bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
MED13L-related disorder characterized by severe motor speech impairment
Authors: Mitchel Marissa Weyer , Turner Stefanie , Walsh Lauren K. , Torene Rebecca I. , Myers Scott M. , Taylor Cora M. 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Background
MED13L-related disorder is associated with intellectual disability, motor delay, and speech deficits. Previous studies have focused on broad clinical descriptions of individuals, but limited information regarding specific speech diagnoses and results of direct testing has been published to date. We conducted deep phenotyping to characterize the speech, language, motor, cognitive, and adaptive phenotypes of individuals with MED13L-related disorder.
Methods
In this cross-sectional study, we administered standardized articulation, language, motor, and cognitive testing to 17 children and adolescents (mean age 9y 9m; SD 4y 5m; range 4y 2m to 19y 7m). In-person testing was supplemented with broad developmental, medical, and behavioral information collected virtually from a cohort of 67 individuals.
Results
All individuals who completed in-person articulation testing met diagnostic criteria for speech apraxia, dysarthria, or both. Language impairment was present in all of the in-person cohort and almost all (97%) of the virtual cohort. Those who were able to complete motor testing demonstrated significant deficits in visual motor integration (mean 57.08, SD 9.26). Full scale IQs fell in the borderline to intellectual disability range, consistent with reported cognitive impairment in 97% of the virtual cohort. Notable medical features included hypotonia (83%), vision problems (72%), recurrent otitis media (58%), gastrointestinal problems (57%), and seizures (31%).
Conclusions
MED13L-related disorder is characterized by a high rate of motor speech disorders that occur in the context of globally impaired motor, language, and cognitive skills. Children would benefit from intensive, individualized speech therapy and the early adoption of augmentative communication strategies.
Firm-level Political Risk and Responsiveness of Firm Labor Decisions: Evidence from U.S. Firms
Authors: Nkansah Emmanuel 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

This study reveals how firm-level political risk affects firm labor decisions. I empirically analyze how firms' labor decisions respond to firm political risk using a sample of 3,131 U.S. firms from 2002 to 2022. My analysis shows that a one standard deviation increase in firm-level political risk is associated with a 9.22 percentage point wage increase. Political risk affects wages significantly when interacted with competition, capital intensity and labor share. Moreover, my findings are consistent using various measures of firm-level political risk and wages. In addition, one standard deviation increase in firm political risk is associated with 8.94 and 30.48 percentage point decreases in employment growth and labor productivity, respectively. My study reveals that the reduction in employment growth and labor productivity is more evident when firm-level political risk is interacted with competition, capital intensity and labor share. My results remain robust after addressing the potential endogeneity issue using an instrumental variable approach.
Negative-emission Waste-to-Cement via Tandem Supercritical Water Oxidation and Hydrothermal Mineralization
Authors: Teixeira Andrew , Kenney David , Charlebois Andrew , Wang Shuai , Rahbar Nima , Timko Michael T. 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Cement production and municipal solid waste management contribute 16% of global CO2 emissions. Here, we describe Hydrothermal Oxidation and Mineralization (HTOM) as a new process for production of alternative construction material (ACM) with a compressive strength (9.230.98 MPa) more than double what is required for non-loadbearing concrete (4.14 MPa) while storing CO2. HTOM consists of two oxidative reactions: (1) supercritical water oxidation (SCWO) converts the organic fraction of food waste to a high-pressure CO2 stream while producing thermal bioenergy that can be recovered using a turbine, then (2) the high-pressure CO2 stream is used for rapid mineralization of soluble calcium to calcium carbonate, reaching 100% conversion within 20 minutes. ASPEN/HYSYS simulations and a GREET lifecycle analysis demonstrate that HTOM has the potential to offset 0.99 kg of CO2 per kg of ACM produced by simultaneously diverting fugitive landfill emissions, capturing waste energy, and offsetting traditionally CO2-intensive cement mortar production.
