bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
CORPORATE STARTUP TEAM MANAGEMENT: PROCESS RESEARCH OF DEVELOPMENT DYNAMICS
Authors: Titova N. , Titov S.
Published: September 2024

Innovative development of the Russian economy is impossible without increasing the efficiency of small innovative enterprises (startups), including those created within companies. The problems of managing internal startups and especially startup teams have been relatively poorly studied by modern science. The high dynamics of startups causes high variability and intensive transformations in team management practices. To create a highper formance startup team, it is necessary to understand the internal logic of change in the parameters of teams and team management. The article studies the dynamics of changes in team characteristics and team management within the startup development process. The research methodology is based on process research and case studies. The work investigates the dynamics of the startup team a cloud gaming service. The startup was organized within one company but was then sold to a large IT corporation. The article examines certain characteristics of the team in their development including management methodologies, team composition, communications, culture, motivation, operational and strategic planning pro cedures.
Severe coagulopathy and intra-alveolar haemorrhage due to fat malabsorption in celiac disease
Authors: Lencovsky Ori , Katz-Talmor Daphna , Aronoff Benjamin
Published: September 2024

Celiac disease, a prevalent autoimmune disorder, can present atypically with fat malabsorption and coagulopathy due to vitamin K malabsorption. A 64-year-old male presented with haemoptysis and severe anaemia (Hb 6 g/dl). Despite normal previous coagulation tests, admission laboratory tests revealed an international normalised ratio (INR) of 7.0 and iron deficiency anaemia. Initial blood products and vitamin K treatment corrected the INR temporarily, but the patient’s haemoptysis returned, and his INR values continued to rise. Further investigation revealed celiac disease with fat malabsorption, leading to vitamin K malabsorption and along with a previously prescribed antiplatelet aggregation therapy, this led to diffuse alveolar haemorrhage. A gluten-free diet and vitamin supplementation normalised the patient’s INR and stopped the bleeding. This case highlights the importance of considering celiac disease in unexplained coagulopathies and the effectiveness of dietary management.
Effective extracorporeal treatment of metformin-associated lactic acidosis using continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration
Authors: Brouwer Mèdea , Offermans Mandy , van Nuil Lisanne , Poukens Astrid , van Oijen Brigit , Dormans Tom
Published: September 2024

Background: The prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus has surged globally. Metformin is recommended as the first-line oral treatment. However, metformin-associated lactic acidosis (MALA) is recognized as a rare but potentially dangerous complication. The pathogenesis of MALA is multifactorial, primarily resulting from the interference of metformin with mitochondrial function and hepatic gluconeogenesis, leading to lactate accumulation. Risk of MALA escalates with impaired kidney function, poorly controlled diabetes, fasting, and liver dysfunction. Case Description: A 57-year-old woman with diabetes and hypertension presented with prolonged gastrointestinal symptoms. During this episode she continued using metformin. She had severe metabolic acidosis and acute kidney injury. Continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration was initiated, resulting in significant clinical improvement and normalized arterial blood gas parameters within 16 hours. Discussion: The pharmacokinetic properties of metformin facilitate efficient elimination via hemodialysis and/or hemofiltration. Continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration emerges as effective for MALA treatment. In the case described the calculated metformin clearance during continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration was notably higher than reported values, possibly due to residual renal clearance. Clinical improvement occurred despite elevated metformin levels, suggesting a lack of correlation between metformin levels and patient outcomes. Comorbidities rather than metformin levels guide treatment decisions in MALA. Conclusion: This case underscores the efficacy of continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration in the treatment of MALA, suggesting its potential as a standard therapeutic approach. However, further research is needed
Dietary Exposure of Infants and Young Children to Aflatoxins and Fumonisins in the East African Region: A Review
Authors: Kayanda Rosemary A. , Ngure Francis M. , Kassim Neema
Published: September 2024

Proper supplementary nutrition is essential for nurturing and promoting the growth and development of Infants and Young Children (IYC). Poor food quality and safety during this critical period can result in malnutrition. Complementary foods (CF) commonly provided to IYC in East African countries often contain ingredients highly susceptible to mycotoxin contamination, particularly aflatoxins (AFs) and fumonisins (FBs). This narrative review sought to explore the contamination of infant diets with AFs and FBs, as well as the exposure of IYC to these toxins. The review covers the types of CF used in infant diets, their susceptibility to AFs and FBs contamination, associated dietary exposure, and detection methods, along with regulatory and mitigation strategies in the East Africa region. Studies revealed widespread contamination of staple crops with AFs and FBs, highlighting that IYC primarily encounter these toxins through the consumption of cereal-based CF, often supplemented with legumes and oily seeds. Maize and groundnuts emerge as the predominant ingredients in CF. Despite established regulatory limits for these toxins in food intended for the general population, no specific limits exist for IYC, who are particularly vulnerable due to their high consumption of the susceptible crops and relatively small body size. Limited enforcement of existing regulations, unfortunately, allows the problem to persist in these low-resource countries. Focusing on East Africa, this review synthesizes findings from scientific studies to assess the dietary exposure of children to AFs and FBs through CFs. The findings underscore the need for further research on the magnitude and effects of AFs and FBs exposure, coupled with awareness campaigns to promote the demand for clean and safe CF within the East African Community countries.
In Vitro Antioxidant and Hypocholesterolemic Potency of Melon (Cucumis melo L.) Seed Protein Hydrolysate
Authors: Botutihe Deasy Natalia , Hudiyono Sumi , Saepudin Endang
Published: September 2024

