bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ultrasonic renal length as an indicator of renal fibrosis severity in non-diabetic patients with chronic kidney disease
Authors: Chen Ziman , Jiang Jun , Gunda Simon Takadiyi , Han Xinyang , Wu Chaoqun , Ying Michael Tin Cheung , Chen Fei
Published: November 2024

Background

Debate continues regarding the potential of the ultrasonic renal length to serve as an indicator for evaluating the advancement of renal fibrosis in chronic kidney disease (CKD). This study investigates the independent association between renal length and renal fibrosis in non-diabetic CKD patients and assesses its diagnostic performance.

Methods

From April 2019 to December 2021, 144 non-diabetic patients diagnosed with CKD who underwent a renal ultrasound examination and kidney biopsy were prospectively enrolled. Patients were categorized into the mild fibrosis group (n = 70) and the moderate-severe group (n = 74) based on the extent of fibrotic involvement. Ultrasonic renal length was measured from pole-to-pole in the coronal plane. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, multivariable logistic regression analysis, and a generalized additive model were performed.

Results

A negative linear correlation was found between renal length and moderate-severe renal fibrosis risk. Each centimeter increase in renal length decreased the odds of moderate-severe fibrosis by 38% (OR: 0.62; 95% CI 0.41–0.93; P = 0.020). After adjusting for confounders, the relationship persisted (OR: 0.58; 95% CI 0.33–1.00; P = 0.048). However, renal length presented limited discrimination ability in distinguishing degrees of renal fibrosis while controlling the key confounding factors, yielding an area under the ROC curve of only 0.58 (95% CI 0.45–0.70).

Conclusion

While an inverse relationship exists between renal length and risk of having moderate-severe renal fibrosis in non-diabetic CKD patients, renal length alone is insufficient for diagnosing fibrosis severity, underscoring the need for additional diagnostic parameters in CKD assessment.
The importance of socio-emotional skills obtained before the COVID-19 pandemic in supporting study engagement during the pandemic and transition to higher education
Authors: Mädamürk Kaja , Upadyaya Katja , Hietajärvi Lauri , Lonka Kirsti , Salmela-Aro Katariina
Published: November 2024

This study investigated the development of study engagement from the end of upper secondary school through the first and second years of higher education. The participants experienced the challenges related to the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic while they were either university students or preparing for university entrance exams. The study employed a person-oriented approach to determine what kind of developmental trajectories emerge in study engagement when following the student participants from the end of upper secondary school through the first and second years of higher education. Furthermore, the study investigated whether socio-emotional skills obtained by the end of secondary school and before the pandemic play a role in more adaptive development through demanding restrictions related to the worldwide pandemic and general changes in the learning environment. The 852 participants answered questionnaires on study engagement and socio-emotional skills in spring 2019, and of them, 426 individuals who continued their education answered regarding study engagement again in spring 2020 and winter 2020/2021. The grades in math and Finnish language were also included. The results indicated that most students tended to experience a drop in study engagement during the first wave of COVID-19 compared to the pre-pandemic level; however, they managed to boost their engagement back to previous levels approximately 6 months later. Students who managed to recover their engagement also tended to have higher socio-emotional skills than students who were struggling with study engagement before the pandemic or who started to struggle during the pandemic.
Do Doctors Have a Responsibility to Challenge the Distorting Influence of Commerce on Healthcare Delivery? The Case of Assisted Reproductive Technology
Authors: Stanbury Craig , Kerridge Ian , Newson Ainsley J. , Ghinea Narcyz , Lipworth Wendy
Published: November 2024

Medicine has always existed in a marketplace, and there have been extensive discussions about the ethical implications of commerce in health care. For the most part, this discussion has focused on health professionals’ interactions with pharmaceutical and other health technology industries, with less attention given to other types of commercial influences, such as corporatized health services and fee-for-service practice. This is a significant lacuna because in many jurisdictions, some or all of healthcare is delivered in the private sector. Using the exemplar of Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART), this paper asks: what, if any, responsibilities do doctors have to challenge the distorting influence of commerce in healthcare, other than those arising from their own interactions with health technology companies? ART provides a good focus for this question because it is an area of practice that has historically been provided in the private sector. First, we describe a range of concepts that offer helpful heuristics for capturing how and when doctors can reasonably be said to have responsibilities to resist commercial distortion, including: complicity, acquiescence, wilful ignorance, non-wilful ignorance, and duplicity. Second, we present ways that individual doctors can act to stop questionable behaviour on the part of their colleagues, clinics/corporations, and their profession. Third, we note that there are many situations where change cannot be achieved by individuals acting alone, and so we consider the responsibilities of health professionals as collectives as well as the role that professional bodies and regulators should play.
Patterns, circumstances and risk factors associated with non-fatal substance overdose in a cohort of homeless population: an observational study
Authors: Anderson Jennifer , Kurmi Om , Lowrie Richard , Araf Adnan , Paudyal Vibhu
Published: November 2024

Background

Non-fatal overdoses frequently precede fatal overdoses, thus identifying risk factors for non-fatal overdoses could help develop strategies to prevent substance related deaths.

Aim

This study aimed to identify patterns, circumstances and risk factors leading to non-fatal substance overdose in people experiencing homelessness.

