bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Parent–child emotional availability, children's early emotional reflectivity skills, and social behavior in kindergarten
Authors: Sofri Inbar , Czik Amanda , Ziv Yair
Published: December 2024

Objective

The study aims to explore a complex and multilayered dynamic, in which relationships within the family are associated with the child's relationships outside the family through the child's reflectivity.

Background

Attachment theory posits that the mother's emotional availability toward her child influences the child's ability to understand and verbalize their own and others' feelings and that this ability is a strong predictor of children's social behavior. This remains relatively understudied during the kindergarten years.

Method

The sample included 146 kindergarten children (81 boys; mean age = 66.84 months). During a home visit, the mother–child dyad was filmed to assess emotional availability, and a researcher interviewed the child (through a storytelling procedure) to assess the child's reflectivity. Additionally, the child's main kindergarten teacher completed questionnaires reporting on the children's verbal abilities and social skills.

Results

We found clear support for connections between the mother–child relationship quality, children's emotional reflectivity capabilities, and children's social behavior in kindergarten.

Conclusions

The findings highlight the importance of relationships within the family context and their contribution to children's early emotional skills and social behavior.

Implications

The study sheds light on children's emotional reflectivity and its associations with the parent–child relationship quality and kindergarten children's social skills. These associations can lead to more informed intervention programs and to emphasizing the advantages of using storytelling techniques to better understand children's emotional capacities.
Recycling boron carbide dust waste for preparing high‐performance ceramics by hot‐pressed sintering
Authors: Wang Shuai , Wei Haojie , Chen Yang , Xing Pengfei , Zhuang Yanxin
Published: December 2024

B4C dust waste causes environmental pollution and is difficult to be recycled. This paper proposes a method of recycling B4C dust waste to fabricate high‐performance ceramics via the processes of raw material treatment and hot pressing. The characteristics of B4C dust waste are analyzed and the existing states of the impurities are detected. Dust wastes, removed different impurities via different processes, are simultaneously hot pressed at 2050°C for 15 min under 20 MPa pressure, and the microstructure and mechanical property of the fabricated ceramics are detected and compared. Results indicate that the particle size of dust waste is fine (2.7 µm), and the impurities B2O3/H3BO3, Fe, and BN exist in dust waste. The mechanical properties of the ceramics fabricated with dust wastes treated via different methods are similar or even superior to those of the commercial ceramics, and among them, the ceramics fabricated with the dust waste removed oxygen with ethanol show the excellent comprehensive performance, of which the hardness, flexural strength, and fractural toughness reach 30.78 GPa, 410 MPa, 4.3 MPa m1/2, respectively. Removing oxygen of dust waste can effectively enhance the densification, and the impurity Fe can also improve the densification owing to the formed low‐melting‐point FeB from the reaction between Fe and boron carbide in the dust waste. The pullout of FeB, BN particles, and the loosening area induced by residual stress of FeB contributes to the promotion of fracture toughness. This paper proves the feasibility of preparing high‐performance ceramics with B4C dust waste and lays a theoretical and practical foundation for the recycling and value‐added reuse of B4C dust waste, and for the low‐cost preparing of high‐performance B4C ceramics.
Chemokines in neurodegenerative diseases
Authors: Vida Hashemi , Sahar Mehranfar , Nikdouz Amin , Arezoo Hosseini
Published: December 2024

Neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation disorders are mainly the result of the deposition of various proteins, such as α‐synuclein, amyloid‐β and prions, which lead to the initiation and activation of inflammatory responses. Different chemokines are involved in the infiltration and movement of inflammatory leukocytes into the central nervous system (CNS) that express chemokine receptors. Dysregulation of several members of chemokines has been shown in the CNS, cerebrospinal fluid and peripheral blood of patients who have neurodegenerative disorders. Upon infiltration of various cells, they produce many inflammatory mediators such as cytokines. Besides them, some CNS‐resident cells, such as neurons and astrocytes, are also involved in the pathogenesis of neurodegeneration by producing chemokines. In this review, we summarize the role of chemokines and their related receptors in the pathogenesis of neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation disorders, including multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease. Therapeutic strategies targeting chemokines or their related receptors are also discussed in this article.
Development and Comparative Evaluation of a Reinstructed GPT‐4o Model Specialized in Periodontology
Authors: Fanelli Francesco , Saleh Muhammad , Santamaria Pasquale , Zhurakivska Khrystyna , Nibali Luigi , Troiano Giuseppe
Published: December 2024

Background

Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to enhance healthcare practices, including periodontology, by improving diagnostics, treatment planning and patient care. This study introduces ‘PerioGPT’, a specialized AI model designed to provide up‐to‐date periodontal knowledge using GPT‐4o and a novel retrieval‐augmented generation (RAG) system.

Methods

PerioGPT was evaluated in two phases. First, its performance was compared against those of five other chatbots using 50 periodontal questions from specialists, followed by a validation with 71 questions from the 2023–2024 ‘In‐Service Examination’ of the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP). The second phase focused on assessing PerioGPT's generative capacity, specifically its ability to create complex and accurate periodontal questions.

Results

PerioGPT outperformed other chatbots, achieving a higher accuracy rate (81.16%) and generating more complex and precise questions with a mean complexity score of 3.81 ± 0.965 and an accuracy score of 4.35 ± 0.898. These results demonstrate PerioGPT's potential as a leading tool for creating reliable clinical queries in periodontology.

