bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Tempered Rationalism for a Tempered Yuck Factor—Using Disgust in Bioethics
Authors: Eckl Konstantin , Deininger Konstantin
Published: March 2024

When it comes to invasive manipulation of animals on the biological level, reactions of disgust are common and often influential on people’s moral judgments. As a case in point, the Belgian Blue, a breed of hyper-enhanced cattle which will serve as a case study for the present article, has historically been met with revulsion. Traditionally, in bio- and animal ethics, this ‘yuck factor,’ has been denied any productive role in proper moral justification, since rationalism is still a dominant paradigm in those disciplines. This is not surprising since rationalism offers the fulfilment of certain expectations we have of morality, like universality, intersubjective communicability, and objectivity. Increasingly, however, the preconceptions of rationalism have been brought into question, both through empirical as well as philosophical insights. In this paper, we will explore a way in which researchers who are, accordingly, critical of rationalism, and who wish to take seriously the role disgust plays in the formation of moral judgments when it comes to biological manipulation of animals, can do so without abandoning those virtues of rationalism which make it such an appealing position. We will do so by offering what we call a ‘tempered’ kind of rationalism, that is, one which conceives of rationality in the terms of Mary Midgley, not as distinct from, but as a possible function of, well-ordered emotion.
Are Judges on Per Curiam Courts Ideological? Evidence from the European Court of Justice
Authors: Cheruvu Sivaram
Published: March 2024

Institutional designers of judiciaries often want to provide the appearance of impartiality. As a result, many collegial courts issue per curiam rulings in which judges’ votes are not public. An extensive scholarship, however, provides evidence that ideology and mechanisms of retention affect judicial decision-making. Do per curiam rulings actively mitigate or provide cover for ideological and career-oriented judicial decision-making? I argue that – when serving as the rapporteur (opinion-writer) – a judge on a civil law per curiam court can steer their panel towards the outcome their appointer prefers. When their appointing government turns over, nonetheless, a judge is not compelled to change their decision-making to be in line with their new government, as per curiam rulings protect them from retaliation. An analysis of decisions at the Court of Justice of the European Union provides evidence for this account.
Characterizing the Atmospheric Mn Cycle and Its Impact on Terrestrial Biogeochemistry
Authors: Lu Louis , Li Longlei , Rathod Sagar , Hess Peter , Martínez Carmen , Fernandez Nicole , Goodale Christine , Thies Janice , Wong Michelle Y. , Alaimo Maria Grazia , Artaxo Paulo , Barraza Francisco , Barreto Africa , Beddows David , Chellam Shankarararman , Chen Ying , Chuang Patrick , Cohen David D. , Dongarrà Gaetano , Gaston Cassandra , Gómez Darío , Morera‐Gómez Yasser , Hakola Hannele , Hand Jenny , Harrison Roy , Hopke Philip , Hueglin Christoph , Kuang Yuan‐Wen , Kyllönen Katriina , Lambert Fabrice , Maenhaut Willy , Martin Randall , Paytan Adina , Prospero Joseph , González Yenny , Rodriguez Sergio , Smichowski Patricia , Varrica Daniela , Walsh Brenna , Weagle Crystal , Xiao Yi‐Hua , Mahowald Natalie
Published: March 2024

The role of manganese (Mn) in ecosystem carbon (C) biogeochemical cycling is gaining increasing attention. While soil Mn is mainly derived from bedrock, atmospheric deposition could be a major source of Mn to surface soils, with implications for soil C cycling. However, quantification of the atmospheric Mn cycle, which comprises emissions from natural (desert dust, sea salts, volcanoes, primary biogenic particles, and wildfires) and anthropogenic sources (e.g., industrialization and land‐use change due to agriculture), transport, and deposition, remains uncertain. Here, we use compiled emission data sets for each identified source to model and quantify the atmospheric Mn cycle by combining an atmospheric model and in situ atmospheric concentration measurements. We estimated global emissions of atmospheric Mn in aerosols (<10 μm in aerodynamic diameter) to be 1,400 Gg Mn year−1. Approximately 31% of the emissions come from anthropogenic sources. Deposition of the anthropogenic Mn shortened Mn “pseudo” turnover times in 1‐m‐thick surface soils (ranging from 1,000 to over 10,000,000 years) by 1–2 orders of magnitude in industrialized regions. Such anthropogenic Mn inputs boosted the Mn‐to‐N ratio of the atmospheric deposition in non‐desert dominated regions (between 5 × 10−5 and 0.02) across industrialized areas, but that was still lower than soil Mn‐to‐N ratio by 1–3 orders of magnitude. Correlation analysis revealed a negative relationship between Mn deposition and topsoil C density across temperate and (sub)tropical forests, consisting with atmospheric Mn deposition enhancing carbon respiration as seen in in situ biogeochemical studies.
Canopy Heterogeneity and Environmental Variability Drive Annual Budgets of Net Ecosystem Carbon Exchange in a Tidal Marsh
Authors: Hawman P. A. , Cotten D. L. , Mishra D. R.
Published: March 2024

