , Keilhauer Anne , Specht-Leible Norbert , zur Nieden Pauline , Diekmann Sandra , Neumann Anja , Pahmeier Kathrin , Walendzik Anke
Published: October 2024

Beim innovativen Ansatz der rehabilitativen Kurzzeitpflege werden
Leistungsinhalte der stationären Kurzzeitpflege um rehabilitative Maßnahmen
ergänzt. Für eine Überleitung in die Regelversorgung wurden Vergütungs- und
Finanzierungsmodelle auf Basis einer Literaturrecherche entwickelt,
kriteriengestützt bewertet und in einem Stakeholder-Workshop diskutiert. Die
Ansätze zur Finanzierung umfassen eine reine Finanzierung durch die GKV, eine
Zuordnung der Finanzierungsträger GKV und SPV nach Leistungsbestandteilen sowie
die Zuordnung der Finanzierungsverantwortung nach Rehabilitationsrisiko über
Transferzahlungen von der SPV an die GKV. Die Vergütungsmodelle unterscheiden
Fallpauschalen und Tagessätze, die entweder aufwandsspezifisch differenziert,
durch eine Pay-for-Performance-Komponente ergänzt oder einheitlich ausgestaltet
sind. Die kriteriengestützte Bewertung zeigte Trade-offs hinsichtlich der
Zielerreichung der verschiedenen Kriterien.
Introducing the comparative semi-presidential database (CSPD)
Authors: Åberg Jenny , Denk Thomas
Published: October 2024

In this article, we introduce a new dataset—the Comparative Semi-Presidential Database (CSPD)—covering classifications of semi-presidential regimes. In contrast to other databases, the CSPD offers several classifications based on different definitions of semi-presidential regimes along with subtypes of semi-presidential regimes. We use definitions developed by Elgie (in: Elgie (ed) Semi-presidentialism in Europe, Oxford University Press, Oxford, 1999), Cheibub et al. (Public Choice 143:67–101, 2010), Shugart (French Politics 3(3):323–351, 2005) and Shugart and Carey (Presidents and assemblies: constitutional design and electoral dynamics, Cambridge University Press, New York, 1992). Additionally, we present a modified definition of semi-presidential regimes based on the conceptual discussion in the field. The database covers all independent states from 1900 to 2021. Using empirical analyses, we compare the classifications, the importance of conceptualisation and presenting our measurement for semi-presidential regimes.
TRIM21 induces selective autophagic degradation of c-Myc and sensitizes regorafenib therapy in colorectal cancer
Authors: Ye Wen-Long , Huang Long , Yang Xiao-Qin , Wan Shan , Gan Wen-Juan , Yang Yun , He Xiao-Shun , Liu Feng , Guo Xin , Liu Yi-Xuan , Hu Guang , Li Xiu-Ming , Shi Wei-Yi , He Kuang , Wu Yue-Yue , Wu Wen-Xin , Lu Jun-Hou , Song Yu , Qu Chen-Jiang , Wu Hua
Published: October 2024

Kirsten rat sarcoma virus (KRAS) mutation is associated with malignant tumor transformation and drug resistance. However, the development of clinically effective targeted therapies for KRAS-mutant cancer has proven to be a formidable challenge. Here, we report that tripartite motif-containing protein 21 (TRIM21) functions as a target of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 2 (ERK2) in KRAS-mutant colorectal cancer (CRC), contributing to regorafenib therapy resistance. Mechanistically, TRIM21 directly interacts with and ubiquitinates v-myc avian myelocytomatosis viral oncogene homolog (c-Myc) at lysine 148 (K148) via K63-linkage, enabling c-Myc to be targeted to the autophagy machinery for degradation, ultimately resulting in the downregulation of enolase 2 expression and inhibition of glycolysis. However, mutant KRAS (KRAS/MT)-driven mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling leads to the phosphorylation of TRIM21 (p-TRIM21) at Threonine 396 (T396) by ERK2, disrupting the interaction between TRIM21 and c-Myc and thereby preventing c-Myc from targeting autophagy for degradation. This enhances glycolysis and contributes to regorafenib resistance. Clinically, high p-TRIM21 (T396) is associated with an unfavorable prognosis. Targeting TRIM21 to disrupt KRAS/MT-driven phosphorylation using the antidepressant vilazodone shows potential for enhancing the efficacy of regorafenib in treating KRAS-mutant CRC in preclinical models. These findings are instrumental for KRAS-mutant CRC treatment aiming at activating TRIM21-mediated selective autophagic degradation of c-Myc.
Tipping the balance between fairness and efficiency through temporoparietal stimulation
Authors: Soutschek Alexander , Șahin Türkay , Tobler Philippe N.
Published: October 2024

