bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Binuclear Gadolinium Complex by One‐Pot Method: Structure and Magnetic Property
Authors: Hua Lin , He Zhi‐Yong , Geng Feng , Li Yan , Wang Long , Zhu Xiang‐Jun , Li Guo‐Fang , Duan Xian‐Ying , Zhang Hui‐Qing , Chen Hai‐Tao , Zheng Fu‐Wei
Published: July 2024

Two binuclear Gadolinium(III) (Gd) complex [Gd2(L1)2(H2L3)2(NO3)2] (1) and [Gd2(L2)2(H2L3)2(NO3)2] (2) were obtained by using 2‐hydroxybenzaldehyde or 2‐hydroxy‐1‐naphthaldehyde, 2‐aminophenol, pyridin‐2‐ylmethanamine and Gd(NO3)3 ⋅ 6H2O in CH3CN (H2L1=(E)‐2‐((2‐hydroxybenzylidene)amino)phenol, H2L2=(E)‐1‐(((2‐hydroxyphenyl)imino)methyl)naphthalen‐2‐ol, H2L3=pyridin‐2‐ylmethanamine). Structural analysis suggests that all the ligands as protective units protect the central Gd(III) ions at the periphery. Magnetization studies exhibited magnetocaloric effect of 14.45 J ⋅ kg−1 ⋅ K−1 at 4 K under ΔH=7 T for complex 1 and 12.69 J ⋅ kg−1 ⋅ K−1 at 2 K under ΔH=7 T for complex 2. In complexes 1 and 2, although the coordination configurations are the same, the significant difference in MCE may be due to the adjustments of the peripheral ligands leading to changes in the coordination field strength. The electron affinity of the ligands can impact the interaction between the ligands and Gd(III) ions.
Jettiness formulation of the MiNNLOPS method
Authors: Ebert Markus , Rottoli Luca , Wiesemann Marius , Zanderighi Giulia , Zanoli Silvia
Published: July 2024

Abstract

We present a new formulation of the MiNNLOPS method to match NNLO QCD calculations with parton showers by using jettiness as a resummation variable. The full derivation for colour-singlet processes is presented using 0-jettiness starting from the NNLL′ resummation formula. We show phenomenological results for Drell-Yan and Higgs-boson production at the LHC and compare our predictions to ATLAS and CMS data. Differences to the original MiNNLOPS formulation using the transverse momentum of the colour singlet as resummation variable are discussed. We further present a comparison of MiNNLOPS predictions with Geneva. Finally, we extend the formulation of the MiNNLOPS method to 1-jettiness which is applicable to processes with a colour singlet plus one jet in the final state.
Photon propagator for inflation in the general covariant gauge
Authors: Domazet Silvije , Glavan Dražen , Prokopec Tomislav
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Photon propagator for power-law inflation is considered in the general covariant gauges within the canonical quantization formalism. Photon mode functions in covariant gauges are considerably more complicated than their scalar counterparts, except for the special choice of the gauge-fixing parameter we call the simple covariant gauge. We explicitly construct the position space photon propagator in the simple covariant gauge, and find the result considerably more complicated than its scalar counterpart. This is because of the need for explicitly inverting the Laplace operator acting on the scalar propagator, which results in Appell’s fourth function. Our propagator correctly reproduces the de Sitter and flat space limits. We use this propagator to compute two simple observables: the off-coincident field strength-field strength correlator and the energy-momentum tensor, both of which yield consistent results. As a spinoff of our computation we also give the exact expression for the Coulomb gauge propagator in power-law inflation in arbitrary dimensions.
An effective cosmological collider
Authors: Craig Nathaniel , Kumar Soubhik , McCune Amara
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Effective field theories (EFTs) of heavy particles coupled to the inflaton are rife with operator redundancies, frequently obscured by sensitivity to both boundary terms and field redefinitions. We initiate a systematic study of these redundancies by establishing a minimal operator basis for an archetypal example, the abelian gauge-Higgs-inflaton EFT. Working up to dimension 9, we show that certain low-dimensional operators are entirely redundant and identify new non-redundant operators with potentially interesting cosmological collider signals. Our methods generalize straightforwardly to other EFTs of heavy particles coupled to the inflaton.
Dimensionally reducing generalized symmetries from (3+1)-dimensions
Authors: Nardoni Emily , Sacchi Matteo , Sela Orr , Zafrir Gabi , Zheng Yunqin
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Recently there has been an increasing interest in the study of generalized symmetries in dimensions higher than two. This has lead to the discovery of various manifestations of generalized symmetries, notably higher-group and non-invertible symmetries, in four dimensions. In this paper we shall examine what happens to this structure when the 4d theory is compactified to lower dimensions, specifically to 3d and 2d, where we shall be mainly interested in generalized symmetry structures whose origin can be linked to mixed flavor-gauge anomalies. We discuss several aspects of the compactification, and in particular argue that under certain conditions the discussed generalized symmetry structure may trivialize in the infrared. Nevertheless, we show that even when this happens the presence of the 4d generalized symmetry structure may still leave an imprint on the low-energy theory in terms of additional ’t Hooft anomalies or by breaking part of the symmetry. We apply and illustrate this using known examples of compactifications from four dimensions, particularly, the reduction of 4d $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 1 U(Nc) SQCD on a circle to 3d and on a sphere to 2d.
Renormalization of Higher Currents of the Sine-Gordon Model in pAQFT
Authors: Zanello Fabrizio
Published: July 2024

