bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Treatments for undefined log ratios in matching analyses
Authors: Caron Pier‐Olivier
Published: June 2024

A challenge in carrying out matching analyses is to deal with undefined log ratios. If any reinforcer or response rate equals zero, the logarithm of the ratio is undefined: data are unsuitable for analyses. There have been some tentative solutions, but they had not been thoroughly investigated. The purpose of this article is to assess the adequacy of five treatments: omit undefined ratios, use full information maximum likelihood, replace undefined ratios by the mean divided by 100, replace them by a constant 1/10, and add the constant .50 to ratios. Based on simulations, the treatments are compared on their estimations of variance accounted for, sensitivity, and bias. The results show that full information maximum likelihood and omiting undefined ratios had the best overall performance, with negligibly biased and more accurate estimates than mean divided by 100, constant 1/10, and constant .50. The study suggests that mean divided by 100, constant 1/10, and constant .50 should be avoided and recommends full information maximum likelihood to deal with undefined log ratios in matching analyses.
Assessing stimulus preference using response force in a conjugate preparation: A replication and extension
Authors: Sheridan Daniel J. , Rapp John T. , Edgemon Anna Kate , Pinkston Jonathan W.
Published: June 2024

The current study examined 98 participants' preferences for five pictorial stimuli. The researchers used a verbal multiple‐stimulus‐without‐replacement (VMSWO) preference assessment with each participant to identify high‐preference and low‐preference pictorial stimuli. Next, participants viewed each pictorial stimulus in a randomized order on a computer while using a hand dynamometer that measured the amount of force they exerted to increase or maintain the visual clarity of each image. The results indicate that over 75% of participants' force response ranks corresponded with participants' VMSWO high‐preference stimuli, VMSWO low‐preference stimuli, or both. The results of the current study provide further evidence for the use of conjugate schedules in the assessment of stimulus preference with potential for use as a reinforcer assessment. Implications along with directions for future research and limitations of the findings are discussed.
Laughing from the Outside‐In: Considering ‘What's Up Africa’ as an(other) humorous humanitarian digilantism
Authors: Ademolu Edward
Published: June 2024

This article examines the intersection of humour and humanitarianism in engaging Northern audiences with global Southern poverty issues. It analyses witty social media campaigns that critique humanitarian practices and Africa’s representation, notably What’s Up Africa (WUA) on YouTube, Radi‐Aid on YouTube, Humanitarians of Tinder on Tumblr and Barbie Savior on Instagram. Using ‘contraflow’, it shows how humour and positionality shape reception. WUA’s Black African‐centric comedy, particualrly, highlights the often‐underexplored role of race in development discourse, challenging the White institutional core of humanitarianism. These insights reveal power dynamics and invite further academic inquiry into the transformative potential of comedic humanitarian critique.
Exploring how mobile money adoption affects nutrition and household food security
Authors: Ajefu Joseph B. , Uchenna Efobi , Adeoye Lydia , Davidson Israel , Agbawn Matthew Onalo
Published: June 2024

This paper explores how using mobile money services affects food security and nutritional status of households in Tanzania. This study uses data obtained from three waves of the Tanzanian National Panel Surveys and the instrumental variable (IV) approach. The evidence from this paper shows that using mobile money services resulted in household's enhanced nutritional and food security status. Households' receipt of remittances is the main pathway in which using mobile money services influences the food security and nutritional outcomes among households in Tanzania.
Usefulness of the large language model ChatGPT (GPT‐4) as a diagnostic tool and information source in dermatology
Authors: Nielsen Jacob P. S. , Grønhøj Christian , Skov Lone , Gyldenløve Mette
Published: June 2024

Background

The field of artificial intelligence is rapidly evolving. As an easily accessible platform with vast user engagement, the Chat Generative Pre‐Trained Transformer (ChatGPT) holds great promise in medicine, with the latest version, GPT‐4, capable of analyzing clinical images.

Objectives

To evaluate ChatGPT as a diagnostic tool and information source in clinical dermatology.

Methods

A total of 15 clinical images were selected from the Danish web atlas, Danderm, depicting various common and rare skin conditions. The images were uploaded to ChatGPT version GPT‐4, which was prompted with ‘Please provide a description, a potential diagnosis, and treatment options for the following dermatological condition’. The generated responses were assessed by senior registrars in dermatology and consultant dermatologists in terms of accuracy, relevance, and depth (scale 1–5), and in addition, the image quality was rated (scale 0–10). Demographic and professional information about the respondents was registered.

Results

A total of 23 physicians participated in the study. The majority of the respondents were consultant dermatologists (83%), and 48% had more than 10 years of training. The overall image quality had a median rating of 10 out of 10 [interquartile range (IQR): 9–10]. The overall median rating of the ChatGPT generated responses was 2 (IQR: 1–4), while overall median ratings in terms of relevance, accuracy, and depth were 2 (IQR: 1–4), 3 (IQR: 2–4) and 2 (IQR: 1–3), respectively.

