bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Limited effects of dehydration on object discrimination in the novel object recognition paradigm in young and middle-aged male and female rats
Authors: Santollo Jessica , Rainer Ivanka L. , Swanz Lillian , Steineker Madelyn H. , Holla Sahana
Published: June 2023

Dehydration is associated with impaired cognitive function in humans. Limited animal research also suggests that disruptions in fluid homeostasis impair performance in cognitive tasks. We previously demonstrated that extracellular dehydration impaired performance in the novel object recognition memory test in a sex and gonadal hormone specific manner. The experiments in this report were designed to further characterize the behavioral effects of dehydration on cognitive function in male and female rats. In Experiment 1, we tested whether dehydration during the training trial in the novel object recognition paradigm would impact performance, while euhydrated, in the test trial. Regardless of hydration status during training, all groups spent more time investigating the novel object during the test trial. In Experiment 2, we tested whether aging exacerbated dehydration-induced impairments on test trial performance. Although aged animals spent less time investigating the objects and had reduced activity levels, all groups spent more time investigating the novel object, compared to the original object, during the test trial. Aged animals also had reduced water intake after water deprivation and, unlike the young adult rats, there was no sex difference in water intake. Together these results, in combination with our previous findings, suggest that disruptions in fluid homeostasis have limited effects on performance in the novel object recognition test and may only impact performance after specific types of fluid manipulations.
Inhibition of auxin biosynthesis in early rice grains leads to extensive post-fertilisation grain abortion
Authors: Basunia Mafroz A. , Nonhebel Heather M. , Backhouse David , McMillan Mary
Published: June 2023

In spite of its abundant presence in rice grains, auxin functions during grain development are not understood well. Absence of grain-specific auxin biosynthesis mutants in rice further limits our understanding in this respect. Here, we report a chemical biology approach to inhibit auxin biosynthesis specifically in early rice grains as well as its subsequent effects on final grain yield. Exogenous application of two auxin biosynthesis inhibitors, namely L-kynurenine (L-Kyn) and 4-phenoxyphenylboronic acid (PPBo), to spikelets daily from three to ten days after pollination (DAP) significantly reduced grain levels of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), the predominantin plantaauxin. The inhibitor-treated panicles showed extensive post-fertilisation seed abortion, leading to drastic reduction in total panicle weight at maturity. Locally synthesised auxin during early grain development may therefore play a crucial role in grain retention. This chemical biology approach can be an easy and cost-effective way to study auxin biosynthesis and signalling during grain development in rice and possibly other cereal crops.

Highlight

Auxin synthesised in early rice grains may play a crucial role in grain retention.
Differential DNA Methylation in the Brain as Potential Mediator of the Association between Traffic-related PM2.5and Neuropathology Markers of Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Li Zhenjiang , Liang Donghai , Ebelt Stefanie , Gearing Marla , Kobor Michael S. , Konwar Chaini , Maclsaac Julie L. , Dever Kristy , Wingo Aliza , Levey Allan , Lah James J. , Wingo Thomas , Huels Anke
Published: June 2023

INTRODUCTION

Growing evidence indicates fine particulate matter (PM2.5) as risk factor for Alzheimer’s’ disease (AD), but the underlying mechanisms have been insufficiently investigated. We hypothesized differential DNA methylation (DNAm) in brain tissue as potential mediator of this association.

METHODS

We assessed genome-wide DNAm (Illumina EPIC BeadChips) in prefrontal cortex tissue and three AD-related neuropathological markers (Braak stage, CERAD, ABC score) for 159 donors, and estimated donors’ residential traffic-related PM2.5exposure 1, 3 and 5 years prior to death. We used a combination of the Meet-in-the-Middle approach, high-dimensional mediation analysis, and causal mediation analysis to identify potential mediating CpGs.

RESULTS

PM2.5was significantly associated with differential DNAm at cg25433380 and cg10495669. Twenty-six CpG sites were identified as mediators of the association between PM2.5exposure and neuropathology markers, several located in genes related to neuroinflammation.

DISCUSSION

Our findings suggest differential DNAm related to neuroinflammation mediates the association between traffic-related PM2.5and AD.
Currency change and capital structure decisions: evidence from the birth of the Euro area
Authors: Botta Marco
Published: June 2023

Purpose

The paper investigates if the process that led to the birth of the Euro Area had a significant impact in homogenizing the capital structure decisions of European firms since the first introduction of the common currency.

Design/methodology/approach

A large sample of firms was constructed, and a Tobit-censored regression model was utilized to investigate the determinants of firms' observed capital structures. The Black–Scholes–Merton model was used to infer market values of assets, as well as the volatility of those values, from the observed market values of equity and the corresponding volatility. The existing differences in national tax rules were considered for estimating firm-specific marginal tax rates.