Tidal salt marshes are important ecosystems in the global carbon cycle. Understanding their net carbon exchange with the atmosphere is required to accurately estimate their net ecosystem carbon budget (NECB). In this study, we present the interannual net ecosystem exchange (NEE) of CO2 derived from eddy covariance (EC) for a Spartina alterniflora salt marsh. We found interannual NEE could vary up to 3‐fold and range from −58.5 ± 11.3 to −222.9 ± 12.4 g C m−2 year−1 in 2016 and 2020, respectively. Further, we found that atmospheric CO2 fluxes were spatially dependent and varied across short distances. High biomass regions along tidal creek and estuary edges had up to 2‐fold higher annual NEE than lower biomass marsh interiors. In addition to the spatial variation of NEE, regions of the marsh represented by distinct canopy zonation responded to environmental drivers differently. Low elevation edges (with taller canopies) had a higher correlation with river discharge (R2 = 0.61), the main freshwater input into the system, while marsh interiors (with short canopies) were better correlated with in situ precipitation (R2 = 0.53). Lastly, we extrapolated interannual NEE to the wider marsh system, demonstrating the potential underestimation of annual NEE when not considering spatially explicit rates of NEE. Our work provides a basis for further research to understand the temporal and spatial dynamics of productivity in coastal wetlands, ecosystems which are at the forefront of experiencing climate change induced variability in precipitation, temperature, and sea level rise that have the potential to alter ecosystem productivity.
Scientists Gain a New Tool to Listen for Nuclear Explosions
Authors: Chakravorty Adityarup
Published: March 2024

Mathematics and computer modeling help scientists tell natural earthquakes from nuclear tests.
Establishing a Psychosocial Screening Program in a High-Volume Pediatric Epilepsy Clinic Using the PedsQL—Epilepsy Module
Authors: Bernat D. J. , McNally Kelly , Ostendorf Adam P. , Wojnaroski Mary , Hamner Taralee , Stephan Catherine T. , Cass Jennifer
Published: March 2024

Objective:

Children and adolescents with epilepsy are at increased risk for a number of comorbidities which can affect their health-related quality of life. We aimed to leverage data collected through widespread, automated distribution of the PedsQL—epilepsy module ( Modi et al., 2017 ) to patient caregivers in order to assess the feasibility of using the PedsQL to create a formalized psychosocial screening program.

Method:

Our team utilized quality improvement methodology to establish a clinic workflow and trial a psychosocial screening program based on targeting specific domains of the PedsQL—epilepsy module using existing cutoff scores.

Results:

In our sample, 58% ( n = 67) of patients screened positive on one or more of the three targets PedsQL—epilepsy module domains based on parent reports. Approximately 40% of those were seen for a consult ( n = 26). Consults most often involved psychoeducation related to the special education process or brief intervention for managing behavioral or mood concerns (76.9% of children who screened positive, n = 20).

Conclusion:

The existing PedsQL—epilepsy module cutoff scores demonstrated utility in targeting patients for intervention in our high-volume multidisciplinary pediatric epilepsy clinic.

Implications for Impact Statement

This article demonstrates the feasibility of using the PedsQL—epilepsy module in order to screen for psychosocial concerns in a busy pediatric epilepsy clinic. Valuable details including the process for developing and refining the screening process are also included.
Periodontitis exacerbates pulmonary hypertension by promoting IFNγ+ T cell infiltration in mice
Authors: Meng Xiaoqian , Du Linjuan , Xu Shuo , Zhou Lujun , Chen Boyan , Li Yulin , Chen Chumao , Ye Huilin , Zhang Jun , Tian Guocai , Bai Xuebing , Dong Ting , Lin Wenzhen , Sun Mengjun , Zhou Kecong , Liu Yan , Zhang Wuchang , Duan Shengzhong
Published: March 2024

Uncovering the risk factors of pulmonary hypertension and its mechanisms is crucial for the prevention and treatment of the disease. In the current study, we showed that experimental periodontitis, which was established by ligation of molars followed by orally smearing subgingival plaques from patients with periodontitis, exacerbated hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension in mice. Mechanistically, periodontitis dysregulated the pulmonary microbiota by promoting ectopic colonization and enrichment of oral bacteria in the lungs, contributing to pulmonary infiltration of interferon gamma positive (IFNγ+) T cells and aggravating the progression of pulmonary hypertension. In addition, we identified Prevotella zoogleoformans as the critical periodontitis-associated bacterium driving the exacerbation of pulmonary hypertension by periodontitis, and the exacerbation was potently ameliorated by both cervical lymph node excision and IFNγ neutralizing antibodies. Our study suggests a proof of concept that the combined prevention and treatment of periodontitis and pulmonary hypertension are necessary.
Song lyrics have become simpler and more repetitive over the last five decades
Authors: Parada-Cabaleiro Emilia , Mayerl Maximilian , Brandl Stefan , Skowron Marcin , Schedl Markus , Lex Elisabeth , Zangerle Eva
Published: March 2024

Music is ubiquitous in our everyday lives, and lyrics play an integral role when we listen to music. The complex relationships between lyrical content, its temporal evolution over the last decades, and genre-specific variations, however, are yet to be fully understood. In this work, we investigate the dynamics of English lyrics of Western, popular music over five decades and five genres, using a wide set of lyrics descriptors, including lyrical complexity, structure, emotion, and popularity. We find that pop music lyrics have become simpler and easier to comprehend over time: not only does the lexical complexity of lyrics decrease (for instance, captured by vocabulary richness or readability of lyrics), but we also observe that the structural complexity (for instance, the repetitiveness of lyrics) has decreased. In addition, we confirm previous analyses showing that the emotion described by lyrics has become more negative and that lyrics have become more personal over the last five decades. Finally, a comparison of lyrics view counts and listening counts shows that when it comes to the listeners’ interest in lyrics, for instance, rock fans mostly enjoy lyrics from older songs; country fans are more interested in new songs’ lyrics.
Gut microbiota profile in CDKL5 deficiency disorder patients
Authors: Borghi Elisa , Xynomilakis Ornella , Ottaviano Emerenziana , Ceccarani Camilla , Viganò Ilaria , Tognini Paola , Vignoli Aglaia
Published: March 2024

