bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigation of the Impact of Sintering Temperature on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of FeCoMo Tool Steel
Authors: Lu Shiteng , Hu Qipeng , Ge Xueyuan , Wang Peng , Kuang Ya , Gao Lei , Xu Yifei , Lu Lei
Published: February 2025

An experimental investigation has been conducted to ascertain the influence of sintering temperature on the microstructure and mechanical properties of FeCoMo tool steels. The findings reveal that elevated sintering temperatures accelerate the growth and induce an uneven distribution of the μ phase. This phenomenon adversely affects the three-point bending strength, causing a reduction, and simultaneously increasing hardness. Notably, the data highlights 1, 170°C as the optimal sintering temperature for preserving microstructural uniformity, correlating with a hardness of 534 HV and an impressive three-point bending strength of 1, 354 MPa.
Influence of different heat treatment processes on micro-structure and properties of high strength low alloy steel
Authors: Zhang Minghao , Li Xianjun , Luo Ping , Zhang Wenliang , Sun Chaoyang , An Weicheng , Yang Siyuan
Published: February 2025

To improve the strength and toughness of high strength low alloy steel, conventional quenching and tampering, bainite austempering, quenching&partitioning were conducted. The mechanical properties of the high strength low alloy steel obtained from each of the above heat treatment processes were analyzed through the evolution of microstructure. The results indicated that, compared with the quenching & tempering and bainite austempering process, toughness value was improved by 24~26% through quenching & partitioning process. Meanwhile, the tensile and yield strength value decreased slightly. The improvement in properties is related to the different decomposition amounts of austenite.
Effect of laser power on the organization and properties of CoCrMo/TiC composite coatings
Authors: Sun Huanming , Wang Di , Zhao Hui , Gong Xun , Du Chunyan , Yi Xiaohao , Qu Ning
Published: February 2025

To examine how the power of the laser affects the structure and characteristics of the fused cladding layer, this paper used four laser powers to prepare the CoCrMo/Tic alloy fused cladding layer on the TC4 surface. The structure and characteristics of the cladding layer were investigated using laser power in an X-ray diffractometer, scanning electron microscope, energy spectrometer, and micro Vickers hardness tester. The results show that the CoCrMo/TiC composite coating prepared by laser cladding is mainly FCC solid solution phase; the organization consists primarily of equiaxed and dendritic crystals, and the BCC phase is evident at laser powers greater than 2200 W; as laser power increases, the cladding layer’s macroscopic surface is brilliant and smooth, devoid of any visible flaws; the coating’s hardness first drops and then rises as laser power increases, and the cladding layer’s hardness is 744 HV0.2 at 2000 W, which is the maximum value of 744 HV0.2 at 2000 W. The maximum value is 744 HV0.2, or 2.3 times the substrate’s hardness.
Weibull distribution analysis of fracture toughness of ductile cast iron for large-scale spent nuclear fuel transportation containments
Authors: Jiang Yu , Pan Jun , Ma Li , Su Xihui
Published: February 2025

The fracture toughness of ductile cast iron for large-scale spent nuclear fuel transportation containments was investigated and statistically analyzed by the methodology of Weibull distribution. The fracture toughness data of specimens at different locations (top and nesting parts) were obtained by conducting fracture toughness tests. The two-parameter Weibull distribution was utilized for statistical analysis to verify the applicability of the method for the fracture toughness of the specific domestic material, and also to determine the satisfaction of the requirement for the fracture toughness of the vessels with a large cross-section in ultimate low temperature conditions.
Foaming study of polyurethane insulation for cold storage based on aspen plus
Authors: Zhang Xiangsong , Zhang Yonglin
Published: February 2025

Based on a polyurethane high-pressure foaming device, the process of synthesizing polyurethane from isocyanate (-NCO) and polyether polyol (-OH) under the catalytic effect of various additives was simulated. Using the Aspen Plus software platform, a flow model of the polyurethane high-pressure foaming process was established. The effects of isocyanate index, reaction temperature, catalyst mixing ratio, and other factors on the polyurethane process were investigated. The sensitivity analysis of the data was carried out by Energy Analyzer, and the optimized process operating parameters were obtained: isocyanate index R=1.15, reactor temperature of 60°C, and catalysts DMCHA and T-12 contents of 2 wt% and 0.05 wt%. Under these conditions, the processing time was reduced by 9.75% and the product conversion was improved by 12.19%. This provides a very important theoretical basis and practical significance for the process production of polyurethane materials.
Dynamic mechanical properties of β phase titanium alloy under high temperature and high strain rate
Authors: Xu Xin , Liu Jiang , Zhou Yu , Hu Yongqiang , Wang Lin
Published: February 2025

