bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Surrogate model‐aided global sensitivity analysis framework for seismic consequences estimation in buildings
Authors: Du Jiajun , Wang Wei 
Published: March 2024

AbstractSeismic consequences estimation for individual buildings is valuable for various stakeholders, including government entities, building owners, and insurers. The robustness of estimation results in the presence of incomplete input information can typically be investigated through sensitivity analysis. However, the estimation process's complexity and the sensitivity analysis's computational burden hinder its practical application, which requires a more efficient procedure to facilitate broader use. This paper proposes a novel framework for sensitivity analysis of seismic consequences estimation to improve the efficiency and reliability of such analysis. The proposed approach encompasses three key components: (1) stochastic ground motion modeling (SGMM)‐based seismic consequences estimation to evaluate the economic, environmental, and social consequences given specific buildings by considering different hazard levels, (2) the training of surrogate model (Gaussian process model) for structural analysis to reduce the computational cost of the evaluation process, and (3) variance‐based global sensitivity analysis to investigate the importance of parameters of concern in the estimation process. The entire procedure is implemented in Python, adhering to object‐oriented programming, and does not rely on external software. Then, the proposed methodology is applied to two distinct three‐story steel moment‐resistant frames (SMRFs) subjected to four different hazard levels to demonstrate its effectiveness. The SGMM method can generate specific ground motions for each hazard level, mitigating the potential for result bias from using ground motions with unrealistic characteristics. Furthermore, the SGMM method is particularly suitable for automated analysis processes reducing the laborious task of screening ground motions from the database. Comparative analysis with surrogate‐free estimation reveals that the surrogate‐based analysis delivers reliable results with significantly reduced computational cost. The results of analyzing different structures under varying hazard levels reflect the variability in sensitivity analysis of consequences estimation, highlighting the necessity of the proposed flexible and efficient framework. Furthermore, the proposed framework's advantages, limitations, and future research needs are discussed.
Nutritional enhancement in black seed (Nigella sativa L.) using bacteria‐based biofertilizers
Authors: Naeem Nayyab , Aftab Arusa , Rizwana Humaira , Aftab Zill‐e‐Huma , Yousaf Zubaida , Maqbool Zainab , Shahzadi Zainab 
Published: March 2024

AbstractNigella sativa L. is an aromatic spice, utilized as an original and peculiar flavoring ingredient in a variety of culinary applications and pharmaceuticals. Black seed (Nigella sativa L.) belongs to the family Ranunculaceae. It is an undercultivated crop in Pakistan. The present study was planned keeping in mind sustainable development goals SDG 3 (good health and well‐being) and SDG 15 (life on land). The effects of several rhizospheric bacterial strains and synthetic fertilizers on the development of N. sativa and nutrition were studied using a completely randomized experimental design. For this purpose, plant growth‐promoting effects of different strains (Azospirillum brasilense, Azospirillum lipoferum, and Pantoea agglomerans) and synthetic fertilizers (nitrogen and phosphorus) were assembled to check their effects individually and in combination form. Azospirillum lipoferum and Pantoea agglomerans inoculation significantly enhanced the morphological characteristics of N. sativa, whether applied individually or in combination, with positive effects on seedlings, plant height, number of branches, number of leaves, number of flowers, stamens numbers, follicles number, number of tentacles and seed production. N. sativa plants that were simultaneously inoculated with Azospirillum lipoferum and Pantoea agglomerans showed the highest potential for antioxidant activity, particularly in petroleum ether extracts. In the methanolic extract, a higher amount of radical scavenging was observed as compared to positive and negative control. There was also increase in fat, moisture and carbohydrate contents of the combination inoculated plant. So, from the present study, in Pakistan, the technique is recommended to enhance the yield and nutritional value of N. sativa.
