bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis of Indian Foreign Exchange Markets: A Multifractal Detrended Fluctuation Analysis (MFDFA) Approach
Authors: Datta Radhika Prosad
Published: May 2024

The objectives of this paper are to analyse the presence of multifractality in daily exchange rates of the US dollar (USD), British Pound (GBP), Euro (EUR), and Japanese Yen (JPY) relative to the Indian Rupee (INR) for a specific period (1999–2018) and to investigate the source of the observed multifractality in these exchange rates. The research examines the multifractal spectra of logarithmic returns (daily price changes) for the four currencies. To investigate the origins of this multifractality, we conduct two transformations on the return series: (a) random shuffling of the original time series of logarithmic returns which disrupts any long-range correlations within the data. And (b) application of phase randomisation on the unaltered series which aims to preserve frequency information while altering timing-related characteristics of the data. We then look at the impact of these transformations on the multifractality. Our findings indicate that all four exchange rates exhibit multifractal characteristics in their return series. The source of multifractality differs between currencies: The USD is primarily driven by the “fat tail” of the distribution (extreme fluctuations). For the GBP and EUR, a combination of long-range correlations and fat tails contributed to multifractality. The JPY is mainly influenced by the broad tail of the distribution (more frequent but smaller fluctuations). These results have implications for policymakers and market participants. Based on these findings, policymakers should consider the specific characteristics of each currency when designing risk management strategies or regulatory interventions.
HMMED: A Multimodal Model with Separate Head and Payload Processing for Malicious Encrypted Traffic Detection
Authors: Xiao Peng , Yan Ying , Hu Jian , Zhang Zhenhong
Published: May 2024

Malicious encrypted traffic detection is a critical component of network security management. Previous detection methods can be categorized into two classes as follows: one is to use the feature engineering method to construct traffic features for classification and the other is to use the end-to-end method that directly inputs the original traffic to obtain traffic features for classification. Both of the abovementioned two methods have the problem that the obtained features cannot fully characterize the traffic. To this end, this paper proposes a hierarchical multimodal deep learning model (HMMED) for malicious encrypted traffic detection. This model adopts the abovementioned two feature generation methods to learn the features of payload and header, respectively, then fuses the features to get the final traffic features, and finally inputs the final traffic features into the softmax classifier for classification. In addition, since traditional deep learning is highly dependent on the training set size and data distribution, resulting in a model that is not very generalizable and difficult to adapt to unseen encrypted traffic, the model proposed in this paper uses a large amount of unlabeled encrypted traffic in the pretraining layer to pretrain a submodel used to obtain a generic packet payload representation. The test results on the USTC-TFC2016 dataset show that the proposed model can effectively solve the problem of insufficient feature extraction of traditional detection methods and improve the ACC of malicious encrypted traffic detection.
Supplementary Figure 4 from LYVE-1–expressing Macrophages Modulate the Hyaluronan-containing Extracellular Matrix in the Mammary Stroma and Contribute to Mammary Tumor Growth
Authors: Elfstrum Alexis K. , Rumahorbo Annisa H. , Reese Lyndsay E. , Nelson Emma V. , McCluskey Braedan M. , Schwertfeger Kathryn L.
Published: May 2024

Figure S4 depicts representative flow cytometry gating for EO771 tumors
Results from the Delivery of a Community Health Worker Training to Advance Competencies in Cancer Genomics
Authors: Allen Caitlin G. , Hatch Ashley , Hill Elizabeth , Qanungo Suparna , Ford Marvella , Price Sarah Tucker , Umemba LaQuisha
Published: May 2024

Introduction: Less than half of eligible Black women are assessed for genetic risk and only 28% engage in recommended HBOC risk-reducing interventions. CHWs are trusted members of the community that work as a liaison between health systems and the community to improve access to services and support cancer prevention efforts, though they are an overlooked to support genetic risk assessment. To address the need and training gaps for CHWs we developed and assessed an online training program called KEEP IT (Keeping Each other Engaged Program via IT).
Methods: The curriculum and modules were developed through engaging a panel of experts in a three-round Delphi process. The process led to creation of 10 modules for the training. Recruitment focused on CHWs who worked in clinical settings or groups providing outreach or health services to Black women. Measures of the training were guided by the RE-AIM framework to evaluate the course and its effectiveness.
Results: 46 individuals expressed interest in the training after recruitment. 38 individuals were eligible for the training and 26 completed the course. We found improvements in knowledge and genomics competencies immediately post-course, but the majority of these improvements were not sustained at three-months follow up. The training was highly rated for its relevance to CHW work and overall delivery. Top rated sessions included Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer and Family History and Family History Collection. On average, participants reported discussing HBOC with 17 individuals at three-months follow-up.
Discussion: Championing a diverse cancer and genomics workforce can help address the goals of the National Cancer Plan to improve early detection and health equity. Through this training, CHWs gained critical cancer and genomics knowledge that was then applied to their primary roles.
Sim, o gaúcho era gay
Authors: Weimer Rodrigo de Azevedo
Published: May 2024

