bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Associations between internal exposure to acrylamide and sleep health: Evidence from NHANES 2013-2016
Authors: Gan Lin , Wang Jiaoyang , Qu Kang , Jiang Wei , Guo Zeshang , Dong Ming 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Acrylamide (AA) is a ubiquitous neurotoxic contaminant. Our objectives were to evaluate associations of internal AA exposure with sleep health outcomes. Data from 2753 adults aged 20–79 years in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) was utilized. Internal AA exposure was assessed using hemoglobin adducts and urinary biomarkers. Short sleep duration (SSD) and self-reported trouble sleeping were employed as indicators of sleep health. Markers of systemic inflammation were calculated. Each one-unit increase in ln-transformed hemoglobin adducts of acrylamide (HbAA), hemoglobin adducts of glycidamide (HbGA) and HbAA + HbGA and creatinine-adjusted urinary N-Acetyl-S-(2-carbamoylethyl)-L-cysteine concentration was statistically significantly associated with 1.38-fold (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.16, 1.64; p < 0.001), 1.29-fold (95%CI: 1.09, 1.53; p = 0.003), 1.38-fold (95%CI: 1.15, 1.64; p < 0.001), and 1.19-fold (95%CI: 1.06, 1.35; p = 0.004) risk in SSD, respectively. The significant associations were strengthened in smokers after stratification by smoking status. Higher AA hemoglobin biomarkers predicted increases in markers of systemic inflammation. In conclusion, internal AA exposure was associated with an increased risk of SSD and elevated systemic inflammation among United States adults. The findings shed light on the potential effects of AA’s health threat and future research is warranted to develop intervention strategies.
An Explicit Formulation for the Logic-Tree Representation of Epistemic Uncertainties in PSHA
Authors: Noh Myunghyun 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

In the recent probabilistic seismic hazard analysis (PSHA), the logic tree approach has been commonly adopted to represent epistemic uncertainties the PSHA inputs. While several studies have explored fundamental principles behind constructing logic trees, none have explicitly detailed the calculation of the weight and hazard at each end branch, particularly when multiple sources are combined to contribute to the hazard at a site. This study addresses this gap by introducing a clear and explicit expression for calculating branch weights and the corresponding seismic hazard at a given site.
Feasibility of Substituting Soda Pulping with High Consistency Kneaded Chemi Mechanical Pulping for Discarded Oyster Farming Bamboo Scaffolding
Authors: Sun Hao-Chen , Lai Yu-Hsun , Lo Yu-Jia , Huang Kuan-Yeh , Huang Ssu-Yu , Shyu Jiann-Gwo , Perng Yuan-Shing 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Discarded oyster farming bamboo scaffolding (BS) has the potential to be applied to pulping and papermaking. Thus, this study aims to develop a chemi-mechanical pulping process for the BS with lower chemical and temperature demands through a high-consistency kneader to enhance the feasibility of greener production development. This study applies a factorial experimental design to assess the impact of thermo-alkali pretreating conditions (temperature and NaOH dosage) by analyzing pulping yield, freeness, fiber appearance, and handsheet properties. After the factorial analysis, the temperature and NaOH dosage of thermo-alkali pretreatment both significantly affect the pulp properties, the condition with 125℃ and 7.5% NaOH dosage has the highest accepts ratio, the best capacity of fiber refining, and handsheet properties. Further compared with soda pulping, the kneading process developed by this study can produce a similar fiber to soda pulp and has a higher pulping yield. In summary, the chemi-mechanical pulping process through a high-consistency kneader has a greener process that can promote the application of the BS in pulping and papermaking.
Evaluation of combined hepatocellular-cholangiocarcinoma using CEUS LI-RADS: Correlation with pathological characteristics
Authors: Bao Jingwen , Nie Zehua , Wang Quanwen , Chen Yanling , Wang Kun , Liu Xinjiang 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Objective
To explore the factors that influence the contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (LI-RADS) classification of combined hepatocellular-cholangiocarcinoma (cHCC-ICC).
