bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of Physiological Status and Environmental Factors on the Lure Responses of Three Pest Fruit Fly Species (Diptera: Tephritidae)
Authors: Pogue Tania , Malod Kevin , Weldon Christopher W.
Published: July 2024

Biotic and abiotic factors influence how insects respond to stimuli. This can make it challenging to interpret captures in traps used to monitor pest abundance in management programmes. To address this, the lure response of three pest fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) was evaluated in a semi-field setting with respect to several physiological and environmental factors. Using standardised methods with known fly numbers in field cages, the response to Biolure (food-based lure) was evaluated for Ceratitis capitata, Ceratitis cosyra and Bactrocera dorsalis. Response to the male lures was tested: E.G.O PheroLure for C. capitata and C. cosyra, Trimedlure for C. capitata, and methyl eugenol for B. dorsalis. The physiological variables evaluated were fly age, sex, weight, and total body nutritional composition. The environmental effects of temperature, relative humidity and light intensity were also assessed. Protein-deprived adults responded more strongly to Biolure. The response to Biolure was not sex-specific. Fly age influenced the response of all species to all tested lures. However, this effect was species and lure specific. Temperature was the most influential environmental factor, with response generally increasing with temperature. Lower thresholds for lure response, despite the proximity of responsive flies, range from 12.21 to 22.95 °C depending on the species and lure tested. These results indicate that trapping systems and management activity thresholds must take physiological and environmental variation into account to increase their accuracy.
A quantitative modeling framework to understand the physiology of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and interaction with cortisol replacement therapy
Authors: Bindellini Davide , Michelet Robin , Aulin Linda B. S. , Melin Johanna , Neumann Uta , Blankenstein Oliver , Huisinga Wilhelm , Whitaker Martin J. , Ross Richard , Kloft Charlotte
Published: July 2024

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is characterized by impaired adrenal cortisol production. Hydrocortisone (synthetic cortisol) is the drug-of-choice for cortisol replacement therapy, aiming to mimic physiological cortisol circadian rhythm. The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis controls cortisol production through the pituitary adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and feedback mechanisms. The aim of this study was to quantify key mechanisms involved in the HPA axis activity regulation and their interaction with hydrocortisone therapy. Data from 30 healthy volunteers was leveraged: Endogenous ACTH and cortisol concentrations without any intervention as well as cortisol concentrations measured after dexamethasone suppression and single dose administration of (i) 0.5–10 mg hydrocortisone as granules, (ii) 20 mg hydrocortisone as granules and intravenous bolus. A stepwise model development workflow was used: A newly developed model for endogenous ACTH and cortisol was merged with a refined hydrocortisone pharmacokinetic model. The joint model was used to simulate ACTH and cortisol trajectories in CAH patients with varying degrees of enzyme deficiency, with or without hydrocortisone administration, and healthy individuals. Time-dependent ACTH-driven endogenous cortisol production and cortisol-mediated feedback inhibition of ACTH secretion processes were quantified and implemented in the model. Comparison of simulated ACTH and cortisol trajectories between CAH patients and healthy individuals showed the importance of administering hydrocortisone before morning ACTH secretion peak time to suppress ACTH overproduction observed in untreated CAH patients. The developed framework allowed to gain insights on the physiological mechanisms of the HPA axis regulation, its perturbations in CAH and interaction with hydrocortisone administration, paving the way towards cortisol replacement therapy optimization.

Graphical Abstract
Evaluating a School-Based Intervention on Adolescents’ Ethnic-racial Identity in Sweden
Authors: Abdullahi Amina K. , Syed Moin , Juang Linda P. , Berne Sofia , Hwang C. Philip , Frisén Ann
Published: July 2024

Finding developmentally appropriate ways to support youth in understanding their own ethnic-racial identity is needed, particularly in contexts like Sweden where such support is not the norm. This preregistered longitudinal study examined whether an 8-week school-based intervention, the Identity Project, impacted youth ethnic-racial identity exploration (participation and search), resolution, private regard, and centrality. Participants were 509 adolescents in the 10th grade (Mage = 16.28, SD = 0.80; 65% self-identified girls; 52% minoritized ethnic background), who were randomized into an intervention or wait-list control group and assessed at baseline and three times post-intervention. The findings indicated an initial and simultaneous effect of the intervention only for exploration participation and resolution but did not show the expected chain of effects with earlier exploration predicting later resolution. Growth models indicated a greater increase in exploration participation over time for the intervention group than the control group. The findings indicate a mixed picture about the effectiveness of the intervention, with effects primarily narrowly targeted to exploration participation, but nevertheless highlight the potential for supporting Swedish youth in engaging with their ethnic-racial identities.
Comparative analysis of clinical image evaluation charts for panoramic radiography
Authors: Kim Yeonhee , Lee Samsun , Jo Gyudong , Kwon Ahyoung , Kang Juhee , Kim Joeun , Huh Kyunghoe , Yi Wonjin , Heo Minsuk , Choi Soonchul
Published: July 2024

Objective

To compare and analyze professional (P chart) and simple (S chart) clinical image evaluation charts for evaluating panoramic radiograph image quality.

