bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Is cognition integral to psychopathology? A population-based cohort study
Authors: Rotstein Anat , Fund Suzanne , Levine Stephen Z. , Reichenberg Abraham , Goldenberg Judy
Published: April 2023

Background

Lower cognitive functioning has been documented across psychiatric disorders and hypothesized to be a core deficit of mental disorders. Situating psychopathology and cognition as part of a unitary construct is therefore important to understanding the etiology of psychiatric disorders. The current study aims to test competing structural models of psychopathology and cognition in a large national cohort of adolescents.

Methods

The analytic sample consisted of 1189 participants aged 16–17 years, screened by the Israeli Draft Board. Psychopathology was assessed using a modified version of the Brief Symptom Inventory, and cognition was assessed based on four standardized test scores ((1) mathematical reasoning, concentration, and concept manipulation; (2) visual-spatial problem-solving skills and nonverbal abstract reasoning; (3) verbal understanding; (4) categorization and verbal abstraction). Confirmatory factor analysis was implemented to compare competing structural models of psychopathology with and without cognition. Sensitivity analyses examined the models in different subpopulations.

Results

Confirmatory factor analysis indicated a better model fit of psychopathological symptoms without cognition (RMSEA = 0.037; TLI = 0.991; CFI = 0.992) than with cognition (RMSEA = 0.04–0.042; TLI = 0.987–0.988; CFI = 0.988–0.989). Sensitivity analyses supported the robustness of these results with a single exception. Among participants with low cognitive abilities (N= 139), models that integrated psychopathological symptoms with cognition had a better fit compared to models of psychopathology without cognition.

Conclusions

The current study suggests that cognition and psychopathology are, generally, independent constructs. However, within low cognitive abilities, cognition was integral to the structure of psychopathology. Our results point toward an increased vulnerability to psychopathology in individuals with low cognitive abilities and may provide valuable information for clinicians.
The Limits of Judicial Reforms: How and Why China Failed to Centralize Its Court System
Authors: Meng Ye
Published: April 2023

This article investigates the implementation effects of China's recent reforms to centralize its court system and offers an explanation of why such centralization efforts largely failed. Drawing upon in-depth interviews with judicial personnel from four localities, the study shows that local courts’ structural dependence upon same-level party-states is perpetuated or, in some cases, is even exacerbated, despite the unprecedented reform plans to centralize the budgetary and personnel management of the judicial system. Further investigation finds that, contrary to what existing assessments suggest, implementation failure is less a result of regional disparities in resources than of the party-state's own reliance on its horizontal line of power concentration and hierarchy, which is a core feature of the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) one-party rule and hinders the party-state's own attempts to strengthen both judicial autonomy and centralization. The article thus challenges two extant notions on recent political-legal developments in China – that the CCP regime has substantially centralized its judiciary along the vertical line, and that judicial autonomy can continue to increase and manifest both under the conditions of, and serving the purpose of, deepening one-party authoritarianism.
Measuring ideation effectiveness in bioinspired design
Authors: Sharma Sunil , Gururani Suraj , Sarkar Prabir
Published: April 2023

Analogies provide better concept generation in engineering design. This ideation can be measured by metrics such as usefulness, novelty, variety, quality, completeness, and quantity. In bioinspired design, biological analogies are used to inspire design concepts. Biological analogies have been provided in earlier studies to measure ideation effectiveness. Tools like IDEA-INSPIRE, DANE, etc., allow designers to search analogies using functions, behaviors, and structures. However, we wanted to inquire about the effect of providing a very large number of biological analogies (26), fulfilling the same function to develop bioinspired solutions. In this paper, an empirical study has been performed to analyze the effect of biological analogies on ideation. The designers are exposed to provided multiple biological analogies and generate concepts for which four ideation metrics: novelty, variety, quality, and quantity metrics are evaluated. The results are compared to the unaided condition where other designers are given the same task. A new method to measure variety using a 2D matrix has been presented. The results suggest that designers can generate bioinspired solutions when multiple biological analogies performing similar functions are provided in a presentable format. Statistically, exposure to multiple biological analogies in idea generation can significantly increase the variety of design ideas. The novelty, quality, and quantity for the biological group and control group remain the same.
The Coronation Oath
Authors: Bursell Rupert
Published: April 2023

Over the past thirty years questions have been raised, and still remain, as to the proper scope of the sovereign's title, Defender of the Faith, in a multi-faith society. Such questions are not only politically important but are legally important, especially as they raise questions affecting the Church of England. Those questions need to be addressed before any suggested changes are actually implemented. These questions are different from those that arise in relation to the Coronation Oath Act 1688, but nonetheless are important. In spite of the uncompromising wording of that Act, changes to the oath taken by new sovereigns have historically taken place at subsequent coronations. This has led to both denials and affirmations of the legality of such changes. As similar changes are likely to take place in the future, it is important to consider whether the courts (civil or ecclesiastical) have jurisdiction to entertain challenges to the legality of the coronation itself, to the oath and to the actions of the relevant participants.
All Roads Lead to New Rome: The Canonical Origins and Status of the Orthodox and Greek Catholic Churches of Ukraine
Authors: Babie Paul
Published: April 2023

