bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Challenge of Quantification: An Interdisciplinary Reading
Authors: Di Fiore Monica , Kuc-Czarnecka Marta , Lo Piano Samuele , Puy Arnald , Saltelli Andrea
Published: December 2022

The present work looks at what we call “the multiverse of quantification”, where visible and invisible numbers permeate all aspects and venues of life. We review the contributions of different authors who focus on the roles of quantification in society, with the aim of capturing different and sometimes separate voices. Several scholars, including economists, jurists, philosophers, sociologists, communication and data scientists, express concerns or identify critical areas of our relationship with new technologies of ‘numericization’. While mindful of the important specificities of the different families of quantification, we use our broad and holistic canvas to explore possible spaces for a more systematic investigation of incumbent and novel quantifications, as to increase communication among disciplinary communities, and among these and society, in the pursuit a democratic agency and self-defence.
What does pleasure want?
Authors: Tooming Uku
Published: December 2022

Some philosophers and psychologists share an assumption that pleasure is by nature such that when an experience is pleasurable, an agent is motivated to continue having that experience. In this paper, I dispute this assumption. First, I point out how it does not make sense of the wanting-liking distinction in motivational neuroscience. Second, I present as a counterexample what I call’dynamic pleasure’ which does not motivate retaining one’s focus on the object of original experience but motivates an exploration of other options instead. Third, as another counterexample, I bring out pleasures of relief which are bound to pass when one’s discomfort is removed and in which case it is reasonable to assume that there is no motivation to maintain them. Fourth, I appeal to phenomenology of pleasure and argue that many experiences have a temporal shape which is in conflict with the self-maintenance assumption. As an example, I use the pleasure in listening to a song. The conclusion of the paper is that we should reject the self-maintenance assumption and consider seriously pluralism about the motivational structure of pleasure.
Certain averaging operators on Triebel-Lizorkin spaces
Authors: Zhao Jun-yan , Pan Ya-li
Published: December 2022

In this article, we study the boundedness properties of the averaging operatorStγon Triebel-Lizorkin spaces$$\dot F_{p,q}^\alpha \left( {{\mathbb{R}^n}} \right)$$F˙p,qα(ℝn)for variousp,q. As an application, we obtain the norm convergence rate forStγ(f) on Triebel-Lizorkin spaces and the relation between the smoothness imposed on functions and the rate of norm convergence ofStγis given.
1H, 13C, and 15N assignments of the mRNA binding protein hnRNP A18
Authors: Coburn Katherine M. , Roth Braden , Varney Kristen M. , Carrier France , Weber David J.
Published: December 2022

Heterogeneous ribonuclear protein A18 (hnRNP A18) is an RNA binding protein (RBP) involved in the hypoxic cellular stress response and regulation of cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4) expression in melanoma, breast cancer, prostate cancer, and colon cancer solid tumors. hnRNP A18 is comprised of an N-terminal structured RNA recognition motif (RMM) and a C-terminal intrinsically disordered domain (IDD). Upon cellar stressors, such as UV and hypoxia, hnRNP A18 is phosphorylated by casein kinase 2 (CK2) and glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK-3β). After phosphorylation, hnRNP A18 translocates from the nucleus to the cytosol where it interacts with pro-survival mRNA transcripts for proteins such as hypoxia inducible factor 1α and CTLA-4. Both the hypoxic cellular response and modulation of immune checkpoints by cancer cells promote chemoradiation resistance and metastasis. In this study, the 1 H, 13 C, and 15 N backbone and sidechain resonances of the 172 amino acid hnRNP A18 were assigned sequence-specifically and provide a framework for future NMR-based drug discovery studies toward targeting hnRNP A18. These data will also enable the investigation of the dynamic structural changes within the IDD of hnRNP A18 upon phosphorylation by CK2 and GSK-3β to provide critical insight into the structure and function of IDDs.
Rapid evaluation model for EOR techniques applicability of gas flooding, foam flooding and surfactant flooding based on modified fractional flow theory
Authors: Chengjun Wang , Jun Ni , Shaojing Jiang , Yiwen Gao , Weibo Wang , Yuan Xue , Lei Zhang , Liming Zheng
Published: December 2022

Before a wide range of enhanced oil recovery (EOR) techniques were implemented for an oilfield, the EOR potential and economic evaluation of the techniques should be evaluated in advance for each reservoir to determine which EOR technique was proper. In an oilfield developed with fluvial delta reservoirs, the complicated distribution of scattered small reservoirs in vertical and horizontal directions brought trouble for evaluation work. A rapid and reliable evaluation model for EOR techniques applicability was necessary to deal with the evaluation simulation for many small reservoirs of an oilfield. Combining fraction theory model with auxiliary equations, which describe the effect of formation heterogeneity and mechanism of different EOR technique on fractional flow rate, an evaluation analysis method for EOR techniques applicability of gas flooding, foam flooding and surfactant flooding was proposed. In the gas flooding model, the minimum miscible pressure of impure gas was introduced, and the relative permeability was modified by the minimum miscible factor. In the foam flooding model, changes in the mobility ratio and chemical adsorption were considered and a reduction factor of mobility ratio was introduced. In the surfactant flooding model, calculation formulas of viscosity and interfacial tension as well as the relative permeability were introduced. Finally, the model was simulated for a low permeability reservoir, and the simulation results were compared with that from Eclipse software. The similar results, little calculation time and feasibility of predicting optimal injection parameter had shown the reliability of the rapid evaluation model.
First documentation of golden jackal (Canis aureus) reproduction in Germany
Authors: Böcker Felix , Weber Hannah , Collet Sebastian
Published: December 2022