Conclusions

Despite the advancements in ChatGPT, including newly added image processing capabilities, the chatbot demonstrated significant limitations in providing reliable and clinically useful responses to illustrative images of various dermatological conditions.
Incidentally Discovered 99mTc‐MDP Uptake on Bone Scan in Otosclerosis
Authors: Berendt Karl , Jen Ho , Liu Richard , Jeffery Dean
Published: June 2024

Otosclerosis is a poorly understood clinical entity causing progressive conductive hearing loss. Here we present the first known evidence of otosclerosis demonstrating 99mTc‐MDP uptake on bone scan. This presents an opportunity to explore the role of nuclear medicine imaging in early detection, staging, and even informing treatment and prognosis of this condition. Laryngoscope, 134:4763–4765, 2024
How to be a good reviewer: A step‐by‐step guide for approaching peer review of a scientific manuscript
Authors: Sedaghat Ahmad R. , Bernal‐Sprekelsen Manuel , Fokkens Wytske J. , Smith Timothy L. , Stewart Michael G. , Johnson Romaine F.
Published: June 2024

Objectives

The peer review process is critical to maintaining quality, reliability, novelty, and innovation in the scientific literature. However, the teaching of scientific peer review is rarely a component of formal scientific or clinical training, and even the most experienced peer reviewers express interest in continuing education. The objective of this review article is to summarize the collective perspectives of experienced journal editors about how to be a good reviewer in a step‐by‐step guide that can serve as a resource for the performance of peer review of a scientific manuscript.

Methods

This is a narrative review.

Results

A review of the history and an overview of the modern‐day peer review process are provided with attention to the role played by the reviewer, including important reasons for involvement in scientific peer review. The general components of a scientific peer review are described, and a model for how to structure a peer review report is provided. These concepts are also summarized in a reviewer checklist that can be used in real‐time to develop and double‐check one's reviewer report before submitting it.

Conclusions

Peer review is a critically important service for maintaining quality in the scientific literature. Peer review of a scientific manuscript and the associated reviewer's report should assess specific details related to the accuracy, validity, novelty, and interpretation of a study's results. We hope that this article will serve as a resource and guide for reviewers of all levels of experience in the performance of peer review of a scientific manuscript.
The relationship of rate and pause features to the communicative participation of people living with ALS
Authors: Connaghan Kathryn P. , Green Jordan R. , Eshghi Marziye , Haenssler Abigail E. , Scheier Zoe A. , Clark Alison , Iyer Amrita , Richburg Brian D. , Rowe Hannah P. , Okada June , Johnson Stephen A. , Onnela Jukka‐Pekka , Burke Katherine M. , Berry James D.
Published: June 2024

Introduction/Aims

Many people living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (PALS) report restrictions in their day‐to‐day communication (communicative participation). However, little is known about which speech features contribute to these restrictions. This study evaluated the effects of common speech symptoms in PALS (reduced overall speaking rate, slowed articulation rate, and increased pausing) on communicative participation restrictions.

Methods

Participants completed surveys (the Communicative Participation Item Bank‐short form; the self‐entry version of the ALS Functional Rating Scale‐Revised) and recorded themselves reading the Bamboo Passage aloud using a smartphone app. Rate and pause measures were extracted from the recordings. The association of various demographic, clinical, self‐reported, and acoustic speech features with communicative participation was evaluated with bivariate correlations. The contribution of salient rate and pause measures to communicative participation was assessed using multiple linear regression.

Results

Fifty seven people living with ALS participated in the study (mean age = 61.1 years). Acoustic and self‐report measures of speech and bulbar function were moderately to highly associated with communicative participation (Spearman rho coefficients ranged from rs = 0.48 to rs = 0.77). A regression model including participant age, sex, articulation rate, and percent pause time accounted for 57% of the variance of communicative participation ratings.

Discussion

Even though PALS with slowed articulation rate and increased pausing may convey their message clearly, these speech features predict communicative participation restrictions. The identification of quantitative speech features, such as articulation rate and percent pause time, is critical to facilitating early and targeted intervention and for monitoring bulbar decline in ALS.
One‐Step Synthesis of Chitosan Hydrogel as Electrochemical Chemosensor for Hydrogen Sulfide Detection in Pregnancy‐Induced Hypertension Syndrome Serum Sample
Authors: Fang Lishan , Li Jinqiu , Lin Wei , Zeng Lili , Yu Liumin , Chen Zhanfei , Shen Jianlin , Chen Yu , Chen Zhonghui , Lin Zhenyu
Published: June 2024

Oxidative stress caused by pregnancy‐induced hypertension syndrome significantly affects the health of pregnant women. Hydrogen sulfide is a typical gaseous signal molecule against oxidative stress, and it is of profound significance to develop a detection method. In this study, a stimuli‐responsive hydrogel was constructed based on the coordination and bonding principle of metal ions and chitosan (CS) to realize the quantitative detection of hydrogen sulfide (H2S). The chain of CS contains a large number of amino groups and hydroxyl groups, which can form the coordination structure with Cu2+, triggering CS to form a stable hydrogel. The hydrogel can be formed within about 5 s, which has the characteristics of rapid preparation. In the presence of target H2S, the cross‐linking agent Cu2+ in the hydrogel can compete out, resulting in the collapse of the hydrogel and the release of the electrochemical probe. By detecting the concentration of the released electrochemical probe, the quantitative detection of H2S can be achieved. The prepared hydrogel has a good linear relationship with the concentration of H2S from 1 μM to 60 μm. At the same time, the hydrogel has good specificity and stability, and it can be applied to the detection of H2S in serum samples.
Research progress of nano‐delivery systems for the active ingredients from traditional Chinese medicine
Authors: Xie Yunyu , Shen Xuelian , Xu Funeng , Liang Xiaoxia
Published: June 2024

Introduction

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been used for thousands of years in China, characterizing with novel pharmacological mechanisms, low toxicity, and limited side effects. However, the application of TCM active ingredients is often hindered by their physical and chemical properties, including poor solubility, low bioavailability, short half‐life, toxic side effects within therapeutic doses, and instability in biological environments. Consequently, an increasing number of researchers are directing their attention towards the discovery of nano‐delivery systems for TCM to overcome these clinical challenges.

