bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Making it to the Academic Path in a Tracked Education System: The Interplay of Individual Agency and Social Origin in Early Educational Transitions
Authors: Mele Francesca , Buchmann Marlis , Burger Kaspar
Published: September 2023

Little is known about the role of agency in transitions in tracked education systems or whether it varies by socioeconomic background. This study addressed this gap by estimating structural equation models based on longitudinal data that are representative of the German- and French-speaking parts of Switzerland (N = 1273 individuals, surveyed from age 6 to 18, mean age at wave 1: Mage = 6.54, SDage = 0.50, female = 49%). The findings reveal that agency (captured by study effort and occupational aspirations) and socioeconomic background (measured by parental education and family income) significantly predicted students’ transitions to academically demanding tracks in lower- and upper-secondary education. In the transition to upper-secondary education, students with fewer socioeconomic resources benefitted less than their more advantaged peers from ambitious aspirations, but they benefitted more from exerting effort. These findings suggest that both an optimistic forward-looking orientation and the exertion of effort are required to make it to an academic track. Effort may serve as a “substitutive” resource for less socioeconomically advantaged students, whereas ambitious aspirations may enhance the positive effect of family socioeconomic resources on academic educational trajectories. Overall, the evidence from this study calls for greater attention to investigating not only how agency shapes adolescents’ educational trajectories and opportunities but also how its role differs across social groups.
Dynamic Treatment Regimes Using Bayesian Additive Regression Trees for Censored Outcomes
Authors: Li Xiao , Logan Brent R. , Hossain S. M. Ferdous , Moodie Erica E. M.
Published: September 2023

To achieve the goal of providing the best possible care to each individual under their care, physicians need to customize treatments for individuals with the same health state, especially when treating diseases that can progress further and require additional treatments, such as cancer. Making decisions at multiple stages as a disease progresses can be formalized as a dynamic treatment regime (DTR). Most of the existing optimization approaches for estimating dynamic treatment regimes including the popular method of Q-learning were developed in a frequentist context. Recently, a general Bayesian machine learning framework that facilitates using Bayesian regression modeling to optimize DTRs has been proposed. In this article, we adapt this approach to censored outcomes using Bayesian additive regression trees (BART) for each stage under the accelerated failure time modeling framework, along with simulation studies and a real data example that compare the proposed approach with Q-learning. We also develop an R wrapper function that utilizes a standard BART survival model to optimize DTRs for censored outcomes. The wrapper function can easily be extended to accommodate any type of Bayesian machine learning model.
Does board composition matter for innovation? A longitudinal study of the organizational slack–innovation relationship in Nasdaq-100 companies
Authors: Heubeck Tim , Meckl Reinhard
Published: September 2023

In high-tech industries, firms accumulate increasing amounts of excess resources. Existent research paints an ambiguous picture of these slack resources for innovation: while some slack is integral for innovation as fuel for experimentation, too much slack inhibits innovation by causing inefficiencies. However, firms in high-tech industries cannot develop and sustain competitive advantages in the long run without sufficient and steady investments in innovation. Additionally, the increasing complexities within these highly dynamic industries make it easier for managers to pursue their self-interests—often to the organization’s detriment. Against this backdrop, the role of the board of directors is particularly crucial in high-tech industries, as it determines the efficacy of the board’s governance and resource provisioning functions. This study proposes several board characteristics as moderators of the slack–innovation relationship. The dataset builds on a longitudinal sample of high-tech firms from the Nasdaq-100 Index between 2010 and 2020. The results advance management literature by extending the notion of slack resources as a double-edged sword to high-tech industries. The findings also show that this relationship is contingent on specific board characteristics: larger and more independent boards dampen this relationship, while longer board tenure, more board affiliations, and a larger share of women directors amplify it. Further, the findings caution managers to balance the necessity of slack resources for promoting innovation with its efficiency detriment. The results additionally inform practitioners on determining the optimal board composition in the face of mounting competitive pressures for sustained innovation.
The role of mindfulness and autonomous motivation for goal progress and goal adjustment: an intervention study
Authors: Kappes Cathleen , Marion-Jetten Ariane S. , Taylor Geneviève , Schad Daniel J. , Dreßler Birte , El-Hayek Samira , Hansemann Jule , Heine Rebecca , Lindner Sarah , Melzner Lena , Meyer Cedric , Pfister Benjamin , Rogowski Kaja , Rose Rebekka , Simson Katharina , Stach Patric
Published: September 2023