Methods
Between September 2014 to July 2020, the CEUS features of 58 patients with pathologically confirmed cHCC-ICC were retrospectively evaluated and assigned according to the CEUS LI-RADS (version 2017). The pathological characteristics of nodules categorizing as different CEUS LI-RADS categories were compared. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to explore potential factors that may influence the CEUS LI-RADS classification of cHCC-ICC.
Results
According to CEUS LI-RADS, 32.8% (19/58), 63.8% (37/58), and 3.4% (2/58) were categorized as LR-5, LR-M, and LR-TIV, respectively. There was significant difference between the LR-M and LR-5 groups with regard to the pathological grade, nodule size, and HCC/ICC-component ratio of cHCC-ICC. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified tumor size and the relative proportions of hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas (ICC) components within cHCC-ICC as the independent influencing factors.
Conclusion
Tumor size and the relative proportion of HCC and ICC components within the nodule had a significant impact on the CEUS LI-RADS classification of cHCC-ICC.
Physical properties of EICP-MgO and EICP-lignin fiber-amended red clay at different ages of maintenance
Authors: Song Yu , Chen Yuling , Cheng Jichun , Liu Wei , Li Jiaqi , Zhang Jianwei , Zheng Junjie 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

To enhance land use efficiency, enzyme induced carbonate precipitation (EICP) technology was separately synergistically combined with magnesium oxide and lignin fibers to improve the properties of Guilin red clay across various curing periods. A control group utilizing solely EICP technology was also established. Unconfined compressive strength tests revealed a synchronous increase in the dosage of external additives, curing age, and unconfined compressive strength, Based on calcium carbonate content determination tests, the addition of lignin fibers significantly enhanced the strength of the specimens, primarily due to the increased mass of calcium carbonate crystals formed. When magnesium oxide was used as a dopant, its physical and chemical reactions within the soil played a crucial role in strength enhancement. The influence of this factor became more pronounced with longer curing periods and higher doping amounts. Furthermore, joint determinations of liquid and plastic limits identified 7 days as the optimal curing period for the control group. Under the test conditions, specimens with external admixtures exhibited a lower plasticity index compared to the control group at 3 and 10 days, and their hydrophilicity improved. However, at 3 days, the magnesium oxide group showed minimal change, while the lignin fiber group displayed marginal strength improvement. Thus, longer curing periods under 1% admixture amount yielded better results for both groups.
Ants exhibit species-specific transcriptional responses during temperature acclimation
Authors: Feldmeyer Barbara , Menzel Florian 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Background
Climate is one of the most important abiotic variables organisms must adapt to. Ectothermic organisms are particularly dependent on ambient temperature, affecting everything from development to survival. Among these, insects are especially susceptible to desiccation due to their high surface-to-volume ratio. To protect against evaporation, they carry a layer of cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) on their cuticle. Their composition is species-specific and can be adjusted to maintain waterproofing during acclimation. However, the molecular mechanisms behind this acclimation, and how they vary across species, are still poorly studied.
Results
Here we investigated the transcriptional response of three congeneric ant species from different habitats acclimated to two constant and one fluctuating temperature regimes. Next to global patterns in gene expression and co-expression, we specifically studied the expression of CHC candidate genes. We expected the meadow species Lasius niger, being more exposed to sun, to show the lowest stress response to high temperatures, and the forest species Lasius platythorax to show the strongest response to constantly high temperatures in terms of changes in gene expression and CHC candidate genes. All acclimation treatments resulted in a small number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs), with the fluctuating regime showing the fewest. This suggests that fluctuating temperatures may mitigate the potentially stressful effects of constant temperatures. The arboreal Lasius brunneus displayed the weakest transcriptional response during acclimation, and, in contrast to the other two species, acclimation did not increase its desiccation resistance. This suggests low plasticity, and thus potentially a higher vulnerability to climate change. Co-expression network analysis revealed that CHC candidate genes were distributed randomly across co-expression modules in all species. Additionally, module preservation analyses indicated highly similar global gene co-expression patterns across all three species, despite their distinct ecological niches.
