bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Meditators’ Non-academic Definition of Mindfulness
Authors: Alvear David , Soler Joaquim , Cebolla Ausiàs
Published: May 2022

Objectives

Mindfulness has been defined differently in academic scientific contexts and in Buddhist academic contexts. An under-studied area is that of lay (non-academic) theories of mindfulness. The goal of this article is to identify, organize, analyze in detail, and provide themes from the meditators’ definitions of mindfulness. Possible differences and similarities of the collected definitions of mindfulness with the scientific-academic definitions and with the academic-Buddhist definitions are also checked.

Methods

A qualitative and inductive thematic analysis on the definitions of mindfulness offered by the participants was carried out.

Results

The sample consisted of 326 meditators who offered a definition of mindfulness through an open question. Seven themes were identified: (1) mindfulness defined as attention/awareness; (2) mindfulness defined as a non-evaluative attitude; (3) mindfulness defined as strategy; (4) mindfulness defined from a theoretical analysis; (5) mindfulness defined as a psycho-affective-spiritual state; (6) mindfulness defined as personal development; and (7) lack of understanding of mindfulness. From these themes, it can be deduced that the definitions collected share more patterns of meaning with the scientific-academic definition of mindfulness than with the academic-Buddhist one.

Conclusions

The findings of this study provide new insights into the complexity and heterogeneity of the definition of mindfulness. What has been discovered may indicate the complexity of the mindfulness construct itself.
Outlier robust extreme learning machine to simulate discharge coefficient of side slots
Authors: Hasani Farzad , Shabanlou Saeid
Published: May 2022

As the first time, this paper attempts to recreate the discharge coefficient (DC) of side slots by another artificial intelligence procedure named "Outlier Robust Extreme Learning Machine (ORELM)". Accordingly, at first, the variables affecting the DC comprising the ratios of the flow depth to the side slot length (Ym/L), the side slot crest elevation to the side slot length (W/L), the main channel width to the side slot length (B/L), as well as the Froude number (Fr) are determined and subsequently five ORELM models (ORELM 1 to ORELM 5) are created utilizing these variables. From that point forward, laboratory measurements are arranged into two datasets comprising training (70%) and testing (30%). At the subsequent stage, the best model alongside the most affecting input variables is presented by executing a sensitivity examination. The most impressive model (i.e., ORELM 3) reproduces DC values as far as B/L, W/L and Fr. It is worth focusing on that ORELM 3 forecasts DC values with worthy precision. For instance, the correlation coefficient (R), the scatter index (SI) and the Nash–Sutcliffe effectiveness (NSC) for ORELM 3 are acquired in the examination state to be 0.936, 0.049 and 0.852, independently. Examining the outcomes yielded from the simulation demonstrates that W/L and Fr are the most impacting factors to reproduce the DC. Besides, the findings of the sensitivity examination uncover that ORELM 3 acts in an underestimated way. Finally, a computer code is put forward to compute the DC of side slots.
Classification of dog skin diseases using deep learning with images captured from multispectral imaging device
Authors: Hwang Sungbo , Shin Hyun Kil , Park Jin Moon , Kwon Bosun , Kang Myung-Gyun
Published: May 2022

Background

Dog-associated infections are related to more than 70 human diseases. Given that the health diagnosis of a dog requires expertise of the veterinarian, an artificial intelligence model for detecting dog diseases could significantly reduce time and cost required for a diagnosis and efficiently maintain animal health.

Objective

We collected normal and multispectral images to develop classification model of each three dog skin diseases (bacterial dermatosis, fungal infection, and hypersensitivity allergic dermatosis). The single models (normal image- and multispectral image-based) and consensus models were developed used to four CNN model architecture (InceptionNet, ResNet, DenseNet, MobileNet) and select well-performed model.

Results

For single models, such as normal image- or multispectral image-based model, the best accuracies and Matthew’s correlation coefficients (MCCs) for validation data set were 0.80 and 0.64 for bacterial dermatosis, 0.70 and 0.36 for fungal infection, and 0.82 and 0.47 for hypersensitivity allergic dermatosis. For the consensus models, the best accuracies and MCCs for the validation set were 0.89 and 0.76 for the bacterial dermatosis data set, 0.87 and 0.63 for the fungal infection data set, and 0.87 and 0.63 for the hypersensitivity allergic dermatosis data set, respectively, which supported that the consensus models of each disease were more balanced and well-performed.

Conclusions

We developed consensus models for each skin disease for dogs by combining each best model developed with the normal and multispectral images, respectively. Since the normal images could be used to determine areas suspected of lesion of skin disease and additionally the multispectral images could help confirming skin redness of the area, the models achieved higher prediction accuracy with balanced performance between sensitivity and specificity.
Nutrition and Health Claims: Consumer Use and Evolving Regulation
Authors: Neale Elizabeth P. , Tapsell Linda C.
Published: May 2022

Purpose of Review

The value of nutrition and health claims (N&HC) depends on how consumers use them and the regulatory framework that enables them. This paper aims to explore the impact of claims on consumer behaviour and identify evolving regulatory challenges, using the Australian experience as a reference point.

Recent Findings

N&HC can influence consumer food purchasing and consumption, but how consumers interpret and act on specific claims is less well understood, and regulatory frameworks are evolving. In the last 10 years, changes to the Australian regulatory framework have exposed greater opportunities for promoting foods, albeit with challenges regarding self-substantiation of claims.

