bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PARENTS’ VIEWS ON THE USE OF AI-BASED CHATBOTS SUCH AS ChatGPT IN HIGH SCHOOL (STEM) EDUCATION
Authors: Feser Markus Sebastian
Published: March 2024

As digital technology becomes increasingly available in education, educational researchers around the globe increasingly have to confront how it may affect school students’ academic success. The use and potential benefits of AI-based chatbots such as ChatGPT within high school (STEM) education is a novel area of educational research with a broad variety of research gaps. To the best of my knowledge, this is especially true when it comes to parents’ views in this regard. Therefore, it is plausible to assume that delving into an in-depth inquiry of parents’ attitudes, perspectives, and concerns about the use of such chatbots in educational settings would substantially contribute to bridging some crucial voids in our understanding of the overall impact of these digital technologies on high school (STEM) education and thus may be a particularly promising area for future research.
STUDENTS' REFLECTIONS ON THEIR SCIENTIST- OR ENGINEER-LIKE PRACTICES IN STEM PROJECT-BASED LEARNING
Authors: Luo Tian , Zhao Jiayue , So Winnie Wing Mui , Zhan Wencong
Published: March 2024

Students build up their STEM career interest based on their experiences. However, it remains unclear how students reflect on their STEM experiences in light of their understanding of STEM careers. This study aimed to explore how students relate their practices in STEM project-based learning (PBL) with their perceptions of scientists’ and engineers’ work. A randomly selected sample of students (n =142) participating in a STEM event participated in structured interviews regarding the resemblance between their months-long STEM PBL and scientists’ and engineers’ work. The data were coded using content analysis mostly by adopting a bottom-up approach followed by statistical analysis. Results showed that the majority of students claimed that their group had done things like scientists, while only about half of the students acknowledged doing things like engineers. The number and aspects of the students’ mentioned practices were generally limited, with engineer-like practices more divergent and reflecting their stereotype of engineers working as manual laborers. The results also suggest that students tend to neglect the minds-on but hands-off scientist- or engineer-like practices such as raising a question/problem. The findings address the research gap regarding how students reflect on their STEM PBL experiences in light of career development.
Keywords: project-based learning, STEM education, STEM practices, structured interviews
DIFFERENCES IN THE WISHES OF STUDENTS, TEACHERS, AND PARENTS ON INTEGRATION OF SMARTPHONES AND TABLETS IN BIOLOGY LESSONS
Authors: Lang Vida , Šorgo Andrej
Published: March 2024

Smartphones and tablets have permeated various aspects of life. This study explores the differences in wishes between students, parents, and teachers regarding the use of smartphones and tablets in biology classes in the upcoming school year. An online questionnaire was used for the study, which provided eight different scenarios for the use of smartphones for teaching purposes. The data were collected from 934 participants, including 465 students, 282 parents, and 188 biology teachers from various Slovenian lower secondary schools. The principal component analysis revealed the unidimensional structure of the instrument, explaining 59.7% of the variance (alpha = .91). The results showed that the use of smartphones and tablets for distance learning, teaching purposes, schoolwork and homework is generally desirable. There was less consensus on their use for laboratory and field work, evaluation of knowledge, and biology lessons. The main finding was that the differences between the groups were small or even negligible in terms of effect sizes. Statistically significant differences were found between the focus groups, with students and teachers expressing greater agreement than parents. These findings emphasize the importance of addressing parents' concerns and understanding the perspectives of stakeholders in order to effectively integrate smartphones and tablets into the classroom.
Keywords: differences in wishes, lower secondary school biology, mobile learning, smartphones and tablets integration, students and parents and teachers
Protective Effects of Aspirin Supplemented With Quercetin in L-NAME-Induced Preeclampsia-Like Rats
Authors: Ding J , Yang S , Chen D , Shi X , Zhang Y , Song L , Zhang J
Published: March 2024

Aspirin supplemented with quercetin was reported to enhance the therapeutic effects of aspirin in a rat model of preeclampsia. In this study, the underlying mechanisms were further explored. Preeclampsia was induced by L-NAME (50 mg/kg/day) via oral gavage from gestation day (GD)14 to GD19. Aspirin (1.5 mg/kg/day) administration was performed using aspirin mixed with rodent dough from GD0 to GD19. The administration of quercetin (2 mg/kg/day) was performed by intraperitoneal infusion from GD0 to GD19. Protein levels were evaluated using ELISA or Western blot, and microRNA (miRNA) level was evaluated by RT-PCR. Aspirin supplemented with quercetin ameliorated the increase of systolic blood pressure (SBP), proteinuria, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels, and improved the pregnancy outcomes in preeclampsia rats. Aspirin supplemented with quercetin inhibited miR-155 expression in preeclampsia rats. The decreased miR-155 level in placenta further increased the protein level of SOCS1 and inhibited the phosphorylation of p65. In this study, we demonstrated that aspirin supplemented with quercetin enhanced the effects of aspirin for the treatment of preeclampsia.
‘The Trees are the Clothes of the Church’: Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church-Forests as Spiritual Spaces of Resilience against Climate Change?
Authors: Fischer Moritz
Published: March 2024