In this paper, we show that the higher currents of the sine-Gordon model are super-renormalizable by power counting in the framework of pAQFT. First we obtain closed recursive formulas for the higher currents in the classical theory and introduce a suitable notion of degree for their components. We then move to the pAQFT setting, and by means of some technical results, we compute explicit formulas for the unrenormalized interacting currents. Finally, we perform what we call the piecewise renormalization of the interacting higher currents, showing that the renormalization process involves a number of steps which is bounded by the degree of the classical conserved currents.
Soziale Lage, Gesundheit und Gesundheitsverhalten von Kindern und Jugendlichen in Ein-Eltern-Haushalten zum Ende der COVID-19-Pandemie. Ergebnisse der KIDA-Studie 2022–2023
Authors: Rattay Petra , Öztürk Yasmin , Geene Raimund , Blume Miriam , Allen Jennifer , Poethko-Müller Christina , Mauz Elvira , Manz Kristin , Wieland Catherine , Hövener Claudia
Published: July 2024

Einleitung

In der COVID-19-Pandemie waren Alleinerziehende und ihre Kinder durch die Eindämmungsmaßnahmen und aufgrund oftmals geringer Ressourcen in besonderem Maße Belastungen ausgesetzt. Es wird analysiert, inwieweit sich zum Ende der Pandemie Unterschiede in der sozialen und gesundheitlichen Lage von Kindern und Jugendlichen in Ein-Eltern- und Zwei‑Eltern-Haushalten zeigen.

Methoden

Die Analyse basiert auf Daten der KIDA-Studie, in der 2022/2023 Eltern von 3‑ bis 15-Jährigen und 16- bis 17-Jährige befragt wurden (telefonisch: n = 6992; online: n = 2896). Für die Indikatoren psychosoziale Belastungen, soziale Unterstützung, Gesundheit und Gesundheitsverhalten wurden nach Familienform stratifizierte Prävalenzen berechnet. In Poisson-Regressionen wurde für Geschlecht, Alter, Bildung und Haushaltseinkommen adjustiert.

Ergebnisse

Heranwachsende aus Ein-Eltern-Haushalten sind häufiger durch finanzielle Einschränkungen, familiäre Konflikte und beengte Wohnverhältnisse belastet und erfahren weniger schulische Unterstützung als Gleichaltrige aus Zwei‑Eltern-Haushalten. Sie haben häufiger gesundheitliche Beeinträchtigungen sowie einen erhöhten Versorgungsbedarf und nehmen häufiger psychosoziale Angebote in Anspruch. Sie sind zwar seltener in Sportvereinen aktiv, nehmen jedoch gleich häufig an Sport-AGs in Schulen teil wie Gleichaltrige aus Zwei-Eltern-Haushalten. Die Unterschiede zeigen sich auch bei Kontrolle für Einkommen und Bildung.

Diskussion

Kinder und Jugendliche aus Ein-Eltern-Haushalten können über Bewegungsangebote im schulischen Setting gut erreicht werden. Niedrigschwellige Angebote in Kita, Schule und Kommune sollten daher weiter ausgebaut werden. Weiterhin bedarf es Maßnahmen zur Verbesserung der sozioökonomischen Lage von Alleinerziehenden und ihren Kindern.
Gradient continuity for the parabolic $$(1,\,p)$$-Laplace equation under the subcritical case
Authors: Tsubouchi Shuntaro
Published: July 2024

This paper is concerned with the gradient continuity for the parabolic

$$(1,\,p)$$

(
1
,

p
)

-Laplace equation. In the supercritical case

$$\frac{2n}{n+2}
\frac{n(2-p)}{p}$$

s
>

n
(
2
-
p
)

p

. The gradient continuity is proved, similarly to the supercritical case, once the local gradient bounds of solutions are verified. Hence, this paper mainly aims to show the local boundedness of a solution and its gradient by Moser’s iteration. The proof is completed by considering a parabolic approximate problem, verifying a comparison principle, and showing a priori gradient estimates of a bounded weak solution to the relaxed equation.
Modeling cardiac microcirculation for the simulation of coronary flow and 3D myocardial perfusion
Authors: Montino Pelagi Giovanni , Regazzoni Francesco , Huyghe Jacques M. , Baggiano Andrea , Alì Marco , Bertoluzza Silvia , Valbusa Giovanni , Pontone Gianluca , Vergara Christian
Published: July 2024

