bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Circular Economy Approach to Food Security and Poverty: a Case Study in Food Rescue in Sri Lanka
Authors: Aloysius Nimeshika , Ananda Jayanath
Published: February 2023

Food rescue has been identified as a sustainable approach in preventing wastage of surplus food and achieving food security. Although food insecurity is widely prevalent in developing countries, there is a paucity of research investigating food donations and rescue operations in these countries. This study focuses on surplus food redistribution activities from a developing country perspective. Specifically, the study analyses the structure, motivations, and limitations of the existing food rescue system in Colombo, Sri Lanka, by conducting a series of structured interviews with twenty food donors and redistributors. The food rescue system in Sri Lanka characterises a sporadic redistribution, and food donors and rescuers are mainly driven by humanitarian motives. The findings also reveal missing institutions — facilitator organisations and back-line organisations — in the surplus food rescue system. Food redistributors identified that inadequate food logistics and establishing formal partnerships as major challenges in food rescue operations. Establishing intermediary organisations such as food banks to provide the required food logistics, imposing food safety parameters and minimum quality standards required for surplus food redistribution, and community awareness programmes on food redistribution can increase the efficiency and effectiveness of food rescue operations. There is an urgent need to embed food rescue as a strategy to reduce food wastage and to enhance food security in existing policies.
Squeezing for cosmic symphony
Authors: Wang Mengyao , Zhang Fan
Published: February 2023

We briefly review the status of applying quantum squeezing to aid the search for gravitational waves with km-scale laser interferometers operating in the audio frequency band. The target audience is quantum optics professionals who are interested in an easily accessible introduction to the gravitational wave detector, both as an application of squeezing and as a platform for developing other quantum techniques.
Impact of different solvents on extraction yield, phenolic composition, in vitro antioxidant and antibacterial activities of deseeded Opuntia stricta fruit
Authors: El Mannoubi Ines
Published: February 2023

Opuntia stricta the shrubby plant is naturally occurring in all parts of the world used as popular ornamental and is known to have medicinal properties due to its phytochemical compositions. In this study, the effect of solvents (80% ethanol, 80% methanol and 80% acetone (v/v) in water) on the extraction yield, total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), antioxidant activity and antibacterial activity of Opuntia stricta fruit were investigated. For the antioxidant activity assay, three different in-vitro methods DPPH, ABTS and FRAP were followed. The One-way ANOVA calculations showed that the extraction solvents influenced greatly and significantly the TPC, TFC and antioxidant capacity. Overall, 80% ethanol showed highest percentage of extraction yield while 80% acetone extract showed the lowest extraction yield but the highest TPC, TFC and antioxidant activity of Opuntia stricta fruit. In addition, Pearson’s correlation analysis proved a strong correlation between TPC, TFC and all antioxidant methods used. The antibacterial tests demonstrated that 80% methanol and 80% acetone extracts exhibited the highest zones of inhibition (11.66 and 11.33 mm respectively, p > 0.05) against Salmonella thyphimurium. Likewise, the 80% acetone extract revealed the best inhibitory effect contra Escherichia coli (p > 0.05) with an inhibition zone of 11 cm. Unfortunately, it was observed that gram-positive bacteria were less sensitive to all Opuntia stricta extracts compared to the gram-negative bacteria.
Gas Flaring in Nigeria: A Multi-level Governance and Policy Coherence Analysis
Authors: Aigbe Godwin O. , Stringer Lindsay C. , Cotton Matthew
Published: February 2023

The unnecessary flaring of natural gas impacts public and environmental health, contributes to climate change and wastes fuel resources. Though reducing flaring is an emergent global environmental governance priority, progress has been slow. We assess gas flaring policy in the critical case of Nigeria through multi-level governance (MLG) structure. Our analysis assesses policy coherence (leading to progress in reaching shared goals) and divergence (creating tension and undermining progress) amongst sectors and institutional structures across the supranational, federal, state and local government scales. A combined dataset of documents, stakeholder interviews and expert surveys is analysed using Qualitative Document Analysis (QDA) and content analysis. We identify the principal actors involved, examine the extent of gas flaring awareness and policy coherence across multiple sectors/policy domains, and assess progress towards Nigeria’s national intended contribution and national policy on climate change mitigation. We find that policy coherence around gas flaring, including efforts towards climate change mitigation, has been slowed by political partisanship, poor governance, lack of regulatory compliance, and policy conflict between environmental protection and economic development priorities. Nigeria urgently requires inclusive involvement of stakeholder voices across multiple sectors and scales of local/regional government, the strengthening of federal institutions, a revaluation of economic aspirations through revenue diversification, and leadership that can temper the power of International Oil Companies (IOCs) to exploit the complexity of the MLG structure. These actions would help the government in improving environmental justice outcomes for flaring-affected communities.
Forest carbon stock and biomass estimation in West Central India using two allometric models
Authors: Salunkhe Onkar Ramesh , Valvi Gouri Ramesh , Singh Sarnam , Rane Gauri Milind , Khan M. L. , Saxena Vasudha , Khare P. K.
Published: February 2023

The west central Indian forest ecosystems strongly contribute to livelihood of local human communities as well as climate change mitigation. However, due to the lack of accurate biomass equations and predictive tools, the contribution of these forests towards carbon stock and sequestration remains poorly recognized. At present due to some developmental and mining activities these forests face huge anthropogenic pressure.