CDKL5 deficiency disorder (CDD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by global developmental delay, early-onset seizures, intellectual disability, visual and motor impairments. Unlike Rett Syndrome (RTT), CDD lacks a clear regression period. Patients with CDD frequently encounter gastrointestinal (GI) disturbances and exhibit signs of subclinical immune dysregulation. However, the underlying causes of these conditions remain elusive. Emerging studies indicate a potential connection between neurological disorders and gut microbiota, an area completely unexplored in CDD. We conducted a pioneering study, analyzing fecal microbiota composition in individuals with CDD (n = 17) and their healthy relatives (n = 17). Notably, differences in intestinal bacterial diversity and composition were identified in CDD patients. In particular, at genus level, CDD microbial communities were characterized by an increase in the relative abundance of Clostridium_AQ, Eggerthella, Streptococcus, and Erysipelatoclostridium, and by a decrease in Eubacterium, Dorea, Odoribacter, Intestinomonas, and Gemmiger, pointing toward a dysbiotic profile. We further investigated microbiota changes based on the severity of GI issues, seizure frequency, sleep disorders, food intake type, impairment in neuro-behavioral features and ambulation capacity. Enrichment in Lachnoclostridium and Enterobacteriaceae was observed in the microbiota of patients with more severe GI symptoms, while Clostridiaceae, Peptostreptococcaceae, Coriobacteriaceae, Erysipelotrichaceae, Christensenellaceae, and Ruminococcaceae were enriched in patients experiencing daily epileptic seizures. Our findings suggest a potential connection between CDD, microbiota and symptom severity. This study marks the first exploration of the gut-microbiota-brain axis in subjects with CDD. It adds to the growing body of research emphasizing the role of the gut microbiota in neurodevelopmental disorders and opens doors to potential interventions that target intestinal microbes with the aim of improving the lives of patients with CDD.
Peripheral blood transcriptomic analysis identifies potential inflammation and immune signatures for central retinal artery occlusion
Authors: Feng Jiaqing , Li Ying , Wang Chuansen , Wang Yuedan , Wan Yuwei , Zheng Mengxue , Chen Ting , Xiao Xuan
Published: March 2024

Central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) is an acute retinal ischaemic disease, but early diagnosis is challenging due to a lack of biomarkers. Blood samples were collected from CRAO patients and cataract patients. Gene expression profiles were distinct between arterial/venous CRAO blood (A–V group) and venous CRAO/control blood (V–C group) samples. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were subjected to GO and KEGG enrichment analyses. Hub genes were identified by Cytoscape and used to predict gene interactions via GeneMANIA. Immune cell infiltration was analysed by CIBERSORT. More than 1400 DEGs were identified in the A–V group and 112 DEGs in the V–C group compared to controls. The DEGs in both groups were enriched in the ribosome pathway, and those in the V–C group were also enriched in antigen processing/MHC pathways. Network analysis identified ribosomal proteins (RPS2 and RPS5) as the core genes of the A–V group and MHC genes (HLA-F) as the core genes of the V–C group. Coexpression networks showed ribosomal involvement in both groups, with additional immune responses in the V–C group. Immune cell analysis indicated increased numbers of neutrophils and T cells. Ribosomal and MHC-related genes were identified as potential CRAO biomarkers, providing research directions for prevention, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis.
Improved tactile speech robustness to background noise with a dual-path recurrent neural network noise-reduction method
Authors: Fletcher Mark D. , Perry Samuel W. , Thoidis Iordanis , Verschuur Carl A. , Goehring Tobias
Published: March 2024

Many people with hearing loss struggle to understand speech in noisy environments, making noise robustness critical for hearing-assistive devices. Recently developed haptic hearing aids, which convert audio to vibration, can improve speech-in-noise performance for cochlear implant (CI) users and assist those unable to access hearing-assistive devices. They are typically body-worn rather than head-mounted, allowing additional space for batteries and microprocessors, and so can deploy more sophisticated noise-reduction techniques. The current study assessed whether a real-time-feasible dual-path recurrent neural network (DPRNN) can improve tactile speech-in-noise performance. Audio was converted to vibration on the wrist using a vocoder method, either with or without noise reduction. Performance was tested for speech in a multi-talker noise (recorded at a party) with a 2.5-dB signal-to-noise ratio. An objective assessment showed the DPRNN improved the scale-invariant signal-to-distortion ratio by 8.6 dB and substantially outperformed traditional noise-reduction (log-MMSE). A behavioural assessment in 16 participants showed the DPRNN improved tactile-only sentence identification in noise by 8.2%. This suggests that advanced techniques like the DPRNN could substantially improve outcomes with haptic hearing aids. Low-cost haptic devices could soon be an important supplement to hearing-assistive devices such as CIs or offer an alternative for people who cannot access CI technology.
Ultra high content analyses of circulating and tumor associated hybrid cells reveal phenotypic heterogeneity
Authors: Whalen Riley M. , Anderson Ashley N. , Jones Jocelyn A. , Sims Zachary , Chang Young Hwan , Nederlof Michel A. , Wong Melissa H. , Gibbs Summer L.
Published: March 2024

