bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Inequalities in diet quality by socio-demographic characteristics, smoking, and weight status in a large UK-based cohort using a new UK diet quality questionnaire-UKDQQ
Authors: Roberts Kath , Stephenson John , Holdsworth Michelle , Relton Clare , Williams Elizabeth A. , Cade Janet Elizabeth
Published: October 2024

The aim of this study was to explore the associations between diet quality, socio-demographic measures, smoking, and weight status in a large, cross-sectional cohort of adults living in Yorkshire and Humber, UK. Data from 43, 023 participants aged over 16 years in the Yorkshire Health Survey, 2nd wave (2013–2015) were collected on diet quality, socio-demographic measures, smoking, and weight status. Diet quality was assessed using a brief, validated tool. Associations between these variables were assessed using multiple regression methods. Split-sample cross-validation was utilised to establish model portability. Observed patterns in the sample showed that the greatest substantive differences in diet quality were between females and males (3.94 points; P < 0.001) and non-smokers vs smokers (4.24 points; P < 0.001), with higher diet quality scores observed in females and non-smokers. Deprivation, employment status, age, and weight status categories were also associated with diet quality. Greater diet quality scores were observed in those with lower levels of deprivation, those engaged in sedentary occupations, older people, and those in a healthy weight category. Cross-validation procedures revealed that the model exhibited good transferability properties. Inequalities in patterns of diet quality in the cohort were consistent with those indicated by the findings of other observational studies. The findings indicate population subgroups that are at higher risk of dietary-related ill health due to poor quality diet and provide evidence for the design of targeted national policy and interventions to prevent dietary-related ill health in these groups. The findings support further research exploring inequalities in diet quality in the population.
The neutropenic diet and its impacts on clinical, nutritional, and lifestyle outcomes for people with cancer: a scoping review
Authors: Gulliver Trinity , Hewett Melissa , Konstantopoulos Panagiotis , Tran Lisa , Mantzioris Evangeline
Published: October 2024

The neutropenic diet (ND) is often recommended to people with cancer to reduce infection risk despite recommendations of clinical guidelines advising against its use. While recent literature suggests the ND does not reduce infection risk, other outcomes related to health, nutrition, and lifestyle are unknown. The aim of this review is to systematically scope the literature on the ND in people with cancer for all outcomes related to clinical health, nutrition, and lifestyle. Scientific databases were systematically searched. Eligible studies were in English, people with any cancer type, consuming an ND, any age group, date, or setting. Eligible study types were randomised control trials, observational studies, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses. Twenty-one studies met the inclusion criteria. Outcomes of interest found were infection rates, fever, mortality, antibiotic use, gastrointestinal side effects, comorbidities, biochemistry, hospitalisation, nutritional status, quality of life (QoL), well-being, and financial costs. Most research has focused on infection and mortality rates with few assessing hospitalisation rates, nutritional status, financial costs, and QoL. Most included studies found no significant differences between ND and comparator diet for mortality, antibiotics use, comorbidities, and QoL; however, several studies reported the ND significantly increased the risk of infection. Gaps in the literature included effect of ND on QoL in an adult population, microbiome, lifestyle changes, and financial burden. Further research is needed regarding how the ND affects the microbiome and QoL of its consumers, but in the interim, it is important for hospitals providing an ND to their patients to liberalise the ND wherever possible.
Dynamic, Regressive, or Obstructionist Courts? What Kinds of Hopes for Judicial Review
Authors: Dixon Rosalind
Published: October 2024

There has long been debate about the capacity of the US Supreme Court to achieve “progressive” social change. Recent decisions of the court also point to a new worry for American progressives: the court may not only have a limited capacity to drive such change. In some cases, it may actively stand in the way of such change or help reverse it. This invites us to rethink when, or under what conditions, courts are likely to be effective in driving change—whether in a positive, dynamic, or else more obstructionist or regressive direction.
Prompt tuning discriminative language models for hierarchical text classification
Authors: du Toit Jaco , Dunaiski Marcel
Published: October 2024

Hierarchical text classification (HTC) is a natural language processing task which aims to categorise a text document into a set of classes from a hierarchical class structure. Recent approaches to solve HTC tasks focus on leveraging pre-trained language models (PLMs) and the hierarchical class structure by allowing these components to interact in various ways. Specifically, the Hierarchy-aware Prompt Tuning (HPT) method has proven to be effective in applying the prompt tuning paradigm to Bidirectional Encoder Representations from Transformers (BERT) models for HTC tasks. Prompt tuning aims to reduce the gap between the pre-training and fine-tuning phases by transforming the downstream task into the pre-training task of the PLM. Discriminative PLMs, which use a replaced token detection (RTD) pre-training task, have also shown to perform better on flat text classification tasks when using prompt tuning instead of vanilla fine-tuning. In this paper, we propose the Hierarchy-aware Prompt Tuning for Discriminative PLMs (HPTD) approach which injects the HTC task into the RTD task used to pre-train discriminative PLMs. Furthermore, we make several improvements to the prompt tuning approach of discriminative PLMs that enable HTC tasks to scale to much larger hierarchical class structures. Through comprehensive experiments, we show that our method is robust and outperforms current state-of-the-art approaches on two out of three HTC benchmark datasets.
The good, the bad and the ugly: Critical insights on the applications of microbes in microplastic degradation
Authors: Talukdar Avishek , Banerjee Ayantika , Dey Satarupa , Bhattacharya Sayan
Published: October 2024