This article provides a brief account of the historical origins and canonical status of the three modern Orthodox and Greek-Catholic churches of Ukraine: the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church-Moscow Patriarchate, and the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church. It contains four parts. The first briefly recounts the origins of Byzantine Christianity and the fused form of state and church governance that developed in Constantinople from the 4th to the 15th centuries. The second examines the Great Schism of 1054, which cleaved Eastern and Western Christianity, sending Eastern Orthodox Christianity down the path of territory- or nation-based churches constituted by eucharistic ecclesiology; this would ultimately give rise to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church-Moscow Patriarchate in the Slavic lands that would become Ukraine. The third part considers two modern schisms, the Little Schism of 1596, which produced the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church, and the Final Schism of 2018–2019, which brought into existence the Orthodox Church of Ukraine. Drawing upon eucharistic ecclesiology, the final part offers brief concluding reflections concerning the ongoing implications of these three schisms for Orthodox Christianity in Ukraine.
Paradigmen der psychologischen Resilienzforschung
Authors: Arnold Miriam , Schilbach Miriam , Rigotti Thomas
Published: April 2023

Zusammenfassung: Die psychologische Resilienz gegenüber Stressoren ist ein in der Forschung viel bedachtes Thema, dem sich verschiedene Fachgebiete der Psychologie widmen. Verschiedene Konzeptionen beziehen sich auf unterschiedliche Merkmale, die Resilienz beschreiben können. Dies führt zu einer Vielzahl an Definitionen, welche alle unter dem Schlagwort ‚Resilienz‘ zusammenfinden. In dem vorliegenden Positionspapier stellen wir drei verschiedene Paradigmen dar – Resilienz als eine Kapazität, als Outcome und als Prozess. Traditionell liegt der Fokus der Forschung zu Resilienz auf der Resilienzkapazität. Wir zeigen zusätzlich aktuelle Ansätze auf, wie Resilienz als Outcome und Prozess untersucht werden kann. Die Vor- und Nachteile der jeweiligen Ansätze werden diskutiert. Wir postulieren, dass ein tiefgreifendes Verständnis für Resilienz nur durch das Zusammenführen und Berücksichtigen der drei Perspektiven möglich ist und stellen Beispiele, in denen dies umgesetzt wurde sowie ein integratives Rahmenmodell dar. Schließlich gehen wir auf aktuell offene Fragen oder selten berücksichtigte Aspekte der Resilienzforschung ein.
Data‐Driven Gap Filling and Spatio‐Temporal Filtering of the GRACE and GRACE‐FO Records
Authors: Gauer Louis‐Marie , Chanard Kristel , Fleitout Luce
Published: April 2023

Gravity Recovery And Climate Experiment and Follow On (GRACE/‐FO) global monthly measurements of Earth's gravity field have led to significant advances in quantifying mass transfer. However, a significant temporal gap between missions hinders evaluating long‐term mass variations. Moreover, instrumental and processing errors translate into large non‐physical North‐South stripes polluting geophysical signals. We use Multichannel Singular Spectrum Analysis (M‐SSA) to overcome both issues by exploiting spatio‐temporal information of Level‐2 GRACE/‐FO solutions, filtered using the DDK7 decorrelation and a new complementary filter, built based on the residual noise between fully processed data and a parametric fit to observations. Using an iterative M‐SSA on Equivalent Water Height (EWH) time series processed by Center of Space Research, GeoForschungsZentrum, Institute of Geodesy at Graz University of Technology, and Jet Propulsion Laboratory, we replace missing data and outliers to obtain a combined evenly sampled solution. Then, we apply M‐SSA to retrieve common signals between each EWH time series and its same‐latitude neighbors to further reduce residual spatially uncorrelated noise. Comparing GRACE/‐FO M‐SSA solution with Satellite Laser Ranging and Swarm low‐degree Earth's gravity field and hydrological model demonstrates its ability to satisfyingly fill missing observations. Our solution achieves a noise level comparable to mass concentration (mascon) solutions over oceans (3.0 mm EWH), without requiring a priori information nor regularization. While short‐wavelength signals are challenging to capture using highly filtered spherical harmonics or mascons solutions, we show that our technique efficiently recovers localized mass variations using well‐documented mass transfers associated with reservoir impoundments.
Viscoelastic Response of a Self‐Gravitational Spherical Earth to Shear Dislocation Obtained Using the Fixed‐Talbot Method
Authors: Zhou Xin , Wang Kelin
Published: April 2023

Viscoelastic dislocation theory is important to understanding fundamental geodynamics and validating numerical models in the study of earthquake deformation. Available mathematical solutions differ in assumed Earth geometry and formulation of gravity terms, but the main challenge they commonly face is Inverse Laplace Transform (ILT). Limitations in previously used ILT methods tend to degrade the performance and/or accuracy of the solutions. To overcome these limitations, we have derived new Green's functions for a layered spherical Earth based on the Fixed‐Talbot ILT method. The new solution uses a precise density‐gravity relation, includes pre‐stress advection, buoyancy, and self‐gravitation, invokes the bi‐viscous Burgers rheology, and yields deformational and gravitational changes both at the surface and in the interior of the Earth. The Fixed‐Talbot ILT method, which involves a left‐open parabolic integration path in the complex plane, greatly improves computing efficiency and allows convenient use of a large number of Earth layers. Comparison with other existing solutions demonstrates the excellent performance of the new solution. Taking the postseismic deformation of the 2004 Sumatra Mw 9.2 earthquake as an example, we illustrate how to integrate numerically our Green's functions to represent realistic slip distribution over a three‐dimensionally curved fault. The combination of computational efficiency, mathematical completeness in modeling gravitational effects, adaptability to any radial structure of the Earth, and ability to provide results at any depth including the surface enables a powerful tool for forward and inverse modeling of viscoelastic earthquake cycles in a self‐gravitating spherical Earth.
Paleomagnetic Evidence for Pre‐21 Ma Independent Drift of South Sardinia From North Sardinia‐Corsica: “Greater Iberia” Versus Europe
Authors: Siravo Gaia , Speranza Fabio , Mattei Massimo
Published: April 2023

