bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Drinking Saline Water on Physiological, Haematological and Biochemical Parameters of Blackhead Ogaden Sheep and Somali Goats
Authors: Abera Fitsum , Urge Mengistu , Yirga Hirut , Yousuf Yishak
Published: December 2024

This study aimed to determine the effect of drinking saline water on the physiological, haematological and biochemical parameters of sheep and goats in Ethiopia. A total of 100 male growing and mature Blackhead Ogaden sheep and Somali goats with average initial body weights of 18.17 ± 0.5 and 22.22 ± 0.52 kg and 17.99 ± 0.50 and 21.99 ± 0.54 kg, respectively, were used. The design of the experiment was a three‐way factorial with completely randomized block design with three‐factor combinations (five treatment levels, two species and two age groups). Water treatments were Lake Basaka water (control); low saline water (LSW), moderate (MSW), high (HSW) and very high (VHSW), with NaCl, added to Lake Beseka water at concentrations of 7.95, 11.93, 15.90 and 19.88 g of total dissolved solids per litter (TDS/L). The physiological and blood parameters of the experimental animals were measured. The results show that rectal temperature (RT) and respiration rate (RR) were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the H and VHSW groups. RT and RR also showed significant differences between species and age groups. Haemoglobin (Hb) and PCV levels were higher in the control group (p < 0.05). Increasing drinking saline water significantly reduced the concentration of glucose, total protein, albumin and triglycerides but increased the concentration of BUN, creatinine, ALT and AST. Glucose, albumin, and triglycerides were significantly higher (p < 0.05), while BUN, creatinine, ALT and AST concentrations were lower in sheep and mature animals than in goats and growing animals. Except for sodium and potassium, all blood electrolytes did not significantly differ within the treatment. Sodium and calcium significantly varied (p < 0.05) between species and age groups. The results indicated that drinking saline water above 11 g TDS/L affected the physiological and blood parameters of Somali goats and Blackhead Ogaden sheep. A Study revealed that sheep and mature animals performed better than goats and growing ones.
Altering Carotene Hydroxylase Activity of DcCYP97C1 Affects Carotenoid Flux and Changes Taproot Colour in Carrot
Authors: Deng Yuan‐Jie , Duan Ao‐Qi , Li Tong , Tan Shan‐Shan , Liu Shan‐Shan , Wang Ya‐Hui , Ma Jing , Li Jing‐Wen , Liu Hui , Xu Zhi‐Sheng , Liang Yi , Zhou Jian‐Hua , Xiong Ai‐Sheng
Published: December 2024

CYP97C1 as a haem‐containing cytochrome P450 hydroxylase (P450‐type) is important for carotene hydroxylation and xanthophyll biosynthesis. Research about this type of hydroxylase was mainly reported in several model plant species which have no specialized tissues accumulating massive carotenoids. The function of CYP97C1 in the horticultural plant, like carrots, was not fully studied. In this study, we focused on the role of DcCYP97C1 in carotenoid flux and colour formation in carrot. DcCYP97C1 was found highly expressed in the ‘turning stage’ of carrot taproot. Using stable transformation and CRISPR/Cas9‐mediated gene knockout technology, DcCYP97C1 was confirmed the rate‐limiting enzyme for lutein biosynthesis and important for taproot colour formation. Overexpression of DcCYP97C1 in an orange carrot KRD (Kurodagosun) resulted in five times overproduction of lutein accompanied by dramatic reduction of carotenes. Knockout of DcCYP97C1 in orange KRD and yellow carrot QTH (Qitouhuang) reduced all kinds of carotenoids including lutein, α‐carotene and β‐carotene reflecting the key role of DcCYP97C1 for total carotenoid accumulation in taproot ‘turning stage’. Our study demonstrated that manipulation of DcCYP97C1 was sufficient to influence carotenoid flux, change carrot colour and for high lutein production. The uncovered role of DcCYP97C1 may be helpful for understanding plant carotenoid metabolism and breeding colourful carrot cultivars.
Reduced number of alveoli after birth in rats exposed to iron in utero
Authors: Kuwana Shouta , Sato Shinichi , Sakurai Yoshie , Koshinami Shouta , Watanabe Shimpei , Watanabe Tatsuya , Hanita Takushi
Published: December 2024

Background

Clinical studies have shown that diffuse chorioamniotic hemosiderosis (DCH) is a risk factor for bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). However, the details of the underlying mechanism are unknown. We focused on iron, one of the blood components that diffuses within the amniotic cavity in DCH. Specifically, we conducted a histological evaluation of its effects on fetal lung development.

Methods

Iron dextran 10 mg (Fe group) or physiological saline (control group) was injected into the individual amniotic cavities of pregnant Sprague Dawley rats on gestational day 19. The pups were born naturally, and the placentas and lungs collected on postnatal days 1, 14, and 60 were subjected to histological analysis.

Results

The placenta and lungs of the Fe group on day 14 contained significantly larger numbers of iron‐positive granules. Morphological analysis of the lungs showed that on day 60, the total number of alveoli was significantly lower in the Fe group (p = 0.015). Immunohistochemical staining of the lung tissue for 8‐hydroxy‐2′‐deoxyguanosine showed that, on day 1, there were significantly more positive cells in the Fe group (p = 0.003). The number of ectodermal dysplasia 1 positive cells on day 14 was significantly increased in the Fe group (p = 0.001).

