bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Liraglutide 3.0 mg and mental health: can psychiatric symptoms be associated to adherence to therapy? Insights from a clinical audit
Authors: Tempia Valenta Silvia , Stecchi Michele , Perazza Federica , Nuccitelli Chiara , Villanova Nicola , Pironi Loris , Atti Anna Rita , Petroni Maria Letizia
Published: November 2023

Introduction

Liraglutide 3.0 mg, a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogue, is a medication approved for obesity treatment. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between psychiatric symptoms, including depression, anxiety, and binge eating, and their impact on therapy adherence.

Methods

A clinical audit was carried out on a cohort of 54 adults with obesity treated with liraglutide 3.0 mg. We retrospectively analyzed the connection between psychiatric symptoms assessed through the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and Binge Eating Scale (BES). Adherence to therapy was assessed by the maximum dosage (MD) and treatment duration (TD).

Results

Notably, a discontinuation rate of 59% was encountered. However, among those who continued the treatment, we observed a negative association between anxiety symptoms (STAI score) and MD, depression symptoms (BDI score) and TD, and a higher likelihood of binge eating (BES score > 17) and TD. Moreover, presence of psychiatric symptoms did not compromise drug's effectiveness in achieving weight loss, which was 4.43% (± 5.5 SD) in the whole sample and 5.3% (± 6.3 SD) in the subgroup evaluated at 12 weeks.

Conclusion

We observed a high discontinuation rate in real-life clinical setting, where Liraglutide 3.0 therapy is paid out-of-pocket. While psychiatric symptoms might play a role in diminishing adherence to therapy, they do not prevent drug's effectiveness to promote weight loss. This finding underscores the potential advantages of liraglutide 3.0 mg therapy for individuals contending with obesity while simultaneously managing mental health challenges.

Level of evidence

Level V, descriptive studies.
On some structural properties of generalized Lyapunov eigenproblems and application to operator preconditioning
Authors: Simoncini Valeria , Toni Daniele
Published: November 2023

We are interested in generalized matrix eigenvalue problems of the type $$A X + X A = \lambda {H} X {H}$$

A
X
+
X
A
=
λ
H
X
H

and $$A X + X A = \lambda ({H} X + X {H})$$

A
X
+
X
A
=
λ
(
H
X
+
X
H
)

with A and H both symmetric and positive definite, and in their tensor counterparts. We collect several structural properties, some of which are known, together with some new spectral results. We also analyze in detail the case where the second problem stems from the discretization of linear elliptic partial differential equations by finite differences. In particular, we derive spectral properties that can be used in the numerical solution of the resulting algebraic linear system.
Risks of suboptimal and excessive thyroid hormone replacement across ages
Authors: Feldt-Rasmussen U. , Effraimidis G. , Bliddal S. , Klose M.
Published: November 2023

Background

Hypothyroidism is prevalent at all ages and represents a non-communicable disease with preventable consequences.

Method

Narrative review.

Review

In children and adolescents, the most devastating consequences of undertreatment with levothyroxine (LT4) are poor growth and development. Delayed treatment in congenital hypothyroidism can lead to permanent brain damage. In young to middle-aged adults, symptoms are often overlooked, and treatment delayed by many years. The resulting consequences are also at this age group compromised brain and physical function but less severe and partly reversible with treatment. The under-treated condition often results in a higher risk of, e.g., increased cardiovascular disease burden, obesity, hypertension, poor physical capacity, and poor quality of life. Excessive replacement is at all adult age groups associated with increased risk of cardiac death, osteoporosis, loss of muscle function, psychological instability and poor quality of life. In young fertile women, the consequences of undertreatment with LT4 are subnormal fertility, recurrent pregnancy loss, compromised fetal growth, and neurocognitive development. On the other hand, excessive LT4 treatment has been related to gestational hypertension, preeclampsia and preterm birth. In the elderly, care must be given to avoid confusing a slightly high age-related serum TSH with requirement for LT4 treatment in a truly hypothyroid patient. Excessive LT4 treatment in patients of high age is associated with an increased mortality.

Conclusion

Suboptimal and excessive LT4 replacement of the preventable non-communicable disease hypothyroidism requires more focus from the healthcare system and from the global political systems to prevent the personally devastating and socioeconomically challenging consequences.
Hydrodynamic coefficients of mussel dropper lines derived from large-scale experiments and structural dynamics
Authors: Landmann Jannis , Flack Christian , Kowalsky Ursula , Wüchner Roland , Hildebrandt Arndt , Goseberg Nils
Published: November 2023

The expansion of marine aquaculture production is driven by a high market demand for marine proteins and a stagnation of wild catch of fish. Bivalve farming, i.e., the cultivation of oysters, mussels and scallops, is an important part of the ongoing market dynamics and production expansion. As marine spatial planning is considering various use purposes, available space for near-shore aquaculture is already becoming scarce; this has fueled research and development initiatives to enable production installations further offshore. The highly energetic conditions at more exposed offshore marine sites lead to increased loads on aquaculture systems and their components and it is still not sufficiently understood how the load transfer from oceanic environmental conditions onto shellfish-encrusted surfaces attached to elastic ropes may be appropriately quantified. This study data gathered large-scale data sets in a wave tank facility, which are used to validate a novel, numerical model, building on the dynamics of rope structures which allows for the determination of the hydrodynamic loads transferred to the dropper lines. The forces and hydrodynamic parameters are measured and numerically analyzed. Based on the results, drag and inertia coefficients are determined. A drag coefficient of $$C_\textrm{D} = 1.1$$

