bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A longitudinal network analysis of suicide risk factors among service members and veterans sampled for suicidal ideation or attempt
Authors: Smith April R. , Forrest Lauren N. , Kinkel-Ram Shruti S. , Grunewald William , Tubman S. David , Esche Aaron , Levinson Cheri
Published: April 2024

Background

Suicidal thoughts and behaviors are elevated among active-duty service members (ADSM) and veterans compared to the general population. Hence, it is a priority to examine maintenance factors underlying suicidal ideation among ADSM and veterans to develop effective, targeted interventions. In particular, interpersonal risk factors, hopelessness, and overarousal have been robustly connected to suicidal ideation and intent.

Methods

To identify the suicidal ideation risk factors that are most relevant, we employed network analysis to examine between-subjects (cross-sectional), contemporaneous (within seconds), and temporal (across four hours) group-level networks of suicidal ideation and related risk factors in a sample of ADSM and veterans (participant n = 92, observations n = 10 650). Participants completed ecological momentary assessment (EMA) surveys four times a day for 30 days, where they answered questions related to suicidal ideation, interpersonal risk factors, hopelessness, and overarousal.

Results

The between-subjects and contemporaneous networks identified agitation, not feeling close to others, and ineffectiveness as the most central symptoms. The temporal network revealed that feeling ineffective was most likely to influence other symptoms in the network over time.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that ineffectiveness, low belongingness, and agitation are important drivers of moment-to-moment and longitudinal relations between risk factors for suicidal ideation in ADSM and veterans. Targeting these symptoms may disrupt suicidal ideation.
From Didactics to Disasters: Unveiling CBRNe and Counter-Terrorism Medicine Training in US Medical Schools
Authors: Lane Joshua E. , Tin Derrick , Ali Ameena , Ciottone Gregory
Published: April 2024

Introduction:

The threat of chemical, biological, radiologic, nuclear, and explosive (CBRNe) terrorist attacks has increased over time. The need for rapid and effective responses to such attacks is paramount. Effective medical counter-measures to CBRNe events are critical and training for such may effectively occur early in physician training. While some medical specialties are more involved than others, counter-terrorism medicine (CTM) spans all medical specialties.

Methods:

All United States allopathic medical schools were examined via online curriculums and queries for academic content related to CBRNe and terrorist medical counter-measures.

Results:

Analysis of 153 United States allopathic medical schools demonstrated that 15 (9.8%) medical schools offered educational content related to CBRNe and terrorist counter-measures. This is in contrast to legislation following the September 11, 2001 attacks that called for high priority for such education.

Conclusion:

Effective CBRNe medical counter-measures are currently in place; however, there is room for improvement in education that may begin during medical school. While certain medical specialties such as emergency medicine, primary care, and dermatology may have specific niches in such events, physicians of all medical specialties have something to offer, and even a basic education in medical school can help best prepare the nation for future attacks.
Replies to Critics of The Fiery Test of Critique
Authors: Proops Ian
Published: April 2024

I reply to criticisms of my book The Fiery Test of Critique: A Reading of Kant’s Dialectic from Béatrice Longuenesse and Patricia Kitcher on the paralogisms, Allen Wood on the third antinomy and freedom, Des Hogan on the resolution of the antinomies, and Anja Jauernig on the ontological argument.
Do online pension dashboards affect pension knowledge and expectations? Evidence from a randomized survey experiment
Authors: Kramer Marc , Lensink Robert , Plantinga Auke
Published: April 2024

We test the effectiveness of an online interactive pension dashboard in improving pension funds participants' ability to make adequate pension decisions in terms of pension preparation, knowledge, self-efficacy, expectations, and intention-to-act. In a randomized survey experiment, treated participants of two pension funds receive an encouragement to visit an online pension dashboard. Treated individuals have more pension knowledge and an increased self-efficacy in the pension domain, especially so for females. The dashboard does not have a significant impact on the pension preparation or the errors in forecasts of pension income nor does it impact the willingness to act if there is a need to do so.
Competitiveness, Civilizationism, and the Anglosphere: Kenneth Minogue's Place in Conservative Thought
Authors: Irving Sean
Published: April 2024

This article contributes to an understanding of postimperial civilizational thinking within British conservatism by engaging with the work of Kenneth Minogue, an understudied but important thinker. Minogue played a key role in reframing an older discourse, centred on empire, in the register of free-market economics and global “competitiveness.” During the 1970s and 1980s, he was a significant figure on the New Right, critiquing university radicalism, feminism, and multiculturalism. During the 1990s his thought took a civilizational turn, and he condemned the liberal projects of political elites for undermining the West's traditional competitive ethos. The bureaucracy of the European Union and the economic rise of East Asian “state societies” were particular concerns for Minogue and led him to champion the concept of the Anglosphere as a distinct civilization.
Arguing Pakistan in Late Colonial India: The Political Thought of Shabbir Ahmad Usmani
Authors: Hameed Hasan
Published: April 2024

Scholars of modern South Asia have remained divided on the role of religion in the creation of Pakistan. Many have argued that Pakistan's “founder,” Muhammad Ali Jinnah, was a secularist, his argument for Pakistan resting on an abstract notion of Islam within an Enlightenment framework of conceiving minority, nation, and state. Why, then, did madrasa-trained Muslim scholars, the ulama, support his demand for Pakistan? This article explores the political thought of the most influential Muslim scholar immediately before partition, Shabbir Ahmad Usmani (d. 1949). I argue that Usmani viewed Pakistan as a particular kind of Islamic democracy. While he drew on medieval Muslim juridical and political discourses, Usmani's readings reveal his debt to Western political categories. By paying attention to the tensions and opportunities offered by this encounter of modern political conditions with Islamic intellectual thought, this article outlines an Islamic vision of the political that resonates beyond the politics of colonial India.
Breast tumors detection using multistatic microwave imaging with antipodal Vivaldi antennas utilizing DMAS and it-DMAS techniques
Authors: Asok Athul O. , Tripathi Ayush , Dey Sukomal
Published: April 2024