Conclusions
Our findings highlight the importance of studying gene expression alongside other (or higher-level) phenotypic traits to understand the mechanisms underlying phenotypic plasticity. Furthermore, they suggest that some species may be more susceptible to climate change than others due to limited acclimation capacity.
The Electromagnetic Curves and Rotation of the Polarization Plane With Respect to the Flc Frame in an Optical Fiber
Authors: TOPLAMA Aykut , DEDE Mustafa 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

The trajectory of magnetic flows that generate a magnetic field is called a magnetic curve. In this paper, A new class of electromagnetic curves is defined through a new frame defined along polynomial curves, called the Flc frame. Moreover, Given that an optical fiber is a one-dimensional object placed on a three-dimensional Riemannian manifold, the evolution of a linearly polarized light wave is related to the geometric phase. Therefore, a new geometric phase model is obtained using the Flc frame.
Electrical Muscle Stimulation for Conservative Management of Female Pelvic Floor Muscle Dysfunction: A Scoping Review
Authors: Guitar Nicole , Akbari Priyanshi , Dzieduszycki Christina , Konduras Kristi , Dufour Sinead 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Background
Electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) is a conservative management tool for the treatment of pelvic floor dysfunctions (PFDs). This review aims to: (1) summarize available evidence on various types of EMS treatment and associated outcomes on PFDs in adult women; and (2) investigate the clinical utility of intra-vaginal EMS compared to extra-vaginal; high-intensity parameters compared to low-intensity; and differences in outcomes between EMS with, or without, a magnetic component. As a scoping review, this research aims to facilitate the generation of hypotheses for future investigation.
Methods
Arksey and O’Malley’s framework supplemented the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology for scoping reviews. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews was used. Three databases were searched. Included studies were analyzed using Arksey and O'Malley’s content analysis and t-tests.
Results
A total of 40 included studies had low risk of bias (PEDro score = 6.38, SD = 1.47). Low-intensity and intra-vaginal protocols were found to require greater lengths of overall treatment time when compared to high-intensity protocols; however, only magnetic EMS treatments were found to result in significant improvement in symptoms (p < 0.01) when compared to non-magnetic EMS. Due to the heterogeneity of the outcome measures used among the included studies, effect sizes could not be evaluated.
Conclusions
EMS demonstrates positive effect for improving outcomes related PFDs in adult women. Included studies support the use of EMS for stress, urgency and mixed urinary incontinence. All versions of EMS studied were found to provide significant improvements in symptoms. However, high intensity, extra-vaginal approach and EMS with a magnetic component required less time to achieve significant therapeutic effect.
Freirian Educational Intervention on Cultural Competency With Nurses Who Work in Indigenous Health
Authors: Cavalcante Inara Mariela Silva , Puschel Vilanice Alves Araújo 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Objectives: To analyze a Freirian educational intervention on cultural competences of nurses working in indigenous health.
Methods: Qualitative, participatory research, mediated by Paulo Freire's Culture Circle, following the dialectical stages Thematic investigation, Thematization and Critical Unveiling. Seven meetings were held with six nurses who work at the Casa de Saúde Indígena (Casai) in Belém do Pará. Analysis of the results was based on dialectic-hermeneutics.
Results: In the thematic investigation, the discussion started from the cultural competences of nurses in indigenous health and as a problem-situation, the difficulty of communication. In thematization, it was identified that the problem-situation has a social meaning for the performance of the nurse. The critical unveiling revealed contradictions and enabled concrete action, with the production of a booklet of indigenous languages ​​for dialogue with nurses and other health professionals.
Conclusion: The educational activity promoted critical and collaborative dialogue about the practice of nurses in indigenous health. The production of a light technology represents advances for a critical interculturality.
