bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Acute stress reduces effortful prosocial behaviour
Authors: Forbes Paul AG , Aydogan Gökhan , Braunstein Julia , Todorova Boryana , Wagner Isabella C , Lockwood Patricia L , Apps Matthew AJ , Ruff Christian C , Lamm Claus
Published: July 2023

Acute stress can change our cognition and emotions, but what specific consequences this has for human prosocial behaviour is unclear. Previous studies have mainly investigated prosociality with financial transfers in economic games and produced conflicting results. Yet a core feature of many types of prosocial behaviour is that they are effortful. We therefore examined how acute stress changes our willingness to exert effort that benefits others. Healthy male participants – half of whom were put under acute stress – made decisions whether to exert physical effort to gain money for themselves or another person. With this design, we could independently assess the effects of acute stress on prosocial, compared to self-benefitting, effortful behaviour. Compared to controls (n = 45), participants in the stress group (n = 46) chose to exert effort more often for self- than for other-benefitting rewards at a low level of effort. Additionally, the adverse effects of stress on prosocial effort were particularly pronounced in more selfish participants. Neuroimaging combined with computational modelling revealed a putative neural mechanism underlying these effects: more stressed participants showed increased activation to subjective value in the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex and anterior insula when they themselves could benefit from their exerted effort relative to when someone else could. By using an effort-based task that better approximates real-life prosocial behaviour and incorporating trait differences in prosocial tendencies, our study provides important insights into how acute stress affects prosociality and its associated neural mechanisms.
Unveiling the Domain-Specific and RAS Isoform-Specific Details of BRAF Regulation
Authors: Trebino Tarah , Markusic Borna , Nan Haihan , Banerjee Shrhea , Wang Zhihong
Published: July 2023

BRAF is a key member in the MAPK signaling pathway essential for cell growth, proliferation, and differentiation. Dysregulation or mutation of BRAF is often the underlying cause of various types of cancer. RAS, a small GTPase protein that acts upstream of BRAF, has been identified as a driver of up to one-third of all cancers. When BRAF interacts with RAS via the RAS binding domain (RBD) and membrane recruitment, BRAF undergoes a conformational change from an inactive, autoinhibited monomer to an active dimer and subsequently phosphorylates MEK to propagate the signal. BRAF domains are involved in specific functions of the regulatory mechanism, as exampled by maintenance of the autoinhibited conformation through interactions between the Cysteine Rich Domain (CRD) and the Kinase Domain (KD) of BRAF. Despite the central role of BRAF in cellular signaling, the exact order and magnitude of its activation steps has yet to be confirmed experimentally. We employed pulldown assays, open surface plasmon resonance (OpenSPR), and hydrogen-deuterium exchange mass spectrometry (HDX-MS) to investigate the roles of the regulatory regions in BRAF activation and autoinhibition. Our results demonstrate that the BRAF specific region (BSR) and CRD play a crucial role in regulating the activity of BRAF. Moreover, we quantified the autoinhibitory binding affinities between the N-terminal domains of BRAF and the KD and revealed the individual roles of the BRAF regulatory domains. Furthermore, we quantified the relief of autoinhibition between the N-terminal domains of BRAF and the KD upon RAS binding, providing direct evidence that RAS binding initiates RAF activation. Additionally, our findings provide evidence that the BSR negatively regulates BRAF activation in a RAS isoform-specific manner and highlight the importance of considering the specific isoform pairs when developing inhibitors targeting RAF-RAS interactions. Our findings also indicate that oncogenic BRAF-KD
D594G
mutant has a lower affinity for the regulatory domains, implicating that pathogenic BRAF acts through decreased propensity for autoinhibition. Collectively, our study provides valuable insights into the activation mechanism of BRAF kinase and may help to guide the development of new therapeutic strategies for cancer treatment.
Degradación y olvido
Authors: Rojas del Río Montserrat
Published: July 2023

En una meseta a 30 metros a nivel del mar, coexisten en la actualidad los tres cementerios patrimoniales más antiguos de Valparaíso, declarados Monumentos Históricos por el Consejo de Monumentos Nacionales de Chile en el año 2005. Los dos primeros fueron fundados en 1825 y el tercero en 1845, junto con la cárcel que se ubicó en el cerro contiguo.
Con el paso del tiempo los Cerros Panteón y Cárcel, que solían estar en la periferia, quedaron insertos en medio de la ciudad, por lo que han debido reinventarse y revitalizarse mediante nuevos usos e infraestructuras, como por ejemplo el caso del Parque Cultural de Valparaíso ubicado en los terrenos de la ex Cárcel Pública: el edificio de una antigua cárcel puede pasar a tener otras funciones, pero un cementerio no.  Estos sitios son parte de un circuito urbano al cual ya no pertenecen, y se encuentran sumidos en una desvaloración patrimonial que se traduce en el abandono, deterioro y vandalización de sus sepulturas e infraestructuras en general. Este artículo analiza tres variables que explican el porqué de este espiral de degradación, sin salida aparente, enfocándose en particular en los Cementerios Municipales N°1 y N°2.
Impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the teachers’ work from the industrial engineering course at IFMG-Bambuí
Authors: Maluf Euclides Brandão , De Oliveira Diego Leme , Corrêa Dalila Alves
Published: July 2023