It is unanimously acknowledged that the Corsica‐Sardinia microplate rotated counterclockwise (CCW) by 40–50° between 21 and 15 Ma, synchronous with Liguro‐Provençal Basin oceanic spreading. Conversely, 60–120° CCW rotations with respect to Europe from Sardinia (Permian dykes, volcanics and sediments, Mesozoic carbonates, and lower Eocene limestones) have been interpreted to be related to (a) late Permian intra‐Pangea shear events, (b) Aptian Iberia rotation, and (c) Eocene Valais Ocean closure. We report paleomagnetic data from 31 red‐bed sites from the mid‐late Eocene (45–32 Ma) Cixerri Fm. exposed in SW Sardinia. Characteristic paleomagnetic directions from 25 dual polarity sites (240 samples) define an 86 ± 7° CCW rotation. We suggest that a S Sardinia block located NE of Balearic Islands rotated 30° CCW during the 30–21 Ma Liguro‐Provençal rifting, and was decoupled from N Sardinia along the left‐lateral Nuoro fault. After 21 Ma, Corsica‐Sardinia underwent a drift‐related 60° CCW rotation as a whole. A re‐analysis of available paleomagnetic results shows that Permian data from N Sardinia‐Corsica align with European directions considering a 60° CCW rotation, whereas Permian and mid Jurassic data from S Sardinia match European directions only after considering a ∼35° CCW Iberia rotation besides the 90° post‐Eocene event. We suggest that S Sardinia was part of Iberia, and rotated CCW during both Aptian Iberia drift and Oligo‐Miocene Liguro‐Provençal opening. Our data, along with recent paleomagnetic results from Calabria, suggest that S Sardinia, Balearic Islands, Calabria, Peloritan, Kabylies, and Alboran were fragments of “Greater Iberia,” joined to Iberia before 30 Ma Liguro‐Provençal rifting.
Overcoming resistance to immunotherapy by targeting GPR84 in myeloid-derived suppressor cells
Authors: Qin Guohui , Liu Shasha , Liu Jinyan , Hu Hongwei , Yang Li , Zhao Qitai , Li Congcong , Zhang Bin , Zhang Yi
Published: April 2023

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) were found to gradually accumulate in the orthotopic esophageal cancer mouse model during tumor progression. Although the roles of MDSCs in promoting tumor growth and inhibiting immune response have been extensively explored, currently, there are still no effective means for targeting MDSCs clinically. The deficiency of specific markers of MDSCs was responsible for the limited strategy to eliminating in clinic. This study identified that GPR84 was exclusively overexpressed on MDSCs. It was further found that GPR84 was prominently expressed on MDSCs in clinical samples and tumor mouse models, which drives the immunosuppression on CD8+T cells by inhibiting PD-L1 degradation in lysosomes. Furthermore, G-CSF and GM-CSF were found to induce GPR84 expression through the STAT3/C/EBPβ signaling pathway. In addition, GPR84+MDSCs and PD-L1+MDSCs were highly accumulated in anti-PD-1 therapy-resistant patients with esophageal cancer, and high GPR84 signature risk was verified as a negative factor for the overall survival of patients with anti-PD-1 treatment. Finally, GPR84 antagonism combined with an anti-PD-1 antibody enhanced the antitumor responses. Therefore, targeting GPR84 enhanced anti-PD-1 efficacy in esophageal cancer and other malignant tumors. This combination therapy has the potential for tumor therapy in clinics.
Clinical and radiographic evaluation of NeoMTA versus conventional white mineral trioxide aggregate in revascularization of non-vital immature permanent anterior teeth (A randomized controlled trial)
Authors: Tawfeek Hala Ahmed , El-Bardissy Adel Abdel-Azim , Abou El-Yazeed Mohammed , Youssef Randa , Abd Alsamad Ahmed Mohamed
Published: April 2023

Objective

To evaluate and compare clinically and radiographically the effect of using two different coronal plug materials (NeoMTA versus Conventional White mineral trioxide aggregate) in revascularization of non-vital immature permanent anterior teeth, with special reference to the assessment and evaluation of discoloration potential over a period of one year.

Methods

Revascularization procedure was performed in (30) immature permanent non-vital anterior teeth which were randomly allocated to two equal groups (n = 15). NeoMTA was used as coronal plug material in the Experimental Group (N), while conventional White mineral trioxide aggregate (WMTA) was used as a coronal plug material in the Control Group (W). All treated teeth were evaluated clinically at 1 week, 1, 3, and 12 months and radiographically at 12 months.

Results

The overall clinical and radiographic success rate of Groups (N) and (W) at the end of the 12-month follow-up period was 100%. The discoloration was detected in a single tooth (9.1%) in Group (N) and three teeth (27.3%) in Group (W) but the difference between groups was not statistically significant.