This work presents a study where a sinusoidal corrugated antipodal Vivaldi antenna (SC-AVA) operating in the ultra-wideband (UWB) region is employed as a transducer for microwave imaging (MWI) of a cancerous breast. The functionality of the antenna within the UWB range is confirmed based on performance parameters like return loss, gain, radiation pattern, fidelity factor, and group delay. E-field distribution, H-field distribution, and near field directivity simulations in the presence of the breast phantom have also been carried out and reported. The practical application of the developed antenna for biomedical imaging is evaluated by measuring the specific absorption rate (SAR) readings at multiple frequencies within its operating range. The SAR readings are obtained from an electromagnetic simulator by modelling a realistic heterogeneous breast phantom with multiple embedded tumors, and placing them in close proximity to the transducer. The modelled SC-AVA is further utilized for imaging multiple tumors hidden inside the gland layer of the heterogeneous breast phantom developed in-house. The fabricated breast phantom is scanned using the in-house developed multistatic MWI setup. Based on the data obtained from the scanning setup the images are reconstructed using both the delay multiply and sum (DMAS) and iterative DMAS imaging algorithms. Furthermore, a comparison of the reconstructed images is done to check in which case the obtained images are closer to the fabricated breast phantom.
Evaluation von Online Self-Assessments zur Studienwahl – Hindernisse, Chancen und Praxisbeispiele
Authors: Petri Pascale Stephanie , Kersting Martin
Published: April 2024

Zusammenfassung: Die Studienwahl ist die erste Herausforderung zu Beginn einer akademischen Laufbahn. Ist die Wahl getroffen, müssen sich Studieneinsteigerinnen und Studieneinsteiger in der neuen akademischen Umwelt zurechtfinden und den Anforderungen ihres Studienfachs gerecht werden. In keiner anderen Phase des Studiums brechen so viele Studentinnen und Studenten ab. Zu den Hauptgründen dafür zählen Leistungsdefizite und Motivationsmangel. Diese wiederum rühren nicht selten daher, dass Studieneinsteigerinnen und Studieneinsteiger von den tatsächlichen Studieninhalten überrascht werden. Daraus können Überforderung und Enttäuschung resultieren. Viele Hochschulen versuchen diese Diskrepanz zwischen Studienerwartungen und Studienwirklichkeit zu minimieren, indem sie Studieninteressierten die Möglichkeit bieten, sich im Rahmen von Online Self-Assessments (OSA) vorab intensiv mit ihrem Wunschstudienfach auseinander zu setzen. Bietet eine Hochschule dieses Instrument an, so sollte es evaluiert werden. Je nach Evaluationszeitpunkt und -zweck bieten sich verschiedene Ansätze an. In diesem Beitrag präsentieren wir Beispiele dafür, wie eine Evaluation gestaltet werden kann, wenn – wie in den meisten Fällen – keine direkte Verknüpfung des individuellen OSA-Ergebnisses mit Studienverlaufsdaten möglich ist, und reflektieren Chancen und Hindernisse dieser exemplarischen Ansätze. Die Beispiele stammen aus dem OSA der Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen (JLU). Zunächst zeigen wir auf Basis der Daten einer Studieneingangsbefragung, wie viele der eingeschriebenen Studienanfängerinnen und -anfänger das OSA genutzt haben und wie sie es bewerten (Studie 1). Anschließend stellen wir detailliertes Feedback der Nutzerinnen und Nutzer vor (Studie 2). Es folgt der Bericht über eine Studie zur Akzeptanz von studienbezogenen Intelligenztests und Persönlichkeitsfragebogen (Studie 3): Verfahren, die typischerweise im Rahmen von OSA eingesetzt werden. Abschließend diskutieren wir, an welche Gelingensbedingungen Evaluationen eines OSA geknüpft sind und welche strategischen Implikationen sich, aus unseren Erkenntnissen, ableiten lassen.
Coupling and Decoupling Between Sedimentary Mercury and Organic Carbon Preservation in the Oxygenated Marine Environment
Authors: Qu Yang , Zhong Huan , Liu Xiting , Zhang Wenfang , Chen Tianyu
Published: April 2024

Mercury (Hg) enrichment relative to total organic carbon (TOC) in sedimentary records has been widely used as a volcanism proxy. However, the depositional and diagenetic effects on Hg burial are not well understood, limiting the reliability of the proxy. Here, we report a systematic investigation of Hg sedimentation under well‐oxygenated bottom water. Most of the studied cores show total mercury content (THg) to TOC ratio between 50 and 300 ppb/%, including northwest Pacific ODP Site 1208, East Equatorial Pacific ODP Sites 677 and 1241, the Antarctic Zone ODP Site 1094, and East China Sea sediment core EC2005. The consistent THg/TOC ratio confirms the strong coupling between Hg and particulate organic matter (POM) despite large differences in geographic locations, sedimentation rates, TOC content, POM sources, and early diagenetic environments. Nevertheless, the THg/TOC ratio is higher in sediments under well‐oxygenated bottom water than in those under oxygen‐depleted waters, probably as a result of a higher degree of organic matter degradation in oxygenated sediments during early diagenesis. The THg in the high TOC variability section at Site 1208 is abnormally high, resulting in decoupling between Hg and POM. Mercury in this section is still leachable by oxidizing solution and has a similar trend of variability with easily reducible iron content, implying that the metal oxide‐organic matter association might act as Hg bounding phase. We suggest that the enriched Hg is probably supplied by the neighboring high TOC sediment. Therefore, while THg/TOC > 300 ppb/% could be considered as distinct Hg enrichment in sedimentary records, the diagenetic mobilization effect should be first excluded as the possible cause as demonstrated by the records of site 1208. Our study therefore provides new insights into the Hg cycle in the modern ocean and the utilization of Hg enrichment as a volcanism proxy.
Continental Residual Topography Extracted From Global Analysis of Crustal Structure
Authors: Stephenson Simon N. , Hoggard Mark J. , Holdt Megan C. , White Nicky
Published: April 2024

