bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Progress in the study and treatment of peri-device leak after left atrial appendage closure
Authors: Qi Ying-Bo , Chu Hui-Min
Published: August 2023

Insulin, a small protein with 51 amino acids synthesized by pancreatic β-cells, is crucial to sustain glucose homeostasis at biochemical and molecular levels. Numerous metabolic dysfunctions are related to insulin-mediated altered glucose homeostasis. One of the significant pathophysiological conditions linked to the insulin associated disorder is diabetes mellitus (DM) (type 1, type 2, and gestational). Insulin resistance (IR) is one of the major underlying causes of metabolic disorders despite its association with several physiological conditions. Metabolic syndrome (MS) is another pathophysiological condition that is associated with IR, hypertension, and obesity. Further, several other pathophysiological disorders/diseases are associated with the insulin malfunctioning, which include polycystic ovary syndrome, neuronal disorders, and cancer. Insulinomas are an uncommon type of pancreatic β-cell-derived neuroendocrine tumor that makes up 2% of all pancreatic neoplasms. Literature revealed that different biochemical events, molecular signaling pathways, microRNAs, and microbiota act as connecting links between insulin disorder and associated pathophysiology such as DM, insuloma, neurological disorder, MS, and cancer. In this review, we focus on the insulin-related disorders and the underlying mechanisms associated with the pathophysiology.
Effect of different ventilation methods combined with pulmonary surfactant on neonatal acute respiratory distress syndrome
Authors: Qing Qing , Zha Ping , Dai Li-Ying , Wang Yang
Published: August 2023

Insulin, a small protein with 51 amino acids synthesized by pancreatic β-cells, is crucial to sustain glucose homeostasis at biochemical and molecular levels. Numerous metabolic dysfunctions are related to insulin-mediated altered glucose homeostasis. One of the significant pathophysiological conditions linked to the insulin associated disorder is diabetes mellitus (DM) (type 1, type 2, and gestational). Insulin resistance (IR) is one of the major underlying causes of metabolic disorders despite its association with several physiological conditions. Metabolic syndrome (MS) is another pathophysiological condition that is associated with IR, hypertension, and obesity. Further, several other pathophysiological disorders/diseases are associated with the insulin malfunctioning, which include polycystic ovary syndrome, neuronal disorders, and cancer. Insulinomas are an uncommon type of pancreatic β-cell-derived neuroendocrine tumor that makes up 2% of all pancreatic neoplasms. Literature revealed that different biochemical events, molecular signaling pathways, microRNAs, and microbiota act as connecting links between insulin disorder and associated pathophysiology such as DM, insuloma, neurological disorder, MS, and cancer. In this review, we focus on the insulin-related disorders and the underlying mechanisms associated with the pathophysiology.
Enhancement of Coal Quality by using Bioextracts of Carissa carandas Fruits
Authors: Reddy Ulavapalli Gangadhara , Rambabu Koyilapu , Reddy Gopi Reddy Venkata Subba , Reddy Duvvuri Sreedhar
Published: August 2023

The major problem faced by coal fired power stations in India is high ash content. Commercially it is big loss to transport high ash content coal as leads to higher specific coal consumption in addition to environmental issues like suspended particulate matter. This research study aims to develop a chemical method using weak organic acids from plant extracts to reduce ash content in the coal. In this context Carissa Carandas fruit extract is used to treat with coal samples at optimum conditions and found this bio extract effectively leaches ash from coals. This treatment process is applied to different coals used for combustion at Rayalaseema thermal power project, Kadapa, India and found 6 to 7 % reduction in ash content and increased gross calorific value of coal by more than 600 units. These findings are proved in proximate and ultimate coal analysis and supported by IR and XRD spectral studies. By using the optimized conditions of the laboratory scale, a prototype simulator is designed. This coal beneficiation method resulting in accomplishment of technical, environmental most importantly commercial benefits as cost of generation has reduced from Rs 2.66 to Rs 2.32 per unit of energy. This results in the total savings of approximately more than 178 crore per year in 600 MW unit alone, in an eco friendly manner.
Seeking a care–life balance: family carers’ perspectives on how quality of life can improve when caring for an older person living with dementia
Authors: Häikiö Kristin , Rugkåsa Jorun
Published: August 2023

Many family carers of older people living with dementia report reduced quality of life, but limited research has investigated what they believe could improve it. Our thematic analysis of in-depth interviews with 23 family carers questions the standardisation of carer support and the appropriateness of the current scope of services, and suggests strengthening carers’ independent right to support. We propose the notion of a ‘care–life balance’, which also draws attention to the different logics inherent in informal and formal care that future service development should seek to reconcile to better support families affected by dementia.
Adaptive balanced detection spectral domain optical coherence tomography
Authors: Miller David A. , Kuranov Roman , Zhang Hao F.
Published: August 2023