Previous correlational studies showed the importance of mindfulness and autonomous goal motivation for goal pursuit, goal setting, and goal disengagement processes. The present study examined the role of mindfulness in goal regulation processes for self-selected personal goals in a randomized waitlist control group design. Participants (N = 228,M = 30.7 years, 18–78 years; 84% female) either received daily 9-12-minute audio mindfulness exercises online for four weeks or were placed on a waitlist. Participants in the intervention group (N = 113) reported more goal progress compared with the control group (N = 116) at the end of the intervention. Autonomous goal motivation for already set goals did not influence change in goal progress. However, autonomous goal motivation for newly set goals was higher in the intervention group than in the control group. Additionally, we tested the role of mindfulness in interaction with goal attainability and autonomous motivation for goal adjustment processes (in this case, reduction of goal importance). In the control group, lower goal attainability at baseline was associated with a greater reduction in goal importance for less autonomous goals. For more autonomous goals, change in goal importance was independent from baseline attainability. In contrast, in the intervention group, all goals were slightly devalued over time independently from autonomous motivation and goal attainability at T1. Moreover, changes in goal attainability were positively linked to changes in goal importance over time. This effect was moderated by mindfulness and autonomous motivation. Overall, the findings point to the relevance of mindfulness and autonomous motivation for goal regulation processes.
Enhanced performance of on-chip integrated biosensor using deep learning
Authors: Mikhail Thomas J. , El Shamy Raghi , Swillam Mohamed A. , Li Xun
Published: September 2023

A new approach for determining the concentration composition of a multi-element media using a micro-ring resonator (MRR) is proposed which allows for both electrical and thermal noise removal as well as moderately higher average accuracy. This method uses two neural networks, namely a convolutional neural network (CNN) and a deep neural network (DNN). The CNN differentiates the transmission spectrum from the noise. This spectrum is used to obtain selected features before being fed into the DNN, which determines the concentration of each chemical in the analyte. Both models are trained to work using simulated data from a silicon on-insulator ring resonator operating between the infrared wavelengths of $$\lambda =1.46\,\upmu \hbox{m}$$

λ
=
1.46

μ
m

to $$\lambda =1.6\,\upmu \hbox{m}$$

λ
=
1.6

μ
m

on mixtures of water, ethanol, methanol, and propanol, although the same approach can be used with other designs and substances. The CNN was trained using the MRR transmission spectra superimposed with white Gaussian noise as well as Poisson noise to mimic different noise sources, while the DNN underwent training on the extracted features. Average root-mean-square error for element concentration for the entire system is 0.0775% for a range of concentrations from 0.0357 to 75%, and the largest error had a value of 0.68% concentration.
Influence of the W and Ta content on the High-Temperature Oxidation Resistance of Multinary Co/Ni-Based Superalloys at 1050 °C and 1150 °C
Authors: Hagen S. P. , Haussmann L. , Wahlmann B. , Gebhardt F. , Abu-Khousa B. , Weiser M. , Neumeier S. , Zenk C. , Virtanen Sannakaisa
Published: September 2023

Outstanding inherent environmental resistance is a precondition for the use of superalloys in high-temperature applications. Besides high Al and Cr levels, also refractory metal concentrations (W and Ta) are reported to affect protective scale formation, as these elements are expected to affect the chemical activity and also the transport of protective scale formers within the alloy. In this study, we elucidate the high-temperature oxidation behavior of 3 Co-based (Co/Ni ratio: 1.4) and 3 Ni-based (Co/Ni ratio: 0.7) superalloys differing in W and Ta levels. Time-resolved thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) in synthetic air at 1050 °C and 1150 °C for 100 h, scanning electron microscopy analysis (SEM), thermodynamic calculations using the CALPHAD software Thermo-Calc, and diffusion couple experiments were conducted to assess the impact of the Co/Ni ratio and the refractory metal content on the oxidation performance. The results indicate that a low W content (3 vs. 5 at.%) and a high Ta content (2.1 vs. 1.5 at.%) beneficially affect the oxidation resistance, as alumina scale formation is facilitated.
Data-driven analysis and modeling of individual longitudinal behavior response to fare incentives in public transport
Authors: Wang Leizhen , Chen Xin , Ma Zhenliang , Zhang Pengfei , Mo Baichuan , Duan Peibo
Published: September 2023

Incentive-based public transport demand management (PTDM) can effectively mitigate overcrowding issues in crowded urban rail systems. Analyzing passengers’ behavioral responses to the incentive can guide the design, implementation, and update of PTDM strategies. Though several studies reported passengers’ responses to fare incentives, they focused on passengers’ short-term behavioral responses. Limited studies explore passengers’ longitudinal behavioral responses for different types of adopters, which is important for policy assessment and adjustment. This paper explores and models passengers’ longitudinal behavior response to a pre-peak fare discount incentive using 18 months of smartcard data in public transport in Hong Kong. We classified adopters into six types based on their temporal travel pattern changes before and after the promotion. The longitudinal analysis reveals that among all adopters, 19% of users change their departure times to take advantage of fare discounts but do not contribute to the goal of reducing peak-hour travel. However, these adopters are more likely to sustain their changed behavior in a long term which is not desired by the incentive program. The spatial analysis shows that the origin station distribution of late adopters is relatively more diverse than the early adopters with more trips starting from distant areas. The diffusion modeling shows that the majority adopters are innovators and the word-of-mouth diffusion effect (imitators) is marginal. The discrete choice model results highlight the heterogeneous impact of factors on different types of adopters and their values of time changes. The significant factors common to adopters are: departure time flexibility, the expected money savings, the required departure time changes, and work locations. The findings are useful for public transport planners and policymakers for informed incentive design and management.
Populist attitudes, fiscal illusion and fiscal preferences: evidence from Dutch households
Authors: Parlevliet Jante , Giuliodori Massimo , Rooduijn Matthijs
Published: September 2023

