bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fabrication and evaluation of herbal beads to slow cell ageing
Authors: Dhasmana Archna , Malik Sumira , Sharma Amit Kumar , Ranjan Anuj , Chauhan Abhishek , Harakeh Steve , Al-Raddadi Rajaa M. , Almashjary Majed N. , Bawazir Waleed Mohammed S. , Haque Shafiul
Published: December 2022

Several therapies and cosmetics are available commercially to prevent or delay cell ageing, which manifests as premature cell death and skin dullness. Use of herbal products such as Aloe vera, curcumin, vitamin C-enriched natural antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory biomolecules are potential ways to prevent or delay ageing. Eggshell membrane (ESM) is also a rich source of collagen; glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) also play an essential role in healing and preventing ageing. It is important to use an extended therapeutic process to prolong the effectiveness of these products, despite the fact that they all have significant anti-ageing properties and the ability to regenerate healthy cells. Encapsulated herbal components are therefore designed to overcome the challenge of ensuring continued treatment over time to prolong the effects of a bioactive component after in situ administration. To study their synergistic effects on a cellular level, alginate, Aloe vera, and orange peel extract were encapsulated in bio-polymeric foaming beads and modified with eggshell membrane protein (ESMP) at various concentrations (1 gm, 2 gm, and 5 gm): (A-Av-OP, A-Av-OP-ESMP1, ESMP2, and ESMP3). Analysis of the structural and functional properties of foaming beads showed interconnected 3D porous structure, a surface-functionalized group for entrapment of ESMP, and a significant reduction in pore size (51–35 m) and porosity (80%–60%). By performing DPPH assays, HRBC stabilization assays, and antibacterial tests, the beads were assessed as a natural anti-ageing product with sustained release of molecules effective against inflammatory response, oxidative stress, and microbial contamination. MTT assays were conducted using in vitro cell cultures to demonstrate cytocompatibility (in mouse 3T3 fibroblast cells) and cytotoxicity (in human carcinoma HeLa cells). Our study demonstrates that bio-polymeric ESMP beads up to 2 g (A-Av-OP-ESMP2) are practical and feasible natural remedies for suspending defective cell pathways, preventing cell ageing, and promoting healthy cell growth, resulting in a viable and practical natural remedy or therapeutic system.
Microbubble contrast agent SonoVue: An efficient medium for the preoperative lymphatic mapping of thyroid carcinoma
Authors: Chen Lei , Dong Bingwan , Jiang Liu , Zhang Jixin , Chen Luzeng , Li Tiancheng , Shao Yuhong , Sun Xiuming
Published: December 2022

Objective: To assess the value of microbubble contrast agent SonoVue in the thorough preoperative lymphatic mapping of patients with thyroid carcinoma, including the lymphatic drainage region, the detection of sentinel lymph node (SLN), and the diagnosis of lymph node metastasis (LNM).

Materials and methods: 55 patients with 62 thyroid malignancies proved by surgical pathology (59 papillary thyroid carcinomas and three medullary thyroid carcinomas) who underwent preoperative lymphatic contrast-enhanced ultrasound (LCEUS) with microbubble contrast agent SonoVue were enrolled. All LNM were confirmed by pathology. The location of thyroid lesions, ultrasonic features of lymph nodes, lymphatic drainage region, and detection of SLN were assessed. The diagnostic performance (sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy) of different parameters for the LNM diagnosis was calculated.

Results: SonoVue effectively demonstrated the lymphatic drainage region for all enrolled thyroid carcinomas. The most common lymphatic drainage region for thyroid carcinomas was region VI (93.55%), followed by region III (62.90%), region IV (48.39%) and region II (4.84%). When divided by the lesion location, the most common lymphatic drainage regions for the nodule in isthmus, superior lobe and inferior lobe of the thyroid were region VI, region III, and region VI respectively. SLN was detected in 96.77% (60/62) of cases. The two cases without SLN demonstration had pathologically proven LNM. The most common sonographic sign of LNM was perfusion defect (54.17%). The diagnostic accuracy of SonoVue in central and lateral compartment LNM was 86.67% and 91.67%, respectively.

Conclusion: Microbubble contrast agent SonoVue is a valuable imaging contrast medium for thorough preoperative lymphatic mapping in patients with thyroid carcinoma, including the lymphatic drainage region, the detection of SLN, and the diagnosis of LNM. LCEUS with SonoVue alone has limitations of false negatives when there is lymphatic vessel obstruction and may need to be combined with other ultrasound modalities.
Applications and prospects of different functional hydrogels in meniscus repair
Authors: Jin Pan , Liu Lei , Chen Xichi , Cheng Lin , Zhang Weining , Zhong Gang
Published: December 2022