Protein hydrolysates have been reported to possess numerous bioactivities. However, research on melon (Cucumis melo L.) seed protein (MSP) hydrolysate is limited. This study aimed to analyze the antioxidant and hypocholesterolemic properties of MSP hydrolysate. Protein from melon seed was obtained by conventional alkaline extraction-isoelectric precipitation method. Enzymatic hydrolysis of MSP was carried out using three different proteases: pepsin, thermolysin, and trypsin, with the enzyme-to-substrate (E/S) ratio of 1:50 (w/w). The results showed that all hydrolysates exhibited antioxidant and hypocholesterolemic activity. The thermolysin-digested hydrolysate had significantly greater (p < 0.05) radical scavenging properties, while trypsin produced the highest (p < 0.05) metal ion chelating activity. At 2 mg/mL, thermolysin-derived MSP hydrolysate showed no significant difference (p > 0.05) in HMGR inhibition activity compared to pravastatin. Additionally, the thermolysin hydrolysate had significantly higher (p < 0.05) bile acid binding ability than other hydrolysates. Overall, the MSP hydrolysate produced by thermolysin exhibited stronger antioxidant and hypocholesterolemic activities when compared to those produced by pepsin and trypsin, suggesting its potential effectiveness in nutraceutical applications.
Discovering Consumer Behavior Towards Back-of-Pack Nutrition Labels: A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: K M Priya , Babu Kiran , S Sujatha
Published: September 2024

This systematic literature review aims to examine the impact of back-of-pack (BOP) labels on food manufacturers' practices in the field of consumer behaviour research. The review comprehensively analyses a wide range of articles spanning over two decades to provide an up-to-date and comprehensive analysis of the subject matter. It focuses specifically on how BOP labels affect consumers, food manufacturers' behaviors and practices. The findings highlight that BOP labels conveying intuitive information effectively prompt product reformulation, particularly in reducing unhealthy nutrients such as sodium, sugar, and calories. Voluntary BOP labeling has limited uptake and is often applied to already healthier products. Consumers and food producers' response varies based on label design and enforcement type, suggesting strategic labeling of healthier choices. The review provides valuable insights for future public health research and policymaking efforts, emphasizing the importance of mandatory policies and specific guidance in BOP labels. This research brings novelty by comprehensively examining the impact of back-of-pack (BOP) labeling on consumers and food manufacturers' practices. The findings contribute to the literature by highlighting the differential effects of mandatory and voluntary BOP labeling approaches and offering insights into label design and enforcement types. As per the researcher knowledge there is no available systematic literature review (SLR) specifically focusing on BOP labeling in recent years. Future research should explore the long-term impacts of mandatory versus voluntary BOP labeling on consumer dietary habits and food manufacturers' product reformulation strategies.
Impact of Pretreatment With Acid and Ultrasound on the Production and Characteristics of Goat Skin Gelatin
Authors: Hasdar Muhamad , Nalinanon Sitthipong , Sriket Chodsana
Published: September 2024

Goat skin is a potential raw material source for gelatin production using acid-ultrasound pretreatment. The objective of this study was to investigate the use of ultrasound in combination with acid pretreatment for the preparation of goat skin gelatin. Gelatin was extracted from goat skin using different pretreatments: acetic acid (T1), acetic acid followed by ultrasound (20 kHz and 750 W) (T2), and without pretreatment (T0). The results showed that the combination of acetic acid and ultrasound pretreatment significantly impacted the quality of the resulting gelatin. The study results showed an increase in yield (9.24 to 25.48%), hydroxyproline content (102.07 to 231.31 mg/g), gel strength (4.76 to 197.62 g), viscosity (6.80 to 48.00 cP), melting point (32.47 to 35.85 oC), EAI (18.24 to 23.58 m2/g), and ESI (24.90 to 62.63 min). However, there was a decrease in pH, the value of color L*, and turbidity. The SDS-PAGE patterns showed differences in molecular weight distribution due to variations in pretreatment. All gelatin samples exhibited α1 and α2 chains as the predominant components. Interestingly, the ultrasound effect highlighted the β-chain more boldly compared to other pretreatments. FTIR spectroscopy analysis shows changes in molecular interactions due to acetic acid pretreatment followed by ultrasound, which results in shifts in the Amide A, Amide B, Amide I, Amide II, and Amide III groups. Ultrasonic treatment caused more dense and disturbed structures in the sample. Therefore, the combination of acetic acid and ultrasound pretreatment yielded the superior properties of goat skin gelatin.
Deep neck infections mortal complications: Intrathoracic complications and necrotising fasciitis
Authors: Bal Kemal Koray , Aslan Can , Gür Harun , Bal Seda Turk , Ustun Recep Okan , Unal Murat
Published: September 2024

BACKGROUND

We planned this study considering that complications of deep neck infections can be seriously life threatening.