Maximizing the welfare of society requires distributing goods between groups of people with different preferences. Such decisions are difficult because different moral principles impose irreconcilable solutions. For example, utilitarian efficiency (maximize overall outcome across individuals) may need trade-off against Rawlsian fairness norms (maximize the outcome for the worst-off individual). We identify a brain mechanism enabling decision-makers to solve such trade-offs between efficiency and fairness using separate neuroimaging and sham-controlled brain stimulation experiments. As activity in the temporoparietal junction (TPJ) increases, people are more likely to implement the Rawlsian fairness criterion rather than efficiency or inequality concerns. Strikingly, reducing TPJ excitability with brain stimulation reduces the concern for fairness in fairness-efficiency trade-offs. Moreover, the reduced fairness concerns statistically relate to stimulation-induced reductions in perspective-taking skills as measured in a separate task. Together, our findings not only reveal the neural underpinning of efficiency-fairness trade-offs but also recast the role of TPJ in social decision-making by showing that its perspective-taking function serves to promote fairness for the worst-off rather than efficiency or equality.
Ribosomal frameshifting selectively modulates the assembly, function, and pharmacological rescue of a misfolded CFTR variant
Authors: Carmody Patrick J. , Roushar Francis J. , Tedman Austin , Wang Wei , Herwig Madeline , Kim Minsoo , McDonald Eli F. , Noguera Karen , Wong-Roushar Jennifer , Poirier Jon-Luc , Zelt Nathan B. , Pockrass Ben T. , McKee Andrew G. , Kuntz Charles P. , Raju S. Vamsee , Plate Lars , Penn Wesley D. , Schlebach Jonathan P.
Published: October 2024

The cotranslational misfolding of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator chloride channel (CFTR) plays a central role in the molecular basis of CF. The misfolding of the most common CF variant (ΔF508) remodels both the translational regulation and quality control of CFTR. Nevertheless, it is unclear how the misassembly of the nascent polypeptide may directly influence the activity of the translation machinery. In this work, we identify a structural motif within the CFTR transcript that stimulates efficient −1 ribosomal frameshifting and triggers the premature termination of translation. Though this motif does not appear to impact the interactome of wild-type CFTR, silent mutations that disrupt this RNA structure alter the association of nascent ΔF508 CFTR with numerous translation and quality control proteins. Moreover, disrupting this RNA structure enhances the functional gating of the ΔF508 CFTR channel at the plasma membrane and its pharmacological rescue by the CFTR modulators contained in the CF drug Trikafta. The effects of the RNA structure on ΔF508 CFTR appear to be attenuated in the absence of the ER membrane protein complex, which was previously found to modulate ribosome collisions during “preemptive quality control” of a misfolded CFTR homolog. Together, our results reveal that ribosomal frameshifting selectively modulates the assembly, function, and pharmacological rescue of a misfolded CFTR variant. These findings suggest that interactions between the nascent chain, quality control machinery, and ribosome may dynamically modulate ribosomal frameshifting in order to tune the processivity of translation in response to cotranslational misfolding.
Review of the Research Status of Practical Superconducting Materials and Their Current Carrying Performance
Authors: Zhang 张 Yifan 一帆 , Zhang 张 Shengnan 胜楠 , Liu 刘 Jixing 吉星 , Yang 杨 Fang 芳 , Li 李 Chengshan 成山 , Li 李 Jianfeng 建峰 , Zhang 张 Pingxiang 平祥
Published: October 2024

Superconducting materials hold great potential in high field magnetic applications compared to traditional conductive materials. At present, practical superconducting materials include low-temperature superconductors such as NbTi and Nb3Sn, high-temperature superconductors such as Bi-2212, Bi-2223, YBCO, iron-based superconductors and MgB2. The development of low-temperature superconducting wires started earlier and has now entered the stage of industrialized production, showing obvious advantages in mechanical properties and cost under low temperature and middle-low magnetic field. However, due to the insufficient intrinsic superconducting performance, low-temperature superconductors are unable to exhibit excellent performance at high temperature or high fields. Further improvement of supercurrent carrying performance mainly depends on the enhancement of pinning ability. High-temperature superconductors have greater advantages in high temperature and high field, but many of them are still in the stage of further performance improvement. Many high-temperature superconductors are limited by the deficiency in their polycrystalline structure, and further optimization of intergranular connectivity is required. In addition, it is also necessary to further enhance their pinning ability. The numerous successful application instances of high-temperature superconducting wires and tapes also prove their tremendous potential in electric power applications.
High-Temperature Phonon-Mediated Superconductivity with Tc above 100K in Monolayer Na(BC)2 and K(BC)2
Authors: Chen 陈 Wenxuan 文轩 , Liu 刘 Zhengtao 正涛 , Huo 霍 Zihao 子豪 , Dong 董 Guiyan 桂言 , Cai 蔡 Jialiang 嘉良 , Duan 段 Defang 德芳
Published: October 2024