Method

All recorded cases of non-fatal substance overdose from a population of people experiencing homelessness registered at a specialist homelessness primary care centre in England were identified using electronic medical records. Overdose details and patient characteristics were extracted. The heterogeneity between variables in people with and without a recorded non-fatal overdose were tested and multivariable logistic regressions were used to identify the risk factors of non-fatal overdoses.

Results

From the 1221 registered patients, 194(16%) were identified as having had a non-fatal overdose with 428 overdoses between them. Half were polypharmacy events with the main substances of overdose being: heroin, paracetamol, benzodiazepines, cocaine, antipsychotics, SSRIs and synthetic cannabinoids. Risk of non-fatal overdose was greater in females, white ethnicity, ages 36–45, and in those with a recorded use of tobacco, alcohol or illicit substance use. Chronic physical and mental health conditions increased the risk of non-fatal overdose including respiratory conditions, blood borne viruses, migraines, anxiety and depression.

Conclusion

With a high number of non-fatal overdoses within this population, identifying individuals at risk based on the factors identified in this research could enable primary care providers to apply prevention actions such as overdose awareness and naloxone provision to avoid drug harm and deaths. Future work should explore the role of chronic physical conditions and their treatment on non-fatal overdose risks.
Remaking the Multinational Corporation: Geographically Dispersed Unbundling and Intangible Assets
Authors: Mohr Alexander , Hashai Niron , Puck Jonas , Konara Palitha , Reinprecht Hubertus
Published: November 2024

Over the past decades, we have observed the emergence of multinational corporations (MNCs) that are increasingly characterized by their high levels of unbundling and geographic dispersion of their activities and by their greater reliance on intangible (vs. tangible) assets. We develop a novel typology of MNCs on the basis of these two characteristics and explore how different types of MNCs have been exposed and are likely to respond to the slowdown in the global economic integration since the 2008 global financial crisis. We argue that the degree to which MNCs have unbundled and geographically dispersed their activities and their reliance on intangible (vs. tangible) assets will affect the risks associated with cross-border transfers of goods and services and with holding overseas assets. We advance the international business (IB) literature and contribute to the global strategy literature by using our novel typology to examine MNCs’ exposure and their likely response to deglobalization pressures.
Automatic preload adaptation for rack-and-pinion drives to maximize performance and energy efficiency
Authors: Steinle Lukas , Leipe Valentin , Lechler Armin , Verl Alexander
Published: November 2024

Electrically preloaded rack-and-pinion drives are typically utilized in machine tools to precisely move heavy loads over long travel distances. In the state of the art, the preload torque is commonly set to a constant value during commissioning. This poses a conflict of objectives between maximizing performance and minimizing energy consumption. To resolve this, this publication presents a novel approach to automatically adapt the preload torque during operation. For this purpose, the established preload control is extended by a simple control law that adapts the preload torque to the current operating state within the permissible limits. This way, higher preload torques are only applied, if the resulting higher system stiffness is beneficial for the drive performance. Otherwise, the preload torque is reduced to save energy. The automatic preload adaptation is experimentally validated on a test system with industry standard components. This involves both system-theoretical analyses and practical test scenarios.
Water distribution pipelines inside the monastery of El Escorial during the sixteenth century
Authors: Gumiel-Campos Pablo
Published: November 2024

This article addresses the study of the internal hydraulic infrastructure of the Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo del Escorial. The vast network of pipes that supplied water to the numerous fountains, tanks, and other devices in the building. The methodology was based on two fundamental pillars: an analysis of the historical sources related to water and a cataloguing of the preserved architectonical remains of the infrastructure. A new sketch of the water supply network of the building has been drawn using ArcGIS Pro software. In doing so, this article provides a more accurate and detailed knowledge of the building's plumbing system.
Developing a Performance-Based Assessment to Measure Pre-Service Secondary Teachers’ Digital Competence to Use Digital Mathematics Tools
Authors: Seifert Hannes , Lindmeier Anke
Published: November 2024

Digital competence is an increasingly important component of teacher competence. So far, self-reports are a commonly used, efficient, but potentially problematic assessment method. Standardized and valid assessments to measure digital competence for teachers—particularly of a concrete subject—and proximally to performance are lacking. To address this, we developed a performance-based assessment for pre-service mathematics teachers based on the TPACK and DigCompEdu frameworks, both widely used in teacher education. The test focuses on digital competence related to mathematics tools such as computer algebra systems, dynamic geometry, and spreadsheet software, where technical-mathematical and pedagogical competences are required. This report presents the assessment design and provides validity evidence regarding the internal structure of the test, its sensitivity to intervention, and the relation of the scores to external variables, like affective-motivational aspects or prior experiences with tools based on a study with N = 118 pre-service teachers. First, we confirmed a two-dimensional structure of technical-mathematical and pedagogical aspects of digital competence through a confirmatory factor analysis. Second, expectations regarding the relation to external variables were partially confirmed. Third, we identified the sensitivity of the assessment to an intervention. Especially as expected, the relations between scores and self-assessment results were mixed. Our results indicate that the assessment is suitable for measuring pre-service mathematics teachers’ digital competence in two aspects close to performance. We discuss possible uses to evaluate learning opportunities in teacher education.
Magnetic properties of iron ores from two Ordovician deposits in Northern Portugal: Marão and Moncorvo
Authors: Dias Joana M. , Vianez Ricardo , Cruz Cláudia , Font Eric , Sant’Ovaia Helena , Ferreira Joana , Guedes Alexandra
Published: November 2024