Titanium alloy is vital for the propulsion system of remote-sensing spacecraft. Facing the increasing threat of space debris, exploring the dynamical properties of the new titanium materials is one of the essential technologies for spacecraft space protection. This paper presents the results of an investigation into the dynamic mechanical properties of a novel Ti-5553 β phase titanium alloy. The alloy was subjected to testing at temperatures of 25°C, 200°C, 400°C, and 600°C, and strain rates of 2000 s−1 and 4000 s−1, using two distinct experimental techniques: the split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) and the Gleeble. A three-dimensional model of the SHPB experiment is established under the same conditions as the test. The findings indicate that the flow stress of the Ti-5553 β-phase titanium alloy exhibits a decline with an increase in temperature under high-temperature and high-strain-rate loading conditions. The Johnson-Cook material model of Ti-5553 titanium alloy was developed through the optimization of material parameters and subsequently applied to a three-dimensional digital simulation model. This model is capable of accurately reflecting the material’s dynamic compressive mechanical properties across a temperature range of 25 to 600°C and a strain rate range of 2000 ~ 4000 s−1. The dynamic mechanical parameters of the new Ti-5553 titanium alloy obtained in this paper can provide data support for the design of spacecraft space protection structures.
Overview of drought characteristics in Southwest China
Authors: Shuai Ge , Zhang Weihua
Published: February 2025

Drought is a chronic natural disaster that occurs frequently around the world. Its impact is often greater, wider and longer than other disasters. The spatial uncertainty and frequency of drought in Southwest China has increased in recent years. The drought situation is becoming more and more serious, which is harmful to agricultural production, livelihood and economy. This paper introduces a variety of meteorological drought index: PA, SPI, PDSI, SPEI. The drought characteristics of Southwest China are summarized by combining the methods of many researchers using different indicators and methods to study the drought characteristics of Southwest China. It is concluded that the center of gravity of drought in Southwest China is in most of Sichuan Province and southern Yunnan Province; the frequency of drought is high in the west and low in the east. On the seasonal scale, the frequency of spring drought is higher; the drought intensity in the central region is the most obvious, followed by the eastern region. It provides a theoretical basis for drought resistance work in Southwest China.
Preparation and performance study of modified GO/TPU nanocomposites
Authors: Xie Jiliang , Sun Xia
Published: February 2025

Thermoplastic polyurethane has a wide range of industrial applications, but its stiffness and strength limit its performance. Graphene oxide can be introduced as a nanofiller into thermoplastic polyurethane to enhance its properties, but it also has certain drawbacks. In order to improve the above situation, a modified graphene oxide/thermoplastic polyurethane nanocomposite material is proposed. In response to the poor dispersibility of traditional graphene, a study was conducted to modify it with isophorone diisocyanate. Based on this, the modified graphene oxide was introduced into thermoplastic polyurethane through a solution method to prepare the final composite material. The experimental results showed that the carbonyl hydrogen bonding content of the composite material reached 84.79%, and the degree of hydrogen bonding increased significantly; The tensile strength and fracture elongation of composite materials are 35.88 MPa and 569%, respectively. Compared with traditional materials, the tensile strength and fracture elongation have increased by 495% and 92.97%, respectively. Therefore, the modified graphene oxide proposed in the study can effectively improve the microstructure and macroscopic properties of TPU, which is of great significance for its performance enhancement and industrial applications.
First-Principles study of Hydrogen, Carbon, Nitrogen, and Oxygen atoms adsorption on PuO2(110) surfaces
Authors: Yu Huilong , Li Laiyang , Wang Shuaipeng , Qiu Ruizhi , Yang Suolong
Published: February 2025

The investigation into the adsorption behavior of atoms of hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen located on the (110) face of plutonium dioxide (PuO2) utilizing the projector augmented wave (PAW) method, coupled with density functional theory (DFT) incorporating on-site Coulombic interaction corrections (GGA+U), reveals a spectrum of adsorption tendencies. Within this framework, a nuanced interplay emerges, showcasing both weak and robust binding affinities with the PuO2(110) surface. Detailed scrutiny of the charge density differences (CDD) and partial density of states (PDOS) at strategic adsorption locales unveils distinct mechanisms governing these interactions. Specifically, electrostatic forces emerge as the driving factor behind the weaker associations, while the more substantial adhesions are characterized by the presence of covalent bonding. This comprehensive analysis not only delineates the diversity in adsorption behaviors but also underscores the multifaceted nature of surface interactions on PuO2(110), providing valuable insights into the underlying physics governing such phenomena.
Repair of enamel by calcium fluorophosphate ion clusters
Authors: Ma Tiantian , Ning Kegong , He Yongjun
Published: February 2025

Artificially restoring tooth enamel’s distinct structure is still difficult because of its intricate hierarchical structure, which spans from nanoscale to microscale. In this paper, triethylamine-stabilized calcium fluorophosphate ion clusters were prepared in an ethanol medium and investigated for the restoration of tooth enamel. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was utilized to analyze the structure of ion cluster transition intermediates. Ethanol volatilization removed triethylamine from the calcium fluorophosphate ion clusters, converting them to amorphous calcium phosphate. The calcium fluorophosphate ion clusters were added dropwise to the enamel window surface with a pipette gun and waited for 20 minutes for the coating to form. Then, the samples were placed in artificial saliva and incubated for 48 h. The SEM results showed that the enamel surfaces were denser after being restored by the calcium fluorophosphate ion clusters and that the distinctive fish-scale structure of the natural enamel was accurately replicated. Nanoindentation tests showed that the mechanical properties of the damaged enamel were restored after remineralization. Based on this study, calcium fluorophosphate ion clusters will potentially become a material for restoring enamel for clinical use.
Study on the development of nanoparticles based on levan for oral insulin delivery
Authors: Kurniawati Desy , Kurniati Neng Fisheri , Ratnaningsih Enny , Hertadi Rukman
Published: February 2025