The golden jackal (Canis aureus), a mesocarnivore, is currently expanding from eastern towards western Europe. Reproduction of the species could be confirmed in several areas in central Europe in recent years. This study collects the first records of golden jackal reproduction in Germany in 2021 and 2022. A family group of at least five individuals could be confirmed using camera traps and scat surveys with a trained detection dog and subsequent genetic identification in 2021. In 2022, camera traps confirmed a second reproduction in the same area.
Using botanical resources to select wild forage legumes for domestication in temperate grassland agricultural systems
Authors: Micke Brooke , Parsons David
Published: December 2022

The need for better understanding and conservation of wild plant resources with potential for domestication or utilization in crop improvement has been highlighted in recent years. Botanical resources such as herbaria, databases, and floras offer an information-rich platform from which to select species of interest based on desirable traits. To demonstrate the potential of these resources, wild, native forage legumes were screened for inclusion in northern Swedish grassland agricultural systems (leys). The poor persistence of red clover in multi-year leys is a limitation to the current management strategy in the region. Wild, native forage legumes with the potential for longer persistence were considered for inclusion as minor components in leys to contribute to the system in later years of production. Using the Umeå University Herbarium, local floras, and both regional and international biodiversity databases, seven wild forage legume species were selected based on phenology, morphology, and native range. Particular focus was given to the potential for species to provide pollinator resources early in the season, leading to species with early flowering being preferred. Biodiversity databases were also used to locate wild populations of the selected species to facilitate seed collection for future cultivation, as additional study of the agronomic potential of the selected species is necessary. Here, we have shown that the rich biodiversity data stored in botanical institutions can jumpstart the selection of wild species for utilization in the agriculture sector based on various traits of interest.
Green validated chromatographic methods for simultaneous determination of co-formulated oxytetracycline HCl and flunixin meglumine in the presence of their impurities in different matrices
Authors: Nazlawy Hagar N. , Zaazaa Hala E. , Merey Hanan A. , Atty Shimaa A.
Published: December 2022

Green analytical chemistry is an important area of chemical sciences. So, developing competent eco-friendly analytical tools is a big challenge. This study devotes two chromatographic techniques for the simultaneous determination of a binary formulated mixture of oxytetracycline HCl (OXY) and flunixin meglumine (FLU), and their impurities tetracycline (TRC) and 2-chloronicotinic acid (CNA), respectively. Primarily, a TLC densitometric method is proposed and validated using TLC plates sprayed with 5% EDTA of pH 9 as a stationary phase and (acetonitrile/ distilled water/ ethanol 7:2:1, by volume) as a developing system. Well-separated spots are detected at 267 nm where linear relations have been achieved at 0.05–2 μg/band and 0.01–2 μg/band for OXY and FLU, respectively. The second developed and validated method is HPLC which is fulfilled on Hypersil BDS column-C18. A mobile phase of distilled water with 0.1%TFA/ acetonitrile in a ratio of 82: 18, v/v firstly then 70: 30, v/v after 9 min is used in a sequential isocratic elution at 210 nm for FLU and 267 nm for OXY, TRC, and CNA. Sensitive and wide linearity ranges are achieved at 0.05–200 μg/mL for both drugs. The two methods are applied successfully in cattle meat and milk for cited drugs determination. According to ICH guidelines, a validation study has been accomplished for the proposed methods. Statistical comparison has been carried out with official and reported methods. Eventually, the greenness of both procedures is evaluated using Eco-Scale which gives eco-friendly results.

Graphical abstract
Leukocyturia and hematuria enable non-invasive differentiation of Bowman’s capsule rupture severity in PR3-ANCA glomerulonephritis
Authors: Baier Eva , Kluge Ingmar Alexander , Hakroush Samy , Tampe Désirée , Tampe Björn
Published: December 2022

Background

Renal involvement is a common and severe complication of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-(ANCA)-associated vasculitis potentially resulting in pauci-immune necrotizing and crescentic ANCA glomerulonephritis (GN) with rapid deterioration of kidney function, progression to end stage kidney disease or, if left untreated, lethal exitus. Analysis of the urinary sediment routinely supports clinical management of ANCA GN, but histopathological implications of aberrancies in the urinary sediment mostly remain elusive. Therefore, we aimed to systematically assess the correlation of aberrancies in the urinary sediment and clinico-pathologic findings.

Methods

A total of 42 kidney biopsies with ANCA GN were retrospectively analyzed in a single-center observational study. Laboratory and histopathological parameters were systematically analyzed and correlated with findings of the urinary sediment.

Results

In the overall ANCA GN cohort, leukocyturia and hematuria were associated among each other, and with markers for non-selective glomerular damage, respectively. Non-invasive measurement of leukocyturia indicated focal (but not extensive) Bowman’s capsule rupture (BCR) specifically in proteinase-3 (PR3)-ANCA GN, whereas hematuria correlated with extensive (but not focal) BCR. Concerning intrarenal immune cell infiltration, leukocyturia was associated with tubulointerstitial plasma cell infiltration in PR3-ANCA GN. Finally, none of these associations were detectable in myeloperoxidase-ANCA GN, implying different modes of kidney damage.