N&HC can play a significant role in driving consumer choices towards a healthier food supply. The Australian experience demonstrates how N&HC can continue to evolve, reflecting developments in methodologies and a fundamental appreciation of the relationship between food and health.
Forschendes Lernen in der universitären Lehrer*innenbildung. Ergebnisse einer explorativen Längsschnittstudie zur Förderung von Forschungskompetenz und Forschungsinteresse in Forschungswerkstätten an der Universität Hamburg
Authors: Paseka Angelika , Hinzke Jan-Hendrik , Feld Imogen , Krammer Georg
Published: May 2022

Forschendes Lernen hat sich als hochschuldidaktisches Konzept nicht nur in Deutschland als eine Möglichkeit etabliert, um der Forderung nach mehr Forschungsorientierung in der Lehrer*innenbildung nachzukommen. Die hohen Erwartungen werden jedoch nur teilweise durch Forschungsbefunde gestützt. Die vorliegende Studie fragt daher danach, ob sich durch Forschendes Lernen Forschungskompetenz und Forschungsinteresse fördern lassen. Dazu wurden Items bzw. Skalen entwickelt und in einer quantitativen Längsschnittstudie an einer deutschen Universität im Rahmen von neun Forschungswerkstätten für Lehramtsstudierende (n = 144) getestet. In den Forschungswerkstätten wird ein Konzept von Forschendem Lernen umgesetzt, das das Durchlaufen eines vollständigen Forschungsprozesses von ersten Forschungsfragen über Datenerhebung, Datenauswertung bis zur Präsentation an den beteiligten Schulen beinhaltet. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass in der Selbsteinschätzung der befragten Studierenden deren Forschungskompetenz angestiegen, gleichzeitig jedoch das Interesse an Forschung gesunken ist. Ursachen und Konsequenzen werden diskutiert.
Der israelbezogene Antisemitismus und die Gratwanderung einer nicht-antisemitischen ‚Israelkritik‘ – Versuch einer demokratietheoretischen Mediation
Authors: Hidalgo Oliver
Published: May 2022

Die wichtige Debatte um den israelbezogenen Antisemitismus ist aktuell in eine Sackgasse geraten. Um zur Versachlichung der wissenschaftlich-öffentlichen Diskussion beizutragen, schlägt der vorliegende Artikel eine Differenzierung von subjektiv bewussten und unbewussten antisemitischen Ressentiments vor und bettet diese Unterscheidung in ein demokratietheoretisches Argument ein. Vor dem Hintergrund eines Demokratiebegriffs, der die komplexe Koexistenz von Einheit und Pluralität in demokratischen Gesellschaften ebenso impliziert wie das grundsätzliche Spannungsverhältnis zwischen Religion und Volksherrschaft, wird es dabei nicht nur möglich, den Staat Israel in nicht-antisemitischer Weise als jüdisches Kollektiv zu reflektieren, sondern auch einschlägige Aporien im Nahostkonflikt zu veranschaulichen. Auf dieser Basis erfolgt eine ausgewogene Auseinandersetzung mit dem von Kritiker:innen lancierten Apartheidvorwurfs gegenüber der israelischen Regierung sowie eine Einschätzung der palästinensischen Boykottbewegung BDS.
Quantität und Qualität des Strategieeinsatzes von Grundschülerinnen und Grundschülern in reziproken Lesegruppen
Authors: Völlinger Vanessa A. , Stein Lisa-Kristin , Eckart Agnes
Published: May 2022

Zur Förderung der Leseleistungen von Schülerinnen und Schülern werden von nationalen und internationalen Experten Programme empfohlen, in denen Kinder gemeinsam an Leseaufgaben arbeiten und verschiedene Lesestrategien erlernen. Die Ergebnisse von Evaluationsstudien belegen die Wirksamkeit solcher Programme für die Entwicklung individueller Leseleistungen von Schülerinnen und Schülern, enthalten jedoch keine Informationen dazu, wie die gemeinsame Strategieanwendung in den Kleingruppen abläuft. Der vorliegende Beitrag betrachtet anhand von Videomaterial zu drei Messzeitpunkten, ob und wie Schülerinnen und Schüler der 3. Klasse gemeinsam die Lesestrategien Klären, Fragen und Vorhersagen auf Sachtexte anwenden und ob ein Trainingseffekt für Kinder in Kleingruppen festzustellen ist, die an einer peer-gestützten strategiebasierten Leseförderung teilgenommen haben. Dazu wird eine Interventionsgruppe mit einer Unterrichtskontrollgruppe verglichen, die regulären Deutschunterricht ohne explizite Strategieförderung erhielt. Sowohl die Quantität als auch die Qualität der Strategieanwendung in den Lesegruppen wurde anhand eines deduktiv entwickelten Schemas kodiert. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass zu allen drei Messzeitpunkten (Prä‑, Post- und Follow-up-Test) weniger als 50 % der Schülerinnen und Schüler Lesestrategien anwendeten. Am häufigsten wurde insgesamt die Strategie Fragen genutzt. Ein moderat positiver Trainingseffekt zeigte sich insbesondere für die Strategie Vorhersagen. Zu diskutieren ist, warum die Schülerinnen und Schüler nicht mehr Strategien auf einem höheren Elaborationsniveau anwendeten und ob weitere Kompetenzen für die wirkungsvolle Strategieanwendung in Kleingruppen benötigt werden. Die Untersuchung unterstreicht die Bedeutung prozessnaher Datenerhebung für die Weiterentwicklung von Fördermaßnahmen in Forschung und Praxis.
AI-deploying organizations are key to addressing ‘perfect storm’ of AI risks
Authors: Curtis Caitlin , Gillespie Nicole , Lockey Steven
Published: May 2022

