bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Paraxanthine enhances memory and neuroplasticity more than caffeine in rats
Authors: Jäger Ralf , Abou Sawan Sidney , Orrú Marco , Tinsley Grant M. , Purpura Martin , Wells Shawn D. , Liao Kylin , Godavarthi Ashok
Published: December 2024

Paraxanthine (PXN) is the main metabolite of caffeine (CAF). PXN supplementation has been shown to increase measures of cognition, memory, reasoning, response time, and sustained attention; however, no preclinical study has compared the effects of PXN with those of CAF. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of PXN and CAF on memory and related biomarkers in rats. The effects of two different doses of PXN (PXN LOW, PXN HIGH), CAF (CAF HIGH), and a control group on cognition (escape latency in the Morris water maze test), neurotransmitters (acetylcholine, dopamine, and gamma-aminobutyric acid), and neurochemicals (BDNF, catalase, glutathione, and cyclic GMP) were analyzed from whole brain samples in young (8 weeks old) and aged (16 months old) rats. Compared to the control group, escape latency improved in PXN LOW, PXN HIGH, and CAF HIGH (all P < 0.05) in young animals, and in PXN HIGH and CAF HIGH in older animals (P < 0.001). PXN HIGH improved escape latency compared to CAF HIGH in both young (P < 0.001) and old animals (P = 0.003). BDNF levels increased in PXN LOW, PXN HIGH, and CAF HIGH (all P < 0.001), with PXN HIGH increasing BDNF to a greater extent compared to CAF HIGH (P = 0.03). PXN HIGH also significantly increased BDNF levels compared to PXN LOW (P < 0.001). All other neurotransmitters and neurochemicals significantly increased in the PXN HIGH and CAF HIGH groups compared to the control. In conclusion, PXN showed greater improvements in cognition and BDNF levels compared to CAF, further substantiating PXN as a nootropic with greater benefits compared to CAF.
Larval dispersal predictions are highly sensitive to hydrodynamic modelling choices
Authors: Choukroun Severine , Stewart Owen B. , Mason Luciano B. , Bode Michael
Published: December 2024

Larval dispersal is a critical ecological process in marine ecosystems, responsible for connecting and replenishing populations in patchy habitat. Because empirical measurements of larval dispersal are very challenging, coupled biological and oceanographic simulations (“biophysical models”) of larval dispersal are commonly used to answer ecological questions and support conservation management decisions. In the process of creating biophysical models, a series of choices must be made that do not have a single correct answer—sometimes because the oceanographic or ecological processes are uncertain; sometimes because trade-offs are required between different goals (e.g. computational time versus spatial resolution). In this paper, we demonstrate that larval dispersal estimates at management scales are strongly affected by these choices. Using three different hydrodynamic models of the Great Barrier Reef, we estimated the dispersal of crown-of-thorns starfish larvae in the spawning seasons between 2018 and 2021. Despite sharing similar physical forcings and using similar models of larval behaviour, we find that the different hydrodynamic models produce divergent predictions of larval dispersal between the reefs. If used to support crown-of-thorns starfish control decisions, these different predictions would recommend different priority reefs. Our results caution against the use of single models of larval dispersal, and suggest that multi-model ensembles may offer a valuable new perspective on dispersal patterns in marine environments.
Impact of repetitive, ultra-short soft X-ray pulses from processing of steel with ultrafast lasers on human cell cultures
Authors: Holland Julian , Lungu Cristiana , Weber Rudolf , Emperle Max , Graf Thomas
Published: December 2024

Ultrafast lasers, with pulse durations below a few picoseconds, are of significant interest to the industry, offering a cutting-edge approach to enhancing manufacturing processes and enabling the fabrication of intricate components with unparalleled accuracy. When processing metals at irradiances exceeding the evaporation threshold of about 1010 W/cm² these processes can generate ultra-short, soft X-ray pulses with photon energies above 5 keV. This has prompted extensive discussions and regulatory measures on radiation safety. However, the impact of these ultra-short X-ray pulses on molecular pathways in the context of living cells, has not been investigated so far. This paper presents the first molecular characterization of epithelial cell responses to ultra-short soft X-ray pulses, generated during processing of steel with an ultrafast laser. The laser provided pulses of 6.7 ps with a pulse repetition rate of 300 kHz and an average power of 500 W. The irradiance was 1.95 ×1013 W/cm2. Ambient exposure of vitro human cell cultures, followed by imaging of the DNA damage response and fitting of the data to a calibrated model for the absorbed dose, revealed a linear increase in the DNA damage response relative to the exposure dose. This is in line with findings from work using continuous wave soft X-ray sources and suggests that the ultra-short X-ray pulses do not generate additional hazard. This research contributes valuable insights into the biological effects of ultrafast laser processes and their potential implications for user safety.
Risk of pneumonia among children with cleft palate before and after palatoplasty: a population-based study
Authors: Eyni Yotam , Kerman Tomer , Danino Dana , Goldbart Aviv , Silberstein Eldad
Published: December 2024