Conclusion

We herein expand our current knowledge by providing evidence that leukocyturia and hematuria enable non-invasive differentiation of BCR severity specifically in PR3-ANCA GN.

Graphical abstract
Historical issues of hydrotherapy in thermal–mineral springs of the Hellenic world
Authors: Voudouris K. , Yapijakis C. , Georgaki Μ.-Ν. , Angelakis A. N.
Published: December 2022

Many springs have been recorded in Greece; some of them are characterized as thermo-mineral springs and are associated with their position between Eurasia and Africa, the volcanic activity, and the presence of tectonic faults. The therapeutic use of water (hydrotherapy) has been recorded in ancient Greece since at least 1000 BC. Asclepius was the god of medicine in ancient Greek religion and priests operated his worship centers (Asclepieia) offering medical services in areas with proper climatic conditions. In historical times, Hippocrates from the Aegean island of Kos (460–375 BC) is considered the father of scientific medicine as well as hydrotherapy. During the Hellenistic period, the significance of water in health was widely recognized. In the Roman era, many doctors evolved hydrotherapy treatment and the use of hot baths continued in the early Byzantine period until the sixth century AD. Finally, during the Ottoman period, the kind of respiratory bath, namedHamam, was the dominant form in public baths. Their temperature ranges between 20.5 and 83 °C, and the dominant hydrochemical type is Na-Cl. This review describes the history of hydrotherapy in Greece through the centuries, the physicochemical characteristics of thermal springs, as well as contemporary and future trends and challenges are presented.
A discussion of “unsaturated cell model of effective thermal conductivity of soils”
Authors: Janssen Hans
Published: December 2022

In July 2020, this journal published the article “Unsaturated cell model of effective thermal conductivity of soils”, which presented, validated and analysed a cell-based model for predicting the thermal conductivity of unsaturated soils. This discussion however voices a number of concerns on that article. It is revealed that the original cell model underrates the solid thermal conductivity and that it leads to an overly homogeneous impact of the saturation on the effective soil thermal conductivity. This discussion moreover reasons that the correction of the original cell model, reducing it to the – for this situation outdated – Maxwell-Eucken model voids the analysis’ novelty, hence invalidating its likely impact on the state-of-the-art.
From German East African Rupees to British East African Shillings in Tanganyika: The King and the Kaiser Side by Side
Authors: Pallaver Karin
Published: December 2022

Pallaver situates German East Africa within the framework of the broader East African region as a way to illuminate the processes of currency standardization in the colonial context. The monetary geography of the region was determined first by the circulation of the rupee and later by Great Britain’s interests to create a common currency for its East African colonies. Pallaver argues that transimperial, international, and regional contexts influenced currency circulation across and within colonies, drawing attention to forms of colonial money and their use by distinct groups, such as African laborers and Indian traders.
Combating COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy: A Synthetic Public Segmentation Approach for Predicting Vaccine Acceptance
Authors: Chon Myoung-Gi , Kim Sungsu
Published: December 2022

Objective:

Vaccine hesitancy impacts the ability to cope with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) effectively in the United States. It is important for health organizations to increase vaccine acceptance. Addressing this issue, this study aimed to predict citizens’ acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine through a synthetic approach of public segmentation including cross-situational and situational variables. Controlling for demographics, we examined institutional trust, negative attitudes toward, and low levels of knowledge about vaccines (ie, lacuna public characteristics), and fear of COVID-19 during the pandemic. Our study provides a useful framework for public segmentation and contributes to risk and health campaigns by identifying significant predictors of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance.

Method:

We conducted an online survey on October 10, 2020 (N = 499), and performed hierarchical regression analyses to predict citizens’ COVID-19 vaccine acceptance.

Results:

This study demonstrated that trust in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and federal government, vaccine attitude, problem recognition, constraint recognition, involvement recognition, and fear positively predicted COVID-19 vaccine acceptance.

Conclusions:

This study outlines a useful synthetic public segmentation framework and extends the concept of lacuna public to the pandemic context, helping to predict vaccine acceptance. Importantly, the findings could be useful in designing health campaign messages.
Can We Talk It Out?
Authors: Egler Miguel
Published: December 2022

Research on the normative ideal of democracy has taken a sharp deliberative and epistemic turn. It is now increasingly common for claims about the putative cognitive benefits of political deliberation to play central roles in normative arguments for democracy. In this paper, I argue that the most prominent epistemic defences of deliberative democracy fail. Relying on empirical findings on the workings of implicit bias, I show that they overstate the epistemic virtues of political deliberation. I also argue that findings in cognitive and social psychology can aid in the development of a new and improved generation of epistemic arguments for deliberative democracy.
Transparency and Trilogues: Real Legislative Work for Grown-Ups?
Authors: Leino-Sandberg Päivi
Published: December 2022

