bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
AOP report: Development of an adverse outcome pathway for deposition of energy leading to learning and memory impairment
Authors: Sleiman Ahmad , Miller Kathleen B. , Flores Danicia , Kuan Jaqueline , Altwasser Kaitlyn , Smith Benjamin J. , Kozbenko Tatiana , Hocking Robyn , Wood Scott J. , Huff Janice , Adam‐Guillermin Christelle , Hamada Nobuyuki , Yauk Carole , Wilkins Ruth , Chauhan Vinita 
Published: September 2024

AbstractUnderstanding radiation‐induced non‐cancer effects on the central nervous system (CNS) is essential for the risk assessment of medical (e.g., radiotherapy) and occupational (e.g., nuclear workers and astronauts) exposures. Herein, the adverse outcome pathway (AOP) approach was used to consolidate relevant studies in the area of cognitive decline for identification of research gaps, countermeasure development, and for eventual use in risk assessments. AOPs are an analytical construct describing critical events to an adverse outcome (AO) in a simplified form beginning with a molecular initiating event (MIE). An AOP was constructed utilizing mechanistic information to build empirical support for the key event relationships (KERs) between the MIE of deposition of energy to the AO of learning and memory impairment through multiple key events (KEs). The evidence for the AOP was acquired through a documented scoping review of the literature. In this AOP, the MIE is connected to the AO via six KEs: increased oxidative stress, increased deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) strand breaks, altered stress response signaling, tissue resident cell activation, increased pro‐inflammatory mediators, and abnormal neural remodeling that encompasses atypical structural and functional alterations of neural cells and surrounding environment. Deposition of energy directly leads to oxidative stress, increased DNA strand breaks, an increase of pro‐inflammatory mediators and tissue resident cell activation. These KEs, which are themselves interconnected, can lead to abnormal neural remodeling impacting learning and memory processes. Identified knowledge gaps include improving quantitative understanding of the AOP across several KERs and additional testing of proposed modulating factors through experimental work. Broadly, it is envisioned that the outcome of these efforts could be extended to other cognitive disorders and complement ongoing work by international radiation governing bodies in their review of the system of radiological protection.
BN‐based seismic risk analysis and mitigation strategy for UHV converter station
Authors: Wu Siyuan , Liu Xiao , Chen Junhan , Xie Qiang 
Published: September 2024

AbstractUltra‐high voltage (UHV) converter stations are critical nodes in power grids. This paper proposes a probabilistic framework for assessing and mitigating the seismic risk of UHV converter station systems to enhance the seismic performance of the grid. First, a Bayesian network model for the system functionality of UHV converter stations was established based on the enumeration of equipment failure scenarios. Conditional probability tables (CPTs) were used to represent the causal relationship among subsystems and system functionality. Inference calculations were conducted using Bayes’ theorem. Then, the definition of system seismic loss risk distribution was proposed to assess the seismic risk of the system over its entire lifespan. The feasibility of this framework was validated using a specific UHV converter station, yielding analytical solutions for the probability distribution of system functionality and seismic vulnerability curves. Additionally, the cost‐effectiveness of several risk mitigation strategies was assessed. A cost‐benefit analysis was performed from the perspectives of both the expected loss of a single earthquake and the life‐cycle cost. The framework comprehensively considered the constraints imposed by series, parallel, and bypass control devices on the system's functionality. It was revealed that the seismic loss risk for UHV converter stations exhibits a characteristic of low probability but high loss.
Site‐scale drivers of post‐fire vegetation regrowth in gullies: A case study in Mediterranean Europe
Authors: Martins Bruno , Pinheiro Catarina , Nunes Adélia , Bento‐Gonçalves António , Laranjeira Manuela 
Published: September 2024

