bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ornamental fish in the South African pet shop trade: potential risk to natural aquatic ecosystems
Authors: Vezi Madonna S. , Downs Colleen T. , Zengeya Tsungai A. 
Published: June 2024

AbstractThe aquarium pet trade is one of the leading pathways for the introduction of invasive species into natural ecosystems. In 2018, we surveyed pet shops across South Africa to obtain a checklist of ornamental fish species in the aquarium pet shop trade and to assess their invasion potential using sourced data (e.g., natural environment, native range, introduction status, impact status and climatic zone). We evaluated selected common aquarium fish species with high invasion potential according to previous invasion history. We highlighted the need for the development of a management strategy for the aquarium pet trade in South Africa. We identified 312 fish species belonging to 77 families and 182 genera. Most pet shops were in Gauteng Province (n = 38), with few in Limpopo Province (n = 3). Gauteng had the highest number of fish species (n = 271), while North West Province had the lowest number (n = 95). Pet shops were dominated by freshwater species (68%), followed by marine species (22%), while the origin of 30 species (10%) was transitional aquatic ecosystems. Most freshwater taxa were native to South America and Asia, while most marine species were from the Pacific and Indo-Pacific Oceans. Most (88%) species were tropical, 10% subtropical, and 1% temperate. Several (n = 28) species had more than 50% frequency of occurrence, representing the most popular ornamental fishes. Several (n = 13) species are invasive in South Africa and other parts of the world. The system of importation of ornamental fish in South Africa is not clear. Although there is a recommendation that these importations must be regulated according to the whitelist and blacklist in South Africa, it is not clear how this is implemented in practice. We demonstrated a high risk of alien fish species introduction in South Africa through the aquarium pet shop trade.
Understanding the adoption and usage of gamified web tools by K-12 teachers in Turkey: A structural equation model
Authors: Bayrak Ceren , Liman-Kaban Aysegül 
Published: June 2024

AbstractThe primary objective of this research is to elucidate the factors influencing the acceptance and use of gamified web tools among K-12 teachers in Turkey, according to the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT, Venkatesh et al., 2003). The study employed a causal research design, which allowed for the investigation of cause-and-effect relationships between the variables. To analyze the collected data, both simple and multiple linear regressions, along with a structural equation model (SEM), were employed. The results of the analysis indicated that performance expectancy, effort expectancy, and social influence exerted positive effects on teachers’ behavioral intention to use gamified web tools. Additionally, behavioral intention and facilitating conditions demonstrated positive influences on the actual usage duration of these tools. The UTAUT constructs, namely performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, and facilitating conditions, were treated as independent variables in this study. The research findings revealed a negative correlation between performance expectancy and teachers’ behavioural intention to adopt and accept gamification as an instructional tool in education. However, the study also identified a positive relationship between effort expectancy, social influence, facilitating conditions, and teachers’ behavioural intention to adopt and accept gamification. Furthermore, the study’s results suggest that the organizational variable exhibits a significant relationship with teachers’ behavioural intention to embrace and accept gamification as a teaching tool in education.
IDaTPA: importance degree based thread partitioning approach in thread level speculation
Authors: Yuxiang Li , Zhiyong Zhang , Xinyong Wang , Shuaina Huang , Yaning Su 
Published: June 2024

AbstractAs an auto-parallelization technique with the level of thread on multi-core, Thread-Level Speculation (TLS) which is also called Speculative Multithreading (SpMT), partitions programs into multiple threads and speculatively executes them under conditions of ambiguous data and control dependence. Thread partitioning approach plays a key role to the performance enhancement in TLS. The existing heuristic rules-based approach (HR-based approach) which is an one-size-fits-all strategy, can not guarantee to achieve the satisfied thread partitioning. In this paper, an importancedegree basedthreadpartitioningapproach (IDaTPA) is proposed to realize the partition of irregular programs into multithreads. IDaTPA implements biasing partitioning for every procedure with a machine learning method. It mainly includes: constructing sample set, expression of knowledge, calculation of similarity, prediction model and the partition of the irregular programs is performed by the prediction model. Using IDaTPA, the subprocedures in unseen irregular programs can obtain their satisfied partition. On a generic SpMT processor (called Prophet) to perform the performance evaluation for multithreaded programs, the IDaTPA is evaluated and averagely delivers a speedup of 1.80 upon a 4-core processor. Furthermore, in order to obtain the portability evaluation of IDaTPA, we port IDaTPA to 8-core processor and obtain a speedup of 2.82 on average. Experiment results show that IDaTPA obtains a significant speedup increasement and Olden benchmarks respectively deliver a 5.75% performance improvement on 4-core and a 6.32% performance improvement on 8-core, and SPEC2020 benchmarks obtain a 38.20% performance improvement than the conventional HR-based approach.
Theranostic nanoparticles ZIF-8@ICG for pH/NIR-responsive drug-release and NIR-guided chemo-phototherapy against non-small-cell lung cancer
Authors: Lu Kaiming , Pan Xiongfeng , Zheng Jinyu , Cheng Dezhi , Zheng Liangcheng , Zhang Xinbo 
Published: June 2024