Trilogues represent a decisive stage in the European Union (EU) legislative process and often settle the substantive content of EU legislation. During trilogues, negotiations move fast and new solutions are actively identified by the negotiators. The (lack of) transparency of trilogues has been repeatedly criticised in recent years, yet the EU institutions have defended their “space to think”. Relying on a set of interviews with trilogue participants, this paper mirrors the institutional practices in the final stages of EU law-making against the requirements of openness in the EU Treaties, which aim to strengthen “democracy by allowing citizens to scrutinize all the information which has formed the basis of a legislative act”. The paper argues that, despite noble proclamations, the EU’s legislative practices are characterised by institutional discretion and the lack enforcement of transparency requirements. The paper describes how trilogues are conducted and how questions involving risk management and technically complex issues are assessed in this process. Greater transparency would also help to ensure that risks and alternatives are properly assessed and would thus contribute to better-quality risk regulation in the EU.
Quem detém o interesse nacional? O malogro da cooperação entre a Companhia Industrial de Rochas Betuminosas e a URSS no setor de gás de xisto no Brasil (1959–1973)
Authors: Caterina Gianfranco
Published: December 2022

Este artigo analisa o malogro da cooperação econômica e técnica entre a Companhia Industrial de Rochas Betuminosas (CIRB) e a União Soviética no setor de gás de xisto. Em 1959, a CIRB assinou um contrato preliminar que previa o fornecimento de equipamento soviético e a montagem de uma usina piloto para a produção de gás e materiais de construção a partir do xisto do Vale do Paraíba, Estado de São Paulo (SP). Argumenta-se que a Petrobras, ao defender de maneira contínua a inclusão da lavra e industrialização do xisto no monopólio estatal, teve influência decisiva para que a CIRB não obtivesse o aval governamental para o financiamento soviético. A empresa paulista entraria com pedido de falência em 1973. Utilizando, em sua maior parte, fontes primárias brasileiras, o artigo conclui que a Petrobras temia o impacto que a quebra do monopólio estatal do xisto pudesse ter em seus interesses, os quais considerava basicamente equivalentes ao interesse nacional.
Strategic Reporting: A Formal Model of Biases in Conflict Data
Authors: GIBILISCO MICHAEL , STEINBERG JESSICA
Published: December 2022

During violent conflict, governments may acknowledge their use of illegitimate violence (e.g., noncombatant casualties) even though such violence can depress civilian support. Why would they do so? We model the strategic incentives affecting government disclosures of illegitimate violence in the face of potential NGO investigations, where disclosures, investigations, and support are endogenous. We highlight implications for the analysis of conflict data generated from government and NGO reports and for the emergence of government transparency. Underreporting bias in government disclosures positively correlates with underreporting bias in NGO reports. Furthermore, governments exhibit greater underreporting bias relative to NGOs when NGOs face higher investigative costs. We also illustrate why it is difficult to estimate negative effects of illegitimate violence on support using government data: with large true effects, governments have incentives to conceal such violence, leading to strategic attenuation bias. Finally, there is a U-shaped relationship between NGO investigative costs and government payoffs.
Effects of maternal supplementation of fish oil during late gestation and lactation on growth performance, fecal microbiota structure and post-weaning diarrhoea of offspring piglets
Authors: Han Peiyuan , Du Zhaohui , Liu Xiaowei , You Junyi , Shi Xin´e , Sun Shiduo , Yang Gongshe , Li Xiao
Published: December 2022

Homeostasis of gut microbiota is a critical contributor to growth and health in weaned piglets. Fish oil is widely reported to benefit health of mammals including preventing intestinal dysfunction, yet its protective effect during suckling-to-weaning transition in piglets remains undetermined. Low (30 g/d) and high (60 g/d) doses of n-3-rich fish oil were supplemented in sows from late gestation to lactation. Serum indicators and gut microbiota were determined to evaluate the effects of maternal fish oil on growth performance, immunity and diarrhea of piglets. DHA and EPA in the colostrum as well as serum of suckling and 1-week post-wean piglets were significantly and linearly increased by maternal supplementation of fish oil (P < 0.05). IGF1 and T3 in nursing and weaned piglets were significantly elevated by maternal fish oil (P < 0.05), and the increase of IGF1 was concerning the dosage of fish oil. Colostrum IgG, plasma IgG, IgM in suckling piglets, IgG, IgM and IgA in weaned piglets were significantly increase as maternal replenishment of fish oil increased (P < 0.05). Additionally, cortisol was significantly reduced in weaned pigs (P < 0.05), regardless of dosage. 16S rRNA sequencing revealed that α-diversity of fecal microbiota in nursery piglets, and fecal Lactobacillus genus, positively correlated with post-weaning IgA, was significantly increased by high dosage. Collectively, maternal fish oil during late pregnancy and lactation significantly promoted growth, enhanced immunity, and reduced post-weaning diarrhea in piglets, therefore facilitated suckling-to-weaning transition in piglets, which may be partially due to the altered gut microbial community.
A feedforward compensation approach for cable-driven musculoskeletal systems
Authors: Fan Yerui , Yuan Jianbo , Wu Yaxiong , Qiao Hong
Published: December 2022