Conclusions

Both NeoMTA and conventional WMTA were successful coronal plug materials in the revascularization of non-vital immature permanent teeth achieving a high level of clinical and radiographic success. NeoMTA is a promising coronal plug material that can be used for revascularization procedures in the esthetic zone as it showed less discoloration potential compared with conventional WMTA, however, there was no statistically significant difference between both materials.
A brief history of the development and use of vulcanised rubber in dentistry
Authors: Stephens Christopher
Published: April 2023

Until the late nineteenth century, denture baseplates and removable orthodontic appliances were usually made of gold. Though now largely forgotten, the discovery of vulcanised rubber was instrumental in making these forms of dental treatment widely available to the general public. While Charles Goodyear is recognised for his role in the development of vulcanite in America, that of Thomas Hancock in the UK is less well-known.
Dual role of PID1 in regulating apoptosis induced by distinct anticancer-agents through AKT/Raf-1-dependent pathway in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Yang Jian , Li Senlin , He Jialuo , Xu Qianqian , Xie Mengyuan , Yang Ci , Wang Hongjie , Zhang Yonghui , Wan Qian , Xiang Ming
Published: April 2023

The treatment outcome of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is severely hampered due to its etiology, and thus in depth understanding of the genetic mechanisms underlying response of HCC to various anticancer agents is needed. Here, we have identified Phosphotyrosine interaction domain-containing protein 1 (PID1) as a novel regulator involved in modulation of apoptosis induced by anticancer agents in a context-dependent manner. PID1 relieved chemotherapy-induced ROS production, mitochondrial outer membrane permeability and mitochondrial respiratory depression. In addition, PID1 restricted AKT-mediated inhibition on Raf-1 through interacting with PDPK1 at phosphorylated tyrosine sites, thus enhancing Raf-1-mediated BAD inhibition. Interestingly, AKT, Bcl2 inhibition or Raf-1 silencing abolished PID1-mediated anti-apoptotic effects. However, PID1 altered the rhythmicity of pharmacological activity of Sorafenib on various survival-related kinases, thus resulting in AKT blockade via Raf-1/BRAF/ERK/MEK pathway. BRAF inhibition or Raf-1 depletion disrupted PID1-mediated barrier in AKT activation in response to Sorafenib. Moreover, in vivo study indicated that PID1 deficiency led to increased survival rate upon Doxorubicin treatment but reduced efficacy of Sorafenib. Overall, we propose that PID1 can function as an underlying biomarker of resistance to conventional chemotherapeutic agents but sensitivity towards Sorafenib.
Defective NCOA4-dependent ferroptosis in senescent fibroblasts retards diabetic wound healing
Authors: Wei Xuerong , Liu Mengqian , Zheng Zijun , Yu Shengxiang , Huang Lei , Ma Jun , Gao Yanbin , Peng Yujie , Chen Lianglong , Tan Rongwei , She Zhending , Yang Lei
Published: April 2023

Cellular senescence describes a state of permanent proliferative arrest in cells. Studies have demonstrated that diabetes promotes the pathological accumulation of senescent cells, which in turn impairs cell movement and proliferation. Historically, senescence has been perceived to be a detrimental consequence of chronic wound healing. However, the underlying mechanism that causes senescent cells to remain in diabetic wounds is yet to be elucidated. Ferroptosis and ferritinophagy observed in diabetes are due to iron metabolism disorders, which are directly associated with the initiation and progression of diabetes. Herein, we reveal that senescent fibroblasts in diabetic wounds are resistant to ferroptosis and that impaired ferritinophagy may be a contributing cause. Further, the expression of NCOA4, a key factor that influences ferritinophagy, is decreased in both diabetic wound tissue and high glucose-induced senescent fibroblasts. Moreover, NCOA4 overexpression could render senescent fibroblasts more vulnerable to ferroptosis. A faster wound healing process was also linked to the induction of ferroptosis. Thus, resistance to ferroptosis impedes the removal of senescent fibroblasts; promoting ferritinophagy could reverse this process, which may have significant implications for the management of diabetic wounds.
Degradation of water soluble poly(vinyl alcohol) with acoustic and hydrodynamic cavitation: laying foundations for microplastics
Authors: Petkovšek Martin , Kržan Andrej , Šmid Alenka , Žagar Ema , Zupanc Mojca
Published: April 2023

Water-soluble poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVOH) is widely used in the textile and paper industries and in households as detergent pods. In addition to conventional microplastics, water-soluble PVOH poses an environmental threat because it is usually washed down the drain unnoticed and unobstructed. If not treated during wastewater treatment, it enters the aquatic ecosystem in estimated quantities of several thousand tons annually. The present study aims to address the degradation of PVOH on a laboratory scale by acoustic and hydrodynamic cavitation, assisted or not with an oxidative agent. A hydrodynamic cavitation generator, designed with consideration for real-life application, presents an innovative technology adapted for wastewater treatment. The effects of temperature, addition of external oxidant, and methanol as a hydroxyl radical (•OH) scavenger to PVOH solutions were systematically studied. At optimal operating conditions, PVOH molar mass averages significantly decreased (from weight average molar mass of 124 to 1.6 kg mol−1in case of 60 min treatment with hydrodynamic cavitation and addition of external oxidant) with concomitant narrowing of molar mass distribution. The SEC/MALS, FTIR, and1H NMR results show that mechanical degradation of PVOH chains predominates in acoustic cavitation, while chemical effects also play an important role in hydrodynamic cavitation. Findings from this study could serve as model research for the degradation of other carbon-backbone polymers and provide a route to improved ultimate (bio)degradation of functionalized polymers in the environment.
Predicting drug adverse effects using a new Gastro-Intestinal Pacemaker Activity Drug Database (GIPADD)
Authors: Liu Julia Yuen Hang , Rudd John A.
Published: April 2023