C
D

=
1.1

and an inertia coefficient of $$C_\textrm{M} = 1.7$$

C
M

=
1.7

are recommended to model shellfish-encrusted dropper lines exposed to oscillatory flows with KC $$=$$
=
 40–90. The numerical model for the determination of wave-induced forces on mussel dropper lines is developed and validated using the experimental data. It employs a modified Morison equation, which takes into account the displacement of the mussel dropper line. The influence of varying aquaculture-related parameters is discussed by applying the numerical model. Based on the gathered insights, recommendations can be given from an engineering point of view concerning the optimal placement of mussel aquaculture within the water column.
Linking Individuals to Areas: Protecting Confidentiality While Preserving Research Utility
Authors: Norman Paul , Colbert Jessie , Exeter Daniel J.
Published: November 2023

Modern computational capabilities have brought about concerns about risks associated with the level of information disclosed in public datasets. A tension exists between making data available that protects the confidentiality of individuals while containing sufficiently detailed geographic information to underpin the utility of research. Our aim is to inform data collectors and suppliers about geographic choices for confidentiality protection and to balance this with reassurance to the research community that data will still be fit-for-purpose. We test this using simple logistic regression models, by investigating the interplay between two geographical entities (points for the observations and polygons for area attributes) at a variety of scales, using a synthetic population of 22,000 people. In an England and Wales setting, we do this for individuals located by postcodes and by postal sector and postal district centroids and link these to a variety of census geographies. We also ‘jitter’ postcode coordinates to test the effect of moving people away from their original location. We find a smoothing of relationships up the geographical hierarchy. However, if postal sector centroids are used to locate individuals, linkages to Lower/Medium Super Output Area scales and subsequent results are very similar to the more detailed unit postcodes. Postcode locations jittered by 500–750 m in any direction are likely to allow the same conclusions to be drawn as for the original locations. Within these geographic scenarios, there is likely to be a sufficient level of confidentiality protection while statistical relationships are very similar to those obtained using the most detailed geographic locators.
Leader Authenticity and Ethics: A Heideggerian Perspective
Authors: Villesèche Florence , Klitmøller Anders , Michaelsen Cathrine Bjørnholt
Published: November 2023

In the shadow of various business scandals and societal crises, scholars and practitioners have developed a growing interest in authentic leadership. This approach to leadership assumes that leaders may access and leverage their “true selves” and “core values” and that the combination of these two elements forms the basis from which they act resolutely, lead ethically, and benefit others. Drawing on Heidegger’s work, we argue that a concern for authenticity can indeed instigate a leadership ethic, albeit one that acknowledges the unfounded openness of existence and its inherent relationality. On this basis, we propose an ethics-as-practice approach in which leaders respond to the situation at hand by being “attuned to attunement,” which cultivates an openness to otherness and a responsibility to others.
Psychological Reactance to Leader Moral Hypocrisy
Authors: Rees McKenzie R. , Smith Isaac H. , Soderberg Andrew T.
Published: November 2023

Drawing on early work on ethical leadership, we argue that when leaders engage in leader moral hypocrisy (i.e., ethical promotion without ethical demonstration), followers can experience psychological reactance—a negative response to a perceived restriction of freedom—which can have negative downstream consequences. In a survey of employee–manager dyads (study 1), we demonstrate that leader moral hypocrisy is positively associated with follower psychological reactance, which increases follower deviance. In two subsequent laboratory experiments, we find similar patterns of results (study 2) and explore potential alternative mechanisms (study 3). We demonstrate in a final experiment with working adults that the relationship between leader moral hypocrisy and psychological reactance is partly explained by increased perceptions of a leader’s use of power (study 4). We discuss the implications of our findings and advocate for further understanding of the risks associated with psychological reactance in response to leaders and other workplace situations.
Interactions of a collapsing laser-induced cavitation bubble with a hemispherical droplet attached to a rigid boundary
Authors: Ren Zibo , Han Huan , Zeng Hao , Sun Chao , Tagawa Yoshiyuki , Zuo Zhigang , Liu Shuhong
Published: November 2023

We investigate experimentally and theoretically the interactions between a cavitation bubble and a hemispherical pendant oil droplet immersed in water. In experiments, the cavitation bubble is generated by a focused laser pulse right below the pendant droplet with well-controlled bubble–wall distances and bubble–droplet size ratios. By high-speed imaging, four typical interactions are observed, namely: oil droplet rupture; water droplet entrapment; oil droplet large deformation; and oil droplet mild deformation. The bubble jetting at the end of collapse and the migration of the bubble centroid are particularly different in each bubble–droplet interaction. We propose theoretical models based on the method of images for calculating the Kelvin impulse and the anisotropy parameter which quantitatively reflects the migration of the bubble centroid at the end of the collapse. Finally, we explain that a combination of the Weber number and the anisotropy parameter determines the regimes of the bubble–droplet interactions.
Fluttering-induced flow in a closed chamber
Authors: Goncharuk Kirill , Feldman Yuri , Oshri Oz
Published: November 2023