Balanced detection optical coherence tomography (BD-OCT) enables near-shot noise-limited imaging by suppressing wavelength-dependent relative intensity noise (RIN) originating from the light source. In spectral-domain BD-OCT (SD-BD-OCT), the level of RIN suppression relies on the co-registration accuracy of the spectra simultaneously captured by two independent spectrometers. However, existing matching methods require careful pre-calibration using a RIN-dominated dataset or subjective post-processing using a signal-dominated dataset. We developed an adaptive subpixel matching approach, referred to as adaptive balance, that can be applied to any SD-BD-OCT dataset regardless of RIN or signal level without the need for pre-calibration. We showed that adaptive balance performed comparable to or better than reported methods by imaging phantoms with varying spectrometer camera gain, exposure time, and supercontinuum laser repetition rate. We further demonstrated the benefits of adaptive balance in human retinal imaging.
Plexcitonic optical chirality in the chiral plasmonic structure-microcavity-exciton strong coupling system
Authors: Deng Xuyan , Li Junqiang , Jin Lei , Wang Yilin , Liang Kun , Yu Li
Published: August 2023

Chiral plexcitonic systems exhibit a novel chiroptical phenomenon, which can provide a new route to design chiroptical devices. Reported works focused on the two-mode strong coupling between chiral molecules and nanoparticles, while multiple-mode coupling can provide richer modulation. In this paper, we proposed a three-mode coupling system consisting of a chiral Au helices array, a Fabry-Pérot cavity, and monolayer WSe2, which can provide an extra chiral channel, a more widely tunable region, and more tunable methods compared to two-mode coupled systems. The optical response of this hybrid system was investigated based on the finite element method. Mode splitting observed in the circular dichroism (CD) spectrum demonstrated that the chiroptical response successfully shifted from the resonant position of the chiral structure to three plexcitons through strong coupling, which provided a new route for chiral transfer. Furthermore, we used the coupled oscillator model to obtain the energy and Hopfield coefficients of the plexciton branches to explain the chiroptical phenomenon of the hybrid system. Moreover, the tunability of the hybrid system can be achieved by tuning the temperature and period of the helices array. Our work provides a feasible strategy for chiral sensing and modulation devices.
Electrically tunable graphene plasmonic lens: from Maxwell Fisheye Lens to Luneburg Lens
Authors: Wang Chenglong , Guo Xiang , Wu Xidong
Published: August 2023

A graphene plasmonic lens with an electrically tunable focal length is proposed and numerically investigated. The design philosophy of the proposed tunable lens is based on the nonlinear relationship of surface plasmon polariton (SPP) wave index with respect to chemical potential of graphene. By controlling the gate voltage of graphene, the proposed lens can be continuously tuned from a Maxwell Fisheye lens to a Luneburg lens. A ray-tracing method is employed to find out the corresponding gate voltages for various focal lengths. Full-wave EM simulations using COMSOL show that excellent focusing performances can be achieved. This work offers a new way in exploiting active transformational plasmonic elements in the mid-infrared region.
Transversal optical singularity induced precision measurement of step-nanostructures
Authors: Dou Xiujie , Zhou Jiakang , Zhang Yuquan , Min Changjun , Pereira S. F. , Yuan Xiaocong
Published: August 2023

Optical singularities indicate zero-intensity points in space where parameters, such as phase, polarization, are undetermined. Vortex beams such as the Laguerre–Gaussian modes are characterized by a phase factor eilθ, and contain a phase singularity in the middle of its beam. In the case of a transversal optical singularity (TOS), it occurs perpendicular to the propagation, and its phase integral is 2π in nature. Since it emerges within a nano-size range, one expects that TOSs could be sensitive in the light-matter interaction process and could provide a great possibility for accurate determination of certain parameters of nanostructure. Here, we propose to use TOSs generated by a three-wave interference to illuminate a step nanostructure. After interaction with the nanostructure, the TOS is scattered into the far field. The scattering direction can have a relation with the physical parameters of the nanostructure. We show that by monitoring the spatial coordinates of the scattered TOS, its propagation direction can be determined, and as consequence, certain physical parameters of the step nanostructure can be retrieved with high precision.
Cascade laser optimization for 3H4 → 3H5 and 3F4 → 3H6 sequent transitions in Tm3+-doped materials
Authors: Dupont Hippolyte , Guillemot Lauren , Loiko Pavel , Solé Rosa Maria , Mateos Xavier , Aguiló Magdalena , Díaz Francesc , Braud Alain , Camy Patrice , Georges Patrick , Druon Frédéric
Published: August 2023

We study a cascade laser scheme involving the 3H4 → 3H5 and 3F4 → 3H6 consecutive transitions in Tm3+-doped materials as a promising technique to favor laser emission at 2.3 µm. We examine the conditions in terms of the Tm3+ doping levels for which the cascade laser is beneficial or not. For this, Tm:LiYF4 lasers based on crystals with several doping levels in the range of 2.5 - 6 at.% with and without cascade laser are studied. For low doping of 2.5 at.% Tm3+, adding the laser emission at 1.9 µm allows to double the output power at 2.3 µm, whereas for high doping of 6 at.%, allowing the laser to operate at 1.9 µm totally suppresses the laser emission at 2.3 µm. An analytical model is developed and confronted with experimental results to predict this doping-dependent phenomenon and forecast the potential benefits. This study of cascade laser emission on the 3H4→ 3H5 and 3F4→ 3H6 transitions versus the Tm3+ doping level is finally extended to other well-known Tm3+-doped laser materials.
Self-denoising method for OCT images with single spectrogram-based deep learning
Authors: Wu Xiupin , Gao Wanrong , Bian Haiyi
Published: August 2023