The meniscus is a kind of fibrous cartilage structure that serves as a cushion in the knee joint to alleviate the mechanical load. It is commonly injured, but it cannot heal spontaneously. Traditional meniscectomy is not currently recommended as this treatment tends to cause osteoarthritis. Due to their good biocompatibility and versatile regulation, hydrogels are emerging biomaterials in tissue engineering. Hydrogels are excellent candidates in meniscus rehabilitation and regeneration because they are fine-tunable, easily modified, and capable of delivering exogenous drugs, cells, proteins, and cytokines. Various hydrogels have been reported to work well in meniscus-damaged animals, but few hydrogels are effective in the clinic, indicating that hydrogels possess many overlooked problems. In this review, we summarize the applications and problems of hydrogels in extrinsic substance delivery, meniscus rehabilitation, and meniscus regeneration. This study will provide theoretical guidance for new therapeutic strategies for meniscus repair.
High-level motor planning allows flexible walking at different gait patterns in a neuromechanical model
Authors: Ramadan Rachid , Meischein Fabian , Reimann Hendrik
Published: December 2022

Humans can freely adopt gait parameters like walking speed, step length, or cadence on the fly when walking. Planned movement that can be updated online to account for changes in the environment rather than having to rely on habitual, reflexive control that is adapted over long timescales. Here we present a neuromechanical model that accounts for this flexibility by combining movement goals and motor plans on a kinematic task level with low-level spinal feedback loops. We show that the model can walk at a wide range of different gait patterns by choosing a small number of high-level control parameters representing a movement goal. A larger number of parameters governing the low-level reflex loops in the spinal cord, on the other hand, remain fixed. We also show that the model can generalize the learned behavior by recombining the high-level control parameters and walk with gait patterns that it had not encountered before. Furthermore, the model can transition between different gaits without the loss of balance by switching to a new set of control parameters in real time.
Immunosuppressive potential evaluation of synovial fluid mesenchymal stem cells grown on 3D scaffolds as an alternative source of MSCs for osteoarthritis cartilage studies
Authors: Paradiso Francesca , Lenna Stefania , Isbell Reagan , Garcia Garza Maria Fernanda , Williams Michael , Varner Catherine , Mcculloch Patrick , Taraballi Francesca
Published: December 2022

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic degenerative joint disease, leading cause of disability in older adults and leads to pain, reduced mobility, and decreased quality of life. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) - based therapies are the precursor to all tissues within a joint and their potential in regeneration is complemented by a modulation of the local inflammatory response. The use of MSCS-based therapy for regenerative medicine, specifically OA, is challenged by the need to investigate the ideal MSC source, establish processing of harvesting and culture. Although bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) represent the gold standard in cell therapies for OA, synovial fluid-derived stem cells (SF-MSCs) can be a less invasive, promising alternative. Procedures to extract SFMSCs can be performed during arthrocentesis, arthroscopy or knee surgery with a minimally invasive act allowing personalized autologous therapies. SF-MSCs, isolated from human synovial fluid of patients suffering from advanced OA, retained stemness markers and inflammatory potential in 2D culture condition showing similar morphology and clonogenicity potential compared to BM-MSCs. To further boost their immunomodulatory properties, we coupled SF-MSCs with a biomimetic scaffold made of collagen and chondroitin sulfate (CL CS), previously reported as immune-tuning materials. The 3D culture further promoted immunosuppressive markers expression in SF-MSCs compared to 2D culture. Although ongoing clinical trials mainly used scaffold-free injection of MSCs, combination of mesenchymal cells and biomatrices could provide a useful tool to improve biological outcomes. A combination of SF-MSCs and 3D CL CS biomimetic scaffolds could represent a strong therapeutic effect as cell-based treatment for OA.
Hearing loss in mice with disruption of auditory epithelial patterning in the cochlea
Authors: Katsunuma Sayaka , Togashi Hideru , Kuno Shuhei , Fujita Takeshi , Nibu Ken-Ichi
Published: December 2022

In the cochlear auditory epithelia, sensory hair and supporting cells are arranged in a checkerboard-like mosaic pattern, which is conserved across a wide range of species. The cell adhesion molecules nectin-1 and nectin-3 are required for this pattern formation. The checkerboard-like pattern is thought to be necessary for auditory function, but has never been examined. Here, we showed the significance of checkerboard-like cellular pattern in the survival and function of sensory hair cells in the cochlear auditory epithelia of nectin-3 knockout (KO) mice. Nectin-3 KO mice showed progressive hearing loss associated with degeneration of aberrantly attached hair cells via apoptosis. Apoptotic hair cell death was due to the disorganization of tight junctions between the hair cells. Our study revealed that the checkerboard-like cellular pattern in the auditory epithelium provides a structural basis for ensuring the survival of cochlear hair cells and hearing function.
Role of CD36 in cancer progression, stemness, and targeting
Authors: Guerrero-Rodríguez Sandra L. , Mata-Cruz Cecilia , Pérez-Tapia Sonia M. , Velasco-Velázquez Marco A.
Published: December 2022

