bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Network analysis of patterns and relevance of enteric pathogen co-infections among infants in a diarrhea-endemic setting
Authors: Colgate E. Ross , Klopfer Connor , Dickson Dorothy M. , Lee Benjamin , Wargo Matthew J. , Alam Ashraful , Kirkpatrick Beth D. , Hébert-Dufresne Laurent
Published: November 2023

Despite significant progress in recent decades toward ameliorating the excess burden of diarrheal disease globally, childhood diarrhea remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in low-and-middle-income countries (LMICs). Recent large-scale studies of diarrhea etiology in these populations have revealed widespread co-infection with multiple enteric pathogens, in both acute and asymptomatic stool specimens. We applied methods from network science and ecology to better understand the underlying structure of enteric co-infection among infants in two large longitudinal birth cohorts in Bangladesh. We used a configuration model to establish distributions of expected random co-occurrence, based on individual pathogen prevalence alone, for every pathogen pair among 30 enteropathogens detected by qRT-PCR in both diarrheal and asymptomatic stool specimens. We found two pairs, Enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) with Enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC), and ETEC with Campylobacter spp., co-infected significantly more than expected at random (both pairs co-occurring almost 4 standard deviations above what one could expect due to chance alone). Furthermore, we found a general pattern that bacteria-bacteria pairs appear together more frequently than expected at random, while virus-bacteria pairs tend to appear less frequently than expected based on model predictions. Finally, infants co-infected with leading bacteria-bacteria pairs had more days of diarrhea in the first year of life compared to infants without co-infection (p-value <0.0001). Our methods and results help us understand the structure of enteric co-infection which can guide further work to identify and eliminate common sources of infection or determine biologic mechanisms that promote co-infection.
Incidental eagle carcass detection can contribute to fatality estimation at operating wind energy facilities
Authors: Hallingstad Eric , Riser-Espinoza Daniel , Brown Samantha
Published: November 2023

Risk of birds colliding with wind turbines, especially protected species like bald eagle and golden eagle in the U.S., is a fundamental wildlife challenge the wind industry faces when developing and operating projects. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service requires wind energy facilities that obtain eagle take permits document permit compliance through fatality monitoring. If trained Operations and Maintenance (O&M) staff can reliably detect and report carcasses during their normal routines, and their detection probability can be estimated, then their ‘incidental detections’ could contribute substantially towards demonstrating permit compliance. Our primary objective was to quantify incidental detection of eagle carcasses by O&M staff under a variety of landscape contexts and environmental conditions throughout a single year. We used the incidental detection probabilities, along with raptor carcass persistence data and area adjustments, to calculate overall probability of incidental detection (i.e., incidental g). We used feathered decoys as eagle-carcass surrogates for monthly detection trials at 6 study sites throughout the U.S. We evaluated the primary drivers of incidental detection using logit regression models including season, viewshed complexity, and a derived variable called the “density quartile” as covariates. We used an Evidence of Absence-based approach to estimate the overall probability of incidental detection. The incidental detection probabilities ranged from 0.28 to 0.78 (mean = 0.48). Detection probabilities decreased as viewshed complexity increased and as distance from the turbine increased. The resulting overall probability of incidental detection ranged from 0.07 to 0.47 (mean = 0.31). The primary drivers of variability in incidental g were detection probability and the area adjustment. Results of our research show that O&M staff were effective at detecting trial carcasses incidentally. Incorporating incidental detection in eagle fatality monitoring efforts is a reliable means of improving estimates of a facility’s direct impacts on eagles.
Experimental induction of state rumination: A study evaluating the efficacy of goal-cueing task in different experimental settings
Authors: Michel-Kröhler Alena , Wessa Michèle , Berti Stefan
Published: November 2023

Based on previous studies, the present four experiments (total N = 468) aimed at investigating the effectivity of rumination induction in different experimental settings. We were particularly interested in rumination in the context of individual goal achievement and tested whether an instruction that referred to unresolved goals had a direct observable effect on state rumination. For this purpose, participants were asked to identify, evaluate, and focus on a personally relevant goal that was previously unresolved and still bothered them. In Experiment 1a to 1c, we compared three different modifications of the unresolved condition with shortened instructions with the elaborated unresolved condition and an additional control condition that did not refer to goals. In general, the results were mixed, but basically confirmed the effectiveness of the method used. Finally, in Experiment 2, we compared the two most promising versions of the unresolved condition and, by adding a goal-related control condition, we examined which control condition was best suited to maximize effects related to state rumination in future research. Results of various mixed ANOVAs demonstrated that a shortened version (in terms of shortened audio instructions) of the unresolved condition could be used as well as the original unresolved condition to induce reliable state rumination. The significance of the effects obtained with this method for real-life applications as well as approaches for future research are discussed.
Use of feature importance statistics to accurately predict asthma attacks using machine learning: A cross-sectional cohort study of the US population
Authors: Huang Alexander A. , Huang Samuel Y.
Published: November 2023

Background

Asthma attacks are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in vulnerable populations, and identification of associations with asthma attacks is necessary to improve public awareness and the timely delivery of medical interventions.

Objective

The study aimed to identify feature importance of factors associated with asthma in a representative population of US adults.