In times of ecological crises, Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo church-forests are, as many suggest, sacred spaces of resilience and restoration. The need for community forest management and sustainable use of natural resources is said to be based on an ‘eco-theology of Edenic forests’ so, we ask, What can be said about conceptually defined entanglements between the theological perspective on so-called forest-churches and the ecologically oriented perspective that applies to so-called church-forests? What is the history and the present self-understanding of this phenomenon? Does it have a global dimension? How does a sacred text like Śənä Fəṭrät, with its theocentric theology and its reference to biblical testimony, create ‘sacred spaces’ in nature? The socio-ethical dimension of these church-forests is of high concern. For this, with an interdisciplinary focus, I refer to results given by existing research on the interrelations of oriental-orthodox theology, including its miaphysite Christology. Such an understanding includes reference to church architecture, biology, sociology, and on forestry in those areas of forest-churches. So we want to understand the specific religious and cultural significance of Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo church-forests. The relevance of these unique sacred groves cannot easily be compared to examples in other religions. But we may at least draw conclusions from other forms of Christianity and religiosity and their interpretation of common biblical and dogmatic traditions referring to the ‘creation of God’.
POPÜLER BİR KÜLTÜR OLARAK GÜNEY KORE KÜLTÜR ENDÜSTRİSİ “HALLYU”NUN ORTAYA ÇIKIŞI VE KÜRESEL YANSIMASI
Authors: AYTEKİN Tuğçenur
Published: March 2024

1990'ların ortalarından bu yana, Güney Kore kültür endüstrisi çarpıcı biçimde dönüşüm yaşamış ve özellikle son on yılda, Güney Kore popüler kültürü tüm dünyaya hızla yayılmıştır. Kore popüler kültürüne yönelik artan ilgiyi tanımlamak için Asya'da Hallyu ("Kore Dalgası") terimi kullanılmıştır. Hallyu’nun başarısının arkasında yatan nedenler arasında Kore kültür şirketlerinin liberalleşmesi, hükümetin kültür şirketleri yetiştirme politikası, yeni medyanın gelişmesi, Asya kültür şirketlerinin değişmesi yer almaktadır. Kore Dalgasını küresel bağlamda yeni bir karşı dalga olarak tanımlamak ve bunun nasıl meydana geldiğini anlamak için özellikle Kore TV ve film endüstrilerinin nasıl geliştiğini bilmek gerekir. Bu iki endüstri tamamen hükümet tarafından kontrol edilmiş ve Kore kültür politikası 1980’lerin sonuna doğru dış baskılar doğrultusunda değişime uğramıştır. Güney Kore hükümeti, bu ulusal fenomenden tam olarak yararlanma yoluna gitmiş ve medya endüstrilerine Kore kültürü ihraç etmeye başlamıştır. Bu küresel yayılımla, Güney Kore'nin ulusal imajı güçlendirilmiş, yapımları gün geçtikçe popülerlik kazanmış ve ülke ekonomisi kalkındırılmıştır. Böylelikle, dünyayı kasıp kavuran bu dalga araştırmacıların merak konusu haline gelmiştir. 1990'lardan başlayarak Asya'da medya liberalleşmesiyle öncelikle Çalışmada Asya tüketim pazarında kendini gösteren ve 2000’li yıllar itibariyle dünya çapında ve ülkemizde de popüler bir kültürel olgu haline gelen Hallyu’nun tanımı, nasıl geliştiği ve Hallyu başarısının sırrı incelenmiştir. Ayrıca, küreselleşmeyle yayılan Kore dalgasının başlangıcı, komşu ülkelere yayılımı, yükselişi, tüm dünyayı etkisi altına alma süreci ve başarısının ardındaki faktörlere de yer verilmiştir. Çalışma nitel araştırma yöntemlerinden döküman incelemesi tekniği ile gerçekleştirilmiştir.
Unravelling the impact of soil types on zinc, iron, and selenium concentrations in grains and straw of wheat/Amblyopyrum muticum and wheat/Triticum urartu doubled haploid lines
Authors: Guwela Veronica F. , Broadley Martin R. , Hawkesford Malcolm J. , Maliro Moses F. A. , Bokosi James , Banda Mike , Grewal Surbhi , Wilson Lolita , King Julie
Published: March 2024

The concentration of mineral nutrients in plants is associated with bioavailabilities of soil mineral nutrients, which are regulated by various soil physio-chemical properties. A pot experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of soil type on grain and straw zinc (Zn), iron (Fe) and selenium (Se) concentrations of wheat/Amblyopyrum muticum and wheat/Triticum urartu doubled haploid lines. A set of 42 treatments in a factorial combination with 21 genotypes and two soil types collected from Ngabu and Chitedze Research Stations in Malawi was laid in a randomised complete block design (RCBD) in three replicates. Pre-experiment soil Zn and Fe were extracted using DTPA extraction method followed by analysis with inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Aqua-regia hotplate acid digestion was used to extract soil Se and analysis was done using ICPM-MS. Grain and straw samples were digested using nitric acid digestion (HNO3) and analysed using ICP-MS. Soil analysis results showed that the two soils had the same textural class (Sandy clay loam), but different mineral concentrations, pH levels and percentage organic matter. Analysis of variance revealed a ~two-fold higher Zn concentration in grains grown in low pH, high Zn soils (Chitedze soils) compared to grains grown in high pH, low Zn soils (Ngabu soils). Variation in grain Zn concentration was associated with the genotypes (p = 0002), soil type (p = <0.0001), and their interaction (p = 0.035). Grain Fe was 1.3-fold higher in low pH than in high pH soils, and it was influenced by genotypes (p = < 0.0001) and soil type (p = <0.0001). Grain Se was highly associated with soil type (p = <0.0001), and it was 30-fold higher in high pH than in low pH soils. Straw Zn was generally higher in plants grown in Chitedze soils than Ngabu soils, whilst straw Se was higher in plants grown in Ngabu soils than Chitedze soils. The findings demonstrate the significance of soil physio-chemical properties for mineral accumulation and distribution to plant parts, thus informing future breeding programs on important considerations on crop genetic biofortification with the three mineral elements.
Molten sodium batteries: advances in chemistries, electrolytes, and interfaces
Authors: Hill Ryan C. , Gross Martha S. , Percival Stephen J. , Peretti Amanda S. , Small Leo J. , Spoerke Erik D. , Cheng Yang-Tse
Published: March 2024