AbstractThis study leverages nanotechnology by encapsulating indocyanine green (ICG) and paclitaxel (Tax) using zeolitic imidazolate frameworks-8 (ZIF-8) as a scaffold. This study aims to investigate the chemo-photothermal therapeutic potential of ZIF-8@ICG@Tax nanoparticles (NPs) in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). An “all-in-one” theranostic ZIF-8@ICG@Tax NPs was conducted by self-assembly based on electrostatic interaction. First, the photothermal effect, stability, pH responsiveness, drug release, and blood compatibility of ZIF-8@ICG@Tax were evaluated through in vitro testing. Furthermore, the hepatic and renal toxicity of ZIF-8@ICG@Tax were assessed through in vivo testing. Additionally, the anticancer effects of these nanoparticles were investigated both in vitro and in vivo. Uniform and stable chemo-photothermal ZIF-8@ICG@Tax NPs had been successfully synthesized and had outstanding drug releasing capacities. Moreover, ZIF-8@ICG@Tax NPs showed remarkable responsiveness dependent both on pH in the tumor microenvironment and NIR irradiation, allowing for targeted drug delivery and controlled drug release. NIR irradiation can enhance the tumor cell response to ZIF-8@ICG@Tax uptake, thereby promoting the anti-tumor growth in vitro and in vivo. ZIF-8@ICG@Tax and NIR irradiation have demonstrated remarkable synergistic anti-tumor growth properties compared to their individual components. This novel theranostic chemo-photothermal NPs hold great potential as a viable treatment option for NSCLC.
Graphical Abstract
Tolerability and Safety of Large-Volume Hyaluronidase-Facilitated Subcutaneous Immunoglobulin 10% Administered with or without Dose Ramp-Up: A Phase 1 Study in Healthy Participants
Authors: Li Zhaoyang , Nagy Andras , Lindner Dirk , Duff Kim , Garcia Enrique , Ay Hakan , Rondon Juan Carlos , Yel Leman 
Published: June 2024

Abstract
Purpose
Facilitated subcutaneous immunoglobulin (fSCIG; immune globulin infusion 10% [human] with recombinant human hyaluronidase [rHuPH20]) permits high-volume subcutaneous immunoglobulin (SCIG) infusion, shorter infusion times and reduced dosing frequency relative to conventional SCIG. It is initiated by gradually increasing infusion volumes over time (dose ramp-up) to achieve target dose level (TDL). Whether ramp-up strategies have tolerability or safety advantages over direct initiation at full TDL has not been evaluated clinically.

Methods
This phase 1 open-label study assessed tolerability and safety of fSCIG 10% with accelerated or no ramp-up compared with conventional ramp-up in healthy adults (NCT04578535). Participants were assigned to one of the three ramp-up arms to achieve TDLs of 0.4 or 1.0 g/kg/infusion. The primary endpoint was the proportion of infusions completed without interruption or infusion rate reduction owing to treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs). Safety was assessed as a secondary endpoint.

Results
Of 51 participants enrolled, 50 (98.0%) tolerated all fSCIG 10% infusions initiated (n = 174). Infusion rate was reduced in one participant owing to headache in the 0.4 g/kg/infusion conventional ramp-up arm. Study discontinuations were higher in the no ramp-up arm (70%) versus the conventional (0%) and accelerated (22%) arms at the 1.0 g/kg/infusion TDL. Safety outcomes did not substantially differ between treatment arms.