Objectives

This review aims to provide the latest knowledge and results concerning the studies on the nano‐delivery systems for the active ingredients from TCM.

Materials and Methods

Recent literature relating to nano‐delivery systems for the active ingredients from TCM is summarized to provide a fundamental understanding of how such systems can enhance the application of phytochemicals.

Results

The nano‐delivery systems of six types of TCM monomers are summarized and categorized based on the skeletal structure of the natural compounds. These categories include terpenoids, flavonoids, alkaloids, quinones, polyphenols, and polysaccharides. The paper analyzes the characteristics, types, materials used, and the efficacy achieved by TCM‐nano systems. Additionally, the advantages and disadvantages of nano‐drug delivery systems for TCM are summarized in this paper.

Conclusion

Nano‐delivery systems represent a promising approach to overcoming clinical obstacles stemming from the physical and chemical properties of TCM active ingredients, thereby enhancing their clinical efficacy.
A Novel Synthesis of ZnNb2O6 Nanoparticles via Combustion Method: Supercapacitor and Photocatalytic Properties
Authors: Basavaraju N. , Raghavendra N. , Hamdalla Taymour A. , Ravikumar C.R. , Nagaswarupa H.P. , Shekhar T.R. Shashi , Surendra B.S. , Murthy H.C. Ananda
Published: June 2024

In light of the current study's demonstration of the synthesis of Zn doped niobium metal oxide a low‐cost approach is provided for the synthesis of ZnNb2O6 nanoparticles. Using the urea and oxalyl dihydrazide (ODH) as fuel and complexing agent, ZnNb2O6 NPs are synthesized via the solution combustion process. The X‐ray diffraction (XRD) patterns reveal that ZnNb2O6 has a columbite‐orthorhombic structure. The field emisssion‐scanning electron microscopy (FE‐SEM) micrographs revealed the presence of uniform and spherically shaped morphology for ZnNb2O6. The role of ZnNb2O6 in the photocatalytic degradation of fuchsin acid dye is investigated under UV‐rays. The remarkable photocatalytic degradation activity of the material is demonstrated with 90% degradation rate. The fabricated electrode is used for the electrochemical analysis of the resultant material. The capacitance of 223 and 198 Fg−1 at a scan rate of 5 Ag−1, respectively, are measured in a 3‐electrode using the chemically generated ZnNb2O6, as per the Galvanostatic charge discharge (GCD) experiment. Furthermore, it exhibited excellent cycling stability, maintaining over 85% of its initial capacitance even after 2000 cycles. The goal of this research is to develop a solution combustion method for synthesizing ZnNb2O6 NPs from urea and ODH so that it may be more effectively tested for electrochemical, sensing, and photocatalytic uses.
Exploring the atmospheric conditions increasing fire danger in the Iberian Peninsula
Authors: Purificação Carolina , Campos Cátia , Henkes Alice , Couto Flavio Tiago
Published: June 2024

The fire danger is particularly sensitive to meteorological conditions. The present study discusses the atmospheric conditions during three periods to evaluate how they can increase fire danger. A set of three convection‐permitting simulations was configured at 2.5 km resolution using the Meso‐NH model. In the first period, the intense surface heating induced by a heatwave favoured the development of the Iberian thermal low in July 2019, leading to the formation of precipitating systems and resulting in convective outflows that affected the central Iberian Peninsula. The outflows were shown to be an important feature in evaluating fire danger during the period; however, the simulation also highlighted the orographic effect as another phenomenon playing an important role in fire development and consequently enhancing the fire danger in some regions such as in the extreme southwest of Portugal. The orographic effect in this specific region was identified and analyzed in detail for two megafire events that occurred in Monchique in August 2003 and 2018. The Monchique Mountain's shape and orientation interacting with the airflow induced upslope and downslope winds that favoured the rapid propagation of the fire fronts in August 2018. The third experiment showed that the circulation of a sea breeze from the southern coast of Portugal may act as an enhancer for fire danger in the region when interacting with the regional mountain, such as verified in the 2003 megafire. The study shows that the fire danger over specific regions can be increased by different atmospheric phenomena and explored from atmospheric modelling. The convective outflows were an important factor enhancing fire danger; however, the orographic effect was confirmed as the main factor producing two megafires events in the extreme southwest of Portugal.
Theoretical studies on the kinetics and mechanism of hydroxyl radical reaction with quinclorac and quinmerac herbicides in aqueous media
Authors: Upadhyaya Hari P.
Published: June 2024

