bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Medialisierte Muslim*innenfeindlichkeit? Über das Zusammenspiel parasozialer und realer Intergruppenkontakte und ihrer Bedeutung für antimuslimische Einstellungsmuster
Authors: Öztürk Cemal
Published: December 2022

Verstärken massenmediale Wissensquellen über Muslim*innen antimuslimische Einstellungsmuster, wenn zwischen Muslim*innen und Nicht-Muslim*innen keine Kontakte bestehen? Eine Reihe von empirischen Beobachtungen deutet stark darauf hin. In den vergangenen zwei Jahrzehnten haben Meinungsumfragen gezeigt, dass Stereotype über den Islam und abwertende Haltungen gegenüber Muslim*innen in Deutschland verbreitet sind. Direkte Erfahrungen liegen diesen Einstellungen selten zugrunde. Die meisten Bürger*innen haben keinen Kontakt zu Muslim*innen in ihrem Freundes- und Bekanntenkreis und beziehen ihr Wissen über Muslim*innen aus den Massenmedien. Inhaltsanalytische Studien, die die in den Massenmedien üblichen Frames über den Islam und seine Anhänger*innen untersuchen, sind sich ebenfalls einig, dass negative Darstellungen überwiegen. Aus der Perspektive der parasozialen Kontakthypothese haben solche medialen Begegnungen und insbesondere die audio-visuelle Natur des Fernsehens einen nicht zu unterschätzenden Einfluss auf die Wahrnehmung von gesellschaftlichen Minderheiten. Die Theorie geht davon aus, dass die vorurteilsfördernde Wirkung parasozialer Kontakte stärker ist, wenn im realen Leben der Menschen keine Beziehungen zu den betreffenden Minderheiten bestehen. Die vorliegende Studie plausibilisiert diese Annahmen auf der Basis einer repräsentativen Bevölkerungsbefragung aus dem Jahr 2014. Der Effekt parasozialer Begegnungen auf muslim*innenfeindliche Einstellungsmuster wird durch reale Intergruppenkontakte mit Muslim*innen moderiert bzw. abgefedert. Sie verhindern, dass sich massenmedial geschürte Zerrbilder ausbreiten und verfestigen.
Zum Zusammenspiel von fachbezogenem und sprachlichem Lernen
Authors: Michalak Magdalena , Feigenspan Katja
Published: December 2022

Sprachliche Bildung und Förderung gelten als Aufgabe aller Unterrichtsfächer. Dies kann jedoch nur dann in allen Fächern gelingen, wenn die Lehr-Lern-Prozesse verzahnt aus fach- und sprachdidaktischer Perspektive betrachtet werden bzw. wenn die Sprachbildung fachlich treffsicher ausgestaltet wird. Der Beitrag knüpft hier an und zeigt Bezüge zwischen fachlichem und sprachlichem Lernen am Beispiel der naturwissenschaftlichen Perspektive des Sachunterrichts auf. Präsentiert werden drei didaktische Annahmen für den sprachbewussten Unterricht, die im Kontext aktueller fachdidaktischer und spracherwerbstheoretischer Erkenntnisse diskutiert und an biologischen Themen konkretisiert werden.
A current mode instrumentation amplifier with high common-mode rejection ratio designed using a novel fully differential second-generation current conveyor
Authors: Ahmadi Soma , Mahmoudi Azad , Maddipatla Dinesh , Bazuin Bradley J. , Azhari Seyed Javad , Atashbar Massood Z.
Published: December 2022

This study presents a high common-mode rejection ratio (CMRR), and high power-supply rejection ratio (PSRR) current-mode instrumentation amplifier (CMIA) to overcome the limitations of existing differential voltage second-generation current conveyors (DVCCII)-based CMIAs in achieving high CMRR. The design is based on a fully differential second-generation current conveyor block with a novel circuit design following by a current subtracting stage. The CMIA is designed and laid out in 130 nm CMOS technology operating under ± 1.2 V supply voltage in Cadence software. The post-layout simulation results show that the CMIA achieves low-frequency voltage and current CMRR- BW of 228.8 dB–10 kHz and 246 dB–10.6 kHz, respectively, with PSRR + /PSRR- of 108.2 dB/99.7 dB, power consumption of 507 µW, and a core area of 0.0015 mm2. The unique quality of the circuit is that, it does not need well-matched active blocks, but inherently improves CMRR, bandwidth, and PSRR; hence it gains an excellent choice for integration.
Emergency general surgery organization influences morbidity and mortality
Authors: Vallicelli Carlo , Agnoletti Vanni , Bova Raffaele , Coccolini Federico , Ansaloni Luca , Catena Rodolfo , Sartelli Massimo , Bravi Francesca , Catena Fausto
Published: December 2022

The concept and the role of emergency general surgery (EGS) has progressively evolved over the last decades, and dedicated pathways are required for EGS, similarly to what has already been established for trauma. EGS patients, together with trauma patients, represent 20% of inpatient population in the USA, and 25% of inpatient costs. These patients have a high rate of health care utilization, higher mortality rates and longer hospital stay. International guidelines and current evidences show that organizational models improve the outcome of the patients in the EGS setting. The cornerstones of a structured and effective EGS organizational model are surgical expertise, quick decision making, organizational performance and clinical competence. There is a strong need for dedicated and “subspecialist” emergency surgeons. At the same time, emergency surgeons should be inserted in an effective system with the ability to be continuously enhanced and improved. The organization of such a dedicated system will improve the level of competence in the management of surgical emergency, guaranteeing to a vast amount of population an emergency surgical service with high skills, knowledge and a guidelines-guided treatment.
Variable ranking and selection with random forest for unbalanced data
Authors: Bradter Ute , Altringham John D. , Kunin William E. , Thom Tim J. , O’Connell Jerome , Benton Tim G.
Published: December 2022