Accurate modeling of blood dynamics in the coronary microcirculation is a crucial step toward the clinical application of in silico methods for the diagnosis of coronary artery disease. In this work, we present a new mathematical model of microcirculatory hemodynamics accounting for microvasculature compliance and cardiac contraction; we also present its application to a full simulation of hyperemic coronary blood flow and 3D myocardial perfusion in real clinical cases. Microvasculature hemodynamics is modeled with a compliant multi-compartment Darcy formulation, with the new compliance terms depending on the local intramyocardial pressure generated by cardiac contraction. Nonlinear analytical relationships for vessels distensibility are included based on experimental data, and all the parameters of the model are reformulated based on histologically relevant quantities, allowing a deeper model personalization. Phasic flow patterns of high arterial inflow in diastole and venous outflow in systole are obtained, with flow waveforms morphology and pressure distribution along the microcirculation reproduced in accordance with experimental and in vivo measures. Phasic diameter change for arterioles and capillaries is also obtained with relevant differences depending on the depth location. Coronary blood dynamics exhibits a disturbed flow at the systolic onset, while the obtained 3D perfusion maps reproduce the systolic impediment effect and show relevant regional and transmural heterogeneities in myocardial blood flow (MBF). The proposed model successfully reproduces microvasculature hemodynamics over the whole heartbeat and along the entire intramural vessels. Quantification of phasic flow patterns, diameter changes, regional and transmural heterogeneities in MBF represent key steps ahead in the direction of the predictive simulation of cardiac perfusion.
Integrating metaheuristics and artificial intelligence for healthcare: basics, challenging and future directions
Authors: Houssein Essam H. , Saber Eman , Ali Abdelmgeid A. , Wazery Yaser M.
Published: July 2024

Accurate and rapid disease detection is necessary to manage health problems early. Rapid increases in data amount and dimensionality caused challenges in many disciplines, with the primary issues being high computing costs, memory costs, and low accuracy performance. These issues will arise since Machine Learning (ML) classifiers are mostly used in these fields. However, noisy and irrelevant features have an impact on ML accuracy. Therefore, to choose the best subset of features and decrease the dimensionality of the data, Metaheuristics (MHs) optimization algorithms are applied to Feature Selection (FS) using various modalities of medical imaging or disease datasets with different dimensions. The review starts by giving a general overview of the many approaches to AI algorithms, followed by a general overview of the various MH algorithms for healthcare applications, an analysis of MHs boosted AI for healthcare applications, and using a wide range of research databases as a data source for access to numerous field publications. The final section of this review discusses the problems and challenges facing healthcare application development.
Esophagogastroscopy for predicting endoscopic ultrasonography T-stage by utilizing deep learning methods in esophageal cancer
Authors: Zhang Tiemei , Chen Zhen , Wang Zhuo-Zhi , Jia Xiaoti , Meng Shuai , Zhang Ke , Zhou Dejun , Zhang Jun , Chen Yong-Zi
Published: July 2024

Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) is commonly utilized in preoperative staging of esophageal cancer, however with additional pain and cost as well as adverse events. Meanwhile, the accuracy of EUS is highly depend on the training and practice of operators and not universally available. Different operators would lead to high inter-observer variability. Therefore, it is desirable to explore an alternative way to determine preoperative T stage in esophageal cancer. Whether conventional endoscopy possess the ability to predict EUS T stage has never been investigated yet. In current study, with the assistance of Artificial intelligence, we have developed a deep learning model to predict EUS T stage based on 9,714 images collected from 3,333 patients. ResNet-152 pre-trained on the ImageNet dataset was trained with the appropriate transfer learning and fine-tuning strategies on the conventional endoscopic images and their corresponding labels (e.g., T1, T2, T3, T4 and Normal). Meanwhile, augmentation strategies including rotation and flipping were performed to increase the number of images to improve the prediction accuracy. Finally, 4,382 T1, 243 T2, 3,985 T3, 1,102 T4, 14,302 controls images were obtained and split into training dataset, validation dataset and independent testing dataset with the ratio of 4:1:1. Our model could achieve a satisfied performance with an area under the receiver-operating curve (AUC) were 0.9767, 0.9637, 0.9597 and 0.9442 for T1, T2, T3 and T4, respectively in independent testing dataset. In conclusion, conventional gastroscopy combined with artificial intelligence have the great potential to predict EUS T stage.
Testing the applicability of ground motion prediction equations for the Hainaut region (Belgium) using intensity data
Authors: Vanneste Kris , Neefs Ben , Camelbeeck Thierry
Published: July 2024

