bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Indeterminacy of actions: Working out a relevant next in interaction with people with late-stage dementia
Authors: Majlesi Ali Reza
Published: January 2025

This study examines video recordings of activities within an elderly care home, particularly focusing on interactions involving people with dementia. The study presents instances where the relevance of the current conduct—and consequently the generation of a fitting response—appears indeterminate to the co-participant. Despite the uncertainty surrounding the mutually understood ‘constitutive expectancies’ (Garfinkel 1963) and a lack of shared understanding of ‘motivational relevancies’ (Schutz 1970), the participants continue to engage with one another. The analysis reveals that, in the face of an unrecognizable set of conduct and the indeterminacy of subsequent actions before closing down the activity, participants strive to maintain some degree of intersubjectivity by preserving or revisiting the constitutive order of their interaction. This commitment to the ‘co-operative’ nature of human actions (Goodwin 2018) is argued to be central to their interactions. (People with dementia, co-operative actions, conversation analysis, multimodality, ethnomethodology, intersubjectivity)*
Surgical risk scores for congenital heart surgery are useful for long-term risk prediction
Authors: Dailey-Schwartz Andrew , Kuo Krisy , Yang Yanxu , Xiang Yijin , Kochilas Lazaros , Oster Matthew
Published: January 2025

The initial and updated Society of Thoracic Surgeons-European Association for Cardiothoracic Surgery (STAT and STAT 2020) and Risk Adjusted Classification for Congenital Heart Surgery-1 and Risk Adjusted Classification for Congenital Heart Surgery-2 scoring systems are validated to predict early postoperative mortality following congenital heart surgery in children; however, their ability to predict long-term mortality has not been examined. We performed a retrospective cohort study using data from the Pediatric Cardiac Care Consortium, a US-based registry of cardiac interventions in 47 participating centres between 1982 and 2011. Patients included in this cohort analysis had select congenital heart surgery representing the spectrum of severity as determined by STAT and Risk Adjusted Classification for Congenital Heart Surgery-1 and were less than 21 years of age. We applied STAT, STAT 2020, Risk Adjusted Classification for Congenital Heart Surgery-1, and Risk Adjusted Classification for Congenital Heart Surgery-2 for prediction of early mortality and long-term postoperative survival probability by surgical risk category. Long-term outcomes were obtained by matching Pediatric Cardiac Care Consortium patients with deaths reported in the National Death Index through 2021. Of 20,753 eligible patients, 18,755 survived the postoperative period and 2,058 deaths occurred over a median follow up of 24.4 years (Interquartile Range: 21–28.4). Each scoring system performed well for predicting early postoperative mortality with the following c-statistics: STAT: 0.7872, Risk Adjusted Classification for Congenital Heart Surgery-1: 0.7872, STAT 2020: 0.7724 and Risk Adjusted Classification for Congenital Heart Surgery-2: 0.7668. The predictive ability for long-term risk of death was as follows: STAT: 0.6995, Risk Adjusted Classification for Congenital Heart Surgery-1 c = 0.6741, Risk Adjusted Classification for Congenital Heart Surgery-2: 0.7156 and STAT 2020: c = 0.7156. Risk-adjusted score systems for congenital heart surgery maintain adequate but diminishing discriminative power to predict long-term mortality. Future efforts are warranted to develop a tool with improved long-term survival prediction.
The special position of fragments and imperatives in polished prose: data from The Economist editorials
Authors: CAPPELLE BERT
Published: January 2025

This article examines fragment sentences and imperative clauses in carefully edited journalistic writing, specifically in editorials of The Economist. Fragments (e.g. What to do?) and imperatives (e.g. Take spending cuts as an example) share formal and functional properties, such as being shorter than canonical clauses and typically having non-truth-conditional semantics. As demonstrated in our analysis, both sentence types tend to appear prominently within a paragraph, typically at the beginning or the end. Additionally, within the entire editorial, they are often found in the second paragraph, where the writer presents a contrasting view from the opening paragraph, or in the concluding paragraph. This article argues for considering stylistic properties in the characterisation of grammatical constructions.
A constructionalist account of why-fragments and Mad Magazine sentences: the ‘Sceptical Small’ construction
Authors: FERNÁNDEZ-PENA YOLANDA , PÉREZ-GUERRA JAVIER
Published: January 2025

This article focuses on two fragmentary constructions in English: why-fragments (WFs), such as Why (deal with) why-fragments?, and Mad Magazine sentences (MMs), such as (Me) paint the house purple? While both types can be equivalent in meaning to their corresponding fully fledged interrogative sentences, they can also be used to convey a specific nuance of scepticism regarding a particular proposition. To explore the specific nuance enriching the canonical interpretation (i.e. equivalent to that of the corresponding complete questions) of WFs and MMs, and their potential constructionalisation in contemporary English, two corpus-based studies were conducted using data from the BNC1994 DS, Spoken BNC2014 and COCA. The results show that MMs seem to be fully constructionalised, while the significant trends attested for WFs indicate an ongoing process of constructionalisation, at least in contemporary British English. The evidence also shows that both may be classed as examples of an umbrella ‘Sceptical Small’ construction.
Effects of interlocutors’ linguistic competence on L2 speakers’ lexical alignment
Authors: Shen Huiyang , Wang Min
Published: January 2025

