bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Moderating Effect of Gender on the Relationship Between Sexual Knowledge and Sexual Activity Among Adolescents
Authors: Czaderny Krzysztof
Published: November 2023

Introduction

Adolescent sexual activity is an important topic for public health policies and can be shaped by them. This study examines the relationship between sexual knowledge and sexual activity and tests the moderating effect of gender.

Methods

This study uses a random sample of 1246 Polish adolescents aged 18−19 years. The methods of partial least squares path modeling and bootstrap testing are utilized.

Results

Among boys, unlike among girls, a low level of sexual knowledge was associated with early and intense sexual activity represented by an early age of sexual initiation, a high number of sexual partners, and a short time since last sexual intercourse. Additionally, the average level of sexual knowledge was lower among boys than among girls. More specifically, the difference in knowledge of every element of the male reproductive system between boys and girls was not significant; however, girls were more aware of the female reproductive system than boys.

Conclusions

Gender differentiated the relationship between sexual knowledge and sexual activity. The revealed moderating effect could reflect gender differences in the motives of sexual activity of adolescent men and women. The early and intense sexual activity exhibited by boys with limited sexual knowledge exposed them to sexually transmitted diseases and unintended parenthood.

Policy Implications

The self-selection of boys with low sexual knowledge levels into early and intense sexual activity may be of interest to public health.
Use of biochar and a post-coagulation effluent as an adsorbent of malachite green, beneficial bacteria carrier, and seedling substrate for plants belonging to the poaceae family
Authors: Plaza-Rojas Christy A. , Amaya-Orozco Nelson A. , Rivera-Hoyos Claudia M. , Montaña-Lara José S. , Páez-Morales Adriana , Salcedo-Reyes Juan Carlos , Castillo-Carvajal Laura C. , Martínez-Urrútia Wilmar , Díaz-Ariza Lucía Ana , Pedroza-Rodríguez Aura M.
Published: November 2023

Wastewater treatment plants produce solid and semi-solid sludge, which treatment minimises secondary environmental pollution because of wastewater treatment and obtaining new bioproducts. For this reason, in this paper, the co-pyrolysis of biogenic biomasses recovered from a biological reactor with immobilised fungal and bacterial biomass and a tertiary reactor with Chlorella sp. used for dye-contaminated wastewater treatment was carried out. Biogenic biomasses mixed with pine bark allowed the production and characterisation of two types of biochar. The raw material and biochar were on the “in vitro” germination of Lolium sp. seeds, followed by adsorption studies for malachite green (MG) dye using the raw material and the biochar. Results showed that using 60 mg L−1 of a cationic coagulant at pH 6.5 allowed for the recovery of more than 90% of the microalgae after 50 min of processing. Two biochar resulted: BC300, at pH 5.08 ± 0.08 and BC500, at pH 6.78 ± 0.01. The raw material and both biochars were co-inoculated with growth-promoting bacteria; their viabilities ranged from 1.7 × 106 ± 1.0 × 101 to 7.5 × 108 ± 6.0 × 102 CFU g−1 for total heterotrophic, nitrogen-fixing and phosphate-solubilising bacteria. Re-use tests on Lolium sp. seed germination showed that with the post-coagulation effluent, the germination was 100%, while with the biochar, with and without beneficial bacteria, the germination was 98 and 99%, respectively. Finally, BC500 adsorbed the highest percentage of malachite green at pH 4.0, obtaining qecal values of 0.5249 mg g−1 (R2: 0.9875) with the pseudo-second-order model.
Iron salicylate catalyzes oxidative esterification of biomass-derived aldehydes
Authors: Corrêa Gabriela A. , de Castro Baltazar , Rebelo Susana L.H.
Published: November 2023

The production of specialty chemicals from lignocellulosic biomass can be increased by valuing underutilized biomass products using sustainable methods. The present work reports the activity of the biomass-derived iron(III) salicylate as a biocompatible and recyclable catalyst for the oxidative esterification of multi-functional aldehydes obtained as products from biomass processing. Esters were obtained in the presence of methyl, ethyl, i-propyl, and amyl alcohols as solvents, at room temperature and with H2O2 as a green oxidant. The catalytic system is selective for the esterification of 2- and 4-hydroxybenzaldehydes, namely salicylaldehyde, o-vanillin and vanillin; as well as of furfural and benzaldehyde, while esters of 9-formylanthracene and (E)-cinnamaldehyde were obtained concomitantly with products of hydroxylation of the polyaromatic ring to ethyl 10-hydroxyanthracene-9-carboxylate (η 46%), and of double bond oxidative cleavage of cinnamaldehyde to ethyl benzoate (η 27%), respectively. The ester products have applications as fragrances, flavors, photo- or bioactive compounds, or as intermediates for synthesis. The results were benchmarked against other Fe(III)–based catalysts, such as Fe(III) porphyrins ([Fe(TSPP)Cl] and [Fe(TMPyP)Cl]) and iron oxide nanoparticles. These studies confirmed the higher performance of Fe(III) salicylate.