The need for clean, renewable energy has driven the expansion of renewable energy generators, such as wind and solar. However, to achieve a robust and responsive electrical grid based on such inherently intermittent renewable energy sources, grid-scale energy storage is essential. The unmet need for this critical component has motivated extensive grid-scale battery research, especially exploring chemistries “beyond Li-ion”. Among others, molten sodium (Na) batteries, which date back to the 1960s with Na-S, have seen a strong revival, owing mostly to raw material abundance and the excellent electrochemical properties of Na metal. Recently, many groups have demonstrated important advances in battery chemistries, electrolytes, and interfaces to lower material and operating costs, enhance cyclability, and understand key mechanisms that drive failure in molten Na batteries. For widespread implementation of molten Na batteries, though, further optimization, cost reduction, and mechanistic insight is necessary. In this light, this work provides a brief history of mature molten Na technologies, a comprehensive review of recent progress, and explores possibilities for future advancements.
Reduced mitochondrial pyruvate carrier expression in hearts with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction patients: ischemic vs. non-ischemic origin
Authors: Lopez-Vazquez Paula , Fernandez-Caggiano Mariana , Barge-Caballero Eduardo , Barge-Caballero Gonzalo , Couto-Mallon David , Grille-Cancela Zulaika , Blanco-Canosa Paula , Paniagua-Martin Maria J. , Enriquez-Vazquez Daniel , Vazquez-Rodriguez Jose M. , Domenech Nieves , Crespo-Leiro Maria G.
Published: March 2024

Introduction and objectives

Mitochondrial pyruvate carrier (MPC) mediates the entry of pyruvate into mitochondria, determining whether pyruvate is incorporated into the Krebs cycle or metabolized in the cytosol. In heart failure (HF), a large amount of pyruvate is metabolized to lactate in the cytosol rather than being oxidized inside the mitochondria. Thus, MPC activity or expression might play a key role in the fate of pyruvate during HF. The purpose of this work was to study the levels of the two subunits of this carrier, named MPC1 and MPC2, in human hearts with HF of different etiologies.

Methods

Protein and mRNA expression analyses were conducted in cardiac tissues from three donor groups: patients with HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) with ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) or idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDC), and donors without cardiac pathology (Control). MPC2 plasma levels were determined by ELISA.

Results

Significant reductions in the levels of MPC1, MPC2, and Sirtuin 3 (SIRT3) were observed in ICM patients compared with the levels in the Control group. However, no statistically significant differences were revealed in the analysis of MPC1 and MPC2 gene expression among the groups. Interestingly, Pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDH) subunits expression were increased in the ICM patients. In the case of IDC patients, a significant decrease in MPC1 was observed only when compared with the Control group. Notably, plasma MPC2 levels were found to be elevated in both disease groups compared with that in the Control group.

Conclusion

Decreases in MPC1 and/or MPC2 levels were detected in the cardiac tissues of HFrEF patients, with ischemic or idiopatic origen, indicating a potential reduction in mitochondrial pyruvate uptake in the heart, which could be linked to unfavorable clinical features.
Promoting relational thinking in preschoolers (ages 3–5) through participatory science learning: insights from RMTS with Roma children
Authors: Hristova Penka , Koltcheva Nadia , Mateeva Antoaneta
Published: March 2024

The study examined the development of relational thinking in children aged 3–5 years within a Roma community using the relational matching-to-sample task. Following a four-month period of participatory science learning, there was a twofold increase in the proportion of relational choices made by the children. The teachers and assistant teachers deliberately encouraged child participation in science activities, while adhering to the established state curriculum. This emphasis on child involvement in science activities was discussed as a potential factor contributing to a domain-general shift in relational thinking, an effect not observed in the control group of children from the same community.
Unravelling the role of HAS2, GREM1, and PTGS2 gene expression in cumulus cells: implications for human oocyte development competency - a systematic review and integrated bioinformatic analysis
Authors: Faizal Ahmad Mohd , Elias Marjanu Hikmah , Jin Norazilah Mat , Abu Muhammad Azrai , Syafruddin Saiful Effendi , Zainuddin Ani Amelia , Suzuki Nao , Karim Abdul Kadir Abdul
Published: March 2024