CD36 is highly expressed in diverse tumor types and its expression correlates with advanced stages, poor prognosis, and reduced survival. In cancer cells, CD36: 1) increases fatty acid uptake, reprogramming lipid metabolism; 2) favors cancer cell proliferation, and 3) promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Furthermore, CD36 expression correlates with the expression of cancer stem cell markers and CD36+cancer cells display increased stemness functional properties, including clonogenicity, chemo- and radioresistance, and metastasis-initiating capability, suggesting CD36 is a marker of the cancer stem cell population. Thus, CD36 has been pointed as a potential therapeutic target in cancer. At present, at least three different types of molecules have been developed for reducing CD36-mediated functions: blocking monoclonal antibodies, small-molecule inhibitors, and compounds that knock-down CD36 expression. Herein, we review the role of CD36 in cancer progression, its participation in stemness control, as well as the efficacy of reported CD36 inhibitors in cancer cell cultures and animal models. Overall, the evidence compiled points that CD36 is a valid target for the development of new anti-cancer therapies.
Recent progress in noble-metal-free electrocatalysts for alkaline oxygen evolution reaction
Authors: Tan Deming , Xiong Hao , Zhang Tao , Fan Xuelin , Wang Junjie , Xu Fei
Published: December 2022

The practical application of splitting water to generate hydrogen is to a large extent hindered by an oxygen evolution reaction (OER) process. Electrocatalysts with low-cost, high activity, and durability are essential for the low kinetic threshold of the OER. Despite the high active performances of noble metal compound electrocatalysts like IrO2and RuO2, they are heavily restricted by the high cost and scarcity of noble metal elements. In this context, noble-metal-free electrocatalysts have acquired increasing significance in recent years. So far, a broad spectrum of noble-metal-free electrocatalysts has been developed for improved OER performance. In this review, three types of electrolysis and some evaluation criteria are introduced, followed by recent progress in designing and synthesizing noble-metal-free alkaline OER electrocatalysts, with the classification of metal oxides/(oxy)hydroxides, carbon-based materials, and metal/carbon hybrids. Finally, perspectives are also provided on the future development of the alkaline OER on active sites and stability of electrocatalysts.
Modified matrix solid phase dispersion-HPLC method for determination of pesticide residue in vegetables and their impact on human health: A risk assessment
Authors: Mujahid Majida , Latif Shoomaila , Ahmed Mahmood , Shehzadi Warda , Imran Muhammad , Ahmad Muhammad , Asari Asnuzilawati , Jehangir Muhammad , Mahmud Zaid
Published: December 2022

The use of pesticides is unavoidable in agricultural practices. This class of chemicals is highly toxic for the environment as well as for humans. The present work was carried out to assess the presence of some pesticides (diafenthiuron, lufenuron, azoxystrobin, difenoconazole, and chlorothalonil) residues in five of the very commonly used vegetables (eggplant, capsicum, apple gourd, cauliflower, and sponge gourd). Matrix solid phase dispersion (MSPD) technique was used to extract the pesticides and subsequently their quantification was performed through high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled to ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) detector. The elution was accomplished at wavelength of 254 nm by injecting 20 µL of standards or samples into chromatographic system. The mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile and water (80:20 v/v), where the flow rate was adjusted at 1.0 ml/min. The linearity was good (R2 ≥ 0.994) over a concentration range from 20 to 100 μg/ml for the investigated pesticides. The low detection limits showed a quite appreciable potential of the method to detect (1.12–1.61 μg/L) and quantify (3.73–5.36 μg/ml) the pesticides under study. The accuracy was demonstrated in terms of percent recovery which ranged between 88.5% and 116.9% for all the pesticides under investigation. These results justify the suitability of the technique for the intended purpose. The concentration of difenoconazole in apple gourd (20.97 mg/kg), cauliflower (10.28 mg/kg), and sponge gourd (40.32 mg/kg) whereas diafenthiuron in cauliflower (0.66 mg/kg) exceeded the maximum residue level (MRLs) as defined by Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the World Health Organization (FAO/WHO). Target hazard quotient (THQ) values of difenoconazole and diafenthiuron (except for adults) were more than one which indicates the significant effect on human health on consumption of apple gourd, cauliflower, and sponge gourd.
Design and synthesis of ERα agonists: Effectively reduce lipid accumulation
Authors: Yang Jinfei , Yao Weiwei , Yang Huihui , Shen Yajing , Zhang Yuanyuan
Published: December 2022

In recent years, the incidence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has been increasing worldwide. Hepatic lipid deposition is a major feature of NAFLD, and insulin resistance is one of the most important causes of lipid deposition. Insulin resistance results in the disruption of lipid metabolism homeostasis characterized by increased lipogenesis and decreased lipolysis. Estrogen receptor α (ERα) has been widely reported to be closely related to lipid metabolism. Activating ERa may be a promising strategy to improve lipid metabolism. Here, we used computer-aided drug design technology to discover a highly active compound, YRL-03, which can effectively reduce lipid accumulation. Cellular experimental results showed that YRL-03 could effectively reduce lipid accumulation by targeting ERα, thereby achieving alleviation of insulin resistance. We believe this study provides meaningful guidance for future molecular development of drugs to prevent and treat NAFLD.
Anti-immunoglobulin-like transcript 3 induced acute myocarditis—A case report
Authors: Itzhaki Ben Zadok Osnat , Shiyovich Arthur , Hamdan Ashraf , Yeshurun Moshe , Nardi Agmon Inbar , Raanani Pia , Kornowski Ran , Shargian Liat
Published: December 2022