The Vila Cova do Marão Mining Field (VCMF) and the Moncorvo Iron Complex (MIC) in northern Portugal are important geo-resources of iron. Here we provide a detailed characterisation of their mineralogy through petrographic observations and magnetic properties. Petrographic observations show the VCMF ore primarily consists of quartz, magnetite, and chlorite, while the MIC ore of hematite and quartz, with rare magnetite occurrences. The magnetic susceptibility (χ) of the VCMF host rock is ~ 2470 × 10⁻8 m3/kg, while the VCMF ore deposits have χ of ~ 20,500 × 10⁻8 m3/kg. MIC ores show lower χ values of 520–700 × 10⁻8 m3/kg. Isothermal Remanent Magnetisation (IRM) component unmixing of the VCMF host rock indicates that the magnetic population is represented by a single component with B1/2 of 45–55 mT and DP values 0.30–0.35 mT, respectively, typical of magnetite. The VCMF ore is characterised by a single component with B1/2 of 32–44 mT and DP of 0.30–0.35, typical of magnetite. The MIC ore shows two components: component 1 with B1/2 of 50 mT and DP values of 0.31–0.37 mT, typical of magnetite, and component 2 with B1/2 of 500 mT and DP of 0.19–0.26, typical of hematite. IRM at saturation (SIRM) of component 1 is 116–248 A/m for the host rock, 1100–2400 A/m for the VCMF samples, and 209–335 A/m for the MIC samples, providing an approximation of magnetite concentration. The Cisowski test shows the presence of strongly interacting single-domain particles (0.16 < R < 0.24) in all samples. Our data provides useful information for future iron ore resource exploration in the area.
Quantum neural networks under depolarization noise: exploring white-box attacks and defenses
Authors: Winderl David , Franco Nicola , Lorenz Jeanette Miriam
Published: November 2024

Leveraging the unique properties of quantum mechanics, quantum machine learning (QML) promises computational breakthroughs and enriched perspectives where traditional systems reach their boundaries. However, similarly to classical machine learning, QML is not immune to adversarial attacks. Quantum adversarial machine learning has become instrumental in highlighting the weak points of QML models when faced with adversarial crafted feature vectors. Diving deep into this domain, our exploration shines a light on the interplay between depolarization noise and adversarial robustness. While previous results enhanced robustness from adversarial threats through depolarization noise, our findings paint a different picture. Interestingly, adding depolarization noise discontinued the effect of providing further robustness for a multi-class classification scenario. Consolidating our findings, we conducted experiments with a multi-class classifier adversarially trained on gate-based quantum simulators, further elucidating this unexpected behavior.
Stabilization of nonlinear safety-critical systems by relaxed converse Lyapunov-barrier approach and its applications in robotic systems
Authors: Li Haoqi , Hu Jiangping , Hu Xiaoming , Ghosh Bijoy K.
Published: November 2024

Combining safety objectives with stability objectives is crucial for safety-critical systems. Existing studies generally unified these two objectives by constructing Lyapunov-type barrier functions. However, insufficient analysis of key set relationships within the system may render the proposed safety and stability conditions conservative, and these studies also did not provide how to use such conditions to design safety-stability control strategies. This paper proposed a feasible and constructive design to achieve stabilization of safety-critical systems by a relaxed converse Lyapunov-barrier approach. By analyzing the relationships between a series of sets associated with the safety-critical system, the stability and safety conditions can be appropriately relaxed. Then, with the help of relaxed converse control Lyapunov-barrier functions (RCCLBFs), a theoretical result was obtained for the stability of affine nonlinear systems with safety constraints. Subsequently, a constructive method was developed for a second-order strict-feedback system to transform the process of solving RCCLBFs into a Lyapunov-like stabilization problem. Finally, the proposed safety-stability control method is exerted on a robotic system and demonstrated by simulations.
The interplay of online attributes and learning modes in shaping satisfaction and effectiveness in online learning
Authors: Mathew Paul V. , Pappachan Joemon , Kushwaha Satyendra
Published: November 2024

This study aims to identify key factors influencing the performance and satisfaction of students in online courses during the COVID-19 pandemic. An online survey of 545 Indian university students was conducted, and structural equation modelling was used to analyse the data. The results highlight four critical factors high-quality instruction, well-designed courses, timely feedback, and high expectations that positively impact student satisfaction, which, in turn, enhances performance. These findings underscore the importance of these elements in managing online education effectively. The study offers valuable insights for optimizing online learning environments to boost student satisfaction and overall effectiveness.
Automated ablation stakes to constrain temperature-index melt models
Authors: Wickert Andrew David , Barnhart Katherine Ruth , Armstrong William Henry , Romero Matías , Schulz Bobby , Ng Gene-Hua Crystal , Sandell Chad Timothy , La Frenierre Jeff , Penprase Shanti Bhattacharya , Van Wyk de Vries Maximillian , MacGregor Kelly Revenaugh
Published: November 2024