AIM

To raise awareness that introthoracic complications and necrotizing fasciitis are causes of serious mortality and morbidity.

METHODS

This study was carried out with the participation of 188 patients who were treated at Mersin University Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery at January 1, 2024. When the patient files were retrospectively examined, 16 of 188 patients (8.5%) were included in the study because they were observed to have necrotizing fasciitis and/or intrathoracic complications.

RESULTS

There were a total of 16 patients in this study, 9 males (56.25%) and 7 females (43.75%). All patients were adults (> 18 years) and the mean age was 50.37 years ± 15.37 years. Female patients had a mean age of 40.42 years ±13.38 years, whereas for male patients was 58.11 years ± 12.44 years.

CONCLUSION

Patients with necrotizing fasciitis and/or intrathoracic complications require more complicated and serious surgeries, intensive care unit monitoring, and mechanical ventilator support. Higher rates of morbidity and mortality should be expected in these patients who are hospitalized for longer periods of time.
Addressing mucosal ulcers during orthodontic treatment: An urgent call for preventive strategies
Authors: Ardila Carlos M
Published: September 2024

Mucosal ulcers are a common yet often overlooked complication during orthodontic treatment, significantly impacting patient comfort and compliance. This letter aims to highlight the prevalence, potential causes, and management strategies for mucosal ulcers in orthodontic patients. By reviewing recent literature and clinical observations, we underscore the necessity for proactive measures and tailored interventions to mitigate the incidence and severity of these lesions. Emphasizing the role of patient education and the use of protective devices, we call for a multidisciplinary approach to enhance patient care and treatment outcomes. This discussion is particularly relevant in the context of evolving orthodontic techniques and materials, which necessitate continuous adaptation of clinical practices to ensure patient safety and well-being.
Simulating temporal speckle with prescribed correlation properties in optical lithography
Authors: Shirai Tomohiro , Arakawa Masaki , Fujimaki Yousuke , Kumazaki Takahito , Kakizaki Kouji
Published: September 2024

We describe a method of simulating temporal speckle often encountered in optical lithography. The first step of the method is to generate numerically optical fields with prescribed temporal coherence properties using a shot noise process. By properly arranging the data for instantaneous intensities calculated from the generated fields, one can construct virtually temporal speckle patterns that satisfy all the necessary conditions. As some illustrative examples, we examine the variation of the temporal speckle contrast as a function of the exposure time of the detector by means of these speckle patterns. Our method would provide an intuitive understanding of hardly observable temporal speckle and serve as an educational tool for students and professionals in optics.
Magnetic quadrupolar resonance in a symmetric three-layered plasmonic metasurface
Authors: Wulan Qiqige , Liu Lu , Xing Li , Yu Jiachen , Liu Zhijun
Published: September 2024

Dark plasmon mode with even symmetry presents an effective way for manipulating light-matter interactions due to its attractive properties of small radiative loss and strongly intensified near-field, which opens up space for both fundamental explorations and optoelectronic device developments. In this paper, we demonstrate magnetic quadrupolar resonance in a symmetric plasmonic metasurface under oblique light incidence. In a three-layered metasurface made of a cross-shaped gold array on top of a magnesium fluoride film backed with a copper ground plane, a magnetic quadrupolar resonance is excited at 37.3 THz with a quality factor of 34, which is four times of the regular magnetic dipolar resonance excited in the same structure. By increasing the incident angle, asymmetry perturbation on the magnetic quadrupolar mode becomes more pronounced as evidenced from its decreased quality factor. In addition, due to the structure symmetry of the used metal cross, the metasurface exhibits polarization-selective excitation of two separate magnetic quadrupolar modes at 37.3 THz and 42.3 THz for the electric field along four symmetry axes of the structure. Our demonstrated distinctive magnetic quadrupolar resonance offers an alternative mode design in plasmonic metamaterials with an improved quality factor, which could be beneficial for metamaterial applications in sensing, optical filtering and infrared emission manipulation etc.
Low-latency 100 Gb/s PAM-4 PON with a 42.5 dB power budget over the 20 km anti-resonant hollow-core fiber
Authors: Chen Hui , Zhang Lei , Zhang Xu , Wang Qibing , Li Chao , Jin Siyue , Liu Xumeng , Liu Zichen , Ji Honglin , Xu Zhaopeng , Luo Jie , Wang Lei , Zhang Junwen , He Zhixue , Chi Nan , Yu Shaohua
Published: September 2024