Methods

Ten evaluators assessed 285 clinical panoramic radiograph images. The evaluators were divided into oral and maxillofacial radiologists (OMFR, n = 5) and general dentist (dentists not specializing in oral and maxillofacial radiology, G, n = 5) groups. For image evaluation, P and S charts provided by the Korean Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology were used. Scores of items for each evaluation chart were used to compare the reliability, correlation, evaluation scores, evaluation time, and preference, and statistical analyses were performed using IBM SPSS Statistics.

Results

The S chart showed similar levels of evaluation scores at shorter evaluation time, as compared to the P chart. In the results for each evaluation chart, all analyzed correlations were statistically significant. Total score, image density/contrast/sharpness, and overall image quality items showed a very high positive correlation in the P chart. While the overall range of correlation coefficients was relatively lower in the S chart than the P chart, the same items showed high correlation coefficients. In the preference evaluation, both the professional and generalist groups preferred the S chart.

Conclusions

A comparative analysis with the P chart, revisions, and upgrades are needed for the S chart items that showed low correlations in this study, such as artifacts, coverage area, and patient movement.
Developing evidence-based clinical imaging guidelines for the diagnosis of vertically fractured teeth
Authors: Kim Ki-Hong , Kim Jo-Eun , Lee Sam-Sun , Lee Chena , Choi Miyoung , Yong Hwan Seok , Jung Seung Eun , Heo Min-Suk , Huh Kyung-Hoe
Published: July 2024

Objectives

This study aimed to develop an evidence-based clinical imaging guideline for teeth suspected with vertical root fractures.

Methods

An adaptation methodology based on the Korean Clinical Imaging Guidelines (K-CIG) was used in the guideline development process. After searching for guidelines using major databases such as Ovid-Medline, Elsevier-Embase, National Guideline Clearinghouse, and Guideline International Network, as well as domestic databases such as KoreaMed, KMbase, and KoMGI, two reviewers analyzed the retrieved articles. The retrieved articles were included in this review using well-established inclusion criteria.

Results

Twenty articles were identified through an online search, of which three were selected for guideline development. Based on these three guidelines, this study developed specific recommendations concerning the optimal imaging modality for diagnosing teeth suspected of vertical root fractures.

Conclusions

Periapical radiography is the preferred method for assessing teeth with mastication-related pain and suspected vertical root fractures. However, if intraoral radiographs do not provide sufficient information about root fractures, a small FOV CBCT may be considered. However, the use of CBCT in endodontically treated teeth is significantly constrained by the presence of artificial shading.
The current knowledge about the distribution of Portulaca species (Portulacaceae) within the Balkan Peninsula
Authors: Peregrym Mykyta , Dragićević Snežana
Published: July 2024

This study addresses the complex taxonomy and distribution of the genus Portulaca L. (Portulacaceae) within the Balkans, focusing on the often-debated species composition and distribution patterns in the P. oleracea aggregate. Our research aims to resolve this ambiguity by addressing two key questions: 1) Which Portulaca taxa are present in the Balkans, and 2) What is the current distribution of these taxa here? To achieve this, we conducted literature reviews, seed collection, species identification using micromorphological characteristics, and distribution analysis. Our findings reveal the presence of four distinct species in the Balkans: P. oleracea agg., P. grandiflora, P. pilosa and P. umbraticola. Additionally, within the P. oleracea complex, twelve microspecies have been identified, primarily differentiated based on seed micromorphology. Besides, five species (P. daninii, P. granulato-stellulata, P. rausii, P. sardoa, and P. trituberculata) have been documented in Montenegro, and one species (P. nitida) – in Slovenia for the first time. This study provides a valuable contribution to the botanical knowledge of the Balkan Peninsula, offering the recommendations for future studies of the P. oleracea complex for the solution of the taxonomic puzzle in this aggregate.
Systematic Mendelian Randomization Exploring Druggable Genes for Hemorrhagic Strokes
Authors: Yang Lun-Zhe , Yang Yong , Hong Chuan , Wu Qi-Zhe , Shi Xiong-Jie , Liu Yi-Lin , Chen Guang-Zhong
Published: July 2024

Patients with hemorrhagic stroke have high rates of morbidity and mortality, and drugs for prevention are very limited. Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis can increase the success rate of drug development by providing genetic evidence. Previous MR analyses only analyzed the role of individual drug target genes in hemorrhagic stroke; therefore, we used MR analysis to systematically explore the druggable genes for hemorrhagic stroke. We sequentially performed summary-data-based MR analysis and two-sample MR analysis to assess the associations of all genes within the database with intracranial aneurysm, intracerebral hemorrhage, and their subtypes. Validated genes were further analyzed by colocalization. Only genes that were positive in all three analyses and were druggable were considered desirable genes. We also explored the mediators of genes affecting hemorrhagic stroke incidence. Finally, the associations of druggable genes with other cardiovascular diseases were analyzed to assess potential side effects. We identified 56 genes that significantly affected hemorrhagic stroke incidence. Moreover, TNFSF12, SLC22A4, SPARC, KL, RELT, and ADORA3 were found to be druggable. The inhibition of TNFSF12, SLC22A4, and SPARC can reduce the risk of intracranial aneurysm, subarachnoid hemorrhage, and intracerebral hemorrhage. Gene-induced hypertension may be a potential mechanism by which these genes cause hemorrhagic stroke. We also found that blocking these genes may cause side effects, such as ischemic stroke and its subtypes. Our study revealed that six druggable genes were associated with hemorrhagic stroke, and the inhibition of TNFSF12, SLC22A4, and SPARC had preventive effects against hemorrhagic strokes.

