bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spatial arrangement and density variations in the cell envelope of Deinococcus radiodurans
Authors: Farci Domenica , Piano Dario
Published: March 2024

The cell envelope of the poly-extremophile bacterium Deinococcus radiodurans is renowned for its highly organized structure and unique functional characteristics. In this bacterium, a precise regularity characterizes not just the S-layer, but it also extends to the underlying cell envelope layers, resulting in a dense and tightly arranged configuration. This regularity is attributed to a minimum of three protein complexes located at the outer membrane level. Together, they constitute a recurring structural unit that extends across the cell envelope, effectively tiling the entirety of the cell body. Nevertheless, a comprehensive grasp of the vacant spaces within each layer and their functional roles remains limited. In this study, we delve into these aspects by integrating the state of the art with structural calculations. This approach provides crucial evidence supporting an evolutive pressure intricately linked to surface phenomena depending on the environmental conditions.
Comparative analysis of temperature-based graphical indices for correlating the total π-electron energy of benzenoid hydrocarbons
Authors: Hayat Sakander , Liu Jia-Bao
Published: March 2024

In a graph [Formula: see text], the temperature [Formula: see text] of a vertex [Formula: see text] is defined as [Formula: see text], where n is the order of G and [Formula: see text] is the valency/degree of x. A topological/graphical index [Formula: see text] is a map [Formula: see text], where ∑ (respectively, [Formula: see text]) is the set of simple connected graphs (respectively, real numbers). Graphical indices are employed in quantitative structure-property relationship (QSPR) modeling to predict physicochemical/thermodynamic/biological characteristics of a compound. A temperature-based graphical index of a chemical graph G is defined as [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] is a symmetric 2-variable map. In this paper, we introduce two new novel temperature-based indices named as the reduced reciprocal product-connectivity temperature ([Formula: see text]) index and the geometric-arithmetic temperature ([Formula: see text]) index. The predictive potential of these indices has been investigated by employing them in structure-property modeling of the total [Formula: see text]-electronic energy [Formula: see text] of benzenoid hydrocarbons. In order to validate the statistical inference, the lower 30 BHs have been opted as test molecules as their experimental data for [Formula: see text] is also publicly available. First, we employ a computer-based computational method to compute temperature indices of 30 lower BHs. Certain QPSR models are proposed by utilizing the experimental data of [Formula: see text] for the BHs. Our statistical analysis suggests that the most efficient regression models are, in fact, linear. Our statistical analysis asserts that both [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] outperformed all the existing temperature indices for correlating [Formula: see text] for the BHs. The results suggest their further employability in QSPR modeling. Importantly, our research contributes toward countering proliferation of graphical indices.
Inducement of Desired Behavior via Soft Policies
Authors: Başar Tamer
Published: March 2024

Terms like inducement, incentivization, persuasion, and to some extent enticement, are used in our daily lives to describe situations where one individual (decision maker, or entity) acts in a way to influence the decision-making process of another individual or individuals, where the outcome could benefit all involved or only the one who has initiated the process. Such influence could be exerted in two different ways (though variations do exist): via a direct input by the influencer into the utility or reward (or loss) of the receiving party, or by controlling (and possibly crafting) the information flow to the latter, in an attempt to shape beliefs at the receiving end (as in spread of disinformation). Both scenarios (and those that fall in between) could be analyzed within a dynamic Stackelberg game-theoretic framework, with a precise notion of equilibrium, which this paper addresses. The focus will naturally be on soft inducement (incentivization, persuasion) policies, rather than hard enforcement (such as threat) ones which are not that interesting or practical. This overview paper introduces some explicit models that lead to appealing such policies. It also includes a discussion on the impact of various factors, such as population size and uncertainty in modeling, on the resulting equilibria, and identify several challenges that lie ahead.
Can ChatGPT Learn Chinese or Swahili?
Authors: Savage Neil
Published: March 2024

Considering how large language models might act differently if trained in different languages.
Gas Diffusion Electrodes (GDEs) for Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Reduction in Microfluidic Cells: Towards a Fluid Dynamics Assisted Rational Design
Authors: Colet-Lagrille M. , González-Poggini Sergio , Salazar-Espinoza Carol , Sánchez Bruno
Published: March 2024

The electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide (CO2) for the generation of multicarbon (C2+) products with high commercial value—e.g., ethanol and ethylene—is gaining growing interest due to the successful implementation of laboratory scale technologies that can reach high current densities (>500 mA cm−2) and Faradaic efficiencies (>60%), using a simplified approach in terms of configuration and cost. This is the case of microfluidic cells, low-temperature electrochemical flow systems which optimal operation sustains on the enhancement of the mass and charge transfer phenomena taking place at the gas diffusion electrode (GDE) | aqueous electrolyte interface where CO2 molecules are selectively transformed at the surface of the catalyst layer. This work presents an up-to-date overview of materials and operational conditions for microfluidic-type systems, providing significant enlightenment on the effects that the phenomena occurring at the GDE | electrolyte interface have over the CO2 reduction reaction kinetics towards the generation of C2+ products. It is shown that the integration of computational methods (particularly, density functional theory and computational fluid dynamics) into conventional experimental approaches is an effective strategy to elucidate the reaction mechanisms and mass/charge transfer trends determining the enhanced design of GDEs and the GDE | electrolyte interface.
Effect of Viscoelastic Characteristics on the Real Contact Area of Polishing Pad Surface
Authors: Hou Changyu , Di Hongyu , Wang Ji , Guo Dongming , Zhou Ping
Published: March 2024