Methods

A cross-sectional analysis was conducted using a modern, nationally representative cohort, the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES 2017–2020). All adult patients greater than 18 years of age (total of 7,922 individuals) with information on asthma attacks were included in the study. Univariable regression was used to identify significant nutritional covariates to be included in a machine learning model and feature importance was reported. The acquisition and analysis of the data were authorized by the National Center for Health Statistics Ethics Review Board.

Results

7,922 patients met the inclusion criteria in this study. The machine learning model had 55 out of a total of 680 features that were found to be significant on univariate analysis (P<0.0001 used). In the XGBoost model the model had an Area Under the Receiver Operator Characteristic Curve (AUROC) = 0.737, Sensitivity = 0.960, NPV = 0.967. The top five highest ranked features by gain, a measure of the percentage contribution of the covariate to the overall model prediction, were Octanoic Acid intake as a Saturated Fatty Acid (SFA) (gm) (Gain = 8.8%), Eosinophil percent (Gain = 7.9%), BMXHIP–Hip Circumference (cm) (Gain = 7.2%), BMXHT–standing height (cm) (Gain = 6.2%) and HS C-Reactive Protein (mg/L) (Gain 6.1%).

Conclusion

Machine Learning models can additionally offer feature importance and additional statistics to help identify associations with asthma attacks.
Vaccinomics-aided next-generation novel multi-epitope-based vaccine engineering against multidrug resistant Shigella Sonnei: Immunoinformatics and chemoinformatics approaches
Authors: Aiman Sara , Ahmad Abbas , Khan Asifullah , Ali Yasir , Malik Abdul , Alkholief Musaed , Akhtar Suhail , Khan Raham Sher , Li Chunhua , Jalil Fazal , Ali Yasir
Published: November 2023

Shigella sonnei is a gram-negative bacterium and is the primary cause of shigellosis in advanced countries. An exceptional rise in the prevalence of the disease has been reported in Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America. To date, no preventive vaccine is available against S. sonnei infections. This pathogen has shown resistances towards both first- and second-line antibiotics. Therefore, an effective broad spectrum vaccine development against shigellosis is indispensable. In the present study, vaccinomics-aided immunoinformatics strategies were pursued to identify potential vaccine candidates from the S. sonnei whole proteome data. Pathogen essential proteins that are non-homologous to human and human gut microbiome proteome set, are feasible candidates for this purpose. Three antigenic outer membrane proteins were prioritized to predict lead epitopes based on reverse vaccinology approach. Multi-epitope-based chimeric vaccines was designed using lead B- and T-cell epitopes combined with suitable linker and adjuvant peptide sequences to enhance immune responses against the designed vaccine. The SS-MEVC construct was prioritized based on multiple physicochemical, immunological properties, and immune-receptors docking scores. Immune simulation analysis predicted strong immunogenic response capability of the designed vaccine construct. The Molecular dynamic simulations analysis ensured stable molecular interactions of lead vaccine construct with the host receptors. In silico restriction and cloning analysis predicted feasible cloning capability of the SS-MEVC construct within the E. coli expression system. The proposed vaccine construct is predicted to be more safe, effective and capable of inducing robust immune responses against S. sonnei infections and may be worthy of examination via in vitro/in vivo assays.
Identifying dyslexia in school pupils from eye movement and demographic data using artificial intelligence
Authors: Shalileh Soroosh , Ignatov Dmitry , Lopukhina Anastasiya , Dragoy Olga
Published: November 2023

This paper represents our research results in the pursuit of the following objectives: (i) to introduce a novel multi-sources data set to tackle the shortcomings of the previous data sets, (ii) to propose a robust artificial intelligence-based solution to identify dyslexia in primary school pupils, (iii) to investigate our psycholinguistic knowledge by studying the importance of the features in identifying dyslexia by our best AI model. In order to achieve the first objective, we collected and annotated a new set of eye-movement-during-reading data. Furthermore, we collected demographic data, including the measure of non-verbal intelligence, to form our three data sources. Our data set is the largest eye-movement data set globally. Unlike the previously introduced binary-class data sets, it contains (A) three class labels and (B) reading speed. Concerning the second objective, we formulated the task of dyslexia prediction as regression and classification problems and scrutinized the performance of 12 classifications and eight regressions approaches. We exploited the Bayesian optimization method to fine-tune the hyperparameters of the models: and reported the average and the standard deviation of our evaluation metrics in a stratified ten-fold cross-validation. Our studies showed that multi-layer perceptron, random forest, gradient boosting, and k-nearest neighbor form the group having the most acceptable results. Moreover, we showed that although separately using each data source did not lead to accurate results, their combination led to a reliable solution. We also determined the importance of the features of our best classifier: our findings showed that the IQ, gender, and age are the top three important features; we also showed that fixation along the y-axis is more important than other fixation data. Dyslexia detection, eye fixation, eye movement, demographic, classification, regression, artificial intelligence.
Investigating the impact of physical activity on mitochondrial function in Parkinson’s disease (PARKEX): Study protocol for A randomized controlled clinical trial
Authors: Magaña Juan Carlos , Deus Cláudia Maria , Baldellou Laura , Avellanet Merce , Gea-Rodríguez Elvira , Enriquez-Calzada Silvia , Laguna Ariadna , Martínez-Vicente Marta , Hernández-Vara Jorge , Giné-Garriga Maria , Pereira Susana Patricia , Montane Joel
Published: November 2023