In regions where strong earthquakes occurred before the deployment of dense seismic and accelerometric networks, intensity datasets can help select appropriate ground motion prediction equations (GMPEs) for seismic hazard studies. This is the case for the Hainaut seismic zone, which was one of the most seismically active zones in and around Belgium during the twentieth century. A recent reassessment of the intensity dataset of the area showed that intensities in this region attenuate much faster with distance than in other parts of northwestern Europe. Unfortunately, this characteristic has not yet been taken into account in current hazard maps for Belgium and northern France. Based on this dataset, we evaluate the goodness of fit of published GMPEs with intensities in Hainaut by means of a ground-motion-to-intensity conversion equation (GMICE) and according to different metrics (Likelihood, Log-likelihood and Euclidean-based Distance Ranking) published in literature. We also introduce a new measure to specifically evaluate the distance trend. Our results show that none of the tested GMPEs convincingly fits the intensity dataset, in particular the fast attenuation with distance. Nevertheless, applying the few GMPEs that show a reasonable fit in seismic hazard computations, we observe a decrease of the influence of the Hainaut seismicity on hazard maps for Belgium and northern France. This result is compatible with the earthquake intensity observations for the last 350 years in this part of Europe.
Designing and evaluating ONCologic EMergencies escape room game for undergraduate nursing students: The ONCEM quasi-experimental pilot study
Authors: Dönmez Ayşe Arikan , Çalik Afra , Terzi Kübra , Kapucu Sevgisun
Published: July 2024

The present pilot study aimed to develop, implement, and evaluate an escape room game for oncologic emergencies. This quasi-experimental pilot study was developed and evaluated by teachers for an oncology nursing course. A total of 76 nursing students ​participated in the study. After completing the game, students were given access to the data collection tools including “Introductory Information Form, Instructional Materials Motivation Survey, Student Satisfaction and Self-Confidence in Learning Scale, Simulation Design Scale by clicking on a link at the end of the game. Findings revealed that the students participating in the escape room game were highly motivated, satisfied, and self-confident with learning, and they were also satisfied with the design of the game. There were statistical differences between the total and sub-dimension scores of the variables examined and the scales used (p < 0,05). The current study on the use of an oncological emergencies-themed escape room as a teaching and learning strategy has provided promising insights. In nursing education, traditionally dominated by theoretical and practical intensive content, current study findings underline the value of this innovative strategy in helping students to improve motivation, satisfaction, and confidence in learning.
Exploring the digital divide in primary education: A comparative study of urban and rural mathematics teachers’ TPACK and attitudes towards technology integration in post-pandemic China
Authors: Li Mao
Published: July 2024

This study investigates disparities in Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) and attitudes towards digital technology integration among primary mathematics teachers in urban and rural China. In response to the post-pandemic era’s rapid technological advances, this research highlights the digital divide in primary education. A survey of 366 teachers assessed TPACK proficiency, technology access, professional development, and demographic impact factors like age and gender. The instrument, refined through Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and confirmed with Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), provided reliable measures. Data analysis employed descriptive statistics and non-parametric tests (Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis) to explore differences across demographics. Findings reveal stark contrasts between urban and rural educators. Urban teachers exhibited higher TPACK proficiency and more favourable attitudes towards technology, likely due to enhanced access to resources and professional development. Conversely, rural teachers, challenged by limited access and support, displayed lower proficiency and less positive attitudes. Furthermore, younger teachers showed greater ease with technology integration than older counterparts, with no significant gender differences. The study’s implications highlight the need for tailored professional development in rural areas and equitable policymaking for technology access across all educational environments. These findings illuminate the urban-rural digital divide in China’s primary education and contribute to the global understanding of technology integration in diverse educational settings. Also, this research enriches the academic discourse on technological equity in education, providing a framework for comparative international studies and policy development.
Biomarker responses in Danio rerio following an acute exposure (96 h) to e-waste leachate
Authors: Rielly A. , Dahms-Verster S. , Greenfield R.
Published: July 2024

Electronic waste (e-waste) has been identified as an emerging pollutant and is the fastest growing waste stream at the present time. Significant technological development and modernization within the last decade has led to the rapid accumulation of outdated, broken and unwanted electrical and electronic equipment (EEE). Electronic products mainly consist of a range of metal containing components that, when disposed of improperly, could result in metal constituents leached into the environment and posing a health risk to humans and animals alike. Metal exposure can induce oxidative stress in organisms, which could lead to synergistic, antagonistic and additive effects. The metals found highest in abundance in the simulated e-waste leachate, were nickel (Ni), barium (Ba), zinc (Zn), lithium (Li), iron (Fe), aluminium (Al) and copper (Cu). An acute exposure study was conducted over a 96 h period to determine the potential toxicity of e-waste on the test organism Danio rerio. Biomarker analysis results to assess the biochemical and physiological effects induced by e-waste leachate, showed a statistically significant effect induced on acetylcholinesterase activity, superoxide dismutase, catalase activity, reduced glutathione content, glutathione s-transferase, malondialdehyde and glucose energy available. The Integrated Biomarker Response (IBRv2) analysis revealed a greater biomarker response induced as the exposure concentration of e-waste leachate increased.
Role of environment-driven CSR, green servant leadership, and green dynamic capabilities in firm green innovation: Evidence from manufacturing industry
Authors: Yu Tianlun , Abbas Jawad , Rizvi Riffat Abbas , Najam Hina
Published: July 2024

