bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development of acrylic based antimicrobial water‐based ink using curcumin for active packaging applications
Authors: Sharma Harish , Sharma Bhavna , Raghuvanshi Sharad , Kadam Ashish , Kulshreshtha Anurag , Dutt Dharm
Published: November 2023

This experiment was conducted to formulate a water‐based ink with antimicrobial properties for packaging applications. Two distinct types of inks were developed, one with synthetic yellow color pigment and the other with curcumin, as an antimicrobial and a natural yellow pigment. The resulting two inks were then printed on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) films, and the physiochemical characteristics of the ink were thoroughly examined. The coated inks had an average thickness of 10 microns for both the inks. The viscosity of the water‐based ink and the antimicrobial water‐based ink were determined to be 54cp and 30cp, respectively and the drying time of the inks was 10 sec. At the same time, the gloss value increased from 30% to 50% in the case of antimicrobial ink. The antimicrobial efficacy of the antimicrobial water‐based ink, as demonstrated against S. aureus and E. coli, surpassed that of the conventional water‐based ink. These findings showed that the antimicrobial water‐based ink had a good drying time, increased gloss, and favorable storage stability. Using curcumin as a pigment in water‐based ink may be significant for printing applications of active food packaging materials. It can also help lower the risk of contamination of the food components with microbes.

Highlights

Synthesis of antimicrobial water‐based ink

Active packaging printing

Curcumin as an antimicrobial

Curcumin used as a natural color pigment in the ink

Acrylic resin synthesis
Anticipatory anxiety and participation in cancer screening. A systematic review
Authors: Goodwin Belinda , Anderson Laura , Collins Katelyn , Sanjida Saira , Riba Marcos , Singh Gursharan K. , Campbell Kimberley M. , Green Heather , Ishaque Sana , Kwok Alastair , Opozda Melissa J. , Pearn Amy , Shaw Joanne , Sansom‐Daly Ursula M. , Tsirgiotis Joanna M. , Janda Monika , Grech Lisa
Published: November 2023

Objectives

To synthesize current evidence on the association between anticipatory anxiety, defined as apprehension‐specific negative affect that may be experienced when exposed to potential threat or uncertainty, and cancer screening to better inform strategies to maximize participation rates.

Methods

Searches related to cancer screening and anxiety were conducted in seven electronic databases (APA PsycINFO, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, PubMed, CINAHL), with potentially eligible papers screened in Covidence. Data extraction was conducted independently by multiple authors. Barriers to cancer screening for any type of cancer and relationships tested between anticipatory anxiety and cancer screening and intention were categorized and compared according to the form and target of anxiety and cancer types.

Results

A total of 74 articles (nparticipants = 119,990) were included, reporting 103 relationships tested between anticipatory anxiety and cancer screening and 13 instances where anticipatory anxiety was reported as a barrier to screening. Anticipatory anxiety related to a possible cancer diagnosis was often associated with increased screening, while general anxiety showed no consistent relationship. Negative relationships were often found between anxiety about the screening procedure and cancer screening.

Conclusion

Anticipatory anxiety about a cancer diagnosis may promote screening participation, whereas a fear of the screening procedure could be a barrier. Public health messaging and primary prevention practitioners should acknowledge the appropriate risk of cancer, while engendering screening confidence and highlighting the safety and comfort of screening tests.
Development of Halogen‐Free Flame Retardant Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) Based Composite Materials
Authors: Yildiz Cansu , Seki Yoldaş , Kizilkan Elif , Sarikanat Mehmet , Altay Lutfiye
Published: November 2023

Natural flammability properties of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) seriously limit the use of ABS polymers in industries. Improving the flammability performance of ABS by using halogenated additives has been a very common method in the past. However, with increasing environmental awareness, the use of halogen‐containing additives has been severely limited over time. Therefore, we aimed to use halogen‐free flame‐retardant additives in our study to improve the flame‐retardant properties of ABS. ABS‐based composites containing 20, 25, 30 % aluminum diethyl‐phosphinate (AlPi) and ammonium polyphosphate (APP) halogen‐free flame‐retardant additives by weight, were prepared using a twin‐screw extruder. V0 rating according to UL 94 standard for the thickness of 1.5 mm, limiting oxygen index (LOI) value higher than 28 %, and glow wire flammability index of 960 °C were aimed in this study. To improve the LOI values of flame‐retardant ABS composites, pentaerythritol (PER), zinc borate (ZB), and magnesium hydroxide were used. The highest LOI value was obtained to be 28.1 % by using 12.5 wt.% AlPi, 12.5 wt.% APP, 5 wt.% PER and 3 wt.% ZB. The effect of flame retardants on mechanical properties (flexural and tensile properties), impact properties (Izod and Charpy‐notched impact strength), thermal properties, melt flow index, and morphology (scanning electron microscopy) of ABS were also examined.
Combustion Synthesis of Porous NiCuZn Spinel Ferrite Hierarchies and Their Magnetic Properties
Authors: Chen Chuan , Qian Sen , Zhang Qiang , Zhang Ximin , Yao Tianhao
Published: November 2023

