bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Tracking aquatic non-native macroinvertebrate species in Germany using long-term data
Authors: Haubrock Phillip J. , Kurtul Irmak , Kouba Antonín 
Published: September 2024

AbstractBiological invasions pose a global challenge, threatening both biodiversity and human well-being. Projections suggest that as invasions increase, the financial costs associated with management and the ecological harm they cause will also escalate. Here, we examined whether long-term biomonitoring strategies were adequate to identify and track benthic aquatic non-native macroinvertebrate species by using the German subset (151 time series; 129 of which reported non-native species) of the currently most comprehensive European long-term dataset of 1816 macroinvertebrate community time series from 22 European countries. The detection of aquatic non-native species was directly linked to the availability of long-term sites and thus, monitoring effort, having identified the spatio-temporal occurrence of 32 non-native species. The available long-term monitoring site data were mostly concentrated in the western part of Germany, predominantly covering the Rhine River and its tributaries. The spatially biased network of long-term monitoring sites, therefore, naturally skews the detection and reporting of aquatic non-native species toward this area and underestimates Eastern and Southern regions, impeding the comprehension of invasion dynamics. However, based on the available data, we found that the absolute number of non-native species increased and the proportion of non-native species relative to native species decreased over time. This indicates complex ecological interactions between native and non-native species and underlines the value of long-term data for investigating invasion dynamics. Considering the value of comprehensive monitoring networks, a spatially biased network delays the application of management and mitigation plans, possibly worsening the ecological and economic effects of biological invasions in Germany. The results provided here indicate the disadvantages of biased datasets, but simultaneously underline the enormous potential of a dense network of long-term monitoring. Our results also highlight the urgent need to increase and diversify long-term biomonitoring efforts throughout Germany to cover the main freshwater resources and their connections where the introduction risk of non-native species is the highest. Centrally collating such data would provide a profound basis for the monitoring of spreading aquatic non-native species and could serve the implementation of national biosecurity efforts.
Tropical oils consumption and health: a scoping review to inform the development of guidelines in tropical regions
Authors: Hormenu Thomas , Salifu Iddrisu , Paku Juliet Elikem , Kordowu Peace Yaa , Abdul-Karim Adams , Gyan Thomas Boateng , Asiedu Immanuel , Abdul-Ganiyu Osman , Amoadu Mustapha 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
Background
Tropical oils such as palm and coconut oils are renowned for their high saturated fat content and culinary versatility. However, their consumption has sparked debate regarding their health benefits and production concerns. The purpose of this review was to map existing evidence on the health benefits and challenges associated with the consumption of tropical oils.

Method
The recommendations for conducting a scoping review by Arksey and O’Malley were followed. PubMed, Dimensions AI, Central, JSTOR Google, Google Scholar, and ProQuest databases were searched for relevant papers. The predetermined keywords used were Consumption” AND “Tropical oil,” as well as “Health benefits” OR “Health challenges” AND “Tropical Countries.” Peer-reviewed and grey literature published in English were eligible for this review.

Result
Tropical oils, such as palm and coconut oils, provide health benefits including essential vitamins (A and E) that enhance ocular health, boost immunity, and support growth. They are also recognised for their role in managing high blood sugar, obesity, and cholesterol levels, while offering antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. These oils have wound-healing abilities and are commonly used in infant nutrition and traditional cooking. Nevertheless, prolonged and repeated use of tropical oils to high temperature can degrade vitamin E, whereas excessive intake may result in overdose. Health concerns include oxidative risks, diabetes, cancer, coronary heart disease, high blood pressure, and acrylamide formation due to production challenges excessive consumption. Additional issues include obesity, suboptimal oil production, misconceptions, regulatory obstacles, and preferences for alternative fats.