Sars-Cov-2 pandemic mobilized emergency and immediate actions in all sectors and societies and affected the dynamics of all citizens' life. In brazil, one of the first changes implemented in the educational sector was the introduction of emergency distance education, done at the touch of box. Studies carried out have shown the effects of the pandemic on the work of teachers of elementary schools and prioritize the precarity of Brazilian education. Scarcity of study of this nature was observed at the higher level. In this sense, the following research question was elected: what are the impacts of social isolation on the work of teachers of the production engineering course at IFMG-Bambui during social isolation? The objective of the study is to answer this question by developing a qualitative research, together with 32 teachers of that course. Among the results, the changes and adaptations made by the teachers to carry out the work during social isolation, as well as the effects on their physical, mental and emotional health, were found. The study generated information to deepen on the subjects that link to teaching work in uncertainty times and developed fully in digital and remote mode.
Evaluation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Concentrations in Locally Smoked and Fresh Clarias Gariepinus from Government Assisted Clustered Fish Farm, Ikorodu, Lagos State, Nigeria
Authors: Babalola Olusola A.
Published: July 2023

Aim:  To evaluate the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) concentrations in fresh and smoked Clarias geriepinus.

Study Design: Fifty numbers of fresh Clarias geriepinus which range in weight between 200.5g and 655.2g were collected from selected clustered farmers and categorized based on their weight into five groups. The tissues were collected from each fresh fish for analysis of PAHs before smoking.

Place and Duration of Study: The sampled fish were collected from government assisted clustered fish farm estate. The analyses for PAHs were conducted for two weeks in year 2022 at the central laboratory of Nigeria Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research

Methodology: The laboratory procedures and analyses for the detection of sixteen PAHs in the muscles of fresh and smoked on each five grouped of C. geriepinus were carried out using Gas Chromatography (Model HP 6890A).

Results: The results shows presence of PAHs in both locally smoked and fresh Clarias geriepinus therefore, there is no significant difference in the means concentrations of PAHs in both tissues but significant difference occurs (p=.05) in the grouped smoked fish with Indeno (1, 2, 3-c, d) Pyrene mean concentrations higher in both fresh and smoked fish.

Conclusion: PAHs concentrations from both fresh and smoked C. geriepinus muscles are below the FAO/WHO threshold limit. It is therefore safe for human consumption but a gas or electric powered smoking kiln is hereby recommended to prevent further accumulation of PAHs in smoked fish which could be carcinogenic to human consumers.
Studies on Exploration of the Proximate Composition, Physical Attributes and Qualitative Phytochemical Analysis of Fresh Coriander Leafy Vegetables
Authors: Begum Shourathunnisa , Ramappa K. T. , Nidoni Udaykumar , Hiregoudar Sharanagouda , Ramesh G.
Published: July 2023

The present investigation was undertaken in the Department of Processing and Food Engineering, College of Agricultural Engineering, Raichur to study the different properties of fresh coriander leafy vegetable like proximate composition, physical properties and bio-chemical properties. It was found that the moisture content, carbohydrate, crude protein, crude fat, crude fiber and ash content of fresh coriander leafy vegetable were found to 85.65, 4.26, 3.08, 0.3, 2.09 and 4.62 %, respectively. The total flavonoids, total phenols, chlorophyll content, ascorbic acid and ß-carotene content of fresh coriander leafy vegetable were found to be 318.40, 76.69, 222.36, 160.36, 34.32 mg/100 g, respectively. Overall, the combination of proximate composition, physical characteristics, and bio-chemical properties underscores the nutritional value and potential health benefits of fresh coriander leafy vegetables. Incorporating coriander into diets can provide essential nutrients and bioactive compounds, enhancing both the flavor and the potential well-being of individuals.
Influence of Land Configuration, Seed Rates, and Variety on Physiology and Yield of Rainfed Soybean in Semi-Arid Tropics of Central India
Authors: Malviya Shreya , Patel Harish Chandra
Published: July 2023

The present experiment was conducted under the ongoing ‘All India Coordinated Research Project’ (AICRP) for Dry Land Agriculture at the College of Agriculture, Indore to study the effect of land configuration, seed rates, and variety on the physiology of soybean in Central India. The study was carried out with 3 main plot treatments (3 land configurations i.e. L1- Flat sowing-45 cm, L2- Raised bed of 90 cm with 3 Rows bed-1 and L3- Raised bed of 60 cm with 2 Rows bed-1) and 4 subplot treatments (2 varieties of soybean i.e. V1-RVS 2001- 4 and V2-JS335; 2 seed rates i.e. S1-60 kg ha-1 (75% of Normal seed rate) and S2 40 kg ha-1(50 % of Normal seed rate). The various observations related to physiological parameters viz., crop growth rate, relative growth rate, leaf area, leaf area index, and chlorophyll content were recorded. The seed yield of soybean at harvest was also recorded. The obtained data were analyzed by the method of variance and the null hypothesis was tested by the ‘F’ test. Further, the critical difference was worked out to judge the difference between the two treatment means. The results revealed that the land configuration, seed rates, and variety significantly influenced the physiological parameters in soybean which reflected in the seed yield of soybean.
Gender Disparities and Lung Cancer Screening Outcomes Among Individuals Who Have Never Smoked
Authors: Kim Yeon Wook , Joo Dong-Hyun , Kim So Yeon , Park Young Sik , Jang Sowon , Lee Jong Hyuk , Silvestri Gerard A. , Heuvelmans Marjolein A. , Kim Jihang , Hwang Hyeontaek , Lee Choon-Taek
Published: January 2025

Importance

Lung cancer in individuals who have never smoked (INS) is a growing global concern, with a rapidly increasing incidence and proportion among all lung cancer cases. Particularly in East Asia, opportunistic lung cancer screening (LCS) programs targeting INS have gained popularity. However, the sex-specific outcomes and drawbacks of screening INS remain unexplored, with data predominantly focused on women.