We study the emergence of fluid flow in a closed chamber that is driven by dynamical deformations of an elastic sheet. The sheet is compressed between the sidewalls of the chamber and partitions it into two separate parts, each of which is initially filled with an inviscid fluid. When fluid exchange is allowed between the two compartments of the chamber, the sheet becomes unstable, and its motion displaces the fluid from rest. We derive an analytical model that accounts for the coupled, two-way, fluid–sheet interaction. We show that the system depends on four dimensionless parameters: the normalized excess length of the sheet compared with the lateral dimension of the chamber,

$\varDelta$

; the normalized vertical dimension of the chamber; the normalized initial volume difference between the two parts of the chamber,

$v_{du}(0)$

; and the structure-to-fluid mass ratio,

$\lambda$

. We investigate the dynamics at the early times of the system's evolution and then at moderate times. We obtain the growth rates and the frequency of vibrations around the second and the first buckling modes, respectively. Analytical solutions are derived for these linear stability characteristics within the limit of the small-amplitude approximation. At moderate times, we investigate how the sheet escapes from the second mode. Given the chamber's dimensions, we show that the initial energy of the sheet is mostly converted into hydrodynamic energy of the fluid if

$\lambda \ll 1$

and into kinetic energy of the sheet if

$\lambda \gg 1$

. In both cases, most of the initial potential energy is released at time

$t_{p}\simeq \ln [c \varDelta ^{1/2}/v_{du}(0)]/\sigma$

, where

$\sigma$

is the growth rate and

$c$

is a constant.
Coupled continuum modelling of size segregation driven by shear-strain-rate gradients and flow in dense, bidisperse granular media
Authors: Liu Daren , Singh Harkirat , Henann David L.
Published: November 2023

Dense granular systems that consist of particles of disparate sizes segregate based on size during flow, resulting in complex, coupled segregation and flow patterns. The ability to predict how granular mixtures segregate is important in the design of industrial processes and the understanding of geophysical phenomena. The two primary drivers of size segregation are pressure gradients and shear-strain-rate gradients. In this work, we isolate size segregation driven by shear-strain-rate gradients by studying two dense granular flow geometries with constant pressure fields: gravity-driven flow down a long vertical chute with rough parallel walls and annular shear flow with rough inner and outer walls. We perform discrete element method (DEM) simulations of dense flow of bidisperse granular systems in both flow geometries, while varying system parameters, such as the flow rate, flow configuration size, fraction of large/small grains and grain-size ratio, and use DEM data to inform continuum constitutive equations for the relative flux of large and small particles. When the resulting continuum model for the dynamics of size segregation is coupled with the non-local granular fluidity model – a non-local continuum model for dense granular flow rheology – we show that both flow fields and segregation dynamics may be simultaneously captured using this coupled, continuum system of equations.
On Finetuning Large Language Models
Authors: Wang Yu
Published: November 2023

A recent paper by Häffner et al. (2023, Political Analysis 31, 481–499) introduces an interpretable deep learning approach for domain-specific dictionary creation, where it is claimed that the dictionary-based approach outperforms finetuned language models in predictive accuracy while retaining interpretability. We show that the dictionary-based approach’s reported superiority over large language models, BERT specifically, is due to the fact that most of the parameters in the language models are excluded from finetuning. In this letter, we first discuss the architecture of BERT models, then explain the limitations of finetuning only the top classification layer, and lastly we report results where finetuned language models outperform the newly proposed dictionary-based approach by 27% in terms of
$R^2$
and 46% in terms of mean squared error once we allow these parameters to learn during finetuning. Researchers interested in large language models, text classification, and text regression should find our results useful. Our code and data are publicly available.
Early introduction of ultra-processed foods is associated with overweight and anaemia in socially vulnerable Brazilian children
Authors: Gomes Janayna Melo Ribeiro , Silva-Neto Luiz Gonzaga Ribeiro , dos Santos Thays Lane Ferreira , Bueno Nassib Bezerra , Florêncio Telma Maria de Menezes Toledo
Published: November 2023

This study aimed to evaluate the early introduction of ultra-processed foods (UPF) and identify its association with overweight and anaemia in Brazilian children living in a situation of social vulnerability. A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted in a Brazilian capital. Children aged 12-59 months were included. The presence of overweight and anaemia was evaluated, as well as the introduction of twelve different UPF in children’s first year of life. Association analysis was performed using Poisson regression, with robust estimates of variances. A total of 561 children were studied; 85·5 % had consumed at least one UPF evaluated in the first year of life; 19·1 % were overweight and 52·0 % were anaemic. Adjusted multivariate analyses identified that the early introduction of soft drinks (Prevalence Ratio (PR) = 1·18, 95 % CI (1·02, 1·38)), packaged snacks (PR = 1·17, 95 % CI (1·05, 1·30)) and powdered soft drinks (PR = 1·36, 95 % CI (1·16, 1·60)) increased the likelihood of children being overweight, and the early introduction of chocolate drink (PR = 1·25, 95 % CI (1·02, 1·53)) increased the likelihood of them being anaemic, when comparing children who consumed these UPF before reaching 1 year of age with those who consumed these foods at 12 months of age or older. From the results found, one can see the existing relationship between the early introduction of UPF with overweight and anaemia, being necessary to intensify public health policies to combat malnutrition, focusing on the promotion of proper and healthy eating, especially during the phase of food introduction, focusing on the population living in socially vulnerable situations.
Effectiveness of locally produced ready-to-use supplementary foods on the prevention of stunting in children aged 6–23 months: a community-based trial from Pakistan
Authors: Fazid Sheraz , Haq Zia Ul , Gillani Basharat Hussain , Khan Abdul Jalil , Khan Muhammad Naseem , Khan Aslam , Garzon Cecilia , Habib Ijaz , Tanimoune Mahamadou , Ihtesham Yasir , Heald Adrian H.
Published: November 2023