The surging growth in data traffic has necessitated the development of higher-speed, lower-latency intensity modulation and direct detection (IM/DD) passive optical networks (PONs) with higher power budgets. To address the inherent limitations of traditional silica-based solid-core fibers, anti-resonant hollow-core fibers have garnered significant attention from both academia and industry. In this Letter, we present an experimental demonstration of 100 Gb/s PAM-4 IM/DD PON transmission over a 20 km anti-resonant hollow-core fiber in the C band, utilizing low-complexity digital signal processing (DSP). The result achieves a record high power budget of 42.5 dB, facilitated by a 3-tap weighted lookup table (LUT) at the optical line terminal (OLT) side and a semiconductor optical amplifier used as a preamplifier at the optical network unit (ONU) side. This represents the highest power budget reported for IM/DD PON to date, to the best of our knowledge, and offers a promising alternative for the future evolution of PON systems.
Linear-coupling-induced double-period pulsating vector solitons in lasers
Authors: Zhang Zhenzhu , Du Yueqing , Zhang Heze , Zeng Chao , Mao Dong , Zhao Jianlin
Published: September 2024

Pulsating solitons is a universal phenomenon originating from the Hopf-type bifurcation in dissipative systems such as lasers and microresonators. Here, we report the vector soliton in a fiber laser pulsating with two periods of different orders of magnitude. The short-period pulsation manifests as the period-tripling facilitated by the linear coupling between orthogonal polarization components, which breaks the self-consistent evolution of the vector soliton over a single round trip (RT). The long-period pulsation arises from the mode competition between the two polarization components mediated by various cavity effects. The interplay between linear coupling and mode competition gives rise to the robust double-period pulsating (DPP) vector soliton. Our results provide a clear physical mechanism for the broadly observed double-period breather, which has a significant value in exploring breathers with complex dynamics and multiple comb spectroscopy.
Highly sensitive intensity-type polarization chiral sensor with reference light
Authors: Xie Pengpeng , Xu Xiaoxue , Jiao Ren , Wang Guiqiang
Published: September 2024

Optical rotation is a special phenomenon in which the plane of polarization of polarized light is rotated after passing through a chiral medium. This work first, to our knowledge, presents and optimizes a polarization chiral sensor with a reference light on the basis of a weak measurement light path. The influences of phase shift and polarization angle difference on sensitivity were theoretically optimized and verified experimentally. The introduction of a reference light further reduced the impact of light source fluctuations on the detection signal, improving the signal-to-noise ratio and reducing the optical rotation resolution to 2 × 10−5 rad. This method has the characteristics of low cost, high sensitivity, and real-time rapid detection, making it potentially applicable in the field of chemical analysis, such as chiral molecule detection.
Prime number factorization and degree of coherence of speckled light beams
Authors: Cao Tianyu , Liu Xin , Chen Qian , Ponomarenko Sergey A. , Cai Yangjian , Liang Chunhao
Published: September 2024

We discover a connection between a Gauss sum of number theory and the degree of coherence (DOC) of the field in a transverse plane of structured speckled light beams. We theoretically demonstrate and experimentally validate that prime number factorization can be achieved by manipulating the source beam’s DOC in Young’s double-slit experiment. The determination of whether a number can be factored is based solely on the visibility of the resulting interference patterns. Our findings offer new insights into information encryption and decryption, data compression, etc.
Sub-kHz-linewidth broadband-swept fiber laser based on Rayleigh scattering-enabled Brillouin random lasing oscillation with dynamic tunning Brillouin gain spectrum
Authors: Guo Xu , Zhang Liang , Zhu Mengshi , Zhong Zepeng , Wei Heming , Chen Wei , Pang Fufei , Wang Tingyun
Published: September 2024

A sub-kHz-linewidth broadband-swept fiber laser using Rayleigh scattering-based Brillouin random lasing oscillation is proposed and experimentally demonstrated. Benefiting from Brillouin-involved acoustic damping and arbitrary-wavelength distributed Rayleigh feedback, leveraging instantaneously tuning Brillouin gain spectrum induced by a frequency-sweeping pump, a highly coherent random lasing emission with cavity mode elimination as well as frequency noise suppression is achieved in a sweeping manner. Results show that the proposed sweeping Stokes laser with a two-order-magnitude compressed linewidth of 840 Hz and 20 dB frequency noise suppression can unprecedentedly operate over the maximum wavelength range of 16 nm. Dynamic characteristics of the sweeping laser frequency are experimentally investigated, indicating a minimum residual nonlinearity of 0.0001 within the frequency-sweeping range of 126.63 GHz. It is believed that the proposed swept fiber laser may have attractive potential in diverse applications, including sensing and imaging.
Fusing infrared polarization images for road detection via denoising diffusion probabilistic models
Authors: Li Kunyuan , Qi Meibin , Liu Yimin , Zhuang Shuo
Published: September 2024