This study investigated how interlocutors’ linguistic competence affected L2 speakers’ lexical alignment and how the interlocutor effect was modulated by speakers’ proficiency. Chinese English as a Foreign Language speakers performed an online text-based picture-naming and -matching task with interlocutors of different perceived linguistic competences: an L1 interlocutor, an L2 interlocutor of higher proficiency or an L2 interlocutor of lower proficiency. We compared the magnitudes of L2 speakers’ lexical alignment across interlocutor conditions and examined whether the interlocutor effect varied with speakers’ L2 proficiency. Results showed that L2 speakers aligned more with the L1 interlocutor than the L2 interlocutor, indicating an effect of interlocutors’ language status (native vs. non-native). Moreover, L2 speakers’ lexical alignment with interlocutors of varying proficiency was differentially affected by their own proficiency levels. This study adds to the existing work by revealing the joint influence of the interlocutors’ competence and the speakers’ L2 proficiency on lexical alignment in L2 communication.
Two decades later: letter transpositions within and across morpheme boundaries in L1 and L2 speakers
Authors: Kahraman Hasibe , Kırkıcı Bilal , Beyersmann Elisabeth
Published: January 2025

This study examined the influence of letter transpositions on morphological facilitation in L1 English and L1 Chinese-L2 English speakers. Morphological priming effects were investigated by comparing morphologically complex primes that either contained transposed-letters (TL) within the stem or across the morpheme boundary, relative to a substituted-letter (SL) control. Within two masked primed lexical decision experiments, the same stem targets were preceded by morphologically related, TL-within, SL-within, TL-across, SL-across, or unrelated primes. Reaction time analyses with morphologically intact primes revealed facilitation in both L1 and L2 English. In L1, TL-within priming was significant, while the magnitude of TL-across priming varied as a function of positional specific bigram frequency and spelling proficiency. In L2, TL-priming was entirely absent. These findings support models of complex word recognition that accommodate relative flexibility in letter position encoding.
Chinese EFL learners’ conceptual combination of English noun–noun compounds: Effects of relational information and English proficiency
Authors: Cheng Gong , Xu Hai
Published: January 2025

Recent research has uncovered relation-based conceptual combination in L1 English speakers’ processing of noun–noun compounds. However, it remains unclear whether Chinese EFL learners undergo a similar relation-based conceptual combination when processing English noun–noun compounds, particularly given the similarities in compounding between English and Chinese. To address this inquiry, a cohort of 120 Chinese EFL learners with advanced and intermediate English proficiency were requested to interpret English noun–noun compounds online in contexts with modifier-based relational information only, or both modifier- and head noun-based relational information. Results showed that Chinese EFL learners’ processing relied heavily on available relational information. Moreover, both modifier- and head noun-based relational information contributed to this process but played distinct roles at different phases, modulated by task demands. While English proficiency affected processing speed, both proficiency groups exhibited a similar pattern across experiments. These findings shed light on the nuances of L2 learners’ conceptual combination of English noun–noun compounds.
West Is Up, How to Get to The Suburbs, and Other Spatial Logics of DC's Punk Scene
Authors: Stucky Rami Toubia
Published: January 2025

Washington, DC was littered with fliers that promoted shows happening within the local punk scene during the 1980s. Often posted on poles, walls, and bulletin boards around the city, these fliers included which bands were playing, the date of the show, entry cost, and the name and location of the performance space. For shows that occurred in the homes, community centers, and schools of suburban Maryland and Virginia, the flier maker often included an address as well as directions. Sometimes these directions took the form of a hand-drawn map. More often, they were written in prose.

This article studies the directions included on such fliers and asks, “where do flier makers assume attendees will begin their travels?” To answer this question, it adopts a methodology from geographic information systems (GIS) and follows the directions backwards from the venue to the unspoken and assumed starting point. Such methods show how directions typically began in the suburbs themselves or in and around Georgetown, one of DC's more affluent neighborhoods.

The individuals that made these fliers functioned as popular cartographers who, via their directions or maps, articulated their identity and worldview. By focusing on the unassumed, unspoken, and default “starting point” of punk audiences, this article argues that punk fliers created a view of DC that articulated and engrained a segregationist, classist, exclusionary logic, even within a progressive, integrated musical scene that existed in the city during the 1980s.
Spectral Flux Decomposition in a Wind‐Driven Channel Flow With Near‐Inertial Waves
Authors: Shaham Michal , Barkan Roy
Published: January 2025

In recent years it has become evident that the spatiotemporal distribution of oceanic kinetic energy (KE) is strongly influenced by the interactions between oceanic mesoscale eddies, submesoscale currents, and near‐inertial waves (NIWs). However, the proposed interaction mechanisms remain difficult to evaluate and quantify in complex oceanic numerical simulations. To address these difficulties we introduce an analysis framework that combines spectral KE flux computations across horizontal wavenumbers with temporal filtering and a Helmholtz decomposition, and apply it to idealized, high‐resolution, baroclinic channel solutions consisting of eddies, fronts, and filaments in the Rossby parameter regime. By comparing solutions with and without NIW forcing we are able to demonstrate that externally forced NIWs lead to a reduction in the inverse KE cascade of the low‐passed eddying flow, and to an enhancement in its forward cascade. These stimulated cascades are associated with the interactions between rotational and divergent eddy motions, characteristic of mesoscale eddies and submesoscale currents, respectively. Additionally, we demonstrate that at larger spatial scales the forward KE cascade of NIWs is accomplished through wave scattering and direct extraction by rotational eddy motions, whereas at smaller spatial scales it is also dominated by wave‐wave interactions. The caveats of our framework, its suitability to investigate eddy‐NIW interactions in realistic oceanic simulations and the disparities between the spectral KE flux and the coarse‐graining methods are also discussed.
Statistical Study of the Solar Wind Current Sheet Properties: Defining Instrument Requirements for the Seven Sisters Mission Concept
Authors: Liou Yu‐Lun , Nykyri Katariina , Ma Xuanye , Cuéllar Roberto
Published: January 2025