Nickel‐copper‐zinc (NiCuZn) spinel ferrites have attracted intensive research owing to their unique magnetic properties and low co‐fire temperature. Combustion synthesis has been viewed as a promising protocol for the large‐scale fabrication of NiCuZn spinel ferrites. However, the spinel ferrites prepared by this method usually suffer from limited saturation magnetization and high coercivity due to their large size, which will impose detrimental harmonics on electrical equipment (e. g., transformer, motor, etc.). To address these issues, highly porous NiCuZn spinel ferrite hierarchies were prepared within several hours through a modified solution combustion method, using glucose and ammonium nitrate as the fuel and combustion enhancer, respectively. The as‐obtained NiCuZn spinel ferrite hierarchies show excellent magnetic properties with a high saturation magnetization up to 62.61 emu/g and a low coercivity of 9.6 Oe thanks to the rational distribution of cations and grain size. More importantly, this method also allows various modifications (heteroatom doping) and large‐scale applications, which may be promising for the fabrication of high‐performance soft magnets for electrical equipment.
Design, Synthesis, and Anticancer Evaluation of Hemithioindigos via Inhibition of Human Topoisomerases
Authors: Kaur Manpreet , Suman Prabhat , Arora Sahil , Singh Tashvinder , Munshi Anjana , Singh Sandeep , Kumar Raj
Published: November 2023

Hemithioindigos were designed as topoisomerase inhibitors, synthesized, and evaluated for their anticancer properties against lung (A549) and breast (MDA‐MB‐468 and MCF7) cancer cell lines. Among all the synthetics, three compounds exerted potential anticancer effects on A549 (lung) and MCF7 (breast) cancer cell lines at low micromolar concentrations. The results revealed that two of these compounds blocked the cancer cells at the G1/S phase, while the third compound showed moderate G2/M inhibition, leading to necrotic cell death. Finally, the topoisomerase inhibition assays revealed their potent Topo I/II inhibitory actions as one of the primary anticancer mechanisms. Molecular docking studies further corroborated these findings.
Cobalt‐Doping Induced Formation of Five‐Coordinated Nickel Selenide for Enhanced Ethanol Assisted Overall Water Splitting
Authors: Xu Jinchang , Ruan Jiaxi , Jian Yongqi , Lao Jiayu , Li Zilong , Xie Fangyan , Jin Yanshuo , Yu Xiang , Lee Ming‐Hsien , Wang Zhenyou , Wang Nan , Meng Hui
Published: November 2023

To overcome the low efficiency of overall water splitting, highly effective and stable catalysts are in urgent need, especially for the anode oxygen evolution reaction (OER). In this case, nickel selenides appear as good candidates to catalyze OER and other substitutable anodic reactions due to their high electronic conductivity and easily tunable electronic structure to meet the optimized adsorption ability. Herein, an interesting phase transition from the hexagonal phase of NiSe (H‐NiSe) to the rhombohedral phase of NiSe (R‐NiSe) induced by the doping of cobalt atoms is reported. The five‐coordinated R‐NiSe is found to grow adjacent to the six‐coordinated H‐NiSe, resulting in the formation of the H‐NiSe/R‐NiSe heterostructure. Further characterizations and calculations prove the reduced splitting energy for R‐NiSe and thus the less occupancy in the t2g orbits, which can facilitate the electron transfer process. As a result, the Co2‐NiSe/NF shows a satisfying catalytic performance toward OER, hydrogen evolution reaction, and (hybrid) overall water splitting. This work proves that trace amounts of Co doping can induce the phase transition from H‐NiSe to R‐NiSe. The formation of less‐coordinated species can reduce the t2g occupancy and thus enhance the catalytic performance, which might guide rational material design.
NiCo‐LDH Hollow Nanocage Oxygen Evolution Reaction Promotes Luminol Electrochemiluminescence
Authors: Liang Wenjin , Wang Min , Ma Chaoyun , Wang Jiawen , Zhao Chulei , Hong Chenglin
Published: November 2023

Conventional luminol co‐reactant electrochemiluminescence (ECL) systems suffer from low stability and accuracy due to factors such as the ease of decomposition of hydrogen peroxide and inefficient generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) from dissolved oxygen. Inspired by the luminol ECL mechanism mediated by oxygen evolution reaction (OER), the nickel‐cobalt layered double hydroxide (NiCo‐LDH) hollow nanocages with hollow structure and defect state are used as co‐reaction promoters to enhance the ECL emission from the luminol‐H2O system. Thanks to the hollow structure and defect state, NiCo‐LDH hollow nanocages show excellent OER catalytic activity, which can stabilize and efficiently produce ROS and enhance the ECL emission. Additionally, mechanistic exploration suggests that the ROS involved in the co‐reaction of the luminol‐H2O system are derived from the OER reaction process, and there is a positive correlation between ECL intensity and the OER catalytic activity of the co‐reaction promoter. The selection of catalysts with excellent OER catalytic activity is a key factor in improving ECL emission. Finally, a dual‐mode immunosensor is constructed for the detection and analysis of alpha‐fetoprotein (AFP) based on the promoting effect of NiCo‐LDH hollow nanocages on the luminol‐H2O ECL system.
Degradation of AZGP1 suppresses the progression of breast cancer cells via TRIM25
Authors: Qin Hai , Yuan Yaqin , Yuan Manqin , Wang Haiyan , Yang Yonghong
Published: November 2023