It is well documented that the public is often poorly informed about the economy. In the domain of fiscal policy, this may make voters susceptible to favour spending, while underestimating its costs (fiscal illusion). While politicians may have more information to judge the need for prudent economic policies, voters may be less inclined to support prudent fiscal policy if they do not believe that these politicians act in their best interest—an idea that in recent decades has become more prevalent. Using a novel dataset from the Netherlands, this paper examines whether strong populist ideas lead to more expansionary fiscal preferences, thereby reinforcing the risk of fiscal illusion. The findings indicate that respondents' populist attitudes significantly predict their fiscal preferences. Additionally, higher literacy and information provision contribute to more prudent fiscal preferences. However, the impact of literacy is conditioned by the level of populist sentiment. Poorly literate respondents show higher support for tax relief only when holding strong populist attitudes, not when expressing lower levels of populist sentiment.
Monitoring marine fishes using underwater video techniques in the Mediterranean Sea
Authors: Nalmpanti Melina , Chrysafi Anna , Meeuwig Jessica J. , Tsikliras Athanassios C.
Published: September 2023

The use of underwater video techniques has expanded rapidly in ecological studies and is particularly desirable in protected areas since the method does not impact the habitat or remove fish. The Mediterranean Sea is a biodiversity hotspot under high anthropogenic pressure and consequently, non-destructive and non-extractive techniques for fish monitoring are advantageous. Here, we review 110 publications that used underwater video in fish-related studies in the Mediterranean basin. The most common technique used in the Mediterranean Sea was Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROV) (33%), followed by Remote Underwater Video (RUV) systems (20%), Diver Operated Video (DOV) systems (20%) and Baited Remote Underwater Video (BRUV) systems (19%). Approximately one third of the studies used an additional sampling method, such as fisheries-based or molecular methods with the aim to compare the surveying effectiveness or produce complementary data. The most frequent objectives of the reviewed studies were related to fish community structure, i.e., focusing on community wide metrics such as abundance and biodiversity, or behavioral analyses, while the most commonly studied environments were those of the western Mediterranean and shallow waters, usually involving sandy or rocky reef habitats. Sampling protocols differed widely among studies with transect lengths, soak times and baits all varying. Future research should focus on the least studied parts of the region, such as the eastern and southern Mediterranean Sea and deep-sea habitats. Finally, the development of standardized sampling protocols is recommended to ensure that data are comparable among studies.
Virtual reality as a path to self-knowledge
Authors: Schwengerer Lukas
Published: September 2023

I discuss how virtual reality can be used to acquire self-knowledge. Lawlor (Philos Phenomenol Res 79(1):47–75, 2009) and Cassam (Vices of the mind: from the intellectual to the political. OUP, Oxford, 2014) develop inferential accounts of self-knowledge in which one can use imagination to acquire self-knowledge. This is done by actively prompting imaginary scenarios and observing one’s reactions to those scenarios. These reactions are then used as the inferential basis for acquiring self-knowledge. I suggest that the imaginary scenarios can be in principle replaced with scenarios in virtual reality in a way that still provides an inferential basis for self-knowledge. Instead of internal prompting in imagination, I call this external prompting in virtual reality. I discuss the advantages and disadvantages of external prompting. On one hand, external prompting avoids some of the common biases that can intervene with internal prompting in imagination. On the other hand, external prompting comes with some challenges of its own. External prompting might be more time-consuming and might be open to a game-like approach of the agent leading to a different sort of distortion that gets in the way of self-knowledge. I suggest that these are practical challenges, but nevertheless, external prompting seems worthwhile for self-knowledge that is otherwise especially difficult to acquire.
pH-Dependent Friction of Polyacrylamide Hydrogels
Authors: Chau Allison L. , Pugsley Conor D. , Miyamoto Madeleine E. , Tang Yongkui , Eisenbach Claus D. , Mates Thomas E. , Hawker Craig J. , Valentine Megan T. , Pitenis Angela A.
Published: September 2023

Polyacrylamide hydrogels are widely used in biomedical applications due to their tunable mechanical properties and charge neutrality. Our recent tribological investigations of polyacrylamide gels have revealed tunable and pH-dependent friction behavior. To determine the origins of this pH-responsiveness, we prepared polyacrylamide hydrogels with two different initiating chemistries: a reduction–oxidation (redox)-initiated system using ammonium persulfate (APS) and N,N,N′N′-tetramethylethylenediamine (TEMED) and a UV-initiated system with 2-hydroxy-4′-(2-hydroxyethoxy)-2-methylpropiophenone (Irgacure 2959). Hydrogel swelling, mechanical properties, and tribological behavior were investigated in response to solution pH (ranging from ≈ 0.34 to 13.5). For polyacrylamide hydrogels in sliding contact with glass hemispherical probes, friction coefficients decreased from µ = 0.07 ± 0.02 to µ = 0.002 ± 0.002 (redox-initiated) and from µ = 0.05 ± 0.03 to µ = 0.003 ± 0.003 (UV-initiated) with increasing solution pH. With hemispherical polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) probes, friction coefficients of redox-initiated hydrogels similarly decreased from µ = 0.06 ± 0.01 to µ = 0.002 ± 0.001 with increasing pH. Raman spectroscopy measurements demonstrated hydrolysis and the conversion of amide groups to carboxylic acid in basic conditions. We therefore propose that the mechanism for pH-responsive friction in polyacrylamide hydrogels may be credited to hydrolysis-driven swelling through the conversion of side chain amide groups into carboxylic groups and/or crosslinker degradation. Our results could assist in the rational design of hydrogel-based tribological pairs for biomedical applications from acidic to alkaline conditions.