Real contact area (RCA) between polishing pad and workpiece surface is one of the most important parameters indicating the mechanical action strength of chemical mechanical polishing (CMP), which has a dominated effect on the material removal. However, the effect of pad viscoelastic characteristics on RCA is not clear. In this study, a contact status measurement device that can apply cyclic load and record contact images is developed to study the viscoelastic behavior of the pad and its influence on RCA. The results show that when the pad undergoes cyclic compression load during CMP, the pad asperity layer gradually accumulates viscoelastic deformation and the RCA increases obviously, which can be mostly recovered after a long time. In particular, the accumulation and recovery of viscoelastic deformation lead to a significant change of the relationship between RCA and pressure, from linear to nonlinear and then to linear. Furthermore, an RCA model is established based on the viscoelastic constitutive model of pad and the mathematical relationship between RCA and pad deformation to explain the influence of pad viscoelastic behavior on RCA. This study is expected to provide new insights into RCA, and to give support for predictive control of the material removal during CMP.
Effects of the Replacement of Dietary Fishmeal by the Blend of Tenebrio molitor Meal, Chlorella Meal, Clostridium Autoethanogenum Protein, and Cottonseed Protein Concentrate on Growth, Protein Utilization, and Intestinal Health of Gibel Carp (Carassius gibelio, CAS Ⅴ)
Authors: Yu Yongning , Wang Xing , Jin Junyan , Han Dong , Zhu Xiaoming , Liu Haokun , Zhang Zhimin , Yang Yunxia , Xie Shouqi
Published: March 2024

The trial was conducted to investigate the effects of the replacement of dietary fishmeal (FM) by the blend of Tenebrio molitor meal (TMM), Chlorella meal (CM), Clostridium autoethanogenum protein (CAP), cottonseed protein concentrate (CPC) on growth, protein utilization and intestinal health of gibel carp (Carassius gibelio, CAS Ⅴ). The FM‐based diet was used as the control, and the blended proteins (TMM: CM: CAP: CPC) at ratios of 1 : 1:8 : 2 (BLEND A), 1 : 1:6 : 4 (BLEND B), and 1 : 1:4 : 6 (BLEND C) were used to replace FM at three levels (33%, 67%, 100%), respectively. The results showed that, compared to the control group, growth performance increased significantly when dietary FM was fully replaced by BLEND B (P < 0.05), while decreased by BLEND A (P < 0.05). The complete substitution of FM with BLEND B significantly upregulated the mRNA expression of intestinal proinflammatory cytokines, anti‐inflammatory cytokines, and tight junction‐related genes (P < 0.05), improving intestinal tissue morphology and health. And it also significantly increased intestinal trypsin activity (P < 0.05), upregulated the mRNA expression of amino acid sensory receptor‐related and amino acid or peptide transport‐related genes (P < 0.05), increased protein apparent digestibility coefficient (P < 0.05). The 100% substitution of FM with BLEND A significantly upregulated the mRNA expression of intestinal proinflammatory cytokines and downregulated the mRNA expression of anti‐inflammatory cytokine il-10 (P  < 0.05), reduced intestinal villus height (P < 0.05), and decreased protein apparent digestibility coefficient (P < 0.05). In conclusion, BLEND B could completely substitute dietary FM and was beneficial to the growth and health of gibel carp. Dietary digestible essential amino acids index (DEEAI) was found as an important indicator and should be higher than 79.5% to meet the maximum growth of fish.
Dynamic Analysis of a Simple Cournot Duopoly Model Based on a Computed Cost
Authors: Askar S. S. , M. Alshamrani Ahmad
Published: March 2024

The paper is organized to study some mathematical properties and dynamics of a simple Cournot duopoly game based on a computed quadratic cost. The time evolution of this game is described by a two‐dimensional noninvertible discrete time map using the bounded rationality mechanism. For this map, some dynamic characteristics such as multistability and synchronization are investigated. Its equilibrium points are obtained for the asymmetric case, and their conditions of stability are obtained. Our results investigate that the Nash equilibrium point may be unstable due to flip bifurcation and under certain parameter values, and Neimark–Sacker bifurcation is born after the period‐4 cycle. Through some restrictions, the coordinate axes of the map construct an invariant manifold, and therefore, their dynamics can be analyzed by using a one‐dimensional map. In the symmetric case, both firms behave identically, and this implies that the diagonal set forms an invariant manifold, and hence the synchronization phenomena take place. Furthermore, the global bifurcation of the map is confirmed through contact between critical curves and the boundaries of infeasible domains.
Table S4 from Spectral Flow Cytometry Methods and Pipelines for Comprehensive Immunoprofiling of Human Peripheral Blood and Bone Marrow
Authors: Spasic Milos , Ogayo Esther R. , Parsons Adrienne M. , Mittendorf Elizabeth A. , van Galen Peter , McAllister Sandra S.
Published: March 2024

