bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
War, Researchers, and Anxiety: Evidence from Ukraine
Authors: Tsybuliak Natalia , Kolomiiets Uliana , Lopatina Hanna , Popova Anastasia , Suchikova Yana 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

The ongoing war in Ukraine has significantly impacted the mental health of academic researchers, with anxiety emerging as a predominant issue. This study assessed the prevalence and severity of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) among Ukrainian researchers during conflict, considering factors such as gender, age, migration status, scientific degree, and job title. The findings revealed that 44.3% of participants experienced moderately severe to severe anxiety, with migration due to the full-scale war being a significant predictor of higher anxiety levels. Notably, male researchers exhibit higher anxiety levels than their female counterparts, contrary to typical peacetime trends, suggesting that wartime responsibilities and societal expectations may play a crucial role. The data underscore the need for targeted mental health support, particularly for displaced researchers, and highlight the importance of developing gender-specific interventions. These insights are vital for informing policies and support programs to enhance researchers' mental health and productivity in conflict zones, ensuring the continuity and quality of scientific research during and after the war.
Metadynamics and Free-Energy Landscape Approaches for Structural Characterization of Galectin-3
Authors: Ganguly Rik , Uversky Vladimir N. , Ingty Prosperwell , Ngoruh Angneh , Yadav Shashi Kumar , Roy Rajat , Bhattacharjee Atanu 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

The study addresses the three-dimensional structure and folding dynamics of Galectin-3 through the use of in-silico techniques like as DeepMind's AlphaFold, homology modelling, and ab-initio methods. The structural validation of the modelled structures highly supports the AlphaFold model. The N-terminal intrinsically disordered region a particular phenomenon frequently connected to the intrinsically disordered sections of proteins and its unexplored role in liquid-liquid phase separation are highlighted. The protein's metastable states were investigated using free energy landscaping, and the metastable state with the lowest global energy minima was the focus of in-depth dynamics studies. This gave researchers a thorough understanding of the structural flexibility of the Galectin-3 protein and the main factors influencing its coordinated movements. GoldScore and ChemScore are the best scoring functions, according to enrichment analysis, for determining candidate Galectin-3 carbohydrate-binding activity inhibitors. The FDA-approved compound ceftaroline shows high affinity and favourable interactions with the refined complete structure of Galectin-3, according to a newly introduced weighted scoring function that takes into account both GoldScore and ChemScore metrics. Ceftaroline was subjected to 100 ns molecular dynamic (MD) simulations, and the ceftaroline-Galectin-3 complex was found to be stable. This computational work sheds light on the structural dynamics of galectin-3 and lays the groundwork for upcoming experimental confirmations and medical advancements.
Trained Immunity Generated by the Recombinant Zoster Vaccine
Authors: Weinberg Adriana , Johnson Michael , Crotteau Megan , Ghosh Debashis , Vu Thao , Levin Myron J 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Trained immunity may play a role in vaccine-induced protection against infections. We showed that the highly efficacious recombinant VZV-gE zoster vaccine (RZV) generated trained immunity in monocytes, natural killer (NK) cells, and dendritic cells (DCs) and that the less efficacious live zoster vaccine did not. RZV stimulated ex vivo gE-specific monocyte, DC and NK cell responses that did not correlate with CD4 + T-cell responses. These responses were also elicited in purified monocyte and NK cell cocultures stimulated with VZV-gE and persisted above prevaccination levels for ≥ 4 years post-RZV administration. RZV administration also increased ex vivo heterologous monocyte and NK cell responses to herpes simplex and cytomegalovirus antigens. ATAC-seq analysis and ex vivo TGFβ1 supplementation and inhibition experiments demonstrated that decreased tgfβ1 transcription resulting from RZV-induced chromatin modifications may explain the development of monocyte trained immunity. The role of RZV-trained immunity in protection against herpes zoster and other infections should be further studied.