Therefore, the objective of the present study was to estimate the biomass and carbon stock of forest tree species of west central India to provide baseline information. It will also be useful for measuring the changes after the intervention as well as for future management and conservation.

The non-destructive allometric equation approach was adopted to estimate the biomass, carbon stock and carbon dioxide equivalent from total 28 plots of 0.1 ha at seven sites of dry deciduous forests of west central India. In the present study, the results of biomass and carbon stock were calculated by employing two different allometric models.

The model with tree diameter and wood specific gravity gave higher estimations of total plant biomass (123.39 – 65.86 Mg ha−1) and carbon stock (58.61—31.28 Mg ha−1) as compared with model having only tree diameter (108.84 – 55.91 Mg ha−1) and (51.70 -26.55 Mg ha−1), respectively.

We conclude that the allometric model with tree diameter and wood specific gravity was found best suited for these forests. The results also showed the positive relation between tree diversity, basal area and aboveground biomass and carbon stock.
How clinicians can support posttraumatic growth following psychosis: a perspective piece
Authors: Jordan Gerald , Ng Fiona , Thomas Robyn
Published: February 2023

Psychosis is often a traumatic experience that can lead to significant suffering. However, people may also experience posttraumatic growth following psychosis. Posttraumatic growth refers to the positive changes that people experience following a struggle with an adversarial event and has been shown to occur in at least five domains, including a greater appreciation for life; improved relationships with others; greater personal strengths; new life possibilities and spiritual/existential growth. Studies have shown that mental health services can play a key role in facilitating posttraumatic growth. However, there are no recommendations that clinicians can follow to best support posttraumatic growth following psychosis specifically. Without guidance, clinicians risk invalidating people’s experiences of, or providing improper support for, posttraumatic growth. To address this knowledge gap, we reflect on current research and clinical guidelines to recommend ways that clinicians can support posttraumatic growth following psychosis.
The Domestic Political Economy of Japan's New Geoeconomic Strategy
Authors: Takeuchi Hiroki , McNeme Keely
Published: February 2023

Japan has long strived to acquire a more influential voice in trade negotiations but failed because of the lack of decisiveness rooted in the resistance from those who have vested interests. However, a series of domestic reforms undertaken since the 1990s have made it possible for Japan to play a leadership role in the new rulemaking of international trade. After the Trump administration withdrew the United States from the Trans-Pacific Partnership, Japan took the initiative to conclude a new agreement called the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership. How have domestic factors pushed Japan to step up as a new leader in the rulemaking of international trade? How have the economic rise of China and the relative decline of US hegemonic power impacted Japanese domestic politics and economics? What implications do Japan's new roles have for the security and prosperity of the Asia-Pacific region? By exploring empirical evidence drawn from five new books, we argue that the commitment to domestic economic reforms has enabled Japan to play a leadership role in the rulemaking of the international economic order.
Crossing Levels: Meta-induction and the Problem of Induction
Authors: Henderson Leah
Published: February 2023

Gerhard Schurz claims to have a solution to Hume’s problem of induction based on results from machine learning concerning meta-induction. His argument has two steps. The first is to establish a justification for following a certain meta-inductive strategy based on its predictive optimality. The second step is to show how this justification can be transferred to object-induction. I unpack the second step and fail to find a convincing argument supporting the transfer of justification from meta-induction to object-induction. My conclusion is that the problem of induction has not yet been solved by appeal to meta-induction.
Against “Possibilist” Interpretations of Climate Models
Authors: Dethier Corey
Published: February 2023

Climate scientists frequently employ heavily idealized models. How should these models be interpreted? Some philosophers have advanced a possibilist interpretation: climate models stand in for possible scenarios that could occur but do not provide information about how probable those scenarios are. This article argues that possibilism is (1) undermotivated, (2) incompatible with successful practices in the science, and (3) unable to correct for known biases. The upshot is that the models should be interpreted probabilistically in at least some cases.
On the (In?)Stability of Spacetime Inextendibility
Authors: Manchak JB
Published: February 2023

Leibnizian metaphysics underpins the universally held view that spacetime must be inextendible—that it must be “as large as it can be” in a sense. But here we demonstrate a surprising fact within the context of general relativity: the property of inextendibility turns out to be unstable when attention is restricted to certain collections of “physically reasonable” spacetimes.
Survival of Plodia interpunctella (Hübner) larvae treated with 98% N2 and the life history of their next generation
Authors: Huang Yilin , Wang Dianxuan , Jian Fuji
Published: February 2023