Recent advancements in road detection using infrared polarization imaging have shown promising results. However, existing methods focus on refined network structures without effectively exploiting infrared polarization imaging mechanisms for enhanced detection. The scarcity of datasets also limits the performance of these methods. In this Letter, we present a denoising diffusion model aimed at improving the performance of road detection in infrared polarization images. This model achieves effective integration of infrared intensity and polarization information through forward and reverse diffusion processes. Furthermore, we propose what we believe to be a novel method to augment polarized images from different orientations based on the angle of polarization. The augmented polarized image serves as the guiding condition, enhancing the robustness of the diffusion model. Our experimental results validate the effectiveness of the proposed method, demonstrating competitive performance compared to state-of-the-art methods, even with fewer training samples.
Phosphorylation of the DNA damage repair factor 53BP1 by ATM kinase controls neurodevelopmental programs in cortical brain organoids
Authors: Lim Bitna , Matsui Yurika , Jung Seunghyun , Djekidel Mohamed Nadhir , Qi Wenjie , Yuan Zuo-Fei , Wang Xusheng , Yang Xiaoyang , Connolly Nina , Pilehroud Abbas Shirinifard , Pan Haitao , Wang Fang , Pruett-Miller Shondra M. , Kavdia Kanisha , Pagala Vishwajeeth , Fan Yiping , Peng Junmin , Xu Beisi , Peng Jamy C.
Published: September 2024

53BP1 is a well-established DNA damage repair factor that has recently emerged to critically regulate gene expression for tumor suppression and neural development. However, its precise function and regulatory mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we showed that phosphorylation of 53BP1 at serine 25 by ATM is required for neural progenitor cell proliferation and neuronal differentiation in cortical brain organoids. Dynamic phosphorylation of 53BP1-serine 25 controls 53BP1 target genes governing neuronal differentiation and function, cellular response to stress, and apoptosis. Mechanistically, ATM and RNF168 govern 53BP1’s binding to gene loci to directly affect gene regulation, especially at genes for neuronal differentiation and maturation. 53BP1 serine 25 phosphorylation effectively impedes its binding to bivalent or H3K27me3-occupied promoters, especially at genes regulating H3K4 methylation, neuronal functions, and cell proliferation. Beyond 53BP1, ATM-dependent phosphorylation displays wide-ranging effects, regulating factors in neuronal differentiation, cytoskeleton, p53 regulation, as well as key signaling pathways such as ATM, BDNF, and WNT during cortical organoid differentiation. Together, our data suggest that the interplay between 53BP1 and ATM orchestrates essential genetic programs for cell morphogenesis, tissue organization, and developmental pathways crucial for human cortical development.
Learning to integrate parts for whole through correlated neural variability
Authors: Zhu Zhichao , Qi Yang , Lu Wenlian , Feng Jianfeng
Published: September 2024

Neural activity in the cortex exhibits a wide range of firing variability and rich correlation structures. Studies on neural coding indicate that correlated neural variability can influence the quality of neural codes, either beneficially or adversely. However, the mechanisms by which correlated neural variability is transformed and processed across neural populations to achieve meaningful computation remain largely unclear. Here we propose a theory of covariance computation with spiking neurons which offers a unifying perspective on neural representation and computation with correlated noise. We employ a recently proposed computational framework known as the moment neural network to resolve the nonlinear coupling of correlated neural variability with a task-driven approach to constructing neural network models for performing covariance-based perceptual tasks. In particular, we demonstrate how perceptual information initially encoded entirely within the covariance of upstream neurons’ spiking activity can be passed, in a near-lossless manner, to the mean firing rate of downstream neurons, which in turn can be used to inform inference. The proposed theory of covariance computation addresses an important question of how the brain extracts perceptual information from noisy sensory stimuli to generate a stable perceptual whole and indicates a more direct role that correlated variability plays in cortical information processing.
Maintenance of delay-period activity in working memory task is modulated by local network structure
Authors: Yu Dong , Li Tianyu , Ding Qianming , Wu Yong , Fu Ziying , Zhan Xuan , Yang Lijian , Jia Ya
Published: September 2024

Revealing the relationship between neural network structure and function is one central theme of neuroscience. In the context of working memory (WM), anatomical data suggested that the topological structure of microcircuits within WM gradient network may differ, and the impact of such structural heterogeneity on WM activity remains unknown. Here, we proposed a spiking neural network model that can replicate the fundamental characteristics of WM: delay-period neural activity involves association cortex but not sensory cortex. First, experimentally observed receptor expression gradient along the WM gradient network is reproduced by our network model. Second, by analyzing the correlation between different local structures and duration of WM activity, we demonstrated that small-worldness, excitation-inhibition balance, and cycle structures play crucial roles in sustaining WM-related activity. To elucidate the relationship between the structure and functionality of neural networks, structural circuit gradients in brain should also be subject to further measurement. Finally, combining anatomical data, we simulated the duration of WM activity across different brain regions, its maintenance relies on the interaction between local and distributed networks. Overall, network structural gradient and interaction between local and distributed networks are of great significance for WM.
An unscheduled switch to endocycles induces a reversible senescent arrest that impairs growth of the Drosophila wing disc
Authors: Huang Yi-Ting , Hesting Lauren L. , Calvi Brian R.
Published: September 2024