Continental topography is dominantly controlled by a combination of crustal thickness and density variations. Nevertheless, it is clear that some additional topographic component is supported by the buoyancy structure of the underlying lithospheric and convecting mantle. Isolating these secondary sources is not straightforward, but provides valuable information about mantle dynamics. Here, we estimate and correct for the component of topographic elevation that is crustally supported to obtain residual topographic anomalies for the major continents, excluding Antarctica. Crustal thickness variations are identified by assembling a global inventory of 26,725 continental crustal thickness estimates from local seismological data sets (e.g., wide‐angle/refraction surveys, calibrated reflection profiles, receiver functions). In order to convert crustal seismic velocity into density, we develop a parametrization that is based upon a database of 1,136 laboratory measurements of seismic velocity as a function of density and pressure. In this way, 4,120 new measurements of continental residual topography are obtained. Observed residual topography mostly varies between ±1 and 2 km on wavelengths of 1,000–5,000 km. Our results are generally consistent with the pattern of residual depth anomalies observed throughout the oceanic realm, with long‐wavelength free‐air gravity anomalies, and with the distribution of upper mantle seismic velocity anomalies. They are also corroborated by spot measurements of emergent marine strata and by the global distribution of intraplate magmatism that is younger than 10 Ma. We infer that a significant component of residual topography is generated and maintained by a combination of lithospheric thickness variation and sub‐plate mantle convection. Lithospheric composition could play an important secondary role, especially within cratonic regions.
Ocean Waves Mist Decades-Old PFAS into the Atmosphere
Authors: van Deelen Grace
Published: April 2024

“Forever chemicals” enter the air as sea spray aerosols, polluting coastlines and beyond.
Identification of genes that promote PI3K pathway activation and prostate tumour formation
Authors: Francis Jeffrey C. , Capper Amy , Rust Alistair G. , Ferro Klea , Ning Jian , Yuan Wei , de Bono Johann , Pettitt Stephen J. , Swain Amanda
Published: April 2024

We have performed a functional in vivo mutagenesis screen to identify genes that, when altered, cooperate with a heterozygous Pten mutation to promote prostate tumour formation. Two genes, Bzw2 and Eif5a2, which have been implicated in the process of protein translation, were selected for further validation. Using prostate organoid models, we show that either Bzw2 downregulation or EIF5A2 overexpression leads to increased organoid size and in vivo prostate growth. We show that both genes impact the PI3K pathway and drive a sustained increase in phospho-AKT expression, with PTEN protein levels reduced in both models. Mechanistic studies reveal that EIF5A2 is directly implicated in PTEN protein translation. Analysis of patient datasets identified EIF5A2 amplifications in many types of human cancer, including the prostate. Human prostate cancer samples in two independent cohorts showed a correlation between increased levels of EIF5A2 and upregulation of a PI3K pathway gene signature. Consistent with this, organoids with high levels of EIF5A2 were sensitive to AKT inhibitors. Our study identified novel genes that promote prostate cancer formation through upregulation of the PI3K pathway, predicting a strategy to treat patients with genetic aberrations in these genes particularly relevant for EIF5A2 amplified tumours.
OTUB1/NDUFS2 axis promotes pancreatic tumorigenesis through protecting against mitochondrial cell death
Authors: Huang Xiao-Dong , Du Li , Cheng Xiao-Chen , Lu Yu-Xin , Liu Qiao-Wei , Wang Yi-Wu , Liao Ya-Jin , Lin Dong-Dong , Xiao Feng-Jun
Published: April 2024

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most fatal cancers in the world. A growing number of studies have begun to demonstrate that mitochondria play a key role in tumorigenesis. Our previous study reveals that NDUFS2 (NADH: ubiquinone oxidoreductase core subunit S2), a core subunit of the mitochondrial respiratory chain complex I, is upregulated in Pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAAD). However, its role in the development of PAAD remains unknown. Here, we showed that NDUFS2 played a critical role in the survival, proliferation and migration of pancreatic cancer cells by inhibiting mitochondrial cell death. Additionally, protein mass spectrometry indicated that the NDUFS2 was interacted with a deubiquitinase, OTUB1. Overexpression of OTUB1 increased NDUFS2 expression at the protein level, while knockdown of OTUB1 restored the effects in vitro. Accordingly, overexpression and knockdown of OTUB1 phenocopied those of NDUFS2 in pancreatic cancer cells, respectively. Mechanically, NDUFS2 was deubiquitinated by OTUB1 via K48-linked polyubiquitin chains, resulted in an elevated protein stability of NDUFS2. Moreover, the growth of OTUB1-overexpressed pancreatic cancer xenograft tumor was promoted in vivo, while the OTUB1-silenced pancreatic cancer xenograft tumor was inhibited in vivo. In conclusion, we revealed that OTUB1 increased the stability of NDUFS2 in PAAD by deubiquitylation and this axis plays a pivotal role in pancreatic cancer tumorigenesis and development.
Circuit complexity of quantum access models for encoding classical data
Authors: Zhang Xiao-Ming , Yuan Xiao
Published: April 2024