Pneumonia remains the primary cause of mortality among children under age 5. Cleft palate (CP) poses various challenges including velopharyngeal disfunction, potentially increasing rates of pneumonia. However, clinical evidence linking pneumonia to defect is lacking. This study aims to assess the prevalence of pneumonia and lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) among CP patients through a population-based approach. This retrospective cohort study was conducted using medical records from Clalit Health Services in Israel, 2013–2022, encompassing population of 138,261 infants, including 166 with CP. We investigated the prevalence of pneumonia and other infectious diseases before and after palatoplasty, employing Poisson regression models adjusted for multiple demographic and clinical variables. A sibling comparison study was also conducted, analyzing 129 preoperative and 55 postoperative pairs. The preoperative analysis revealed an increased risk of pneumonia (relative risk [RR]: 5.8, 95% confidence interval (CI): 3.93–8.19), lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) (RR: 1.55, 95% CI: 1.12–2.06), and urinary tract infections (UTI) (RR: 5.27, 95% CI: 3.23–8.03) in children with CP compared to controls. Following surgical repair, a statistically significant but reduced risk for pneumonia persisted up to 5 years (RR: 2.55, 95% CI: 1.59–3.84). Sibling comparison analyses underscored an elevated pneumonia risk compared to CP siblings preoperatively (RR: 7.07, 95% CI: 2.48–29.8). Postoperatively, the RR decreased and was no longer statistically significant (RR: 1.44, 95% CI: 0.49–4.75).

Conclusion: Patients with CP are at higher risk for pneumonia, and the magnitude of risk may be reduced after palatoplasty.

What is Known:
• Cleft palate (CP) disrupts the separation of the nasal and oral cavities, leading to food regurgitation into the nasal cavity and theoretically may lead to respiratory tract infections.
• The association between CP and respiratory tract infections has yet to be assessed thoroughly.

What is New:
• This population-based study has shown that CP is an independent risk factor for pneumonia.
• The risk for pneumonia among CP patients is lowered after surgical repair of the defect.
Combined lifestyle factors on mortality and cardiovascular disease among cancer survivors: a systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies
Authors: Zhu Chunsu , Lian Zhiwei , Arndt Volker , Thong Melissa S. Y.
Published: December 2024

Purpose

Lifestyle factors in cancer survivors are frequently studied individually even though they are often interconnected. This systematic review and meta-analysis investigated the association of combined lifestyle factors on health outcomes among cancer survivors.

Methods

EMBASE, PubMed and Web of Science were searched up to March 2024. Cohort studies examining the associations of at least three combined lifestyle factors with mortality (all-cause/cancer-specific) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) among cancer survivors, were selected. Pooled hazard ratios (pHRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using random effects models. Tests for heterogeneity and publication bias were conducted.

Results

Twenty-two studies involving 209,659 survivors with an average follow-up duration ranging from 4.1 to 29.1 years were included. pHRs(95%CI) comparing cancer survivors with the healthiest lifestyles versus those with the least healthy lifestyles were 0.57 (0.51–0.65) for all-cause mortality, 0.70 (0.61–0.80) for cancer-specific mortality, and 0.53 (0.46–0.63) for CVD incidence. These associations were largely consistent across subgroup analyses. Colorectal cancer survivors with the healthiest lifestyle experienced 37% lower all-cause mortality and 25% lower cancer-specific mortality, while breast cancer survivors had a 45% reduction in all-cause mortality. Although studies were limited, significant associations for all-cause mortality were observed among lung, liver, nasopharyngeal, gastric, kidney, gynecologic cancer survivors. However, no significant relationship between healthy lifestyles and CVD-specific mortality was detected.

Conclusions

Having an overall healthy lifestyle is associated with lower CVD incidence and better survival among cancer survivors. The long-term management of cancer survivors should consider encouragement for a modification of multiple lifestyles.
The effects of a graphic organizer with storytelling intervention on writing quality and attitude towards writing of third graders with German as a second language
Authors: Barwasser Anne , Nobel Kerstin , Asaro-Saddler Kristie , Saddler Bruce , Grünke Matthias
Published: December 2024

Writing can be a challenging task for students—especially for those who have grown up as second language (L2) learners. In particular, planning and structuring written content can be especially difficult for them. For this reason, the effects of a combined strategy instruction intervention consisting of a graphic organizer and storytelling on the narrative writing performance of struggling third graders (N = 8) from a German elementary school with German as a L2 (GSL) was examined. A multiple baseline across participants design was applied with a baseline phase followed by an intervention phase (combined strategy instruction) which was held three times a week over a period of six weeks for 40 minutes. Results revealed a positive effect of the intervention package on story writing quality and the attitude towards writing. Furthermore, the intervention was rated positively by the participants. Limitations and practical implications of the findings are discussed.
Electric Field-assisted Photocatalytic Reduction of Carbon Dioxide over Titanium Dioxide: Influence of the Type and Strength of Electric Field
Authors: Shtyka Oleksandr , Ciesielski Radoslaw , Kedziora Adam , Szynkowska-Jozwik Malgorzata , Maniecki Tomasz
Published: December 2024