Conclusions

These results suggest that diffuse iron deposition in immature fetal lungs increases oxidative stress and decreases the number of postnatal alveoli associated with impaired lung development.
Selective coronary arteriography via transradial access in young children
Authors: Maeda Yasuto , Inoue Tadashi , Kagiyama Yoshiyuki , Takase Ryuta , Koteda Yusuke , Suda Kenji
Published: December 2024

Background

Transradial access (TRA) is not a common vascular access in children. We have been performing TRA actively to reduce puncture complications, and the purpose of this study was to investigate the safety and efficacy of TRA in young children.

Methods

The study included 29 patients aged 5–12 years who underwent diagnostic catheterization at Kurume University Hospital. Vascular access was placed through TRA in 11 of these patients and through transfemoral access (TFA) in 18 patients with comparable ages. We compared TRA with TFA using various demographic data.

Results

The median age of TRA was 10 years (5–12 years) and that of TFA was 7 years (5–11 years). They were not significantly different. Transradial access showed an acceptably high success rate (91%), which was comparable with that of TFA (100%), although we had to switch to TFA in one patient in which the radial artery diameter was too small to puncture and due to failure of appropriate sedation and local anesthesia. A comparison between the two groups showed no significant differences in weight, puncture success rate, total time to completion of both arterial and venous puncture, or fluoroscopy time. However, none of the patients with TRA required post‐catheter bed rest after removal of the arterial sheath, whereas patients with TFA required 6 h of bed rest. Although there were no puncture complications in group TRA, one patient with TFA had a subcutaneous hematoma.

Conclusion

Transradial access can be performed safely in young children and may be more beneficial than TFA.
Identification and antagonistic bacterium screening of the pathogen causing peach bacterial leaf spot in Hebei Province, China
Authors: Cui Zhongchi , Sun Xinkang , Yuan Shitao , Ma Jianying , Liu Junying , Meng Linshuo , Wang Haiyan
Published: December 2024

Peach leaf diseases have detrimental effects on the healthy growth of peach worldwide. In Hebei Province, China, the prevalence of peach leaf diseases has been progressively increasing, imposing a serious threat to the industry's healthy development and causing various economic losses. This study identified Xanthomonas arboricola pv. pruni as the pathogen of peach bacterial leaf spot in Hebei Province. Bacillus methylotrophicus strain MCTR‐5 was identified as an effective antagonistic bacterium against X. arboricola pv. pruni. Notably, 80% ethylicin and 0.3% tetramycin displayed a robust inhibitory effect on X. arboricola pv. pruni. These findings present a novel approach to controlling peach bacterial leaf spot in Hebei Province, serving as the groundwork for developing a green prevention and control mechanism for commercial peach orchards.
The Scandinavian Journal of Economics at 125: a bibliometric overview
Authors: Figuerola‐Wischke Anton , Merigó José M. , Gil‐Lafuente Anna M. , Kydland Finn E. , Amiguet Lluís
Published: December 2024

Established in 1899 by David Davidson, The Scandinavian Journal of Economics is one of the most respected journals in the field of economics. In 2024, the journal celebrates its 125th anniversary. To commemorate this exceptional event, this study presents a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of the publications of the journal. The objective is to identify the leading trends that have occurred in the journal, especially during the last decades. The bibliographic data are retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection and Scopus databases. The work also uses the VOSviewer and Biblioshiny software tools to construct and visualize bibliometric maps. The results reveal that authors affiliated with Scandinavian institutions are the most productive in the journal, along with those from the United States, the United Kingdom, and Germany. The keyword and topical analysis shows that The Scandinavian Journal of Economics covers a wide range of topics within economics, publishing frequently on labour, monetary, public, and international economics.
Sanctions and Global Collaboration in Innovative Activities
Authors: Milani Sahar , Pham Linh
Published: December 2024

Sanctions are one of the most prominent tools in international politics, designed to influence the target countries' policies by inflicting economic damage. Sanctions may also interfere with collaborative research relationships between countries, reducing knowledge diffusion and growth. In this paper, we study the impact of travel sanctions on patents that contain multiple inventors that are located in more than one country. Using a gravity model framework that includes 173 countries over 43 years, we find that travel sanctions negatively impact international patent collaboration. Specifically, travel sanctions reduce the intensity of collaboration by 43%. This impact only occurs during the sanctioning period, is persistent even in distant country pairs and is partially moderated by the availability of telecommunication technology.
On the anatomy of acoustic emission
Authors: Guyer Robert A. , Marty Samson , Marone Chris , Johnson Paul A. , Johnson Christopher W.
Published: December 2024

Abrupt, local frictional fault failure comprises a displacement that is normally accompanied by acoustic emission (AE)—an impulsive elastic wave broadcast with an amplitude proportional to particle velocity. The aggregate of these displacements is the basic fault motion. In laboratory shear experiments, the examination of a sequence of laboratory earthquakes includes continuous measurements of fault motion and the associated AE that is broadcast. From these measurements, connections between the fault motion and cumulative sum of the AE amplitude can be identified. The composition of the AE broadcasts reveals inhomogeneity in the fault mechanical structure from which they arise. This inhomogeneity can be decomposed into a time invariant AE component and an articulated AE component. The articulated AE component serves as a “state of the fault diagnostic” that follows a distinctive pattern to fault failure. Thus, the articulated AE component can be used directly to monitor the state of the fault.
Principles of CRISPR-Cas13 mismatch intolerance enable selective silencing of point-mutated oncogenic RNA with single-base precision
Authors: Shembrey Carolyn , Yang Ray , Casan Joshua , Hu Wenxin , Chen Honglin , Singh Gurjeet J. , Sadras Teresa , Prasad Krishneel , Shortt Jake , Johnstone Ricky W. , Trapani Joseph A. , Ekert Paul G. , Fareh Mohamed
Published: December 2024