Microplastic pollution has become a global environmental challenge, with significant impacts on ecosystems and human health. Microbes have emerged as a promising tool in the combating against microplastic contamination. However, the complex relationship between microbes and microplastics presents both opportunities and challenges, leading to a nuanced understanding of their applications in degradation. This paper provides critical insights into the multifaceted roles of different microorganisms in microplastic degradation. It begins by highlighting the ‘good’ aspects, where several strains of microorganisms show the potential to break down microplastics through enzymatic activities and the formation of biofilms. Conversely, the ‘bad’ aspects of microbial involvement in microplastic degradation are examined. Microorganisms can facilitate the transport and bioaccumulation of microplastics in various ecosystems, potentially exacerbating their harmful effects. The ‘ugly’ side of microplastic degradation includes the production of harmful byproducts during microbial breakdown, raising concerns about secondary pollution and toxicity. The concept of plastisphere is discussed in this context, focusing on the phototrophs, photoheterotrophs and heterotrophs. Novel technologies involving microbial degradation of microplastics are also explained. The work emphasises the need for a comprehensive and balanced approach regarding the application of microorganisms in microplastic degradation and remediation.
(Mis)perception of party congruence and satisfaction with democracy
Authors: Carroll Royce , Liao Yen-Chieh , Tang Li
Published: October 2024

This study examines how voters’ perceptions of ideological incongruence with political parties affect their satisfaction with democracy. Using panel data from the British Election Study, we first demonstrate that greater misperception of party positions correlates with higher perceived ideological distance from one's preferred party. We then show that this increased perceived incongruence is associated with lower satisfaction with democracy when controlling for objective measures of incongruence. These findings are consistent across several alternative measures and specifications, and similar results are found in cross-sectional data from Europe. The results suggest that subjective perceptions of representation, potentially distorted by misperceptions, play a role in shaping citizens’ attitudes toward the political system. While the limitations of the study warrant caution in interpretation, the study contributes to the literature by highlighting the importance of perceived ideological congruence for understanding the link between representation and satisfaction with democracy.
Perturbations of norm-additive maps between continuous function spaces
Authors: Sun Longfa , Sun Yinghua
Published: October 2024

Let $X, Y$ be two locally compact Hausdorff spaces and $T:C_0(X)\rightarrow C_0(Y)$ be a standard surjective ɛ-norm-additive map, i.e.
\begin{equation*}
\big|\|T(f)+T(g)\|-\|f+g\|\big|\leq \varepsilon,\;{\rm for\;all}\; f, g\in C_0(X).
\end{equation*}

Then there exist a homeomorphism $\varphi:Y\rightarrow X$ and a continuous function $\lambda:Y\rightarrow\lbrace\pm1\rbrace$ such that
\begin{equation*}
|T(f)(y)-\lambda(y)f(\varphi(y))|\leq\frac{3}{2}\varepsilon,\;{\rm for\;all}\;y\in Y,\;f\in C_0(X).
\end{equation*}

The estimate ‘$\frac{3}{2}\varepsilon$’ is optimal. And this result can be regarded as a new nonlinear extension of the Banach–Stone theorem.
Lichen recovery in a formerly polluted area: the importance of bark properties for soredia survival
Authors: Mikhailova Irina , Mikryukov Vladimir
Published: October 2024

An experiment was conducted on the development of Hypogymnia physodes (L.) Nyl. from soredia to branched lobes near the copper smelter in the Middle Urals 10 years after emission cessation. Soredia were cultivated in fir-spruce forests in heavily polluted and unpolluted areas. In both areas, soredia development was examined on fir bark collected from both the heavily polluted and unpolluted areas. The probability of lobe formation was lower in the polluted area even when soredia were cultivated on bark from the unpolluted area. Bark from the polluted area negatively impacted the success of soredia development, irrespective of the cultivation area. The lowest success of early development occurred when soredia were cultivated on polluted bark in the heavily polluted area, where the already low probability of lobe formation was accompanied by high mortality of the developed lobes. This study underscores the enduring impact of industrial pollution on H. physodes development, highlighting the need for ongoing environmental restoration and monitoring efforts in post-industrial areas to support biodiversity conservation.
Grooved razor clam (Solen marginatus) in the mid-Atlantic Azores: unravelling ecology, phylogeny, and population biology of a new population
Authors: Machado Alberto , Machado Daniel , Castilho Rita , Corona Luana S. , Dionísio Gisela , Gomes-Pereira José Nuno
Published: October 2024