This study focuses on investigating the sole impact of an external electric field on the photocatalytic activity of TiO2-based materials. Typically, built-in electric fields are used to efficiently separate free energy carriers and improve the photocatalytic performance of semiconductors. The creation of such field requires modifications to the photocatalyst that alter various properties such as adsorption and optical characteristics. These modifications make it challenging to isolate and interpret the promotion effect associated with the electric field alone. The investigations were carried out in the gas-phase conditions in a specially constructed reactor equipped with two electrodes connected to a high – voltage that provides a field strength of up to 5.7·103 V/cm. The results showed that the effect of electric field promotion varied significantly depending on the properties of titanium dioxide, such as structure, adsorption, and presence of impurities. The strength and the type (direct or alternating current) of the electric field also played a determining role. The greatest promoting effect was observed for rutile, the photocatalytic activity of which under an electric field increased threefold in the process of reduction of CO2 with water vapor.

Graphical Abstract
Mental Illness as an (Un)Limited Experience of Intersubjectivity
Authors: Condruz Cătălina
Published: December 2024

Often understood as a dissolution of the ego, mental illness implies a process of deconstruction where the psychotic faces the most frightening limits one can encounter: the limits of perception, the limits of understanding, the limits of vulnerability, and above all, the limits of intersubjectivity. The present paper aims to explore mental illness phenomenologically, taking it as both a limited and an unlimited experience of intersubjectivity. On the one hand, mental illness is widely regarded as a limited experience of intersubjectivity, for it alters and hence limits access to the Other. But on the other hand, it can equally be taken as an unlimited experience of intersubjectivity, because it opens up a new world to the psychotic that can be transposed into and improved through artistic expression. The present article will bring together these two dimensions in order to reflect on the limits of experience in general. To do so, I will first address the clinical studies of the analyst Marguerite Sechehaye and of Rosemarie Samaritter. By retracing Marguerite Sechehaye’s deconstruction of the ego in a case of schizophrenia that she successfully treated, I attempt to circumscribe three distinctive experiential layers that have been disturbed by her patient’s mental illness: (1) the affective layer, (2) the symbolic layer, and (3) the kinesthetic layer, which is indicative of the fact that our spatial presence and body movements are constitutive elements of our sense of self and of our being in the world. Second, I will focus on the relationship between art and schizophrenia, and subsequently on the limits of experience that a psychotic transcends when undergoing his/her illness.
Facing Change and Uncertainty: Lessons Learned from Autistic Children and their Families During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Mgaieth Farah , Palmer Melanie , Charman Tony , Simonoff Emily
Published: December 2024

The COVID-19 pandemic presented a great challenge for individuals around the globe, and particularly for vulnerable populations such as autistic children. This qualitative study explored the experience of autistic children (both verbal and minimally verbal) and their families during the pandemic in August-October 2020 through the lens of 18 parents recruited from an opportunistic follow-up of a randomized controlled trial. Findings revealed that the pandemic was detrimental to the mental health of most parents. School closures, disrupted routines and concerns of the virus were believed by parents to be particularly responsible for increased in their child’s behaviour that challenges and anxiety, resulting in changes in acquired skills and development of tics for some. However, other parents reported that increased one-to-one interaction with their child improved their social interaction and communication. Additionally, families felt more able to cope with the situation when supported by their partner, support services and schools. The findings highlight the challenges and benefits experienced by families with an autistic child during the pandemic. They provide valuable insights into potential areas that warrant attention when preparing for future emergencies. Enhancing our ability to respond to the needs of autistic children and their families, and establishing policies that can support their well-being should be prioritised to effectively address future challenges.
Making or Faking Depolarization? The Antipopulist Parties’ Construction of the Populism/Antipopulism Divide on Social Media in the Czech Republic
Authors: Kluknavská Alena , Havlík Vlastimil
Published: December 2024

Populism has gained significant attention recently, yet there is less understanding of strategies to confront it. This study focuses on the communication of these reactions by examining the populism/antipopulism divide created by populist parties’ challengers. Antipopulists present themselves as an antithesis of populism, offering an alternative to populism by constructing two identities: populist identity (“them”) and antipopulist identity (“us”). While antipopulism is argued to be depolarizing, based on civility, calmness, and knowledge, populism is portrayed as polarizing, using emotional and irrational language. However, we know little about the content of these identities and how these identities are presented stylistically. This study examines the content of the populism/antipopulism divide in the messages of antipopulist actors and their association with specific communication styles. Our study utilizes a quantitative content analysis of an original dataset of posts on Facebook and Instagram (n = 1291) before the 2021 elections in Czechia, along with an automated frequency analysis of antipopulists’ posts (n = 44,877) from September 2017 to December 2021. Our results suggest that the divide was increasingly present in the antipopulists’ messages, and it was associated with the strategic use of appeals to negativity, emotions, knowledge, and rationality. This indicates that even though antipopulists claim to have a rational and fact-based approach, the style of their communication reveals an emotional component, contributing to the overall level of polarization.
CALPHAD-Type Reassessment of Cu-Si and Full Assessment of the Al-Cu-Si Systems
Authors: Kroupa Ales , Zobac Ondrej , Zemanova Adela , Richter Klaus W.
Published: December 2024