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first published report of anti-immunoglobulin-like transcript 3 (ILT3)-induced myocarditis. A 48-year old female patient with refractory acute myeloid leukemia who was given a single dose of anti-ILT3 monotherapy presented with fever, hypotension, chest pain, and elevated cardiac biomarkers. Systolic bi-ventricular function was in normal limits. The patient was promptly treated with pulse dose steroids with a rapid hemodynamic and clinical improvement and declining levels of cardiac biomarkers. The diagnosis of acute myocarditis was confirmed using cardiac magnetic resonance imaging applying the revised Lake Lewis criteria. While larger-scale data are needed in order to assess the incidence, management and prognosis of anti-ILT-3 induced myocarditis, we believe a high level of suspicion for adverse non-target cardiac effects is required in patients receiving this novel class of drugs.
Effect of angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitor on atrial electrical instability in atrial fibrillation
Authors: Zhu Tianyu , Zhang Wenchao , Yang Quan , Wang Ning , Fu Yuwei , Li Yan , Cheng Guanliang , Wang Liang , Zhang Xian , Yao Hongying , Sun Xinghe , Chen Yu , Wu Xiaohui , Chen Xuezhi , Liu Xiaohui
Published: December 2022

Background and objective

Around 33.5 million patients suffered from atrial fibrillation (AF), causing complications and increasing mortality and disability rate. Upstream treatment for AF is getting more popular in clinical practice in recent years. The angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI) is one of the potential treatment options. Our study aimed to investigate the effect of ARNI on atrial electrical instability and structural remodeling in AF.

Methods

Our research consisted of two parts – a retrospective real-world clinical study and an animal experiment on calmness to verify the retrospective founding. In the retrospective study, we reviewed all patients (n = 110) who had undergone the first AF ablation from 1 August 2018 to 1 March 2022. Patients with ARNI (n = 36) or angiotensin II receptor antagonist (ARB) (n = 35) treatment were enrolled. Their clinical data, ultrasound cardiogram (UCG) and Holter parameters were collected before radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) as baseline and at 24-week follow-up. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed. In the animal experiment, we established an AF model (n = 18) on canines by rapid atrial pacing. After the successful procedure of pacing, all the 15 alive beagles were equally and randomly assigned to three groups (n = 5 each): Control group, ARB group, and ARNI group. UCG was performed before the pacing as baseline. Physiological biopsy, UCG, and electrophysiological study (EPS) were performed at 8-week.

Results

Clinical data showed that the atrial arrhythmia rate at 24-week was significantly lower in ARNI group compared to ARB group (P < 0.01), and ARNI was independently associated with a lower atrial arrhythmia rate (P < 0.05) at 24-week in multivariate regression logistic analysis. In the animal experiment, ARNI group had a higher atrial electrical stability score and a shorter AF duration in the EPS compared to Control and ARB group (P < 0.05). In the left atrium voltage mapping, ARNI group showed less low voltage and disordered zone compared to Control and ARB group. Compared to Control group, right atrium diameter (RAD), left ventricle end-diastolic volume index (LVEDVI), E/A, and E/E′ were lower in ARNI group (P < 0.05) at the 8-weeks follow-up, while left atrium ejection fraction (LAEF) and left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF) were higher (P < 0.01). Compared to ARB group, LVEF was higher in ARNI group at the 8-week follow-up (P < 0.05). ARB and ARNI group had a lower ratio of fibrotic lesions in the left atrium tissues compared to Control group (P < 0.01), but no difference was found between the ARB and the ARNI group.

Conclusion

ARNI could reduce atrial electrical instability in AF in comparison with ARB in both retrospective study and animal experiment.
Worldwide impact of lifestyle predictors of dementia prevalence: An eXplainable Artificial Intelligence analysis
Authors: Bellantuono Loredana , Monaco Alfonso , Amoroso Nicola , Lacalamita Antonio , Pantaleo Ester , Tangaro Sabina , Bellotti Roberto
Published: December 2022

Introduction

Dementia is an umbrella term indicating a group of diseases that affect the cognitive sphere. Dementia is not a mere individual health issue, since its interference with the ability to carry out daily activities entails a series of collateral problems, comprising exclusion of patients from civil rights and welfare, unpaid caregiving work, mostly performed by women, and an additional burden on the public healthcare systems. Thus, gender and wealth inequalities (both among individuals and among countries) tend to amplify the social impact of such a disease. Since at present there is no cure for dementia but only drug treatments to slow down its progress and mitigate the symptoms, it is essential to work on prevention and early diagnosis, identifying the risk factors that increase the probability of its onset. The complex and multifactorial etiology of dementia, resulting from an interplay between genetics and environmental factors, can benefit from a multidisciplinary approach that follows the “One Health” guidelines of the World Health Organization.

Methods

In this work, we apply methods of Artificial Intelligence and complex systems physics to investigate the possibility to predict dementia prevalence throughout world countries from a set of variables concerning individual health, food consumption, substance use and abuse, healthcare system efficiency. The analysis uses publicly available indicator values at a country level, referred to a time window of 26 years.

Results

Employing methods based on eXplainable Artificial Intelligence (XAI) and complex networks, we identify a group of lifestyle factors, mostly concerning nutrition, that contribute the most to dementia incidence prediction.