Graphical Abstract
Detection of polyreactive immunoglobulin G facilitates diagnosis in children with autoimmune hepatitis
Authors: Engel Bastian , Diestelhorst Jana , Hupa-Breier Katharina Luise , Kirchner Theresa , Henjes Nicole , Loges Stephanie , Yuksel Muhammed , Janczyk Wojciech , Lalanne Claudine , Zachou Kalliopi , Oo Ye H. , Gournay Jérôme , Pape Simon , Drenth Joost P. H. , Renand Amédée , Dalekos George N. , Muratori Luigi , Socha Piotr , Ma Yun , Arikan Cigdem , Baumann Ulrich , Manns Michael P. , Wedemeyer Heiner , Junge Norman , Jaeckel Elmar , Taubert Richard
Published: July 2024

Objective

The detection of autoantibodies is essential to diagnose autoimmune hepatitis (AIH). Particularly in children, specificity of autoantibodies decreases due to lower titers being diagnostic and being present not only in AIH but also in other liver diseases. Recently, quantification of polyreactive IgG (pIgG) for detection of adult AIH showed the highest overall accuracy compared to antinuclear antibodies (ANA), anti-smooth muscle antibodies (anti-SMA), anti-liver kidney microsomal antibodies (anti-LKM) and anti-soluble liver antigen/liver pancreas antibodies (anti-SLA/LP). We aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of pIgG for pediatric AIH.

Design

pIgG, quantified using HIP1R/BSA coated ELISA, and immunofluorescence on rodent tissue sections were performed centrally. The diagnostic fidelity to diagnose AIH was compared to conventional autoantibodies of AIH in training and validation cohorts from a retrospective, European multi-center cohort from nine centers from eight European countries composed of existing biorepositories from expert centers (n = 285).

Results

IgG from pediatric AIH patients exhibited increased polyreactivity to multiple protein and non-protein substrates compared to non-AIH liver diseases and healthy children. pIgG had an AUC of 0.900 to distinguish AIH from non-AIH liver diseases. pIgG had a 31–73% higher specificity than ANA and anti-SMA and comparable sensitivity that was 6–20 times higher than of anti-SLA/LP, anti-LC1 and anti-LKM. pIgG had a 21–34% higher accuracy than conventional autoantibodies, was positive in 43–75% of children with AIH and normal IgG and independent from treatment response.

Conclusion

Detecting pIgG improves the diagnostic evaluation of pediatric AIH compared to conventional autoantibodies, primarily owing to higher accuracy and specificity.

Graphical Abstract
Examining the experiences related to the psychological needs and future perceptions of Turkish adolescents on the basis of reality therapy: a qualitative study
Authors: Dursun Asiye , Canbulat Nergis
Published: July 2024

This qualitative study investigates adolescents’ perceptions and psychological needs regarding the future in the perspective of reality therapy. Employing a case study design as a qualitative research method, the study reached a total of 181 adolescent participants, including 125 (69.1%) girls and 56 (39.1%) boys. The data obtained from participants were analyzed using thematic analysis by the researchers. As a result of the analysis, their perceptions of the future were categorized into two themes: “Future Perception” and “Future-Oriented WDEP System.” Additionally, it is observed that they formulated various metaphors related to psychological needs. Adolescents’ perceptions of the future encompass both positive emotions, thoughts, and actions, as well as negative expressions. The findings of this research provide insights for developmental experts and mental health professionals in understanding the psychological needs and future perceptions of individuals during the crucial stage of adolescence.
Magnetoactive, Kirigami-Inspired Hammocks to Probe Lung Epithelial Cell Function
Authors: Wei Katherine , Roy Avinava , Ejike Sonia , Eiken Madeline K. , Plaster Eleanor M. , Shi Alan , Shtein Max , Loebel Claudia
Published: July 2024

Introduction

Mechanical forces provide critical biological signals to cells. Within the distal lung, tensile forces act across the basement membrane and epithelial cells atop. Stretching devices have supported studies of mechanical forces in distal lung epithelium to gain mechanistic insights into pulmonary diseases. However, the integration of curvature into devices applying mechanical forces onto lung epithelial cell monolayers has remained challenging. To address this, we developed a hammock-shaped platform that offers desired curvature and mechanical forces to lung epithelial monolayers.

Methods

We developed hammocks using polyethylene terephthalate (PET)-based membranes and magnetic-particle modified silicone elastomer films within a 48-well plate that mimic the alveolar curvature and tensile forces during breathing. These hammocks were engineered and characterized for mechanical and cell-adhesive properties to facilitate cell culture. Using human small airway epithelial cells (SAECs), we measured monolayer formation and mechanosensing using F-Actin staining and immunofluorescence for cytokeratin to visualize intermediate filaments.

Results

We demonstrate a multi-functional design that facilitates a range of curvatures along with the incorporation of magnetic elements for dynamic actuation to induce mechanical forces. Using this system, we then showed that SAECs remain viable, proliferate, and form an epithelial cell monolayer across the entire hammock. By further applying mechanical stimulation via magnetic actuation, we observed an increase in proliferation and strengthening of the cytoskeleton, suggesting an increase in mechanosensing.