The theoretical assessment of the Al-Cu-Si was carried out in this work based on recent experimental studies (Riani et al. in Intermetallics, 17:154-164, 2009; He et al. in CALPHAD, 33:200-210, 2009. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.calphad.2008.07.015; Ponweiser N and Richter KW in J. of Alloys and Compd, 512:252-263, 2012; Hallstedt et al. in CALPHAD, 53:25-38, 2016; Zobac et al in J Mater Sci, 55:5322-15333, 2020). The reassessment of the Cu-Si system was also carried out in the scope of this work, as experimental data indicates reasonable solubility of Al in all intermetallic phases in the Cu-Si binary system, and the stoichiometric models used in previous assessments of the Cu-Si binary system are not fully suitable for the extension into the ternary system. Excellent agreement was reached for the reassessment of the Cu-Si system with previous works, and new original results were obtained during the assessment of the ternary system. The high solubility of Si in the β(bcc) phase at high temperatures was modelled to explain experimental inconsistencies in the Cu-rich corner between 600 and 800 °C, and this assumption was confirmed experimentally. All main features of the experimental Al-Cu-Si phase diagram were reproduced well by theoretical modelling.
Does Targeting CPP at CPPopt Actually Improve Cerebrovascular Reactivity? A Secondary Analysis of the COGiTATE Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Beqiri Erta , Tas Jeanette , Czosnyka Marek , van Kaam Ruud C. R. , Donnelly Joseph , Haeren Roel H. , van der Horst Iwan C. C. , Hutchinson Peter J. , van Kuijk Sander M. J. , Liberti Annalisa L. , Menon David K. , Hoedemaekers Cornelia W. E. , Depreitere Bart , Meyfroidt Geert , Ercole Ari , Aries Marcel J. H. , Smielewski Peter
Published: December 2024

Background

The 'CPPopt-Guided Therapy: Assessment of Target Effectiveness' (COGiTATE) randomised controlled trial demonstrated the feasibility and safety of targeting an automated cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) tailored to optimize cerebrovascular autoregulation (CPPopt) in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) requiring intracranial pressure management. The average values of the autoregulation index known as the pressure reactivity index (PRx) were not different between the intervention (CPP target = CPPopt) and control (CPP target = 60–70 mmHg) groups of the trial. This secondary analysis was performed to investigate whether: (1) in the intervention group, PRx was closer to PRxopt (PRx at CPPopt) values, indicating a more preserved reactivity, as opposed to in the control group; (2) in the intervention group, patients experienced lower hourly PRx when CPP was close to the CPPopt-based target.

Methods

We analyzed data from the 28 and 32 patients randomized to the control and intervention groups of the COGiTATE study, respectively. We compared hourly averaged ΔPRx (PRx minus PRxopt, where PRxopt is PRx at CPPopt) between the two groups, focusing on periods of globally preserved/homogeneous autoregulation (negative PRxopt). For each patient in the intervention group, PRx values in periods when ΔCPP (CPP minus CPPopt target) was between −5 and + 5 mm Hg were compared to values in periods when ΔCPP was outside this range.

Results

The median ΔPRx was significantly lower in the intervention group for negative PRxopt (Mann–Whitney U-test, p < 0.001). For each patient in this group, the median PRx was lower in periods when CPP was close to the CPPopt-based target (Wilcoxon test, p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Despite no statistically significant difference in the grand mean PRx, our results suggest that targeting CPPopt does provide a way of improving cerebrovascular reactivity in patients with TBI, offering a rational intervention for trials that address this issue. We also bring insight into aspects of the PRx/CPP relationship that should be considered for autoregulation-guided management for future clinical protocols and trials design.
Time-Dependent Transcriptional Dynamics of Contextual Fear Memory Retrieval Reveals the Function of Dipeptidyl Peptidase 9 in Reconsolidation
Authors: Guo Wen-Ting , Li Wen-Xing , Liu Yu-Chen , Zhao Ya-Bo , Xu Lin , Zhou Qi-Xin
Published: December 2024