The present study performs a procedure of estimating the current sheet (CS) thickness in the solar wind. Motivated by the science requirements for a multi‐spacecraft solar wind mission called the Seven Sisters, this research aims to address the required temporal resolution of the magnetometer in order to entirely encompass the observations of thin CSs. Additionally, this procedure can contribute to addressing the unresolved turbulence heating problem in the solar wind. We have statistically provided the solar wind CS thickness estimated, with full instrumental resolution of 128 Hz, from the Flux Gate magnetometer (FGM) data of the Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) mission. Out of 183 cases of solar wind CS crossings, the thicknesses varied from 0.1 to 3 Mm with a maximum of 32.97 s, minimum of 0.16 s and average of 3.08 s crossing time. Of these, 73.22% of the CSs can be identified by using 1‐Hz measurement cadence, while 12.5 Hz data can fully identify all of the CSs. Therefore, it can be concluded that the 1‐Hz sampling rate is sufficient for the survey mode, while the sampling frequency of 12.5 Hz as the burst mode is capable of achieving even the strictest scientific objectives. Our statistical results also report a population below 100 km or , which should be further examined.
Biomass Burning Plumes From Indochina Toward Southern China: Predominant Synoptic Weather Processes and Interactions
Authors: Xue Lian , Ding Ke , Huang Xin , Zhu Anbao , Lou Sijia , Wang Zilin , Xie Yuning , Ding Aijun
Published: January 2025

Every spring, biomass burning (BB) plumes from the Indochina Peninsula (ICP) are transported downstream by specific synoptic weather processes, potentially influencing regional weather through radiative effects of BB aerosols. However, the favorable weather patterns for transport toward inland China and how they interact with BB aerosols are not fully understood. In this study, we identified three predominant synoptic weather processes associated with evident BB plume transport toward southern China over the past 20 years. The first two—the low pressure over the continent and the cold frontal passage—account for more than 76% of all the events. In low‐pressure events accompanied by surface warming, a cyclonic system hovers over southern China, with southerly winds favoring the northward movement of BB plumes throughout the lower troposphere. The second type is caused by a frontal passage lasting only 1–2 days, which lifts BB plumes to above 700 hPa and transports them downstream. To further explore aerosol feedback on different weather patterns, we conducted WRF‐Chem simulations and found an average of 2°C cooling near the surface, along with 1.5°C warming in the lower troposphere over the southern coast of East Asia. Consequently, the more stable atmosphere suppresses the low‐pressure system but enhances the cold frontal system. Meanwhile, anomalous circulations from aerosol radiative effects align with those during the frontal passage, boosting plume transport with a 45% (20%) rise in CO (BC) along the transport belt toward inland southern China. This work highlights the importance of considering the interactions between wildfire pollutants and different weather processes.
Evaluating the Effects of Biomass Burning on Severe Haze Formation in a Megacity of Sichuan Basin, Southwestern China
Authors: Bao Zhier , Liu Yiliang , Meng Lingshuo , Han Yan , Tian Mi , Shi Guangming , Wang Qiyuan , Huang Yu , Peng Chao , Luo Bin , Zhang Wei , Wang Huanbo , Cao Junji , Yang Fumo , Chen Yang
Published: January 2025

Severe haze pollution has long been an environmental problem, which is complicated and poorly understood in the Sichuan Basin (SCB). In this study, a field observation was carried out to investigate the factors driving haze formation in urban Chengdu, a typical megacity in the SCB. It was found that the accumulation of biomass burning organic aerosol (BBOA) played an important role in haze formation in urban Chengdu. The average mass fraction of BBOA in PM2.5 increased from ∼1% during clear days to ∼10% during severe haze episodes. A method combining backward trajectory analysis with fire spot distribution was used to evaluate the effects of regional transport of biomass burning (BB) emissions. The results showed that BBOA concentration increased by ∼3 times and PM2.5 concentration increased by ∼54% when BB emissions were transported from adjacent areas to urban Chengdu. Moreover, the parameter f60 (the ratio of the integrated signal at m/z 60 to the total signal in the organic component mass spectrum), which indicated the impacts of BB emissions, was reassessed to be 0.54% instead of the widely used value 0.3% previously. Our results uncovered the importance of BB emissions on haze formation in urban areas in the SCB and provided new insights into pollutant mitigation strategies in the region.
The Influence of Vertical Resolution on Internal Tide Energetics and Subsequent Effects on Underwater Acoustic Propagation
Authors: Hiron L. , Schönau M. C. , Raja K. J. , Chassignet E. P. , Buijsman M. C. , Arbic B. K. , Bozec A. , Coelho E. F. , Solano M. S.
Published: January 2025