Graphical Abstract
The Oral-Vascular-Pulmonary Infection Route: a Pathogenic Mechanism Linking Oral Health Status to Acute and Post-Acute COVID-19
Authors: Lloyd-Jones G. , Pontes C. C. , Molayem S. , Chapple I. L. C.
Published: November 2023

Purpose of Review

In recent years, much attention has focused on the role of poor oral health in the development or worsening of systemic diseases, including COVID-19. The mouth is an important site of cellular infection early in the disease course of COVID-19. We review how oral pathology, and specifically viral infection within the oral cavity, may mediate the disease severity and duration of COVID-19. In particular, the previously reported model of SARS-CoV-2 vascular delivery from the mouth to the lungs via the bloodstream is revisited.

Recent Findings

We previously proposed that an oral-vascular-pulmonary route of infection could facilitate severe lung disease in COVID-19. This pathway could also explain the vital link between periodontitis and COVID-19 severity, including higher mortality risk. This model of pathogenesis is reconsidered in light of recent findings regarding the involvement of the mouth as a viral reservoir, and pathological processes in the blood, pulmonary vasculature, and elsewhere in the body. Oral dysbiosis in COVID-19 and the effect of oral hygiene in mitigating disease severity are discussed. The evidence for viral persistence in the mouth and intravascular viral passage from the mouth to the rest of the body via blood is also discussed in the context of post-acute COVID (long COVID).

High viral load in the mouth and poor oral health status are associated with COVID-19 disease severity, increasing the risk of death. Pathophysiological links between viral activity in the mouth, oral health status, and disease outcome in the lungs and blood provide a rationale for further evaluation of the oral-vascular-systemic pathway in patients with acute COVID-19 and long COVID. The potential benefits of oral hygiene protocols and periodontal procedures in COVID-19 also warrant further investigation.
Refracture following vertebral fragility fracture when bone fragility is not recognized: summarizing findings from comparator arms of randomized clinical trials
Authors: Porcu G. , Biffi A. , Ronco R. , Adami G. , Alvaro R. , Bogini R. , Caputi A. P. , Frediani B. , Gatti D. , Gonnelli S. , Iolascon G. , Lenzi A. , Leone S. , Michieli R. , Migliaccio S. , Nicoletti T. , Paoletta M. , Pennini A. , Piccirilli E. , Rossini M. , Tarantino U. , Cianferotti L. , Brandi M. L. , Corrao G.
Published: November 2023

Purpose

Since vertebral fragility fractures (VFFs) might increase the risk of subsequent fractures, we evaluated the incidence rate and the refracture risk of subsequent vertebral and non-vertebral fragility fractures (nVFFs) in untreated patients with a previous VFF.

Methods

We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library up to February 2022 for randomized clinical trials (RCTs) that analyzed the occurrence of subsequent fractures in untreated patients with prior VFFs. Two authors independently extracted data and appraised the risk of bias in the selected studies. Primary outcomes were subsequent VFFs, while secondary outcomes were further nVFFs. The outcome of refracture within ≥ 2 years after the index fracture was measured as (i) rate, expressed per 100 person-years (PYs), and (ii) risk, expressed in percentage.

Results

Forty RCTs met our inclusion criteria, ranging from medium to high quality. Among untreated patients with prior VFFs, the rate of subsequent VFFs and nVFFs was 12 [95% confidence interval (CI) 9–16] and 6 (95% CI 5–8%) per 100 PYs, respectively. The higher the number of previous VFFs, the higher the incidence. Moreover, the risk of VFFs and nVFFs increased within 2 (16.6% and 8%) and 4 years (35.1% and 17.4%) based on the index VFF.

Conclusion

The highest risk of subsequent VFFs or nVFFs was already detected within 2 years following the initial VFF. Thus, prompt interventions should be designed to improve the detection and treatment of VFFs, aiming to reduce the risk of future FFs and properly implement secondary preventive measures.
Multidimensionale Fragebögen zur Erfassung der wahrgenommenen Robotermorphologie (RoMo) in der Mensch-Roboter-Interaktion
Authors: Roesler Eileen , zur Kammer Kenneth , Onnasch Linda
Published: November 2023

Die Morphologie von Robotern spielt eine entscheidende Rolle für die erfolgreiche Interaktion mit Menschen, da Erwartungen und soziale Interaktionsskripte aktiviert werden. Insbesondere das Konzept des Anthropomorphismus hat in den letzten Jahren große Aufmerksamkeit erhalten. Forschungsarbeiten haben sowohl positive als auch negative Auswirkungen dieses Gestaltungsansatzes gezeigt. Um jedoch Aussagen darüber treffen zu können, welche dieser Merkmale die Interaktion unterstützen oder hemmen, fehlt ein geeignetes Instrument zur Erfassung des wahrgenommenen Anthropomorphismus. Dies gilt auch für tierähnliche (zoomorphe) und technische (technomorphe) Gestaltungsansätze. Bisherige Fragebögen erfassen die Robotermorphologie nur auf eindimensionaler Ebene, obwohl die meisten Theorien von mehreren Dimensionen ausgehen. Daher wurde ein Set von mehrdimensionalen Fragebögen entwickelt und validiert, die auf einer aktuellen Taxonomie der Mensch-Roboter-Interaktion basieren und folgende Dimensionen umfassen: Aussehen, Kommunikation, Bewegung, und Kontext. In einer ersten Online-Studie wurden drei Fragebögen zur wahrgenommenen Morphologie hinsichtlich Anthropomorphismus (RoMo-A), Zoomorphismus (RoMo-Z) und Technomorphismus (RoMo-T) entwickelt. In einer zweiten Online-Studie wurden die Fragebögen erfolgreich mit einer neuen Stichprobe validiert. Die Ergebnisse zeigten zudem, dass die Fragebögen bereits auf kleine Morphologieunterschiede sensibel reagieren.