The leading indicator for successful outcomes in in-vitro fertilization (IVF) is the quality of gametes in oocytes and sperm. Thus, advanced research aims to highlight the parameter in assessing these qualities – DNA fragmentation in sperm and oocyte development capacity (ODC) via evaluation of microenvironments involving its maturation process. Regarding oocytes, most evidence reveals the role of cumulus cells as non-invasive methods in assessing their development competency, mainly via gene expression evaluation. Our review aims to consolidate the evidence of GDF-9 derivatives, the HAS2, GREM1, and PTGS2 gene expression in cumulus cells used as ODC markers in relevant publications and tailored to current IVF outcomes. In addition to that, we also added the bioinformatic analysis in our review to strengthen the evidence aiming for a better understanding of the pathways and cluster of the genes of interest - HAS2, GREM1, and PTGS2 in cumulus cell level. Otherwise, the current non-invasive method can be used in exploring various causes of infertility that may affect these gene expressions at the cumulus cell level. Nevertheless, this method can also be used in assessing the ODC in various cohorts of women or as an improvement of markers following targeted tools or procedures by evaluating the advancement of these gene expressions following the targeted intervention.
Quantum chemical calculation study on the thermal decomposition of electrolyte during lithium-ion battery thermal runaway
Authors: Tian Yao , Zhao Yun , Kang Yuqiong , Wu Junru , Meng Yuefeng , Hu Xia , Huang Ming , Lan Bo , Kang Feiyu , Li Baohua
Published: March 2024

Understanding the behavior of lithium-ion battery electrolytes during thermal runaway is essential for designing safer batteries. However, current reports on electrolyte decomposition behaviors often focus on reactions with electrode materials. Herein we use quantum chemical calculations to develop a model for the thermal decomposition mechanism of electrolytes under both electrolyte and ambient atmosphere conditions. The thermal stability is found to be associated with the dielectric constants of electrolyte constituents. Within the electrolyte, the solvation effects between molecules increase electrolyte stability, making thermal decomposition a more difficult process. Furthermore, Li+ is observed to facilitate electrolyte thermal decomposition, as the energy required for the thermal decomposition reactions of molecules decreases when they are bonded with Li+. It is hoped that this study will offer a theoretical basis for understanding the complex reactions occurring during thermal runaway events.
Physical and socioeconomic driving forces of land use and land cover changes: the case of Hawassa City, Ethiopia
Authors: Tessema Mefekir Woldegebriel , Abebe Birhanu Girma , Bantider Amare
Published: March 2024

Background and objectives: Hawassa served as the country’s southern region’s capital from 1990 to 2019 and is currently experiencing rapid urbanization. Urban planners use the physical and socioeconomic driving elements of Land Use Land Cover Change (LULCC) to identify the variables influencing the trend of urbanization and then make appropriate plans.

Methods: The study primarily employed advanced technologies like Geographic Information Systems and Remote Sensing to collect and analyze accurate and reliable information. The data were collected through questionnaires, interviews, and key interviews. Finally, the data were analyzed in different ways, using figures and tables, for example. Descriptive and econometric models were also used to analyze the data and probit regression models were used to investigate the impact of urban expansion on the livelihood of displaced farmers in the surrounding area.

Findings: Multivariate analysis of variance indicated that the effect of urban expansion on the combined dependent variables, namely, on land use, socioeconomic activities, culture, and environmental change, is statistically significant F(8, 616) =12.704, p = 0.000, Wilk’s Lambda (λ) = .737, partial eta squared(partial η2) = 0.142, observed power = 1.000. Comparatively, the area covered by farmland, built-up areas, and bushland increased from 19.46% to 26.51%, 11.97% to 18.71%, and 3.07% to 4.51%, respectively. The mean score for the level of social relationship and values after land expropriation was 1.7 moderate, with a standard deviation of 0.852 in comparison with the mean score for the level of social relationship and values before land expropriation, which was 3.21 high, with a standard deviation of 0.79. This shows that the land expropriation program negatively affected farmers’ social relationships and values; their social relations levels were high before displacement and between low and moderate after displacement.

Conclusion: Policy and strategy gaps in the urban expansion program and this policy issue have hindered the growth of the city and resulted in a serious issue regarding good governance in the area.
CD64 plays a key role in diabetic wound healing
Authors: Zhang Xiuqin , Yuan Liuhong , Tan Zhenyu , Wu Huiyan , Chen Feier , Huang Junjie , Wang Pengjun , Hambly Brett D. , Bao Shisan , Tao Kun
Published: March 2024

Introduction

Wound healing poses a clinical challenge in diabetes mellitus (DM) due to compromised host immunity. CD64, an IgG-binding Fcgr1 receptor, acts as a pro-inflammatory mediator. While its presence has been identified in various inflammatory diseases, its specific role in wound healing, especially in DM, remains unclear.

Objectives

We aimed to investigate the involvement of CD64 in diabetic wound healing using a DM animal model with CD64 KO mice.

Methods

First, we compared CD64 expression in chronic skin ulcers from human DM and non-DM skin. Then, we monitored wound healing in a DM mouse model over 10 days, with or without CD64 KO, using macroscopic and microscopic observations, as well as immunohistochemistry.