The presence of noise in images reconstructed with optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a key issue which limits the further improvement of the image quality. In this Letter, for the first time, to the best of our knowledge, a self-denoising method for OCT images is presented with single spectrogram-based deep learning. Different noises in different images could be customized with an extremely low computation. The deep-learning model consists of two fully connected layers, two convolution layers, and one deconvolution layer, with the input being the raw interference spectrogram and the label being its reconstructed image using the Fourier transform. The denoising image could be calculated by subtracting the noise predicted by our model from the label image. The OCT images of the TiO2 phantom, the orange, and the zebrafish obtained with our spectral-domain OCT system are used as examples to demonstrate the capability of our method. The results demonstrate its effectiveness in reducing noises such as speckle patterns and horizontal and vertical stripes. Compared with the label image, the signal-to-noise ratio could be improved by 35.0 dB, and the image contrast could be improved by a factor of two. Compared with the results denoised by the average method, the mean peak signal-to-noise ratio is 26.2 dB.
High-coherence hybrid-integrated 780  nm source by self-injection-locked second-harmonic generation in a high-Q silicon-nitride resonator
Authors: Li Bohan , Yuan Zhiquan , Jin Warren , Wu Lue , Guo Joel , Ji Qing-Xin , Feshali Avi , Paniccia Mario , Bowers John E. , Vahala Kerry J.
Published: August 2023

Visible, high-coherence optical sources are important to a wide range of applications spanning spectroscopy to precision timing. Integration of these sources on a semiconductor chip is a necessary step if the systems that use these devices are to be made compact, portable, and low power. Here, by self-injection-locking a 1560 nm distributed feedback semiconductor laser to a high-Q silicon-nitride resonator, a high-coherence 780 nm second-harmonic signal is generated via the photogalvanic-induced second-order nonlinearity. A record-low frequency noise floor of 4Hz2/Hz is achieved for the 780 nm emission. The approach can potentially generate signals over a wide range of visible and near-visible bands, and thereby help transition many table-top systems into a fieldable form.
TOR complex 1 negatively regulates NDR kinase Cbk1 to control cell separation in budding yeast
Authors: Foltman Magdalena , Mendez Iván , Bech-Serra Joan J. , de la Torre Carolina , Brace Jennifer L. , Weiss Eric L. , Lucas María , Queralt Ethel , Sanchez-Diaz Alberto
Published: August 2023

The target of rapamycin (TOR) signalling pathway plays a key role in the coordination between cellular growth and the cell cycle machinery in eukaryotes. The underlying molecular mechanisms by which TOR might regulate events after anaphase remain unknown. We show for the first time that one of the 2 TOR complexes in budding yeast, TORC1, blocks the separation of cells following cytokinesis by phosphorylation of a member of the NDR (nuclear Dbf2-related) protein-kinase family, the protein Cbk1. We observe that TORC1 alters the phosphorylation pattern of Cbk1 and we identify a residue within Cbk1 activation loop, T574, for which a phosphomimetic substitution makes Cbk1 catalytically inactive and, indeed, reproduces TORC1 control over cell separation. In addition, we identify the exocyst component Sec3 as a key substrate of Cbk1, since Sec3 activates the SNARE complex to promote membrane fusion. TORC1 activity ultimately compromises the interaction between Sec3 and a t-SNARE component. Our data indicate that TORC1 negatively regulates cell separation in budding yeast by participating in Cbk1 phosphorylation, which in turn controls the fusion of secretory vesicles transporting hydrolase at the site of division.
Steady-state approximations for Hodgkin-Huxley cell models: Reduction of order for uterine smooth muscle cell model
Authors: Means Shawn A. , Roesler Mathias W. , Garrett Amy S. , Cheng Leo , Clark Alys R.
Published: August 2023

Multi-scale mathematical bioelectrical models of organs such as the uterus, stomach or heart present challenges both for accuracy and computational tractability. These multi-scale models are typically founded on models of biological cells derived from the classic Hodkgin-Huxley (HH) formalism. Ion channel behaviour is tracked with dynamical variables representing activation or inactivation of currents that relax to steady-state dependencies on cellular membrane voltage. Timescales for relaxation may be orders of magnitude faster than companion ion channel variables or phenomena of physiological interest for the entire cell (such as bursting sequences of action potentials) or the entire organ (such as electromechanical coordination). Exploiting these time scales with steady-state approximations for relatively fast-acting systems is a well-known but often overlooked approach as evidenced by recent published models. We thus investigate feasibility of an extensive reduction of order for an HH-type cell model with steady-state approximations to the full dynamical activation and inactivation ion channel variables. Our effort utilises a published comprehensive uterine smooth muscle cell model that encompasses 19 ordinary differential equations and 105 formulations overall. The numerous ion channel submodels in the published model exhibit relaxation times ranging from order 10−1 to 105 milliseconds. Substitution of the faster dynamic variables with steady-state formulations demonstrates both an accurate reproduction of the full model and substantial improvements in time-to-solve, for test cases performed. Our demonstration here of an effective and relatively straightforward reduction method underlines the particular importance of considering time scales for model simplification before embarking on large-scale computations or parameter sweeps. As a preliminary complement to more intensive reduction of order methods such as parameter sensitivity and bifurcation analysis, this approach can rapidly and accurately improve computational tractability for challenging multi-scale organ modelling efforts.
Reversions of QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus in tuberculosis contact investigation: A prospective multicentre cohort study
Authors: Pérez-Recio Sandra , Grijota-Camino Maria D. , Anibarro Luis , Rabuñal-Rey Ramón , Sabria Josefina , Gijón-Vidaurreta Paloma , Pomar Virginia , García-Gasalla Mercedes , Domínguez-Castellano Ángel , Trigo Matilde , Santos María Jesús , Cebollero Alba , Rodríguez Sara , Moga Esther , Penas-Truque Anton , Martos Carmen , Ruiz-Serrano M. Jesús , Garcia-de-Cara Erika I. , Alcaide Fernando , Santin Miguel
Published: August 2023