Table S4. PBMC and BMC Sample Viability. Viability of PBMC and BMC donor samples calculated upon thawing, represented as a percentage of Fixable-ViaDyeRed negative cells. Samples were gated for all events, singlets, and non-RBCs.
Table S3 from Spectral Flow Cytometry Methods and Pipelines for Comprehensive Immunoprofiling of Human Peripheral Blood and Bone Marrow
Authors: Spasic Milos , Ogayo Esther R. , Parsons Adrienne M. , Mittendorf Elizabeth A. , van Galen Peter , McAllister Sandra S.
Published: March 2024

Table S3. BMC Panel Reagents. Information and concentration of indicated fluorophore-conjugated antibodies used to label BMCs in these studies.
Table S1 from Spectral Flow Cytometry Methods and Pipelines for Comprehensive Immunoprofiling of Human Peripheral Blood and Bone Marrow
Authors: Spasic Milos , Ogayo Esther R. , Parsons Adrienne M. , Mittendorf Elizabeth A. , van Galen Peter , McAllister Sandra S.
Published: March 2024

Table S1. T/B Panel Reagents. Information and concentration of indicated fluorophore-conjugated antibodies used to label PBMCs in these studies.
Figure S8 from Spectral Flow Cytometry Methods and Pipelines for Comprehensive Immunoprofiling of Human Peripheral Blood and Bone Marrow
Authors: Spasic Milos , Ogayo Esther R. , Parsons Adrienne M. , Mittendorf Elizabeth A. , van Galen Peter , McAllister Sandra S.
Published: March 2024

Figure S8. Pre-integration LISI scores for PBMC and BMC UMAPs. Dot plot indicating proportion of cells with a high Local Inverse Simpson Index (LISI) score in concatenated UMAPs. To calculate this proportion, we set a threshold of LISI > 2 in those cases where scores could range from 1-3 (“BMC” and “PBMC (All Donors)”; UMAPs shown in Fig. 6A and 5A-D), or LISI > 1.667 in those cases where scores could range from 1-2 (“PBMC (Excluding Donor 3146)”, UMAPs not shown). Circular data points represent the proportion of LISI-high cells per indicated donor within each UMAP; red squares indicate the average proportion of LISI-high cells among all donor cells in the respective UMAP. For PBMC UMAPs, “All Donors” represents the inclusion of all three PBMC samples, while “Excluding Donor 3146” excludes a donor who had a B cell lymphoma, demonstrating how biological differences can impact integration.
Figure S7 from Spectral Flow Cytometry Methods and Pipelines for Comprehensive Immunoprofiling of Human Peripheral Blood and Bone Marrow
Authors: Spasic Milos , Ogayo Esther R. , Parsons Adrienne M. , Mittendorf Elizabeth A. , van Galen Peter , McAllister Sandra S.
Published: March 2024

Figure S7. UMAP Marker Positioning. (A-E) UMAPs showing marker expression patterns in PBMC and BMC panels. Marker expression intensity is indicated by the scale bar to the right of each plot, where red is high, and blue is low. Data are derived from concatenated events from all 3 donors in the PBMC panels (A-D), and concatenated events from all 3 donors in the BMC panel (E). Insert in bottom right of each figure shows canonically gated major cell populations. Populations 10, 11, and 12 share CD16 expression, and as such occupy similar locations in UMAP space.
Figure S4 from Spectral Flow Cytometry Methods and Pipelines for Comprehensive Immunoprofiling of Human Peripheral Blood and Bone Marrow
Authors: Spasic Milos , Ogayo Esther R. , Parsons Adrienne M. , Mittendorf Elizabeth A. , van Galen Peter , McAllister Sandra S.
Published: March 2024

Figure S4. T Cell Activation and Exhaustion. Density plots of T cell activation and exhaustion markers on CD3+ PBMCs concatenated from three donor samples.
Figure S3 from Spectral Flow Cytometry Methods and Pipelines for Comprehensive Immunoprofiling of Human Peripheral Blood and Bone Marrow
Authors: Spasic Milos , Ogayo Esther R. , Parsons Adrienne M. , Mittendorf Elizabeth A. , van Galen Peter , McAllister Sandra S.
Published: March 2024

Figure S3. T/B and M/N/D Staining and Panel Consistency in Cell Type Detection. (A) Histograms showing expression of the 3 antibodies used in both the T/B and M/N/D PBMC panels (B) Bar graphs showing average stain index calculated using the median and standard deviation of the positive and negative peaks for each of the 3 antibodies used in both the T/B and M/N/D PBMC panels (n=3 donor samples). Stain Index= ((〖Median〗_positive-〖Median〗_negative))/〖2*SD〗_negative . Error bars represent SEM and statistical significance was calculated by t-test with p>0.05 being n.s. (not significant). (C) Ratio of lymphocytes (upper portion of graph, separated by the dotted line) and NK cells (lower portion of graph) to total CD45+ cells for each indicated donor in the T/B panel (green) and M/N/D panel (blue). Data were analyzed by two-way ANOVA with no significant differences calculated due to panel or cell type assessed.
Supplementary Figure S2 from Identification of Nonfunctional Alternatively Spliced Isoforms of STING in Human Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Authors: Boda Akash R. , Liu Arthur J. , Castro-Pando Susana , Whitfield Benjamin T. , Molldrem Jeffrey J. , Al-Atrash Gheath , Di Francesco Maria Emilia , Jones Philip , Ager Casey R. , Curran Michael A.
Published: March 2024