Effect of different reheating processes and conditions on the nutritional, functional, and microbiological properties of cow meat
Authors: Nanje Ombotoh Sabastin , Sylvia Ninying Veshe‐Teh Zemoh , Tonfack Djikeng Fabrice , Azia Morfor Theresia , Achidi Aduni Ufuan 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThe objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of different reheating methods and conditions on the proximate composition, mineral content, oil quality, and functional and microbiological properties of cow meat. For this, a survey was carried out to identify the reheating methods used in the community. For this study, 8.6 kg of raw beef was used and group 1 (500 g) served as raw control. The remaining 8.1 kg was boiled for 30 min in 5 L of water. Four hundred grams of boiled beef was removed and served as cooked control (group 2). The remaining 3688 g was divided into four groups of 922 g, which were, respectively, divided into subgroups of 307 g. The four sets of subgroups were, respectively, reheated by boiling, frying, microwaving and oven roasting for 3 days. Reheating was done three times a day and samples were collected at the end of each day for further analysis. Changes in proximate composition, mineral content, oil quality, functional properties, and microbiological count were evaluated using standard methods. Results showed that frequent reheating of food was the most used preservation method of cooked food, and boiling and steaming were the most used methods. Reheating time significantly reduces the protein, mineral content, and oil quality of cow meat in general. For the functional properties, reheating methods/conditions generally increased the water‐holding capacity, loose and packed bulk densities as well the pH of the meat. Reheating by frying increased the porosity and Hausner ratio of the meat powder while all the reheating treatments reduced the swelling capacity and titratable acidity of cow meat powder. Generally, the reheating methods and duration significantly reduced the bacterial count of cow meat powder. Cow meat should not be reheated for more than 2 days in order to preserve its physiochemical properties.
Construction of a Zygosaccharomyces rouxii strain overexpressing the QOR gene for increased HDMF production
Authors: Wang Yanhong , Wang Xinhui , Jiang Peng , Dai Lingyan , Hu Yijia , Pan Bailing , Li Yueyue , Zhang Jingyu , Zhang Ruoyu , Zhan Shihan , Li Zhijiang 
Published: March 2024

Abstract4‐Hydroxy‐2,5‐dimethyl‐3(2H)‐furanone (HDMF) is a flavor compound widely found in natural products and is used in food as a flavor‐enhancing agent. Quinone oxidoreductase (QOR) was verified as a key enzyme to synthesize HDMF in strawberry, while its impact on HDMF production by Zygosaccharomyces rouxii was still unknown. The QOR gene was cloned and overexpressed in Z. rouxii, and its impact on HDMF production by Z. rouxii was then further analyzed. At the same time, it is expected to obtain engineered strains of Z. rouxii with high HDMF production. The results showed that the engineered strains of Z. rouxii exhibit different levels of QOR gene expression and HDMF production; among them, the QOR6 strain exhibiting the highest gene expression level and HDMF production was named as ZrQOR. The HDMF production of the ZrQOR strain was significantly higher than that of wild‐type Z. rouxii at 3 and 5 days of culture, with 1.41‐fold and 1.08‐fold increases, respectively. At 3 days of fermentation, the highest HDMF yield of ZrQOR strain was obtained (2.75 mg/L), 2 days ahead of the reported highest HDMF production by Z. rouxii. At 3, 5, and 7 days, QOR gene expression was 4.8‐fold, 3.3‐fold, and 5.6‐fold higher in the ZrQOR strain than in the wild‐type Z. rouxii, respectively. Therefore, overexpression of the QOR gene facilitates HDMF synthesis. The genetic stability of the 0–20 generation ZrQOR strain was stable, and there was no significant difference in colony shape, QOR expression, or HDMF production compared to the wild type. In this study, the genetic engineering Z. rouxii strain was used to improve HDMF production. This research has laid the groundwork for further industrial production of HDMF via microbial synthesis.
Science, technology, and innovation in health for the next twenty years: A survey analysis in Colombia
Authors: Espinosa Oscar , Puentes Gabriela , Rodríguez Jhonathan , Robayo Adriana , Anaya Juan‐Manual 
Published: March 2024

AbstractBackgroundColombia is a Latin American country with a very complex social and political context that has not allowed the allocation of sufficient resources to the fields of science, technology, and innovation (STI). This is particularly worrying for the area of health since not enough resources are allocated for public health, research, or education.MethodsThe so‐called “Great Survey in Health 2019” was administered online through the SurveyMonkey platform to 5298 people in different regions of the country, representing the public, private, and academic sectors. The questionnaire consisted of 46 open and closed questions, including demographic inquiries. Data analysis involved textual analytics and sentiment analysis.ResultsOverall, 56% of those surveyed were women within the adult life cycle. Most respondents had a postgraduate education. Greater participation was observed in the Oriental, Bogotá, and Antioquia regions, which also concentrate the largest number of resources for STI. Among the main recommendations derived from the results, priorities include investing in research, personalised medicine, promoting the social appropriation of knowledge, addressing mental health, regulating research through a statute, promoting undergraduate research, and establishing recertification exams to pursue excellence.ConclusionThe results of this original study serve as a fundamental input to promote and strengthen the STI processes in life sciences and health. They serve as a guide to generate public policies and actions that guarantee better health and well‐being for the Colombian population, strategically proposing a clear roadmap for the next 20 years.
