bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Linking Periodontitis to Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes: a Comprehensive Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Castaño-Suárez Laura , Paternina-Mejía Geydi Yuliza , Vásquez‑Olmos Laura Daniela , Rodríguez-Medina Carolina , Botero Javier Enrique
Published: March 2024

Purpose of Review

Numerous investigations have explored the potential link between periodontitis and low birth weight (LBW) as well as preterm birth (PTB). However, the evidence remains inconclusive. Bacteria, their by-products, and proinflammatory cytokines originating from periodontal tissues can reach the placenta, inducing inflammatory changes that may contribute to pregnancy complications.

Recent Findings

A total of 35 studies involving 2,510,556 women were analyzed. The quality of the studies varied, but the meta-analysis consistently showed a moderate association between periodontitis and low birth weight. The observed association between periodontitis and low birth weight was moderate (OR 2.48; 95% CI 1.72–3.59), and it became even stronger when analyzing case–control studies independently (OR 3.94; 95% CI 1.95–7.96). On the other hand, the association between periodontitis and preterm birth was weak (OR 1.87; 95% CI 1.57–2.22) with highly significant heterogeneity. However, the presence of high heterogeneity and publication bias in the studies casts some limitations on the confidence in the results.

The available evidence, albeit of low quality, supports a moderate association between periodontitis and low birth weight, as well as a weak association with preterm delivery. Nonetheless, these findings must be interpreted cautiously, given the limited confidence in the effect estimates due to potential biases and heterogeneity in the studies.
Resilience improvement through a multicomponent physical and cognitive intervention for older people: the DanzArTe emotional well-being technology project
Authors: Barbagelata Marina , Morganti Wanda , Seminerio Emanuele , Camurri Antonio , Ghisio Simone , Loro Mara , Puleo Gianluca , Dijk Babette , Nolasco Ilaria , Costantini Claudio , Cera Andrea , Senesi Barbara , Ferrari Nicola , Canepa Corrado , Custodero Carlo , Pilotto Alberto
Published: March 2024

Background

Resilience is a crucial component of successful aging. However, which interventions might increase resilience in older adults is yet unclear.

Aims

This study aims to assess the feasibility and the physical and psychological effects of a technology-based multicomponent dance movement intervention that includes physical, cognitive, and sensory activation in older people living in community-dwelling and nursing home.

Methods

DanzArTe program consists of four sessions on a weekly basis, using a technological platform that integrates visual and auditory contents in real time. 122 participants (mean age = 76.3 ± 8.8 years, 91 females = 74.6%) from seven nursing homes and community-dwelling subjects were assessed, before and after the intervention, with the Resilience Scale-14 items (RES-14), the Multidimensional Prognostic Index (MPI), the Psychological General Well-Being Index (PGWBI-S), and the Client Satisfaction Questionnaire-8 (CSQ-8). Mann–Whitney and Wilcoxon signed-ranks tests were used for statistical analyses.

Results

At baseline significant differences in MPI and RES-14 between community-dwelling and nursing home residents were observed (p < 0.001 for both analyses). After the intervention, resilience significantly increased in total sample (RES-14 mean T1 = 74.6 Vs. T2 = 75.7) and in the nursing home residents (RES-14 mean T1 = 68.1 Vs. T2 = 71.8). All participants showed high overall satisfaction for DanzArTe program (CSQ-8 mean = 23.9 ± 4.4). No differences in MPI and PGWBI-S were observed.

Discussion

DanzArTe was a feasible intervention and high appreciated by all older adults. Nursing home residents revealed improvements in resilience after DanzArTe program.

Conclusion

The DanzArTe technology-based multi-component intervention may improve resilience in older people living in nursing homes.
Fish Acanthocephalans as Potential Human Pathogens
Authors: Buchmann Kurt , Karami A. M.
Published: March 2024

Purpose of Review

Acanthocephalans attach to the gastro-intestinal mucosa of the host (mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish) by use of a proboscis equipped with a series of hooks. Teleosts serve as definitive hosts to some acanthocephalans, which can affect the nutritive status of the fish, due to absorption of nutrients in the gut, but they are not infective to humans. Other acanthocephalans, residing as larvae/juveniles in other compartments of the fish, apply mammals (whales, seals) as definitive hosts. They are as shown in this review potentially zoonotic, as consumption of live larvae in infected fish may lead to human infection associated with severe abdominal symptoms.

Recent Findings

Acanthocephalans, belonging to the genera Bolbosoma and Corynosoma, occur in their larval/juvenile stage in various body compartments of fish (paratenic hosts). They use marine mammals (cetaceans and pinnipeds) as definitive hosts, in which the adult parasite attaches to the gastro-intestinal mucosa. Eggs from the female acanthocephalan leave the host with faeces, and in the marine environment, they are ingested by small crustaceans (amphipods, isopods, copepods, krill), serving as intermediate hosts. When fish ingest the infected crustacean, the larva will infect the fish (then serving as paratenic host) awaiting predation by a marine mammal. Human consumption of raw or semi-raw fish dishes may lead to infection, development of symptoms, hospitalization and in some cases surgery.

