bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Defect Engineering and Piezoelectrical Polarization Synergistically Assisted for Photoelectrochemical Sensing Based on CdS Nanowires
Authors: Wang Yanhu , Yang Mengchun , Ge Shenguang , Yu Jinghua
Published: June 2024

Developing progressive photoelectrochemical (PEC) techniques holds great potential for advancing analytical sensitivity in clinical. However, the low transport and separation of charge carrier efficiency and deficient active sites block efficient and durable PEC analytical performance features. And herein a piezo‐assisted PEC sensing platform for glutathione (GSH) detection are successfully prepared based on S vacancies rich CdS (Sv‐CdS) nanowires. The collaboration of piezoelectric polarization and S vacancies engineering contributed to the boosted PEC performance by accelerating the spatial separation of photogenerated charges and providing abundant active sites. Moreover, the charge transfer efficiency further promoted with the introduction of GSH acted a hole scavenge that effectively suppresses the electron‐hole recombination, giving rise to an amplified photocurrent. As a demonstration, the proposed method presents an outstanding analytical performance toward GSH. Consequently, this work provides an inspirable and convenient route for designing high‐efficiency photoelectrode in PEC sensing in virtue of judicious structural, and defect engineering, and the exploring of an external‐field‐coupling‐enhanced PEC platform.
Sequential Effect of Dual‐Layered Hybrid Graphite Anodes on Electrode Utilization During Fast‐Charging Li‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Kang Jiwoong , Lim Jaejin , Lee Hyuntae , Park Seongsu , Bak Cheol , Shin Yewon , An Hyeongguk , Lee Mingyu , Lee Minju , Lee Soyeon , Choi Byungjun , Kang Dongyoon , Chae Sujong , Lee Yong Min , Lee Hongkyung
Published: June 2024

To recharge lithium‐ion batteries quickly and safely while avoiding capacity loss and safety risks, a novel electrode design that minimizes cell polarization at a higher current is highly desired. This work presents a dual‐layer electrode (DLE) technology via sequential coating of two different anode materials to minimize the overall electrode resistance upon fast charging. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and distribution of relaxation times analysis revealed the dynamic evolution of electrode impedances in synthetic graphite (SG) upon a change in the state of charge (SOC), whereas the natural graphite (NG) maintains its original impedance regardless of SOC variation. This disparity dictates the sequence of the NG and SG coating layers within the DLE, considering the temporal SOC gradient developed upon fast charging. Simulation and experimental results suggest that DLE positioning NG and SG on the top (second‐layer) and bottom (first‐layer), respectively, can effectively reduce the overall resistance at a 4 C‐rate (15‐min charging), demonstrating two times higher capacity retention (61.0%) over 200 cycles than its counterpart with reversal sequential coating, and is higher than single‐layer electrodes using NG or NG/SG binary mixtures. Hence, this study can guide the combinatorial sequence for multi‐layer coating of various active materials for a lower‐resistivity, thick‐electrode design.
Dihydrogibberellin improves grain yield and lodging resistance of direct seeded rice
Authors: Ma Dengke , Wu Ronghao , Du Lin , Sun Yiwei , Mo You , Zhang Jianjun , Duan Liusheng , Li Zhaohu , Tan Weiming
Published: June 2024

Dihydrogibberellin (DIH) is an eco‐friendly and low‐toxic regulator with immense potential for application in the current rice industry, specifically for increasing yield and lodging resistance. However, limited research has been conducted to explore the impact of DIH on the yield and lodging resistance of direct‐seeded rice (DSR, Oryza sativa L.). Therefore, a 2‐year field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of spraying different concentrations of 5% DIH emulsifiable concentrate on DSR during the tillering (1) and jointing (2) stages. Three concentrations of DIH were used: 27 (DIH27), 54 (DIH54), and 108 g ha−1 (DIH108). The commonly used paclobutrazol concentration in rice production (112.5 g ha−1) was compared and a clear water treatment was used as control (CK). The results of the experiment showed that the DIH treatments increased the DSR yield by 1.22%–22.64% and reduced lodging index by 8.9%–54.2% compared to the CK treatment. Additionally, the DIH treatments resulted in significant reductions in the length of the 1–3 basal internodes and plant height, as well as increases in the diameter and culm wall thickness of internodes. Moreover, the DIH treatments also led to higher dry matter percentages in stalks and leaf sheaths, as well as increased lignin and cellulose content. Furthermore, the best effect of DIH application was observed at the jointing stage in terms of increasing yield and lodging resistance. Therefore, this research demonstrates that the application of DIH to DSR at the jointing stage can be an effective strategy for increasing yield and improving lodging resistance.
Green AI‐Driven Concept for the Development of Cost‐Effective and Energy‐Efficient Deep Learning Method: Application in the Detection ofEimeriaParasites as a Case Study
Authors: Acmali Suheda Semih , Ortakci Yasin , Seker Huseyin
Published: June 2024