Considering climate change challenges, firms face increasing pressure to adopt eco-friendly practices to revive the natural climate. This empirical research uses the green servant leadership phenomenon by combining eco-friendly, socially responsible initiatives with sustainable innovation. Green dynamic capabilities are taken as a moderator between green servant leadership and green innovative performance. The data was collected from 375 workers in the manufacturing industry in Pakistan. Using descriptive and inferential statistics through SPSS and SMART PLS 4, we examined how green servant leadership might improve eco-sustainability and the firm’s societal accountability. It is identified that social responsibility initiatives backed by green initiatives positively impact innovative green performance. Moreover, green dynamic capabilities strengthen the link between Environment-focused CSR and green servant leadership. The findings highlighted the need for GDC regulation between environment-focused CSR, green Servant leadership, and green creative performance.
Sharkaeology: Expanding Understandings of Historical Chinese Diaspora Shark Fisheries in Monterey Bay, California, through the Genetic Species Identification of Archaeological Chondrichthyes Remains
Authors: Royle Thomas C. A. , Kennedy J. Ryan , Guiry Eric J. , Jackman Luke S. , Shichiza Yuka , Yang Dongya Y.
Published: July 2024

Prior to burning down in 1906 CE, Point Alones in the Monterey Bay region of Central California was home to one of the largest Chinese fishing communities in the United States of America. Both historical records and the recovery of numerous cartilaginous fish (Chondrichthyes) vertebrae during archaeological excavations of the village indicate sharks were among the taxonomic groups being regularly harvested by its inhabitants. However, as shark vertebrae are difficult to identify past the family-level using conventional morphology-based approaches, our understanding of the Point Alones shark fishery remains incomplete. In this study, we address this issue by using ancient DNA analysis to assign species-level identifications to a sample of 54 shark vertebrae from the site. We successfully amplified a 173 bp fragment of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I gene from 47 of the 54 analyzed specimens (87.03%). Our results indicate that Tope Shark (Galeorhinus galeus; n = 39) was the primary focus of the site’s shark fishery, with Brown Smooth-Hound (Mustelus henlei; n = 7) and Leopard Shark (Triakis semifasciata; n = 1) also harvested to a lesser extent. All three of these species are found locally in the waters overlying the continental shelf, suggesting Chinese fishers were harvesting sharks from these coastal environments. While some of the sharks caught by fishers from Point Alones were likely being consumed at the village, historical records suggest a significant number of fins from harvested Tope Sharks were also likely being exported to China and other diaspora communities.
Career education and development scales for primary school and junior secondary school students
Authors: McCowan Col , McIlveen Peter , McLennan Brad , Ciccarone Lucia
Published: July 2024

The present research provides evidence of the measurement properties of the Career Education and Development Scale-Junior (CEDS-Junior) and the Career Education and Development Scale-Primary (CEDS-Primary). Study 1 tested a theoretically informed three-factor structure of the CEDS-Junior using a sample of N = 381 junior high school students in grades 7, 8 and 9, and Study 2 tested the CEDS-Primary using a sample of N = 179 primary school students in grades 5 and 6. Three hypothesized factors were recovered from the data: understanding, action and attitude. These novel measures are a resource for exploring and tracking students’ career development learning.
Successful growth of coastal marine microalgae in wastewater from a salmon recirculating aquaculture system
Authors: Borg-Stoveland Stian , Draganovic Vukasin , Spilling Kristian , Gabrielsen Tove M.
Published: July 2024

As global demand for seafood increases, recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) have gained prominence for sustainable fish rearing. The sustainability of RAS still requires improvement, particularly managing the fish waste. Here we investigated the growth and nutrient removal capabilities of three microalgal species (Isocrysis galbana, Phaeodactylum tricornutum and Skeletonema marinoi) in aquaculture wastewater (AWW) mixed at different concentrations with cultivation medium. All three microalgae showed growth in different concentrations of the AWW obtained from an Atlantic salmon RAS facility in Agder, Norway. The average growth rates for I. galbana, S. marinoi and P. tricornutum at 75% AWW concentration were 0.31± 0.00 day-1, 0.34 ± 0.00 day-1, 0.25 ± 0.02 day-1, respectively. All three species effectively contributed to nitrate, ammonium and phosphate removal. When cultivated in 75% AWW, the microalgae achieved nearly complete removal of nitrite, nitrate, and phosphate, while approximately 90% of ammonium was also removed. Our results confirm the viability of AWW for microalgal cultivation on a laboratory scale suggesting this presents a sustainable route to further develop a circular bioeconomy in aquaculture.
Enrichment of cell cycle pathways in progesterone-treated endometrial organoids of infertile women compared to fertile women
Authors: Bui B. N. , Ardisasmita A. I. , van de Vliert F. H. , Abendroth M. S. , van Hoesel M. , Mackens S. , Fuchs S. A. , Nieuwenhuis E. E. S. , Broekmans F. J. M. , Steba G. S.
Published: July 2024

Purpose

To investigate whether the transcriptome profile differs between progesterone-treated infertile and fertile endometrial organoids.