Understanding the development and reproduction of insects surviving controlled atmosphere treatment may help in developing sound pest management strategies. The developmental duration, survival percentage, and oviposition of Plodia interpunctella and its F1 generation were determined after the fifth instar larvae (the last-stage larvae) were exposed to 98% N2 for different exposure times. The survival percentage of the last-stage larvae treated with 98% N2 for 6, 4, 1.5, and 0 day was 70, 80, 91, and 100%, respectively when measured 24 h after treatment. The survival percentage of the last-stage larvae that developed to pupae was 37, 55, 73, and 96%, corresponding to the different exposure times. The developmental time needed to pass from pupa to adult emergence of specimens treated as the last-stage larvae were 8, 7, 6, and 6 days corresponding respectively to high N2 treatment after 6, 4, 1.5, and 0 day of exposure. The mean number of eggs laid by the subsequent females developed from the treated last-stage larvae was 35, 66, 81, and 123, respectively. The oviposition inhibition ratio of the F1 generation decreased by more than 33% compared with that of the parental generation. When the last-stage larvae were exposed to 98% N2 for longer than 4 days, the immature developmental time of surviving individuals in the F1 generation was delayed more than 6 days due to slower egg hatching and longer development of the first and second instar larvae stages. The population trend index of the F1 generation was lower when raised from the treated last-stage larvae than those from untreated controls.
Petrogenesis and geochemical characteristics of Plio-Quaternary alkali basalts from the Qorveh–Bijar volcanic belt, Kurdistan Province, NW Iran
Authors: Salehi Nafiseh , Torkian Ashraf , Furman Tanya , le Roux Petrus
Published: February 2023

The Pliocene–Quaternary volcanic rocks which outcrop between Qorveh and Bijar are part of post-collisional within-plate volcanic activity in northern Iran. These mafic alkaline rocks form part of the northern arm of the Sanandaj–Sirjan (Hamedan–Tabriz) zone. Thermobarometry on equilibrium clinopyroxene – whole-rock pairs yields pressures and temperatures of 4–6 (±1.8) kbar and 1182–1213 (±27) °C, respectively; olivine – whole-rock (melt) equilibrium thermometry yields crystallization temperatures of 1212–1264 (±27) °C. Field relationships, including the presence of pyroxenitic xenoliths, and geochemical evidence (e.g. high FeO/MnO, and low CaO compared to lavas derived from peridotite sources) suggest a pyroxenitic mantle source for the studied rocks. Variation of trace elements and isotopic ratios (i.e. Ce/Pb, Ba/La, 87Sr/86Sr) indicate that this pyroxenite mantle source was generated by interaction between melted sediments of the subducted Neo-Tethys slab with ambient peridotitic lithospheric mantle. The resulting metasomatized lithosphere is denser and has a lower viscosity than the peridotitic mantle, and tectonic disturbance can cause it to fall into the depths of the mantle. The descending volatile-rich material starts to melt with increasing temperature. Modelling of rare earth element (REE) abundances suggests that <1 % partial melting of the descending pyroxenite could create the Plio-Quaternary alkali basaltic magma of the Qorveh–Bijar. The geochemical evidence for lithospheric foundering, and hence drip magmatism, in the Qorveh–Bijar volcanic belt is supported by seismographic studies indicating thinned lithosphere beneath the study area.
Distinct antibody response in susceptible and non-susceptible hosts of the carcinogenic liver fluke Opisthorchis viverrini infection
Authors: Watakulsin Krongkarn , Surapaitoon Arpa , Ulag Lorina Handayani , Kaing Sunheng , Suyapoh Watcharapol , Saichua Prasert , Salao Kanin , Tangkawatana Sirikachorn , Suttiprapa Sutas
Published: February 2023

Opisthorchis viverrini is a carcinogenic parasite that can cause bile duct cancer called cholangiocarcinoma. A study of the immune response of this parasite in susceptible and non-susceptible hosts may provide a clue to develop vaccines and immunodiagnostic markers, which are currently not available. Here, we compared the antibody response in susceptible Golden Syrian hamsters and non-susceptible BALB/c mice infected by the liver fluke. In mice, the antibody was detected between 1 and 2 weeks post-infection, whereas it was positive between 2 and 4 weeks post-infection in hamsters. Immunolocalization revealed that the antibody from mice reacts strongly with the tegumental surface and gut epithelium of the worm, while hamster antibody showed a weak signal in the tegument and a comparable signal in the gut of the worm. Immunoblot of the tegumental proteins demonstrated that while hamster antibody showed a broad specificity, mice strongly reacted with a single protein band. Mass spectrometry revealed these immunogenic targets. Recombinant proteins of the reactive targets were produced in the bacterial expression system. The immunoblot of these recombinant proteins confirm the reactivity of their native form. In summary, there is a different antibody response against O. viverrini infection in susceptible and non-susceptible hosts. The non-susceptible host reacts quicker and stronger than the susceptible host.
Exit Duty Generator
Authors: Häyry Matti
Published: February 2023

This article presents a revised version of negative utilitarianism. Previous versions have relied on a hedonistic theory of value and stated that suffering should be minimized. The traditional rebuttal is that the doctrine in this form morally requires us to end all sentient life. To avoid this, a need-based theory of value is introduced. The frustration of the needs not to suffer and not to have one’s autonomy dwarfed should,prima facie, be decreased. When decreasing the need frustration of some would increase the need frustration of others, the case is deferred and a fuller ethical analysis is conducted. The author’s perceptions on murder, extinction, the right to die, antinatalism, veganism, and abortion are used to reach a reflective equilibrium. The new theory is then applied to consumerism, material growth, and power relations. The main finding is that the burden of proof should be on those who promote thestatus quo.
Complex Interaction, Striations, and Periodicity of Deep Tremor Surrounding a Tremor Gap in the Central Nankai Subduction Zone, Japan
Authors: Ohta Kazuaki , Shiomi Katsuhiko , Matsuzawa Takanori
Published: February 2023