Alpha‐2‐glycoprotein 1, zinc‐binding (AZGP1) is a secreted protein, which has been shown to be a potential biomarker of cancer progression; however, its roles in breast cancer are still unclear. Currently, we analyzed the online datasets and found that AZGP1 was highly expressed in breast cancer tissues and its expression was negatively correlated with the survival of breast cancer patients. Functional experiments through AZGP1 knockdown revealed that AZGP1 could promote the proliferation, migration, and invasion ability of breast cancer cells. In vivo experiments obtained a consistent result. Mechanistically, it was found that AZGP1 interacted with tripartite motif‐containing protein 25 (TRIM25), which subsequently promoted AZGP1 degradation through facilitating the ubiquitination. Furthermore, overexpression of TRIM25 partially reversed the promoting effects of AZGP1 overexpression on breast cancer progression. Therefore, this study indicates that AZGP1 might be a potential therapeutic target for breast cancer treatment.
Strain diversity in Saccharomyces cerevisiae thiamine production capacity
Authors: Rocchi Rebecca , Wolkers‐Rooijackers Judith C. M. , Liao Zhuotong , Tempelaars Marcel H. , Smid Eddy J.
Published: November 2023

Vitamin B1, also known as thiamine, is an important vitamin that, besides its role in human health, is converted to meat aromas upon exposure to high temperatures. Therefore, it is relevant for the production of vegan meat‐like flavours. In this study, we investigated 48 Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains for their thiamine production capacity by measuring the intracellular and extracellular vitamins produced in the thiamine‐free minimal medium after 72 h of growth. We found approximately an 8.2‐fold difference in overall thiamine yield between the highest and lowest‐producing strains. While the highest thiamine yield was 254.6 nmol/L, the highest thiamine‐specific productivity was 160.9 nmol/g DW. To assess whether extracellular thiamine was due to leakage caused by cell damage, we monitored membrane permeabilization using propidium iodide (PI) staining and flow cytometry. We found a good correlation between the percentage of extracellular thiamine and PI‐stained cells (Spearman's ρ = 0.85). Finally, we compared S. cerevisiae CEN.PK113‐7D (wild type [WT]) to three strains evolved in a thiamine‐free medium for their thiamine production capacity. On average, we saw an increase in the amount of thiamine produced. One of the evolved strains had a 49% increase in intracellular thiamine‐specific productivity and a biomass increase of 20% compared with the WT. This led to a total increase in thiamine yield of 60% in this strain, reaching 208 nmol/L. This study demonstrated that it is possible to achieve thiamine overproduction in S. cerevisiae via strain selection and adaptive laboratory evolution.
GPC3 and PEG10 peptides associated with placental gp96 elicit specific T cell immunity against hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Qin Lijuan , Wang Jiuru , Cheng Fang , Cheng Jiamin , Zhang Han , Zheng Huaguo , Liu Yongai , Liang Zhentao , Wang Baifeng , Li Changfei , Wang Haoyu , Ju Ying , Tian Huaqin , Meng Songdong
Published: November 2023

The placenta and tumors can exhibit a shared expression profile of proto-oncogenes. The basis of placenta-derived heat shock protein gp96, which induces prophylactic and therapeutic T cell responses against cancer including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), remains unknown. Here, we identified the associated long peptides from human placental gp96 using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time-of-flight and mass spectrometry and analyzed the achieved proteins through disease enrichment analysis. We found that placental gp96 binds to numerous peptides derived from 73 proteins that could be enriched in multiple cancer types. Epitope-harboring peptides from glypican 3 (GPC3) and paternally expressed gene 10 (PEG10) were the major antigens mediating anti-HCC T cell immunity. Molecular docking analysis showed that the GPC3- and PEG10-derived peptides, mainly obtained from the cytotrophoblast layer of the mature placenta, bind to the lumenal channel and client-bound domain of the gp96 dimer. Immunization with bone marrow-derived dendritic cells pulsed with recombinant gp96-GPC3 or recombinant gp96-PEG10 peptide complex induced specific T cell responses, and T cell transfusion led to pronounced growth inhibition of HCC tumors in nude mice. We demonstrated that the chaperone gp96 can capture antigenic peptides as an efficient approach for defining tumor rejection oncoantigens in the placenta and provide a basis for developing GPC3 and PEG10 peptide-based vaccines against HCC. This study provides insight into the underlying mechanism of the antitumor response mediated by embryonic antigens from fetal tissues, and this will incite more studies to identify potential tumor rejection antigens from placenta.
Aspirational family language policy
Authors: Seals Corinne A. , Beliaeva Natalia
Published: November 2023

The current article applies interactional sociolinguistic discourse analysis to interviews with three parents of Ukrainian families living in New Zealand to further complexify what we know about Family Language Policy (FLP) and language transmission. More specifically, this article theorizes what we call “Aspirational FLP”—when the desired imagined language identities of family members will require families to adopt an FLP that goes above and beyond what might otherwise be considered practical. In the case of our participants, this involves Ukrainians living in the diaspora who discuss the homeland’s “changing your mother tongue” discourse (from Russian to Ukrainian) and what this means when it involves replacing one heritage language with another when both are minority languages in the hostland. Additionally, we consider the importance of both homeland and hostland sociopolitical contexts, as the interviews reflect dominant discourses from both. Finally, our interview data occurs twice with the same participants (2014 and again in 2021), therein allowing us to investigate the participants’ Aspirational FLPs diachronically, bringing further insight to the dynamism of FLP. Our findings show that participants’ Aspirational FLPs are connected to both homeland and hostland sociopolitical contexts, and as such are dynamic and shifting. Aspirational FLPs also shift differently as individual family members’ investments and imagined future identities also shift. Furthermore, the longitudinal nature of the data sheds light on how and why Aspirational FLPs become reality for some families while they remain aspirational for others. We conclude that both local contexts and wider world contexts are important to consider when investigating FLP, and diachronic research is highly valuable for uncovering factors that contribute to the complexity of FLP, both Aspirational and realized.
Introduction to special issue on facilitating self-regulated learning with scaffolds: Recent advances and future directions
Authors: van der Graaf Joep , Taub Michelle , Fan Yizhou
Published: November 2023

