bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Measuring the Total Number of US Job Seekers
Authors: Braun Christine 
Published: June 2024

Abstract
I document a substantial rise in the proportion of job seekers who are classified as out of the labour force in the United States since 1980. I propose an adjusted unemployment rate to account for these searchers; the adjustment increases the unemployment rate by 5.2 percentage points, rids the unemployment rate of its downward trend and decreases volatility by 50%. I also construct a measure of total search effort in the economy, including employed job seekers. Finally, estimates of the Phillips curve using the adjusted unemployment rate or total searcher rate show no sign of a flattening output-inflation relationship in the post-2008 recession period.
Maternal Investments in Children: The Role of Expected Effort and Returns
Authors: Bhalotra Sonia , Delavande Adeline , Font-Gilabert Paulino , Maselko Joanna 
Published: June 2024

Abstract
We investigate the importance of subjective expectations of returns to and effort costs of the two principal investments that mothers make in newborns: breastfeeding and stimulation. We find heterogeneity across mothers in rural Pakistan in expected effort costs and expected returns for outcomes in the cognitive, socio-emotional and health domains, and that this contributes to explaining heterogeneity in investments. We find no significant differences across women in preferences for child developmental outcomes. We simulate the impact of alternative policies on investments. Our findings highlight the relevance of interventions designed to address maternal depression and reduce perinatal fatigue alongside interventions that increase perceived returns to investments.
IGF-I assay methods and biologic variability: evaluation of acromegaly treatment response
Authors: Clemmons David R , Bidlingmaier Martin 
Published: June 2024

Abstract
Serum insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I) is the primary biochemical measure of disease activity in patients with acromegaly, and the 2014 Endocrine Society guidelines recommended normal age-adjusted serum IGF-I as the biochemical target of treatment. However, quantification and interpretation of IGF-I levels are subject to limitations that may affect therapeutic decisions. Techniques for measuring IGF-I have evolved greatly over the past 40 years and continue to do so. Results can vary substantially for different assays, procedures, and laboratories. For any assay, the interpretation of IGF-I values requires robust reference ranges. Using currently available large normative databases, the upper limit of normal (ULN) for IGF-I in middle-aged and elderly individuals is lower than historical reference ranges. Thus, the goal of achieving IGF-I &lt; 1× ULN is more demanding than in the past, and some patients with acromegaly who were classified as “normal” (IGF-I &lt; 1× ULN) in previous studies would be reclassified as above the ULN based on newer normative data. In addition, substantial intra-individual, week-to-week variation in serum IGF-I levels (unrelated to assay performance) has been observed. With changes over time in the measurement of IGF-I and the advent of updated reference ranges derived from large normative databases, it is difficult to justify rigid adherence to the goal of maintaining IGF-I below the ULN for all patients with acromegaly. Instead, symptoms, comorbidities, and quality of life should be considered, along with growth hormone and IGF-I levels, when evaluating the need for further treatment.
Risk of fractures following bariatric surgery with Roux-en-Y gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy: a Danish population-based cohort study
Authors: Winckelmann Lotte A , Gribsholt Sigrid B , Bødkergaard Katrine , Rejnmark Lars , Madsen Lene R , Richelsen Bjørn 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Objective
We examined the association between Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) or sleeve gastrectomy (SG) and fracture risk, including major osteoporotic fractures (MOF), and the use of anti-osteoporosis medication (AOM). While RYGB is associated with impaired bone health and increased fracture risk, it remains uncertain whether SG has a similar impact and whether this risk is primarily due to MOF or any fracture.

Design
We conducted a nationwide cohort study covering patients treated with RYGB (n = 16 121, 10.2-year follow-up) or SG (n = 1509, 3.7-year follow-up), from 2006 to 2018, comparing them with an age- and sex-matched cohort (n = 407 580).

Methods
We computed incidence rates and adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% CIs, using Cox regression for any fracture, MOF, and use of AOM with adjustment for comorbidities.

Results
Compared with the general population cohort, RYGB was associated with an increased risk of any fracture (HR 1.56 [95% CI, 1.48-1.64]) and MOF (HR 1.49 [1.35-1.64]). Sleeve gastrectomy was associated with an increased risk of any fracture (HR 1.38 [1.13-1.68]), while the HR of MOF was 1.43 (0.97-2.12). The use of AOM was low but similar in all cohorts (approximately 1%).