Single-nucleotide variants (SNVs) are extremely prevalent in human cancers, although most of these remain clinically unactionable. The programmable RNA nuclease CRISPR-Cas13 has been deployed to specifically target oncogenic RNAs. However, silencing oncogenic SNVs with single-base precision remains extremely challenging due to the intrinsic mismatch tolerance of Cas13. Here, we show that introducing synthetic mismatches at precise positions of the spacer sequence enables de novo design of guide RNAs [CRISPR RNAs (crRNAs)] with strong preferential silencing of point-mutated transcripts. We applied these design principles to effectively silence the oncogenic
KRAS
G12 hotspot,
NRAS G12D
and
BRAF V600E
transcripts with minimal off-target silencing of the wild-type transcripts, underscoring the adaptability of this platform to silence various SNVs. Unexpectedly, the SNV-selective crRNAs harboring mismatched nucleotides reduce the promiscuous collateral activity of the
Rfx
Cas13d ortholog. These findings demonstrate that the CRISPR-Cas13 system can be reprogrammed to target mutant transcripts with single-base precision, showcasing the tremendous potential of this tool in personalized transcriptome editing.
Dynamic responses of striatal cholinergic interneurons control behavioral flexibility
Authors: Huang Zhenbo , Chen Ruifeng , Ho Matthew , Xie Xueyi , Gangal Himanshu , Wang Xuehua , Wang Jun
Published: December 2024

Striatal cholinergic interneurons (CINs) are key to regulating behavioral flexibility, involving both extinguishing learned actions and adopting new ones. However, the mechanisms driving these processes remain elusive. In this study, we initially demonstrate that chronic alcohol consumption disrupts the burst-pause dynamics of CINs and impairs behavioral flexibility. We next aimed to elucidate the mechanisms by which CIN dynamics control behavioral flexibility. We found that extinction learning enhances acetylcholine (ACh) release and that mimicking this enhancement through optogenetic induction of CIN burst firing accelerates the extinction process. In addition, we demonstrate that disrupting CIN pauses via continuous optogenetic stimulation reversibly impairs the updating of goal-directed behaviors. Overall, we demonstrate that CIN burst firing, which increases ACh release, promotes extinction learning, aiding the extinguishment of learned behaviors. Conversely, CIN firing pauses, which lead to ACh dips, are crucial for reversal learning, facilitating the adaptation of new actions. These findings shed light on how CIN dynamics regulate behavioral flexibility.
dCasMINI-mediated therapy rescues photoreceptors degeneration in a mouse model of retinitis pigmentosa
Authors: Wang Qing , Xu Xiaoshu , Chen Siyu , Lu Rui , Li Liang , Lo Chien-Hui , Liu Zhiquan , Ning Ke , Li Tingting , Kowal Tia J. , Wang Biao , Hartnett Mary E. , Wang Sui , Qi Lei S. , Sun Yang
Published: December 2024

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is characterized by degeneration of rod and cone photoreceptors that progresses to irreversible blindness. Now, there are no mutation-agnostic approaches to treat RP. Here, we utilized a single adeno-associated virus (AAV)–based CRISPR activation system to activate phosphodiesterase 6B (Pde6b) to mitigate the severe degeneration in
Pde6a
nmf363
mice. We demonstrate that transcriptional activation of
Pde6b
can rescue the loss of
Pde6a
, with preservation of retinal structure, restoration of electroretinography responses, and improvement of visual function as assessed by optokinetic response and looming-induced escape behaviors. These findings demonstrate the therapeutic potential of a dCasMINI-mediated activation strategy that provides a mutation-independent treatment for retinal degeneration. This study offers a promising therapeutic approach for RP and potentially other forms of genetic diseases.
Ancient genomes reveal Avar-Hungarian transformations in the 9th-10th centuries CE Carpathian Basin
Authors: Gerber Dániel , Csáky Veronika , Szeifert Bea , Borbély Noémi , Jakab Kristóf , Mező György , Petkes Zsolt , Szücsi Frigyes , Évinger Sándor , Líbor Csilla , Rácz Piroska , Kiss Krisztián , Mende Balázs Gusztáv , Szőke Béla Miklós , Szécsényi-Nagy Anna
Published: December 2024

During the Early Medieval period, the Carpathian Basin witnessed substantial demographic shifts, notably under the Avar dominance for ~250 years, followed by the settlement of early Hungarians in the region during the late 9th century CE. This study presents the genetic analysis of 296 ancient samples, including 103 shotgun-sequenced genomes, from present-day Western Hungary. By using identity-by-descent segment sharing networks, this research offers detailed insights into the population structure and dynamics of the region from the 5th to 11th centuries CE, with specific focus on certain microregions. Our evaluations reveal spatially different histories in Transdanubia even between communities in close geographical proximity, highlighting the importance of dense sampling and analyses. Our findings highlight extensive homogenization and reorganization processes, as well as discontinuities between Hun, Avar, and Hungarian conquest period immigrant groups, alongside the spread and integration of ancestry related to the Hungarian conquerors.
In-line tempering eliminates the domain boundary in perovskite single crystals for high–energy resolution ionizing radiation detectors
Authors: Yang Xueying , Song Yilong , Wang Lixiang , Sun Yuan , Jin Bowen , Wang Jing , Liu Hui , Yang Yujie , Lin Qianqian , Fang Yanjun , Dong Qingfeng
Published: December 2024