The kinetic and mechanistic studies for the reaction of hydroxyl radical with two quinoline based herbicides, namely, quinclorac and quinmerac has been performed using various computational methods in aqueous media. Geometry optimizations were performed using Density Functional Theory (DFT) methods including water as the solvent. Local reactivity parameters of these herbicides towards the •OH radical are predicted using condensed Fukui function. Single point energies of various species were calculated using double hybrid method, namely, B2PLYP–D for better accuracy. The pKa values for these acid based herbicides allow them to exist in deprotonated form in aqueous condition. Hence, the calculations are also performed for the deprotonated or the anionic form apart from the neutral species. Individual rate coefficients for •OH radical addition reaction with each carbon atoms were evaluated using conventional transition state theory using one–dimensional tunneling corrections. The solvent effect on reaction is implemented through Collins–Kimball formulations. Both the approaches, namely, the Fukui index and individual rate constant determination confirms that the most reactive site for the •OH radical addition in these two herbicide is the carbon atom attached to the COOH group. The total rate constant for the •OH radical reaction with both neutral and anionic forms of these two herbicides are relatively high and equal to its diffusion‐limit value. Evaluation of the ecotoxicities of the parent herbicides and their OH adducts is estimated using the structure–activity relationship concept.
Spin‐orbit effects on the ring current strengths of the substituted cyclophosphazene: c$$ c $$‐P3$$ {}_3 $$N3$$ {}_3 $$X6$$ {}_6 $$(X=H, F, Cl, Br, I, At, Ts)$$ \left(\mathbf{X}=\mathbf{H},\mathbf{F},\mathbf{Cl},\mathbf{Br},\mathbf{I},\mathbf{At},\mathbf{Ts}\right) $$
Authors: Ramirez‐Tagle Rodrigo , Alvarez‐Thon Luis
Published: June 2024

This work reports the magnetic index of aromaticity of cyclophosphazene (‐PNH) and their halogenated cyclic derivatives: ‐PNF, ‐PNCl, ‐PNBr, ‐PNI, ‐PNAt and ‐PNTs. This index, also known as ring‐current strength, is calculated by numerical integration of the magnetically‐induced current density vector field which is generated by a perturbing external magnetic field. Due to the presence of heavy atoms in ‐PNX, important relativistic were expected. Accordingly, all‐electron density functional theory (DFT) calculations were carried out using the four‐component Dirac‐Coulomb (DC) Hamiltonian, including scalar and spin‐orbit relativistic effects. The values were also compared with the corresponding spin‐free (scalar relativistic) ones.
Verifying Hierarchic Multipartite and Network Nonlocalities with a Unified Method
Authors: Luo Ming‐Xing , Fei Shao‐Ming
Published: June 2024

The multipartite nonlocality provides deep insights into the fundamental feature of quantum mechanics and guarantees different degrees of cryptography security for potential applications in the quantum internet. Verifying multipartite nonlocal correlations is a difficult task. A unified approach is proposed that encompasses all the quantum characteristics of the multipartite correlated system beyond from fully separable to biseparable no‐signaling correlations. A straightforward method is offered to verify general systems by lifting partial nonlocal correlations. This allows to construct a chained Bell inequality, facilitating the unified verification of hierarchic multipartite nonlocalities. The lifting method is finally applied to verify the correlations derived from quantum networks.
Lung abscess caused by the anaerobic pathogen Tannerella forsythia
Authors: Miao XiaYi , Yang Wei , Wang Shiqiang , Tang Jihong , Luo XuMing , Chen Teng
Published: June 2024

Odontogenic infections can spread to the respiratory tract. Despite the known role of Tannerella forsythia as the primary pathogen in periodontitis, the association between T. forsythia infection and risk of pneumonia or lung abscess remains unknown. In this report, we present a case of lung abscess caused by T. forsythia infection. The pathogen was detected by metagenomic next‐generation sequencing (mNGS) in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of the patient. The clinical characteristics and possible mechanisms of the infection are discussed. T. forsythia is a conditional pathogen that can cause lung abscess in the presence of helper bacteria and reduced host immune status. The course of treatment should be personalized and might be longer than 3 months.
Zonotopic state estimation and sensor fault detection for a wastewater treatment bioprocess
Authors: Zhou Meng , Wu Yan , Wang Jing , Xue Tonglai , Raïssi Tarek
Published: June 2024

In this paper, a fault diagnosis method for the basic process of microbial growth in wastewater treatment based on interval estimation technology is proposed. First, a nonlinear microbial growth model is converted into a linear time‐varying system. A time‐varying observer is then designed for the generated system, which takes into account an performance. Furthermore, a zonotope‐based set‐membership estimation algorithm is analyzed to synchronize interval estimation operations. In addition, interval residuals are computed from the generated interval state estimation and fault diagnosis is performed for a wastewater treatment bioprocess with sensor fault signals. Finally, the feasibility of the proposed fault diagnosis strategy for the wastewater treatment bioprocess is illustrated through numerical simulations.
Single‐Step Chemical Vapor Deposition of Methyl Ammonium Lead Halide Perovskite for p–i‐n Solar Cells
Authors: Muratov Dmitry S. , Luchnikov Lev O. , Saranin Danila S. , Ishteev Artur R. , Kurichenko Vladislav , Kolesnikov Evgeniy A. , Kuznetsov Denis V. , Di Carlo Aldo
Published: June 2024