Local Electrostatic Screening Enabled Ultrafast Bipolar Homojunction Photodiode Towards High Dynamic Range In-Sensor Image Processing
Authors: Li Chun , Wen Shaofeng , Zhou Shuren , Gong Yimin , Zhang Rui , Jia Xinyu , Kong Linkang , Fan Haodong , Yin Yi , Lan Changyong , Liu Yong 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Capturing optical information while simultaneous in-sensor image processing shows great advantages on machine vision in terms of latency, energy efficiency and security. Particularly, high dynamic range (HDR) in-sensor imaging in challenging lighting conditions is crucial for open-world intelligent machine vision applications such as robotics, unmanned aerial vehicle and autonomous driving. The versatile photoresponse-turnabilities of two-dimensional (2D) semiconductors by electrostatic gating have shown promising pathway for the in-sensor visual processing. However, the limited linear dynamic range (LDR) of the photodetectors inhibits their implementation in HDR scenes. Here, we demonstrate that a single-gate-tunable bipolar photoresponse of tungsten diselenide (WSe2) in-plane homojunction constructed through a facile, efficient and universal local electrostatic screening strategy, can perceive and process HDR images simultaneously. The showcase van der Waals stacking of WSe2/PdSe2 in-plane homojunction photosensors leveraging band-alignment exhibits an excellent performance with an ultrafast response time of 8 ns and a large physical LDR up to 144 dB. This large physical LDR allows the capture of HDR images with high precision, while the gate-tunable bipolar photoresponse enables in-sensor image processing. Our results provide an effective strategy for constructing photodetectors with tunable positive/negative responses and high LDRs, which are promising for in-sensor visual processing of scenes with HDR.
Twenty-year co-evolutionary arms race between meerkat MHC and Tuberculosis
Authors: Mueller-Klein Nadine , Risely Alice , Wilhelm Kerstin , Riegel Vanessa , Manser Marta , Clutton-Brock Tim , Santos Pablo , Melville Dominik , Sommer Simone 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Pathogen-mediated balancing selection shapes host ecology and evolution across the tree of life, fueling a co-evolutionary arms race based on frequency-dependent adaptations of hosts and counter-adaptations of pathogens. While rare immune genotypes are predicted to be more resistant to pathogens, evidence for this rare allele-advantage and negative frequency-dependent feedbacks has only been observed in model species or inferred from short-term field observations. Evidence from long-term data and wild populations is missing. Here, we leverage two decades of immune genetic and disease surveillance data from over 1,500 wild meerkats (Suricata suricatta) to reveal co-evolutionary dynamics between the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) and Mycobacterium suricattae, causing tuberculosis (TB). We uncover fluctuating adaptive MHC allelic, functional and haplotypic diversity over time compared with stable neutral genetic diversity. Crucially, we show that meerkats carrying the MHC allele Susu-DRB*13 faced initially higher TB infection probability, with the effect reversing over the course of the study, followed again by an increase in frequency of Susu-DRB*13. Similarly, TB progression first accelerated in meerkats carrying Susu-DRB*13, but decelerated thereafter. Susu-DRB*13 (and its supertype/haplotype) also prolonged survival in individuals with clinical TB. Our results present strong evidence that the rare allele-advantage propels negative frequency-dependent selection in a wild mammal. We discuss meerkats’ social structure as possible reasons for these comparably rapid co-evolutionary dynamics.
Climate outweighs human effects on vegetation properties during the early-to-mid Holocene
Authors: Felde Vivian A. , Mottl Ondřej , Flantua Suzette G. A. , Bhatta Kuber P. , Birks Hilary H. , Grytnes John-Arvid , Hooghiemstra Henry , Nogué Sandra , Reitalu Triin , Seddon Alistair W. R. , Steinbauer Manuel J. , Braak Cajo J. F. ter , Giesecke Thomas , Goring Simon J. , Haberle Simon G. , Herbert Annika V. , Šmilauer Petr , Tinner Willy , Williams John W. , Bird Darcy , Freeman Jacob , Gayo Eugenia , Hoggarth Julie A. , Latorre Claudio , Miranda Lux , Robinson Erick , Cao Xianyong , Chen Fahu , Birks H. John B. 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Controversies exist regarding the extent of past human influence on terrestrial ecosystems and the relative importance of human versus climatic factors in shaping Holocene vegetation. However, there has been no systematic examination of these issues at a global scale.