Spatio-temporal analysis of tuberculosis in eastern Qinghai Province, China, 2013-2022
Authors: Yang Dejie , Jia Shengqing , Zhang Yaxin , Wang Xingbin , Zhao Changming , Ren Yitao , Wang Zhaofen 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Objective:
Tuberculosis (TB) represents a significant public health challenge among infectious diseases, and Qinghai Province is notable for its high TB notification rates in China. However, there is currently no detailed analysis of the temporal and spatial distribution patterns of TB at the township level. This study aims to investigate the temporal and spatial distribution characteristics of TB epidemics in Haidong City, with the goal of implementing targeted interventions to address the TB epidemic.
Methods:
The study described the distribution of cases by age, sex, and occupation. Global spatial autocorrelation statistics, local spatial autocorrelation statistics, and spatiotemporal scanning techniques were employed to analyze the temporal series and spatial clustering of tuberculosis notifications in Haidong City from 2013 to 2022, identifying spatiotemporal clusters. We also utilized a spatial panel model to investigate potential associated factors.
Results:
This study included a total of 9,377 cases from 2013 to 2022. The total PTB registration rate shows an increase and then decrease, starting with a significant decrease from 2018 (100.93/100,000) − 2022 (42.21/100,000). Men and individuals in farming occupations were the predominant groups among TB patients. Registered cases peaked during the spring and summer months and decreased during the fall and winter seasons. During the study period, the Moran's I global statistic ranged from 0.0312 to 0.2843, indicating spatial autocorrelation. The primary hotspots are predominantly situated in the central and southern regions. Spatiotemporal scanning identified one most likely cluster and five secondary clusters, primarily concentrated in the southern region. These findings align closely with those observed in hotspots regions, and this clustering persisted through the end of 2022.
Conclusions:
TB remains a significant public health challenge in Haidong. The incidence of tuberculosis in Haidong City, Qinghai Province, exhibited a seasonal pattern, with lower rates peaking in spring and higher rates in winter. Analysis of PTB registration data indicated that hotspots were predominantly concentrated in the central and southeastern regions. The persistent presence of high-risk areas underscores the necessity for targeted prevention and control strategies.
SHIVA-CMB: A Deep-Learning-based Robust Cerebral Microbleed Segmentation Tool Trained on Multi-Source T2*GRE- and Susceptibility- weighted MRI
Authors: Tsuchida Ami , Goubet Martin , Boutinaud Philippe , Astafeva Iana , Nozais Victor , Hervé Pierre-Yves , Tourdias Thomas , Debette Stéphanie , Joliot Marc 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Cerebral microbleeds (CMB) represent a feature of cerebral small vessel disease (cSVD), a prominent vascular contributor to age-related cognitive decline, dementia, and stroke. They are visible as spherical hypointense signals on T2*- or susceptibility-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequences. An increasing number of automated CMB detection methods being proposed are based on supervised deep learning (DL). Yet, the lack of open sharing of pre-trained models hampers the practical application and evaluation of these methods beyond specific data sources used in each study. Here, we present the SHIVA-CMB detector, a 3D Unet-based tool trained on 450 scans taken from seven acquisitions in six different cohort studies that included both T2*- and susceptibility-weighted MRI. In a held-out testset of 96 scans, it achieved an average sensitivity, precision, and F1(or Dice similarity coefficient) score of 0.72, 0.76, and 0.72 per image, with less than one false positive detection per image (FPavg = 0.62) and per CMB (FPcmb = 0.15). It achieved a similar level of performance in a separate, evaluation-only dataset with acquisitions never seen during the training (0.73, 0.81, 0.75, 0.5, 0.07 for average sensitivity, precision, F1 score, FPavg, and FPcmb). Further demonstrating its generalizability, it showed a high correlation (Pearson’s R = 0.89, p < 0.0001) with a visual count by expert raters in another independent set of 1992 T2*-weighted scans from a large, multi-center cohort study. Importantly, we publicly share both the code and pre-trained models to the research community to promote the active application and evaluation of our tool. We believe this effort will help accelerate research on the pathophysiology and functional consequences of CMB by enabling rapid characterization of CMB in large-scale studies.