When one or several classes are much less prevalent than another class (unbalanced data), class error rates and variable importances of the machine learning algorithm random forest can be biased, particularly when sample sizes are smaller, imbalance levels higher, and effect sizes of important variables smaller. Using simulated data varying in size, imbalance level, number of true variables, their effect sizes, and the strength of multicollinearity between covariates, we evaluated how eight versions of random forest ranked and selected true variables out of a large number of covariates despite class imbalance. The version that calculated variable importance based on the area under the curve (AUC) was least adversely affected by class imbalance. For the same number of true variables, effect sizes, and multicollinearity between covariates, the AUC variable importance ranked true variables still highly at the lower sample sizes and higher imbalance levels at which the other seven versions no longer achieved high ranks for true variables. Conversely, using the Hellinger distance to split trees or downsampling the majority class already ranked true variables lower and more variably at the larger sample sizes and lower imbalance levels at which the other algorithms still ranked true variables highly. In variable selection, a higher proportion of true variables were identified when covariates were ranked by AUC importances and the proportion increased further when the AUC was used as the criterion in forward variable selection. In three case studies, known species–habitat relationships and their spatial scales were identified despite unbalanced data.
Convicts and the Cultural Significance of Tattooing in Nineteenth-Century Britain
Authors: Alker Zoe , Shoemaker Robert
Published: December 2022

This article is based on a unique dataset of 75,448 written descriptions of tattoos on British criminal convicts who were either transported or imprisoned during the period from 1791 to 1925. Combining both quantitative evidence (provided as visualizations) and qualitative evidence, it shows that, rather than expressing criminal identities as criminologists and sociologists argued, convicts’ tattoos expressed a broad range of subjects, affinities, and interests from wider popular and even mainstream culture. The diverse occupations held by convicts, the contexts in which tattoos were created, and incidental references to tattooing in other parts of society all point to a growing phenomenon that was embedded in Victorian culture rather than constituting an expression of deviance or resistance. Indeed, in the late nineteenth century, tattooing became fashionable within elite society. These findings not only shed light on the significance of tattooing as a form of cultural expression but also undermine the myth that nineteenth-century criminality was the product of, as contemporary commentators termed it, a distinct “criminal class.”
“The Battle of the Bridges”: Temporal Modernity in the Reimagining of Interwar London's Cityscape
Authors: Heathorn Stephen
Published: December 2022

The impending collapse of Waterloo Bridge (built 1811–1817) in 1923 led to wide-ranging debate among professional and political elites about the need for preserving or replacing the bridge and about London's inadequate river crossings in general. Over a fifteen-year period, cabinet-level discussions on the problem of the Thames bridges occurred every year; the government struck a number of committees and a royal commission on solving cross-river traffic issues. A powerful elite lobby formed to fight for the preservation of old Waterloo Bridge, and the building of a new bridge at Charing Cross, a constitutional squabble arose over the respective authorities of Parliament and of London municipal government over the bridges, and a rancorous debate among politicians, town planners, architects, engineers, and the general public raged over the issue of the existing and proposed new bridges. A number of issues were at play and are discussed, but ultimately this article argues that it was competing, temporally connected conceptions of modernity that divided the two camps into preservationists and rebuilders.
Boolean modelling in plant biology
Authors: Karanam Aravind , Rappel Wouter-Jan
Published: December 2022

Signalling and genetic networks underlie most biological processes and are often complex, containing many highly connected components. Modelling these networks can provide insight into mechanisms but is challenging given that rate parameters are often not well defined. Boolean modelling, in which components can only take on a binary value with connections encoded by logic equations, is able to circumvent some of these challenges, and has emerged as a viable tool to probe these complex networks. In this review, we will give an overview of Boolean modelling, with a specific emphasis on its use in plant biology. We review how Boolean modelling can be used to describe biological networks and then discuss examples of its applications in plant genetics and plant signalling.
Is luxury tax justifiable?
Authors: Kim Hyunseop
Published: December 2022

This paper examines whether, and if so when, luxury tax is justifiable. After a characterization of luxury tax, I critically examine several arguments that have been or can be made in defence of luxury tax, including Ng’s diamond good argument and a variation of Frank’s positional good argument. I put forward an alternative, expressive argument, according to which luxury tax can help to create and sustain social norms that discourage conspicuous luxury consumption and display of wealth. I explain several ways in which luxury tax fails to achieve the expressive goal and brings about unintended consequences.
Assessment of Summer Regional Outdoor Heat Stress and Regional Comfort in the Beijing‐Tianjin‐Hebei Agglomeration Over the Last 40 Years
Authors: Huang Junwang , Shen Shi , Zhao Min , Cheng Changxiu
Published: December 2022