Although large‐scale pretrained convolutinal neural networks (CNN) models have shown impressive transfer learning capabilities, they come with drawbacks such as high energy consumption and computational cost due to their potential redundant parameters. This study presents an innovative weight‐level pruning technique that mitigates the challenges of overparameterization, and subsequently minimizes the electricity usage of such large deep learning models. The method focuses on removing redundant parameters while upholding model accuracy. This methodology is applied to classifyEimeriaspecies parasites from fowls and rabbits. By leveraging a set of 27 pretrained CNN models with a number of parameters between 3.0M and 118.5M, the framework has identified a 4.8M‐parameter model with the highest accuracy for both animals. The model is then subjected to a systematic pruning process, resulting in an 8% reduction in parameters and a 421M reduction in floating point operations while maintaining the same classification accuracy for both fowls and rabbits. Furthermore, unlike the existing literature where two separate models are created for rabbits and fowls, this article presents a combined model with 17 classes. This approach has resulted in a CNN model with nearly 50% reduced parameter size while retaining the same accuracy of over 90%.
Confined Growth of Highly Ordered Metal Atomic Arrays for Seawater Oxidation
Authors: Gao Yang , Xue Yurui , Chen Siao , Zheng Yunhao , Chen Siyi , Zheng Xuchen , He Feng , Huang Changshui , Li Yuliang
Published: June 2024

Metal atom catalysts have been among the most important research objects due to their specific physical and chemical properties. However, precise control of the anchoring of metal atoms is still challenging to achieve. Cobalt and iridium atomic arrays formed sequentially ordered stable arrays in graphdiyne (GDY) triangular cavities depending on their intrinsic chemical properties and interactions. The success of this method was attributed to multifunctional integration of GDY, enabling selective growth from one to several atoms and various atomic densities. The bimetallic atom arrays show several advantages resulting from reducibility of acetylene bonds, space limiting effect, incomplete charge transfer between GDY and metal atoms, and sp‐C hybridized triple bond skeleton. This well‐designed system exhibits unprecedented oxygen evolution reaction (OER) performance with a mass activity of 2.6 A mgcat.−1 at a low overpotential of 300 mV, which is 216.6 times higher than the state‐of‐the‐art IrO2 catalyst, and long‐term stability.
Heat‐Resistant Carbon‐Coated Potassium Magnesium Hexacyanoferrate Nanoplates for High‐Performance Potassium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Liao Jiaying , Yuan Zeyu , Hu Qiao , Sheng Xinru , Song Lili , Xu Yifan , Du Yichen , Zhou Xiaosi
Published: June 2024

Metal hexacyanoferrates (HCFs) are regarded as promising cathode materials for potassium‐ion batteries (PIBs) on account of their low cost and high energy density. However, the difficult‐to‐remove [Fe(CN)6] vacancies and crystal water lead to structural instability and capacity deterioration as well as the stereotype of poor thermostability of conventional HCFs. Herein, we report (100) face‐oriented potassium magnesium hexacyanoferrate (KMgHCF) nanoplates with low [Fe(CN)6] vacancies and high crystallinity, enabling thermostability up to 550 °C, high‐temperature carbon coating and crystal water elimination. The as‐obtained KMgHCF/C nanoplates exhibit superior potassium storage properties, including a large reversible capacity of 84.6 mAh g−1, a high voltage plateau of 3.87 V, excellent long‐term cycling performance over 15000 cycles and high rate capability at 5 A g−1. The unprecedented cycling stability of KMgHCF/C is attributed to the synergistic effect of a highly reversible two‐phase reaction, low [Fe(CN)6] vacancies and no crystal water, a specially exposed steady (100) surface, and a protective carbon coating. This work provides a new material selection and modification strategy for the practical application of HCFs in PIBs.
Multifunctional TiN‐MXene‐Co@CNTs Networks as Sulfur/Lithium Host for High‐Areal‐Capacity Lithium‐Sulfur Batteries
Authors: Zuo Xintao , Wang Lufei , Zhen Mengmeng , You Tingting , Liu Dapeng , Zhang Yu
Published: June 2024

The inevitable shuttling and slow redox kinetics of lithium polysulfides (LiPSs) as well as the uncontrolled growth of Li dendrites have strongly limited the practical applications of lithium‐sulfur batteries (LSBs). To address these issues, we have innovatively constructed the carbon nanotubes (CNTs) encapsulated Co nanoparticles in situ grown on TiN‐MXene nanosheets, denoted as TiN‐MXene‐Co@CNTs, which could serve simultaneously as both sulfur/Li host to kill “three birds with one stone” to (1) efficiently capture soluble LiPSs and expedite their redox conversion, (2) accelerate nucleation/decomposition of solid Li2S, and (3) induce homogeneous Li deposition. Benefiting from the synergistic effects, the TiN‐MXene‐Co@CNTs/S cathode with a sulfur loading of 2.5 mg cm−2 could show a high reversible specific capacity of 1129.1 mAh g−1 after 100 cycles at 0.1 C, and ultralong cycle life over 1000 cycles at 1.0 C. More importantly, it even achieves a high areal capacity of 6.3 mAh cm−2 after 50 cycles under a sulfur loading as high as 8.9 mg cm−2 and a low E/S ratio of 5.0 μL mg−1. Besides, TiN‐MXene‐Co@CNTs as Li host could deliver a stable Li plating/striping behavior over 1000 h.
Psychoanalysis in Egypt: A problem of non‐accession
Authors: Ben Slama Raja , Beshara Robert K.
Published: June 2024

This article retraces the advent of psychoanalysis in Egypt and the way in which it has failed to differentiate itself from medical and academic models, remaining dominated by the figure of the persecuting Master outside its ranks and the paternal Master within them. It then goes on to discuss the arguments typically set forward to explain resistance to psychoanalysis in Egypt and the Arab world in general, and this with an aim to both relativizing and exploring such positions. Such resistance can indeed be identified not only within the sphere of the demand for analysis.
Use of lecanemab for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease: A systematic review
Authors: Hossain Md Fahad , Husna Ashma Ul , Kharel Manish
Published: June 2024

Purpose

The US Food and Drug Administration authorized lecanemab for the therapeutic use of Alzheimer's disease (AD) in January 2023. To assess the effectiveness and safety of lecanemab in treating AD, we thoroughly examined the studies that are currently accessible.