Metal halide perovskite single crystals (SCs) emerge as a promising candidate for ionizing radiation detection. The realization of top-performing radiation detectors typically relies on careful crystal selection from broad candidate groups, as residual strain remains unavoidable during the SC growth process, which often leads to the formation of ferroelastic domains with varied orientations. Here, we introduce an in-line tempering strategy to alleviate microstrain and homogenize the domain orientation across methylammonium lead iodide (MAPbI
3
) perovskite SCs. The progressive strain relief during the phase transition in situ, demonstrated by the removal of ferroelastic domain walls, substantially enhances the crystallinity and the optoelectronic properties of the MAPbI
3
SCs. As a result, the gamma-ray energy spectrum detector leveraging these strain-relaxed SCs achieves an energy resolution of 7.2% at 59.5 keV for a
241
Am gamma-ray source, and the 25-pixel device performs highly uniformly with concentrated current distribution, which paves the way for its implementation in high-resolution radiation spectroscopy.
Metformin targets mitochondrial complex I to lower blood glucose levels
Authors: Reczek Colleen R. , Chakrabarty Ram P. , D’Alessandro Karis B. , Sebo Zachary L. , Grant Rogan A. , Gao Peng , Budinger G. R. , Chandel Navdeep S.
Published: December 2024

Metformin is among the most prescribed antidiabetic drugs, but the primary molecular mechanism by which metformin lowers blood glucose levels is unknown. Previous studies have proposed numerous mechanisms by which acute metformin lowers blood glucose, including the inhibition of mitochondrial complex I of the electron transport chain (ETC). Here, we used transgenic mice that globally express the
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
internal alternative NADH dehydrogenase (NDI1) protein to determine whether the glucose-lowering effect of acute oral administration of metformin requires inhibition of mitochondrial complex I of the ETC in vivo. NDI1 is a yeast NADH dehydrogenase enzyme that complements the loss of mammalian mitochondrial complex I electron transport function and is insensitive to pharmacologic mitochondrial complex I inhibitors including metformin. We demonstrate that NDI1 expression attenuates metformin’s ability to lower blood glucose levels under standard chow and high-fat diet conditions. Our results indicate that acute oral administration of metformin targets mitochondrial complex I to lower blood glucose.
Overcoming the challenges that women in robotics face
Authors: Keay Andra
Published: December 2024

Robotics history is still HIS story, but Women in Robotics is working hard to include HER story in the future of robotics.
HypermucoviscousKlebsiella pneumoniaepresenting as sternocleidomastoid pyomyositis with subsequent lower extremity necrotising fasciitis
Authors: Dambly Julia Margaret , Hunter Emily R , Giakas Alec M , Glowacki Joseph B
Published: December 2024

Necrotising fasciitis (NF) is a severe, rapidly progressing infection of the muscular fascia and subcutaneous tissue. Monomicrobial NF from hypermucoviscousKlebsiella pneumoniae(hvKP-NF) is rare but highly virulent, most common in East Asia. This report reviews a unique case of hvKP-NF in a US male in his 40s with undiagnosed diabetes mellitus, presenting with severe sepsis, neck swelling and calf pain. Imaging revealed pyomyositis in the sternocleidomastoid, and debridement cultures confirmed hvKP. Despite unremarkable examination findings, persistent pain led to a diagnosis of necrotising fasciitis after initial imaging misinterpretations. The patient was treated with multiple surgical debridements and tailored antibiotics. This case underscores the importance of maintaining a high index of suspicion for necrotising fasciitis despite atypical risk factors and symptomatology, awareness of hvKP in the Western Hemisphere, prompt consideration of advanced imaging modalities when initial evaluations are inconclusive and the critical role of multidisciplinary care in managing severe infections.
Non-pharmaceutical treatments for irritable bowel syndrome
Authors: Wang Xiao Jing , Thakur Elyse , Shapiro Jordan
Published: December 2024

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic disorder of gut-brain interaction that impacts a significant portion of the population and is associated with substantial morbidity, reduced quality of life, and economic impact globally. The pathophysiology of IBS is complex and incompletely understood, and the heterogeneity of IBS is reflected in the variety of pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical therapies utilized for the management of IBS. Given limitations with pharmaceutical treatments, many patients with IBS seek non-pharmaceutical options. Several non-pharmaceutical treatments such as the low FODMAP diet and brain-gut behavior interventions such as gut directed hypnosis and cognitive behavioral therapy are now considered standard of care and are part of all major guidelines for the treatment of IBS. However, challenges with access to and optimal implementation of these therapies remain. This review focuses on the current evidence for common non-pharmaceutical treatments for IBS, including the latest advances in dietary and brain-gut behavioral care, in addition other complementary and integrative health practices and emerging therapies.
Impact of Air Moisture and Operating Mode on the Degradation of Solid Oxide Cells
Authors: Sassone Giuseppe , Celikbilek Ozden , Hubert Maxime , Develos-Bagarinao Katherine , Benayad Anass , Morel Bertrand , Léon Aline , Laurencin Jérôme
Published: December 2024