Numerous studies on the formation and consolidation of memory have shown that memory processes are characterized by phase-dependent and dynamic regulation. Memory retrieval, as the only representation of memory content and an active form of memory processing that induces memory reconsolidation, has attracted increasing attention in recent years. Although the molecular mechanisms specific to memory retrieval-induced reconsolidation have been gradually revealed, an understanding of the time-dependent regulatory mechanisms of this process is still lacking. In this study, we applied a transcriptome analysis of memory retrieval at different time points in the recent memory stage. Differential expression analysis and Short Time-series Expression Miner (STEM) depicting temporal gene expression patterns indicated that most differential gene expression occurred at 48 h, and the STEM cluster showing the greatest transcriptional upregulation at 48 h demonstrated the most significant difference. We then screened the differentially-expressed genes associated with that met the expression patterns of those cluster-identified genes that have been reported to be involved in learning and memory processes in addition to dipeptidyl peptidase 9 (DPP9). Further quantitative polymerase chain reaction verification and pharmacological intervention suggested that DPP9 is involved in 48-h fear memory retrieval and viral vector-mediated overexpression of DPP9 countered the 48-h retrieval-induced attenuation of fear memory. Taken together, our findings suggest that temporal gene expression patterns are induced by recent memory retrieval and provide hitherto undocumented evidence of the role of DPP9 in the retrieval-induced reconsolidation of fear memory.
Development of a novel gene expression panel for the characterization of MSCs for increased biological safety
Authors: Różycka-Baczyńska Anna M. , Stepaniec Igor M. , Warzycha Marta , Zdolińska-Malinowska Izabela , Oldak Tomasz , Rozwadowska Natalia , Kolanowski Tomasz J.
Published: December 2024

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have a wide range of therapeutic applications due to their multipotency, immunomodulatory, and anti-inflammatory properties. Their ability to migrate and recolonize damaged tissues is also remarkable. However, the controversial occurrence of spontaneous tumorigenesis or malignant transformation of MSCs raises concerns about proposed cell-based therapies for patients that researchers must address. There are several in vitro and in vivo strategies for MSC safety approval, but there is still no described coherent scheme that allows the assessment of MSC oncogenic potential in a simple, robust, and reproducible manner. Here, we have developed a diagnostic panel of molecular markers that allows for the accurate verification of the quality and safety of MSCs. Moreover, presented in this article diagnostic panel that can define the origin and tumorigenicity of MSCs can be easily introduced into the routine quality control processes of MSC-based product manufacturing which will improve further clinical applications of MSCs.

Graphical Abstract
Defining Optimal Nodal Dose for Stage IIIC Cervical Cancer: An Institutional Audit of Patients Treated with Simultaneous Integrated Nodal Boost
Authors: Mittal Prachi , Karmakar Shreyasee , Raut Atul , Mulani Jaahid , Charnalia Mayuri , Gupta Ankita , Jain Jeevanshu , Panda Subhajit , Ghosh Jaya , Rath Sushmita , Gupta Sudeep , Chopra Supriya
Published: December 2024

Objective

To assess radiation dose-response relationship for individual lymph nodes in patients with stage IIIC cervical cancer who are treated with simultaneous integrated boost (SIB).

Methods

This is a retrospective study in which patients with stage IIIC cervical cancer treated with (chemo)radiation who received simultaneous integrated nodal boost (SIB) and brachytherapy were evaluated with the primary aim of determining in-field nodal control. Secondary aims included estimation of local control (LC), disease free survival (DFS) and adverse events. Univariate analysis and multivariate analysis was performed for factors impacting nodal control, LC and DFS.

Results

One hundred and fifty-one (151) nodes in 65 patients were included. The median number of lymph nodes and nodal volume was 2 (1–6) and 3.4 cc (1.8–6.8 cc) respectively. Median SIB dose was 55Gy/25# (53.7–55.0 Gy). At a median follow-up of 43 months the in-field nodal control was 99.3% (1/151). The 5-year LC, DFS and regional nodal control was 88.7, 66 and 85.6% respectively. The 5-year DFS for FIGO stage IIIC1 was 67.7% versus 43.5% for stage IIIC2 (p = 0.03) and lymph node volume >3cc was associated with reduced 5-year DFS (80.8% vs. 55%, p = 0.03) on univariate analysis. No factor was statistically significant on multivariate analysis. A vast majority of lymph node recurrences were observed in elective nodal regions outside the true pelvis that received lower contribution from brachytherapy.