Method

Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analysis recommendations were followed. In order to find relevant studies on lecanemab, we carried out a thorough literature search utilizing the electronic databases MEDLINE via PubMed, Cochrane, Web of Science, EBSCOhost, and Scopus. Excluding any research using experimental animals, we looked at lecanemab's effectiveness and side effects in treating AD in human clinical trials. Three randomized controlled studies were included.

Findings

According to studies, lecanemab lessens clinical deterioration and reduces brain amyloid‐beta plaques (difference,.45; 95% confidence interval,.67 to.23; p < .001). Participants who received lecanemab saw a greater frequency of amyloid‐related imaging abnormalities (ARIA)‐H (17.3% vs. 9.0%) and ARIA‐E (12.6% vs. 1.7%), which is a significant adverse outcome.

Conclusion

Lecanemab has been shown to have an impact on the two primary pathophysiologic indicators of AD (Aβ and tau). There are still a lot of unresolved issues related to lecanemab. Future research on the effectiveness and safety of lecanemab is advised in order to determine that the advantages of this medication exceed the disadvantages.
Pregaming normalizes a culture of drinking, drug use, study finds
Authors: Sutton Halley
Published: June 2024

Pregaming, tailgating, or other party activities revolving around alcohol before athletics events on college campuses can have dire and long‐lasting effects on students, according to a recent study from Texas A&M University. The study found that those who engaged in pregaming and tailgating were at higher risks for engaging in alcohol and substance abuse, and for engaging in other risky behavior with potentially harmful consequences. The study was published in Substance Use and Misuse, a journal published by Taylor & Francis.
Prepare for challenges arising from unlimited transfers under new rules
Authors: O’Brien Timothy
Published: June 2024

For years, the NCAA's transfer rules were so restrictive that they effectively compelled student‐athletes to remain at one school for their entire collegiate careers. Under those rules, there were extreme cases of student‐athletes requesting a transfer for various compelling reasons and institutions withholding the necessary approval and release for those student‐athletes.
Discover how resolving conflict becomes act of commitment
Authors: Freebairn‐Smith Laura
Published: June 2024

Resolving conflict is an act of connection. It's an act of commitment to a relationship and a person.
Radical‐Enabled Dehydrogenative Aromatization: Forging Functionalized Aromatics from Aliphatic Architectures at Ambient Temperature
Authors: Chen Xiao‐Yi , Shu Wei
Published: June 2024

Functionalized arenes, such as aniline and phenol derivatives, are important structures in natural products, drug molecules, and functional materials. Thus, the development of methods for the efficient synthesis of functionalized arenes from different precursors under mild conditions have been a long‐term topic in organic synthesis and related areas. To date, great efforts have been devoted the Ar−X bond‐forming processes from aromatic precursors. In addition, synthesis of functionalized arenes from aliphatic architectures represents an attractive yet challenging alternative to access functionalized arenes, which construct aromatization during the reaction process along with the formation of C−X bonds. Recently, a new strategy for functionalized arenes from non‐aromatic precursors enabled by radicals has received considerable attention and represents a new direction to access functionalized arenes from broader precursors at room temperature.
Proterozoic mafic dyke swarms of Bundelkhand Craton, North India: A connection to Columbia supercontinent
Authors: Raju S. , Bodas M. S. , Anshu R. , Neogi Susobhan
Published: June 2024

The present paper addresses petrography, geochemistry and Ar‐Ar geochronology of a significant number of mafic dykes from the Paleo‐ to Neoarchean Bundelkhand Craton in central India. The majority of the dykes are NW‐SE oriented (with a few NE‐SW and ENE‐WSW) with tholeiitic, sub‐alkaline and basalt to basaltic andesite composition. The trace element geochemistry of these dykes indicates an island arc setting during emplacement. The Ar‐Ar mineral dating (plagioclase) of three representative dykes reveals an emplacement age between 1.53 and 1.46 Ga. This finding and earlier reports (2.1–1.73 Ga) point to sustained mafic magmatism throughout the Bundelkhand Craton in a preferred structural orientation between 2.1 and 1.46 Ga. Mafic magmatism was episodic and can be linked to the perpetual subduction accretion processes between the central Indian Archean continents during the development of the Columbia supercontinent. The mafic dykes were emplaced at 45° to the maximum compression direction (E‐W), that is, along the line of no finite longitudinal strain. This time equivalent widespread NW‐SE and NE‐SW trending mafic dyke system is also relatable along the adjacent continents (Singhbhum, Bastar) and thus opened up a new paradigm for the dyke's emplacement across the Indian cratons.
Behavioral operations and coordination analysis in e‐commerce supply chain considering negative focus preferences under supplier dominance
Authors: Zhu Xide , Cui Haiyang , Song Yao , Li Yuwei
Published: June 2024

