bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ichthyoplankton dynamics in the Brazilian Pantanal: Contribution of an important tributary and maintenance of connectivity
Authors: de Souza Mateus Babichi Veiga , Tondato‐Carvalho Karina Keyla , Bialetzki Andréa 
Published: July 2024

AbstractIn order to investigate the reproductive dynamics of the ichthyofauna in the Brazilian Pantanal, this study examines the spatial and temporal distribution of ichthyoplankton, taxonomic composition, and its correlation with environmental factors within one of the most important sub‐basins, the Taquari River. Egg and larvae collections were conducted at 11 sampling points between October and March of 2017/2018 and 2018/2019. Significant differences were observed between collection points, months, and years, with higher ichthyoplankton densities in the Coxim and Taquari rivers, particularly between November and January. Twenty‐eight genera and/or species of fish were identified, including 10 long‐distance migratory species. Egg density showed a negative correlation with water temperature and rainfall. For larvae, water transparency and rainfall were both significant, negatively influencing larval abundance. However, different species tend to occur in environments with distinct abiotic qualities. Yolk‐sac, preflexion, and flexion larval development stages were distributed throughout the sub‐basin, especially near the Pantanal. Considering the data and analyses presented in this study, the importance of connectivity between these environments, specifically between the plateau and Pantanal, is evident, highlighting the significance of the entire sub‐basin for fish reproductive processes. Therefore, research focusing on the ecological processes influencing the distribution of ichthyoplankton offers valuable insights for ecosystem conservation and aids in effective environmental management.
Overlap of obsessive compulsive and psychosis risk symptoms in a specialized clinic
Authors: West Michelle L. , Green James , Barber Madison E. , Sharif Shadi , Lisowski Victoria , Friedman‐Yakoobian Michelle 
Published: July 2024

AbstractAimPsychotic disorders and obsessive‐compulsive disorder (OCD) commonly co‐occur. Likewise, subthreshold psychosis symptoms (clinical high risk for psychosis; CHR) and obsessive compulsive symptoms (OCS) often overlap and may be difficult to differentiate. This study aimed to replicate research investigating the prevalence of OCD in a CHR clinic sample, validate and investigate factor structure of a self‐report OCS measure in a CHR sample, explore how OCS may relate to CHR and co‐occurring symptoms, and investigate whether real‐world CHR treatment improves OCS and CHR symptoms.MethodThis study analysed archival clinical data from baseline and 6‐month follow‐up assessments collected by a specialist outpatient CHR clinic. Data included assessments of CHR symptoms, OCS, and clinician‐rated diagnosis. Exploratory factor analysis examined the OCS measure.ResultsWithin this CHR clinic sample, 13.5% experienced co‐morbid OCD. The self‐report OCS measure had two factors: (1) checking and counting behaviours and (2) intrusive thoughts and images of harm/guilt. The checking and counting factor correlated with depression and social anxiety. The intrusive thoughts and images of harm/guilt factor significantly correlated with unusual thought content and social anxiety. Between baseline to 6‐month follow‐up, clients exhibited CHR symptom improvement regardless of OCD diagnosis. However, OCS did not change.ConclusionsThese findings support validity of a self‐report OCS measure in a CHR clinic sample and that types of OCS experiences may exhibit different clinical patterns. Additionally, it appears that individuals with comorbid OCD responded similarly to CHR treatment compared to those without OCD.
Adult education in the European Union since 1993
Authors: Nuissl Ekkehard , Sava Simona , Farkas Éva 
Published: July 2024

AbstractFor about 30 years, the European Union has been politically active in the field of Education and Training with a broad set of aims, measures and tools. All member states were involved in these politics, creating a kind of European profile. Adult education was an important pillar. A number of adult educators involved in various organisations at both the European and national levels carried out the activities. Many of them were recognised for their contributions and were inducted into the International Adult and Continuing Education Hall of Fame. In this qualitative review, the reflections of 16 of these experts on a number of key issues, including achievements, challenges and obstacles in this period are presented. They evaluate European policy‐making in adult education and training, including the systems, the funding, the participation and the professional developments, in a structured way. A common understanding of adult education and its prerequisites can be noticed, as well as critical reflections on achievements, and further needs.
Distributed pedagogical leadership practice for sustainable pedagogical improvement: A literature review (2010–2023)
Authors: Okiri Peter Ochieng , Hercz Mária 
Published: July 2024