Objective

To compare LCS outcomes between Asian women and men with no smoking history.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This multicenter cohort study was conducted at health checkup centers in South Korea from 2009 to 2021. Participants included individuals aged 50 to 80 years with no smoking history who underwent low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) screening. Data were retrospectively analyzed from November 2023 to June 2024.

Exposures

Opportunistic LDCT screening for lung cancer.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Participants were followed up until December 2022 for the outcome of death. Lung cancer diagnosis, diagnostic characteristics, clinical course, and lung cancer–specific deaths (LCSD) were compared between women and men.

Results

A total of 21 062 participants (16 133 [76.6%] women and 4929 [23.4%] men) with a mean (SD) age of 59.8 (7.2) years were included. From baseline screening, 176 participants (139 women [0.9%] and 37 men [0.8%]) were diagnosed with lung cancer (screen-detected); 131 of 139 women (94.3%) and 33 of 37 men (89.2%) were diagnosed with stage 0 to I disease, with 133 of 139 women (95.7%) and 36 of 37 men (97.3%) having adenocarcinoma. There were no significant sex-based differences in stage or histologic type distribution. Among the 21 062 screened individuals, LCSD was reported in 8 women and 3 men during a mean (SD) follow-up of 83.8 (41.7) months. Multivariable analyses found no significant association between sex and cumulative hazards of lung cancer diagnosis (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 0.90 [95% CI, 0.64-1.26] for men vs women) or LCSD (aHR, 1.06 [95% CI, 0.28-4.00] for men vs women). The estimated 5-year lung cancer–specific survival rate was 97.7% for women and 100% for men with screen-detected lung cancer, showing no significant sex differences.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this cohort study of Asian individuals with no smoking history who underwent LDCT screening, no significant sex-based differences were detected in lung cancer diagnosis, stage distribution, or LCSD. These findings suggest that men and women who have never smoked would experience similar risks of overdiagnosis with little to no benefit when exposed to indiscriminate screening.
Interventions to Reduce Mental Health Stigma in Young People
Authors: Crockett Marcelo A. , Núñez Daniel , Martínez Pablo , Borghero Francesca , Campos Susana , Langer Álvaro I. , Carrasco Jimena , Martínez Vania
Published: January 2025

Importance

Mental health stigma is a considerable barrier to help-seeking among young people.

Objective

To systematically review and meta-analyze randomized clinical trials (RCTs) of interventions aimed at reducing mental health stigma in young people.

Data Sources

Comprehensive searches were conducted in the CENTRAL, CINAHL, Embase, PubMed, and PsycINFO databases from inception to February 27, 2024. Search terms included “stigma,” “mental health,” “mental disorders,” “adolescents,” “youth,” and “randomized controlled trial.”

Study Selection

Inclusion criteria encompassed RCTs involving interventions aimed at reducing mental health stigma among young people (aged 10-24 years). Studies had to report outcomes related to stigma or help-seeking behaviors. Exclusion criteria included grey literature and studies without results.

Data Extraction and Synthesis

Data were extracted independently by 7 authors (M.A.C., D.N., F.B., S.C., Á.I.L., J.C., V.M.) using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Risk of bias was assessed with the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool. Three-level multivariate meta-analyses were conducted to account for within-study correlations and to maximize data use. Standardized mean differences (SMDs) (Hedges g) and odds ratios (ORs) with 95% CIs were calculated. The data analysis was conducted from May 30 through July 4, 2024.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Primary outcomes included stigma-related knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, and general stigma. Help-seeking outcomes were categorized into attitudes, intentions, and behaviors. Secondary outcomes included self-efficacy and empowerment.

Results

A total of 97 studies were included in the systematic review, representing 43 852 young people (mean [IQR] age, 18.7 [15.8-21.3] years; mean [IQR] females, 59.2% [49.4%-72.0%]), and 74 studies were included in 3-level multivariate meta-analyses. Significant short-term effect sizes were found for stigma-related knowledge (SMD, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.43-0.89), attitudes (SMD, 0.38; 95% CI, 0.20-0.56), behaviors (SMD, 0.29; 95% CI, 0.13-0.45), and general stigma (SMD, 0.20; 95% CI, 0.06-0.34) and for help-seeking attitudes (SMD, 0.18; 95% CI, 0.09-0.28) and intentions (SMD, 0.14; 95% CI, 0.07-0.21). Social contact interventions had a greater influence on stigma-related behaviors than did educational approaches.