Here we integrate palaeoecological, archaeological, and palaeoclimate data to assess the influence of humans and climate in driving patterns of past vegetation during the early and middle Holocene (8500 - 2000 years before present) as recorded by pollen-assemblage properties. We quantify and summarise the patterns of change in different properties from individual records to a global scale and assess the relative importance of humans and/or climate in influencing them. Additionally, we assess whether the internal relationships among these properties changed through time.
While we find evidence that humans have high localized impact on vegetation dynamics in various regions and times periods, when considered globally, humans appear to be a secondary factor, during the early-to-mid Holocene. Our results underscore the value of merging multidisciplinary palaeodata to provide a holistic understanding of millennia-spanning relationships between humans, climate, and vegetation across different spatial scales.
Examining women's persistence in STEM: A mixed methods study of autonomy, competence, relatedness, and sociocultural influences on women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics
Authors: Saigo Heather 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

This study’s purpose was to understand how women persist in STEM through the lens of self-determination theory, which posits that persistence improves when basic psychological needs are satisfied. The researcher recruited 641 women with 6+ years of STEM experience for an anonymous online survey. The instrument included the 24-item Basic Psychological Need Satisfaction and Frustration Scale and several open-ended questions. Statistical analyses showed high satisfaction and low frustration levels for autonomy, competence, and relatedness. Significant associations were found between persistence, combined satisfaction, competence satisfaction, and other variables. Qualitative analyses identified 17 satisfaction themes, 10 frustration themes, and six sociocultural themes in participants’ responses. Four conclusions were reached: First, women in the study were highly satisfied overall; second, they persisted despite negative experiences with discrimination and bias. Third, organizations must support autonomy, competence, relatedness, and equity to promote persistence. Fourth, there are career points where attrition risk is higher. Recommendations include programs to promote women’s interest, self-efficacy, and belonging in STEM.
Deep Magnitude Management of Clinical Code Embeddings to Predict Unplanned Hospital Readmissions
Authors: Bignoumba Nzamba , Bertl Markus , Mellouli Nedra , Yahia Sadok Ben 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

The rate of unplanned hospital readmissions is a relevant indicator of the quality of care provided. From a financial point of view, unplanned readmissions are costly for patients and healthcare providers. Awareness of unplanned readmissions helps to mitigate the growth of healthcare costs. Several predictive models have been proposed to reduce unplanned hospital readmissions. However, most research on the topic does not consider the time elapsed between visits, when historical medical events are included in said research. Additionally, the focus on frequent medical events such as chronic illnesses that may lead to unplanned readmission is not explicitly captured in these models. The failure to consider elapsed time between visits and frequent or chronic illnesses can lead to a decline in the model's performance. We then introduce a model called 'Deep Magnitude Management' (D2M) that incorporates the above-mentioned aspects. D2M handles sequences of visits according to their corresponding date and incorporates an explicit transfer mechanism that enables it to focus on frequent medical events. To provide effective evidence, we compare the performance of D2M with the state-of-the-art models and conduct various ablation studies using the MIMIC-3 database. Furthermore, we provide a series of charts explaining the results of the predictions.
Effective management of white rust disease in red amaranth: a field study in Dhaka, Bangladesh
Authors: Ahmmed Abu Noman Faruq , Islam MD. Zahidul , Ferdous Raihan 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

This study aimed to identify the causal organism, Albugo candida, responsible for white rust disease in red amaranth (Amaranthus tricolor L.), and to evaluate effective management strategies for seed production during the Rabi and Kharif seasons of 2018-19 in Bangladesh. Eight treatments, including chemical, botanical, and biopesticide treatments such as Ridomil Gold 68 WG, Autostin 50 WP, Dithane M 45, Goldton 50 WP, the Bordeaux mixture, G-Derma, Garlic bulb extract, and Allamanda leaf extract, were evaluated. Four foliar sprays were applied at seven-day intervals after disease symptom onset. The field experiments followed a randomized complete block design with three replications. A microscopic study confirmed that Albugo candida was the causal organism. In both seasons, Ridomil Gold demonstrated superior efficacy in reducing disease incidence in plants, disease incidence in leaves, and disease severity, which were 63.07%, 62.78.5, and 84.31%, respectively, in Rabi and 69.73%, 65.71%, and 88.41%, respectively, in the Kharif season. Allamanda leaf extract also had statistically similar results, while Autostin exhibited promising effectiveness. Furthermore, compared with the other treatments, the combination of Ridomil Gold and Allamanda leaf extract significantly enhanced the growth parameters and seed yield in both seasons. Assessing the collective effectiveness of the treatments, Ridomil Gold demonstrated the most efficient control of white rust disease. Consequently, Ridomil Gold holds promise for application in red amaranth seed production. Additionally, the use of Allamanda leaf extract is an environmentally friendly approach to white rust disease management and promotes safer crop production practices. These discoveries offer significant guidance to practitioners seeking optimal disease management strategies in red amaranth farming.