It is important for learners to engage in self-regulated learning (SRL), as it predicts academic achievement in a wide range of disciplines. However, SRL can be difficult to enact. Therefore, scaffolds have been designed to support SRL. In our introductory article to this special issue on facilitating SRL with scaffolds, we present a framework to categorize different scaffolds, place the contributions to this special issue in the framework, present highlights from the contributions, and conclude with a discussion on designing scaffolds to facilitate SRL.
Wenn mehr Ganzheit gefordert wird – Agile Teams und ihre Personen
Authors: Csar Matthias , Bachmann Thomas , Bravo Katherina , Heemann Carolin
Published: November 2023

Dieser Artikel für die Zeitschrift Gruppe Interaktion Organisation (GIO) beleuchtet zunächst den theoretischen Diskurs zum Wechselspiel zwischen Person und Rolle und dessen Bedeutung für Teamarbeit. Darauffolgend wird auf Persönlichkeitseigenschaften eingegangen, die in der Entwicklung und Zusammenarbeit in agilen Teams eine Rolle spielen. Die These dabei lautet, dass narzisstische Persönlichkeitsanteile die Teamarbeit erschweren, diese in agilen Teams jedoch durch die Erwartung an mehr (persönlicher) Beteiligung zusätzlich induziert werden könnten. Aufbauend auf verschiedenen Studien zum Thema werden anschließend Ergebnisse einer explorativen Datenanalyse aus einem eigenen Forschungsprojekt zur Performance agil arbeitender Teams vorgestellt, welche zeigen, dass sich eine zu starke Personenfokussierung negativ auf die Teamleistung auswirkt.
L’asse dello stress: regolazione neuro-endocrino-immuno-metabolica e ruolo nello sviluppo della sindrome metabolica e della depressione
Authors: Lombardo Giulia , Belcastro Sara , Mondelli Valeria , Gianotti Laura
Published: November 2023

Sommario

Lo stress rappresenta la risposta di adattamento dell’organismo a una minaccia all’equilibrio (omeostasi) dell’organismo da parte di eventi o stressor di natura intrinseca o estrinseca, reali o percepiti. Gli stressor attivano un variegato e intricato repertorio di risposte fisiologiche biologiche e comportamentali (allostasi) volte a ristabilire l’equilibrio ottimale dell’organismo (eustasi). La risposta adattiva agli stressor dipende da una complessa rete psico-neuro-endocrino-immuno-metabolica, cellulare e molecolare altamente interconnessa, chiamata proprio sistema o asse dello stress. I componenti chiave sono rappresentati dall’asse ipotalamo-ipofisi-surrene (HPA) e dal sistema nervoso autonomo (SNA), che interagiscono con altri centri vitali del sistema nervoso centrale (SNC) e con organi periferici e sistemi, dalla cui attivazione complessiva si genera una risposta rapida, efficace, multisistemica e autolimitantesi, che permette all’organismo una reazione corporea e neuropsichica ottimale. Le catecolamine e il cortisolo rappresentano gli attori principali che esplicano e attivano le reazioni psichiche e comportamentali dell’individuo nella reazione di stress, la cosiddetta reazione fight or flight. L’azione delle catecolamine è breve, quella del cortisolo più duratura e mediata dall’attivazione dei recettori del cortisolo (GR e MR, recettori dei glucocorticoidi e mineralcorticoidi rispettivamente) espressi ubiquitariamente. Attraverso azioni non genomiche e genomiche i glucocorticoidi modulano una serie di processi metabolici, con caratteristiche sesso specifiche. Una delle conseguenze della reazione dello stress, in condizioni in cui quest’ultimo sia persistente o non adeguatamente regolato, è lo sviluppo di uno stato infiammatorio cronico. Il cortisolo ha un ruolo rilevante nell’equilibrio citochinico pro/antinfiammatorio. In condizioni di stress cronico questo equilibrio viene meno e si crea uno scenario caratterizzato da risposte infiammatorie eccessive. È oggi definito il ruolo dello stato infiammatorio cronico nella fisiopatologia della sindrome metabolica, dell’obesità e del diabete, così come della depressione. In questa rassegna percorreremo, sulla base delle evidenze della letteratura, i meccanismi psico-neuro-endocrino-metabolici sottesi alla regolazione dello stress e alle conseguenze metaboliche e psichiche potenzialmente generabili e correlate allo stress cronico o all’alterata regolazione dello stesso.
Repetitive research: a conceptual space and terminology of replication, reproduction, revision, reanalysis, reinvestigation and reuse in digital humanities
Authors: Schöch Christof
Published: November 2023