Conclusion

Nodal SIB doses of up to 55Gy/25#/ 5 weeks administered during chemoradiation are associated with 99.3% 5-year infield nodal control. A vast majority of nodal recurrences were observed in elective volumes that received a lower contribution from brachytherapy.
The Potential Utilization of Mycorrhizal Fungi and Glycine Betaine to Boost the Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) Tolerance to Chromium Toxicity
Authors: Abdelhameed Reda E. , Metwally Rabab A.
Published: December 2024

Chromium (Cr) is one of heavy metals that extremely dangerous to the ecosystem, especially plants as it has a detrimental influence on numerous physiological and metabolic pathways, which in turn affects the plant growth, development, and nutrient-taking capacity. The application of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi or glycine betaine (GB) was widely studied regarding their potential to alleviate Cr toxicity. However, limited information is documented regarding their combined use. A greenhouse experiment was conducted to study the ameliorative effects of AM application and GB (50 mM) foliar spray either individually or in combination on fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) plants upon 200 mg kg−1 Cr stress. Results showed that the separate application of AM and GB markedly alleviated Cr toxicity on shoot height, root length, total fresh and dry weights and Cr-stress indices of fenugreek plants, with a more obvious alleviation with their dual applications. A significant increase in total chlorophyll (32.31, 14.51 and 44.06%) validated the effectiveness of AM, 50 mM GB and AM + GB in Cr-stressed plants as compared to stressed one. Cr stress significantly increased arbuscules colonization in the roots of trigonella by 43.16%. The extraordinary result was that 200 mg kg−1 of Cr increased mycorrhizal dependency of trigonella plants (120.40%) compared to those that were not stressed (73.16%). The combined application of AM fungi and GB markedly reduced Cr-induced malondialdehyde, and increased the total Chl, growth attributes, proline, protein, free amino acids and sugars as compared to their respective controls. AM colonization with GB counteracted Cr-induced alterations of peroxidase and ascorbate peroxidase activities in fenugreek shoots. These findings demonstrated that, in comparison to their individual applications, the combination use of AM and GB is more effective and will provide novel perspectives for reducing Cr toxicity, and will boost plant tolerance.
A commentary on Manazir non-linear policy process model
Authors: Banda Lloyd George
Published: December 2024

The policy cycle (process) model is the oldest public policy analytical tool, developed by Harold Laswell in 1957. Since the 1980s, the framework has come under intense criticism, especially for its linearity or neat policy stages approach, lack of falsifiable hypotheses, and difficulties in establishing causal linkages among its components. Surprisingly, the policy cycle framework remains relevant in guiding the public policy process and research despite the new frameworks developed to address its shortcomings. Additionally, it continues to generate special issues in various journals to assess the status of the policy cycle model, with the most recent one in 2021, in which the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Policy Practice and Research revealed the overwhelming usefulness of the policy stages framework. Interestingly, Manazir (Discover Global Soc 1:16, 2023) renovates the policy cycle into a non-linear framework, which silences the criticism of linearity. The current paper, therefore, revisits Manazir’s non-linear policy process framework, commends its innovations, identifies gaps, and provides refinements to its representation. In particular, the paper introduces more policy process pathways and highlights the significance of their utility in contested and non-consolidated democracies.
Soil pollution: an agricultural and environmental problem with nanotechnological remediation opportunities and challenges
Authors: Ghazaryan Karen , Agrawal Shreni , Margaryan Gohar , Harutyunyan Anna , Rajput Priyadarshani , Movsesyan Hasmik , Rajput Vishnu D. , Singh Rupesh Kumar , Minkina Tatiana , Elshikh Mohamed S. , Alwahibi Mona S. , Alexiou Athanasios , Papadakis Marios , Sousa João Ricardo , Singh Abhishek
Published: December 2024

Nanotechnology has emerged as a promising frontier in the realm of environmental remediation, offering unprecedented precision and efficacy in addressing soil contamination and land degradation. This review paper has performed comprehensive survey of nanotechnological approaches for soil remediation and land restoration, encompassing a diverse array of nanomaterial (NM)-based strategies tailored to mitigate the impacts of various contaminants on terrestrial ecosystems. Furthermore, this review critically examines the ecological implications, regulatory considerations, and ethical dimensions associated with the deployment of engineered nanoparticles (NPs) in environmental remediation efforts. By providing a holistic understanding of the opportunities and challenges inherent in the integration of nanotechnology with soil remediation practices, this review aims to inform policymakers, researchers, and practitioners alike, fostering informed decision-making and catalyzing sustainable approaches towards land stewardship and environmental conservation.
Effect of double-layer formwork curing on the early temperature field and properties of precast concrete components in environments with large diurnal temperature variations
Authors: Tong Yue , Kong Weikang , Duan Zhihong , Ma Lei , Guo Rongxin , Wei Ya
Published: December 2024

An efficient double-layer formwork curing method using an “inner supporting formwork + outer insulation formwork” was proposed in this study to address the early cracking of precast concrete components in high altitude regions. Steel and plywood formwork were designed as inner support formwork, while polystyrene (PS) and polyurethane (PU) were used as outer insulation formwork. Indoor experiments and two finite element methods (The complete simulation method focuses on computational accuracy, and the equivalent simulation method emphasizes computational efficiency) were employed to analyze the evolution of the concrete temperature field under different double-layer formwork curing methods throughout the curing period, combined with compressive strength and pore structures testing. The results show that steel + 5-mm-thick PU insulation formwork curing method can significantly mitigate the impact of large diurnal temperature variations on the internal temperature of concrete. Unlike traditional steam-curing, this method does not deteriorate the pore structure or compressive strength of the concrete. This study is of great significance in addressing the problem of early cracking of precast concrete components exposed to large diurnal temperature vriations in high altitude regions.
Cardiac imaging to predict malignant arrhythmias in non-ischemic cardiomyopathy
Authors: Paterson Toby , Pooranachandran Vivetha
Published: December 2024