The Nankai subduction zone is characterized by a belt of deep tremor extending from western Shikoku to the Tokai region and a tremor seismicity gap beneath the Kii Channel between Shikoku and the Kii Peninsula. Tremor activities near the gap are not well understood because of poor seismic network coverage. In this study, we conducted an observation campaign in eastern Shikoku to investigate the detailed tremor activity across the tremor gap. The new tremor catalog shows high detectability and resolution, with tremor clusters in both eastern Shikoku and the western Kii Peninsula having distinct shapes. We discovered characteristic time intervals between tremor activity on both sides of the gap, suggesting the occurrence of undetected slow slip events (SSEs) within the gap that propagated approximately 10 km/day. We also found a relationship between the tremor activities and a shallower long‐term SSE. Our examination of the detailed distribution of tremor events showed a distinct striation pattern that may be associated with the history of the subducting plate motion and the plate geometry, and our examination of their periodicity showed spatial variations in the dominant period of tremor activity that likely reflect the heterogeneous physical properties of the plate interface.
Wind‐Forced Upwelling Along the West Greenland Shelfbreak: Implications for Labrador Sea Water Formation
Authors: Pacini Astrid , Pickart Robert S.
Published: February 2023

Arctic‐origin and Greenland meltwaters circulate cyclonically in the boundary current system encircling the Labrador Sea. The ability of this freshwater to penetrate the interior basin has important consequences for dense water formation and the lower limb of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation. However, the precise mechanisms by which the freshwater is transported offshore, and the magnitude of this flux, remain uncertain. Here, we investigate wind‐driven upwelling northwest of Cape Farewell using 4 years of high‐resolution data from the Overturning in the Subpolar North Atlantic Program west Greenland mooring array, deployed from September 2014–2018, along with Argo, shipboard, and atmospheric reanalysis data. A total of 49 upwelling events were identified corresponding to enhanced northwesterly winds, followed by reduced along‐stream flow of the boundary current and anomalously dense water present on the outer shelf. The events occur during the development stage of forward Greenland tip jets. During the storms, a cross‐stream Ekman cell develops that transports freshwater offshore in the surface layer and warm, saline, Atlantic‐origin waters onshore at depth. The net fluxes of heat and freshwater for a representative storm are computed. Using a one‐dimensional mixing model, it is shown that the freshwater input resulting from the locus of winter storms could significantly limit the wintertime development of the mixed layer and hence the production of Labrador Sea Water in the southeastern part of the basin.
Ensemble‐Based Data Assimilation of GPM DPR Reflectivity: Cloud Microphysics Parameter Estimation With the Nonhydrostatic Icosahedral Atmospheric Model (NICAM)
Authors: Kotsuki Shunji , Terasaki Koji , Satoh Masaki , Miyoshi Takemasa
Published: February 2023

Direct assimilation of Dual‐frequency Precipitation Radar (DPR) data of the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) core satellite is challenging mainly due to its long revisiting intervals relative to the time scale of precipitation, and precipitation location errors. This study explores a method for improving precipitation forecasts using GPM DPR through model parameter estimation. We developed a 28 km mesh global atmospheric data assimilation system that integrates the Nonhydrostatic ICosahedral Atmospheric Model (NICAM) and Local Ensemble Transform Kalman Filter (LETKF) coupled with a satellite radar simulator. Using the NICAM‐LETKF and GPM DPR observations, this study estimates a model cloud physics parameter corresponding to snowfall terminal velocity. To overcome the difficulties of long revisiting intervals and precipitation location errors, we propose a parameter estimation method based on a two‐dimensional histogram known as the contoured frequency by temperature diagram (CFTD). Parameter estimation effectively mitigated the gap between simulated and observed CFTD, resulting in improved 6 hr precipitation forecasts.
Climate Extremes Threaten California’s Central Valley Songbirds
Authors: Besl J.
Published: February 2023

A “nestbox highway” in California’s Central Valley is guiding songbirds to safe nesting sites and giving scientists a peek at fledgling success in a changing climate.
MAPK4 silencing in gastric cancer drives liver metastasis by positive feedback between cancer cells and macrophages
Authors: Li Shuang , Guo Dongyang , Sun Qiang , Zhang Lu , Cui Yun , Liu Min , Ma Xixi , Liu Yiman , Cui Wenyu , Sun Leimin , Teng Lisong , Wang Liangjing , Lin Aifu , Liu Wei , Zhuo Wei , Zhou Tianhua
Published: February 2023