We argue that a perfect storm of five conditions heightens the risk of harm to society from artificial intelligence: (1) the powerful, invisible nature of AI, (2) low public awareness and AI literacy, (3) rapid scaled deployment of AI, (4) insufficient regulation, and (5) the gap between trustworthy AI principles and practices. To prevent harm, fit-for-purpose regulation and public AI literacy programs have been recommended, but education and government regulation will not be sufficient: AI-deploying organizations need to play a central role in creating and deploying trustworthy AI in line with the principles of trustworthy AI, and taking accountability to mitigate the risks.
Rhetoric, agency, pedagogy: a “new” perspective on language and literacy education
Authors: Green Bill , Molyneux Paul , Scull Janet
Published: May 2022

With the explicit goal of today’s school students being active citizens, critically engaged and democratically minded over the long course of their schooling, the authors of this article focus on the notions ofrhetoricand, relatedly,rhetorical agency. While these notions are increasingly understood in secondary school contexts, their application in primary and early-childhood settings is under-explored. We define and propose rhetorical agency as a purposeful focus of school literacy practice and pedagogy, illustrating this with four examples in which rhetorical agency can be supported in the primary classroom. These relate to research we have undertaken or supported around children learning bilingually, students engaging in place-based investigations, rich text use, and critical literacy in the early years. Ultimately, we invite consideration of how primary classrooms and public schooling, and more specifically the practice of language and literacy education, might be enhanced expressly through a rhetorical lens.
A Group Emergency Decision-Making Method for Epidemic Prevention and Control Based on Probabilistic Hesitant Fuzzy Prospect Set Considering Quality of Information
Authors: Lv Jian , Mao Qinghua , Li Qingwen , Yu Rongfu
Published: May 2022

Epidemics can bring huge impacts to economic operation and human health, a practical and effective emergency decision-making (EDM) method is of great significance to reduce all kinds of losses and slow the spread of epidemics. In the process of EDM, decision information is usually uncertain and vague, and the psychological behaviors and various perspectives of decision makers (DMs) should be considered. Hence, this paper develops a group emergency decision-making (GEDM) method under risk based on the probabilistic hesitant fuzzy set (PHFS) and cumulative prospect theory (CPT), in which probabilistic hesitant fuzzy prospect set (PHFPS) that combines PHFS and CPT is developed to portray the vagueness of decision information and psychologies of DMs. Moreover, experts’ creditability in evaluation criteria is generally different because of the differences of their own knowledge structures, practical experience, individual preference and so on. A formula is proposed to measure the quality of decision information provided by experts for revising the expert weights. In addition, the evaluation criteria supporting the GEDM of epidemics are given. Finally, the proposed method is demonstrated by an empirical case study of COVID-19, and the comparison analysis based on the rank-biased overlap model and the sensitivity analysis are conducted to the illustrate the validity of the proposed method.
Historical liver subcapsular hematoma revealed by a severe postpartum hemorrhage: About a case
Authors: Benjelloun Touimi A. , Antaky R. , EL Qasseh R. , Gorja Y. , Jallal M. , Lamrissi A. , Bouyahya S.
Published: May 2022

Highlights
Garçons ManquésandFemmes Fortes: Two Ambivalent Figures of Butch Lesbianism in Women’s Football in Cameroon
Authors: Ndjio Basile
Published: May 2022

With the enactment of anti-homosexuality laws in the 1960s, Cameroon’s government officially endorsed heterosexualist ideologies which legitimize the alienation and criminalization of minority and nonconforming sexual and gender identities. One group, the so-calledgarçons manqués, embodies the stigmatized masculine or “butch” lesbian identity. The political management of lesbianism in Cameroon is ambivalent, however, with respect to sport, and particularly regarding the national pastime, football. Whereas masculine lesbians are routinely branded as “butches” or “sexual predators” who threaten African hetero-patriarchy, “strong women"” (femmes fortes) are celebrated as pivotal to the national ambition. Cameroon’s government strategically amalgamates both heteronationalism and homonationalism in the interest of national pride.
Different Meaning in Different Sizes: Ecology in Size Scales
Authors: Schneider Tamar
Published: May 2022

Any given ecosystem includes macro- and micro-organismal ecology. I examine the concept of stability and its meaning in these two size scales. Historically, the stability concept follows species population dynamics and equilibrium. In micro-ecology, however, classification is rare and, in the majority of cases, not possible. Therefore, the microbial taxonomic composition is regarded in a nonspecific way, as opposed to animals and plant communities. Such different consideration leads to the emphasis on functional stability in micro-ecology versus the structural in macro-ecology. I discuss the implication of these differences in meanings and the possibilities of integrating them.
Where should epistaxis education be focused? A comparative study between the public and healthcare workers on knowledge of first aid management methods of epistaxis
Authors: Jamshaid S , Banhidy N , Ghedia R , Seymour K
Published: May 2022

Background

Epistaxis can be life-threatening. Simple first aid management can stem bleeding. This study compared knowledge of first aid management methods of epistaxis between the general public and healthcare workers.

Method

A cross-sectional study of 100 healthcare workers and 103 adult members of the public was conducted at a large London teaching hospital. Respondents completed a survey assessing knowledge on nasal pinching site, head tilt and appropriate adjunct treatment use for first aid management of epistaxis.