We developed automated ablation stakes to measure colocated in situ changes in relative glacier-surface elevation and climatological drivers of ablation. The designs, refined over 10 years of development and deployments, implement open-source hardware and common building materials. The ablation stakes record distance to the snow/ice surface, air temperature and relative humidity every 1–15 min. Using these high-frequency data, we demonstrate that melt factors calculated using standard melt-rate vs temperature regressions converge over averaging windows of approximately 12 h or greater. Furthermore, we evaluate an integral approach to estimating temperature-index melt factors for ablation. In a test case on Glaciar Perito Moreno, Argentina, this integral approach reveals an overall positive-degree-day melt factor of 7.5 mm w.e. $^\circ$C−1 d−1. We describe four deployments with iteratively improved designs and provide a list of materials required to construct an automated ablation stake.
On marketization and public spending growth
Authors: Pifarré i Arolas Héctor
Published: November 2024

I contribute to the literature on the growth of public spending in Western economies with a novel mechanism that ties it to the marketization process, i.e. the substitution of home with market production. I argue that a key contributor to the expansion of social spending is the replacement of family-based transfers with public pensions and other public transfer programs. I provide empirical support for this hypothesis by establishing the long-run relationship between government size and marketization, alongside other established determinants of government spending, in a panel of Western economies. I then illustrate a potential mechanism behind the results with a theoretical model in which, as a result of the productivity advantage of the market over the home sector, family-based intergenerational transfers decline unexpectedly, providing a rationale for government intervention in the form of public pensions with a poverty relief component.
Periodic data rigidity of Anosov automorphisms with Jordan blocks
Authors: DEWITT JONATHAN
Published: November 2024

Anosov automorphisms with Jordan blocks are not periodic data rigid. We introduce a refinement of the periodic data and show that this refined periodic data characterizes

$C^{1+}$

conjugacy for Anosov automorphisms on

$\mathbb {T}^4$

with a Jordan block.
News Sharing on Social Media: Mapping the Ideology of News Media, Politicians, and the Mass Public
Authors: Eady Gregory , Bonneau Richard , Tucker Joshua A. , Nagler Jonathan
Published: November 2024

This article examines the information sharing behavior of U.S. politicians and the mass public by mapping the ideological sharing space of political news on social media. As data, we use the near-universal currency of online information exchange: web links. We introduce a methodological approach and software to unify the measurement of ideology across social media platforms by using sharing data to jointly estimate the ideology of news media organizations, politicians, and the mass public. Empirically, we show that (1) politicians who share ideologically polarized content share, by far, the most political news and commentary and (2) that the less competitive elections are, the more likely politicians are to share polarized information. These results demonstrate that news and commentary shared by politicians come from a highly unrepresentative set of ideologically extreme legislators and that decreases in election pressures (e.g., by gerrymandering) may encourage polarized sharing behavior.
Chronotypical influence on eating behaviour and appetite control
Authors: Beaulieu Kristine , Finlayson Graham , Quist Jonas Salling
Published: November 2024

A person’s chronotype reflects individual variability in diurnal rhythms for preferred timing of sleep and daily activities such as exercise and food intake. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of the evidence around the influence of chronotype on eating behaviour and appetite control, as well as our perspectives and suggestions for future research. Increasing evidence demonstrates that late chronotype is associated with adverse health outcomes. A late chronotype may exacerbate the influence of greater evening energy intake on overweight/obesity risk and curtail weight management efforts. Furthermore, late chronotypes tend to have worse diet quality, with greater intake of fast foods, caffeine, and alcohol and lower intake of fruits and vegetables. Late chronotype is also associated with eating behaviour traits that increase the susceptibility to overconsumption such as disinhibition, food cravings, and binge eating. Whether an individual’s chronotype influences appetite in response to food intake and exercise is an area of recent interest that has largely been overlooked. Preliminary evidence suggests additive rather than interactive effects of chronotype and meal timing on appetite and food reward, but that hunger may decrease to a greater extent in response to morning exercise in early chronotypes and in response to evening exercise in late chronotypes. More studies examining the interplay between an individual’s chronotype, food intake/exercise timing and sleep are required as this could be of importance to inform personalised dietary and exercise prescriptions to promote better appetite control and weight management outcomes.
Analysis of foodborne outbreaks in Wenzhou City, China, 2012–2022
Authors: Gao Sihai , Chen Qingqing , Chen Lei , Cai Yuanyuan , Lin Dan , Wang Lili , Chen Minhe , Li Yi , Zhang Leyi , Shao Yongqiang
Published: November 2024

Foodborne diseases are ongoing and significant public health concerns. This study analysed data obtained from the Foodborne Outbreaks Surveillance System of Wenzhou to comprehensively summarise the characteristics of foodborne outbreaks from 2012 to 2022. A total of 198 outbreaks were reported, resulting in 2,216 cases, 208 hospitalisations, and eight deaths over 11 years. The findings suggested that foodborne outbreaks were more prevalent in the third quarter, with most cases occurring in households (30.8%). Outbreaks were primarily associated with aquatic products (17.7%) as sources of contamination. The primary transmission pathways were accidental ingestion (20.2%) and multi-pathway transmission (12.1%). Microbiological aetiologies (46.0%), including Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Salmonella ssp., and Staphylococcus aureus, were identified as the main causes of foodborne outbreaks. Furthermore, mushroom toxins (75.0%), poisonous animals (12.5%), and poisonous plants (12.5%) were responsible for deaths from accidental ingestion. This study identified crucial settings and aetiologies that require the attention of both individuals and governments, thereby enabling the development of effective preventive measures to mitigate foodborne outbreaks, particularly in coastal cities.
An Educational Framework for Healthcare Ethics Consultation to Approach Structural Stigma in Mental Health and Substance Use Health
Authors: Hasan Zahra S. , Buchman Daniel Z.
Published: November 2024