Combining alpha-synuclein PET and seeded-amplification to improve diagnostic accuracy of Multiple System Atrophy
Authors: Khurana Vikram , Rodriguez Diego , Changizi Barbara , Sandiego Christine , Green Aidan , Kuzkina Anastasia , Vokali Efthymia , Molette Jerome , Dimitrakopoulos Ioannis , Alexander Jessica , Laun Olivia , Jones Kristie , Ceku Dalina , Meehan Julia , Perumalla Sucika , Rai Shreya , Knorr Amy , Hliva Valerie , Kosco-Vilbois Marie , Pfeifer Andrea , Mendonca Nuno , Russell David , Capotosti Francesca 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Biomarkers that facilitate early detection and track disease progression are an enormous unmet need in neurodegenerative diseases and their clinical trials. Accurate diagnosis in the early stage of Parkinsonian disorders is particularly challenging. Multiple system atrophy (MSA) and Parkinson’s disease (PD) share many clinical features and are associated with alpha-synuclein (αSyn) aggregation. However, these diseases have distinct biology and disease trajectories and are likely to respond differently to experimental therapies. Gold-standard diagnosis is only achieved at postmortem examination. Here, we combined two emerging technologies: brain imaging with αSyn [18F]ACI-12589 PET tracer with a skin αSyn seed-amplification assay (αSyn-SAA). These assays have the potential to increase diagnostic precision in vivo by delineating the spatial distribution and conformation of αSyn pathology, respectively. Of 8 clinically probable or established MSA patients, combining brain imaging with αSyn [18F]ACI-12589 PET tracer and skin αSyn-SAA helped confirm the diagnosis in 6 of the 8 patients and led to the reclassification of two cases to Parkinson’s disease and idiopathic late-onset cerebellar ataxia. Each test provided critical evidence of diagnosis even when the other was equivocal, supporting the combination of these tests. These αSyn biomarkers should now be used systematically to facilitate early and precise diagnosis across synucleinopathies.
Structural Basis of T Cell Toxicity Induced by Tigecycline Binding to the Mitochondrial Ribosome
Authors: Rorbach Joanna , Shao Qiuya , Khawaja Anas , Nguyen Minh , Singh Vivek , Zhang Jingdian , Adori Monica , Innis C. Axel , Dopico Xaquin Castro 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Tetracyclines are essential bacterial protein synthesis inhibitors under continual development to combat antibiotic resistance yet suffer from unwanted side effects. Therefore, next-generation drugs should better discriminate between prokaryotic and eukaryotic ribosomes to ensure host cells remain unaffected by treatment. Mitoribosomes - responsible for generating oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) subunits - share evolutionary features with the bacterial machinery and may suffer from cross-reactivity. T cells depend upon OXPHOS upregulation to power clonal expansion and establish immunity. To this end, we compared important bacterial ribosome-targeting antibiotics for their ability to induce immortalized and primary T cell death. Tetracyclines tested were cytotoxic and tigecycline (third generation) was identified as the most potent. In human T cells in vitro, 5-10 mM tigecycline inhibited mitochondrial but not cytosolic translation; mitochondrial complex I, III, and IV function, and naïve and memory T cell expansion. To determine the molecular basis of these effects, we isolated mitochondrial ribosomes from Jurkat T cells for cryo-EM analysis. We discovered tigecycline not only obstructs A-site tRNA binding to the small subunit, as it does in bacteria, but also attaches to the peptidyl transferase center of the mitoribosomal large subunit. Intriguingly, a third binding site for tigecycline on the large subunit—absent in bacterial structures—aligned with helices analogous to those in bacterial ribosomes, albeit lacking methylation in humans. The data show tigecycline compromises T cell survival and activation by binding to the mitoribosome, providing a molecular mechanism to explain part of the anti-inflammatory effects of this drug class. The identification of species-specific binding sites guides antibiotic and OXPHOS inhibitor design.