Conclusions

This study underscores the transformative potential of AI in periodontology, illustrating that specialized models can offer significant advantages over general language models for both educational and clinical applications. The findings highlight that tailoring AI technologies to specific medical fields may improve performance and relevance.
Practical wisdom versus the virtue of care: A prototype approach to the geography of virtues
Authors: Navarini Claudia , Pijas Paweł
Published: December 2024

The purpose of this article is to address the complex relationships within the geography of virtues. Based on the recent prototypical theories of concepts as idealized cognitive models arising from abstraction, the article argues that the relations between virtues are asymmetrical, with a prototypical virtue characterizing the whole category and specific virtues being character traits or skills derived from the prototypical virtue. It also argues that the most promising candidates for the role of prototypical virtue are phronesis (practical wisdom) and the virtue of care, for their ability to represent and elicit any virtuous behavior when the situation calls for them. It therefore confronts the two options, which embody competing perspectives. In the concluding section, it proposes two possible directions for further research to settle in favor of one of the candidates. The article can be taken as an illustration of the potential of prototype theory for analyzing ethical concepts.
Nurses' Experiences and Perceptions of P2/N95 Mask Use During the COVID‐19 Pandemic in Australia: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Edward Anie , Holton Sara , Rasmussen Bodil , Bouchoucha Stéphane L.
Published: December 2024

Experiencing side effects when wearing N95/P2 masks has negative impacts on health workers and increases exposure to pathogens. While side effects of wearing P2/N95 masks have been reported previously, these masks have never been used as widely as during the COVID‐19 pandemic. This study examines Australian hospital nurses' experiences and perceptions of P2/N95 mask usage and its impacts on patient care at a time when P2/N95 masks were widely used. A qualitative exploratory–descriptive design involving semistructured interviews and focus groups was conducted with 12 nurses employed at a public health service in Melbourne, Australia. The data were thematically analyzed. Participants shared experiences resulted in four themes derived from the data: “adverse health impacts,” “occupational challenges caused by scarcity of P2/N95 masks,” “impact of wearing P2/N95 masks on patient care and work practices,” and “adaptive strategies to improve patient care.” Nurses experienced notable adverse effects from P2/N95 masks, affecting patient care quality. This study's findings underscore the importance of enhancing training, education, and policies regarding mask usage to uphold high standards of patient care and reduce exposure to pathogens.
Heavy atom effects on synthetic pyranoanthocyanin analogues
Authors: Martins Lucas M. O. S. , Silva Gustavo T. M. , Hess Lucas F. S. , Barbosa Alexandre B. , Turro Claudia , Baptista Mauricio S. , Quina Frank H.
Published: December 2024

Pyranoflavylium cations are synthetic analogues of pyranoanthocyanins, the much more color‐stable compounds that are formed spontaneously from grape anthocyanins during the maturation of red wines. In the present work, our studies of the photophysical properties of pyranoanthocyanin analogues are extended to include nine pyranoflavylium cations substituted with one or two bromo and/or iodo heavy atoms. The room temperature fluorescence, 77 K fluorescence and phosphorescence, triplet formation in solution, and sensitized singlet oxygen formation, with excited state acidity suppressed by the addition of trifluoroacetic acid, are compared to those of similar pyranoflavylium cations that do not contain a heavy atom. Heavy atom effects on the photophysics of the S1 state of pyranoflavylium cations are found to be relatively small, which is attributed to the nodal properties of the orbitals involved, which prevent effective mixing of the spin‐orbit coupling on the heavy atoms into the excited singlet state, S1, of the pyranoflavylium chromophore. Heavy atom effects on the phosphorescence of these heavy atom‐substituted pyranoflavylium cations at 77 K are somewhat larger, consistent with a spin‐orbit coupling‐induced increase in the radiative rate constant for phosphorescence, as are the triplet‐sensitized singlet oxygen formation quantum yields in fluid solution.
Public entrepreneurial opportunities: How institutional logics shape public servants' opportunity evaluation
Authors: Gullmark Petter , Clausen Tommy Høyvarde , Gümüsay Ali Aslan , Alsos Gry Agnete
Published: December 2024

Which entrepreneurial opportunities do public servants find appealing, and what influences their evaluation? Our investigation of 14 Norwegian municipal entrepreneurial projects indicates that public servants positively assess the attractiveness of welfare, economic, and participatory opportunities. Their evaluations are shaped by public sector logics. Our contribution is twofold: first, we connect the discourse on entrepreneurial opportunities with that of institutional logics, demonstrating that evaluations of public entrepreneurial opportunities depend on the presence and hierarchy of state, market, and community logics. This underscores the limited yet meaningful agency of public servants in these evaluations. Second, we illuminate underexplored public entrepreneurial opportunities by proposing a taxonomy that categorizes them based on the interplay of state, market, and community logics.
The impact of capitation on health insurance membership and the provision of care in Ghana
Authors: Bayong Bintu , Watson Barry
Published: December 2024

