bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Controlling spheroid attachment improves pancreatic beta cell differentiation from human iPS cells
Authors: Horikawa Ayumi , Michiue Tatsuo 
Published: November 2024

AbstractRegenerative medicine using human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) is available for treating type 1 diabetes; however, the efficiency and maturation of hiPSC differentiation into pancreatic beta cells requires improvement. Various protocols, including three-dimensional (3D) culture, have been developed to improve differentiation efficiency and maturation. Several methods for 3D culture have been reported; however, they require costly and complicated equipment, special materials, and complicated operations. To solve these problems, we developed a simple 3D culture method under static conditions using a cyclo-olefin polymer (COP) characterized by high moisture barrier properties, low surface energy, and hydrophobicity. Using this 3D method and our simple and low-cost protocol, we found that differentiation into the definitive endoderm (DE) was better when the spheroids were attached. Therefore, upon the addition of Y-27632, attached spheroids with unique shapes and cavities were formed, and the differentiation efficiency into DE increased. During DE differentiation, the attachment of spheroids to the substrate and their subsequent floating improved differentiation efficiency. We found that the amount of C-peptide in spheroids differentiated using COP dishes was greater than that in rotary culture. Furthermore, INSULIN was highly expressed in areas with low cell density, suggesting that the unique shape of the spheroids made from COP dishes improved differentiation efficiency. Our study suggests that a device-free, simple 3D culture method that controls spheroid attachment improves the efficiency of hiPSC differentiation into pancreatic beta cells.
A Contemporary Review of Surgical Options in Laryngotracheal Stenosis
Authors: Śladowska Julia , Rzepakowska Anna 
Published: November 2024

AbstractUpper airway stenosis is a potentially life-threatening condition that can occur at the level of the larynx, trachea, or multiple sites. It compromises breathing, coughing up secretions or voice production. To date, a wide range of endoscopic and open procedures have been described. Different techniques involve variable decannulation times, recurrence rates or complications. Improved breathing is a major concern for each method. However, other laryngeal functions should also be maintained with optimal voice quality and swallowing function. All these features create a constant challenge for stenosis surgery and, consequently, the need to verify and improve existing methods. A literature review was performed to provide an overview of the different treatment methods utilized in particular localizations. Supraglottic stenosis has a high rate of recurrence; nevertheless, it has a better prognosis than glottic or subglottic stenosis does. In this location, endoscopic surgery is preferable because of its decreased morbidity and optimal wound healing. Glottic stenosis includes bilateral vocal fold palsy (BVFP) and anterior and posterior glottic stenosis. Endoscopic resection combined with readhesion-reducing treatment is recommended for less advanced scars. Endoscopic laterofixation is a safe and easy method to perform for BVFP when there is potential for functional recurrence. Posterior cordotomy with partial arytenoidectomy is selected for patients with persistent disease. Subglottic stenosis is graded according to the Cotton–Myer classification, and open surgical procedures are more successful than endoscopic procedures in terms of decannulation rates and disease-free recurrence periods. The current guidelines concerning the treatment of LTS are still heterogeneous and cover a wide spectrum of procedures. Consequently, the therapy should be tailored individually to the patient, and the operator should be familiar with advantages related to different approaches. Future protocol development requires the standardization of qualification criteria and the verification of respiratory, voice and swallowing results.
The Concept of Innate Sexual Priors in the Brain: A Theory on Why We Are Attracted to What We Are Attracted to
Authors: Abé Christoph 
Published: November 2024