Electrical data could be a new source of big-data for training artificial intelligence (AI) for drug discovery. A Gastro-Intestinal Pacemaker Activity Drug Database (GIPADD) was built using a standardized methodology to test drug effects on electrical gastrointestinal (GI) pacemaker activity. The current report used data obtained from 89 drugs with 4867 datasets to evaluate the potential use of the GIPADD for predicting drug adverse effects (AEs) using a machine-learning (ML) approach and to explore correlations between AEs and GI pacemaker activity. Twenty-four “electrical” features (EFs) were extracted using an automated analytical pipeline from the electrical signals recorded before and after acute drug treatment at three concentrations (or more) on four-types of GI tissues (stomach, duodenum, ileum and colon). Extracted features were normalized and merged with an online side-effect resource (SIDER) database. Sixty-six common AEs were selected. Different algorithms of classification ML models, including Naïve Bayes, discriminant analysis, classification tree, k-nearest neighbors, support vector machine and an ensemble model were tested. Separated tissue models were also tested. Averaging experimental repeats and dose adjustment were performed to refine the prediction results. Random datasets were created for model validation. After model validation, nine AEs classification ML model were constructed with accuracy ranging from 67 to 80%. EF can be further grouped into ‘excitatory’ and ‘inhibitory’ types of AEs. This is the first time drugs are being clustered based on EF. Drugs acting on similar receptors share similar EF profile, indicating potential use of the database to predict drug targets too. GIPADD is a growing database, where prediction accuracy is expected to improve. The current approach provides novel insights on how EF may be used as new source of big-data in health and disease.
Olive shrub buried on Therasia supports a mid-16th century BCE date for the Thera eruption
Authors: Pearson Charlotte , Sbonias Kostas , Tzachili Iris , Heaton Timothy J.
Published: April 2023

The precise date of the 2nd millennium BCE (“Minoan”) eruption of Thera (Santorini) has long been a focus of controversy due to a discrepancy between archaeological and radiocarbon-based dating of materials from stratigraphic layers above and below tsunami, ash and pumice deposits resulting from the eruption. A critical, though controversial, piece of evidence has been four segments of a radiocarbon-dated olive tree branch, buried on Thera during the eruption. Here we report new radiocarbon evidence from an olive shrub found carbonized by the same eruption deposits on neighboring Therasia (Santorini). The Therasia olive shrub dates slightly younger than the previous olive branch. Calibrated results and growth increment counts indicate increased probabilities for a mid-16th century BCE date for the eruption, overlapping with multiple volcanic sulfate markers from ice core records.
Common weeds as heavy metal bioindicators: a new approach in biomonitoring
Authors: Cakaj A. , Lisiak-Zielińska M. , Hanć A. , Małecka A. , Borowiak K. , Drapikowska M.
Published: April 2023

Environmental pollution by heavy metals affects both urban and non-urban areas of Europe and the world. The use of bioindicator plants for the detection of these pollutants is a common practice. An important property of potential bioindicators is their easy availability and wide distribution range, which means that they can be practically used over a wide area. Therefore, common and widely distributed weeds: Trifolium pratense L., Rumex acetosa L., Amaranthus retroflexus L., Plantago lanceolata L., ornamental species Alcea rosea L., and Lolium multiflorum L. var. Ponto were selected as a potential bioindicators of heavy metals (Cd, Pb, Cu, Zn). Plants were exposed in the same soil conditions in three sample sites in the Poznań city. It was found that all species had heavy metal accumulation potential, especially A. rosea, P. lanceolata and L. multiflorum for Zn (BCF = 6.62; 5.17; 4.70) and A. rosea, P. lanceolata for Cd (BCF = 8.51; 6.94). Translocation of Cu and Zn was the most effective in T. pratense (TFCu = 2.55; TFZn = 2.67) and in A. retroflexus (TFCu = 1.50; TFZn = 2.23). Cd translocation was the most efficient in T. pratense (TFCd = 1.97), but PB was the most effective translocated in A. retroflexus (TFPb = 3.09).. Based on physiological response to stress, it was detected an increasing level of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in roots and leaves of all samples, with the highest in all organs of A. rosea. Enzymatic activity levels of CAT, APOX, and also the marker of polyunsaturated fatty acid peroxidation MDA, were higher after 6 weeks of exposure in comparison to control samples and varied in time of exposure and between species and exposure. After the experiment, in almost all samples we detected a reduction of chlorophyll content and relative water content, but in efficiency of photosynthesis parameters: net photosynthesis rate, intercellular CO2 concentration and stomatal conductance, we noted increased values, which proved the relatively good condition of the plants. The examined weeds are good bioindicators of heavy metal contamination, and their combined use makes it possible to comprehensively detection of environmental threats.
Alteration of taste perception, food neophobia and oral microbiota composition in children with food allergy
Authors: D’Auria Enza , Cattaneo Camilla , Panelli Simona , Pozzi Carlotta , Acunzo Miriam , Papaleo Stella , Comandatore Francesco , Mameli Chiara , Bandi Claudio , Zuccotti Gianvincenzo , Pagliarini Ella
Published: April 2023