To study the impact of humid air on the solid oxide cell durability, long-term tests of 1000 h were performed in dry air condition and with a water content of 3% and 8% at 800 °C and +/-1 A.cm−2. The cell was made of a La0.6Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3−δ
-Ce0.8Gd0.2O2−δ
(LSCF-GDC) oxygen electrode, a GDC diffusion barrier layer, an Y0.16Zr0.84O1.92 (YSZ) electrolyte, and a Ni-YSZ hydrogen electrode. In electrolysis mode, the degradation rate increased with increasing water content in the air. In addition, the degradation rate was higher under electrolysis current than in fuel cell mode. At the highest level of humidity in electrolysis mode, the addition of water in the air affected the series and polarisation resistances in the impedance spectra. In this case, conversely to the dry condition, the post-test characterizations revealed that the Ni migration was promoted at the cell outlet. Moreover, the LSCF decomposition was aggravated by the humid condition especially in electrolysis mode at the cell inlet. In this zone, it leads to the formation of a quasi-dense SrO phase at the top of the current collecting layer. Such insulating layer could induce a current redistribution in the cell explaining the higher Ni migration at the cell outlet.
Stress-Diffusion Analysis of Electrode Particles with Three Different Shapes in Lithium-Ion Batteries
Authors: Lan Yuhong , Li Jiaying , Liu Yanbo , Xiao Xiong , Liu Yulan , Wang Biao
Published: December 2024

A mechano-electrochemical model is proposed to study diffusion-induced stresses (DISs) in the electrode particles with three different shapes. The governing equations of mechanical equilibrium and diffusion in spherical, cylindrical, and Cartesian coordinate systems are derived utilizing the finite deformation theory. The results of numerical simulations indicate that different shapes of particles significantly influence both the diffusion velocity and DISs. Within the same volume, the cube can save about 16% charging time compared to the sphere. The maximum value of radial stress in the cylinder is 70% smaller than that in the sphere. The hoop stress is largest in the cubic particle and smallest in the cylindrical particle.
Blood Urea Nitrogen to Albumin Ratio Was Associated With Mortality in Critically Ill Septic Patients: A Multicenter Retrospective Propensity–Adjusted Analysis
Authors: Wang Tsai-Jung , Lee Shang-Yi , Wong Li-Ting , Chao Wen-Cheng
Published: December 2024

Background: Sepsis is a leading cause of mortality worldwide, and increasing studies have found that high ratio of blood urea nitrogen to blood albumin ratio (BAR) was associated with mortality in inflammatory diseases. We used a multicenter database and propensity score–adjusted approach to address the mortality association of BAR in critically ill septic patients.

Methods: Using the eICU Collaborative Research Database, we enrolled adult septic patients who fulfilled the sepsis‐3 criteria. We used Cox proportional hazards analysis and propensity score–adjusted analyses, consisting of propensity score matching (PSM), inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW), and covariate balancing propensity score (CBPS) to determine hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of in‐hospital all‐cause mortality.

Results: We analyzed data from 8069 critically ill septic patients in 335 ICUs. The median age was 67 (interquartile range, 56–79) years, with 46.9% being female. The nonsurvivors (31.4%) were older and had higher APACHE IV scores, more shock, and more mechanical ventilation usage. Cox regression identified that higher BAR was independently associated with increased mortality (adjusted HR 1.247, 95% CI 1.142–1.361) after adjusting for covariates. The propensity score–based approach found a consistent and robust association, with adjHRs in the PSM, IPTW, and CBPS populations were 1.191 (95% CI 1.074–1.321), 1.178 (95% CI 1.068–1.299), and 1.215 (95% CI 1.111–1.329), respectively.

Conclusions: This multicenter study demonstrated that high BAR, which is a ready‐for‐use biomarker in critical care, correlated with increased mortality in critically ill septic patients, and more studies are warranted to explore the underlying mechanism.
Supplementary Figure S5 from Oxygen-Enhanced MRI Detects Incidence, Onset, and Heterogeneity of Radiation-Induced Hypoxia Modification in HPV-Associated Oropharyngeal Cancer
Authors: Dubec Michael J. , Price James , Berks Michael , Gaffney John , Little Ross A. , Porta Nuria , Sridharan Nivetha , Datta Anubhav , McHugh Damien J. , Hague Christina J. , Cheung Susan , Manoharan Prakash , van Herk Marcel , Choudhury Ananya , Matthews Julian C. , Parker Geoff J.M. , Buckley David L. , Harrington Kevin J. , McPartlin Andrew , O’Connor James P.B.
Published: December 2024

Supplementary Figure S5. OE-MRI biomarker repeatability.
Supplementary Figure S4 from Oxygen-Enhanced MRI Detects Incidence, Onset, and Heterogeneity of Radiation-Induced Hypoxia Modification in HPV-Associated Oropharyngeal Cancer
Authors: Dubec Michael J. , Price James , Berks Michael , Gaffney John , Little Ross A. , Porta Nuria , Sridharan Nivetha , Datta Anubhav , McHugh Damien J. , Hague Christina J. , Cheung Susan , Manoharan Prakash , van Herk Marcel , Choudhury Ananya , Matthews Julian C. , Parker Geoff J.M. , Buckley David L. , Harrington Kevin J. , McPartlin Andrew , O’Connor James P.B.
Published: December 2024

Supplementary Figure S4. Motion correction effect on ΔR1 time-series.
Supplementary Figure S3 from Oxygen-Enhanced MRI Detects Incidence, Onset, and Heterogeneity of Radiation-Induced Hypoxia Modification in HPV-Associated Oropharyngeal Cancer
Authors: Dubec Michael J. , Price James , Berks Michael , Gaffney John , Little Ross A. , Porta Nuria , Sridharan Nivetha , Datta Anubhav , McHugh Damien J. , Hague Christina J. , Cheung Susan , Manoharan Prakash , van Herk Marcel , Choudhury Ananya , Matthews Julian C. , Parker Geoff J.M. , Buckley David L. , Harrington Kevin J. , McPartlin Andrew , O’Connor James P.B.
Published: December 2024