Discussion

The proposed approach provides a methodological basis to develop quantitative tools for action patterns against such a disease, which involves issues deeply related with sustainable, such as good health and resposible food consumption.
Seasonal modulation of oceanic seismicity in the azores
Authors: Lordi Ana L. , Neves Maria C. , Custódio Susana , Dumont Stéphanie
Published: December 2022

The analysis of an 11-year (2008–2018) seismic catalogue of the Azores suggests the existence of secondary cyclic influences on the seismicity rate of the oceanic region, with more earthquakes observed during the summer months, from May to August, than in winter. Statistical testing based on Monte-Carlo simulations and a Jack-Knife methodology indicate that the seasonal modulation affects earthquakes with magnitudes M3.3–4.5, well above the magnitude of completeness. Here, we investigate the seasonal variations of earthquake rate considering both the whole Azores oceanic domain and four separate sub-regions, corresponding to four regional clusters identified by previous authors. The analysis shows that the seasonal modulation is particularly observed near the Triple Junction region between the Faial Island and the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. To identify possible mechanisms driving the seasonal modulation, we apply Singular Spectral Analysis to the seismicity rate and to time-series of plausible external triggers, in order to investigate possible common periodicities. We find significant correlations between the earthquake rate, sea level anomaly rate, GRACE satellite anomalies and ocean bottom pressure, suggesting that water load may modulate the Azores oceanic seismicity.
Playing with tradition in communities of Swedish folk music: Negotiations of meaning in instrumental music tuition
Authors: Tullberg Markus , Sæther Eva
Published: December 2022

The present article explores meaning in relation to musical learning. One starting point is the assumption that a meaningful music education is strongly related to the social domain of music-making. The aim of this article is to provide analytical tools to understand how meaning is negotiated within instrumental music tuition. Our interest lies in formal higher music education, an arena where the social dimension tends to be rather obscure, in contrast to the genre of Swedish folk music, which is our empirical context. There is a strong case for revaluing the social dimension in the study and creation of a meaningful music education. In line with this, our analytical framework draws primarily upon theories of situated cognition, situated learning, and communities of practice. In particular, our analytical focus is negotiations of meaning, which are understood as constituted by two reciprocal processes of participation and reification. Meaning negotiation can be defined as a process that is incomplete, ongoing, and open-ended. Since negotiations of meaning refer to a larger picture, they become a useful point of interest in understanding the dynamics between a single learning situation, the educational framing, and the wider musical world of the learner. We exemplify how this analytical perspective can be applied by referring to our ongoing research project, which investigates trajectories of learning within different communities of Swedish folk music. We focus on two analytical nodes that have bearing across the communities and serve as locus points for ongoing meaning negotiations: (i) the identity of spelman and (ii) the approach to notation. With these two examples, we hope to show the potential of the framework. We also present methodological considerations that come from applying the proposed analytical tools in our study. Using an ethnographic approach, we lean toward the ideas of “messy research,” musical research sensibilities, and stepwise-deductive induction. In the final section of the article, we elaborate on the educational implications that follow from a perspective that takes meaning as its point of departure.
Teachers trust educational science - Especially if it confirms their beliefs
Authors: Schmidt Kirstin , Rosman Tom , Cramer Colin , Besa Kris-Stephen , Merk Samuel
Published: December 2022

Teachers around the world are increasingly required by policy guidelines to inform their teaching practices with scientific evidence. However, due to the division of cognitive labor, teachers often cannot evaluate the veracity of such evidence first-hand, since they lack specific methodological skills, such as the ability to evaluate study designs. For this reason, second-hand evaluations come into play, during which individuals assess the credibility and trustworthiness of the person or other entity who conveys the evidence instead of evaluating the information itself. In doing so, teachers' belief systems (e.g., beliefs about the trustworthiness of different sources, about science in general, or about specific educational topics) can play a pivotal role. But judging evidence based on beliefs may also lead to distortions which, in turn, can result in barriers for evidence-informed school practice. One popular example is the so-called confirmation bias, that is, preferring belief-consistent and avoiding or questioning belief-inconsistent information. Therefore, we experimentally investigated (1) whether teachers trust knowledge claims made by other teachers and scientific studies differently, (2) whether there is an interplay between teachers' trust in these specific knowledge claims, their trust in educational science, and their global trust in science, and (3) whether their prior topic-specific beliefs influence trust ratings in the sense of a confirmation bias. In an incomplete rotated design with three preregistered hypotheses,N= 414 randomly and representative sampled in-service teachers from Germany indicated greater trust in scientific evidence (information provided by a scientific journal) compared to anecdotal evidence (information provided by another teacher on a teacher blog). In addition, we found a positive relationship between trust in educational science and trust in specific knowledge claims from educational science. Finally, participants also showed a substantial confirmation bias, as they trusted educational science claims more when these matched (rather than contradicted) their prior beliefs. Based on these results, the interplay of trust, first-hand evaluation, and evidence-informed school practice is discussed.
Mathematical modeling and simulation of thyroid homeostasis: Implications for the Allan-Herndon-Dudley syndrome
Authors: Wolff Tobias M. , Veil Carina , Dietrich Johannes W. , Müller Matthias A.
Published: December 2022

Introduction

A mathematical model of the pituitary-thyroid feedback loop is extended to deepen the understanding of the Allan-Herndon-Dudley syndrome (AHDS). The AHDS is characterized by unusual thyroid hormone concentrations and a mutation in the SLC16A2 gene encoding for the monocarboxylate transporter 8 (MCT8). This mutation leads to a loss of thyroid hormone transport activity. One hypothesis to explain the unusual hormone concentrations of AHDS patients is that due to the loss of thyroid hormone transport activity, thyroxine (T4) is partially retained in thyroid cells.