Background

Interferon-y Release Assays (IGRA) reversions have been reported in different clinical scenarios for the diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB) infection. This study aimed to determine the rate of QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus (QFT-Plus) reversions during contact investigation as a potential strategy to reduce the number of preventive treatments.

Methods

Prospective, multicentre cohort study of immunocompetent adult contacts of patients with pulmonary TB tested with QFT-Plus. Contacts with an initial positive QFT-Plus (QFT-i) underwent a second test within 4 weeks (QFT-1), and if negative, underwent a repeat test 4 weeks later (QFT-2). Based on the QFT-2 result, we classified cases as sustained reversion if they remained negative and as temporary reversion if they turned positive.

Results

We included 415 contacts, of whom 96 (23.1%) had an initial positive test (QFT-i). Following this, 10 had negative QFT-1 results and 4 (4.2%) of these persisted with a negative result in the QFT-2 (sustained reversions). All four sustained reversions occurred in contacts with IFN-γ concentrations between ≥0.35 and ≤0.99 IU•mL-1 in one or both QFT-i tubes.

Conclusion

In this study, TB contact investigations rarely reveal QFT-Plus reversion. These results do not support retesting cases with an initial positive result to reduce the number of preventive treatments.
Establishment of an endoplasmic reticulum stress-associated lncRNAs model to predict prognosis and immunological characteristics in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Shen Xingyuan , Wu Siyuan , Yang Zhen , Zhu Chunfu
Published: August 2023

Background

The endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) and unfolded protein response (UPR) pathways play an essential role in the pathophysiology of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and activation of the UPR pathway is strongly associated with tumor growth. However, the function of ERS-associated long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in HCC is less recognized.

Methods

We have used TCGA (The Cancer Genome Atlas) to obtain clinical and transcriptome data for HCC patients and the GSEA (Gene Set Enrichment Analysis) molecular signature database to get the ERS gene. ERS-associated prognostic lncRNA was determined using univariate Cox regression study. Then, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator and multivariate Cox regression study were used to construct ERS-associated lncRNAs risk model. Next, we use Kaplan-Meier (KM) survival study, time-dependent receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, univariate and multivariate Cox regression study to validate and evaluate the risk model. GSEA reveals the underlying molecular mechanism of the risk model. In addition, differences in Immune cell Infiltration Study, half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) and immune checkpoints blockade (ICB) treatment between high and low risk groups were analyzed.

Results

We constructed a risk model consisting of 6 ERS-associated lncRNAS (containingMKLN1-AS, LINC01224, AL590705.3, AC008622.2, AC145207.5, and AC026412.3). The KM survival study showed that the prognosis of HCC patients in low-risk group was better than that in high-risk group. ROC study, univariate and multivariate Cox regression study showed that the risk model had good predictive power for HCC patients. Our verification sample verified the aforesaid findings. GSEA suggests that several tumor- and metabolism-related signaling pathways are associated with risk groups. Simultaneously, we discovered that the risk models may help in the treatment of ICB and the selection of chemotherapeutic drugs.

Conclusions

In this article, we created an ERS-associated lncRNAs risk model to help prognostic diagnosis and personalized therapy in HCC.
More than urns: A multi-method pipeline for analyzing cremation burials
Authors: Waltenberger Lukas , Bosch Marjolein D. , Fritzl Michaela , Gahleitner André , Kurzmann Christoph , Piniel Maximilian , Salisbury Roderick B. , Strnad Ladislav , Skerjanz Hannah , Verdianu Domnika , Snoeck Christophe , Kanz Fabian , Rebay-Salisbury Katharina
Published: August 2023

Burial rites of archaeological populations are frequently interpreted based on cremated remains of the human body and the urn they were deposited in. In comparison to inhumations, information about the deceased is much more limited and dependent on fragmentation, selection of body regions, taphonomic processes, and excavation techniques. So far, little attention has been paid to the context in which urns are buried. In this study, we combined archaeological techniques with anthropology, computed tomography, archaeobotany, zooarchaeology, geochemistry and isotopic approaches and conducted a detailed analysis on a case study of two Late Bronze Age urns from St. Pölten, Austria (c. 1430 and 1260 cal. BCE). The urns were recovered en-bloc and CT-scanned before the micro-excavation. Osteological and strontium isotope analysis revealed that the cremated remains comprised a young adult female and a child that died at the age of 10–12 years. Both individuals had been subject to physiological stress and were likely local. Animal bones burnt at different temperatures suggested different depositional pathways into the urn and pit as part of the pyre, food offerings, and unintentional settlement debris. Eight wild plant and five crop plant species appeared as part of the local landscape, as food offerings and fire accelerants. Sediment chemistry suggests that pyre remains were deposited around the urns during burial. Multi-element geochemistry, archaeobotany, and zooarchaeology provide insights into the Late Bronze Age environment, the process of cremation, the gathering of bones and final funerary deposition.
Risk factors for late (28+ weeks’ gestation) stillbirth in the United States, 2014–2015
Authors: Tanner Darren , Murthy Sushama , Lavista Ferres Juan M. , Ramirez Jan-Marino , Mitchell Edwin A.
Published: August 2023

Background

In the United States (US) late stillbirth (at 28 weeks or more of gestation) occurs in 3/1000 births.