Supplementary Figure S3. Patient recruitment and imaging sample size.
Figure 3 from Oxygen-Enhanced MRI Detects Incidence, Onset, and Heterogeneity of Radiation-Induced Hypoxia Modification in HPV-Associated Oropharyngeal Cancer
Authors: Dubec Michael J. , Price James , Berks Michael , Gaffney John , Little Ross A. , Porta Nuria , Sridharan Nivetha , Datta Anubhav , McHugh Damien J. , Hague Christina J. , Cheung Susan , Manoharan Prakash , van Herk Marcel , Choudhury Ananya , Matthews Julian C. , Parker Geoff J.M. , Buckley David L. , Harrington Kevin J. , McPartlin Andrew , O’Connor James P.B.
Published: December 2024

Waterfall plots showing change in HVMRI, NVMRI, and WTV at W2. Four patterns seen were (A) lesions with significant hypoxia modification and reduction in WTV. Diamonds indicate tumors in which the hypoxic fraction remained unchanged; B, tumors with significant hypoxia modification that did not have change in WTV; (C) tumors that did not have significant individual changes in hypoxia, but significant reduction in WTV was driven by reduction in NVMRI; (D) tumors with no reduction in HVMRI, NVMRI, or WTV.
Figure 6 from DeePathNet: A Transformer-Based Deep Learning Model Integrating Multiomic Data with Cancer Pathways
Authors: Cai Zhaoxiang , Poulos Rebecca C. , Aref Adel , Robinson Phillip J. , Reddel Roger R. , Zhong Qing
Published: December 2024

DeePathNet model explanation by omic level and pathway level feature importance. A, Stacked bar plots showing the omic level feature importance of the top five genes for each omic data type (indicated by gray, yellow, and blue color). B, Bar plots showing the DeePathNet pathway level feature importance of the top five pathways.
Therapeutic drug monitoring, population pharmacokinetics models and external validation of high-dose methotrexate in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Maximova Natalia , Calabrò Pasquale Fabio , Cangialosi Alice , Di Paolo Antonello
Published: December 2024

Introduction: High-dose MTX is used to treat pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The drug has a low therapeutic index and a highly interindividual variability in systemic exposure. These characteristics necessitate dose adjustments and therapeutic drug monitoring protocols, while population pharmacokinetic (POP/PK) models may enable more precise drug dosing. Therefore, we assessed the performance of external POP/PK models in ALL children receiving high-dose MTX.
Methods: We retrospectively harvested clinical and laboratory data from ALL children during their first two cycles of chemotherapy. A POP/PK model was elaborated using the Monolix suite 2024.R1. External models were selected from PUBMED based on strict inclusion/exclusion criteria, and their fit to the actual data was assessed by calculating bias (PE%) and precision (RMSE%).
Results: Thirty-seven ALL children participated in the study (18 males, median age 5.1 years, range 1.7-15.2 years), and six external POP/PK models were chosen. Except for one model (median PE% value, -97.45%), all models exhibited acceptable bias (median PE% values, -4.17% to 2.67%), despite none of them demonstrating good precision (median RMSE% values, 89.19% to 120.40%).
Conclusion: External models should be accurately evaluated before they are implemented in clinical practice, even when patients share very similar characteristics.
Trigger receptor expressed in myeloid cell type-1(TREM-1) as a biomarker of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) in pediatrics
Authors: Cabral João Victor Batista , Menezes Thaysa Maria Gama Albuquerque Leão de , Silveira Maria Mariana Barros Melo da , Xavier Amanda Tavares , Torres Leuridan Cavalcante , Sobral Filho Dário Celestino , Oliveira Dinaldo Cavalcanti de
Published: December 2024

Objective: to determine the validity of TREM-1 as a SIRS biomarker in pediatric patients. Method:systematic review, according to PRISMA, of studies published until October 2022 indexed in the VHL, Cochrane Library, PubMed/MEDLINE and Science Direct databases. The search strategy included the descriptors: TREM-1; SIRS; Child; Biomarker. Registration number PROSPERO CRD: 42022381838. Results: four studies comprising 2.353 patients aged 11 months to 18 years were included, with SIRS being present in 75% of these. Cutoff values ranged from 18.7 pg/mL to > 629 pg/mL. The results support a role for TREM-1 as a diagnostic tool for pediatric SIRS, but cannot be considered conclusive as a quantitative synthesis was not possible due to heterogeneity in study design. Conclusion: we conclude a potential use of TREM-1 in the pediatric population, specifically for the diagnosis of SIRS, with a good perspective in cardiac surgerythrough its elevation after surgery. However, it was not possible to establish a cut-off point, but rather to determine the possibility of its use for stratifying mortality risk, compared to baseline values, when the patient has SIRS.
Um Maternal transfer of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies through immunization and breastfeeding for 12 months
Authors: Santos Carolina Rangel de Lima , Pussi Kamily Fagundes , Sousa Iara Beatriz Andrade de , Lima Junior Manoel Sebastião da Costa , Netitzke-Abreu Herintha Coeto
Published: December 2024