Persistently high, worldwide mortality from cancer highlights the unresolved challenges of disease surveillance and detection that impact survival. Development of a non-invasive, blood-based biomarker would transform survival from cancer. We demonstrate the functionality of ultra-high content analyses of a newly identified population of tumor cells that are hybrids between neoplastic and immune cells in patient matched tumor and peripheral blood specimens. Using oligonucleotide conjugated antibodies (Ab-oligo) permitting cyclic immunofluorescence (cyCIF), we present analyses of phenotypes among tumor and peripheral blood hybrid cells. Interestingly, the majority of circulating hybrid cell (CHC) subpopulations were not identified in tumor-associated hybrids. These results highlight the efficacy of ultra-high content phenotypic analyses using Ab-oligo based cyCIF applied to both tumor and peripheral blood specimens. The combination of a multiplex phenotypic profiling platform that is gentle enough to analyze blood to detect and evaluate disseminated tumor cells represents a novel approach to exploring novel tumor biology and potential utility for developing the population as a blood-based biomarker in cancer.
The ventromedial prefrontal cortex in response to threat omission is associated with subsequent explicit safety memory
Authors: Wiemer Julian , Leimeister Franziska , Gamer Matthias , Pauli Paul
Published: March 2024

In order to memorize and discriminate threatening and safe stimuli, the processing of the actual absence of threat seems crucial. Here, we measured brain activity with fMRI in response to both threat conditioned stimuli and their outcomes by combining threat learning with a subsequent memory paradigm. Participants (N = 38) repeatedly saw a variety of faces, half of which (CS+) were associated with an aversive unconditioned stimulus (US) and half of which were not (CS-). When an association was later remembered, the hippocampus had been more active (than when forgotten). However, the ventromedial prefrontal cortex predicted subsequent memory specifically during safe associations (CS- and US omission responses) and the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex during outcomes in general (US and US omissions). In exploratory analyses of the theoretically important US omission, we found extended involvement of the medial prefrontal cortex and an enhanced functional connectivity to visual and somatosensory cortices, suggesting a possible function in sustaining sensory information for an integration with semantic memory. Activity in visual and somatosensory cortices together with the inferior frontal gyrus also predicted memory performance one week after learning. The findings imply the importance of a close interplay between prefrontal and sensory areas during the processing of safe outcomes—or ‘nothing’—to establish declarative safety memory.
Effectiveness of a high-intensity laser for improving hemiplegic shoulder dysfunction: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Abdelhakiem Nadia Mohamed , Mustafa Saleh Marwa Shafiek , Shabana Magdy M. A. , Abd EL Wahaab Hisham A. , Saleh Haitham M.
Published: March 2024

Hemiplegic shoulder pain (HSP) is a common complication that occurs after stroke and has been reported in up to 84% of hemiplegic patients. One of the recommended treatment options for shoulder pain is high-intensity laser therapy (HILT). This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of high-intensity laser therapy on pain, function and hand grip strength in patients with hemiplegic shoulder dysfunction. Forty-four hemiplegic patients were randomly divided into two groups: Group 1 (study group, n = 22) received 3 HILT sessions a week for three weeks in combination with three sessions of therapeutic exercise per week for three weeks, and Group 2 (control group, n = 22) received a conventional exercise program for HSP three times a week for three weeks. Shoulder pain was evaluated using the McGill pain questionnaire (MPQ), the functional outcome of the shoulder was evaluated with the University of California–Los Angeles functional scale (UCLA), and handgrip strength was evaluated with a hydraulic hand dynamometer. The increase in the UCLA scores and the decrease in the MPQ scores after treatment were significant in the study group (p < 0.001) as well as in the control group (p < 0.05) in comparison with the pretreatment between-group comparison. Additionally, the increase in hand grip strength was significant in both groups after treatment (p < 0.001). The study group showed significant improvement over the control group with respect to the UCLA score, handgrip strength, and MPQ score (p < 0.001). HILT combined with therapeutic exercise provides greater improvement than therapeutic exercise alone in terms of hemiplegic shoulder pain, dysfunction, and handgrip strength.
Evaluation of different probiotics on growth, body composition, antioxidant capacity, and histoarchitecture of Mugil capito
Authors: Shehata Akram Ismael , Soliman Ali A. , Ahmed Hamada A. , Gewaily Mahmoud S. , Amer Asem A. , Shukry Mustafa , Abdel-Latif Hany M. R.
Published: March 2024

We investigated the dietary effects of the single application of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Lactobacillus bulgaricus, and their combination on growth, proximate composition of whole fish body, antioxidant defense, and histoarchitecture of hapa-reared Mugil capito. Healthy fish (Fish weighed = 10.30 ± 0.10 g at first) were randomly allocated into 4 equal groups, each with three replicates. These groups were designed as follows: (1) a group fed a basal diet without probiotics (control), (2) a group fed a diet containing S. cerevisiae (4 g/kg diet), (3) a group fed a diet containing L. bulgaricus (2 g/kg diet), and (4) the last group fed a diet containing a combination of both, all for a duration of 60 days. Probiotic-treated groups showed significantly better growth and nutrition utilization than the control group. Significant differences were observed in the crude fat and crude protein contents among the groups, with the combination group exhibiting the highest levels. However, there were no significant variations in ash content across all groups. The highest hepatic antioxidant capacity (superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) enzyme activities) was observed in the combination group. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) concentrations were decreased significantly in all probiotic groups, suggesting improved oxidative stress resilience in these groups. The histomorphological analysis of the hepatopancreatic tissues revealed well-arranged parenchyma, increased glycogen storage, and melanomacrophage centers in probiotic-treated groups, particularly the combined probiotics group. Furthermore, the probiotic supplementation improved the histoarchitecture of the intestinal villi compared to the control group. To put it briefly, combined dietary administration of these probiotics improved growth, body composition, antioxidant defenses, and hepatic and intestinal health in hapa-reared M. capito, highlighting their promising role in promoting welfare and productivity.
Contribution of pudendal nerve injury to stress urinary incontinence in a male rat model
Authors: Maher Shaimaa , Gerber Daniel , Balog Brian , Wang Lan , Kuang Mei , Hanzlicek Brett , Malakalapalli Tejasvini , Van Etten Cassandra , Khouri Roger , Damaser Margot S.
Published: March 2024