Barriers and opportunities for health service access among fathers: A review of empirical evidence
Authors: Wynter Karen , Mansour Kayla A. , Forbes Faye , Macdonald Jacqui A. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractIssue AddressedEngagement with health supports benefits the whole family, yet few health services report successful engagement of fathers. Our aim was to describe available evidence on barriers and opportunities relevant to health system access for fathers.MethodsScoping reviews were conducted seeking empirical evidence from (1) Australian studies and (2) international literature reviews.ResultsA total of 52 Australian studies and 44 international reviews were included. The most commonly reported barriers were at the health service level, related to an exclusionary health service focus on mothers. These included both ‘surface’ factors (e.g., appointment times limited to traditional employment hours) and ‘deep’ factors, in which health service policies perpetuate traditional gender norms of mothers as ‘caregivers’ and fathers as ‘supporters’ or ‘providers’. Such barriers were reported consistently, including but not limited to fathers from First Nations or culturally diverse backgrounds, those at risk of poor mental health, experiencing perinatal loss or other adverse pregnancy and birth events, and caring for children with illness, neurodevelopmental or behavioural problems. Opportunities for father engagement include offering father‐specific resources and support, facilitating health professionals' confidence and training in working with fathers, and ‘gateway consultations’, including engaging fathers via appointments for mothers or infants. Ideally, top‐down policies should support fathers as infant caregivers in a family‐based approach.ConclusionsAlthough barriers and opportunities exist at individual and cultural levels, health services hold the key to improved engagement of fathers.So What?Evidence‐based, innovative strategies, informed by fathers' needs and healthy masculinities, are needed to engage fathers in health services.
Clinical evaluation of pulmonary quantitative computed tomography parameters for diagnosing eosinophilic chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: Characteristics and diagnostic performance
Authors: Liu Yumeng , Lu Chao , Chen Wenfang , Liu Zhenyu , Wu Songxiong , Ye Hai , Lv Yungang , Peng Zhengkun , Wang Panying , Li Guangyao , Tan Biwen , Wu Guangyao 
Published: March 2024

AbstractAimsTo investigate the characteristics and diagnostic performance of quantitative computed tomography (QCT) parameters in eosinophilic chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients.MethodsHigh‐resolution CT scans of COPD patients were retrospectively analyzed, and various emphysematous parenchyma measurements, including lung volume (LC), lung mean density (LMD), lung standard deviation (LSD), full‐width half maximum (FWHM), and lung relative voxel number (LRVN) were performed. The QCT parameters were compared between eosinophilic and noneosinophilic COPD patients, using a definition of eosinophilic COPD as blood eosinophil values ≥ 300 cells·µL−1 on at least three times. Receiver operating characteristic curves and area under the curve (ROC‐AUC) and python were used to evaluate discriminative efficacy of QCT.ResultsNoneosinophilic COPD patients had a significantly lower TLMD (−846.3 ± 47.9 Hounsfield Unit [HU]) and TFWHM(162.5 ± 30.6 HU) compared to eosinophilic COPD patients (−817.8 ± 54.4, 177.3 ± 33.1 HU, respectively) (p = 0.018, 0.03, respectively). Moreover, the total LC (TLC) and TLSD were significantly lower in eosinophilic COPD group (3234.4 ± 1145.8, 183.8 ± 33.9 HU, respectively) than the noneosinophilic COPD group (5600.2 ± 1248.4, 203.5 ± 20.4 HU, respectively) (p = 0.009, 0.002, respectively). The ROC‐AUC values for TLC, TLMD, TLSD, and TFWHM were 0.91 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.828–0.936), 0.66 (95% CI, 0.546–0.761), 0.64 (95% CI, 0.524–0.742), and 0.63 (95% CI, 0.511–0.731), respectively. When the TLC value was 4110 mL, the sensitivity was 90.7% (95% CI, 79.7–96.9), specificity was 77.8% (95% CI, 57.7–91.4) and accuracy was 86.4%. Notably, TLC demonstrated the highest discriminative efficiency with an F1 Score of 0.79, diagnostic Odds Ratio of 34.3 and Matthews Correlation Coefficient of 0.69, surpassing TLMD (0.55, 3.66, 0.25), TLSD (0.56, 3.95, 0.26), and TFWHM (0.56, 4.16, 0.33).ConclusionEosinophilic COPD patients exhibit lower levels of emphysema and a more uniform density distribution throughout the lungs compared to noneosinophilic COPD patients. Furthermore, TLC demonstrated the highest diagnostic efficiency and may serve as a valuable diagnostic marker for distinguishing between the two groups.