Graphical abstract
An Assessment of Options to Improve the Removal of Excess Nutrients from European Wastewater
Authors: Pistocchi Alberto , Grizzetti Bruna , Nielsen Per Henrik , Parravicini Vanessa , Steinmetz Heidrun , Thornberg Dines , Vigiak Olga
Published: September 2023

In this contribution we quantify the potential to reduce the discharge of excess nutrients with European wastewater, by modelling pollution, greenhouse gas emissions and the costs of measures under various scenarios. We analyse two types of strategies, namely extending the requirement of nutrient removal to broader areas and increasing the removal efficiency of nitrogen and phosphorus. As the former strategy usually entails some infrastructural investment while the latter entails an optimization of the existing processes, the two imply different costs, and increasing efficiency usually shows a better cost–benefit ratio. In any case, actions increasing nutrient removal are expected to pay for themselves in terms of the benefits they bring in abating water pollution and (for nitrogen) greenhouse gas emissions. Nitrogen removal becomes even more attractive whenever the infrastructural investments that we assume may be avoided, thanks to the possibility of an optimized use of the existing infrastructure. Phosphorus removal may become even more attractive with the progress of technologies for its recovery from wastewater and sludge, and with the increase of its demand for fertilizers and other industrial uses.
Suppression of tomato wilt by cell-free supernatants of Acinetobacter baumannii isolates from wild cacao from the Colombian Amazon
Authors: Pisco-Ortiz Carolina , González-Almario Adriana , Uribe-Gutiérrez Liz , Soto-Suárez Mauricio , Amaya-Gómez Carol V.
Published: September 2023

Tomato vascular wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici (Fol) is one of the most limiting diseases of this crop. The use of fungicides and varieties resistant to the pathogen has not provided adequate control of the disease. In this study, siderophore-producing bacteria isolated from wild cocoa trees from the Colombian Amazon were characterized to identify prominent strategies for plant protection. The isolates were taxonomically classified into five different genera. Eight of the fourteen were identified as bacteria of the Acinetobacter baumannii complex. Isolates CBIO024, CBIO086, CBIO117, CBIO123, and CBIO159 belonging to this complex showed the highest efficiency in siderophore synthesis, producing these molecules in a range of 91–129 µmol/L deferoxamine mesylate equivalents. A reduction in disease severity of up to 45% was obtained when plants were pretreated with CBIO117 siderophore-rich cell-free supernatant (SodSid). Regarding the mechanism of action that caused antagonistic activity against Fol, it was found that plants infected only with Fol and plants pretreated with SodSid CBIO117 and infected with Fol showed higher levels of PR1 and ERF1 gene expression than control plants. In contrast, MYC2 gene expression was not induced by the SodSid CBIO117 application. However, it was upregulated in plants infected with Fol and plants pretreated with SodSid CBIO117 and infected with the pathogen. In addition to the disease suppression exerted by SodSid CBIO117, the results suggest that the mechanism underlying this effect is related to an induction of systemic defense through the salicylic acid, ethylene, and priming defense via the jasmonic acid pathway.

Graphical abstract
Towards facing uncertainties in biofuel supply chain networks: a systematic literature review
Authors: Habibi Farhad , Chakrabortty Ripon K. , Abbasi Alireza
Published: September 2023

Biofuel supply chains (BSCs) face diverse uncertainties that pose serious challenges. This has led to an expanding body of research focused on studying these challenges. Hence, there is a growing need for a comprehensive review that summarizes the current studies, identifies their limitations, and provides essential advancements to support scholars in the field. To overcome these limitations, this research aims to provide insights into managing uncertainties in BSCs. The review utilizes the Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) method, identifying 205 papers for analysis. This study encompasses three key tasks: first, it analyses the general information of the shortlisted papers. Second, it discusses existing methodologies and their limitations in addressing uncertainties. Lastly, it identifies critical research gaps and potential future directions. One notable gap involves the underutilization of machine learning techniques, which show potential for risk identification, resilient planning, demand prediction, and parameter estimations in BSCs but have received limited attention. Another area for investigation is the potential of agent-based simulation, which can contribute to analysing resilient policies, evaluating resilience, predicting parameters, and assessing the impact of emerging technologies on BSC resilience in the twenty-first century. Additionally, the study identifies the omission of various realistic assumptions, such as backward flow, lateral transshipments, and ripple effects in BSC. This study highlights the complexity of managing uncertainties in BSCs and emphasizes the need for further research and attention. It contributes to policymakers’ understanding of uncertain sources and suitable approaches while inspiring researchers to address limitations and generate breakthrough ideas in managing BSC uncertainties.
The Grounds of Excuses
Authors: van Loon Marie
Published: September 2023