Conclusion
This review suggest that tropical oils provide essential health benefits, including vitamins and antioxidant properties, but pose significant health risks and production challenges, particularly when exposed to high temperatures and through excessive intake. Guidelines on the consumption of tropical oils in the tropical regions are necessary to regulate their consumption.
Characteristics and transcriptional regulators of spontaneous epithelial–mesenchymal transition in genetically unperturbed patient-derived non-spindled breast carcinoma
Authors: Lien Huang-Chun , Yu Hui-Chieh , Yu Wen-Hsuan , Lin Su-Fang , Chen Tom Wei-Wu , Chen I-Chun , Hsiao Li-Ping , Yeh Ling-Chun , Li Yu-Chia , Lo Chiao , Lu Yen-Shen 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
Background
Although tumor cells undergoing epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) typically exhibit spindle morphology in experimental models, such histomorphological evidence of EMT has predominantly been observed in rare primary spindle carcinomas. The characteristics and transcriptional regulators of spontaneous EMT in genetically unperturbed non-spindled carcinomas remain underexplored.

Methods
We used primary culture combined with RNA sequencing (RNA-seq), single-cell RNA-seq (scRNA-seq), and in situ RNA-seq to explore the characteristics and transcription factors (TFs) associated with potential spontaneous EMT in non-spindled breast carcinoma.

Results
Our primary culture revealed carcinoma cells expressing diverse epithelial–mesenchymal traits, consistent with epithelial–mesenchymal plasticity. Importantly, carcinoma cells undergoing spontaneous EMT did not necessarily exhibit spindle morphology, even when undergoing complete EMT. EMT was a favored process, whereas mesenchymal–epithelial transition appeared to be crucial for secondary tumor growth. Through scRNA-seq, we identified TFs that were sequentially and significantly upregulated as carcinoma cells progressed through the EMT process, which correlated with increasing VIM expression. Once upregulated, the TFs remained active throughout the EMT process. ZEB1 was a key initiator and sustainer of EMT, as indicated by its earliest significant upregulation in the EMT process, its exact correlation with VIM expression, and the reversal of EMT and downregulation of EMT-upregulated TFs upon ZEB1 knockdown. The correlation between ZEB1 and vimentin expression in triple-negative breast cancer and metaplastic breast carcinoma tumor cohorts further highlighted its role. The immediate upregulation of ZEB2 following that of ZEB1, along with the observation that the knockdown of ZEB1 or ZEB2 downregulates both ZEB1 and ZEB2 concomitant with the reversal of EMT, suggests their functional cooperation in EMT. This finding, together with that of a lack of correlation of SNAI1, SNAI2, and TWIST1 expression with the mesenchymal phenotype, indicated EMT-TFs have a context-dependent role in EMT. Upregulation of EMT-related gene signatures during EMT correlated with poor patient outcomes, highlighting the biological importance of the model. Elevated EMT gene signatures and increased ZEB1 and ZEB2 expression in vimentin-positive compared to vimentin-negative carcinoma cells within the corresponding primary tumor tissue confirmed ZEB1 and ZEB2 as intrinsic, instead of microenvironmentally-induced, EMT regulators, and vimentin as an in vivo indicator of EMT.

Conclusions
Our findings provide insights into the characteristics and transcriptional regulators of spontaneous EMT in primary non-spindled carcinoma.
collaborative problem-solving and citizenship education: a philosophical escape in the age of competencies
Authors: Santi Marina 
Published: September 2024