Analysis of STING isoforms amplified from patient bone marrow samples.
Supplementary Figure S1 from Identification of Nonfunctional Alternatively Spliced Isoforms of STING in Human Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Authors: Boda Akash R. , Liu Arthur J. , Castro-Pando Susana , Whitfield Benjamin T. , Molldrem Jeffrey J. , Al-Atrash Gheath , Di Francesco Maria Emilia , Jones Philip , Ager Casey R. , Curran Michael A.
Published: March 2024

IACS-8803 and -8779 are potent cyclic dinucleotide agonists of STING.
FIGURE 2 from Identification of Nonfunctional Alternatively Spliced Isoforms of STING in Human Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Authors: Boda Akash R. , Liu Arthur J. , Castro-Pando Susana , Whitfield Benjamin T. , Molldrem Jeffrey J. , Al-Atrash Gheath , Di Francesco Maria Emilia , Jones Philip , Ager Casey R. , Curran Michael A.
Published: March 2024

Evaluation of the STING pathway across common AML cell lines. A, Indicated AML cell lines plated 1 × 105 cells/well were stimulated 72 hours with CDNs at 10 µg/mL, and supernatants were harvested for ELISA (n = 5). An assay detection limit of 50 pg/mL is shown. qPCR analysis (B) and immunoblot (C) of STING pathway and resistance genes across AML lines (n = 1). For qPCR, data represent GAPDH-normalized fold expression relative to normal CD11b+ PBMC controls.
Data from Spectral Flow Cytometry Methods and Pipelines for Comprehensive Immunoprofiling of Human Peripheral Blood and Bone Marrow
Authors: Spasic Milos , Ogayo Esther R. , Parsons Adrienne M. , Mittendorf Elizabeth A. , van Galen Peter , McAllister Sandra S.
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Profiling hematopoietic and immune cells provides important information about disease risk, disease status, and therapeutic responses. Spectral flow cytometry enables high-dimensional single-cell evaluation of large cohorts in a high-throughput manner. Here, we designed, optimized, and implemented new methods for deep immunophenotyping of human peripheral blood and bone marrow by spectral flow cytometry. Two blood antibody panels capture 48 cell-surface markers to assess more than 58 cell phenotypes, including subsets of T cells, B cells, monocytes, natural killer (NK) cells, and dendritic cells, and their respective markers of exhaustion, activation, and differentiation in less than 2 mL of blood. A bone marrow antibody panel captures 32 markers for 35 cell phenotypes, including stem/progenitor populations, T-cell subsets, dendritic cells, NK cells, and myeloid cells in a single tube. We adapted and developed innovative flow cytometric analysis algorithms, originally developed for single-cell genomics, to improve data integration and visualization. We also highlight technical considerations for users to ensure data fidelity. Our protocol and analysis pipeline accurately identifies rare cell types, discerns differences in cell abundance and phenotype across donors, and shows concordant immune landscape trends in patients with known hematologic malignancy.
Significance:
This study introduces optimized methods and analysis algorithms that enhance capabilities in comprehensive immunophenotyping of human blood and bone marrow using spectral flow cytometry. This approach facilitates detection of rare cell types, enables measurement of cell variations across donors, and provides proof-of-concept in identifying known hematologic malignancies. By unlocking complexities of hematopoietic and immune landscapes at the single-cell level, this advancement holds potential for understanding disease states and therapeutic responses.
Data from Identification of Nonfunctional Alternatively Spliced Isoforms of STING in Human Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Authors: Boda Akash R. , Liu Arthur J. , Castro-Pando Susana , Whitfield Benjamin T. , Molldrem Jeffrey J. , Al-Atrash Gheath , Di Francesco Maria Emilia , Jones Philip , Ager Casey R. , Curran Michael A.
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Lack of robust activation of Stimulator of Interferon Genes (STING) pathway and subsequent induction of type I IFN responses is considered a barrier to antitumor immunity in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Using common human AML cell lines as in vitro tools to evaluate the efficacy of novel STING agonists, we found most AML lines to be poor producers of IFNs upon exposure to extremely potent agonists, suggesting cell-intrinsic suppression of STING signaling may occur. We observed unexpected patterns of response that did not correlate with levels of STING pathway components or of known enzymes associated with resistance. To identify a genetic basis for these observations, we cloned and sequenced STING from the cDNA of human AML cell lines and found both frequent mutations and deviations from normal RNA splicing. We identified two novel spliced isoforms of STING in these lines and validated their expression in primary human AML samples. When transduced into reporter cells, these novel STING isoforms exhibited complete insensitivity to agonist stimulation. These observations identify alternative splicing as a mechanism of STING pathway suppression and suggest that most AML silences the STING pathway through direct modification rather than through engagement of external inhibitory factors.
Significance:
We find that AML acquires resistance to innate immune activation via the STING pathway through aberrant splicing of the STING transcript including two novel forms described herein that act as dominant negatives. These data broaden understanding of how cancers evolve STING resistance, and suggest that the AML tumor microenvironment, not the cancer cell, should be the target of therapeutic interventions to activate STING.
Does the Diagnostic Accuracy and Rates of Face-to-Face Visits Occurring Shortly after an Asynchronized Teledermatology Consultation Justify Its Implementation? An 18-Month Cohort Study
Authors: Shapiro Jonathan , Lavi Izana  Kaplan , Kun Daniel , Ingber Arieh , Freud Tamar , Grunfeld Orly
Published: March 2024