Conclusions and Relevance

These findings suggest that interventions to reduce mental health stigma among youth are beneficial in the short term. Further high-quality RCTs with long-term follow-up are needed to better understand and enhance these interventions’ outcomes.
Novel Posterior Rectus Sheath Flap for Paraesophageal Hernia Repairs
Authors: Vigneswaran Yalini , Gottlieb Lawrence J. , Hussain Mustafa
Published: January 2025

This Surgical Intervention describes a new method to repair large or recurrent paraesophageal hernias.
Perfluorinated Anionic Surfactant Assisted Homogeneous Crystallization for Efficient and Stable Formamidinium‐Based Sn‐Pb Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Kong Tengfei , Liu Yinjiang , Zhao Zihan , Chen Weiting , Gao Peng , Bi Dongqin
Published: January 2025

Formamidinium (FA)‐based Sn‐Pb perovskite demonstrates superior thermal stability, making it well‐suited for all‐perovskite tandem solar cells. However, the uncontrolled crystallization process remains a significant challenge. In this study, an effective strategy is presented to regulate the crystallization of FA‐based Sn‐Pb perovskite by incorporating perfluoroanionic surfactant (perfluorohexanesulfonic acid potassium salt, F13C6SO3K) into the perovskite precursor. The multifunctional sites of F13C6SO3K, including F atoms and SO3− groups, interact with perovskite components to stabilize the colloidal distribution of the precursor and modulate the crystallization kinetics. This results in high‐quality perovskite films with fewer defects. Consequently, the FA‐based Sn‐Pb perovskite solar cell (PSC) achieves a champion efficiency of 24.33%, with an open‐circuit voltage of 0.895 V and a fill factor of 83.2%. After continuous heating at 65 °C for 1008 h, it still maintain 91% of its initial efficiency, which shows enhanced stability. When coupled with a wide‐bandgap subcell, the all‐perovskite tandem solar cell reaches a champion power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 27.57%.
Protein‐DNA Competition at the Bio‐Nano Interface: Structural and Biological Insights From Graphene Oxide Coronas
Authors: Quagliarini Erica , Giulimondi Francesca , Renzi Serena , Pirrottina Andrea , Zingoni Alessandra , Carboni Nicholas , Pozzi Daniela , Caracciolo Giulio
Published: January 2025

Understanding interactions between nanomaterials and biomolecules is essential for advancing biomedical nanotechnologies. This study investigates how double‐stranded DNA of varying sizes affects the protein corona (PC) surrounding Graphene Oxide (GO) nanosheets in DNA‐supplemented human plasma. The findings reveal that DNA plays a pivotal role in modulating the PC composition through dynamic competition governed by factors like surface charge, affinity, and DNA fragment size. At lower DNA concentrations, competition between DNA and proteins for binding sites on GO leads to a corona predominantly composed of proteins, with some DNA molecules also bound. However, as the DNA concentration increases beyond a threshold, a shift occurs. DNA increasingly outcompetes proteins for binding sites, resulting in a two‐component corona enriched with both DNA and proteins. Notably, the proportion of DNA within the corona progressively increases with rising DNA concentration, while the protein content decreases. This dynamic interplay between DNA and proteins has significant biological implications. A monotonic increase in Toll‐like receptor 9 (TLR9) activation is observed as the DNA content within the corona increases. As the corona composition and its influence on cellular responses are crucial, this study emphasizes the relevance of exploring competition at the bio‐nano interface for the advancement of these applications.
Intramolecular Crossed [2+2] Cycloaddition through Visible‐Light Triplet Sensitization: Expedient Access to Bridged Bicyclic Alkene
Authors: Li Min , Tao Le‐Yi , Gu Xin‐Tao , Wei Yin , Shi Min
Published: January 2025

A visible‐light‐induced intramolecular crossed [2+2] cycloaddition reaction of allene‐tethered alkylidenecyclopropanes was reported in this paper. The reactions were conducted under mild conditions using Iridium(III) catalyst FirPic as a photosensitizer for energy transfer, affording bridged bicyclic alkenes in moderate to good yields with excellent regioselectivity and stereoselectivity through the regulation of substituents at the olefin's terminal position. Meanwhile, the computational study explained the special region control assisted by sulfonyl radicals in detail.
iPRISM: Intelligent Predicting Response to Cancer Immunotherapy through Systematic Modeling
Authors: Su Yinchun , Li Siyuan , Wang Qian , Pan Bingyue , Lai Jiyin , Wang Guangyou , Han Junwei , Kong Qingfei
Published: January 2025

Immunotherapy has revolutionized cancer treatment, but predicting patient response remains challenging. Herein, we present iPRISM (Intelligent Predicting Response to cancer Immunotherapy through Systematic Modeling), which is a novel network‐based model that integrates multiomics data to predict immunotherapy outcomes. In this approach, iPRISM incorporates gene expression, biological functional network, tumor microenvironment characteristics, immune‐related pathways, and clinical data to provide a comprehensive view of factors influencing immunotherapy efficacy. Using stepwise logistic regression, we identified key predictive features and validated iPRISM across multiple cohorts including melanoma, bladder cancer, non‐small cell lung cancer, and stomach adenocarcinoma. We also find that iPRISM outperforms the existing methods, achieving high predictive accuracy and demonstrating significant prognostic value for overall and progression‐free survival. By identifying key genetic and immunological factors, this model provides a new insight for more personalized treatment strategies and combination therapies to overcome resistance mechanisms. iPRISM can be accessed at CRAN: https://CRAN.R‐project.org/package=iPRISM.
An sp2 Carbon‐Conjugated Covalent Organic Framework for Fusing Lipid Droplets and Engineered Macrophage Therapy
Authors: Guan Qun , Zhou Le‐Le , Yang Zhiqing , Xie Beibei , Li Yan‐An , Wang Ruibing
Published: January 2025