“Un Amigo Secreto”: Perceived acceptability of a chatbot for depression education, self-help and linkage to care among adolescents living with HIV in Peru
Authors: Rupani Neil , Vasquez Diego H. , Contreras Carmen , Menacho Luis , Tapia Milagros , Kolevic Lenka , Franke Molly F. , Galea Jerome T. 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Adolescents living with HIV (ALWH) in Peru face significant mental health challenges, including a high prevalence of low-to-moderate depression, exacerbated by limited access to mental health resources. This study explores the perceived acceptability of a chatbot to support depression education, self-help, and linkage to care among ALWH. Focus groups and interviews were conducted with 28 adolescents, 5 caregivers, and 5 HIV care personnel. A semi-structured interview guide with open-ended questions was used to assess seven core chatbot acceptability domains: affective attitude, ethics, burden, intervention coherence, opportunity costs, perceived effectiveness, and self-efficacy. Across a diverse sample based on sex, gender, sexuality and age, most participants expressed positive attitudes towards a mental health chatbot, highlighting its potential to provide a non-threatening and accessible source of information and support. Participants appreciated a chatbot’s potential to offer immediate responses and facilitate a safe space for ALWH to communicate their needs in moments of isolation. Participants understood the three main purposes of the chatbot and had confidence in their abilities to successfully use a mental health chatbot. However, concerns were raised regarding a chatbot's inability to provide human empathy and potential privacy issues related to data security. Despite some reservations, participants generally believed that a chatbot could effectively deliver educational content, promote self-help strategies, and serve as a bridge to professional care. These findings highlight the perceived acceptability of a chatbot as a mental health intervention for Peruvian ALWH.
Evaluation of snow-retarding ability of protective forest belts along the railway line Yekaterinburg – Kamensk-Uralsky
Authors: Уразова А. Ф. , Нагимов З. Я. , Уразов П. Н. 
Published: July 2024

В статье приведены материалы конструктивных характеристик и снегозадерживающей способности защитных лесных полос (ЗЛП), функционирующих вдоль железнодорожной линии Екатеринбург – Каменск-Уральский. Полосы создавались в 1936 и 1956 годах непродуваемой конструкции. В настоящее время перестойные березовые и тополевые ЗЛП вдоль указанной линии имеют ажурную конструкцию. Их снегозадерживающая способность выражена крайне слабо. Снег накапливается не в полосе и ее опушках с наветренной и подветренной сторон, как предполагалась при создании полос непродуваемой конструкции, а распределяется достаточно равномерно между ЗЛП и железной дорогой. В этой части полосы отвода железной дороги высота снежного покрова характеризуется стабильно высокими значениями, в большинстве случаев превышающими показатели на открытом поле. На исследуемых участках плотность снега варьирует в достаточно узком диапазоне от 0,13 до 0,17 г/см3. Строгих закономерностей в изменении величины данного показателя в зависимости от расположения точек замера относительно железной дороги не обнаруживается. В целом для повышения снегозадерживающих свойств, а также устойчивости и долговечности ЗЛП необходимо в них проводить соответствующие уходы, направленные на сохранение и усиление снегозадерживающей функции.