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is characterized by the progressive dopaminergic neuron degeneration, resulting in striatal dopamine deficiency. Mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress are associated with PD pathogenesis. Physical activity (PA) has been shown to ameliorate neurological impairments and to impede age-related neuronal loss. In addition, skin fibroblasts have been identified as surrogate indicators of pathogenic processes correlating with clinical measures. The PARKEX study aims to compare the effects of two different PA programs, analyzing the impact on mitochondrial function in patients’ skin fibroblasts as biomarkers for disease status and metabolic improvement. Early-stage PD patients (n = 24, H&Y stage I to III) will be randomized into three age- and sex-matched groups. Group 1 (n = 8) will undergo basic physical training (BPT) emphasizing strength and resistance. Group 2 (n = 8) will undergo BPT combined with functional exercises (BPTFE), targeting the sensorimotor pathways that are most affected in PD (proprioception-balance-coordination) together with cognitive and motor training (Dual task training). Group 3 (n = 8) will serve as control (sedentary group; Sed). Participants will perform three sessions per week for 12 weeks. Assessment of motor function, quality of life, sleep quality, cognitive aspects and humor will be conducted pre- and post-intervention. Patient skin fibroblasts will be collected before and after the intervention and characterized in terms of metabolic remodeling and mitochondrial bioenergetics. Ethical approval has been given to commence this study. This trial is registered at clinicaltrials.gov (NCT05963425).

Trial registration. https://classic.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/history/NCT05963425.
A code for clinical trials centralized monitoring, sharing open-science solutions to high-quality data
Authors: Daher André , Castro-Alves Júlio , Amparo Leandro , Pacheco de Moraes Natalia , Araújo dos Santos Thaís Regina , Gram dos Santos Karla Regina , Siqueira do Valle Cristiane , Hermoso Maria , Catoia Varela Margareth , Correa Oliveira Rodrigo
Published: November 2023

Monitoring of clinical trials is critical to the protection of human subjects and the conduct of high-quality research. Even though the adoption of risk-based monitoring (RBM) has been suggested for many years, the RBM approach has been less widespread than expected. Centralized monitoring is one of the RMB pillars, together with remote-site monitoring visits, reduced Source Data Verification (SDV) and Source Document Reviews (SDR). The COVID-19 pandemic promoted disruptions in the conduction of clinical trials, as on-site monitoring visits were adjourned. In this context, the transition to RBM by all actors involved in clinical trials has been encouraged. In order to ensure the highest quality of data within a COVID-19 clinical trial, a centralized monitoring tool alongside Case Report Forms (CRFs) and synchronous automated routines were developed at the clinical research platform, Fiocruz, Brazilian Ministry of Health. This paper describes how these tools were developed, their features, advantages, and limitations. The software codes, and the CRFs are available at the Fiocruz Data Repository for Research—Arca Dados, reaffirming Fiocruz’s commitment to Open Science practices.
Promoting physical activity and academic achievement through physically active learning: Qualitative perspectives of co-design and implementation processes
Authors: Simard Laurie , Bouchard Julie , Lavallière Martin , Chevrette Tommy
Published: November 2023

This article discussed the issue of low PA levels among school-aged children and highlights the promising approach of school-based interventions, including physically active learning (PAL), to increase PA levels. The study aimed to co-design and to assess the implementation of a PAL program for 8 weeks in 4 elementary classrooms (82 students and 7 teachers), emphasizing the potential of integrating PA with academic learning and the importance of co-designing programs with teachers to maximize their effectiveness. Technology was found to support PAL practices in promoting PA and academic achievement. The study underscores the need for further research to explore the societal implications of PAL programs, including their potential to improve the health and well-being of children while promoting positive academic outcomes.
Resistome and virulome of high-risk pandemic clones of multidrug-resistant extra-intestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli (ExPEC) isolated from tertiary healthcare settings in Uganda
Authors: Byarugaba Denis K. , Erima Bernard , Wokorach Godfrey , Alafi Stephen , Kibuuka Hannah , Mworozi Edison , Musinguzi Ambrose K. , Kiyengo James , Najjuka Florence , Wabwire-Mangen Fred
Published: November 2023