Outdoor thermal comfort (OTC) is critical for public health, labor productivity, and human life. Growing extreme heat events caused by climate change have a serious impact on OTCs, especially in urban areas. Quantitatively characterizing and evaluating the spatiotemporal changes in OTCs are essential, and more applications are needed in urban agglomerations. Therefore, taking the Beijing‐Tianjin‐Hebei (BTH) urban agglomeration as the study area, this study aimed to quantitatively assess the summer regional OTC from 1981 to 2020. First, the Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI) was used as the indicator of daily thermal stress, and then a Composite Thermal Comfort Score was proposed to evaluate the long‐term, summertime, regional OTC considering the extent, duration, and intensity of daytime and nighttime thermal stress. The results showed that (a) the increase in UTCI (0.32°C/10a at daytime and 0.21°C/10a at nighttime) and heat stress frequency (0.88 at daytime and 0.39 d/10a at nighttime) were manifested over BTH, indicating a worse OTC. Spatial and temporal heterogeneity was also demonstrated. (b) The general OTC showed a decreasing north‐south gradient pattern. At daytime, the northern mountainous zone presented the best OTC, the southern plain zone, especially Hengshui, Langfang, and Cangzhou, showed the worst. At nighttime, the mountain‐plain transition zone showed the best OTC, the northern mountainous zone showed the worst since more cold stress occurred. Our findings will be useful in informing climate change adaptation strategies to ensure urban resilience as extreme heat increases in the context of climate change.
Ionospheric Response to the Coronal Hole Activity of August 2020: A Global Multi‐Instrumental Overview
Authors: Younas Waqar , Khan Majid , Amory‐Mazaudier C. , Amaechi P. O.
Published: December 2022

We have studied the ionospheric response to a coronal hole event of August 2020 using the data from global ionospheric maps, ground magnetometers and parameters from the instruments onboard SWARM and thermosphere, ionosphere, mesosphere energetics and dynamics satellites. The role of different physical drivers, responsible for observed ionospheric disturbance, has been identified. On the storm day (2 August), a steady southward directed interplanetary magnetic field Bz caused the penetration of magnetospheric convection electric field and positive storm effect in daytime sectors. As a result of prompt penetration electric field (PPEF) on 2 August, a polar‐ward expansion of day‐side ionospheric plasma. On 3 August, the signatures of both disturbance dynamo electric field (DDEF) caused by disturbed thermospheric winds and PPEF have been observed. The westward PPEF and eastward disturbance DDEF on the night‐side caused a strong enhancement in ionospheric plasma parameters at the corresponding sectors. The effect of disturbed thermospheric winds and resultant electric field persisted till the end of 7 August. The large decrease in O/N2 ratio at northern mid‐latitudes which is a consequence of the seasonal impact resulted in the negative storm effects at corresponding latitudinal regions. This study has shown that although the storm of August 2020 was a minor one, the associated high speed solar wind streams emanating from a coronal hole resulted in drastic changes in ionospheric parameters including global electron content, in situ electron density and total electron content at the equatorial ionization anomaly and equatorial electric field.
Automatic Regionalization of Model Parameters for Hydrological Models
Authors: Feigl Moritz , Thober Stephan , Schweppe Robert , Herrnegger Mathew , Samaniego Luis , Schulz Karsten
Published: December 2022

Parameter estimation is one of the most challenging tasks in large‐scale distributed modeling, because of the high dimensionality of the parameter space. Relating model parameters to catchment/landscape characteristics reduces the number of parameters, enhances physical realism, and allows the transfer of hydrological model parameters in time and space. This study presents the first large‐scale application of automatic parameter transfer function (TF) estimation for a complex hydrological model. The Function Space Optimization (FSO) method can automatically estimate TF structures and coefficients for distributed models. We apply FSO to the mesoscale Hydrologic Model (mHM, mhm-ufz.org), which is the only available distributed model that includes a priori defined TFs for all its parameters. FSO is used to estimate new TFs for the parameters “saturated hydraulic conductivity” and “field capacity,” which both influence a range of hydrological processes. The setup of mHM from a previous study serves as a benchmark. The estimated TFs resulted in predictions in 222 validation basins with a median NSE of 0.68, showing that even with 5 years of calibration data, high performance in ungauged basins can be achieved. The performance is similar to the benchmark results, showing that the automatic TFs can achieve comparable results to TFs that were developed over years using expert knowledge. In summary, the findings present a step toward automatic TF estimation of model parameters for distributed models.
MyCTC chip: microfluidic-based drug screen with patient-derived tumour cells from liquid biopsies
Authors: Schwab Fabienne D. , Scheidmann Manuel C. , Ozimski Lauren L. , Kling André , Armbrecht Lucas , Ryser Till , Krol Ilona , Strittmatter Karin , Nguyen-Sträuli Bich Doan , Jacob Francis , Fedier André , Heinzelmann-Schwarz Viola , Wicki Andreas , Dittrich Petra S. , Aceto Nicola
Published: December 2022

Cancer patients with advanced disease are characterized by intrinsic challenges in predicting drug response patterns, often leading to ineffective treatment. Current clinical practice for treatment decision-making is commonly based on primary or secondary tumour biopsies, yet when disease progression accelerates, tissue biopsies are not performed on a regular basis. It is in this context that liquid biopsies may offer a unique window to uncover key vulnerabilities, providing valuable information about previously underappreciated treatment opportunities. Here, we present MyCTC chip, a novel microfluidic device enabling the isolation, culture and drug susceptibility testing of cancer cells derived from liquid biopsies. Cancer cell capture is achieved through a label-free, antigen-agnostic enrichment method, and it is followed by cultivation in dedicated conditions, allowing on-chip expansion of captured cells. Upon growth, cancer cells are then transferred to drug screen chambers located within the same device, where multiple compounds can be tested simultaneously. We demonstrate MyCTC chip performance by means of spike-in experiments with patient-derived breast circulating tumour cells, enabling >95% capture rates, as well as prospective processing of blood from breast cancer patients and ascites fluid from patients with ovarian, tubal and endometrial cancer, where sensitivity to specific chemotherapeutic agents was identified. Together, we provide evidence that MyCTC chip may be used to identify personalized drug response patterns in patients with advanced metastatic disease and with limited treatment opportunities.
Primary radiation damage in bone evolves via collagen destruction by photoelectrons and secondary emission self-absorption
Authors: Sauer Katrein , Zizak Ivo , Forien Jean-Baptiste , Rack Alexander , Scoppola Ernesto , Zaslansky Paul
Published: December 2022