Findings

It was found that, despite the currency union and the institutional harmonization process, certain factors still play a different role. In particular, the impact of profitability is consistent with the pecking order view in some countries, and with the trade-off theory in others. Assets risk, measured as the annualized volatility of the market enterprise value, is the best predictor of observed leverage ratios. The sector of activity is significant in determining leverage decisions even when assets' risk is taken into account. Despite the monetary union and the increased financial and institutional integration in the Euro Area, the country of origin still plays a significant role in capital structure decisions, suggesting that other country-level factors may affect firms' financing behaviour.

Practical implications

The paper indicates that, despite the long harmonization process of institutions, regulations and public budget required to join the Euro, firms' financing decisions are still affected by country-specific factors once the common currency is introduced. Therefore, new entrant countries in the Euro area should not expect their companies to immediately conform with those located in other countries within the common currency area.

Originality/value

This article investigated the impact of the currency change from national currencies to the Euro on the determinants of capital structure choices. It was shown that, despite the long harmonization process that led to the birth of the Euro Area, national factors still affect firms' financing decisions. This provides guidance for policymakers in countries that are planning to join the Euro about the impact this will have on firms' financing decisions in the entrant country.
Making the invisible, visible: older lesbian, gay and bisexual victim-survivors’ “lived experiences” of domestic abuse
Authors: Wydall Sarah , Zerk Rebecca , Freeman Elize
Published: June 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the use of coproduction to create a film “Do You See Me?”, to amplify the voices of a “hard to reach” group: older lesbian, gay, bisexual (LGB) victim-survivors of domestic abuse (DA).

Design/methodology/approach

Qualitative methods were used as part of the co-production, which included two practitioner focus groups and 14 narrative interviews with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning persons or the community (LGBTQ+) victim-survivors.

Findings

Despite differences in gender, sexualities, roles and “lived experiences” across stakeholders, there was a shared aim to ensure victim-survivors had a sense of ownership in this endeavour. Consequently, a positive reciprocity existed that helped to foster effective communication, allow for capacity building and subsequent knowledge exchange. The collaboration produced a nuanced meta-narrative making visible the “lived experiences” of LGB victim-survivors’ perceptions of perpetrator behaviours.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this paper is original in two ways, firstly, providing insights into the “lived experiences” of an invisible group; older LGBTQ+ victim-survivors, and secondly, in involving them in the co-production of a film. The paper aims to reveal how interdependencies that developed between stakeholders helped to disrupt understandings, develop new ways of knowing and build levels of trust. Group interactions helped to dismantle hierarchies, so those with experiential knowledge: the survivors, had greater control throughout the research process. The paper is significant in providing a critical reflection on the ethical, methodological and resource challenges involved in co-production. It also makes recommendations for researchers and funders about the value of using co-production as a method to engage with hard-to-reach groups.
Independent directors’ attributes and related party transactions in Malaysia: evidence from an individual perspective
Authors: Abd Majid Nurshahirah , Rahmat Mohd Mohid , Ahmed Kamran
Published: June 2023

Purpose

This study aims to examine the ability of independent directors to discipline related-party transactions (RPTs) among listed companies in Malaysia. Firms typically appoint independent directors individually, not as a group. However, board members are commonly viewed collectively as a group, and evidence of the abilities of individual directors is scarce.

Design/methodology/approach

The attributes of individual independent directors include accounting literacy, length of service, audit committee membership and active participation in board and audit committee meetings. The unit of analysis is the individual independent director. The final sample consists of 1,552 observations in 2017, and RPTs are categorized as either efficient or conflicting.

Findings

The study finds that the tenure of individual independent directors and active participation in board meetings affect the firm’s engagement in RPTs. However, the financial literacy, audit committee membership and attendance of independent directors at audit committee meetings do not affect the firm’s engagement in RPTs, either efficient or conflicting. Overall, this result offers limited support for the upper-echelon theory concerning the attributes of individual independent directors and RPTs.

Research limitations/implications

This study uses cross-sectional observations for 2017, which predates the COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, this study ignores the impact of restrictions in community mobility during the pandemic on the independent director’s ability to monitor the corporation. This circumstance may have implications for practice and merit further research.

Practical implications

The findings provide information for board nominating committees, regulators and policymakers that the capability of individual independent directors to fulfill their responsibilities is limited. The firm’s nominating committee must be very selective in nominating and appointing independent directors with appropriate competencies. Investors should choose companies that have reappointed the same independent directors for an extended period, as they may benefit from the experience in protecting investors’ interests.

Originality/value

This paper contributes novel evidence to upper-echelon theory literature on the association between independent directors and RPT types from the perspective of individual independent directors.
Introduction: smart tourism: what developments and issues are important to the Baltic States?
Authors: Garanti Zanete , Zvaigzne Anda , Berjozkina Galina
Published: June 2023

Purpose

Provides an overview of the article collection in this theme issue that explores the concept of “smart tourism” and in particular, developments and issues that are important for the Baltic States.

Design/methodology/approach

The article applies a thematic approach to exploring the factors affecting the development of smart tourism, as well as the challenges and opportunities facing the Baltic region. Overall, the collection reviews the literature, provides an analysis of data and a survey of experts, including tourism service providers. This combines with the practical solutions given in the articles.