Internal tide generation and breaking play a primary role in the vertical transport and mixing of heat and other properties in the ocean interior, thereby influencing climate regulation. Additionally, internal tides increase sound speed variability in the ocean, consequently impacting underwater acoustic propagation. With advancements in large‐scale ocean modeling capabilities, it is essential to assess the impact of higher model resolutions (horizontal and vertical) in representing internal tides. This study investigates the influence of vertical resolution on internal tide energetics and its subsequent effects on underwater acoustic propagation in the HYbrid Coordinate Ocean Model (HYCOM). An idealized configuration with a ridge, forced only by semidiurnal tides and having 1‐km horizontal grid‐spacing, is used to test two different vertical‐grid discretizations, defined based on the zero‐crossings of horizontal velocity eigenfunctions and the merging of consecutive layers, with seven distinct numbers of isopycnal layers, ranging from 8 to 128. Analyses reveal that increasing the number of layers up to 48 increases barotropic‐to‐baroclinic tidal conversion, available potential energy, and vertical kinetic energy, converging with higher layer counts. Vertical shear exhibits a similar pattern but converges at 96 layers. Increasing the number of isopycnal layers, up to 48, increases the available potential energy contained in high (third‐to‐eighth) tidal baroclinic modes. Finally, sound speed variability and acoustic parameters differ for simulations with less than 48 layers. Therefore, the study concludes that a minimum vertical resolution (48 layers in this case) is required in isopycnal models to accurately represent internal tide properties and associated underwater acoustic propagation.
Associations of behavioral, motivational, and socioeconomic factors with BMI among children and adolescents
Authors: Jungehuelsing Charlotte , Meigen Christof , Krause Sarah , Kiess Wieland , Poulain Tanja
Published: January 2025

Background

Higher weight represents a significant health concern in youth and may be influenced by socioeconomic and behavioral factors. We investigated the relationship between BMI and parental education, nutritional health, eating culture, organized and non-organized physical activity (PA), motives for PA (weight loss/maintenance, enjoyment), and screen-time in children and adolescents.

Methods

677 2- to 11-year-olds (young-age-group) and 464 12- to 20-year-olds (old-age-group) from Leipzig, a city in Germany, participated. We applied multivariate linear regression analyses to assess associations.

Results

BMI-SDS was negatively associated with parental education (young-age-group: b = −0.25, p < 0.001, old-age-group: b = −0.27, p = 0.02), non-organized PA (young-age-group: b = −0.23, p = 0.029), and PA enjoyment (young-age-group: b = −0.05, p = 0.01, old-age-group: b = −0.05, p = 0.038), but negatively with media use during dinner (old-age-group: b = 0.53, p < 0.001), PA for weight loss/maintenance (young-age-group: b = 0.15, p < 0.001, old-age-group: b = 0.12, p < 0.001), and screen-time (young-age-group: b = 0.11, p = 0.009, old-age-group: b = 0.09, p = 0.001). Significant interactions with age, sex and parental education were observed.

Conclusion

A lower BMI in children is associated with high parental education, screen-free eating, higher participation in non-organized PA and lower screen-time. While measures of motivation were limited and thus findings should be interpreted with caution, intrinsic motivation for PA is associated with lower BMI whereas extrinsic motivation for PA is associated with higher BMI.

Impact

In a German cohort of children and adolescents, lower BMI is associated with high parental education, less screen time, more participation in non-organized physical activity and less media use during dinner.

Intrinsic and extrinsic motives for physical activity are directly linked to the weight status of children and adolescents.

These associations are particularly strong in families with low/medium formal education.
Supervised toothbrushing programmes in England: a national survey of current provision and factors influencing their implementation
Authors: Broomhead Tom , Watt Samantha , El-Yousfi Sarab , Gray-Burrows Kara A. , El Shuwihdi Hanin , Hudson Kristian , Day Peter F. , Marshman Zoe
Published: January 2025

Introduction Supervised toothbrushing programmes (STPs) in nurseries and schools are effective at reducing inequalities in caries when targeted to areas of dental disease. Recent changes to government education and health policy have increased interest in STPs in England. This study aimed to establish the current level of provision of STPs in England, describe changes over time, understand associations with predictor variables, and summarise key barriers and facilitators to their implementation.

Methods A national survey was conducted at upper tier local authority level about the extent of a STP across England between December 2023 and April 2024. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, with regression analyses examining associations with key predictor variables. Barriers and facilitators to implementation were analysed and summarised based on the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research.

Results Data were received from 152 local authorities. Around 60% implemented a STP. Nearly one-third of programmes were commissioned by local authorities (28.9%) and most adopted a targeted approach (77.8%). Statistical analyses demonstrated significant and positive associations between dental caries prevalence and the number of children in STPs. Barriers to implementation included: 1) funding; 2) capacity; 3) pressures at settings; 4) logistics; and 5) lack of engagement. Facilitators included: 1) partnerships and connections; 2) available resources; 3) oral health expertise; 4) external policy and incentives; 5) shared knowledge; and 6) engagement.

Conclusions Provision of STPs in England has increased since 2022. Any future expansion of STPs should consider the barriers and facilitators identified to enable smooth implementation.
Programmed neurite degeneration in human central nervous system neurons driven by changes in NAD+ metabolism
Authors: Brüll Markus , Multrus Selina , Schäfer Michael , Celardo Ivana , Karreman Christiaan , Leist Marcel
Published: January 2025