This paper addresses the need for, and ultimately proposes, an educational framework to develop competencies in attending to ethical issues in mental health and substance use health (MHSUH) in healthcare ethics consultation (HCEC). Given the prevalence and stigma associated with MHSUH, it is crucial for healthcare ethicists to approach such matters skillfully. A literature review was conducted in the areas of bioethics, health professions education, and stigma studies, followed by quality improvement interviews with content experts to gather feedback on the framework’s strengths, limitations, and anticipated utility. The proposed framework describes three key concepts: first, integrating self-reflexive practices into formal, informal, and hidden curricula; second, embedding structural humility into teaching methods and contexts of learning; and third, striking a balance between critical consciousness and compassion in dialogue. The proposed educational framework has the potential to help HCEC learners enhance their understanding and awareness of ethical issues related to structural stigma and MHSUH. Moreover, context-specific learning, particularly in MHSUH, can play a significant role in promoting competency-building among healthcare ethicists, allowing them to address issues of social justice effectively in their practice. Further dialogue is encouraged within the healthcare ethics community to further develop the concepts described in this framework.
Effective Adaptation Options to Alleviate Nuisance Flooding in Coastal Megacities—Learning From Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Authors: Scheiber Leon , Sairam Nivedita , Hoballah Jalloul Mazen , Rafiezadeh Shahi Kasra , Jordan Christian , Visscher Jan , Zadeh Tara Evaz , Oostwegel Laurens J. N. , Schorlemmer Danijel , Son Ngo Thanh , Nguyen Quan Hong , Schlurmann Torsten , Garschagen Matthias , Kreibich Heidi
Published: November 2024

The economies and livelihoods of many coastal megacities are at serious risk from flooding, despite investments in flood defenses. For instance, in Ho Chi Minh City, the construction of a large‐scale ring‐dike has mitigated negative effects from storm surges, yet damage is still frequently caused by high‐intensity rainfalls leading to nuisance flooding, which is responsible for the highest proportion of flood losses in the city today. Because sustainable flood risk management requires detailed spatial information, we analyze the local risk and its components based on a chain of novel models previously calibrated and validated for Ho Chi Minh City. Furthermore, we assess the effectiveness of two decentralized adaptation options, namely private precautionary measures and rainwater retention, for mitigating pluvial flooding. Our integrated risk assessment reveals that the approaches are complementary, which is a major advantage for their implementation. Implementation of both approaches has the potential to reduce the expected annual damage and the number of annually affected households by 16% and 56%, respectively. This is also reflected in a significant reduction of annual losses per household, which we propose as an additional, people‐centered indicator of flood risk. Moreover, these measures are well‐suited to strengthen citizen participation in risk reduction beyond top‐down protection schemes. Complementing the ring‐dike with decentralized adaptation options can therefore be seen as an effective and generic strategy to alleviate the impacts of nuisance flooding in coastal megacities, such as Ho Chi Minh City, and should be incentivized by decision‐makers. Aside from hydrological and metocean site conditions, both the methodology and findings of this study are transferrable to any coastal megacity facing similar challenges.
Synthetic rescue of Xeroderma Pigmentosum C phenotype via PIK3C3 downregulation
Authors: Kobaisi Farah , Sulpice Eric , Nasrallah Ali , Obeïd Patricia , Fayyad-Kazan Hussein , Rachidi Walid , Gidrol Xavier
Published: November 2024

Xeroderma Pigmentosum C is a dermal hereditary disease caused by a mutation in the DNA damage recognition protein XPC that belongs to the Nucleotide excision repair pathway. XPC patients display heightened sensitivity to light and an inability to mend DNA damage caused by UV radiation, resulting in the accumulation of lesions that can transform into mutations and eventually lead to cancer. To address this issue, we conducted a screening of siRNAs targeting human kinases, given their involvement in various DNA repair pathways, aiming to restore normal cellular behavior. We introduced this siRNA library into both normal and XPC patient-derived fibroblasts, followed by UVB exposure to induce DNA damage. We assessed the reversal of the XPC phenotype by measuring reduced photosensitivity and enhanced DNA repair. Among the 1292 kinase-targeting siRNAs screened, twenty-eight showed significant improvement in cellular survival compared to cells transfected with non-targeting siRNA after UV exposure in XPC cells. From these candidates, PIK3C3 and LATS1 were identified as particularly effective, promoting over 20% repair of 6-4 photoproduct (6-4PP) DNA lesions. Specifically targeting the autophagy-related protein PIK3C3 alone demonstrated remarkable photoprotective effects in XPC-affected cells, which were validated in primary XPC patient fibroblasts and CRISPR-Cas9 engineered XPC knockout keratinocytes. PIK3C3 knock down in XP-C cells ameliorated in UVB dose response analysis, decreased apoptosis with no effect on proliferation. More importantly, PIK3C3 knock down was found to induce an increase in UVRAG expression, a previously reported cDNA conveying lower photosensitivity in XP-C cells. Thus, attempts to improve the XPC photosensitive and deficient repair phenotype using PIK3C3 inhibitors could pave a way for new therapeutic approaches delaying or preventing tumor initiation.
G12/13-mediated signaling stimulates hepatic glucose production and has a major impact on whole body glucose homeostasis
Authors: Pittala Srinivas , Haspula Dhanush , Cui Yinghong , Yang Won-Mo , Kim Young-Bum , Davis Roger J. , Wing Allison , Rotman Yaron , McGuinness Owen P. , Inoue Asuka , Wess Jürgen
Published: November 2024