Undernutrition is a major public health problem in developing countries. Around 40·2 % of children are stunted in Pakistan. This longitudinal study aimed to assess the effectiveness of locally produced ready-to-use supplementary foods in the prevention of stunting by detecting change in of children in intervention v. control arm against the 2006 WHO growth reference. A community-based non-randomised cluster-controlled trial was conducted from January 2018 to December 2020 in the district of Kurram, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. A total of 80 clusters (each cluster comprising ≈ 250–300 households) were defined in the catchment population of twelve health facilities. Children aged 6–18 months were recruited n 1680. The intervention included a daily ration of 50 g – locally produced ready-to-use-supplementary food (Wawa-Mum). The main outcome of this study was a change in length for age z-score (LAZ) v. WHO growth standards. Comparison between the interventions was by t test and ANOVA. Cox proportional hazard models were used to assess the association between stunting occurrence and the utilisation of locally produced supplement. Out of the total 1680, fifty-one out of the total 1680, 51·1 out of the total 1680 and 51·1 % (n 859) were male. Mean age 13·9 months (sd + 859) were male. Mean age 13·9 months (sd + –4·4). At baseline, 36·9 % (n 618) were stunted. In the intervention group, mean LAZ score significantly increased from −1·13(2·2 sd) at baseline to −0·93(1·8 sd) at 6-month follow-up (P value 0·01) compared with the control group. The incidence rate of stunting in the intervention arm was 1·3 v. 3·4 per person year in the control arm. The control group had a significantly increased likelihood of stunting (Hazard Ratio (HR) 1·7, 95 % CI 1·46, 2·05, P value < 0·001) v. the intervention group. Locally produced ready-to-use supplementary food is an effective intervention for reducing stunting in children below 2 years of age. This can be provided as part of a malnutrition prevention package to overcome the alarming rates of stunting in Pakistan.
Eating time variation from weekdays to weekends and its association with dietary intake and BMI in different chronotypes: findings from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2017–2018
Authors: Teixeira Gabriela Pereira , da Cunha Nayara Bernardes , Azeredo Catarina Machado , Rinaldi Ana Elisa Madalena , Crispim Cibele Aparecida
Published: November 2023

Evidence suggests that differences in meal timing between weekends and weekdays can disrupt the body’s circadian rhythm, leading to a higher BMI. We aimed to investigate the associations between mealtime variation from weekdays to weekends (eating midpoint jetlag), dietary intake and anthropometric parameters, based on individuals’ chronotype. The study utilised data from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2017–2018. Food consumption was estimated by weighted average of participants’ food intake on weekdays and weekends. Eating midpoint jetlag, defined as the difference between the midpoint of the first and last mealtimes on weekends and weekdays, was calculated. Chronotype was assessed by participants’ mid-sleep time on weekends, adjusted for sleep debt. Linear regression analysis was conducted to investigate the associations between variables. The sample was categorised into chronotype tertiles. Among individuals in the third chronotype tertile, there was a positive association between eating midpoint jetlag and BMI (β = 1·2; 95 % CI (1·13, 1·27)). Individuals in the first tertile showed a positive association between eating midpoint jetlag and energy (β = 96·9; 95 % CI (92·9, 101·7)), carbohydrate (β = 11·96; 95 % CI (11·2, 12·6)), fat (β = 3·69; 95 % CI (3·4, 3·8)), cholesterol (β = 32·75; 95 % CI (30·9, 34·6)) and sugar (β = 8·84; 95 % CI (8·3, 9·3)) intake on weekends. Among individuals with an evening tendency, delaying meals on weekends appears to be linked to a higher BMI. Conversely, among individuals with a morning tendency, eating meals later on weekends is associated with higher energetic intake on weekends.
Evaluation of cold storage techniques to improve mass rearing of Cleruchoides noackae from Thaumastocoris peregrinus eggs
Authors: Rodrigues Angelo Peruffo , Tavares Wagner de Souza , Zanuncio José Cola , Wilcken Carlos Frederico , Foerster Luis Amilton , Barbosa Leonardo Rodrigues
Published: November 2023