Conclusion

This hammock strategy provides an easily accessible and tunable cell culture platform for mimicking distal lung mechanical forces in vitro. We anticipate the promise of this culture platform for mechanistic studies, multi-modal stimulation, and drug or small molecule testing, extendable to other cell types and organ systems.
A comprehensive review of membrane-based water filtration techniques
Authors: Aziz Shahid , Mazhar Abdur Rehman , Ubaid Ali , Shah Syed Muhammad Hamza , Riaz Yasser , Talha Tariq , Jung Dong-Won
Published: July 2024

The purification of water is not only essential for human consumption but is becoming a necessity considering the limited freshwater reserves of the planet. Over the last few decades advancements in material sciences and technology have paved the way for the development of novel purification techniques. Amongst these techniques membrane-based filtration is considered as the least expensive and most effective. These membrane-based filtration techniques can be broadly categorized into reverse osmosis (RO), ultrafiltration, microfiltration and activated carbon filters (ACF). The mode of operation, research evolution and practical applications of each technique are compared in this holistic analysis. Although RO is the oldest and most established membrane-based filtration technique in the literature, it is ACF that is ranked as the most promising new technique with much simplicity and effectiveness.
Machine learning-augmented multi-arrayed fiber bragg grating sensors for enhanced structural health monitoring by discriminating strain and temperature variations
Authors: Saha S. , Hadigheh S. A. , Rukhlenko I. , Valix M. , Uy B. , Fleming S.
Published: July 2024

Fiber optic sensors (FOS) in long-term structural health monitoring (SHM) have drawn significant attention due to their pivotal role in detecting defects and measuring structural performance in diverse infrastructures. While using FOS, temperature variation due to environmental factors is still considered one of the major challenges to isolating sensing parameters. To address this issue, we reported a machine learning (ML)-augmented multi-parameter sensing system that enables simultaneous detection of strain and temperature effects based on one single fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) sensor for SHM. The initial phase entailed designing, fabricating, and characterizing a novel FBG sensor in the laboratory, incorporating a set of four FBGs, each distinguished by distinct Bragg wavelengths. In the next phase, ML algorithms are employed to separate temperature effects from strain variations. As a proof of concept, mechanical loading tests are conducted on the sensor, exposing the FBG portion to various temperature conditions. In the final phase, data collected from a post-tensioned concrete bridge embedded with both strain and temperature FBG sensors are utilized, and the developed ML models are applied to observe real-environment outcomes. Despite the limited feature points of collected FBG spectrums, the developed ML models effectively address cross-sensitivity issues induced by temperature perturbations. The long-term benefit of using FOS is that it will enable a better understanding and utilization of aging infrastructure. This will potentially reduce embodied carbon of infrastructure in the future and assist in the global efforts to achieve Net-Zero.
Analysis of starch content and multi-scale structure of reconstituted cut stems in tobacco
Authors: Mao Wenlong , Yao Zheng , Zhang Hua , Liao Huiyun , Li Jiang , Xue Dong , Yuan Guangxiang , Xu Baoming , Dou Kunpeng , Sheng Shijie , Xu Chao , Pang Junran , Tan Xiaoyan , Chi Bo , Xiong Dangan
Published: July 2024

On the basis of the relationship between the composition of the reconstituted cut stems and their functional positioning in the leaf formulation, this study improves the proportion of high-quality tobacco products by investigating the material basis of the effect of reconstituted cut stems on the quality of cigarette products, by characterizing the starch content, physicochemical properties, and characteristic structures of different components in tobacco products. The results showed that the starch content in reconstituted cut stems (4.93 ± 0.27%) was between high-quality tobacco leaves (4.48 ± 0.17%) and cut stems (5.13 ± 0.18%), indicating that the reduction of starch content during the processing of reconstituted cut stems is more conducive to the high-value treatment of reconstituted cut stems. At the same time, through the evaluation of the physico-chemical properties and multi-scale structural characteristics of starch particles, it was found that the starch of the reconstituted cut stems has a rock-like particle structure, and the short-range ordering on the surface increases, forming more ordered structural domains. In addition, the processed reconstituted cut stems increase the crystallinity of the starch. It also exhibits the typical B-type crystalline structure of starch, with stronger molecular chain interactions and high crystalline ordered arrangement. This study will provide technical guidance and theoretical support for improving the quality of reconstituted cut stems products, improving the bioavailability of tobacco products, reducing raw material costs, and effectively reducing the starch content of tobacco in the development of tobacco products.
Extracellular Vesicles from Adipose Tissue-Derived Stromal Cells Stimulate Angiogenesis in a Scaffold-Dependent Fashion
Authors: Getova V. E. , Orozco-García E. , Palmers S. , Krenning G. , Narvaez-Sanchez R. , Harmsen M. C.
Published: July 2024

Background:

The extracellular vesicles (EVs) secreted by adipose tissue-derived stromal cells (ASC) are microenvironment modulators in tissue regeneration by releasing their molecular cargo, including miRNAs. However, the influence of ASC-derived extracellular vesicles (ASC-EVs) on endothelial cells (ECs) and vascularisation is poorly understood. The present study aimed to determine the pro-angiogenic effects of ASC-EVs and explore their miRNA profile.