Findings

The findings and conclusions of this theme issue focus on the factors affecting the development of smart tourism and smart villages, digitalization and innovation opportunities in the Baltic regions, and it provides an insight on the current situation in the smart tourism industry, the possibilities for using digital technologies, and the practical applications.

Originality/value

This theme issue explores the factors influencing and challenges facing smart tourism in the Baltic region, given that all the stakeholders actively want more sustainable and balanced tourism, as well as opportunities to develop innovative, technologically advanced solutions to the development of smart tourism.
Analyzing the impact of artificial intelligence on employee productivity: the mediating effect of knowledge sharing and well‐being
Authors: Shaikh Fatima , Afshan Gul , Anwar Rana Salman , Abbas Zuhair , Chana Khalil Ahmed
Published: June 2023

Following social cognitive theory, the current study investigated the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on employees' productivity in the healthcare sector. AI significantly facilitates the management of hospitals to vigilantly assess employees’ productivity and accurately analyze employees' characteristics, such as attitude, emotion and behavior. With the underlying mechanism of employee mental health and well‐being, and knowledge sharing, the study has considered beneficial and harmful perspectives of AI in the workplace. The study also hypothesizes the important moderating role of technological leadership. The data was collected from 184 doctors in Pakistan's major hospitals. Partial least squares (PLS) results support a direct relationship between AI and employee productivity. The findings also supported the underlying mechanism of knowledge sharing and mental health and well‐being in the relationship between AI and employee productivity. However, the technological leadership moderating effect was found to be insignificant. It opens an important avenue for this further research and future directions.
Response to Singh et al. 2023: It is premature for a unified hypothesis of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy: A great amount of research is still needed to understand the multisystem cascade
Authors: Faingold Carl L. , Feng Hua‐Jun
Published: June 2023

In response to the comments by Singh and colleagues about our recent paper proposing a unified hypothesis of SUDEP, we definitely agree that more research is needed. This research should include studies in other models, including Dravet mice, emphasized by Singh et al. However, we strongly believe the hypothesis is timely, because it is based on the continuing progress on SUDEP‐related research on serotonin (5‐HT) and adenosine as well as neuroanatomical findings.We propose testing of 5‐HT enhancing drugs, neurotoxicity blocking drugs, such as N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate (NMDA) antagonists and periaqueductal gray (PAG) electrical stimulation for SUDEP prevention. There are FDA‐approved drugs that enhance the action of 5‐HT, including fluoxetine and fenfluramine, which is approved for Dravet syndrome. NMDA antagonists, including memantine and ketamine, are also approved for other disorders. PAG electrical stimulation, which is proposed to activate a suffocation alarm, is also approved to treat other conditions and is known to enhance respiration. Experiments using these methods are currently being carried out in animal studies. If these approaches are validated in SUDEP models, treatments could be evaluated relatively quickly in patients with epilepsy (PWE) who exhibit a biomarker for high SUDEP risk, such as peri‐ictal respiratory abnormalities. An example of such a study is the ongoing clinical trial of a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor in PWE. Although, gene‐based therapies may ultimately become treatments of choice to prevent SUDEP, as Singh et al suggested, one or more of the approaches we proposed could become temporizing treatments before gene‐based therapies can be available. Establishing genetic treatments would require extensive time for each of the genetic abnormalities associated with SUDEP, and too many PWE are likely to die in the meantime.The temporizing treatments may help to reduce the incidence of SUDEP sooner, which is urgently needed.
Diabetes, prediabetes, and atrial fibrillation—A population‐based cohort study based on national and regional registers
Authors: Johansson Cecilia , Örtendahl Lina , Lind Marcus M. , Andersson Jonas , Johansson Lars , Brunström Mattias
Published: June 2023

Background

Previous studies have shown an increased risk for atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter (AF) in people with type 2 diabetes and prediabetes. It is unclear whether this increase in AF risk is independent of other risk factors for AF.

Objective

To investigate the association between diabetes and different prediabetic states, as independent risk factors for the onset of AF.

Methods

We performed a population‐based cohort study in Northern Sweden, including data on fasting plasma glucose, oral glucose tolerance test, major cardiovascular risk factors, medical history, and lifestyle factors. Participants were divided into six groups depending on glycemic status and followed through national registers for AF diagnosis. Cox proportional hazard model was used to assess the association between glycemic status and AF, using normoglycemia as reference.

Results

The cohort consisted of 88,889 participants who underwent a total of 139,661 health examinations. In the model adjusted for age and sex, there was a significant association between glycemic status and development of AF in all groups except the impaired glucose tolerance group, with the strongest association for the group with known diabetes (p‐value <0.001). In a model adjusted for sex, age, systolic blood pressure, body mass index, antihypertensive drugs, cholesterol, alcohol, smoking, education level, marital status, and physical activity, there was no significant association between glycemic status and AF.