The egg parasitoid Cleruchoides noackae Lin & Huber, 2007 (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae) is originated from Australia and the main biological control agent of Thaumastocoris peregrinus Carpenter & Dellapé, 2006 (Hemiptera: Thaumastocoridae) on Eucalyptus L'Hér (Myrtaceae). Companies that grow Eucalyptus are in need of a mass rearing protocol to increase the number of individuals produced and improve the quality of this parasitoid. The aim of this study was to define a protocol for mass rearing C. noackae in T. peregrinus eggs, based in the evaluations of the key biological attributes of this parasitoid in the parental and F1 generations, after the cold storage of the parasitised host eggs. Two methods were tested as C. noackae rearing protocols. In the first, parasitised eggs of T. peregrinus by C. noackae were cold stored for 7 days after being left in a climatic chamber at 24 ± 2°C, 60 ± 10% RH and a photoperiod of 12:12 (light:dark) h (standard environmental conditions) for 3, 6, 9 or 12 days. In the second, T. peregrinus eggs parasitised by C. noackae were maintained in a climatic chamber under standard environmental conditions for 6 days, after which these eggs were cold-stored for 0 (control), 7, 14 or 21 days. Parasitism (%), and the development period (parasitism to adult) and female proportion (%) of C. noackae were evaluated. Based on the results (parental generation: parasitism, around 45%; F1 generation: parasitism, around 55%; development period, around 16 days; female proportion, around 60%), eggs should be stored at 5°C on the sixth day after parasitism by C. noackae and maintained at this temperature for 7 days. The cold storage of T. peregrinus eggs, after parasitism, can be included in the mass rearing protocols of the parasitoid C. noackae.
ARCHIMEDES AT SYRACUSE: TWO NEW WITNESSES TO CASSIUS DIO'S ROMAN HISTORY 15 (TZETZES’ CARMINA ILIACA AND HYPOMNEMA IN S. LVCIAM)
Authors: Rance Philip
Published: November 2023

Cassius Dio's fragmentary Roman History 15 contains an account of Archimedes’ role in defending Syracuse during the Roman siege of 213–212 b.c., incorporating a legendary tale about a solar reflector Archimedes constructed to burn Roman warships, and including details of his death when the city fell. The textual basis of this famous episode depends on two derivative twelfth-century works: Zonaras’ Epitome of Histories (9.4–5) and Tzetzes’ Chiliades (2.35). After clarifying the present state of enquiry, this paper introduces two new witnesses, overlooked by editors of Dio and extensive scholarship on Archimedes, and assesses their value for reconstructing Dio's text. Comparative analysis of corresponding Dio-derived material in Tzetzes’ Carmina Iliaca and Hypomnema in S. Luciam, especially verbal correspondences with Zonaras’ Epitome, demonstrates that they are independent and, sometimes, superior witnesses to Dio's wording and content, reflecting Tzetzes’ selective use of the Roman History in different verse and prose compositions over several decades. The study considers editorial implications for this section of Dio's work and general characteristics of Tzetzes’ writings as repositories of testimonia and fragments.
Non-canonical questions at the syntax–prosody interface
Authors: CELLE AGNÈS , PÉLISSIER MAUD
Published: November 2023

This special issue is dedicated to the syntax-prosody interface in non-canonical questions and originated in the international workshop Non-Canonical Questions at the Syntax-Prosody Interface, organised at the Université Paris Cité and held online in November 2020. Recent research has demonstrated that the phonology-syntax relation cannot solely account for prosodic structure, prosody being closely intertwined with discourse organisation, information structure and focus structure (Gussenhoven 1983, Féry 2001). Questions are a case in point, as they crucially call on the addressee before a proposition may be added to the common ground.
The first validated record of Epinephelus areolatus (Forsskål, 1775) (Perciformes: Serranidae) from Syrian marine waters
Authors: Hassan Mohamad , Alchikh Ahmad Alaa
Published: November 2023

Here, we report the first validated record of the non-indigenous grouper species Epinephelus areolatus (Perciformes: Serranidae) along the Mediterranean coast of Syria. A single specimen of E. areolatus (Forsskål, 1775), was found on 29 September 2021 during a recurrent ichthyological survey, in a rocky habitat from the Mediterranean coast of Syria. This represents the first confirmed record of this species, native to the Red Sea, for the Syrian waters and the fourth for the Mediterranean Sea. The present record fills the gap with species distribution along the eastern Mediterranean and provides further evidence that the environmental alterations due to the combination of human activities and climate change render the Mediterranean waters increasingly likely to accommodate tropical species, possibly at the expense of the native ones.
Antimony resistance and gene expression inLeishmania: spotlight on molecular and proteomic aspects
Authors: Madusanka Rajamanthrilage Kasun , Karunaweera Nadira D. , Silva Hermali , Selvapandiyan Angamuthu
Published: November 2023

Leishmaniasis is a vector-borne parasitic disease caused byLeishmaniaparasites with a spectrum of clinical manifestations, ranging from skin lesions to severe visceral complications. Treatment of this infection has been extremely challenging with the concurrent emergence of drug resistance. The differential gene expression and the discrepancies in protein functions contribute to the appearance of 2 distinct phenotypes: resistant and sensitive, but the current diagnostic tools fail to differentiate between them. The identification of gene expression patterns and molecular mechanisms coupled with antimony (Sb) resistance can be leveraged to prompt diagnosis and select the most effective treatment methods. The present study attempts to use comparative expression of Sb resistance-associated genes in resistant and sensitiveLeishmania, to disclose their relative abundance in clinical orin vitroselected isolates to gain an understanding of the molecular mechanisms of Sb response/resistance. Data suggest that the analysis of resistance gene expression would verify the Sb resistance or susceptibility only to a certain extent; however, none of the individual expression patterns of the studied genes was diagnostic as a biomarker of Sb response ofLeishmania. The findings highlighted will be useful in bridging the knowledge gap and discovering innovative diagnostic tools and novel therapeutic targets.
“There Is a Corpse in the Room”: On Political Guilt and Reparation of the Past
Authors: Gatta Giunia
Published: November 2023