Neurite degeneration (ND) precedes cell death in many neurodegenerative diseases. However, it remains unclear how this compartmentalized cell death process is orchestrated in the central nervous system (CNS). The establishment of a CNS axotomy model (using modified 3D LUHMES cultures) allowed us to study metabolic control of ND in human midbrain-derived neurons without the use of toxicants or other direct disturbance of cellular metabolism. Axotomy lead to a loss of the NAD+ synthesis enzyme NMNAT2 within 2 h and a depletion of NAD+ within 4-6 h. This process appeared specific, as isolated neurites maintained ATP levels and a coupled mitochondrial respiration for at least 6 h. In the peripheral nervous system (PNS) many studies observed that NAD+ metabolism, in particular by the NADase SARM1, plays a major role in the ND occurring after axotomy. Since neither ferroptosis nor necroptosis, nor caspase-dependent apoptosis seemed to be involved in neurite loss, we investigated SARM1 as potential executioner (or controller). Knock-down or expression of a dominant-negative isoform of SARM1 indeed drastically delayed ND. Various modifications of NAD+ metabolism known to modulate SARM1 activity showed the corresponding effects on ND. Moreover, supplementation with NAD+ attenuated ND. As a third approach to investigate the role of altered NAD+ metabolism, we made use of the WLD(s) protein, which has been found in a mutant mouse to inhibit Wallerian degeneration of axons. This protein, which has a stable NMNAT activity, and thus can buffer the loss of NMNAT2, protected the neurites by stabilizing neurite NAD+ levels. Thus CNS-type ND was tightly linked to neurite metabolism in multiple experimental setups. Based on this knowledge, several new strategies for treating neurodegenerative diseases can be envisaged.
Association between salt intake and blood pressure among community-dwelling older adults based on their physical frailty status
Authors: Yoshida Hiroko , Kabayama Mai , Kido Michiko , Godai Kayo , Akagi Yuya , Li Yaya , Akasaka Hiroshi , Takami Yoichi , Yasumoto Saori , Ogawa Madoka , Nakagawa Takeshi , Ikebe Kazunori , Arai Yasumichi , Masui Yukie , Hirata Takumi , Gondo Yasuyuki , Yamamoto Koichi , Kamide Kei
Published: January 2025

The effects of salt reduction and adequate nutrition intake among older adults with physical frailty remain controversial. Therefore, the present study investigated whether the association between daily salt intake and blood pressure among community-dwelling older adults, including the very old people, based on their physical frailty status. This cross-sectional study used data from the SONIC study, a cohort study on older adults, collected between 2010 and 2012. Daily salt intake was estimated from the brief self-administered diet history questionnaire. Participants were stratified by groups based on the use of antihypertensive medication and their physical frailty status. There were 1975 participants with an average age of 76.5 ± 6.5 years and 53.1% were female. No association was observed between daily salt intake and blood pressure among participants with physical frailty regardless of the use of antihypertensive medication. In contrast, an association was noted between daily salt intake and systolic blood pressure among the robust without antihypertensive medication group (β = 0.08, p = 0.038), and the odds ratios for systolic blood pressure ≥140 mmHg were significantly higher in the third and fourth quartiles of daily salt intake than in the first quartile (odds ratios = 1.78 and 1.71, respectively). The present results suggest that the physical frailty status needs to be considered when providing salt reduction guidance to older adults for blood pressure control, in order to prevent progression of frailty and maintain quality of life.
Unidirectional MCM translocation away from ORC drives origin licensing
Authors: Butryn Agata , Greiwe Julia F. , Costa Alessandro
Published: January 2025

The MCM motor of the eukaryotic replicative helicase is loaded as a double hexamer onto DNA by the Origin Recognition Complex (ORC), Cdc6, and Cdt1. ATP binding supports formation of the ORC-Cdc6-Cdt1-MCM (OCCM) helicase-recruitment complex where ORC-Cdc6 and one MCM hexamer form two juxtaposed rings around duplex DNA. ATP hydrolysis by MCM completes MCM loading but the mechanism is unknown. Here, we used cryo-EM to characterise helicase loading with ATPase-dead Arginine Finger variants of the six MCM subunits. We report the structure of two MCM complexes with different DNA grips, stalled as they mature to loaded MCM. The Mcm2 Arginine Finger-variant stabilises DNA binding by Mcm2 away from ORC/Cdc6. The Arginine Finger-variant of the neighbouring Mcm5 subunit stabilises DNA engagement by Mcm5 downstream of the Mcm2 binding site. Cdc6 and Orc1 progressively disengage from ORC as MCM translocates along DNA. We observe that duplex DNA translocation by MCM involves a set of leading-strand contacts by the pre-sensor 1 ATPase hairpins and lagging-strand contacts by the helix-2-insert hairpins. Mutating any of the MCM residues involved impairs high-salt resistant DNA binding in vitro and double-hexamer formation assessed by electron microscopy. Thus, ATPase-powered duplex DNA translocation away from ORC underlies MCM loading.
GastroHUN an Endoscopy Dataset of Complete Systematic Screening Protocol for the Stomach
Authors: Bravo Diego , Frias Juan , Vera Felipe , Trejos Juan , Martínez Carlos , Gómez Martín , González Fabio , Romero Eduardo
Published: January 2025

Endoscopy is vital for detecting and diagnosing gastrointestinal diseases. Systematic examination protocols are key to enhancing detection, particularly for the early identification of premalignant conditions. Publicly available endoscopy image databases are crucial for machine learning research, yet challenges persist, particularly in identifying upper gastrointestinal anatomical landmarks to ensure effective and precise endoscopic procedures. However, many existing datasets have inconsistent labeling and limited accessibility, leading to biased models and reduced generalizability. This paper introduces GastroHUN, an open dataset documenting stomach screening procedures based on a systematic protocol. GastroHUN includes 8,834 images from 387 patients and 4,729 labeled video sequences, all annotated by four experts. The dataset covers 22 anatomical landmarks in the stomach and includes an additional category for unqualified images, making it a valuable resource for AI model development. By providing a robust public dataset and baseline deep learning models for image and sequence classification, GastroHUN serves as a benchmark for future research and aids in the development of more effective algorithms.
Short-term effects of brief stair climbing interruptions on postprandial hyperglycemia during prolonged sitting: a randomized cross-over trial
Authors: Thirunavukkarasu Eswaran , Aerva Manaswi Reddy , Chandrasekaran Baskaran , Maiya G. Arun , Rao Chythra R.
Published: January 2025