Currently, the mechanisms underlying sensory perception and sensory performance in children with food allergies are far from being understood. As well, only recently, single research afforded the oral host-commensal milieu, addressing oral microbial communities in children with peanut allergies. To bridge the current gaps in knowledge both in the sensory and microbial fields, a psychophysiological case–control study was performed in allergic children (n = 29) and a healthy sex-age-matched control group (n = 30). Taste perception, food neophobia, and liking were compared in allergic and non-allergic children. The same subjects were characterized for their oral microbiota composition by addressing saliva to assess whether specific profiles were associated with the loss of oral tolerance in children with food allergies. Our study evidenced an impaired ability to correctly identify taste qualities in the allergic group compared to controls. These results were also consistent with anatomical data related to the fungiform papillae on the tongue, which are lower in number in the allergic group. Furthermore, distinct oral microbial profiles were associated with allergic disease, with significant down-representations of the phylum Firmicutes and of the genera Veillonella spp., Streptococcus spp., Prevotella spp., and Neisseria spp. For the first time, this study emphasizes the link between sensory perception and food allergy, which is a novel and whole-organism view of this pathology. Our data indicated that an impaired taste perception, as regards both functionality and physiologically, was associated with food allergy, which marginally influences the food neophobia attitude. It is also accompanied by compositional shifts in oral microbiota, which is, in turn, another actor of this complex interplay and is deeply interconnected with mucosal immunity. This multidisciplinary research will likely open exciting new approaches to therapeutic interventions.
MIDO GDM: an innovative artificial intelligence-based prediction model for the development of gestational diabetes in Mexican women
Authors: Gallardo-Rincón Héctor , Ríos-Blancas María Jesús , Ortega-Montiel Janinne , Montoya Alejandra , Martinez-Juarez Luis Alberto , Lomelín-Gascón Julieta , Saucedo-Martínez Rodrigo , Mújica-Rosales Ricardo , Galicia-Hernández Victoria , Morales-Juárez Linda , Illescas-Correa Lucía Marcela , Ruiz-Cabrera Ixel Lorena , Díaz-Martínez Daniel Alberto , Magos-Vázquez Francisco Javier , Ávila Edwin Oswaldo Vargas , Benitez-Herrera Alejandro Efraín , Reyes-Gómez Diana , Carmona-Ramos María Concepción , Hernández-González Laura , Romero-Islas Oscar , Muñoz Enrique Reyes , Tapia-Conyer Roberto
Published: April 2023

Given the barriers to early detection of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), this study aimed to develop an artificial intelligence (AI)-based prediction model for GDM in pregnant Mexican women. Data were retrieved from 1709 pregnant women who participated in the multicenter prospective cohort study ‘Cuido mi embarazo’. A machine-learning-driven method was used to select the best predictive variables for GDM risk: age, family history of type 2 diabetes, previous diagnosis of hypertension, pregestational body mass index, gestational week, parity, birth weight of last child, and random capillary glucose. An artificial neural network approach was then used to build the model, which achieved a high level of accuracy (70.3%) and sensitivity (83.3%) for identifying women at high risk of developing GDM. This AI-based model will be applied throughout Mexico to improve the timing and quality of GDM interventions. Given the ease of obtaining the model variables, this model is expected to be clinically strategic, allowing prioritization of preventative treatment and promising a paradigm shift in prevention and primary healthcare during pregnancy. This AI model uses variables that are easily collected to identify pregnant women at risk of developing GDM with a high level of accuracy and precision.
Commercially available SARS-CoV-2 RT-qPCR diagnostic tests need obligatory internal validation
Authors: Linkowska Katarzyna , Bogiel Tomasz , Lamperska Katarzyna , Marszałek Andrzej , Starzyński Jarosław , Szylberg Łukasz , Szwed-Kowalska Aleksandra , Pawłowska Małgorzata , Grzybowski Tomasz
Published: April 2023

Although infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS CoV-2) does not appear to be as serious a threat to public health as it was in 2020–2021, the increased transmissibility of multiple Omicron descendants may constitute a continuous challenge for health care systems, and reliable detection of new variants is still imperative. This study evaluates the performance of three SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic tests: Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) Real Time Multiplex RT-PCR Kit (Liferiver); Vitassay qPCR SARS-CoV-2 (Vitaassay) and TaqPath COVID‑19 CE-IVD RT-PCR Kit (Thermo Fisher Scientific). The analytical sensitivity of the assays as well as their specificity were determined with the use of synthetic nucleic acid standards and clinical samples. All assays appeared to be 100% specific for SARS-CoV-2 RNA in general and the Omicron variant in particular. The LOD determined during this validation was 10 viral RNA copies/reaction for Liferiver and TaqPath and 100 viral RNA copies for Vitassay. We cannot exclude that the LOD for the Vitassay might be lower and close to the manufacturer's declared value of ≥ 20 genome copies/reaction, as we obtained 90% positive results for 10 viral RNA copies/reaction. Mean Ct values at the concentration of 10 viral RNA copies/reaction for the Liferiver, Vitassay and TaqPath kits (35, 37 and 33, respectively) were significantly lower than the cutoff values declared by the manufacturers (≤ 41, ≤ 40 and ≤ 37, respectively). We suggest reporting outcomes based on LOD and cutoff Ct values determined during internal validation rather than those declared by the assays’ producers.
Deep learning-based image enhancement in optical coherence tomography by exploiting interference fringe
Authors: Lee Woojin , Nam Hyeong Soo , Seok Jae Yeon , Oh Wang-Yuhl , Kim Jin Won , Yoo Hongki
Published: April 2023