Liver metastasis is a major cause of death in gastric cancer patients, but the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. Through a combination of in vivo screening and transcriptome profiling followed by quantitative RT-PCR and tissue array analyses, we found that mitogen-activated protein kinase 4 (MAPK4) downregulation in gastric cancer tissues from patients is significantly associated with liver metastasis and poor prognosis. The knockdown of MAPK4 in gastric cancer cells promotes liver metastasis in orthotopic mouse models. MAPK4 depletion in gastric cancer cells induces the secretion of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) to polarize tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) in orthotopic xenograft tumors. Moreover, TAMs activate epithelial–mesenchymal transition of gastric cancer cells to suppress MAPK4 expression, which further increases MIF secretion to polarize TAMs. Taken together, our results suggest a previously undescribed positive feedback loop between cancer cells and macrophages mediated by MAPK4 silencing that facilitates gastric cancer liver metastasis.
B-lymphoid tyrosine kinase-mediated FAM83A phosphorylation elevates pancreatic tumorigenesis through interacting with β-catenin
Authors: Zhou Cefan , Zhu Xiaoting , Liu Nanxi , Dong Xueying , Zhang Xuewen , Huang Huili , Tang Yu , Liu Shicheng , Hu Mengyu , Wang Ming , Deng Xiaoling , Li Shi , Zhang Rui , Huang Yuan , Lyu Hao , Xiao Shuai , Luo Sang , Ali Declan William , Michalak Marek , Chen Xing-Zhen , Wang Zhentian , Tang Jingfeng
Published: February 2023

Abnormal activation of Wnt/β-catenin-mediated transcription is closely associated with the malignancy of pancreatic cancer. Family with sequence similarity 83 member A (FAM83A) was shown recently to have oncogenic effects in a variety of cancer types, but the biological roles and molecular mechanisms of FAM83A in pancreatic cancer need further investigation. Here, we newly discovered that FAM83A binds directly to β-catenin and inhibits the assembly of the cytoplasmic destruction complex thus inhibiting the subsequent phosphorylation and degradation. FAM83A is mainly phosphorylated by the SRC non-receptor kinase family member BLK (B-lymphoid tyrosine kinase) at tyrosine 138 residue within the DUF1669 domain that mediates the FAM83A-β-catenin interaction. Moreover, FAM83A tyrosine 138 phosphorylation enhances oncogenic Wnt/β-catenin-mediated transcription through promoting β-catenin-TCF4 interaction and showed an elevated nucleus translocation, which inhibits the recruitment of histone deacetylases by TCF4. We also showed that FAM83A is a direct downstream target of Wnt/β-catenin signaling and correlates with the levels of Wnt target genes in human clinical pancreatic cancer tissues. Notably, the inhibitory peptides that target the FAM83A-β-catenin interaction significantly suppressed pancreatic cancer growth and metastasis in vitro and in vivo. Our results revealed that blocking the FAM83A cascade signaling defines a therapeutic target in human pancreatic cancer.
Targeting epigenetic regulators to overcome drug resistance in cancers
Authors: Wang Nan , Ma Ting , Yu Bin
Published: February 2023

Drug resistance is mainly responsible for cancer recurrence and poor prognosis. Epigenetic regulation is a heritable change in gene expressions independent of nucleotide sequence changes. As the common epigenetic regulation mechanisms, DNA methylation, histone modification, and non-coding RNA regulation have been well studied. Increasing evidence has shown that aberrant epigenetic regulations contribute to tumor resistance. Therefore, targeting epigenetic regulators represents an effective strategy to reverse drug resistance. In this review, we mainly summarize the roles of epigenetic regulation in tumor resistance. In addition, as the essential factors for epigenetic modifications, histone demethylases mediate the histone or genomic DNA modifications. Herein, we comprehensively describe the functions of the histone demethylase family including the lysine-specific demethylase family, the Jumonji C-domain-containing demethylase family, and the histone arginine demethylase family, and fully discuss their regulatory mechanisms related to cancer drug resistance. In addition, therapeutic strategies, including small-molecule inhibitors and small interfering RNA targeting histone demethylases to overcome drug resistance, are also described.
Association between children's resilience and practising oral habits: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Abd-Elsabour Mennat A. A. , Hanafy Rasha M. Hatem , Omar Ola M.
Published: February 2023

Introduction While resilience is the quality of being buffered against stressors, practising oral habits is suggested to be a maladaptive behaviour towards stressors. The relation between resilience and practising oral habits in children remains vague.

Aims This study aims to investigate the association between practising oral habits and resilience in children aged 5-7 years.

Materials and methods An electronic Google form questionnaire was distributed through social media among five schools' children's parents, utilising the Child and Youth Resilience Measure-Revised Person Most Knowledgeable version (PMK-CYRM-R) scale as a resilience assessment tool, and the third domain of interview part of the Nordic Orofacial Test-Screen (NOT-S) as a habit assessment tool. The questionnaire received 227 eligible responses which were divided into habit-free group (123; 54.19%) and habit-practising group (104; 45.81%). The third domain of the interview part of the NOT-S included sucking habit, bruxism and nail-biting habits. The mean PMK-CYRM-R scores were calculated for each group and statistical analysis was done using SPSS Statistics package.

Results Total PMK-CYRM-R score was 46.05 ± 3.63 in the habit-free group and 44.10 ± 3.59 in the habit-practising group (p = 0.0001). Bruxism, nail-biting and sucking habit subgroups showed statistically significant lower personal resilience levels than the habit-free group.

