bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Can we use integrated total pelvic floor ultrasound as a screening tool in defaecatory pelvic floor dysfunction? A prospective evaluation of the accuracy of integrated total pelvic floor ultrasound compared with defaecation proctography
Authors: Ralston Charlotte , Reena Max , Solanki Deepa , Morris Samantha , Schizas Alexis M. P. , Williams Andrew B. , Hainsworth Alison J. 
Published: February 2025

AbstractAimPelvic floor dysfunction is common and includes symptoms such as urinary incontinence, pelvic pain, faecal incontinence, obstructive defaecation syndrome symptoms and pelvic organ prolapse. It is investigated with defaecation proctography (DP) and integrated total pelvic floor ultrasound (TPFUS). Whilst DP is currently the gold standard, TPFUS is efficient and less invasive, offering additional sphincter function assessment. This study aimed to compare TPFUS accuracy to DP in the evaluation of pelvic floor dysfunction.MethodsFrom 2015 to 2016, a prospective observational study was conducted at Guy's and St Thomas's Foundation Trust. Symptomatic women with incomplete evacuation were consecutively invited to participate. Patients underwent three scans using both TPFUS and DP. Reports were independently verified by a blinded consultant. Sensitivity, specificity and agreement were calculated for anatomical (rectocele, intussusception, enterocele, cystocele) and functional (coordination, evacuation) features.ResultsA total of 216 patients were included. Moderate agreement was seen between DP and TPFUS in prediction of rectoceles (positive predictive value 85%, negative predictive value 67%, Cohen's kappa 0.46) and on the evaluation of dimensions of rectoceles (R coefficient 0.55) (P < 0.0001). Fair agreement was seen in the assessment of propulsion (positive predictive value 76%, negative predictive value 50%, Cohen's kappa 0.25). Poor agreement was observed on other anatomical and functional objectives.ConclusionThis is the most extensive prospective comparison of these imaging modalities. While there is limited correlation between DP and TPFUS in exploring anatomical and functional aspects of pelvic floor disorders, TPFUS proves to be an effective screening tool. With enhanced expertise and confidence in its use, TPFUS could potentially guide surgical planning rather than solely identifying those needing DP.
Deep Reinforcement Learning Based Flow Aware‐QoS Provisioning in SD‐IoT for Precision Agriculture
Authors: Alenazi Mohammed J. F. , Al‐Khasawneh Mahmoud Ahmad , Rahman Saeedur , Faheem Zaid Bin 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACTTo meet the demands of modern technologies such as 5G, big data, edge computing, precision, and sustainable agriculture, the combination of Internet‐of‐Things (IoT) with software‐defined networking (SDN) known as SD‐IoT is suggested to automate the network by leveraging the programmable and centralized SDN interfaces. The previous literature has suggested quality‐of‐service (QoS) aware flow processing using manual strategies or heuristic algorithms, however, these schemes proposed with white‐box approaches do not provide effective results as the network scales or dynamic changes are happening. This article proposes a novel QoS provision strategy using deep reinforcement learning (DRL) to calculate the optimal routes autonomously for SD‐IoT traffic. To satisfy the different demands of flows in the SD‐IoT network the flows are divided into two types. Hence, based on their service demand the routes are generated for them as per service request. The scenario is explained with precision agriculture based on SD‐IoT and results are compared with benchmark strategies. A real internet topology is used for the evaluation of results. The results indicated that the proposed method gives improvements for QoS such as delay, throughput, packet loss rate, and jitter compared with benchmark models.