Altered hepatic glucose fluxes are critical during the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes. G protein-coupled receptors represent important regulators of hepatic glucose production. Recent studies have shown that hepatocytes express GPCRs that can couple to G12/13, a subfamily of heterotrimeric G proteins that has attracted relatively little attention in the past. Here we show, by analyzing several mutant mouse strains, that selective activation of hepatocyte G12/13 signaling leads to pronounced hyperglycemia and that this effect involves the stimulation of the ROCK1-JNK signaling cascade. Using both mouse and human hepatocytes, we also show that activation of endogenous sphingosine-1-phosphate type 1 receptors strongly promotes glucose release in a G12/13-dependent fashion. Studies with human liver samples indicate that hepatic GNA12 (encoding Gα12) expression levels positively correlate with indices of insulin resistance and impaired glucose homeostasis, consistent with a potential pathophysiological role of enhanced hepatic G12/13 signaling.
A Huluwa phosphorylation switch regulates embryonic axis induction
Authors: Li Yao , Yan Yun , Gong Bo , Zheng Qianwen , Zhou Haiyan , Sun Jiarui , Li Mingpeng , Wang Zhao , Li Yaohui , Wan Yunjing , Chen Weixi , Qi Shiqian , Mo Xianming , Meng Anming , Xiang Bo , Chen Jing
Published: November 2024

Embryonic axis formation is essential for patterning and morphogenesis in vertebrates and is tightly regulated by the dorsal organizer. Previously, we demonstrated that maternally derived Huluwa (Hwa) acts as a dorsal determinant, dictating axis formation by activating β-catenin signaling in zebrafish and Xenopus. However, the mechanism of activation and fine regulation of the Hwa protein remains unclear. Through candidate screening we identified a mutation at Ser168 in the PPNSP motif of Hwa that dramatically abolishes its axis-inducing activity. Mechanistically, mutating the Ser168 residue reduced its binding affinity to Tankyrase 1/2 and the degradation of the Axin protein, weakening β-catenin signaling activation. We confirmed that Ser168 is phosphorylated and that phosphorylation increases Hwa activity in β-catenin signaling and axis induction. Several kinases including Cdk16, Cdk2, and GSK3β, were found to enhance Ser168 phosphorylation in vitro and in vivo. Both dominant-negative Cdk16 expression and pHwa (Ser168) antibody treatment reduce Hwa function. Lastly, a knock-in allele mutating Ser168 to alanine resulted in embryos lacking body axes, demonstrating that Ser168 is essential to axis formation. In summary, Ser168 acts as a phosphorylation switch in Hwa/β-catenin signaling for embryonic axis induction, regulated by multiple kinases.
Understanding frustration triggers and emotional responses in driving situations
Authors: Yazdi Hannaneh , Wickman Casper , Ljung Aust Mikael , Selbing Ida , Kowalski Leo , Axelsson John
Published: November 2024

Frustration is a complex emotional phenomenon subject to various triggers and manifested through multifaceted behavioral and affective responses. This study investigates the relationship between distinct frustration-inducing situations encountered during driving and the corresponding affective responses, focusing on the mediating role of behavioral dimensions. A total of 2244 participants answered a questionnaire on driving behavior, the likelihood of experiencing frustration in various driving situations, and affective responses in frustrating situations. Latent factors and triggers of frustration were determined using Exploratory Factor Analysis, and their relationship to driving behavior was assessed using Multiple Regression Analysis. We identified four primary clusters of situations that could trigger frustration in drivers: Unpredictable Experiences, Achievement Obstacles, Distress Elicitors and External Distractions. The emotions accompanying driver frustration clustered into four distinct dimensions: Irritation, Anxiety, Boredom, and Embarrassment. While anxiety-related emotions were central in all frustrating responses (i.e., all four clusters), the other emotion dimensions were specifically related to some of the frustration clusters. Additionally, different types of frustrating situations were characterized by different emotional responses. Furthermore, having more lapses was related to heightened frustration levels. Unraveling the complexities of frustration may aid in the further further development of traffic safety by attempting to eliminate frequent frustration triggers in driving situations.
Healthy food diversity and the risk of major chronic diseases in the EPIC-Potsdam study
Authors: Nickel Daniela V. , Jannasch Franziska , Inan-Eroglu Elif , Kuxhaus Olga , Schulze Matthias B.
Published: November 2024