Aim

We examined risk factors for late stillbirth with the specific goal of identifying modifiable factors that contribute substantially to stillbirth burden.

Setting

All singleton births in the US for 2014–2015.

Methods

We used a retrospective population-based design to assess the effects of multiple factors on the risk of late stillbirth in the US. Data were drawn from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention live birth and fetal death data files.

Results

There were 6,732,157 live and 18,334 stillbirths available for analysis (late stillbirth rate = 2.72/1000 births). The importance of sociodemographic determinants was shown by higher risks for Black and Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander mothers compared with White mothers, mothers with low educational attainment, and older mothers. Among modifiable risk factors, delayed/absent prenatal care, diabetes, hypertension, and maternal smoking were associated with increased risk, though they accounted for only 3–6% of stillbirths each. Two factors accounted for the largest proportion of late stillbirths: high maternal body mass index (BMI; 15%) and infants who were small for gestational age (38%). Participation in the supplemental nutrition for women, infants and children program was associated with a 28% reduction in overall stillbirth burden.

Conclusions

This study provides population-based evidence for stillbirth risk in the US. A high proportion of late stillbirths was associated with high maternal BMI and small for gestational age, whereas participation in supplemental nutrition programs was associated with a large reduction in stillbirth burden. Addressing obesity and fetal growth restriction, as well as broadening participation in nutritional supplementation programs could reduce late stillbirths.
Estimating the false discovery risk of (randomized) clinical trials in medical journals based on published p-values
Authors: Schimmack Ulrich , Bartoš František
Published: August 2023

The influential claim that most published results are false raised concerns about the trustworthiness and integrity of science. Since then, there have been numerous attempts to examine the rate of false-positive results that have failed to settle this question empirically. Here we propose a new way to estimate the false positive risk and apply the method to the results of (randomized) clinical trials in top medical journals. Contrary to claims that most published results are false, we find that the traditional significance criterion of α = .05 produces a false positive risk of 13%. Adjusting α to.01 lowers the false positive risk to less than 5%. However, our method does provide clear evidence of publication bias that leads to inflated effect size estimates. These results provide a solid empirical foundation for evaluations of the trustworthiness of medical research.
Scaling behavior and text cohesion in Korean texts
Authors: Kim Hokyun , Park Sanghu , Jeong Minhyuk , Byun Hyungi , Kim Juyub , Lee Doo Yong , Jeon Jooyoung , Yi Eojin , Ahn Kwangwon
Published: August 2023

This study examines whether different types of texts, particularly in Korean, can be distinguished by the scaling exponent and degree of text cohesion. We use the controlled growth process model to incorporate the interaction effect into a power-law distribution and estimate the implied parameter explaining the degree of text cohesiveness in a word distribution. We find that the word distributions of Korean languages differ from English regarding the range of scaling exponents. Additionally, different types of Korean texts display similar scaling exponents regardless of their genre. However, the interaction effect is higher for expert reports than for the benchmark novels. The findings suggest a valid framework for explaining the scaling phenomena of word distribution based on microscale interactions. It also suggests that a viable method exists for inferring text genres based on text cohesion.
Teacher mental health and workplace well-being in a global crisis: Learning from the challenges and supports identified by teachers one year into the COVID-19 pandemic in British Columbia, Canada
Authors: Gadermann Anne M. , Gagné Petteni Monique , Molyneux Tonje M. , Warren Michael T. , Thomson Kimberly C. , Schonert-Reichl Kimberly A. , Guhn Martin , Oberle Eva
Published: August 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic and related school disruptions have led to increased concerns for the mental health of teachers. This study investigated how the challenges and systemic supports perceived by teachers during the COVID-19 pandemic were associated with their mental health and workplace well-being. This cross-sectional, survey-based study was conducted in February 2021, just prior to the third wave of the pandemic in British Columbia (BC), Canada (N = 1,276). Four multivariable linear regression models examined the associations between teachers’ pandemic-related challenges (pandemic-related personal stressors, teacher workload, difficulty implementing safety measures, meeting students’ needs), systemic supports (education system mental health and well-being support), and four mental health (psychological distress, and quality of life) and workplace well-being outcomes (job-related positive affect, turnover intentions), adjusting for sociodemographic and school characteristics. The Pratt index (d) was used to assess the relative importance of each predictor. A thematic qualitative analysis was conducted on teachers’ open-ended responses. Teachers’ workplace well-being (job-related positive affect and turnover intentions) was predominantly associated with their perceptions of education system support for their mental health and well-being (d = 46%, d = 41%, respectively). The most important predictor of general mental health (psychological distress and quality of life) was the number of COVID-19 related personal stressors teachers reported (d = 64%, d = 43%, respectively). The qualitative analyses corroborated and expanded upon the quantitative findings. Understanding pandemic-related challenges and supports impacting teacher mental health and workplace well-being equips us to make evidence-informed policy decisions to support teachers now and in future school disruptions.
Elaboration of massage technique for semen collection and examination of semen characteristics in chinchilla (Chinchilla lanigera)
Authors: Babarczi Bianka , Drobnyák Árpád , Barna Judit , Kissné Éva Váradi , Szabó Zsuzsa , Heincinger Mónika , Kustos Károly , Szőke Zsuzsanna , Végi Barbara
Published: August 2023