Methods

This hypothesis is investigated by extending a mathematical model of the pituitary-thyroid feedback loop to include a model of the net effects of membrane transporters such that the thyroid hormone transport activity can be considered. A nonlinear modeling approach based on the Michaelis-Menten kinetics and its linear approximation are employed to consider the membrane transporters. The unknown parameters are estimated through a constrained parameter optimization.

Results

In dynamic simulations, damaged membrane transporters result in a retention of T4 in thyroid cells and ultimately in the unusual hormone concentrations of AHDS patients. The Michaelis-Menten modeling approach and its linear approximation lead to similar results.

Discussion

The results support the hypothesis that a partial retention of T4 in thyroid cells represents one mechanism responsible for the unusual hormone concentrations of AHDS patients. Moreover, our results suggest that the retention of T4 in thyroid cells could be the main reason for the unusual hormone concentrations of AHDS patients.
Challenges in part load operation of biogas-based power-to-gas processes (part I)
Authors: Gantenbein Andreas , Schildhauer Tilman J.
Published: December 2022

Direct methanation of biogas enables the storage of electrical energy in carbon-neutral (bio-)methane and subsequent injection into the national gas distribution grid. The intermittent availability of renewable electricity, as well as the varying nature of biogas production by e.g. anaerobic digestion, necessitate enhanced operational flexibility of such a Power-to-Gas process and intermediate buffer storage. This work provides experimental data of dynamic part load operation of a TRL 5 methanation plant with gas upgrading to grid-ready biomethane. Full recycling of unreacted H2 could be achieved by a commercial biogas upgrading membrane (Evonik SEPURAN® Green). Using real biogas, a sequence of load levels down to 45% of the full load capacity were tested. Stable operation of the plant could be demonstrated and grid injection limitations could be fulfilled after equilibration of the system. Additionally, an idealised PtG process chain was simulated with the focus on a sensitivity analysis of the H2 storage capacity on the methanation operation hours. It was shown that increasing the hydrogen storage capacity decreases the number of start-up and shut down procedures of the methanation plant. It could be shown that by using an equally sized electrolyser and methanation unit, allowing part load operation of the methanation only during the emptying of the H2 tank leads to longer activity phases of the methanation unit, while allowing part load operation of the methanation reactor during filling of the H2 storage tank had a negative effect.
A grid-tied PV-fuel cell multilevel inverter under PQ open-loop control scheme
Authors: Muftah Magdi G. , Salem Mohamed , Buswig Yonis M. , Hamad Khlid Ben , Luta Doudou N. , Kamarol Mohamad
Published: December 2022

Power generating entities’ connection to utility grids requires power converters to achieve high efficiency and low injected current harmonic distortion. The control of the power converter plays a crucial role in the grid-tied power converter’s performance. Various control techniques for grid-tied inverters ranging from classical to intelligent are introduced in several exist. Evaluating the current state and trend in grid-tied power inverters and related control methods, research shows that most works in this area focus on grid integration using the close-loop and other advanced control approaches. This is because these control methods are preferred since they provide adequate performance in case of uncertainties in the system. This investigation can aprove that PQ open-loop control technique can operate sufficiently and cost-effectively in grid-tied renewable and alternative power systems under normal operating conditions. Hence, this paper aims to assess the performance of a centralized single-stage grid-tied three-level diode clamped inverter connected to a PV-Fuel cell unit. An active and reactive power open-loop control scheme is employed to operate the inverter and achieves a current harmonic distortion below 5%. The system comprises a 150 kW/700 V PV, a 150 kW/1400 V fuel cell, a 265 kW multilevel inverter operating at a rated voltage of 415 V, and an LCL filter. Two operating scenarios are adopted to investigate the system’s responses further. In the first scenario, a local load of 509.2 kW is supplied from the PV-fuel cell inverter. The load also receives the grid’s power to meet the demand as the PV-fuel cell inverter provides only 265 kW. Whereas in the other scenario, the PV-fuel cell unit provides power to supply a local load while transporting the surplus to the grid. The results reveal the developed model’s good performance with a current harmonic distortion of 0.33%.
Effects of anomalous climatic events on the structure of fish larvae assemblages in the eastern Amazon
Authors: Cajado Ruineris Almada , Oliveira Lucas Silva de , Silva Fabíola Katrine Souza da , Zacardi Diego Maia , Andrade Marcelo Costa
Published: December 2022