Increases of marine mammal populations (seals and whales) in marine waters with exploitable fish stocks may increase the general infection pressure and thereby increase occurrence (prevalence and intensity) of the larval stages in fish. This may increase the risk of human infection. Preventive measures (prior freezing or heat treatment) are recommended before consumption of fishery products.
Eigenvalue Regularity Criteria of the Three-Dimensional Micropolar Fluid Equations
Authors: Ragusa Maria Alessandra , Wu Fan
Published: March 2024

In this paper, we consider several improved regularity criteria to the 3D micropolar fluid equations. In particular, we prove regularity criteria that only require control of the middle eigenvalue of strain tensor in critical Besov spaces, which can be regarded as improvement and extension of results very recently obtained.
Mine seismic source location via forward modeling of spherical waves in a multilayered horizontal or inclined medium
Authors: Wang Shuai , Hu Zhaoxin , Lu Sha-sha
Published: March 2024

Seismic source location is a classic inverse problem in seismology. In mathematical physics, inverse problems have multiple natural solutions. The objective of this study was to develop a generic theory and method of seeking the true solution from multiple solutions for the location of a coal mine seismic source in an idealized velocity structure model of a coal mine with a small scale and complex geological environment. Starting from the simplest velocity structure model, the complexity of the model gradually increased, until it approached the real velocity structure model, i.e., the multilayered horizontal and inclined velocity structure model, in order to find a generic method for solving the multi-solution inverse problem of coal mine seismic source location. Specifically, the wavefront distribution equation in a two-layer horizontal medium was derived and then expanded to any multi-layer horizontal medium. Based on this equation, a positive definite nonlinear equation system was established from the perspective of any observation system. The equation system contained four unknown variables of the spatiotemporal position of the seismic source. To determine the spatiotemporal parameters of the seismic source, nonlinear equations for four stations were required. To solve the nonlinear equation system, an initial iteration value was determined. In order to reduce the difficulty of determining the initial iteration value, the variable substitution method was used to reduce the number of location parameters. By rotating the original geodetic coordinate system of the station to be parallel and orthogonal to the medium interface, the wavefront method was extended to inclined medium. In conclusion, in this study, the problem of coal mine seismic source location in a multi-layer horizontal or inclined medium was effectively solved. The method proposed in this study provides a reference for solving the true solution from multiple solutions for the location of a coal mine seismic source in small-scale coal mines with complex geological environments.
Mechanisms and experimental study of directional thermal shock fracture of granite under bidirectional horizontal loading
Authors: Zhang Chao , Feng Zijun , Mi Chen , Chen Zhengnan , Geng Haojian , Shen Chenguang
Published: March 2024

The study of the mechanism of thermal shock directional fracture of rocks under bidirectional horizontal stress is important for the application of directional thermal shock fracture technology. With the engineering background of the thick igneous roof overlying the coal seam, we conducted high temperature thermal shock directional fracture tests on granite under different horizontal loads to investigate the fracture mechanism. The results show that during the directional thermal shock of granite, the heating rate of borehole surrounding rock experienced three stages of rapid increase, rapid decrease and slowly decrease. AE tests were used to characterize the typical features of rocks during thermal shock fracture: the appearance of macrocracks in the specimen was accompanied by sharp increases in the cumulative AE count and the sudden drops in b-value. The experimental results show that thermal shock can create macroscopic directional fractures within the rock. Within a certain range of horizontal stress difference, the expansion direction of thermal shock cracks could be released locally from geological stress control, i.e. expanding along the direction of the minimum horizontal dominant stress. This provides completely new thinking for the cutting of hard roof and the directional fracturing of rock. In addition, directional thermal shock caused modifications in the distribution of stress in borehole surrounding rocks. We have established a model for stress distribution around the borehole rock and given the calculation formula for the initiation stress of the rock. The studies provide significant theoretical guidance for the industrial application of directional thermal shock fracturing technology.
The maize ZmCPK39-ZmKnox2 module regulates plant height
Authors: Zhu Mang , Guo Chenyu , Zhang Xiaohui , Liu Yulin , Jiang Xiaohui , Chen Limei , Xu Mingliang
Published: March 2024

Plant height is an important agronomic trait that affects high-density tolerance and lodging resistance. However, the regulators and their underlying molecular mechanisms controlling plant height in maize remain understudied. Here, we report that knockout mutants of the calcium-dependent protein kinase gene ZmCPK39 (ZmCPK39-KO) exhibit dramatically reduced plant height, characterized by shorter internodes and a slight decrease in node numbers. Furthermore, we identified a ZmCPK39-interacting protein, the knotted-related homeobox (ZmKnox2), and observed that plant height was also significantly reduced in a mutator transposon-inserted mutant of ZmKnox2 (ZmKnox2-Mu). Combined analysis of transcriptomic and metabonomic data indicates that multiple phytohormone signaling and photosynthesis pathways are disrupted in both ZmCPK39-KO and ZmKnox2-Mu mutants. Taken together, these results provide new insights into the function of ZmCPK39 and identify potential targets for breeding lodging-resistant and high-density tolerant maize cultivars.
Human–machine collaboration using gesture recognition in mixed reality and robotic fabrication
Authors: Kyaw Alexander Htet , Spencer Lawson , Lok Leslie
Published: March 2024