Results

Twenty-four per cent and 68 per cent of healthcare workers compared with 25.2 per cent and 37.9 per cent of the public answered correctly on nasal pinching position and head tilt position, respectively, with a statistical difference for head tilt position. Two per cent, 2 per cent and 24 per cent of healthcare workers mentioned ice use on the nose, ice use in the mouth or ice use but not site, respectively, compared with 0 per cent, 0 per cent and 4.9 per cent of the public, with a statistical difference for ice without site.

Conclusion

Healthcare workers and the public lack knowledge on first aid management of epistaxis. Improved education on first aid management is required, targeting healthcare workers and the public.
Evaluating the inclusion of tympanometry in population-based surveys of hearing loss
Authors: Bright T , Youngs R , Faal Y , Hydara A , Yip J L Y , Mactaggart I , Polack S
Published: May 2022

Objective

This study aimed to determine the implications of including tympanometry in the Rapid Assessment of Hearing Loss survey protocol. A comparative study design was employed, with findings from otoscopy compared with the results of tympanometry.

Method

A population-based survey of the prevalence and causes of hearing loss among adults aged over 35 years in The Gambia was conducted. Clinical assessments included air conduction audiometry, otoscopy and clinical history. Otoscopy outcome was recorded and for those with hearing loss, a probable cause was assigned. Following otoscopy, tympanometry was completed. Otoscopy outcome was not changed as a result of tympanometry. Clinician assigned cause was compared to the results of tympanometry. The proportion of causes potentially misclassified by excluding tympanometry was determined.

Results

Among people with hearing loss, including tympanometry led to a higher proportion diagnosed with middle-ear conditions.

Conclusion

The value of adding tympanometry to population-based survey protocols is a higher estimated proportion of hearing loss being attributed to middle-ear disease rather than sensorineural causes. This can inform service needs as more people will be classified as needing medical or surgical services, and a slightly lower number will need rehabilitative services, such as hearing assistive devices. It is highly recommended that tympanometry is included in the protocol.
Correlations between objective and subjective tests of nasal patency in patients undergoing septoplasty
Authors: Karataş M , Koparal M , Yılmazer C , Kelles M
Published: May 2022

Objective

This study assessed correlations between pre- and post-operative objective and subjective nasal patency test results in patients undergoing septoplasty to treat nasal septum deviation.

Method

Eighty nasal septum deviation patients who underwent septoplasty were prospectively enrolled. Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation questionnaire scores, anterior rhinomanometry and acoustic rhinometry data were compared pre-operatively and three months after surgery. The left, right and total volume and left, right and total minimum cross-sectional area acoustic rhinometry values were compared.

Results

The left volume, total volume, left minimum cross-sectional area and total minimum cross-sectional area differed significantly between the two time-points (all p < 0.05). The total resistance, inspiratory total airflow, expiratory total resistance and expiratory total airflow rhinomanometric data did not differ between the two timepoints (all p > 0.05).

Conclusion

This study suggested that subjective tests such as the Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation questionnaire are optimal to identify complaints and assess post-operative satisfaction.
The Bridge of King Alexander I in Belgrade and the Ambiguities of National Identity in Interwar Yugoslavia
Authors: Ignjatović Aleksandar
Published: May 2022

In the period between the proclamation of royal dictatorship and the assassination of King Alexander I, the Kingdom of Yugoslavia was characterised by the dynamics of competing visions of Yugoslavism. Questions concerning the identity of a Yugoslav nation-to-be, in terms of both national unity and diversity of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes, were held not only in political discourse, but also through architecture and the visual culture. This article explores the ideological roles of the Bridge of King Alexander I, built between 1929 and 1934 to connect Belgrade with the ex-Habsburg town of Zemun, which carried not only heavy transport but also powerful political messages. The bridge's construction prompted a widespread public controversy, representing a vivid testimony to rivalries, tensions and discontents between different ideas about the Yugoslav nation, underpinned by both political and professional agendas.
The acceptability of cognitive behaviour therapy in Indonesian community health care
Authors: Bouman Theo K. , Lommen Miriam J.J. , Setiyawati Diana
Published: May 2022

Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) is considered to be the most empirically supported treatment in the Western world. However, many authors emphasize the need for cultural adaptations of CBT for patients in a non-Western context. Before considering such adaptations, it is important to investigate the reasons and the degree to which this type of treatment should be adapted. One important factor is the acceptability of CBT by local health care consumers in non-Western countries, for which there is only very limited empirical evidence. This explorative study aimed to investigate the acceptability of CBT’s principles and specific interventions in Indonesia. Lectures and video clips were developed, demonstrating various mainstream CBT principles and procedures. These were presented to 32 out-patients and mental health volunteers from various Indonesian community health centres (Puskesmas), who were asked to rate to what extent they considered the presented materials to be acceptable in accordance with their personal, family, cultural and religious values. Acceptance in all four value domains was rated as very high for the general features of CBT, as well as for the content of the video clips. There were no significant differences in acceptability between the value domains. The presented study suggests that mainstream CBT applications, which are slightly culturally adapted in terms of language, therapist–patient interaction and presentation, might resonate well with consumers in community health centres in Indonesia.

Key learning aims

(1)

Adapting CBT to non-Western patients should be based on empirical evidence.

(2)

The potential need for adaptation of CBT might depend on the acceptability of unadapted CBT.