Conclusions/interpretation

The association between glycemic status and AF disappears upon adjustment for potential confounders. Diabetes and prediabetes do not appear to be independent risk factors for AF.
Between fearmongers and Samaritans: Does information provision affect attitudes towards the right of asylum in Germany?
Authors: Hayo Bernd , Neumeier Florian
Published: June 2023

We utilise data from a self‐designed survey that includes information experiments to elicit the German public's attitude towards the right of asylum. The survey was carried out in 2018. We randomly assign 2048 interviewees to different groups and ‘treat’ each group with different information about the asylum seekers that came to Germany in 2015 and 2016. Treatments involve information about (i) the total number of asylum seekers, (ii) the fiscal costs and (iii) potential long‐term benefits associated with accepting refugees, (iv) the share of Muslim asylum seekers and (v) the share of war refugees. Providing information about the fiscal costs associated with accepting refugees, and, to a lesser extent, about the share of Muslim refugees, significantly increases the likelihood of opposing the right of asylum. These effects are more pronounced for middle‐income earners, respondents with a low level of education and female respondents. Deviations of people's beliefs from the actual numbers can affect their attitudes: Respondents who underestimated the share of Muslim refugees are more likely to call for abolishing the right of asylum.
Calving date as a potential predictor for the probability of approval in the first breeding soundness evaluation of Nellore bulls
Authors: Diaz‐Miranda Edgar Andres , Penitente‐Filho Jurandy Mauro , Gomez‐Leon Victor Enrique , Lopez Camilo Jose Ramirez , Villadiego Faider Alberto Castaño , Okano Denise Silva , Neto Tamires Miranda , Guimarães Simone Facioni , Siqueira Jeanne Broch , Guimarães José Domingos
Published: June 2023

Beef production systems primarily use natural service (NS) for breeding. However, a significant number of bulls used for NS are subfertile, limiting the profitability of the cow‐calf operations. Therefore, producers should select bulls based on breeding soundness evolutions (BSE) to ensure higher pregnancy rates. Several factors can affect the bull ability to pass a BSE. We hypothesize that calving date would be a factor that affects the bull probability of approval at the first BSE. For this purpose, a multivariate logistic regression in a dataset of 14,737 BSEs from young Nellore bulls was used. Correlations between calving date, biometrics, and semen traits were evaluated using Pearson's correlation coefficient. Our results demonstrated that the calving date affected the probability of approval at the first BSE (p < .05). Indeed, the variable that added more information to our model was the calving date, far more than the age group of the bulls according to Akaike's information criterion. Hence, bulls born on day 0 of the calving season have 1.26 more chances to be approved at the first BSE than bulls born 21 days later. This result highlights the importance of getting the dams of future bulls pregnant as soon as possible in the breeding season. In addition, the calving season should be no longer than 47 days to achieve 80% BSE approval in 20–22 months old Nellore bulls. The strongest correlation was with SC, which decreased as the calving date increased. Therefore, the calving date may be used as a predictor of the outcome of the first BSE in young bulls. In that way, the calving date can help seedstock producers to maximize efficiency in making crucial management decisions during the breeding and calving season including nutrition, reproductive, and culling.
Being Zen: Pelevin, Buddha, and the Void
Authors: Lee Daniel Taehun
Published: June 2023

Victor Pelevin, whose rise to popularity coincided with the fall of the Soviet Union, critiques the notion of national identity via the prism of Zen Buddhism. Pelevin embraces the religion’s idea of the volatile self and undertakes the project of spiritually empowering the Russians, by exposing the futility of constructing any national identity. With linguistic, cultural, and historical cross‐references between Japan and Russia, the author creates a dialogical hybridity that exemplifies the Zen Buddhist concept of non‐duality in which the self becomes inseparable from the other. This article analyzes four of Pelevin’s novels—Chapaev and Pustota, The Life of Insects, Secret Views of Mount Fuji, and iPhuck 10—and examines how the author incorporates the Zen Buddhist notion of emptiness to reinterpret Russian identity in a spiritually restorative way.
Top-Ranked Higher Education Institutions: An Investigation of the Sport Management Academic Discipline
Authors: Mayer Kurt C. , Morse Alan L. , Padhye Yash
Published: June 2023

The current exploratory study determined the prevalence of the sport management academic degree being offered in top-ranked institutions as based on U.S. News & World Report rankings. A focus on the differences of bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees being offered, or not offered, was placed on national universities and liberal arts colleges because of the prevalence of these institution types and their educational settings. Additionally, the study aimed to determine if relevant indicators predicted a sport management degree being offered at a top-ranked national university and liberal arts college. Results indicated significant differences, with sport management degrees being offered at a higher frequency in national universities than liberal arts colleges. However, the sport management degree was largely not offered by the majority of top-ranked institutions. Notably, ranking, enrollment, and public/private institutional status did not predict sport management degree offerings at a liberal arts college. However, a national university had an increased likelihood of offering a sport management degree as enrollment increased and ranking increased (i.e., moved closer to 150). Altogether, the project highlighted that while the sport management academic discipline has certainly grown since its inception, growth has not really occurred at top-ranked higher education institutions, especially liberal arts colleges.
No evidence of supracrustal recycling in Si-O isotopes of Earth’s oldest rocks 4 Ga ago
Authors: Zhang Qing , Zhao Lei , Zhou Dawn , Nutman Allen P. , Mitchell Ross N. , Liu Yu , Li Qiu-Li , Yu Hui-Min , Fan Billy , Spencer Christopher J. , Li Xian-Hua
Published: June 2023