This research presents an innovative approach that integrated gesture recognition into a Mixed Reality (MR) interface for human–machine collaboration in the quality control, fabrication, and assembly of the Unlog Tower. MR platforms enable users to interact with three-dimensional holographic instructions during the assembly and fabrication of highly custom and parametric architectural constructions without the necessity of two-dimensional drawings. Previous MR fabrication projects have primarily relied on digital menus and custom buttons within the interface for user interaction between virtual and physical environments. Despite this approach being widely adopted, it is limited in its ability to allow for direct human interaction with physical objects to modify fabrication instructions within the virtual environment. The research integrates user interactions with physical objects through real-time gesture recognition as input to modify, update, or generate new digital information. This integration facilitates reciprocal stimuli between the physical and virtual environments, wherein the digital environment is generative of the user’s tactile interaction with physical objects. Thereby providing user with direct, seamless feedback during the fabrication process. Through this method, the research has developed and presents three distinct Gesture-Based Mixed Reality (GBMR) workflows: object localization, object identification, and object calibration. These workflows utilize gesture recognition to enhance the interaction between virtual and physical environments, allowing for precise localization of objects, intuitive identification processes, and accurate calibrations. The results of these methods are demonstrated through a comprehensive case study: the construction of the Unlog Tower, a 36’ tall robotically fabricated timber structure.
Reductive soil disinfestation by mixing carbon nanotubes and mushroom residues to mitigate the continuous cropping obstacles for Lilium Brownii
Authors: Tu Ding‑Di , Song Rong , Yan Bei , Dai Jin-Feng , Fang Hua , Zheng Qian-Qi , Gu Yi , Shao Xiao-Lan , Chen Hong , Li Meng-Long , Liu Kai-Lin
Published: March 2024

Reductive soil disinfestation can effectively alleviate continuous cropping obstacles. The effects of mixing mushroom residues and carbon nanotubes on the structure and function of soil microbial communities and self-toxic substances in Lilium brownii var are still unclear. We evaluated the nature of different soil treatments on soil physicochemical properties, microbial community structural response, and the impact of self-toxic substances. Compared with the compound fertilizer treatment, both organic fertilizer and mushroom residues treatments improved soil pH to 7.06 and 6.57, respectively. Carbon nanotubes treatment increased the relative abundance of Acidobacteriota by approximately 3.96%, although it could not significantly affect the soil pH. The mushroom residues flooded cover film treatment increased the soil pH to 6.75, replenished soil elements, and increased the relative abundance of Verrucomicrobiota and Campylobacterota by 1.62% and 1.79%, respectively. Carbon nanotubes and mushroom residues flooded cover film treatment significantly increased the diversity of the bacterial community. The relative abundances of Acidobacteriota, Verrucomicrobiota, Actinobacteria, and Chloroflexi increased by 2.4%, 1.39%, 0.80%, and 0.53%, respectively. Additionally, the minimum number of self-toxic substances was detected through GC–MS analysis. The results of this study showed that mushroom residues flooded cover film treatment could directly improve the soil microbial community structure by changing the physicochemical properties of the soil, and mixed carbon nanotubes further adsorbed the self-toxic substances. The species composition of fungal communities in the soil had been altered in a way by the different treatments, but the fungal diversity didn't change significantly. This research provides a theoretical basis for revealing the mechanism of continuous cropping obstacles in lily and offering better guidance for sustainable development in lily.
A Course in English Language Teaching
Authors: Ur Penny
Published: March 2024

A Course in English Language Teaching Third edition covers the core principles of teaching English from both a theoretical and practical perspective. Each chapter includes an introductory overview of the topics covered, a discussion of underlying issues and controversies, with suggestions on how these may be resolved, and a range of practical features to help teachers reflect upon and apply the learning. The book takes into account the specific needs of learners of different ages, levels and backgrounds, supporting teachers to work in a wide range of contexts. The third edition has been extensively re-written to reflect research and thinking in the field, as well as technological developments. It includes an additional chapter on digital technology and online teaching.
Financialization
Authors: Sawyer Malcolm
Published: March 2024

Finance has long been an integral part of the capitalist economy, yet since the 1970s the realm of finance has burgeoned, reaching well beyond its traditional funding roles. Finance now reaches into all aspects of economic life from the everyday activity of the individual, to the behaviour of corporations and the decisions made for society as a whole. The power and fragility of the financial sector are seen by the simple fact that when things go wrong, it can bring down banks, currencies, and governments, plunging countries into generations of debt and hardship.