A programmed developmental switch to G / S endocycles results in tissue growth through an increase in cell size. Unscheduled, induced endocycling cells (iECs) promote wound healing but also contribute to cancer. Much remains unknown, however, about how these iECs affect tissue growth. Using the D. melanogaster wing disc as model, we find that populations of iECs initially increase in size but then subsequently undergo a heterogenous arrest that causes severe tissue undergrowth. iECs acquired DNA damage and activated a Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) pathway, but, unlike other stressed cells, were apoptosis-resistant and not eliminated from the epithelium. Instead, iECs entered a JNK-dependent and reversible senescent-like arrest. Senescent iECs promoted division of diploid neighbors, but this compensatory proliferation did not rescue tissue growth. Our study has uncovered unique attributes of iECs and their effects on tissue growth that have important implications for understanding their roles in wound healing and cancer.
Impact of vaccination against Japanese encephalitis in endemic countries
Authors: Letson G. William , Marfin Anthony A. , Mooney Jessica , Minh Huong Vu , Hills Susan L. ,   the JE Vaccine Global Impact Assessment Team
Published: September 2024

Background

Japanese encephalitis (JE) virus is the leading cause of vaccine-preventable encephalitis and a significant cause of disability in Asia and the western Pacific. Many countries have introduced JE vaccination programs, including several low resource countries following WHO’s prioritization of JE vaccination in 2006. We sought to characterize the public health impact of JE vaccination programs.

Methodology/Principal findings

JE case data and vaccination coverage rates, were requested from country health officials in 23 JE endemic countries and Chinese Taipei. Additional data were extracted from meeting presentations and published literature. JE incidence was compared before and after vaccination using a minimum three year period pre and post program introduction or expansion. Data suitable for analysis were available for 13 JE-endemic countries and Chinese Taipei, for either all age groups or for children aged under 15 years only. Five countries and Chinese Taipei introduced vaccine prior to 2006 and the all-age JE incidence was reduced by 73–100% in about 5–20 years following introduction. Six countries have introduced JE vaccine since 2006, and JE incidence in children aged younger than 15 years has been reduced by 14–79% as of 2015–2021. JE-specific data were unavailable before introduction in Thailand and Vietnam, but vaccination programs reduced acute encephalitis incidence by 80% and 74%, respectively. Even in the programs with greatest impact, it took several years to achieve their results.

Conclusions/Significance

JE vaccination has greatly reduced JE in 13 JE-endemic countries and Chinese Taipei. Highest impact has been observed in countries that introduced prior to 2006, but it often took roughly two decades and substantial resources to achieve that level of success. For greatest possible impact, more recently introducing countries and funding agencies should commit to continuous improvements in delivery systems to sustain coverage after initial vaccine introduction.
Competition limits first-year growth and flowering of wiregrass (Aristida beyrichiana) at a sandhills restoration site
Authors: Love Debriana T. , Fill Jennifer M. , Zee April , Tevlin Sarah , Pérez Héctor E. , Crandall Raelene M.
Published: September 2024

Uncertainty in ecosystem restoration can be mitigated by information on drivers of variability in restoration outcomes, especially through experimental study. In southeastern USA pine savannas, efforts to restore the perennial bunchgrass wiregrass (Aristida beyrichiana) often achieve variable outcomes in the first year. Although ecotypic differentiation and competition with other native vegetation are known to influence wiregrass seedling establishment and growth, to our knowledge, no studies have examined interactions between these drivers. We experimentally quantified individual and interactive effects of competition, seed source, and soil type on wiregrass density, size, and flowering culm production in the field. We sowed seeds from dry and wet sites reciprocally into dry and wet soils and weeded half of the plots. We found that competition removal resulted in significantly larger plants and a greater proportion of flowering plants with more culms on average, regardless of seed source or soil type. Seeds sourced from a wet site resulted in more plants per plot than seeds from a dry site, which might have been influenced by the greater number of filled seeds from the wet site. After seedlings become established, competition contributes to variation in growth and reproduction. Although competition removal could help start wiregrass populations, the necessity of mitigation depends on fire management needs.
Therapeutic interventions for heart failure in Colombia: result of a Delphi panel
Authors: Pérez Molina Clímaco de Jesús , Castañeda Orjuela Carlos , Valbuena Hernandez Pedro , Pérez Arias Rafael Ignacio , Pérez Arias María Alejandra , Arias Copete Ana María
Published: September 2024

Objective

The objective of this study was to validate the main therapies used in the treatment of heart failure through a clinical consensus conducted by cardiology experts in Colombia.

Methods

The Delphi technique was employed, which involves a series of consultation rounds with experts to reach a consensus. Cardiologists with experience in HF treatment were selected, and they were sent electronic questionnaires to assess the relevance of various therapeutic interventions. Consensus was defined when at least 70% of the experts agreed on the relevance of an intervention.