Multi-drug resistant (MDR) globally disseminated extraintestinal pathogenic high-risk Escherichia coli (ExPEC) clones are threatening the gains in bacterial disease management. In this study, we evaluated the genomic structure including the resistome and virulome of the E. coli isolates from extraintestinal infections using whole genome sequencing (WGS). The results highlight that isolates were highly resistant (≥ 90.0%) to commonly used antibiotics (Ampicillin, Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole, Nalidixic acid, and Piperacillin) and were less (<14%) resistant to last resort antibiotics; Imipenem (10.94%) and Meropenem (10.20%). A greater proportion of the E. coli isolates belonged to phylogroup B2 (30.52%) and phylogroup A (27.37%). The sequence types ST131 of phylogroup B2 (21.05%) and ST648 of phylogroup F (9.3%) were the dominant pandemic high-risk clones identified in addition to the ST1193, ST410, ST69, ST38, ST405, and ST10. Many of the isolates were MDR and most (64.58%) carried the blaCTX-M-15 gene for extended-spectrum β-lactamases. There was a high correlation between phylogroups and the occurrence of both antimicrobial resistance and virulence genes. The cephalosporin-resistance gene blaEC-5 was only found in phylogroup B2 while blaEC-8 and blaEC-19, were only found within phylogroup D and phylogroup F respectively. Aminoglycoside gene (aadA1) was only associated with phylogroups D and C. The isolates were armed with a broad range of virulence genes including adhesins, toxins, secreted proteases, iron uptake genes, and others. The yfcv, chuA, and kpsE genes preferentially occurred among isolates of phylogroup B2. The study underlines the predominance of MDR internationally disseminated high-risk ExPEC clones with a broad range of virulence genes known to be highly transmissible in healthcare and community settings.
Sexual orientation disclosure and depression among Thai gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men: The roles of social support and intimate partner violence
Authors: Encina Eduardo , Waratworawan Worawalan , Kongjareon Yamol , Desai Mayur M. , Guadamuz Thomas E.
Published: November 2023

Background

Among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBM), sexual orientation disclosure to social groups can act as a significant risk for depression. The primary goal of this research is to understand the association between disclosure and depression, the association of social support and intimate partner violence (IPV) experiences, depression, and disclosure.

Methods

This project uses a secondary dataset of Thailand from a larger cross-sectional study distributed in the Greater Mekong Sub-Region. This study utilized web-based answers from 1468 Thai GBM respondents between the ages of 15–24 years.

Results

Prevalence of depression was over 50%. Across the social groups of interest, those who disclosed to everyone had the lowest depression prevalence. This association was statistically significant for all groups (p<0.050) except for “Family members” (p = 0.052). There was a statistically significant association illustrated between full disclosure to social groups and increased social support. Most respondents (43.9%) had low social support, and additionally this group had the highest level of depression, compared to those with high social support. There was a statistically significant association for lowered depression outcomes and increased social support. IPV experiences that occurred within the last six months had a statistically significant relationship with depression (p = 0.002). There was a notable association between those with experiences of being a victim of IPV, alone and in conjunction with experience of being a perpetrator of IPV, which was associated with increased odds of depression. However, the type of IPV experiences an individual had did not differ based on disclosure status.

Discussion

This study provides strengthened evidence of the impact that differences in supportive networks can have on mental health outcomes. In addition, they provided a wider consideration for how people may have different IPV experiences, either as a perpetrator, victim, or both, and how those shapes health outcomes of depression. GBM communities still face adversity and challenges that affect their long-term health outcomes, even if they do live in what is considered an accepting country.
Association of inflammatory cytokines with obesity and pulmonary function testing
Authors: Al Khathlan Noor
Published: November 2023

Background

The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that the prevalence of obesity in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) is 33.7% (women 39.5% and men 29.5%), respectively. The effects of obesity on airway inflammation and respiratory mechanics as well as the function of adipose tissue has a key role in the development of various lung diseases. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the level of cytokines between obese (BMI ≥ 30) and non-obese participants and to assess their association with BMI, airways inflammation and pulmonary function.

Method

One-hundred and seven non-smoking students (18–25 years of age) were recruited using convenience sampling technique for comparative cross-sectional study. Of them, 80 students were eligible and included in the analysis; 54 were non-obese (BMI<30) and 26 were obese (BMI ≥ 30). All the participants underwent anthropometric measurements, fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) measurement, spirometry and cytokines measurement (IL-6, IL-1β, GM-CSF, IL-7, IL-8 and IL-10). Measurements were compared between obese and non-obese groups. Then a correlation test was made between pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines with BMI, pulmonary function test finding and FeNO.

Results

The prevalence of obesity was 32.5% in the study population. Levels of pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6 levels was significantly higher in obese than non-obese participants (p = 0.044). The level of FeNO log was significantly higher in obese participants than non-obese (p = 0.002). The pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6 showed positive correlation with BMI while GMCSF showed negative correlation with FVC (p<0.05).

Conclusion

The levels of pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6 was found to be significantly higher in obese participants than non-obese participants. Furthermore, it showed positive correlation with BMI whereas pro-inflammatory cytokine GMCSF showed negative correlation with FVC.
Phenotypic drug-susceptibility profiles and genetic analysis based on whole-genome sequencing of Mycobacterium avium complex isolates in Thailand
Authors: Sirichoat Auttawit , Kaewprasert Orawee , Hinwan Yothin , Faksri Kiatichai
Published: November 2023

Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) infections are a significant clinical challenge. Determining drug-susceptibility profiles and the genetic basis of drug resistance is crucial for guiding effective treatment strategies. This study aimed to determine the drug-susceptibility profiles of MAC clinical isolates and to investigate the genetic basis conferring drug resistance using whole-genome sequencing (WGS) analysis. Drug-susceptibility profiles based on minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) assays were determined for 38 MAC clinical isolates (12 Mycobacterium avium and 26 Mycobacterium intracellulare). Mutations associated with drug resistance were identified through genome analysis of these isolates, and their phylogenetic relationships were also examined. Drug resistance, based on MIC values, was most commonly observed for moxifloxacin (81.6%), followed by linezolid (78.9%), clarithromycin (44.7%) and amikacin (36.8%). We identified specific mutations associated with resistance to amikacin. These include the rrs mutation at C464T in amikacin intermediate-resistance M. avium, and two mutations at T250A and G1453T in amikacin non-susceptible M. intracellulare. Mutations in rrl at A2058G, A2059C and A2059G were potentially linked to clarithromycin resistance. MAC clinical isolates not susceptible to linezolid exhibited mutations in rplC at G237C and C459T, as well as two rplD mutations at G443A and A489G. GyrB substitution Thr521Ala (T521A) was identified in moxifloxacin non-susceptible isolates, which may contribute to this resistance. A phylogeny of our MAC isolates revealed high levels of genetic diversity. Our findings suggest that the standard treatment regimen for MAC infections using moxifloxacin, linezolid, clarithromycin and amikacin may be driving development of resistance, potentially due to specific mutations. The combination of phenotypic and genotypic susceptibility testing can be valuable in guiding the clinical use of drugs for the treatment of MAC infections.
Association between land use, land cover, plant genera, and pollinator abundance in mixed-use landscapes
Authors: Diengdoh Vishesh L. , Brook Barry W. , Hunt Mark , Ondei Stefania
Published: November 2023

Pollinators are threatened by land-use and land-cover changes, with the magnitude of the threat depending on the pollinating taxa, land-use type and intensity, the amount of natural habitat remaining, and the ecosystem considered. This study aims to determine the effect of land use (protected areas, plantations, pastures), land cover (percentage of forest and open areas within buffers of different sizes), and plant genera on the relative abundance of nectivorous birds (honeyeaters), bees (native and introduced), and beetles in the mixed-use landscape of the Tasman Peninsula (Tasmania, Australia) using mixed-effect models. We found the predictor selected (through model selection based on R2) and the effect of the predictors varied depending on the pollinating taxa. The land-use predictors were selected for only the honeyeater abundance model with protected areas and plantations having substantive positive effects. Land-cover predictors were selected for the honeyeater and native bee abundance models with open land cover within 1500 m and 250 m buffers having substantive negative and positive effects on honeyeaters and native bees respectively. Bees and beetles were observed on 24 plant genera of which only native plants (and not invasive/naturalised) were positively associated with pollinating insects. Pultenaea and Leucopogon were positively associated with native bees while Leucopogon, Lissanthe, Pimelea, and Pomaderris were positively associated with introduced bees. Leptospermum was the only plant genus positively associated with beetles. Our results highlight that one size does not fit all—that is pollinator responses to different landscape characteristics vary, emphasising the importance of considering multiple habitat factors to manage and support different pollinator taxa.
Finding hope and fulfillment in meaningful work: An interpretative phenomenological analysis of conservation and stewardship practitioners’ experience, values, and motivations
Authors: Soucy Alyssa R. , De Urioste-Stone Sandra , Rahimzadeh-Bajgiran Parinaz , Jansujwicz Jessica , Eitel Karla , Brownlee Matthew
Published: November 2023

Values and motivations can shape natural resource management decision-making as individuals set conservation goals based on diverse, unique backgrounds, histories, and experiences. Recent literature points to the need to understand, evaluate, and articulate practitioner values to make explicit how experiences shape their work. Our research responds to calls to explore a diverse range of values and motivations among conservation practitioners. We used a qualitative approach grounded in phenomenology to advance an in-depth understanding of how conservation and stewardship practitioners experience, acknowledge, and make sense of conservation decision-making in Maine, USA. We interviewed 21 conservation and stewardship practitioners. Our results indicate the presence of complex value systems, including strong biospheric, altruistic, eudaimonic, as well as egoistic values. These values interact and intersect with motivations for participants’ careers in conservation in unique ways, driving participant actions and decision-making. Within Maine specifically, our results highlight the many areas for convergence of broad values among seemingly diverse groups that can inform opportunities for collaboration. Participants expressed various pathways to careers in conservation, where their work enables them to make a meaningful contribution to the environment and society. However in situations where personal and organizational values are misaligned, the role of organizational transparency, employee empowerment, and agency are key. Our results have implications for conservation groups seeking to achieve high employee satisfaction, as well as researchers, policymakers, and practitioners who hope to inspire individuals to take on conservation careers to create sustainable and transformative action for the future. Fostering early experiences in place, including interactions with the non-human world and local community, are important for influencing and reinforcing values and motivations for conservation action.
Recepción de la novela moderna lecturas y lectores de L'astrée
Authors: Gonzalo Santos Tomás
Published: November 2023