The first insights on habitat and phylogenetic origin of a newly found population of Solen marginatus are provided in the mid-North Atlantic Azores archipelago, in the bay of Praia da Vitória, Terceira Island. Distribution is confined to the northern portion and most sheltered part of the bay down to 14.2 m depth. Densities with an average of 12.69 individuals/m2 were found at 8.4 m depth, using 4 × 20 sqm visual transects. Sizes of shell length between 10 and 12 cm comprised 60% of collected specimens (n = 118), ranging between 8.79 and 15.4 cm and averaging 11.28 cm. Considering shell length, the high densities and dispersion area, a settlement period above 20 years is estimated. Greater genetic affinity was found in the Ria de Aveiro (North of Portugal) and the Asturias populations (North of Spain). The source origin remains undetermined, with intentional or non-intentional anthropogenic introduction, as well as natural dispersion remaining possible, although more unlikely. Due to the commercial value of this species, a new clam fishery is likely to develop in the area, requiring further studies and immediate conservation measures.
Recolonisation of former habitat by harbour seals in southern Denmark despite intense anthropogenic activity
Authors: Galatius Anders , Dietz Rune , Olsen Morten Tange , Teilmann Jonas
Published: October 2024

Harbour seals were extensively hunted in Denmark, but have only been driven to local extinction in one larger area, the South Funen Archipelago and Little Belt, where the species has been absent throughout the 20th century. Despite high growth rates of the Danish harbour seal populations after protection from hunting in 1976, seals have only been observed sporadically in the South Funen Archipelago and Little Belt until recent years, where recolonisation now causes conflicts with fisheries. Here, we review historical sources documenting the local extinction of harbour seals in the area during the 19th century and report the results of aerial surveys of haul-out sites during moulting seasons of 2021–2023 and pupping seasons of 2022 and 2023. Historical sources reveal that seal hunting was a common practice in southern Denmark, but catches dwindled to rarities during the 19th century. During recent surveys, seals were detected at six of the identified potential haul-out sites. Around Aarø Island, an average of 141 (range: 92–186) harbour seals were recorded over four moulting season surveys, constituting the majority (90%) of the total counts of the surveyed area. During the pupping seasons, a total of five pups was encountered at two different haulouts. As none of the haulouts are protected during the pupping and breeding seasons, protective measures may support this recolonisation of the historic harbour seal breeding range.
Distributed agency in financial tasks of older people with long-term care needs
Authors: Pulkki Jutta , Aaltonen Mari , Teräväinen Pia , Forma Leena
Published: October 2024

The ability and knowledge to manage financial tasks may be compromised in old age, especially when the need to navigate the care and social benefit systems increases. Managing financial tasks may consist of a variety of actions of both the older people themselves and their representatives, often family members. This study explored how financial tasks related to the care and everyday life of older people who need long-term care are managed by using the ideas of modalities of agency and distributed agency. We analysed interviews of 19 older persons and their family members with a qualitative case analysis. All the older persons who participated in the study distributed the agency in financial tasks among their family members, but to different levels and for different reasons. We identified three types of distributed agency – inevitable, assimilated and minimal distributed agency – in which the older persons’ knowledge about financial tasks and their ability to manage financial tasks differed. Within these types, the cases differed in terms of the know-how of the family members and the reasons why the older people’s knowledge about financial tasks or their ability to manage their financial tasks were diminished. We conclude that older persons with long-term care needs require help in regard to financial tasks, and the older people’s and their family members’ ability to manage financial tasks could be enhanced by making the benefit systems and online banking more user-friendly and by improving the help from care staff.
Aesthetic Breakthrough and Cultural Intervention in the Productions of Two Modern Kunqu Plays
Authors: He Chengzhou , Yang Ting
Published: October 2024

This article investigates two recent modern kunqu productions, Dang Nian Mei Lang [The Young Mei Lanfang] and Qu Qiubai (its title is the name of its protagonist), both produced by Jiangsu Kunqu Theatre House. Despite the obstacles faced by kunqu during its process of modernization, these two productions have accomplished a number of aesthetic breakthroughs: a unique form of fictional realism on the stage; its implicit use of conventionalization (that is, conventional, classical kunqu modes and their attendant aesthetic outlook); and the incorporation of recognizably up-to-date modern elements (‘fashion’) in the stage work. Meanwhile, these impressive aesthetic innovations signal, as well as facilitate, kunqu’s re-entry into the landscape of contemporary Chinese theatre as a forceful agent of cultural intervention.
Misinterpretation and Misplacement in Intercultural Theatrical Communications between China and Japan: Ichikawa Sadanji’s and Morita Kanya’s Kabuki Tours in 1920s China
Authors: Gao Yang
Published: October 2024

In the 1920s, Ichikawa Sadanji and Morita Kanya conducted two rounds of kabuki tours in China, which clearly revealed the mechanism of misinterpretation and misplacement in the (re)construction of the cultural identities of Chinese and Japanese theatre. Both had been modelled upon each other in the context of intercultural communications in the early twentieth century. Some Chinese theatre critics indicated that Chinese xiqu should absorb the values of modernity identified by them in the Morita troupe’s kabuki performances. In contrast, Ichikawa Sadanji’s tours in Northeast China and his subsequent visit to Beijing inspired kabuki to imbibe a new spirit of the times from Chinese xiqu, an impure ‘Eastern Spirit’ paradoxically manifested in a ‘purified’ theatrical Chineseness. The positive aspect of ‘misplaced misinterpretations’ by kabuki and xiqu of each other’s cultural images and values lies in the fact that it afforded the two theatre traditions a huge momentum for assimilating each other’s ‘Otherness’ to break their own tradition’s exclusiveness.
Trade, Piecework, and the Liberty Principle
Authors: Riley Jonathan
Published: October 2024