Results

CD64 expression was significantly upregulated (1.25-fold) in chronic ulcerative skin from DM patients compared to non-DM individuals. Clinical observations were consistent with animal model findings, showing a significant delay in wound healing, particularly by day 7, in CD64 KO mice compared to WT mice. Additionally, infiltrating CD163+ M2 macrophages in the wounds of DM mice decreased significantly compared to non-DM mice over time. Delayed wound healing in DM CD64 KO mice correlated with the presence of inflammatory mediators.

Conclusion

CD64 seems to play a crucial role in wound healing, especially in DM conditions, where it is associated with CD163+ M2 macrophage infiltration. These data suggest that CD64 relies on host immunity during the wound healing process. Such data may provide useful information for both basic scientists and clinicians to deal with diabetic chronic wound healing.
The present and future contribution of ships to the underwater soundscape
Authors: Possenti Luca , de Nooijer Lennart , de Jong Christ , Lam Frans-Peter , Beelen Simon , Bosschers Johan , van Terwisga Tom , Stigter Rens , Reichart Gert-Jan
Published: March 2024

Since the industrial revolution the ocean has become noisier. The global increase in shipping is one of the main contributors to this. In some regions, shipping contributed to an increase in ambient noise of several decibels, especially at low frequencies (10 to 100 Hz). Such an increase can have a substantial negative impact on fish, invertebrates, marine mammals and birds interfering with key life functions (e.g. foraging, mating, resting, etc.). Consequently, engineers are investigating ways to reduce the noise emitted by vessels when designing new ships. At the same time, since the industrial revolution (starting around 1760) greenhouse gas emissions have increased the atmospheric carbon dioxide fraction x(CO2) by more than 100 μmol mol-1. The ocean uptake of approximately one third of the emitted CO2 decreased the average global surface ocean pH from 8.21 to 8.10. This decrease is modifying sound propagation, especially sound absorption at the frequencies affected by shipping noise lower than 10 kHz, making the future ocean potentially noisier. There are also other climate change effects that may influence sound propagation. Sea surface warming might alter the depth of the deep sound speed channel, ice melting could locally decrease salinity and more frequent storms and higher wind speed alter the depth of the thermocline. In particular, modification of the sound speed profile can lead to the appearance of new ducts making specific depths noisier. In addition, ice melting and the increase in seawater temperature will open new shipping routes at the poles increasing anthropogenic noise in these regions. This review aims to discuss parameters that might change in the coming decades, focusing on the contribution of shipping, climate change and economic and technical developments to the future underwater soundscape in the ocean. Examples are given, contrasting the open ocean and the shallow seas. Apart from the changes in sound propagation, this review will also discuss the effects of water quality on ship-radiated noise with a focus on propeller cavitation noise.
Observing change in pelagic animals as sampling methods shift: the case of Antarctic krill
Authors: Hill Simeon L. , Atkinson Angus , Arata Javier A. , Belcher Anna , Nash Susan Bengtson , Bernard Kim S. , Cleary Alison , Conroy John A. , Driscoll Ryan , Fielding Sophie , Flores Hauke , Forcada Jaume , Halfter Svenja , Hinke Jefferson T. , Hückstädt Luis , Johnston Nadine M. , Kane Mary , Kawaguchi So , Krafft Bjørn A. , Krüger Lucas , La Hyoung Sul , Liszka Cecilia M. , Meyer Bettina , Murphy Eugene J. , Pakhomov Evgeny A. , Perry Frances , Piñones Andrea , Polito Michael J. , Reid Keith , Reiss Christian , Rombola Emilce , Saunders Ryan A. , Schmidt Katrin , Sylvester Zephyr T. , Takahashi Akinori , Tarling Geraint A. , Trathan Phil N. , Veytia Devi , Watters George M. , Xavier José C. , Yang Guang
Published: March 2024

Understanding and managing the response of marine ecosystems to human pressures including climate change requires reliable large-scale and multi-decadal information on the state of key populations. These populations include the pelagic animals that support ecosystem services including carbon export and fisheries. The use of research vessels to collect information using scientific nets and acoustics is being replaced with technologies such as autonomous moorings, gliders, and meta-genetics. Paradoxically, these newer methods sample pelagic populations at ever-smaller spatial scales, and ecological change might go undetected in the time needed to build up large-scale, long time series. These global-scale issues are epitomised by Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba), which is concentrated in rapidly warming areas, exports substantial quantities of carbon and supports an expanding fishery, but opinion is divided on how resilient their stocks are to climatic change. Based on a workshop of 137 krill experts we identify the challenges of observing climate change impacts with shifting sampling methods and suggest three tractable solutions. These are to: improve overlap and calibration of new with traditional methods; improve communication to harmonise, link and scale up the capacity of new but localised sampling programs; and expand opportunities from other research platforms and data sources, including the fishing industry. Contrasting evidence for both change and stability in krill stocks illustrates how the risks of false negative and false positive diagnoses of change are related to the temporal and spatial scale of sampling. Given the uncertainty about how krill are responding to rapid warming we recommend a shift towards a fishery management approach that prioritises monitoring of stock status and can adapt to variability and change.
Multi-wavelength Raman microscopy of nickel-based electron transport in cable bacteria
Authors: Smets Bent , Boschker Henricus T. S. , Wetherington Maxwell T. , Lelong Gérald , Hidalgo-Martinez Silvia , Polerecky Lubos , Nuyts Gert , De Wael Karolien , Meysman Filip J. R.
Published: March 2024