(3)

Acceptability is assumed to be related to patients’ values.
From Theory to Large‐Scale Simulations, or Living Without “The Paradox of Choice”
Authors: Jordanova Vania K.
Published: May 2022

Navigating the challenges we face at work and in life is often difficult, and can even make us question our past decisions. This dilemma is even worse nowadays because of the many options available to us, leaving us not enough time to explore them all: the paradox of choice. My life experience offers another perspective on how to make choices; wherein I had to rely more on serendipity, coincidence, and embracing risks. This paper presents a brief description of my career path in space science—from a small village in the countryside to one of the top science Laboratories in the world—and lessons learned through the process of becoming a more resilient scientist. I came to the United States from Bulgaria about 30 years ago, seeking a better education and job opportunities. Navigating a career of research scientist, not only did I find jobs that motivated me every day, I also met amazing people to work with along the way. As a woman in science, I hope my story can inspire and attract young researchers (girls and boys alike) to our community, helping to grow and diversify the next generation of space scientists.
Cluster‐Enhanced Ensemble Learning for Mapping Global Monthly Surface Ozone From 2003 to 2019
Authors: Liu Xiang , Zhu Yijing , Xue Lian , Desai Ankur R. , Wang Haikun
Published: May 2022

Surface ozone is damaging to human health and crop yields. When evaluating global air pollution risk, gridded datasets with high accuracy are desired to reflect the local variations in air pollution concentrations. Here, a cluster‐enhanced ensemble machine learning method was used to develop a new 0.5‐degree monthly surface ozone data set during 2003–2019 by combining numerous informative variables. The overall accuracy of our data set is 91.5% (90.8% for space and 92.3% for time). Historically, populations in South Asia, North Africa and Middle‐East, and High‐income North America are exposed to the highest ozone concentrations. Globally, the population weighted ozone concentration in the peak season is 47.07 ppbv. Our results highlight that ozone pollution is intensifying in some regions, and implicate air quality management is crucial to secure human health from air pollution.
A Critical Role of the North Pacific Bomb Cyclones in the Onset of the 2021 Sudden Stratospheric Warming
Authors: Cho Hyeong‐Oh , Kang Min‐Jee , Son Seok‐Woo , Hong Dong‐Chan , Kang Joonsuk M.
Published: May 2022

The role of North Pacific bomb cyclones in the onset of January 2021 sudden stratospheric warming (SSW) is examined by conducting a set of numerical model experiments. The control simulation, initialized 10 days before the SSW onset, successfully reproduces the SSW. As this event is preceded by the bomb cyclones in the North Pacific, their impact is tested by initializing the model without them. This sensitivity experiment shows much weaker polar‐vortex deceleration than the control simulation, resulting in no distinct SSW onset. This difference is attributable to the dampened constructive linear interference between the climatological wave and the cyclone‐related wavenumber‐one anomaly in the sensitivity experiment. It weakens the vertical propagation of wavenumber‐one wave into the stratosphere, thereby reducing wave breaking in the polar stratosphere. This result suggests that bomb cyclones should be considered for better understanding SSW and improving its predictability.
GSDMEa-mediated pyroptosis is bi-directionally regulated by caspase and required for effective bacterial clearance in teleost
Authors: Xu Hang , Jiang Shuai , Yu Chao , Yuan Zihao , Sun Li
Published: May 2022

Gasdermin (GSDM) is a family of pore-forming proteins that, after cleavage by caspase (CASP), induce a type of programmed necrotic cell death called pyroptosis. Gasdermin E (GSDME) is the only pyroptosis-inducing member of the GSDM family existing in teleost. To date, the regulation and function of teleost GSDME in response to bacterial infection remain elusive. In this study, we observed activation of GSDME, as well as multiple CASPs, in turbot Scophthalmus maximus during the infection of the bacterial pathogen Vibrio harveyi. Turbot has two GSDME orthologs named SmGSDMEa and SmGSDMEb. We found that SmGSDMEa was specifically cleaved by turbot CASP (SmCASP) 3/7 and SmCASP6, which produced two different N-terminal (NT) fragments. Only the NT fragment produced by SmCASP3/7 cleavage was able to induce pyroptosis. Ectopically expressed SmCASP3/7 activated SmGSDMEa, resulting in pyroptotic cell death. In contrast, SmCASP6 inactivated SmGSDMEa by destructive cleavage of the NT domain, thus nullifying the activation effect of SmCASP3/7. Unlike SmGSDMEa, SmGSDMEb was cleaved by SmCASP8 and unable to induce cell death. V. harveyi infection dramatically promoted the production and activation of SmGSDMEa, but not SmGSDMEb, and caused pyroptosis in turbot. Interference with SmCASP3/7 activity significantly enhanced the invasiveness and lethality of V. harveyi in a turbot infection model. Together, these results revealed a previously unrecognized bi-directional regulation mode of GSDME-mediated pyroptosis, and a functional difference between teleost GSDMEa and GSDMEb in the immune defense against bacterial infection.
Nkx2.8 promotes chemosensitivity in bladder urothelial carcinoma via transcriptional repression of MDR1
Authors: Zhou Zhaohui , Xiong Longbin , Wu Zeshen , Jiang Lijuan , Li Yonghong , Li Zhiyong , Peng Yulu , Ning Kang , Zou Xiangpeng , Liu Zefu , Wang Jun , Li Zhen , Zhou Fangjian , Liu Zhuowei , Zhang Zhiling , Yu Chunping
Published: May 2022