AbstractSexuality is an integral part of human nature, yet we know little about its origins and underlying mechanisms. Understanding how the brain processes sexual stimuli is crucial for advancing our knowledge of the origins of sexuality and its variations. Only if a stimulus was internally evaluated as ‘attractive’ the information can progress to evoke sexual desire or arousal. Importantly, such evaluation processes require an internal reference against which external information is compared. These processes, however, remain largely unexplored, and hence we still do not understand why we are attracted to what we are attracted to. By synthesizing the existing literature and integrating existing models, this narrative review proposes a novel neuroscientific framework on sexuality, addressing key theoretical gaps. As a result, the concept of sexual priors in the brain is introduced. Within this framework, sexual priors refer to mental ‘images’ representing a collection of internally stored information of what we regard as sexually attractive. Such mental representations act as reference in early internal evaluation processes of sexual stimuli. It is suggested that sexual priors are (partly) innate and sex-specific, contributing to heterosexuality. Evolutionary aspects that could explain the development of these priors are discussed. Furthermore, the framework provides possible explanations for variations in sexual orientation through potential cross-sex shifts in sexual prior content. The refinement of sexual prior content over time may explain the diversity of sexual interests and attraction patterns among humans. Moreover, the concept can be applied to a variety of psychiatric conditions related to atypical and maladaptive sexual behaviors. A proposition is put forward regarding brain areas and networks that may be involved in the formation of sexual priors, serving as potential targets for future research. In summary, by integrating sexual priors into models of sexual stimuli processing, this article fills theoretical gaps while inspiring further research. This work aims to enhance understanding of sexuality, which ultimately could increase social awareness, foster tolerance, and promote psychological well-being.
Prognostic model development using novel genetic signature associated with adenosine metabolism and immune status for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Chen Yidan , Wang Kemei , Zhang Xingyun , Tao Dongying , Shang Yulong , Wang Ping , Li Qiang , Liu Yansheng 
Published: November 2024

AbstractThe high mortality rate of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is partly due to advanced diagnosis, emphasizing the need for effective predictive tools in HCC treatment. The aim of this study is to propose a novel prognostic model for HCC based on adenosine metabolizing genes and explore the potential relationship between them. Regression analysis was performed to identify differentially expressed genes associated with adenosine metabolism in HCC patients using RNA sequencing data obtained from a public database. Adenosine metabolism-related risk score (AMrisk) was derived using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) Cox regression and verified using another database. Changes in adenosine metabolism in HCC were analyzed using functional enrichment analysis and multiple immune scores. The gene expression levels in patient samples were validated using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Thirty adenosine metabolism-related differentially expressed genes were identified in HCC, and six genes (ADA, P2RY4, P2RY6, RPIA, SLC6A3, and VEGFA) were used to calculate the AMrisk score; the higher the risk scores, the lower the overall survival. Moreover, immune infiltration activation and immune checkpoints were considerably higher in the high-risk group. Additional in vitro experiments validated the enhanced expression of these six genes in HCC. The established predictive model demonstrated that adenosine metabolism-related genes was significantly associated with prognosis in HCC patients.
An Application of Item Response Theory for Agricultural Sustainability Measurement
Authors: Beadle Brian , Brosig Stephan , Wunder Christoph 
Published: November 2024

AbstractThe concept of agricultural sustainability has been evolving since the mid-twentieth century. However, there is still not a universally accepted method for its measurement. Strong data requirements are a major obstacle to developing a useful farm-level sustainability index. We propose using item response theory models to generate a farm-level agricultural sustainability index. Item response theory models have several advantages over existing methods, the most important of which is that our index is independent of the variables used in the model. As such, farm-level sustainability scores can be estimated with readily available data and compared across different sets of variables from multiple regions. We use data from the Farm Accountancy Data Network and other secondary sources to estimate a farm-level index in Germany. In line with the literature, the results of our estimations indicate a positive relationship between farm size and sustainability, higher levels of sustainability for crop and mixed farming systems, and below-average performance for livestock farms and vineyards. We further test the sensitivity of the index against randomly missing data and simulate a scale linking procedure that tests the flexibility in measuring multiple regions with different data sets, finding that the index is generally robust in both analyses. Supplementary materials accompanying this paper appear online.
Identification of trait-associated microRNA modules in liver transcriptome of pig fed with PUFAs-enriched supplementary diet
Authors: Pareek C. S. , Sachajko M. , Kalra G. , Sultana S. , Szostak A. , Chalaskiewicz K. , Kepka-Borkowska K. , Poławska E. , Ogłuszka M. , Pierzchała D. , Starzyński R. , Taniguchi H. , Juszczuk-Kubiak E. , Lepczyński A. , Ślaska B. , Kozera W. , Czarnik U. , Wysocki P. , Kadarmideen H. N. , Te Pas M. F. W. , Szyda J. , Pierzchała M. 
Published: November 2024