Pre‐Operative Atrial Deformation Indices Predict Post‐Operative Atrial Fibrillation in Patients Undergoing Lung Resection Surgery
Authors: Schäfer Michal , Contreras Nicolas , Ramakrishna Satvik , Zimmerman Joshua M. , Varghese Thomas K. , Mitzman Brian 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACTBackgroundThere are no established predictors of post‐operative atrial fibrillation (POAF) in non‐cardiac thoracic surgery. Pre‐operative left atrial imaging has been shown to identify patients with POAF undergoing cardiac surgery. The purpose of this study was to determine whether pre‐operative left atrial strain (LAS) predicts POAF in patients undergoing lung resection.MethodsOne hundred forty‐nine patients who underwent cancer lung resection were retrospectively analyzed. Pre‐operative imaging involved conventional transthoracic echocardiography with comprehensive speckle‐tracking strain. The additional advanced LAS analysis involved three components of atrial function: reservoir, conduit, and booster.ResultsPOAF occurred in 17 (11.4%) patients. We found no differences in demographics and peri‐operative variables. Patients with POAF were more likely to have atrial fibrillation history (6.8% vs. 29.4%, p = 0.003). Preoperative imaging analysis revealed an increased LA volume index in patients with POAF (25.9 ± 8.8 vs. 32.3 ± 11.9 mL/m2, p = 0.046). All three components of LAS were reduced in the POAF group. The most prominent reduction was reservoir–compliance strain (35.5% ± 4.6% vs. 24.2% ± 6.6%, p < 0.001), then conduit strain (–18.3% ± 8.7% vs. –12.6% ± 4.7%, p < 0.001), and booster strain (–18.3% ± 8.7% vs. –12.6% ± 4.7%, p < 0.001). On univariable analysis, LAS reservoir strain was associated with POAF status (OR: 0.86 [95% CI: 0.78–0.92]), with a c‐index of 0.81. Optimized multivariable model considering left atrial volume index, reservoir LAS, and atrial fibrillation history improved c‐statistic to 0.880.ConclusionReduced LAS metrics are more specific and sensitive than conventional demographics and standard echocardiography in predicting POAF. Preoperative LA imaging might aid with identifying patients undergoing lung resection who are high‐risk and benefit from prophylactic therapy.
Stronger Response of Plant N:P to Nitrogen Enrichment When Considering Roots
Authors: Ning Yu , Dijkstra Feike A. , Liang Xiao‐Sa , Zhang Xiao‐Jing , Yang Guo‐Jiao , Jiang Liang‐Chao , Han Xing‐Guo , Lü Xiao‐Tao 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACTNitrogen (N) enrichment leads to an imbalance of N and phosphorus (P) in plants by enhancing plant N:P, with consequences for ecosystem processes and function. However, the evidence for a plant N–P imbalance is predominantly from studies on aboveground tissues. It remains unclear whether imbalanced aboveground responses would be paralleled by similar responses in roots, which contribute to nearly 70% of total biomass in grasslands globally. We measured community‐level N:P stoichiometry of both shoots and roots to 1 m depth across a wide‐ranging N addition gradient in a temperate steppe after 7–9 years of treatment. Both shoot N:P (SNP) and root N:P (RNP) showed nonlinear responses to increasing N addition rates, where N:P first increased and then saturated. RNP was significantly higher than SNP and saturated at higher N addition rates than SNP (39.0 vs. 16.8 g N m−2 yr.−1). Furthermore, the inter‐annual stability of RNP was higher than that of SNP. Consequently, N:P in whole plants was higher than that in shoots, indicating more severe N–P imbalance than based on shoot measurements only. Previous results from aboveground parts might have underestimated the enhancement of N enrichment on plant N:P. Our results imply that belowground food webs with roots as their food resource would be more severely suffering from N–P imbalance than aboveground food webs.
The Vices of Modernity: A Reply to ‘A Barthian Critique of Schleiermacher's Doctrine of God’
Authors: Pedersen Daniel J. 
Published: February 2025

AbstractThere is a longstanding critique of Schleiermacher's theology which claims that, due to his account of the divine attributes, we cannot truly speak about God, but only about ourselves. This essay aims to refute this charge – often couched in charges of ‘subjectivism’ or ‘nominalism’ – by direct engagement with a recent and clear articulation of this line of criticism in the spirit of Karl Barth. This essay specifically addresses three main sub‐charges: one, that Schleiermacher denies knowledge of God; two, that he is a causal skeptic in the line of Hume or Kant; and three, that his doctrine of the divine attributes only aims to speak of our consciousness, and not of God. This essay demonstrates that all three sub‐charges are false. This essay then shows how all three of Schleiermacher's views on these matters can be found in a signal Reformed Scholastic thinker, demonstrating that Schleiermacher's views on the doctrine of God are distinctly modern only by selectively, not wholly, parting from his ancient, medieval and early modern forebears.