Multidrug resistance gene 1 (MDR1), a key factor contributing to drug insensitivity, has been associated with treatment failure and poor prognoses in various cancers, including bladder urothelial carcinoma (UC). Here we show that positive Nkx2.8 expression was associated with better prognosis of UC patients received chemotherapy. Patients with positive Nkx2.8 expression had promising prognosis from adjuvant chemotherapy. Enforced expression of Nkx2.8 promotes drug sensitivity of UC cells. Mechanistic investigations showed that Nkx2.8 negatively regulated expression of MDR1 by binds directly to the MDR1 promoter and transcriptionally represses MDR1 expression. P-gp inhibitor reversed chemosensitivity inhibition by Nkx2.8 scilencing. In clinical UC specimens, expression of Nkx2.8 inversely correlated with P-gp expression, and UC patients with Nkx2.8 positivity and low P-gp expression displayed the best prognosis. Our findings uncovered a new mechanism of chemosensitivity in UC cells and proposing Nkx2.8-MDR1 axis as a novel candidate target for therapeutic intervention of UC.
DNAJC24 is a potential therapeutic target in hepatocellular carcinoma through affecting ammonia metabolism
Authors: Li Guangtao , He Yuchao , Liu Hui , Liu Dongming , Chen Lu , Luo Yi , Chen Liwei , Qi Lisha , Wang Yun , Wang Yingying , Wang Yu , Zhan Linlin , Zhang Ning , Zhu Xiaolin , Song Tianqiang , Guo Hua
Published: May 2022

Evolutionarily conserved heat shock proteins are involved in the heat shock response of cells in response to changes in the external environment. In normal tissues, heat shock proteins can help cells survive in a rapidly changing environment. Likewise, in malignant tumors heat shock proteins may help tumor cells cope with external stresses as well as the stress of treatment. In this way they become accomplices of malignant tumors. Here we demonstrated for the first time that high expression of DNAJC24 (a heat shock protein) shortens survival in patients with HCC by immunohistochemical staining of 167 paired hepatocellular carcinomas and paraneoplastic tissues as well as data from public databases. In vitro experiments demonstrated that stimuli such as hypoxia, starvation and heat could upregulate DNAJC24 expression in HCC cells through transcriptional regulation of HSF2, and high expression of DNAJC24 in HCC cells could promote the proliferation and motility of HCC cells. In addition, we also verified that targeting DNAJC24 under normal culture conditions can affect the proliferation and autophagy of HCC cells by interfering with ammonia metabolism, thereby inhibiting the malignant progression of HCC. Overall, we suggested that DNAJC24 may become a new target for the treatment of HCC.
Ring walking as a regioselectivity control element in Pd-catalyzed C-N cross-coupling
Authors: Deem Madeleine C. , Derasp Joshua S. , Malig Thomas C. , Legard Kea , Berlinguette Curtis P. , Hein Jason E.
Published: May 2022

Ring walking is an important mechanistic phenomenon leveraged in many catalytic C-C bond forming reactions. However, ring walking has been scarcely studied under Buchwald-Hartwig amination conditions despite the importance of such transformations. An in-depth mechanistic study of the Buchwald-Hartwig amination is presented focussing on ligand effects on ring walking behavior. The ability of palladium catalysts to promote or inhibit ring walking is strongly influenced by the chelating nature of the ligand. In stark contrast, the resting state of the catalyst had no impact on ring walking behavior. Furthermore, the complexity of the targeted system enabled the differentiation between catalysts which undergo ring walking versus diffusion-controlled coupling. The insights gained in this study were leveraged to achieve desymmetrization of a tetrabrominated precursor. A small library of asymmetric 2,2′,7,7′-tetrakis[N,N-di(4-methoxyphenyl)amino]-9,9’spirobifluorene (SpiroOMeTAD) derivatives were successfully synthesized using this strategy highlighting the ease with which libraries of these compounds can be accessed for screening.
Electrochemical oxygen reduction to hydrogen peroxide at practical rates in strong acidic media
Authors: Zhang Xiao , Zhao Xunhua , Zhu Peng , Adler Zachary , Wu Zhen-Yu , Liu Yuanyue , Wang Haotian
Published: May 2022

Electrochemical oxygen reduction to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in acidic media, especially in proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrode assembly reactors, suffers from low selectivity and the lack of low-cost catalysts. Here we present a cation-regulated interfacial engineering approach to promote the H2O2 selectivity (over 80%) under industrial-relevant generation rates (over 400 mA cm−2) in strong acidic media using just carbon black catalyst and a small number of alkali metal cations, representing a 25-fold improvement compared to that without cation additives. Our density functional theory simulation suggests a “shielding effect” of alkali metal cations which squeeze away the catalyst/electrolyte interfacial protons and thus prevent further reduction of generated H2O2 to water. A double-PEM solid electrolyte reactor was further developed to realize a continuous, selective (∼90%) and stable (over 500 hours) generation of H2O2 via implementing this cation effect for practical applications.
On-chip integrated process-programmable sub-10 nm thick molecular devices switching between photomultiplication and memristive behaviour
Authors: Li Tianming , Hantusch Martin , Qu Jiang , Bandari Vineeth Kumar , Knupfer Martin , Zhu Feng , Schmidt Oliver G.
Published: May 2022