Sudden cardiac death (SCD) remains a major contributor to cardiovascular disease mortality, accounting for approximately half of all related deaths. Non-ischemic cardiomyopathy (NICM) presents itself as a common yet challenging cardiac condition. High-risk patients could potentially benefit from implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD). However, the limited capacity to accurately identify these individuals results in unnecessary procedures for some and overlooked preventative measures for others, leading to potentially avoidable mortality. The conventional approach to assessing the risk of SCD has primarily involved evaluating the ejection fraction (EF) via echocardiography. However, advanced cardiac imaging techniques, such as cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR), computed tomography (CT), positron emission tomography (PET), and single-photon emission computerised tomography (SPECT) have emerged as promising non-invasive methods for VA and SCD risk assessment. These imaging modalities offer valuable insights into the structural and functional abnormalities that predispose individuals to sudden cardiac death. As a result, these advanced imaging methods have the potential to enhance risk stratification and improve patient outcomes by identifying individuals at high risk of SCD who may benefit from early interventions. This review aims to fill a critical gap in current literature by identifying which imaging features are most strongly associated with malignant arrhythmias in NICM, thus moving beyond traditional risk markers. Each modality provides unique insights into structural, functional, or metabolic changes that may indicate arrhythmogenic potential in NICM. Systematically assessing each imaging method's strengths contributes to a deeper understanding of their individual roles in risk stratification.
Convergence speed and approximation accuracy of numerical MCMC
Authors: Cui Tiangang , Dong Jing , Jasra Ajay , Tong Xin T.
Published: December 2024

When implementing Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) algorithms, perturbation caused by numerical errors is sometimes inevitable. This paper studies how the perturbation of MCMC affects the convergence speed and approximation accuracy. Our results show that when the original Markov chain converges to stationarity fast enough and the perturbed transition kernel is a good approximation to the original transition kernel, the corresponding perturbed sampler has fast convergence speed and high approximation accuracy as well. Our convergence analysis is conducted under either the Wasserstein metric or the
$\chi^2$
metric, both are widely used in the literature. The results can be extended to obtain non-asymptotic error bounds for MCMC estimators. We demonstrate how to apply our convergence and approximation results to the analysis of specific sampling algorithms, including Random walk Metropolis, Metropolis adjusted Langevin algorithm with perturbed target densities, and parallel tempering Monte Carlo with perturbed densities. Finally, we present some simple numerical examples to verify our theoretical claims.
Hidden tail chains and recurrence equations for dependence parameters associated with extremes of stationary higher-order Markov chains
Authors: Papastathopoulos Ioannis , Casey Adrian , Tawn Jonathan A.
Published: December 2024

We derive some key extremal features for stationary kth-order Markov chains that can be used to understand how the process moves between an extreme state and the body of the process. The chains are studied given that there is an exceedance of a threshold, as the threshold tends to the upper endpoint of the distribution. Unlike previous studies with

$k>1$

, we consider processes where standard limit theory describes each extreme event as a single observation without any information about the transition to and from the body of the distribution. Our work uses different asymptotic theory which results in non-degenerate limit laws for such processes. We study the extremal properties of the initial distribution and the transition probability kernel of the Markov chain under weak assumptions for broad classes of extremal dependence structures that cover both asymptotically dependent and asymptotically independent Markov chains. For chains with

$k>1$

, the transition of the chain away from the exceedance involves novel functions of the k previous states, in comparison to just the single value, when

$k=1$

. This leads to an increase in the complexity of determining the form of this class of functions, their properties, and the method of their derivation in applications. We find that it is possible to derive an affine normalization, dependent on the threshold excess, such that non-degenerate limiting behaviour of the process, in the neighbourhood of the threshold excess, is assured for all lags. We find that these normalization functions have an attractive structure that has parallels to the Yule–Walker equations. Furthermore, the limiting process is always linear in the innovations. We illustrate the results with the study of kth-order stationary Markov chains with exponential margins based on widely studied families of copula dependence structures.
Canadian Cases in Public International Law in 2023
Authors: van Ert Gib , Shuhaibar Dahlia , Andrews Liam
Published: December 2024

Genocide Convention — justiciability of foreign state acts — Uyghurs
Post-COVID Mental Health Crises: Globally Minded for Solutions and Solidarity
Authors: Su Zhaohui , Bentley Barry L. , McDonnell Dean , Cheshmehzangi Ali , Šegalo Sabina , da Veiga Claudimar Pereira , Xiang Yu-Tao
Published: December 2024