Metal halide perovskite solar cells being one of the fastest emerging technologies for renewable energy still has to become more industry friendly in a way that will allow using it for thin film modules or tandems with conventional silicon devices. The simplest way to achieve this is to use chemical vapor deposition (CVD) technique for tandem production. In this work, we show a method for a single step production of MAPbI3 films in a simple two‐zone CVD reactor from lead diacetate and methyl‐ammonium iodide powders. Obtained films show highly ordered cubic MAPbI3 phase with a thickness of 400–500 nm, good photoluminescence response and absorption band edge similar to spin‐coated film. We used those films to produce p‐i‐n solar cells with ITO/NiO/MAPbI3/C60/Cu structure. The best cell showed negligible 0.23 % PCE right after the manufacturing but significantly improved to 5.5 % PCE after 8 hours of storage in the dark. The main limiting factor affecting the efficiency is low current density, which we attribute to non‐optimized growth conditions; however, our approach is a first step to a single step CVD deposition of MAPbI3 on any type of substrates including texturized silicon subcells for better overall efficiency
Block Copolymer Self‐assembly: Exploitation of Hydrogen Bonding for Nanoparticle Morphology Control via Incorporation of Triazine Based Comonomers by RAFT Polymerization
Authors: Haque Farah , Thompson Steven W. , Ishizuka Fumi , Kuchel Rhiannon P. , Singh Dharmendra , Sanjayan Gangadhar J. , Zetterlund Per B.
Published: June 2024

Synthesis of polymeric nanoparticles of controlled non‐spherical morphology is of profound interest for a wide variety of potential applications. Self‐assembly of amphiphilic diblock copolymers is an attractive bottom‐up approach to prepare such nanoparticles. In the present work, RAFT polymerization is employed to synthesize a variety of poly(N,N‐dimethylacrylamide)‐b‐poly[butyl acrylate‐stat‐GCB] copolymers, where GCB represents vinyl monomer containing triazine based Janus guanine‐cytosine nucleobase motifs featuring multiple hydrogen bonding arrays. Hydrogen bonding between the hydrophobic blocks exert significant influence on the morphology of the resulting nanoparticles self‐assembled in water. The Janus feature of the GCB moieties makes it possible to use a single polymer type in self‐assembly, unlike previous work exploiting, e.g., thymine‐containing polymer and adenine‐containing polymer. Moreover, the strength of the hydrogen bonding interactions enables use of a low molar fraction of GCB units, thereby rendering it possible to use the present approach for copolymers based on common vinyl monomers for the development of advanced nanomaterials.
The Road Less Travelled: What Can Be Learnt?
Authors: Ibričević Aida
Published: June 2024

According to a recently published Gallup poll, Bosnia and Herzegovina scored −32% on the potential net migration index (PNMI). This score ranked BiH at the bottom of the list of European countries, with only Kosovo ranking lower. The situation is even more alarming when looking at the indices for brain drain and youth migration, for which BiH scored −40% and −57%, respectively. These results ranked BiH at the bottom on an international scale, with El Salvador, Haiti, Liberia, and Sierra Leone scoring lower. Amidst such abysmal emigration prospects, there appears a truly puzzling phenomenon: voluntary return migration. I embarked on a journey to unravel the mystery of why people are coming back to a place that so many seem eager to escape? I was initially inspired to answer this and related questions after watching the “I want to go home” (Kenović, 2016) documentary in May 2016. While wrapping up my data analysis 3 years later, I was captivated by another documentary film produced by the same news organization. As the show notes state, “Disappearing” (Nestajanje), tells the story of “young, highly educated people from Bosnia and Herzegovina who, despite their different backgrounds, find themselves on the same road. This road, unfortunately, takes them far from their home country, which didn’t give them a chance to realize their full potential.” Leaving BiH is the dominant trend, while deciding to come back, although highly interesting for theoretical purposes, deviates from that norm. In the years of working on this puzzle, I hope to have shed some light on its various facets and contributed to its better understanding. So, what can we learn from those who have taken the proverbial “road less traveled”? The focus of this chapter is to discuss the findings of my study and how they contribute to the current debates on relevant concepts.
Parameters, Modeling and Taxonomy for an HBIM Baroque Facade
Authors: Lo Turco Massimiliano , Bono Jacopo , Tomalini Andrea
Published: June 2024

This contribution explores the application of the BIM methodology in the context of built heritage (HBIM). Specifically, it investigates how this methodology has evolved in terms of modeling techniques, viewed through the lens of Drawing as a critical aspect of its implementation. By considering these perspectives together, the paper aims to identify the primary advantages and limitations of HBIM, highlighting the need for defined workflows to effectively manage and deconstruct the intricate architectural elements found in the Palazzo del Collegio dei Nobili, which represents Turin's brick buildings from the Savoy Baroque period.
Combination of STING agonist with anti-vascular RGD-(KLAKLAK)2 peptide as a novel anti-tumor therapy
Authors: Czapla Justyna , Drzyzga Alina , Ciepła Joanna , Matuszczak Sybilla , Jarosz-Biej Magdalena , Pilny Ewelina , Cichoń Tomasz , Smolarczyk Ryszard
Published: June 2024

Immunotherapy is one of the most promising anti-cancer treatment. It involves activating the host's own immune system to eliminate cancer cells. Activation of cGAS-STING pathway is promising therapeutic approach for cancer immunotherapy. However, in human clinical trials, targeting cGAS-STING pathway results in insufficient or unsustainable anti-tumor response. To enhance its effectiveness, combination with other anti-cancer therapies seems essential to achieve synergistic systemic anti-tumor response.