Oral insulin administration has gained attention as a promising alternative to injections. However, its effectiveness is hindered by the major challenge of degradation by gastric acid. Biopolymer-based nanocarriers have been explored as a solution to address this challenge. This study examines levan, a biopolymer derived from Bacillus licheniformis BK1, for its viability as a nanocarrier for insulin. Levan was modified through acetylation, and both levan (I-Lv) and its acetylated (I-ALv) form were utilized as carriers for insulin in a nanoparticles (NPs) delivery system. The resulting NPs were spherical, with diameters ranging from 250 to 500 nm and encapsulation efficiencies of 78.64% and 88.30%, respectively. The insulin release from I-Lv NPs in simulated gastric fluid exhibited a burst release pattern that was more rapid than that of I-ALv. To further evaluate, the conformational stability of insulin in NPs was analyzed by measuring the transition enthalpy of secondary and tertiary structures. The stability of the secondary structure was determined through alpha-helix content using circular dichroism, while the tertiary structure stability was evaluated via the fluorescence intensity of tryptophan residues. The result revealed that insulin in I-ALv NPs exhibited enhanced conformational stability compared to free-state (FS) insulin and I-Lv NP, with transition enthalpies of 0.91 ± 0.62 and 4.42 ± 0.46 kcal mol−1 for secondary and tertiary structures, respectively. Moreover, preliminary in vivo studies revealed that I-ALv had a significant impact compared to FS insulin and I-Lv, demonstrating reduction in blood glucose levels. These findings highlight the potential of I-ALv as a promising candidate for antidiabetic therapy and an efficient oral delivery system.
Microstructure and tensile behavior of high-chromium cast iron/Hadfield steel composite fabricated by hot rolling process
Authors: Wu Guijun , Merkuryev I V , Liang Zhanhao , Duishenaliev T B , Yuan Guofeng , Guo Xiuli
Published: February 2025

This study employed a hot-rolling technique to fabricate a bimetal composite combining Hadfield steel and High-chromium cast iron (HCCI). The microstructure evolution and tensile properties of the bimetal composite were studied. Experimental results revealed that initial HCCI layers, characterized by limited plasticity, underwent necking and fragmentation into irregular fragments during deformation. The bonding interface of the two metals presented a wave shape. The two metals fused together and showed a good metallurgical bonding without interface cracks and delamination. The composite demonstrated an average tensile strength of 284 MPa. The results of tensile test showed that a large number of tunnel cracks were formed near the fracture of the sample. In the bimetallic composite, crack propagation stopped or transferred when encountering ductile Hadfield steel.
Language Policy
Authors: Coulmas Florian
Published: February 2025

This book is about policy decisions concerning language and as such probes the origins and conceptual foundations of the relationships between state and language. On the basis of specific examples from around the world it explains the principal issues of language policy today. After the conceptual and theoretical foundations of the field have been laid out in the first two chapters, subsequent chapters analyse the choice of languages, their varieties and written forms as a subject of policy making. To the extent that this is necessary or conducive to understanding present-day policy disputes concerning language, their historical background is sketched to show how some kinds of issues became politically problematic. The reader will be made to see language policy unfolding between hegemony and homogeneity, on one hand, and identity claims and diversity, on the other. The fact that these are contemporary terms gives reason to reflect on the contingency of state-language relations and the conflict potential of language regimes. In many polities it is today taken for granted that the government should be involved in language regulation. As with all policy matters, it may be asked whether this is a necessity (of modern states), a blessing, or a curse. This question is the common thread that runs through the chapters of this book.
Language policy and the wealth of nations
Authors: Coulmas Florian
Published: February 2025

Language is a political tool and a cultural emblem without which no society can exist. And language is an element of the economic process. This chapter looks at languages as a means of exchange, as common goods, as human capital and a factor of employability, investment with variable rates of return, trade barrier, and contribution to GDP. It shows that the questions of how these economic properties of language influence language policy, and if or how language policy objectives have to be adjusted when they are at odds with cost efficiency and other language market forces, are critical for our understanding of the design and implementation of language policy. These questions cannot be answered uniformly, as demonstrated in this chapter, because the socio-political and language configurations in economically advanced countries of the global north and the countries of the global south are very different. Languages vary in utility and, further discussed in this chapter, as a cost factor in trade, international relations, and travel, much like currencies, which raises the question of advantages and disadvantages associated with languages in international relations. It discusses some examples, in particular the language policy of the European Union, which runs the most sophisticated and most expensive language services of any international organization, dealing with translation, interpretation, and terminology. Embracing a policy of multilingualism, it reinforces the national language ideology that evolved together with the nation state.
Manipulation and Morality
Authors: Noggle Robert
Published: February 2025