Non-native Red-billed Blue Magpie Urocissa erythrorhyncha expanded in lowlands with moderate forest cover, with no significant impact on native common bird occupancy, in Shikoku, southern Japan
Authors: Matsuda Hirohito , Kawamura Kazuhiro , Higa Motoki , Sato Shigeho , Tanioka Hitoshi , Yamaura Yuichi 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Non-native bird species have colonized and negatively affected natural ecosystems and social economics globally; however, most cases have been understudied. We evaluated the effectiveness of playback surveys for enhancing magpie detectability of the non-native Red-billed Blue Magpie (Urocissa erythrorhyncha), and revealed the drivers of the magpie distribution using an occupancy model that considers the detection process and effects of survey conditions in Shikoku, southern Japan. Using this model, we mapped the potential distribution of suitable magpie habitats across Shikoku. Furthermore, we obtained detection/non-detection data for native bird species [Narcissus Flycatcher (Ficedula narcissina), Varied Tit (Poecile varius), Japanese Tit (Parus minor), and Japanese Bush Warbler (Cettia diphone)], and evaluated the impacts of the magpie on occupancy of these native bird species using a multispecies occupancy model that considered interspecific interactions (i.e., co-occurrence or mutually exclusive occurrence patterns). The results showed that detection probability was enhanced by broadcasting a specific series of magpie calls in the early morning from late May to early July. Magpie occupancy was higher in areas of lower elevation and peaked in areas with moderate forest cover (76%). However, magpie presence did not significantly affect the occupancy of four native bird species. Mapping the distribution of magpie occupancy demonstrated that potentially suitable habitats are widely distributed in near-coast areas between lowlands and mountains, even in eastern Shikoku, which is not yet colonized. Therefore, before the magpie expands over Shikoku and becomes abundant, it will be necessary to further assess potential magpie impacts on local native species, develop efficient methods to capture the magpie, and establish a monitoring scheme in priority areas to block magpie expansion. Our approach using a combination of playback surveys and models considering detectability has the potential for application in studies of other non-native bird species, as well as to support their appropriate management.
Predicting Electrocatalytic Urea Synthesis Using a Two-dimensional Descriptor
Authors: Wuttke Amy , Bagger Alexander 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Electrochemical synthesis routes powered by renewable electricity can provide sustainable chemical commodities by replacing conventional fossil-based processes. Increasing re- search focuses on value-added chemicals like the indispensable fertilizer urea, which also constitutes a study case for electrochemical CN-coupling. To guide the identification of highly selective catalysts, we aim to provide new insight by analysing existing experimental data on the selectivity of transition metal catalysts towards electrochemically synthesized urea. Firstly, we project high dimensional experimental data using principal component analysis (PCA) to lower dimensions, and thereby confirm that urea selectivity is correlated with the selectivity towards CO and NH3. Furthermore, we identified the most suitable two-dimensional descriptors for selectivity prediction out of various adsorption energies calculated using density functional theory (DFT). We suggest that the adsorption energies of *H and *O on transition metal slabs predict the selectivity towards urea in the co-reduction of CO2 and nitrite (NO2–).
Integrated approaches for flash flood susceptibility mapping: spatial modeling and comparative analysis of statistical and machine learning models. A case study of the Rheraya watershed, Morocco
Authors: Elghouat Akram , Algouti Ahmed , Algouti Abdellah , Baid Soukaina , Ezzahzi Salma , Kabili Salma , Agli Saloua 
Published: July 2024

ABSTRACT

Flash floods are highly destructive disasters, posing severe threats to lives and infrastructure. In this study, we conducted a comparative analysis of bivariate and multivariate statistical models and machine learning to predict flash flood susceptibility in the flood-prone Rheraya watershed. Six models were utilized, including frequency ratio (FR), logistic regression (LR), random forest (RF), extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost), K-nearest neighbors (KNN), and naïve Bayes (NB). We considered 12 flash flood conditioning variables, such as slope, elevation, distance to the river, and others, as independent variables and 246 flash flood inventory points recorded over the past 40 years as dependent variables in the modeling process. The area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver operating characteristic was used to validate and compare the performance of the models. The results indicated that distance to the river was the most contributing factor to flash floods in the study area. Moreover, the RF outperformed all the other models, achieving an AUC of 0.86, followed by XGBoost (AUC = 0.85), LR (AUC = 0.83), NB (AUC = 0.76), KNN (AUC = 0.75), and FR (AUC = 0.72). The RF model effectively pinpoints highly susceptible zones, which is critical for establishing precise flash flood mitigation strategies within the region.