How to efficiently encode classical data is a fundamental task in quantum computing. While many existing works treat classical data encoding as a black box in oracle-based quantum algorithms, their explicit constructions are crucial for the efficiency of practical algorithm implementations. Here, we unveil the mystery of the classical data encoding black box and study the Clifford + T complexity in constructing several typical quantum access models. For general matrices (even including sparse ones), we prove that sparse-access input models and block-encoding both require nearly linear circuit complexities relative to the matrix dimension. We also give construction protocols achieving near-optimal gate complexities. On the other hand, the construction becomes efficient with respect to the data qubit when the matrix is a linear combination of polynomial terms of efficiently implementable unitaries. As a typical example, we propose improved block-encoding when these unitaries are Pauli strings. Our protocols are built upon improved quantum state preparation and a select oracle for Pauli strings, which hold independent values. Our access model constructions provide considerable flexibility, allowing for tunable ancillary qubit numbers and offering corresponding space-time trade-offs.
Quantum sensing of magnetic fields with molecular spins
Authors: Bonizzoni Claudio , Ghirri Alberto , Santanni Fabio , Affronte Marco
Published: April 2024

Spins are prototypical systems with the potential to probe magnetic fields down to the atomic scale limit. Exploiting their quantum nature through appropriate sensing protocols allows to enlarge their applicability to fields not always accessible by classical sensors. Here we first show that quantum sensing protocols for AC magnetic fields can be implemented with molecular spin ensembles embedded into hybrid quantum circuits. We then show that, using only echo detection at microwave frequency and no optical readout, Dynamical Decoupling protocols synchronized with the AC magnetic fields can enhance sensitivity up to S ≈ 10−10 − 10−9 T Hz−1/2 with a low (4-5) number of applied pulses. These results paves the way for the development of strategies to exploit molecular spins as quantum sensors.
Nuclear and mitochondrial genomes of Polylopha cassiicola: the first assembly in Chlidanotinae (Tortricidae)
Authors: Yang Fangyuan , Cao Li-Jun , Chen Jin-Cui , Song Wei , Yu Yuzhu , Wei Shu-Jun
Published: April 2024

Tortricidae is one of the largest families in Lepidoptera, including subfamilies of Tortricinae, Olethreutinae, and Chlidanotinae. Here, we assembled the gap-free genome for the subfamily Chlidanotinae using Illumina, Nanopore, and Hi-C sequencing from Polylopha cassiicola, a pest of camphor trees in southern China. The nuclear genome is 302.03 Mb in size, with 36.82% of repeats and 98.4% of BUCSO completeness. The karyotype is 2n = 44 for males. We identified 15412 protein-coding genes, 1052 tRNAs, and 67 rRNAs. We also determined the mitochondrial genome of this species and annotated 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNAs, and one rRNA. These high-quality genomes provide valuable information for studying phylogeny, karyotypic evolution, and adaptive evolution of tortricid moths.
Molecular subtype identification of cerebral ischemic stroke based on ferroptosis-related genes
Authors: Wang Yufeng , Xu Xinjuan , Shui Xinjun , Ren Ruilin , Liu Yu
Published: April 2024

Cerebral ischemic stroke (CIS) has the characteristics of a high incidence, disability, and mortality rate. Here, we aimed to explore the potential pathogenic mechanisms of ferroptosis-related genes (FRGs) in CIS. Three microarray datasets from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database were utilized to analyze differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between CIS and normal controls. FRGs were obtained from a literature report and the FerrDb database. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) and protein–protein interaction (PPI) network were used to screen hub genes. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was adopted to evaluate the diagnostic value of key genes in CIS, followed by analysis of immune microenvironment, transcription factor (TF) regulatory network, drug prediction, and molecular docking. In total, 128 CIS samples were divided into 2 subgroups after clustering analysis. Compared with cluster A, 1560 DEGs were identified in cluster B. After the construction of the WGCNA and PPI network, 5 hub genes, including MAPK3, WAS, DNAJC5, PRKCD, and GRB2, were identified for CIS. Interestingly, MAPK3 was a FRG that differentially expressed between cluster A and cluster B. The expression levels of 5 hub genes were all specifically highly in cluster A subtype. It is noted that neutrophils were the most positively correlated with all 5 real hub genes. PRKCD was one of the target genes of FASUDIL. In conclusion, five real hub genes were identified as potential diagnostic markers, which can distinguish the two subtypes well.
A novel SpaSA based hyper-parameter optimized FCEDN with adaptive CNN classification for skin cancer detection
Authors: Ali Rizwan , Manikandan A. , Lei Rui , Xu Jinghong
Published: April 2024

Skin cancer is the most prevalent kind of cancer in people. It is estimated that more than 1 million people get skin cancer every year in the world. The effectiveness of the disease’s therapy is significantly impacted by early identification of this illness. Preprocessing is the initial detecting stage in enhancing the quality of skin images by removing undesired background noise and objects. This study aims is to compile preprocessing techniques for skin cancer imaging that are currently accessible. Researchers looking into automated skin cancer diagnosis might use this article as an excellent place to start. The fully convolutional encoder–decoder network and Sparrow search algorithm (FCEDN-SpaSA) are proposed in this study for the segmentation of dermoscopic images. The individual wolf method and the ensemble ghosting technique are integrated to generate a neighbour-based search strategy in SpaSA for stressing the correct balance between navigation and exploitation. The classification procedure is accomplished by using an adaptive CNN technique to discriminate between normal skin and malignant skin lesions suggestive of disease. Our method provides classification accuracies comparable to commonly used incremental learning techniques while using less energy, storage space, memory access, and training time (only network updates with new training samples, no network sharing). In a simulation, the segmentation performance of the proposed technique on the ISBI 2017, ISIC 2018, and PH2 datasets reached accuracies of 95.28%, 95.89%, 92.70%, and 98.78%, respectively, on the same dataset and assessed the classification performance. It is accurate 91.67% of the time. The efficiency of the suggested strategy is demonstrated through comparisons with cutting-edge methodologies.
Proof of biased behavior of Normalized Mutual Information
Authors: Mahmoudi Amin , Jemielniak Dariusz
Published: April 2024