John Stuart Mill does not contradict himself in On Liberty with respect to the issue of piecework, contrary to Dale E. Miller's charge that he does. Miller fails to understand that the liberty principle (LP) limits society's authority to regulate trade in that society has no legitimate authority to prohibit or make unduly expensive a buyer's post-trade use of his purchased product in self-regarding ways. LP gives an employer who has purchased labor under a trade contract in a free and fair competitive labor market a right to conclude a separate mutually consensual self-regarding piecework contract with any skilled worker already in his employ.
Food choice, embodied knowledge and circumscribed agency: factors influencing adolescent girls’ and boys’ dietary practices in three states in northern Nigeria
Authors: Conrad Abigail , Singh Akriti , Mysore Sharmila , Nwosu Stanley , Eveshoyan Michael Daniel , Ibraheem Usman
Published: October 2024

Objective:

The objective of this study was to explore adolescent dietary practices, related norms and acceptable communication platforms in northern Nigeria to inform future nutrition project design.

Design:

This was a qualitative formative research study. We used purposive sampling and conducted thirty focus group discussions with male and female adolescents aged 10–14 and 15–19 years (n 180) and six with adult influencers (n 36). We also administered a 24-h dietary recall with the adolescents using the Diet Quality Questionnaire.

Setting:

The study was conducted in urban and rural areas in three states in northern Nigeria.

Results:

Adolescents reported consuming six nutritious food groups the previous day on average. However, there was a wide disparity and only half consumed all five recommended food groups. Adolescents’ food choices were influenced by perceptions of the functional and physical benefits of nutritious foods and preferences for satisfying foods. Diverse foods were available in the food environment, but affordability constrained access to nutritious foods. Limited access to income and gender norms constrained adolescent agency over food choice. Girls, particularly those who were pregnant, had less agency related to food than boys. Adolescents thought that peers should be reached through group discussions, radio and phones, among other communication platforms.

Conclusions:

Adolescents consumed relatively diverse diets. Adolescent food choice was influenced by their embodied experience and knowledge related to nutrition and taste, home food environment and circumscribed agency. Opportunities exist to support healthy diets for adolescents by strengthening adolescents’ embodied knowledge, food environments and social support.
Comparison of the nutritional composition and calculated Nutri-score classifications of the Dutch food retail supply in 2018 and 2020
Authors: Steenbergen Elly , Temme Elisabeth HM
Published: October 2024

Objective:

In the Netherlands, reformulation strategies have been established for several years, whereas Nutri-Score was implemented in 2024. Besides being a helpful tool for consumers to make healthier food choices, Nutri-Score also aims to stimulate food reformulation by food manufacturers. The present study investigates whether changes in food composition could have led to different calculated Nutri-Score classifications.

Design:

Food compositions and Nutri-Score classifications were calculated using the updated Nutri-Score algorithm. Food groups with the largest change in the distribution of Nutri-Score classifications were analysed in-depth by plotting frequency distributions and calculating median contents for nutrient contents that relatively changed the most in 2020.

Setting:

Food composition data were available from the Dutch Branded Food database in 2018 (n 38 295) and 2020 (n 48 091).

Participants:

Not applicable.

Results:

In general, median nutrient contents and calculated Nutri-Score classifications were similar for 2018 and 2020. The median sugar and SFA contents were lower for some food groups (e.g. breakfast cereals, meat preserves, sweets and sweet goods) in 2020 compared to 2018. The median SFA content for meat preserves and sweets and sweet goods was relatively low in Nutri-Score classification A ascending towards higher median content in Nutri-Score classification E.

Conclusions:

Although food reformulation was not substantial in the Dutch food retail supply in 2018 and 2020, some differences in Nutri-Score classifications were observed. When implemented, Nutri-Score may encourage food manufacturers to increase their reformulation efforts. Repeated monitoring of food compositions and Nutri-Score classifications is recommended to establish reformulation efforts by food manufacturers.
Associations between exposure to advertising of foods high in fats, salt and sugar and purchase of energy and nutrients: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Finlay Amy Heather , Jones Andrew , Cummins Steven , Yau Amy , Cornelsen Laura , Robinson Eric , Boyland Emma
Published: October 2024

Objective:

To assess associations between self-reported advertising exposure to foods high in fats, salt and sugar and household purchases of energy, nutrients and specific product categories.

Design:

A cross-sectional design was used. Advertising exposure data were gathered using a questionnaire administered to the main shopper of each household, and purchase data from supermarkets and other stores for these households were accessed for a 4-week period during February 2019.

Setting:

Households in London and the North of England.

Participants:

Representative households (N 1289) from the Kantar Fast Moving Consumer Goods Panel. Main shoppers were predominantly female (71 %), with a mean age of 54 years (±13).

Results:

Linear regression models identified that exposure to foods high in fats, salt and sugar advertising through traditional mediums (including broadcast and print), but not digital, transport, recreational or functional mediums, was associated with greater purchases of energy (9779 kcal; 95 % CI 3515, 16 043), protein (416 g; 95 % CI 161, 671), carbohydrate (1164 g; 95 % CI 368, 1886) and sugar (514 g; 95 % CI 187, 841). Generalised linear models showed that individuals who reported exposure to sugary drink advertising were more likely to purchase sugary drinks (1·16; 95 % CI 2·94, 4·99) but did not purchase more energy or nutrients from sugary drinks. There was no evidence of associations between exposure to advertising for sugary cereals or sweet snacks and purchases from these categories.