According to a popular view, excuses undermine blameworthiness. At the same time, philosophers commonly accept that blameworthiness is composed of two necessary conditions: a moral objectionability condition and a responsibility condition. For excuses to do their job, they must undermine at least one of these conditions. In this paper, I conclude that excuses do neither. By inference to the best explanation, I propose a view that reconciles this conclusion with the function of excuses.
Plasmonics: An Optical Approach to Study Plant Epigenetics
Authors: Mamián-López Mónica Benicia , Begcy Kevin
Published: September 2023

Essential factors that control gene stability and expression are collectively known as epigenetics. Within the most well-studied epigenetic mechanisms are DNA methylation and histone modifications. A broad range of methods has been used for identifying differentially methylated regions, including biotechnological and enzymatic techniques. Nevertheless, in the last decade, there has been a proliferation of techniques called plasmonics which have emerged as an alternative to studying epigenetics. They take advantage of the different chemical composition of methylated compared to unmethylated histones and nucleotides to quantify their optical properties. Here, we introduce the basics of plasmonics and present a detailed description of how these techniques work. We also provide an outlook on the application of plasmonics in plant epigenetics.
Local signal variability and functional connectivity: Sensitive measures of the excitation-inhibition ratio?
Authors: van Nifterick Anne M. , Scheijbeler Elliz P. , Gouw Alida A. , de Haan Willem , Stam Cornelis J.
Published: September 2023

A novel network version of permutation entropy, the inverted joint permutation entropy (JPEinv), holds potential as non-invasive biomarker of abnormal excitation-inhibition (E-I) ratio in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). In this computational modelling study, we test the hypotheses that this metric, and related measures of signal variability and functional connectivity, are sensitive to altered E-I ratios. The E-I ratio in each neural mass of a whole-brain computational network model was systematically varied. We evaluated whether JPEinv, local signal variability (by permutation entropy) and functional connectivity (by weighted symbolic mutual information (wsMI)) were related to E-I ratio, on whole-brain and regional level. The hub disruption index can identify regions primarily affected in terms of functional connectivity strength (or: degree) by the altered E-I ratios. Analyses were performed for a range of coupling strengths, filter and time-delay settings. On whole-brain level, higher E-I ratios were associated with higher functional connectivity (by JPEinv and wsMI) and lower local signal variability. These relationships were nonlinear and depended on the coupling strength, filter and time-delay settings. On regional level, hub-like regions showed a selective decrease in functional degree (by JPEinv and wsMI) upon a lower E-I ratio, and non-hub-like regions showed a selective increase in degree upon a higher E-I ratio. These results suggest that abnormal functional connectivity and signal variability, as previously reported in patients across the AD continuum, can inform us about altered E-I ratios.
Zur Bedeutsamkeit der Unterrichtsqualität für die Entwicklung von Rechtschreibkompetenzen in der Grundschule
Authors: Jaeuthe Jessica , Lenkeit Jenny , Bosse Stefanie , Spörer Nadine
Published: September 2023

Die Entwicklung der Rechtschreibkompetenz wird in theoretischen Modellen mit Hilfe von aufeinander aufbauenden Kompetenzniveaus beschrieben, in denen die Schülerinnen und Schüler zu Beginn nicht lautgetreu, dann lautgetreu und zuletzt orthographisch korrekt schreiben. Diese Entwicklung kann theoretisch durch zahlreiche Merkmale beeinflusst werden. Dabei mangelt es an empirischen Studien, die Merkmale der Unterrichtsqualität berücksichtigen. Hier setzt die vorliegende Studie an, in der die Rechtschreibkompetenz der Schülerinnen und Schüler zu drei Messzeitpunkten (Anfang Klasse 2, Ende Klasse 2, Ende Klasse 3) erhoben wurde, um mit Hilfe von latenten Transitionsanalysen die Rechtschreibkompetenz drei Profilen zuzuordnen. Anschließend wurden die Einschätzungen der Schülerinnen und Schüler zur Unterrichtsqualität in multinomialen logistischen Mehrebenen-Regressionsmodellen analysiert. Es zeigte sich, dass die Unterrichtsqualität die Rechtschreibkompetenzentwicklung nicht wie vermutet vorhersagen konnte. So zeigte sich zwar ein signifikanter Befund für den Zusammenhang der Rechtschreibkompetenz mit der kognitiven Aktivierung, jedoch fiel dieser entgegen der Erwartung negativ aus. Es wird diskutiert, inwiefern dies durch die methodische Anlage der Studie bedingt sein könnte und welche methodischen Hinweise dies für zukünftige Studien liefert.
Multimorbidity in Heart Failure: Leveraging Cluster Analysis to Guide Tailored Treatment Strategies
Authors: van de Veerdonk Mariëlle C. , Savarese Gianluigi , Handoko M. Louis , Beulens Joline W.J. , Asselbergs Folkert , Uijl Alicia
Published: September 2023

Review Purpose

This review summarises key findings on treatment effects within phenotypical clusters of patients with heart failure (HF), making a distinction between patients with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF).