Methods:

EVs were isolated from normoxic and hypoxic cultured ASC conditioned culture medium. The miRNA expression profile was determined by miRseq, and EV markers were determined by Western blot and immunofluorescence staining. The uptake dynamics of fluorescently labelled EVs were monitored for 24 h. ASC-EVs' pro-angiogenic effect was assessed by sprouting ex vivo rat aorta rings in left ventricular-decellularized extracellular matrix (LV dECM) hydrogel or basement membrane hydrogel (Geltrex®).

Results:

ASC-EVs augmented vascular network formation by aorta rings. The vascular network topology and stability were influenced in a hydrogel scaffold-dependent fashion. The ASC-EVs were enriched for several miRNA families/clusters, including Let-7 and miR-23/27/24. The miRNA-1290 was the highest enriched non-clustered miRNA, accounting for almost 20% of all reads in hypoxia EVs.

Conclusion:

Our study revealed that ASC-EVs augment in vitro and ex vivo vascularisation, likely due to the enriched pro-angiogenic miRNAs in EVs, particularly miR-1290. Our results show promise for regenerative and revascularisation therapies based on ASC-EV-loaded ECM hydrogels.
Predicting brace holiday eligibility in juvenile idiopathic scoliosis
Authors: Lee Julianna , Chaclas Nathan , Hauth Lucas , VanEenenaam David , Desai Vineet , Flynn John M.
Published: July 2024

Purpose

The psychological effects of scoliosis bracing can be difficult, and thus clinicians sometimes recommend a brace holiday when the curve corrects to less than 25°. However, the clinical indications for taking a break from the brace before reaching maturity have yet to be described. We hypothesized there would be a relationship between brace holiday eligibility and degree of curve at presentation, change in curve magnitude while bracing, and level of bracing compliance.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study at a single institution was performed from 2016 to 2022. Objective brace compliance I-button data were collected on patients aged 3–9 years old. Patients with other etiologies besides idiopathic scoliosis before the age of 10 were excluded. Binary logistic regression was performed to determine the effect of significant variables on the likelihood of brace holiday.

Results

Fifty-six patients met inclusion criteria. Of these, 20 were able to get a brace holiday. Patients with higher brace compliance and larger in-brace curve correction were more likely to get a brace holiday (P = 0.015, 0.004). Patients with higher BMIs and larger curves at initial presentation were less likely to get a brace holiday (P = 0.002, 0.014).

Conclusion

Compliant brace wearers with good in-brace correction are most likely to be eligible for a brace holiday. While some elements remain immutable, others are modifiable, such as bracing compliance. Understanding how outcomes differ between patients who do and do not take a brace holiday will be crucial to elucidating if the psychological benefit of taking a break from the brace can be justified.
Screening of eating disorders and its related factors among Syrian undergraduates: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Alchallah Mhd Obai , Alolabi Homam , Safiah Mhd Homam , Ataya Sham , Alashabi Khaled Kalalib , Haffar Massa , Alistwani Dima , Alolabi Hani , Saeid Dana , Mohsen Fatema
Published: July 2024

Background

Eating disorders (EDs) are a complex group of disorders that affect mental and physical health and pose a challenge for medical professionals to diagnose. This study aims to screen for eating disorders among Syrian university undergraduates.

Methods and materials

A cross-sectional study was conducted among Syrian university students using a self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of three sections: socio-demographic characteristics, dietary habits and barriers to healthy eating, and the Sick, Control, One, Fat, Food (SCOFF) score. The chi-square test was used to evaluate the factors related to eating disorders.

Results

Of 728 students, 45.3% were males and 54.7% females. The majority of participants studied medicine 32.3%, followed by pharmacy 25.7% and dentistry 17.6%. Overweight and obese participants represented 21.4% and 6.8% respectively. Merely 36% of students reported adopting a healthy diet, a greater percentage of females 58.8% reported having snacks compared to males 48.5% (P = 0.006), a higher percentage of females 38.8% reported consuming fast food compared to males 26.6% (P < 0.001). Most of the students' eating habits worsened during exams 55.7%, females 60.6% markedly reported worse eating habits during exams compared to males 50% (P = 0.017).

Lack of time 72.7%, not accessible 38.3%, and unenjoyable 31.6% were frequent barriers to healthy food. About 20.3% of students screened positive for probable eating disorders. Factors that elevate the likelihood of acquiring an ED encompass being female, having a lower or higher BMI, eating worse during exams, and psychological behaviors.

Conclusions

Probable EDs were prevalent among Syrian undergraduates. The addressed socio-demographic and psychological factors were significantly affecting students’ eating behaviors. These findings can be used to provide targeted lifestyle modification advice via health promotion programs for these specific groups.
The role of letters of recommendation in perpetuating or challenging the social stratification of American secondary schools: a quantitative analysis of admission officer assessments in highly selective college admission
Authors: Butt Mark E.
Published: July 2024