Optical coherence tomography (OCT), an interferometric imaging technique, provides non-invasive, high-speed, high-sensitive volumetric biological imaging in vivo. However, systemic features inherent in the basic operating principle of OCT limit its imaging performance such as spatial resolution and signal-to-noise ratio. Here, we propose a deep learning-based OCT image enhancement framework that exploits raw interference fringes to achieve further enhancement from currently obtainable optimized images. The proposed framework for enhancing spatial resolution and reducing speckle noise in OCT images consists of two separate models: an A-scan-based network (NetA) and a B-scan-based network (NetB). NetA utilizes spectrograms obtained via short-time Fourier transform of raw interference fringes to enhance axial resolution of A-scans. NetB was introduced to enhance lateral resolution and reduce speckle noise in B-scan images. The individually trained networks were applied sequentially. We demonstrate the versatility and capability of the proposed framework by visually and quantitatively validating its robust performance. Comparative studies suggest that deep learning utilizing interference fringes can outperform the existing methods. Furthermore, we demonstrate the advantages of the proposed method by comparing our outcomes with multi-B-scan averaged images and contrast-adjusted images. We expect that the proposed framework will be a versatile technology that can improve functionality of OCT.
pWCP is a widely distributed and highly conserved Wolbachia plasmid in Culex pipiens and Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes worldwide
Authors: Ghousein Amani , Tutagata Jordan , Schrieke Hans , Etienne Manuel , Chaumeau Victor , Boyer Sebastien , Pages Nonito , Roiz David , Eren A Murat , Cambray Guillaume , Reveillaud Julie
Published: April 2023

Mosquitoes represent the most important pathogen vectors and are responsible for the spread of a wide variety of poorly treatable diseases. Wolbachia are obligate intracellular bacteria that are widely distributed among arthropods and collectively represents one of the most promising solutions for vector control. In particular, Wolbachia has been shown to limit the transmission of pathogens, and to dramatically affect the reproductive behavior of their host through its phage WO. While much research has focused on deciphering and exploring the biocontrol applications of these WO-related phenotypes, the extent and potential impact of the Wolbachia mobilome remain poorly appreciated. Notably, several Wolbachia plasmids, carrying WO-like genes and Insertion Sequences (IS), thus possibly interrelated to other genetic units of the endosymbiont, have been recently discovered. Here we investigated the diversity and biogeography of the first described plasmid of Wolbachia in Culex pipiens (pWCP) in several islands and continental countries around the world—including Cambodia, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Thailand, and Mexico—together with mosquito strains from colonies that evolved for 2 to 30 years in the laboratory. We used PCR and qPCR to determine the presence and copy number of pWCP in individual mosquitoes, and highly accurate Sanger sequencing to evaluate potential variations. Together with earlier observation, our results show that pWCP is omnipresent and strikingly conserved among Wolbachia populations within mosquitoes from distant geographies and environmental conditions. These data suggest a critical role for the plasmid in Wolbachia ecology and evolution, and the potential of a great tool for further genetic dissection and possible manipulation of this endosymbiont.
A portable and partitioned DNA hydrogel chip for multitarget detection
Authors: Guo Yi , Li Wenxing , Zhang Runchi , Cao Siyu , Zhu Xiaoli , Chen Guifang , Feng Chang
Published: April 2023

Here, we have developed a portable and partitioned DNA hydrogel chip to achieve high-throughput and point-of-care testing of multiple targets.
Experimental evidence for large negative electron affinity from scandium-terminated diamond
Authors: Zulkharnay Ramiz , May Paul W.
Published: April 2023

Two Sc–diamond (100) and (111) surfaces have the highest negative electron affinity for a metal adsorbed onto bare diamond measured to date, as well as being thermally stable up to 900 °C.
IrSi3As3: a first transition metal arsenide non-linear optical material
Authors: Lee Shannon J. , Akopov Georgiy , Adeyemi Adedoyin N. , Soto Ernesto , Wu Kui , Kovnir Kirill
Published: April 2023

Transition metal silicon arsenide with Ir–Si and Ir–As covalent bonding exhibits remarkable non-linear optical properties: high second harmonic generation activity and a large laser damage threshold.
TiFeNb10O29−δ anode for high-power and durable lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Wang Guangshuo , Sun Yuanyuan , Sun Yonghua , Yan Chao , Pang Yuepeng , Yuan Tao , Zheng Shiyou
Published: April 2023

TiFeNb10O29−δ has a Wadsley–Roth shear polycrystalline structure with larger lattice parameter and more defects, leading to improved e−/Li+ conductivity and a greater pseudocapacitance contribution. It achieves excellent electrochemical performance.
Radical bicyclization of 1,6-enynes with sulfonyl hydrazides by the use of TBAI/TBHP in the aqueous phase
Authors: Liu Fa-Liang , Mei Lan , Wang Ling-Tao , Zhou Yu , Tang Keqi , Li Ting , Yi Rongnan , Wei Wen-Ting
Published: April 2023

A novel 5-exo-dig/6-endo-trig bicyclization of 1,6-enynes with sulfonyl hydrazides in the aqueous phase using the cheap and available tetrabutylammonium iodide (TBAI)–tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) combined system is reported.
Pd nanoparticle-decorated covalent organic frameworks for enhanced photocatalytic tetracycline hydrochloride degradation and hydrogen evolution
Authors: Xu Fenghua , Liang Bo , Liu Luqing , Hu Xiaodong , Weng Baicheng
Published: April 2023