HDL from 36h Fasted Participants Potently Promotes Efflux of Cholesteryl Ester from Activated Microglia
Authors: Agus Joanne K. , Herrera Oscar M. Muñoz , Rhodes Christopher H. , Zheng Jack Jingyuan , Zhu Chenghao , Wong Maurice , Tang Xinyu , Maezawa Izumi , Jin Lee-Way , Lebrilla Carlito B. , Harvey Danielle J. , Zivkovic Angela M. 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

The potential impact of lifestyle changes such as prolonged fasting on brain health still remains unclear. Neurodegenerative diseases often exhibit two key hallmarks: accumulation of misfolded proteins such as amyloid beta oligomers (AβO) and intracellular cholesterol accumulation. In this study, we investigate how a 36-hour fast affects the capacity of isolated high-density lipoproteins (HDL) to modulate the effects of AβO and excess cholesterol in microglia. HDL from 36-hour fasted individuals were significantly more effective in effluxing cholesteryl esters from treated microglia, showing a remarkable 10-fold improvement compared to HDL from the postprandial state. Furthermore, the ability of 36-hour fasted HDL to mitigate the reduction of apolipoprotein E secretion in AβO- and cholesterol-loaded microglia surpassed that of postprandial HDL. In exploring differences among HDL parameters from postprandial, overnight fasted, and 36-hour fasted individuals, we observed that plasma HDL-cholesterol and apolipoprotein A-I concentrations remained unchanged. However, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis revealed reduced total HDL particle count, a decrease in the smallest HDL particles (HDL1, 7.4 nm diameter), and an increase in the largest HDL particles (HDL7, 12 nm) after the 36-hour fast. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis further found an increase in even larger HDL particles (12–14 nm) in 36-hour fasted individuals. Targeted mass spectrometry (MS)-based proteomics and glycoproteomics unveiled a reduction in HDL-associated apolipoprotein A-IV and di-sialylated apolipoprotein C-III content following the 36-hour fast. These findings collectively suggest that prolonged fasting induces structural, compositional, and functional alterations in HDL particles, and influences their capacity to attenuate the effects of excess cholesterol and AβO in microglia.
Using ionizable guanidine to develop cholesterol-free three-component lipid nanoparticles for spleen-targeted mRNA delivery
Authors: Li Mao , Zhang He , Liu Dejing , Liang Zhuoying 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Lipid nanoparticle (LNP) represents a key breakthrough in the realm of RNA therapeutics, particularly for the development of mRNA therapeutics and vaccines. Most LNPs developed to date rely on tertiary-amine based ionizable lipids and are mainly limited to liver delivery. Current strategies to alter the targeting performances of LNPs require four or more components, with cholesterol being a crucial element in the formulation. In this study, we introduce a novel approach utilizing an ionizable guanidine analogue, guanidino-carbonyl-pyrrole (GCP), to construct ionizable lipids. These GCP-based lipids can form multilayered, onion-like LNPs. These guanidine-based LNPs are highly sensitive to pH changes in the environment and demonstrate superior mRNA delivery capabilities both in vitro and in vivo. Unlike the commonly used amine-based lipids, GCP-lipids enable the formation of three-component, cholesterol-free LNPs that efficiently deliver functional mRNA to the spleen. Furthermore, we show that the new LNP system could transport mRNA to splenic immune cells with high efficacy, thus providing an exciting opportunity for future applications. Our findings underscore the advantages of ionizable guanidine-based lipids and could pave the way for the development of LNPs capable of targeting tissues beyond the liver.