Engineered immune cell therapy has proven to be a transformative cancer treatment despite the challenges of its prohibitive costs and manufacturing complexity. In this study, we propose a concise “lipid droplet fusion” strategy for engineering macrophages. Because of the integration of hydrophobic alkyl chains and π‐conjugated structures, the mildly synthesized sp2C‐conjugated covalent organic framework (COF) UM‐101 induced lipid droplet fusion and metabolic reprogramming of macrophages, thus promoting their antitumor classical activation. Intravenous injection of UM‐101–engineered macrophages effectively inhibited tumor progression. These results represent the first report of room‐temperature synthesis of sp2C‐conjugated COFs for engineered immune cell therapy, providing a new perspective for the development of therapeutic immune cells via organelle manipulation.
Altermagnetism in NiSi and Antiferromagnetic Candidate Materials with Non‐Collinear Spins
Authors: Singh Deepak K. , Cheong Sang‐Wook , Guo Jiasen
Published: January 2025

Recently, a new class of magnetic phenomenon, called altermagnetism, is proposed where the underlying spin configuration resembles antiferromagnetic structure, but the system violates PT (PT: Parity times Time reversal) symmetry due to the alternation of crystalline symmetry across magnetic ions. Although the original idea is proposed for the collinear spin structure, a recent report by Cheong et al. has suggested that antiferromagnetic materials with non‐collinear spin structure and local alternation of crystalline arrangement can also manifest altermagnetism. Besides breaking the PT symmetry, altermagnetic compounds are also expected to exhibit anomalous Hall effects of odd orders. Here, possible candidates are discussed in this regard. One example is nickel monosilicide, which is recently shown to exhibit high temperature antiferromagnetism with non‐collinear spin structure. It fulfills both criteria of breaking the PT symmetry and manifesting nonlinear anomalous Hall effect. In addition to NiSi, other potential antiferromagnetic materials are also discussed with non‐collinear spin configuration for the exploration of altermagnetic states.
Controllable Synthesis of Heterogeneous ZnS/SnS2 Encapsulated in Hollow Nitrogen‐Doped Carbon Microcubes as Anode for High‐Performance Li‐ion Capacitors
Authors: Liu Huandong , Zhu Zhengju , Demir Muslum , He Ying , Saha Petr , Cheng Qilin
Published: January 2025

Li‐ion capacitors (LICs) integrate the desirable features of lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) and supercapacitors (SCs), but the kinetic imbalance between the both electrodes leads to inferior electrochemical performance. Thus, constructing an advanced anode with outstanding rate capability and terrific redox kinetics is crucial to LICs. Herein, heterostructured ZnS/SnS2 nanosheets encapsulated into N‐doped carbon microcubes (ZnS/SnS2@NC) are successfully fabricated. The sufficient ZnS/SnS2 heterostructure possesses abundant active sites, and the built‐in electric field formed at the heterojunction interface can facilitate electron/ion migration. The interconnected hollow carbon layers could reduce the electron transfer resistance effectively and accommodate the volume change of SnS2, thereby maintaining the structural stability. Due to the synergy between multi‐components, the ZnS/SnS2@NC anode demonstrates impressive Li storage performance with an excellent cyclic durablity (690 mAh g−1 at 0.5 A g−1 after 600 cycles) and considerable rate capability. Moreover, when matched with active carbon, the ZnS/SnS2@NC based LIC device delivers an admirable energy density of 134.1 Wh kg−1 and a high power output of 11,250 W kg−1, as well as remarkable capacity retention of 73.2 % after 6,000 cycles at 1.0 A g−1. The experimental results demonstrate the significance of optimized heterointerface engineering toward construction of electrode materials with high‐performance for Li storage.
Radiofrequency Induced Time‐Dependent Alterations in Gene Expression and Apoptosis in Glioblastoma Cell Line
Authors: Tuysuz Mehmet Zahid , Kayhan Handan , Saglam Atiye Seda Yar , Senturk Fatih , Bagriacik Emin Umit , Yagci Munci , Canseven Ayse Gulnihal
Published: January 2025

The widespread use of wireless communication technologies has increased human exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF‐EMFs). Considering the brain's close proximity to mobile phones and its entirely electrical transmission network, it emerges as the organ most profoundly impacted by the RF field. This study aims to investigate the potential effects of RF radiation on cell viability, apoptosis, and gene expressions in glioblastoma cells (U118‐MG) at different exposure times (1, 24, and 48 h). To achieve this, we designed and implemented an in vitro RF exposure system operating at a frequency of 2.1 GHz, specifically for cell culture studies, with an average specific absorption rate (SAR) of 1.12 ± 0.18 W/kg determined through numerical dosimetry calculations. Results reveal a significant influence of a 48 h exposure to a 2.1 GHz RF field on U118‐MG cell viability, gene expression, and the induction of caspase (CASP) dependent apoptosis. Notably, increased CASP3, CASP8, and CASP9 mRNA levels were observed after 24 and 48 h of RF treatment. However, only the 48 h RF exposure resulted in apoptotic cell death and a significant elevation in the BAX/BCL‐2 ratio. This observed effect may be influenced by extended exposure durations surpassing the cell's doubling time. The increased BAX/BCL‐2 ratio, which acts as a key switch for apoptosis, and the heterogeneous morphology of the astrocyte‐derived U118‐MG cell line may also play a role in this effect.
Poe or Gemini for fostering writing skills in Japanese upper‐intermediate learners: Uncovering the consequences on positive emotions, boredom to write, academic self‐efficacy and writing development
Authors: Wu Qiong , Xu Anfeng
Published: January 2025