Introduction: In 2019, Maccabi Health Services (MHS) rolled out the store-and-forward “Dermadetect” teledermatology consultation (TC) application. Study goal was to analyze MHS records of TCs (August 2019–February 2021) for the rate and reasons for face-to-face consultations (FTFC) occurring shortly after a TC with emphasis on FTFCs resulting in a different diagnosis for the same indication. Methods: The records of FTFCs held up shortly after TCs were reviewed and classified into cases marked as unsuited for teledermatology, cases in which the indication differed, and cases with the same indication, which were analyzed for concordance of diagnoses. Results: Dermadetect was used by 12,815 MHS beneficiaries. In 30% of cases, following FTFC occurred within the subsequent 5 months, and 901 of them occurred in the subsequent 2 weeks and were analyzed. Thirty percent were not suited for teledermatology, 15% were held for a different indication, and 55% occurred for the same indication. The diagnosis concordance between the TC and recurrent FTFC for the same indication was 97.4%, with full concordance at 68.1% and partial concordance at 29.3%. Overall, 13 patients (1.4%) of the 901 patients using the application only once had a subsequent FTFC within 2 weeks and received a different diagnosis than the one given in the TC. Conclusions: When considering the implementation of store-and-forward TC’s, a 30% rate of following FTFC’s during the next 5 months should be considered when planning the reimbursement model. Diagnosis discordance may be disregarded due to its low rates.
Demethylzeylasteral (T-96) Alleviates Allergic Asthma via Inhibiting MAPK/ERK and NF-κB Pathway
Authors: Huang Jianan , Cai Hui , Ye Xiaofen , Zhang Ge , Ye Ling , Yang Chunxin , Wang Jian , Jin Meiling
Published: March 2024

Introduction: Demethylzeylasteral (T-96), a new extract of Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F, exerted immunomodulatory properties in autoimmune diseases, but its effect on airway inflammatory diseases remains unclear. Our study aims to explore the protective effect and underlying mechanism of T-96 in allergic asthma. Methods: The OVA-induced asthmatic mice were administered by gavage with T-96 (0.1 mg/10 g, 0.3 mg/10 g, or 0.6 mg/10 g) 1 h before each challenge. The airway hyperresponsiveness was assessed, pathological changes were evaluated by HE and PAS staining, and expressions of Th2 cytokines were determined by PCR and ELISA. The activation of MAPK/ERK and NF-κB pathway was assessed by western blot. Results: T-96 significantly relieved airway hyperresponsiveness in asthmatic mice, evidenced by reduced airway resistance (Raw) and increased lung compliance dynamic compliance (Cdyn). Also, enhanced inflammatory infiltration and mucus hypersecretion were ameliorated in lungs of asthmatic mice following increasing doses of T-96 treatment, accompanied by decreased eosinophils in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), IgE and OVA-specific IgE levels in serum, and downregulated IL-5 and IL-13 expressions in BALF and lung tissues as well. Notably, phosphorylation levels of p38 MAPK, ERK, and p65 NF-κB were obviously increased in asthmatic mice compared with the control group, which were then abrogated upon T-96 treatment. Conclusion: This study first revealed that T-96 alleviated allergic airway inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness via inhibiting MAPK/ERK and NF-κB pathway. Thus, T-96 could potentially act as a new anti-inflammatory agent in allergic asthma.
How a 5-Day Stay in the Tobacco-Free Environment of the Stoptober House Supports Individuals to Quit Smoking: A Mixed Methods Pilot Study
Authors: Van den Brand Floor A. , Martinelli Thomas , de Haan-Bouma Charlotte I. , Meerkerk Gert-Jan , Winkens Bjorn , Nagelhout Gera E.
Published: March 2024

Introduction: The Stoptober House is part of the annual national Stoptober smoking cessation campaign in the Netherlands. During the first week of October, 48 volunteers resided in the tobacco-free Stoptober House for 5 days and received smoking cessation counseling. This pilot study explored how the Stoptober House may have facilitated smoking cessation among participants. Methods: We included 48 individuals who were selected for the Stoptober House (intervention group) and 67 individuals who were not selected (control group). Surveys were conducted at baseline, immediately after 2 and 8 weeks of post-intervention. We compared self-reported abstinence, psychosocial mediators related to smoking cessation, and perceived active elements of the Stoptober House between the intervention and control groups using t/χ2 tests and linear mixed model (LMM) analysis. Sixteen semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted to explore participants’ perspectives on the elements contributing to their success in quitting smoking. Results: At 8 weeks of follow-up, a higher proportion of participants in the intervention group (24/48 [50%]) reported being abstinent compared to the control group (5/67 [7%]; p < 0.001). Among participants who reported making a quit attempt, 22/38 (57.9%) in the intervention group remained abstinent compared to 4/17 (23.5%) in the control group (p = 0.022). The intervention group also exhibited higher self-efficacy to quit smoking throughout the follow-up period and higher social support immediately after the Stoptober House. No significant differences were observed in other psychosocial factors. The interviews highlighted several perceived elements of the Stoptober House that contributed to smoking cessation success, including restricted smoking opportunities, access to smoking cessation counselors, and peer support. Conclusion: This pilot study suggests that the Stoptober House provides support that can help people quit smoking. Further research is needed to confirm these findings and determine the cost-effectiveness of this intervention in promoting long-term abstinence among specific groups of smokers.
Emerging and Novel Elicitors of Anaphylaxis: Collegium Internationale Allergologicum Update 2024
Authors: Treudler Regina
Published: March 2024