This chapter begins by arguing that manipulation is both prima facie and pro tanto morally wrong. It is prima facie wrong because sometimes manipulation is not wrong at all. It is pro tanto wrong because sometimes manipulation’s moral wrongness is outweighed by other moral considerations. For short, we shall call manipulation “presumptively” wrong. But why is manipulation presumptively wrong? Popular answers include the claim that manipulation harms the target, that it undermines the target’s autonomy, and that it treats the target as a mere means. However, each of these explanations faces serious problems. A better answer derives from the Mistake Account itself: Being mistaken is a kind of failure and thus a kind of misfortune. Nevertheless, manipulation often harms the target or undermines the target’s autonomy. The chapter ends by exploring how the parallel between deception and manipulation can assist us in moral evaluations of individual cases of manipulation.
Wounds and Helplines
Authors: Barylo William
Published: February 2025

The 2010s have seen the exponential development of faith- and culture-sensitive mental health services and therapies for Muslims, especially in the UK and the US. Assimilationist discourses conjugated with securitization narratives in Europe and America have been compared to having an abusive, gaslighting relationship with their Muslim citizens, breaking collective self-esteem and reinforcing ongoing generational trauma resulting from the slave trade, colonization, and displacement. In addition, intra-community issues, such as racism and spiritual abuse, are causing further pain, frustrations, and insecurities. However, various community initiatives offer Muslims tools for reframing narratives in a virtuous circle including volunteers and beneficiaries, and thus various recovery options and coping strategies for resisting and eventually healing.
Elevated Blood Pressure And Cardiac Mechanics In Children And Adolescents: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis
Authors: Faggiano Andrea , Gherbesi Elisa , Sala Carla , Carugo Stefano , Grassi Guido , Cuspidi Cesare , Tadic Marijana
Published: February 2025

Introduction

Evidence on left ventricular (LV) mechanics, assessed by speckle tracking echocardiography (STE), in children and adolescents with elevated blood pressure (BP)/hypertension is scanty.

Aim

The aim of the present meta-analysis was to provide an updated information on LV systolic function phenotyped by global longitudinal strain (GLS) and LV ejection fraction (LVEF) in the setting of pediatric hypertension.

Methods

Following the PRISMA guidelines, systematic searches were conducted across bibliographic databases (Pub-Med, OVID, EMBASE and Cochrane Library) to identify eligible studies from inception up to November 30th 2024. Clinical studies reporting data on LV mechanics in pediatric hypertension and controls were included. The statistical difference of the echocardiographic variables of interest between groups such as LVEF and GLS was calculated by standardized mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence interval (CI) using random-effects models.

Results

Eight studies including 719 individuals with elevated BP/hypertension and 1653 age-matched healthy controls were considered for the analysis. Pooled average LVEF values were 72.4±1.6% in the healthy control group and 72.5±1.8% in the elevated BP/hypertensive group (SMD: 0.08±0.15,CI: -0.21/0.36, p=0.60); the corresponding values of GLS were -19.6±1.1% and 18.5±0.9% (SMD:-0.96±0.25, CI: -1.46/-0.47, p< 0.0001). A parallel impairment of global circumferential strain (GCS) also emerged from pooled data of 3 studies (SMD: -0.96±0.25, CI: -1.46/-0.47, p< 0.0001).

Conclusions

Our data suggest that LVEF is unable to detect early alterations in systolic function in pediatric hypertension, and the implementation of STE may be highly useful in unmasking systolic dysfunction in this setting.
Learning genotype–phenotype associations from gaps in multi-species sequence alignments
Authors: Islam Uwaise Ibna , Campelo dos Santos Andre Luiz , Kanjilal Ria , Assis Raquel
Published: February 2025

Understanding the genetic basis of phenotypic variation is fundamental to biology. Here we introduce GAP, a novel machine learning framework for predicting binary phenotypes from gaps in multi-species sequence alignments. GAP employs a neural network to predict the presence or absence of phenotypes solely from alignment gaps, contrasting with existing tools that require additional and often inaccessible input data. GAP can be applied to three distinct problems: predicting phenotypes in species from known associated genomic regions, pinpointing positions within such regions that are important for predicting phenotypes, and extracting sets of candidate regions associated with phenotypes. We showcase the utility of GAP by exploiting the well-known association between the L-gulonolactone oxidase (Gulo) gene and vitamin C synthesis, demonstrating its perfect prediction accuracy in 34 vertebrates. This exceptional performance also applies more generally, with GAP achieving high accuracy and power on a large simulated dataset. Moreover, predictions of vitamin C synthesis in species with unknown status mirror their phylogenetic relationships, and positions with high predictive importance are consistent with those identified by previous studies. Last, a genome-wide application of GAP identifies many additional genes that may be associated with vitamin C synthesis, and analysis of these candidates uncovers functional enrichment for immunity, a widely recognized role of vitamin C. Hence, GAP represents a simple yet useful tool for predicting genotype–phenotype associations and addressing diverse evolutionary questions from data available in a broad range of study systems.
Deciphering optimal molecular determinants of non-hemolytic, cell-penetrating antimicrobial peptides through bioinformatics and Random Forest
Authors: Kumar Ashok , Chadha Sonia , Sharma Mradul , Kumar Mukesh
Published: February 2025