AbstractMediterranean forests are very degraded, mainly due to the intensification of wildfires in recent decades, which, boosted by human activity, have contributed to the acceleration of erosion processes and soil degradation. Under certain conditions, this also contributes to the formation of gullies. The aim of this study is to identify and characterise gullies considering their morphological and topographical aspects and determine the factors that control vegetation regrowth in gullies in a Mediterranean environment after a wildfire. The gullies were identified based on the 2018 orthophotograph, after the large wildfire of October 2017 that affected the entire study area. To analyse the vegetation regrowth, we used the normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI) derived from seven Landsat 8 OLI/TIRS images (2017–2022). The Spearman's rho correlation coefficient was selected to estimate the correlation between gully characteristics and vegetation regrowth. Before running the model, a multicollinearity test was conducted (VIF ≤ 10 and tolerance ≥ 0.1). Stepwise multiple regression was conducted in order to identify the independent variable that has a strong relationship with vegetation regrowth. A marginal effects plot was drawn up. The 38 gullies identified are in forest areas, mainly composed of pine (Pinus pinaster) trees (17 gullies) or a combination of pine trees and broadleaf (Eucalyptus globulus) trees (eight gullies). In all, invasive species are present in 11 gullies, alone (one gully), together with pine trees (four gullies) or with other species (six). The other gully has broadleaf trees. The vegetation in the gully channel recovered well in the year after the wildfire. In the following years there was growth at a slower rate until it reached similar values of NDVI in 2022, 5 years after the wildfire. Stepwise multiple regression (SMR) produced a solution with three models. The three derived dimensions covered 66.8% of the variance, considering the mean width, altitude and flow accumulation. The results can help to devise more effective management strategies for areas where the recurrence and intensity of wildfires have contributed very effectively to soil loss and degradation from gully erosion, with a view to a more resilient and sustainable territory.
Optimization of Thermal Performance in Lauric Acid‐Based Phase Change Materials Using a Priority Clustering Approach
Authors: Khan Osama , Parvez Mohd , Kumari Pratibha , Yahya Zeinebou , Alhodaib Aiyeshah , Yadav Ashok Kumar , Shukla Anoop Kumar 
Published: September 2024

ABSTRACTThis study investigates the thermal properties of lauric acid (LA) as a phase change material (PCM) using the K‐Means clustering method to analyze the melting characteristics. This study focuses on the optimization of PCMs using a hybrid methodology of analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and K‐Means clustering. LA, enhanced with zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles, was evaluated for its thermal performance. LA's suitability as a PCM is evaluated based on initial temperature, heating rate, final temperature, and time to melt. AHP was employed to determine the weightage for three critical outcomes: latent heat, melting point, and thermal conductivity. The weightages assigned were 59%, 31%, and 11%, respectively, reflecting the relative importance of each outcome in assessing the efficiency of LA as a PCM. Furthermore, K‐Means clustering was then applied to categorize the data based on these weighted outcomes. AHP was utilized to determine the weightage of input parameters, assigning 27% to initial temperature, 15% to heating rate, and 22% to final temperature, underscoring their significance in the analysis. The optimal input conditions identified were an initial temperature of 24.8°C, a ieating rate of 5.6°C/min, a final temperature of 81.4°C, and a time to melt of 10.6 min. These conditions resulted in optimal outcomes of 208 J/g for latent heat, a melting point of 80.9°C, and a thermal conductivity of 0.21 W/m·K. This hybrid approach provides a robust framework for optimizing PCM performance, facilitating enhanced thermal energy storage and release in practical applications.
Physicochemical properties of oleaster extract and the role of oleaster antioxidants on oxidative induced DNA damage
Authors: Şahin Saliha , Aybastıer Önder 
Published: September 2024

AbstractOleaster (Elaeagnus angustifolia L.) is a plant with high medicinal value and economic and nutritional importance, which has been used in traditional medicine for a long time. Oleaster contains phenolic compounds that have the ability to prevent a wide variety of diseases. In this study antioxidant capacity, total phenolic content, and total carbohydrate content were found as 108.70 ± 0.20 μg GAE/g of oleaster extract, 28.80 ± 0.01 μg TE/g of oleaster extract, and 15.40 ± 0.01 mg D‐glucose/g of oleaster extract, respectively. The oleaster extract was analyzed using the HPLC‐DAD system. The results showed rutin, caffeic acid, protocatechuic acid, and ferulic acid. The protective abilities of rutin, caffeic acid, protocatechuic acid, ferulic acid, and oleaster extract were tested against the oxidation of DNA. The mix of phenolic compounds (inhibited about 93.29% of the damage) and oleaster extract (inhibited about 94.14% of the damage) showed better protect DNA against oxidation than phenolic compounds. The results obtained from this study are guiding for new applications involving the physicochemical properties of oleaster extract with high antioxidant properties for food applications.
Site Formation Processes at Tinshemet Cave, Israel: Micro‐Stratigraphy, Fire Use, and Cementation
Authors: García Pedro , Zaidner Yossi , Nicosia Cristiano , Shahack‐Gross Ruth 
Published: September 2024