This paper presents a feedforward compensation approach for musculoskeletal systems (MSs). Compared with traditional rigid robots, human arms have the advantages of flexibility and safety in operation in unstructured environments. However, the influence of external unknown disturbances, inner friction effects, and dynamic uncertainties of the MS makes it difficult to model and practically apply. In order to reduce the inner friction effects of the hardware platform and the over-relaxation/tension of the cable-pull drive, a feedforward friction compensation method for the cable-pulled artificial muscle unit is proposed. The method analyzes the friction causes of the hardware structure and establishes a mapping network relationship between the joint variables and the muscle force error in the muscle space. The experimental results show that the method can effectively improve the control accuracy and reduce the artificial muscle over-relaxation/tension instability.
Leader of the Pack? Changes in “Wolf Warrior Diplomacy” after a Politburo Collective Study Session
Authors: Brazys Samuel , Dukalskis Alexander , Müller Stefan
Published: December 2022

This research report measures changes in China's public diplomacy after a May 2021 collective study session of the Chinese Communist Party Politburo. The session examined the country's global communications strategy and fuelled speculation about what might change in China's external communications, particularly with regard to its “wolf warrior” diplomats. Combining hand-coding and quantitative text analysis, we develop and validate a measure of “wolf warrior diplomacy” rhetoric and apply it to over 200,000 tweets from nearly 200 institutional, media and diplomatic Twitter accounts. Using a difference-in-difference research design, we evaluate if the session led to a noticeable change in the tweets of diplomats based in OECD countries. After the announcement, PRC diplomats in the OECD moderated their tweets in comparison to non-OECD diplomats, but we do not detect a major re-orientation of PRC communication strategies. These findings have relevance for scholars of Chinese foreign policy, nationalism and public diplomacy.
COVID-19: Introducing a sliding scale between legality and scientific knowledge
Authors: Pervou Ioanna
Published: December 2022

This article aims to explore the new normal in lawmaking during the COVID-19 pandemic. It proves how the pandemic has affected the making of legal norms, in terms of both process and content. It argues that COVID-19 legislation is largely driven by scientific data for the sake of public health. In this context, it explains how national-decision making is influenced by expert advisory bodies that attempt to specify how public health may be preserved during a pandemic crisis. Moreover, it sheds light into the fact that law-making during the first phases of the pandemic was approved and endorsed by the populations of states, due to their fear of the unknown disease. However, as the pandemic steadily became an established truth, the public’s trust in lawmaking started to decrease. These shifts are well explained if one conceives lawmaking by expertise as a sliding scale, the ends of which are legality at one end and expertise coupled with popular acceptance at the other. This unique sliding scale depicts how COVID-19 lawmaking functioned, balancing between opposite trends.
Significant regional inequalities in the prevalence of intellectual disability and trends from 1990 to 2019: a systematic analysis of GBD 2019
Authors: Nair R. , Chen M. , Dutt A. S. , Hagopian L. , Singh A. , Du M.
Published: December 2022

Aims

Policymakers and researchers have little evidence on prevalence rates of intellectual disability (ID) or their changes over time to tailor healthcare interventions. Prevalence rates and trends of ID are especially lacking in regions with lower socio-demographic development. Additionally, the assessment of inequalities in the prevalence of ID across regions with varying socio-demographic development is understudied. This study assessed variations in prevalence rates of ID from 1990 to 2019 and the related inequalities between low and high socio-demographic index (SDI) regions.

Methods

This study used global data from 1990 to 2019 for individuals with ID from the 2019 Global Burden of Diseases study. Data analyses were performed from September 2021 to January 2022. Prevalence for individuals with ID was extracted by sex, age groups and SDI regions. Annual percentage change (APC) was estimated for each demographic group within SDI regions to assess their prevalence trends over 30 years. Relative and absolute inequalities were calculated between low and high SDI regions for the various age groups.

Results

In 2019, there were 107.62 million (1.74%) individuals with ID, with an APC of −0.80 (−0.88 to −0.72). There was a slightly higher prevalence among males (1.42%) than females (1.37%). The highest prevalence rates were found in the low-middle SDI regions (2.42%) and the lowest prevalence rates were in the high SDI regions (0.33%). There was a large reduction in the prevalence rate between the youngest age group v. the oldest age group in all the SDI regions and at all time points. The relative inequalities between low and high SDI regions increased over three decades.

Conclusions

While an overall decrease in global prevalence rate for ID was found, relative inequalities continue to increase with lower SDI regions needing more comprehensive support services. The demographic trends indicate a significantly higher mortality rate among those with ID v. the rest of the population. Our study highlights the necessity for policies and interventions targeting lower SDI regions to mobilise resources that better support individuals with ID and achieve sustainable development goals proposed by the United Nations.
Psychometric Validation and Environmental Psychological Correlates of the Light Triad Traits
Authors: Aruta John Jamir Benzon R.
Published: December 2022