El presente estudio se inscribe dentro de los trabajos sobre Estética de la Recepción Literaria emprendidos en Alemania, en particular en la Escuela de Constanza, con notables aportaciones teóricas y no tanto prácticas. Nuestra investigación se centra en la recepción de L’Astrée, la monumental novela de Honoré d’Urfé publicada entre 1607 et 1619, y culminada por Balthazar Baro en 1627-1628. En primer lugar, y a modo de introducción, se analizan los recursos novelescos y “extranovelescos” puestos al servicio del lector, para contemplar luego su lectura individualmente por parte de receptores privilegiados en su doble condición de escritores y entusiastas de la novela: Jean-Pierre Camus, Charles Sorel, La Fontaine, Madame de Sévigné, Pierre-Daniel Huet, Fontenelle, Jean-Jacques Rousseau y George Sand. En la segunda parte nos ocupamos de la recepción de la novela en todas sus manifestaciones, comenzando por rastrear a sus lectores potenciales a partir de factores como edad, sexo, grado de instrucción, estatus y ámbito territorial, así como las condiciones en que se practicaron esas lecturas (en voz alta, en solitario…). Entre las múltiples reacciones que la lectura de L’Astrée suscitó se analizan inicialmente las “reacciones primarias”, que coinciden o se hallan muy próximas al acto de leer, para pasar a continuación a las manifestaciones verbales (menciones, imitaciones, recitaciones, resúmenes…). Se llega así a los extensos dominios de la reescritura, ya sea parcial (alusiones, citas, pastiches y parodias), o total (ediciones, continuaciones, traducciones, versiones y adaptaciones). Todo ello, sin olvidar la puesta en práctica de lo leído, que dio lugar –entre otras recreaciones– a numerosos juegos de sociedad. Finalmente, tras el estudio de L’Astrée en las bellas artes, se toman en consideración las aportaciones de los críticos que constituyen otras tantas lecturas.
Potensi Reduksi Emisi Gas Rumah Kaca dan Kelayakan Finansial dari Pembangkit Listrik Tenaga Mikro Hidro Cisalimar, Jawa Barat
Authors: Allifah Siti , Wijayanti Pini
Published: November 2023

The energy sector related activities have increased greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and global temperatures. The implementation of green energy as mitigation efforts to reduce GHG emissions are required to reduce the negative impacts of climate change, but they are costly. Micro Hydro Power Plant (MHP) is one of green energy that supports the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in rural areas. This study aims to estimate the potential GHG emissions prior the establishment of Cisalimar MHP project, the GHG emission reduction after the project, and to analyze the financial feasibility of the project. The Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) method is used to estimate the potential for GHG emission reductions, meanwhile the financial feasibility is employed to evaluate the financial feasibility of the project. The results show that GHG emissions without the MHP project were 25,50 t CO2 per year in 2005 and may increase to 34,39 t CO2 per year in 2030. Cisalimar MHP can reduce GHG emissions from 99,87% to 99,91% within the period of 2005-2030. However, such emission reduction requires a considerable cost i.e., USD 76.044,11. Financially, Cisalimar MHP is not feasible due to high investment costs but can reduce GHG emissions as well as contribute to the achievement of SDGs in remote villages.
Ultrastructures of α-Synuclein Filaments in Synucleinopathy Brains and Experimental Models
Authors: Tarutani Airi , Hasegawa Masato
Published: November 2023

Intracellular α-synuclein (α-syn) inclusions are a neuropathological hallmark of Lewy body disease (LBD) and multiple system atrophy (MSA), both of which are termed synucleinopathies. LBD is defined by Lewy bodies and Lewy neurites in neurons, while MSA displays glial cytoplasmic inclusions in oligodendrocytes. Pathological α-syn adopts an ordered filamentous structure with a 5–10 nm filament diameter, and this conformational change has been suggested to be involved in the disease onset and progression. Synucleinopathies also exhibit characteristic ultrastructural and biochemical properties of α-syn filaments, and α-syn strains with distinct conformations have been identified. Numerous experimental studies have supported the idea that pathological α-syn self-amplifies and spreads throughout the brain, during which processes the conformation of α-syn filaments may drive the disease specificity. In this review, we summarize the ultrastructural features and heterogeneity of α-syn filaments in the brains of patients with synucleinopathy and in experimental models of seeded α-syn aggregation.
Compliance to specifications in an external quality assurance program: did new biological variation estimates of the European Federation of Laboratory Medicine (EFLM) affect the quality of laboratory results?
Authors: Ricós Carmen , Perich Carmen , Bullich Sandra , Ventura Montserrat , Piqueras Berta , Panadés Mariona , Fernández-Calle Pilar
Published: November 2023

Objectives

The results of external quality assurance schemes are evaluated against specifications generally based on biological variation (BV) data. This study was carried out to determine whether new BV values affected the level of compliance to specifications. Our secondary objective was to identify the conditions that would be compromised as a result of poor analytical performance in disease associated markers.

Methods

This study was based on the results of the SEQCML External Quality Assurance scheme for the 2015–2022 period. Deviation of the individual result from the target value was estimated. Additionally, we calculated the percentage of results that met the pre-established specification.

Results

In 97 of the 133 analytes, the level of compliance was maintained in 80–90 % of the results obtained in the two study periods. In 23 analytes, the level of compliance ranged from 51 to 79 % in the two study periods. In ALT, AST and sodium, the level of compliance was ≤50 % of the results obtained in the first study period, with sodium being the only analyte that maintained this poor level of compliance in the second study period.