Autophagy inhibition potentiates energy restriction‐induced cell death in hepatocellular carcinoma cells
Authors: Elgendy Sara M. , Zaher Dana M. , Sarg Nadin H. , Abu Jayab Nour N. , Alhamad Dima W. , Al‐Tel Taleb H. , Omar Hany A. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) significantly contributes to cancer‐related mortality due to the limited response of HCC to current anticancer therapies, thereby necessitating more effective treatment approaches. Energy restriction mimetic agents (ERMAs) have emerged as potential therapies in targeting the Warburg effect, a unique metabolic process in cancer cells. However, ERMAs exhibit limited efficacy when used as monotherapy. Additionally, ERMAs have been found to induce autophagy in cancer cells. The role of autophagy in cancer survival remains a subject of debate. Thus, it is crucial to ascertain whether ERMA‐induced autophagy is a mechanism for cell survival or cell death in HCC. Our study aims to investigate the effect of autophagy inhibition on the survival of HCC cells treated with ERMAs while also examining the potential of combining an autophagy inhibitor such as spautin‐1 with ERMAs to enhance HCC cell death. Our results suggest a cytoprotective role for ERMA‐induced autophagy in HCC cells, as combining the autophagy inhibitor spautin‐1 with ERMAs effectively suppressed ERMA‐induced autophagy and synergistically enhanced their antitumor activity. The treatment combination promoted HCC death through apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, and inhibition of AKT and ERK activation, which are known to play a key role in cellular proliferation. Collectively, our findings highlight a potential strategy to combat HCC by combining energy restriction with autophagy inhibition.
“Bold of them to assume I want to wait until I'm older to do what I love:” One teens' activism and civic engagement online
Authors: McDaniel Dominique Skye 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThis paper explores the social media literacies of Dakari, a 16‐year‐old Black teen reader, writer, and activist, within a broader 3‐month multi‐case study on diverse teens' online literacies. The focus is on Dakari's multimodal literacy practices related to social justice activism and civic engagement. The study highlights how social media platforms empower youth, exemplified by teens like Dakari who utilize these spaces to influence culture, practice critical literacies, and establish civic identities. Examining Dakari's case, three key themes emerge: (1) addressing systemic racism, (2) driving change as a content creator, and (3) challenging the idea that one must wait until adulthood to make a difference. The study highlights the transformative potential of youth of Color's social media literacies, suggesting a reimagining of educators' roles to recognize and respect teens' online literacies while fostering youth identity and political engagement. It is imperative to reshape teaching methods for justice and social change in the digital age. This involves supporting student literacy development and acknowledging the timely language and literacies of youth in social media contexts.
Downregulation of miR‐337‐3p in hypoxia/reoxygenation neuroblastoma cells increases KCTD11 expression
Authors: Zhu Lin , Xin Yi‐Juan , He Mu , Bian Jun , Cheng Xiao‐Li , Li Rui , Li Jin‐Jie , Wang Juan , Liu Jia‐Yun , Yang Liu 
Published: March 2024

AbstractNeurodegeneration is linked to the progressive loss of neural function and is associated with several diseases. Hypoxia is a hallmark in many of these diseases, and several therapies have been developed to treat this disease, including gene expression therapies that should be tightly controlled to avoid side effects. Cells experiencing hypoxia undergo a series of physiological responses that are induced by the activation of various transcription factors. Modulation of microRNA (miRNA) expression to alter transcriptional regulation has been demonstrated to be beneficial in treating multiple diseases, and in this study, we therefore explored potential miRNA candidates that could influence hypoxia‐induced nerve cell death. Our data suggest that in mouse neuroblasts Neuro‐2a cells with hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R), miR‐337‐3p is downregulated to increase the expression of Potassium channel tetramerization domain containing 11 (KCTD11) and subsequently promote apoptosis. Here, we demonstrate for the first time that KCTD11 plays a role in the cellular response to hypoxia, and we also provide a possible regulatory mechanism by identifying the axis of miR‐337‐3p/KCTD11 as a promising candidate modulator of nerve cell survival after H/R exposure.