AbstractLeadership from a distributed pedagogical perspective involves engaging multiple professionals in implementing shared responsibilities. In educational organizations, leadership responsibility structures have changed, with researchers advancing a more decentralized leadership system for sustainable pedagogical improvement. These global changes in education systems have informed the demand for sustainable quality teaching, the desire for 21st‐century learning skills, and rapid progress in education. As a result, traditional individual ‘heroic leadership’ is no longer tenable in any learning environment that intends to achieve quality pedagogical outcomes. Therefore, this narrative review paper aims to examine the essence of distributing pedagogical leadership responsibilities among multiple professionals to understand how the concept is perceived in diverse educational contexts and settings. This study reviewed relevant empirical research studies conducted to investigate the concept of distributed pedagogical leadership in Finland, Norway and Singapore. The findings revealed some gaps that informed our understanding of the concept and recommended further research studies.
Tropical root responses to global changes: A synthesis
Authors: Yaffar Daniela , Lugli Laynara F. , Wong Michelle Y. , Norby Richard J. , Addo‐Danso Shalom D. , Arnaud Marie , Cordeiro Amanda L. , Dietterich Lee H. , Diaz‐Toribio Milton H. , Lee Ming Y. , Ghimire Om Prakash , Smith‐Martin Chris M. , Toro Laura , Andersen Kelly , McCulloch Lindsay A. , Meier Ina C. , Powers Jennifer S. , Sanchez‐Julia Mareli , Soper Fiona M. , Cusack Daniela F. 
Published: July 2024

AbstractTropical ecosystems face escalating global change. These shifts can disrupt tropical forests' carbon (C) balance and impact root dynamics. Since roots perform essential functions such as resource acquisition and tissue protection, root responses can inform about the strategies and vulnerabilities of ecosystems facing present and future global changes. However, root trait dynamics are poorly understood, especially in tropical ecosystems. We analyzed existing research on tropical root responses to key global change drivers: warming, drought, flooding, cyclones, nitrogen (N) deposition, elevated (e) CO2, and fires. Based on tree species‐ and community‐level literature, we obtained 266 root trait observations from 93 studies across 24 tropical countries. We found differences in the proportion of root responsiveness to global change among different global change drivers but not among root categories. In particular, we observed that tropical root systems responded to warming and eCO2 by increasing root biomass in species‐scale studies. Drought increased the root: shoot ratio with no change in root biomass, indicating a decline in aboveground biomass. Despite N deposition being the most studied global change driver, it had some of the most variable effects on root characteristics, with few predictable responses. Episodic disturbances such as cyclones, fires, and flooding consistently resulted in a change in root trait expressions, with cyclones and fires increasing root production, potentially due to shifts in plant community and nutrient inputs, while flooding changed plant regulatory metabolisms due to low oxygen conditions. The data available to date clearly show that tropical forest root characteristics and dynamics are responding to global change, although in ways that are not always predictable. This synthesis indicates the need for replicated studies across root characteristics at species and community scales under different global change factors.
Spectral histology of hair and hair follicle using infrared microspectroscopy
Authors: Christophe Sandt , Lucien Bildstein , Thomas Bornschlögl , Nawel Baghdadli , Sébastien Thibaut , Pauline Fazzino , Ferenc Borondics 
Published: July 2024