Molecular devices constructed by sub-10 nm thick molecular layers are promising candidates for a new generation of integratable nanoelectronic applications. Here, we report integrated molecular devices based on ultrathin copper phthalocyanine/fullerene hybrid layers with microtubular soft-contacts, which exhibit process-programmable functionality switching between photomultiplication and memristive behaviour. The local electric field at the interface between the polymer bottom electrode and the enclosed molecular channels modulates the ionic-electronic charge interaction and hence determines the transition of the device function. When ions are not driven into the molecular channels at a low interface electric field, photogenerated holes are trapped as electronic space charges, resulting in photomultiplication with a high external quantum efficiency. Once mobile ions are polarized and accumulated as ionic space charges in the molecular channels at a high interface electric field, the molecular devices show ferroelectric-like memristive switching with remarkable resistive ON/OFF and rectification ratios.
Exceptional parallelisms characterize the evolutionary transition to live birth in phrynosomatid lizards
Authors: Domínguez-Guerrero Saúl F. , Méndez-de la Cruz Fausto R. , Manríquez-Morán Norma L. , Olson Mark E. , Galina-Tessaro Patricia , Arenas-Moreno Diego M. , Bautista- del Moral Adán , Benítez-Villaseñor Adriana , Gadsden Héctor , Lara-Reséndiz Rafael A. , Maciel-Mata Carlos A. , Muñoz-Nolasco Francisco J. , Santos-Bibiano Rufino , Valdez-Villavicencio Jorge H. , Woolrich-Piña Guillermo A. , Muñoz Martha M.
Published: May 2022

Viviparity, an innovation enhancing maternal control over developing embryos, has evolved >150 times in vertebrates, and has been proposed as an adaptation to inhabit cold habitats. Yet, the behavioral, physiological, morphological, and life history features associated with live-bearing remain unclear. Here, we capitalize on repeated origins of viviparity in phrynosomatid lizards to tease apart the phenotypic patterns associated with this innovation. Using data from 125 species and phylogenetic approaches, we find that viviparous phrynosomatids repeatedly evolved a more cool-adjusted thermal physiology than their oviparous relatives. Through precise thermoregulatory behavior viviparous phrynosomatids are cool-adjusted even in warm environments, and oviparous phrynosomatids warm-adjusted even in cool environments. Convergent behavioral shifts in viviparous species reduce energetic demand during activity, which may help offset the costs of protracted gestation. Whereas dam and offspring body size are similar among both parity modes, annual fecundity repeatedly decreases in viviparous lineages. Thus, viviparity is associated with a lower energetic allocation into production. Together, our results indicate that oviparity and viviparity are on opposing ends of the fast-slow life history continuum in both warm and cool environments. In this sense, the ‘cold climate hypothesis’ fits into a broader range of energetic/life history trade-offs that influence transitions to viviparity.
The RNA-bound proteome of MRSA reveals post-transcriptional roles for helix-turn-helix DNA-binding and Rossmann-fold proteins
Authors: Chu Liang-Cui , Arede Pedro , Li Wei , Urdaneta Erika C. , Ivanova Ivayla , McKellar Stuart W. , Wills Jimi C. , Fröhlich Theresa , von Kriegsheim Alexander , Beckmann Benedikt M. , Granneman Sander
Published: May 2022

RNA-binding proteins play key roles in controlling gene expression in many organisms, but relatively few have been identified and characterised in detail in Gram-positive bacteria. Here, we globally analyse RNA-binding proteins in methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus(MRSA) using two complementary biochemical approaches. We identify hundreds of putative RNA-binding proteins, many containing unconventional RNA-binding domains such as Rossmann-fold domains. Remarkably, more than half of the proteins containing helix-turn-helix (HTH) domains, which are frequently found in prokaryotic transcription factors, bind RNA in vivo. In particular, the CcpA transcription factor, a master regulator of carbon metabolism, uses its HTH domain to bind hundreds of RNAs near intrinsic transcription terminators in vivo. We propose that CcpA, besides acting as a transcription factor, post-transcriptionally regulates the stability of many RNAs.
Competent immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 variants in older adults following two doses of mRNA vaccination
Authors: Jergović Mladen , Uhrlaub Jennifer L. , Watanabe Makiko , Bradshaw Christine M. , White Lisa M. , LaFleur Bonnie J. , Edwards Taylor , Sprissler Ryan , Worobey Michael , Bhattacharya Deepta , Nikolich-Žugich Janko
Published: May 2022

Aging is associated with a reduced magnitude of primary immune responses to vaccination. mRNA-based SARS-CoV-2 vaccines have shown efficacy in older adults but virus variant escape is still unclear. Here we analyze humoral and cellular immunity against an early-pandemic viral isolate and compare that to the P.1 (Gamma) and B.1.617.2 (Delta) variants in two cohorts (<50 and >55 age) of mRNA vaccine recipients. We further measure neutralizing antibody titers for B.1.617.1 (Kappa) and B.1.595, with the latter SARS-CoV-2 isolate bearing the spike mutation E484Q. Robust humoral immunity is measured following second vaccination, and older vaccinees manifest cellular immunity comparable to the adult group against early-pandemic SARS-CoV-2 and more recent variants. More specifically, the older cohort has lower neutralizing capacity at 7-14 days following the second dose but equilibrates with the younger cohort after 2-3 months. While long-term vaccination responses remain to be determined, our results implicate vaccine-induced protection in older adults against SARS-CoV-2 variants and inform thinking about boost vaccination.
iUMRG: multi-layered network-guided propagation modeling for the inference of susceptibility genes and potential drugs against uveal melanoma
Authors: Ren Yueping , Yan Congcong , Wu Lili , Zhao Jingting , Chen Mingwei , Zhou Meng , Wang Xiaoyan , Liu Tonghua , Yi Quanyong , Sun Jie
Published: May 2022