Conclusions
Bariatric surgery increased the risk of any fracture and MOF to similar extend. Risks were similar for RYGB and SG. However, SG had a shorter follow-up than RYGB, and the cohort size was rather small. More research is needed for long-term SG fracture risk assessment. The use of AOM was low in all cohorts.
Targeted Next Generation Sequencing molecular profiling and its clinical application in adrenocortical cancer
Authors: Cioppi Francesca , Cantini Giulia , Ercolino Tonino , Chetta Massimiliano , Zanatta Lorenzo , Nesi Gabriella , Mannelli Massimo , Maggi Mario , Canu Letizia , Luconi Michaela 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Objective
Adrenal cortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare malignancy with a generally poor but heterogeneous prognosis, especially depending on the tumour stage at diagnosis. Identification of somatic gene alterations combined with clinical/histopathological evaluation of the tumour can help improve prognostication. We applied a simplified targeted-Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) panel to characterise the mutational profiles of ACCs, providing potentially relevant information for better patient management.

Design and methods
Thirty frozen tumour specimens from a local ACC series were retrospectively analysed by a custom-NGS panel (CDKN2A, CTNNB1, DAXX, MED12, NF1, PRKAR1A, RB1, TERT, TP53, ZNRF3) to detect somatic prioritised single-nucleotide variants. This cohort was integrated with 86 patients from the ACC-TCGA series bearing point-mutations in the same genes and their combinations identified by our panel. Primary endpoints of the analysis on the total cohort (113 patients) were overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS), and hazard ratio (HR) for the different alterations grouped by the signalling pathways/combinations affected.

Results
Different PFS, OS, and HR were associated to the different pathways/combinations, being NF1 + TP53 and Wnt/β-catenin + Rb/p53 combined mutations the most deleterious, with a statistical significance for progression HR which is retained only in low-(I/II) stages—NF1 + TP53 combination: HR = 2.96[1.01-8.69] and HR = 13.23[3.15-55.61], all and low stages, respectively; Wnt/β-catenin + Rb/p53 combined pathways: HR = 6.47[2.54-16.49] and HR = 16.24[3.87-68.00], all and low-stages, respectively.

Conclusions
A simplified targeted-NGS approach seems the best routinely applicable first step towards somatic genetic characterisation of ACC for prognostic assessment. This approach proved to be particularly promising in low-stage cases, suggesting the need for more stringent surveillance and personalised treatment.
Improving efficiency evaluation in the presence of ratio data: inverse non-radial Enhanced Russell Models
Authors: Akbarian Dariush , Oukil Amar 
Published: June 2024

Abstract
Accepted by: Ali Emrouznejad
In many real-world scenarios, decision makers often rely on data available in ratio form. Under the data envelopment analysis (DEA) framework, radial (R) models, such as DEA-R, do consider ratio data for the efficiency evaluation of decision-making units. Nevertheless, the omission of the slack values over the evaluation process may lead to inaccurate results. Hence, this paper introduces non-radial Enhanced Russell Models (ERM) with ratio data for more precise and reliable assessments. Furthermore, we develop new inverse non-linear ERM formulations to determine the optimal levels of inputs and outputs for preset ratio-efficiency scores. The validity of the proposed models is demonstrated through illustrative examples and a real-world case study, highlighting their practical relevance across diverse organizational contexts. Our research contributes novel insights and methodologies to the field of efficiency assessment, offering managers robust tools for more accurate decision-making.
Precision Symptom Phenotyping Identifies Early Clinical and Proteomic Predictors of Distinct COVID-19 Sequelae
Authors: Epsi Nusrat J , Chenoweth Josh G , Blair Paul W , Lindholm David A , Ganesan Anuradha , Lalani Tahaniyat , Smith Alfred , Mody Rupal M , Jones Milissa U , Colombo Rhonda E , Colombo Christopher J , Schofield Christina , Ewers Evan C , Larson Derek T , Berjohn Catherine M , Maves Ryan C , Fries Anthony C , Chang David , Wyatt Andrew , Scher Ann I , Byrne Celia , Rusiecki Jennifer , Saunders David L , Livezey Jeffrey , Malloy Allison , Bazan Samantha , Maldonado Carlos , Edwards Margaret Sanchez , Mende Katrin , Simons Mark P , O’Connell Robert J , Tribble David R , Agan Brian K , Burgess Timothy H , Pollett Simon D , Richard Stephanie A 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Background
Post-COVID conditions (PCC) are difficult to characterize, diagnose, predict, and treat due to overlapping symptoms and poorly understood pathology. Identifying inflammatory profiles may improve clinical prognostication and trial endpoints.