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the combination of STING agonist-cGAMP with anti-vascular RGD-(KLAKLAK)2 peptide results in a better anti-tumor response in poorly immunogenic tumors with various STING protein and αvβ3 integrin status.

Combination therapy inhibited growth of murine breast carcinoma more effectively than melanoma. In melanoma, the administration of STING agonist alone was sufficient to obtain a satisfactory therapeutic effect. In both tumor models we have noted stimulation of innate immune response following cGAMP administration alone or in combination. The largest population of immune cells infiltrating the TME after therapy were activated NK cells. Increased infiltration of cytotoxic CD8+ T lymphocytes within the TME was only observed in melanoma tumors. However, they also expressed the “exhaustion” PD-1 receptor. In contrast, in breast carcinoma tumors each therapy caused the drop in the number of infiltrating CD8+ T cells.

The obtained results indicate an additional therapeutic benefit from combining STING agonist with an anti-vascular agent. However, this effect depends on the type of tumor, the status of its microenvironment and the expression of specific proteins such as STING and αvβ3 family integrin.
Interactions between parenting styles, child anxiety, and oppositionality in selective mutism
Authors: Slobodin Ortal , Shorer Maayan , Friedman Zeltzer Gilor , Fennig Silvana
Published: June 2024

Selective mutism (SM) is a poorly understood condition, and debate continues regarding its etiology and classification. Research suggests that a genetic vulnerability may play a role in the development of the disorder which may be compounded by anxious and over-protective parenting. While previous studies supported the role of parenting styles in the development of SM, most of them examined child and parent factors in isolation. The current study examined how the interactions between child internalizing and externalizing behaviors (anxiety and oppositionality, respectively) and parenting styles (authoritative, permissive, and authoritarian) are associated with SM diagnosis. The study included 285 children aged 3–7 years (57.2% females), and their parents (66 children with SM and 219 typically developed children). Parents completed questionnaires about child social anxiety, oppositional behavior, SM severity, and their parenting style. Results showed that parents of children with SM reported lower levels of authoritative practices than those of typically developed children. We also found that child social anxiety and oppositionality moderated the effects of authoritative and authoritarian parenting practices on SM diagnosis. Our results suggest that child anxiety and oppositionality may explain the different susceptibility of children to adaptive and maladaptive parenting styles.
Integrated Bioinformatic Analysis Reveals the Oncogenic, Survival, and Prognostic Characteristics of TPX2 in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Zhang Weibin , Dong Jia , Wu Yunfei , Liang Xiangnan , Suo Lida , Wang Liming
Published: June 2024

Targeting protein for Xenopus kinesin-like protein 2 (TPX2), a well-known mitotic protein, has been linked to carcinogenesis in several cancers. This study investigated the role of TPX2 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) from various aspects using bioinformatic analyses. TPX2 expression and its prognostic value in pan-cancers were analyzed using SangerBox. TPX2 expression and its association with prognosis, immune infiltration, tumor mutations, and signaling pathways in HCC were analyzed using UALCAN, BoxKaplan-Meier Plotter, GEPIA, Human Protein Atlas, TIMER 2.0, and SangerBox. Genes co-expressed with TPX2 in HCC were analyzed using the HCCDB database, followed by functional enrichment using SangerBox. Clinical predictive models were established based on TPX2 and its co-expressed genes using the ACLBI database. TPX2 expression significantly increased in pan-cancers and was associated with survival in nearly half of the cancer types. High TPX2 expression has been linked to poor survival outcomes in patients with HCC. TPX2 expression was positively correlated with abundant infiltration of immune cells (including B cells, CD4 + /CD8 + T cells, macrophages, neutrophils, and dendritic cells), TP53 mutation, and carcinogenesis-related pathways, such as the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, cellular response to hypoxia, and tumor proliferation signature. Nineteen genes were found to be co-expressed with TPX2 in HCC, and these genes showed close positive correlations and were mainly implicated in cell cycle-related functions. A prognostic model established using TPX2 and its expressed genes could stratify HCC patients into high- and low-risk groups, with a significantly shorter survival time in high-risk groups. The prognostic model performed well in predicting 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival of patients with HCC, with areas under the curve of 0.801, 0.725, and 0.711, respectively. TPX2 functions as an oncogene in HCC, and its high expression is detrimental to the survival of patients with HCC. Thus, TPX2 may be a prognostic biomarker and potential therapeutic target for HCC.
VeLePa: Central Pame verbal inflection in a quantitative perspective
Authors: Herce Borja
Published: June 2024