Uveal melanoma (UM) is the most common primary malignant intraocular tumor. The use of precision medicine for UM to enable personalized diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment require the development of computer-aided strategies and predictive tools that can identify novel high-confidence susceptibility genes (HSGs) and potential therapeutic drugs. In the present study, a computational framework via propagation modeling on integrated multi-layered molecular networks (abbreviated as iUMRG) was proposed for the systematic inference of HSGs in UM. Under the leave-one-out cross-validation experiments, the iUMRG achieved superior predictive performance and yielded a higher area under the receiver operating characteristic curve value (0.8825) for experimentally verified SGs. In addition, using the experimentally verified SGs as seeds, genome-wide screening was performed to detect candidate HSGs using the iUMRG. Multi-perspective validation analysis indicated that most of the top 50 candidate HSGs were indeed markedly associated with UM carcinogenesis, progression, and outcome. Finally, drug repositioning experiments performed on the HSGs revealed 17 potential targets and 10 potential drugs, of which six have been approved for UM treatment. In conclusion, the proposed iUMRG is an effective supplementary tool in UM precision medicine, which may assist the development of new medical therapies and discover new SGs.
Chromosome-scale genome assembly of an important medicinal plant honeysuckle
Authors: Yu Hang , Guo Kun , Lai Kunlong , Shah Muhammad Ali , Xu Zijian , Cui Na , Wang Haifeng
Published: May 2022

Lonicera japonica(honeysuckle) is one of the most important medicinal plants and widely utilized in traditional Chinese medicine. At present, there are many varieties of honeysuckle used in cultivation, among which Sijihua variety are widely cultivated due to its wide adaptability, stress resistance, early flowering and high yield. In this study, we assembled the genome of Sijihua, which was approximately 886.04 Mb in size with a scaffold N50 of 79.5 Mb. 93.28% of the total assembled sequences were anchored to 9 pseudo-chromosomes by using PacBio long reads and Hi-C sequencing data. We predicted 39,320 protein-coding genes and 92.87% of them could be annotated in NR, GO, KOG, KEGG and other databases. In addition, we identified 644 tRNAs, 2,156 rRNAs, 109 miRNAs and 5,502 pseudogenes from the genome. The chromosome-scale genome of Sijihua will be a significant resource for understanding the genetic basis of high stress-resistance, which will facilitate further study of the genetic diversity and accelerate the genetic improvement and breeding ofL. japonica.
An exploratory study investigating biomarkers associated with autoimmune pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (aPAP)
Authors: Campo Ilaria , Meloni Federica , Gahlemann Martina , Sauter Wiebke , Ittrich Carina , Schoelch Corinna , Trapnell Bruce C. , Gupta Abhya
Published: May 2022

Autoimmune pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (aPAP) is a rare lung disorder involving production of autoantibodies against endogenous granulocyte–macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF). This study aimed to identify biomarkers that could be used to monitor for aPAP, particularly in patients treated with anti-GM-CSF antibodies. This was an exploratory, prospective, observational, single-center study. Pre-specified biomarkers were evaluated between baseline and Day 120 in serum/plasma, whole blood, sputum and exhaled breath condensate from patients with aPAP, healthy volunteers, and patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma (not treated with anti-GM-CSF and with no evidence of aPAP). Pulmonary function tests were also performed. Overall, 144 individuals were enrolled (aPAP: n = 34, healthy volunteers: n = 24, COPD: n = 40 and asthma: n = 46). Plasma GM-CSF levels were lower, and Krebs von den Lungen 6 and GM-CSF autoantibody ranges were higher, in patients with aPAP compared with other populations. Surfactant proteins-A and -D, lactate dehydrogenase and carcinoembryonic antigen ranges partially or completely overlapped across populations. Most plasma biomarkers showed high sensitivity and specificity for detection of aPAP; GM-CSF and GM-CSF autoantibody concentrations demonstrated equivalent sensitivity for differentiating aPAP. In addition to characteristic GM-CSF autoantibodies, assessment of plasma GM-CSF may identify individuals at risk of developing aPAP.

Trial registration: EudraCT, 2012-003475-19. Registered 23 July 2012—https://eudract.ema.europa.eu/.
Climatic backdrop for Pueblo cultural development in the southwestern United States
Authors: Polyak Victor J. , Asmerom Yemane , Lachniet Matthew S.
Published: May 2022

While climatic triggers for collapse and population migrations of ancestral Pueblo communities have been proposed, little is known about the overall climatic backdrop for the entire pre-Hispanic Pueblo period (ca. 1300 to 460 B2K). Here, we report data from stalagmite HC-1, from Hidden Cave, Guadalupe Mountains, New Mexico, covering the past 3400 years, showing an interval of increased frequency of droughts from 1260 to 370 yr B2K that is coeval with the entire pre-Hispanic Pueblo period. Our record suggests that this puebloan Late Holocene climatic interval was the most arid and highly variable climatic period of the last 3400 years. Climatic conditions favoring the introduction of cultivation existed prior to the Pueblo period during more pluvial-like conditions from at least 3400 to 1260 yr B2K. Hence, the change from the Desert Archaic/Basketmaker to Pueblo cultures was associated with a quick transition to increasing aridity into and through the Pueblo period associated with greater urbanization and the establishment of pueblo population centers.