Praktische Relevanz: Die Morphologie von Robotern in Bezug auf Aussehen, Kommunikation, Bewegung und Kontext beeinflusst sowohl die menschliche Wahrnehmung als auch das Verhalten. Um eine erfolgreiche Mensch-Roboter-Interaktion zu gestalten ist es daher nicht nur wichtig zu verstehen, ob anthropomorphe, zoomorphe oder technomorphe Merkmale implementiert werden sollten, sondern auch zu welchem Grad dies geschehen sollte. Um diese praktischen Fragestellungen untersuchen zu können, werden Instrumente benötigt, mit denen Designer:innen und Entwickler:innen den Grad einer jeweils implementierten anthropomorphen, zoomorphen oder technomorphen Gestaltung eines Roboters erfassen können. Die hier vorgestellten Fragebögen erlauben dies in flexibler und ökonomischer Weise. Sie unterstützen damit eine Abschätzung des Grades der Morphologie von Robotern in allen Anwendungsbereichen von Therapie bis industrielle Kollaboration. Sie sind nicht nur für Wissenschaftler:innen sondern auch Entwickler:innen und Designer:innen gleichermaßen geeignet.
Transfer of Approach-Avoidance Training: Motoric or Goal-Related?
Authors: Eder Andreas B. , Krishna Anand
Published: November 2023

Approach-avoidance training (AAT) procedures were developed with the prospect that they can modify action impulses to approach or avoid specific stimuli. Research suggested that the outcome of AAT procedures is mediated by training-induced changes in implicit response tendencies. This study investigated whether AAT procedures affect implicit response tendencies because of a training of goal-related responses or due to a training of motoric actions effecting approach and avoidance. Participants in three internet-based experiments (total n = 514) were trained to approach and avoid two fictitious social groups by steering a symbolic representation of the self towards and away from group members. They alternated between the training task and a flanker-like test task that probed for training-induced changes in response tendencies consistent with the trained action or with the trained AA goal. Results demonstrated a transfer of relations between the stimuli and AA goals from training to test tasks. In contrast, relations to the motoric acts subserving these goals had no effect on implicit response tendencies. It is concluded that a relation to approach- and avoidance related goals, and not to the motoric action, were established with the AAT procedure. Implications for associative and inferential accounts of AAT effects are discussed.
Endophytic bacterial community structure and diversity of the medicinal plant Mirabilis himalaica from different locations
Authors: Zhang Erhao , Lu Yazhou , Zhao Rundong , Yin Xiu , Zhang Jie , Yu Benxia , Yao Min , Liao Zhihua , Lan Xiaozhong
Published: November 2023

Endophytic bacteria play important roles in medicinal plant growth, abiotic stress, and metabolism. Mirabilis himalaica (Edgew.) Heimerl is known for its medicinal value as Tibetan traditional plant; however, little is known about the endophytic bacteria associated with this plant in different geographic conditions and vegetal tissues. To compare the endophytic bacterial community associated with this plant in different geographic conditions and vegetal tissues, we collected the leaves, stems, and roots of M. himalaica from five locations, Nongmu college (NM), Gongbujiangda (GB), Zhanang County (ZL), Lang County (LX), and Sangri County (SR), and sequenced the 16S rRNA V5-V7 region with the Illumina sequencing method. A total of 522,450 high-quality sequences and 4970 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were obtained. The different tissues from different locations harbored unique bacterial assemblages. Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria were the dominant phyla in all the samples, while the dominant genera changed based on the different tissues. The endophytic bacterial structures in the leaf and stem tissues were different compared to root tissues. Redundancy analysis (RDA) showed that the endophytic bacterial community was significantly correlated with pH, available phosphorus (AP), total phosphorus (TP), total nitrogen (TN), and soil organic matter (SOM). These findings suggested that the geographic conditions, climate type, ecosystem type, and tissues determined the endophytic bacterial composition and relative abundances. This conclusion could facilitate an understanding of the relationship and ecological function of the endophytic bacteria associated with M. himalaica and provide valuable information for artificial planting of M. himalaica and identifying and applying functional endophytic bacteria.
Cholelithiasis in childhood: Report of two cases from Afghanistan and literature review
Authors: Hakimi Turyalai , Rahmani Fazel Rahman , Aslamzai Mansoor , Jawed Mohammad Anwar
Published: November 2023

Abstract

Introduction

Cholelithiasis is a rare abdominal condition in children. The cause of pediatric cholelithiasis is unclear, and the most commonly occurring type is pigment stones due to hemolytic diseases and other causes such as medications, hepatobiliary tract anomalies, and genetic problems. Asymptomatic patients require monitoring, whereas symptomatic patients require surgical removal of the gall bladder (cholecystectomy), which can be performed using open or laparoscopic techniques. Here, we present two cases of cholelithiasis (symptomatic and asymptomatic) with neglect of proper medical management until a definite diagnosis and surgical treatment.