The reproduction of neotropical fish is linked to environmental stimuli that act as triggers in this process. Thus, it is possible to affirm that specific environmental changes can delimit most fish’s period and reproductive success. El Niño Southern Oscillation phenomena (ENSO) influence rainfall and, consequently, hydrological dynamics, affecting several fish population aspects, especially reproductive aspects. However, in the Amazon, empirical evidence of the effect of anomalous climatic events on fish reproduction is incipient. In this sense, we investigated the taxonomic and functional structure of parental fish larvae stocks and how species modulate their reproductive activities before (2013 and 2014) and during La Niña (2018) and El Niño (2019) events. The data evidence that the larval assemblages suffered alterations in the taxonomic and functional composition between the three analyzed periods and a pattern of temporal distribution with a high influence of environmental variables. Flow, pH, and electrical conductivity were the most important variables to modulate fish reproductive intensity between periods. The species seem to respond to combinations of these variables that reflect environmental conditions conducive to biological recruitment according to their ecological characteristics, allowing the perpetuation or decline of their abundance in each period. All species of commercial interest associated with the neutral period showed a sharp decline in the subsequent moments. These results suggest that the incidence of anomalous climatic events added to regional fisheries exploitation can negatively affect the phenology and demographic patterns of larvae assemblages on a short temporal scale. During the neutral period, the community was dominated by larvae of periodic large, herbivores, piscivores, epibenthic maneuverable, and nektonic burst swimmers. The decrease in the abundance of certain functional groups at the neutral and La Niña period favored an accelerated ecological succession during the El Niño period, due to the increase of species from basal trophic levels (planktivores), generalists (omnivores), highly resilient (intermediate strategists), sedentary, short-distance migrants and little commercially exploited. Thus, the results contribute to the understanding of the interactions between anomalous climatic events and the reproduction of fish with different ecological characteristics in the Amazon River.
Spatial variation in groundwater depletion across China under multiple stresses
Authors: Lin Xuemin , Li Weifeng , Bai Xueding , Han Lijian , Ming Dongping
Published: December 2022

Groundwater, an essential component of the hydrological cycle, has been subject to intense pressure worldwide over recent decades, such that reserves have changed appreciably, challenging our ability to deliver on water resource protection goals. While the changes in storage can be quantified, there is little information about what drives the changes in groundwater storage (GWS) and how the impacts of those drivers vary spatially and temporally. In this study, the spatial and temporal variations in GWS across China from 2002 to 2016 are studied, and how GWS was influenced by natural and anthropogenic drivers at multiple scales is examined using Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) satellite data. The national-scale GWS declined continuously at a rate of −0.27 cm/a over the study period. Interesingly, the difference in the GWS change between the south (increasing) and the north (decreasing) was decreasing, while the gap between the east (increasing) and the west (decreasing) was becoming wider. The main drivers of GWS changes at the national and regional scales were precipitation, agricultural water consumption, and the total population, while industrial water consumption, domestic water consumption, and evapotranspiration were important at the regional and provincial scales. Policies recently implemented to protect GWS have been effective. Given the potential for GWS changes to have impacts at multiple scales, policies and goals should address the drivers of GWS changes at different scales.
Phylogenomics and the first higher taxonomy of Placozoa, an ancient and enigmatic animal phylum
Authors: Tessler Michael , Neumann Johannes S. , Kamm Kai , Osigus Hans-Jürgen , Eshel Gil , Narechania Apurva , Burns John A. , DeSalle Rob , Schierwater Bernd
Published: December 2022

Placozoa is an ancient phylum of extraordinarily unusual animals: miniscule, ameboid creatures that lack most fundamental animal features. Despite high genetic diversity, only recently have the second and third species been named. While prior genomic studies suffer from incomplete placozoan taxon sampling, we more than double the count with protein sequences from seven key genomes and produce the first nuclear phylogenomic reconstruction of all major placozoan lineages. This leads us to the first complete Linnaean taxonomic classification of Placozoa, over a century after its discovery: This may be the only time in the 21st century when an entire higher taxonomy for a whole animal phylum is formalized. Our classification establishes 2 new classes, 4 new orders, 3 new families, 1 new genus, and 1 new species, namely classes Polyplacotomia and Uniplacotomia; orders Polyplacotomea, Trichoplacea, Cladhexea, and Hoilungea; families Polyplacotomidae, Cladtertiidae, and Hoilungidae; and genus Cladtertia with species Cladtertia collaboinventa, nov. Our likelihood and gene content tree topologies refine the relationships determined in previous studies. Adding morphological data into our phylogenomic matrices suggests sponges (Porifera) as the sister to other animals, indicating that modest data addition shifts this node away from comb jellies (Ctenophora). Furthermore, by adding the first genomic protein data of the exceptionally distinct and branching Polyplacotoma mediterranea, we solidify its position as sister to all other placozoans; a divergence we estimate to be over 400 million years old. Yet even this deep split sits on a long branch to other animals, suggesting a bottleneck event followed by diversification. Ancestral state reconstructions indicate large shifts in gene content within Placozoa, with Hoilungia hongkongensis and its closest relatives having the most unique genetics.
Accelerated evolution of dim-light vision-related arrestin in deep-diving amniotes
Authors: Guo Xin , Cui Yimeng , Irwin David M. , Liu Yang
Published: December 2022