Conclusions:

There was a strong influence of traditional advertising and sugar-sweetened beverage advertising on household food and drink purchases, thus supporting the need for advertising restrictions across traditional formats and for sugary drinks specifically.
Examining the effectiveness of promotional nudges increasing plant-based food choices in a post-secondary education dining hall: a pilot study
Authors: Anderson Jennifer Joy , Bains Andy , Stachiw Julie , Heidl Alexandra J , Paetsch Tamara , Cohen Tamara R
Published: October 2024

Objective:

To evaluate nudge strategies that increase the consumption of plant-based foods, defined as vegetarian or vegan food items, compared with meat-based options in post-secondary dining hall settings.

Design:

A pilot study.

Setting:

This study took place in the University of British Columbia Vancouver Campus’s Gather Dining Hall (GDH) over a 6-week intervention period and two control periods. The intervention incorporated several nudges (proportion increases, item placement, taste-focused labelling, Chef’s featured special verbal prompts, social media and promotional posters) into the menu and dining hall area with the goal of increasing the purchases of plant-based items. Sales data from meals that were purchased during the intervention period were compared with sales data from the two control periods.

Participants:

Students and staff who purchased meals in the GDH.

Results:

The proportion of plant-based items sold significantly increased during the intervention period (56·7 %; P < 0·01) compared with the last 6 weeks of term one (53·6 %) and the first 6 weeks of term two (53·4 %). The proportion of plant-based ‘main’ menu items was significantly higher in the intervention period (46·4; P < 0·01) when compared with the last 6 weeks of term one (40·9 %) and the first 6 weeks of term two (41·7 %).

Conclusions:

The combination of nudges was effective at significantly increasing the selection of plant-based options over meat-based options in a post-secondary dining hall setting.
Historical Review of Variants of Informal Semantics for Logic Programs under Answer Set Semantics: GL’88, GL’91, GK’14, D-V’12
Authors: LIERLER YULIYA
Published: October 2024

This note presents a historical survey of informal semantics that are associated with logic programming under answer set semantics. We review these in uniform terms and align them with two paradigms: Answer Set Programming and ASP-Prolog — two prominent Knowledge Representation and Reasoning Paradigms in Artificial Intelligence.
Failure of China's COVID-19 health diplomacy in wining hearts and minds in Thailand and the Philippines: political efficacy constrained by local politics
Authors: Li Xirui , Yang Zi , Li Mingjiang
Published: October 2024

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, China extended significant medical aid to international communities, aiming to combat the virus's spread and foster global solidarity. However, despite the appreciation expressed by recipient governments for China's assistance, the general public's perception of China did not significantly improve. This prompts the question: why did China's COVID-19 health diplomacy fail to resonate with foreign audiences? This article delves into the cases of Thailand and the Philippines to argue that public perceptions of countries providing aid can be heavily influenced by domestic political dynamics, particularly when incumbent governments already face legitimacy challenges prior to aid delivery. By scrutinizing the implementation of China's aid and the state-to-state relations between China and incumbent governments, political opposition forces can exploit any shortcomings or missteps, placing blame squarely on the incumbents. Given the existing distrust toward incumbent governments, the public is more inclined to accept messages propagated by opposition groups, thereby hindering any positive shift in perception toward China. This perspective complements existing research that predominantly focuses on the diplomatic strategies of donor countries, suggesting instead that the domestic politics of host countries play a pivotal role in shaping the effectiveness of foreign nations' efforts to cultivate favorable images among foreign audiences.
Answering the challenges: the surge of political violence in North Korea and militarisation of North Korean police force in the first half of 1946
Authors: Lebedev Vasilii Vladimirovich
Published: October 2024

This article explores the militarisation of the North Korean police and the establishment of specialised units, including the Railroad and Maritime Police, and the Korean-Manchurian border guard. The analysis primarily draws from unpublished Soviet archival material. Contrary to the assumption that strengthening the North Korean police under Soviet military administration was aimed at providing a backbone to the North Korean regime, our examination reveals that, at least initially, it was driven by the urgent need to address immediate challenges in public security. The initial crisis arose with anti-trusteeship protests and worsened when the Soviets initiated land reform, coinciding with a series of terrorist attacks against North Korean politicians and Soviet military units. The article also sheds light on the background processes that led to the creation of specialised police units such as the Railroad Police and the Maritime Police. Contrary to common perceptions, these units were not designed to become military units from the outset. Soviet documents clearly reveal that their primary function was to assist the Soviets in guarding the North Korean railroad and coastline. The Soviets initiated and controlled the establishment of the Korean-Manchurian border guard to address issues on the northern border of Korea.
The view from outer space: Science fiction and political fantasy in the Cold War United States
Authors: Reed Isaac Ariail
Published: October 2024