Starting from the Italian results of the PISA 2015 surveys as regards the competence of young students in collaborative problem-solving, in this paper we conduct a critical analysis of the concept of competence, as seen through the lens of the Capability Approach. The Philosophy for Children curriculum is presented as a pedagogical and didactic proposal capable of re-conceptualizing the constructs of ‘problem-solving’ and ‘collaboration’. In the light of ‘Complex Thinking’ theory and the ‘community of inquiry’ classroom methodology, the general theoretical frame of the PISA and DeSeCo approach to problem-solving has been criticized for its focus on what has been defined in terms of “internal mental structures in the sense of abilities, dispositions or resources embedded in the individual”. The proposal of Philosophy for Children and its ‘community of inquiry’ methodology are considered and discussed. This educational curriculum provides a real opportunity to rethink citizenship education by concentrating on the value and power of collective agency and the ability to wonder about our world. The pedagogical implications are significant because this means that we should be aiming to align academic education not with what society is, but with what it could or should be. To achieve this, education policies and planning actions need to focus on values and principles, on matters such as freedom, social equity and participation. These matters are not exclusive to the realms of individual endowment and performance. They have fundamental ethical and cultural components. Philosophy for Children can be considered as an opportunity to work towards the educational and political goal of creating “flourishing communities”.
Larval crowding enhances dengue virus loads in Aedes aegypti, a relationship that might increase transmission in urban environments
Authors: Dutra Heverton L. C. , Marshall Dustin J. , Comerford Belinda , McNulty Brianna P. , Diaz Anastacia M. , Jones Matthew J. , Mejia Austin J. , Bjornstad Ottar N. , McGraw Elizabeth A. 
Published: September 2024

Background
Climate change and urbanization will alter the global distribution of disease vectors, changing the disease burden in yet unpredictable ways. Aedes aegypti is a mosquito responsible for transmitting dengue, Zika, chikungunya, and yellow fever viruses that breeds in containers associated with urban environments. We sought to understand how ambient temperature and larval densities in the immature aquatic phases determine adult life history traits and dengue virus loads post-infection. We predicted that larval crowding and high temperatures would both lead to smaller mosquitoes that might struggle to invest in an immune response and, hence, would exhibit high viral loads.

Methods
We first examined larval densities from urban and rural areas via a meta-analysis. We then used these data to inform a laboratory-based 2x2 design examining the interacting effects of temperature (21 vs. 26°C) and density (0.2 vs. 0.4 larvae/mL) on adult life history and dengue virus loads.

Results
We found that urban areas had an ~8-fold increase in larval densities compared to more rural sites. In the lab, we found that crowding had more impact on mosquito traits than temperature. Crowding led to slower development, smaller mosquitoes, less survival, lower fecundity, and higher viral loads, as predicted. The higher temperature led to faster development, reduced fecundity, and lower viral loads. The virus-reducing effect of higher temperature rearing was, however, overwhelmed by the impact of larval crowding when both factors were present.

Conclusions
These data reveal complex interactions between the environmental effects experienced by immature mosquitoes and adult traits. They especially highlight the importance of crowding with respect to adult viral loads. Together, these data suggest that urban environments might enhance dengue virus loads and, therefore, possibly transmission, a concerning result given the increasing rates of urbanization globally.
Humor não gera fake news
Authors: Possenti Sírio 
Published: September 2024

O ensaio discute a seguinte questão: por que afirmações humorísticas “falsas” não são consideradas fake news, o que é um fato empírico. Apresenta e analisa brevemente alguns enunciados que circularam na mídia e que nunca foram assim classificados. A hipótese apresentada é a de Victor Raskin, que assume que humor não é bona fide, ou seja, não tem compromisso com a verdade. Em seguida, distingue dois tipos de fatos e sustenta que só em relação ao um deles a questão das fake news é posta. Conclui com algumas considerações sobre esta última tese, entre elas que esses enunciados esperam um leitor atento.
Arterial stiffness in adults with Long COVID in sub‐Saharan Africa
Authors: Theresa Chikopela , Katebe Bwalya , Shibao Cyndya A. , Kirabo Annet 
Published: September 2024