The practice of artificial insemination for the long-tailed chinchilla has not been fully elaborated to date, and existing data available regarding their reproduction properties is contradictory. Until now, the collection of semen for chinchillas has been most-commonly obtained using electro-ejaculation methods exclusively. The primary objective of this study was the development of a manual technique for semen collection which meets all animal welfare requirements. An additional aim was to determine the basic spermatological parameters, such as motility, concentration, type and ratio of morphological abnormalities and live/dead cell ratio, under typical northern-hemisphere conditions, in Hungary. Over a 3 month period, a special massage technique was developed for the study, and using this method, the sperm parameters of 46 males were subsequently analyzed weekly for a period of one year. Approximately 66% of chinchillas responded positively to this technique, with the success rate of semen-collection attempts showing no variation between seasons. Average sperm concentration for the whole year was 935.17 million/ml using this method. Total cell motility was the highest in winter (90.3%), and the lowest in spring (84.3%). The proportion of live, intact cells were above 80% on average for the year, while the ratios of live, morphologically abnormal and dead cells were 6% and 14%, respectively. We found that midpiece abnormalities occurred in the highest proportion (0.95%-3.38%), while the head abnormalities showed the lowest ratio (0.01%-0.15%). Standard deviation among the parameters was relatively high, with the spring season proving to be the weakest in terms of sperm quality. This study has demonstrated that, semen can be successfully collected without the use of electro-ejaculation or anesthesia. Furthermore, although spermatological parameters do exhibit some fluctuation for the different times of the year, semen collected is nonetheless suitable for the purpose of artificial insemination of chinchillas at any time.
Unraveling the roles of aromatic cluster side-chain interactions on the structural stability and functional significance of psychrophilic Sphingomonas sp. glutaredoxin 3
Authors: Tran Trang Van , Hoang Trang , Jang Sei-Heon , Lee ChangWoo
Published: August 2023

This study investigates the impact of aromatic cluster side-chain interactions in Grx3 (SpGrx3) from the psychrophilic Arctic bacteriumSphingomonassp. Grx3 is a class I oxidoreductase with a unique parallel arrangement of aromatic residues in its aromatic cluster, unlike the tetrahedral geometry observed in Trxs. Hydrophilic-to-hydrophobic substitutions were made in the aromatic cluster, in β1 (E5V and Y7F), adjacent β2 (Y32F and Y32L), both β1 and β2 (E5V/Y32L), and short α2 (R47F). The hydrophobic substitutions, particularly those at or near Tyr7 (E5V, Y7F, Y32F, and R47F), increased melting temperatures and conformational stability, whereas disrupting β1-β2 interactions (Y32L and E5V/Y32L) led to structural instability of SpGrx3. However, excessive hydrophobic interactions (Y7F and E5V/Y32L) caused protein aggregation at elevated temperatures. All mutations resulted in a reduction in α-helical content and an increase in β-strand content. The R47F mutant, which formed dimers and exhibited the highest β-strand content, showed increased conformational flexibility and a significant decrease in catalytic rate due to the disturbance of β1-α2 interactions. In summary, the configuration of the aromatic cluster, especially Tyr7 in the buried β1 and Arg47 in the short α2, played crucial roles in maintaining the active conformation of SpGrx3 and preventing its protein aggregation. These modifications, reducing hydrophobicity in the central β-sheet, distinguish Grx3 from other Trx-fold proteins, highlighting evolutionary divergence within the Trx-fold superfamily and its functional versatility.
Hierarchical growth in neural networks structure: Organizing inputs by Order of Hierarchical Complexity
Authors: Leite Sofia , Mota Bruno , Silva António Ramos , Commons Michael Lamport , Miller Patrice Marie , Rodrigues Pedro Pereira
Published: August 2023