Practicing a diverse diet may reduce chronic disease risk, but clear evidence is scarce and previous diet diversity measures rarely captured diet quality. We investigated the effect of the Healthy Food Diversity (HFD)-Index on incident type 2 diabetes (T2D), myocardial infarction (MI) and stroke among a middle-aged German population. The EPIC-Potsdam study recruited 27,548 participants from 1994 to 1998. Semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire was used to calculate the HFD-Index. Longitudinal associations of HFD-Index and verified incident diseases were investigated by multiple-adjusted Cox proportional hazards regression models. Among 26,591 participants (mean age 50.5 years, 60% women), 1537, 376 and 412 developed T2D, MI and stroke, respectively, over an average follow-up of 10.6 years. There was no association between HFD-Index and incident T2D or MI. Higher compared to lower HFD-Index was inversely associated with incident stroke in men [HR (95% CI): 0.80 (0.70, 0.92)], but positively associated with incident stroke in women [1.20 (1.01, 1.42)]. Although there was no clear association between HFD-Index and T2D or MI incidence, we found a beneficial association in men and a harmful association in women for incident stroke. We emphasised the need for further investigations on combining diet diversity and diet quality in relation to health outcomes.
Myostatin as a plausible biomarker for early stage of sarcopenic obesity
Authors: Ishibashi Chisaki , Nakanishi Kaori , Nishida Makoto , Shinomiya Haruki , Shinzawa Maki , Kanayama Daisuke , Yamamoto Ryohei , Kudo Takashi , Nagatomo Izumi , Yamauchi-Takihara Keiko
Published: November 2024

Since sarcopenic obesity (SO) impacts negatively on our health, early detection of SO is essential. However, prevalence of SO in an apparently healthy population has not been well examined. This study aimed to elucidate the prevalence and related factors of SO in middle-aged women, and to investigate useful diagnostic criteria for SO. Body component analyses were conducted on 432 female Osaka University employees aged 30–59 during their health checkups. Healthy (H) and SO groups were defined using cutoff values of 5.7 kg/m2 for skeletal muscle mass index and 30% for percent body fat. Serum myostatin and insulin levels were additionally measured. Among 432 participants, the prevalence of SO was 6.3%. Grip strength (P < 0.0001) was lower and triglyceride (P = 0.0004) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P = 0.0105) levels, and Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (P = 0.0262) were higher in the SO group than in the H group. Serum myostatin levels in the SO group were lower than in the H group (3,107 pg/mL vs. 3,957 pg/mL, P = 0.0003). Myostatin levels may be suppressed in individuals with SO without any pre-existing conditions. Our diagnostic criteria for SO could reveal the risks for metabolic-related diseases and may be useful for the early detection of SO.
Validation of SSR markers for identification of high-yielding and Phytophthora Capsici root rot resistant chilli genotypes
Authors: Bukhari Tazien , Rana Rashid Mehmood , Khan Azeem Iqbal , Khan Muhammad Azam , Ullah Atta , Naseem Misbah , Rizwana Humaira , Elshikh Mohamed S. , Rizwan Muhammad , Iqbal Rashid
Published: November 2024

The study was designed to validate the previously reported 34 SSR markers using 78 chilli genotypes to detect significant trait specific markers as well as superior genotypes resistant to Phytophthora capsici root rot (PcRR). In this context, the identification of germplasm with higher yield per plant (YPP) leads to hype in stress tolerance index (STI) in genotypes, Chakwal3 (11.98), Greenfire (10.14), Advanta5017 (9.94) and Chakwal4 (7.8). The identified genotypes were also found as resistant and moderately resistant due to existence of below 50% of disease incidence. Moreover, biplot showed the interrelation of STI with YPP through the formation of acute angle by their respective vectors. In the current study, the markers Hpms1172 and CAMS177 was found significant for STI. However, the marker CAMS066 was found associated with relative cell injury, CA06g27450 with disease incidence and CAMS173 with relative leaf damage. The bright bands on gel pictures of significant markers showed the association of these markers with resistant genotypes i.e. Chakwal3, Advanta-5017 and Chakwal4 as well as with a single moderately resistant genotype i.e. Greenfire. The markerstudes confirmed the phenotypic data by showing association of markers i.e. Hpms1172 and CAMS177, r with stress tolerance index. The principal coordinate analysis aligned with the results obtained from marker-assisted selection. Thus, currently practiced marker assisted selection detected high yielding genotypes in PcRR disease stress condition that will be helpful in progressing breeding programs in chilli.
Quantifying spontaneous infant movements using state-space models
Authors: Passmore E. , Kwong A. K. L. , Olsen J. E. , Eeles A. L. , Cheong J. L. Y. , Spittle A. J. , Ball G.
Published: November 2024

Over the first few months after birth, the typical emergence of spontaneous, fidgety general movements is associated with later developmental outcomes. In contrast, the absence of fidgety movements is a core feature of several neurodevelopmental and cognitive disorders. Currently, manual assessment of early infant movement patterns is time consuming and labour intensive, limiting its wider use. Recent advances in computer vision and deep learning have led to the emergence of pose estimation techniques, computational methods designed to locate and track body points from video without specialised equipment or markers, for movement tracking. In this study, we use automated markerless tracking of infant body parts to build statistical models of early movements. Using a dataset of infant movement videos (n = 486) from 330 infants we demonstrate that infant movement can be modelled as a sequence of eight motor states using autoregressive, state-space models. Each, motor state Is characterised by specific body part movements, the expression of which varies with age and differs in infants at high-risk of poor neurodevelopmental outcome.
Efficient rare event sampling with unsupervised normalizing flows
Authors: Asghar Solomon , Pei Qing-Xiang , Volpe Giorgio , Ni Ran
Published: November 2024