In February 2023, according to the World Health Organization, there had been more than 700 million cases of COVID-19 worldwide. Maternal immunization has become a hotspot in researchon the transplacental transfer of antibodies to the fetus. Vaccinations administered during pregnancy are intended to protect the mother from serious illness. Case presentation: In this report, we describe a case wherein the transfer of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies to the fetus, baby, and infant was observed through immunization and breastfeeding. Maternal antibodies were detected in the umbilical cord at birth, in breast milk for up to 10 mo after birth, and in the child’s blood for up to 1 y of age, which suggests the importance of vaccination during pregnancy as well as maternal and neonatal protection. Conclusion: When an vaccine was administered to the pregnant patient, effective immunological results were obtained in terms of both placental transfer and breastfeeding, for up to 1 y of age.
Adaptação transcultural de instrumentos em Medicina e na área de Saúde do Trabalhador
Authors: Santos Júnior Claudio José dos , Costa Paulo José Medeiros de Sousa
Published: December 2024

Introduction: The cross-cultural adaptation (CCA) of instruments is a crucial research procedurewidely used to ensure cross-cultural equivalence and validity in languages different from the onein which a specific instrument, test, or scale was originally developed. Objective: The aim of thisstudy is to present a structured protocol for the cross-cultural adaptation of health instruments,intended for physicians and academic researchers in the field of occupational health. Methods: The proposed protocol for cross-cultural adaptation in this study was developed based on the main international guidelines and recommendations. The essential steps for the CCA process were grouped and systematized to provide a solid and guiding framework for physicians and researchers in the field of occupational health who wish to conduct CCA studies. Results: The outcome of this study is a detailed CCA protocol that compiles the main international recommendations for the process of adapting health instruments. The protocol, consisting of eight structured stages, aims to guide medical and academic professionals in the appropriate conduct of CCA, promoting the dissemination and standardization of this method. Conclusion: The application of this protocol will enable reliable and valid use of instruments that have been previously validated in other cultures and countries in research related to Medicine and Occupational Health in Brazil.
A Temporal and Gender-Based Analysis on the Ottoman Cash Waqfs in Southeast Europe, 1506–1921
Authors: Altay Bora , Bulut Mehmet
Published: December 2024

This study analyzes the temporal changes in the capital levels of cash waqfs in Southeast European provinces of the Ottoman Empire from the sixteenth century to the early twentieth century. By utilizing cash waqf deeds (waqfiyya), the present study compiles a new dataset and employs it to conduct an analysis through the average capital levels, capital shares of the top 10 percent of cash waqfs, and quartiles of cash waqfs. The findings suggest that there was a downward trend in the capital levels of cash waqfs, despite an increase in numbers of such foundations, from the sixteenth century to the early twentieth century. Furthermore, the analysis indicates that the capital levels of cash waqfs established by men exhibited a similar trend, whereas the pattern of capital levels for women was an approximately inverted U-shape during the same period. The study thus represents one of the first examinations of the trend in cash waqf capital levels by gender, from a long-term perspective.
Mechanisms and Performance of the Maoist Economy: a Holistic Approach, 1950–1980
Authors: Deng Kent , Shen Jim Huangnan , Guo Jingyuan
Published: December 2024

This article probes the performance and mechanisms of the Maoist economy from 1950 to 1980, a period commonly regarded as a turning point that ushered in a new path for China’s industrialisation and modernisation. Commonly, however, the welfare effect of this new path has been overlooked. The present research aims to fill this gap.

Methodologically, this article re-conceptualises, re-examines, and re-assesses the Maoist economy with qualitative and quantitative evidence. This study applies a holistic two-pronged approach with (1) capital accumulation and re-investment, material production and consumption, and (2) mathematical conceptualisation and empirical modelling. The key findings suggest that the Maoist economy was a closed one with industrial dependence on agriculture in an urban-rural zero-sum game with inevitable constraints on workers’ incentives for growth to continue. In the end of the Mao’s era, agriculture declined, the size of industrial workforce stagnated, and the population was poor.

This was not the end of the story, however. This failed industrial transition was itself highly influential as a subsequent point of reference used to justify the post-Mao reforms and opening up as a radical game changer that put China on a very different trajectory of growth and development.
The Polyfunctionality and Origins of makee in Chinese Pidgin English
Authors: Li Michelle
Published: December 2024

Words expressing ‘make’ are semantically and functionally versatile in many languages. Focusing on the word makee, derived from English make, in Chinese Pidgin English, a contact language originated in 18th-century Canton, China, this paper examines its origins and functions. Primarily a lexical verb, makee is polyfunctional in that it also occurs in the complex form [makee X] which indicates causation, imperative, and verbalization. Functioning as a main verb and a causative verb, makee largely mirrors the corresponding words in the source languages of the pidgin, namely English and Cantonese. However, makee as an imperative marker and a verbalizer are innovative features. In imperative sentences, makee in combination with another verb indicate commands. As a verbalizer, makee gives a verbal interpretation to the whole construction. These two new features of makee are not attributable to existing models in the source languages.
Multifunctional Markers in a Contact Situation
Authors: Schiattarella Valentina , Serreli Valentina
Published: December 2024

This paper presents a synchronic analysis of two items – bass and ġayr – in Siwi Berber and Arabic L2 spoken in the Siwa Oasis (Egypt). Despite their different etymologies, both items have followed a similar grammaticalization path, going from focus particles to contrastive conjunctions and, in turn, to discourse markers. These three functions are attested in the synchronic stage of both languages under study as well as in other Berber and Arabic varieties. After a general overview of the distribution and functions of bass and ġayr in Arabic and Berber languages, data on Siwi and Arabic L2 are discussed in a comparative fashion. This study shows that the use of bass and ġayr in the two languages largely overlaps, confirms the layered influence of Arabic on Siwi on a diachronic level, and demonstrates the increasing presence of Egyptian Arabic and its dominance over other Arabic varieties in the present day.
How Can a Skeptic Write a Book?
Authors: Ribeiro Brian
Published: December 2024