Methods
This analysis included 1988 SARS-CoV-2 positive U.S. Military Health System beneficiaries who had quantitative post–COVID symptom scores. Among participants who reported moderate-to-severe symptoms on surveys collected 6 months post-SARS-CoV-2 infection, principal component analysis followed by k-means clustering identified distinct clusters of symptoms.

Results
Three symptom-based clusters were identified: a sensory cluster (loss of smell and/or taste), a fatigue/difficulty thinking cluster, and a difficulty breathing/exercise intolerance cluster. Individuals within the sensory cluster were all outpatients during their initial COVID-19 presentation. The difficulty breathing cluster had a higher likelihood of obesity and COVID-19 hospitalization than those with no/mild symptoms at 6 months post-infection. Multinomial regression linked early post-infection D-dimer and IL-1RA elevation to fatigue/difficulty thinking and elevated ICAM-1 concentrations to sensory symptoms.

Conclusions
We identified three distinct symptom-based PCC phenotypes with specific clinical risk factors and early post-infection inflammatory predictors. With further validation and characterization, this framework may allow more precise classification of PCC cases and potentially improve the diagnosis, prognostication, and treatment of PCC.
Synchronized development of thymic eosinophils and thymocytes
Authors: Ota Ayami , Iguchi Takahiro , Nitta Sachiko , Muro Ryunosuke , Mino Nanami , Tsukasaki Masayuki , Penninger Josef M , Nitta Takeshi , Takayanagi Hiroshi 
Published: June 2024

Abstract
The thymus is an organ required for T cell development and is also an eosinophil-rich organ; however, the nature and function of thymic eosinophils remain unclear. Here, we characterized the gene expression and differentiation mechanism of thymic eosinophils in mice. Thymic eosinophils showed a distinct gene expression profile compared with other organ-resident eosinophils. The number of thymic eosinophils was controlled by medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs). In Rag-deficient mice, the unique gene expression signature of thymic eosinophils was lost but restored by pre-T cell receptor signalling, which induces CD4+ CD8+ thymocyte differentiation, indicating that T cell differentiation beyond the CD4− CD8− stage is necessary and sufficient for the induction of thymic eosinophils. These results demonstrate that thymic eosinophils are quantitatively and qualitatively regulated by mTECs and developing thymocytes, respectively, suggesting that thymic eosinophils are a distinct, thymus-specific cell subset, induced by interactions with thymic cells.
Chemolithoautotrophic diazotrophs dominate dark nitrogen fixation in mangrove sediments
Authors: Wang Shasha , Jiang Lijing , Zhao Zhuoming , Chen Zhen , Wang Jun , Alain Karine , Cui Liang , Zhong Yangsheng , Peng Yongyi , Lai Qiliang , Dong Xiyang , Shao Zongze 
Published: June 2024

Abstract
Diazotrophic microorganisms regulate marine productivity by alleviating nitrogen limitation. So far chemolithoautotrophic bacteria are widely recognized as the principal diazotrophs in oligotrophic marine and terrestrial ecosystems. However, the contribution of chemolithoautotrophs to nitrogen fixation in organic-rich habitats remains unclear. Here, we utilized metagenomic and metatranscriptomic approaches integrated with cultivation assays to investigate the diversity, distribution, and activity of diazotrophs residing in Zhangzhou mangrove sediments. Physicochemical assays show that the studied mangrove sediments are typical carbon-rich, sulfur-rich, nitrogen-limited, and low-redox marine ecosystems. These sediments host a wide phylogenetic variety of nitrogenase genes, including groups I–III and VII–VIII. Unexpectedly diverse chemolithoautotrophic taxa including Campylobacteria, Gammaproteobacteria, Zetaproteobacteria, and Thermodesulfovibrionia are the predominant and active nitrogen fixers in the 0–18 cm sediment layer. In contrast, the 18–20 cm layer is dominated by active diazotrophs from the chemolithoautotrophic taxa Desulfobacterota and Halobacteriota. Further analysis of MAGs shows that the main chemolithoautotrophs can fix nitrogen by coupling the oxidation of hydrogen, reduced sulfur, and iron, with the reduction of oxygen, nitrate, and sulfur. Culture experiments further demonstrate that members of chemolithoautotrophic Campylobacteria have the nitrogen-fixing capacity driven by hydrogen and sulfur oxidation. Activity measurements confirm that the diazotrophs inhabiting mangrove sediments preferentially drain energy from diverse reduced inorganic compounds other than from organics. Overall, our results suggest that chemolithoautotrophs rather than heterotrophs are dominant nitrogen fixers in mangrove sediments. This study underscores the significance of chemolithoautotrophs in carbon-dominant ecosystems.
Determination of antifungal efficacy and phytotoxicity of a unique silica coated porous zinc oxide nanocomposite medium for slow-release agrochemicals
Authors: Yadav Annu , Sohlot Monika , Sahu Sudama Ram , Banerjee Tirthankar , Bhattacharya Jaydeep , Bandyopadhyay Kaustav , Das Sumistha , Debnath Nitai 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Aims
In this study, the antifungal efficacy and phytotoxicity of silica coated porous zinc oxide nanoparticle (SZNP) were analyzed as this nanocomposite was observed to be a suitable platform for slow release fungicides and has the promise to bring down the dosage of other agrochemicals as well.