Book review: KOCH, Jandiro Adriano. O gaúcho era gay? Mas bah! (1737-1939). Porto Alegre: MAR Edições, 2023.
Introduction
Authors: Mutran Munira H. , Izarra Laura P.Z.
Published: May 2024

Editor’s introduction.
Elgar and Shaw
Authors: Weintraub Stanley
Published: May 2024

Edward Elgar, who would become the major British composer of his time, had read Shaw's "Corno di Bassetto" music columns in the London press in 1888-89, before Shaw had heard a note of Elgar's early music. "He was a musical critic and a good one," said Elgar later. After Shaw's critic days were over, in 1900, he heard the " Enigma Variations" (1897) and the new "Dream of Gerontius." He would become a friend, enthusiast and patron of Elgar, spurring on his creativity - an essential task, as Elgar was diffident and self-critical to the point of tearing up much of what he composed. Shaw opened him up with wit and praise and entrée to a new cultural landscape, Elgar began a lifetime of going to Shaw's plays, which were therapy for him. The relationship was good, too, for Shaw, as Elgar, a social and political conservative, helped make Shaw less extreme. This paper proves that the relationship evoked the best in both men's works.
Up Close: Asian University for Women
Authors: Ahmad Kamal
Published: May 2024

At a time when equalizing measures like affirmative action are being challenged, a women's university is uplifting the most neglected and defenseless populations in Bangladesh. Yet the Asian University for Women (AUW) faces additional challenges in providing excellent higher education. This essay discusses how AUW also confronts mounting pernicious state control of education by transforming state-university relationships, and how, despite resurfacing nationalism and parochialism, it advocates for regional collaboration in its student body. In a conflict-ridden world, it marshals political, financial, and diplomatic prowess to provide a liberating pathway to those marooned in conflict. While fostering equality through its undergraduate and graduate programs, AUW has raised an age-old question concerning a university's function in an unjust, violence-prone, and divided world. Its answer: the best institutions embrace disadvantaged members of society through education aimed at emancipating those under the yoke of oppression.
Global Education without Walls: A Multidisciplinary Investigation of University Learning in Online Environments across Disciplines
Authors: Zlatkin-Troitschanskaia Olga
Published: May 2024

Increasingly, students use the internet for self-directed learning in higher education, requiring them to develop skills to determine which information is reliable and accurate. Although the need to understand, evaluate, and promote such skills is crucial, little is known about the students’ search for and use of online sources (and the key influences of those sources) in higher education. Current research indicates both that students need specific skills to successfully engage and learn with online materials, and that university practitioners need to rethink their curricula and instructional approaches for online teaching in the age of ChatGPT and other AI-supported tools. Interdisciplinary theoretical and empirical methods can help us gain a deeper understanding of how students develop the various skills required for successful online learning, and how we can support them across domains.
Single-pulse Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Affects Working-memory Performance via Posterior Beta-band Oscillations
Authors: Fulvio Jacqueline M. , Haegens Saskia , Postle Bradley R.
Published: May 2024

A single pulse of TMS (spTMS) during the delay period of a double serial retrocuing working-memory task can briefly rescue decodability of an unprioritized memory item (UMI). This physiological phenomenon, which is paralleled in behavior by involuntary retrieval of the UMI, is carried by the beta frequency band, implicating beta-band dynamics in priority coding in working memory. We decomposed EEG data from 12 participants performing double serial retrocuing with concurrent delivery of spTMS using Spatially distributed PhAse Coupling Extraction. This procedure decomposes the scalp-level signal into a set of discrete coupled oscillators, each with a component strength that can vary over time. The decomposition revealed a diversity of low-frequency components, a subset of them strengthening with the onset of the task, and the majority declining in strength across the trial, as well as within each delay period. Results with spTMS revealed no evidence that it works by activating previously “silent” sources; instead, it had the effect of modulating ongoing activity, specifically by exaggerating the within-delay decrease in strength of posterior beta components. Furthermore, the magnitude of the effect of spTMS on the loading strength of a posterior beta component correlated with the disruptive effect of spTMS on performance, a pattern also seen when analyses were restricted to trials with “UMI-lure” memory probes. Rather than reflecting the “activation” of a putatively “activity silent” UMI, these results implicate beta-band dynamics in a mechanism that distinguishes prioritized from unprioritized, and suggest that the effect of spTMS is to disrupt this code.
Neural and Physiological Correlates of Prosocial Behavior: Temporoparietal Junction Activity in 3-year-old Children
Authors: Yamamoto Eriko , Hirokawa Masakazu , Nunez Eleuda , Hakuno Yoko , Sekine Kazuki , Miyahara Saeka , Suzuki Kenji , Minagawa Yasuyo
Published: May 2024