Icariin Induces Chondrocyte Degeneration via Activation of the NF‐κB Signalling Pathway and Reduces the Inflammation Factor Expression Induced by Lipopolysaccharide
Authors: Zhai Tianjun , Wang Jie , Chen Yeping , Su Jianqing , Feng Wei 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACTTo investigate the effect of icariin on chondrocytes by activating the nuclear factor kappa‐B (NF‐κB) signalling pathway and the mechanism of icariin in inducing chondrocytes degeneration. Chondrocytes were cultured in vitro and treated with icariin at concentrations of 0, 0.01, 0.1, 10 and 20 μm. Cell proliferation was evaluated by cell counting kit‐8 (CCK8) method, apoptosis was detected by TUNEL method and the expression of NF‐κB was detected by Western blotting (WB) and RT‐PCR. The nuclear localization of NF‐κB p65 protein was observed by immunofluorescence staining. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was used to establish the inflammatory model, and WB and RT‐PCR were used to detect the expression levels of tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) and interleukin‐6 (IL‐6). After treatment with icariin, the proliferation ability of chondrocytes was markedly enhanced, and the apoptosis rate (AR) was markedly decreased (p < 0.05). In addition, icariin could inhibit the nuclear translocation of NF‐κB p65 protein, promote the gene expression of Collagen II (Col‐II) and Aggrecan in chondrocytes, and reduce the expression of NF‐κB. Moreover, icariin markedly reduced the expression of IL‐6 and TNF‐α in LPS‐induced inflammation (p < 0.05). Icariin can enhance chondrocyte proliferation, promote phenotypic gene expression by inhibiting the NF‐κB signal transduction pathways, thus suppressing the chondrocyte degeneration, and can reduce the inflammation factor expression induced by LPS.
Multiple roles of NAC transcription factors in plant development and stress responses
Authors: Xiong Haiyan , He Haidong , Chang Yu , Miao Binbin , Liu Zhiwei , Wang Qianqian , Dong Faming , Xiong Lizhong 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACTNAC (NAM, ATAF1/2, and CUC2) transcription factors (TFs) are a family of plant‐specific TFs that play crucial roles in various aspects of plant development and stress responses. Here, we provide an in‐depth review of the structural characteristics, regulatory mechanisms, and functional roles of NACs in different plant species. One of the key features of NACs is their ability to regulate gene expression through a variety of mechanisms, including binding to DNA sequences in the promoter regions of target genes, interacting with other TFs, and modulating chromatin structure. We discuss these mechanisms in detail, providing insights into the complex regulatory networks that govern the activity of NACs. We explore the diverse functions of these TFs in plant growth and development processes, including embryogenesis, seed development, root and shoot development, floral development and fruit ripening, secondary cell wall formation, and senescence. We also discuss the diverse regulatory roles of NACs in response to various stresses, including drought, flooding, heat, cold, salinity, nutrient deficit, and diseases. Lastly, we emphasize the crosstalk role of NACs between developmental processes and stress responses. This integrated perspective highlights how NACs orchestrate plant growth and resilience. Overall, this review provides a comprehensive overview of the pivotal roles of NACs in plant development and stress responses, emphasizing their potential for engineering stress‐resistant crops and enhancing agricultural productivity.