Political theory scholarship tends to resist guilt, and especially collective guilt, as a framework for thinking about wrongs committed in the past or still enduring. The voices and experiences of those wronged, however, often imply that they are attributing guilt, and they are attributing it to a collectivity. I follow their lead and think through the potential of political guilt in motivating reparation and redress. Drawing on insights that Karl Jaspers fails to fully develop, I appropriate his notion of political guilt as situation, and read it as something that is contested among victims, perpetrators, and bystanders. Through contestation political guilt creates political spaces for reckoning with the past, and can be instrumental in making space for marginalized voices. I apply my framework to race relations in the contemporary United States, but guilt could be a catalyst to rethink postcolonial relations as well.
A
$dd^c$
-TYPE CONDITION BEYOND THE KÄHLER REALM
Authors: Stelzig Jonas , Wilson Scott O.
Published: November 2023

This paper introduces a generalization of the
$dd^c$
-condition for complex manifolds. Like the
$dd^c$
-condition, it admits a diverse collection of characterizations, and is hereditary under various geometric constructions. Most notably, it is an open property with respect to small deformations. The condition is satisfied by a wide range of complex manifolds, including all compact complex surfaces, and all compact Vaisman manifolds. We show there are computable invariants of a real homotopy type which in many cases prohibit it from containing any complex manifold satisfying such
$dd^c$
-type conditions in low degrees. This gives rise to numerous examples of almost complex manifolds which cannot be homotopy equivalent to any of these complex manifolds.
The potential for using wood mulch for agricultural production
Authors: Richardson Matthew L. , Arlotta Caitlin G. , Lopez Francis B.
Published: November 2023

Making woody mulch (WM) from organic waste is one solution for repurposing waste. Our work had two primary objectives. First, we wanted to destermine the current use of WM as a soil cover, barriers to use, benefits, and possible motivations for adopting the use of WM by home and commercial growers for cultivating crops in Barbados and the Baltimore-Washington, DC metropolitan region in the USA. To accomplish this objective, we administered a survey to growers in both regions. Second, we wanted to determine the benefits of using WM in agricultural production for sweet potatoes (both regions) and Hungarian hot wax peppers (USA). We measured whether WM influenced crop survival, crop yield, crop nutrients, weed mass, and soil characteristics in replicated plots covered with a layer of WM or left bare. Growers reported that expense, availability, and ease of application were barriers to using WM. Despite the barriers, many growers were using, or had previously used, WM and reported myriad benefits, including improving plant yield and/or nutrients, preventing weed growth, maintaining soil moisture and reducing irrigation needs, improving soil fertility, reducing soil erosion, reducing compaction from heavy rain, and maintaining soil temperature. Our data from replicated field trials verified some of the potential benefits reported by growers. WM in some cases promoted higher crop survival and yield of sweet potatoes, suppressed weeds, conserved soil moisture, and maintained higher soil temperature. Understanding which crops benefit from WM and the longer-term effects of WM on crops and soil are deserving of future study.
Persistent Model Biases in the Spatial Variability of Winter North Atlantic Atmospheric Circulation
Authors: Tao Qin , Sjolte Jesper , Muscheler Raimund
Published: November 2023

The three leading modes of the North Atlantic atmospheric circulation explain about 70% of the winter climate variability. Although climate models generally can capture these modes, biases may induce large uncertainties in regional climate predictions. Here, we evaluate the leading winter modes simulated by CMIP5‐PMIP3 and CMIP6‐PMIP4 models from the last millennium to future scenarios in comparison with historical reanalysis and paleo‐reconstructions. The models generally have a good representation of the average spatial pattern of the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) while showing a larger spread in performance for the East Atlantic and Scandinavian patterns. In contrast to historical reanalysis, the simulated NAO pattern tends to be rather stationary under various climate states over the years 861–2100. Such underestimated spatial variability in the simulated NAO is directly related to the biased spatial shifts in NAO‐related regional temperature and precipitation changes, inducing uncertainties in climate projections over the North Atlantic sector.
A New Lithospheric Density and Magnetic Susceptibility Model of Iran, Starting From High‐Resolution Seismic Tomography
Authors: Maurizio G. , Braitenberg C. , Sampietro D. , Capponi M.
Published: November 2023