AbstractDietary lipids provide energy, are cellular structural components, and are involved in physiological processes. Lipids are the dietary source in supplementary diet experiments in pigs. This study aims to investigate the dietary effects of PUFAs on the hepatic transcriptome and physiological pathways of two diets on two pig breeds. Polish Landrace (PL: n = 6) and six PLxDuroc (PLxD: n = 6) pigs were fed with a normal diet (n = 3) or PUFAs-enriched healthy diet (n = 3), and the hepatic miRNA profiles were studied for weighted gene co-expression network analysis biological interactions between gene networks and metabolic pathways of DE miRNA genes. The study identified trait-associated modules that were significantly associated with four phenotypic traits in the dietary groups of PL and PLxD: meat colour (a*), shoulder subcutaneous fat thickness, conductivity 24 h post-mortem (PE24), and ashes. Trait-wise, a large set of co-expressed miRNAs of porcine liver were identified in these trait-associated significant modules (9, 7, 2, and 8) in PL and PLxD. Each module is represented by a module eigengene (ME). Forty-four miRNAs out of 94 miRNAs interacted with 6719 statistically significant target genes with a target score > 90. The GO/pathway analysis showed association with pathways including regulation of metallopeptidase activity, sebaceous gland development, collagen fibril organization, WNT signalling, epithelial tube morphogenesis, etc. The study showed the differences in miRNA expression between the dietary groups of PL and PLxD breeds. Hub genes of discovered miRNA clusters can be considered predicted miRNA genes associated with PE24, meat colour, shoulder subcutaneous fat thickness, and ashes. Discovered target genes for miRNA clusters play significant roles in biological functions such as (i) muscle and body growth development, (ii) different cellular processes and developments, (iii) system development, and (iv) metabolic processes.
Association of pedigree indexes and genomic breeding values with the performance of Polish Holstein–Friesian cows
Authors: Strabel Tomasz 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
Pedigree indices (PI) and genomically enhanced breeding values (GBV) of Polish Holstein–Friesian heifers were compared with their future performance. Phenotypes of 15,794 cows from 294 herds were analyzed. The traits evaluated included milk, fat and protein yield, somatic cell score (SCC), stature, overall udder and feet and legs score, heifer conception rate, and longevity. PI and GBV were from official evaluation systems, and performance records were adjusted for non-genetic effects. Correlations between breeding values and adjusted phenotypes were analyzed. Additionally, cows within each herd were divided into quartiles based on their breeding values, and the performance of cows from the top and bottom quartiles was compared. For production traits, similar analyses were conducted separately for high and low milk-producing herds to check for possible genotype by environment interaction. The analyses confirmed the significant correlation between breeding values and cow performance. Incorporating genomic information into PI significantly improved the predictive accuracy for milk, fat, and protein yields, as well as for SCC and stature, with increases ranging from 34 to 64%. Comparisons of cows’ performance from the top and bottom quartiles supported these observations for all these traits except protein yield, with differences in performance being 43–92% greater when cows were ranked by GBV instead of PI. In a more productive environment, greater differences in performance were found between the top and bottom quartiles. These findings suggest that Polish breeders can enhance the outcomes of their breeding decisions by using GBV instead of PI. This change offers particular benefits in improving the predictability of future performance for the most economically important traits such as milk yield, fat yield, protein yield, somatic cell score, and stature.
Effect of ambient conditions in friction surfacing
Authors: Hoffmann M. , Duda E. A. , Aspes P. , Klusemann B. 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
Friction surfacing (FS) is a solid-state deposition process in which layers are deposited on a substrate surface by frictional heat and severe plastic deformation of a consumable stud material below its melting temperature. Bonding occurs due to accelerated diffusion. The deposition of several layers on top of each other is referred to as multi-layer FS (MLFS), a promising candidate for additive manufacturing (AM) as it offers advantages over fusion-based AM. In this study, the MLFS process for the precipitation-hardenable alloy AA2024 is investigated regarding the influence of environmental process conditions, i.e., preheating of the substrate like other AM processes as well as underwater and room temperature experiments. The influence of ambient conditions on the process behavior, the layer geometries, the microstructure, and the mechanical properties is shown. Preheating the substrate leads to an overall higher process temperature (424.1 °C), resulting in thinner and wider layers, larger grains, an overaged microstructure, and a smooth hardness transition in the MLFS stacks from top (140 HV0.1) to bottom (95 HV0.1). The lower the process temperatures, e.g., for underwater FS (326.5 °C), the thicker and less wide the layers and the smaller the grains. The hardness shows a periodic pattern at the layer interface, which is more pronounced at lower process temperatures, i.e., the hardness values range from 100 HV0.1 to 150 HV0.1.
An Analytical Framework for In-Plane Two-Impulse Transfers Between Lissajous Orbits
Authors: Shimazaki Takuto , Kawakatsu Yasuhiro 
Published: November 2024