Several studies demonstrate that the structure of the brain increases in hierarchical complexity throughout development. We tested if the structure of artificial neural networks also increases in hierarchical complexity while learning a developing task, called the balance beam problem. Previous simulations of this developmental task do not reflect a necessary premise underlying development: a more complex structure can be built out of less complex ones, while ensuring that the more complex structure does not replace the less complex one. In order to address this necessity, we segregated the input set by subsets of increasing Orders of Hierarchical Complexity. This is a complexity measure that has been extensively shown to underlie the complexity behavior and hypothesized to underlie the complexity of the neural structure of the brain. After segregating the input set, minimal neural network models were trained separately for each input subset, and adjacent complexity models were analyzed sequentially to observe whether there was a structural progression. Results show that three different network structural progressions were found, performing with similar accuracy, pointing towards self-organization. Also, more complex structures could be built out of less complex ones without substituting them, successfully addressing catastrophic forgetting and leveraging performance of previous models in the literature. Furthermore, the model structures trained on the two highest complexity subsets performed better than simulations of the balance beam present in the literature. As a major contribution, this work was successful in addressing hierarchical complexity structural growth in neural networks, and is the first that segregates inputs by Order of Hierarchical Complexity. Since this measure can be applied to all domains of data, the present method can be applied to future simulations, systematizing the simulation of developmental and evolutionary structural growth in neural networks.
Gut microbiota fingerprinting as a potential tool for tracing the geographical origin of farmed mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis)
Authors: del Rio-Lavín Ane , Monchy Sébastien , Jiménez Elisa , Pardo Miguel Ángel
Published: August 2023

Identifying the provenance of seafood is critical to combat commercial fraud, enforce food safety regulations and ensure consumers’ confidence. Hence, the current study aimed to determine if the bacterial composition present in the digestive gland and stomach ofM.galloprovincialismussels could be used as traceability approach to discriminate their geographic origin. The microbiota of 160 mussels collected seasonally in 2019 from five different mussel farms located in three regions in Spain (Galicia, Basque Country and Catalonia) was characterized using 16S rRNA targeted amplicon sequencing. Results showed that the bacterial community composition/fingerprint was significantly different between harvesting locations and seasons, with the effect prompted by the origin exceeding the seasonal variability. To further evaluate the stability and potential of this traceability approach, the bacterial fingerprint of 20 new individuals collected from the Basque Country in autumn 2020 were compared to the profiles obtained in 2019. Results showed that mussels collected from the Basque Country in two consecutive years cluster together, even matching the season of harvesting. The findings of this preliminary study support that this methodological approach has the potential to trace the geographical origin of unprocessed mussels and could have potential uses in seafood traceability and food safety.
Sports resources utilization efficiency, productivity change, and regional production technology heterogeneity in Chinese Provinces: DEA-SBM and Malmquist Index Approaches
Authors: Zhang Hanzhong , Shi Youkuan , Jiang Xuetao , Xu Xiaowei , Shah Wasi Ul Hassan
Published: August 2023

The efficient allocation of sports resources for optimal outcomes remains a pressing national endeavour in China. Over the past two decades, substantial investments by provincial and national governments have been directed toward sports infrastructure development. This initiative aims to foster sports talent, facilitate excellence, host major sporting events, and enhance national pride and soft power. This study employs a comprehensive methodology encompassing Data Envelopment Analysis-Slack Based Measure (DEA-SBM), Meta Frontier Analysis, and Malmquist Productivity Index to assess Sports Resource Utilization Efficiency (SRUE), Technological Gap Ratio (TGR), and Productivity Growth (MI) across China’s 31 provinces and 3 distinct regions for the period 2010–2021. The findings indicate that China’s average SRUE stands at 0.6307, revealing an inefficiency of 36.93% in sports resource utilization. Noteworthy efficiency was observed in Beijing, Chongqing, Henan, Shaanxi, Shanghai, and Tianjin during the study duration. Furthermore, a consistent upward trajectory in SRUE from 2010 to 2021 highlights gradual and sustained progress. Comparatively, the eastern region showcases higher technological advancement (average TGR of 0.7598) than the central and western regions. The Malmquist Productivity Index (MI), with an average value of 1.05391, highlights a substantial 5.39% productivity growth. Notably, technological advancement emerges as the primary driver of this productivity increase, evident through the higher Total Factor Productivity Change (TC) of 1.0312 compared to the Efficiency Change (EC) of 1.0209. The Central region’s outperforming productivity growth is noteworthy relative to the Eastern and Western regions. Conclusively, the Kruskal-Wallis test confirms significant disparities in the average MI, EC, TC, and TGR among all three regions of China.
Higher Mixed lineage Kinase Domain-like protein (MLKL) is associated with worst overall survival in adult-type diffuse glioma patients
Authors: Vergara Guilherme Afonso , Eugenio Gisele Cristine , Fleury Malheiros Suzana Maria , Victor Elivane da Silva , Weinlich Ricardo
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Recently, the search for novel molecular markers in adult-type diffuse gliomas has grown substantially, yet with few novel breakthroughs. As the presence of a necrotic center is a differential diagnosis for more aggressive entities, we hypothesized that genes involved in necroptosis may play a role in tumor progression.

Aim

Given that MLKL is the executioner of the necroptotic pathway, we evaluated whether this gene would help to predict prognosis of adult gliomas patients.

Methods

We analyzed a publicly available retrospective cohort (n = 530) with Kaplan Meier survival analysis (p<0.0001) and both uni- and multivariate Cox regression models.