Results

Fourteen cardiology experts participated in the study. In the first round, nine therapeutic interventions were evaluated, but insufficient agreement was reached to form a consensus. A second round was conducted, where feedback was provided to the experts, and they were asked to rate the relevance of the interventions using a Likert scale. Consensus was achieved for eight of the evaluated therapeutic interventions. The focus of the third round was on the interventions that had not reached consensus in the previous rounds.

Conclusions

This study provides clinical consensus on therapeutic interventions for HF in Colombia. Nine therapeutic interventions were identified as relevant by the experts. These findings can help improve HF treatment and optimize clinical outcomes in Colombia. It is important to note that this study was conducted with local experts, and the results may not be generalizable to other populations.
Mitochondrial DNA is a sensitive surrogate and oxidative stress target in oral cancer cells
Authors: Tan Jingyu , Dong Xinlin , Liu Haiwen
Published: September 2024

Cellular oxidative stress mediated by intrinsic and/or extrinsic reactive oxygen species (ROS) is associated with disease pathogenesis. Oxidative DNA damage can naturally be substituted by mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), leading to base lesion/strand break formation, copy number changes, and mutations. In this study, we devised a single test for the sensitive quantification of acute mtDNA damage, repair, and copy number changes using supercoiling-sensitive quantitative PCR (ss-qPCR) and examined how oxidative stress-related mtDNA damage responses occur in oral cancer cells. We observed that exogenous hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) induced dynamic mtDNA damage responses, as reflected by early structural DNA damage, followed by DNA repair if damage did not exceed a particular threshold. However, high oxidative stress levels induced persistent mtDNA damage and caused a 5–30-fold depletion in mtDNA copy numbers over late responses. This dramatic depletion was associated with significant growth arrest and apoptosis, suggesting persistent functional consequences. Moreover, oral cancer cells responded differentially to oxidative injury when compared with normal cells, and different ROS species triggered different biological consequences under stress conditions. In conclusion, we developed a new method for the sensitive detection of mtDNA damage and copy number changes, with exogenous H2O2 inducing dynamic mtDNA damage responses associated with functional changes in stressed cancer cells. Finally, our method can help characterize oxidative DNA damage in cancer and other human diseases.
Unleashing the role of e-word of mouth on purchase intention in select Facebook fan pages of smart phone users
Authors: Khan Mohammed Arshad , Minhaj Syed Mohd , Vivek  , Alhashem Mohammed , Nabi Mohammed Kamallun , Saifi Mohd. Afzal , Inkesar Asra
Published: September 2024

Objective

This study aims to examine the impact of e-WOM on customer purchase intentions in Facebook fan pages using theories of trust, value co-creation and brand attitude. The present research has set out to explore this emerging domain of study and has thus developed & tested propositions which attempt to establish a relationship between e-WOM and customer‘s purchase intentions. A deeper understanding of this possible association is obtained by studying the mediating roles of Trust, Value Co-Creation, Brand Image and Brand Attitude.

Methodology

The context for exploring this phenomenon is chosen to be the fan pages of smartphone brands on Facebook. The study involved conducting a sample survey of 490 respondents, comprising of both male and female, who belong to 5 smartphone brands Facebook fan pages–Samsung, Moto G, Lenovo, MI and ASUS are considered for the study. Out of which sample of 100 each has been targeted individually

Findings

The findings suggested that e-WOM significantly predicts the purchase intentions of the customers of a specific product and considerable impacted on the purchase decision. The findings of the study also reveal that customer ‘s trust beliefs, perceived value co-creation, brand image and brand attitude partially mediate in between relationships of e-WOM and purchase intention

Conclusion

The actual presence of different types of consumer electronics brands on the social media, more prominently, the smartphones, which undoubtedly are the most ubiquitous product of this segment. In fact, this indicates that presence on social media is a well- thought organizational strategy developed by companies to gain partial control over the customer ‘s decision- making process by establishing a close connect with the customers for a long period.

Implication

This consequence will significantly impact the decision-making process of marketers or practitioners in relation to their marketing tactics. This research also indicates that marketers could devise more effective methods for distributing marketing content through social networking sites, while corporations can cultivate favorable electronic word-of-mouth for their products or services. Through the implementation of social media marketing strategies, companies can increase their sales volume and generate higher revenue. The study examined the role of trust, virtual community participation, and desire to purchase as mediators on smartphone brand fan sites on Facebook. It was observed that these factors had a partial influence on customer purchase intention.
Enhancing tertiary students’ programming skills with an explainable Educational Data Mining approach
Authors: Islam Md Rashedul , Nitu Adiba Mahjabin , Marjan Md Abu , Uddin Md Palash , Afjal Masud Ibn , Mamun Md Abdulla Al
Published: September 2024