Prolonged sitting can negatively impact postprandial glucose levels and cognitive function. While short bouts of stair climbing are thought to mitigate these risks, the findings remain inconclusive. The present study aimed to explore the effects of stair climbing bouts on postprandial glucose and cognitive functions during prolonged sitting. Twenty-eight sedentary young adults (aged 20–30 years) underwent two intervention visits after standardised lunch for two hours: (1) STAIR: the participants climbed two flight of stairs for two minutes every 30 min; (2) SIT: the participants continued to sit. Blood glucose was measured using capillary finger prick method while attention function was measured using computer-based cognitive tests at baseline, end of 1st hour and 2nd hour. Significant interaction (F2, 54 = 15.96, p < 0.001) was observed for conditions and time. During STAIR visit, significant changes in postprandial glucose at 1st hour (β = − 2.6 mmol/dl, p < 0.001) and 2nd hour (β = 3.0 mmol/dl, p < 0.001). No significant difference in the attention functions with time and conditions was observed. Stair climbing interruptions may serve as a feasible and effective countermeasure to high glycaemic variability or excursions that occur during prolonged sitting after postprandial hyperglycaemia.
Fabrication of composite ceramic polymeric membranes for agricultural wastewater treatment
Authors: Azzam Neamatalla M. , Ali Sahar S. , Mohamed Gehad G. , Omar Mohamed M. , Amin Shereen K.
Published: January 2025

Humans have contaminated water supplies with harmful compounds, including different heavy metals. Heavy metals can interfere with human and animal vital organs and metabolic processes. They are also persistent and bioaccumulative. So, this study aimed to fabricate composite ceramic membranes (CCM) from Egyptian raw substances to eliminate heavy metals from agricultural wastewater. A ceramic supporting (CS) filter constructed from ball clay, kaolin, feldspar, and quartz using corn starch flour as a pore-developing agent. CS fired at two different temperatures and soaking times. Then, a thin polyamide 6 (PA6) coating was dip-coated over the upper layer of the support membranes. The raw materials and prepared CCM were subjected to characterization and applied to treat agricultural wastewater from the Kitchener drain in Kafr El-Sheikh Governorate, Egypt. The results showed that the CCM (M2) (membrane sintered at 1000 °C/30 min soaking time and modified with PA6) had a higher pure water permeability of 558.5 L h−1 m−2 than the membrane (M4) (membrane sintered at 1100 °C/180 min soaking time and modified with PA6). The study examined how effectively the membranes removed toxic substances from wastewater. The findings exhibited an excellent removal of > 80% and up to 97.02%, > 80% and up to 99.97% of the heavy metals, and optimum fluxes of 341.07 and 276.35 L h−1 m−2 were achieved in the cases of M2 and M4, respectively. Furthermore, with a low flux decline ratio and a high permeate recovery of 92.3% for wastewater, the modified M4 membrane demonstrated remarkable antifouling capabilities.
Curcumin mimics of potential chemoprevention with NQO1 induction properties
Authors: Aboshouk Dalia R. , Hamed Ahmed R. , Panda Siva S. , Bekheit Mohamed S. , Youssef M. Adel , Girgis Adel S.
Published: January 2025

Chemoprevention is one of the accessible strategies for preventing, delaying or reversing cancer processing utilizing chemical intervention of carcinogenesis. NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) is a xenobiotic metabolizing cytosolic enzyme/protein with important functional properties towards oxidation stress, supporting its ability in detoxification/chemoprotective role. A set of 3,5-diylidene-4-piperidones (as curcumin mimics) bearing alkyl sulfonyl group were synthesized with potential NQO1 induction properties. Compounds 5ab (R = 2-MeOC6H4, R’ = Me) and 5ac (R = 2-MeOC6H4, R’ = Et) are the most promising agents synthesized (% induction of NQO1 = 51.562, 45.793) relative to that of 4’-bromoflavone (4’-BF, reference standard) at 10 µM. LPS-induced iNOS production in RAW264.7 macrophages of the most promising agents discovered (5ab and 5ac) displayed concentration-dependent with comparable activities to the reference anti-inflammatory drug indomethacin. Molecular modeling studies (including QSAR, molecular docking and molecular dynamics) were accessed supporting the observed biological profiles.
20-HETE mediates Ang II-induced cardiac hypertrophy via ROS and Ca2+ signaling in H9c2 cells
Authors: Han Jingyi , Li Jiaojiao , Liu Lianlian , Li Kaiyuan , Zhang Chun , Han Yong
Published: January 2025