Results

We determined that MLKL is an independent predictive prognostic marker for overall survival in these patients (HR: 2.56, p<0.001), even when controlled by the CNS5 gold-standard markers, namely IDH mutation and 1p/19q Codeletion (HR: 1.68, p = 0.013). These findings were confirmed in a validation cohort (n = 325), using the same cutoff value. Interestingly, higher expression of MLKL is associated with worse clinical outcome for adult-type diffuse glioma patients, which is opposite to what was found in other cell cancer types, suggesting that necroptosis undertakes an atypical detrimental role in glioma progression.
Protecting fish and farms: Incentivising adoption of modern fish-protection screens for water pumps and gravity-fed diversions in Australia
Authors: Rayner Thomas S. , Conallin John , Boys Craig A. , Price Rodney
Published: August 2023

Modern fish-protection screens offer significant potential benefits for Australia. The Commonwealth and New South Wales (NSW) governments have invested over $30m to incentivise early adoption by water users. However, successful adoption requires an understanding of the motivations and abilities of water users, and strategies to overcome key barriers to adoption. Four practices have been used by the NSW Government to strengthen understanding of stakeholders and encourage participation in incentive programs by water users. These are: applying social learning concepts to screening programs; evaluating stakeholder needs; identifying and mapping stakeholders and their relationships; and, integrating science in communication and engagement. Analysing the motivations and abilities of water users revealed three key motivations: to save money, to protect fish, and to improve their reputation or social licence to operate. However, the ability of water users to install a fish-protection screen was found to vary significantly. A range of barriers have been identified by water users in NSW, and solutions or strategies developed to address each one. Today, in Australia, over 2,000 ML/day of water is being delivered through modern fish-protection screens, protecting ~580,000 native fish annually at 31 sites across NSW, Victoria and Queensland (60% being in NSW). Existing investment may see these numbers increase to ~7,000 ML/day and ~2 million native fish/yr by June 2024. The application of the methods to understand and strategically engage with stakeholders should enable improved uptake of screening technologies in other jurisdictions and areas of conservation concern into the future.
Innovation as A Socio-Technical Transition: The Case of Digital Transportation Service Platforms in Indonesia
Authors: Emmanuel Josephine , Retno Herni Widya , Yuliar Sonny
Published: August 2023

The advancement of information and communication technology (ICT) has paved the way for the emergence of digital transportation service platforms worldwide. The emergence of this digital-based innovation in transportation service has triggered debates regarding its legal frameworks. However, digital transportation services have evolved vastly over time and significantly changed urban socio-economic life. The present paper aims to describe the evolution of digital transportation service platforms in Indonesia from the perspective of socio-technical transition developed by Frank Geels and his co-workers. The data used in the paper were obtained from interviews with various actors, field observations, reviews of relevant legal documents, and information from popular media. The results of this study reveal that the transition toward digital transportation services in Indonesia followed a dynamic path in which actors from the government levels, from business sectors as well from local and traditional communities, took part via contested interactions. Understanding this dynamic transition helps in making assessments and planning to achieve sustainability of digital innovation in Indonesia.
DORSL-FIN: A Self-supervised Neural Network for Recovering Missing Bathymetry from ICESat-2
Authors: Corcoran Forrest , Parrish Christopher E.
Published: August 2023

Bathymetric data, comprising elevations of submerged surfaces (e. g., seafloor or lake bed), constitute a critical need for a wide range of science and application focus areas, such as safety of marine navi- gation, benthic habitat mapping, flood inundation modeling, and coastal engineering.
Over the past decade, the availability of near- shore bathymetric data has increased dramatically due to advances in satellite-derived bathymetry (SDB). One notable advance occurred with the 2018 launch of NASA's Ice, Cloud, and land Elevation Satellite 2 (ICESat-2), carrying the Advanced
Topographic Laser Altimeter System (ATLAS). However, much like other Earth observing satellites, ATLAS is often hampered by obstructions, such as clouds, which block the sensor's view of the Earth's surface. In this study, we introduce the Deep Occlusion Recovery of Satellite Lidar From ICESat-2
Network (DORSL-FIN) to recover partially occluded bathymetric profiles. We show that DORSL-FIN is able to accurately recover occluded bathymetry and outperforms other methods of interpolation.
Fremdheit und Versöhnung
Authors: Marten Dennis
Published: August 2023

Dennis Marten widmet sich in diesem Beitrag der Frage, ob es eine Form von Versöhnung geben kann, deren Bedingung das Offenhalten der Geschichten der Ermordeten ist, die also nicht auf eine Beruhigung des Vergangenen zielt. Er sieht diese Möglichkeit in der Dichtung Paul Celans und ihrer Wirkung auf die Leser*innen. Das Gedicht schreibt die Spuren der Ermordeten in die Lebenswirklichkeit der Rezipient*innen ein. Das Lesen wird damit zu einem Akt des Eingedenkens. Mittels der Theorie der narrativen Identität Paul Ricoeurs lässt sich der Einbruch der fremden Geschichten durch das Gedicht in die Lebensgeschichten der Rezipient*innen und die Umbildung ihrer Wirklichkeit beschreiben.
Exploraciones subterráneas
Authors: Fonck Martín
Published: August 2023

Los fenómenos geológicos tienen una fuerte presencia visual en el paisaje de los Andes chilenos. Volcanes, aguas termales, terremotos y géiseres son fruto de una activa geología. Desde principios del siglo XX, ingenieros y geólogos comenzaron a imaginar transformar en electricidad el calor de los reservorios de agua subterránea. Sin embargo, su uso como energía eléctrica a una escala nacional ha sido una promesa inconclusa. Inspirado por la antropología de la energía e infraestructuras, Martín Fonck indaga etnográficamente en las promesas de la energía geotérmica y su abandono en los Andes chilenos.