The articulations of science and politics in the Cold War in the United States are well studied in histories of American political culture. However, these histories are often given focus and coherence via concepts and understandings taken from political realism and sociological institutionalism, thereby underestimating the transformations in the very idea of political reality that helped form the Cold War era in the United States. This paper launches an investigation of the relationship between speculative fiction and scientific and political discourse during that era to explore how the political culture of the United States came to be structured not only by a certain imagination but also by a particular set of fantasies. Building on the history of war-gaming at the RAND Corporation, the author conducts a close reading of a RAND Corporation report turned popular science publication. This suggests that, during the Cold War, a new standpoint from which to view the political world – the view from outer space – began to organize how the American political project for the globe represented its own modernity to itself. This view, drawn from science fiction but made real in its ethos and its political consequences, projected an understanding of “mankind” as but an infant in the early stages of what would become its interstellar destiny. A baleful consequence of this view was its tendency to free political actors and intellectuals from the urgent problem, identified acutely by Hannah Arendt in her essay “Man’s Conquest of Space,” of creating a world in common on earth.
Review of water–energy–food nexus applications in the Global South
Authors: Mabhaudhi Tafadzwanashe , Chibarabada Tendai Polite , Taguta Cuthbert , Dirwai Tinashe Lindel , Ndeketeya Annah
Published: October 2024

The study reviewed the applications of the water–energy–food (WEF) nexus for knowledge generation and decision-making in the Global South. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses protocol identified 336 studies from the Web of Science and Scopus datasets. One hundred eighty-five articles applied WEF nexus tools to improve the understanding of WEF nexus interactions and to show the potential of nexus applications. The other articles (151) focused on nexus applications to guide planning and decision support for resource allocation and policy formulation. Environment, climate, ecosystems, land, and socio-economics were other popular nexus dimensions, while waste and economy were considered to a lesser extent. Limitations associated with nexus applications included unavailability of data, uncertainties from data sources, scale mismatch and bias. The inability of nexus tools to capture the complex realities of WEF interactions is hindering adoption, especially for policy formulations and investment planning. Data limitations could be solved using a sound scientific basis to correct uncertainties and substitute unavailable data. Data gaps can be bridged by engaging stakeholders, who can provide local and indigenous knowledge. Despite the limitations, applying nexus tools could be useful in guiding resource management. Limitations associated with nexus applications included – investment planning. Plausible pathways for operationalising the WEF nexus are discussed.
The Role of Benthic Fluxes in Acidifying the Bottom Waters in the Northern Gulf of Mexico Hypoxic Zone Based on an Updated Water Column Biogeochemical‐Seabed Diagenetic and Sediment Transport Model
Authors: Yin Dongxiao , Cui Linlin , Harris Courtney K. , Moriarty Julia M. , Beck Hannah , Maiti Kanchan
Published: October 2024

The seabed and the water column are tightly coupled in shallow coastal environments. Numerical models of seabed‐water interaction provide an alternative to observational studies that require concurrent measurements in both compartments, which are hard to obtain and rarely available. Here, we present a coupled model that includes water column biogeochemistry, seabed diagenesis, sediment transport and hydrodynamics. Our model includes realistic representations of biogeochemical reactions in both seabed and water column, and fluxes at their interface. The model was built on algorithms for seabed‐water exchange in the Regional Ocean Modeling System and expanded to include carbonate chemistry in seabed. The updated model was tested for two sites where benthic flux and porewater concentration measurements were available in the northern Gulf of Mexico hypoxic zone. The calibrated model reproduced the porewater concentration‐depth profiles and benthic fluxes of O2, dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC), TAlk, NO3 and NH4. We used the calibrated model to explore the role of benthic fluxes in acidifying bottom water during fair weather and resuspension periods. Under fair weather conditions, model results indicated that bio‐diffusion in sediment, labile material input and sediment porosity have a large control on the importance of benthic flux to bottom water acidification. During resuspension, the model indicated that bottom water acidification would be enhanced due to the sharp increase of the DIC/TAlk ratio of benthic fluxes. To conclude, our model reproduced the seabed‐water column exchange of biologically important solutes and can be used for quantifying the role of benthic fluxes in driving bottom water acidification over continental shelves.
Global Wind Erosion Reduction Driven by Changing Climate and Land Use
Authors: Sun Ranhao , He Hongbin , Jing Yongcai , Leng Song , Yang Guocheng , Lü Yihe , Borrelli Pasquale , Chen Liding , Fu Bojie
Published: October 2024

While significant progress has been achieved in researching water erosion, our understanding of global patterns and the magnitude of wind soil erosion remains limited. Here, we present a comprehensive assessment using the revised wind erosion equation (RWEQ) of the global rates and long‐term trends (1982–2019) of wind erosion using a spatially explicit (0.05° × 0.05°) quantitative model. On average, in this study global wind erosion caused 312.5 Pg yr−1 of soil loss, with a decreasing trend of 1.04 ± 0.48 Pg yr−1 (p < 0.05) during 1982–2019. Excluding stable regions, approximately 36% of the modeled areas exhibit a significant decrease in wind erosion, accounting for 3.13 ± 0.18 Pg yr−1, while only 9% experience a notable increase, amounting for 1.83 ± 0.16 Pg yr−1. The decrease of wind erosion primarily occurs in the southern hemispheres. Notably, wind erosion decreases considerably in grassland and cropland, while it remains unchanged in dryland. Although grassland and cropland account for only 11% and 1.8% of the total erosion, they contribute to 68% and 17% of the total erosion reduction, respectively. This study highlights global wind stilling and vegetation greening as important factors contributing to the decline in wind erosion and offers valuable insights into the intricate relationship between climate change and terrestrial ecosystems, including carbon sequestration and agricultural productivity.
Zn Isotope Tracing Unveils Primary Anthropogenic Zn Sources in Glacial Cryoconite of the High Asian Mountains
Authors: Wu Rui , Dong Zhiwen , Yan Yan , Parteli Eric , Wei Ting , Li Fangzhou , Jiao Xiaoyu , Shao Yaping , Qin Xiang
Published: October 2024