AbstractSevere acute coronavirus‐2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) infection has been associated with endothelial damage, and impaired nitric oxide production, which results in arterial stiffness and increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Long COVID is a term used to describe the persistence or the development of new symptoms that can occur after an acute infection. Little is known about the association between arterial stiffness and Long COVID. An observational, cross‐sectional study in which arterial stiffness was measured with pulse wave velocity (PWV) was carried out in 74 participants between 19 and 40 years old (53 with Long COVID, 21 age and gender‐matched controls). Data was collected from participants between 1 and 9 months after acute COVID‐19 infection using the Complior analyze unit protocol. The Long COVID group had higher carotid‐radial‐PWV (crPWV) than controls (10 m/s interquartile range [IQR] 8.5–11.2 m/s) versus 8.8 m/s (IQR 7.7–9.2 m/s) as was their carotid‐radial‐arterial stiffness index (crASI) (2.26 cm/ms (IQR 1.9–2.56 cm/ms) vs. 2.01 cm/ms (IQR 1.82–2.27 cm/ms); p < 0.05) in both. They also had more type‐A waveforms, indicating increased arterial stiffening. Peripheral arterial stiffness was higher in adults with Long COVID than in controls who were never infected with SARS‐CoV‐2 as noted by the elevated levels of crPWV and crASI among adults with Long COVID.
Non-linear associations between cardiovascular metabolic indices and metabolic-associated fatty liver disease: A cross-sectional study in the US population (2017–2020)
Authors: Xu Meimei , Han Sibo , Wu Qiaomei , Ma Shihong , Cai Huiying , Xue Mengqi , Liu Fengling , Xiao Xiaozhen , Chen Xiaoshuang , Lin MeiZhen 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
The cardiometabolic index (CMI) is an emerging and effective indicator for predicting the presence of metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). This study aims to investigate the relationship between CMI and MAFLD using data from NHANES 2017–2020. In this cross-sectional study, a total of 3,749 subjects were included. The study conducted a thorough analysis of CMI with three multivariate logistic regression models, subgroup analyses, and restricted cubic splines (RCS) were utilized. Using multifactorial logistic regression as the primary method of analysis, we found that a higher CMI was also significantly associated with an increased risk of MAFLD (OR = 1.45, 95% CI (1.05–2.01)). This result was further visualized by the RCS curve: There was a non-linear positive correlation between CMI and MAFLD incidence (the turning point is CMI = 0.4554). These findings were strongly reinforced by subsequent subgroup and sensitivity analyses. There is a robust positive relationship between the CMI and the risk of MAFLD, providing valuable clinical benefits for early detection and screening of MAFLD. It is important to highlight the presence of a non-linear association between CMI and MAFLD, with an inflection point identified at CMI = 0.4554.
Historical development of passive optical network (PON): a review
Authors: Arya Vivek , Kumari Meet , Rana Arun Kumar 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
Communication networks are forced to transition to optical access networks in order to boost the information rate of transmission due to huge utilization of internet. Passive optical networks (PONs) are a highly developed and promising technology that offers low cost design, high bandwidth, and information rate for both residential and commercial use. PON uses the passive components incorporating couplers, splitters, as well as combiners. Compared to modern access networks, PON features bidirectional capabilities, cost-effectiveness, high resource efficiency, transparency, privacy, flexibility, along with upgradeability. Due to these ever increasing demands for high bandwidth, high capacity, and long reach communication for next generation networks, next generation passive optical networks (NG-PONs) are optimum choice. It provides cost-effective, energy efficient network architecture and can be realized in integrated wired/wireless network scenarios for fronthaul/backhaul data transmissions. This paper reviews the standardization process of PON that led to the development of the NG-PON. The detail literature review of various technologies related to PON and NG-PON has been conducted. Potential drawbacks of NG-PON as well as the advantages and disadvantages of various strategies are also discussed besides the future scope. Meanwhile it offers long haul high bandwidth hybrid scenarios. The futuristic PON networks may be realized for high undersea, satellite, and beyond sixth generation (6G) networks.