Admission to highly selective institutions offers a pathway to upward social mobility, particularly for low-resource students. However, entrenched wealth disparities in the United States present serious challenges for admission officers at highly selective institutions. Utilizing individualized holistic review (IHR), including letters of recommendation (LOR), and contextual consideration, highly selective institutions aim to account for wealth inequities. This quantitative analysis, conducted at a highly selective research university, examined 95,326 applicants across 4 years to explore if admission officers’ internal assessments of LORs relate to contextual independent variables beyond students’ control. Statistical methods, including ANOVA, Two-Way ANOVA, Chi-Square, multiple linear regression, and logistic regression, were employed, controlling for standard measures of academic readiness. Findings revealed higher LOR assessments for students facing greater contextual challenge levels, underscoring the ability of the admission process to identify high achieving students from high challenge contexts. Paradoxically, elevated LOR ratings were also observed for students from private and smaller schools, indicating a nuanced interplay of factors in the admission process. Importantly, LOR assessments significantly correlated with admission outcomes, emphasizing the pivotal role of LORs in highly selective college admissions. This study reveals the nuanced role of LORs in admissions, exposing their potential to tackle inequities. It calls for improved IHR training and heightened consideration of contextual variables, offering a crucial contribution to advancing equity in highly selective institutions, fostering more informed admission practices.
The salinity impact on changes in some metabolites and some vital subcellular organelles in white maize
Authors: Ali Rania Tawfick , Ahmed Osama Konsowa , Abdel-Samie Negm Sayed , Yousef Rania Saber
Published: July 2024

Background

The great need to propagate new crop genotypes that are well adapted to the changing environmental conditions is urgently needed to support the high demand of food of the growing world population. In this work five white maize inbred lines (P4, P8, P12, P15, and P17) were studied for their salinity tolerance when exposed to: 0, 1000, 2000, 3000, and 10000 mg/L NaCl. The equilibrium balance between reactive oxygen species ROS and the detoxification cascades points to the plant’s performance under stress. The free amino acid and soluble sugar contents (non-enzymatic antioxidants) in addition to the superoxide dismutase & Phenylalanine ammonia-lyase SOD& PAL (enzymatic antioxidants) and some phenolic compounds contents were evaluated against hydrogen peroxide H2O2 as ROS product to classify plants to stress -tolerance or sensitive. Transmission electronic microscope (TEM) investigation is also, used to study the impact of the stress on the plant cells’ compartments after the direct treatment with saline water for 3 h as moderate soil holding time capacity to irrigation water.

Results

Maize line P8 followed by line P17 were the highest to cope with the irrigation of saline water in different ranges of concentrations of salt, accumulate the soluble sugars, free amino acids and antioxidants over control and other maize lines. These results are supported by the root ultrastructure observation with transmission electronic microscope.

Conclusion

Maize line P8 followed by the P17 line are highly recommended to be crossed and planted in the newly reclaimed lands irrigated with salty water.

Graphical Abstract
Der Angst schreibend begegnen
Authors: Forsyth John P. , Eifert George H.
Published: July 2024

Finden Sie anhaltende Ruhe und inneren Frieden.

Sind Sie oft ängstlich oder gestresst? Machen Sie sich ständig Sorgen um Dinge, die auf Sie zukommen könnten, oder grübeln über Vergangenes? Ist es mittlerweile normal für Sie, ständig Angst zu haben? Wenn das der Fall ist, dann ist es an der Zeit, einen Stift in die Hand zu nehmen und die Angst mit Hilfe dieser ermutigenden und aufbauenden Anleitung in ihre Schranken zu verweisen.
Dieses Buch steckt voller gut umsetzbarer Möglichkeiten, sich aus der Verstrickung mit der Angst zu lösen und Ruhe und Frieden zu finden. Sie werden sich mit den Ursachen der Angst beschäftigen, Gelassenheit im Umgang mit der Stimme der Angst erlernen, Ihren Frieden mit der Unsicherheit schließen und einen safe space entdecken, in dem Sie zur Ruhe kommen können. Auf diese Weise wird es möglich, sich auf die Dinge auszurichten, die Ihnen wirklich wichtig sind, sodass Sie den Kampf gegen die Angst schließlich hinter sich lassen und das Leben voll auskosten können.
Ein hilfreiches Journal, das auf den Punkt kommt und Ihnen dabei hilft, den ersehnten inneren Frieden zu finden.
A Potential Surface Warming Regime for Volcanic Super‐Eruptions Through Stratospheric Water Vapor Increases
Authors: Guzewich Scott D. , Oman Luke D. , Colarco Peter R. , Richardson Jacob A. , Whelley Patrick L. , Fauchez Thomas J. , Kopparapu Ravi K. , Bastelberger Sandra T.
Published: July 2024

Large volcanic eruptions are known to influence the climate through a variety of mechanisms including aerosol‐forced cooling and warming via emitted CO2. The January 2022 Hunga shallow underwater eruption caused an increase in stratospheric water vapor, and demonstrated how the associated positive radiative forcing can be an important component of an eruption's climate forcing. We present interactive stratospheric aerosol model simulations of super‐volcanic eruptions with a range of SO2 emissions that can produce climate warming through feedback effects produced by a large igneous province (or “flood basalt”) mid‐latitude super‐eruption using Goddard Earth Observing System Chemistry Climate Model climate model simulations. The model experiments suggest total SO2 emissions ≳4,000 Tg/4 Gt generate a multi‐year period of sustained aerosol absorptive local‐heating of the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere and hence produce net climate warming after strong initial cooling. The eruptions produce stratospheric water vapor increases of factors of 8–600. The initiation of these feedbacks within the simulations suggest they could occur for individual stratovolcano eruptions of the scale of the Toba or Tambora eruptions. We note the sensitivity of our results to volcanic sulfate aerosol microphysics and model chemistry.
Air Quality Monitoring and the Safety of Farmworkers in Wildfire Mandatory Evacuation Zones
Authors: Chunga Pizarro Carlo A. , Buchholz Rebecca R. , Hornbrook Rebecca S. , Christensen Kevin , Méndez Michael
Published: July 2024