Although the development of prosocial behavior has been widely studied from the behavioral aspect, the neural mechanisms underlying prosocial behavior in the early stages of development remain unclear. Therefore, this study investigated the neural mechanisms underlying the emergence of prosocial behavior in 3-year-old children. Brain activity in the medial pFC and right TPJ (rTPJ) and facial expression activity, which are related to the ability to infer others' mental states (mentalizing), during the observation of prosocial and antisocial scenes were measured using functional near-infrared spectroscopy and electromyography, respectively. Subsequently, the children's helping and comforting behaviors toward an experimenter were assessed to examine prosocial behavioral tendencies. A correlation analysis revealed that the children who showed stronger activity levels in the rTPJ while observing prosocial scenes had more immediate helping behaviors toward others than those who did not show stronger response levels. Moreover, the amount of facial expression activity correlated with prosocial behavior, including both helping and comforting behaviors. These results suggest that the development of mentalizing ability and the social evaluation of others' actions, mediated by the rTPJ, contribute to the emergence of prosocial behavior.
Statistical Complexity Analysis of Neurovascular Coupling with Cognitive Stimulation in Healthy Participants
Authors: Rojas-Pescio Héctor , Beishon Lucy , Panerai Ronney , Chacón Max
Published: May 2024

Neurovascular coupling (NVC) is the tight relationship between changes in cerebral blood flow and neural activation. NVC can be evaluated non-invasively using transcranial Doppler ultrasound (TCD)-measured changes in brain activation (cerebral blood velocity [CBv]) using different cognitive tasks and stimuli. This study used a novel approach to analyzing CBv changes occurring in response to 20 tasks from the Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination III in 40 healthy individuals. The novel approach compared various information entropy families (permutation, Tsallis, and Rényi entropy) and statistical complexity measures based on disequilibrium. Using this approach, we found the majority of the attention, visuospatial, and memory tasks from the Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination III that showed lower statistical complexity values when compared with the resting state. On the entropy-complexity (HC) plane, a receiver operating characteristic curve was used to distinguish between baseline and cognitive tasks using the area under the curve. Best area under the curve values were 0.91 ± 0.04, p = .001, to distinguish between resting and cognitively active states. Our findings show that brain hemodynamic signals captured with TCD can be used to distinguish between resting state (baseline) and cognitive effort (stimulation paradigms) using entropy and statistical complexity as an alternative method to traditional techniques such as coherent averaging of CBv signals. Further work should directly compare these analysis methods to identify the optimal method for analyzing TCD-measured changes in NVC.
Noise Reduction for Solar-Induced Fluorescence Retrievals Using Machine Learning and Principal Component Analysis: Simulations and Applications to GOME-2 Satellite Retrievals
Authors: Joiner Joanna , Yoshida Yasuko , Guanter Luis , Lamsal Lok , Li Can , Fasnacht Zachary , Köhler Philipp , Frankenberg Christian , Sun Ying , Parazoo Nicholas
Published: May 2024

We use a spectral-based approach that employs principal component analysis along with a relatively shallow artificial neural network (NN) to substantially reduce noise and other artifacts in terrestrial chlorophyll solar-induced fluorescence (SIF) retrievals. SIF is a very small emission at red and far-red wavelengths that is difficult to measure and is highly sensitive to random errors and systematic artifacts. Our approach relies upon an assumption that a trained NN can effectively reconstruct the total SIF signal from a relatively small number of leading principal components of the satellite-observed far-red radiance spectra without using information from the trailing modes that contain most of the random errors. We test the approach with simulated reflectance spectra produced with a full atmospheric and surface radiative transfer model using different observing and geophysical parameters and various noise levels. The resulting noisy and noise-reduced retrieved SIF values are compared with true values to assess performance. We then apply our noise reduction approach to SIF derived from two different satellite spectrometers. For evaluation, since the truth in this case is unknown, we compare SIF retrievals from two independent sensors with each other. We also compare the noise-reduced SIF temporal variations with those from an independent gross primary product (GPP) product that should display similar variations. Results show that our noise reduction approach improves the capture of SIF seasonal and interannual variability. Our approach should be applicable to many noisy data products derived from spectral measurements. Our methodology does not replace the original retrieval algorithms; rather, the original noisy retrievals are needed as the target for the NN training process.

Significance Statement

The purpose of this study is to document and demonstrate a machine learning algorithm that is used to effectively reduce noise and artifacts in a satellite data product, solar-induced fluorescence (SIF) from chlorophyll. This is important because SIF retrievals are typically noisy, and the noise limits their ability to be used for diagnosing plant health and productivity. Our results show substantial improvement in SIF retrievals that may lead to new applications. Our approach can be similarly applied to other noisy satellite data products.
The impact of adverse childhood experience and trauma-informed practice training for police in two regions in the United Kingdom
Authors: Quigg Zara , Wilson Charley , McCoy Ellie , Butler Nadia
Published: May 2024