AbstractThis paper presents an analytical framework for in-plane two-impulse transfers between two Lissajous orbits around a single collinear libration point in the linearized circular restricted three-body problem. Based on the categorization of orbits near a collinear libration point in the linearized dynamics, we formulate two-impulse transfers as a two-point boundary value problem with a fixed time of flight (ToF). We explicitly derive and numerically verify the solution, along with its subsets corresponding to transfers involving asymptotic invariant manifolds. Additionally, we derive some general properties of solutions, including the inherent constraints arising from the limited distribution of invariant manifolds are identified and compared to their single-impulse counterparts. We further investigate the relation between the performance and the constraints of two-impulse transfers by numerically evaluating the cost of maneuvers for amplitude-decreasing transfers. Our main results demonstrate improved feasibility compared to the single-impulse transfers with minimum additional cost for a relatively large ToF, regardless of the size of the amplitude size, as well as the existence of a lower bound on the cost similar to the one found in the single-impulse case.
All you need is [somebody’s] love “third-party reproduction” and the existential density of biological affinity
Authors: Madureira Diogo Morais Sarmento 
Published: November 2024

AbstractWhat is the true significance of biological kinship? During the last decades, it seemed to be uncontroversial that abandoned and even adopted people feel the negative impact of biological parents’ absence throughout life in several ways (Miller et al. 2000; Keyes, Margaret A., Anu Sharma, Irene J Elkins, and William G. Iacono, Matt McGue. 2008. The Mental Health of US Adolescents Adopted in Infancy. Archive Pediatric Adolescense Medicine 162(5): 419–425.). However, in the case of people conceived via “third-party reproduction”, especially in sperm donation, the disruption of the kinship network derived from natural bonds tends to be presented as something irrelevant. This article disputes that assumption, explores its relationship with a deconstructivist vision that presents kinship as a purely social construct and defends the personal and existential value of a person’s biological bonds with her parents. While analysing the anthropological shift inherent to the way some political discourses present the nuclear family and heterologous biotechnology, it proposes renewed philosophical attention on the significance of filiation and human affinity. This article argues for the density of genealogical ties and defends that the consecration of an individual “right to a child”, namely (but not exclusively) through the normalised access to sperm banks, is incompatible with the rights of the child, since it deprives people from knowing not only who but also how is their father.
Analysis of future water demands in Al-Madinah (1990–2030) based on the modified IPAT model and sheared socio-economic pathways scenarios
Authors: Alharbi Ohood , Sakai Marco , McClean Colin 
Published: November 2024