Urinary incontinence is a common complication following radical prostatectomy, as the surgery disturbs critical anatomical structures. This study explored how pudendal nerve (PN) injury affects urinary continence in male rats. In an acute study, leak point pressure (LPP) and external urethral sphincter electromyography (EMG) were performed on six male rats with an intact urethra, the urethra exposed (UE), the PN exposed (NE), and after PN transection (PNT). In a chronic study, LPP and EMG were tested in 67 rats 4 days, 3 weeks, or 6 weeks after sham PN injury, PN crush (PNC), or PNT. Urethras were assessed histologically. Acute PNT caused a significant decrease in LPP and EMG amplitude and firing rate compared to other groups. PNC resulted in a significant reduction in LPP and EMG firing rate 4 days, 3 weeks, and 6 weeks later. EMG amplitude was also significantly reduced 4 days and 6 weeks after PNC. Neuromuscular junctions were less organized and less innervated after PNC or PNT at all timepoints compared to sham injured animals. Collagen infiltration was significantly increased after PNC and PNT compared to sham at all timepoints. This rat model could facilitate preclinical testing of neuroregenerative therapies for post-prostatectomy incontinence.
Ridesourcing platforms thrive on socio-economic inequality
Authors: de Ruijter Arjan , Cats Oded , van Lint Hans
Published: March 2024

Limited available market share data seems to suggest that ridesourcing platforms benefit from, even thrive on, socio-economic inequality. We suspect that this is associated with high levels of socio-economic inequality allowing for cheap labour as well as increasing the share of travellers with a considerably above-average willingness to pay for travel time savings and comfort. We test the relation between inequality and system performance by means of an agent-based simulation model representing within-day and day-to-day supply-demand interaction in the ridesourcing market. The model captures travellers’ mode choice with a heterogeneous perception of relevant time components, as well as job seekers’ participation choice with heterogeneous reservation wage. Our experiments cover scenarios for the entire spectrum ranging from perfect equality to extreme inequality. For several of such scenarios, we explore alternative platform pricing strategies. Our analysis shows a strong, positive relationship between socio-economic inequality and ridesourcing market share. This is the outcome of the combination of cheap labour and time-sensitive ridesourcing users, reinforced by network effects inherent to ridesourcing markets. We find that driver earnings are minimal in urban areas with large socio-economic inequality. In such contexts, drivers are likely to face a high platform commission, and yet, fierce competition for passengers.
Implementation of a randomized mobile-technology lifestyle program in individuals with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Tincopa Monica A. , Patel Nik , Shahab Areesha , Asefa Haila , Lok Anna S.
Published: March 2024

Identifying effective, feasible, low-cost interventions that promote sustainable lifestyle changes in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a key unmet need. The aim of this study was to assess predictors of lifestyle practice patterns of NAFLD patients and evaluate the implementation of a mobile technology-based intervention. We prospectively enrolled adults with NAFLD (diagnosed by imaging or biopsy). Individuals with additional liver diseases or decompensated cirrhosis were excluded. Patient were randomized to usual care or a FitBit based program for 6-months. We obtained anthropometrics, labs, vibration controlled transient elastography (VCTE), health-related quality of life (HRQOL), physical activity, diet and motivation to change data. 70 patients were enrolled, 33% with cirrhosis. Median age was 52.1 years, 47% males, 83% white, body mass index 32.3, liver stiffness 7.6 kPa, controlled attenuation parameter 319 db/m, and 50% had diabetes. Baseline HRQOL was 5.4/7 and independently negatively correlated with level of concern about their disease and positively with physical function. Younger age was independently associated with unhealthy diets whereas diabetes was independently associated with unhealthy diets and higher VCTE kPa. 6-month follow-up data available on 31 patients showed trends in improvement in weight. In a cohort of NAFLD patients, we identified independent correlates of lifestyle behaviors and HRQOL. Implementation of interventions that improve physical function may improve HRQOL in NAFLD. Younger patients and those with diabetes appeared to have the greatest need for dietary interventions. Structured mobile technology lifestyle interventions using Fitbit and personalized coaching showed promise but require further validation with a focus on sustainability of intervention and improvement in outcomes.
Mechanical properties of native and decellularized reproductive tissues: insights for tissue engineering strategies
Authors: Franko R. , Franko Y. , Ribes Martinez E. , Ferronato G. A. , Heinzelmann I. , Grechi N. , Devkota S. , Fontes P. K. , Coeti R. , Oshiro T. S. I. , Ferraz M. A. M. M.
Published: March 2024