Reducing the Risk of Mud Rushes in Sokolov Iron Mine
Authors: Rybnikova Liudmila , Rybnikov Petr A. , Efremov Evgenii Y. 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Mud rushes from the caved rock zone pose a danger to mining operations. Large ore deposits that are mined using sublevel caving systems are susceptible to this problem. The difficult hydrogeological conditions of the Sokolov iron ore deposit (Sokolov-Sarbay ore zone, Republic of Kazakhstan) necessitated the construction of a complex drainage system consisting of an external drainage gallery around the deposit that intercepts the main flux from the Cretaceous aquifer, and internal drainage facilities, which drain all aquifers within the caved rock zone. Despite the relatively effective operation of the drainage system, mud rushes of large volumes of water from the caved rock zone occur periodically. The most significant and dramatic event was the accident in 2005, which claimed two human lives and resulted in the flooding of 24 km of mine workings. It took six months to restore the mine. Smaller-scale accidents also cause significant damage since mud rushes and mud pushes lead to considerable downtimes and ore dillution, as a result of which mine productivity is significantly reduced. The paper considers the groundwater flow model of the Sokolov-Sarbay iron ore zone. Using scenario modeling, the study establishes the relationship between the hydraulic conductivity of the caved rock zone of the caved rock zone and mine water inflow into haulage level of the Sokolov underground mine. A forecast of mine water inflow is made, and mine drainage upgrading options are proposed for the purpose of improving mining safety and preventing mud rushes.
Enhancing Digital Readiness and Capability in Healthcare: A Systematic Review of Interventions, Barriers, and Facilitators
Authors: Alotaibi Norah , Wilson Christine Brown , Traynor Marian 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Introduction
The rapid integration of digital technologies in healthcare requires healthcare professionals to be digitally ready and capable. This systematic review aims to identify interventions that improve digital readiness and capability among health professionals and to understand the barriers and facilitators they encounter during this digital transformation.
Methodology
A mixed-methods systematic review was conducted following the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) guidelines. We searched five databases CINAHL Plus, MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsychINFO, and Web of Science. The review used the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) framework to investigate factors influencing technology adoption. Studies were selected based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, focusing on health professionals' digital capability in healthcare settings. Quality assessment was performed using the MMAT checklist, and data were analysed and synthesized to extract relevant themes and sub-themes.
Results
Initially, 1140 studies were identified, with 21 meeting the inclusion criteria after screening. These studies, published between 2017 and 2023.The results were categorized into four main themes: Performance Expectancy, Effort Expectancy, Facilitating Conditions, and Social Influence, with two sub-themes. The studies indicated that technology positively impacts job performance, facilitating acceptance among healthcare professionals. Ease of use was crucial for technology acceptance, while complexity and multiple logins were significant barriers. The importance of sufficient training and organizational support was highlighted to enhance digital competency and address technical issues, with inadequate training and infrastructure being major barriers. Social influence, including motivation of healthcare workers and shared decision-making, played a significant role in technology acceptance.
Conclusion
This review highlights critical factors influencing the digital readiness and capability of healthcare professionals. Interventions enhancing performance expectancy, addressing effort expectancy, improving facilitating conditions, and leveraging social influence are essential for successful digital health adoption. Future research should develop comprehensive frameworks to overcome barriers and promote digital health readiness. Integrating specialized training into educational programs is crucial for preparing healthcare professionals to navigate the evolving digital landscape.
Comparative Study of Causal Explanatory Models of Schizophrenia: Mental Health Specialists and Non-Experts in Mexico
Authors: Ávalos-Tinoco Cecilia , Platas-Neri Diana , Piña-Romero Silvia , Tellez-Alanís Bernarda , Caballero Marta , Salcedo-Gómez Mariana 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Introduction. Studies on intuitive theories of mental disorders, particularly causal models underlying specific disorders, have shown variations attributed to professional and cultural contexts. These intuitive theories are framed in at least three domains: medical-biological, psychosocial and sociocultural.