Zinc (Zn) exerts a significant influence on the global environment, terrestrial ecosystems, and human health. The application of Zn isotopes (δ66Zn) has been suggested as a potent tool for tracing environmental contamination. However, studies focusing on Zn isotope tracing within the cryosphere areas are notably limited. Here we present the first data set on Zn isotopes in glacial cryoconite, based on observations over a large regional scale in High Asian Mountains (including Tibetan Plateau (TP) and its surroundings of western China). The results showed that glacial cryoconite had a general heavy Zn isotopic signature in various TP locations, with δ66Zn values ranging from −0.22‰ to +0.87‰. Employing the MixSIAR model, the overall Zn contribution source to the cryoconite was mineral dust (36%) > coal burning (33%) > non‐exhaust traffic emissions (22%) > industrial smelting (10%). We ascertained that anthropogenic sources account for the primary contribution (about 60%–73%) of Zn inputs in all glacial locations, with coal burning emerging as the foremost anthropogenic contributor (mean 33%). Anthropogenic Zn in various TP locations was primarily derived from Zn emissions resulting from coal combustion, though it is also predominantly influenced by industrial smelting source in cryoconite of the Tianshan Mountains. Our results aligned with coal combustion data from the energy inventory of western China, suggesting that regional coal burning likely represents the foremost source of atmospheric Zn pollutant emission and deposition in the High Asia mountain glaciers.
Impacts of On‐Road Vehicular Emissions on U.S. Air Quality: A Comparison of Two Mobile Emission Models (MOVES and FIVE)
Authors: Ma Siqi , Tong Daniel , Harkins Colin , McDonald Brian C. , Wang Chi‐Tsan , Li Yunyao , Baek Bok H. , Woo Jung‐Hun , Zhang Yang
Published: October 2024

On‐road vehicles are significant contributors to air pollution globally, particularly to nitrogen oxides (NOx) and ozone (O3). Quantifying their contribution to air quality is crucial to understanding the trends of vehicle emissions as low‐ and “zero” emission vehicles join the fleet. Modeling on‐road emissions is complex due to various factors like fleet activities, traffic patterns, and meteorological conditions. We compare on‐road emissions from two mobile models: the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fuel‐based Inventory of Vehicle Emission (FIVE) and the US Environmental Protection Agency Motor Vehicle Emission Simulator (MOVES), finding they contribute 4%–33% to volatile organic compounds (VOCs), NOx, and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in the contiguous United States (CONUS). Using a regional chemical transport model, we assess air quality effects under different emission scenarios. Both emission data sets yield satisfactory performance, with MOVES showing lower biases in ozone (O3) and PM2.5 over CONUS, while FIVE performs better at city scales due to higher urban NOx emissions. In January, on‐road emissions increased surface O3 over western and southern US by up to 9.1%–13.1% but decreased by 2.5% over the northeastern US, while PM2.5 predictions vary across the US (−85% to 24%). In July, on‐road emissions elevate O3 and PM2.5 concentrations by 15%–20% across CONUS, except in some west coast cities. They also greatly contribute to nitrogen dioxide (NO2) by more than 80% near roads and in urban areas. This study highlights the significant impact of on‐road emissions on urban air quality and provides insights for improving air quality forecasting and management.
CREB3L1 deficiency impairs odontoblastic differentiation and molar dentin deposition partially through the TMEM30B
Authors: Li Yuanyuan , Lin Yuxiu , Guo Jinqiang , Huang Delan , Zuo Huanyan , Zhang Hanshu , Yuan Guohua , Liu Huan , Chen Zhi
Published: October 2024

Odontoblasts are primarily responsible for synthesizing and secreting extracellular matrix proteins, which are crucial for dentinogenesis. Our previous single-cell profile and RNAscope for odontoblast lineage revealed that cyclic adenosine monophosphate responsive element-binding protein 3 like 1 (Creb3l1) was specifically enriched in the terminal differentiated odontoblasts. In this study, deletion of Creb3l1 in the Wnt1+ lineage led to insufficient root elongation and dentin deposition. Assay for transposase-accessible chromatin with high-throughput sequencing (ATAC-seq) and RNA sequencing were performed to revealed that in CREB3L1-deficient mouse dental papilla cells (mDPCs), the genes near the closed chromatin regions were mainly associated with mesenchymal development and the downregulated genes were primarily related to biological processes including cell differentiation, protein biosynthesis and transport, all of which were evidenced by a diminished ability of odontoblastic differentiation, a significant reduction in intracellular proteins, and an even greater decline in extracellular supernatant proteins. Dentin matrix protein 1 (Dmp1), dentin sialophosphoprotein (Dspp), and transmembrane protein 30B (Tmem30b) were identified as direct transcriptional regulatory targets. TMEM30B was intensively expressed in the differentiated odontoblasts, and exhibited a significant decline in both CREB3L1-deficient odontoblasts in vivo and in vitro. Deletion of Tmem30b impaired the ability of odontoblastic differentiation, protein synthesis, and protein secretion in mDPCs. Moreover, overexpressing TMEM30B in CREB3L1-deficient mDPCs partially rescued the extracellular proteins secretion. Collectively, our findings suggest that CREB3L1 participates in dentinogenesis and facilitates odontoblastic differentiation by directly enhancing the transcription of Dmp1, Dspp, and other differentiation-related genes and indirectly promoting protein secretion partially via TMEM30B.
TRIM33 promotes glycolysis through regulating P53 K48-linked ubiquitination to promote esophageal squamous cell carcinoma growth
Authors: Xia Tian , Meng Lian , Xu Guixuan , Sun Hao , Chen Hao
Published: October 2024