ABSTRACTRecent excavations at the Middle Paleolithic site of Tinshemet Cave, Israel, showcase hominin burials and associated material culture that uniquely provide new information on hominin behavior in the south Levant around 120–100 ky ago. This study presents the site's stratigraphy in association with findings from sediment micromorphological analyses, shedding light on natural and anthropogenic site formation processes as well as human activities. Results indicate that two main types of sediment have been deposited—wood ash and reworked Terra Rossa soil—mixed to various degrees across the stratigraphic units. Hominin occupation started shortly after a partial roof collapse, intermittent with carnivore presence (Unit C). Hominin occupation increased and included the use of fire, flint knapping, cooking, and burial (Unit B), and increased even more (Unit A, Layer III) with more burials, intensive use of fire, cooking, knapping, trampling, and dumping. Anthropogenic sediments are largely cemented by secondary calcite that originates from recrystallized ash; however, intact hearths are absent due to syn‐ and postdepositional processes such as extensive bioturbation, cementation of the deposits, and trampling. Other postdepositional processes include fissuring and surface erosion. This study presents the importance of micromorphology to disentangle natural, anthropogenic, depositional, and postdepositional processes to better understand hominin behavior.
Neuronal and glial cell alterations involved in the retinal degeneration of the familial dysautonomia optic neuropathy
Authors: Schultz Anastasia , Albertos‐Arranz Henar , Sáez Xavier Sánchez , Morgan Jamie , Darland Diane C. , Gonzalez‐Duarte Alejandra , Kaufmann Horacio , Mendoza‐Santiesteban Carlos E. , Cuenca Nicolás , Lefcort Frances 
Published: September 2024

AbstractFamilial dysautonomia (FD) is a rare genetic neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorder. In addition to the autonomic and peripheral sensory neuropathies that challenge patient survival, one of the most debilitating symptoms affecting patients' quality of life is progressive blindness resulting from the steady loss of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). Within the FD community, there is a concerted effort to develop treatments to prevent the loss of RGCs. However, the mechanisms underlying the death of RGCs are not well understood. To study the mechanisms underlying RGC death, Pax6‐cre;Elp1loxp/loxp male and female mice and postmortem retinal tissue from an FD patient were used to explore the neuronal and non‐neuronal cellular pathology associated with the FD optic neuropathy. Neurons, astrocytes, microglia, Müller glia, and endothelial cells were investigated using a combination of histological analyses. We identified a novel disruption of cellular homeostasis and gliosis in the FD retina. Beginning shortly after birth and progressing with age, the FD retina is marked by astrogliosis and perturbations in microglia, which coincide with vascular remodeling. These changes begin before the onset of RGC death, suggesting alterations in the retinal neurovascular unit may contribute to and exacerbate RGC death. We reveal for the first time that the FD retina pathology includes reactive gliosis, increased microglial recruitment to the ganglion cell layer (GCL), disruptions in the deep and superficial vascular plexuses, and alterations in signaling pathways. These studies implicate the neurovascular unit as a disease‐modifying target for therapeutic interventions in FD.
Decreased sialylation elicits complement‐related microglia response and bipolar cell loss in the mouse retina
Authors: Cuevas‐Rios German , Assale Tawfik Abou , Wissfeld Jannis , Bungartz Annemarie , Hofmann Julia , Langmann Thomas , Neumann Harald 
Published: September 2024