In the vascular system, angiotensin II (Ang II) mediated vasoconstriction by inducing the production of 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (20-HETE). However, the role of 20-HETE in Ang II-induced cardiac dysfunction had yet to be fully elucidated. This study investigated the effects of Ang II on CYP4A expression and 20-HETE production in H9c2 cells using RT-qPCR, Western blot, and ELISA. The role of 20-HETE in Ang II-induced cardiac hypertrophy was examined using DHE, MitoSOX, and JC-1 staining to evaluate reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and mitochondrial membrane potential changes. The ERK/Akt and CaN/NFAT3 signaling pathways were analyzed through Western blot. Ang II was found to promote CYP4A expression and 20-HETE production in H9c2 cells via an AT1 receptor-dependent mechanism. Additionally, the upregulation of AT1 receptor expression by 20-HETE further confirms its facilitatory effect on the Ang II signaling pathway. Inhibition of 20-HETE synthesis or blockade of its receptor, G-protein-coupled receptor 75 (GPR75), significantly reversed Ang II-induced cardiac hypertrophy. This reversal was closely associated with 20-HETE-induced ROS production, oxidative stress, and activation of the Ca2+/CaN/NFAT3 signaling pathway. This study demonstrated that 20-HETE mediated Ang II-induced cardiac hypertrophy and, for the first time, highlighted the significant role of the GPR75 receptor in this process. These findings suggested that targeting 20-HETE reduction or blocking its receptor action could offer a novel therapeutic approach for cardiovascular diseases associated with Ang II.
Clinical and laboratory characteristics of solitary rectal ulcer syndrome: a retrospective analysis of 36 case
Authors: Uygur Furkan Ali , Göktepe Muhammed Emin , Aydın Gökhan , Ağırman Enes , Dülger Ahmet Cumhur
Published: January 2025

The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical, laboratory, and histological characteristics of solitary rectal ulcer syndrome (SRUS) and assess the outcomes associated with various management strategies. This retrospective observational study was conducted at Giresun Education and Research Hospital. This study included patients diagnosed with SRUS between January 2020 and January 2024. Demographic information, clinical presentation, primary diagnosis, and laboratory parameters were obtained from electronic medical records. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software, and the chi-square test was used to compare categorical variables. A total of 36 patients diagnosed with SRUS were included, with the majority being male (80.6%), and the mean age of participants was 75.6 years. Hematochezia was identified as the most common initial symptom (61.1%), followed by abdominal pain (16.7%) and constipation (11.1%). Laboratory findings revealed significant abnormalities, including mean hemoglobin levels of 10.0 ± 2.4 g/dL and mean CRP levels of 56.7 ± 65.4 mg/L. Histopathological analysis showed that 38.9% of patients had normal biopsy results, whereas inflammation and dysplasia were observed in 41.7% and 2.8% of cases, respectively. Additionally, a statistically significant difference in age was observed between the patients presenting with different initial symptoms (p = 0.028). The study also found that biopsy results varied significantly across symptom groups (p = 0.012), and although differences in hemoglobin and hematocrit levels across biopsy groups were noted, they were not statistically significant. This study offers a comprehensive analysis of SRUS, emphasizing the importance of detailed clinical and laboratory evaluation. Hematochezia emerged as the most prevalent symptom, and ulcerative colitis was identified as the primary diagnosis. Significant associations were observed between various clinical parameters and patient outcomes, highlighting the necessity of a multidisciplinary approach in managing SRUS.
Daily walking habits can mitigate age-related decline in static balance: a longitudinal study among aircraft assemblers
Authors: Watanabe Kazuhiko , Iizuka Shoko , Kobayashi Tatsuya , Tsushima Saki , Hirohashi Sora , Yoshimi Tomohiro , Zaitsu Masayoshi
Published: January 2025

Improving physical balance among older workers is essential for preventing falls in workplace. We aimed to elucidate the age-related decline in one-leg standing time with eyes closed, an indicator of static balance, and mitigating influence of daily walking habits on this decline in Japan. This longitudinal study involved 249 manufacturing workers, including seven females, aged 20–66 years engaged in tasks performed at height in the aircraft and spacecraft machinery industry. The participants underwent a one-leg standing test and annual health checkups through the Kanagawa Health Service Association between 2017 and 2019. The outcome measure was one-leg standing time up to 30 s. The coefficient (β) of one-leg standing time against aging was estimated using two-level multilevel linear regression with random intercepts. We also estimated the β of daily walking habits at least one hour per day. The quadratic spline curve showed an almost linear trend of one-leg standing time with age. The one-leg standing time significantly decreased with age (adjusted β = − 0.22; 95% confidence interval [CI] − 0.31 to − 0.14). Meanwhile, walking habits showed a preventive effect (β = 1.76; 95% CI 0.49 to 3.04). Age-related decline in one-leg standing time may be mitigated by simple daily walking habits.
Challenges and opportunities for digital twins in precision medicine from a complex systems perspective
Authors: De Domenico Manlio , Allegri Luca , Caldarelli Guido , d’Andrea Valeria , Di Camillo Barbara , Rocha Luis M. , Rozum Jordan , Sbarbati Riccardo , Zambelli Francesco
Published: January 2025

Digital twins (DTs) in precision medicine are increasingly viable, propelled by extensive data collection and advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), alongside traditional biomedical methodologies. We argue that including mechanistic simulations that produce behavior based on explicitly defined biological hypotheses and multiscale mechanisms is beneficial. It enables the exploration of diverse therapeutic strategies and supports dynamic clinical decision-making through insights from network science, quantitative biology, and digital medicine.
Optimized machine learning approaches to combine surface-enhanced Raman scattering and infrared data for trace detection of xylazine in illicit opioids
Authors: Martens Rebecca R. , Gozdzialski Lea , Newman Ella , Gill Chris , Wallace Bruce , Hore Dennis K.
Published: January 2025

IR and SERS were integrated into three data fusion strategies—hybrid, mid-level and high-level—to enhance the predictive accuracy for xylazine detection in illicit opioid samples.
Fast preconcentration of Pb(ii) and Cu(ii) in liquid milk by syringe solid-phase extraction using alginate and PVA biopolymer loaded with activated carbon
Authors: Yaqin Ahmad Akhib Ainul , Suherman Suherman , Siswanta Dwi , Hosseini-Bandegharaei Ahmad
Published: January 2025