Malcolm Sawyer offers a comprehensive survey of the impact of financialization on economic growth and society. The book draws on and distills a remarkable range of research to provide readers with a guide to current thinking about the place of finance in the wider macroeconomy and considers the prospects for definancialization and a future role that is less pervasive.
Potential role of hypoxia in maintaining lactation persistency of dairy cows
Authors: Hu Zhenzhen , Luo Lin , Lu Yi , Cai Jie , Liu Jianxin , Wang Diming
Published: March 2024

Mammary gland health plays a key role in maintaining lactation persistency. As a well-known factor involved in physiological processes, the role of oxygen levels in bovine mammary health and lactation persistency remains to be investigated. The present study aimed at investigating the potential regulatory role of hypoxia in the mammary gland of dairy cows with different lactation persistency. Sixty-one Holstein dairy cows were selected for a 180-day experiment at approximately 88 days in milk (DIM). Plasma, milk and mammary tissue samples from 61 cattle were collected on experimental days 0, 90 and 180 (corresponding to 88, 178 and 268 DIM), respectively. Of the 61 cows, 12 cows with high lactation persistency (HP) and 12 with low lactation persistency (LP) were selected for the current study. No difference was observed in milk yield between two groups on d 0 (Pd 0 = 0.67), whereas differences emerged between animals with different lactation persistency at d 105 (Pd 105 = 0.03) until d 180 (Pd 180 < 0.01). The level of mammary apoptosis was significantly higher in the LP group than in the HP cows (Ppersistency < 0.01). In the oxygen-related variables, plasma concentration of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) was higher in the LP cows than in the HP group (Ppersistency < 0.01), especially on d 0 (Pd 0 < 0.01). Compared with HP cows, LP cows had a higher malonaldehyde (Pd 180 = 0.01) and a lower activity of inducible nitric oxide synthase (Pd 180 = 0.01) on d 180, suggesting a possible oxygen alteration between cows with different lactation persistency. RNA-sequencing analysis of the mammary gland on d 0 revealed that HIF-1 associated molecules may play a role in driving mammary gland apoptosis in dairy cows. A lower lactation persistency of dairy cows may be resulted from the altered HIF-1α in the mammary gland.
Approximate homomorphisms and sofic approximations of orbit equivalence relations
Authors: HAYES BEN , KUNNAWALKAM ELAYAVALLI SRIVATSAV
Published: March 2024

We show that for every countable group, any sequence of approximate homomorphisms with values in permutations can be realized as the restriction of a sofic approximation of an orbit equivalence relation. Moreover, this orbit equivalence relation is uniquely determined by the invariant random subgroup of the approximate homomorphisms. We record applications of this result to recover various known stability and conjugacy characterizations for almost homomorphisms of amenable groups.
A Tapestry of Human-Induced and Climate-Driven Environmental Change in Western Uganda: The Ndali Crater Lakes Region
Authors: Schmidt Peter R. , Walz Jonathan R. , Besigye Jackline N. , Lejju Julius B.
Published: March 2024

Recent archaeological and paleoenvironmental research in the Ndali Crater Lakes Region (NCLR) of western Uganda provide important new insights into anthropogenic impacts on moist forests to the East of the Rwenzori Mountains. This research significantly changes previous interpretations of paleoenvironmental records in western Uganda and helps to distinguish climate change from human impacts. By drawing on multiple sources such as historical linguistics, archaeological evidence, and environmental proxies for change, a new picture emerges for a region that was a cultural crossroads for early Bantu-speakers and Central Sudanic-speakers between 400 BCE and 1000 CE. Detailed archaeological data and well-dated sites provide fine-grained evidence that closely fits episodes of significant environmental change, including a later and separate phase of forest clearance, soil degradation, and lake pollution caused by the saturation of the landscape by Bigo-related populations between 1300 and 1650 CE.

Fresque de changements environnementaux induits par l’homme et le climat dans l’ouest de l’Ouganda : la région des lacs du cratère de Ndali
Flow transitions and effective properties in multiphase Taylor–Couette flow
Authors: Young Arthur B. , Shetty Abhishek , Hunt Melany L.
Published: March 2024

The properties of multiphase flows are challenging to measure, and yet effective properties are fundamental to modelling and predicting flow behaviour. The current study is motivated by rheometric measurements of a gas-fluidized bed using a coaxial rheometer in which the fluidization rate and the rotational speed can be varied independently. The measured torque displays a range of rheological states: quasistatic, dense granular flow behaviour at low fluidization rates and low-to-moderate shear rates; turbulent toroidal-vortex flow at high shear rates and moderate-to-high fluidization rates; and viscous-like behaviour with rate-dependent torque at high shear rates and low fluidization or at low shear rates and high fluidization. To understand the solid-like to fluid-like transitions, additional experiments were performed in the same rheometer using single-phase liquid and liquid–solid suspensions. The fluidized bed experiments are modelled as a Bingham plastic for low fluidization rates, and as a shear-thinning Carreau liquid at high fluidization rates. The suspensions are modelled using the Krieger–Dougherty effective viscosity. The results demonstrate that, by using the effective properties, the inverse Bingham number marks the transition from solid-like to viscous-flow behaviour; a modified gap Reynolds number based on the thickness of the shear layer specifies the transition from solid-like to turbulent vortical flow; and a gap Reynolds number distinguishes viscous behaviour from turbulent vortical flow. The results further demonstrate that these different multiphase flows undergo analogous flow transitions at similar Bingham or Reynolds numbers and the corresponding dimensionless torques show comparable scaling in response to annular shear.
Impulsive impact of a twin hull
Authors: Ni B.-Y. , Semenov Y.A.
Published: March 2024