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are promising molecules for combating resistant pathogens, offering several advantages like broad-spectrum effectiveness and multi-targeted action. While most AMPs exhibit membranolytic activity similar to hemolytic peptides (HPs), some act by entering cells like cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs). The toxicity of AMPs towards the host is the major hurdle in their development and application. Given the peptides’ function and toxicity largely depend on their molecular properties, identifying and fine-tuning these factors is imperative for developing effective and safe AMPs. To address these knowledge gaps, we present a study that employs a holistic strategy by investigating the molecular descriptors of AMPs, CPPs, HPs, and non-functional equivalents. The prediction of functional properties categorized datasets of 3697 experimentally validated peptides into six groups and three clusters. Predictive and statistical analyses of physicochemical and structural parameters revealed that AMPs have a mean hydrophobic moment of 1.2, a net charge of 4.5, and a lower isoelectric point of 10.9, with balanced hydrophobicity. For cluster AC-nHPs containing peptides with antimicrobial, cell-penetrating, and non-hemolytic properties, disordered conformation and aggregation propensities, followed by amphiphilicity index, isoelectric point, and net charge were identified as the most critical properties. In addition, this work also explains why most AMPs and HPs are membrane-disruptive, while CPPs are non-membranolytic. In conclusion, the study identifies optimal molecular descriptors and offers valuable insights for designing effective, non-toxic AMPs for therapeutic use.
American politics, international relations, and educational movements after 1945
Authors: Sawyer Elizabeth
Published: February 2025

International Relations (IR) theory’s own explanations about its relationship with Thucydides are inconsistent, and the role of Thucydides in IR theory, as that of the discipline’s ‘founding father’, is an American trope in particular. Important IR theorists in the 1940s and early 1950s, such as Carr, Morgenthau, Wight, and Waltz, are assumed by critics today to have been heavily influenced by Thucydides, although early editions of their works show a notable absence of references to the classical author. The inclusion of references in later editions happened not because of research into Thucydides or particular interest in him from IR theorists, but because of the growing traction of the Great Books educational movement and its nationalist rhetoric, the end of the Second World War, and the start of the Cold War.
Age-Related Integrative Transcriptomic Profiling of Human Granulosa Cells Reveals mRNA-microRNA Regulatory Network Associated with Key Ovulation Dynamics
Authors: Rogers Heather M , Gad Ahmed , Cork Gentry K , Menjivar Nico G , Schoolcraft William B , Tesfaye Dawit , Yuan Ye
Published: February 2025

Advanced maternal age (AMA) patients experience decreased success from assisted reproductive technologies (ART), attributed to the quantity and quality of oocytes, which is significantly influenced by the intrafollicular granulosa cells (GCs). In this study, we compared the mRNA and microRNA (miRNA) transcriptomes between young (< 32 y.o.) and AMA (> 38 y.o.) patients’ GCs to identify potential ovarian aging-related molecular signatures. We identified 293 and 21 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and miRNAs (DE miRNAs), respectively, between young and aged GCs. Highly expressed mitochondrial-encoded genes, MT-ND3, MT-ND6, and MT-CYB, were downregulated in aged GCs, indicating potential mitochondrial insufficiency. Additionally, pathway analysis indicates DEGs are involved in inflammation, cytokine signaling, extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling, and angiogenesis. Key DEGs related to these processes include CXCL8, IL1B, NLRP3, SIGIRR, ANGPT2, ADAM8, and ADAMTS14. Additionally, target gene prediction and pathway analysis of DE miRNAs indicates their potential post-transcriptional regulation of genes associated with cell signaling, mitochondrial function, oxidative stress, apoptosis, and senescence pathways in addition to cytokine signaling, angiogenesis, and ECM remodeling. To investigate regulatory mechanisms further, we looked at the DEGs’ convergence with the DE miRNAs predicted target genes and we identified miR-483-3p, miR-1268a, miR-4497, miR-7704, miR-135a-5p, miR-1261, and miR-4791 as potential crucial regulators of genes involved in pathways associated with inflammation, ECM, and angiogenesis. This data suggests that aged GCs have an impaired ability to elicit the same pro-inflammatory response combined with dysregulation of angiogenesis and ECM remodeling compared to young GCs, and miRNA may play a role in regulating key ovulatory processes. While this study identifies potential regulatory relationships between DE miRNAs and DEGs, experimental validation is necessary to confirm the relationships and biological relevance.
Stroke risk in ADPKD patients treated by dialysis: a retrospective study
Authors: Cerasuolo Damiano , Tejeda-Reyes Darbelis , Couchoud Cécile , Guerrot Dominique , Touré-Diabira Fatouma , Vacher-Coponat Henri , Lobbedez Thierry , Morello Rémy , Béchade Clémence , Guittet Lydia
Published: February 2025

Background and hypothesis

The risk of ischaemic or haemorrhagic strokes in patients living with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and receiving replacement therapy is more than double that of non-dialysed individuals. Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is an inherited systemic disorder associated with renal and non-renal manifestations, including intracerebral aneurysms (ICA). The role of underlying nephropathy in determining the onset of the stroke is unclear.