Conclusion
The favorable tolerability and safety profiles of fSCIG 10% in healthy participants support initiating treatment with fSCIG 10% with accelerated ramp-up at TDLs up to 1.0 g/kg. Data support no ramp-up at TDLs close to 0.4 g/kg but additional data are needed for higher doses.
Severe Combined Immunodeficiency from a Homozygous DNA Ligase 1 Mutant with Reduced Catalytic Activity but Increased Ligation Fidelity
Authors: Alajlan Huda , Raducanu Vlad-Stefan , Lopez de los Santos Yossef , Tehseen Muhammad , Alruwaili Hibah , Al-Mazrou Amer , Mohammad Reem , Al-Alwan Monther , De Biasio Alfredo , Merzaban Jasmeen S. , Al-Mousa Hamoud , Hamdan Samir M. , Alazami Anas M. 
Published: June 2024

AbstractA cell’s ability to survive and to evade cancer is contingent on its ability to retain genomic integrity, which can be seriously compromised when nucleic acid phosphodiester bonds are disrupted. DNA Ligase 1 (LIG1) plays a key role in genome maintenance by sealing single-stranded nicks that are produced during DNA replication and repair. Autosomal recessive mutations in a limited number of individuals have been previously described for this gene. Here we report a homozygous LIG1 mutation (p.A624T), affecting a universally conserved residue, in a patient presenting with leukopenia, neutropenia, lymphopenia, pan-hypogammaglobulinemia, and diminished in vitro response to mitogen stimulation. Patient fibroblasts expressed normal levels of LIG1 protein but exhibited impaired growth, poor viability, high baseline levels of gamma-H2AX foci, and an enhanced susceptibility to DNA-damaging agents. The mutation reduced LIG1 activity by lowering its affinity for magnesium 2.5-fold. Remarkably, it also increased LIG1 fidelity > 50-fold against 3’ end 8-Oxoguanine mismatches, exhibiting a marked reduction in its ability to process such nicks. This is expected to yield increased ss- and dsDNA breaks. Molecular dynamic simulations, and Residue Interaction Network studies, predicted an allosteric effect for this mutation on the protein loops associated with the LIG1 high-fidelity magnesium, as well as on DNA binding within the adenylation domain. These dual alterations of suppressed activity and enhanced fidelity, arising from a single mutation, underscore the mechanistic picture of how a LIG1 defect can lead to severe immunological disease.
Person, Property, Relationships: A Cont(r)actual View
Authors: Croce Mariano , Swennen Frederik 
Published: June 2024

AbstractThis article challenges the long-standing boundary that separates human beings from non-human entities, whether animate or inanimate. In doing so, it engages with the jurisprudential strands that debate the transformative power of law in moving towards a fuller recognition of human relations with non-human entities. To this end, the article first examines the legal theoretical strategies that scholars have so far developed to overcome the dichotomous vision that pits humans against non-humans. It then argues for a new model of understanding property, called cont(r)actualisation, which seeks to reconfigure existing strategies. It makes the case that the legal categories of person and object should be brought together under the overarching heading of ‘legal entity’. Rather than being built around humans as persons/subjects and non-human entities as objects/objects, law should be built around the contingent points of contact between particular entities in a particular web of relations. In this way, the article advances a view that does justice to how these entities contribute to what human beings are and do.
MG132 dramatically reduces SAA expression in chicken hepatocellular carcinoma cells at the transcript level independent of its endogenous promoter
Authors: Paul Nora-Fabienne , Gustmann Karolin , Tetens Jens , Falker-Gieske Clemens 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Background
MG132, a proteasome inhibitor, is widely used to inhibit nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) activity by proteasome-mediated degradation of IκB. It has been marketed as a specific, reversible, cell-permeable and low-cost inhibitor. However, adverse effects of the compound have been reported in the literature. We recently discovered and characterised a point mutation in the acute phase protein serum amyloid A (SAA) in chickens, by overexpressing the protein in chicken hepatocellular carcinoma (LMH) cells. This serine to arginine exchange at amino acid position 90 (SAA.R90S) leads to intra- and extracellular accumulation of SAA, which is surprisingly counteracted by MG132 treatment, independent of SAA’s intrinsic promoter.