Conclusions

The level of compliance to specifications remained independent from the specification used (SEQCML or EFLM) for the majority of the analytes. The results for sodium ion were below the target value, which may lead to misdiagnosis of hyponatremia. Non-compensated alkaline picrate methods overestimate creatinine, which may produce false information suggestive of kidney failure.
Lamé system with weak damping and nonlinear time-varying delay
Authors: Yang Xin-Guang , Wang Shubin , Silva Marcio A. Jorge
Published: November 2023

This article is concerned with the stability and dynamics for the weak damped Lamé system with nonlinear time-varying delay in a bounded domain. Under some appropriate assumptions, the global well-posedness and asymptotic stability are shown in the case where the delay coefficient is upper dominated by the damping one. Moreover, the finite dimensional global and exponential attractors have also been presented by relying on quasi-stability arguments. The results in this article is an extension of Ma, Mesquita, and Seminario-Huertas’s recent work [Smooth dynamics of weakly damped Lamé systems with delay, SIAM J. Math. Anal. 53 (2021), no. 4, 3759–3771].
Moduli spaces of stably irreducible sheaves on Kodaira surfaces
Authors: Boulter Eric
Published: November 2023

Moduli spaces of stably irreducible sheaves on Kodaira surfaces belong to the short list of examples of smooth and compact holomorphic symplectic manifolds, and it is not yet known how they would fit into a possible classification of holomorphic symplectic manifolds by deformation type. This article studies a natural Lagrangian fibration on these moduli spaces to determine that they are not Kähler or simply connected, ruling out most of the known deformation types of holomorphic symplectic manifolds.
Crystal structure of 5-bromo-1-(2-iodobenzoyl)-1H-indole-3-carbaldehyde, C16H9BrINO2
Authors: Zhang Yue , Tang Qian-Qian , Yuan Jia-Cheng , Sheng Cheng-Sheng , Cong Wei
Published: November 2023

C16H9BrINO2, triclinic, P1̄ (no. 2), a = 7.9305(12) Å, b = 8.2051(10) Å, c = 11.3141(13) Å, α = 85.384(10)°, β = 85.619(11)°, γ = 87.745(11)°, V = 731.27(17) Å3, Z = 2, R

gt
(F) = 0.0397, wR

ref
(F
2) = 0.0819, T = 293(2) K.
Thermal radiative flow of cross nanofluid due to a stretched cylinder containing microorganisms
Authors: Yasmin Humaira , Lone Showkat Ahmad , Ali Farhan , Alrabaiah Hussam , Raizah Zehba , Saeed Anwar
Published: November 2023

Due to its widespread applications in areas including heat exchangers, cancer therapy, heat storage devices, biomedicine, and biotechnology, nanofluid has become one of the most important fluids in thermal engineering. One difficulty with these applications of nanofluids is the improvement of heat conductivity via nanoparticles. This aims to illustrate the bioconvectional cross-flow of a nanofluid in the existence of swimming gyrotactic microorganisms over a vertical stretching cylinder. We consider the chemical reaction and thermal radiation in the energy and concentration equations. Through the use of appropriate dimensionless variables, a nonlinear system of partial differential equations has been transformed into ordinary differential equations (ODEs). The BVP4c method is applied to construct the resultant governing ODEs. The significance of physical variables is demonstrated through plots and tabular data. Our finding explains that the temperature intensifies due to larger curvature parameters and Weissenberg variables, while the opposite effect is examined in the velocity profile. With upsurge in thermophoresis parameter, the temperature upsurges accordingly. As the bioconvection Lewis number rises, microbial concentration falls. The results obtained in this investigation could be useful in practical applications like numerous areas of engineering, biotechnology, nanotechnology, and medical sciences etc.
The Transformation of Domes in Medieval Chinese Mosques: From Immigrant Muslims to Local Followers
Authors: Jin Shunhua
Published: November 2023

This article studies the evolution of the Muslim community in China between the fourteenth and sixteenth centuries from the perspective of mosque architecture. It analyses four medieval Chinese mosques with domed mihrab chambers: the Hangzhou Phoenix Mosque, the Songjiang Mosque, the Dingzhou Mosque, and the Qingyang Great North Mosque. The article focuses on the dome-roof of the mihrab chamber in these mosques, applying an art-historical approach to examine the construction methods, as well as the decorative details of the dome-roof. To explore the origin and function of the domes in these mosques, I compare them not only with local architecture but also architecture from Central Asia. Meanwhile, the historical text on building construction examines the links between the Muslim community and the transformation of the architecture. The appearance of the mosques’ roofs reflects the fact that the immigrant Muslims became local Muslims under the authority and conciliation of the Ming central administration.
Designing Outdoor Education Units for the Block
Authors: Simson-Woods Aaron , Kappes Craig
Published: November 2023