From physics and biology to seismology and economics, the behaviour of countless systems is determined by impactful yet unlikely transitions between metastable states known as rare events, the study of which is essential for understanding and controlling the properties of these systems. Classical computational methods to sample rare events remain prohibitively inefficient and are bottlenecks for enhanced samplers that require prior data. Here we introduce a physics-informed machine learning framework, normalizing Flow enhanced Rare Event Sampler (FlowRES), which uses unsupervised normalizing flow neural networks to enhance Monte Carlo sampling of rare events by generating high-quality non-local Monte Carlo proposals. We validated FlowRES by sampling the transition path ensembles of equilibrium and non-equilibrium systems of Brownian particles, exploring increasingly complex potentials. Beyond eliminating the requirements for prior data, FlowRES features key advantages over established samplers: no collective variables need to be defined, efficiency remains constant even as events become increasingly rare and systems with multiple routes between states can be straightforwardly simulated.
Retraction: Novel 8,9-dihydroxy-7-methyl-12H-benzothiazolo[2,3-b]quinazolin-12-one multiwalled carbon nanotubes paste electrode for simultaneous determination of ascorbic acid, acetaminophen and tryptophan
Authors: Asnaashariisfahani Manzarbanou , Karimi-maleh Hassan , Ahmar Hamid , Ensafi Ali A. , Fakhari Ali R. , Khalilzadeh Mohammad A. , Karimi Fatemeh
Published: November 2024

Retraction of ‘Novel 8,9-dihydroxy-7-methyl-12H-benzothiazolo[2,3-b]quinazolin-12-one multiwalled carbon nanotubes paste electrode for simultaneous determination of ascorbic acid, acetaminophen and tryptophan’ by Manzarbanou Asnaashariisfahani et al., Anal. Methods, 2012, 4, 3275–3282, https://doi.org/10.1039/C2AY25418B.
Carbon dioxide refinery: critical review of valorisation processes into sustainable higher alcohol production
Authors: Das Subhasis , Yadav Ganapati D.
Published: November 2024

The CO2 refinery concept, essential for net zero targets, transforms CO2 into fuels and chemicals, addressing challenges in bond breaking and synthesis regulation for sustainable higher alcohol production.
Ionic liquid functionalized binary montmorillonite nanomaterials as water-based lubricant additives for steel/steel contact
Authors: Du Xiaoxiao , Kang Zekun , Zhang Xia
Published: November 2024

Protonic ionic liquid-modified two-dimensional montmorillonite nanosheets as water-based lubricant additives can effectively reduce the friction and wear of steel/steel worn surfaces.
Novel two-dimensional molybdenene as a promising electrocatalyst for the nitrogen reduction reaction: a first-principles prediction
Authors: Yu Song , Pan Huajian , Zhou Xinzhuo , Xu Xuepeng , Yang Dongxiao , Bi Gang
Published: November 2024

Predicted novel and stable molybdenene shows a phonon spectrum without imaginary frequencies and is expected to be an excellent electrocatalyst for the nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) due to its low overpotential and superior selectivity.
Increased thermal stability and retained antibacterial properties in a sulbactam and amantadine salt: towards effective antibacterial–antiviral combination therapies
Authors: Bicknell Josephine , Bondarenko Ivan , Colatrella Alice , Cabrera-Vega Elani J. , Loya Jesus Daniel , Botes Delbert S. , Mellies Jay L. , Campillo-Alvarado Gonzalo
Published: November 2024

A clinically relevant multidrug solid comprising sulbactam (β-lactamase inhibitor) and amantadine (antiviral) displays enhanced thermal stability and sustained antibacterial activity compared to starting materials.
A new recyclable polymer based on Diels–Alder crosslinking networks derived from anisaldehyde
Authors: Wang Caiyun , Liu Weibo , Wang Keying , Wang Kaili , Deng Bowen , Wan Liqiang , Yuan Qiaolong , Huang Farong
Published: November 2024

The preparation of recyclable cross-linked polymers by combining biomass-based resources with dynamic covalent bonds is a promising strategy for the preparation of sustainable and recyclable thermosetting materials.
Strongly photoluminescent and radioluminescent copper(i) iodide hybrid materials made of coordinated ionic chains
Authors: Chen Jingwen , Zhou Kang , Li Jingbai , Xu Guozhong , Hei Xiuze , Li Jing
Published: November 2024

A series of AIO-type CuI-based hybrid materials consisting of anionic 1D-Cu4I62− chains and cationic ligands linked via coordinate bonds have been synthesized. These materials demonstrate highly efficient photoluminescence and radioluminescence.
Main-chain stiff-stilbene photoswitches in solution, in bulk, and at surfaces
Authors: Kaneda Naoki , Imato Keiichi , Sasaki Ayane , Tanaka Ryo , Imae Ichiro , Hirata Toyoaki , Matsumoto Takuya , Ooyama Yousuke
Published: November 2024

We report the chemistry of main-chain photoswitches of sterically hindered stiff stilbene, which offers large structural changes and high thermal stability, in solution, in bulk, and at thin film surfaces.