Educational Data Mining (EDM) holds promise in uncovering insights from educational data to predict and enhance students’ performance. This paper presents an advanced EDM system tailored for classifying and improving tertiary students’ programming skills. Our approach emphasizes effective feature engineering, appropriate classification techniques, and the integration of Explainable Artificial Intelligence (XAI) to elucidate model decisions. Through rigorous experimentation, including an ablation study and evaluation of six machine learning algorithms, we introduce a novel ensemble method, Stacking-SRDA, which outperforms others in accuracy, precision, recall, f1-score, ROC curve, and McNemar test. Leveraging XAI tools, we provide insights into model interpretability. Additionally, we propose a system for identifying skill gaps in programming among weaker students, offering tailored recommendations for skill enhancement.
Spatiotemporal trajectory of energy efficiency in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and implications on the route of economic transformation
Authors: Lei YanFei , Xu Chao , Wang Yunpeng , Liu Xulong , Li Lili , Chen Siyu
Published: September 2024

The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area has attracted attention for its extraordinary pace of economic development and is considered to be leading the way in China’s transformation from a manufacturing to an innovation cluster. However, due to rapid economic expansion and rapid urbanization, the Great Bay Area still struggles with low energy efficiency and environmental degradation, which has slowed down the pace of development. Therefore, in order to alleviate energy pressure, promote the country’s sustainable development and gain a competitive advantage in the global market, researching energy efficiency and improving energy utilization efficiency is crucial. In this study, macro-level energy efficiency indicators are constructed using energy consumption data from various cities in the Greater Bay Area for the period from 2000 to 2020, and the spatio-temporal evolution of energy efficiency is analysed. The results show that all cities in the Greater Bay Area experienced an increasing trend in energy efficiency from 2000 to 2019, with significant variation in growth rates and magnitudes between cities. Compared to the nine cities in Guangdong province, Hong Kong and Macao exhibited significantly superior energy efficiency, with Foshan recording the highest growth rate of 14%. In 2020, most cities experienced a decline in energy efficiency due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with Macao experiencing the greatest decrease at 57%. Hong Kong and Macao are both in the "low consumption and high efficiency" target region, while Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Zhuhai are consistently in the "both high" region. Changes in the industrial upgrading index correspond significantly with changes in energy efficiency trajectories, with the transition from primary to secondary and tertiary industries playing a more substantial role. There is no significant association found between the strength of environmental regulation and changes in energy efficiency. The study’s findings indicate that the most effective way to achieve economic transformation in the majority of China’s regions is to combine adequate environmental legislation with industrial structural adjustment.
Structural insight into the DNMT1 reaction cycle by cryo-electron microscopy
Authors: De Inessa , Weidenhausen Jonas , Concha Nestor , Müller Christoph W.
Published: September 2024

DNMT1 is an essential DNA methyltransferase that catalyzes the transfer of methyl groups to CpG islands in DNA and generates a prominent epigenetic mark. The catalytic activity of DNMT1 relies on its conformational plasticity and ability to change conformation from an auto-inhibited to an activated state. Here, we present four cryo-EM reconstructions of apo DNMT1 and DNTM1: non-productive DNA, DNTM1: H3Ub2-peptide, DNTM1: productive DNA complexes. Our structures demonstrate the flexibility of DNMT1’s N-terminal regulatory domains during the transition from an apo ‘auto-inhibited’ to a DNA-bound ‘non-productive’ and finally a DNA-bound ‘productive’ state of DNMT1. Furthermore, we address the regulation of DNMT1’s methyltransferase activity by a DNMT1-selective small-molecule inhibitor and ubiquitinated histone H3. We observe that DNMT1 binds DNA in a ‘non-productive’ state despite the presence of the inhibitor and present the cryo-EM reconstruction of full-length DNMT1 in complex with a di-ubiquitinated H3 peptide analogue. Taken together, our results provide structural insights into the reaction cycle of DNMT1.
Alpha-boswellic acid accelerates acute wound healing via NF-κB signaling pathway
Authors: Dong Fang , Zheng Lijuan , Zhang Xuanfen
Published: September 2024

Background

Boswellic acids (BAs) showed promising effects in cancer treatment, immune response regulation, and anti-inflammatory therapy. We aimed to assess the roles of alpha-BA (α-BA) in treating acute wound healing.

Methods

In vivo wound-healing models were established to evaluate the therapeutic effects of α-BA. Cell assays were conducted to assess the impact of α-BA on cellular biological functions. Western blot analysis was employed to validate the potential mechanisms of action of α-BA.

Results

Animal models indicated that wound healing was notably accelerated in the α-BA group compared to the control group (P < 0.01). Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) assay preliminarily suggested that α-BA may accelerate wound healing by inhibiting excessive inflammatory reactions and increasing the protein levels of growth factors. Cell function experiments demonstrated that α-BA suppressed the proliferation and migration ability of human hypertrophic scar fibroblasts (HSFBs), thereby favoring wound healing. Additionally, α-BA exerted a significant impact on cell cycle progression. Mechanistically, the protein levels of key genes in nuclear factor kappa beta (NF-κB) signaling pathway, including cyclin D1, p65, IκBα, and p-IκBα, were downregulated by α-BA.

Conclusions

α-BA demonstrated the ability to counteract the abnormal proliferation of skin scar tissues, consequently expediting wound healing. These findings suggest its potential for development as a new agent for treating acute wound healing.