Our study aims to examine variations in behavioral decision‐making by employing the focus theory of choice. We discuss the impact of different personality traits of the retailer on the final decisions and the trends in performance across the supply chain. Our finding indicates that an increase in loss acceptance and pessimism positively impacts the overall profitability of the supply chain. If the retailer's level of pessimism is deterministic, the lower the level of loss acceptance, the lower the supplier's optimal profit. This study can help decision makers understand how to consider the personality traits of collaborators when collaborating.
Retinitis pigmentosa with iris coloboma due to miR‐204 gene variant in a Chinese family
Authors: Lei Zhang , He‐Lin Zhu , Hai‐Yan Wang , Wei Jia , Ru Wang , Zhi‐Li Cui , Qian‐Feng Wang
Published: June 2024

Purpose

To characterize the phenotype and genotype of a Chinese family with autosomal‐dominant retinitis pigmentosa (RP) accompanied by iris coloboma.

Methods

The proband, a 34‐year‐old male, was examined with his family by using fundus photography, optical coherence tomography (OCT), autofluorescence, and full‐field electroretinography (ffERG). Genetic analyses were conducted through whole‐exome sequencing (WES) to screen for variations.

Results

Three members of this Chinese family were shown to be bilateral iris coloboma. The male proband and his mother exhibited typical RP feature. The proband's late grandfather had been documented manifestation of iris coloboma. The mode of inheritance was confirmed to be autosomal dominance. Through linkage analysis and WES, a heterozygous variation in the miR‐204 gene (n.37C>T), a noncoding RNA gene, was identified in these three members.

Conclusions

In this third independent and the first Asian family, the existence of a miR‐204 variant associated with RP accompanied by iris coloboma was confirmed. Our findings reinforce the significance of miR‐204 as an important factor influencing visual function in the retina. When phenotypes like RP accompanied by iris coloboma in an autosomal‐dominant pattern, including in Chinese patients, miR‐204 aberrations should be considered.
Surgical treatment of a zygomatic sialocele by ventral approach without ostectomy in an adult Shih Tzu
Authors: Thibault Alexandre , Moreau Morgane , Bruwier Aurelie , Hamon Martin
Published: June 2024

A 5‐year‐old male Shih Tzu was presented for right eye exophthalmia and periorbital swelling. Computed tomography and fine needle aspiration revealed a zygomatic sialocele. A ventral non‐ostectomy approach was performed to remove the zygomatic salivary gland and its duct. This new, minimally invasive approach allowed good visualisation and complete exteriorisation of the gland in this brachycephalic dog. No intra‐ or postoperative complications were noted. This clinical case confirmed the relevance of this approach in the treatment of zygomatic sialoceles in all types of dogs.
EASL–EASD–EASO Clinical Practice Guidelines on the management of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD): Executive Summary
Authors:   European Association for the Study of the Liver,   European Association for the Study of Diabetes,   European Association for the Study of Obesity, Tacke Frank , Horn Paul , Wong Vincent Wai-Sun , Ratziu Vlad , Bugianesi Elisabetta , Francque Sven , Zelber-Sagi Shira , Valenti Luca , Roden Michael , Schick Fritz , Yki-Järvinen Hannele , Gastaldelli Amalia , Vettor Roberto , Frühbeck Gema , Dicker Dror
Published: June 2024

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), previously termed non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), is defined as steatotic liver disease (SLD) in the presence of one or more cardiometabolic risk factor(s) and the absence of harmful alcohol intake. The spectrum of MASLD includes steatosis, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH, previously NASH), fibrosis, cirrhosis and MASH-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This joint EASL–EASD–EASO guideline provides an update on definitions, prevention, screening, diagnosis and treatment for MASLD. Case-finding strategies for MASLD with liver fibrosis, using non-invasive tests, should be applied in individuals with cardiometabolic risk factors, abnormal liver enzymes and/or radiological signs of hepatic steatosis, particularly in the presence of type 2 diabetes or obesity with additional metabolic risk factor(s). A stepwise approach using blood-based scores (such as the fibrosis-4 index [FIB-4]) and, sequentially, imaging techniques (such as transient elastography) is suitable to rule-out/in advanced fibrosis, which is predictive of liver-related outcomes. In adults with MASLD, lifestyle modification—including weight loss, dietary changes, physical exercise and discouraging alcohol consumption—as well as optimal management of comorbidities—including use of incretin-based therapies (e.g. semaglutide, tirzepatide) for type 2 diabetes or obesity, if indicated—is advised. Bariatric surgery is also an option in individuals with MASLD and obesity. If locally approved and dependent on the label, adults with non-cirrhotic MASH and significant liver fibrosis (stage ≥2) should be considered for a MASH-targeted treatment with resmetirom, which demonstrated histological effectiveness on steatohepatitis and fibrosis with an acceptable safety and tolerability profile. No MASH-targeted pharmacotherapy can currently be recommended for the cirrhotic stage. Management of MASH-related cirrhosis includes adaptations of metabolic drugs, nutritional counselling, surveillance for portal hypertension and HCC, as well as liver transplantation in decompensated cirrhosis.
Boundedness of some convolution-type operators on metric measure spaces
Authors: Aldaz J. M.
Published: June 2024