The Normalized Mutual Information (NMI) metric is widely utilized in the evaluation of clustering and community detection algorithms. This study explores the performance of NMI, specifically examining its performance in relation to the quantity of communities, and uncovers a significant drawback associated with the metric's behavior as the number of communities increases. Our findings reveal a pronounced bias in the NMI as the number of communities escalates. While previous studies have noted this biased behavior, they have not provided a formal proof and have not addressed the causation of this problem, leaving a gap in the existing literature. In this study, we fill this gap by employing a mathematical approach to formally demonstrate why NMI exhibits biased behavior, thereby establishing its unsuitability as a metric for evaluating clustering and community detection algorithms. Crucially, our study exposes the vulnerability of entropy-based metrics that employ logarithmic functions to similar bias.
Joint cooperative caching and power control for UAV-assisted internet of vehicles
Authors: Wang Weiguang , Liu Yang , Dai Yusheng , He Yixin
Published: April 2024

In view of the current problems of spectrum resource scarcity, return congestion, and insufficient energy utilization in the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-assisted Internet of Vehicles (IoV), this paper investigates the cooperative caching and power control, and proposes a joint optimization method to improve the overall Energy Efficiency (EE) . In this method, we first propose a communication establishment threshold to control the V2V communication distance and serve as a joint optimization factor. Then we derive the closed form expressions of offloading ratio and EE of the UAV-assisted IoV, and formulate the optimization problem of maximizing EE. Due to the coupling relationship between caching strategy and transmission power, it is difficult for us to directly solve the optimization problem. Furthermore, we propose an alternating optimization algorithm for solving the optimization problem. Finally, the experimental simulation compare the propose joint optimization method with other existing optimization methods, and the simulation results prove the effectiveness and superiority of the propose joint optimization method.
Evaluation of liver transplantation services in Kazakhstan from 2012 to 2023
Authors: Semenova Yuliya , Beyembetova Altynay , Shaisultanova Saule , Asanova Aruzhan , Sailybayeva Aliya , Altynova Sholpan , Pya Yuriy
Published: April 2024

There is a scarcity of publications evaluating the performance of the national liver transplantation (LTx) program in Kazakhstan. Spanning from 2012 to 2023, it delves into historical trends in LTx surgeries, liver transplant centers, and the national cohort of patients awaiting LTx. Survival analysis for those awaiting LTx, using life tables and Kaplan–Meier, is complemented by time series analysis projecting developments until 2030. The overall per million population (pmp) LTx rate varied from 0.35 to 3.77, predominantly favoring living donor LTx. Liver transplant center rates ranged from 0.06 to 0.40. Of 474 LTx patients, 364 on the waiting list did not receive transplantation. The 30-day and 1-year survival rates on the waiting list were 87.0% and 68.0%, respectively. Viral hepatitis and cirrhosis prevalence steadily rose from 2015 to 2023, with projections indicating a persistent trend until 2030. Absent targeted interventions, stable pmp rates of LTx and liver transplant centers may exacerbate the backlog of unoperated patients. This study sheds light on critical aspects of the LTx landscape in Kazakhstan, emphasizing the urgency of strategic interventions to alleviate the burden on patients awaiting transplantation.
Potassium augments growth, yield, nutrient content, and drought tolerance in mung bean (Vigna radiata L. Wilczek.)
Authors: Islam Mohammad Rafiqul , Sarker Umakanta , Azam Mohammad Golam , Hossain Jamil , Alam Mohammad Ashraful , Ullah Riaz , Bari Ahmed , Hossain Nazmul , El Sabagh Ayman , Islam Mohammad Sohidul
Published: April 2024

Uneven rainfall and high temperature cause drought in tropical and subtropical regions which is a major challenge to cultivating summer mung bean. Potassium (K), a major essential nutrient of plants can alleviate water stress (WS) tolerance in plants. A field trial was executed under a rainout shelter with additional K fertilization including recommended K fertilizer (RKF) for relieving the harmful impact of drought in response to water use efficiency (WUE), growth, yield attributes, nutrient content, and yield of mung bean at the Regional Agricultural Research Station, BARI, Ishwardi, Pabna in two successive summer season of 2018 and 2019. Drought-tolerant genotype BMX-08010-2 (G1) and drought-susceptible cultivar BARI Mung-1 (G2) were grown by applying seven K fertilizer levels (KL) using a split-plot design with three replications, where mung bean genotypes were allotted in the main plots, and KL were assigned randomly in the sub-plots. A considerable variation was observed in the measured variables. Depending on the different applied KL and seed yield of mung bean, the water use efficiency (WUE) varied from 4.73 to 8.14 kg ha−1 mm−1. The treatment applying 125% more K with RKF (KL7) under WS gave the maximum WUE (8.14 kg ha−1 mm−1) obtaining a seed yield of 1093.60 kg ha−1. The treatment receiving only RKF under WS (KL2) provided the minimum WUE (4.73 kg ha−1 mm−1) attaining a seed yield of 825.17 kg ha−1. Results showed that various characteristics including nutrients (N, P, K, and S) content in stover and seed, total dry matter (TDM) in different growth stages, leaf area index (LAI), crop growth rate (CGR), root volume (RV), root density (RD), plant height, pod plant−1, pod length, seeds pod−1, seed weight, and seed yield in all pickings increased with increasing K levels, particularly noted with KL7. The highest grain yield (32.52%) was also obtained from KL7 compared to lower K with RKF. Overall, yield varied from 1410.37 kg ha−1 using 281 mm water (KL1; well-watered condition with RKF) to 825.17 kg ha−1 using 175 mm water (KL2). The results exhibited that the application of additional K improves the performance of all traits under WS conditions. Therefore, mung beans cultivating under WS requires additional K to diminish the negative effect of drought, and adequate use of K contributes to accomplishing sustainable productivity.
A new TROP2-targeting antibody-drug conjugate shows potent antitumor efficacy in breast and lung cancers
Authors: Zhou Dan-dan , Zhai Xiao-tian , Zhang Lan-wen , Xie Zi-hui , Wang Ying , Zhen Yong-su , Gao Rui-juan , Miao Qing-fang
Published: April 2024