Cable bacteria embed a network of conductive protein fibers in their cell envelope that efficiently guides electron transport over distances spanning up to several centimeters. This form of long-distance electron transport is unique in biology and is mediated by a metalloprotein with a sulfur-coordinated nickel (Ni) cofactor. However, the molecular structure of this cofactor remains presently unknown. Here, we applied multi-wavelength Raman microscopy to identify cell compounds linked to the unique cable bacterium physiology, combined with stable isotope labeling, and orientation-dependent and ultralow-frequency Raman microscopy to gain insight into the structure and organization of this novel Ni-cofactor. Raman spectra of native cable bacterium filaments reveal vibrational modes originating from cytochromes, polyphosphate granules, proteins, as well as the Ni-cofactor. After selective extraction of the conductive fiber network from the cell envelope, the Raman spectrum becomes simpler, and primarily retains vibrational modes associated with the Ni-cofactor. These Ni-cofactor modes exhibit intense Raman scattering as well as a strong orientation-dependent response. The signal intensity is particularly elevated when the polarization of incident laser light is parallel to the direction of the conductive fibers. This orientation dependence allows to selectively identify the modes that are associated with the Ni-cofactor. We identified 13 such modes, some of which display strong Raman signals across the entire range of applied wavelengths (405–1,064 nm). Assignment of vibrational modes, supported by stable isotope labeling, suggest that the structure of the Ni-cofactor shares a resemblance with that of nickel bis(1,2-dithiolene) complexes. Overall, our results indicate that cable bacteria have evolved a unique cofactor structure that does not resemble any of the known Ni-cofactors in biology.
The efficient synthesis and purification of 2′3’- cGAMP from Escherichia coli
Authors: Kulkarni Rohan , Maranholkar Vijay , Nguyen Nam , Cirino Patrick C. , Willson Richard C. , Varadarajan Navin
Published: March 2024

Agonists of the stimulator of interferon genes (STING) pathway are being explored as potential immunotherapeutics for the treatment of cancer and as vaccine adjuvants for infectious diseases. Although chemical synthesis of 2′3’ - cyclic Guanosine Monophosphate–Adenosine Monophosphate (cGAMP) is commercially feasible, the process results in low yields and utilizes organic solvents. To pursue an efficient and environmentally friendly process for the production of cGAMP, we focused on the recombinant production of cGAMP via a whole-cell biocatalysis platform utilizing the murine cyclic Guanosine monophosphate–Adenosine monophosphate synthase (mcGAS). In E. coli BL21(DE3) cells, recombinant expression of mcGAS, a DNA-dependent enzyme, led to the secretion of cGAMP to the supernatants. By evaluating the: (1) media composition, (2) supplementation of divalent cations, (3) temperature of protein expression, and (4) amino acid substitutions pertaining to DNA binding; we showed that the maximum yield of cGAMP in the supernatants was improved by 30% from 146 mg/L to 186 ± 7 mg/mL under optimized conditions. To simplify the downstream processing, we developed and validated a single-step purification process for cGAMP using anion exchange chromatography. The method does not require protein affinity chromatography and it achieved a yield of 60 ± 2 mg/L cGAMP, with <20 EU/mL (<0.3 EU/μg) of endotoxin. Unlike chemical synthesis, our method provides a route for the recombinant production of cGAMP without the need for organic solvents and supports the goal of moving toward shorter, more sustainable, and more environmentally friendly processes.
Stimulation of muscle protein synthesis with low-dose amino acid composition in older individuals
Authors: Church David D. , Ferrando Arny A. , Wolfe Robert R.
Published: March 2024

Essential amino acid (EAA)-based compositions have been shown to be effective stimulators of muscle protein synthesis, but the lower limit of effective dosage is not clear. We have used stable isotope tracer methodology to quantify the response of muscle protein fractional synthetic rate (FSR) to a dose of 3.6 g of a high-leucine composition of EAAs plus arginine in older subjects. Muscle protein FSR increased 0.058%/hour over 3 h following consumption. When account was taken of the total muscle mass, this increase in muscle protein FSR represented approximately 80% of ingested EAAs. We conclude that a low dose of an EAA-based composition can effectively stimulate muscle protein synthesis.
Early outcomes of moderate-to-high-risk pediatric congenital cardiac surgery and predictors of extracorporeal circulatory life support requirement
Authors: Deng Mimi Xiaoming , Haller Christoph , Moss Kasey , Saha Sudipta , Runeckles Kyle , Fan Chun-Po Steve , Langanecha Bhavikkumar , Floh Alejandro , Guerguerian Anne-Marie , Honjo Osami
Published: March 2024

Background

Cardiopulmonary failure refractory to medical management after moderate-to-high-risk congenital cardiac surgery may necessitate mechanical support with veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). On the extreme, ECMO can also be initiated in the setting of cardiac arrest (extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation, ECPR) unresponsive to conventional resuscitative measures.

Methods

This was a single-center retrospective cohort study of patients (n = 510) aged <3 years old who underwent cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass with a RACHS-1 score ≥3 between 2011 and 2014. Perioperative factors were reviewed to identify predictors of ECMO initiation and mortality in the operating room (OR) and the intensive care unit (ICU).