This article is motivated by the ‘reproducibility crisis’ that is being discussed intensely in fields such as Psychology or Biology but is also becoming increasingly relevant to Artificial Intelligence, Natural Language Processing and Digital Humanities, not least in the context of Open Science. Using the phrase ‘repetitive research’ as an umbrella term for a range of practices from replication to follow-up research, and with the objective to provide clarity and help establish best practices in this area, this article focuses on two issues: First, the conceptual space of repetitive research is described across five key dimensions, namely those of the research question or hypothesis, the dataset, the method of analysis, the team, and the results or conclusions. Second, building on this new description of the conceptual space and on earlier terminological work, a specific set of terms for recurring scenarios of repetitive research is proposed. For each scenario, its position in the conceptual space is defined, its typical purpose and added value in the research process are discussed, the requirements for enabling it are described, and illustrative examples from the domain of Computational Literary Studies are provided. The key contribution of this article, therefore, is a proposal for a transparent terminology underpinned by a systematic model of the conceptual space of repetitive research.
Lay health worker research personnel for home-based data collection in clinical and translational research: Qualitative and quantitative findings from two trials in hard-to-reach populations
Authors: Wagner Julie , Barth Cheryl , Bermúdez-Millán Angela , Buxton Orfeu M. , Kong Sengly , Kuoch Theanvy , Lampert Rachel , Pérez-Escamilla Rafael , Scully Mary , Segura-Pérez Sofia
Published: November 2023

Aims:

The role of lay health workers in data collection for clinical and translational research studies is not well described. We explored lay health workers as data collectors in clinical and translational research studies. We also present several methods for examining their work, i.e., qualitative interviews, fidelity checklists, and rates of unusable/missing data.

Methods:

We conducted 2 randomized, controlled trials that employed lay health research personnel (LHR) who were employed by community-based organizations. In one study, n = 3 Latina LHRs worked with n = 107 Latino diabetic participants. In another study, n = 6 LHR worked with n = 188 Cambodian American refugees with depression. We investigated proficiency in biological, behavioral, and psychosocial home-based data collection conducted by LHR. We also conducted in-depth interviews with lay LHR to explore their experience in this research role. Finally, we described the training, supervision, and collaboration for LHR to be successful in their research role.

Results:

Independent observers reported a very high degree of fidelity to technical data collection protocols (>95%) and low rates of missing/unusable data (1.5%–11%). Qualitative results show that trust, training, communication, and supervision are key and that LHR report feeling empowered by their role. LHR training included various content areas over several weeks with special attention to LHR and participant safety. Training and supervision from both the academic researchers and the staff at the community-based organizations were necessary and had to be well-coordinated.

Conclusions:

Carefully selected, trained, and supervised LHRs can collect sophisticated data for community-based clinical and translational research.
Essential team science skills for biostatisticians on collaborative research teams
Authors: Slade Emily , Brearley Ann M. , Coles Adrian , Hayat Matthew J. , Kulkarni Pandurang M. , Nowacki Amy S. , Oster Robert A. , Posner Michael A. , Samsa Gregory , Spratt Heidi , Troy Jesse , Pomann Gina-Maria
Published: November 2023

Introduction:

Despite the critical role that quantitative scientists play in biomedical research, graduate programs in quantitative fields often focus on technical and methodological skills, not on collaborative and leadership skills. In this study, we evaluate the importance of team science skills among collaborative biostatisticians for the purpose of identifying training opportunities to build a skilled workforce of quantitative team scientists.

Methods:

Our workgroup described 16 essential skills for collaborative biostatisticians. Collaborative biostatisticians were surveyed to assess the relative importance of these skills in their current work. The importance of each skill is summarized overall and compared across career stages, highest degrees earned, and job sectors.

Results:

Survey respondents were 343 collaborative biostatisticians spanning career stages (early: 24.2%, mid: 33.8%, late: 42.0%) and job sectors (academia: 69.4%, industry: 22.2%, government: 4.4%, self-employed: 4.1%). All 16 skills were rated as at least somewhat important by > 89.0% of respondents. Significant heterogeneity in importance by career stage and by highest degree earned was identified for several skills. Two skills (“regulatory requirements” and “databases, data sources, and data collection tools”) were more likely to be rated as absolutely essential by those working in industry (36.5%, 65.8%, respectively) than by those in academia (19.6%, 51.3%, respectively). Three additional skills were identified as important by survey respondents, for a total of 19 collaborative skills.

Conclusions:

We identified 19 team science skills that are important to the work of collaborative biostatisticians, laying the groundwork for enhancing graduate programs and establishing effective on-the-job training initiatives to meet workforce needs.
Direct numerical simulation of supersonic boundary layers over a microramp: effect of the Reynolds number
Authors: Della Posta G. , Blandino M. , Modesti D. , Salvadore F. , Bernardini M.
Published: November 2023

Microvortex generators are passive control devices smaller than the boundary layer thickness that energise the boundary layer to prevent flow separation with limited induced drag. In this work, we use direct numerical simulations (DNS) to investigate the effect of the Reynolds number in a supersonic turbulent boundary layer over a microramp vortex generator. Three friction Reynolds numbers are considered, up to