The developed Syringe Solid Phase Extraction (SSPE) technique using the alginate/carbon/PVA (ACP) sorbent efficiently preconcentrates Pb(ii) and Cu(ii) in liquid milk, with optimal conditions yielding high recoveries and low LODs.
Expression of concern: Graphene oxide: an efficient and reusable carbocatalyst for aza-Michael addition of amines to activated alkenes
Authors: Verma Sanny , Mungse Harshal P. , Kumar Neeraj , Choudhary Shivani , Jain Suman L. , Sain Bir , Khatri Om P.
Published: January 2025

Expression of concern for ‘Graphene oxide: an efficient and reusable carbocatalyst for aza-Michael addition of amines to activated alkenes’ by Sanny Verma et al., Chem. Commun., 2011, 47, 12673–12675, https://doi.org/10.1039/C1CC15230K.
Retraction: Visible-light driven reaction of CO2 with alcohols using a Ag/CeO2 nanocomposite: first photochemical synthesis of linear carbonates under mild conditions
Authors: Malik Anil , Bhatt Sakshi , Soni Aishwarya , Khatri Praveen K. , Guha Ankur K. , Saikia Lakshi , Jain Suman L.
Published: January 2025

Retraction of ‘Visible-light driven reaction of CO2 with alcohols using a Ag/CeO2 nanocomposite: first photochemical synthesis of linear carbonates under mild conditions’ by Anil Malik et al., Chem. Commun., 2023, 59, 1313–1316, https://doi.org/10.1039/D2CC05152D.
Comprehensive DFT investigation of small-molecule adsorption on the paradigm M-MOF-74 family of metal–organic frameworks
Authors: Jodaeeasl Nazli , Wang Shiliang , Hu Anguang , Peslherbe Gilles H.
Published: January 2025

The design of advanced metal–organic-framework materials is essential for efficient capture of toxic chemicals such as NH3, H2S, NO2 and SO2 to prevent their adverse impact on human health and the environment.
The mobility of polypeptide chains in cow femur bones controlled by an electric field
Authors: Lambri Fernando Daniel , Bonifacich Federico Guillermo , Lambri Melania Lucila , Lambri Mariel Antonella , Mocellini Ricardo Raúl , Zelada Griselda Irene , Lambri Osvaldo Agustín
Published: January 2025

DMA studies conducted under a high direct electric field are sensitive to the state of denaturation of the collagen in bones. This could be a useful tool in the study of denaturation and maturation processes in bones with different pathologies.
Methyl side-groups control the Ia3̄d phase in core-non-symmetric aryloyl-hydrazine-based molecules
Authors: Takebe Sota , Isobe Nachia , Udagawa Taro , Yamamura Yasuhisa , Saito Kazuya , Miwa Yohei , Hashimoto Kei , Kutsumizu Shoichi
Published: January 2025

One or two methyl side-groups introduced into core-non-symmetric aryloylhydrazine-based molecules control the phase temperature range, core assembly mode and helical three-dimensional network structure of the liquid crystalline Ia3̄d gyroid phase.
A dozen predicted SiGe alloys with low enthalpies and strong absorption of sunlight for photovoltaic applications
Authors: Lin Zehao , Fan Qingyang , Pang Qing , Zhang Jin Zhong , Gao Dangli , Song Yuling
Published: January 2025

We predicted 12 stable 2–8H stacked SiGe structures with low enthalpies and high absorption via crystal prediction software. We also observed and explored property changes under stress, offering a theoretical basis for optoelectronic application.
Revisiting the in-plane and in-channel diffusion of lithium ions in a solid-state electrolyte at room temperature through neural network-assisted molecular dynamics simulations
Authors: Huang Yao , Zhao Dan , Deng Mingsen , Shen Hujun
Published: January 2025

Lithium ions experience significantly less resistance when diffusing through the in-channel pathway compared to the in-plane migration mechanism.
A novel cellulose-derived graphite carbon/ZnO composite by atomic layer deposition as an over-wideband microwave absorbent
Authors: Guan Guangguang , Li Xiaoqiang , Li Jiebai , Chen Meng , Liu Hongpeng , Zhang Wenbo , Wei Jingyuan , Zhou Yangtao
Published: January 2025

The CGC@ZnO composites are first synthesized using the ALD method for microwave absorbents. The RLmin value is −50.5 dB, and the EABmax can reach up to 6.48 GHz at 1.59 mm.
In situ reconstructed prism-like CuO on copper foam assisted by fumaric acid for an enhanced electrochemical nitrate reduction reaction
Authors: Chen Di , Ye Zhaobin , Xu Jie , Ma Shasha , Zhang Jianyong
Published: January 2025

Novel prism-like CuO loaded on copper foam was fabricated via fumaric acid-assisted reconstruction with promising electrochemical NO3− reduction activity.
Effects of fructooligosaccharides and Lactobacillus reuteri on the composition and metabolism of gut microbiota in students
Authors: Xu Xu , Fu Hao , Quan Huihui , Li Yan , Chen Qiaoyun , Qu Daofeng , Pi Xionge
Published: January 2025

The combination of Lactobacillus reuteri and FOSs has shown a good synergistic effect on the regulation of fecal bacteria. Some bacteria are closely related to the production of SCFAs and gases, which may potentially affect physiological functions.