An impulsively starting motion of two cylindrical bodies floating on a free liquid surface is considered. The shape of the cross-section of each body and the distance between them are arbitrary. The integral hodograph method is advanced to derive the complex velocity potential defined in a rectangular parameter region in terms of the elliptic quasi-doubly periodic Jacobi theta functions. A system of singular integral equations in the velocity magnitude on the free surface and in the slope of the wetted part of each body is derived using the kinematic boundary condition, which is then solved numerically. The velocity field, the pressure impulse on the bodies and the added mass coefficients of each body immediately after the impact are determined in a wide range of distances between the bodies and for cross-sectional shapes such as the flat plate and half-circle.
Stability analysis of electro-osmotic flow in a rotating microchannel
Authors: Shit G.C. , Sengupta A. , Mondal Pranab K.
Published: March 2024

We investigate the linear stability analysis of rotating electro-osmotic flow in confined and unconfined configurations by appealing to the Debye–Hückel approximation. Pertaining to flow in confined and unconfined domains, the stability equations are solved using the Galerkin method to obtain the stability picture. Both qualitative and quantitative aspects of Ekman spirals are examined in stable and unstable scenarios within the unconfined domain. Within the confined domain, the variation of the real growth rate and the transition to instability are analysed using the modified Routh–Hurwitz criteria, employed for the first time in this context. The stability of the underlying flow, characterized by the number of roots with a positive real part, is determined by establishing a Routhian table. The inferences of this analysis show that the velocity plane produces intriguing closed Ekman spirals, which diminish in size with an increase in the rotation speed

$\omega$

. The Ekman spirals in the stable region exhibit a distinct discontinuity, indicating the dissipation of disturbances over time. In the confined domain, the flow appears consistently stable for a set of involved parameters pertinent to this analysis, such as electrokinetic parameter

$K=1.5$

and rotational parameter

$\omega$

approximately up to

$6$

. However, the flow instabilities become evident for

$K=1.5$

and

$\omega \geq 6$

.
Phylogenetic Economics: Animal Models and the Study of Choice
Authors: Schulz Armin W.
Published: March 2024

While the investigation of non-human economic decision-making is increasingly popular, it is not clear exactly what role it can play in settling debates in economics. This paper argues that—contrary to recent claims otherwise—data on animal decision-making do not help in (dis–)confirming economic theories of choice. Rather, such data help in spelling out the representationally proper domains of models of choice. To play this role, though, these data must be placed into phylogenetic comparative analyses: correlations with specific environmental features need to be assessed, and these correlations need to be corrected for the presence of phylogenetic signals.
First sightings of mimic octopus Thaumoctopus mimicus (Cephalopoda: Octopodidia) from the Southwest Indian Ocean with photographic records from the Inhambane Province of southern Mozambique
Authors: Marshall Andrea D. , Conradie Janneman , Gilroy Taryn
Published: March 2024

Two separate sightings, two years apart, of the mimic octopus Thaumoctopus mimicus Norman & Hochberg, 2005 are reported from the Inhambane Province of southern Mozambique within the protected waters of the Vilanculos Coastal Wildlife Sanctuary. Individuals were encountered in May 2020 and 2022 in shallow waters, at a depth of less than 30 cm. Both individuals were fully exposed moving along a sandy substrate at the water's edge in a tidal flat. These represent the first documented sightings of T. mimicus in Mozambique, confirming the occurrence of the species along the eastern coast of Africa and extending this species' known range west from the Arabian Sea and south from the Red Sea.
Examining the dimensionality of vocabulary in English as a second language in Chinese children
Authors: Xie Qiuzhi , Yeung Susanna Siu-Sze
Published: March 2024

This study compared a unidimensional model of vocabulary and a two-factor model comprising vocabulary breadth and depth in a second language (L2). A total of 167 Chinese Grade 4 and 5 primary school children (Meanage= 9.96 years old) learning English as an L2 participated in this study, and they were tested on four English vocabulary tests. Our results of confirmatory factor analyses indicate that vocabulary breadth and depth were not two distinct dimensions, and the unidimensional model was supported. Theoretical and practical implications were discussed.
Dualist Land Regime, the Hukou System and the Welfare of Migrant Workers in Chinese Cities
Authors: Ruan Zhihang
Published: March 2024

Why is China's household registration system so resilient, and why are migrant workers consistently excluded from equal urban welfare? By disaggregating the hukou and land components of the rural–urban dualist regime, this article argues that dualist land ownership, formalized in China's 1982 Constitution, perpetuates the hukou system and unequal welfare rights. On the one hand, dualist land ownership results in an abundance of low-cost, informal housing in urban villages. This reduces the cost of short-term labour reproduction and diminishes migrants’ demands for state-defined urban rights. On the other hand, dualist land ownership enables local governments to amass significant revenues from land sales. The prominence of land-based revenues prompts local governments to link urban welfare rights with formal property ownership and residency, obstructing substantive reforms to the hukou system. For comparison, this article highlights Vietnam, a communist country with a unitary land ownership system, which has made greater strides in reforming its household registration system.
An Art of the Radio: Musique concrète and mass culture, 1941–1952
Authors: Ridout Sam
Published: March 2024