Methods

Endometrial biopsies were obtained from 14 infertile and seven fertile women, after which organoids were generated from isolated epithelial cells. To mimic the secretory phase, organoids were sequentially treated with 17β-estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4) and subjected to RNA sequencing. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified using DESeq2 (lfcThreshold = 0, log2 Fold Change ≥ 1.0 or ≤ −1.0), and a principal component analysis (PCA) plot was generated. Functional enrichment analysis was performed by overrepresentation analysis and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA). To functionally assess proliferation, OrganoSeg surface measurements were performed before (T0) and after (T1) differentiation of organoids, and T1/T0 ratios were calculated to determine the proliferation rate.

Results

Although the PCA plot did not show clear clustering of the fertile and infertile samples, 363 significant DEGs (129 upregulated and 234 downregulated) were detected in infertile compared to fertile organoids. Mainly cell cycle processes were highly enriched in infertile organoids. Thus, we hypothesised that proliferative activity during differentiation may be higher in infertile organoids compared to fertile organoids. However, this could not be validated by cell surface measurements.

Conclusions

This study revealed that cell cycle processes were enriched in E2/P4-treated infertile endometrial organoids as compared to fertile organoids. This could reflect persistently higher proliferative activity of the endometrial epithelial cells in differentiated infertile organoids compared to fertile organoids. To confirm this hypothesis, further studies are warranted.
Lost in Translation? Cultural Adaptation of Child Mental Health Interventions in Nepal: A Systematic Review
Authors: Pacini Adele , Broker Hayley , Shrestha Prithvi
Published: July 2024

This systematic review provides a synthesis of the state of the evidence relating to child and adolescent mental health interventions in Nepal, with particular emphasis on the use and impact of cultural adaptation of these interventions. The review follows the PRISMA and JBI review guidance. Nine papers met the inclusion criteria, studies were characterised by methodological weaknesses impacting on their reliability. Five of the nine studies reported statistically significant improvements, of these, all except one worked with the family and wider community alongside the child. The use of cultural adaptation was implemented in all studies, but varied in terms of the extent of the adaptation processes used. The findings from this review indicate that high quality studies are needed in this area, particularly those which consider the influence on the collectivist nature of Nepali culture on design of the intervention. Interventions need to consider cultural adaptation more closely, as well as the acceptability of the intervention to the wider community.
Caregiver-Youth Communication Patterns and Sexual and Reproductive Health Among American Indian Youth
Authors: Thiele Jeffrey , Williamson Olivia , Ceavers Olivia , FireMoon Paula , Johnson Olivia , Rink Elizabeth , Anastario Michael
Published: July 2024

Improving communication between American Indian caregivers and their youth has been suggested as an Indigenous-forward strategy to help alleviate the sexual and reproductive health (SRH) disparities faced by American Indian youth as a result of the legacy of colonial violence against American Indian communities. Studies with non-American Indian and American Indian populations suggest that effective communication about SRH between parents and youth plays a role in reducing sexual risk behaviors among youth. There is limited research that examines youth sexual risk behaviors in relation to communication patterns separately assessed in caregivers and youth. The current study aimed to examine the association between caregiver-youth communication patterns and engagement in sex, age at sexual debut, and condom use among American Indian youth in the United States. The study draws on baseline caregiver and youth data collected from Nen ŨnkUmbi/EdaHiYedo, a stepped wedge design trial with American Indian youth living on the Fort Peck Reservation in Montana. 113 caregiver responses were matched to 145 youth for the current study. Caregiver-youth communication patterns were examined in relation to youth engagement in sex, age at sexual debut, and number of protected acts of vaginal and/or anal sex. Multivariable models were used to adjust for confounders and to examine relationships between caregiver-youth communication and youth sexual risk outcomes. An increase in overall level of self-reported youth communication with caregivers about sexual and reproductive health topics was significantly associated with a greater likelihood of youth ever having engaged in sex. A significant interaction effect between youth communication and convergence with caregiver response was observed for the number of protected acts of vaginal and/or anal sex, where caregiver communication (regardless of self-reported youth communication with caregivers) was associated with a greater number of protected sex acts. This study fills a gap in the extant literature by reporting on relationships between communication about SRH, assessed separately in caregivers and youth, and youth sexual risk behaviors. Findings emphasize the importance of involving American Indian caregivers in SRH interventions to improve SRH outcomes among American Indian youth, and inform future experimental research that will evaluate how changes in caregiver communication potentially impact youth SRH.
L2XGNN: learning to explain graph neural networks
Authors: Serra Giuseppe , Niepert Mathias
Published: July 2024

Graph Neural Networks (GNNs) are a popular class of machine learning models. Inspired by the learning to explain (L2X) paradigm, we propose L2xGnn, a framework for explainable GNNs which provides faithful explanations by design. L2xGnn learns a mechanism for selecting explanatory subgraphs (motifs) which are exclusively used in the GNNs message-passing operations. L2xGnn is able to select, for each input graph, a subgraph with specific properties such as being sparse and connected. Imposing such constraints on the motifs often leads to more interpretable and effective explanations. Experiments on several datasets suggest that L2xGnn achieves the same classification accuracy as baseline methods using the entire input graph while ensuring that only the provided explanations are used to make predictions. Moreover, we show that L2xGnn is able to identify motifs responsible for the graph’s properties it is intended to predict.
Optical solitons for the concatenation model with power–law of self–phase modulation by lie symmetry
Authors: Yadav Ravindra , Kumar Sachin , Biswas Anjan , Yıldırım Yakup , Alshomrani Ali Saleh
Published: July 2024