Findings

Treatment response differed among clusters; ACE inhibitors were beneficial in all HFrEF phenotypes, while only some studies show similar beneficial prognostic effects in HFpEF patients. Beta-blockers had favourable effects in all HFrEF patients but not in HFpEF phenotypes and tended to worsen prognosis in older, cardiorenal patients. Mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists had more favourable prognostic effects in young, obese males and metabolic HFpEF patients. While a phenotype-guided approach is a promising solution for individualised treatment strategies, there are several aspects that still require improvements before such an approach could be implemented in clinical practice.

Stronger evidence from clinical trials and real-world data may assist in establishing a phenotype-guided treatment approach for patient with HF in the future.
Effect of Dielectric Barrier Discharge Cold Plasma on the Bio-nanocomposite Film and its Potential to Preserve the Quality of Strawberry under Modified Atmosphere Packaging
Authors: Rashvand Mahdi , Matera Attilio , Altieri Giuseppe , Genovese Francesco , Nikzadfar Mehrad , Feyissa Aberham Hailu , Di Renzo Giovanni Carlo
Published: September 2023

The present study aimed to investigate the effect of cold plasma on the developed bio-nanocomposite film. A dielectric barrier discharge system was utilized to generate the cold plasma. The films were treated under three different times (5, 10 and 15 min) and the characteristics of the films were evaluated. The cold plasma treatment influence the thermal stability and crystallization of the films. Results showed that the mechanical properties (tensile strength and elongation at break), water vapor permeability, oxygen transmission rate, moisture content and water contact angle characteristics were improved up to 69%, 31%, 34%, 3% and 28%, respectively by cold plasma treatment. In consequence, the average O2 and CO2 concentration of the packed strawberries decreased from 5 and 10% to 4.2% and 5.1%, respectively after 15 days. Finally, the results revealed that the mechanical properties, chemical attributes, physical characteristics and microbial activities of the samples were affected by the treated films. As a result, cold plasma modification can be applied as an effective method to maintain and preservation of fresh fruit.
Predicting the thermal performance of screen mesh wick heat pipe with alumina nanofluids using response surface methodology
Authors: Lakshmi Reddy P. , Sreenivasa Reddy B. , Govindarajulu K. , Bandhu Din , Saxena Ashish
Published: September 2023

This study aims to investigate the effect of heat load, tilt angle, and volume concentration of alumina nanofluid on the thermal performance enhancement of cylindrical screen mesh wick heat pipe in terms of thermal resistance(R) and thermal conductivity(k). Response surface methodology based on the Box–Behnken design was implemented to investigate the influence of heat input (100–200 W), tilt angle (0–90°), and volume concentration (0.05–0.25 vol%) of nanofluid as the independent variables. Second-order polynomial equations were established to predict the responses, ‘R’, and ‘k’. The significance of the models was tested by means of analysis of variance (ANOVA). In addition, a correlation between the independent variables was derived in this study. The results revealed that the optimum heat input, inclination angle, and concentration of nanofluid were determined as 200 W, 52.72°, and 0.1773 vol. % respectively for both ‘R’ and ‘k’. SEM analysis was performed to observe the thermal performance phenomena of the heat pipe before and after experimentation.
Zinc Deficiency as a General Feature of Cancer: a Review of the Literature
Authors: Sugimoto Rie , Lee Lingaku , Tanaka Yuki , Morita Yusuke , Hijioka Masayuki , Hisano Terumasa , Furukawa Masayuki
Published: September 2023

Trace elements are minerals that are present in very low concentrations in the human body and yet are crucial for a wide range of physiological functions. Zinc, the second most abundant trace element, is obtained primarily from the diet. After being taken up in the intestine, zinc is distributed to various target organs, where it plays key roles in processes such as immunity, protein folding, apoptosis, and antioxidant activity. Given the important role of zinc in a wide range of enzymatic reactions and physiological processes, zinc deficiency has been identified in a variety of diseases, notably cancer. In recent years, multiple meta-analyses and reviews looking at zinc levels in individual cancer types have been published, as have a plethora of primary studies demonstrating a link between low zinc levels and specific types of cancer. In this review, we summarize recent evidence implicating low zinc concentrations in serum or tissues as a characteristic in a wide range of cancers. We also discuss preliminary findings indicating that zinc level measurement could ultimately become a useful clinical tool for cancer diagnosis and predicting outcomes in patients with cancer. Finally, we suggest future directions for further elucidating the role of zinc deficiency in cancer development and progression.
Inhibited Expression of NLRP12 Promotes the Development of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer by Activating the NF-κB Pathway
Authors: Kuang Wenbin , Gu Qingdan , Zhou Ying , Xiao Xiaoqin , He Dabao , Deng Qiuchan
Published: September 2023