Methods and Results
To test, whether low proteasomal degradation of SAA.R90S is responsible for the observed intra- and extracellular SAA accumulation, we intended to inhibit the proteasome in SAA wild type (SAA.WT) overexpressing cells with MG132. However, we observed an unexpected drastic decrease in SAA protein expression at the transcript level. NF-κB gene expression was unchanged by MG132 at the measured time point.

Conclusions
The observed results demonstrate that MG132 inhibits SAA expression at the transcript level, independent of its endogenous promoter. Further, the data might indicate that NF-κB is not involved in the observed MG132-induced inhibition of SAA expression. We, consequently, question in this brief report whether MG132 should truly be categorised as a specific ubiquitin proteasome inhibitor and recommend the usage of alternative compounds.
A novel methylation signature predicts extreme long-term survival in glioblastoma
Authors: Decraene Brecht , Coppens Grégoire , Spans Lien , Solie Lien , Sciot Raf , Vanden Bempt Isabelle , De Smet Frederik , De Vleeschouwer Steven 
Published: June 2024

Abstract
Purpose
Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common malignant primary brain tumor with a dismal prognosis of less than 2 years under maximal therapy. Despite the poor prognosis, small fractions of GBM patients seem to have a markedly longer survival than the vast majority of patients. Recently discovered intertumoral heterogeneity is thought to be responsible for this peculiarity, although the exact underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown. Here, we investigated the epigenetic contribution to survival.

Methods
GBM treatment-naïve samples from 53 patients, consisting of 12 extremely long-term survivors (eLTS) patients and 41 median-term survivors (MTS) patients, were collected for DNA methylation analysis. 865 859 CpG sites were examined and processed for detection of differentially methylated CpG positions (DMP) and regions (DMR) between both survival groups. Gene Ontology (GO) and pathway functional annotations were used to identify associated biological processes. Verification of these findings was done using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database.

Results
We identified 67 DMPs and 5 DMRs that were associated with genes and pathways - namely reduced interferon beta signaling, in MAPK signaling and in NTRK signaling - which play a role in survival in GBM.

Conclusion
In conclusion, baseline DNA methylation differences already present in treatment-naïve GBM samples are part of genes and pathways that play a role in the survival of these tumor types and therefore may explain part of the intrinsic heterogeneity that determines prognosis in GBM patients.
Consequences of a 2-Deoxyglucose Exposure on the ATP Content and the Cytosolic Glucose Metabolism of Cultured Primary Rat Astrocytes
Authors: Harders Antonia Regina , Watermann Patrick , Karger Gabriele , Denieffe Sadhbh Cynth , Weller Alina , Dannemann Annika Carina , Willker Johanna Elisabeth , Köhler Yvonne , Arend Christian , Dringen Ralf 
Published: June 2024

AbstractThe glucose analogue 2-deoxyglucose (2DG) has frequently been used as a tool to study cellular glucose uptake and to inhibit glycolysis. Exposure of primary cultured astrocytes to 2DG caused a time- and concentration-dependent cellular accumulation of 2-deoxyglucose-6-phosphate (2DG6P) that was accompanied by a rapid initial decline in cellular ATP content. Inhibitors of mitochondrial respiration as well as inhibitors of mitochondrial uptake of pyruvate and activated fatty acids accelerated the ATP loss, demonstrating that mitochondrial ATP regeneration contributes to the partial maintenance of the ATP content in 2DG-treated astrocytes. After a 30 min exposure to 10 mM 2DG the specific content of cellular 2DG6P had accumulated to around 150 nmol/mg, while cellular ATP was lowered by 50% to around 16 nmol/mg. Following such a 2DG6P-loading of astrocytes, glycolytic lactate production from applied glucose was severely impaired during the initial 60 min of incubation, but was reestablished during longer incubation concomitant with a loss in cellular 2DG6P content. In contrast to glycolysis, the glucose-dependent NADPH regeneration via the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) was only weakly affected in 2DG6P-loaded astrocytes and in cells that were coincubated with glucose in the presence of an excess of 2DG. Additionally, in the presence of 2DG PPP-dependent WST1 reduction was found to have doubled compared to hexose-free control incubations, indicating that cellular 2DG6P can serve as substrate for NADPH regeneration by the astrocytic PPP. The data presented provide new insights on the metabolic consequences of a 2DG exposure on the energy and glucose metabolism of astrocytes and demonstrate the reversibility of the inhibitory potential of a 2DG-treatment on the glucose metabolism of cultured astrocytes.
Root carboxylate release is common in phosphorus-limited forest ecosystems in China: using leaf manganese concentration as a proxy
Authors: Yan Li , Tang Dan , Pang Jiayin , Lambers Hans 
Published: June 2024

Abstract
Background and aims
Certain plant species release root carboxylates in response to phosphorus (P) limitation; however, the prevalence of root exudate release in species in P-limited forest ecosystems remains unexplored due to challenges in field assessment.