To address escalating health care costs, in 2012, Ghana piloted a capitation model in Ashanti. Employing a difference‐in‐differences method, we use data from 2010 to 2014 to examine the impact of capitation on insurance membership and the provision of care. Relative to control districts, capitation reduced membership by 39%, along with total outpatient usage (48%) and cost (38%). However, per‐member usage did not change, and per‐member cost increased. Additionally, given rising inpatient cost (an avenue not affected by capitation), there is some evidence of a cost‐shift. Capitation also had an inequitable impact, particularly reducing membership among the poor.
The Phenomenology and Epistemology of Existence
Authors: Zanetti Luca
Published: December 2024

Most of the time we see how objects are, but sometimes we see that they are. When we see that some object exists, it seems rational to ground our judgement that it exists on the basis of this experience. How do we explain these observations? A Lockean View says that it is possible to represent the property of existence in perceptual experience and that we ground our perceptual existential judgements on this basis. A Humean View says that it is not possible to represent the property of existence in experience and that we ground our perceptual existential judgements on perceptual experiences that represent objects as having some other properties that indicate their existence. In this article, I shall argue that both views face formidable challenges. A Lockean View faces Hume's Challenge, that is, it seems that there is no property of existence represented in perceptual experience. A Humean View faces the Epistemic Gap Challenge, that is, it is hard to explain the rationality of perceptual existential judgements if they are grounded on experiences that do not represent things as having the property of existence.
SIMULATION STUDY ON REGENERATIVE BRAKING SYSTEM IN ELECTRIC VEHICLE (EV)
Authors: Md Raimi Muhamad Raimi , Abu Bakar Saiful Anuar
Published: December 2024

The acceptance of electric vehicles (EVs) is rapidly growing in today's era, driven by the imperative to curtail carbon emissions and embrace environmentally friendly alternatives. Consequently, profound significance is attached to researching energy regeneration systems within EVs. This paper focuses on a simulation study involving an integrated electric vehicle (EV) model and a regenerative braking system (RBS). The EV model was meticulously crafted using MATLAB Simulink to investigate the impact of the RBS on recharging the battery with recaptured energy. Furthermore, the study delved into comprehending how the size and weight factors influence the RBS performance. The study leveraged a 72 V Lithium-ion battery model, valued for its substantial capacity and charging efficiency. Employing Simulink's driving cycle sources, the simulation accurately mirrored real-world scenarios. The pivotal parameters scrutinized in this simulation encompassed the magnitude of current replenishing the battery and the battery's State of Charge (SOC) percentage. The results of this study showed that a good design for electric vehicles, focused on putting more energy back into the battery, needs to be heavier, more aerodynamic, and have a smaller front end.
On the Lane–Emden conjecture with convolution part
Authors: Du Lele , Li Xiang , Yang Minbo
Published: December 2024

We study the Hartree type Lane–Emden conjecture, which states the nonexistence of the positive classical solutions for the following Hartree type system
where , and satisfy
We use elliptic methods to provide partially positive answers as an extension of the classical Lane–Emden conjecture. We also identify the regions where nonexistence occurs in relation to this nonlocal problem. The theorems in the present paper extend the results for the famous Lane–Emden conjecture studied in the references (Mitidieri, Comm. Partial Differential Equations, 18 (1993), 125–151; Serrin and Zou, Differential Integral Equations, 9(1996), 635–653).
Changes in the cortical GABAergic inhibitory system with ageing and ageing‐related neurodegenerative diseases
Authors: Taube Wolfgang , Lauber Benedikt
Published: December 2024

The human cortical inhibitory system is known to play a vital role for normal brain development, function, and plasticity. GABA is the most prominent inhibitory neurotransmitter in the CNS and is a key regulator not only for motor control and motor learning, but also for cognitive processes. With ageing and many neurodegenerative pathologies, a decline in GABAergic function in several cortical regions together with a reduced ability to task‐specifically modulate and increase inhibition in the primary motor cortex has been observed. This decline in intracortical inhibition is associated with impaired motor control but also with diminished motor‐cognitive (i.e. dual‐tasking) and cognitive performance (e.g. executive functions). Furthermore, more general well‐being such as sleep quality, stress resistance or non‐specific pain perception are also associated with reduced GABA functioning. The current review highlights the interplay between changes in GABAergic function and changes in motor control, motor‐cognitive and cognitive performance associated with healthy ageing, as well as in seniors with neurodegenerative diseases such as mild cognitive impairment. Furthermore, recent evidence highlighting the ability to up‐ or downregulate cortical inhibition by means of physical exercise programs is presented and discussed.

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Excessive hypercholesterolaemia during pregnancy as a risk factor for endothelial dysfunction in pre‐eclampsia
Authors: de Oliveira Amanda A. , Spaans Floor , Cooke Christy‐Lynn M. , Davidge Sandra T.
Published: December 2024

Pregnancy induces significant changes in the maternal cardiovascular system, and insufficient vascular endothelial adaptations to pregnancy contribute to the development of pregnancy complications such as pre‐eclampsia. Pre‐eclampsia is not only a major cause of maternal morbidity and mortality, but also a significant risk factor for the development of later‐life cardiovascular disease. However, the specific mechanisms underlying the pathophysiology of pre‐eclampsia, as well as the mechanisms for an increased susceptibility to cardiovascular disease later in life, are not fully characterized. In this review, we discuss the concept that excessive pregnancy‐specific dyslipidaemia, particularly hypercholesterolaemia, is a significant risk factor for the development of pre‐eclampsia. We further outline novel potential mechanisms (i.e. oxidized low‐density lipoprotein receptor 1 and toll‐like receptor 4) underlying endothelial dysfunction induced by excessively high cholesterol levels during pregnancy (in the context of pre‐eclampsia), in addition to discussing the overall implications of having had a pregnancy complicated by pre‐eclampsia on later‐life maternal vascular health. Determining the mechanisms by which excessive, pregnancy‐specific dyslipidaemia/hypercholesterolaemia impact maternal endothelial health in pregnancy, and later in life, will create a window of opportunity to diagnose and develop targeted therapy for a susceptible population of women, aiming to ultimately reduce the societal burden of cardiovascular disease.