X-rays are invaluable for imaging and sterilization of bones, yet the resulting ionization and primary radiation damage mechanisms are poorly understood. Here we monitor in-situ collagen backbone degradation in dry bones using second-harmonic-generation and X-ray diffraction. Collagen breaks down by cascades of photon-electron excitations, enhanced by the presence of mineral nanoparticles. We observe protein disintegration with increasing exposure, detected as residual strain relaxation in pre-stressed apatite nanocrystals. Damage rapidly grows from the onset of irradiation, suggesting that there is no minimal ‘safe’ dose that bone collagen can sustain. Ionization of calcium and phosphorous in the nanocrystals yields fluorescence and high energy electrons giving rise to structural damage that spreads beyond regions directly illuminated by the incident radiation. Our findings highlight photoelectrons as major agents of damage to bone collagen with implications to all situations where bones are irradiated by hard X-rays and in particular for small-beam mineralized collagen fiber investigations.
Morphological control enables nanometer-scale dissection of cell-cell signaling complexes
Authors: Dow Liam P. , Gaietta Guido , Kaufman Yair , Swift Mark F. , Lemos Moara , Lane Kerry , Hopcroft Matthew , Bezault Armel , Sauvanet Cécile , Volkmann Niels , Pruitt Beth L. , Hanein Dorit
Published: December 2022

Protein micropatterning enables robust control of cell positioning on electron-microscopy substrates for cryogenic electron tomography (cryo-ET). However, the combination of regulated cell boundaries and the underlying electron-microscopy substrate (EM-grids) provides a poorly understood microenvironment for cell biology. Because substrate stiffness and morphology affect cellular behavior, we devised protocols to characterize the nanometer-scale details of the protein micropatterns on EM-grids by combining cryo-ET, atomic force microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. Measuring force displacement characteristics of holey carbon EM-grids, we found that their effective spring constant is similar to physiological values expected from skin tissues. Despite their apparent smoothness at light-microscopy resolution, spatial boundaries of the protein micropatterns are irregular at nanometer scale. Our protein micropatterning workflow provides the means to steer both positioning and morphology of cell doublets to determine nanometer details of punctate adherens junctions. Our workflow serves as the foundation for studying the fundamental structural changes governing cell-cell signaling.
The contribution of living organisms to rock weathering in the critical zone
Authors: Wild Bastien , Gerrits Ruben , Bonneville Steeve
Published: December 2022

Rock weathering is a key process in global elemental cycling. Life participates in this process with tangible consequences observed from the mineral interface to the planetary scale. Multiple lines of evidence show that microorganisms may play a pivotal—yet overlooked—role in weathering. This topic is reviewed here with an emphasis on the following questions that remain unanswered: What is the quantitative contribution of bacteria and fungi to weathering? What are the associated mechanisms and do they leave characteristic imprints on mineral surfaces or in the geological record? Does biogenic weathering fulfill an ecological function, or does it occur as a side effect of unrelated metabolic functions and biological processes? An overview of efforts to integrate the contribution of living organisms into reactive transport models is provided. We also highlight prospective opportunities to harness microbial weathering in order to support sustainable agroforestry practices and mining activities, soil remediation, and carbon sequestration.
Normal-state charge transport in YBa2Cu3O6.67 under uniaxial stress
Authors: Nakata S. , Yang P. , Barber M. E. , Ishida K. , Kim H.-H. , Loew T. , Tacon M. Le , Mackenzie A. P. , Minola M. , Hicks C. W. , Keimer B.
Published: December 2022

To provide a foundation for theoretical models of high-temperature superconductivity, experimental research has sought to establish correspondences between macroscopic transport coefficients on the one hand, and atomic-scale correlation functions measured by spectroscopic and scattering probes on the other hand. This research avenue has been confounded by the gradual onset of electronic ordering phenomena and of the corresponding transport anomalies. We report measurements of the uniaxial-stress dependence of the normal-state resistivity and Hall coefficient of the underdoped high-temperature superconductor YBa2Cu3O6.67. We observe a remarkable correspondence between the differential stress responses of the transport coefficients and resonant X-ray diffraction features indicative of charge ordering, which parallels the phenomenology of classical charge-density-wave compounds. However, our observations imply that static charge order is not responsible for a sign reversal of the Hall coefficient, and suggest that the interplay with liquid-like, dynamical charge correlations is essential for the prominent transport anomalies in the underdoped cuprates.
Environmental DNA as an innovative technique to identify the origins of falsified antimalarial tablets—a pilot study of the pharmabiome
Authors: Young Jennifer M. , Liddicoat Craig , van Dijk Kor-jent , Tabernero Patricia , Caillet Celine , White Nicholas J. , Linacre Adrian , Austin Jeremy J. , Newton Paul N.
Published: December 2022