Implementation of trauma-informed policing is developing at pace; however, evidence of impact is limited. This study examines the impact of trauma-informed practice (TIP) training (trainees, n = 358) across two police forces in England. 316 trainees completed a pre- and post-training survey measuring attitudes/knowledge relating to TIPs (229 matched for paired analyses). Compared to pre-training, post-training participants were significantly more likely to agree with statements relating to trauma-informed knowledge/attitudes (effect sizes: medium-large). The study suggests positive impacts of training. Further evaluation is required to determine wider impacts for police forces and partners, those encountering the criminal justice system, and the wider community.
Speeding Up Renewable Energy Integration with Invisible Hands: Ancillary Service Market and the COVID-19 Natural Experiment
Authors: Li Haoyang , Song Feng , Xia Fang
Published: May 2024

Sustaining a high-renewable electricity generation portfolio has proved to be difficult due to grid flexibility constraints. We utilize the abrupt decline in electricity demand due to the COVID-19 lockdown in China as a policy experiment to study the role of ancillary service markets (ASMs) in promoting intermittent renewable energy integration. Our results reveal that provinces with ASMs sustained a significantly higher generation of intermittent renewable energy during the COVID-19 demand shock, which amounts to 9.7 percent of average monthly intermittent renewable energy generation during the shock. A back-of-envelope analysis further shows that annual carbon emission offset from establishing ASMs in all provinces of China could amount to 13 to 17 percent of annual carbon emissions from Britain in the near future when renewable energy penetration continues to go up.

JEL Classification: Q20, Q42, Q53, O13
“I Am Not Taking Sides as a Female At All”: Co-Facilitation and Gendered Positioning in a Domestic Abuse Perpetrator Program
Authors: Cramer Helen , Eisenstadt Nathan , Päivinen Helena , Iwi Kate , Newman Chris , Morgan Karen
Published: May 2024

The facilitation of domestic abuse perpetrator programs (DAPPs) by mixed gender co-facilitation pairs brings different facilitator perspectives and enables the modeling of egalitarian and respectful male-female relationships. This study analyzed 22 video and audio recordings of community-based DAPP groups featuring male participants, and male and female facilitators. Using thematic analysis, we aimed to understand how facilitators engaged participants and whether the facilitator’s gender affected this. We found an asymmetry in the positioning of the facilitators. Group participants challenged both facilitators, but especially the female facilitators. Facilitator strategies toward behavior change included softening direct challenges (female facilitators) and mobilizing the shared category of men (male facilitators). Implications from this study are for reflective practice in facilitator management and supervision specifically focused on gendered power dynamics. Skilled facilitation is key to behavior change and the gendered interplay within groups may be a crucial element in the reduction of interpersonal violence and abuse.
Development of cellulose-based films containing salicylic acid for wound dressing applications: Fabrication, properties and in vitro assessment
Authors: Ahmad Sohaimy Mohd Ibnu Haikal , Ismail Muhammad Amir Amzar , Ahmad Khiar Azwani Sofia , Mhd Sarbon Norizah , Md Salim Nora Salina , Yahya Hanis Nadia , Mohamad Isa Mohd Ikmar Nizam
Published: May 2024

A wound dressing is important to ensure an efficient healing process while protecting the wound area. This research study combined 2-hydroxyethyl cellulose (2HEC)—an etherified cellulose derivative with salicylic acid (SA) to develop a single layer and investigate the 2HEC viability as wound dressing material. Nine different samples with different compositions of SA, from 5 wt.% to 40 wt.% (with an interval of 5 wt.%) and one control sample without adding SA were prepared via the solution casting method. The 2HEC-SA films were studied regarding the effects of SA composition on antimicrobial properties ( Staphylococcus aureus) via the well-diffusion method. Additionally, degradability, mechanical properties, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) of 2HEC-SA films have also been tested. The strongest antimicrobial effect of 2HEC-SA film was obtained at 40 wt.% with a 16 mm inhibition zone diameter. There was a noticeable decreasing weight loss pattern in the degradation test and the tensile strength of 2HEC-SA film when the composition of salicylic acid is increased. 2HEC-SA film changes phases from amorphous to crystalline starting at 25 wt.% of salicylic acid as seen through XRD, while FTIR shows that complexation of 2HEC and salicylic acid occurred at 1050 cm−1.
An iterative interval estimation approach to nonlinear discrete-time systems
Authors: Zhang Tu , Zhang Guobao , Huang Yongming
Published: May 2024

This paper is devoted to the iterative interval estimation for nonlinear discrete-time systems. To reconstruct the system state, a sequence of iterative observers is established based on the iterative disturbance estimation and measured output. By means of the Lipschitz condition and [Formula: see text] technique, sufficient conditions are built by the Lyapunov function method to make observation errors convergent. Resorting to the zonotope-based reachability analysis, the reachable set of nonlinear terms and observation errors are analyzed such that the state interval can be supplied. The presented approach is validated by a simulation comparison.
Comparing the Effectiveness of Solution-Focused Brief Therapy for Adolescent Outcomes in Schools Between the U.S. and East Asian Studies: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Park In Young , Kim Johnny , Franklin Cynthia , Zhang Anao , Guz Samantha , Shinohara Tatsuji , Yu Mansoo , Cho Yong Ju , Hai Audrey Hang
Published: May 2024

Solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT) can be a culturally adaptive school-based intervention for youth. Despite the evidence that supports the practical use of SFBT with various populations, its effectiveness particularly among East Asian American (EAA) youth outcomes in school settings requires further study. For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched U.S. and East Asian studies (e.g., Chinese, Korean, and Japanese) published from 1995 to 2022 and compared the treatment effects of SFBT on youth outcomes. This study looked at results from 110 studies from the U.S., Chinese, and Korean literatures and revealed stronger treatment effects of SFBT in Chinese and Korean studies compared with U.S. studies. The moderation effects of country showed that the overall treatment effect size was greater among Korean studies compared with U.S. studies. Implications for the use of SFBT among EAA youth are discussed.
Development of School Counselors’ Evaluator Identity: An Investigation of the Factors Contributing to Program Evaluation Engagement
Authors: Beasley Jordon J.
Published: May 2024

Given the ever-evolving role of school counselors and increasing demands placed on them in today’s sociopolitical climate, proficiency in program evaluation is more important than ever as school counselors advocate for their role and for comprehensive school counseling program delivery in schools. This article presents a reexamination of the purpose and importance of program evaluation and the development of an evaluator identity. This quantitative study investigated which factors contribute to school counselors’ identity as a program evaluator using self-report survey data on levels of self-efficacy, confidence, perceived importance of program evaluation, and interest in program evaluation. It also assessed the overall significance of each factor for engaging in program evaluation behaviors, as operationalized through data-based decision-making practices. Results include a predictive model that displays the contribution and significance of these factors on school counselor program evaluation and related data-based decision-making behaviors.
Promoting Students’ Mental Wellness: Implementing Mindfulness-Based Interventions Within Multitiered Systems of Support
Authors: Saunders Rachel , Cogburn Bethani , Nguyen Nhat
Published: May 2024

The pandemic has exacerbated student dysregulation, leading to drastic changes in academic achievement and student behavior today. Mindfulness, an evidence-based practice, can help to regulate the nervous system (Rashedi et al., 2020; Taylor et al., 2019) or “unflip a student’s lid” (Siegel, 2012, p. 10-6). This allows students to manage their behavior and shift their focus to learning. In this article, we discuss the rise of concerns regarding students’ mental health, the relationship between the nervous system and student behavior and mental health, and how mindfulness and movement are connected to the body. We also review research on mindfulness-based interventions and how school counselors can effectively implement such interventions within multitiered systems of support (MTSS) with fidelity and feasibility.
Patients with a cardiac complete response in AL amyloidosis have survival rates similar to those of a matched general population
Authors: Muchtar Eli , Geyer Susan , Merlini Giampaolo , Gertz Morie A.
Published: May 2024

The survival of patients achieving a cardiac complete response in light chain amyloidosis, defined as N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide ≤350 pg/mL or B-type natriuretic peptide ≤80 pg/mL, was similar to that of a matched general population, with estimated 5-year survival rates of 93% and 95%, respectively.
Inhibition of OGG1 ameliorates pulmonary fibrosis via preventing M2 macrophage polarization and activating PINK1-mediated mitophagy
Authors: Wu Wenjuan , Jia Hongxia , Chen Song , Ma Xinran , Zhou Shuai , Qiu Lingxiao , Wu Xinhui , Li Ping , Chu Heying , Zhang Guojun
Published: May 2024

Background

8-Oxoguanine DNA glycosylase (OGG1), a well-known DNA repair enzyme, has been demonstrated to promote lung fibrosis, while the specific regulatory mechanism of OGG1 during pulmonary fibrosis remains unclarified.

Methods

A bleomycin (BLM)-induced mouse pulmonary fibrosis model was established, and TH5487 (the small molecule OGG1 inhibitor) and Mitochondrial division inhibitor 1 (Mdivi-1) were used for administration. Histopathological injury of the lung tissues was assessed. The profibrotic factors and oxidative stress-related factors were examined using the commercial kits. Western blot was used to examine protein expression and immunofluorescence analysis was conducted to assess macrophages polarization and autophagy. The conditional medium from M2 macrophages was harvested and added to HFL-1 cells for culture to simulate the immune microenvironment around fibroblasts during pulmonary fibrosis. Subsequently, the loss- and gain-of function experiments were conducted to further confirm the molecular mechanism of OGG1/PINK1.

Results

In BLM-induced pulmonary fibrosis, OGG1 was upregulated while PINK1/Parkin was downregulated. Macrophages were activated and polarized to M2 phenotype. TH5487 administration effectively mitigated pulmonary fibrosis, M2 macrophage polarization, oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction while promoted PINK1/Parkin-mediated mitophagy in lung tissues of BLM-induced mice, which was partly hindered by Mdivi-1. PINK1 overexpression restricted M2 macrophages-induced oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction and mitophagy inactivation in lung fibroblast cells, and OGG1 knockdown could promote PINK1/Parkin expression and alleviate M2 macrophages-induced mitochondrial dysfunction in HFL-1 cells.