This paper investigates the concatenation model under the influence of power-law self-phase modulation through the Lie symmetry. We employ two integration schemes, namely the extended tanh approach and the F-expansion algorithm, to rigorously integrate the reduced ordinary differential equations governing the system. Through this methodological framework, we uncover a diverse array of soliton solutions and systematically classify them, shedding light on their intricate dynamics and characteristics. Our research unveils previously undiscovered soliton solutions, enriching the existing understanding of concatenation models. We introduce a comprehensive classification scheme for these solitons, providing valuable insights into their behavior and interactions. Numerical simulations validate the stability and persistence of the identified soliton solutions across various parameter regimes. Our findings contribute to the theoretical framework of nonlinear wave dynamics and hold potential for innovative applications in fields such as nonlinear optics and information processing.
Sticky business: the intricacies of acylsugar biosynthesis in the Solanaceae
Authors: Vendemiatti Eloisa , Nowack Lillian , Peres Lazaro Eustáquio Pereira , Benedito Vagner A. , Schenck Craig A.
Published: July 2024

Plants display tremendous chemical diversity. Like all organisms, they possess a core set of metabolites for growth and development. However, plants are notorious for their specialized chemical repertoire. Biologically active specialized metabolites enable plants to interact with their environment and provide humans with diverse medicines. Specialized metabolites are derived from core metabolites, often using enzymes that evolved from core pathways in a lineage-specific manner. Biochemical understanding of plant specialized metabolic pathways provides insight into the evolutionary origins of chemical diversity and tools for engineering the production of biologically active metabolites. Acylsugars are a class of specialized metabolites occurring widely in the Solanaceae and other plant families where they contribute to fitness. Although assembled from simple core metabolic precursors, sugars and acyl chains, tremendous acylsugar structural diversity is observed across the Solanaceae family. Enzymes that catalyze the esterification of acyl chains to sugar cores have been well characterized from phylogenetically diverse species, and their biochemical diversity contributes to acylsugar structural variation. The upstream metabolic pathways that provide the acyl chain precursors also contribute to acylsugar structural variation. Yet, biochemical and genetic understanding of these upstream biosynthetic pathways is less well known. Here, we focus on recent advances in acyl chain biosynthesis and elongation pathways, the subcellular distribution of acylsugar biosynthesis, and how biochemical innovations in acylsugar biosynthesis contribute to structural diversity specifically focusing on Solanaceae-type acylsugars.
Modelling and Forecasting Interregional Migration for Multiregional Population Projections
Authors: Cameron Michael P. , Poot Jacques
Published: July 2024

In this paper we focus on modelling and forecasting gross interregional migration in a way that can be embedded within multiregional population projections. We revisit, and apply, a family of spatial interaction models first formulated during the 1970s. The classic gravity model—in which migration is positively related to the populations of sending and receiving areas, but inversely related to various types of spatial friction associated with migrating between them—is a special case that is nested within this family of models. We investigate which member of the family of models gives the best fit when modelling five-year migration flows between the 66 Territorial Authorities (TAs) of Aotearoa New Zealand, using 2013 and 2018 census data. We find that predicting migration between two TAs can be improved by taking into account, firstly, an index of the ‘draw’ from all other TAs when modelling out-migration of any TA and, secondly, an index of the ‘competitiveness’ of a TA vis-à-vis all other TAs when modelling in-migration of any TA. We highlight the properties of the statistically-preferred model by simulating the impact on internal migration of an exogenous increase in Auckland’s population. In this model, such a population change affects not only migration flows from and to Auckland, but also migration between other TAs. The usefulness of this approach for population projections is assessed by forecasting the 2013–18 migration matrix by means of 2013 census data only. In this specific case, the model outperforms the classic gravity model in terms of forecasting gross migration, but not net migration.
Does Being In-Person Matter? Demonstrating the Feasibility and Reliability of Fully Remote Observational Data Collection
Authors: Basha Sydni A. J. , Cai Qiyue , Lee Susanne , Tran Tiffany , Majerle Amy , Tiede Shauna , Gewirtz Abigail H.
Published: July 2024

Many conventional research methods employed in randomized controlled trials were not possible during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. In particular, behavioral observations are nearly universally gathered in-person. Observational methods are valued for the rich, informative data they produce in comparison to non-observational methods and are a cornerstone of parenting and family research. COVID provided the opportunity to, and indeed necessitated, the transition to fully remote observation. However, little to no studies have investigated whether remotely collected observational data are methodologically sound. This paper assesses the feasibility of remote data collection by describing the transition between in-person and fully remote observational data collection during a Sequential, Multiple Assignment, Randomized Trial (SMART) of a parenting program that took place both before and during the pandemic. Using mixed-methods data from coders, the overall quality of video-recorded data collected both before and during COVID was examined. Coder reliability over time was assessed with intraclass correlation coefficients. Results suggest that the frequency of audio problems, the severity of visual problems, and the level of administration challenges decreased after transitioning to remote data collection. Additionally, coders showed good to excellent reliability coding remotely collected data, and reliability even improved on some measured tasks. Although challenges to remote data collection exist, this study demonstrated that observational data can be collected feasibly and reliably. As observational data collection is a key method to assess parenting practices, these findings should improve researcher confidence in utilizing remote observational methods in prevention science.
Absolute Poverty Measurement with Minimum Food Needs: A New Inverse Method for Advanced Economies
Authors: Menyhert Balint
Published: July 2024