Identifying the oldest evidence for the recycling of hydrated crust into magma on Earth is important because it is most effectively achieved by subduction. However, given the sparse geological record of early Earth, the timing of first supracrustal recycling is controversial. Silicon and oxygen isotopes have been used as indicators of crustal evolution on Archean igneous rocks and minerals to trace supracrustal recycling but with variable results. We present Si-O isotopes of Earth’s oldest rocks [4.0 billion years ago (Ga)] from the Acasta Gneiss Complex, northwest Canada, obtained using multiple techniques applied to zircon, quartz, and whole rock samples. Undisturbed zircon is considered the most reliable recorder of primary Si signatures. By combining reliable Si isotope data from the Acasta samples with filtered data from Archean rocks globally, we observe that widespread evidence for a heavy Si signature is recorded since 3.8 Ga, marking the earliest record of surface silicon recycling.
Integrating lipid metabolism, pheromone production and perception by Fruitless and Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 4
Authors: Sun Jie , Liu Wen-Kan , Ellsworth Calder , Sun Qian , Pan Yufeng , Huang Yi-Chun , Deng Wu-Min
Published: June 2023

Sexual attraction and perception are crucial for mating and reproductive success. In
Drosophila melanogaster
, the male-specific isoform of Fruitless (Fru), Fru
M
, is a known master neuro-regulator of innate courtship behavior to control the perception of sex pheromones in sensory neurons. Here, we show that the non–sex-specific Fru isoform (Fru
COM
) is necessary for pheromone biosynthesis in hepatocyte-like oenocytes for sexual attraction. Loss of Fru
COM
in oenocytes resulted in adults with reduced levels of cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs), including sex pheromones, and show altered sexual attraction and reduced cuticular hydrophobicity. We further identify
Hepatocyte nuclear factor 4
(
Hnf4
) as a key target of Fru
COM
in directing fatty acid conversion to hydrocarbons.
Fru
or
Hnf4
depletion in oenocytes disrupts lipid homeostasis, resulting in a sex-dimorphic CHC profile that differs from
doublesex-
and
transformer-
dependent CHC dimorphism. Thus, Fru couples pheromone perception and production in separate organs to regulate chemosensory communications and ensure efficient mating behavior.
Familial α-synucleinopathy spectrum features in patients with psychiatric REM sleep behaviour disorder
Authors: Wang Jing , Lam Siu Ping , Huang Bei , Liu Yaping , Zhang Jihui , Yu Mandy W M , Tsang Jessie C C , Zhou Li , Chau Steven W H , Chan Ngan Yin , Chan Joey W Y , Schenck Carlos H , Li Shirley X , Mok Vincent C T , Ma Karen Ka Yan , Chan Anne Yin Yan , Wing Yun Kwok
Published: June 2023

Background

Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behaviour disorder (RBD) is one of the earliest and most specific prodromes of the α-synucleinopathies including Parkinson’s disease (PD). It remains uncertain whether RBD occurring in the context of psychiatric disorders (psy-RBD), although very common, is merely a benign epiphenomenon of antidepressant treatment, or whether it harbours an underlying α-synucleinopathy. We hypothesised that patients with psy-RBD demonstrate a familial predisposition to an α-synucleinopathy.

Methods

In this case–control-family study, a combination of family history and family study method was used to measure the α-synucleinopathy spectrum features, which included RBD, neurodegenerative prodromal markers and clinical diagnoses of neurodegenerative disorders. We compared the risk of α-synucleinopathy spectrum features in the first-degree relatives (FDRs) of patients with psy-RBD, psychiatric controls and healthy controls.

Results

There was an increase of α-synucleinopathy spectrum features in the psy-RBD-FDRs, including possible and provisional RBD (adjusted HR (aHR)=2.02 and 6.05, respectively), definite RBD (adjusted OR=11.53) and REM-related phasic electromyographic activities, prodromal markers including depression (aHR=4.74) and probable subtle parkinsonism, risk of prodromal PD and clinical diagnosis of PD/dementia (aHR=5.50), as compared with healthy-control-FDRs. When compared with psychiatric-control-FDRs, psy-RBD-FDRs consistently presented with a higher risk for the diagnosis and electromyographic features of RBD, diagnosis of PD/dementia (aHR=3.91) and risk of prodromal PD. In contrast, psychiatric controls only presented with a familial aggregation of depression.

Conclusion

Patients with psy-RBD are familially predisposed to α-synucleinopathy. The occurrence of RBD with major depression may signify a subtype of major depressive disorders with underlying α-synucleinopathy neurodegeneration.