Conclusion The results of the current study suggest that children with low resilience levels may be more likely to practise oral habits.
XBP1 modulates endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria crosstalk via regulating NLRP3 in renal ischemia/reperfusion injury
Authors: Ni Haiqiang , Ou Zhiyu , Wang Yuchen , Liu Yanna , Sun Kailun , Zhang Ji , Zhang Jiasi , Deng Wenfeng , Zeng Wenli , Xia Renfei , Xu Jian , Gong Nianqiao , Miao Yun
Published: February 2023

The functional status of mitochondria and the endoplasmic reticulum are central to renal ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI). X-box binding protein 1 (XBP1) is an important transcription factor in endoplasmic reticulum stress. NLR family pyrin domain containing-3 (NLRP3) inflammatory bodies are closely related to renal IRI. In vivo and in vitro, we examined the molecular mechanisms and functions of XBP1-NLRP3 signaling in renal IRI, which influences ER-mitochondrial crosstalk. In this study, mice were subjected to 45 min of unilateral renal warm ischemia, the other kidney resected, and reperfusion was performed for 24 h in vivo. In vitro, murine renal tubular epithelial cells (TCMK-1) were exposed to hypoxia for 24 h and reoxygenation for 2 h. Tissue or cell damage was evaluated by measuring blood urea nitrogen and creatinine levels, histological staining, flow cytometry, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated nick-end labeling, diethylene glycol staining, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Western blotting, immunofluorescence staining, and ELISA were used to analyze protein expression. Whether XBP1 regulates the NLRP3 promoter was evaluated using a luciferase reporter assay. Kidney damage was reduced with decreasing blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, interleukin-1β, and interleukin-18 levels. XBP1 deficiency reduced tissue damage and cell apoptosis, protecting the mitochondria. Disruption of XBP1 was associated with reduced NLRP3 and cleaved caspase-1 levels and markedly improved survival. In vitro in TCMK-1 cells, XBP1 interference inhibited caspase-1-dependent mitochondrial damage and reduced the production of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species. The luciferase assay showed that spliced XBP1 isoforms enhanced the activity of the NLRP3 promoter. These findings reveal that XBP1 downregulation suppresses the expression of NLRP3, a potential regulator of endoplasmic reticulum mitochondrial crosstalk in nephritic injury and a potential therapeutic target in XBP1-mediated aseptic nephritis.
Rescue of neuropsychiatric phenotypes in a mouse model of 16p11.2 duplication syndrome by genetic correction of an epilepsy network hub
Authors: Forrest Marc P. , Dos Santos Marc , Piguel Nicolas H. , Wang Yi-Zhi , Hawkins Nicole A. , Bagchi Vikram A. , Dionisio Leonardo E. , Yoon Sehyoun , Simkin Dina , Martin-de-Saavedra Maria Dolores , Gao Ruoqi , Horan Katherine E. , George Alfred L. , LeDoux Mark S. , Kearney Jennifer A. , Savas Jeffrey N. , Penzes Peter
Published: February 2023

Neuropsychiatric disorders (NPDs) are frequently co-morbid with epilepsy, but the biological basis of shared risk remains poorly understood. The 16p11.2 duplication is a copy number variant that confers risk for diverse NPDs including autism spectrum disorder, schizophrenia, intellectual disability and epilepsy. We used a mouse model of the 16p11.2 duplication (16p11.2dup/+) to uncover molecular and circuit properties associated with this broad phenotypic spectrum, and examined genes within the locus capable of phenotype reversal. Quantitative proteomics revealed alterations to synaptic networks and products of NPD risk genes. We identified an epilepsy-associated subnetwork that was dysregulated in 16p11.2dup/+mice and altered in brain tissue from individuals with NPDs. Cortical circuits from 16p11.2dup/+mice exhibited hypersynchronous activity and enhanced network glutamate release, which increased susceptibility to seizures. Using gene co-expression and interactome analysis, we show that PRRT2 is a major hub in the epilepsy subnetwork. Remarkably, correctingPrrt2copy number rescued aberrant circuit properties, seizure susceptibility and social deficits in 16p11.2dup/+mice. We show that proteomics and network biology can identify important disease hubs in multigenic disorders, and reveal mechanisms relevant to the complex symptomatology of 16p11.2 duplication carriers.
Increasing countries’ financial resilience through global catastrophe risk pooling
Authors: Ciullo Alessio , Strobl Eric , Meiler Simona , Martius Olivia , Bresch David N.
Published: February 2023

Extreme weather events can severely impact national economies, leading the recovery of low- to middle-income countries to become reliant on foreign financial aid. Foreign aid is, however, slow and uncertain. Therefore, the Sendai Framework and the Paris Agreement advocate for more resilient financial instruments like sovereign catastrophe risk pools. Existing pools, however, might not fully exploit their financial resilience potential because they were not designed to maximize risk diversification and because they pool risk only regionally. Here we introduce a method that forms pools by maximizing risk diversification and apply it to assess the benefits of global pooling compared to regional pooling. We find that global pooling always provides a higher risk diversification, it better distributes countries’ risk shares in the pool’s risk and it increases the number of countries profiting from risk pooling. Optimal global pooling could provide a diversification increase to existing pools of up to 65 %.
Nicotine rebalances NAD+ homeostasis and improves aging-related symptoms in male mice by enhancing NAMPT activity
Authors: Yang Liang , Shen Junfeng , Liu Chunhua , Kuang Zhonghua , Tang Yong , Qian Zhengjiang , Guan Min , Yang Yongfeng , Zhan Yang , Li Nan , Li Xiang
Published: February 2023