Understanding the mechanical properties and porosity of reproductive tissues is vital for regenerative medicine and tissue engineering. This study investigated the changes in Young's modulus (YM), storage modulus (E′), loss modulus (Eʺ), and porosity of native and decellularized bovine reproductive tissues during the estrous cycle. Testis tunica albuginea had significantly higher YM, E′, and Eʺ than the inner testis, indicating greater stiffness and viscoelasticity. Endometrium showed no distinct differences in YM, E′, or Eʺ across the estrous cycle or between horns. Ovaries exhibited significant variations in YM, E′, Eʺ, and porosity, with higher YM and E′ in the ipsilateral cortex and medulla during the luteal phase. Decellularized ovarian tissues displayed increased porosity. The oviduct displayed no significant differences in YM or E′ in the isthmus, but the contralateral ampulla had reduced YM and E′ in the luteal phase. These findings offer valuable insights into the dynamic mechanical properties and porosity of reproductive tissues, facilitating the development of biomimetic scaffolds for tissue engineering applications.
GEFormerDTA: drug target affinity prediction based on transformer graph for early fusion
Authors: Liu Youzhi , Xing Linlin , Zhang Longbo , Cai Hongzhen , Guo Maozu
Published: March 2024

Predicting the interaction affinity between drugs and target proteins is crucial for rapid and accurate drug discovery and repositioning. Therefore, more accurate prediction of DTA has become a key area of research in the field of drug discovery and drug repositioning. However, traditional experimental methods have disadvantages such as long operation cycles, high manpower requirements, and high economic costs, making it difficult to predict specific interactions between drugs and target proteins quickly and accurately. Some methods mainly use the SMILES sequence of drugs and the primary structure of proteins as inputs, ignoring the graph information such as bond encoding, degree centrality encoding, spatial encoding of drug molecule graphs, and the structural information of proteins such as secondary structure and accessible surface area. Moreover, previous methods were based on protein sequences to learn feature representations, neglecting the completeness of information. To address the completeness of drug and protein structure information, we propose a Transformer graph-based early fusion research approach for drug-target affinity prediction (GEFormerDTA). Our method reduces prediction errors caused by insufficient feature learning. Experimental results on Davis and KIBA datasets showed a better prediction of drugtarget affinity than existing affinity prediction methods.
Rigidify styryl-pyridinium dyes to benzo[h]coumarin-based bright two-photon fluorescent probes for cellular bioimaging
Authors: Zhang Chengjing , Yu Zihao , Liu Yang , Jin Wendong , Liu Zhiqiang , Yu Xiaoqiang
Published: March 2024

A comparison of benzo[h]coumarin-pyridinium and the structurally similar styryl-pyridinium clearly indicated the rigidifying strategy could remarkably tune the fluorescence efficiency and cellular bioimaging behavior.
Improved photovoltaic performance and stability of perovskite solar cells by adoption of an n-type zwitterionic cathode interlayer
Authors: Noh Young Wook , Ha Jung Min , Son Jung Geon , Han Jongmin , Lee Heunjeong , Kim Dae Woo , Jee Min Hun , Shin Woo Gyeong , Cho Shinuk , Kim Jin Young , Song Myoung Hoon , Woo Han Young
Published: March 2024

Integration of NDI-ZI as a cathode interlayer in perovskite solar cells improves both device efficiency and stability, mitigating halide and Ag ion migration by chemically capturing ions via electrostatic Coulombic interactions.
Stimulus triggered release of actives from composite microcapsules based on sporopollenin from Lycopodium clavatum
Authors: Lecoeuche Muriel , Borovička Josef , Dyab Amro K. F. , Paunov Vesselin N.
Published: March 2024

We have demonstrated three different types of stimulus triggered release of a model drug from sporopollenin from Lycopodium clavatum based on pH sensitive, thermosensitive and near infrared light-sensitive polymer composition.
Electrochemical sensing of B-complex vitamins: current challenges and future prospects with microfluidic integration
Authors: Pakeeza  , Draz Muhammad Umar , Yaqub Asim , Jafry Ali Turab , Khan Majid , Ajab Huma
Published: March 2024

Vitamins are crucial micronutrients found in limited quantities in food, living organisms, and soil.
Robust metal–organic framework monoliths for long-term cycling lithium metal batteries
Authors: Kim Chaejeong , Jeong Wooyoung , Shin Hong Rim , Jung Kyu-Nam , Lee Jong-Won
Published: March 2024

A monolithic MOF layer is synthesized on a porous separator via a simple chemical route, which effectively homogenizes the Li+ flux through its nanopores and physically blocks the growth of Li dendrites.
Optimized energy storage performance in (Ba0.8Sr0.2)TiO3-based ceramics via Bi(Zn0.5Hf0.5)O3-doping
Authors: Ren Jia-Jia , Xu Di-Ming , Ma Qian-Qian , Li Da , Zhao Wei-Chen , Wang Zhen-Tao , Zhou Tao , Liu Wen-Feng , Zhou Di
Published: March 2024

The 0.90BST–0.10BZH ceramics achieve a remarkable Wrec of 4.20 J cm−3 with a significant 450 kV cm−1 breakdown strength and outstanding charge–discharge performance.
Partial Substitution of Wheat Flour with Heat-Moisture Treated Porang Flour Affected Physicochemical and Organoleptic Characteristics of Pan Bread Prepared with Sponge-Dough Method
Authors: Pokatong Wilbur Donald Raymond , Tansil Adriel Ananda Putra
Published: March 2024