AbstractObjectiveToday, there is only limited knowledge of the spatial organization of hair chemistry. Infrared microspectroscopy is a well‐established tool to provide such information and has significantly contributed to this field. In this study, we present new results combining multiple infrared microspectroscopy methods at different length scales to create a better chemical histology of human hair, including the hair follicle, hair shaft, hair medulla and hair cuticle.MethodsWe used hyperspectral IR imaging & spectroscopy (HIRIS) and synchrotron‐radiation FTIR microspectroscopy (SR‐μFTIR) to measure transversal hair sections and SR‐μFTIR to obtain high‐resolution maps of longitudinal sections from the hair shaft and from the hair follicle. We used optical photothermal IR microspectroscopy (OPTIR) to analyse the cuticle surface of intact hairs.ResultsBy mapping longitudinal sections of the human hair follicle with confocal SR‐μFTIR, we report the first demonstration of glycogen presence in the outer root sheath of the hair follicle by spectroscopy, and its quantification at the micron scale. Spectral maps, combined with machine learning‐based analysis, enabled us to differentiate the various layers of the hair follicle and provided insights into the chemical changes that occur during hair formation in the follicle.Using HIRIS and SR‐μFTIR to analyse the hair medulla in transversal sections of human hairs, we report here, for the first time by vibrational spectroscopy methods, the detection of unsaturated lipids at very low concentrations in the medulla.By analysing longitudinal sections of the hair shaft with SR‐μFTIR, we found that calcium carboxylates are present in large regions of the hair cuticle, and not just in small focal areas as previously thought. We then use OPTIR to analyse the hair cuticle of intact hairs at submicron resolution without sectioning and report the distribution of calcium carboxylates at the surface of intact hair for the first time.ConclusionThese new findings illustrate the potential of infrared microspectroscopy for imaging the chemical composition of human hair and may have implications for biomedical research or cosmetology.
Association between a single‐nucleotide polymorphism of the angiotensin‐converting enzyme gene and susceptibility to systemic lupus erythematosus in the Hainanese population of China
Authors: Zhang Qi , Zhuang Yanping , Zhang Xuan , Lin Guiling , Wu Huitao , He Ziman , Wang Zhe , Xu Wenlu , Yin Xiyu , Su Linglan , Jia Xiaokang , Gong Aimin 
Published: July 2024

AbstractThe angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) gene plays a significant role in regulating immune responses and inflammatory processes, thus impacting the susceptibility to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Understanding how single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the ACE gene contribute to the genetic susceptibility to SLE is essential for comprehending the disease's aetiology. Therefore, exploring this relationship in the Hainan region of China is crucial for gaining insights into the pathogenesis of SLE. This study comprised 428 participants, including 214 SLE patients and 214 healthy controls. Clinical data were gathered, and blood samples were collected. Genotyping of three SNPs (rs4459609, rs4309, rs1987692) within the ACE gene was performed using SNaPshot technology. The frequencies of alleles and genotypes of these three SNPs were compared between the SLE and control groups. Combining different genetic models and haplotype analysis, the correlation between ACE gene polymorphisms and SLE was investigated. Both study groups exhibited conformity with the Hardy–Weinberg genetic equilibrium (p > .05). Significant differences were observed in the genotype frequency distributions of ACE genes rs4459609, rs4309 and rs1987692 between the SLE and control groups (p = .009, .008, .032, respectively). The frequency of allele T at rs4309 was significantly higher in the SLE group than in the control group, correlating significantly with increased SLE risk (odds ratio [OR] = 1.527, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.147–2.035). Associations among ACE rs4459609, rs4309 and rs1987692 polymorphisms and increased susceptibility to SLE were found under co‐dominant and dominant models (p < .05, with OR values and 95% CI greater than 1). Linkage disequilibrium was observed among rs4459609, rs4309 and rs1987692, and haplotype analysis revealed a significantly higher frequency of the CCA haplotype in the control group compared to the SLE group (p < .001). The ACA and ATA haplotypes showed significantly higher frequencies in the SLE group than in the control group (p = .014, p = .013, respectively). ACE gene polymorphisms are associated with the genetic susceptibility to SLE. The AC and AA genotypes at the rs4459609 locus, the TT genotype and T allele at the rs4309 locus and the AC and CC genotypes at the rs1987692 locus may serve as risk factors for the development of SLE.
Language environment and early language production in Slovenian infants: An exploratory study using daylong recordings
Authors: Ferjan Ramírez Naja , Marjanovič Umek Ljubica , Fekonja Urška 
Published: July 2024