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a common fatal malignant tumor of the digestive tract; however, its pathogenic mechanism is unknown and lacks specific molecular diagnosis and treatment. Therefore, it is particularly important to identify new tumor biomarkers to enhance the early diagnosis and molecular-targeted therapy of ESCC. Here, we found that the E3 ubiquitin ligase Tripartitemotif-containing33 (TRIM33) is highly expressed in ESCC tissues and cell lines, and is associated with adverse clinical outcomes. We determined that TRIM33 drives aerobic glycolysis to promote tumor growth in vivo and in vitro. In terms of mechanism, TRIM33 binds to p53 to inhibit its stability and promote the expression of downstream glycolysis target genes GLUT1, HK2, PKM2, and LDHA. In addition, TRIM33 promotes the polyubiquitination of P53 K48-linked and proteasome degradation. Further studies have shown that the K351 site of P53 is the key site mediating the ubiquitination of P53 K48-linked to promote aerobic glycolysis in ESCC and tumor cell growth. Our results reveal that the TRIM33-P53 signal axis regulates glycolysis during ESCC and may provide a new perspective for the diagnosis and treatment of ESCC.
A gene desert required for regulatory control of pleiotropic Shox2 expression and embryonic survival
Authors: Abassah-Oppong Samuel , Zoia Matteo , Mannion Brandon J. , Rouco Raquel , Tissières Virginie , Spurrell Cailyn H. , Roland Virginia , Darbellay Fabrice , Itum Anja , Gamart Julie , Festa-Daroux Tabitha A. , Sullivan Carly S. , Kosicki Michael , Rodríguez-Carballo Eddie , Fukuda-Yuzawa Yoko , Hunter Riana D. , Novak Catherine S. , Plajzer-Frick Ingrid , Tran Stella , Akiyama Jennifer A. , Dickel Diane E. , Lopez-Rios Javier , Barozzi Iros , Andrey Guillaume , Visel Axel , Pennacchio Len A. , Cobb John , Osterwalder Marco
Published: October 2024

Approximately a quarter of the human genome consists of gene deserts, large regions devoid of genes often located adjacent to developmental genes and thought to contribute to their regulation. However, defining the regulatory functions embedded within these deserts is challenging due to their large size. Here, we explore the cis-regulatory architecture of a gene desert flanking the Shox2 gene, which encodes a transcription factor indispensable for proximal limb, craniofacial, and cardiac pacemaker development. We identify the gene desert as a regulatory hub containing more than 15 distinct enhancers recapitulating anatomical subdomains of Shox2 expression. Ablation of the gene desert leads to embryonic lethality due to Shox2 depletion in the cardiac sinus venosus, caused in part by the loss of a specific distal enhancer. The gene desert is also required for stylopod morphogenesis, mediated via distributed proximal limb enhancers. In summary, our study establishes a multi-layered role of the Shox2 gene desert in orchestrating pleiotropic developmental expression through modular arrangement and coordinated dynamics of tissue-specific enhancers.
NanoPlex: a universal strategy for fluorescence microscopy multiplexing using nanobodies with erasable signals
Authors: Mougios Nikolaos , Cotroneo Elena R. , Imse Nils , Setzke Jonas , Rizzoli Silvio O. , Simeth Nadja A. , Tsukanov Roman , Opazo Felipe
Published: October 2024

Fluorescence microscopy has long been a transformative technique in biological sciences. Nevertheless, most implementations are limited to a few targets, which have been revealed using primary antibodies and fluorescently conjugated secondary antibodies. Super-resolution techniques such as Exchange-PAINT and, more recently, SUM-PAINT have increased multiplexing capabilities, but they require specialized equipment, software, and knowledge. To enable multiplexing for any imaging technique in any laboratory, we developed NanoPlex, a streamlined method based on conventional antibodies revealed by engineered secondary nanobodies that allow the selective removal of fluorescence signals. We develop three complementary signal removal strategies: OptoPlex (light-induced), EnzyPlex (enzymatic), and ChemiPlex (chemical). We showcase NanoPlex reaching 21 targets for 3D confocal analyses and 5–8 targets for dSTORM and STED super-resolution imaging. NanoPlex has the potential to revolutionize multi-target fluorescent imaging methods, potentially redefining the multiplexing capabilities of antibody-based assays.