Mental health is deteriorating quickly and significantly globally post-COVID. Though there were already over 1 billion people living with mental disorders pre-pandemic, in the first year of COVID-19 alone, the prevalence of anxiety and depression soared by 25% worldwide. In light of the chronic shortages of mental health provider and resources, along with disruptions of available health services caused by the pandemic and COVID-related restrictions, technology is widely believed to hold the key to addressing rising mental health crises. However, hurdles such as fragmented and often suboptimal patient protection measures substantially undermine technology’s potential to address the global mental health crises effectively, reliably, and at scale. To shed light on these issues, this paper aims to discuss the post-pandemic challenges and opportunities the global community could leverage to improve society’s mental health en masse.
The Application of the Resilient Children, Resilient Communities Initiative to Dominica: A Conceptual Overview
Authors: Balkaran Thalia , Schlegelmilch Jeff
Published: December 2024

The impact of disasters on the health and wellbeing of children is well documented, with children identified as bellwethers of community recovery. It has also been demonstrated that building community-wide resilience benefits from being approached through a child-centric model of community participation. While much of this work has been focused on the USA, there is a need to develop models to adapt these approaches in international environments. Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are particularly at risk for disaster events. SIDS tend to have less diverse economies and a high dependence on climate-sensitive sectors that are vulnerable to disasters. The National Center for Disaster Preparedness at Columbia University along with Save the Children created The Resilient Children, Resilient Communities Initiative to build child-focused resilience within communities. The Initiative, which has already been applied to sites in the USA, is being adapted for the context of Dominica. The Initiative focuses on child-serving institutions and uses a Community Preparedness Index to quantify the current inventory of policies and practices related to children. The Initiative aims to implement strategies to improve the ability of the community to meet the needs of children in a disaster. This paper explores the application of these concepts surrounding the Initiative.
Characterizing the use of contextual factors in engineering design: an exploration of global health designer practice
Authors: Burleson Grace , Wojciechowski Lauren , Toyama Kentaro , Sienko Kathleen H.
Published: December 2024

Incorporating contextual factors into engineering design processes is recommended to develop solutions that function appropriately in their intended use contexts. In global health settings, failing to tailor solutions to their broader context has led to many product failures. Since prior work has thus far not investigated the use of contextual factors in global health design practice, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 15 experienced global health design practitioners. Our analysis identified 351 instances of participants incorporating contextual factors in their previous design experiences, which we categorized into a taxonomy of contextual factors, including 9 primary and 32 secondary classifications. We summarized and synthesized key patterns within all the identified contextual factor categories. Next, this study presents a descriptive model for incorporating contextual factors developed from our findings, which identifies that participants actively sought contextual information and made conscious decisions to adjust their solutions, target markets and implementation plans to accommodate contextual factors iteratively throughout their design processes. Our findings highlight how participants sometimes conducted formal evaluations while other times they relied on their own experience, the experience of a team member or other stakeholder engagement strategies. The research findings can ultimately inform design practice and engineering pedagogy for global health applications.
Characteristics of effective design support: insights from evaluating additive manufacturing design artefacts
Authors: Obilanade Didunoluwa , Törlind Peter , Dordlofva Christo
Published: December 2024

Evaluation approaches are needed to ensure the development of effective design support. These approaches help developers ensure that their design support possesses the general design support characteristics necessary to enable designers to achieve their desired outcomes. Consequently, evaluating design support based on these characteristics ensures that the design support fulfils its intended purpose.

This work reviews design support definitions and identifies and describes 11 design support characteristics. The characteristics are applied to evaluate a proposed design support that uses additive manufacturing (AM) design artefacts (AMDAs) to explore design uncertainties. Product-specific design artefacts were designed and tested to investigate buildability limits and the relationship between surface roughness and fatigue performance of a design feature in a space industry component. The AMDA approach aided the investigation of design uncertainties, identified design solution constraints, and uncovered previously unknown uncertainties. However, the results provided by product-specific artefacts depend on how well the user frames their problem and understands their AM process and product. Hence, iterations can be required. Based on the evaluation of the AMDA process, setting test evaluation criteria is recommended, and the AMDA method is proposed.
Taiwan Machinery Manufacturing Corporation and the Role of State Firms in Economic Development
Authors: Keliher Macabe
Published: December 2024

This article examines the role of state-owned firms in economic growth. While some scholars denigrate state firms, most analysts of East Asian development have noted their importance. To date, however, little work has been done on how state firms operate and how they have actually contributed to industrial development and economic growth. Looking closely at postwar Taiwan as a newly industrializing country and the case of Taiwan Machinery Manufacturing Corporation (TMMC), this article argues that state enterprises resolved coordination failures and provided manufacturing capacity to infant industries. Drawing on company archives and state records, I argue that TMMC helped drive growth through the provision of manufacturing machinery, equipment, parts, repairs, and upgrading. By supplying firms with the necessary technology and materials to modernize production and be competitive on the global market, I show how TMMC helped facilitate Taiwan’s economic miracle.