Objective. This study aims to identify the domains in which causal models of schizophrenia are framed in different specialists on mental health -psychologists, psychiatrists, psychoanalysts-, and non-experts.
Method. A cause-by-cause questionnaire was used to explore the attributed causes of schizophrenia and their associations. Causal network analysis identified structures and patterns among the groups.
Results. Significant variations were found in causal models among specialists and in laypersons' conceptions of schizophrenia.
Discussion. The analysis revealed consistent patterns of domain variation among mental health specialists and non-experts, aligning with previous research on causal models of mental disorders.
Biochemical characterization and potential valorization of the invasive seaweed Rugulopteryx okamurae
Authors: Córdoba-Granados Juan Jose , Jimenez-Hierro María Jesús , Zuasti Eugenia , Ochoa-Hueso Raúl , Puertas Belén , Zarraonaindia Iratxe , Hachero-Cruzado Ismael , Cantos-Villar Emma 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

The invasion of the brown seaweed Rugulopteryx okamurae is altering the equilibrium and reducing the biodiversity of marine coastal ecosystems of southern Europe, with negative economic consequences for fishermen, tourism and governments that regularly remove tons of arrivals from the coast. However, the large amount of biomass produced also implies an opportunity for the valorization of these seaweeds, for example, in the form of biofertilizer and/or biostimulant for agricultural use. In this study, we characterized the biochemical composition of Rugulopteryx okamurae and aqueous extracts elaborated from them. Their annual compositional variation was studied by measuring the concentration of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, minerals, phenolic compounds, and antioxidant capacity, together with metals and micro/macro elements, in samples collected in two consecutive years from southern Spain. The composition of the algae varied between years for macro/micronutrients, metals, proteins, polyphenols and lipids (mainly terpenes), while polysaccharides (fucoidan, laminarin and alginate) remained in similar concentration. The seaweed composition highlighted for the terpene concentration mainly in 2023. The aqueous extracts significantly increased fucoidan and laminarin content respect to the seaweed. In all, the biochemical characterization conducted suggests that Rugulopteryx okamurae is valuable as a biofertilizer due to its mineral content, while the extract composition (sulfur, polyphenolics, fucoidan, laminarin, and glycolipids) suggests its potential use as biostimulant. Thus, this study proposes Rugulopteryx okamurae as a valuable waste for agricultural proposals.
FOXA2 modulates the proliferation and metastasis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma by suppressing proteasome activity
Authors: Xia Wenqiang , Li Ning , Li Xin , Li Hao , Gong Chunxia , Shi Bowen , Chen Hezhong 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Background
Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) represents a highly lethal malignancy. The FOXA2 was involved in cellular proliferation, differentiation, tumorigenesis, and metastasis. The precise regulatory mechanisms of FOXA2 in ESCC progression remain unclear.
Materials and methods
Western blotting, reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and immunohistochemistry were used to detect the expression level of FOXA2, CCK-8, transwell, and wound healing assays in vitro and xenograft tumor model in vivo were applied to assess the function of FOXA2. RNA-Seq analysis and the following functional assays were used to elucidate the relationship between FOXA2 and proteasome activity.
Results
The expression level of FOXA2 was downregulated in ECSS tissues and cells. Overexpression of FOXA2 in ESCC cells inhibited epithelial-mesenchymal transition in ESCC cells with the upregulation of E-cadherin and downregulation of Vimentin. Meanwhile, overexpression of FOXA2 inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion of ESCC cells. Mechanically, proteasome was involved in the ESCC cells proliferation and invasion inhibition induced by FOXA2, and reduced proteasome activity inhibited ESCC cells proliferation and invasion.
Conclusion
FOXA2 inhibited the proliferation and invasion of ESCC cells by regulating proteasome activity. FOXA2 plays a critical role in ESCC progression and may act as a potential candidate target for ESCC treatment.