In 2018, Victoria University in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia implemented the VU Block Model® for the teaching of undergraduate degree programs. This was a radical shift from a traditional 12-week semester approach and required a complete overhaul of how outdoor education units would be taught moving forward. However, there is a lack of literature on the block mode delivery for outdoor education. The aim of this discussion paper is to identify the challenges of designing and delivering outdoor education in an intensive block mode. To explore this issue, the paper examines unit design and delivery practices undertaken in outdoor education curricula at an Australian university. A reflective practitioner case study research method was applied, with two units being evaluated. This approach was adopted due to the broad range of variables influencing program delivery and student engagement. The discussion is formed around the three years of experience that the authors have in designing, delivering, and reviewing the two units. The outcomes, observations and feedback presented in the discussion suggest that this process has improved the quality of teaching and learning and the student experience. Findings provide practical solutions for delivering and assessing tertiary curriculum outcomes consistent with a nationally recognised framework.
Functional Inhibition of Katanin Affects Synaptic Plasticity
Authors: Lombino Franco L. , Schwarz Jürgen R. , Pechmann Yvonne , Schweizer Michaela , Jark Rebecca , Stange Oliver , Glatzel Markus , Gee Christine E. , Hausrat Torben J. , Gromova Kira V. , Kneussel Matthias
Published: November 2023

Dynamic microtubules critically regulate synaptic functions, but the role of microtubule severing in these processes is barely understood. Katanin is a neuronally expressed microtubule-severing complex regulating microtubule number and length in cell division or neurogenesis; however, its potential role in synaptic functions has remained unknown. Studying mice from both sexes, we found that katanin is abundant in neuronal dendrites and can be detected at individual excitatory spine synapses. Overexpression of a dominant-negative ATPase-deficient katanin subunit to functionally inhibit severing alters the growth of microtubules in dendrites, specifically at premature but not mature neuronal stages without affecting spine density. Notably, interference with katanin function prevented structural spine remodeling following single synapse glutamate uncaging and significantly affected the potentiation of AMPA-receptor-mediated excitatory currents after chemical induction of long-term potentiation. Furthermore, katanin inhibition reduced the invasion of microtubules into fully developed spines. Our data demonstrate that katanin-mediated microtubule severing regulates structural and functional plasticity at synaptic sites.
ZCCHC17 Modulates Neuronal RNA Splicing and Supports Cognitive Resilience in Alzheimer's Disease
Authors: Bartosch Anne Marie W. , Youth Elliot H. H. , Hansen Shania , Wu Yiyang , Buchanan Heather M. , Kaufman Maria E. , Xiao Harrison , Koo So Yeon , Ashok Archana , Sivakumar Sharanya , Soni Rajesh K. , Dumitrescu Logan C. , Lam Tiffany G. , Ropri Ali S. , Lee Annie J. , Klein Hans-Ulrich , Vardarajan Badri N. , Bennett David A. , Young-Pearse Tracy L. , De Jager Philip L. , Hohman Timothy J. , Sproul Andrew A. , Teich Andrew F.
Published: November 2023

ZCCHC17 is a putative master regulator of synaptic gene dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease (AD), and ZCCHC17 protein declines early in AD brain tissue, before significant gliosis or neuronal loss. Here, we investigate the function of ZCCHC17 and its role in AD pathogenesis using data from human autopsy tissue (consisting of males and females) and female human cell lines. Co-immunoprecipitation (co-IP) of ZCCHC17 followed by mass spectrometry analysis in human iPSC-derived neurons reveals that ZCCHC17's binding partners are enriched for RNA-splicing proteins. ZCCHC17 knockdown results in widespread RNA-splicing changes that significantly overlap with splicing changes found in AD brain tissue, with synaptic genes commonly affected. ZCCHC17 expression correlates with cognitive resilience in AD patients, and we uncover an APOE4-dependent negative correlation of ZCCHC17 expression with tangle burden. Furthermore, a majority of ZCCHC17 interactors also co-IP with known tau interactors, and we find a significant overlap between alternatively spliced genes in ZCCHC17 knockdown and tau overexpression neurons. These results demonstrate ZCCHC17's role in neuronal RNA processing and its interaction with pathology and cognitive resilience in AD, and suggest that the maintenance of ZCCHC17 function may be a therapeutic strategy for preserving cognitive function in the setting of AD pathology.
Structural study of UFL1‐UFC1 interaction uncovers the role of UFL1 N‐terminal helix in ufmylation
Authors: Banerjee Sayanika , Varga Julia K , Kumar Manoj , Zoltsman Guy , Rotem‐Bamberger Shahar , Cohen‐Kfir Einav , Isupov Michail N , Rosenzweig Rina , Schueler‐Furman Ora , Wiener Reuven
Published: November 2023

Ufmylation plays a crucial role in various cellular processes including DNA damage response, protein translation, and ER homeostasis. To date, little is known about how the enzymes responsible for ufmylation coordinate their action. Here, we study the details of UFL1 (E3) activity, its binding to UFC1 (E2), and its relation to UBA5 (E1), using a combination of structural modeling, X‐ray crystallography, NMR, and biochemical assays. Guided by Alphafold2 models, we generate an active UFL1 fusion construct that includes its partner DDRGK1 and solve the crystal structure of this critical interaction. This fusion construct also unveiled the importance of the UFL1 N‐terminal helix for binding to UFC1. The binding site suggested by our UFL1‐UFC1 model reveals a conserved interface, and competition between UFL1 and UBA5 for binding to UFC1. This competition changes in the favor of UFL1 following UFM1 charging of UFC1. Altogether, our study reveals a novel, terminal helix‐mediated regulatory mechanism, which coordinates the cascade of E1‐E2‐E3‐mediated transfer of UFM1 to its substrate and provides new leads to target this modification.