Syntheses, structures, and characterization of two new Zn(ii)/Cd(ii) complexes with phenanthroline derivative
Authors: Song Yuzhu , Li Wei , Jin Ruiwen , Feng Jingdong 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
Under hydrothermal conditions, two novel Zn(ii)/Cd(ii) complexes [Cd2(L)4(Cl)2]·(SO4) (1) and {[Zn2(L)2(Sip)(OH)]·H2O}
n
(2) (L = 2-(2,6-dichlorophenyl)-1H-imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthroline, NaH2Sip = 5-sulfoisophthalic acid monosodium salt) were successfully synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, single-crystal X-ray diffraction, and Hirshfeld surface analysis. The study reveals that complex 1 is constructed from the binuclear [Cd2L4Cl2] unit, and the [Cd2L4Cl2] units are linked via C–H⋯π and C–Cl⋯π interactions into 2D supramolecular layers. These 2D layers are further connected to generate 3D structures by N–H⋯O and N–H⋯S hydrogen bonds. Complex 2 exhibits a 1D double-chain structure consisting of a binuclear [Zn2L2(OH)] unit, which is further connected by π–π interaction to shape a 2D supramolecular structure.
A fabric from the Hallstatt period yet unseen in Central Poland – some remarks on the find from Dąbrowa, Wieluń County
Authors: Janiak Radosław , Słomska-Bolonek Joanna 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
During excavations carried out in 2023 at the cemetery of the Lusatian culture in Dąbrowa, site 2, Wieluń County, an urnless cremation burial was discovered (Object 24), which is dated generally to the Hallstatt period. Burnt human bones were scattered throughout the object, which form a relatively compact cluster in the central part of the grave. Ceramic fragments from various vessels were found in the fill of the grave cavity. Metal objects, both bronze and iron, showed signs of being smoldered in the fire. This fosters the conclusion that they had been burned with the deceased on the pyre and placed in the grave together with burned human bones. At the same time, such a state of preservation of the grave offerings made it impossible to specify the dating of the tomb. Within the grave, a fragment of an iron plate was found, on which mineralized remains of fabric were preserved. Technological analysis showed that it was a half-basket weave fabric of a very high quality, made of thin z-single yarn (0.25–0.30 mm and 0.40–0.50 mm) and of surprisingly high thread count (32–34/12–14 threads per cm). In the basin of the Vistula and the Oder rivers, none of the fabrics discovered so far had similar parameters. On the other hand, textiles from the main canters of weaving production at the time, such as the Hallstatt culture and the Scandinavian area, showed similar characteristics, but only in rare examples. This highlights the importance of the weaving product presented here. It is difficult to answer conclusively whether we are dealing in this case with an imported object or one produced in a local weaving workshop, although much points to the first option. Given the context of the find and the accompanying offerings, it can be assumed that the fabric belonged to a person of a higher social status. The local community’s custom of accumulating and then depositing imported items of quality into graves also makes such a hypothesis plausible. On the other hand, certain foreign patterns were adopted and creatively developed in local craft workshops of the Lusatian Culture. Most likely, involvement in long-distance trade routes allowed this society to achieve a high position in the aforementioned exchange. It was important to settle and control areas located in the basin of the upper Warta and Prosna rivers, i. e., on the southern borderlands of central Poland. It was here, through Silesia, that foreign patterns flowed in, which were then transmitted further along the Warta river basin in the northern direction, towards the “Lusatian interior”. The communication route created for the Baltic amber trade played an important role here. Finds of this raw material were recorded both in the Hallstatt circle, in areas of northern Italy, and present-day Slovenia.
Focus on Executive Functions. Part 1: Self-Awareness and Inhibition
Authors: Barkley Russell A. , Benton Christine M. 
Published: September 2024

The first in a 3-part series on executive functions. This series for adults with ADHD discusses the 7 executive functions that foster self-control—the abilities we use to monitor our own behavior to attain our goals. —Excerpted from Taking Charge of Adult ADHD (2nd ed.), by Russell A. Barkley with Christine M. Benton. Part 1: Self-awareness (the mind's mirror) and inhibition (the mind's brakes). Part 2: Nonverbal and verbal working memory (the mind’s eye and the mind’s voice). Part 3: Emotion regulation (the mind’s heart), self-motivation (the mind’s fuel tank), and planning/problem-solving (the mind’s playground).