Background: Anaphylaxis represents the most severe end of the spectrum of allergic reactions. Frequent elicitors of anaphylaxis are insects, foods, and drugs. This paper summarizes recent development with regard to emerging and novel elicitors of anaphylaxis. Summary: Food allergens on the rise include pulses (like pea, chickpea), seeds (hemp, chia), nuts (cashew), pseudograins (buckwheat, quinoa), fruits, and microalgae. Novel foods are foods that were not consumed to any significant extent in the European Union before May 1997, which includes four edible insects (mealworm, migratory locust, house cricket, and buffalo worm). Recent investigations have pointed out the risk of anaphylaxis associated with the consumption of yellow mealworm for people allergic to shellfish and house dust mites. In Europe, fire ants (mostly Solenopsis invicta) and Vespa velutina nigrithorax represent invasive species, which account for increasing numbers of anaphylactic reactions. Also, several new drugs, especially biologicals, have been associated with anaphylaxis. Key Messages: Elicitors of anaphylaxis are changing as a result of (i) increase in demand for plant-based food, (ii) introduction of novel foods, (iii) spreading of allergens by climate changes and globalization, or (iv) due to exposure to newly developed drugs.
Levels of teacher performance in formative assessment in multigrade and single-grade classrooms
Authors: Cerón Urzúa Claudio Andrés , Ranjan Ranjeeva , Saavedra Rodrigo Arellano , Philominraj Andrew
Published: March 2024

Formative assessment is an evaluative practice developed in the classroom for the improvement of learning using evidence on student progression. The objective of this research is to compare sample groups from multigrade and single-grade classrooms on the theme of formative assessment based on the students' opinion of the teacher's performance. The method used was a comparative quantitative method. The sample type is a probability sample of 683 students from 5th to 8th grade from urban and rural schools in the commune of Longaví, located in the Maule Region of Chile. A validated Likert scale questionnaire with a high level of reliability (α = 0.93) was used. The results of the research showed that, in the six dimensions, the best teacher performance concerning formative assessment is found in multi-grade schools and not in single-grade schools. This can be explained on the basis of several reasons, among them the level of adaptability that teachers have in this type of classroom, the heterogeneous characteristics of the classroom (different ages and learning goals) and the need for teachers to monitor the learning progression of students with different classroom characteristics.
Essential components of teacher professional development for financial literacy: A literature review
Authors: Louis Silvya , Siswandari Siswandari , Noviani Leny
Published: March 2024

Financial literacy, as a fundamental skill in the 21st century, has become a life skill that is urgently needed to be improved. Globally, the drive to enhance financial literacy involves integrating it into the education curriculum, necessitating educators’ comprehensive grasp of financial literacy education before imparting it to students. This research aims to outline a conceptual model of financial literacy professional development to improve teachers’ professional competence, employing a narrative review that synthesizes 28 relevant literatures retrieved from Scopus databases. The results of the study show that an effective training model for teacher professional development (TPD) in financial literacy education should focus on essential financial literacy content consisting of planning and budgeting, banking services, income and careers, insurance, investment, savings, also spending and credit. Furthermore, the main characteristics of TPD regarding financial literacy education should encompass content focus, coherence, ownership, active learning, duration, and collective participation.
Targeted Gene Deletion or Antagonism of the Prostaglandin E2 EP3 Receptor Protects Against Cardiac Injury Postmyocardial Infarction
Authors: Bryson Timothy D. , Bhat Shaheen Y. , Moore Carlin , Taube David , Xu Jiang , Peterson Edward , Harding Pamela
Published: March 2024

BACKGROUND:

Prostaglandin E2 acts through 4 G-protein-coupled receptors (EP1–EP4). We previously reported that activation of the EP3 receptor reduces cardiac contractility, and its expression increases after a myocardial infarction (MI), mediating the reduction in cardiac function. In contrast, cardiac overexpression of the EP4 receptor in MI substantially improves cardiac function. Moreover, we recently reported that mice overexpressing EP3 have heart failure under basal conditions and worsened cardiac function after MI. Thus, the deleterious effects of the prostaglandin E2 EP receptors in the heart are mediated via its EP3 receptor. We, therefore, hypothesized that cardiomyocyte-specific knockout (CM-EP3 KO) or antagonism of the EP3 receptor protects the heart after MI.

METHODS:

To test our hypothesis, we made the novel CM-EP3 KO mouse and subjected CM-EP3 KO or controls to sham or MI surgery for 2 weeks. In separate experiments, C57BL/6 mice were subjected to 2 weeks of MI and treated with either the EP3 antagonist L798 106 or vehicle starting 3 days post-MI.

RESULTS:

CM-EP3 KO significantly prevented a decline in cardiac function after MI compared with WT animals and prevented an increase in hypertrophy and fibrosis. Excitingly, mice treated with L798 106 3 days after MI had significantly better cardiac function compared with vehicle-treated mice.