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Influence of pericardium on ventricular mechanical interdependence in an isolated biventricular working pig heart model
Authors: Vaillant Fanny , Abell Emma , Bear Laura R. , Caluori Guido , Belterman Charly , Coronel Ruben , Ploux Sylvain , Santos Pierre Dos
Published: December 2024

The pericardium plays an important role in mechanical interactions between the right (RV) and left (LV) ventricles, referred to as ventricular interdependence. However, the exact mechanisms of its supportive role remain unknown. The present study aimed to evaluate specifically ventricular interdependence in a model of isolated biventricular working heart of large mammal, which is in absence of neurohormonal influence or series interactions, and to evaluate the impacts of intact pericardium on this phenomenon. Pig hearts were excised with the pericardium intact and connected to a biventricular working mode setup. Low and high ventricular preloads and afterloads were imposed on the hearts by changing independently the left (LA) and right (RA) atrial pressures, or the aortic (Ao) and pulmonary artery (PA) pressures, respectively, in the presence or absence of an intact pericardium. In the presence of the pericardium, increasing atrial pressures mainly impacted the ipsilateral ventricular haemodynamics, including an increase in ventricular outflow and end‐diastolic pressures, independent of the contralateral atrial pressure. LV haemodynamics were also mainly altered by the increase in the ipsilateral afterload (Ao pressure). By contrast, RV haemodynamics, including the PA flow, were not only affected by increasing its ipsilateral (PA pressure), but also by its contralateral (Ao pressure) ventricular afterload. The preload but not afterload‐dependent effects were abolished after removing the pericardium. Our work indicates that RV haemodynamics are highly impacted by the pericardiectomy. This highlights the requirement of keeping the pericardium intact to explore accurately cardiac haemodynamics, particularly in the RV.

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Key points

Pericardium has an important role in maintaining mechanical interventricular interaction, even if it is not essential for life.

We used an ex vivo biventricular working pig heart model to explore intrinsic ventricular responses to independent variations of left and right preload and afterload, in the presence and absence of the pericardium.

We show that, in the presence of the pericardium, the right ventricular haemodynamics is impacted by the ipsilateral preload as well as the ipsi‐ and contralateral afterloads, whereas the left ventricular haemodynamics is only impacted by its ipsilateral pre‐ and afterload.

The preload but not afterload‐dependent effects are abolished after removing the pericardium.

These results demonstrate a critical function of the pericardium in maintaining RV haemodynamics, as well as preload‐dependent ventricular interactions.
Neural correlates of music familiarity and likability in hospital noise masking: A functional near-infrared spectroscopy study
Authors: Deng Qiyin , Deng Zhangyan , Xu Lin , Song Yuxuan , Cai Jun
Published: December 2024

Subjective factors of music have been proven to significantly influence the effect of music masking, while the neural mechanism of music masking is unknown. This study aims to explore the neural mechanism by which music masking improves subjective perception of noise in the population. A total of 40 healthy subjects were recruited for both the subjective evaluation and functional near-infrared spectroscopy scanning during music masking of hospital noise. Annoyance reduction percentage (ARP), likability, familiarity, and brain response data were collected and analyzed. The results showed that the increasing of ARP and likability was significantly correlated with the activation of the bilateral dorsal–lateral superior frontal gyrus (DLPFC) and the orbital middle frontal gyrus (OFC), while the improvement of familiarity significantly activated the triangular inferior frontal gyrus, supramarginal gyrus, and middle temporal gyrus. The repeatedly activated channels located in DLPFC and OFC indicate that likability may play a key role in reducing annoyance through music masking. This study provides a scientific basis for the selection of masking music future noise management in hospitals.
A Method for Personalized Delivery of Teaching Resources in Vocational Colleges Based on Mining User Browsing Information
Authors: Cheng Li
Published: December 2024

In the rapidly evolving domain of vocational education, the deluge of digital teaching resources necessitates an advanced personalized recommendation system to optimize learning experiences. Traditional recommendation algorithms struggle to grasp the dynamic nature of user interests and the intricate web of interactions between users and resources. Therefore, in this paper, an efficient approach combining dynamic user interest modeling with a graph-based recommendation system is proposed. Transformer architectures are utilized to capture temporal shifts in user preferences through feature engineering of browsing behaviors, click history, and preference settings. A graph neural network is employed to capture the complex relationships within a graph-based framework. It uses graph convolutional or attention networks to dynamically assign weights that reflect the influence of neighboring nodes. Experiments are conducted on real-world datasets to assess the performance of the proposed approach in terms of precision, recall, and [Formula: see text]1-score compared to traditional systems. The proposed approach provides more accurate and personalized teaching resource recommendations in vocational education settings.
A Study on Intelligent Insect Image Recognition Based on Overlap Patch Relevance Extraction and Classification
Authors: Qian Haizhong
Published: December 2024