Methods
Manganese (Mn) accumulation in mature leaves can indicate the presence of root carboxylate exudates in rhizosphere soil. To account for environmental factors such as soil pH, a negative reference species that does not release carboxylates is used for comparison. In this study, we assessed multiple forest stands across soil types and different levels of P availability in northern (Gansu) and southern (Guangxi) China. Leaf and soil samples were collected from 188 plant families representing various life forms, and leaf Mn concentration ([Mn]) was analyzed as a proxy for root carboxylate exudation patterns, using Dryopteridaceae as a negative reference.

Results
The results supported our hypotheses that leaf [Mn] was higher in P-limited forests of southern China compared to P-richer forests of northern China, even though the soil [Mn] was higher in the forests of northern China. Additionally, we observed a higher prevalence of species with high leaf [Mn] across various plant families in Guangxi (82%) than in Gansu (42%).

Conclusion
Our findings suggest a potential common strategy among plants in Guangxi forests, where root exudates are released in response to P limitation, possibly due to ineffective mycorrhizal symbiosis for nutrient acquisition. The diverse forest systems in China exhibit varying soil P availability, leading to the evolution of plant species with distinct P-acquisition strategies.
Climate migration and well-being: a study on ex-pastoralists in northern Kenya
Authors: van Duijne Robbin Jan , Ogara Dinah , Keeton Rachel , Reckien Diana 
Published: June 2024

AbstractAs the impacts of climate change intensify globally, scholars and policymakers are increasingly interested in determining the factors that lead to the success or failure of climate adaptation strategies. This paper investigates the well-being outcomes of ex-pastoralists in northern Kenya who have migrated to towns in response to severe droughts. Focusing on Marsabit Town, the study employs a comparative design with primary survey data to analyze the well-being outcomes resulting from migration as an adaptation strategy. We contrast two heterogeneous groups of former pastoralists: a “settled group” that was already residing in Marsabit Town before ending their pastoral activities and a “migrant group” that relocated to Marsabit Town at the time of abandoning pastoralism. Our analysis reveals significant differences in well-being outcomes between these groups, with the migrant group often experiencing deterioration in their well-being levels. Key predictors of poorer well-being outcomes include the loss of all livestock, informal housing, and failure to transition into agricultural work, which often results in dependence on casual labor. Additionally, many migrants continue to experience poor subjective well-being—referring to their personal satisfaction with the quality of life—years after their livelihood transition. These insights offer a nuanced understanding of the well-being outcomes of migration-as-adaptation among heterogeneous groups of ex-pastoralists and underscore the need for customized livelihood support strategies for the most at-risk populations.
A Composite Inter-Temporal Economic Insecurity Index
Authors: Gallo Alessandro , Pacei Silvia , Ferrante Maria Rosaria 
Published: June 2024

AbstractInterest in the study of economic insecurity has grown in recent years. However, the ongoing debate about how to measure it remains unresolved. On the assumption that economic insecurity is related both to the forward-looking perception of future outcomes based on past experience and to the perception of one’s own situation compared to others in the present, we propose a class of objective individual composite inter-temporal indices of economic insecurity. The indices are obtained by combining two components, one longitudinal and one cross-sectional. In order to combine the two components, we propose a novel method that takes advantage of the availability of subjective self-assessments of one’s own economic conditions. The composite inter-temporal index is applied to the European Union-Statistics on Income and Living Conditions (EU-SILC) Longitudinal Dataset, encompassing a selection of European countries. Our analysis shows that the proposed class provides new insights into individual perceptions of well-being that are not captured by poverty and inequality measures. It also provides individual measures that can be used to study the relationship between economic insecurity and other phenomena.