Case presentation

A 13-year-old and an 11-year-old child were presented with the diagnosis of cholelithiasis to our pediatric surgery department. The earlier patient suffered from jaundice in early childhood and was treated with the traditional method (non-surgical home remedy using an onion). Later, he was diagnosed with multiple gallbladder stones. The later patient was asymptomatic until his hospitalization at the age of 11 years, when he was diagnosed with a single gallbladder stone (epigastric pain after heavy meals as a chief complaint). Both patients were symptomatic, so we decided to plan them for definite treatment. The patients underwent cholecystectomy with no complications and were discharged from the hospital in satisfactory condition.

Clinical discussion

However, cholelithiasis is uncommon in children, but recent reports indicate increased detection of the disease. In developed nations, an increase in childhood obesity has risen the rate of gallstone cases in the pediatric population. Typically, pediatric cholelithiasis is asymptomatic, but symptomatic children may present with biliary colic as the sudden onset of recurrent epigastric or right upper quadrant (RUQ) pain radiating to the back or right shoulder. In young children, the episodes are accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and fever. Many times, the pain develops without precipitating factors, and fat intolerance is an inconsistent feature. The management of cholelithiasis requires a concise work-up regarding its cause in children.

Conclusion

Cholelithiasis has different underlying causative factors. In otherwise healthy children, surgical treatment is only warranted in symptomatic cases.
Effect of oxygen shielding on the tensile and fatigue performance of 300M repaired through laser-directed energy deposition
Authors: Barr C. , Rashid R.A.R. , Palanisamy S. , Matthews N. , Brandt M.
Published: November 2023

Laser-directed energy deposition (L-DED) is a key enabling technology for the repair of high-value aerospace components, as damaged regions can be removed and replaced with additively deposited material. While L-DED repair improves strength and fatigue performance compared to conventional subtractive techniques, mechanical performance can be limited by process-related defects. To assess the role of oxygen on defect formation, local and chamber-based shielding methods were applied in the repair of 300M high strength steel. Oxidation between layers for locally shielded specimens is confirmed to cause large gas pores which have deleterious effects on fatigue life. Such pores are eliminated for chamber shielded specimens, resulting in an increased ductility of ∼15%, compared to ∼11% with chamber shielding. Despite this, unmelted powder defects are not affected by oxygen content and are found in both chamber- and locally shielded samples, which still have negative consequences for fatigue.
Portland’s Response to the Western North American Heatwave: A Brief Report
Authors: Burlotos Athanasios , Dresser Caleb , Shandas Vivek
Published: November 2023

Background:

In June of 2021, a heatwave resulted in high mortality across the Pacific Northwest region. The city of Portland, Oregon, had many advantages: emergency response personnel, science-based policies, political support for climate change adaptation, and collaboration among municipal, county, state, and federal authorities. Though the city’s response likely prevented many deaths, heat-related mortality was high.

Methods:

This study presents a retrospective case analysis of the 2021 Western North American Heatwave in Portland, Oregon. Specifically, the study examines the limitations of current heatwave response paradigms by means of a narrative review of the heatwave response and impacts.

Results:

Most deaths occurred at home, and most of those who died lived alone. Most of the deceased did not have access to functioning air conditioning.

Conclusions:

Heatwaves exhibit high predictability in the demographics of those most affected and have rising rates of recurrence. Given the effectiveness of residential cooling systems in preventing heat-related mortality, findings suggest that future public health and policy initiatives should put increased focus on the primary prevention of heat exposure.
Geometrical representation of subshifts for primitive substitutions
Authors: MERCAT PAUL
Published: November 2023

For any primitive substitution whose Perron eigenvalue is a Pisot unit, we construct a domain exchange that is measurably conjugate to the subshift. Additionally, we give a condition for the subshift to be a finite extension of a torus translation. For the particular case of weakly irreducible Pisot substitutions, we show that the subshift is either a finite extension of a torus translation or its eigenvalues are roots of unity. Furthermore, we provide an algorithm to compute eigenvalues of the subshift associated with any primitive pseudo-unimodular substitution.
A mechanism for ejecting a horseshoe from a partially hyperbolic chain recurrence class
Authors: BONATTI CHRISTIAN , SHINOHARA KATSUTOSHI
Published: November 2023

We give a
$C^1$
-perturbation technique for ejecting an a priori given finite set of periodic points preserving a given finite set of homo/heteroclinic intersections from a chain recurrence class of a periodic point. The technique is first stated under a simpler setting called a Markov iterated function system, a two-dimensional iterated function system in which the compositions are chosen in a Markovian way. Then we apply the result to the setting of three-dimensional partially hyperbolic diffeomorphisms.
How to Regulate Moral Dilemmas Involving Self-Driving Cars: The 2021 German Act on Autonomous Driving, the Trolley Problem, and the Search for a Role Model
Authors: Kirchmair Lando
Published: November 2023

With the promulgation of the Autonomous Driving Act in summer 2021, Germany took the worldwide lead on regulating self-driving cars. This Article discusses the (non-)regulation of moral dilemmas in this act. To this end, it clarifies the role of the so-called trolley problem, which influenced the report of the German Ethics Commission that paved the way for this act in particular and the relationship between philosophical reasoning, empirical studies, and the law in general. By introducing the international legal community to the (non-)regulation of moral dilemmas in the German act, the Article critically reviews the German goal, which is to serve as a European and international role model. This will be preceded by a discussion as to why self-driving cars should be allowed as well as the moral dilemmas they cause which should be regulated by the law.
The role of rolling resistance in the rheology of wizarding quidditch ball suspensions
Authors: d'Ambrosio Enzo , Koch Donald L. , Hormozi Sarah
Published: November 2023