This article attends to the emergence of musique concrète as a theoretical object in Pierre Schaeffer’s writing between 1941 and 1952, seeing it as the logical endpoint of Schaeffer’s quest for an art proper to the radio. In this strong sense of the word, art is here positioned in opposition to entertainment, and as such Schaeffer seeks to separate the properly radiophonic from the impure, mercenary forms that radio had hitherto adopted. Schaeffer’s account of musique concrète follows this logic, seeking to cast off the vestiges of radio drama that remain audible in such works as Symphonie pour un homme seul. By way of conclusion, I suggest that grasping the entanglement of musique concrète with mass-cultural forms such as radio requires a mode of reading oriented not towards formalism or sonic ontology but towards the figure of the text.
Exploring the Alternatives to the Male-Breadwinner Model – The Implications for Social Policy Study
Authors: Saxonberg Steven
Published: March 2024

This article begins by discussing some of the main approaches that have emerged to gender and family policy, before proceeding to discuss more modern trends. It begins by discussing institutional approaches, such as the male-breadwinner model, defamilialisation, degenderisation. Then it discusses cultural approaches, such as the national ideals of care, gendered moral rationalities, and Hakim’s preference theory. Then this article continues by briefly discussing attempts to broaden the discussion by bringing in children (including through the capabilities approach) and by adding an intersectional perspective.
Gamson going global? Cabinet proportionality in comparative perspective
Authors: Chaisty Paul , Power Timothy J.
Published: March 2024

We conduct a global, large-N analysis of proportionality in the partisan distribution of cabinet portfolios. Formulated in the context of postwar Western European parliamentary democracy, Gamson’s Law predicts that parties joining a coalition government will receive cabinet ministries in direct proportion to the seats they are contributing to the coalition on the floor of the legislature. Using a sample of 1551 country-years of coalitional government in 97 countries from 1966 to 2019, and comparing all main constitutional formats (parliamentary, presidential, and semi-presidential), we find that Gamson’s Law does not travel well outside its context of origin. Among the constitutional predictors of cabinet proportionality, we find that pure presidentialism is a major outlier, with an exaggerated form of formateur advantage. Introducing party-system and assembly-level predictors to the debate, we find that party institutionalization tends to increase fairness in portfolio allocation within parliamentary systems only.
Alignment of density maps in Wasserstein distance
Authors: Singer Amit , Yang Ruiyi
Published: March 2024

In this article, we propose an algorithm for aligning three-dimensional objects when represented as density maps, motivated by applications in cryogenic electron microscopy. The algorithm is based on minimizing the 1-Wasserstein distance between the density maps after a rigid transformation. The induced loss function enjoys a more benign landscape than its Euclidean counterpart and Bayesian optimization is employed for computation. Numerical experiments show improved accuracy and efficiency over existing algorithms on the alignment of real protein molecules. In the context of aligning heterogeneous pairs, we illustrate a potential need for new distance functions.
Scientists Quantify Blue Carbon in Bahamas Seagrass
Authors: Donovan Robin
Published: March 2024

The island nation’s underwater fields store huge reserves of carbon, though not as much as scientists thought.
A toroidal SAW gyroscope with focused IDTs for sensitivity enhancement
Authors: Tian Lu , Zhao Haitao , Shen Qiang , Chang Honglong
Published: March 2024

A surface acoustic wave (SAW) gyroscope measures the rate of rotational angular velocity by exploiting a phenomenon known as the SAW gyroscope effect. Such a gyroscope is a great candidate for application in harsh environments because of the simplification of the suspension vibration mechanism necessary for traditional microelectromechanical system (MEMS) gyroscopes. Here, for the first time, we propose a novel toroidal standing-wave-mode SAW gyroscope using focused interdigitated transducers (FIDTs). Unlike traditional SAW gyroscopes that use linear IDTs to generate surface acoustic waves, which cause beam deflection and result in energy dissipation, this study uses FIDTs to concentrate the SAW energy based on structural features, resulting in better focusing performance and increased SAW amplitude. The experimental results reveal that the sensitivity of the structure is 1.51 µV/(°/s), and the bias instability is 0.77°/s, which are improved by an order of magnitude compared to those of a traditional SAW gyroscope. Thus, the FIDT component can enhance the performance of the SAW gyroscope, demonstrating its superiority for angular velocity measurements. This work provides new insights into improving the sensitivity and performance of SAW gyroscopes.
Association of neurotransmitter pathway polygenic risk with specific symptom profiles in psychosis
Authors: Warren Tracy L. , Tubbs Justin D. , Lesh Tyler A. , Corona Mylena B. , Pakzad Sarvenaz S. , Albuquerque Marina D. , Singh Praveena , Zarubin Vanessa , Morse Sarah J. , Sham Pak Chung , Carter Cameron S. , Nord Alex S.
Published: March 2024