Trophoblast cell surface antigen 2 (Trop2) is considered to be an attractive therapeutic target in cancer treatments. We previously generated a new humanized anti-Trop2 antibody named hIMB1636, and designated it as an ideal targeting carrier for cancer therapy. Lidamycin (LDM) is a new antitumor antibiotic, containing an active enediyne chromophore (AE) and a noncovalently bound apoprotein (LDP). AE and LDP can be separated and reassembled, and the reassembled LDM possesses cytotoxicity similar to that of native LDM; this has made LDM attractive in the preparation of gene-engineering drugs. We herein firstly prepared a new fusion protein hIMB1636-LDP composed of hIMB1636 and LDP by genetic engineering. This construct showed potent binding activities to recombinant antigen with a KD value of 4.57 nM, exhibited binding to Trop2-positive cancer cells and internalization and transport to lysosomes, and demonstrated powerful tumor-targeting ability in vivo. We then obtained the antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) hIMB1636-LDP-AE by molecular reconstitution. In vitro, hIMB1636-LDP-AE inhibited the proliferation, migration, and tumorsphere formation of tumor cells with half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values at the sub-nanomolar level. Mechanistically, hIMB1636-LDP-AE induced apoptosis and cell-cycle arrest. In vivo, hIMB1636-LDP-AE also inhibited the growth of breast and lung cancers in xenograft models. Moreover, compared to sacituzumab govitecan, hIMB1636-LDP-AE showed more potent antitumor activity and significantly lower myelotoxicity in tumors with moderate Trop2 expression. This study fully revealed the potent antitumor efficacy of hIMB1636-LDP-AE, and also provided a new preparation method for LDM-based ADC, as well as a promising candidate for breast cancer and lung cancer therapeutics.
Inflammatory pathways confer resistance to chemoradiotherapy in anal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Martin D. , Rödel F. , Hehlgans S. , Looso M. , Ziegler P. K. , Fleischmann M. , Diefenhardt M. , Fries L. , Kalinauskaite G. , Tinhofer I. , Zips D. , Gani C. , Rödel C. , Fokas E.
Published: April 2024

Anal squamous cell carcinoma (ASCC) is associated with immunosuppression and infection with human papillomavirus (HPV). Response to standard chemoradiotherapy (CRT) varies considerably. A comprehensive molecular characterization of CRT resistance is lacking, and little is known about the interplay between tumor immune contexture, host immunity, and immunosuppressive and/or immune activating effects of CRT. Patients with localized ASCC, treated with CRT at three different sites of the German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) were included. Patient cohorts for molecular analysis included baseline formalin fixed paraffin embedded biopsies for immunohistochemistry (n = 130), baseline RNA sequencing (n = 98), peripheral blood immune profiling (n = 47), and serum cytokine measurement (n = 35). Gene set enrichment analysis showed that pathways for IFNγ, IFNα, inflammatory response, TNFα signaling via NF-κB, and EMT were significantly enriched in poor responders (all p < 0.001). Expression of interferon-induced transmembrane protein 1 (IFITM1), both on mRNA and protein levels, was associated with reduced Freedom from locoregional failure (FFLF, p = 0.037) and freedom from distant metastasis (FFDM, p = 0.014). An increase of PD-L1 expression on CD4+ T-cells (p < 0.001) and an increase in HLA-DR expression on T-cells (p < 0.001) was observed in the peripheral blood after CRT. Elevated levels of regulatory T-cells and CXCL2 were associated with reduced FFLF (p = 0.0044 and p = 0.004, respectively). Inflammatory pathways in tissue in line with elevated levels of regulatory T-cells and CXCL2 in peripheral blood are associated with resistance to CRT. To counteract this resistance mechanism, the RADIANCE randomized phase-2 trial currently tests the addition of the immune checkpoint inhibitor durvalumab to standard CRT in locally advanced ASCC.
Between hope and reality: treatment of genetic diseases through nucleic acid-based drugs
Authors: Baylot Virginie , Le Thi Khanh , Taïeb David , Rocchi Palma , Colleaux Laurence
Published: April 2024