The integration of AI‐based platforms, such as Poe and Gemini, into language instruction has garnered increasing attention for their potential to enhance writing skills. Despite this interest, little is known about their effects on EFL learners' positive emotions (PEs), academic self‐efficacy and boredom in writing. Addressing this gap, the present study investigated the effectiveness of Poe and Gemini in developing writing skills and explored their impact on learners' PEs, academic self‐efficacy and boredom among learners at the upper‐intermediate level. For this purpose, a total of 519 Japanese upper‐intermediate EFL learners were randomly assigned to three groups: (1) Poe‐assisted writing instruction; (2) Gemini‐assisted writing instruction; and (3) a control group (CG) receiving traditional instruction. The study employed a mixed‐methods design, incorporating both quantitative and qualitative data collection. Writing development was assessed through pre‐ and post‐tests, while learners' emotions, boredom and academic self‐efficacy were measured using validated scales. Additionally, qualitative data were gathered through interviews and analysed using coding and thematic analysis to understand learners' attitudes and perceptions. Quantitative data were analysed using ANOVA and MANOVA to compare the outcomes across the three groups. The findings revealed that both Poe and Gemini significantly improved learners' writing skills compared to the CG, with no substantial differences in effectiveness between the two platforms. Participants in the Poe and Gemini groups reported heightened PEs and increased academic self‐efficacy, alongside reduced boredom during writing tasks. The qualitative findings corroborated these results, highlighting the platforms' role in fostering greater enthusiasm, engagement, autonomy and motivation in English language learning. The study concludes by offering a range of implications for different stakeholders.
Acute Osmotic and pH Shock to Bioluminescent Bacteria Is Reversible in Terms of Luminescence Response
Authors: Ranjan Rajeev , Goswami Sakshi , Sharma Navendu , Vashishtha Lalit Mohan , Singh Meenu , Verma Yeshvandra , Rana Suresh Vir Singh , Kratasyuk Valentina , Kumar Satyandra , Pandey Archna
Published: January 2025

Bioluminescence inhibition (BLI) measurements in bioluminescent bacteria (BB) is perceived as a potential qualitative and quantitative indicator of hazardous materials. Acute but minor fluctuations in osmolarity and pH do not affect the living systems significantly. However, significant BLI is observed from marine BB due to acute osmolarity or pH changes that may affect the bioassay sensitivity. Often, real samples have low pH and osmolarity, interfering with the hazard assessment based on the principles of BLI. This anomaly in BLI measurements may lead to false positives. Therefore, modifications in existing analytical methods to overcome such practical constraints are envisaged. In the present research, a marine BB was utilized to study the luminescence reversal effect when exposed to stressful environments such as hypotonic (deionized water), acidic (50 μM to 50 mM HCl), and 0.1–100 ppm of Hg(II) for 0–30 min. Postincubation, the calcium alginate immobilized bioluminescent bacteria (biophotonic beads) were transferred to Boss media to observe any luminescence enhancement. The results showed that osmotic shock and low‐strength acidic environments (50 μM to 0.5 mM HCl) at specified incubation times were not detrimental to the biophonic beads regarding luminescence response.
Technology Adoption Intention and Sustainable Entrepreneurship Ability of Rural Women in Bangladesh
Authors: Sarker Tanwne , Roy Rana , Yeasmin Sabina , Rabbany Md. Ghulam , Asaduzzaman Muhammad
Published: January 2025

The expansion of women entrepreneurs in Bangladesh is essential for economic development, primarily driven by the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT). This expansion is more noticeable in urban areas, generating a research gap to find out the adoption of ICT among rural women entrepreneurs. Our present study seeks to identify the factors influencing ICT adoption intentions among women entrepreneurs in rural Bangladesh. Data from 315 respondents were collected and analyzed utilizing partial least squares‐structural equation modeling through Smart PLS 3.3v software. Our results reveal that women's utilization of ICT is positively associated with their access to material, mental, skill, usage, and ICT in microfinance. This adoption significantly upgrades the business skills of rural Bangladeshi women, offering essential insights for future entrepreneurs. Our study provides a comprehensive framework for assessing ICT adoption access points and offers policymakers' practical implications for empowering women by expanding ICT access to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 5.
Improved Predictability of Diagnosis and Prognosis Using Serum‐ and Tissue‐Derived Extracellular Vesicles From Bulk mRNA Sequencing in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Zhu Qian , Chen Zhang , Tian Ming , Yan Xin , Gongye Xiangdong , Liu Zhicheng , Zhao Anbang , Yang Zhiyong , Yuan Yufeng
Published: January 2025

Background

Early‐stage pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is frequently misdiagnosed, contributing to its high mortality rate. Exosomal microRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as potential biomarkers for the early detection of PDAC.

Aims

This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of using exosomal miRNAs from PDAC tissues and serum as biomarkers for early detection and prognosis.

Materials & Methods

Exosomes were isolated from healthy individuals and PDAC patients via tissue and serum samples, then identified by analyzing their particle size and protein content. PDAC‐specific exosomal miRNAs were identified using a microRNA array. A large cohort was subsequently recruited to validate these findings. The diagnostic capacity of the identified miRNAs was assessed using the Brier score and area under the curve (AUC). Verified miRNAs were also used to confirm intracellular mRNA change patterns.