Imbalances in NAD+ homeostasis have been linked to aging and various diseases. Nicotine, a metabolite of the NAD+ metabolic pathway, has been found to possess anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties, yet the underlying molecular mechanisms remained unknown. Here we find that, independent of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, low-dose nicotine can restore the age-related decline of NAMPT activity through SIRT1 binding and subsequent deacetylation of NAMPT, thus increasing NAD+ synthesis. 18F-FDG PET imaging revealed that nicotine is also capable of efficiently inhibiting glucose hypermetabolism in aging male mice. Additionally, nicotine ameliorated cellular energy metabolism disorders and deferred age-related deterioration and cognitive decline by stimulating neurogenesis, inhibiting neuroinflammation, and protecting organs from oxidative stress and telomere shortening. Collectively, these findings provide evidence for a mechanism by which low-dose nicotine can activate NAD+ salvage pathways and improve age-related symptoms.
Tracking the evolution of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma under dynamic immune selection by multi-omics sequencing
Authors: Cui Sijia , McGranahan Nicholas , Gao Jing , Chen Peng , Jiang Wei , Yang Lingrong , Ma Li , Liao Junfang , Xie Tian , Xie Congying , Enver Tariq , Wu Shixiu
Published: February 2023

Intratumoral heterogeneity (ITH) has been linked to decreased efficacy of clinical treatments. However, although genomic ITH has been characterized in genetic, transcriptomic and epigenetic alterations are hallmarks of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), the extent to which these are heterogeneous in ESCC has not been explored in a unified framework. Further, the extent to which tumor-infiltrated T lymphocytes are directed against cancer cells, but how the immune infiltration acts as a selective force to shape the clonal evolution of ESCC is unclear. In this study, we perform multi-omic sequencing on 186 samples from 36 primary ESCC patients. Through multi-omics analyses, it is discovered that genomic, epigenomic, and transcriptomic ITH are underpinned by ongoing chromosomal instability. Based on the RNA-seq data, we observe diverse levels of immune infiltrate across different tumor sites from the same tumor. We reveal genetic mechanisms of neoantigen evasion under distinct selection pressure from the diverse immune microenvironment. Overall, our work offers an avenue of dissecting the complex contribution of the multi-omics level to the ITH in ESCC and thereby enhances the development of clinical therapy.
Identifying the ground state structures of point defects in solids
Authors: Mosquera-Lois Irea , Kavanagh Seán R. , Walsh Aron , Scanlon David O.
Published: February 2023

Point defects are a universal feature of crystals. Their identification is addressed by combining experimental measurements with theoretical models. The standard modelling approach is, however, prone to missing the ground state atomic configurations associated with energy-lowering reconstructions from the idealised crystallographic environment. Missed ground states compromise the accuracy of calculated properties. To address this issue, we report an approach to navigate the defect configurational landscape using targeted bond distortions and rattling. Application of our workflow to eight materials (CdTe, GaAs, Sb2S3, Sb2Se3, CeO2, In2O3, ZnO, anatase-TiO2) reveals symmetry breaking in each host crystal that is not found via conventional local minimisation techniques. The point defect distortions are classified by the associated physico-chemical factors. We demonstrate the impact of these defect distortions on derived properties, including formation energies, concentrations and charge transition levels. Our work presents a step forward for quantitative modelling of imperfect solids.
MorphoSim: an efficient and scalable phase-field framework for accurately simulating multicellular morphologies
Authors: Kuang Xiangyu , Guan Guoye , Tang Chao , Zhang Lei
Published: February 2023

The phase field model can accurately simulate the evolution of microstructures with complex morphologies, and it has been widely used for cell modeling in the last two decades. However, compared to other cellular models such as the coarse-grained model and the vertex model, its high computational cost caused by three-dimensional spatial discretization hampered its application and scalability, especially for multicellular organisms. Recently, we built a phase field model coupled with in vivo imaging data to accurately reconstruct the embryonic morphogenesis of Caenorhabditis elegans from 1- to 8-cell stages. In this work, we propose an improved phase field model by using the stabilized numerical scheme and modified volume constriction. Then we present a scalable phase-field framework, MorphoSim, which is 100 times more efficient than the previous one and can simulate over 100 mechanically interacting cells. Finally, we demonstrate how MorphoSim can be successfully applied to reproduce the assembly, self-repairing, and dissociation of a synthetic artificial multicellular system - the synNotch system.
Effect of a combination of pea protein, grape seed extract and lactic acid in an in vivo model of bacterial vaginosis
Authors: Lanza Marika , Scuderi Sarah Adriana , Capra Anna Paola , Casili Giovanna , Filippone Alessia , Campolo Michela , Cuzzocrea Salvatore , Esposito Emanuela , Paterniti Irene
Published: February 2023