Insect recognition plays a crucial role in agricultural production and maintaining ecological balance. However, the vast variety and differing forms of insects make traditional image recognition methods, which rely on manual identification, low in accuracy and efficiency. This study aims to explore the application of deep learning technology in insect image recognition by proposing a deep learning-based method to enhance recognition accuracy and efficiency through automatic extraction of image features using a deep learning model. We utilized a combination of web-collected insect images and existing datasets to provide comprehensive training data, and developed an advanced deep learning model named Advanced Overlap Patch Relevance Extraction and Classification (AOPREC). The model’s design includes overlapping patch operations to minimize redundancy in background information, enhancing the model’s ability to manage image details and local features. Additionally, we replaced the multilayer perceptron (MLP) in the vision transformer (ViT) with a more efficient classifier that combines convolutional neural networks (CNN) and long short-term memory (LSTM) structures, significantly improving classification performance. Furthermore, Gaussian error linear unit (GELU) was employed as the activation function to optimize training efficiency and generalization, ensuring consistent performance across various images. Experimental results demonstrate that the AOPREC model excels in insect image classification and object detection tasks, significantly improving recognition accuracy.
The Monitoring Edge-Geodetic Numbers of Some Networks
Authors: Sun Xiaojie , Ji Zhen , Gao Yujia
Published: December 2024

For a pair [Formula: see text] of vertices and an edge [Formula: see text] of graph [Formula: see text], we say that [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] can monitor [Formula: see text] if removing [Formula: see text] would change the distance between [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. A monitoring edge-geodetic (MEG for short) set can monitor all edges of [Formula: see text] and the minimum size of an MEG set is the monitoring edge-geodetic number and is written [Formula: see text]. In this paper, we obtain the MEG numbers of small world networks, hexagonal networks, hex-derived networks, enhanced mesh networks, and hexagonal star networks.
Analyzing Air Passenger Flows between New Zealand’s Small Regions and Australia — A Gravity Model
Authors: Flatley Tobias , Tsui Kan Wai Hong , Ngo Thanh
Published: December 2024

Due to the geographic location of Australia and New Zealand, air transport is the dominant mode of travel between the two nations and to and from the rest of the world. While the trans-Tasman air passenger market between the two countries has grown over the last 20 years, direct air routes to Australian destinations from New Zealand’s regional cities of Dunedin, Hamilton and Palmerston North have seen a major decline and, in most cases, the complete closure of those routes. This study uses the two-stage least squares (2SLS) gravity model to investigate the determinants of air passenger numbers on eight sampled city-pair routes. Empirical results show that for these trans-Tasman markets, expanded seat capacity has a strong positive impact on air passenger numbers. A longer driving time to travel to the nearest alternative international airport, the 2008/09 GFC and the winter season in New Zealand are also associated with an increase in air passenger numbers. In contrast, the presence of full-service network carriers has a negative impact on air passenger numbers.
Commodity futures basis prediction based on the VMD–DBO–BiGRU model
Authors: Liu Yuanmeng , Liu Fuguo , Shi Yufeng , Zhang Yuxue , Liu Yijia
Published: December 2024

Considering the nonlinear and nonstationary characteristics of the basis, this paper proposes an ensemble model that integrates Variational Mode Decomposition (VMD), Dung Beetle Optimization (DBO), and Bidirectional Gated Recurrent Units (BiGRUs). To avoid the limitations of a single commodity and to verify the effectiveness of the proposed model, this study selects six futures varieties and analyzes models such as BP (Backpropagation), LSTM (Long Short-Term Memory), DBO–BiGRU, and VMD–BiGRU. The results demonstrate that the VMD–DBO–BiGRU model exhibits superior performance in both one-step and multi-step forecasting. It also confirms the significant effects of VMD and DBO in enhancing the accuracy and stability of predictions. Moreover, models that account for the lag factors of the basis outperform those considering other factors, exhibiting lower errors and higher fit indices.
Understanding the Spatial Variation of Integrated Use of Ride‐Hailing Services With the Metro
Authors: Du Mingyang , Li Zhicheng , Li Xuefeng , Xu Jiacong , Liu Dong , Kwan Mei-Po
Published: December 2024

This study aims to explore the spatial heterogeneity of influential factors of integrated use of ride‐hailing service with the metro. Using the operation data of ride‐hailing services in Chengdu, China, first, an identification method of integrated ride‐hailing trips is proposed. Then, the ordinary least squares (OLS) and geographically weighted regression (GWR) models are established to discern the factors that affect access‐integrated ride‐hailing use and egress‐integrated ride‐hailing use on weekdays and weekends. The model results demonstrate that the fitting effect of GWR models is superior to that of OLS models, and the coefficient estimates of each explanatory variable vary across regions. Accommodation facilities promote the access‐integrated trips in the eastern area, and this positive impact for egress‐integrated trips extends to the northeastern area. Tourist attractions have a positive impact on the integrated trips in the central and western regions, while they have a negative impact in the northwest and southeast regions. The research results can provide the theoretical support for the seamless connection and coordinated development of these two services.
The Protective Role of PGC‐1α in Cystitis Glandularis: Mitigating Mitochondrial Injury and Inflammation
Authors: Chen Min , Tang Yongbo , Fu Yue , Hu Haiwei , Cui Ende , Wen Zhouliang , Zhong Wei , Su Jimin , Ge Bo
Published: December 2024

Background: Peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐gamma coactivator‐1α (PGC‐1α), a regulator of mitochondrial function, plays a critical role in inflammation and may be involved in cystitis glandularis (CG) development.