In this short essay, I will be using my title’s question as a way to explore some of the main themes and most intriguing new ideas in Mark Walker’s Outlines of Skeptical-Dogmatism: On Disbelieving Our Philosophical Views. I will first offer a sketch of Walker’s skeptical-dogmatist view. I will then lay out the “skeptic’s predicament” and explore possible ways of escaping the predicament, viz. longshotting, pseudonymizing, and dialogizing.
Living without an irrealis
Authors: Klein Jared S.
Published: December 2024

An important grammatical feature that separates Old Church Slavic from the languages of the other five first-millennium CE Indo-European versions of the Gospels is the absence of a third mood, outside of the indicative and imperative, to encode irrealis contexts. For speakers of Modern English, such contexts are, with few exceptions, encoded by means of modal verbs. A particularly clear distinction may be drawn in English between purpose clauses, where no actual result is stated to have occurred (I arrived early so that I could get a seat; irrealis), and result clauses, where an actual outcome is indicated (I arrived early, so that I got a seat). Another category where a similar distinction comes into play in English is in indirect questions (I wondered how he would solve the problem) as opposed to a factual statement (I know how he solved the problem). This article will investigate the entire range of contexts where the original Greek text employs a subjunctive (or, rarely, an optative) in order to document the manner in which Old Church Slavic handles irrealis contexts, comparing this to the way such contexts are handled by the other Indo-European languages of the first millennium CE recording the Gospel text.
Masters of Mechanics: Exploring the Science of Ingenious Devices in the Abbasid Empire
Authors: Zubani Alessia
Published: December 2024

This article explores the historical development of mechanical inventions during the Abbasid period, a time of significant scientific and technological advancements in the medieval Islamicate world. It focuses on works addressing mechanical devices prevalent in the Abbasid context, such as water clocks, drinking vessels, and musical automata. The study has three main objectives: first, to provide an analysis of the intellectual and scientific environment of the time, discussing both renowned and lesser-known scholars; second, to investigate the connections between scholars and translators, as well as the interrelations among texts, highlighting the importance of teaching activities, patronage, and scientific collaborations; and third, to examine the relationship between translators, scientists, and mechanicians with the Abbasid court, showcasing the interest of princes and caliphs in mechanics and mechanical devices.
Strike while the iron is hot: unravelling the impact of dietary iron on two edible insects
Authors: First T. , Van Haeften A.J. , Oonincx D.G.A.B. , Van Loon J.J.A. , Fogliano V. , Mishyna M.
Published: December 2024

Edible insects are key players in the alternative protein market. Alongside their high protein content, edible insects contain abundant trace minerals, including iron. Given the lack of sustainable and bioavailable iron sources, edible insects are a promising iron source in both human and livestock diets. However, little is known about how the iron concentration in edible insects can be manipulated. This study aims to investigate the impact of dietary iron at different concentrations on the growth, survival, and nutrient composition of two edible insect species larvae: black soldier fly (BSF, Hermetia illucens) and yellow mealworm (YM, Tenebrio molitor). Substrate iron content was increased using ferric ammonium citrate (FAC), ranging from 267-563 mg/kg (0 to 10 mM FAC) for YM and 323-6637 mg/kg (0 to 100 mM FAC) for BSF. Larval weight of YM was unaffected by dietary iron content, but survival rates significantly decreased by 4% at the 10 mM diet. In BSF larvae, no differences in body weight or survival were noted between dietary iron treatments, but cuticular lesions potentially indicative of iron overload appeared at 100 mM diet. When exposed to excess dietary iron, both YM and BSF showed significant increases in iron content in a dose-dependent manner, with BSF larvae exhibiting a threefold increase from 372 mg/kg to 999 mg/kg. Both species exhibited significant reductions in zinc on iron-enriched diets. Calcium levels in BSF strongly correlated with dietary iron concentration, rising by over 20% at the 100 mM diet, a phenomenon not previously reported. Finally, across all dietary iron concentrations, no significant effects on protein and fat content or soluble protein composition were observed in either species. All together data suggest that BSF larvae can act as a precious source of both iron and calcium for food and feed formulations through substrate manipulation.
Battleground Michigan: The Divided Political Trajectory of the American Working Classes
Authors: Witherspoon Alex , Yushi Song
Published: December 2024

The political behavior of core demographic voting blocs in critical swing states can be elucidated by Marxist class analysis. Through 22 interviews, participatory observation, novel analysis of statistical data and a review of extant literature, we argue that it is possible to construct a tentative sketch of the class dynamics operating within the state’s electorate today. We find, whereas downwardly mobile white workers are the core demographic group who can connect with Donald Trump’s campaign message, it is upwardly mobile workers of all races who are the mass base of Kamala Harris’ campaign, while Muslim immigrant workers with their unique relationship to American imperialism are at the core of Judith Stein and the Green Party’s voting base. Beyond this basic analysis, we also assess the contradictions between different class-inflected demographic groups within the Harris coalition that had to be overcome for the Democratic Party to carry this November. We argue that political economists should watch and study the November 2024 election as a test of American worker acceptance of the neoliberal superstructure, as would be evidenced by a Harris victory.