Methods

All patients who started dialysis between January 1st, 2015, and December 31st, 2019, were included in the analysis. Data were retrieved from the REIN registry and the French national Health Data System (SNDS). Cases of stroke were extracted from the SNDS, by using ICD-10 codes. The first stroke observed during the follow-up, irrespective of its nature, was considered as the event of the main analysis, based on semi-parametric survival model.

Results

40 980 patients on dialysis were included. Overall, 1 549 patients experienced stroke during the follow-up. The first stroke was ischaemic in 1 148 (74.1%), and haemorrhagic in the remaining 281 patients. The cumulative incidence of stroke on dialysis was 1.58 per 100 person-years (95%CI = 1.51; 1.70). Among 2 182 ADPKD patients, only 44 (2%) experienced stroke. ADPKD was not significantly associated with an increased risk of all type of stroke, after considering major risk factors.

Conclusions

We found no increase in the risk of stroke in ADPKD patients under dialysis. We believe that the findings of our study support a similar screening strategy in ADPKD patients on dialysis compared to patients not on dialysis.
Endothelial c-REL orchestrates atherosclerosis at regions of disturbed flow through crosstalk with TXNIP-p38 and non-canonical NF-κB pathways
Authors: Tardajos Ayllon Blanca , Bowden Neil , Souilhol Celine , Darwish Hazem , Tian Siyu , Duckworth Carrie , Pritchard D Mark , Xu Suowen , Sayers Jon , Francis Sheila , Serbanovic-Canic Jovana , Oakley Fiona , Evans Paul C
Published: February 2025

Aims

Atherosclerosis initiation at sites of disturbed blood flow involves heightened inflammation coupled to excessive endothelial cell (EC) proliferation. Here, we unveil the pivotal role of c-REL, a member of the NF-κB transcription factor family, in orchestrating these processes by driving dual pathological inflammatory and cell cycle pathways.

Methods and results

Analysis of cultured EC and murine models revealed enrichment and activation of c-REL at atherosusceptible sites experiencing disturbed flow. Transcriptome analysis, extensively validated in vitro and in vivo, demonstrates that endothelial c-REL drives inflammation via a TXNIP-p38 MAP kinase signalling pathway and enhances proliferation through a non-canonical NFKB2-p21 pathway. Consistent with its pivotal role in EC pathology, genetic deletion of c-Rel in EC significantly reduces plaque burden in hypercholesterolemic mice.

Conclusions

These findings underscore the fundamental role of c-REL in endothelial responses to disturbed flow and highlight therapeutic targeting of endothelial c-REL as a potential strategy for atherosclerosis treatment.
Rapid onset of myocardial calcification following septic shock due to influenza superinfection: a case report
Authors: Gobé Thibaut , Werquin Adrien , Polge Nicolas , Cholley Bernard
Published: February 2025

Background

Myocardial calcification is an unusual complication of septic cardiomyopathy. Dystrophic calcification may occur after damage to myocardial tissue, but its occurrence is rare.

Case summary

A 42-year-old pregnant woman with no past medical history was admitted in intensive care for respiratory distress caused by bacterial superinfection of influenza. Subepicardial calcification of the left ventricle appeared on a computed tomography at Day 8. Calcification worsened quickly, but we observed a paradoxical improvement in left ventricle function, as assessed by left ventricular ejection fraction and global longitudinal strain using echocardiography with speckle tracking.

Discussion

The pathophysiology of myocardial calcification is not fully understood, but prolonged haemodynamic failure, profound acidosis, high vasopressor doses, and acute respiratory distress syndrome were previously associated with septic-related myocardial calcification.
Enclosure Riots on the Commons: Memory and Conflict at Lytham Priory, 1200–1540
Authors: Brown A T
Published: February 2025

Enclosure riots in England have been understood through their importance to early modern social history, representing a conflict over rights and access to resources. Driven by Tudor demographic growth, these disputes demarcate changing social relations in the sixteenth century. Yet, as this article shows, enclosure riots could reflect a much longer heritage of disputation, including centuries-old boundary disputes. An enclosure riot involving the monks of Lytham Priory and neighbouring tenants in the 1530s had its origins over three centuries before, in the original grant of land to the monks, and raised its head in every century until the suppression of the priory. Through these conflicts, we can understand the construction and inculcation of popular and institutional memory across this period, as both their neighbouring tenants and the monks of Lytham sought to justify their occupation of the commons. Above all, this case-study highlights the importance of the interpretative framework that we use as historians: if read forwards, the conflict of the 1530s takes on all the features of the archetypal early modern enclosure riot, presaging the struggle for the commons of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries; but if read backwards, it becomes the culmination of centuries of medieval boundary disputes before the eventual suppression of the priory. This article demonstrates both the artificial nature of temporal boundaries in the study of history and how the access rights of tenants could align with the jurisdictional claims of lords against an outside seigneurial authority, producing conflict but not necessarily class conflict.
Isolate-specific rat brain transcriptional responses to rat lungworm (Angiostrongylus cantonensis)
Authors: Rivory Phoebe , Lee Rogan , Šlapeta Jan
Published: February 2025