A novel bipyridine-based, sp2-carbon-linked COF with the incorporation of ultra-small metal nanoparticles displays remarkable photocatalytic activities, owing to strong visible light absorption and modulated electronic structure.
Construction of Cd(ii)-based metal–organic frameworks incorporating SiF62− as fluorescence sensors for arginine
Authors: Wu Xue , Li Ding , Xu Lei , Jiang Yu-Fei , Zhao Yue , Zhao Jing
Published: April 2023

Two novel Cd(ii)-based metal–organic frameworks are constructed from an imidazole-containing ligand and SiF62− anions, and both of them exhibit a fluorescence sensing capacity for arginine via a turn-on effect.
How does the combination of the nitro group and fluorine atoms affect the (co)crystallization behaviour of arylenediamines?
Authors: Vaganova Tamara A. , Gatilov Yurij V. , Kryuchkova Natalia A. , Pishchur Denis P. , Zhukovets Anastasia A. , Malykhin Evgenij V.
Published: April 2023

Fluorine substituents control the stoichiometry and supramolecular structure of co-crystals affecting the electron density distribution over the molecule and, thus, the strength of H-bonds and p⋯π electron interactions.
Conformational and state-specific effects in reactions of 2,3-dibromobutadiene with Coulomb-crystallized calcium ions
Authors: Kilaj Ardita , Käser Silvan , Wang Jia , Straňák Patrik , Schwilk Max , Xu Lei , von Lilienfeld O. Anatole , Küpper Jochen , Meuwly Markus , Willitsch Stefan
Published: April 2023

Recent advances in experimental methodology enabled studies of the quantum-state- and conformational dependence of the reaction of 2,3-dibromobutadiene with laser-cooled calcium ions in the gas phase.
Pressure-dependent structure and electronic properties of energetic NTO crystals dominated by hydrogen-bonding interactions
Authors: Fan Junyu , Wang Pengju , Gao Nan
Published: April 2023

High-pressure Raman and IR spectra reveal a potential structural transition of NTO dominated by hydrogen-bonding interactions, and the shrinkage of the band gap is associated with the fast charge transfer from the nitrogen heterocycle to the nitro group.
Ultraviolet refractive index values of organic aerosol extracted from deciduous forestry, urban and marine environments
Authors: Barker Connor R. , Poole Megan L. , Wilkinson Matthew , Morison James , Wilson Alan , Little Gina , Stuckey Edward J. , Welbourn Rebecca J. L. , Ward Andrew D. , King Martin D.
Published: April 2023

Optical trapping and Mie Spectroscopy are used to measure the refractive index of organic matter extracted from the atmosphere in the UV wavelength range.
Green synthesis of shape-tunable CuFe2O4NPs: a magnetically retrievable and efficient catalyst for Chan–Lam type C–N coupling reactions under base-free conditions
Authors: Iraqui Saddam , Kalita Babul , Star Rei , Gupta Mukul , Rashid Md. Harunar
Published: April 2023

A base-free protocol for CuFe2O4NP-catalysed, ultrasonic vibration-assisted Chan–Lam type C–N coupling reaction between amines and phenylboronic acid is reported.
A MOF-derived porous In2O3 flower-like hierarchical architecture sensor: near room-temperature preparation and fast trimethylamine sensing performance
Authors: Wang He , Li Sirui , Zhu Hang , Yu Shaoyuan , Yang Tianye , Zhao Hongwei
Published: April 2023

A MOF-derived porous In2O3 flower-like hierarchical architecture sensor is prepared at near room temperature, which exhibits a high response and a fast response speed towards trimethylamine.
Structural advances toward understanding the catalytic activity and conformational dynamics of modular nonribosomal peptide synthetases
Authors: Patel Ketan D. , MacDonald Monica R. , Ahmed Syed Fardin , Singh Jitendra , Gulick Andrew M.
Published: April 2023

Nonribosomal peptide synthetases use a modular architecture to catalyze production of peptide natural products. Structural studies provide insights into the multidomain organization as well as the structural basis of catalytic domain activity.
Engineering S-scheme CuO/ZnO heterojunctions sonochemically for eradicating RhB dye from wastewater under solar radiation
Authors: Alsulmi Ali , Mohammed Nagy N. , Soltan Ayman , Messih M. F. Abdel , Ahmed M. A.
Published: April 2023

In this research, S-scheme heterojunctions composed of different concentrations of CuO and ZnO nanoparticles are fabricated for eradicating rhodamine B dye under solar radiation.
An optimized model for ammonia/syngas combustion
Authors: Li Wenyu , Zou Chun , Yao Hong
Published: April 2023

An overall superior ammonia/syngas model: the optimized rate parameters are supported by experiments; the optimized model reproduces reasonably an extensive set of macroscopic data including ignition delay, flame speed and species concentration.
NbSe2@PPy nanosheets as anode materials for flexible all-solid-state asymmetric supercapacitors
Authors: Song Guofen , Li Jinghan , Dong Changlin , Zhang Panpan , Yang Mengzhao , Park SangWook , Zhang Tao , Wang Mingchao , Shi Huanhuan , Liu Qinglei , Gu Jiajun , Feng Xinliang
Published: April 2023

The sandwich-structure NbSe2@PPy nanosheets have been synthesized by coating polypyrrole on the surface of NbSe2nanosheets as anode materials with superior structure stability, electron transport and prevention of surface oxidation.