The increasing frequency and severity of wildfires due to climate change pose health risks to migrant farm workers laboring in wildfire‐prone regions. This study focuses on Sonoma County, California, investigating the effectiveness of air monitoring and safety protections for farmworkers. The analysis employs AirNow and PurpleAir PM2.5 data acquired during the 2020 wildfire season, comparing spatial variability in air pollution. Results show significant differences between the single Sonoma County AirNow station data and the PurpleAir data in the regions directly impacted by wildfire smoke. Three distinct wildfire pollution episodes with elevated PM2.5 levels are identified to examine the regional variations. This study also examines the system used to exempt farmworkers from wildfire mandatory evacuation orders, finding incomplete information, ad hoc decision‐making, and scant enforcement. In response, we make policy recommendations that include stricter requirements for employers, real‐time air quality monitoring, post‐exposure health screenings, and hazard pay. Our findings underscore the need for significant consideration of localized air quality readings and the importance of equitable disaster policies for protecting the health of farmworkers (particularly those who are undocumented migrants) in the face of escalating wildfire risks.
Climate Impacts of the Millennium Eruption of Changbaishan Volcano
Authors: Yang Y. Y. , Shi F. , Guo Z. F. , Liu W. , Xue H. H. , Zhuo Z. H. , Sun C. Q. , E C. Y. , Guo Z. T.
Published: July 2024

The Millennium Eruption of Changbaishan Volcano is heralded as one of the largest explosive eruptions in the Late Holocene and produced huge quantities of tephra. The petrogeochemical method estimates that the Millennium Eruption emitted up to 45 Tg of sulfur into the atmosphere—more than in the Tambora eruption in 1815 CE, which caused “a year without a summer” across the Northern Hemisphere in 1816 CE. Despite such massive emissions, evidence for this eruption's climate impact in East Asia remains elusive. To explain this contradiction, this study used 67 high‐resolution tree‐ring‐width records from the Northern Hemisphere spanning the past two millennia, complemented by volcanic sensitivity experiments conducted with the Community Earth System Model. Results reveal a prevailing decreasing/negative trend in the proxy records during the potential eruption period, with 945 CE marking the most notable negative anomaly, suggesting that the Millennium Eruption likely occurred in 945 CE rather than 946 CE. Sensitivity experiments, corroborated by proxy records, demonstrate that the Millennium Eruption induced substantial negative temperature anomalies at middle and high latitudes, alongside an increase in Meiyu‐Baiu‐Changma precipitation in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River and southwestern Japan and a decrease in precipitation in India, northern China, and the South China Sea in the first post‐eruption year. This study offers a novel perspective on the climate impact of the Millennium Eruption, reconciling previous discrepancies regarding its climate impact.
Mechanical Properties of LL6 Chondrites Under Pressures Relevant to Rocky Interiors of Icy Moons
Authors: Seltzer Cassandra , O'Ghaffari Hoagy , Peč Matěj
Published: July 2024

Icy moons in the outer Solar System likely contain rocky, chondritic interiors, but this material is rarely studied under confining pressure. The contribution of rocky interiors to deformation and heat generation is therefore poorly constrained. We deformed LL6 chondrites at confining pressures ≤100 MPa and quasistatic strain rates. We defined a failure envelope, recorded acoustic emissions (AEs), measured ultrasonic velocities, and retrieved static and dynamic elastic moduli for the experimental conditions. The Young's modulus, which quantifies stiffness, of the chondritic material increased with increasing confining pressure. The material reached its peak strength, which is the maximum supported differential stress (σ1 − σ3), between 40 and 50 MPa confining pressure. Above this 40–50 MPa range of confining pressure, the stiffness increased significantly, while the peak strength dropped. Acoustic emission events associated with brittle deformation mechanisms occurred both during isotropic pressurization (σ1 = σ2 = σ3) as well as at low differential stresses during triaxial deformation (σ1 > σ2 = σ3), during nominally “elastic” deformation, indicating that dissipative processes are likely possible in the rocky interiors of icy moons. These events also occurred less frequently at higher confining pressures. We therefore suggest that the chondritic interiors of icy moons could become less compliant, and possibly less dissipative, as a function of the moons' pressure and size.
Extending the detection limit: innovations in infrared quantum dot photodetectors reaching up to 18 μm
Authors: Wang Chong Wu , Wang Qi Jie
Published: July 2024

A regrowth method was used to synthesize large-sized colloidal quantum dots (CQDs). With the assistance of doping engineering, the synthesized CQD detectors demonstrate exceptional long-wavelength infrared detection performance, reaching up to 18 μm, significantly extending the spectral response limit for CQD-based infrared detectors. These detectors also achieve a reasonably high detectivity of 6.6 × 108 Jones.
Identifying small-molecules binding sites in RNA conformational ensembles with SHAMAN
Authors: Panei F. P. , Gkeka P. , Bonomi M.
Published: July 2024