Abstract: The Light Triad Scale (LTS) measures the concept of the Light Triad, which was conceptualized as personality traits that reflect a person’s loving and beneficent orientation toward others, consisting of Faith in Humanity, Humanism, and Kantianism. As a novel construct, the Light Triad has yet to establish its structural validity in non-Western countries and needs to demonstrate its association with environmental psychology constructs. This study aims to: (1) examine the structural and criterion validity of the LTS in the Philippines and (2) determine the influence of the Light Triad on environmental concerns and green purchase intentions. Data were collected through an online survey completed by 447 Filipino adolescents. Comparing three models (i.e., one-factor, two-factor, and intercorrelated three-factor models), the present findings corroborated the original model which proposed an intercorrelated three-factor model of the LTS. The LTS demonstrated criterion validity by establishing correlations with relevant measures of environmental psychological constructs. Additionally, path analysis showed that Humanism and Kantianism predicted green purchase intentions via an increase in environmental concern. Measurement and conceptual strengths, future directions, and limitations are discussed.
Intelligence Predicts Sensory Discrimination Ability but Not Implicit Reward Learning
Authors: Sassenberg Tyler A. , Xi Muchen , Zhao Daiqing , Blain Scott D. , DeYoung Colin G.
Published: December 2022

Abstract: Previous research has made use of sensory discrimination tasks that incorporate differential reinforcement schedules as a method for measuring individual differences in implicit reward learning. One such task was popularized by Pizzagalli and colleagues (2005) with the intent of behaviorally assessing anhedonia and reward sensitivity. Various studies have examined implicit reward learning in relation to clinical symptoms and personality traits, including anhedonia, depression, and Extraversion. Despite extensive use of these tasks, they have not been extensively examined in relation to intelligence, which affects performance on many cognitive tasks. Other research suggests positive associations of intelligence with sensory discrimination ability. The present study utilized a probabilistic reward task in a large community sample to determine the relations among IQ, sensory discrimination ability, and implicit reward learning. Participants ( N = 298) completed a sensory discrimination task, as well as an IQ test. IQ was not associated with participants’ levels of implicit reward learning but was positively associated with sensory discrimination ability. These findings provide a further understanding of the complex relations among implicit learning, sensory discrimination ability, and intelligence.
Methane Production Linked to Organic Matter Molecule and Methanogenic Community in Estuarine Benthic Sediments
Authors: Li Xiaofei , Li Ye , Gao Dengzhou , Liu Min , Hou Lijun
Published: December 2022

The importance of dissolved organic matter (DOM) and methanogenic community to methane (CH4) production in estuarine benthic sediments remains poorly understood. Here, we determined CH4 production rate, DOM molecule, and methanogenic community in benthic sediments of Min River Estuary. CH4 production rates in freshwater and saline sediments varied between 0.28 and 0.56 μg CH4 m−2 h−1, and between 0.17 and 0.27 μg CH4 m−2 h−1, respectively. CH4 production rates in freshwater sediments were increased by 36%–66% under saline incubation, compared to freshwater incubation, indicating that elevated salinity can stimulate CH4 production. The δ13C‐CH4 decreased and fractionation factor between δ13C‐CO2 and δ13C‐CH4 increased from high‐ to low‐OM sediments, suggesting a shift of CH4 production from acetoclastic to hydrogenotrophic pathways. A decrease in labile fractions and an increase in recalcitrance fractions of DOM were accompanied by the decrease in CH4 production. The Methanoregula, Methanocellales, Methanosarcina, and Methanosaeta were the predominant methanogenic communities in mediating CH4 production. The differences in DOM molecules and methanogenic archaea taxa could drive the distinct CH4 production rates in estuarine benthic sediments. These results suggest that DOM quantity and molecules and methanogenic archaea can substantially affect CH4 production, which have broader implications for global CH4 estimates under the ongoing eutrophication in estuarine and coastal ecosystems.
Targeting SPHK1/S1PR3-regulated S-1-P metabolic disorder triggers autophagic cell death in pulmonary lymphangiomyomatosis (LAM)
Authors: Li Fei , Zhang Yifan , Lin Zhoujun , Yan Lizhong , Liu Qiao , Li Yin , Pei Xiaolin , Feng Ya , Han Xiao , Yang Juan , Zheng Fangxu , Li Tianjiao , Zhang Yupeng , Fu Zhenkun , Shao Di , Yu Jane , Li Chenggang
Published: December 2022

Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM), a progressive pulmonary disease exclusively affecting females, is caused by defects or mutations in the coding gene tuberous sclerosis complex 1 (TSC1) or TSC2, causing the mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) activation and autophagy inhibition. Clinically, rapamycin shows limited cytocidal effects, and LAM recurs after drug withdrawal. In this study, we demonstrated that TSC2 negatively regulated the sphingolipid metabolism pathway and the expressions of sphingosine kinase 1 (SPHK1) and sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 3 (S1PR3) were significantly elevated in LAM patient-derived TSC2-deficient cells compared to TSC2-addback cells, insensitive to rapamycin treatment and estrogen stimulation. Knockdown of SPHK1 showed reduced viability, migration and invasion in TSC2-deficient cells. Selective SPHK1 antagonist PF543 potently suppressed the viability of TSC2-deficient cells and induced autophagy-mediated cell death. Meanwhile, the cognate receptor S1PR3 was identified to mediating the tumorigenic effects of sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P). Treatment with TY52156, a selective antagonist for S1PR3, or genetic silencing using S1PR3-siRNA suppressed the viability of TSC2-deficient cells. Both SPHK1 and S1PR3 inhibitors markedly exhibited antitumor effect in a xenograft model of TSC2-null cells, restored autophagy level, and triggered cell death. Together, we identified novel rapamycin-insensitive sphingosine metabolic signatures in TSC2-null LAM cells. Therapeutic targeting of aberrant SPHK1/S1P/S1PR3 signaling may have potent therapeutic benefit for patients with TSC/LAM or other hyperactive mTOR neoplasms with autophagy inhibition.
DC vaccines loaded with glioma cells killed by photodynamic therapy induce Th17 anti-tumor immunity and provide a four-gene signature for glioma prognosis
Authors: Vedunova Maria , Turubanova Victoria , Vershinina Olga , Savyuk Maria , Efimova Iuliia , Mishchenko Tatiana , Raedt Robrecht , Vral Anne , Vanhove Christian , Korsakova Daria , Bachert Claus , Coppieters Frauke , Agostinis Patrizia , Garg Abhishek D. , Ivanchenko Mikhail , Krysko Olga , Krysko Dmitri V.
Published: December 2022