To elucidate the effect of particle shape on the rheology of a dense, viscous suspension of frictional, non-Brownian particles, experimental measurements are presented for suspensions of polystyrene particles with different shapes in the same solvent. The first suspension is made of spheres whereas the particles which compose the second suspension are globular but with flattened faces. We present results from steady shear and shear-reversal rheological experiments for the two suspensions over a wide range of stresses in the viscous regime. Notably, we show that the rheology of the two suspensions is characterised by a shear-thinning behaviour, which is stronger in the case of the suspension of globular particles. Since the shear-reversal experiments indicate an absence of adhesive particle interactions, we attribute the shear thinning to a sliding friction coefficient which varies with stress as has been observed previously for systems similar to the first suspension. We observe that the viscosity of the two suspensions is similar at high shear stress where small sliding friction facilitates particle relative motion due to sliding. At lower shear stress, however, the sliding friction is expected to increase and the particle relative motion would be associated with rolling. The globular particles attain a higher viscosity at low shear stress than the spherical particles. We attribute this difference to a shape-induced resistance to particle rolling that is enhanced by the flattened faces. Image analysis is employed to identify features of the particle geometry that contribute to the resistance to rolling. It is shown that the apparent rolling friction coefficients inferred from the rheology are intermediate between the apparent dynamic and static rolling friction coefficients predicted on the basis of the image analysis. All three rolling resistance estimates are larger for the globular particles with flat faces than for the spherical particles and we argue that this difference yields the stronger shear thinning of the globular particle suspension.
THE NEED FOR A NEW APPROACH TO THE RADIOCARBON DATING OF HISTORIC MORTARS
Authors: Pesce Giovanni
Published: November 2023

This commentary aims at raising awareness and fostering a discussion on the need of a new approach to the radiocarbon (14C) dating of historic mortars. Over the last decades, important advancements have been made in the application of the 14C dating methods to lime mortar samples, including the use of lime lumps instead of generic pieces of mortar. However, a relevant number of results in disagreement with the chronological framework of the related archaeological cases are published every year without a clear understanding of the reasons for such results. This suggests that further developments to the methodology are needed. The commentary argues that to further develop this particular application of the 14C dating method, a new, more holistic approach is needed that moves away from the very “applied” approach that dominated the last decades and focuses more on the causes of contamination and the mechanism of the reactions involved. Two actions are suggested that can immediately improve our ability to critically assess the results obtained: the publication of a chemical and mineralogical characterization of the binding fraction for the dated mortars, and the publication of sampling depth for each dated sample.
Democracy and the Epistemic Problems of Political Polarization
Authors: BENSON JONATHAN
Published: November 2023

Political polarization is one of the most discussed challenges facing contemporary democracies and is often associated with a broader epistemic crisis. While inspiring a large literature in political science, polarization’s epistemic problems also have significance for normative democratic theory, and this study develops a new approach aimed at understanding them. In contrast to prominent accounts from political psychology—group polarization theory and cultural cognition theory—which argue that polarization leads individuals to form unreliable political beliefs, this study focuses on system-level diversity. It argues that polarization’s epistemic harms are best located in its tendency to reduce the diversity of perspectives utilized in a democratic system and in how this weakens the system’s ability to identify and address problems of public concern. Understanding such harms is also argued to require a greater consideration of the political dynamics of polarization and issues of elite discourse, alongside political psychology.
RELATIONAL TRADE NETWORKS
Authors: Ioannou Ilias
Published: November 2023

This paper argues that in platform-based digitalisation of international trade processes, the use of blockchain instead of a central database system does not by itself adequately address the platform provider’s potential to engage in opportunistic behaviour. Digital transformation of international trade is, thus, constrained by hold-up problems. This requires embedding governance mechanisms in platform rulebooks designed to establish trust and commonality of interests. The article proposes a governance mechanism to promote widespread digital adoption through contract design choices based on guiding principles that can establish legally enforceable behavioural standards which align with the relational characteristics of digital trade networks.
Leaky modes in coronal magnetic flux tubes revisited
Authors: Goedbloed Hans , Keppens Rony , Poedts Stefaan
Published: November 2023

It is shown that the extensive literature on leaky modes in coronal magnetic flux tubes should be revised since those modes have no physical meaning.
Shared genetic influences between eating disorders and gastrointestinal disease in a large, population-based sample of adult women and men
Authors: Pascoe Laura A. , Mikhail Megan E. , Burt S. Alexandra , Culbert Kristen M. , Klump Kelly L.
Published: November 2023

Background

Some preliminary research suggests higher rates of gastrointestinal disease in individuals with eating disorders (EDs). However, research is limited, and it remains unknown what etiologic factors account for observed associations. This was the first study to examine how EDs and dimensional ED symptoms (e.g. body dissatisfaction, binge eating) are phenotypically and etiologically associated with gastrointestinal disease in a large, population-based twin sample.

Methods

Adult female (N = 2980) and male (N = 2903) twins from the Michigan State University Twin Registry reported whether they had a lifetime ED (anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, or binge-eating disorder) and completed a measure of dimensional ED symptoms. We coded the presence/absence of lifetime gastrointestinal disease (e.g. inflammatory bowel disease) based on responses to questions regarding chronic illnesses and medications. We first examined whether twins with gastrointestinal disease had higher rates of EDs and ED symptoms, then used correlated factors twin models to investigate genetic and environmental contributions to the overlap between disorders.