CONCLUSIONS:

Altogether, these data suggest that EP3 may play a direct role in regulating cardiac function, and pharmaceutical targeting of the EP3 receptor may be a therapeutic option in the treatment of heart failure.
ARE FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENTS STILL IMPORTANT FOR GROWTH? A NEW APPROACH FOR TÜRKİYE
Authors: Turnacıgil Seda , Arık Ecem
Published: March 2024

So far, especially underdeveloped and developing countries have tried to attract foreign direct investments by adopting open economy policies. In this study, we investigated whether direct foreign investments have a significant impact on the gross domestic product of countries. For this purpose, we examined the long-term relationships between GDP and foreign direct investment between 1986 and 2020 in Türkiye, which is considered a developing country, with a new approach, structural breaks. The results of the research show that there is a two-way positive relationship between the variables. Accordingly, while GDP affects foreign direct investments in the long run, foreign direct investments also affect GDP. The findings obtained from the CCR, FMOLS and DOLS methods used to estimate the coefficients in the long term are generally consistent with each other. It is understood from this study that the policy of adopting open economy policies and attracting direct investments continues to be valid in Turkiye.
Moving and Static Faces, Bodies, Objects, and Scenes Are Differentially Represented across the Three Visual Pathways
Authors: Küçük Emel , Foxwell Matthew , Kaiser Daniel , Pitcher David
Published: March 2024

Models of human cortex propose the existence of neuroanatomical pathways specialized for different behavioral functions. These pathways include a ventral pathway for object recognition, a dorsal pathway for performing visually guided physical actions, and a recently proposed third pathway for social perception. In the current study, we tested the hypothesis that different categories of moving stimuli are differentially processed across the dorsal and third pathways according to their behavioral implications. Human participants (n = 30) were scanned with fMRI while viewing moving and static stimuli from four categories (faces, bodies, scenes, and objects). A whole-brain group analysis showed that moving bodies and moving objects increased neural responses in the bilateral posterior parietal cortex, parts of the dorsal pathway. By contrast, moving faces and moving bodies increased neural responses, the superior temporal sulcus, part of the third pathway. This pattern of results was also supported by a separate ROI analysis showing that moving stimuli produced more robust neural responses for all visual object categories, particularly in lateral and dorsal brain areas. Our results suggest that dynamic naturalistic stimuli from different categories are routed in specific visual pathways that process dissociable behavioral functions.
Roles of the Default Mode Network in Different Aspects of Self-representation When Remembering Social Autobiographical Memories
Authors: Katsumi Azusa , Iwata Saeko , Tsukiura Takashi
Published: March 2024

Autobiographical memory (AM) is episodic memory for personally experienced events, in which self-representation is more important than that in laboratory-based memory. Theoretically, self-representation in a social context is categorized as the interpersonal self (IS) referred to in a social interaction with a person or the social-valued self (SS) based on the reputation of the self in the surrounding society. Although functional neuroimaging studies have demonstrated the involvement of the default mode network (DMN) in self-representation, little is known about how the DMN subsystems contribute differentially to IS-related and SS-related AMs. To elucidate this issue, we used fMRI to scan healthy young adults during the recollection of AMs. We performed multivariate pattern analysis (MVPA) and assessed functional connectivity in the DMN subsystems: the midline core, medial temporal lobe (MTL), and dorsomedial pFC (dmPFC) subsystems. The study yielded two main sets of findings. First, MVPA revealed that all DMN subsystems showed significant classification accuracy between IS-related and nonsocial-self-related AMs, and IS-related functional connectivity of the midline core regions with the retrosplenial cortex of the MTL subsystem and the dmPFC of the dmPFC subsystem was significant. Second, MVPA significantly distinguished between SS-related and nonsocial-self-related AMs in the midline core and dmPFC subsystems but not in the MTL subsystem, and SS-related functional connectivity with the midline core regions was significant in the temporal pole and TPJ of the dmPFC subsystem. Thus, dissociable neural mechanisms in the DMN could contribute to different aspects of self-representation in social AMs.
Impact of ASL Exposure on Spoken Phonemic Discrimination in Adult CI Users: A Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Study
Authors: Nematova Shakhlo , Zinszer Benjamin , Morlet Thierry , Morini Giovanna , Petitto Laura-Ann , Jasińska Kaja K.
Published: March 2024

We examined the impact of exposure to a signed language (American Sign Language, or ASL) at different ages on the neural systems that support spoken language phonemic discrimination in deaf individuals with cochlear implants (CIs). Deaf CI users (N = 18, age = 18–24 yrs) who were exposed to a signed language at different ages and hearing individuals (N = 18, age = 18–21 yrs) completed a phonemic discrimination task in a spoken native (English) and non-native (Hindi) language while undergoing functional near-infrared spectroscopy neuroimaging. Behaviorally, deaf CI users who received a CI early versus later in life showed better English phonemic discrimination, albeit phonemic discrimination was poor relative to hearing individuals. Importantly, the age of exposure to ASL was not related to phonemic discrimination. Neurally, early-life language exposure, irrespective of modality, was associated with greater neural activation of left-hemisphere language areas critically involved in phonological processing during the phonemic discrimination task in deaf CI users. In particular, early exposure to ASL was associated with increased activation in the left hemisphere’s classic language regions for native versus non-native language phonemic contrasts for deaf CI users who received a CI later in life. For deaf CI users who received a CI early in life, the age of exposure to ASL was not related to neural activation during phonemic discrimination. Together, the findings suggest that early signed language exposure does not negatively impact spoken language processing in deaf CI users, but may instead potentially offset the negative effects of language deprivation that deaf children without any signed language exposure experience prior to implantation. This empirical evidence aligns with and lends support to recent perspectives regarding the impact of ASL exposure in the context of CI usage.
Practicing and Patronizing Science in the Republic of Letters: Andreas Dudith’s Radiating Curiosity, Vanity, and Skepticism
Authors: Sebők Marcell
Published: March 2024