AbstractArid regions such as Saudi Arabia are facing water scarcity and availability issues and experiencing growing pressure by rapid water consumption. Determining the main driving forces contributing to rising water demands and future water demand prediction are considered the cornerstone for developing a good sustainable management plan. Al-Madinah city was chosen as a case study. In this study, the population, affluence, and technology (IPAT) model has been modified to apply in the water sector to analyse water needs in Al-Madinah from 1990 to 2020 and examines factors including population, GDP-per capita, agricultural lands/GDP and built-up area/agricultural lands. In addition, Sheared Socio-economic Scenarios (SSPs) have been developed to predict water demands in Al-Madinah from 2020 to 2030. The results confirm that population was the most important in explaining water consumption trends. Moreover, water demand under all IPCC_ SSP scenarios is expected to increase by between 17 to 28%. The scenarios of SSP3 and SSP4 are projected to experience an increase in water demands by an average of 25% and 26%, respectively. In contrast, the water demand is forecasted to lower under the SSP1 and SSP5 by around 20% and 17%, respectively. This evaluation could highly reinforce and improve sustainable water resource management strategies, which have recently become increasingly essential to face growing water challenges and demands.
The distribution of non-Parry Perron numbers and their conjugates
Authors: Hichri Hachem , Smyth Chris 
Published: November 2024

AbstractWe prove that the set of Perron numbers that are not Parry numbers is dense in the interval $$(1,\infty )$$

(
1
,
∞
)

and that the set of all Galois conjugates of such numbers is dense in the whole complex plane. While the Parry numbers themselves are known also to be dense in $$(1,\infty )$$

(
1
,
∞
)

, their conjugates are known from work of Solomyak and others to be much more restricted: they are confined to a subset of the disc $$|z|<(1+\sqrt{5})/2$$

|
z
|
<
(
1
+

5

)
/
2

. Our work is in response to a remark of Akiyama, drawing attention to our lack of knowledge about non-Parry Perron numbers and their conjugates.
Urologische Herausforderungen nach operativer Angleichung bei transmaskulinen Menschen
Authors: Feicke Antje 
Published: November 2024

ZusammenfassungKombinierte Urethrophalloplastik oder Metaidoioplastik sowie Schwellkörperprothetik sind für einige transmaskuline Menschen Teil der medizinischen Transition, um ihre geschlechtsdysphorischen Symptome zu reduzieren. Kombinierte Urethrophalloplastiken sind, bedingt durch Gewebetransfer mit mikrochirurgischer Gefässanastomosierung, sehr komplex und komplikationsträchtig. Die häufigsten Komplikationen sind hierbei urethrokutane Fisteln und rezidivierende Urethrastrikturen. Die Implantation von Schwellkörperprothesen in den Neophallus ist ebenfalls ein anspruchsvoller und komplikationsträchtiger Eingriff. Durch die Entpathologisierung der Diagnose Geschlechtsinkongruenz (GI) und die wachsende gesellschaftliche Akzeptanz nehmen Menschen mit Genderinkongruenz vermehrt medizinische Transitionsschritte in Anspruch. Dadurch nimmt auch der Anteil an transmaskulinen Menschen in der hausärztlichen und urologischen Praxis zu. Dieser Artikel setzt sich mit den Herausforderungen bei der Behandlung von urethrokutanen Fisteln, Urethrastrikturen und bei der Implantation von Schwellkörperprothesen bei transmaskulinen Männern auseinander.
Aktuelle Herausforderungen in der Philosophie der Liebe und Sexualität
Authors: Kühler Michael , Schweiger Gottfried 
Published: November 2024

Zusammenfassung(Romantische) Liebe und Sexualität sind zweifelsohne von großer existentieller Bedeutung für alle Menschen. Zugleich sind sie eingelassen und bestimmt von sozialen Normen und Praktiken, die kulturell und historisch variieren. In der Philosophie gibt es in den letzten Jahren ein gesteigertes Interesse an Liebe und Sexualität, welches sich sowohl auf Fragen ihrer Definition, ihres (moralischen) Werts, der mit ihnen verbundenen Ethik als auch ihrer sozialen und politischen Ordnung bezieht. Die in diesem Schwerpunkt versammelten Beiträge reflektieren die vielfältigen und komplexen Zusammenhänge von Liebe, Sexualität, sozialen Normen und Identität. Sie regen dazu an, tradierte Konzepte und gesellschaftliche Strukturen kritisch zu hinterfragen und alternative Ansätze zu entwickeln, und sie verdeutlichen, wie produktiv die gegenwärtige philosophische Debatte zu Liebe und Sexualität ist und welche Potenziale sie für die Weiterentwicklung zukünftiger Diskurse bietet.