Results

A total of 510 patients with a mean surgical age of 10.0 ± 13.4 months were included. Among them, 21 (4%) patients received postoperative ECMO—12 were initiated in the OR and 9 in the ICU. ECMO cannulation was associated with cardiopulmonary bypass duration, aortopulmonary shunt, residual severe mitral regurgitation, vaso-inotropic score, and postprocedural lactate (p < 0.001). Of the 32 (6%) total deaths, 7 (22%) were ECMO patients—4 were elective OR cannulations and 3 were ICU ECPR. Prematurity [hazard ratio (HR): 2.61, p < 0.01), Norwood or Damus–Kaye–Stansel procedure (HR: 4.29, p < 0.001), postoperative left ventricular dysfunction (HR: 5.10, p = 0.01), residual severe tricuspid regurgitation (HR: 6.06, p < 0.001), and postoperative ECMO (ECPR: HR: 15.42, p < 0.001 vs. elective: HR: 5.26, p = 0.01) were associated with mortality. The two patients who were electively cannulated in the ICU survived.

Discussion

Although uncommon, postoperative ECMO in children after congenital cardiac surgery is associated with high mortality, especially in cases of ECPR. Patients with long cardiopulmonary bypass time, residual cardiac lesions, or increased vaso-inotropic requirement are at higher risk of receiving ECMO. Pre-emptive or early ECMO initiation before deterioration into cardiac arrest may improve survival.
Myeloid cells as potential targets for immunotherapy in pediatric gliomas
Authors: Frederico Stephen C. , Sharma Nikhil , Darling Corbin , Taori Suchet , Dubinsky Alexandra C. , Zhang Xiaoran , Raphael Itay , Kohanbash Gary
Published: March 2024

Pediatric high-grade glioma (pHGG) including pediatric glioblastoma (pGBM) are highly aggressive pediatric central nervous system (CNS) malignancies. pGBM comprises approximately 3% of all pediatric CNS malignancies and has a 5-year survival rate of approximately 20%. Surgical resection and chemoradiation are often the standard of care for pGBM and pHGG, however, even with these interventions, survival for children diagnosed with pGBM and pHGG remains poor. Due to shortcomings associated with the standard of care, many efforts have been made to create novel immunotherapeutic approaches targeted to these malignancies. These efforts include the use of vaccines, cell-based therapies, and immune-checkpoint inhibitors. However, it is believed that in many pediatric glioma patients an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) possess barriers that limit the efficacy of immune-based therapies. One of these barriers includes the presence of immunosuppressive myeloid cells. In this review we will discuss the various types of myeloid cells present in the glioma TME, including macrophages and microglia, myeloid-derived suppressor cells, and dendritic cells, as well as the specific mechanisms these cells can employ to enable immunosuppression. Finally, we will highlight therapeutic strategies targeted to these cells that are aimed at impeding myeloid-cell derived immunosuppression.
Sugarcane breeding: a fantastic past and promising future driven by technology and methods
Authors: Lu Guilong , Liu Purui , Wu Qibin , Zhang Shuzhen , Zhao Peifang , Zhang Yuebin , Que Youxiong
Published: March 2024

Sugarcane is the most important sugar and energy crop in the world. During sugarcane breeding, technology is the requirement and methods are the means. As we know, seed is the cornerstone of the development of the sugarcane industry. Over the past century, with the advancement of technology and the expansion of methods, sugarcane breeding has continued to improve, and sugarcane production has realized a leaping growth, providing a large amount of essential sugar and clean energy for the long-term mankind development, especially in the face of the future threats of world population explosion, reduction of available arable land, and various biotic and abiotic stresses. Moreover, due to narrow genetic foundation, serious varietal degradation, lack of breakthrough varieties, as well as long breeding cycle and low probability of gene polymerization, it is particularly important to realize the leapfrog development of sugarcane breeding by seizing the opportunity for the emerging Breeding 4.0, and making full use of modern biotechnology including but not limited to whole genome selection, transgene, gene editing, and synthetic biology, combined with information technology such as remote sensing and deep learning. In view of this, we focus on sugarcane breeding from the perspective of technology and methods, reviewing the main history, pointing out the current status and challenges, and providing a reasonable outlook on the prospects of smart breeding.
Political trust in the age of coronavirus: experiences in Mukuru, Nairobi, Kenya
Authors: Murumba Ruth N. , Pashayan Angela R.
Published: March 2024

This paper examines declining political trust at the onset of the coronavirus pandemic in the informal settlements of Mukuru Kayaba, Mukuru kwa Njenga, and Mukuru kwa Ruben; part of the Mukuru Informal Settlement located in Nairobi, Kenya. The average resident lives on $1.90–$3.50/day with no financial security net. During the COVID-19 pandemic governmental restrictions on movement and business operations, residents of Mukuru living at the extreme poverty level were unable to meet their basic needs. Trust in government was diminished, made worse by excessive force from armed officers of the Provincial Administration. Using qualitative and quantitative data, this research concludes that the lack of state support during the pandemic has led to further decline of political trust from residents of Mukuru.
A scoping review of utilization of the verbal fluency task in Chinese and Japanese clinical settings with near-infrared spectroscopy
Authors: Ren Yufei , Cui Gang , Feng Kun , Zhang Xiaoqian , Yu Chenchao , Liu Pozi
Published: March 2024