Trial registration number

NCT03595475.
Total Flavonoids of Astragalus Inhibit Activated CD4+ T Cells and Regulate Differentiation of Th17/Th1/Treg Cells in Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis Mice by JAK/STAT and NFκB Signaling Pathways
Authors: Han Xin-Yan , Xu Nuo , Yuan Jin-Feng , Wu Hui , Shi Hai-Lian , Yang Liu , Wu Xiao-Jun
Published: June 2023

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neuroinflammatory disease characterized by CD4[Formula: see text] T cell-mediated immune cell infiltration and demyelination in the central nervous system (CNS). The subtypes of CD4[Formula: see text] T cells are T helper cells 1 (Th1), Th2, Th17, and regulatory T cells (Treg), while three other types of cells besides Th2 play a key role in MS and its classic animal model, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). Tregs are responsible for immunosuppression, while pathogenic Th1 and Th17 cells cause autoimmune-associated demyelination. Therefore, suppressing Th1 and Th17 cell differentiation and increasing the percentage of Treg cells may contribute to the treatment of EAE/MS. Astragali Radix (AR) is a representative medicine with immunoregulatory, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, and neuroprotective effects.The active ingredients in AR include astragalus flavones, polysaccharides, and saponins. In this study, it was found that the total flavonoids of Astragus (TFA) could effectively treat EAE in mice by ameliorating EAE motor disorders, reducing inflammatory damage and demyelination, inhibiting the proportion of Th17 and Th1 cells, and promoting Tregs differentiation by regulating the JAK/STAT and NF[Formula: see text]B signaling pathways. This novel finding may increase the possibility of using AR or TFA as a drug with immunomodulatory effects for the treatment of autoimmune diseases.
Entropy product function and central charges in NUT geometry
Authors: Pradhan Parthapratim
Published: June 2023

We define an entropy product function (EPF) for Taub–Newman–Unti–Tamburino (TNUT) black hole (BH) following the prescription suggested by Wu et al. [Phys. Rev. D 100, 101501(R) (2019)]. The prescription argues that a generic four-dimensional TNUT space–time might be expressed in terms of three or four different types of thermodynamic hairs. They can be defined as the Komar mass ([Formula: see text]), the angular momentum ([Formula: see text]), the gravitomagnetic charge ([Formula: see text]), the dual (magnetic) mass [Formula: see text]. Taking this prescription and using the EPF, we derive the central charges of dual conformal field theory (CFT) via Cardy’s formula. Remarkably, we find that for TNUT BH there exists a relation between the central charges and EPF as [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] is EPF and [Formula: see text] is one of the integer-valued charges i.e. the NUT charges ([Formula: see text]) or any new conserved charges ([Formula: see text]). We reverify these results by calculating the exact values of different thermodynamic parameters. We define the EPF [Formula: see text] from the first law of thermodynamics of both horizons. Moreover, we write the first laws of both the horizons for left-moving and right-moving sectors. Introducing the Bézout’s identity, we show that for TNUT BH one can generate more holographic descriptions described by a pair of integers [Formula: see text]. More holographic pictures have a great significance towards understanding the holographic nature of quantum gravity. Furthermore, using the EPF we derive the central charges for Reissner–Nordström–NUT (RNNUT) BH, Kerr–Taub–NUT (KNUT) BH and Kerr–Newman–NUT (KNNUT) BH. Finally we prove that they are equal in both sectors provided that the EPF is mass-independent (or universal).
Energy optimization of aluminum alloys on engine oil-based nanofluid flow
Authors: Sarfraz Mahnoor , Khan Masood , Mehmood Sabba , Ahmed Awais , Anjum Asia
Published: June 2023

The growing demand for energy calls for efficient utilization of natural energy resources in developing useful work. Thermodynamic irreversibility deals with the disorderliness in any system. This work investigates the energy optimization of a cylinder experiencing stretching and rotation immersed with aluminum alloys (AA7072-AA7075) in engine oil-based nanofluid. The Maxwell nanofluid model is employed to check the thermophysical properties of nanofluids. Heat transfer occurred at the cylinder’s surface by considering the constant and prescribed temperature. Forced convection is due to a stretchable rotating boundary, while natural convection is owing to a thermal gradient in the system. The dimensionless ordinary differential equations are obtained by using the appropriate ansatz and solved numerically through the bvp4c technique. A comparison profile of constant wall temperature and prescribed surface temperature shows that entropy generation and Bejan number are reduced for the former and increased for the latter, while thermal transport exhibits an opposite behavior. The axial and azimuthal wall stress parameters diminished due to an increment in Reynolds number. The heat transport rate is comparatively higher for AA7075/Engine oil than AA7072/Engine oil.
Shot noise in strained WSe2 multiple barrier structure under spin–orbit interaction
Authors: Sattari Farhad , Mirershadi Soghra
Published: June 2023