We explore boundedness properties of some natural operators of
convolution type in the context of metric measure spaces. Their study is suggested by certain transformations used in computer vision.
Construction and Bioinformatics Analysis of ceRNA Regulatory Networks in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
Authors: Zhang Menglin , Wu Xiao , Zhu Honglan , Fu Chenkun , Yang Wenting , Jing Xiaoting , Liu Wenqu , Cheng Yiju
Published: June 2024

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic, progressive form of pulmonary fibrosis of unknown etiology. Despite ongoing research, there is currently no cure for this disease. Recent studies have highlighted the significance of competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) regulatory networks in IPF development. Therefore, this study investigated the ceRNA network associated with IPF pathogenesis. We obtained gene expression datasets (GSE32538, GSE32537, GSE47460, and GSE24206) from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database and analyzed them using bioinformatics tools to identify differentially expressed messenger RNAs (DEmRNAs), microRNAs (DEmiRNAs), and long non-coding RNAs (DElncRNA). For DEmRNAs, we conducted an enrichment analysis, constructed protein–protein interaction networks, and identified hub genes. Additionally, we predicted the target genes of differentially expressed mRNAs and their interacting long non-coding RNAs using various databases. Subsequently, we screened RNA molecules with ceRNA regulatory relations in the lncACTdb database based on the screening results. Furthermore, we performed disease and functional enrichment analyses and pathway prediction for miRNAs in the ceRNA network. We also validated the expression levels of candidate DEmRNAs through quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and analyzed the correlation between the expression of these candidate DEmRNAs and the percent predicted pre-bronchodilator forced vital capacity [%predicted FVC (pre-bd)]. We found that three ceRNA regulatory axes, specifically KCNQ1OT1/XIST/NEAT1-miR-20a-5p-ITGB8, XIST-miR-146b-5p/miR-31-5p- MMP16, and NEAT1-miR-31-5p-MMP16, have the potential to significantly affect IPF progression. Further examination of the underlying regulatory mechanisms within this network enhances our understanding of IPF pathogenesis and may aid in the identification of diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
The Business of Stealing Futures: Race, Gender, and the Student Debt Regime
Authors: Mir Ali , Toor Saadia
Published: June 2024

In this paper, we argue that the system of student debt functions as one of the most egregious and yet poorly understood mechanisms by which structural racism is reproduced in the U.S. today. We present evidence that student debt is unevenly distributed across race and gender, show that this pattern arises from policy choices made over time, and demonstrate that these disparities play a significant role in maintaining and exacerbating racial and gender wealth gaps. Our paper contends that the student debt crisis not only erodes the core principles of higher education but also perpetuates a cycle of racial and gender inequality and given the crucial role played by business corporations, urges scholars of business ethics to pay attention to this issue.
Lifting in Support of Privacy-Preserving Probabilistic Inference
Authors: Gehrke Marcel , Liebenow Johannes , Mohammadi Esfandiar , Braun Tanya
Published: June 2024

Privacy-preserving inference aims to avoid revealing identifying information about individuals during inference. Lifted probabilistic inference works with groups of indistinguishable individuals, which has the potential to prevent tracing back a query result to a particular individual in a group. Therefore, we investigate how lifting, by providing anonymity, can help preserve privacy in probabilistic inference. Specifically, we show correspondences between k-anonymity and lifting and present s-symmetry as an analogue as well as PAULI, a privacy-preserving inference algorithm that ensures s-symmetry during query answering.
Conventional and microfluidic methods: Design and optimization of lipid-polymeric hybrid nanoparticles for gene therapy
Authors: González-García Daniel , Tapia Olga , Évora Carmen , García-García Patricia , Delgado Araceli
Published: June 2024

Gene therapy holds significant promise as a therapeutic approach for addressing a diverse range of diseases through the suppression of overexpressed proteins and the restoration of impaired cell functions. Developing a nanocarrier that can efficiently load and release genetic material into cells remains a challenge. The primary goal of this study is to develop formulations aimed to enhance the therapeutic potential of GapmeRs through technological approaches. To this end, lipid-polymeric hybrid nanoparticles (LPHNPs) with PLGA, DC-cholesterol, and DOPE-mPEG2000 were produced by conventional single-step nanoprecipitation (SSN) and microfluidic (MF) methods. The optimized nanoparticles by SSN have a size of 149.9 ± 18.07 nm, a polydispersity index (PdI) of 0.23 ± 0.02, and a zeta potential of (ZP) of 29.34 ± 2.44 mV, while by MF the size was 179.8 ± 6.3, a PdI of 0.24 ± 0.01, and a ZP of 32.25 ± 1.36 mV. Furthermore, LPHNPs prepared with GapmeR-protamine by both methods exhibit a high encapsulation efficiency of approximately 90%. The encapsulated GapmeR is completely released in 24 h. The LPHNP suspensions are stable for up to 6 h in 10% FBS at pH 5.4 and 7.4. By contrast, LPHNPs remain stable in suspension in 4.5% albumin at pH 7.4 for 24 h. Additionally, LPHNPs were successfully freeze-dried using trehalose in the range of 2.5-5% as cryoprotectant The LPHNPs produced by MF and SSN increase, 6 and 12 fold respectively, GapmeR cell uptake, and both of them reduce by 60–70% expression of Tob1 in 48 h.Our study demonstrates the efficacy of the developed LPHNPs as carriers for oligonucleotide delivery, offering valuable insights for their scale up production from a conventional bulk methodology to a high-throughput microfluidic technology.