Methods: LPS was administered to establish a CG model in female Sprague–Dawley (SD) rats and to induce cellular injury in the human urothelial cell line SV‐HUC‐1. Subsequently, to elucidate the role of PGC‐1α signaling in CG, both the animal and cellular models were treated with ZLN005, a specific activator of PGC‐1α. Cell viability was assessed using the cell‐counting kit‐8 (CCK8) assay. Mitochondrial damage was quantified by measuring reactive oxygen species (ROS), assessing mitochondrial membrane potential, and examining mitochondrial ultrastructure via transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) were utilized to determine the levels of inflammatory cytokines, namely, IL‐1β, IL‐6, and TNF‐α. Furthermore, the protein expression of silent information regulation 1 (SIRT1), PGC‐1α, mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM), nuclear respiratory factor 1 (NRF1), and nuclear respiratory factor 2 (NRF2) was evaluated using immunohistochemistry and/or Western blot analysis.

Results: LPS‐treated rat bladder exhibited histological characteristics of CG, including increased urothelial proliferation and inflammation. PGC‐1α protein levels were downregulated in human CG tissues, LPS‐treated rat bladders, and SV‐HUC‐1 cells. Mitochondrial damage was observed in both rat CG and LPS‐irritated cells with elevated ROS and diminished mitochondrial membrane potential. TEM documented mitochondrial morphological injury of the urothelium in rat CG. ZLN005 attenuated LPS‐induced epithelial hyperplasia and inflammatory cytokine secretion in the rat CG model. Furthermore, ZLN005 partially reversed LPS‐induced mitochondrial damage, as indicated by reduced ROS levels, restored mitochondrial membrane potential, and mitigated mitochondrial morphological injury in both rat CG and LPS‐stimulated cells. In addition, ZLN005 restored the expression of PGC‐1α and its associated signaling proteins SIRT1, TFAM, NRF1, and NRF2.

Conclusions: The downregulation of PGC‐1α suggests its potential as a molecular marker for the progression of CG. Targeting the PGC‐1α signaling pathway may offer an effective therapeutic intervention for the clinical management of CG.
Effects of Different Forms of Anthocyanins on the Growth Inhibition and Gene Expression of Colorectal Cancer Cells
Authors: Liu Weidong , Feng Siting , He Dou , Liu Pei , Guo Jian , Chen Xinyu , Hu Chenghao , Gao Fei , Ren Shuqiang
Published: December 2024

Scope: Anthocyanins obtained from the diet have therapeutic potential for various cancers, including colorectal cancer (CRC). Given the diverse forms of anthocyanins, it is unclear whether different types of anthocyanins share common pathways in regulating intestinal cell function. This study aims to explore the core gene pathways modulated by anthocyanins in intestinal cells and to identify potential compounds with similar therapeutic effects.

Methods and Results: Three different forms of anthocyanins (cyanidin chloride, cyanidin 3‐O‐glucoside, and cyanidin 3‐O‐rutinoside) were used to treat CRC cells at different concentrations and time points, and growth inhibition was observed for all anthocyanins, with varying patterns. RNA‐seq analysis showed that the regulatory pathways of anthocyanins with different structures were different, and the time factor had a greater effect. Time‐series analysis of regulatory genes shared among different concentrations and structures of anthocyanins was performed. By overlapping with a public PPAR target gene set, a core gene set across three types of anthocyanins was identified and used in Connectivity Map (CMap) analysis to screen for compounds. The repositioned drug candidates included known anticancer drugs that have effects of transcriptome interventions like anthocyanins.

Conclusion: These findings provide new insights into the mechanisms that underlie the anti‐CRC effects of anthocyanins and may facilitate the development of novel therapeutic agents for CRC.
A Wideband High‐Efficiency Dual‐Polarized Metal‐Only Reflectarray Antenna Using Folded Groove Elements
Authors: Zhou Qiqi , Geng Jingyi , Guo Lu
Published: December 2024

A wideband high‐efficiency dual‐polarized metal‐only reflectarray antenna is designed and analyzed. The unit cell is composed of a layer of grooved metal plate and a ground, with an air layer in the middle. The proposed element features a phase range of about 360° and works independently in orthogonal directions, enabling dual linearly polarized operations. Based on this unit cell, a circular array including 177 elements with a diameter of 250 mm is simulated and fabricated at 10 GHz. The measured results show that the reflectarray exhibits a good performance in both horizontal and vertical polarizations, with a 1‐dB gain bandwidth of 20.2% and 20% and peak aperture efficiency of 62.3% and 61%, respectively. In addition, sidelobe and cross‐polarization levels are also satisfactory.
Psychometric Properties of Older Adults’ Entomophobia and Arachnophobia Scale (OAEAS): Validating, Cutoff Points, IRT Analysis, and Its Measurement Invariance in Iranian Version
Authors: Nasrabadi Mahsa , Kashfi Seyyed Mansour , Soltani Aboozar , Ahmad Siti Anom Binti , Asadollahi Abdolrahim
Published: December 2024

Objectives: Experiencing the fear of insects or other arthropods is more challenging for older adults than encountering insects themselves. The aim of this study is to measure this feeling in the Older Adults’ Entomophobia and Arachnophobia Scale (OAEAS) in the aging community of Iran.