Conclusion

OGG1 inhibition protects against pulmonary fibrosis, which is partly via activating PINK1/Parkin-mediated mitophagy and retarding M2 macrophage polarization, providing a therapeutic target for pulmonary fibrosis.
Effect of a juggling-based physical activity on postural stability, reaction time, and attention focus in older adults: a randomized crossover study
Authors: Malik Jakub , Główka Natalia , Jelonek Wojciech , Stemplewski Rafał , Maciaszek Janusz
Published: May 2024

Background

In the aging society, more attention is paid to the promotion of forms of physical activity that can improve postural stability and cognitive functioning. In this context, the importance of combined exercises, requiring simultaneous physical and cognitive involvement, is emphasized. Juggling seems to be a form of activity that is both cognitively and physically demanding. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of additional juggling exercise on postural stability and cognitive abilities in healthy, physically active older adults.

Methods

Twenty-six healthy and physically active older adults (70.08±4.40 years old) were included in a randomized crossover study. The addition of juggling three times a week during four weeks was the main intervention (one period), while the control phase included four weeks with no addition of juggling (second period). Measurements of postural stability and cognitive abilities were performed before and after each period. For the purpose of postural stability assessment, a velocity of center of pressure with root mean square, area 95 percentile, medio-lateral and anterior-posterior range of motion were measured. Center of pressure signals were obtained using an AccuGait™ System force plate in three conditions: free standing, dual-task and limits of stability. The Vienna Test System was used for the assessment of selected cognitive abilities. A battery of reaction time tests and Cognitrone test were used for this purpose.

Results

A significant interaction effect of intervention and time was observed in the postural stability dual-task condition in the root mean square of the center of pressure velocity in the advantage of the juggling period (medio-lateral:F=14.83, p<.01, ƞp2=.37;anterior-posterior:F=26.30, p<.01, ƞp2=.51). Additionally, moderate effect sizes were observed in the velocity of the center of pressure and variability of simple reaction time measurements, but without statistical significance.

Conclusions

The results of this study indicate that the implementation of juggling activity in everyday life may have positive effects on cognitive abilities and postural stability in healthy, physically active older adults, but the true effect may be low to moderate.

Trial registration

The study was registered retrospectively (30.10.2023) at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT06108713).
Inventory of aqueous and sediment-associated organic pollutants released by the 2021 flood in the Vicht–Inde catchment, Germany
Authors: Bellanova Piero , Schwarzbauer Jan , Reicherter Klaus
Published: May 2024

Background

The European flood that occurred between July 13th and 16th 2021, was a natural disaster that caused significant damage in Central European countries, including Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg. This disaster resulted in the highest number of fatalities from a natural disaster in Germany during the twenty-first century, with over 180 people losing their lives and causing damages exceeding 30 bn€. The flood caused severe destruction in small mountainous river systems such as the Vicht and Inde rivers, particularly in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia. In addition, the flood caused a significant release of pollutants, including old burdens from the former mining area of Stolberg.

Results

To assess the extent of pollution caused by the flood in the affected floodplains and urban areas, this study was conducted to inventorize organic contaminants identified through a non-target screening in water and sediment samples taken immediately after the disastrous flood event. In total, 56 individual contaminants were identified from the water samples, including substances derived from urban effluents, such as personal care products, cosmetics, odors, technical additives, pharmaceuticals and surfactants. The analysis of sediment samples revealed different types of environmentally hazardous contaminants, such as petrogenics, urban effluent and wastewater indicators, chlorinated industrial compounds, and pesticides. This diverse range of pollutants and their broad dispersion across various environments in the catchment is attributed to the dynamic nature of the flood.

Conclusion

The inventory of identified organic contaminants raises long-term environmental concerns and potential health implications for the flood-affected Vicht–Inde region.
Genetics of flight in spongy moths (Lymantria dispar ssp.): functionally integrated profiling of a complex invasive trait
Authors: Blackburn Gwylim S. , Keeling Christopher I. , Prunier Julien , Keena Melody A. , Béliveau Catherine , Hamelin Richard , Havill Nathan P. , Hebert Francois Olivier , Levesque Roger C. , Cusson Michel , Porth Ilga
Published: May 2024

Background

Flight can drastically enhance dispersal capacity and is a key trait defining the potential of exotic insect species to spread and invade new habitats. The phytophagous European spongy moths (ESM,Lymantria dispar dispar) and Asian spongy moths (ASM; a multi–species group represented here byL. d. asiatica and L. d. japonica), are globally invasive species that vary in adult female flight capability—female ASM are typically flight capable, whereas female ESM are typically flightless. Genetic markers of flight capability would supply a powerful tool for flight profiling of these species at any intercepted life stage. To assess the functional complexity of spongy moth flight and to identify potential markers of flight capability, we used multiple genetic approaches aimed at capturing complementary signals of putative flight–relevant genetic divergence between ESM and ASM: reduced representation genome–wide association studies, whole genome sequence comparisons, and developmental transcriptomics. We then judged the candidacy of flight–associated genes through functional analyses aimed at addressing the proximate demands of flight and salient features of the ecological context of spongy moth flight evolution.