Results

Twins with gastrointestinal disease had significantly greater dimensional ED symptoms (β = 0.21, p < 0.001) and odds of a lifetime ED (OR 2.90, p = 0.001), regardless of sex. Shared genetic factors fully accounted for the overlap between disorders, with no significant sex differences in etiologic associations.

Conclusions

Comorbidity between EDs and gastrointestinal disease may be explained by overlap in genetic influences, potentially including inflammatory genes implicated in both types of disorders. Screening for gastrointestinal disease in people with EDs, and EDs in those with gastrointestinal disease, is warranted.
My religion preaches ‘p’, but I don't believe thatp: Moore's Paradox in religious assertions
Authors: Tarnowski Maciej
Published: November 2023

In this article, I consider the cases of religious Moorean propositions of the form ‘d, but I don't believe thatd’ and ‘d, but I believe that~d’, wheredis a religious dogma, proposition, or part of a creed. I argue that such propositions can be genuinely and rationally asserted and that this fact poses a problem for traditional analysis of religious assertion as an expression of faith and of religious faith as entailing belief. In the article, I explore the possibility of undermining these commonly held assumptions and argue that the assertability of religious Moorean propositions can be justified by an account of faith as an intention to form religious beliefs. In the end, I also consider the consequences of such a stance, especially concerning the debate on the ethics of religious belief and doxastic voluntarism.
The reuse of ancient tuff blocks in early medieval construction in Rome
Authors: Andrews Margaret M.
Published: November 2023

This paper analyzes the reuse of ancient tuff blocks in early medieval architecture in Rome, in both papal and private structures. The blocks are a well-known phenomenon, but they have not yet received any focused study. Short discussions in earlier scholarship have typically described them in utilitarian terms. I first identify a pattern of targeted reuse in papal building projects. I then argue that they would also have had symbolic value for an independent papacy wanting to display power. For later private builders, I propose that the blocks became prestige materials displayed on the houses of an ever-tightening aristocracy eager to be seen within some of the city's most important monumental spaces. I consider how the city's ancient monuments and their pieces were viewed in the early medieval period and how the blocks’ ancient contexts contributed to the symbolic value that I identify in them.
Target date funds as asset market stabilizers: evidence from the pandemic
Authors: Parker Jonathan A. , Sun Yang
Published: November 2023

Target date funds (TDFs) provide retirement investors, many of whom are unsophisticated or inattentive, with age-appropriate exposures to different asset classes like stocks and bonds. To maintain exposures, TDFs trade actively against market returns, buying stock funds when the stock market does poorly, and selling when the market does well (Parker et al., 2023, Journal of Finance). This paper shows that trading by TDFs was a significant stabilizing force in US equity markets during the unprecedented economic volatility of the COVID-19 pandemic period. Specifically, TDFs – now comprising a quarter of all 401(k) plan assets – caused significant contrarian investment flows across asset classes, flows that were not undone by enrollment of TDF investors or by discretionary actions by TDF managers. Mutual funds with large ownership by TDFs had more stable funding through the pandemic, and stocks that had greater indirect ownership by TDFs had lower co-movement with the market and lower volatility during the pandemic period.
Low–Ti Continental Tholeiite Origin of Magmas With Calc‐Alkaline Signature in Transcurrent Settings: The Mississippian Matachel Volcanic Field (SW Iberian Massif)
Authors: Sarrionandia F. , Errandonea‐Martin J. , Larrondo E. , Carracedo‐Sánchez M. , Ábalos B. , Gil Ibarguchi J. I.
Published: November 2023

In the Mississippian Matachel small volcanic field of the Ossa‐Morena Zone (southern Iberian Massif) outpoured basic‐intermediate lavas exhibit geochemical characteristics of Low‐Ti continental tholeiites and calc‐alkaline lavas. Low‐Ti continental tholeiites integrate two contrasting groups of rocks: basalts (Mg#: 54 to 70; Ti/Zr: 61–79; LaN/LuN: 1.6–2.9; εNdi: +4.0–+6.6; “Group #1”), and basalts and basaltic andesites (Mg#: 43 to 66; Ti/Zr: 36–58; LaN/LuN: 2.5–5.9; εNdi: −0.2–+3.5; “Group #2”). Primitive Group #1 tholeiitic magmas were generated by partial melting of a garnet‐free lherzolite from an enriched lithospheric mantle, near the lithosphere‐asthenosphere thermal boundary layer (with a very limited asthenosphere melting input). Progressive interaction of these magmas with crustal alkali igneous rocks resulted in the formation of the petrological evolutionary trends observed, to a larger extent in the case of Group #2 Low‐Ti tholeiites. Further assimilation of amphibole‐rich calc‐alkaline metaigneous rocks might have originated the basalts and basaltic andesites with calc‐alkaline signature (Mg#: 33 to 56; Ti/Zr: 25–78; LaN/LuN: 2.0–5.6; εNdi: +2.8–+4.8). These exhibit a “Cordilleran‐type” evolutionary trend, though are unrelated to plate convergence. The magmas with calc‐alkaline signature attest to a closed‐system differentiation process controlled by the fractionation of plagioclase, clinopyroxene, magnetite and ilmenite. It is proposed that Mississippian lithospheric‐scale intra‐continental wrenching, unrelated to coeval mantle plume upwelling, reworked complexly docked mantle domains and triggered mantle melting. Enduring mid‐upper crustal processes (magma storage in mid‐crustal chambers and crustal assimilation) likely shaped the latest petrologic and geochemical aspects of the Matachel Low‐Ti tholeiites and related rocks with calc‐alkaline signature.
Strengthened East Asian Winter Monsoon Regulated by Insolation and Arctic Sea Ice Since the Middle Holocene
Authors: Zhou Peng , Li Xinzhou , Shi Zhengguo , Sha Yingying , Lei Jing , An Zhisheng
Published: November 2023