The article presents the materials of structural characteristics and snow-retarding capacity of protective forest strips (FSRs) functioning along the Yekaterinburg – Kamensk-Uralsky railway line. The strips were created in 1936 and 1956 of an impervious design. Currently, the overmatured birch and poplar ZLPs along this line have an openwork design. Their snow retention capacity is extremely poor. Snow accumulates not in the strip and its edges on the windward and leeward sides, as it was supposed in the creation of the strips of windproof construction, but is distributed quite evenly between the ROW and the railroad. In this part of the railroad right-of-way, the snow cover height is characterized by consistently high values, in most cases exceeding the values in the open field. In the investigated areas, snow density varies in a fairly narrow range from 0.13 to 0.17 g/cm3. No strict regularities in changing the value of this indicator depending on the location of measuring points relative to the railroad are detected. In general, in order to increase snow-retarding properties as well as stability and durability of ZLP, it is necessary to carry out appropriate maintenance, aimed at preserving and strengthening the snow-retarding function in them.
Ternary cesium(rubidium) tungstates: production and impedance spectroscopy
Authors: Dorzhieva S. G. , Bazarova J. G. 
Published: July 2024

The work is aimed at the directed synthesis of new phases of tungstates containing mono-, tri-, and tetravalent metals, as well as the determination of their crystallographic, thermal, and electrophysical properties. The study used the method of solid-phase synthesis to obtain tungstate phases with composition MRA0.5(WO4)3 (M – singly, R – triply-, and A – tetra-charged elements) within the temperature range of 400–750 °С. Their crystallographic and thermal characteristics were determined. The synthesized ternary tungstates crystallizing in a hexagonal system were studied using differential scanning calorimetry. The technique revealed an increase in the melting temperatures of compounds with increasing ionic radius of the trivalent cation in the series CsRTi0.5(WO4)3 (R = Al, Cr, Ga, Fe, In). The same correlation is observed when switching from rubidium to cesium derivatives. The thermal stability of ternary titanium and hafnium tungstates was compared. The melting temperatures of RbRTi0.5(WO4)3 are about 20 °С higher than those of their hafnium counterparts. The dielectric characteristics of CsRTi0.5(WO4)3 (R = Fe, Cr) belonging to the ternary tungstate family were analyzed via impedance spectroscopy. The temperature and frequency dependences of the conductivity of ternary tungstates at different frequencies (1 Hz – 1 mHz), measured in heating and cooling modes, are characterized by a slight temperature hysteresis, reaching 10-2–10-3 S/cm in the high-temperature region at activation energy values of 0.4–0.5 eV. The impedance frequency spectra measured within the range of 1 Hz – 1 mHz at different temperatures confirm the ion-conducting properties of the sample, which allows the obtained phases to be considered promising solid electrolytes.
Poly-ε-caprolactone-based granules with allylisothiocyanate for controlling of golden cyst potato nematode
Authors: Sukhanova A. A. , Prokopchuk Yu. A. , Ertiletskaya N. L. , Boyandin A. N. , Churakov A. A. , Syrtsov S. N. 
Published: July 2024

In this study, the characteristics of extruded granules based on biodegradable poly-ε-caprolactone and montmorillonite deposited with allylisothiocyanate and their effect on Globodera rostochiensis RoI were investigated. The prepared granules were characterized using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and scanning electron microscopy. It was shown that encapsulation efficiency of allylisothiocyanate in montmorillonite depends on the conditions of complex preparation and ranges from 0.76 to 29.83%, and in poly-ε-caprolactone/montmorillonite/allylisothiocyanate granules after thermal processing it decreases down to 1.06 %. According to the results of Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy it was found that allylisothiocyanate inclusion did not result in formation of new chemical bonds, but significantly affected the temperature of poly-ε-caprolactone degradation that decreased from 537 to 472 °С. In comparison with the thermogram of montmorillonite, the weight loss corresponding to dehydration at 100 °С decreased by 2.9 %, which probably means that part of the intramolecular water was replaced by allylisothiocyanate molecules encapsulated in montmorillonite. In the experiment with two potato varieties infested with nematode cysts it was shown that soil treatment with allylisothiocyanate solutions allows to decrease number of cysts of Globodera rostochiensis RoI compared to positive control (non-treated infested potato) in 1.5–3.0 times depending on the variety. Moreover, in contrast to allylisothiocyanate solutions, poly-ε-caprolactone/montmorillonite/allylisothiocyanate granules are more effective that makes them promising for applications in Globodera rostochiensis RoI control.