Results

Candidate gene sets were typically non–overlapping across different genetic approaches, with only nine gene annotations shared between any pair of approaches. We detected an array of flight–relevant functional themes across gene sets that collectively suggest divergence in flight capability between European and Asian spongy moth lineages has coincided with evolutionary differentiation in multiple aspects of flight development, execution, and surrounding life history. Overall, our results indicate that spongy moth flight evolution has shaped or been influenced by a large and functionally broad network of traits.

Conclusions

Our study identified a suite of flight–associated genes in spongy moths suited to exploration of the genetic architecture and evolution of flight, or validation for flight profiling purposes. This work illustrates how complementary genetic approaches combined with phenotypically targeted functional analyses can help to characterize genetically complex traits.
Genome-wide identification and expression analysis of the SPL transcription factor family and its response to abiotic stress in Pisum sativum L
Authors: Li Long , Xu Jian bo , Zhu Zhi wen , Ma Rui , Wu Xiao zong , Geng Yu ke
Published: May 2024

Squamous promoter binding protein-like (SPL) genes encode plant-specific transcription factors (TFs) that play essential roles in modulating plant growth, development, and stress response. Pea (Pisum sativum L.) is a coarse grain crop of great importance in food production, biodiversity conservation and molecular genetic research, providing genetic information and nutritional resources for improving agricultural production and promoting human health. However, only limited researches on the structure and functions of SPL genes exist in pea (PsSPLs). In this study, we identified 22 PsSPLs and conducted a genome-wide analysis of their physical characteristics, chromosome distribution, gene structure, phylogenetic evolution and gene expression patterns. As a result, the PsSPLs were unevenly distributed on the seven chromosomes of pea and harbored the SBP domain, which is composed of approximately 76 amino acid residues. The phylogenetic analysis revealed that the PsSPLs clustered into eight subfamilies and showed high homology with SPL genes in soybean. Further analysis showed the presence of segmental duplications in the PsSPLs. The expression patterns of 22 PsSPLs at different tissues, developmental stages and under various stimulus conditions were evaluated by qRT-PCR method. It was found that the expression patterns of PsSPLs from the same subfamily were similar in different tissues, the transcripts of most PsSPLs reached the maximum peak value at 14 days after anthesis in the pod. Abiotic stresses can cause significantly up-regulated PsSPL19 expression with spatiotemporal specificity, in addition, four plant hormones can cause the up-regulated expression of most PsSPLs including PsSPL19 in a time-dependent manner. Therefore, PsSPL19 could be a key candidate gene for signal transduction during pea growth and development, pod formation, abiotic stress and plant hormone response. Our findings should provide insights for the elucidating of development regulation mechanism and breeding for resistance to abiotic stress pea.
MIR396-GRF/GIF enhances in planta shoot regeneration of Dendrobium catenatum
Authors: Yang Zhenyu , Zhao Meili , Zhang Xiaojie , Gu Lili , Li Jian , Ming Feng , Wang Meina , Wang Zhicai
Published: May 2024

Recent studies on co-transformation of the growth regulator, TaGRF4-GIF1 chimera (Growth Regulating Factor 4-GRF Interacting Factor 1), in cultivated wheat varieties (Triticum aestivum), showed improved regeneration efficiency, marking a significant breakthrough. Here, a simple and reproducible protocol using the GRF4-GIF1 chimera was established and tested in the medicinal orchid Dendrobium catenatum, a monocot orchid species. TaGRF4-GIF1 from T. aestivum and DcGRF4-GIF1 from D. catenatum were reconstructed, with the chimeras significantly enhancing the regeneration efficiency of D. catenatum through in planta transformation. Further, mutating the microRNA396 (miR396) target sites in TaGRF4 and DcGRF4 improved regeneration efficiency. The target mimicry version of miR396 (MIM396) not only boosted shoot regeneration but also enhanced plant growth. Our methods revealed a powerful tool for the enhanced regeneration and genetic transformation of D. catenatum.
Evolutionary origin and gradual accumulation with plant evolution of the LACS family
Authors: Zhou Siyuan , Wu Xiao , Yuan Yubo , Qiao Xin , Wang Zewen , Wu Mayan , Qi Kaijie , Xie Zhihua , Yin Hao , Zhang Shaoling
Published: May 2024

Background

LACS (long-chain acyl-CoA synthetase) genes are widespread in organisms and have multiple functions in plants, especially in lipid metabolism. However, the origin and evolutionary dynamics of the LACS gene family remain largely unknown.