Rare diseases (RD) affect a small number of people compared to the general population and are mostly genetic in origin. The first clinical signs often appear at birth or in childhood, and patients endure high levels of pain and progressive loss of autonomy frequently associated with short life expectancy. Until recently, the low prevalence of RD and the gatekeeping delay in their diagnosis have long hampered research. The era of nucleic acid (NA)-based therapies has revolutionized the landscape of RD treatment and new hopes arise with the perspectives of disease-modifying drugs development as some NA-based therapies are now entering the clinical stage. Herein, we review NA-based drugs that were approved and are currently under investigation for the treatment of RD. We also discuss the recent structural improvements of NA-based therapeutics and delivery system, which overcome the main limitations in their market expansion and the current approaches that are developed to address the endosomal escape issue. We finally open the discussion on the ethical and societal issues that raise this new technology in terms of regulatory approval and sustainability of production.
Martensite decomposition during rapid heating of Ti-6Al-4V studied via in situ synchrotron X-ray diffraction
Authors: Oh Seunghee A. , Aroh Joseph W. , Lamprinakos Nicholas L. , Chuang Chihpin Andrew , Bucsek Ashley N. , Rollett Anthony D.
Published: April 2024

Martensite, α‘, commonly appears in Ti-6Al-4V upon rapid cooling from above the β-transus temperature. It is known that α‘ decomposes into α and β at high temperatures but well below the β-transus temperature. Here, we study the decomposition of martensitic Ti-6Al-4V under rapid laser heating, employing in situ synchrotron X-ray diffraction. A comparison is made with post-annealed Ti-6Al-4V under heating to elucidate changes without martensite decomposition. The fast acquisition of X-ray diffraction data at 250 Hz temporally resolves the decomposition process initiated by annihilating dislocations in α‘. The recovery process is accompanied by structural changes in martensite, followed by the phase transformation to β. Thermal profiles estimated from the lattice parameter data reveal the influence of heating rates and dislocation densities on the decomposition process. Throughout the analysis of the diffraction profiles with respect to estimated temperature, we propose a straightforward method for approximating the initiation temperature of martensite decomposition.
Detecting material state changes in the nucleolus by label-free digital holographic microscopy
Authors: Zorbas Christiane , Soenmez Aynur , Léger Jean , De Vleeschouwer Christophe , Lafontaine Denis LJ
Published: April 2024

Ribosome biogenesis is initiated in the nucleolus, a multiphase biomolecular condensate formed by liquid-liquid phase separation. The nucleolus is a powerful disease biomarker and stress biosensor whose morphology reflects function. Here we have used digital holographic microscopy (DHM), a label-free quantitative phase contrast microscopy technique, to detect nucleoli in adherent and suspension human cells. We trained convolutional neural networks to detect and quantify nucleoli automatically on DHM images. Holograms containing cell optical thickness information allowed us to define a novel index which we used to distinguish nucleoli whose material state had been modulated optogenetically by blue-light-induced protein aggregation. Nucleoli whose function had been impacted by drug treatment or depletion of ribosomal proteins could also be distinguished. We explored the potential of the technology to detect other natural and pathological condensates, such as those formed upon overexpression of a mutant form of huntingtin, ataxin-3, or TDP-43, and also other cell assemblies (lipid droplets). We conclude that DHM is a powerful tool for quantitatively characterizing nucleoli and other cell assemblies, including their material state, without any staining.
Sequential separation of cerium (Ce) and neodymium (Nd) in geological samples for high-precision analysis of stable Ce isotopes, and stable and radiogenic Nd isotopes by MC-ICP-MS
Authors: Ding Weiming , Zheng Xin-Yuan
Published: April 2024

Stable isotopes of cerium (Ce) and neodymium (Nd), two rare earth elements (REEs), have emerged recently as useful tracers for a range of geological and environmental processes, such as redox changes in environments or continental weathering.
Microfluidic approach to correlate C. elegans neuronal functional aging and underlying changes of gene expression in mechanosensation
Authors: Wan Jason , Ding Jimmy L. , Lu Hang
Published: April 2024

This work presents a framework integrating microfluidic technologies to uncover aging-related insights. This platform allows for measuring physiological function and its associated gene expression through the aging process in C. elegans individuals.
Synthesis and characterization of N,N′-bis(2-thienylmethylene)-1,X-diaminobenzene isomers (X = 2, 3, 4) and their metal complexes
Authors: Vahdatiyekta Parastoo , Zniber Mohammed , Nikiforow Kostiantyn , Huynh Tan-Phat
Published: April 2024

Distinctive variation in optical, electronic, and electrochemical properties observed three conjugated salen-analogue isomers and their metal complexes.
Unraveling the molecular and growth mechanism of colloidal black In2O3−x
Authors: Armstrong Cameron , Otero Kayla , Hernandez-Pagan Emil A.
Published: April 2024

Precursors, ligands, and reaction environment dictate the path for the colloidal synthesis of oxygen-deficient black indium oxide nanoparticles with enhanced optical properties.
Regioselective oxidative cleavage of conjugated dienes to access α,β-unsaturated nitriles
Authors: Fu Yuqing , Leng Yijia , Bai Haotong , Xu Jiaxi , Chen Ning
Published: April 2024

A highly regioselective oxidative cleavage method has been developed for the synthesis of α,β-unsaturated nitriles and N-15 atom labeled α,β-unsaturated nitriles from unsymmetric conjugated dienes and ammonium salts.
In situ construction of a double perovskite heterostructure with exsolved FeNi3 alloy nanoparticles for CO2 electrolysis in solid oxide electrolysis cells
Authors: Wang Xiaoyu , Hu Haibo , Xie Caiyue , Wang Yifei , Li Haowei , Ding Xifeng
Published: April 2024