$Re_\tau = 2000$

, for fixed free stream Mach number

$M_\infty =2$

and fixed relative height of the ramp with respect to the boundary layer thickness. The high-fidelity data set sheds light on the instantaneous and highly three-dimensional organisation of both the wake and the shock waves induced by the microramp. The full access to the flow field provided by DNS allows us to develop a qualitative model of the near wake, explaining the internal convolution of the Kelvin–Helmholtz vortices around the low-momentum region behind the ramp. The overall analysis shows that numerical results agree excellently with recent experimental measurements in similar operating conditions and confirms that microramps effectively induce a significantly fuller boundary layer even far downstream of the ramp. Moreover, results highlight significant Reynolds number effects, which in general do not scale with the ramp height. Increasing Reynolds number leads to enhanced coherence of the typical vortical structures in the field, faster and stronger development of the momentum deficit region, increased upwash between the primary vortices from the sides of the ramp – and thus increased lift-up of the wake – and faster transfer of momentum towards the wall.
Power synchronisations determine the hovering flight efficiency of passively pitching flapping wings
Authors: Huang Qiuxiang , Bhat Shantanu S. , Yeo Eng Chow , Young John , Lai Joseph C.S. , Tian Fang-Bao , Ravi Sridhar
Published: November 2023

The power exchange between fluid and structure plays a significant role in the force production and flight efficiency of flapping wings in insects and artificial flyers. This work numerically investigates the performance of flapping wings by using a high-fidelity fluid–structure interaction solver. Simulations are conducted by varying the hinge flexibility (measured by the Cauchy number,

$Ch$

, i.e. the ratio between aerodynamic and torsional elastic forces) and the wing shape (quantified by the radius of the first moment of area,

$\bar {r}_1$

). Results show that the lift production is optimal at

$0.05 < Ch \leq 0.2$

and larger

$\bar {r}_1$

where the minimum angle of attack is around

$45^\circ$

at midstroke. The power economy is maximised for wings with lower

$\bar {r}_1$

near

$Ch=0.2$

. Power analysis indicates that the optimal performance measured by the power economy is obtained for those cases where two important power synchronisations occur: anti-synchronisation of the pitching elastic power and the pitching aerodynamic and inertial powers and nearly in-phase synchronisation of the flapping aerodynamic power and the total input power of the system. While analysis of the kinematics for the different wing shapes and hinge stiffnesses reveals that the optimal performance occurs when the timing of pitch and stroke reversals are matched, thus supporting the effective transfer of input power from flapping to passive pitching and into the fluid. These results suggest that careful optimisation between wing shapes and hinge properties can allow insects and robots to exploit the passive dynamics to improve flight performance.
Credit in Society and in Sociology: On “The Bank and Its Customers” (Bourdieu, Boltanski, Chamboredon, 1963)
Authors: Ducourant Hélène , Lazarus Jeanne
Published: November 2023

In 1963, a young French sociologist, Pierre Bourdieu, together with two assistants—Luc Boltanski and Jean-Claude Chamboredon—conducted the first sociological study of the credit practices of a major French bank, entitled “The Bank and Its Customers”. This article discusses the context, the findings and the legacy of this study. First, the article sketches the landscape of the emerging mass credit market in France in the early 1960s. Then, the paper summarizes and analyses the report itself. We also demonstrate how bank-customer interactions and credit continued to be a subject of interest for Bourdieu throughout his subsequent career. Finally, the paper seeks to contribute to comparative research on the varieties of national configurations of private indebtedness in relation to the level of development of the welfare state.
SUBSAMPLING INFERENCE FOR NONPARAMETRIC EXTREMAL CONDITIONAL QUANTILES
Authors: Kurisu Daisuke , Otsu Taisuke
Published: November 2023

This paper proposes a subsampling inference method for extreme conditional quantiles based on a self-normalized version of a local estimator for conditional quantiles, such as the local linear quantile regression estimator. The proposed method circumvents difficulty of estimating nuisance parameters in the limiting distribution of the local estimator. A simulation study and empirical example illustrate usefulness of our subsampling inference to investigate extremal phenomena.
Access and travel burden associated with breast radiotherapy attendance pre- and post-COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Purden Joseph , Jackson Tristan , Tales Andrea , Lewis Ryan
Published: November 2023

Introduction:

It is already well-understood that patients requiring multiple hospital visits deal with several barriers. This paper considers a new methodology for determining the barrier that travel can cause, applying it to the mixed rural-city population of South-West Wales, calculating the travel burden for patients accessing radiotherapy. Travel burden could factor into conversations around optimisation of appointments and the impact of changes to treatment pathways.

Methods:

Patient-specific travel data were calculated using Google Maps, for 1516 patients attending South-West Wales Cancer Centre for radiotherapy, modelled for 5-fraction and 15-fraction regimes.

Results:

28% of patients travelled for longer than 60 minutes. Moving to a 5-fraction treatment regime saves 20 one-way trips to the hospital, resulting in an average time saving of 15.9 hours for those travelling by car and 39.3 hours for those travelling by public transport. On average, this reduces carbon dioxide emissions by 91 kg per patient.