Methods and results
Loading and release kinetics of tricyclazole, a potent fungicide, were analyzed by measuring surface area (SBET) using Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) isotherm and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), respectively. The antifungal efficacy of ZnO nanoparticle (ZNP) and SZNP was investigated on two phytopathogenic fungi (Alternaria solani and Aspergillus niger). The morphological changes to the fungal structure due to ZNP and SZNP treatment were studied by field emission-scanning electron microscopy. Nanoparticle mediated elevation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in fungal samples was detected by analyzing the levels of superoxide dismutase, catalase, thiol content, lipid peroxidation, and by 2,7-dichlorofluorescin diacetate assay. The phytotoxicity of these two nanostructures was assessed in rice plants by measuring primary plant growth parameters. Further, the translocation of the nanocomposite in the same plant model system was examined by checking the presence of fluorescein isothiocyanate tagged SZNP within the plant tissue.

Conclusions
ZNP had superior antifungal efficacy than SZNP and caused the generation of more ROS in the fungal samples. Even then, SZNP was preferred as an agrochemical delivery vehicle because, unlike ZNP alone, it was not toxic to plant system. Moreover, as silica in nanoform is entomotoxic in nature and nano ZnO has antifungal property, both the cargo (agrochemical) and the carrier system (silica coated porous nano zinc oxide) will have a synergistic effect in crop protection.
Hyperarithmetical complexity of infinitary action logic with multiplexing
Authors: Pshenitsyn Tikhon 
Published: June 2024

Abstract
In 2023, Kuznetsov and Speranski introduced infinitary action logic with multiplexing $!^{m}\nabla \textrm{ACT}_{\omega }$ and proved that the derivability problem for it lies between the $\omega $ level and the $\omega ^{\omega }$ level of the hyperarithmetical hierarchy. We prove that this problem is $\varDelta ^{0}_{\omega ^{\omega }}$-complete under Turing reductions. Namely, we show that it is recursively isomorphic to the satisfaction predicate for computable infinitary formulas of rank less than $\omega ^{\omega }$ in the language of arithmetic. As a consequence we prove that the closure ordinal for $!^{m}\nabla \textrm{ACT}_{\omega }$ equals $\omega ^{\omega }$. We also prove that the fragment of $!^{m}\nabla \textrm{ACT}_{\omega }$ where Kleene star is not allowed to be in the scope of the subexponential is $\varDelta ^{0}_{\omega ^{\omega }}$-complete. Finally, we present a family of logics, which are fragments of $!^{m}\nabla \textrm{ACT}_{\omega }$, such that the complexity of the $k$-th logic lies between $\varDelta ^{0}_{\omega ^{k}}$ and $\varDelta ^{0}_{\omega ^{k+1}}$.
Altered expression of human myxovirus resistance protein A in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Honda Hiroyuki , Sadashima Shoko , Yoshimura Motoi , Sakurada Naonori , Koyama Sachiko , Yagita Kaoru , Hamasaki Hideomi , Noguchi Hideko , Arahata Hajime , Sasagasako Naokazu 
Published: June 2024

Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder. The etiology of sporadic ALS (sALS) has not yet been clarified. An increasing body of evidence suggests the involvement of viral infections and interferons (IFNs). Human myxovirus resistance protein A (MxA) is an IFN-induced dynamin-like GTPase that acts as a potent antiviral factor. This study examined MxA expression in ALS patient spinal cords using immunohistochemistry. Thirty-two cases of sALS (pathologically proven ALS-TDP), 10 non-ALS, other neurological disease control cases were examined. In most ALS cases, MxA cytoplasmic condensates were observed in the remaining spinal anterior horn neurons. The ALS group had a significantly higher rate of MxA-highly expressing neurons than the non-ALS group. Colocalization of MxA cytoplasmic condensate and transactive response DNA-binding protein 43 kDa (TDP-43)-positive inclusions was rarely observed. Because MxA has antiviral activity induced by IFNs, our results suggest that IFNs are involved in the pathogenesis of ALS in spinal cord anterior horn neurons. Our study also suggests that monitoring viral infections and IFN activation in patients with ALS may be critically important.
In situ seeding assay: A novel technique for direct tissue localization of bioactive tau
Authors: Perbet Romain , Mate de Gerando Anastasie , Glynn Calina , Donahue Cameron , Gaona Angelica , Taddei Raquel N , Gomez-Isla Teresa , Lathuiliere Aurelien , Hyman Bradley T 
Published: June 2024

Abstract
Proteins exhibiting prion-like properties are implicated in tauopathies. The prion-like traits of tau influence disease progression and correlate with severity. Techniques to measure tau bioactivity such as RT-QuIC and biosensor cells lack spatial specificity. Therefore, we developed a histological probe aimed at detecting and localizing bioactive tau in situ. We first induced the recruitment of a tagged probe by bioactive Tau in human brain tissue slices using biosensor cell lysates containing a fluorescent probe. We then enhanced sensitivity and flexibility by designing a recombinant probe with a myc tag. The probe design aimed to replicate the recruitment process seen in prion-like mechanisms based on the cryo-EM structure of tau aggregates in Alzheimer disease (AD). Using this novel probe, we observed selective staining of misfolded tau in pre- and post-synaptic structures within neurofibrillary tangles and neurites, whether or not associated with neuritic plaques. The probe specifically targeted AD-associated bioactive tau and did not recognize bioactive tau from other neurodegenerative diseases. Electron microscopy and immunolabeling further confirmed the identification of fibrillar and non-fibrillar tau. Finally, we established a correlation between quantifying bioactive tau using this technique and gold standard biosensor cells. This technique presents a robust approach for detecting bioactive tau in AD tissues and has potential applications for deciphering mechanisms of tau propagation and degradation pathways.
The Grammar of Emotion Verbs in the Qurʾān: A Case Study of the verb Xāfa
Authors: Dror Yehudit , Saied Salam , Amara Bayan 
Published: June 2024

Abstract
The concept of emotions has been studied from numerous perspectives in psychology, the history of emotions and religion. This study sheds light on the linguistic devices implemented to articulate emotions in the Qurʾān by taking the emotion verb xāfa ‘to fear’ or ‘to be afraid’ (and its derivatives) as a case study. In both modern and classical dictionaries of the Arabic language as well as in Quranic exegesis, the verb xāfa is often replaced by another verb that expresses fear such as xašiya ‘to be afraid’ or ‘to be in awe’. Here it is shown that the verb xāfa occurs in certain syntactic structures and has specific meanings that are not denoted by other verbs expressing fear in the Qurʾān. Specifically, when the verb xāfa is followed by a subordinate clause that starts with the particle ‘an, it can be rendered as ‘to fear’ or ‘to be afraid’ since the cause of this fear is a probable event. When the verb xāfa is followed by the preposition ‘alā it denotes ‘to fear for [the wellbeing of] someone (e.g., a family member)’ because of a situation in which they are likely to be found. When it is followed by the noun rabb ‘Lord’ or Allāh ‘God’, the verb refers to ‘fear of God’, where fear of His punishment motivates the people to worship Him. When the verbal noun xawf has no object and is used in conjunction with the verbal noun ‘amn (‘security’) it can be interpreted as ‘insecurity about something’. Because the verb xāfa is central to the religious concept of fear of God, it is used in the Qurʾān to express a general and collective attitude of fear or awe. However, xāfa is also used to express individual experiences of fright at specific times or places.