Pan bread using wheat flour is one of primary staple foods; however, Indonesia imports wheat in large amount. Local crops utilized as flour stocks e.g. porang (Amorphophallus muelleri B.) may reduce imported wheat dependency. Nevertheless, due to porang-flour low solubility and swelling power, modification is needed. The research objectives were to determine effect of heat-moisture treatment (HMT) temperature and time on swelling power, solubility, and lightness of porang flour, to select best treatment, and to determine effect of substitution ratios on physicochemical and organoleptic characteristics of sponge-dough pan bread. Porang flour modification was done with HMT (70, 80, 90°C; 6, 8, 10 h) resulted in increased solubility and swelling power in some cases. Modification at 80°C; 10 hrs exhibited highest swelling power (8.05±0.58g/g); thus, was selected for pan-bread making. Pan bread was prepared with ratios: 95:5, 90:10, 85:15, 80:20, 75:25, 70:30 (wheat flour:modified porang flour). Pan bread (90:10 ratio) exhibited similar volume (887.5±40.59cc) and hardness (824.364±52.30g) to control, and comparable hedonic overall acceptance. Pan bread with partial substitution of wheat flour with modified porang flour, exhibited increased in some proximate compositions but decreased in protein and carbohydrate. Pan bread with 10% substitution could be a future alternative in pan-bread production.
Food Security: Planning for Our Collective Future
Authors: Batt Peter J.
Published: March 2024

Food security is defined when all people, at all times, have physical, social and economic access to a sufficient quantity of safe and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life (FAO 2008). While broadly considered to have four key dimensions: food availability, food access, food utilisation and food stability, two new dimensions have recently been added: sustainability and agency. Looking at food security within Indonesia, this paper will explore some of the internal and external factors impacting food security and propose how, at multiple levels, a holistic food system planning approach can address many of the problems.
The effect of the addition of Chlorella and Spirulina powder in the physicochemical properties and sensory acceptance of dried noodles substitute with mocaf flour
Authors: Dwiyantari Widyaningrum , Handayani  , Darnidita Prianto Amarsha , Avilla Gautama Sarah
Published: March 2024

Noodles are popular food products among Indonesian citizens. The development of noodles with the addition of functional ingredients may increase the health benefits and nutritional value of noodle products. The study investigated the effect of adding Chlorella and Spirulina powder on the physicochemical properties and sensory acceptance of noodles. The dried noodles were partially substituted by mocaf flour, with the ratio between wheat flour and mocaf flour at 70:30. Then, the Chlorella or Spirulina powder was added to the noodles dough at concentrations of 1% and 2% by dough total weight. The effect of Chlorella and Spirulina addition to the samples was analyzed through color, proximate, total carotenoids, and consumer acceptance by hedonic test. The results showed that adding 1% and 2% of Chlorella and Spirulina powder increased the green color intensity, moisture, ash, protein, lipid, and total carotenoids, while carbohydrate content decreased. Sensory acceptance was lower at 2% addition; however, the acceptance before and after substitution with Chlorella or Spirulina powder was not significantly different. The results suggested that adding Chlorella and Spirulina at 1% and 2% concentrations could increase the overall nutrients without changing the sensory acceptance of mocaf-dried noodles.
CONCERTO: Instrument and status
Authors: Fasano Alessandro , Ade Peter , Aravena Manuel , Barria Emilio , Beelen Alexandre , Benoît Alain , Béthermin Matthieu , Bounmy Julien , Bourrion Olivier , Bres Guillaume , Calvo Martino , Catalano Andrea , De Breuck Carlos , Désert François-Xavier , Durán Carlos , Fenouillet Thomas , Garcia Jose , Garde Gregory , Goupy Johannes , Groppi Christopher , Hoarau Christophe , Hu Wenkai , Lagache Guilaine , Lambert Jean-Charles , Leggeri Jean-Paul , Levy-Bertrand Florence , Lundgren Andreas , Macías-Pérez Juan , Mani Hamdi , Marpaud Julien , Mauskopf Philip , Monfardini Alessandro , Pisano Giampaolo , Ponthieu Nicolas , Prieur Leo , Roni Samuel , Roudier Sebastien , Tourres Damien , Tucker Carol
Published: March 2024

CONCERTO (CarbON CII line in post-rEionization and ReionizaTiOn) is a low-resolution Fourier transform spectrometer dedicated to the study of star-forming galaxies and clusters of galaxies in the transparent millimeter windows from the ground. It is characterized by a wide instantaneous 18.6 arcmin field of view, operates at 130–310 GHz, and was installed on the 12-meter Atacama Pathfinder Experiment (APEX) telescope at 5 100m above sea level. CONCERTO’s double focal planes host two arrays of 2 152 kinetic inductance detectors and represent a pioneering instrument to meet a state-of-the-art scientific challenge. This paper introduces the CONCERTO instrument and explains its status, shows the first CONCERTO spectral maps of Orion, and describes the perspectives of the project.
Towards the first mean pressure profile estimate with the NIKA2 Sunyaev-Zeldovich Large Program
Authors: Hanser C. , Adam R. , Ade P. , Ajeddig H. , André P. , Artis E. , Aussel H. , Bartalucci I. , Beelen A. , Benoît A. , Berta S. , Bing L. , Bourrion O. , Calvo M. , Catalano A. , De Petris M. , Désert F.-X. , Doyle S. , Driessen E.F.C. , Ejlali G. , Ferragamo A. , Gomez A. , Goupy J. , Katsioli S. , Kéruzoré F. , Kramer C. , Ladjelate B. , Lagache G. , Leclercq S. , Lestrade J.-F. , Macías-Pérez J.F. , Madden S.C. , Maury A. , Mauskopf P. , Mayet F. , Monfardini A. , Moyer-Anin A. , Muñoz-Echeverría M. , Paliwal A. , Payerne C. , Perotto L. , Pisano G. , Pointecouteau E. , Ponthieu N. , Pratt G. W. , Revéret V. , Rigby A.J. , Ritacco A. , Romero C. , Roussel H. , Ruppin F. , Schuster K. , Sievers A. , Tucker C.
Published: March 2024