The Supramolecular Architecture of Mitochondrial Complex I in the Rat Brain Is Altered by Alzheimer's‐Like Cerebral Amyloidosis
Authors: Novack Gisela V. , Galeano Pablo , Defelipe Lucas A. , Campanelli Lorenzo , Campuzano Karen S. , Rotondaro Cecilia , Castaño Eduardo M. , Do Carmo Sonia , Cuello A. Claudio , García‐Alai María M. , Morelli Laura 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACTMitochondrial respiratory complexes are organized into supercomplexes (SC) to regulate electron flow and mitigate oxidative stress. Alterations in SC organization in the brain may affect energy expenditure, oxidative stress, and neuronal survival. In this report, we investigated the amount, activity and organization of mitochondrial complex I (CI) in the hippocampus of 12‐month‐old McGill‐R‐Thy1‐APP transgenic (Tg) rats, an animal model of Alzheimer's‐like cerebral amyloidosis. By means of BN‐PAGE, we found that the organization of SC did not differ between genotypes, but a lower abundance of SC was detected in Tg compared to wild‐type (WT) rats. Using a more sensitive technique (2‐D electrophoresis followed by Western blot), higher levels of free CI and a decrease in the relative abundance of assembled CI in SC (I‐III2 and I‐III2‐IV) were observed in Tg rats. In‐gel activity assays showed that the total activity of CI (CI + SC‐CI) is lower in Tg compared to WT, while Tg samples show a significant decrease in SC‐CI‐associated activity. This alteration in CI assembly was associated with nitro‐oxidative stress and changes in mitochondrial fusion‐fission parameters. To assess CI composition, we applied LC–MS/MS to the isolated CI from BN‐PAGE and found that 11 of 45 subunits described in mammals were found to be less abundant in Tg. We examined the levels of the nuclear‐derived NDUFA9 subunit, which is critical for CI assembly, and found higher levels in the cytoplasmic fraction and lower levels in the mitochondrial fraction in Tg, suggesting that brain amyloidosis affects the import of CI subunits from the cytosol to the mitochondria, destabilizing the SC. This is the first report to characterize the types, abundance and activity of SC in the hippocampus of an animal model of cerebral amyloidosis, providing additional experimental evidence for the molecular mechanisms underlying the brain bioenergetic deficit characteristic of Alzheimer's disease.image
Relationship Between Teachers' Interpersonal Behavior and Students' Motivation to Form and Maintain Relationships with Their Teachers
Authors: Nakai Daisuke , Kakihana Shinichiro 
Published: February 2025

AbstractResearch on specific teacher behaviors that influence students' initiative to form relationships with them is scarce. Applying the self‐determination theory perspective, this study examined the relationship between teachers' need‐supportive or need‐thwarting behaviors and students' motivation to form and maintain relationships with their teachers. A total of 408 junior high school students were surveyed using the Japanese version of the Interpersonal Behaviors Questionnaire and the Motivation Scale for Forming and Maintaining Relationships with Teachers. Structural equation modeling was used to separately examine models wherein teachers' need‐supportive and need‐thwarting behaviors are related to students' motivation to form and maintain relationships with their teachers. The main findings were that (a) teachers' “competence support” and “relatedness support” positively relate to students' “intrinsic regulation” and “identified regulation”; (b) teachers' “autonomy thwarting” positively relates to students' “introjected regulation” and “external regulation”; and (c) teachers' “relatedness thwarting” negatively relates to students' “intrinsic regulation” and “identified regulation.” This study revealed some specific teacher behaviors related to students' motivation to form and maintain relationships with their teachers from a self‐determination theory perspective.
Effects of different seedstrings on the nursery of Pyropia yezoensis
Authors: Xing Qikun , Hwang Jeong Hwa , Jung Jae Woo , Park Ji‐Sook , Yarish Charles , Clough Norman , Heo Jin Suk , Kim Jang K. 
Published: February 2025

AbstractSeedstring cultivation is a fundamental method for Pyropia yezoensis aquaculture, as it provides an artificial substrate for the attachment of P. yezoensis spores and growth of gametophytes. This method has been widely used in the P. yezoensis aquaculture all over the world because of its convenience for seaweed management and harvest. However, the composition and types of seedstrings vary in different countries. Little is known about the effect of different seedstrings in terms of spore attachment and early development of gametophytes in P. yezoensis. In this study, four types of commercially available seedstrings from Korea (KR), China (CN), and Japan (JP1 and 2) and three new seedstring types developed by W.L. Gore & Associates, Inc. (Gore A, B, and C) were compared in terms of seeding density, growth rate, and biomass yield. Our results show that the Gore C seedstring had the highest seeding density and yield among all seedstrings. The Gore B had the lowest seeding density and yield. The Gore A and B seedstrings had the highest growth rate at early stages in development. The CN and KR seedstring showed lower growth rates than the other seedstring types. A comprehensive evaluation shows that the Gore C seedstring type had the best performance among all seven seedstrings under laboratory conditions. Future studies are needed to test the performance of the seedstrings on Pyropia farms.