Falsified medicines are a major threat to global health. Antimalarial drugs have been particularly targeted by criminals. As DNA analysis has revolutionized forensic criminology, we hypothesized that these techniques could also be used to investigate the origins of falsified medicines. Medicines may contain diverse adventitious biological contamination, and the sealed nature of blister-packages may capture and preserve genetic signals from the manufacturing processes allowing identification of production source(s). We conducted a blinded pilot study to determine if such environmental DNA (eDNA) could be detected in eleven samples of falsified and genuine artesunate antimalarial tablets, collected in SE Asia, which could be indicative of origin. Massively Parallel Sequencing (MPS) was used to characterize microbial and eukaryote diversity. Two mitochondrial DNA analysis approaches were explored to detect the presence of human DNA. Trace eDNA from these low biomass samples demonstrated sample specific signals using two target markers. Significant differences in bacterial and eukaryote DNA community structures were observed between genuine and falsified tablets and between different packaging types of falsified artesunate. Human DNA, which was indicative of likely east Asian ancestry, was found in falsified tablets. This pilot study of the ‘pharmabiome’ shows the potential of environmental DNA as a powerful forensic tool to assist with the identification of the environments, and hence location and timing, of the source and manufacture of falsified medicines, establish links between seizures and complement existing tools to build a more complete picture of criminal trade routes. The finding of human DNA in tablets raises important ethical issues that need to be addressed.
The geography of the age at menopause in central Portugal since the early twentieth century
Authors: Martins Rui , de Sousa Bruno , Rodrigues Vítor
Published: December 2022

This work aims at studying the spatio-temporal evolution of the age at menopause in central Portugal since the early twentieth century. We analyzed $$N=320,444$$

N
=
320
,
444

women that had already reached the menopause within a free breast cancer screening program between 1990 and 2018 and born in the period 1910–1960. One of the concerns was about early or late menopause thus we considered percentile regression to build the respective percentile curves inside the package GAMLSS in R. In order to capture the correlation at the regional level, a spatial random-effect was considered. The obtained clustered spatial effects were analyzed to assess geographical differences among the percentiles of the age at menopause by year of birth. An increasing trend in the median age at menopause and regional differences for all the considered percentiles were found. From 47.1 years in 1910 to 49.59 years in 1960 (about 2.49 years in 5 decades). Early and premature menopause (below percentile 5%) occur in the interior north (north-eastern). Late menopause (above percentile 95%) occur predominantly in the central-north and central-south areas.
Over-expression of miR-183-5p or miR-492 triggers invasion and proliferation and loss of polarity in non-neoplastic breast epithelium
Authors: Naser Al Deen Nataly , Atallah Lanman Nadia , Chittiboyina Shirisha , Fostok Sabreen , Nasr Rihab , Lelièvre Sophie , Talhouk Rabih
Published: December 2022

microRNAs (miRNAs) serve as novel noninvasive cancer biomarkers. In an HMT-3522 S1 (S1) breast epithelial risk-progression three-dimensional (3D) culture model, non-neoplastic S1 cells form a fully polarized epithelium. When silenced for the gap junction and tumor suppressor Cx43, Cx43-KO-S1 cells recapitulate pre-neoplastic phenotypes observed in tissues at risk for breast cancer in vivo. To delineate the role of miRNAs in breast tumorigenesis and identify key miRNA players in breast epithelial polarity, the miRNA profile specific to Cx43 loss in Cx43-KO-S1 compared to S1 cells was sequenced, revealing 65 differentially expressed miRNAs. A comparative analysis was conducted between these miRNAs and tumor-associated miRNAs from a young Lebanese patient validation cohort. miR-183-5p, downstream of Cx43 loss, was commonly upregulated in the patient cohort and the 3D culture model. miR-492, not attributed to Cx43 loss, was only specifically up-regulated in the young Lebanese patients. Ectopic expression of either miR-183-5p or miR-492 in S1 cells, through pLenti-III-miR-GPF vectors, resulted in the formation of larger multi-layered acini devoid of lumen, with disrupted epithelial polarity, as shown by an altered localization of Cx43, ß-catenin and Scrib, and decreased nuclear circularity in 3D cultures. Enhanced proliferation and invasion capacity were also observed. Over-expression of miR-183-5p or miR-492, therefore, induces pre-neoplastic phenotypes similar to those reported upon Cx43 loss, and may act as oncomiRs and possible biomarkers of increased breast cancer risk.
Current evidence on circRNAs as potential theranostic markers for detecting chemoresistance in breast cancer: a systematic review and meta‑analysis
Authors: Zhu Zixin , Jiang Hui , Xie Jingling , Jin Xinrui , Li Baolin , Liu Jinbo
Published: December 2022

This study assessed the value of circRNAs (circular RNAs) as prognostic markers in BC (breast cancer). We searched pertinent studies on the PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science online databases published according to PRISMA guidelines. A random-effects model for meta-analysis was used to assess the combined effect size of the HRs (hazard ratios) of the included studies. The heterogeneity test used Cochran's Q-test and I2 statistics. Thirty of the 520 trials retrieved were included in the systematic review. A total of 11 chemotherapeutic agents were used in the included studies. A total of 30 studies on 30 circRNAs were included in the systematic review. Of the 30 relevant circRNAs, 28 were upregulated and two were downregulated in breast cancer versus normal samples, and both were associated with increased drug resistance. Nine of 30 studies were used for the meta-analysis. The results of the meta-analysis showed that the groups with circRNA upregulation and circRNA downregulation showed the same prognostic risk (HR = 1.37, 95% Cl: 0.80–2.36, I2 = 63.7%). The results of subgroup analysis showed that both upregulated circRNAs (HR = 2.24, 95% Cl: 1.34–3.75, I2 = 0%) and downregulated circRNAs (HR = 0.61, 95% Cl: 0.45–0.83, I2 = 0%) were associated with poor BC prognosis. Collectively, the results of all relevant articles collected indicated that circRNAs showed good potential as possible clinical biomarkers of chemoresistance in BC patients.
Towards improving e-commerce customer review analysis for sentiment detection
Authors: Singh Upendra , Saraswat Anant , Azad Hiteshwar Kumar , Abhishek Kumar , Shitharth S
Published: December 2022