Materials and Methods: In a psychometric study, translation and validation of OAEAS (short version) have been done among a sample of 450 Persian‐speaking older participants with mean score of years old 70.2 (SD = 8.3) (female = 61.4% and male = 38.6%). In the midyear of 2021, psychometric features of the OAEAS and its cutoff points for measuring fear of insects or other arthropods were investigated among Iranian older population. Using EFA and CFA, the extracted models, that is, PCA, GLS, and ML and also, test‐retest reliability, ROC analysis, and convergent validity were also assessed. The polytomous Rasch model for all items has been prepared alongside extracted marginal maximum likelihood estimation (MMLE) and PCM model.

Results: About 55.9% were married, 34.4% lived alone, and 65.6% did not live alone. Approximately 89.5% of the participants experienced insect bites in childhood, and 60% did not have pets at home. A total of 28.2% of the participants reported fear of flying insects or other arthropods, while 21.8% feared nonflying arthropods. Using EFA and CFA, it was indicated to internal consistency, accuracy, structural reliability, and convergent validity under 2 factors named entomophobia and entomophilia with eigenvalues close to once. The fit indices (mean indices ≥ 0.8) were the best for the 2‐factor model with RMSEA = 0.04 (p ≤ 0.01). In the final analysis of the IRT method, two items (16 and 20) were removed from the OAEAS. The results of ROC analysis showed that the OAEAS has sufficient diagnostic validity to classify different groups.

Discussion: The new version of OAEAS 18‐items is a valid and reliable tool for assessing fear of insects or other arthropods in Iranian community‐dwelling older adults. The possible uses and limitations of the Iranian version of the scale were also discussed.
Figure 5 from Beyond HRD Status: Unraveling Genetic Variants Impacting PARP Inhibitor Sensitivity in Advanced Ovarian Cancer
Authors: Kjeldsen Maj K. , Jørgensen Morten , Grønseth Dina Sofie B. , Schønemann-Lund Martin , Nyvang Gitte-Bettina , Haslund Charlotte Aaquist , Knudsen Anja Oer , Motavaf Anne Krejbjerg , Malander Susanne , Anttila Maarit , Lindahl Gabriel , Mäenpää Johanna , Dimoula Maria , Werner Theresa L. , Iversen Trine Zeeberg , Hietanen Sakari , Fokdal Lars , Dahlstrand Hanna , Bjørge Line , Birrer Michael J. , Mirza Mansoor R. , Rossing Maria
Published: December 2024

BRCA1 (top) and BRCA2 (bottom) with variants found in AVANOVA1&2 colored by treatment response (see legend). BRCA1: Transcript NM_007294.4. In total, 1,863 aa. RING domain (aa 2–101), PALB2-binding domain (also called coiled-coil domain; aa 1,391–1,424), BRCT repeats (aa 1,650–1857), and exon 11 (aa 224–1,366). BRCA2: Transcript NM_000059.4. In total, 3,418 aa. PALB2-binding domain (aa 10–40), DNA-binding domain (aa 2,481–3,186), and exons 10 and 11 (aa 266–2,281).
Figure 1 from Beyond HRD Status: Unraveling Genetic Variants Impacting PARP Inhibitor Sensitivity in Advanced Ovarian Cancer
Authors: Kjeldsen Maj K. , Jørgensen Morten , Grønseth Dina Sofie B. , Schønemann-Lund Martin , Nyvang Gitte-Bettina , Haslund Charlotte Aaquist , Knudsen Anja Oer , Motavaf Anne Krejbjerg , Malander Susanne , Anttila Maarit , Lindahl Gabriel , Mäenpää Johanna , Dimoula Maria , Werner Theresa L. , Iversen Trine Zeeberg , Hietanen Sakari , Fokdal Lars , Dahlstrand Hanna , Bjørge Line , Birrer Michael J. , Mirza Mansoor R. , Rossing Maria
Published: December 2024

Flowchart showing patients included in final gene panel analysis. * Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded. ** TSO500 gene panel by Illumina.
Citizen science conservation: a case study using two threatened large aquatic American salamanders (Amphibia: Urodela), the Common Mudpuppy Necturus maculosus (Proteidae) and the Eastern Hellbender Cryptobranchus alleganiensis (Cryptobranchidae) observations on iNaturalist
Authors: Unger Shem
Published: December 2024