AbstractDaylong recordings provide an ecologically valid option for analyzing language input, and have become a central method for studying child language development. However, the vast majority of this work has been conducted in North America. We harnessed a unique collection of daylong recordings from Slovenian infants (age: 16–30 months, N = 40, 18 girls), and focus our attention on manually annotated measures of parentese (infant‐directed speech with a higher pitch, slower tempo, and exaggerated intonation), conversational turns, infant words, and word combinations. Measures from daylong recordings showed large variation, but were comparable to previous studies with North American samples. Infants heard almost twice as much speech and parentese from mothers compared to fathers, but there were no differences in language input to boys and girls. Positive associations were found between the social‐interactional features of language input (parentese, turn‐taking) and infants' concurrent language production. Measures of child speech from daylong recordings were positively correlated with measures obtained through the Slovenian MacArthur‐Bates Communicative Development Inventory. These results support the notion that the social‐interactional features of parental language input are the foundation of infants' language skills, even in an environment where infants spend much of their waking hours in childcare settings, as they do in Slovenia.
Compressibility, diffusivity, and elasticity in relationship with ionic conduction: An atomic scale description of densified Li2S${\rm Li}_2{\rm S}$–SiS2${\rm SiS}_2$ glasses
Authors: Micoulaut M. , Poitras L.‐M. , Sørensen S. S. , Flores‐Ruiz H. , Naumis G. G. 
Published: July 2024

AbstractWe examine the dynamic and ionic properties of a typical sulfide glass electrolyte 50–50 using molecular dynamics simulations and a previously parameterized force‐field able to describe both the crystalline phase and the corresponding glass. We especially focus on the effect of moderate pressures on the glassy and supercooled state since the design of all‐solid state batteries use molding conditions at moderate pressures in order to achieve contact between the electrolyte and the electrodes. The behavior of the conductivity with pressure permits to define an activation volume and to infer the role of compressibility and diffusivity, the latter contributing dominantly to ionic conduction, whereas temperature does not seem to impact the structural properties. These features are linked with the underlying dynamics of the Li ions as studied here by computing the longitudinal and transversal atomic species current correlations. The resulting elasticity is found to be close to experimental values.
Micro/nanostructure constructed by in situ growth of SiC nanowires in porous Si3N4 ceramics
Authors: Zhang Lizhi , Ma Wenwen , Ren Zhongkan , Tang Huaguo , Yu Yuan , Wang Lujie , Li Tongyang , Qiao Zhuhui 
Published: July 2024

AbstractImplant materials with micro/nanostructures bear a closer resemblance with the features of natural bone, which influences the wettability, bone differentiation, and vascularization of materials. However, it is still technically challenging to design the inner wall and surface micro/nanostructures on macroporous bioceramics due to their brittleness. In this work, micro/nanostructured composites with Si3N4 whiskers as a framework, and the (inner) surface covered with SiC nanowires were prepared, denoted as SiC‐nw@Si3N4‐w bioceramics. The synthesis, adopting the green chemistry concept, was utilized from environmental products (carbon evaporated in the furnace at high temperature) and reaction impurities (carbon obtained by polymer pyrolysis and silicon obtained by Si3N4 decomposition) to synthesize SiC nanowires via a vapor‐solid growth mechanism. The prepared SiC‐nw@Si3N4‐w bioceramics have potential applications in bone repair due to their cell adhesion and proliferation.
Mn‐doped Pb(In1/2Nb1/2)O3‐Pb(Sc1/2Nb1/2)O3‐PbTiO3 relaxor ferroelectric ceramics for high‐power piezoelectric applications
Authors: Zhao Weijia , Yang Shuai , Wang Chao , Wang Mingwen , Gao Xiangyu , Li Jinglei , Li Fei 
Published: July 2024

AbstractAchieving comprehensive improvement in both piezoelectric coefficient (d33) and mechanical quality factor (Qm) has become a key issue in the research of high‐power piezoelectric ceramics. Here, we focused on Mn‐doped Pb(In1/2Nb1/2)O3‐Pb(Sc1/2Nb1/2)O3‐PbTiO3 (PIN‐PSN‐PT) relaxor ferroelectric ceramics, where Mn‐doping is employed to enhance Qm. The effects of doping concentration and PT content on phase structure, ferroelectric, dielectric, and electromechanical properties were systematically studied. The well radius matching between Mn ions and B‐site ions facilitates the ion substitution and significantly increases the concentration of oxygen vacancies, thereby enhancing the domain wall pinning effect. A significantly weakened mutual constraint relationship between d33 and Qm is observed in the 2 mol% Mn‐doped PIN‐PSN‐PT ceramics with tetragonal phase, which exhibits Qm exceeding 3000 while maintaining d33 higher than 320 pC/N and Curie temperature higher than 300°C, leading to the vibration velocity over 1.15 m/s. Rayleigh analysis reveals the higher intrinsic piezoelectric response in high PT components compared to that in low PT components, which was thought to be the origin for the weakened mutual constraint relationship between d33 and Qm in tetragonal Mn‐doped PIN‐PSN‐PT ceramics.
5‐aminolevulinic acid photodynamic therapy protects against UVB‐induced skin photoaging: A DNA‐repairing mechanism involving the BER signalling pathway
Authors: Wang Jing , Gu Li , Shi Zhinan , Xu Zhiyi , Zhai Xiaoyu , Zhou Shu , Zhao Jingting , Gu Liqun , Chen Lin , Ju Linling , Zhou Bingrong , Hua Hui 
Published: July 2024