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a common vaginal dysbiosis characterized by a malodorous discharge and irritation. The imbalance of the vaginal microbiota plays a key role in the development of BV. It has been demonstrated that Gardnerella vaginalis (GV), a facultative anaerobic bacillus, is involved in BV. Due to the rising number of antimicrobial-resistant species, recurrence of BV is becoming more frequent in women; thus, alternative treatments to antibiotics are needed. Natural substances have recently shown a great efficacy for the treatment of vaginal dysbiosis. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the beneficial effect of a product containing pea protein (PP), grape seed extract (GS) and lactic acid (LA) in an in vivo model of Gardnerella vaginalis-induced vaginosis by intravaginal administration of GV suspension (1 × 106 CFU/20 µL saline). Our results demonstrated that the product containing PP, GS and LA significantly reduced GV proliferation. More specifically, it significantly preserved tissue architecture and reduced neutrophil infiltration, inflammatory markers and sialidase activity when used both as a pre- or a post-treatment. Moreover, the product displayed strong bioadhesive properties. Therefore, our data suggested that the product containing PP, GS and LA could be used as alternative preventive or curative treatment for the management of BV.
Hybrid feature engineering of medical data via variational autoencoders with triplet loss: a COVID-19 prognosis study
Authors: Mahdavi Mahdi , Choubdar Hadi , Rostami Zahra , Niroomand Behnaz , Levine Alexandra T. , Fatemi Alireza , Bolhasani Ehsan , Vahabie Abdol-Hossein , Lomber Stephen G. , Merrikhi Yaser
Published: February 2023

Medical machine learning frameworks have received much attention in recent years. The recent COVID-19 pandemic was also accompanied by a surge in proposed machine learning algorithms for tasks such as diagnosis and mortality prognosis. Machine learning frameworks can be helpful medical assistants by extracting data patterns that are otherwise hard to detect by humans. Efficient feature engineering and dimensionality reduction are major challenges in most medical machine learning frameworks. Autoencoders are novel unsupervised tools that can perform data-driven dimensionality reduction with minimum prior assumptions. This study, in a novel approach, investigated the predictive power of latent representations obtained from a hybrid autoencoder (HAE) framework combining variational autoencoder (VAE) characteristics with mean squared error (MSE) and triplet loss for forecasting COVID-19 patients with high mortality risk in a retrospective framework. Electronic laboratory and clinical data of 1474 patients were used in the study. Logistic regression with elastic net regularization (EN) and random forest (RF) models were used as final classifiers. Moreover, we also investigated the contribution of utilized features towards latent representations via mutual information analysis. HAE Latent representations model achieved decent performance with an area under ROC curve of 0.921 (±0.027) and 0.910 (±0.036) with EN and RF predictors, respectively, over the hold-out data in comparison with the raw (AUC EN: 0.913 (±0.022); RF: 0.903 (±0.020)) models. The study aims to provide an interpretable feature engineering framework for the medical environment with the potential to integrate imaging data for efficient feature engineering in rapid triage and other clinical predictive models.
Prostate cancer cell-platelet bidirectional signaling promotes calcium mobilization, invasion and apoptotic resistance via distinct receptor-ligand pairs
Authors: Garofano Kaitlin , Rashid Kameron , Smith Michael , Brantner Christine , Suwunnakorn Sumanun , Diemert David , Gordon Olivia , Horvath Anelia , Khan Sikandar , Popratiloff Anastas , Rhim Johng , Sidahmed Alfateh , Maggirwar Sanjay B. , O’Brien Travis J. , Perera Minoli A. , Lee Norman H.
Published: February 2023

Platelets play a crucial role in cancer and thrombosis. However, the receptor-ligand repertoire mediating prostate cancer (PCa) cell-platelet interactions and ensuing consequences have not been fully elucidated. Microvilli emanating from the plasma membrane of PCa cell lines (RC77 T/E, MDA PCa 2b) directly contacted individual platelets and platelet aggregates. PCa cell-platelet interactions were associated with calcium mobilization in platelets, and translocation of P-selectin and integrin αIIbβ3 onto the platelet surface. PCa cell-platelet interactions reciprocally promoted PCa cell invasion and apoptotic resistance, and these events were insensitive to androgen receptor blockade by bicalutamide. PCa cells were exceedingly sensitive to activation by platelets in vitro, occurring at a PCa cell:platelet coculture ratio as low as 1:10 (whereas PCa patient blood contains 1:2,000,000 per ml). Conditioned medium from cocultures stimulated PCa cell invasion but not apoptotic resistance nor platelet aggregation. Candidate transmembrane signaling proteins responsible for PCa cell-platelet oncogenic events were identified by RNA-Seq and broadly divided into 4 major categories: (1) integrin-ligand, (2) EPH receptor-ephrin, (3) immune checkpoint receptor-ligand, and (4) miscellaneous receptor-ligand interactions. Based on antibody neutralization and small molecule inhibitor assays, PCa cell-stimulated calcium mobilization in platelets was found to be mediated by a fibronectin1 (FN1)-αIIbβ3 signaling axis. Platelet-stimulated PCa cell invasion was facilitated by a CD55-adhesion G protein coupled receptor E5 (ADGRE5) axis, with contribution from platelet cytokines CCL3L1 and IL32. Platelet-stimulated PCa cell apoptotic resistance relied on ephrin-EPH receptor and lysophosphatidic acid (LPA)-LPA receptor (LPAR) signaling. Of participating signaling partners, FN1 and LPAR3 overexpression was observed in PCa specimens compared to normal prostate, while high expression of CCR1 (CCL3L1 receptor), EPHA1 and LPAR5 in PCa was associated with poor patient survival. These findings emphasize that non-overlapping receptor-ligand pairs participate in oncogenesis and thrombosis, highlighting the complexity of any contemplated clinical intervention strategy.