Graphical Abstract
Association of leukocyte telomere length with risk of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in middle-aged and older individuals without cardiovascular disease: a prospective cohort study of NHANES 1999–2002
Authors: Wang Qianhui , Xi Linqiang , Yang Na , Song Jie , Taiwaikul Dilare , Zhang Xiaoxue , Bo Yakun , Tang Baopeng , Zhou Xianhui
Published: June 2024

Background

Leukocyte telomere length (LTL) shorting was significantly associated with mortality. This study aimed to investigate the potential association between LTL and all-cause mortality as well as cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality in middle-aged or older individuals without a history of CVD.

Methods

A total of 4174 participants from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) conducted between 1999 and 2002 were included in this analysis. Cox proportional hazards regression models were utilized to estimate the association between LTL and mortality outcomes. Restricted cubic spline (RCS) curves were employed to evaluate the potential non-linear association.

Results

Over a median follow-up period of 217 months, the weighted rates of all-cause mortality and CVD mortality were 28.58% and 8.32% respectively. Participants in the highest LTL group exhibited a significantly decreased risk of both all-cause mortality (HR: 0.65, 95% CI: 0.54–0.78, P < 0.001) and CVD mortality (HR: 0.64, 95% CI: 0.45–0.93, P < 0.001) compared to those in the lowest group. Kaplan-Meier survival curves further supported a significant association between shorter telomere length and increased risks of both all-cause and CVD mortality (log-rank test P < 0.001). RCS curves demonstrated a linear dose-response relationship between LTL and all-cause mortality as well as CVD mortality. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of the results.

Conclusion

Shorter leukocyte telomere length could serve as a potential biomarker for risk stratification of all-cause and CVD mortality among middle-aged and older individuals without a history of CVD.
Unleashing the transformers: NLP models detect AI writing in education
Authors: Campino José
Published: June 2024

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has witnessed widespread application across diverse domains, with education being a prominent focus for enhancing learning outcomes and tailoring educational approaches. Transformer models, exemplified by BERT, have demonstrated remarkable efficacy in Natural Language Processing (NLP) tasks. This research scrutinizes the current landscape of AI in education, emphasizing the utilization of transformer models. Specifically, the research delves into the influence of AI tools facilitating text generation through input prompts, with a notable instance being the GPT-4 model developed by OpenAI. The study employs pre-trained transformer models to discern whether a given text originates from AI or human sources. Notably, BERT emerges as the most effective model, fine-tuned using a dataset comprising abstracts authored by humans and those generated by AI. The outcomes reveal a heightened accuracy in distinguishing AI-generated text. These findings bear significance for the educational realm, suggesting that while endorsing the use of such tools for learning, vigilance is warranted to identify potential misuse or instances where students should independently develop their reasoning skills. Nevertheless, ethical considerations must be paramount when employing such methodologies. We have highlighted vulnerabilities concerning the potential bias of AI models towards non-native English speakers, stemming from possible deficiencies in vocabulary and grammatical structure. Additionally, users must ensure that there is no complete reliance on these systems to ascertain students' performance. Further research is imperative to unleash the full potential of AI in education and address ethical considerations tied to its application.
Does Leisure Time Equal Recovery Time? A Validation Study of the Demands and Resources Single Item–Private Life Instruments
Authors: Kovács Dániel , Vikoler Thomas , Traut-Mattausch Eva
Published: June 2024

The purpose of the studies reported in this paper was to validate and establish two new single-item instruments that assess demands and resources in the context of private life: the Demands Single Item–Private Life (DSI-P) and the Resources Single Item–Private Life (RSI-P). The instruments were tested for construct validity, predictive validity, and temporal stability. Psychometric properties were tested with seven samples across three studies, the first two being cross-sectional and consisting of four (N = 675) and three (N = 375) samples, respectively. The third was a longitudinal study and included two samples (N = 85). Results revealed construct validity to be satisfactory with both the DSI-P and RSI-P being associated with a majority of convergent and divergent measures, as expected. Predictive validity also proved to be satisfactory in terms of simple regression analyses as well as moderation effects. Temporal stability of both single items was revealed to be moderate, which also corresponded with our assumptions. Results, limitations, as well as implications and the necessity for establishing the notion of demands and resources in the private life are discussed.
Terramechanics analysis of climbing behavior of wheel against rigid obstacle on soft terrain
Authors: Kita Keita , Arai Tomoya , Tsuchiya Kei , Kon Seiji , Katayama Masahiro , Ozaki Shingo
Published: June 2024

In the development of lunar and planetary exploration rovers, risk assessment in on-site environments comprising fine regoliths and unevenly distributed rocks is essential. To prevent a rover from being stuck during its operation, one must understand the behavior of its wheel when it climbs over rigid obstacles in off-road environments. In this study, we apply an extended terramechanics model, which can reasonably describe the interaction between soft ground and vehicles, to analyze the obstacle-climbing behavior of rigid wheels. To describe the interaction between the wheel and a hard obstacle, we combine the penalty method with the extended terramechanics model. Subsequently, we verify the effectiveness of the proposed method by comparing its results with those of a traversing single wheel obtained from a laboratory experiment. Furthermore, we use the model to perform a multibody dynamics analysis on a simple rover, where its applicability to the examination of the overall performance of obstacle climbing is demonstrated.
Production pathway of smallholders to nutrition-sensitive agriculture in Northwest Ethiopia
Authors: Agitew Genanew , Berhanie Zewdu , Gebremedhin Samson
Published: June 2024