Visible for months, the Great Comet of 1577 attracted worldwide attention, particularly among the scholars of Europe’s Respublica Litteraria, and reflections on it were not limited to the books of scientists like Brahe and Kepler; the Hungarian humanist bishop, politician, and nonprofessional astronomer Andreas Dudith (1533–1589) also published a Short Commentary, a fascinating example of the epistemological changes in scientific discourse and astronomical method that characterized the era. With his zealous advocacy of rational argumentation, insistence on the primacy of ‘the most direct causes’, and caustic criticism of superstition, Dudith was in a complex discussion with the Aristotelian tradition and the theological-astrological explanations of his day, thus helping clear the way for modern scientific thought. As his voluminous correspondence makes clear, he spent the final decades of his life trying to make a professional astronomer of himself, and though his friends in the Respublica helped guide his research, he never mastered the requisite mathematical methods, though remained a patron of science.
Low-Level Liquid-Bearing Clouds Contribute to Seasonal Lower Atmosphere Stability and Surface Energy Forcing over a High-Mountain Watershed Environment
Authors: Sedlar Joseph , Meyers Tilden , Cox Christopher J. , Adler Bianca
Published: March 2024

Measurements of atmospheric structure and surface energy budgets distributed along a high-altitude mountain watershed environment near Crested Butte, Colorado, from two separate, but coordinated, field campaigns, Surface Atmosphere Integrated field Laboratory (SAIL) and Study of Precipitation, the Lower Atmosphere, and Surface for Hydrometeorology (SPLASH), are analyzed. This study identifies similarities and differences in how clouds influence the radiative budget over one snow-free summer season (2022) and two snow-covered seasons (2021/22; 2022/23) for this alpine location. A relationship between lower-tropospheric stability stratification and longwave radiative flux from the presence or absence of clouds is identified. When low clouds persisted, often with signatures of supercooled liquid in winter, the lower troposphere experienced weaker stability, while radiatively clear skies that are less likely to be influenced by liquid droplets were associated with appreciably stronger lower-tropospheric stratification. Corresponding surface turbulent heat fluxes partitioned differently based upon the cloud–stability stratification regime derived from early morning radiosounding profiles. Combined with the differences in the radiative budget largely resulting from dramatic seasonal differences in surface albedo, the lower atmosphere stratification, surface energy budget, and near-surface thermodynamics are shown to be modified by the effective longwave radiative forcing of clouds. The diurnal evolution of thermodynamics and surface energy components varied depending on the early morning stratification state. Thus, the importance of quiescent versus synoptically active large-scale meteorology is hypothesized as a critical forcing for cloud properties and associated surface energy budget variations. The physical relationships between clouds, radiation, and stratification can provide a useful suite of metrics for process understanding and to evaluate numerical models in such an undersampled, highly complex terrain environment.
Estimating Directional Wave Spectra Properties in Nonbreaking Waves from a UAS-Mounted Multibeam Lidar
Authors: Feddersen Falk , Marques Olavo B. , MacMahan James H. , Grenzeback Robert L.
Published: March 2024

Wave spectra and directional moment measurements are of scientific and engineering interest and are routinely estimated with wave buoys. Recently, both fixed-location and uncrewed aircraft system (UAS)-mounted lidar have estimated surfzone wave spectra. However, nearshore wave statistics seaward of the surfzone have not been measured with lidar due to low return number, and nearshore directional moments have not been measured at all. We use a multibeam scanning lidar mounted on a gasoline-powered UAS to estimate wave spectra, wave slope spectra, and directional moments on the inner shelf in ≈10-m water depth from an 11-min hover and compare to a collocated wave buoy. Lidar returns within circular sampling regions with varying radius R are fit to a plane and a 2D parabola, providing sea surface and slope time series. Wave spectra across the sea–swell (0.04–0.4 Hz) band are robustly estimated for R ≥ 0.8 m. Estimating slope spectra is more challenging. Large R works well in the swell band, and smaller R works well at higher frequencies, in good agreement with a wave buoy inferred slope spectrum. Directional Fourier coefficients, estimated from wave and slope spectra and cross-spectra, are compared to a wave buoy in the sea–swell band. Larger R and the 2D parabola-fit yield better comparison to the wave buoy. Mean wave angles and directional spreads, functions of the directional Fourier coefficients, are well reproduced at R = 2.4 m and the 2D parabola-fit, within the uncertainties of the wave buoy. The internal consistency of the UAS-lidar-derived results and their good comparison to the Spotter wave buoy demonstrate the effectiveness of this tool for estimating wave statistics.

Significance Statement

Previously fixed-location or hovering lidar has been used to estimate wave spectra in the surf and swash zone where lidar returns are high due to the reflectance of foam. We present a methodology to accurately estimate wave spectra and directional properties on the inner shelf where waves are not breaking using a hovering uncrewed aircraft system with a mounted lidar. The estimated wave spectra and directional statistics are compared well with a Spotter wave buoy, demonstrating the method’s robustness.