We propose a new model for the crust and upper mantle in Iran by joint inversion of gravity and magnetic fields, constrained with a seismic tomography model. We then calculate shear modulus from the Vs velocities and densities. The crust and mantle tomography model is first converted to a density cube through empirical and petrological velocity‐density relations. The starting susceptibility is assigned to a two‐layer homogeneous model, above a heat flow‐derived Curie depth. Considering the uncertainties in the density‐velocity relations, and the starting layered susceptibility variation, we refine the model by a constrained inversion of the gravity and magnetic fields with a Bayesian approach, producing the final 3D density and susceptibility model. The area is tectonically active with high seismicity and active faulting which are regulated by the crustal density and rigidity variations. Higher rigidity matches lower seismicity and extended deserts and basins, suggesting the control of their development. The Neo‐Tethys suture, extending ∼1,500 km long, as well as the Paleo‐Tethys suture match crustal scale density variations, defining characteristics of the lighter Arabian plate and denser Eurasian crust. The South Caspian Basin is enigmatic, due to focusing on the seismicity along all its borders, but with relatively low average rigidity, which is contrary to what is observed for Iran, where the reduced rigidity correlates with higher seismicity. The 3D density model will be useful for numerical geodynamic models and obtaining geologic inferences from the crustal‐scale units.
USP19 deubiquitinase inactivation regulates α-synuclein ubiquitination and inhibits accumulation of Lewy body-like aggregates in mice
Authors: Schorova Lenka , Bedard Nathalie , Khayachi Anouar , Ho Hung-Hsiang , Bolivar-Pedroso Joao , Huynh Julie , Piccirelli Mikaela , Wang Yifei , Plourde Marie , Luo Wen , del Cid-Pellitero Esther , Shlaifer Irina , Castellanos-Montiel María José , Yu Ziqi , Valenzuela Dulce Valeria Carrillo , Lacalle-Aurioles María , Kriz Anita , Ye Yihong , Durcan Thomas M. , Wing Simon S.
Published: November 2023

The USP19 deubiquitinase is found in a locus associated with Parkinson’s Disease (PD), interacts with chaperonins, and promotes secretion of α-synuclein (α-syn) through the misfolding-associated protein secretion (MAPS) pathway. Since these processes might modulate the processing of α-syn aggregates in PD, we inactivated USP19 (KO) in mice expressing the A53T mutation of α-syn and in whom α-syn preformed fibrils (PFF) had been injected in the striatum. Compared to WT, KO brains showed decreased accumulation of phospho-synuclein (pSyn) positive aggregates. This improvement was associated with less activation of microglia and improved performance in a tail-suspension test. Exposure of primary neurons from WT and KO mice to PFF in vitro also led to decreased accumulation of pSyn aggregates. KO did not affect uptake of PFF nor propagation of aggregates in the cultured neurons. We conclude that USP19 instead modulates intracellular dynamics of aggregates. At an early time following PFF injection when the number of pSyn-positive neurons were similar in WT and KO brains, the KO neurons contained less aggregates. KO brain aggregates stained more intensely with anti-ubiquitin antibodies. Immunoprecipitation of soluble proteins from WT and KO brains with antibodies to pSyn showed higher levels of ubiquitinated oligomeric species in the KO samples. We propose that the improved pathology in USP19 KO brains may arise from decreased formation or enhanced clearance of the more ubiquitinated aggregates and/or enhanced disassembly towards more soluble oligomeric species. USP19 inhibition may represent a novel therapeutic approach that targets the intracellular dynamics of α-syn complexes.
A proteomic meta-analysis refinement of plasma extracellular vesicles
Authors: Vallejo Milene C. , Sarkar Soumyadeep , Elliott Emily C. , Henry Hayden R. , Powell Samantha M. , Diaz Ludovico Ivo , You Youngki , Huang Fei , Payne Samuel H. , Ramanadham Sasanka , Sims Emily K. , Metz Thomas O. , Mirmira Raghavendra G. , Nakayasu Ernesto S.
Published: November 2023

Extracellular vesicles play major roles in cell-to-cell communication and are excellent biomarker candidates. However, studying plasma extracellular vesicles is challenging due to contaminants. Here, we performed a proteomics meta-analysis of public data to refine the plasma EV composition by separating EV proteins and contaminants into different clusters. We obtained two clusters with a total of 1717 proteins that were depleted of known contaminants and enriched in EV markers with independently validated 71% true-positive. These clusters had 133 clusters of differentiation (CD) antigens and were enriched with proteins from cell-to-cell communication and signaling. We compared our data with the proteins deposited in PeptideAtlas, making our refined EV protein list a resource for mechanistic and biomarker studies. As a use case example for this resource, we validated the type 1 diabetes biomarker proplatelet basic protein in EVs and showed that it regulates apoptosis of β cells and macrophages, two key players in the disease development. Our approach provides a refinement of the EV composition and a resource for the scientific community.
Disentangling Jenny’s equation by machine learning
Authors: Prieto-Castrillo F. , Rodríguez-Rastrero M. , Yunta F. , Borondo F. , Borondo J.
Published: November 2023

The so-called soil-landscape model is the central paradigm which relates soil types to their forming factors through the visionary Jenny’s equation. This is a formal mathematical expression that would permit to infer which soil should be found in a specific geographical location if the involved relationship was sufficiently known. Unfortunately, Jenny’s is only a conceptual expression, where the intervening variables are of qualitative nature, not being then possible to work it out with standard mathematical tools. In this work, we take a first step to unlock this expression, showing how Machine Learning can be used to predictably relate soil types and environmental factors. Our method outperforms other conventional statistical analyses that can be carried out on the same forming factors defined by measurable environmental variables.
Genomic and transcriptomic characterization of pre-operative chemotherapy response in patients with osteosarcoma
Authors: Yang Yongkun , Huang Zhen , Yuan Mingming , Rui Jinqiu , Chen Rongrong , Jin Tao , Sun Yang , Deng Zhiping , Shan Huachao , Niu Xiaohui , Liu Weifeng
Published: November 2023