Gliomas, the most frequent type of primary tumor of the central nervous system in adults, results in significant morbidity and mortality. Despite the development of novel, complex, multidisciplinary, and targeted therapies, glioma therapy has not progressed much over the last decades. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop novel patient-adjusted immunotherapies that actively stimulate antitumor T cells, generate long-term memory, and result in significant clinical benefits. This work aimed to investigate the efficacy and molecular mechanism of dendritic cell (DC) vaccines loaded with glioma cells undergoing immunogenic cell death (ICD) induced by photosens-based photodynamic therapy (PS-PDT) and to identify reliable prognostic gene signatures for predicting the overall survival of patients. Analysis of the transcriptional program of the ICD-based DC vaccine led to the identification of robust induction of Th17 signature when used as a vaccine. These DCs demonstrate retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptor-γt dependent efficacy in an orthotopic mouse model. Moreover, comparative analysis of the transcriptome program of the ICD-based DC vaccine with transcriptome data from the TCGA-LGG dataset identified a four-gene signature (CFH, GALNT3, SMC4, VAV3) associated with overall survival of glioma patients. This model was validated on overall survival of CGGA-LGG, TCGA-GBM, and CGGA-GBM datasets to determine whether it has a similar prognostic value. To that end, the sensitivity and specificity of the prognostic model for predicting overall survival were evaluated by calculating the area under the curve of the time-dependent receiver operating characteristic curve. The values of area under the curve for TCGA-LGG, CGGA-LGG, TCGA-GBM, and CGGA-GBM for predicting five-year survival rates were, respectively, 0.75, 0.73, 0.9, and 0.69. These data open attractive prospects for improving glioma therapy by employing ICD and PS-PDT-based DC vaccines to induce Th17 immunity and to use this prognostic model to predict the overall survival of glioma patients.
Tracking westerly wind directions over Europe since the middle Holocene
Authors: Hu Hsun-Ming , Trouet Valerie , Spötl Christoph , Tsai Hsien-Chen , Chien Wei-Yi , Sung Wen-Hui , Michel Véronique , Yu Jin-Yi , Valensi Patricia , Jiang Xiuyang , Duan Fucai , Wang Yongjin , Mii Horng-Sheng , Chou Yu-Min , Lone Mahjoor Ahmad , Wu Chung-Che , Starnini Elisabetta , Zunino Marta , Watanabe Takaaki K. , Watanabe Tsuyoshi , Hsu Huang-Hsiung , Moore G.W.K. , Zanchetta Giovanni , Pérez-Mejías Carlos , Lee Shih-Yu , Shen Chuan-Chou
Published: December 2022

The variability of the northern westerlies has been considered as one of the key elements for modern and past climate evolution. Their multiscale behavior and underlying control mechanisms, however, are incompletely understood, owing to the complex dynamics of Atlantic sea-level pressures. Here, we present a multi-annually resolved record of the westerly drift over the past 6,500 years from northern Italy. In combination with more than 20 other westerly-sensitive records, our results depict the non-stationary westerly-affected regions over mainland Europe on multi-decadal to multi-centennial time scales, showing that the direction of the westerlies has changed with respect to the migrations of the North Atlantic centers of action since the middle Holocene. Our findings suggest the crucial role of the migrations of the North Atlantic dipole in modulating the westerly-affected domain over Europe, possibly modulated by Atlantic Ocean variability.
Sourcing thermotolerant poly(ethylene terephthalate) hydrolase scaffolds from natural diversity
Authors: Erickson Erika , Gado Japheth E. , Avilán Luisana , Bratti Felicia , Brizendine Richard K. , Cox Paul A. , Gill Raj , Graham Rosie , Kim Dong-Jin , König Gerhard , Michener William E. , Poudel Saroj , Ramirez Kelsey J. , Shakespeare Thomas J. , Zahn Michael , Boyd Eric S. , Payne Christina M. , DuBois Jennifer L. , Pickford Andrew R. , Beckham Gregg T. , McGeehan John E.
Published: December 2022