According to a report published by Business Wire, the market value of e-commerce reached US$ 13 trillion and is expected to reach US$ 55.6 trillion by 2027. In this rapidly growing market, product and service reviews can influence our purchasing decisions. It is challenging to manually evaluate reviews to make decisions and examine business models. However, users can examine and automate this process with Natural Language Processing (NLP). NLP is a well-known technique for evaluating and extracting information from written or audible texts. NLP research investigates the social architecture of societies. This article analyses the Amazon dataset using various combinations of voice components and deep learning. The suggested module focuses on identifying sentences as ‘Positive‘, ‘Neutral‘, ‘Negative‘, or ‘Indifferent‘. It analyses the data and labels the ‘better’ and ‘worse’ assumptions as positive and negative, respectively. With the expansion of the internet and e-commerce websites over the past decade, consumers now have a vast selection of products within the same domain, and NLP plays a vital part in classifying products based on evaluations. It is possible to predict sponsored and unpaid reviews using NLP with Machine Learning. This article examined various Machine Learning algorithms for predicting the sentiment of e-commerce website reviews. The automation achieves a maximum validation accuracy of 79.83% when using Fast Text as word embedding and the Multi-channel Convolution Neural Network.
The interrelationships between neuronal viability, synaptic integrity, microglial responses, and amyloid-beta formation in an in vitro neurotrauma model
Authors: Wang Lan-Wan , Lin Hung-Jung , Chao Chien-Ming , Lin Mao-Tsun , Wang Lin-Yu , Chein Lan-Hsiang , Chang Ching-Ping , Chio Chung-Ching
Published: December 2022

The interrelationships between neuronal viability, synaptic integrity, and microglial responses remain in infancy. In dealing with the question, we induced a stretch injury to evaluate the mechanical effects of trauma on rat primary cortical neurons and BV2 microglial cells in a transwell culture system. The viability of primary neurons and BV2 cells was determined by MTT. Synaptic integrity was evaluated by determining the expression of beta-secretase 1 (BACE1), amyloid-beta (Aβ), microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2), and synaptophysin (vehicle protein). Both CD16/32-positive (CD16/32+) and CD206-positive (CD206+) microglia cells were detected by immunofluorescence staining. The phagocytic ability of the BV2 cells was determined using pHrodo E. coli BioParticles conjugates and flow cytometry. We found that stretch injury BV2 cells caused reduced viability and synaptic abnormalities characterized by Aβ accumulation and reductions of BACE1, MAP2, and synaptophysin in primary neurons. Intact BV2 cells exhibited normal phagocytic ability and were predominantly CD206+ microglia cells, whereas the injured BV2 cells exhibited reduced phagocytic ability and were predominantly CD16/32+ microglial cells. Like a stretch injury, the injured BV2 cells can cause both reduced viability and synaptic abnormalities in primary neurons; intact BV2 cells, when cocultured with primary neurons, can protect against the stretch-injured-induced reduced viability and synaptic abnormalities in primary neurons. We conclude that CD206+ and CD16/32+ BV-2 cells can produce neuroprotective and cytotoxic effects on primary cortical neurons.
Novel sulfonated poly (vinyl alcohol)/carboxy methyl cellulose/acrylamide-based hybrid polyelectrolyte membranes
Authors: Mahmoud Atia , Fahmy Alaa , Naser Abdelrahman , Saied Mohamed Abu
Published: December 2022

Novel polyelectrolytic hybrid membranes are prepared by blending carboxy methyl cellulose (CMC)-polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-acrylamide (AA). Succinic acid and chlorosulfonic acid (CSA) are employed as crosslinkers and modifiers, respectively. Additionally, carboxylated carbon nanotube (CCNT) and sulfonated activated carbon (SAC) as fillers are used to attain appropriate chemical and mechanical stability for use as polyelectrolyte membranes (PEM). CMC, PVA, and AA are mixed and treated with CSA, CCNT, and SAC in different concentrations. First, CMC/PVA/AA solution is modified using CSA to produce a sulfonated polymeric matrix. Second, a different amount of CCNT or SAC was added as a filler to enhance the ion exchange capacity (IEC), ionic conductivity, and chemical stability. Third, the solution is cast as polyelectrolytic membranes. Chemical interactions between CMC, PVA, AA and other membrane components were confirmed using various characterization techniques such as Raman scattering spectroscopy and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR). Furthermore, mechanical strength, methanol uptake, gel fraction, ion exchange capacity (IEC), proton conductivity (PC), chemical and thermal stability were determined as functions of varied membrane modification components. Results reveal that the increase of CSA, CCNT and SAC is leading to increase the IEC values reaching 1.54 mmol/g for (CMC/PVA-4% CSA), 1.74 mmol/g for (CMC/PVA-4%CSA-2%CCNT) and 2.31 mmol/g for (CMC/PVA-4% CSA-2% SAC) comparing to 0.11 mmol/g for non-modified CMC/PVA/AA membrane. Sequentially, the proton conductivity value is changed from 1 × 10–3S/cm in non-modified CMC/PVA/AA membrane to 0.082 S/cm for (CMC/PVA-4% CSA), 0.0984 S/cm for (CMC/PVA-4%CSA-2%CCNT) and 0.1050 S/cm for (CMC/PVA-4% CSA-2% SAC). Such results enhance the potential feasibility of modified CMC/PVA/AA hybrid as polyelectrolytic membranes.
Reducing socio-ecological conflict using social influence modelling
Authors: Condie Corrine M. , Alexander Karen A. , Fulton Elizabeth A. , Vince Joanna , Condie Scott A.
Published: December 2022