Amphibians are facing threats globally which can present challenges to managers seeking to document declines. Citizen science platforms are emerging as an effective tool to document presence of species worldwide. However, little is known regarding the ability to characterize trends of large, fully aquatic easily identifiable salamander presence on these platforms within North American freshwater habitats, as a proxy for monitoring threatened species. This manuscript provides a baseline for the use of iNaturalist observations to characterize life history and anthropogenic factors associated with two amphibian species in decline, the Eastern Hellbender Cryptobranchus alleganiensis and Common mudpuppy Necturus maculosus salamanders. I report on predatory behavior, percent alive versus dead, and potential impacts of fishing on these salamanders. Conservation approaches such as those presented in this communication can provide a method for monitoring species using the power of citizen science in areas where researchers are managing threatened populations of amphibians.
Avifaunal diversity and conservation significance of coastal ecosystems on Rameswaram Island, Tamil Nadu, India
Authors: H. Byju  , H. Maitreyi  , S. Ravichandran  , N. Raveendran
Published: December 2024

Biodiversity-rich areas tied to heritage, religious tourism, and ecotourism, often face changes to their landscapes due to infrastructure development. Such activities may threaten the species survival and disrupt the delicate ecosystems in these regions. Hence it becomes imperative to build up baseline species data from such areas for biodiversity conservation and management interventions. Towards achieving this objective, avifaunal inventories were documented from Kothandaramar Lagoon, Dhanushkodi Lagoon, and the Arichalmunai beach in Rameswaram Island, Ramanathapuram District, Tamil Nadu, which is an important site for winter migrants. A total of 147 avian species belonging to 17 orders and 45 families from August 2021 to July 2023 were recorded. Order-wise, Charadriiformes (52 species) dominated the area, followed by Passeriformes (27 species) and Pelecaniformes (21 species). According to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, 11 ‘Near Threatened’, three ‘Vulnerable’, two ‘Endangered’ (Great Knot Calidris tenuirostris and Siberian Sandplover Anarhynchus mongolus), and one unassessed species (Hanuman Plover Charadrius seebohmi) were recorded. The relative abundance based on the frequency of observations indicated that 61% (90 species) were common, 22% (32 species) were uncommon, and 17% (25 species) were rare. Winter visitors constituted 42% (62 species) and one was a passage migrant (Rosy Starling Pastor roseus). Coastal lagoons of this region comprise diverse habitats that play a vital role for birds, which provide places for nesting, roosting, and foraging. This baseline data emphasizes the importance of Dhanushkodi Lagoon along with adjacent areas as an important wintering site on the southeastern coast of India for migratory shorebirds as well as highlights the importance of adjoining small forested patches thus required to be declared as a protected area.
First record of Eurasian Crag Martin Ptyonoprogne rupestris (Scopoli, 1769) (Aves: Passeriformes: Hirundinidae) from Tamil Nadu, India
Authors: S. Naveen Kumar
Published: December 2024

Eurasian Crag Martin Ptyonoprogne rupestris is a small-sized aerial insectivorous bird from the family Hirundinidae , commonly grouped under swallows and martins. Here I present the first photographic proof of Eurasian Crag Martin at Tamil Nadu of India.
First photographic documentation of avian egg predation by Common Palm Civet Paradoxurus hermaphroditus (Pallas, 1777) (Mammalia: Carnivora: Viverridae)
Authors: Bhattacharya Aritra , B.N. Achyutha  , Iyer Nandini , Somaiah Sundarapandian  , Kuppusamy Sivakumar
Published: December 2024

Asian Palm Civet is traditionally known to consume eggs. But scat analysis studies have not been able to show that. A photographic documentation of the Asian Palm Civet consuming eggs is reported for the first time from Pondicherry region.
Genetic Variants Associated With Preeclampsia and Maternal Serum sFLT1 Levels
Authors: Mack Jasmine A. , Sovio Ulla , Day Felix R. , Gaccioli Francesca , Cook Emma , Bayzid Nadua , Cotic Marius , Dunton Nathan , Madhan Gaganjit , Motsinger-Reif Alison , Perry John R.B. , Charnock-Jones D. Stephen , Smith Gordon C.S.
Published: December 2024

BACKGROUND:

Elevated maternal serum sFLT1 (soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1) has a key role in the pathophysiology of preeclampsia. We sought to determine the relationship between the maternal and fetal genome and maternal levels of sFLT1 at 12, 20, 28, and 36 weeks of gestational age (wkGA).

METHODS:

We studied a prospective cohort of nulliparous women (3968 mother-child pairs). We related maternal and fetal genotype to the adjusted sFLT1
Z
score and sFLT1:placental growth factor (PlGF) ratio
Z
score at each wkGA and the change in the
Z
score between 28 and 36 wkGA (Δ36-28). We studied genetic variants from a previous fetal genome-wide association study of preeclampsia and an externally defined polygenic score from a maternal genome-wide association study of preeclampsia.

RESULTS:

Four variants from the fetal preeclampsia genome-wide association study were positively associated with sFLT1 and sFLT1:PlGF
Z
score at 36 wkGA, and
FLT1
enhancer single-nucleotide polymorphisms were associated with increased Δ36-28 of sFLT1. The associations were specific for the fetal genome or stronger for the fetal than the maternal genome. An increased risk of preeclampsia based on the maternal polygenic score for preeclampsia was associated with lower levels of sFLT1 and sFLT1:PlGF ratio in the first trimester and a greater Δ36-28 for sFLT1.

CONCLUSIONS:

The current data are consistent with a causal association between sFLT1 released by the placenta in late pregnancy and the pathophysiology of preeclampsia. The data are also consistent with maternal components to the protective effect of high sFLT1 in the first trimester and the rise in third-trimester sFLT1 levels and preeclampsia.