The rat lungworm (Angiostrongylus cantonensis) is an invasive parasite of rats that in accidental hosts, such as dogs and humans, causes eosinophilic meningitis. In Australia, only two distinct rat lungworm cox1 haplotypes have been detected in clinically affected dogs, with haplotype Ac13 implicated in most cases. Using locally sourced isolates, we inquired whether the brain migrating larvae elicit different host response in its natural host. We examined brain transcriptome, faecal shedding rates and adult worm of A. cantonensis isolates representing two distinct cox1 haplotypes, SYD.1 and Ac13 (represented by isolate SYD.2), in experimentally infected Wistar rats. For SYD.1-infected rats, only one differentially expressed gene (DEG) was upregulated in the compared to controls. In contrast, the transcriptome of SYD.2-infected rats included 100 DEGs, with enrichment of functional terms related to immune response, neuroactivity, and signalling. Faecal shedding did not differ between SYD.1- and SYD.2-infected rats, but adult worm burdens were higher in the SYD.1 group. The increased immune response in SYD.2-infected rats provides evidence that there is strain specific virulence that is pronounced in its natural host. This study provides initial parasite-specific evidence why clinically affected dogs are more frequently presented with A. cantonensis haplotype Ac13.
Evolving Spectrum of Pneumocystis Host Specificity, Genetic Diversity, and Evolution
Authors: Ma Liang , Weissenbacher-Lang Christiane , Latinne Alice , Babb-Biernacki Spenser , Blasi Barbara , Cissé Ousmane H , Kovacs Joseph A
Published: February 2025

Following over a century's worth of research, our understanding of Pneumocystis has significantly expanded in various facets, spanning from its fundamental biology to its impacts on animal and human health. Its significance in public health has been underscored by its inclusion in the 2022 WHO fungal priority pathogens list. We present this review to summarize pivotal advancements in Pneumocystis epidemiology in relation to its host specificity and evolution. Following a concise discussion of Pneumocystis species classification and divergence at the species and strain levels, we devoted the main focus to the following aspects: the epidemiological characteristics of Pneumocystis across nearly 300 mammal species, the increasing recognition of coinfection involving multiple Pneumocystis species in the same host species, the diminishing host specificity of Pneumocystis among closely related host species, and the intriguingly discordant evolution of certain Pneumocystis species with their host species. A comprehensive understanding of host specificity, genetic diversity and evolution of Pneumocystis can provide important insights into pathogenic mechanisms and transmission modes. This, in turn, holds the potential to facilitate the development of innovative strategies for the prevention and control of Pneumocystis infection.
Amino acid properties, substitution rates, and the nearly neutral theory
Authors: James Jennifer E , Lascoux Martin
Published: February 2025

Do the properties of amino acids affect their rates of substitution? The neutral theory predicts that greater selective constraint leads to slower rates of evolution; similarly, we expect amino acids that are more different from each other to have lower rates of exchange because such changes are most likely to affect protein structure and function. Here we test these predictions, using substitution rates estimated from empirical amino acid exchangeability matrices. To measure degree of amino acid difference, we focussed on two physicochemical properties, hydrophobicity and molecular weight, uncorrelated metrics that are known to have important implications for protein structure and function. We find that for both hydrophobicity and molecular weight, amino acid pairs with large differences had lower rates of substitution. We also found that amino acids that differed in both properties had the lowest rates of substitution, suggesting that both physicochemical properties are under selective constraint. Mutation properties, such as the number of mutations or the number of transitions as opposed to transversions separating amino acid pairs, were also important predictors of substitution rates. The relationship between amino acid substitution rates and differences in their physiochemical properties holds across several taxonomically restricted datasets. This finding suggests that purifying selection affects amino acid substitution rates in a similar manner across taxonomic groups with different effective population sizes.
Returning individualized wearable sensor results to older adult research participants: A pilot study
Authors: Bachman Shelby L , Leonard-Corzo Krista S , Blankenship Jennifer M , Busa Michael A , Serviente Corinna , Limoges Matthew W , Marcotte Robert T , Clay Ieuan , Lyden Kate
Published: February 2025

Background

Wearable sensors that monitor physical behaviors are increasingly adopted in clinical research. Older adult research participants have expressed interest in tracking and receiving feedback on their physical behaviors. Simultaneously, researchers and clinical trial sponsors are interested in returning results to participants, but the question of how to return individual study results derived from research-grade wearable sensors remains unanswered. In this study, we (1) assessed the feasibility of returning individual physical behavior results to older adult research participants and (2) obtained participant feedback on the returned results.