A primary goal of psychiatry is to better understand the pathways that link genetic risk to psychiatric symptoms. Here, we tested association of diagnosis and endophenotypes with overall and neurotransmitter pathway-specific polygenic risk in patients with early-stage psychosis. Subjects included 205 demographically diverse cases with a psychotic disorder who underwent comprehensive psychiatric and neurological phenotyping and 115 matched controls. Following genotyping, we calculated polygenic scores (PGSs) for schizophrenia (SZ) and bipolar disorder (BP) using Psychiatric Genomics Consortium GWAS summary statistics. To test if overall genetic risk can be partitioned into affected neurotransmitter pathways, we calculated pathway PGSs (pPGSs) for SZ risk affecting each of four major neurotransmitter systems: glutamate, GABA, dopamine, and serotonin. Psychosis subjects had elevated SZ PGS versus controls; cases with SZ or BP diagnoses had stronger SZ or BP risk, respectively. There was no significant association within psychosis cases between individual symptom measures and overall PGS. However, neurotransmitter-specific pPGSs were moderately associated with specific endophenotypes; notably, glutamate was associated with SZ diagnosis and with deficits in cognitive control during task-based fMRI, while dopamine was associated with global functioning. Finally, unbiased endophenotype-driven clustering identified three diagnostically mixed case groups that separated on primary deficits of positive symptoms, negative symptoms, global functioning, and cognitive control. All clusters showed strong genome-wide risk. Cluster 2, characterized by deficits in cognitive control and negative symptoms, additionally showed specific risk concentrated in glutamatergic and GABAergic pathways. Due to the intensive characterization of our subjects, the present study was limited to a relatively small cohort. As such, results should be followed up with additional research at the population and mechanism level. Our study suggests pathway-based PGS analysis may be a powerful path forward to study genetic mechanisms driving psychiatric endophenotypes.
Protein lipidation in health and disease: molecular basis, physiological function and pathological implication
Authors: Yuan Yuan , Li Peiyuan , Li Jianghui , Zhao Qiu , Chang Ying , He Xingxing
Published: March 2024

Posttranslational modifications increase the complexity and functional diversity of proteins in response to complex external stimuli and internal changes. Among these, protein lipidations which refer to lipid attachment to proteins are prominent, which primarily encompassing five types including S-palmitoylation, N-myristoylation, S-prenylation, glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchor and cholesterylation. Lipid attachment to proteins plays an essential role in the regulation of protein trafficking, localisation, stability, conformation, interactions and signal transduction by enhancing hydrophobicity. Accumulating evidence from genetic, structural, and biomedical studies has consistently shown that protein lipidation is pivotal in the regulation of broad physiological functions and is inextricably linked to a variety of diseases. Decades of dedicated research have driven the development of a wide range of drugs targeting protein lipidation, and several agents have been developed and tested in preclinical and clinical studies, some of which, such as asciminib and lonafarnib are FDA-approved for therapeutic use, indicating that targeting protein lipidations represents a promising therapeutic strategy. Here, we comprehensively review the known regulatory enzymes and catalytic mechanisms of various protein lipidation types, outline the impact of protein lipidations on physiology and disease, and highlight potential therapeutic targets and clinical research progress, aiming to provide a comprehensive reference for future protein lipidation research.
Transforming post pandemic cancer services
Authors: Round Thomas , Sethuraman Lakshman , Ashworth Mark , Purushotham Arnie
Published: March 2024

This paper outlines the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cancer services in the UK including screening, symptomatic diagnosis, treatment pathways and projections on clinical outcomes as a result of these care disruptions. A restoration of cancer services to pre-pandemic levels is not likely to mitigate this adverse impact, particularly with an ageing population and increased cancer burden. New cancer cases are projected to rise to over 500,000 per year by 2035, with over 4 million people living with and beyond cancer. This paper calls for a strategic transformation to prioritise effort on the basis of available datasets and evidence—in particular, to prioritise cancers where an earlier diagnosis is feasible and clinically useful with a focus on mortality benefit by preventing emergency presentations by harnessing data and analytics. This could be delivered by a focus on underperforming groups/areas to try and reduce inequity, linking near real-time datasets with clinical decision support systems at the primary and secondary care levels, promoting the use of novel technologies to improve patient uptake of services, screening and diagnosis, and finally, upskilling and cross-skilling healthcare workers to expand supply of diagnostic and screening services.
USP24-i-101 targeting of USP24 activates autophagy to inhibit drug resistance acquired during cancer therapy
Authors: Young Ming-Jer , Wang Shao-An , Chen Yung-Ching , Liu Chia-Yu , Hsu Kai-Cheng , Tang Sin-Wei , Tseng Yau-Lin , Wang Yi-Ching , Lin Shih-Min , Hung Jan-Jong
Published: March 2024