Spurred by the need for increased adequacy and international comparability, absolute poverty measures are gaining in policy relevance around the world. This paper proposes a simple and feasible method of calculating absolute poverty thresholds on the basis of households’ minimum food needs in advanced economies. It makes three important contributions. First, it demonstrates that conventional statistical methods used in the developing world deliver either unrealistically low or improbably high poverty estimates in rich countries where household spending on food is modest in relative terms. Second, it proposes a new simulation-based inverse method that focuses on the non-food Engel curve and uses predetermined minimum food bundles not as inputs but as targeted reference points in order to calculate adequate poverty thresholds. Finally, an empirical application of the new method using household budget survey data from Italy shows that resulting poverty estimates are comparable to the official figures of the Italian Statistical Office in terms of both the poverty rate and the poverty profiles. Requiring few and easily procurable resources, the proposed algorithm is well suited to produce robust, consistent and internationally comparable absolute poverty estimates in a large number of developed countries and emerging economies.
Can failure be made productive also in Bayesian reasoning? A conceptual replication study
Authors: Loibl Katharina , Leuders Timo
Published: July 2024

The composite instructional design PS-I combines an initial problem-solving phase (PS) with a subsequent explicit instruction phase (I). PS-I has proven effective for conceptual learning in comparison to instructional designs with the reverse order (I-PS), especially when the explicit instruction phase productively builds on students’ erroneous or incomplete (i.e., failed) solution attempts. Building on student solutions during explicit instruction may support students to integrate their intermediate knowledge (acquired during problem solving) with the newly introduced knowledge components. While these effects have been shown for learning the concept of variance in multiple studies, it remains unclear whether these effects generalize to other situations. We conducted a conceptual replication study of Loibl and Rummel (Loibl and Rummel, Learning and Instruction 34:74–85, 2014a) choosing Bayesian reasoning as target knowledge. 75 students were assigned to four conditions in a 2 × 2 design (factor 1: PS-I vs. I-PS; factor 2: instruction phase with vs. without typical student solutions). In contrast to Loibl and Rummel (2014a), we did neither find a main effect for PS-I vs. I-PS, nor for building on typical student solutions. The missing effect of PS-I can be explained by the fact that students merely activated their prior knowledge on probabilities without exploring the problem-solving space and without becoming aware of their knowledge gaps. The missing effect of building on typical student solutions can be explained by a mismatch of the solutions generated and the ones included in the explicit instruction. Therefore, building on typical student solutions did not foster an integration of students’ intermediate knowledge and the introduced knowledge components.
Hierarchical adaptive evolution framework for privacy-preserving data publishing
Authors: You Mingshan , Ge Yong-Feng , Wang Kate , Wang Hua , Cao Jinli , Kambourakis Georgios
Published: July 2024

The growing need for data publication and the escalating concerns regarding data privacy have led to a surge in interest in Privacy-Preserving Data Publishing (PPDP) across research, industry, and government sectors. Despite its significance, PPDP remains a challenging NP-hard problem, particularly when dealing with complex datasets, often rendering traditional traversal search methods inefficient. Evolutionary Algorithms (EAs) have emerged as a promising approach in response to this challenge, but their effectiveness, efficiency, and robustness in PPDP applications still need to be improved. This paper presents a novel Hierarchical Adaptive Evolution Framework (HAEF) that aims to optimizet-closeness anonymization through attribute generalization and record suppression using Genetic Algorithm (GA) and Differential Evolution (DE). To balance GA and DE, the first hierarchy of HAEF employs a GA-prioritized adaptive strategy enhancing exploration search. This combination aims to strike a balance between exploration and exploitation. The second hierarchy employs a random-prioritized adaptive strategy to select distinct mutation strategies, thus leveraging the advantages of various mutation strategies. Performance bencmark tests demonstrate the effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed technique. In 16 test instances, HAEF significantly outperforms traditional depth-first traversal search and exceeds the performance of previous state-of-the-art EAs on most datasets. In terms of overall performance, under the three privacy constraints tested, HAEF outperforms the conventional DFS search by an average of 47.78%, the state-of-the-art GA-based ID-DGA method by an average of 37.38%, and the hybrid GA-DE method by an average of 8.35% in TLEF. Furthermore, ablation experiments confirm the effectiveness of the various strategies within the framework. These findings enhance the efficiency of the data publishing process, ensuring privacy and security and maximizing data availability.