Material Semiotic Narratives of Finnishness Through a Mundane Object: The Case of the Plastic Bucket
Authors: Onali Alma 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACTThis article explores how Finnishness is constructed in media texts with and through plastic buckets. By so doing, the article contributes to research on materiality and nationalism through examining the role of a mundane object instead of official national symbols. It also examines the material and cultural influence of plastics in contemporary society. The data consist of 211 media texts published between 2012 and 2023. Through analysing the affective material semiotics of the bucket phenomenon in these texts, I have identified three narratives that aim to define Finnishness and offer national subject positions in relation to buckets. I call the narratives (1) a glorifying narrative, (2) a demeaning narrative and (3) an affirmative narrative. The article argues that the free plastic bucket has become an unofficial national symbol of Finnish culture and that the symbolic values are closely entangled with the materiality of buckets and embodied bucket‐related practices.
Validation of real‐time viewing distance and ambient illumination measurement with two wearable sensors
Authors: Sarkar Samrat , Khuu Sieu K. , Vera‐Diaz Fuensanta A. , Kang Pauline 
Published: February 2025

AbstractPurposeTo report the repeatability and accuracy of viewing distance and ambient illumination measured with the Vivior and Clouclip wearable sensors in a controlled laboratory setting and while young adults performed different near visual tasks.MethodsFor Study 1, viewing distance and ambient illumination were measured repeatedly for 2 days with two sensors mounted on a mannequin. Results were compared with standard measures (ruler, lux meter) using linear regression and Bland–Altman analysis. In Study 2, viewing distances were captured in 13 young adults while they performed four near tasks for 20 min each (reading a printed article, reading an article on an iPad, typing on a laptop or watching videos on an iPad) under three illuminations (500, 250 and 25 lux). Results were compared between the devices and with a standard ruler and differences tested statistically using ANOVA and Tukey's multiple comparison tests.ResultsIn Study 1, a positive linear relationship was observed between viewing distances measured by each sensor and the standard ruler (mean [SD] difference of −0.12 cm [0.23] for Vivior, −0.18 cm [0.51] for Clouclip), with good repeatability (mean [SD] difference between 2 days was 0.02 cm [0.24] for Vivior, −0.14 cm [0.35] for Clouclip). A positive linear relationship was also observed between illumination measured by each sensor and the luxmeter (mean [SD] difference of −16.85 lux [325.5] for Vivior, 39.12 lux [335.6] for Clouclip). In Study 2, the viewing distances during the four near tasks were not significantly different between the three methods used. Shorter working distances were measured with all methods when reading a printed article compared to typing on a laptop and watching a video on the iPad (all p < 0.05).ConclusionVivior and Clouclip are recommended for real‐time capture of near vision duration, distance and light exposure in future studies aiming to understand the effect of habitual visual environment.
OsLC1, a transaldolase, regulates cell patterning and leaf morphology through modulation of secondary metabolism
Authors: Wu Sha , Tian Lianfu , Guo Shasha , Lei Han , Zhao Xinjie , Hao Xiaohua , Li Shaozhuang , Xie Zijing , Hu Wenli , Huang Liqun , Tan Ying , Long Xueying , Li Dongping 
Published: February 2025

SummaryLeaf morphogenesis is a crucial process in plants that governs essential physiological functions such as photosynthesis and transpiration. Despite significant advances in understanding leaf development, the mechanism of intricate cellular patterning remains elusive. We characterize the OsLC1 mutant, which displays a curly leaf phenotype alongside reductions in plant height and tiller number, which are indicative of multiple morphological abnormalities. Through map‐based cloning, we identified OsLC1 as encoding a transaldolase (TA) protein, whose genetic variations in OsLC1 lead to the disruptions of cell patterning across the vasculature, bundle sheath cells, mesophyll, stomata, bulliform cells and sclerenchyma cells. OsLC1 exhibited TA activity and modulated metabolic flux to the shikimic pathway, thereby affecting phenylpropanoid metabolism. This regulation influenced lignin and flavonoid biosynthesis, ultimately modulating cellular pattern formation through perturbations to flavonoid‐mediated auxin or lignin homeostasis. Notably, loss of OsLC1 function led to a reduction in leaf water status, which, along with abnormal cellular patterns in oslc1, caused leaf curling. Overall, our findings provide insights into the regulatory mechanisms underlying cell patterning in the leaf and offer valuable perspectives on leaf morphogenesis in rice.