Results

Here, we identified 1785 LACS genes in the genomes of 166 diverse plant species and identified the clades (I, II, III, IV, V, VI) of six clades for the LACS gene family of green plants through phylogenetic analysis. Based on the evolutionary history of plant lineages, we found differences in the origins of different clades, with Clade IV originating from chlorophytes and representing the origin of LACS genes in green plants. The structural characteristics of different clades indicate that clade IV is relatively independent, while the relationships between clades (I, II, III) and clades (V, VI) are closer. Dispersed duplication (DSD) and transposed duplication (TRD) are the main forces driving the evolution of plant LACS genes. Network clustering analysis further grouped all LACS genes into six main clusters, with genes within each cluster showing significant co-linearity. Ka/Ks results suggest that LACS family genes underwent purifying selection during evolution. We analyzed the phylogenetic relationships and characteristics of six clades of the LACS gene family to explain the origin, evolutionary history, and phylogenetic relationships of different clades and proposed a hypothetical evolutionary model for the LACS family of genes in plants.

Conclusions

Our research provides genome-wide insights into the evolutionary history of the LACS gene family in green plants. These insights lay an important foundation for comprehensive functional characterization in future research.
Volatile compositions and glandular trichomes of Zataria multiflora in different phenological stages under normal and drought stress conditions
Authors: Abbasi Shahrbanoo , Houshmand Sadollah , Ahmadi Tayebeh
Published: May 2024

Background

Zataria multiflora Boiss. is a medicinal and aromatic plant from the Lamiaceae family. It is extensively used in Iranian traditional medicine, mostly as a replacement for Thyme species. This study was focused on the analysis of chemical composition and the distribution and types of trichomes of Z. multiflora grown under different conditions. Equilibrium headspace analysis in combination with GC-FID-MS was used to identify volatile compounds released by aerial parts of Z. multiflora in development stages of 50 and 100% flowering under normal and drought-stress conditions.

Results

The main constituents were p-cymene (20.06–27.40%), γ-terpinene (12.44–16.93%), and α-pinene (6.91–16.58%) and thymol (8.52–9.99%). The highest content of p-cymene (27.40%) and thymol (9.99%) was observed in the 50% flowering stage at the 90% field capacity, while the maximum γ-terpinene (16.93%) content was recorded in the 100% flowering stage under normal conditions. Using the SEM method, it was found that peltate glandular and non-glandular trichomes are distributed on the surface of the leaf, stem, and outer side of the calyx. However, capitate trichomes only are detected on the stem and calyx in the 100% flowering and beginning of blooming stages, respectively. The type and structure of trichomes do not vary in different development stages, but they differ in density. The highest number of leaf peltate glandular trichomes was observed in the vegetative and beginning of blooming stages at 50% and 90% field capacity, respectively. Non-glandular trichomes of the stem were observed with high density in both normal and stress conditions, which are more densely in 90% field capacity.

Conclusions

Since this plant has strong potential to be used in the food and pharmacological industries, this study provides valuable information for its cultivation and harvesting at specific phenological stages, depending on desired compounds and their concentrations.
The risk profiles of pregnancy-related cerebral venous thrombosis: a retrospective study in a comprehensive hospital
Authors: Wang Shaoying , Yao Ming , Hu Nan , Liu Juntao , Peng Bin
Published: May 2024

Objectives

To investigate the risk factors and underlying causes of pregnancy-related cerebral venous thrombosis (PCVT).

Methods

A retrospective cohort of 16 patients diagnosed with CVT during pregnancy and postpartum (within six weeks after delivery) in a comprehensive hospital in China between 2009 and 2022 were carefully reviewed, focusing on demographic, clinical, and etiological characteristics, especially underlying causes. We matched 16 PCVT patients with 64 pregnant and puerperal women without PCVT to explore risk factors and clinical susceptibility to PCVT.

Results

PCVT occurred commonly during the first trimester (43.75%) and the puerperium (37.5%). The frequency of anemia, thrombocytosis and thrombocytopenia during pregnancy, dehydration, and pre-pregnancy anemia was significantly higher in women with PCVT than in those without PCVT (P < 0.05). Among the 16 patients, five were diagnosed with antiphospholipid syndrome and one was diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus. Three patients had distinct protein S deficiency and one had protein C deficiency. Whole Exome Sequencing (WES) was performed for five patients and revealed likely pathogenic mutations associated with CVT, including heterozygous PROC c.1218G > A (p. Met406Ile), heterozygous PROS1 c.301C > T (p. Arg101Cys), composite heterozygous mutation in the F8 gene (c.144-1259C > T; c.6724G > A (p. Val2242Met)) and homozygous MTHFR c.677C > T (p. Ala222Val).

Conclusions

The occurrence of anemia, thrombocytopenia and thrombocytosis during pregnancy, dehydration and pre-pregnancy anemia suggested a greater susceptibility to PCVT. For confirmed PCVT patients, autoimmune diseases, hereditary thrombophilia, and hematological disorders were common causes. Screening for potential etiologies should be paid more attention, as it has implications for treatment and long-term management.