The Rashba spin–orbit coupling (RSOC) effect on the polarization and shot noise properties in a strained WSe2 multiple barrier structure is studied by transfer-matrix technique. The results indicate that the spin-dependent Fano factor depends on the strain and RSOC strength with oscillatory evolution. Thus, the value of Fano factor with spin rotation can be tuned mechanically and by an external electric field. Also, Fano factor shows high sensitivity to the number of electrostatic barriers in strained WSe2 multiple barrier structure. Meanwhile, in a strained WSe2 multiple barrier structure both sign and value of the valley and spin polarizations could be adjusted by tuning both RSOC and strain strength. These findings show that a WSe2 multiple barrier structure under strain and RSOC can be useful for future spintronics, straintronic and valleytronic devices.
S-wave resonance states below the Ps(n=2) threshold in positron-potassium system: Effects of weakly coupled classical plasma and dense quantum plasma
Authors: Masanta Nirvik , Ghoshal Arijit , Ho Yew Kam
Published: June 2023

In this paper, the effects of plasmas on the S-wave resonance states in the positron-potassium system are investigated. Two different plasma conditions are considered, namely weakly coupled classical plasma (WCCP) and dense quantum plasma (DQP). The effective interaction potential in WCCP and DQP has been described by the Debye–Hückel model (static screened Coulomb potential) and a modified version of Debye–Hückel model (exponential cosine screened potential). Resonance parameters are determined by calculating the energy-density within the framework of the stabilization method. For the plasma-free case, three states, lying below the Ps[Formula: see text] threshold, are identified. The energy and the width agree well with the existing results in the literature. A detailed study is carried out to explore the changes emerging in the resonance parameters due to screening effects of WCCP and DQP. It is found that the energies of the three states are gradually pushed toward the Ps[Formula: see text] threshold due to the increasing plasma screening strength, whereas widths of the states vary differently.
Is there Room on the Broom for a Crip? Disabled Women as Experts in Disaster Planning
Authors: Harrington Elizabeth , Bell Karen , McEwen Lindsey , Everett Glyn
Published: June 2023

Climate change-related extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and severe, requiring urgent action to effectively plan for them. While disabled women are one group likely to be disproportionately and negatively affected by disasters, they are often not included in disaster planning. This commentary paper utilizes McRuer’s Crip Theory as a lens to explore this topic, where the strength of disabled women’s capacity to positively contribute to effective disaster planning becomes evident. Their lived understandings of negotiating often unacknowledged barriers can act as useful tools to assuage the impacts of disasters. Their experiences are recognized under the rubric of crip theory as neither deviant nor “other”, but as capabilities worthy of mainstreaming. Disaster situations that may be seen as chaotic to those accustomed to services and environments that closely match their requirements, could be perceived as both familiar and resolvable to a disabled woman. In this way, disabled women can utilize their everyday problem-solving skills to help tackle these impacts, viewing them as circumstances to be methodically navigated and overcome. Enabling disabled women room at the planning table is neither luxury nor bonus, but essential. Participatory inclusion and successful planning for disabled individuals benefits a much larger swathe of society than initially anticipated, as illustrated in this paper by international examples of best practice. We all profit from more inclusive planning to create more accessible and inclusive communities.
A Review on Sentiment Analysis in Reinforcement Learning Model for Stock Market Analysis
Authors: Soon Phaik Ching , Tan Tien-Ping , Chan Huah Yong , Gan Keng Hoon
Published: June 2023

Sentiment analysis is a natural language processing approach that is widely implemented for many natural language processing applications such as translation, chatbots, and more. In this paper, news sentiment analysis in the stock market was reviewed. Stock market sentiment fluctuates because of events such as the reporting of quarterly financial report, macroeconomic data, government policy, etc. Traders use sentiment analysis to predict stock prices and trends. In recent years, sentiment analysis has been embedded into reinforcement learning for building an algorithmic trading system. This paper is a review paper to analyze and summarize sentiment analysis in reinforcement learning models. Specifically, the paper reviews the data, features, and approaches used in sentiment analysis. To identify the relevant journals and articles, a methodology is applied to review the sentiment analysis in the stock market. These studies are categorized according to their general similarities, differences, limitations, and field to be investigated further. Finally, the last section is the conclusion, which provides the direction for future study.
An Interdisciplinary Survey on Information Flows in Supply Chains
Authors: Pennekamp Jan , Matzutt Roman , Klinkmüller Christopher , Bader Lennart , Serror Martin , Wagner Eric , Malik Sidra , Spiß Maria , Rahn Jessica , Gürpinar Tan , Vlad Eduard , Leemans Sander J. J. , Kanhere Salil S. , Stich Volker , Wehrle Klaus
Published: June 2023

Supply chains form the backbone of modern economies and therefore require reliable information flows. In practice, however, supply chains face severe technical challenges, especially regarding security and privacy. In this work, we consolidate studies from supply chain management, information systems, and computer science from 2010–2021 in an interdisciplinary meta-survey to make this topic holistically accessible to interdisciplinary research. In particular, we identify a significant potential for computer scientists to remedy technical challenges and improve the robustness of information flows. We subsequently present a concise information flow-focused taxonomy for supply chains before discussing future research directions to provide possible entry points.
Editorial Overview of ACM BuildSys 2022 Extended Papers
Authors: Gunay Burak , Pan Shijia
Published: June 2023