NLRP12 can affect the progression of different diseases, including hepatocellular carcinoma. However, no report on triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) has been found. Thus, this study aimed to explore the role of NLRP12 in TNBC. In our study, immunohistochemistry, real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR), and Western blot assays were used to evaluate NLRP12 expression in TNBC tissues and cells. Then, NLRP12 lentivirus was constructed and infected into MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-157 cells with or without PTD-p65-P1 treatment. Next, cells were collected for cell function detection using the following procedures: colony formation assay for proliferation, Transwell for migration and invasion, and Western blot for NF-κB and MAPK pathway-associated proteins. Finally, a xenograft mouse model was applied; the tumor volume and weight were determined, and NLRP12, p-IκBb-α, and p-IκBb-α expressions were evaluated using qPCR and Western blot. Results indicated that NLRP12 was lowly expressed in TNBC tissues and cells. The inhibition of NLRP12 could induce the proliferation, migration, and invasion of TNBC cells, which also could be reversed by inhibiting the NF-κB pathway (PTD-p65-P1). Moreover, silencing of NLRP12 could upregulate p-IκBb-α, while IκBb-α, p-ERK, ERK, p-p38, p38, p-JNK, and JNK expressions remained unchanged, thereby indicating that only the NF-κB pathway could be activated by NLRP12 silencing. Furthermore, the xenograft mouse model confirmed the abovementioned findings. Therefore, the low expression of NLRP12 promoted the proliferation, migration, and invasion in TNBC cells by activating the NF-κB pathway. This study might provide insights into TNBC therapy.
Clinical Correlation of Altered Molecular Signatures in Epileptic Human Hippocampus and Amygdala
Authors: Modarres Mousavi Sayed Mostafa , Alipour Fatemeh , Noorbakhsh Farshid , Jafarian Maryam , Ghadipasha Masoud , Gharehdaghi Jaber , Kellinghaus Christoph , Speckmann Erwin-Josef , Stummer Walter , Khaleghi Ghadiri Maryam , Gorji Ali
Published: September 2023

Widespread alterations in the expression of various genes could contribute to the pathogenesis of epilepsy. The expression levels of various genes, including major inhibitory and excitatory receptors, ion channels, cell type-specific markers, and excitatory amino acid transporters, were assessed and compared between the human epileptic hippocampus and amygdala, and findings from autopsy controls. Moreover, the potential correlation between molecular alterations in epileptic brain tissues and the clinical characteristics of patients undergoing epilepsy surgery was evaluated. Our findings revealed significant and complex changes in the expression of several key regulatory genes in both the hippocampus and amygdala of patients with intractable epilepsy. The expression changes in various genes differed considerably between the epileptic hippocampus and amygdala. Different correlation patterns were observed between changes in gene expression and clinical characteristics, depending on whether the patients were considered as a whole or were subdivided. Altered molecular signatures in different groups of epileptic patients, defined within a given category, could be viewed as diagnostic biomarkers. Distinct patterns of molecular changes that distinguish these groups from each other appear to be associated with epilepsy-specific functional consequences.
Alisol A Exerts Neuroprotective Effects Against HFD-Induced Pathological Brain Aging via the SIRT3-NF-κB/MAPK Pathway
Authors: Lu Taotao , Ding Linlin , Zheng Xiaoqing , Li Yongxu , Wei Wei , Liu Weilin , Tao Jing , Xue Xiehua
Published: September 2023

Chronic consumption of a high-fat diet (HFD) has profound effects on brain aging, which is mainly characterized by cognitive decline, inflammatory responses, and neurovascular damage. Alisol A (AA) is a triterpenoid with therapeutic potential for metabolic diseases, but whether it has a neuroprotective effect against brain aging caused by a HFD has not been investigated. Six-month-old male C57BL6/J mice were exposed to a HFD with or without AA treatment for 12 weeks. Behavioral tasks were used to assess the cognitive abilities of the mice. Neuroinflammation and changes in neurovascular structure in the brains were examined. We further assessed the mechanism by which AA exerts neuroprotective effects against HFD-induced pathological brain aging in vitro and in vivo. Behavioral tests showed that cognitive function was improved in AA-treated animals. AA treatment reduced microglia activation and inflammatory cytokine release induced by a HFD. Furthermore, AA treatment increased the number of hippocampal neurons, the density of dendritic spines, and the expression of tight junction proteins. We also demonstrated that AA attenuated microglial activation by targeting the SIRT3-NF-κB/MAPK pathway and ameliorated microglial activation-induced tight junction degeneration in endothelial cells and apoptosis in hippocampal neurons. The results of this study show that AA may be a promising agent for the treatment of HFD-induced brain aging.
Protective and vulnerability factors of posttraumatic growth during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Noriega Cristina , Sánchez-Cabaco A. , López J. , Pérez-Rojo G. , Sitges E. , Bonete-López B.
Published: September 2023