This paper reports on the compilation and quantitative analysis of VeLePa, an inflected lexicon containing paradigms of 216 Central Pame verbs and a total of 12528 elicited words, in phonological form, supplied with cell and lexeme frequency information. The language (Otomanguean) is of interest due to both its extraordinary morphological complexity, as well as due to the organization of the inflection into a four-fold concurrent classification system where prefixes, stems, tone-stress, and suffixes all display inflection classes and irregularities which are only partially predictable from each other. A quantitative analysis of morphological predictability as per the Paradigm Cell Filling Problem is conducted for every layer, and for the whole word, as well as of the uncertainties language users face to learn or predict the morphosyntactic values or lexical meaning of a verb form from its morphology.
Tailoring of Gelatin-Chitosan Nanofibers Functionalized with Eucalyptus Essential Oil via Electroblowing for Potential Food Packaging and Wound Dressing Applications
Authors: Elomar Zeyne , Eticha Andinet Kumella , Doğan Nurcan , Akgul Yasin , Doğan Cemhan
Published: June 2024

In recent years, new approaches to fabricating nanofiber networks for potential applications in wound dressing and food packaging have been in the spotlight. This study aimed to produce functional webs based on gelatin, chitosan, and eucalyptus essential oil using the electro-blowing method instead of traditional spinning methods such as electrospinning. The resultant nanofiber webs exhibit promising morphological characteristics, including reduced fiber diameters, enhanced air permeability, and improved thermal stability. The integration of chitosan and eucalyptus essential oil overcomes limitations associated with gelatin, offering enhanced mechanical properties, antibacterial efficacy, and potential attributes for wound healing and food packaging. The combination of gelatin and chitosan contributes to biodegradability and biocompatibility, crucial for developing materials compatible with the natural environment. The addition of eucalyptus essential oil provides an additional layer of antimicrobial protection, aligning with sustainability goals in wound care and active food packaging. A comprehensive analysis encompassing SEM morphologies, fiber diameters, air permeability, FTIR spectra, TGA thermograms, and contact angle measurements establishes a thorough understanding of the fabricated nanofiber webs’ characteristics. Despite the favorable properties exhibited by the developed nanofiber webs for wound healing and food packaging applications, the incorporation of eucalyptus essential oil resulted in a reduction in tensile strength and elongation ratios. This observation highlights the necessity for further optimization and fine-tuning of the formulation to strike a balance between antimicrobial benefits and mechanical properties. Distinguished by its unique combination of gelatin, chitosan, and eucalyptus essential oil, this research contributes to the advancement of nanofiber technology, expanding knowledge in the field and paving the way for the development of advanced materials with enhanced therapeutic properties for wound healing and food packaging.

Graphical Abstract
Emerging drugs in breast cancer: a focus on antibody–drug conjugates and novel treatment options in luminal disease
Authors: Bartsch Rupert
Published: June 2024

Recent years have seen the introduction of several new drugs and novel treatment approaches in early and advanced-stage breast cancer, leading to relevant improvements in outcome. Still, further reduction of recurrence risk in high-risk early breast cancer is required as is further improvement of disease control in metastatic disease, preferentially with parallel improvement of tolerability. Several antibody–drug conjugates are currently under clinical development, among them drugs targeting HER2, HER3 and TROP2; in addition, bispecific HER2-directed antibodies are a promising class of drugs. In hormone receptor-positive disease, optimizing treatment options in patients progressing on prior CDK4/6-inhibitor-based therapies is a focus of clinical research and recent developments encompass small molecule growth-factor pathway inhibitors such as the AKT inhibitor capivasertib, novel PIK3Ca inhibitors such as inavolisib as well as selective oestrogen receptor degraders and modulators. This article is intended as a short review of promising novel drugs in later clinical development in the field of breast cancer.
Exosomal lncRNA SNHG12 promotes angiogenesis and breast cancer progression
Authors: Chen Yan , Zhou Yuxin , Chen Jiafeng , Yang Jiahui , Yuan Yijie , Wu Weizhu
Published: June 2024

Objective

Breast cancer is one of the most prevalent malignancies in women. Exosomes are important mediators of intercellular communication; however, their regulatory mechanisms in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) angiogenesis in breast cancer remain unknown.

Methods

We isolated and characterized breast cancer cell-derived exosomes and investigated their functions. Exosomal sequencing and the TCGA database were used to screen long non-coding RNA (lncRNA). In vitro and in vivo experiments were performed to investigate the role of exosomal lncRNA in HUVEC angiogenesis and tumor growth. Molecular methods were used to demonstrate the molecular mechanism of lncRNA.

Results

We demonstrated that breast cancer cell-derived exosomes promoted HUVEC proliferation, tube formation, and migration. Combining exosomal sequencing results with The Cancer Genome Atlas Breast Cancer database, we screened lncRNA small nucleolar RNA host gene 12 (SNHG12), which was highly expressed in breast cancer cells. SNHG12 was also upregulated in HUVECs co-cultured with exosome-overexpressed SNHG12. Moreover, overexpression of SNHG12 in exosomes increased HUVEC proliferation and migration, whereas deletion of SNHG12 in exosomes showed the opposite effects. In vivo experiments showed that SNHG12 knockdown in exosomes inhibited breast cancer tumor growth. Transcriptome sequencing identified MMP10 as the target gene of SNHG12. Functional experiments revealed that MMP10 overexpression promoted HUVEC angiogenesis. Mechanistically, SNHG12 blocked the interaction between PBRM1 and MMP10 by directly binding to PBRM1. Moreover, exosomal SNHG12 promoted HUVEC angiogenesis via PBRM1 and MMP10.