Results

The combination of miR142‐3p, miR148a‐3p, and CA199 showed a higher AUC (0.747) compared to CA199 alone (0.716) in ROC curve analysis. Gene Ontology (GO) annotations revealed that the two‐miRNA panel was associated with multiple oncogenic pathways.

Discussion

142‐3p and miR148a‐3p were identified as specific to PDAC and, when combined with CA199, improved diagnostic accuracy. Their involvement in oncogenic pathways underscores their relevance as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers.

Conclusion

MiR142‐3p and miR148a‐3p, alongside CA199, show promise as non‐invasive biomarkers for early detection and prognosis of PDAC, improving diagnostic accuracy.
Deep Learning and Multidisciplinary Imaging in Pediatric Surgical Oncology: A Scoping Review
Authors: Buser M. A. D. , van der Rest J. K. , Wijnen M. H. W. A. , de Krijger R. R. , van der Steeg A. F. W. , van den Heuvel‐Eibrink M. M. , Reismann M. , Veldhoen S. , Pio L. , Markel M.
Published: January 2025

Background

Medical images play an important role in diagnosis and treatment of pediatric solid tumors. The field of radiology, pathology, and other image‐based diagnostics are getting increasingly important and advanced. This indicates a need for advanced image processing technology such as Deep Learning (DL).

Aim

Our review focused on the use of DL in multidisciplinary imaging in pediatric surgical oncology.

Methods

A search was conducted within three databases (Pubmed, Embase, and Scopus), and 2056 articles were identified. Three separate screenings were performed for each identified subfield.

Results

In total, we identified 36 articles, divided between radiology (n = 22), pathology (n = 9), and other image‐based diagnostics (n = 5). Four types of tasks were identified in our review: classification, prediction, segmentation, and synthesis. General statements about the studies'’ performance could not be made due to the inhomogeneity of the included studies. To implement DL in pediatric clinical practice, both technical validation and clinical validation are of uttermost importance.

Conclusion

In conclusion, our review provided an overview of all DL research in the field of pediatric surgical oncology. The more advanced status of DL in adults should be used as guide to move the field of DL in pediatric oncology further, to keep improving the outcomes of children with cancer.
Functional Proteins/Peptides Targeting to Clear Amyloid‐β for Alzheimer's Disease Therapy
Authors: Gao Ziran , Hou Renjie , Qian Chenggen
Published: January 2025

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a significant neurodegenerative disorder primarily affecting individuals over the age of 65. It is characterized by impairments in memory, thinking, analytical judgment, visuospatial recognition, and mood. In recent years, the development of protein and peptide drugs targeting amyloid‐beta (Aβ) has gained momentum, with several therapies entering clinical trials and even receiving marketing approval. Novel functional protein and peptide drugs, as the first‐generation immunotherapeutic agents for neurodegenerative diseases, have pioneered cellular immunotherapy for AD. However, the currently available drugs are associated with toxicity issues, which can lead to serious complications such as cerebral hemorrhage or edema. Consequently, this study examines the potential for a new generation of Aβ‐targeting drugs to mitigate the side effects of existing treatments and offers innovative perspectives for the advancement of therapies for AD.
Genetically Encoded Nucleic Acid Nanostructures for Biological Applications
Authors: Yang Changping , Fan Jing , Zhu Hanyin , Wang Hong , He Yuling , Liu Jianbing , Ding Baoquan
Published: January 2025

Nucleic acid, as a carrier of genetic information, has been widely employed as a building block for the construction of versatile nanostructures with pre‐designed sizes and shapes through complementary base pairing. With excellent programmability, addressability, and biocompatibility, nucleic acid nanostructures are extensively applied in biomedical researches, such as bio‐imaging, bio‐sensing, and drug delivery. Notably, the original gene‐encoding capability of the nucleic acids themselves has been utilized in these structurally well‐defined nanostructures. In this review, we will summarize the recent progress in the design of double‐stranded DNA and mRNA‐encoded nanostructures for various biological applications, such as gene regulation, gene expression, and mRNA transcription. Furthermore, the challenges and future opportunities of genetically encoded nucleic acid nanostructures in biomedical applications will be discussed.
The Effect of Social CSR on Labor Investment Decisions: Theory and International Evidence
Authors: Palmeira Rafael , Pindado Julio
Published: January 2025

This study analyzes how the social aspects of corporate social responsibility (CSR) influence firms' labor investment decisions. We provide new evidence using an international sample of 612 companies in 30 countries from 2012 to 2019; we use the generalized method of moments for our estimations. Our empirical analysis shows that increasing social CSR leads to labor overinvestment but reduces labor underinvestment. Our results also demonstrate that employment protection legislation limits the effects of social CSR on labor underinvestment. In conclusion, this study disentangles the relationship between social CSR and labor investment decisions. Finally, we discuss some relevant practical implications for managers and shareholders as we reveal the effect of social CSR on labor investment decisions and suggest a substitution effect between social CSR efforts and employment protection legislation.
Modification Strategies of Bismuth‐Based Halide Perovskites for Solar to Fuel Conversion by Photocatalytic CO2 Reduction
Authors: Tian Pei , Ding Yan , Zhang Fei , Zhang Yihao , Wei Jinjia , Chen Jie
Published: January 2025