Interaction between p21‐activated kinase 4 and β‐catenin as a novel pathway for PTH‐dependent osteoblast activation
Authors: Shen Chen , Oh Ha Ram , Park Young Ran , Chen Jin Hong , Park Byung‐Hyun , Park Ji Hyun 
Published: March 2024

AbstractParathyroid hormone (PTH) serves dual roles in bone metabolism, exhibiting both anabolic and catabolic effects. The anabolic properties of PTH have been utilized in the treatment of osteoporosis with proven efficacy in preventing fractures. Despite these benefits, PTH can be administered therapeutically for up to 2 years, and its use in patients with underlying malignancies remains a subject of ongoing debate. These considerations underscore the need for a more comprehensive understanding of the underlying mechanisms. p21‐activated kinase 4 (PAK4) is involved in bone resorption and cancer‐associated osteolysis; however, its role in osteoblast function and PTH action remains unknown. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to clarify the role of PAK4 in osteoblast function and its effects on PTH‐induced anabolic activity. PAK4 enhanced MC3T3‐E1 osteoblast viability and proliferation and upregulated cyclin D1 expression. PAK4 also augmented osteoblast differentiation, as indicated by increased mineralization found by alkaline phosphatase and Alizarin Red staining. Treatment with PTH (1–34), an active PTH fragment, stimulated PAK4 expression and phosphorylation in a protein kinase A‐dependent manner. In addition, bone morphogenetic protein‐2 (which is known to promote bone formation) increased phosphorylated PAK4 (p‐PAK4) and PAK4 levels. PAK4 regulated the expression of both phosphorylated and total β‐catenin, which are critical for osteoblast proliferation and differentiation. Moreover, p‐PAK4 directly interacted with β‐catenin, and disruption of β‐catenin's binding to T‐cell factor impaired PAK4‐ and PTH‐induced osteoblast differentiation. Our findings elucidate the effect of PAK4 on enhancing bone formation in osteoblasts and its pivotal role in the anabolic activity of PTH mediated through its interaction with β‐catenin. These insights improve the understanding of the mechanisms underlying PTH activity and should inform the development of more effective and safer osteoporosis treatments.
Daptomycin Dose Optimization in Pediatric Staphylococcus aureus Bacteremia: A Pharmacokinetic/Pharmacodynamic Investigation
Authors: Olney Katie B. , Howard Joel I. , Burgess David S. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractDaptomycin is an antibiotic with Gram‐positive activity, including methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus, for which optimal pediatric dosing is unknown. This study aimed to evaluate daptomycin exposures achieved with package label dosing and to identify dosing regimens necessary to enhance efficacy and minimize toxicity in children with S. aureus bacteremia. Monte Carlo simulations were performed to determine probability of target attainment (PTA) for six pediatric age cohorts. Area under the curve to minimum inhibitory concentration ratio (AUC0‐24:MIC) ≥666 was used to determine the PTA for efficacy (PTAE). Minimum concentration (Cmin) ≥24.3 mg/L determined the PTA for toxicity (PTAT). Acceptable dosing regimens were those which achieved the combined target of ≥90% PTAE and ≤5% PTAT. Package label dosing of daptomycin yielded insufficient efficacy with only 26.3% PTAE in children 13‐24 months, 39.5% PTAE in children 2‐6 years, 30.1% PTAE in children 7‐11 years, and 50.1% PTAE in adolescents ≥12 years. To achieve the combined efficacy and safety target, doses of 18‐24 mg/kg in children 3‐12 months, 20‐24 mg/kg in children 13‐24 months, 19‐24 mg/kg in children 2‐6 years, 17‐19 mg/kg in children 7‐11 years, and 10‐14 mg/kg in adolescents ≥12 years are necessary. Package label dosing resulted in suboptimal exposure for the majority of pediatric patients in all age groups evaluated. If targeting validated efficacy and safety endpoints, daily daptomycin doses of at least 20 mg/kg in children ≤6 years, 17 mg/kg in children 7‐11 years, and 10 mg/kg in adolescents ≥12 years are necessary. Clinical studies evaluating these higher doses are needed.