Conclusions:

Implementation of a 5-fraction treatment regime has significantly reduced the travel burden for some patients receiving radiotherapy, as well as emissions related to travel. However, access to radiotherapy services in South-West Wales varies, with certain regions facing substantial travel burdens. Further research exploring other potential options to reduce travel burden is needed.
Breakthrough results in astrobiology: is ‘high risk’ research needed?
Authors: Jeancolas Cyrille , Gillen Cat , McMahon Sean , Ward Martin , Vickers Peter John
Published: November 2023

Astrobiology is a scientific endeavour involving great uncertainties. This could justify intellectual risk-taking associated with research that significantly deviates from the mainstream, to explore new avenues. However, little is known regarding the effect of such maverick endeavours. To better understand the need for more or less risk in astrobiology, we investigate to what extent high-risk / high-impact research contributes to breakthrough results in the discipline. We gathered a sample of the most impactful astrobiology papers of the past 20 years and explored the degree of risk of the research projects behind these papers via contact with the corresponding authors. We carried out interviews to explore how attitudes towards risk have played out in their work, and to ascertain their opinions on risk-taking in astrobiology. We show the majority of the selected breakthrough results derive from endeavours considered medium- or high-risk, risk is significantly correlated with impact, and most of the discussed projects adopt exploratory approaches. Overall, the researchers display a distribution of attitudes towards risk from the more cautious to the more audacious, and are divided on the need for more risk-taking in astrobiology. Our findings ultimately support the explicit implementation of a risk-balanced portfolio in astrobiology.
Physiological and transcriptional status of genetically diverse perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) populations under drought stress
Authors: Demirkol Gürkan , Felek Anıl Fırat , Önal Aşcı Özlem , Yılmaz Nuri
Published: November 2023

This study was designed to understand how drought stress impact on the physiological and molecular status of genetically diverse Lolium perenne L. (perennial ryegrass) populations. The sensitivities of the 36 perennial ryegrass populations were checked against PEG-6000-simulated drought stress by analysing physiological status. Afterward, drought-related gene expressions were evaluated under normal and stressed conditions. The drought stress significantly up-regulated the drought-related genes in P6, P10, P15 and P30, while no difference was observed in drought-sensitive ones. The results collectively showed that four populations (P6, P10, P15, P30) are tolerant to drought stress and activate drought-related genes. Genetic similarities of the populations were also monitored using microsatellite (SSR) markers. The ten SSR primers detected 38 alleles. Surprisingly, the drought-tolerant populations were classified into different groups by principal component (PCA) and cluster analysis, showing that they are genetically different. Moreover, four unique alleles were identified by two SSR primers (P-07, and P-08) in P6, P10 and P15. In addition, the drought-tolerant populations (P6, P10, P15, P30) can be used to develop new perennial ryegrass cultivars for areas having drought problems.
Development and Validation of the Parental Food Choice Guilt	Scale
Authors: Yaremych Haley E. , Persky Susan
Published: November 2023

Abstract: Guilt is an important correlate of the food choices parents make for their children. However, without a validated self-report measure of feeding-related guilt, researchers remain unable to reliably assess its consequences for parents and children. This study developed and validated the Parental Food Choice Guilt (PFCG) Scale. Items were iteratively developed based on feedback from parents and content experts and refined through three preliminary rounds of data collection. The final 7-item PFCG was evaluated using an Internet-based sample of 294 parents (194 mothers, 99 fathers) of children aged 3–13. Participants responded to the PFCG alongside measures of child eating habits, parent feeding behavior, and guilt-proneness. Exploratory factor analysis indicated the unidimensionality of the underlying construct. A Graded Response Model indicated all items functioned well psychometrically. Internal consistency was high (Cronbach’s α = .90). Differential item functioning was not detected by parent gender, parent or child weight status, or parent education. The PFCG was positively correlated with global guilt, parenting-related guilt, and poorer child eating habits, and negatively correlated with feeding self-efficacy and healthfulness of the child’s diet. The PFCG is a reliable and valid measure that will aid researchers across many applications, including clarifying guilt’s role in child feeding.
Magnetic Field Draping in Induced Magnetospheres: Evidence From the MAVEN Mission to Mars
Authors: Azari A. R. , Abrahams E. , Sapienza F. , Mitchell D. L. , Biersteker J. , Xu S. , Bowers C. , Pérez F. , DiBraccio G. A. , Dong Y. , Curry S.
Published: November 2023

The Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN (MAVEN) mission has been orbiting Mars since 2014 and now has over 10,000 orbits which we use to characterize Mars' dynamic space environment. Through global field line tracing with MAVEN magnetic field data we find an altitude dependent draping morphology that differs from expectations of induced magnetospheres in the vertical ( Mars Sun‐state, MSO) direction. We quantify this difference from the classical picture of induced magnetospheres with a Bayesian multiple linear regression model to predict the draped field as a function of the upstream interplanetary magnetic field (IMF), remanent crustal fields, and a previously underestimated induced effect. From our model we conclude that unexpected twists in high altitude dayside draping (>800 km) are a result of the IMF component in the MSO direction. We propose that this is a natural outcome of current theories of induced magnetospheres but has been underestimated due to approximations of the IMF as solely directed. We additionally estimate that distortions in low altitude (<800 km) dayside draping along are directly related to remanent crustal fields. We show dayside draping traces down tail and previously reported inner magnetotail twists are likely caused by the crustal field of Mars, while the outer tail morphology is governed by an induced response to the IMF direction. We conclude with an updated understanding of induced magnetospheres which details dayside draping for multiple directions of the incoming IMF and discuss the repercussions of this draping for magnetotail morphology.
Bromodomain and extraterminal (BET) proteins: biological functions, diseases and targeted therapy
Authors: Wang Zhi-Qiang , Zhang Zhao-Cong , Wu Yu-Yang , Pi Ya-Nan , Lou Sheng-Han , Liu Tian-Bo , Lou Ge , Yang Chang
Published: November 2023