In light of the increasingly pressing energy and environmental challenges, the use of photocatalysis to convert solar energy into chemical energy has emerged as a promising solution. Halide perovskites have recently attracted considerable interest as photocatalysts due to their outstanding properties. Early developments focused on Lead‐based perovskites, but their use has been severely restricted due to the toxicity of Lead. Consequently, researchers have introduced non‐toxic elements to replace Lead, with common substitutes being transition metals such as Tin (Sn), Bismuth (Bi), and Antimony (Sb). Among them, Bi‐based perovskites have demonstrated superior photocatalytic performance. Nevertheless, the inherent instability of perovskites and the severe recombination of charge carriers have necessitated the development of various modification strategies to enhance their performance. This Review discusses the modification strategies for Bi‐based halide perovskites and illustrates the impact of these strategies on the photocatalytic performance. Finally, future research directions and challenges of Bi‐based perovskites for photocatalysis are proposed.
Chemical and Enzymatic Mechanosynthesis of Organocatalytic Peptide Materials Based on Proline and Phenylalanine
Authors: Rios‐Echeverri Alexandra , Puerto Galvis Carlos E. , Ardila‐Fierro Karen J. , Hernández José G.
Published: January 2025

In recent years, mechanosynthesis of peptides through either chemical or enzymatic routes has been accomplished. In part, this advancement has been driven due to the organocatalytic properties of peptide‐based biomaterials. In this work, we report the merging of chemical and enzymatic protocols under mechanochemical conditions to synthesize peptide materials based on L‐proline and L‐phenylalanine. Compared to traditional step‐by‐step peptide synthesis in solution, our mechanochemical approach combining peptide coupling reagents with the proteolytic enzyme papain offers a more sustainable route by reducing the number of synthetic steps, shortening reaction times, increasing chemical yields, and minimizing waste production. Notably, the mechanosynthesized peptides exhibited organocatalytic activity in the asymmetric aldol reaction between cyclohexanone and 4‐nitrobenzaldehyde.
Benthic marine invertebrate herbivores diversify their algal diets in winter
Authors: Yoshioka R. M. , Galloway A. W. E. , Schram J. B. , Bell L. E. , Kroeker K. J.
Published: January 2025

Changes in the seasonal environment substantially influence organisms. Understanding how species respond to such changes, such as in their feeding interactions and physiology, is key to predicting their resilience to both seasonal and longer term climate changes. The Sitka Sound in Southeast Alaska, USA, is an attractive natural laboratory for studying change, as the marine environment experiences substantial seasonal fluctuations in parameters such as temperature, pH, and productivity between summer and winter. By sampling a suite of dominant macrophyte algae and their benthic herbivores in winter (January) and summer (July) 2019, we investigated how producers and their primary consumers may respond to seasonal change inferred through fatty acid trophic markers. We used a fatty acid logratio selection and analysis approach to ask the following: (1) Do fatty acid biomarkers for algae differ between seasons? (2) Do the same fatty acid biomarkers differ between seasons when applied to herbivores, with herbivore fatty acids tracking the presumed trophic resources? (3) Do fatty acid biomarkers for herbivores differ between seasons, when considered independently from algae? Comparing logratio sets selected each for the algae and the herbivore fatty acids, we found that algae fatty acids were different between our sampling seasons, but the algae‐selected fatty acid logratios did not clearly separate most herbivores by season. In contrast, the herbivore‐selected logratios strongly distinguished herbivore species between the January and June samplings. Further, dispersions of fatty acid logratios were greater within herbivore species in the winter than in the summer, potentially due to the utilization of more diverse resources when preferred algae are less abundant. In total, results suggest that herbivores are not simply tracking the seasonal fatty acid changes in the dominant algae as trophic resources; instead, herbivore fatty acid seasonal changes may occur largely through some other nonexclusive mechanisms, such as omnivory, reductions or shifts in dietary composition, and/or endogenous physiological responses. Thus, the benthic herbivores in our study appear not to be locked into their diets when faced with seasonal change and may use a range of strategies, including diet diversification, to cope with environmental variation.
Resource selection and survival of plains sharp‐tailed grouse at a wind energy facility
Authors: Kelly Carly S. , LeBeau Chad W. , Beck Jeffrey L. , Solem Alex , Morey Hilary , Smith Kurt T.
Published: January 2025

As the demand for wind energy development increases across much of the Great Plains region, there is a need to understand how this type of energy generation may impact wildlife. Due to their extensive range across areas with high wind resources, plains sharp‐tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus jamesiTympanuchus phasianellus jamesi) represent a valuable species to evaluate how selection and survival are associated with existing wind energy infrastructure. We used spatial and demographic data collected from radio‐marked female sharp‐tailed grouse to evaluate resource selection (nest, brood‐rearing, and breeding season) and survival (nest and female) near existing wind energy infrastructure during the April to August breeding season over a 3‐year period from 2020 to 2022 in northeastern South Dakota, USA. We monitored 119 GPS‐marked females captured at eight leks over the study period. We did not find evidence that females selected nest sites in relation to wind energy infrastructure but found that females with broods and females during the breeding season (April–August) avoided areas near high densities of wind turbines within 1.0 and 5.0 km of their home range, respectively. We found consistent selection for lower lengths of transmission lines across all life stages at the home range scale. We did not detect an effect of wind energy infrastructure on nest or female survival. Based on the results of our study, limiting the siting (the process of selecting the optimal location for a project and the associated features) of wind turbines within 5.0 km of sharp‐tailed grouse breeding habitat may represent an important siting tool to minimize avoidance of otherwise suitable habitats.