High-resolution mapping of the hot gas in galaxy clusters is a key tool for cluster-based cosmological analyses. Taking advantage of the NIKA2 millimeter camera operated at the IRAM 30-m telescope, the NIKA2 SZ Large Program seeks to get a high-resolution follow-up of 38 galaxy clusters covering a wide mass range at intermediate to high redshift. The measured SZ fluxes will be essential to calibrate the SZ scaling relation and the galaxy clusters mean pressure profile, needed for the cosmological exploitation of SZ surveys. We present in this study a method to infer a mean pressure profile from cluster observations. We have designed a pipeline encompassing the map-making and the thermodynamical properties estimates from maps. We then combine all the individual fits, propagating the uncertainties on integrated quantities, such as R500 or P500, and the intrinsic scatter coming from the deviation to the standard self-similar model. We validate the proposed method on realistic LPSZ-like cluster simulations.
Stellar and dust emission profiles of IMEGIN galaxies
Authors: Nersesian A. , Adam R. , Ade P. , Ajeddig H. , André P. , Artis E. , Aussel H. , Baes M. , Beelen A. , Benoît A. , Berta S. , Bing L. , Bourrion O. , Calvo M. , Catalano A. , De Petris M. , Désert F.-X. , Doyle S. , Driessen E.F.C. , Ejlali G. , Gomez A. , Goupy J. , Hanser C. , Katsioli S. , Kéruzoré F. , Kramer C. , Ladjelate B. , Lagache G. , Leclercq S. , Lestrade J.-F. , Macías-Pérez J. F. , Madden S.C. , Maury A. , Mauskopf P. , Mayet F. , Monfardini A. , Moyer-Anin A. , Muñoz-Echeverría M. , Pantoni L. , Perotto L. , Pisano G. , Ponthieu N. , Revéret V. , Rigby A.J. , Ritacco A. , Romero C. , Roussel H. , Ruppin F. , Schuster K. , Sievers A. , Tucker C. , Xilouris E.M. , Zylka R.
Published: March 2024

We present a morphological analysis of a set of spiral galaxies from the NIKA2 Guaranteed Time Large Program, IMEGIN. We have fitted a single Sérsic model on a set of broadband images, from ultra-violet (UV) to millimeter (mm) wavelengths, using the modelling code Statmorph. With the recently acquired NIKA2 1.15- and 2-mm observations, it is possible to extend such a morphological analysis to the mm regime and investigate the two-dimensional (2D) distribution (exponential, Gaussian) of the very cold dust (<15 K). We show preliminary results of the 2D large-scale distribution of stars and dust in spiral galaxies, how they relate to each other, and highlight how they differ from galaxy to galaxy.
3D scaling laws and projection effects in The300-NIKA2 Sunyaev-Zeldovich Large Program Twin Samples
Authors: Paliwal A. , Cui W. , de Andrés D. , De Petris M. , Ferragamo A. , Hanser C. , Macías-Pérez J.-F. , Mayet F. , Moyer-Anin A. , Muñoz-Echeverría M. , Perotto L. , Rasia E. , Yepes G.
Published: March 2024

The abundance of galaxy clusters with mass and redshift is a wellknown cosmological probe. The cluster mass is a key parameter for studies that aim to constrain cosmological parameters using galaxy clusters, making it critical to understand and properly account for the errors in its estimates. Subsequently, it becomes important to correctly calibrate scaling relations between observables like the integrated Compton parameter and the mass of the cluster. The NIKA2 Sunyaev-Zeldovich Large program (LPSZ) enables one to map the intracluster medium profiles in the mm–wavelength band with great details (resolution of 11 & 17″ at 1.2 & 2 mm, respectively) and hence, to estimate the cluster hydrostatic mass more precisely than previous SZ observations. However, there are certain systematic effects which can only be accounted for with the use of simulations. For this purpose, we employ The Three Hundred simulations which have been modelled with a range of physics modules to simulate galaxy clusters. The so-called twin samples are constructed by picking synthetic clusters of galaxies with properties close to the observational targets of the LPSZ. In particular, we use the Compton parameter maps and projected total mass maps of these twin samples along 29 different lines of sight. We investigate the scatter that projection induces on the total masses. Eventually, we consider the statistical values along different lines of sight to construct a kind of 3D scaling law between the integrated Compton parameter, total mass, and overdensity of the galaxy clusters to determine the overdensity that is least impacted by the projection effect.
Planck and SPT cluster catalogs: A combined analysis
Authors: Salvati L.
Published: March 2024

We show the results for the first combined analysis of clusters detected by the Planck satellite and the South Pole Telescope. The combination of these two experiments, with different resolution, mass and redshift range, allows to track the full cosmological evolution of galaxy clusters and the interplay between astrophysics and cosmology. In particular, we exploit the cosmological constraining power of SPT-SZ clusters to provide an independent calibration of Planck scaling relations, and therefore a new estimation of Planck cluster masses. Combining the two cluster catalogs we are thus able to test the hypotheses of self-similarity and hydrostatic equilibrium. We show therefore the huge potentiality of combining catalogs from different experiments, in improving the cosmological analysis and the treatment of different astrophysical and systematic uncertainties.