The East Asian winter monsoon (EAWM) is a crucial climate system in Asia, with significant social and economic impacts. Orbital‐scale variability of the EAWM during the Holocene and its associated mechanisms, however, are still not fully understood. Based on a high‐resolution transient simulation by a coupled climate model, we present here a continuous climate evolution of the EAWM in response to orbital forcing. Our simulated springtime EAWM variations, consistent with grain size records of loess, exhibit an obvious strengthening trend since the mid‐Holocene. In winter, a similar increasing trend is also simulated although not statistically significant. Our results suggest that the Holocene EAWM is basically controlled by meridional temperature gradients between high and low latitudes in both seasons. Other than northern insolation forcing, the feedbacks from Arctic sea ice and Eurasian snow cover also modulate the meridional temperature gradients, highlighting their important roles in driving EAWM evolution during the Holocene.
A Semi‐Analytical Model for Water Vapor, Temperature, and Surface‐Albedo Feedbacks in Comprehensive Climate Models
Authors: Feldl Nicole , Merlis Timothy M.
Published: November 2023

Radiative feedbacks govern the Earth's climate sensitivity and elucidate the geographic patterns of climate change in response to a carbon‐dioxide forcing. We develop an analytical model for patterned radiative feedbacks that depends only on changes in local surface temperature. The analytical model combines well‐known moist adiabatic theory with the radiative‐advective equilibrium that describes the energy balance in high latitudes. Together with a classic analytical function for surface albedo, all of the non‐cloud feedbacks are represented. The kernel‐based analytical feedbacks reproduce the feedbacks diagnosed from global climate models at the global, zonal‐mean, and seasonal scales, including in the polar regions, though with less intermodel spread. The analytical model thus provides a framework for a quantitative understanding of radiative feedbacks from simple physics, independent of the detailed atmospheric and cryospheric responses simulated by comprehensive climate models.
A Multi‐Source GRACE Fusion Solution via Uncertainty Quantification of GRACE‐Derived Terrestrial Water Storage (TWS) Change
Authors: Gao Shengjun , Hao Weifeng , Fan Yi , Li Fei , Wang Jing
Published: November 2023

In analyzing terrestrial water storage (TWS) data observed by Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) and GRACE Follow‐On satellites, quantifying uncertainties proves challenging due to the scarcity of sufficient independent observations of mass changes at scales commensurate with these missions. Moreover, owing to the diverse geophysical background models and processing techniques utilized by data processing centers, reaching consistent mass change estimations within specific regions of published solutions often proves arduous. We, therefore, quantified the uncertainty of the GRACE‐derived TWS changes by using the generalized three‐cornered hat method without relying on any prior knowledge and fused it to generate a higher‐quality solution. The findings reveal that of the six solutions, the Center for Space Research spherical harmonics (SH) solution exhibits the lowest uncertainty and highest signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) at both global and basin scales, and the Goddard Space Flight Center Mascon solution outperforms other Mascon counterparts. The fusion solution has an average 36.56% reduction in uncertainty and a 1.92‐fold improvement in SNR at the basin scale, and the improvement in SNR is particularly significant in regions with drastic mass changes. The global distribution patterns of the uncertainties associated with Mascon and SH solutions exhibit distinct differences. Mascon solutions result in significant signal leakage around regions characterized by the most substantial global mass variability. Additionally, transient mass changes triggered by super earthquake events in the ocean also produce similar “scars” in the global spatial distribution of uncertainties. The analysis of 142 basins worldwide shows that basins with more significant TWS annual oscillations have larger uncertainties but also better SNR.
Smart nanoparticles for cancer therapy
Authors: Sun Leming , Liu Hongmei , Ye Yanqi , Lei Yang , Islam Rehmat , Tan Sumin , Tong Rongsheng , Miao Yang-Bao , Cai Lulu
Published: November 2023