The 9th annual ACM BuildSys Conference was hosted on November 9--10, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. Through a double-blind review process, the technical program committee (TPC) recommended 34 for acceptance from a total of 105 submissions.
Analyzing the Impact of Decarbonizing Residential Heating on the Electric Distribution Grid
Authors: Wamburu John , Bashir Noman , Irwin David , Shenoy Prashant
Published: June 2023

Heating buildings using fossil fuels such as natural gas, propane and oil makes up a significant proportion of the aggregate carbon emissions every year. Because of this, there is a strong interest in decarbonizing residential heating systems using new technologies such as electric heat pumps. In this paper, we conduct a data-driven optimization study to analyze the potential of replacing gas heating with electric heat pumps to reduce CO
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emission in a city-wide distribution grid. We conduct an in-depth analysis of gas consumption in the city and the resulting carbon emissions. We then present a flexible multi-objective optimization (MOO) framework that optimizes carbon emission reduction while also maximizing other aspects of the energy transition such as carbon-efficiency, and minimizing energy inefficiency in buildings. Our results show that replacing gas with electric heat pumps has the potential to cut carbon emissions by up to 81%. We also show that optimizing for other aspects such as carbon-efficiency and energy inefficiency introduces tradeoffs with carbon emission reduction that must be considered during transition. Finally, we present a detailed analysis of the implication of proposed transition strategies on the household energy consumption and utility bills, electric grid upgrades, and decarbonization policies. We compute the additional energy demand from electric heat pumps at the household as well as the transformer level and discuss how our results can inform decarbonization policies at city scale.
High Prevalence and Genetic Heterogeneity of Genotype 3 Hepatitis E Virus in Wild Boar in Umbria, Central Italy
Authors: Beikpour Farzad , Borghi Monica , Scoccia Eleonora , Vicenza Teresa , Valiani Andrea , Di Pasquale Simona , Bozza Silvia , Camilloni Barbara , Cozzi Loredana , Macellari Piero , Martella Vito , Suffredini Elisabetta , Farneti Silvana
Published: June 2023

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is an important human pathogen and, in developed countries, most human infections are due to a zoonotic cycle, mainly maintained by domestic and wild suids. In European countries several genotype 3 strains have been found to circulate in human population and animal reservoirs, with human infections being related mostly to pork or wild boar meat consumption. In this study, we surveyed HEV circulation in wild boar in Umbria (Italy) during the 2021–2022 hunting seasons, using a stratified sampling. Liver samples were tested for HEV presence by real-time RT-qPCR. Positive samples were characterized by nested RT-PCR followed by sequencing of partial region of the capsid gene. Overall, 78 out of 179 wild boar liver samples tested positive to HEV (43.6%), with viral load ranging between 1.47 and 7.35 log genome copies/g (median 3.20 log). Variations, although not statistically significant, were observed considering geographical, age, weight, and gender factors, in terms of either prevalence or viral load. In particular, in animals younger than 1 year of age, the viral load was 2 log higher (median viral load of 5.50 log genome copies/g of liver tissue) than in older age groups. Sequence analysis characterized the 41 obtained sequences into genotype 3 subtype 3c (n = 4), 3f (n = 11), and 3e (n = 1), while 13 sequences clustered with two genotype 3 genomes (GenBank MF959764 and MK390971) still unassigned to subtypes. Additional, 12 sequences did not cluster with any known subtype or unassigned genome and on phylogenetic analysis segregated into two distinct groups of eight and four sequences, respectively. Interestingly, some wild boar sequences of subtype 3f were intermingled with sequences of HEV strains previously identified in human patients in Central Italy. Sharing of molecular data for HEV in animals is pivotal to decipher the intricate ecology of HEV.
A Radiative Chemical Process for the Methylene Blue Degradation by Natural Convective Nanofluid Flow over an Upright Cone
Authors: Ragulkumar E. , Vinoth Kumar J. , Abirami N. , Sambath P. , Viswanathan K. K.
Published: June 2023

An upstraight cone with nonisothermal surface velocity, temperature, and concentration was investigated using a numerical solution approach to simulate MHD, MB dye, and various nanofluid flows. Numerical evaluation of the flow field equation was carried out using an excellent finite difference method after it has been converted into a dimensionless form. Different heat transfer occurrences were observed depending on temperature, velocity, and concentration when using several types of nanofluids (TiO, Ag, Cu, and

A
l

2

O

3

Z

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). The amount of MB dye that was degraded by the synthesized nanofluids under the influence of sunlight irradiation was 81.40 percent as a catalyst (carbon nanodots). The parametric analysis of various features of flow fields has been shown using graphs. It was observed that heat is generated from the cone during the sun light irradiation reaction, heat is transferred to MB dye containing nanofluids, and heat interacts with nanofluids and is involved in the chemical reaction with the assistance of electrons. As MB dye degrades in the absence of catalysts (carbon nanodots), it is only 52 percent effective. MB dye is degraded at 81.40 percent, then becomes stable, and takes 120 minutes to degrade in nanofluids containing MB dye with catalysts (carbon nanodots).