AbstractSialylation plays an important role in self‐recognition, as well as keeping the complement and innate immune systems in check. It is unclear whether the reduced sialylation seen during aging and in mice heterozygous for the null mutant of UDP‐N‐acetylglucosamine 2‐epimerase/N‐acetylmannosamine kinase (Gne+/−), an essential enzyme for sialic acid biosynthesis, contributes to retinal inflammation and degeneration. We found a reduction of polysialic acid and trisialic acid expression in several retinal layers in Gne+/− mice at 9 months of age compared to Gne+/+ wildtype (WT) mice, which was associated with a higher microglial expression of the lysosomal marker CD68. Furthermore, the total number of rod bipolar cells was reduced in 12 months old Gne+/− mice in comparison to WT mice, demonstrating loss of these retinal interneurons. Transcriptome analysis showed up‐regulation of complement, inflammation, and apoptosis‐related pathways in the retinas of Gne+/− mice. Particularly, increased gene transcript levels of the complement factors C3 and C4 and the pro‐inflammatory cytokine Il‐1β were observed by semi‐quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (sqRT‐PCR) in 9 months old Gne+/− mice compared to WT mice. The increased expression of CD68, loss of rod bipolar cells, and increased gene transcription of complement factor C4, were all prevented after crossing Gne+/− mice with complement factor C3‐deficient animals. In conclusion, our data show that retinal hyposialylation in 9 and 12 months old Gne+/− mice was associated with complement‐related inflammation and lysosomal microglia response, as well as rod bipolar cells loss, which was absent after genetic deletion of complement factor C3.
Ferritin loss in astrocytes reduces spinal cord oxidative stress and demyelination in the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) model
Authors: Smith Z. , Cheli V. T. , Angeliu C. G. , Wang C. , Denaroso G. E. , Tumuluri S. G. , Corral J. , Garbarini K. , Paez P. M. 
Published: September 2024

AbstractDemyelinating diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS) cause myelin degradation and oligodendrocyte death, resulting in the release of toxic iron and iron‐induced oxidative stress. Astrocytes have a large capacity for iron transport and storage, however the role of astrocytic iron homeostasis in demyelinating disorders is not completely understood. Here we investigate whether astrocytic iron metabolism modulates neuroinflammation, oligodendrocyte survival, and oxidative stress following demyelination. To this aim, we conditionally knock out ferritin in astrocytes and induce experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an autoimmune‐mediated model of demyelination. Ferritin ablation in astrocytes reduced the severity of disease in both the acute and chronic phases. The day of onset, peak disease severity, and cumulative clinical score were all significantly reduced in ferritin KO animals. This corresponded to better performance on the rotarod and increased mobility in ferritin KO mice. Furthermore, the spinal cord of ferritin KO mice display decreased numbers of reactive astrocytes, activated microglia, and infiltrating lymphocytes. Correspondingly, the size of demyelinated lesions, iron accumulation, and oxidative stress were attenuated in the CNS of ferritin KO subjects, particularly in white matter regions of the spinal cord. Thus, deleting ferritin in astrocytes reduced neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and myelin deterioration in EAE animals. Collectively, these findings suggest that iron storage in astrocytes is a potential therapeutic target to lessen CNS inflammation and myelin loss in autoimmune demyelinating diseases.
Comparison between EEG and MEG of static and dynamic resting‐state networks
Authors: Cho SungJun , van Es Mats , Woolrich Mark , Gohil Chetan 
Published: September 2024