AbstractLow‐dose 5‐aminolevulinic acid photodynamic therapy (ALA‐PDT) has been used to cope with skin photoaging, and is thought to involve DNA damage repair responses. However, it is still unknown how low‐dose ALA‐PDT regulates DNA damage repair to curb skin photoaging. We established a photoaging model using human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) and rat skin. RNA‐sequencing (RNA‐seq) analysis was conducted to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in HDFs before and after low‐dose ALA‐PDT treatment, followed by bioinformatics analysis. Senescence‐associated β‐galactosidase (SA‐β‐gal) staining was employed to assess skin aging‐related manifestations and Western blotting to evaluate the expression of associated proteins. A comet assay was used to detect cellular DNA damage, while immunofluorescence to examine the expression of 8‐hydroxy‐2′‐deoxyguanosine (8‐oxo‐dG) in cells and skin tissues. In both in vivo and in vitro models, low‐dose ALA‐PDT alleviated the manifestations of ultraviolet B (UVB)‐induced skin photoaging. Low‐dose ALA‐PDT significantly reduced DNA damage in photoaged HDFs. Furthermore, low‐dose ALA‐PDT accelerated the clearance of the photoproduct 8‐oxo‐dG in photoaged HDFs and superficial dermis of photoaged rat skin. RNA‐seq analysis suggested that low‐dose ALA‐PDT upregulated the expression of key genes in the base excision repair (BER) pathway. Further functional validation showed that inhibition on BER expression by using UPF1069 significantly suppressed SA‐β‐gal activity, G2/M phase ratio, expression of aging‐associated proteins P16, P21, P53, and MUTYH proteins, as well as clearance of the photoproduct 8‐oxo‐dG in photoaged HDFs. Low‐dose ALA‐PDT exerts anti‐photoaging effects by activating the BER signalling pathway.
The role of miR‐128 and MDFI in cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure: Mechanistic
Authors: Yanjun Sun , Yunfen Gu , Haoyi Yao , Zhe Wang , Jiapei Qiu 
Published: July 2024

AbstractHeart failure (HF) prognosis depends on various regulatory factors; microRNA‐128 (miR‐128) is identified as a regulator of cardiac fibrosis, contributing to HF. MyoD family inhibitor (MDFI), which is reported to be related with Wnt/β‐catenin pathway, is supposed to be regulated by miR‐128. This study investigates the interaction between miR‐128 and MDFI in cardiomyocyte development and elucidates its role in heart injury. Gene expression profiling assessed miR‐128's effect on MDFI expression in HF using qPCR and Western blot analysis. Luciferase assays studied the direct interaction between miR‐128 and MDFI. MTT, transwell, and immunohistochemistry evaluated the effects of miR‐128 and MDFI on myocardial cells in mice HF. Genescan and luciferase assays validated the interaction between miR‐128 and MDFI sequences. miR‐128 mimics significantly reduced MDFI expression at mRNA and protein levels with decrease rate of 55%. Overexpression of miR‐128 promoted apoptosis with the increase rate 65% and attenuated cardiomyocyte proliferation, while MDFI upregulation significantly enhanced proliferation. Elevated miR‐128 levels upregulated Wnt1 and β‐catenin expression, whereas increased MDFI levels inhibited these expressions. Histological analysis with haematoxylin and eosin staining revealed that miR‐128 absorption reduced MDFI expression, hindering cell proliferation and cardiac repair, with echocardiography showing corresponding improvements in cardiac function. Our findings suggest miR‐128 interacts with MDFI, playing a crucial role in HF management by modulating the Wnt1/β‐catenin pathway. Suppression of miR‐128 could promote cardiomyocyte proliferation, highlighting the potential value of the miR‐128/MDFI interplay in HF treatment.