This review targets the application of the Verbal Fluency Task (VFT) in conjunction with functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) for diagnosing psychiatric disorders, specifically in the contexts of China and Japan. These two countries are at the forefront of integrating fNIRS with VFT in clinical psychiatry, often employing this combination as a complementary tool alongside traditional psychiatric examinations. Our study aims to synthesize research findings on the hemodynamic responses elicited by VFT task in clinical settings of the two countries, analyzing variations in task design (phonological versus semantic), stimulus modality (auditory versus visual), and the impact of language typology. The focus on China and Japan is crucial, as it provides insights into the unique applications and adaptations of VFT in these linguistically and culturally distinct environments. By exploring these specific cases, our review underscores the importance of tailoring VFT to fit the linguistic and cultural context, thereby enhancing its validity and utility in cross-cultural psychiatric assessments.
Kairos study protocol: a multidisciplinary approach to the study of school timing and its effects on health, well-being and students’ performance
Authors: Gabaldón-Estevan Daniel , Carmona-Talavera Diego , Catalán-Gregori Belén , Mañas-García Elena , Martin-Carbonell Vanessa , Monfort Lucía , Martinez-Besteiro Elvira , González-Carrasco Mònica , Hernández-Jiménez María Jesús , Täht Kadri , Talavera Marta , Ancheta-Arrabal Ana , Sáez Guillermo , Estany Nuria , Pin-Arboledas Gonzalo , Reis Catia
Published: March 2024

Recent evidence from chronobiology, chssronomedicine and chronopsychology shows that the organisation of social time (e.g., school schedules) generally does not respect biological time. This raises concerns about the impact of the constant mismatch between students’ social and internal body clocks on their health, well-being and academic performance. The present paper describes a protocol used to investigate the problem of (de) synchronisation of biological times (chronotypes) in childhood and youth in relation to school times. It studies the effects of student chronotype vs. school schedule matches/mismatches on health behaviours (e.g., how many hours students sleep, when they sleep, eat, do physical activity, spend time outdoors in daylight) and learning (verbal expression, spatial structuring, operations) and whether alert-fatigue levels mediate this effect alignments/misalignments on learning (verbal expression, spatial structuring, operations) and their mediation by alert-fatigue levels. The novelty of our protocol lies in its multidisciplinary and mixed methodology approach to a relevant and complex issue. It draws on up-to-date knowledge from the areas of biology, medicine, psychology, pedagogy and sociology. The methods employed include a varied repertoire of techniques from hormonal analysis (cortisol and melatonin), continuous activity and light monitoring, self-registration of food intake, sleep timings, exercise and exposure to screens, alongside with systematic application of cognitive performance tests (e.g., memory, reasoning, calculation, attention) and self-reported well-being. This comprehensive and interdisciplinary protocol should support evidence-based education policy measures related to school time organisation. Appropriate and healthier school timetables will contribute to social change, healthier students and with more efficient learning. The results of studies using a similar methodology in other countries would ensure replication and comparability of results and contribute to knowledge to support policy making.
BioVDB: biological vector database for high-throughput gene expression meta-analysis
Authors: Winnicki Michał J. , Brown Chase A. , Porter Hunter L. , Giles Cory B. , Wren Jonathan D.
Published: March 2024

High-throughput sequencing has created an exponential increase in the amount of gene expression data, much of which is freely, publicly available in repositories such as NCBI's Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). Querying this data for patterns such as similarity and distance, however, becomes increasingly challenging as the total amount of data increases. Furthermore, vectorization of the data is commonly required in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML) approaches. We present BioVDB, a vector database for storage and analysis of gene expression data, which enhances the potential for integrating biological studies with AI/ML tools. We used a previously developed approach called Automatic Label Extraction (ALE) to extract sample labels from metadata, including age, sex, and tissue/cell-line. BioVDB stores 438,562 samples from eight microarray GEO platforms. We show that it allows for efficient querying of data using similarity search, which can also be useful for identifying and inferring missing labels of samples, and for rapid similarity analysis.
Uncertainty quantified discovery of chemical reaction systems via Bayesian scientific machine learning
Authors: Nieves Emily , Dandekar Raj , Rackauckas Chris
Published: March 2024

The recently proposed Chemical Reaction Neural Network (CRNN) discovers chemical reaction pathways from time resolved species concentration data in a deterministic manner. Since the weights and biases of a CRNN are physically interpretable, the CRNN acts as a digital twin of a classical chemical reaction network. In this study, we employ a Bayesian inference analysis coupled with neural ordinary differential equations (ODEs) on this digital twin to discover chemical reaction pathways in a probabilistic manner. This allows for estimation of the uncertainty surrounding the learned reaction network. To achieve this, we propose an algorithm which combines neural ODEs with a preconditioned stochastic gradient langevin descent (pSGLD) Bayesian framework, and ultimately performs posterior sampling on the neural network weights. We demonstrate the successful implementation of this algorithm on several reaction systems by not only recovering the chemical reaction pathways but also estimating the uncertainty in our predictions. We compare the results of the pSGLD with that of the standard SGLD and show that this optimizer more efficiently and accurately estimates the posterior of the reaction network parameters. Additionally, we demonstrate how the embedding of scientific knowledge improves extrapolation accuracy by comparing results to purely data-driven machine learning methods. Together, this provides a new framework for robust, autonomous Bayesian inference on unknown or complex chemical and biological reaction systems.