Nutrition-sensitive agriculture is an approach that aims to ensure the production of affordable, safe, culturally appropriate, and nutritious foods in sufficient quantity and quality to meet dietary needs. This study aims to examine the production pathway by which smallholder farmers adopt nutrition-sensitive agriculture in northwest Ethiopia. Data were collected from 478 randomly sampled households through a structured questionnaire-based survey, observations, and group discussions. Descriptive and inferential statistics were employed for analysis. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the influences of demographic, socioeconomic, and institutional explanatory variables on the production of various food groups in households. Arable land owned by households, the use of irrigation, access to the nearest markets, contacts with agricultural extension workers, and management practices affect plant-sourced food production. On the other hand, the number of livestock owned, the total crop produced, and contacts with extension workers affected animal-sourced food production. However, different factors, such as technological, institutional, and managerial challenges, that include dependency on rain-fed and free-grazing-based traditional herding systems adversely affect the production pathway to nutrition-sensitive agriculture. The study concludes that improving agricultural extension services, promoting small-scale irrigation schemes, and introducing improved animal feeding with improved crop and livestock management techniques could significantly contribute to increased household availability of diversified foods.
Human-Robot Interaction
Authors: Bartneck Christoph , Belpaeme Tony , Eyssel Friederike , Kanda Takayuki , Keijsers Merel , Šabanović Selma
Published: June 2024

The role of robots in society keeps expanding and diversifying, bringing with it a host of issues surrounding the relationship between robots and humans. This introduction to human–robot interaction (HRI) by leading researchers in this developing field is the first to provide a broad overview of the multidisciplinary topics central to modern HRI research. Written for students and researchers from robotics, artificial intelligence, psychology, sociology, and design, it presents the basics of how robots work, how to design them, and how to evaluate their performance. Self-contained chapters discuss a wide range of topics, including speech and language, nonverbal communication, and processing emotions, plus an array of applications and the ethical issues surrounding them. This revised and expanded second edition includes a new chapter on how people perceive robots, coverage of recent developments in robotic hardware, software, and artificial intelligence, and exercises for readers to test their knowledge.
Disability, the Body, and Radical Intellectuals in the Literature of the Civil War and Reconstruction
Authors: Chinn Sarah E.
Published: June 2024

During the Civil War, hundreds of thousands of men were injured, and underwent amputation of hands, feet, limbs, fingers, and toes. As the war drew to a close, their disabled bodies came to represent the future of a nation that had been torn apart, and how it would be put back together again. In her authoritative and engagingly written new book, Sarah Chinn claims that amputation spoke both corporeally and metaphorically to radical white writers, ministers, and politicians about the need to attend to the losses of the Civil War by undertaking a real and actual Reconstruction that would make African Americans not just legal citizens but actual citizens of the United States. She traces this history, reviving little-known figures in the struggle for Black equality, and in so doing connecting the racial politics of 150 years ago with contemporary debates about justice and equity.
Novel Ensemble Models Based on the Split‐Point Sampling and Node Attribute Subsampling Classifier for Groundwater Potential Mapping
Authors: Wang Zhengtao , Le TienDuy , Tian Kunjun , Phong Tran Van , Bien Tran Xuan , Pham Binh Thai
Published: June 2024

Groundwater potential maps are crucial tools for effectively managing water resources, particularly in agriculturally focused countries such as Vietnam. However, creating these maps is a challenging task that requires reliable data and methods. In this study, we integrated the Split‐Point Sampling and Node Attribute Subsampling Classifier (SPAARC) with the Bagging (B), MultiBoostAB (MBAB), and Random Subspace (RSS) ensemble learning techniques and developed three ensemble models: B‐SPAARC, MBAB‐SPAARC, and RSS‐SPAARC. We selected 13 geoenvironmental factors based on their availability, relevance, and association with groundwater potential in the Sesan River basin of Vietnam. We assessed the models' performance using various metrics such as area under the curve (AUC), accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and RMSE. The findings indicated that the ensemble models performed better than the single SPAARC model in mapping groundwater potential. The MBAB‐SPAARC model demonstrated the highest accuracy with an AUC value of 0.891, followed by B‐SPAARC (AUC = 0.844), RSS‐SPAARC (AUC = 0.871), and the single SPAARC (AUC = 0.853) models. The results also highlighted that elevation, rainfall, land use/cover, and altitude were the most significant factors for mapping groundwater potential in the Sesan River basin. The innovative ensemble models and reliable potential maps developed in this study assist water resource managers in planning water usage based on the benefits and costs for various users and in devising sustainable strategies for using, protecting, and managing groundwater.
Watersheds and Infrastructure Providing Food, Energy, and Water to US Cities
Authors: Ao Yufei Zoe , Siddik Md Abu Bakar , Konar Megan , Marston Landon T.
Published: June 2024