FeNi3 nanoparticles anchored on the (PrBa)0.95Fe1.6Ni0.4O6−δ double perovskite enhance the electrochemical performance and durability in direct CO2 electrolysis.
Reverse transcription as key step in RNA in vitro evolution with unnatural base pairs
Authors: Hoffmann Eva S. , De Pascali Mareike C. , Neu Lukas , Domnick Christof , Soldà Alice , Kath-Schorr Stephanie
Published: April 2024

Unnatural base pairs (UBPs) augment the chemical diversity of artificial nucleic acids and can enable the generation of new aptamers and catalytic nucleic acids by in vitro selection. Reverse transcription of UBPs as key step during RNA in vitro selection is investigated.
Crystallographic, spectroscopic, and computational characterization of a diiodonaphthoquinone diarylethene photochrome: halogen bonding and photocrystallography
Authors: Myers Shea D. , Marr Zoe Y. , Sency Jade A. , Mitchell Travis B. , Benedict Jason B. , Patel Dinesh G.
Published: April 2024

We report the synthesis and characterization of 2,3-bis(5-iodo-2-methylthiophen-3-yl)naphthalene-1,4-dione and its ring-closed isomer.
Layer-dependent spin texture and origins of Rashba splitting quenching in the 2D CsPbI3 perovskite
Authors: Nazari Safieh , T. Azar Yavar
Published: April 2024

We examined the band splitting and spin pattern of the CsPbI3 slabs exposed to external electric field. Our results indicate non-linear behavior of Rashba parameter along with a turning point for the band splitting at a definite field.
Recent advancement in designing catalysts for rechargeable Li–CO2 batteries
Authors: Wang Juan , Tian Senlin , Lin Yang , Song Haoran , Feng Ningning , Yang Gang , Zhao Qun
Published: April 2024

This review presents recent advances and critical scientific challenges in designing cathodic catalysts for rechargeable Li–CO2 batteries.
Interfacial charge transfer in sheet Ni2P–FePx heterojunction to promote the study of electrocatalytic oxygen evolution
Authors: Wang Qiangqiang , Liu Xuejing , Ren Xiang , Sun Xu , Kuang Xuan , Wu Dan , Wei Qin
Published: April 2024

Sheet Ni2P–FePx heterojunction promotes adsorption and dissociation of water molecules and electron transport to accelerate the oxygen evolution reaction.
Synthesis of NiMn2O4/PANI nanosized composite with increased specific capacitance for energy storage applications
Authors: Abdullah Muhammad , Shah Syed Imran Abbas , Jabbour Karam , John Peter , Ehsan Muhammad Fahad , Karami Abdulnasser M. , Ashiq Muhammad Naeem , Allakhverdiev Suleyman I.
Published: April 2024

Polyaniline (PANI) stands out as a highly promising conducting polymer with potential for advanced utilization in high-performance pseudocapacitors.
Unravelling air/moisture stability of cathode materials in sodium ion batteries: characterization, rational design, and perspectives
Authors: Jia Shipeng , Kumakura Shinichi , McCalla Eric
Published: April 2024

Na-ion batteries have garnered significant attention as environmentally friendly alternatives to Li-ion batteries. However, instability in air prevents commercialization of high energy cathodes. Concerted efforts are required to overcome this key limitation.
Repairing humidity-induced interfacial degradation in quasi-2D perovskite solar cells printed in ambient air
Authors: Xing Zhi , Fan Baojin , Meng Xiangchuan , Li Dengxue , Huang Zengqi , Li Linfeng , Zhang Yanyan , Wang Fuyi , Hu Xiaotian , Hu Ting , Riedl Thomas , Chen Yiwang
Published: April 2024

Expanding the humidity processing window to achieve record efficiency for quasi-2D perovskite solar cells printed in ambient air.
Bioelectrochemically enhanced autotrophic Feammox for ammonium removal via the Fe(ii)/Fe(iii) cycle
Authors: Wang Tuo , Zhang Jiayao , Wang Ziyuan , Zhao Qian , Wu Yue , Li Nan , Jiang Xinlei , Wang Xin
Published: April 2024

The electrochemically assisted autotrophic Feammox achieves a faster rate of ammonium oxidation through iron cycling with an optimal applied voltage of 0.6 V.
Acetylated pelargonidin-3-O-glucoside alleviates hepatocyte lipid deposition through activating the AMPK-mediated lysosome-autophagy pathway and redox state
Authors: Xie Lianghua , Hao Xin , Xie Jiahong , Mo Jianling , Yuan Changzheng , Chen Wei
Published: April 2024

In this study, Ace Pg3G was elucidated to stimulate AMPK-mediated lysosome-autophagy pathway to ameliorate FFAs-induced lipid deposition in hepatocytes.
Understanding the mechanism of high viscosity food delaying gastric emptying
Authors: Liu Weilin , Jin Weiping , Wilde Peter J. , Jin Yangyi , Pan Yujie , Han Jianzhong
Published: April 2024

Controlling the structure and viscosity of food can influence the development of diet-related diseases.
Biodegradable, crosslinked silicone-gelatin hydrogels
Authors: Silverthorne Kaitlyn E. C. , Donahue-Boyle Erin M. , Pricu Ana , Li Angela Yayun , Brook Michael A.
Published: April 2024

Silicone-protein elastomers form with crosslinking provided by HCHO. The resulting product undergoes enzymatic degradation in 1–2 weeks to give silicone oils and protein fragments.
A ‘tortuous path’ and ‘protective oxide layer’ work in tandem in unique corrosion-resistant polyetherimide coatings
Authors: Sarkar Kuntal , Amerjit  , Raj Rishi , Rout Tapan Kumar , Bose Suryasarathi
Published: April 2024

Schematic of corrosion mechanisms for reinforced polyetherimide composite coating via tortuous path and passive layer formation.