Smart nanoparticles, which can respond to biological cues or be guided by them, are emerging as a promising drug delivery platform for precise cancer treatment. The field of oncology, nanotechnology, and biomedicine has witnessed rapid progress, leading to innovative developments in smart nanoparticles for safer and more effective cancer therapy. In this review, we will highlight recent advancements in smart nanoparticles, including polymeric nanoparticles, dendrimers, micelles, liposomes, protein nanoparticles, cell membrane nanoparticles, mesoporous silica nanoparticles, gold nanoparticles, iron oxide nanoparticles, quantum dots, carbon nanotubes, black phosphorus, MOF nanoparticles, and others. We will focus on their classification, structures, synthesis, and intelligent features. These smart nanoparticles possess the ability to respond to various external and internal stimuli, such as enzymes, pH, temperature, optics, and magnetism, making them intelligent systems. Additionally, this review will explore the latest studies on tumor targeting by functionalizing the surfaces of smart nanoparticles with tumor-specific ligands like antibodies, peptides, transferrin, and folic acid. We will also summarize different types of drug delivery options, including small molecules, peptides, proteins, nucleic acids, and even living cells, for their potential use in cancer therapy. While the potential of smart nanoparticles is promising, we will also acknowledge the challenges and clinical prospects associated with their use. Finally, we will propose a blueprint that involves the use of artificial intelligence-powered nanoparticles in cancer treatment applications. By harnessing the potential of smart nanoparticles, this review aims to usher in a new era of precise and personalized cancer therapy, providing patients with individualized treatment options.
GRSF1 antagonizes age-associated hypercoagulability via modulation of fibrinogen mRNA stability
Authors: Liu Doudou , Xu Chenzhong , Gong Ze , Zhao Yijie , Fang Zhiqiang , Rao Xiaoli , Chen Qingyu , Li Guodong , Kong Wei , Chen Jun
Published: November 2023

Age-associated hypercoagulability is accompanied by the increase of plasma levels of some coagulation factors including fibrinogen which may contribute to the increased risk of cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, and thrombotic diseases in elderly people. However, the underlying mechanism of increased plasma fibrinogen concentration during aging is still elusive. GRSF1 belongs to the heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins F/H (hnRNP F/H) subfamily. Here, we report that GRSF1 attenuates hypercoagulability via negative modulation of fibrinogen expression. We demonstrated that GRSF1 negatively regulated fibrinogen expression at both mRNA and protein levels. GRSF1 directly interacted with the coding region (CDS) of FGA, FGB, and FGG mRNAs, and decreased their stability thus mitigating fibrinogen expression. We further identified that only a few G-tracts within the Fib C domain of FGA, FGB, and FGG CDS and the qRRM2 domain of GRSF1 were required for their interaction. Moreover, we confirmed hypercoagulability and the decrease of GRSF1 expression level during mice aging. Functionally, GRSF1 overexpression in old mice liver decreased fibrinogen plasma level, reduced hypercoagulability, and mitigated blood coagulation activity, whereas GRSF1 knockdown in young mice liver increased fibrinogen plasma level and promoted blood coagulation activity. Collectively, our findings unveil a novel posttranscriptional regulation of fibrinogen by GRSF1 and uncover a critical role of GRSF1 in regulating blood coagulation activity.
Fetal biometry and amniotic fluid volume assessment end-to-end automation using Deep Learning
Authors: Slimani Saad , Hounka Salaheddine , Mahmoudi Abdelhak , Rehah Taha , Laoudiyi Dalal , Saadi Hanane , Bouziyane Amal , Lamrissi Amine , Jalal Mohamed , Bouhya Said , Akiki Mustapha , Bouyakhf Youssef , Badaoui Bouabid , Radgui Amina , Mhlanga Musa , Bouyakhf El Houssine
Published: November 2023

Fetal biometry and amniotic fluid volume assessments are two essential yet repetitive tasks in fetal ultrasound screening scans, aiding in the detection of potentially life-threatening conditions. However, these assessment methods can occasionally yield unreliable results. Advances in deep learning have opened up new avenues for automated measurements in fetal ultrasound, demonstrating human-level performance in various fetal ultrasound tasks. Nevertheless, the majority of these studies are retrospective in silico studies, with a limited number including African patients in their datasets. In this study we developed and prospectively assessed the performance of deep learning models for end-to-end automation of fetal biometry and amniotic fluid volume measurements. These models were trained using a newly constructed database of 172,293 de-identified Moroccan fetal ultrasound images, supplemented with publicly available datasets. the models were then tested on prospectively acquired video clips from 172 pregnant people forming a consecutive series gathered at four healthcare centers in Morocco. Our results demonstrate that the 95% limits of agreement between the models and practitioners for the studied measurements were narrower than the reported intra- and inter-observer variability among expert human sonographers for all the parameters under study. This means that these models could be deployed in clinical conditions, to alleviate time-consuming, repetitive tasks, and make fetal ultrasound more accessible in limited-resource environments.
Non-reciprocity across scales in active mixtures
Authors: Dinelli Alberto , O’Byrne Jérémy , Curatolo Agnese , Zhao Yongfeng , Sollich Peter , Tailleur Julien
Published: November 2023

In active matter, particles typically experience mediated interactions, which are not constrained by Newton’s third law and are therefore generically non-reciprocal. Non-reciprocity leads to a rich set of emerging behaviors that are hard to account for starting from the microscopic scale, due to the absence of a generic theoretical framework out of equilibrium. Here we consider bacterial mixtures that interact via mediated, non-reciprocal interactions (NRI) like quorum-sensing and chemotaxis. By explicitly relating microscopic and macroscopic dynamics, we show that, under conditions that we derive explicitly, non-reciprocity may fade upon coarse-graining, leading to large-scale equilibrium descriptions. In turn, this allows us to account quantitatively, and without fitting parameters, for the rich behaviors observed in microscopic simulations including phase separation, demixing, and multi-phase coexistence. We also derive the condition under which non-reciprocity survives coarse-graining, leading to a wealth of dynamical patterns. Again, our analytical approach allows us to predict the phase diagram of the system starting from its microscopic description. All in all, our work demonstrates that the fate of non-reciprocity across scales is a subtle and important question.