Two-dimensional (2D) materials have demonstrated promising prospects owing to their distinctive electronic properties and exceptional mechanical properties. Among them, 2D superconductors with T
c above the boiling point of liquid nitrogen (77 K) will exhibit tremendous applicable value in the future. Here, we design two 2D superconductors Na(BC)2 and K(BC)2 with MgB2-like structures, which are theoretically predicted to host T
c as high as 99 and 102 K, respectively. The origin of such high T
c is ascribed to the presence of both σ-bonding bands and van Hove singularity at the Fermi level. Furthermore, T
c of Na(BC)2 is boosted up to 153 K with a biaxial strain of 5%, which sets a new record among 2D superconductors. The predictions of Na(BC)2 and K(BC)2 open the door to explore 2D high-temperature superconductors and provide a potential future for developing new applications in 2D materials.
Particle fluctuations in systems with Bose–Einstein condensate
Authors: Yukalov V I
Published: October 2024

Particle fluctuations in systems, exhibiting Bose–Einstein condensation, are reviewed in order to clarify the basic points that attract high interest and often confront misunderstanding. It is explained that the so-called ‘grand canonical catastrophe’, claiming the occurrence of catastrophic particle fluctuations in the condensed phase, treated by grand canonical ensemble, does not exist. What exists is the incorrect use of the grand canonical ensemble, where gauge symmetry is not broken, while the correct description of the condensed phase necessarily requires gauge symmetry breaking. The ideal Bose gas has no catastrophic condensate fluctuations, and moreover there are no condensate fluctuations at all, as soon as gauge symmetry is broken. However it does have anomalous fluctuations of uncondensed particles, which implies its instability. For interacting particles, there are no condensate fluctuations, as soon as gauge symmetry is broken, and anomalous fluctuations of uncondensed particles, when correctly calculated, do not appear. Particle fluctuations in the systems of trapped atoms are discussed. Canonical ensemble and grand canonical ensemble with broken gauge symmetry are equivalent with respect to the number of particle scaling.
Intelligent improvement of gear hobbing process based on the TRIZ method
Authors: Wu Dayuan , Fang Yifang , Du Mengxin , Liu Tao , Zhao Wanlin , Du Penghao
Published: October 2024

Gear hobbing is currently one of the most widely used gear processing technologies. Still, due to its involvement in multiple processing parameters, coupling of influencing factors, and limitations in technical conditions, many problems need to be improved in the gear hobbing process. This article uses the TRIZ innovative method to conduct a systematic functional analysis and contradiction analysis of the gear hobbing process, proposes a series of intelligent and innovative methods, and verifies the effectiveness of the proposed set of innovative methods through the on-site application of the final ideal solution.
Design of intelligent remote monitoring and diagnosis system for equipment
Authors: Li Zhenao , Chen Lei , Li Wenlong , Shi Wenxuan
Published: October 2024

As modern production technology progresses, equipment complexity escalates, resulting in a rising failure rate. An intelligent remote monitoring and diagnosis system for equipment based on cloud-edge collaboration technology is designed to address the problems of poor data transmission ability and low fault diagnosis accuracy in traditional monitoring and diagnosis systems. The system realizes information perception, collection, and edge computing through edge intelligent devices. The feature extraction, pattern recognition, and intelligent information diagnosis are realized in the cloud platform, and the equipment’s running state and diagnosis results are displayed in real time at the terminal. The research and design of this system are of great significance in reducing unexpected downtime of equipment and improving production efficiency.
Lightweighting study of key components of lifting spreader based on the ANSYS workbench
Authors: Gao Weiqian , Wei Yulan , Huang Shiyu , Zhao Jiahua , Li Bing , Ma Wenchao
Published: October 2024

Based on the ANSYS workbench simulation platform for a lightweight solution, the key components of the lifting spreader are optimized and analyzed for the study. Using the ANSYS workbench simulation platform in conjunction with Solidworks software, the following model optimization is carried out based on establishing and analyzing the finite element model. The optimization results show that the self-weight is reduced by 29.5%, which indicates that the optimization analysis can keep the key components of the spreader in use with the same performance and high safety factor while reducing their mass density, improving mechanical properties, and reducing production costs. At the same time, the optimized efficiency of key components can be achieved by making full use of their structural properties.