AbstractThe characterisation of resting‐state networks (RSNs) using neuroimaging techniques has significantly contributed to our understanding of the organisation of brain activity. Prior work has demonstrated the electrophysiological basis of RSNs and their dynamic nature, revealing transient activations of brain networks with millisecond timescales. While previous research has confirmed the comparability of RSNs identified by electroencephalography (EEG) to those identified by magnetoencephalography (MEG) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), most studies have utilised static analysis techniques, ignoring the dynamic nature of brain activity. Often, these studies use high‐density EEG systems, which limit their applicability in clinical settings. Addressing these gaps, our research studies RSNs using medium‐density EEG systems (61 sensors), comparing both static and dynamic brain network features to those obtained from a high‐density MEG system (306 sensors). We assess the qualitative and quantitative comparability of EEG‐derived RSNs to those from MEG, including their ability to capture age‐related effects, and explore the reproducibility of dynamic RSNs within and across the modalities. Our findings suggest that both MEG and EEG offer comparable static and dynamic network descriptions, albeit with MEG offering some increased sensitivity and reproducibility. Such RSNs and their comparability across the two modalities remained consistent qualitatively but not quantitatively when the data were reconstructed without subject‐specific structural MRI images.
‘Our culture makes us strong’: Understanding and working with community strengths among Aboriginal people in western Sydney
Authors: Gardner K. , Graham S. , Beadman M. , Doyle M. , Wilms J. , Beetson K. , Bryant J. , Martin K. , Treloar C. , Murphy D. , Bell S. , Browne A. , Aggleton P. , Bolt R. 
Published: September 2024

AbstractBackgroundStrengths‐based approaches to health care are often seen as an alternative to deficit‐based approaches and are common in Aboriginal health settings. Despite this, there is little existing research that describes Aboriginal peoples' perspectives about the strengths of their communities. This paper describes cultural strengths and resources as understood by Aboriginal people living in western Sydney.MethodsIn‐depth interviews were used to collect qualitative data from two communities on Dharug and Dharrawal Country in western Sydney Australia. Data come from a larger study, which focused on how cultural strengths supported sexual well‐being. Fifty‐two interviews were conducted with Aboriginal young people (aged 16–24 years) by trained peer interviewers. Additionally, 16 interviews with Aboriginal adults (25 years and older) were conducted by members of the research team.Findings and DiscussionWhile opinions varied, four key areas of cultural strength were identified: (1) strong kinship relationships; (2) knowledge sharing; (3) shared experiences, identities, and values; and (4) knowing Country. Throughout these four themes, the sense of connection and belonging is viewed as an important overarching theme.ConclusionCommunities are not homogenous with regard to what they view as cultural strengths. Knowing Country and practising culture meant different things to different individuals while providing a similar sense of belonging, connection, and identity.So WhatHealth service providers, policies, and programs can use this information to understand the continuing impacts of past policies and events whilst recognising that each community has strengths that can be drawn upon to improve service engagement, knowledge sharing, and health outcomes.
Development of temperamental regulation of infants at 6 and 24 months: Associations with maternal soothing and distress
Authors: Nakagawa Atsuko , Matsuki Taro , Tomida Makiko , Miyachi Taishi , Ebara Takeshi , Kamijima Michihiro 
Published: September 2024

AbstractBackground and AimsIn the neurobiological theory of attention, the orienting network mainly supports the temperamental regulatory function in infancy, with soothing methods such as visual attention distraction influencing its development. The attention distraction method chosen for soothing is thought to be influenced by maternal sensitivity, which has been found to decrease with poor maternal mental health. We hypothesize that the degree of maternal distress may affect the choice of attention distraction soothing method. Further, individual differences in being soothed by attention distraction will be associated with the temperamental regulation function in infancy/toddlerhood.MethodStructural equation modeling (SEM) was conducted on longitudinal data at 6 and 24 months on a sample (N = 1892) drawn from the sub‐cohort of the Japan Environment and Children's Study (JECS). Temperament was examined through the short Infant Behavior Questionnaire‐Revised (Japanese version) and the Early Childhood Behavior Questionnaire (Japanese version). Distress in caregivers was measured through the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (Japanese version) at prenatal and 1‐year‐postnatal stages. Individual differences in using visual distraction soothing methods were also measured using tailor‐made items.ResultsPostnatal maternal distress at 12 months was negatively related to the tendency to use visual attention distraction as a soothing method (β = −0.06, p = 0.006) at 24 months. When we applied the subscale of the temperamental regulatory factor in SEM, the more the mothers chose the distraction method for soothing, i.e., the more the toddlers experienced it, the higher their attention shifting scores (β = 0.07, p = 0.002).ConclusionThe findings support the view that caregivers' choice of method for distracting offspring's attention from distress may be associated with the development of self‐regulation during infancy and toddlerhood.