Osteosarcoma is a heterogeneous disease with regard to its chemotherapy response and clinical outcomes. This study aims to investigate the genomic and transcriptomic characteristics related to pre-operative chemotherapy response. Samples from 25 osteosarcoma patients were collected to perform both whole exome and transcriptome sequencing. Osteosarcoma had significant amount of chromosomal copy number variants (CNVs). Chemotherapy responders showed the higher chromosomal CNV burden than non-responders (p = 0.0775), but the difference was not significant. The percentage of COSMIC signature 3, associated with homologous recombination repair deficiency, was higher in responders (56%) than in non-responders (45%). Transcriptomic analysis suggested that 11 genes were significantly up-regulated in responders and 18 genes were up-regulated in non-responders. Both GSEA and KEGG enrichment analysis indicted that four pathways related to cardiomyopathy were up-regulated in responders, while neuroactive ligand − receptor interaction was up-regulated in non-responders. Finally, a previously published chemoresistant model was validated using our dataset, with the area under the curve of 0.796 (95% CI, 0.583–1.000). Osteosarcoma had the heterogeneous mutational profile with frequent occurrence of CNVs. Transcriptomic analysis identified several signaling pathways associated with chemotherapy responsiveness to osteosarcoma. Transcriptomic signatures provides a potential research direction for predicting the chemotherapy response.
Saccharomyces cerevisiae additions normalized hemocyte differential genes expression and regulated crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) oxidative damage under cadmium stress
Authors: Yang Yaru , Li Shuaidong , Zhu Yumin , Che Litao , Wu Qifan , Bai Shijun , Shu Guocheng , Zhao Xianming , Guo Peng , Soaud Salma A. , Li Nianzhen , Deng Mengling , Li Jia , El-Sappah Ahmed H.
Published: November 2023

Because China produces the most crayfish in the world, safe solutions must be improved to mitigate the risks of ongoing heavy metal stressors accumulation. This study aimed to use Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a bioremediation agent to counteract the harmful effect of cadmium (Cd) on crayfish (Procambarus clarkia). Our study used three concentrations of S. cerevisiae on crayfish feed to assess their Cd toxicity remediation effect by measuring total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and the biomarkers related to oxidative stress like malondialdehyde (MDA), protein carbonyl derivates (PCO), and DNA–protein crosslink (DPC). A graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy device was used to determine Cd contents in crayfish. Furthermore, the mRNA expression levels of lysozyme (LSZ), metallothionein (MT), and prophenoloxidase (proPO) were evaluated before and following the addition of S. cerevisiae. The results indicated that S. cerevisae at 5% supplemented in fundamental feed exhibited the best removal effect, and Cd removal rates at days 4th, 8th, 12th, and 21st were 12, 19, 29.7, and 66.45%, respectively, which were significantly higher than the basal diet of crayfish. The addition of S. cerevisiae increased TAC levels. On the other hand, it decreased MDA, PCO, and DPC, which had risen due to Cd exposure. Furthermore, it increased the expression of proPO, which was reduced by Cd exposure, and decreased the expression of LSZ and MT, acting in the opposite direction of Cd exposure alone. These findings demonstrated that feeding S. cerevisiae effectively reduces the Cd from crayfish and could be used to develop Cd-free crayfish-based foods.
Cryopreservation of rat embryos at all developmental stages by small-volume vitrification procedure and rapid warming in cryotubes
Authors: Seki Shinsuke , Kawabe Toshiaki , Yamazaki Wataru , Matsumura Kazuaki , Oikawa Takanori , Obata Takahiro , Higashiya Misako , Yano Megumi , Eto Tomoo
Published: November 2023

Intracellular ice formation during cryopreservation is lethal to the cell, including during warming. Here, we examined the effect of sample volume and warming rate on the cryopreservation success of 1-cell rat embryos based on successful development into blastocysts in vitro and to term in vivo following embryo transfer. Embryos were equilibrated in 5% propylene glycol solution for 10 min, held for 40 s at 0 °C in cryopreservation solution (5%PG + PEPeS), and cooled by immersion in liquid nitrogen. When 1-cell embryos were cryopreserved in a volume of 30–100 μL at a cooling rate of 5830–7160 °C/min and warmed at 35,480–49,400 °C/min by adding 1 mL of 0.3 M sucrose solution at 50 °C, 17.3–28.8% developed into blastocysts, compared with 57.0% of untreated embryos. However, when 1-cell embryos were cryopreserved in a smaller volume of 15 μl at 7950 °C/min and warmed at 68,850 °C/min, 58.8 ± 10.6% developed into blastocysts and 50.0 ± 7.4% developed to term, comparable to that of non-treated embryos (57.0 ± 5.4% and 51.4 ± 3.1%, respectively). Cryopreserved embryos at other developmental stages also showed high in vitro culture potential similar to that of the control. Using a conventional cryotube and a small-volume vitrification procedure with rapid warming, we achieved high levels of subsequent rat embryonic development at all developmental stages.