Drug resistance in cancer therapy is the major reason for poor prognosis. Addressing this clinically unmet issue is important and urgent. In this study, we found that targeting USP24 by the specific USP24 inhibitors, USP24-i and its analogues, dramatically activated autophagy in the interphase and mitotic periods of lung cancer cells by inhibiting E2F4 and TRAF6, respectively. USP24 functional knockout, USP24C1695A, or targeting USP24 by USP24-i-101 inhibited drug resistance and activated autophagy in gefitinib-induced drug-resistant mice with doxycycline-induced EGFRL858R lung cancer, but this effect was abolished after inhibition of autophagy, indicating that targeting USP24-mediated induction of autophagy is required for inhibition of drug resistance. Genomic instability and PD-L1 levels were increased in drug resistant lung cancer cells and were inhibited by USP24-i-101 treatment or knockdown of USP24. In addition, inhibition of autophagy by bafilomycin-A1 significantly abolished the effect of USP24-i-101 on maintaining genomic integrity, decreasing PD-L1 and inhibiting drug resistance acquired in chemotherapy or targeted therapy. In summary, an increase in the expression of USP24 in cancer cells is beneficial for the induction of drug resistance and targeting USP24 by USP24-i-101 optimized from USP24-i inhibits drug resistance acquired during cancer therapy by increasing PD-L1 protein degradation and genomic stability in an autophagy induction-dependent manner.
Structural insights into human organic cation transporter 1 transport and inhibition
Authors: Zhang Shuhao , Zhu Angqi , Kong Fang , Chen Jianan , Lan Baoliang , He Guodong , Gao Kaixuan , Cheng Lili , Sun Xiaoou , Yan Chuangye , Chen Ligong , Liu Xiangyu
Published: March 2024

The human organic cation transporter 1 (hOCT1), also known as SLC22A1, is integral to hepatic uptake of structurally diversified endogenous and exogenous organic cations, influencing both metabolism and drug pharmacokinetics. hOCT1 has been implicated in the therapeutic dynamics of many drugs, making interactions with hOCT1 a key consideration in novel drug development and drug–drug interactions. Notably, metformin, the frontline medication for type 2 diabetes, is a prominent hOCT1 substrate. Conversely, hOCT1 can be inhibited by agents such as spironolactone, a steroid analog inhibitor of the aldosterone receptor, necessitating a deep understanding of hOCT1–drug interactions in the development of new pharmacological treatments. Despite extensive study, specifics of hOCT1 transport and inhibition mechanisms remain elusive at the molecular level. Here, we present cryo-electron microscopy structures of the hOCT1-metformin complex in three distinct conformational states — outward open, outward occluded, and inward occluded as well as substrate-free hOCT1 in both partially and fully open states. We also present hOCT1 in complex with spironolactone in both outward and inward facing conformations. These structures provide atomic-level insights into the dynamic metformin transfer process via hOCT1 and the mechanism by which spironolactone inhibits it. Additionally, we identify a ‘YER’ motif critical for the conformational flexibility of hOCT1 and likely other SLC22 family transporters. Our findings significantly advance the understanding of hOCT1 molecular function and offer a foundational framework for the design of new therapeutic agents targeting this transporter.
Long-term safety and efficacy of open-label nabilone on sleep and pain in Parkinson´s Disease
Authors: Peball Marina , Heim Beatrice , Carbone Federico , Schorr Oliver , Werkmann Mario , Ellmerer Philipp , Marini Kathrin , Krismer Florian , Knaus Hans-Günther , Poewe Werner , Djamshidian Atbin , Seppi Klaus
Published: March 2024

The synthetic tetrahydrocannabinol-analog nabilone improved non-motor symptoms (NMS) in Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients in a placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel-group, randomized withdrawal trial with enriched enrollment (NMS-Nab-study). This was a single-center open-label extension study to assess the long-term safety and efficacy of nabilone for NMS in PD. To be eligible for this study, patients had to be treatment responders during the previous NMS-Nab-trial and complete its double-blind phase without experiencing a drug-related serious/severe/moderate adverse event (AE). Patients were re-introduced to nabilone during an up-titration phase until their overall NMS burden improved. Nabilone was continued for six months with clinic visits every 3 months. Evaluation of AEs was based on self-report and clinical assessment. Twenty-two patients participated in the NMS-Nab2-study (age-median 68.33 y, 52% females, disease duration-median 7.42 y). Nabilone was well tolerated with concentration difficulties as the most common treatment-related AE (possibly/not related n = 1 each). One in two drop-outs discontinued because of an AE for which a prohibited concomitant medication needed to be introduced (night-time sleep problems). Efficacy evaluation showed a significant and lasting improvement in NMS burden according to the CGI-I (79% at V3). Nabilone improved overall sleep (NMSS Domain-2: –8.26 points; 95%CI –13.82 to –2.71; p = 0.004; ES = –0.72), night-time sleep problems (MDS-UPDRS-1.7: –1.42 points; 95 CI –2.16 to –0.68; p = 0.002; ES = –0.92), and overall pain (KPPS Total Score: –8.00 points; 95%CI –15.05 to –0.95; p = 0.046; ES –0.55 and MDS-UPDRS-1.9: –0.74 points; 95%CI –1.21 to –0.26; p = 0.008; ES = –0.74). This study demonstrates continuous long-term safety and efficacy in PD patients responding early to nabilone without intolerable side effects.