Background and objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic is a major life event that has brought new challenges and threats. Some people may experience positive changes, such as post-traumatic growth (PTG). Several factors may enhance or hinder this possibility of development. There is extensive literature considering protective and vulnerability factors separately. However, there is a lack of studies considering both factors based on a holistic approach. This study aims to determine the weight of two protective factors (resilience and life purpose) and two vulnerability ones (anxiety and depression) in PTG, considering the COVID-19 affectation. Design and Methods: 749 Spanish people aged 18–84 years old completed a survey that included sociodemographic data, direct/indirect affectation by COVID-19, anxiety, depression, resilience, life purpose and PTG. Path analysis was used to test the predictors of PTG. Results: Women showed higher levels of PTG. The effect of COVID-19 symptoms on PTG is mainly mediated by life purpose, and anxiety to a lesser extent. Two indirect effects were found: (1) the negative effect of depression on PTG through resilience and life purpose assessed simultaneously; (2) the positive effect of resilience on PTG through life purpose. Conclusions:The originality of the approach of this research lies in the integration of vulnerability and protection factors to determine PTG. Identifying protective and vulnerability factors is crucial to prevent the development of mental disorders in risk populations. The development of interventions considering depressive disorders as PTG inhibitors while highlighting life purpose to strengthen mental health is needed.
Network analysis of negative emotion and self-management in Chinese patients with early chronic kidney disease
Authors: Cui Yi , Guo Zhihua , Yang Tianqi , Liu Qin , Liu Na , Yang Haoshuang , Zhang Lihua , Mu Hezi , Zhang Lanfang , Zhang Yinling
Published: September 2023

The number of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is increasing worldwide, and the disease carries a serious physical and psychological burden that creates negative emotions among patients. The negative emotions limits patients’ ability to manage their disease and prevents them from effectively delaying disease progression. In this study, we applied a network analysis to explore the network relationship between negative emotions and self-management in patients with CKD and to investigate the risk or protective effects of different components of negative emotions on self-management. The study was conducted from September 2021 to March 2022 in three tertiary hospitals in China, with data gathered via a convenience sampling method. 360 patients with CKD at stages 1 ~ 3 in the department of nephrology completed the Sociodemographic Questionnaire, Positive Affect and Negative Affect Scale and Chronic Kidney Disease Self-management Instrument. We used R4.1.1 software to estimate the network model and calculate the related indicators. The network showed that among negative emotions “irritated” was negatively correlated with “self-integration”, “problem solving”, “seeking social support” and “adherence to recommended regimen” in self-management. The correlations between “scared” and “self-integration”, “nervous” and “problem solving”, and “ashamed” and “seeking social support” were all positive. The bridge expected influence of “irritated” and “adherence to recommended regimen” were the highest, with values of -0.19 and 0.13, respectively. “Irritated” has a more obvious risk effect on self-management. This study provides an important target for interventions to reduce negative emotions and improve self-management ability in patients with CKD.
A case of ‘de-immigrantization’: when sexual minority individuals lose immigrant status
Authors: Reese Jonathan , Santos Ana Sofia , Palma Tomás A.
Published: September 2023

Individuals generally hold multiple, and sometimes stereotypically contrasted, group memberships which may change depending on uncontrollable contextual factors. For instance, if someone is a foreigner, there exist certain social stereotypes regarding their nationality which may influence others’ conceptualizations. However, how might an intersection of memberships, such as being both foreign and gay, affect natives’ perceptions of them when these stereotypes may not converge? Across four experiments, the stereotypes attributed to generalized and specific groups were examined to better understand intersectional prototypicalities. Results indicated certain cases in which immigrants may be “de-immigrantized”, or, perceived as less stereotypically immigrant. More specifically, Portuguese participants viewed gay immigrants as less prototypically immigrant, but did not view lesbian immigrants as less prototypically immigrant, bringing into question the complexity of double minority conceptualizations. Additionally, individuals from nationalities with a higher perceived percentage of gays or lesbians in their population (e.g., Brazil and France) were generally viewed as less prototypically immigrant than individuals from nationalities with a lower perceived percentage of gays or lesbians in their population (e.g., India and Japan). Conclusions provide support for intersectional theories and yield additional insights into the categorization of multiple minority groups on the basis of sexuality and nationality.
Considering a Bifactor Model of Children’s Subjective Well-Being Using a Multinational Sample
Authors: Savahl Shazly , Casas Ferran , Adams Sabirah
Published: September 2023

In the current study, we consider the viability of a bifactor model of children’s subjective well-being (SWB) by contributing to the discussion on the dimensionality of children’s SWB. We specify a general factor of SWB and four group factors (context-free cognitive life satisfaction, domain-based cognitive life satisfaction, positive affect, and negative affect) using structural equation modelling and parceling. We used data from the Children’s Worlds International Survey of Children’s Well-Being (N = 92 782). Our analysis strategy included confirmatory factor analysis and bifactor analysis. We found a good fit for the specified bifactor model, with all items loading onto a general factor and group factors. For the bifactor analysis, after controlling for the general factor, the loadings on the group factors were substantially lower, and did not meet the criteria of acceptability for bifactor indices thresholds. The common variance of the items is largely explained by the general factor; thus, the specification of the group factors cannot be justified. Further, we found an excellent fit for a model using the parceling approach. From a measurement perspective, the construct of children’s SWB can potentially be measured as a unidimensional construct. Thus, it may be feasible to report a total score for children’s SWB, as opposed to scores on the individual subscales (group factors). Applied researchers can thus confidently use SWB as a unidimensional construct or follow the parceling approach in the structural equation model context.