Polarisation of opinions across communities can lead to social conflict, reputational damage and the disruption of operations and markets. Social influence models have been widely used to better understand processes driving conflict from a theoretical perspective. Using aquaculture as a case study, we demonstrate how such models can be extended to accurately hindcast the transition from population consensus to high conflict, including observed catastrophic tipping points. We then use the model to quantitatively evaluate strategies aimed at reducing aquaculture conflict. We found that persuasive advocacy was ineffective and often counterproductive, whereas meaningful engagement, collaborative learning and improving scientific literacy targeted broadly across the population was effective in moderating opinions and reducing conflict. When such messaging was targeted too narrowly or too infrequently, it tended to be negated by ongoing exchange of misinformation within the population. Both the modelling approach and lessons on effective communication strategies are relevant to a broad range of environmental conflicts.
Directional amplitude backscatter modulation with suppressed Doppler based on rotating resonant loop
Authors: Azarfar Ashkan , Barbot Nicolas , Perret Etienne
Published: December 2022

The directional amplitude backscatter modulation with suppressed Doppler is demonstrated based on the scattering from a symmetrically rotating resonant loop. The concept is studied theoretically and experimentally with perfectly compatible results. The symmetrical rotation of the scatterer and the effect of radial resonance, as the two crucial points to realize the idea, are highlighted through the comparison between the symmetric and non-symmetric cases, and the results obtained for scatterers with and without radial resonance. The presented backscattering modulation technique provides an amplitude modulating waveform which is uniquely linked to the directional reradiation pattern of the rotating loop scatterer in a definite resonant mode. With the pure directional amplitude modulation (DAM) induced on the backscattered wave, the envelope waveform can be accurately retrieved form the received signal using the In-phase and Quadrature (IQ) representation. The contribution of the background in a real environment can be detected and removed to obtain the exact modulating waveform. This property of the proposed backscattering modulation method can be applied for sensing, localization, and identification purposes with high sensitivity, read range, and robustness.
Ion-specific binding of cations to the carboxylate and of anions to the amide of alanylalanine
Authors: Krevert Carola Sophie , Gunkel Lucas , Haese Constantin , Hunger Johannes
Published: December 2022

Studies of ion-specific effects on oligopeptides have aided our understanding of Hofmeister effects on proteins, yet the use of different model peptides and different experimental sensitivities have led to conflicting conclusions. To resolve these controversies, we study a small model peptide, L-Alanyl-L-alanine (2Ala), carrying all fundamental chemical protein motifs: C-terminus, amide bond, and N-terminus. We elucidate the effect of GdmCl, LiCl, KCl, KI, and KSCN by combining dielectric relaxation, nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR), and (two-dimensional) infrared spectroscopy. Our dielectric results show that all ions reduce the rotational mobility of 2Ala, yet the magnitude of the reduction is larger for denaturing cations than for anions. The NMR chemical shifts of the amide group are particularly sensitive to denaturing anions, indicative of anion-amide interactions. Infrared experiments reveal that LiCl alters the spectral homogeneity and dynamics of the carboxylate, but not the amide group. Interaction of LiCl with the negatively charged pole of 2Ala, the COO− group, can explain the marked cationic effect on dipolar rotation, while interaction of anions between the poles, at the amide, only weakly perturbs dipolar dynamics. As such, our results provide a unifying view on ions’ preferential interaction sites at 2Ala and help rationalize Hofmeister effects on proteins.
Developing sustainable FeTi alloys for hydrogen storage by recycling
Authors: Shang Yuanyuan , Liu Shaofei , Liang Zhida , Pyczak Florian , Lei Zhifeng , Heidenreich Tim , Schökel Alexander , Kai Ji-jung , Gizer Gökhan , Dornheim Martin , Klassen Thomas , Pistidda Claudio
Published: December 2022

Intermetallic alloys such as FeTi have attracted ever-growing attention as a safe and efficient hydrogen storage medium. However, the utilization of high-purity metals for the synthesis of such materials poses considerable concerns over the environmental sustainability of their large-scale production. Here, we report an approach for synthesizing FeTi from industrial scraps of iron (steels C45 and 316 L) and titanium (Ti alloy Grade 2) to reduce the carbon footprint associated with FeTi alloy synthesis, without compromising their hydrogen storage properties. At 50 °C and a pressure of 0 to 100 bar, the alloys obtained by using C45-Ti Grade 2 and 316L-Ti Grade 2 can absorb a maximum amount of hydrogen of 1.61 wt.% and 1.50 wt.%, respectively. Moreover, depending on the type of steel utilized, the thermodynamic properties can be modified. Our findings pave a pathway for developing high-performance, environmentally-sustainable FeTi alloys for hydrogen storage purposes using industrial metal wastes.
Activation of KLF6 by titanate nanofibers and regulatory roles of KLF6 on ATF3 in the endothelial monolayer and mouse aortas
Authors: Song Fengmei , Li Shuang , Dai Xuyan , Yang Fei , Cao Yi
Published: December 2022

Titanate nanofibers activated KLF6-ATF3 pathways in endothelial monolayers and mouse aortas after direct contact.
Biological pathways via which the anthocyanin malvidin alleviated the murine colitis induced by Citrobacter rodentium
Authors: Liu Fang , Smith Allen D. , Wang Thomas T. Y. , Pham Quynhchi , Cheung Lumei , Yang Haiyan , Li Robert W.
Published: December 2022

Enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) is a causal agent for diarrheal diseases and contributes to morbidity and mortality in children under the age of five years.
In vitro neutralisation of Zika virus by an engineered protein targeting the viral envelope fusion loop
Authors: Viana Isabelle F. T. , Cruz Carlos H. B. , Athayde Diogo , Adan W. Camilla S. , Xavier Lícya S. S. , Archer Margarida , Lins Roberto D.
Published: December 2022

The development of therapeutics against Zika virus (ZIKV) requires the design of molecules capable of neutralising the virus and preventing cell infection.
MOF catalysis meets biochemistry: molecular insights from the hydrolytic activity of MOFs towards biomolecules
Authors: Simms Charlotte , Mullaliu Angelo , Swinnen Siene , de Azambuja Francisco , Parac-Vogt Tatjana N.
Published: December 2022

The versatility of metal–organic frameworks (MOF) towards hydrolysis of a range of biological molecules is explored in detail to underline specific challenges and exciting possibilities of developing MOFs as nanozymes.
Light-accelerated depolymerization catalyzed by Eosin Y
Authors: Bellotti Valentina , Parkatzidis Kostas , Wang Hyun Suk , De Alwis Watuthanthrige Nethmi , Orfano Matteo , Monguzzi Angelo , Truong Nghia P. , Simonutti Roberto , Anastasaki Athina
Published: December 2022

Eosin Y is used as a photocatalyst for the acceleration of the depolymerization of polymethacrylates.
Novel ABA block copolymers: preparation, temperature sensitivity, and drug release
Authors: Dou Jie , Yu Shupei , Reddy Ojasvita , Zhang Yuanwei
Published: December 2022

A novel macroiniferter with PEO groups was developed to prepare ABA block copolymers with temperature sensitivity.
Nanoscale imaging of antiferromagnetic domains in epitaxial films of Cr2O3via scanning diamond magnetic probe microscopy
Authors: Erickson Adam , Abbas Shah Syed Qamar , Mahmood Ather , Fescenko Ilja , Timalsina Rupak , Binek Christian , Laraoui Abdelghani
Published: December 2022

We report direct imaging of boundary magnetization associated with antiferromagnetic domains in magnetoelectric epitaxial Cr2O3 thin films using diamond nitrogen vacancy microscopy.
Amphiphilic di-cationic methylene blue for improving antibacterial photodynamic efficiency through high accumulation and low aggregation on bacterial cell surfaces
Authors: Zhang Hao , Xu Lixian , Gu Xiaoxiao , Yu Dinghua , Li Shuang
Published: December 2022

Amphiphilic di-cationic photosensitizers C12-MB could accumulate over bacterial cells with lower aggregation due to planar stack possibility inhibition, which could enhance anti-bacterial photodynamic efficiency.
Heterogeneous catalytic activation of peroxydisulfate toward degradation of pharmaceuticals diclofenac and ibuprofen using scrap printed circuit board
Authors: Hama Aziz Kosar Hikmat
Published: December 2022

Scrap printed circuit boards were used to prepare a low-cost and efficient heterogeneous peroxydisulfate catalytic activator for the removal of diclofenac and ibuprofen from water at circumneutral pH.
Correction: Synthesis of manganese molybdate/MWCNT nanostructure composite with a simple approach for supercapacitor applications
Authors: Yousefipour Kian , Sarraf-Mamoory Rasoul , Mollayousefi Shadi
Published: December 2022

Correction for ‘Synthesis of manganese molybdate/MWCNT nanostructure composite with a simple approach for supercapacitor applications’ by Kian Yousefipour et al., RSC Adv., 2022, 12, 27868–27876, https://doi.org/10.1039/D2RA04691A.
Electrostatically tuned phenols: a scalable organocatalyst for transfer hydrogenation and tandem reductive alkylation of N-heteroarenes
Authors: Patel Brijesh , Dabas Shilpa , Patel Parth , Subramanian Saravanan
Published: December 2022

Charging the catalytic site! Incorporation of charged arm on the phenol has tremendous increase in the catalytic activity compared to its uncharged counterpart. We also performed NMR studies to understand the mechanism of the activity.
Ion transport in semi-solid in-salt electrolytes: LiTFSI–H2O as a model system
Authors: Guo Yue , Terban Maxwell W. , Moudrakovski Igor , Münchinger Andreas , Dinnebier Robert E. , Popovic Jelena , Maier Joachim
Published: December 2022

Several theories have been proposed to explain the co-existence of high conductivity and high salt concentration for water-in-salt electrolytes. Here, we fill the gap related to the structural, physical, and electrochemical properties of the LiTFSI–H2O binary system at high mol kg−1.
Effects of sponge-derived polybrominated diphenyl ethers on human cancer cell α-N-acetylgalactosaminidase and bacterial α-d-galactosidase and their antioxidant activity
Authors: Utkina Natalia K. , Ermakova Svetlana P. , Bakunina Irina Y.
Published: December 2022

Spongean PBDEs had no effects on α-NaGalase. Compounds 1 and 2 at micromolar levels inhibit α-PsGal from the marine bacterium Pseudoalteromonas sp. Weak antioxidant activity is not responsible for the effectiveness of α-PsGal inhibition.
Metal-doped nickel-based chalcogenides and phosphochalcogenides for electrochemical water splitting
Authors: Rakov Dmitrii A.
Published: December 2022

How does bimetallic composition of nickel-rich semiconductors affect their electrochemical water splitting activity?