Methods

Older adult participants (N=20; ages 67-96) underwent 14 days of remote monitoring with two wearable sensors. We then used a semi-automated process to generate a 1-page report summarizing each participant’s physical behaviors across the 14 days. This report was delivered to each participant via email, and they were asked to evaluate the report.

Results

Participants found the reports easy to understand, health-relevant, interesting, and visually pleasing. They had valuable suggestions to improve data interpretability and raised concerns such as comparisons with measures derived from their consumer-grade sensors.

Conclusions

We have demonstrated the feasibility of returning individual physical behavior results from research-grade devices to older research participants, and our results indicate that this practice is well-received. Further research to develop more efficient and scalable systems to return results to participants, and to understand the preferences of participants in larger, more representative samples, is warranted.
Modeling induced seismicity in Groningen based on subcritical stressed faults
Authors: Hainzl Sebastian , Dahm Torsten , Zöller Gert
Published: February 2025

Probabilistic forecasts of earthquakes caused by anthropogenic changes in subsurface stresses require seismicity models that link rupture nucleation to stress states in geological faults. The recently introduced time-dependent stress response (TDSR) model is based on an exponential dependence of the time-to-failure on stress and is a generalization of the well-known rate-and-state (RS) seismicity model. Unlike RS, TDSR can directly incorporate estimates of the initial stress distribution on affected faults in the seismogenic zone. For the case of the Groningen gas field in the Netherlands, we utilize detailed field and borehole studies to estimate the initial stress distribution and rock properties of the reservoir faults. Using these initial conditions, we show that TDSR outperforms the Coulomb failure model, which assumes instantaneous failure, as well as the RS model, which relies on simplified pre-stress assumptions. Furthermore, an instantaneous Coulomb failure model cannot explain the effect of seasonal gas production in Groningen on the timing of induced earthquakes, in contrast to the TDSR model, which shows a good agreement between prediction and observation. Pseudo-prospective tests show that the seismic response to the reduced production since 2014 could have been predicted as early as 2010 if the production scenario had been known.
Identifying the intersegmental line using a concave portion during upper lobe apical segmentectomies
Authors: Kato Hirohisa , Abiko Masami , Sato Kaito
Published: February 2025

OBJECTIVES

The hilum approach of intersegmental division along the intersegmental vein is difficult in the case with central vein type during upper lobe apical segmentectomy. We aimed to explore the possibilities of the simple intersegmental division used the concave portion of the apical pleura with computed tomography images.

METHODS

We evaluated computed tomography images of patients who underwent anatomical lung resection between June 2020 and April 2024. The upper pulmonary vein branching pattern was categorised into apical, apico-central, and central vein types. We evaluated whether the peripheral points of intersegmental veins (left V1 + 2a or right V1b) could be identified on which portions (anterior-convex, concave, and apical-convex) within the apical pleura in each branching pattern, using three-dimensional computed tomography images.

RESULTS

The peripheral points of the intersegmental veins of 175 subjected patients were concentrated in the anterior-convex, concave, and apical-convex portions. In the left lung, the peripheral points were significantly concentrated in the concave (n = 106, 60.9%) and the anterior-convex portion of the right lung (n = 115, 67.2%). By contrast, the peripheral points were significantly identified in the concave portion of the central vein type (n = 9, 100%) in the left lung for each branching pattern of the upper pulmonary vein. There was no similar tendency in the right lung.

CONCLUSIONS

Peripheral intersegmental points obtained from the intersegmental veins were concentrated in the three portions constituting the concave portion of the apical pleura and especially in the concave portion of the left lung, suggesting that they can serve as convenient intersegmental line markers during upper segmentectomy.
Effect of the pH value and volume ratio on the electrostatic interaction between soybean protein isolates and Houttuynia cordata polysaccharides
Authors: Zeng Chaoyi , Sun Xiaoqin , Liu Xiaocui , Pan Yinzhen , Tian Jin
Published: February 2025

The interaction between proteins and polysaccharides mainly relies on the electrostatic attraction between two biological macromolecules with opposite charges and is impacted by the pH level and volume ratio. This affects the degree of interaction by influencing the charge distribution, improving the surface protein wettability, and changing the surface tension of the oil–water interface. This paper explores the interaction between soybean protein isolates (SPI) and Houttuynia cordata (H. cordata) polysaccharides (HCPL), showing that a stable SPI-HCPL complex forms at pH 5.0 and a volume ratio of 2:1, exhibiting the highest emulsifying activity index (EAI) and emulsifying stability index (ESI), measured at 76.80 m2/g and 93.23%, respectively. Further analysis using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetry (TG), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) revealed that HCPL addition causes secondary SPI structural unfolding to expose more Trp residues and enhances hydrogen bond interactions. The SPI-HCPL complex demonstrates potential as a new plant-derived emulsifier for preparing Pickering emulsion (PE) systems.