BET proteins, which influence gene expression and contribute to the development of cancer, are epigenetic interpreters. Thus, BET inhibitors represent a novel form of epigenetic anticancer treatment. Although preliminary clinical trials have shown the anticancer potential of BET inhibitors, it appears that these drugs have limited effectiveness when used alone. Therefore, given the limited monotherapeutic activity of BET inhibitors, their use in combination with other drugs warrants attention, including the meaningful variations in pharmacodynamic activity among chosen drug combinations. In this paper, we review the function of BET proteins, the preclinical justification for BET protein targeting in cancer, recent advances in small-molecule BET inhibitors, and preliminary clinical trial findings. We elucidate BET inhibitor resistance mechanisms, shed light on the associated adverse events, investigate the potential of combining these inhibitors with diverse therapeutic agents, present a comprehensive compilation of synergistic treatments involving BET inhibitors, and provide an outlook on their future prospects as potent antitumor agents. We conclude by suggesting that combining BET inhibitors with other anticancer drugs and innovative next-generation agents holds great potential for advancing the effective targeting of BET proteins as a promising anticancer strategy.
Effective optimization of irrigation networks with pressure-driven outflows at randomly selected installation nodes
Authors: Creaco E. , Barbero G. , Montanaro A. , Reduzzi M.
Published: November 2023

This paper presents an innovative methodology for the design of pressurized irrigation networks. Compared to other methodologies proposed in the scientific literature, it features three novel aspects: (i) construction of peak demand scenarios based on the random selection of installation nodes for hydrant heads available in each sector of irrigated properties; (ii) realistic hydraulic modelling of outflows from hydrant heads by means of the pressure driven approach; and (iii) adoption of linear constraints to enforce the telescopic property in the distribution of diameters from the source towards the external areas of the network in the optimized design. The applications of the methodology to the real network serving an irrigated area of 750 ha in Northern Italy proved that the aspects (i) and (ii) contribute to the accurate modelling of the current network while highlighting its hydraulic deficiencies. The adoption of the linear constraints described in (iii) in the context of the bi-objective genetic optimization of network diameters resulted in the speeding up of the algorithm convergence. The results show how decision makers can choose the ultimate configuration based on budget considerations from the trade-off solutions obtained between installation costs and hydraulic performance, considering network layouts with different level of topological redundancy.
Compression properties and constitutive model of short glass fiber reinforced poly-ether-ether-ketone (PEEK)
Authors: Zhang Ruijie , Chen Li , Xie Kai , Liu Kun , Wu Zhilin
Published: November 2023

To analyze the deformation behavior of short glass fiber-reinforced poly-ether-ether-ketone (SGFR-PEEK) under various conditions through numerical simulations, it is crucial to construct a constitutive model that can describe its stress–strain behavior over a wide range of strain rates and temperatures. In this study, quasi-static compression tests were conducted on SGFR-PEEK composites with varying mass fractions, and dynamic tests were performed using a Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar to acquire the material's compressive stress–strain response under quasi-static and dynamic conditions. The results indicate that, under compression, the yield stress of SGFR-PEEK composites increases with an augmentation in glass fiber content, rises with increasing strain rate, and decreases with elevated temperature. Based on experimental findings, a modified Johnson–Cook constitutive model was established to characterize the mechanical performance of SGFR-PEEK. In comparison to the traditional Johnson–Cook intrinsic structure model, the modified model takes into account the glass fiber mass fraction as comprehensively as possible and better predicts the material's flow behavior at high strain rates. Finally, this modified constitutive model was implemented in the ABAQUS software using the user-defined subroutine VUMAT to simulate the compression behavior of SGFR-PEEK composites under different loading conditions, and the model was validated. This research provides valuable insights for the practical application of SGFR-PEEK composites in engineering.
Assessing knee joint biomechanics and trunk posture according to medial osteoarthritis severity
Authors: Suzuki Yuki , Ohkoshi Yasumitsu , Kawakami Kensaku , Shimizu Kenta , Chida Shuya , Ukishiro Kengo , Onodera Tomohiro , Iwasaki Koji , Maeda Tatsunori , Suzuki Sho’ji , Kondo Eiji , Iwasaki Norimasa
Published: November 2023

During progression of knee osteoarthritis (OA), gait biomechanics changes three-dimensionally; however, its characteristics and trunk posture according to OA severity remain unknown. The present study investigated three-dimensional knee joint biomechanics and trunk posture according to knee OA severity. Overall, 75 patients (93 knees) with medial knee OA [Kellgren-Lawrence grade ≥ 2, grade 2: 20 patients with 24 knees (mean 60.0 years old); grade 3: 25 with 28 knees (mean 62.0 years old); grade 4: 30 with 41 knees (mean 67.9 years old)] and 14 healthy controls (23 knees, mean 63.6 years old) underwent gait analysis using an optical motion capture system and point cluster technique. In grade 2 knee OA, the relative contribution of the knee adduction moment (KAM) increased significantly (P < 0.05), and that of the knee flexion moment decreased (P < 0.05) prior to significant progression of varus knee deformity. Grade 3 knee OA showed significant exacerbation of varus knee deformity (P < 0.01) and KAM increase (P < 0.001). The maximum knee extension angle decreased (P < 0.05) and trunk flexion increased during gait in grade 4 knee OA (P < 0.001). Our study clarified the kinematics and kinetics of medial knee OA with trunk flexion according to severity. Kinetic conversion occurred in grade 2 knees prior to progression of varus deformities, knee flexion contractures, and sagittal imbalance during gait in patients with severe knee OA.