Enzymatic deconstruction of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) is under intense investigation, given the ability of hydrolase enzymes to depolymerize PET to its constituent monomers near the polymer glass transition temperature. To date, reported PET hydrolases have been sourced from a relatively narrow sequence space. Here, we identify additional PET-active biocatalysts from natural diversity by using bioinformatics and machine learning to mine 74 putative thermotolerant PET hydrolases. We successfully express, purify, and assay 51 enzymes from seven distinct phylogenetic groups; observing PET hydrolysis activity on amorphous PET film from 37 enzymes in reactions spanning pH from 4.5–9.0 and temperatures from 30–70 °C. We conduct PET hydrolysis time-course reactions with the best-performing enzymes, where we observe differences in substrate selectivity as function of PET morphology. We employed X-ray crystallography and AlphaFold to examine the enzyme architectures of all 74 candidates, revealing protein folds and accessory domains not previously associated with PET deconstruction. Overall, this study expands the number and diversity of thermotolerant scaffolds for enzymatic PET deconstruction.
Multi-organ imaging demonstrates the heart-brain-liver axis in UK Biobank participants
Authors: McCracken Celeste , Raisi-Estabragh Zahra , Veldsman Michele , Raman Betty , Dennis Andrea , Husain Masud , Nichols Thomas E. , Petersen Steffen E. , Neubauer Stefan
Published: December 2022

Medical imaging provides numerous insights into the subclinical changes that precede serious diseases such as heart disease and dementia. However, most imaging research either describes a single organ system or draws on clinical cohorts with small sample sizes. In this study, we use state-of-the-art multi-organ magnetic resonance imaging phenotypes to investigate cross-sectional relationships across the heart-brain-liver axis in 30,444 UK Biobank participants. Despite controlling for an extensive range of demographic and clinical covariates, we find significant associations between imaging-derived phenotypes of the heart (left ventricular structure, function and aortic distensibility), brain (brain volumes, white matter hyperintensities and white matter microstructure), and liver (liver fat, liver iron and fibroinflammation). Simultaneous three-organ modelling identifies differentially important pathways across the heart-brain-liver axis with evidence of both direct and indirect associations. This study describes a potentially cumulative burden of multiple-organ dysfunction and provides essential insight into multi-organ disease prevention.
Understanding variability in petroleum jet fuel life cycle greenhouse gas emissions to inform aviation decarbonization
Authors: Jing Liang , El-Houjeiri Hassan M. , Monfort Jean-Christophe , Littlefield James , Al-Qahtani Amjaad , Dixit Yash , Speth Raymond L. , Brandt Adam R. , Masnadi Mohammad S. , MacLean Heather L. , Peltier William , Gordon Deborah , Bergerson Joule A.
Published: December 2022

A pressing challenge facing the aviation industry is to aggressively reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the face of increasing demand for aviation fuels. Climate goals such as carbon-neutral growth from 2020 onwards require continuous improvements in technology, operations, infrastructure, and most importantly, reductions in aviation fuel life cycle emissions. The Carbon Offsetting Scheme for International Aviation of the International Civil Aviation Organization provides a global market-based measure to group all possible emissions reduction measures into a joint program. Using a bottom-up, engineering-based modeling approach, this study provides the first estimates of life cycle greenhouse gas emissions from petroleum jet fuel on regional and global scales. Here we show that not all petroleum jet fuels are the same as the country-level life cycle emissions of petroleum jet fuels range from 81.1 to 94.8 gCO2e MJ−1, with a global volume-weighted average of 88.7 gCO2e MJ−1. These findings provide a high-resolution baseline against which sustainable aviation fuel and other emissions reduction opportunities can be prioritized to achieve greater emissions reductions faster.
Multi-dimensional data transmission using inverse-designed silicon photonics and microcombs
Authors: Yang Ki Youl , Shirpurkar Chinmay , White Alexander D. , Zang Jizhao , Chang Lin , Ashtiani Farshid , Guidry Melissa A. , Lukin Daniil M. , Pericherla Srinivas V. , Yang Joshua , Kwon Hyounghan , Lu Jesse , Ahn Geun Ho , Van Gasse Kasper , Jin Yan , Yu Su-Peng , Briles Travis C. , Stone Jordan R. , Carlson David R. , Song Hao , Zou Kaiheng , Zhou Huibin , Pang Kai , Hao Han , Trask Lawrence , Li Mingxiao , Netherton Andy , Rechtman Lior , Stone Jeffery S. , Skarda Jinhee L. , Su Logan , Vercruysse Dries , MacLean Jean-Philippe W. , Aghaeimeibodi Shahriar , Li Ming-Jun , Miller David A. B. , Marom Dan M. , Willner Alan E. , Bowers John E. , Papp Scott B. , Delfyett Peter J. , Aflatouni Firooz , Vučković Jelena
Published: December 2022

The use of optical interconnects has burgeoned as a promising technology that can address the limits of data transfer for future high-performance silicon chips. Recent pushes to enhance optical communication have focused on developing wavelength-division multiplexing technology, and new dimensions of data transfer will be paramount to fulfill the ever-growing need for speed. Here we demonstrate an integrated multi-dimensional communication scheme that combines wavelength- and mode- multiplexing on a silicon photonic circuit. Using foundry-compatible photonic inverse design and spectrally flattened microcombs, we demonstrate a 1.12-Tb/s natively error-free data transmission throughout a silicon nanophotonic waveguide. Furthermore, we implement inverse-designed surface-normal couplers to enable multimode optical transmission between separate silicon chips throughout a multimode-matched fibre. All the inverse-designed devices comply with the process design rules for standard silicon photonic foundries. Our approach is inherently scalable to a multiplicative enhancement over the state of the art silicon photonic transmitters.