The rational targeting of RNA with small molecules is hampered by our still limited understanding of RNA structural and dynamic properties. Most in silico tools for binding site identification rely on static structures and therefore cannot face the challenges posed by the dynamic nature of RNA molecules. Here, we present SHAMAN, a computational technique to identify potential small-molecule binding sites in RNA structural ensembles. SHAMAN enables exploring the conformational landscape of RNA with atomistic molecular dynamics simulations and at the same time identifying RNA pockets in an efficient way with the aid of probes and enhanced-sampling techniques. In our benchmark composed of large, structured riboswitches as well as small, flexible viral RNAs, SHAMAN successfully identifies all the experimentally resolved pockets and ranks them among the most favorite probe hotspots. Overall, SHAMAN sets a solid foundation for future drug design efforts targeting RNA with small molecules, effectively addressing the long-standing challenges in the field.
Perturbation of METTL1-mediated tRNA N7- methylguanosine modification induces senescence and aging
Authors: Fu Yudong , Jiang Fan , Zhang Xiao , Pan Yingyi , Xu Rui , Liang Xiu , Wu Xiaofen , Li Xingqiang , Lin Kaixuan , Shi Ruona , Zhang Xiaofei , Ferrandon Dominique , Liu Jing , Pei Duanqing , Wang Jie , Wang Tao
Published: July 2024

Cellular senescence is characterized by a decrease in protein synthesis, although the underlying processes are mostly unclear. Chemical modifications to transfer RNAs (tRNAs) frequently influence tRNA activity, which is crucial for translation. We describe how tRNA N7-methylguanosine (m7G46) methylation, catalyzed by METTL1-WDR4, regulates translation and influences senescence phenotypes. Mettl1/Wdr4 and m7G gradually diminish with senescence and aging. A decrease in METTL1 causes a reduction in tRNAs, especially those with the m7G modification, via the rapid tRNA degradation (RTD) pathway. The decreases cause ribosomes to stall at certain codons, impeding the translation of mRNA that is essential in pathways such as Wnt signaling and ribosome biogenesis. Furthermore, chronic ribosome stalling stimulates the ribotoxic and integrative stress responses, which induce senescence-associated secretory phenotype. Moreover, restoring eEF1A protein mitigates senescence phenotypes caused by METTL1 deficiency by reducing RTD. Our findings demonstrate that tRNA m7G modification is essential for preventing premature senescence and aging by enabling efficient mRNA translation.
Genetically encoded Nδ-vinyl histidine for the evolution of enzyme catalytic center
Authors: Huang Haoran , Yan Tao , Liu Chang , Lu Yuxiang , Wu Zhigang , Wang Xingchu , Wang Jie
Published: July 2024

Genetic code expansion has emerged as a powerful tool for precisely introducing unnatural chemical structures into proteins to improve their catalytic functions. Given the high catalytic propensity of histidine in the enzyme pocket, increasing the chemical diversity of catalytic histidine could result in new characteristics of biocatalysts. Herein, we report the genetically encoded Nδ-Vinyl Histidine (δVin-H) and achieve the wild-type-like incorporation efficiency by the evolution of pyrrolysyl tRNA synthetase. As histidine usually acts as the nucleophile or the metal ligand in the catalytic center, we replace these two types of catalytic histidine to δVin-H to improve the performance of the histidine-involved catalytic center. Additionally, we further demonstrate the improvements of the hydrolysis activity of a previously reported organocatalytic esterase (the OE1.3 variant) in the acidic condition and myoglobin (Mb) catalyzed carbene transfer reactions under the aerobic condition. As histidine is one of the most frequently used residues in the enzyme catalytic center, the derivatization of the catalytic histidine by δVin-H holds a great potential to promote the performance of biocatalysts.
Evolution and subfunctionalization of CIPK6 homologous genes in regulating cotton drought resistance
Authors: Sun Weinan , Xia Linjie , Deng Jinwu , Sun Simin , Yue Dandan , You Jiaqi , Wang Maojun , Jin Shuangxia , Zhu Longfu , Lindsey Keith , Zhang Xianlong , Yang Xiyan
Published: July 2024

The occurrence of whole-genome duplication or polyploidy may promote plant adaptability to harsh environments. Here, we clarify the evolutionary relationship of eight GhCIPK6 homologous genes in upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum). Gene expression and interaction analyses indicate that GhCIPK6 homologous genes show significant functional changes after polyploidy. Among these, GhCIPK6D1 and GhCIPK6D3 are significantly up-regulated by drought stress. Functional studies reveal that high GhCIPK6D1 expression promotes cotton drought sensitivity, while GhCIPK6D3 expression promotes drought tolerance, indicating clear functional differentiation. Genetic and biochemical analyses confirm the synergistic negative and positive regulation of cotton drought resistance through GhCBL1A1-GhCIPK6D1 and GhCBL2A1-GhCIPK6D3, respectively, to regulate stomatal movement by controlling the directional flow of K+ in guard cells. These results reveal differentiated roles of GhCIPK6 homologous genes in response to drought stress in upland cotton following polyploidy. The work provides a different perspective for exploring the functionalization and subfunctionalization of duplicated genes in response to polyploidization.