Civil infrastructure underpins urban receipts of food, energy, and water (FEW) produced in distant watersheds. In this study, we map flows of FEW goods from watersheds of the contiguous United States to major population centers and highlight the critical infrastructure that supports FEW flows. To do this, we draw upon detailed records of agriculture, electricity, and public water supply production and couple them with commodity flow and infrastructure information. We also compare the flows of virtual water embedded in food and energy commodity flows with physical water flows in inter‐basin water transfer projects around the country. We found that the virtual blue water transfers through crops and electricity to major US cities was 53 billion and 8 billion m3 in 2017, respectively, while physical interbasin water transfers for crops, electricity, and public supply water averaged 20.8 billion m3. Highways are the primary infrastructure used to import virtual water associated with food and fuel into cities, although waterways and railways are most utilized for long‐distance transport. All of the 204 watersheds in the contiguous US support the food, energy, and/or water supplies of major US cities, with dependencies stretching far beyond each city's borders. Still, most cities source the majority of their FEW and embedded water resources from nearby watersheds. Infrastructure such as water supply dams and inland ports serve as important buffers for both local and supply‐chain sourced water stress. These findings can inform efforts to reduce water resources and infrastructure risks in domestic supply chains.
Cloud Responses to Abrupt Solar and CO2 Forcing: 1. Temperature Mediated Cloud Feedbacks
Authors: Aerenson T. , Marchand R.
Published: June 2024

There are many uncertainties in future climate, including how the Earth may react to different types of radiative forcing, such as CO2, aerosols, and even geoengineered changes in the amount of sunlight absorbed by Earth's surface. Here, we analyze model simulations where the climate system is subjected to an abrupt change of the solar constant by ±4%, and where the atmospheric CO2 concentration is abruptly changed to quadruple and half its preindustrial value. Using these experiments, we examine how clouds respond to changes in solar forcing, compared to CO2, and feedback on global surface temperature. The total cloud response can be decomposed into those responses driven by changes in global surface temperature, called the temperature mediated cloud feedbacks, and responses driven directly by the forcing that are independent of the global surface temperature. In this paper, we study the temperature mediated cloud changes to answer two primary questions: (a) How do temperature mediated cloud feedbacks differ in response to abrupt changes in CO2 and solar forcing? And (b) Are there symmetrical (equal and opposite) temperature mediated cloud feedbacks during global warming and global cooling? We find that temperature mediated cloud feedbacks are similar in response to increasing solar and increasing CO2 forcing, and we provide a short review of recent literature regarding the physical mechanisms responsible for these feedbacks. We also find that cloud responses to warming and cooling are not symmetric, due largely to non‐linearity introduced by phase changes in mid‐to‐high latitude low clouds and sea ice loss/formation.
How Atmospheric Forcing Frequency, Horizontal and Vertical Grid Resolutions Impact Mesoscale Eddy Evolution in a Numerical Model
Authors: Barboni Alexandre , Stegner Alexandre , Dumas Franck , Carton Xavier
Published: June 2024

Seasonal evolution of both surface signature and subsurface structure of a Mediterranean mesoscale anticyclones is assessed using the Coastal and Regional Ocean Community high‐resolution numerical model with realistic background stratification and fluxes. In good agreement with remote‐sensing and in‐situ observations, our numerical simulations capture the seasonal cycle of the anomalies induced by the anticyclone, both in the sea surface temperature (SST) and in the mixed layer depth (MLD). The eddy signature on the SST shifts from warm‐core in winter to cold‐core in summer, while the MLD deepens significantly in the core of the anticyclone in late winter. Our sensitivity analysis shows that the eddy SST anomaly can be accurately reproduced only if the vertical resolution is high enough (∼4 m in near surface) and if the atmospheric forcing contains high‐frequency. In summer with this configuration, the vertical mixing parameterized by the k − ϵ closure scheme is three times higher inside the eddy than outside the eddy, and leads to an anticyclonic cold core SST anomaly. This differential mixing is explained by near‐inertial waves, triggered by the high‐frequency atmospheric forcing. Near‐inertial waves propagate more energy inside the eddy because of the lower effective Coriolis parameter in the anticyclone core. On the other hand, eddy MLD anomaly appears more sensitive to horizontal resolution, and requires SST retroaction on air‐sea fluxes. These results detail the need of high frequency forcing, high vertical and horizontal resolutions to accurately reproduce the evolution of a mesoscale eddy.
Bayesian Approach to Estimate Proglacial Lake Volume (BE‐GLAV)
Authors: Gantayat Prateek , Sattar Ashim , Haritashya Umesh K. , Watson C. Scott , Kargel Jeffrey S.
Published: June 2024

We present a new model called Bayesian Estimated Glacial Lake Volume (BE‐GLAV) to estimate the volume of proglacial lakes. Presuming the lake cross‐section as trapezoidal, BE‐GLAV uses a Bayesian calibration approach to adjust the cross‐sectional geometry to match modeled and observed lake surface widths. We validated our model using bathymetric measurements from lakes spread across High Mountain Asia (specifically, the Himalaya and Tien‐Shan), with aerial extents ranging from 0.01 to 5.5 km2. The modeled lake volumes agreed with the measured lake volume with a root‐mean‐square absolute uncertainty of ∼14%. With minimum and maximum errors of ∼0.3% and ∼61.2%, BE‐GLAV performed well compared to 10 other models in a model inter‐comparison experiment. Using the measured set of volumes, our model can constrain both the root mean square (RMS) error and the maximum percentage error in modeled lake volume, unlike other models, some of which can compute just the RMS uncertainty.