Arrestins are key molecules involved in the signaling of light-sensation initiated by visual pigments in retinal photoreceptor cells. Vertebrate photoreceptor cells have two types of arrestins, rod arrestin, which is encoded by SAG and is expressed in both rods and cones, and cone arrestin, encoded by ARR3 in cones. The arrestins can bind to visual pigments, and thus regulate either dim-light vision via interactions with rhodopsin or bright-light vision together with cone visual pigments. After adapting to terrestrial life, several amniote lineages independently went back to the sea and evolved deep-diving habits. Interestingly, the rhodopsins in these species exhibit specialized phenotypes responding to rapidly changing dim-light environments. However, little is known about whether their rod arrestin also experienced adaptive evolution associated with rhodopsin. Here, we collected SAG coding sequences from >250 amniote species, and examined changes in selective pressure experienced by the sequences from deep-diving taxa. Divergent patterns of evolution of SAG were observed in the penguin, pinniped and cetacean clades, suggesting possible co-adaptation with rhodopsin. After verifying pseudogenes, the same analyses were performed for cone arrestin (ARR3) in deep-diving species and only sequences from cetacean species, and not pinnipeds or penguins, have experienced changed selection pressure compared to other species. Taken together, this evidence for changes in selective pressures acting upon arrestin genes strengthens the suggestion that rapid dim-light adaptation for deep-diving amniotes require SAG, but not ARR3.
Multi-level agency and transformative capacity for environmental risk reduction in the Norwegian salmon farming industry
Authors: Sjøtun Svein Gunnar , Fløysand Arnt , Wiig Heidi , Zenteno Hopp Joaquin
Published: December 2022

This article analyzes the role of agency in reducing environmental risk in the Norwegian salmon farming industry. The theoretical starting point is recent literature on change agency which focuses on the different ways in which actors purposely act to renew existing and create new regional industry growth paths, and reproductive agency which focuses on how actors, explicitly and implicitly, maintain existing structures to uphold status quo. Departing from a current risk society ambiguity in the industry and an explorative multi-scalar study of industrial innovation processes, we analysis how change agency combined with reproductive agency play out. The analysis shows that change agency affecting transformative agency capacity reducing environmental risk is connected to institutional entrepreneurship in terms of a Development Licenses Program on the national level and to Schumpeterian innovative entrepreneurship in terms of Development Licenses Projects on firm level. Moreover, the study shows how reproductive agency also affects the capacity to cope with environmental risks in terms of risk reducing place-based leadership illustrated by cooperation and bottom-up, self-organized area cooperation on the regional level, and in terms of risk creation illustrated by a global growth logic across geographical levels. On this ground, it is argued that the theoretical contribution of the study is that the transformative capacity to reduce environmental risks of an industry rests on multi-scalar change- and reproductive agency and how these are combined.
Flocking to fire: How climate and natural hazards shape human migration across the United States
Authors: Clark Mahalia B. , Nkonya Ephraim , Galford Gillian L.
Published: December 2022

As global climate change progresses, the United States (US) is expected to experience warmer temperatures as well as more frequent and severe extreme weather events, including heat waves, hurricanes, and wildfires. Each year, these events cost dozens of lives and do billions of dollars' worth of damage, but there has been limited research on how they influence human decisions about migration. Are people moving toward or away from areas most at risk from these climate threats? Here, we examine recent (2010–2020) trends in human migration across the US in relation to features of the natural landscape and climate, as well as frequencies of various natural hazards. Controlling for socioeconomic and environmental factors, we found that people have moved away from areas most affected by heat waves and hurricanes, but toward areas most affected by wildfires. This relationship may suggest that, for many, the dangers of wildfires do not yet outweigh the perceived benefits of life in fire-prone areas. We also found that people have been moving toward metropolitan areas with relatively hot summers, a dangerous public health trend if mean and maximum temperatures continue to rise, as projected in most climate scenarios. These results have implications for policymakers and planners as they prepare strategies to mitigate climate change and natural hazards in areas attracting migrants.
Edible plant extracellular vesicles: An emerging tool for bioactives delivery
Authors: Fan Shi-Jie , Chen Jia-Ying , Tang Chao-Hua , Zhao Qing-Yu , Zhang Jun-Min , Qin Yu-Chang
Published: December 2022

The extracellular vesicles (EVs) in edible food have a typical saucer-like structure and are nanoparticles released by numerous cells. They have different components and interact with other biological samples in diverse ways. Therefore, these nanoparticles could be used to develop bioactives delivery nanoplatforms and anti-inflammatory treatments to meet the stringent demands of current clinical challenges. This review aims to summarize current researches into EVs from edible plants, particularly those that can protect siRNAs or facilitate drug transportation. We will discuss their isolation, characterization and functions, their regulatory effects under various physiological and pathological conditions, and their immune regulation, anti-tumor, regeneration, and anti-inflammatory effects. We also review advances in their potential application as bioactives carriers, and medicinal and edible plants that change their EVs compositions during disease to achieve a therapy propose. It is expected that future research on plant-derived EVs will considerably expand their application.