Conclusions

In summary, our findings confirmed that exosomal SNHG12 promoted HUVEC angiogenesis via the PBRM1-MMP10 axis, leading to enhanced malignancy of breast cancer. Exosomal SNHG12 may be a novel therapeutic target for breast cancer.
A 10-Week School-Based Mindfulness Intervention and Symptoms of Depression and Anxiety Among School Children and Adolescents: A Controlled Study
Authors: Areskoug Sandberg E. , Stenman E. , Palmer K. , Duberg A. , Sundquist J. , Sundquist K.
Published: June 2024

Mental health problems are increasing among children and adolescents. School-based mindfulness interventions are gaining popularity worldwide and may be a way to decrease depression and anxiety symptoms in students. However, before introducing large-scale mindfulness interventions in school settings, more research is needed on feasible, easily applicable practices that are possible to fit in the school schedule. In this controlled intervention study, a total of 1399 students aged 9–16 were included. The 10-week classroom-based mindfulness intervention comprised daily, brief mindfulness sessions led by schoolteachers or via audio files. Symptoms of depression and anxiety were evaluated with Beck scales prior to and after the intervention. In addition to whole group analyses, subgroup analyses on age, sex as well as mode of delivery were performed. ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT03327714. No significant differences between the intervention and control group in change of depression or anxiety symptoms after the intervention were detected. However, the subgroup of students who received teacher-led mindfulness sessions (16%) had a significant decrease of depression and anxiety symptoms after 10 weeks compared to those who received the sessions via audio files. Brief mindfulness sessions on daily basis did not have any detectable overall effect on depression and anxiety symptoms among schoolchildren. Our findings do not support an introduction of large-scale mindfulness interventions in schools although the potential influence of mode of delivery needs to be further examined.

Clinical trial registration The study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (identifier: NCT03327714).
Subsample Selection Methods in the Lake Management
Authors: Koski Vilja , Kärkkäinen Salme , Karvanen Juha
Published: June 2024

The problem of subsample selection among an enormous number of combinations arises when some covariates are available for all units, but the response can be measured only for a subset of them. When estimating a Bayesian prediction model, optimized selections can be more efficient than random sampling. The work is motivated by environmental management of aquatic systems. We consider data on 4360 Finnish lakes and aim to find an approximately optimal subsample of lakes in the sense of Bayesian D-optimality. We study Bayesian two-stage selection where the choice of lakes to be measured at the second stage depends on the measurements carried out at the first stage. The results indicate that the two-stage approach has a modest advantage compared to the single-stage approach.
Design and Nonlinear Dynamic Response of a Steel Stack
Authors: Vatansever Cuneyt , Cayir Hasim
Published: June 2024

Industrial stacks are built in order to reduce atmospheric pollution and release gases to the higher level of the atmosphere. Since they are high and slender structures, they are significantly affected by lateral forces, in particular, induced by winds and earthquakes. This paper aims to summarize the design principles for steel stacks given in the international standards, codes and specifications considering the evaluation of the results from the investigation on nonlinear dynamic response of a typical steel stack subjected to the earthquake. For this purpose, a typical self-supporting steel stack has been designed and its performance under earthquake and wind forces has been investigated in terms of the applied design principles, such as the displacement limit and the potential plastic deformations. The study is accomplished by using finite element models employing nonlinear time history and pushover analyses. The numerical results are presented particularly by considering the design principles used for the model. The results show that wind loads considered are more pronounced in the design of industrial steel stacks than earthquake especially in terms of limiting top displacement. The flue openings which reduce strength and lateral stiffness of the stack web is significantly effective in the lateral behavior of the stack. Moreover, the principles considered are found applicable for the design of such steel stacks. Based on the results from nonlinear time history analyses, no yielding and plastic deformation are detected along the stack.
One-pot approach biosynthesis of nisin-conjugated zinc oxide nanoparticles using Bacillus subtilis ZBP4 with improved antibacterial activity
Authors: Hamk Mohammed , Avcı Ayşe
Published: June 2024

Biosynthesis of nisin-conjugated zinc oxide nanoparticles (N-ZnONPs) using the supernatant of Bacillus subtilis ZBP4 was demonstrated using a single-step reaction. Various amounts of nisin (5, 10, 15 mg/mL) and 8 mM ZnSO4.7H2O were reacted in the cell-free supernatant of Bacillus subtilis ZBP4 at 33 °C for 48 h. Surface plasmon resonance peaks created by N-ZnONPs were measured at 341–342 nm with a UV-VIS spectrophotometer, and the band-gap energy was calculated as 3.38 eV, indicating the nano-conjugates acted as semiconductors. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images showed that the N-ZnONPs were pseudo-spherical with an average diameter of 23 nm. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra analysis confirmed the presence of nisin as well as other organic substances in the structure. N-ZnONPs had potent antimicrobial activity on Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Staphylococcus aureus; the minimum inhibition concentrations were 0.05 and 1 mg/mL, respectively. In addition, conjugation with nisin increased the long-term stability of nanoparticles when compared to unconjugated ZnONPs.