bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Experimental study and optimal design of UHPC T‐shaped beam
Authors: Deng Shuwen , Huang Zhiming , Yan Banfu , Shen Lian , Huang Zheng , Wang Yi 
Published: March 2024

AbstractIn this paper, the ordinary reinforced UHPC T‐shaped beam, steel plate reinforced UHPC T‐shaped beam and prestressed UHPC T‐shaped beam were compared by conducting the flexure test. The vertical displacement, crack development, strain change, and crack resistance were discussed. The steel plate reinforced UHPC T‐shaped beam shown better cracking resistance and mechanical properties. Based on the research, the multi‐scale finite element model of the steel plate reinforced UHPC T‐shaped beam was established, and the influence parameters were analyzed. The beam height, steel plate thickness and web thickness shown great influence on the ultimate bearing capacity of the beam. The bearing capacity calculation formulas of the steel plate reinforced UHPC T‐shaped beam based on the plastic strengthening model of the steel were proposed. The calculation results shown good agreement with the test value.
Electrocatalytic synthesis of C–N coupling compounds from CO2 and nitrogenous species
Authors: Zhang Zheng , Li Danyang , Tu Yunchuan , Deng Jiao , Bi Huiting , Yao Yongchao , Wang Yan , Li Tingshuai , Luo Yongsong , Sun Shengjun , Zheng Dongdong , Carabineiro Sónia A. C. , Chen Zhou , Zhu Junjiang , Sun Xuping 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThe electrocatalytic synthesis of C–N coupling compounds from CO2 and nitrogenous species not only offers an effective avenue to achieve carbon neutrality and reduce environmental pollution, but also establishes a route to synthesize valuable chemicals, such as urea, amide, and amine. This innovative approach expands the application range and product categories beyond simple carbonaceous species in electrocatalytic CO2 reduction, which is becoming a rapidly advancing field. This review summarizes the research progress in electrocatalytic urea synthesis, using N2, NO2−, and NO3− as nitrogenous species, and explores emerging trends in the electrosynthesis of amide and amine from CO2 and nitrogen species. Additionally, the future opportunities in this field are highlighted, including electrosynthesis of amino acids and other compounds containing C–N bonds, anodic C–N coupling reactions beyond water oxidation, and the catalytic mechanism of corresponding reactions. This critical review also captures the insights aimed at accelerating the development of electrochemical C–N coupling reactions, confirming the superiority of this electrochemical method over the traditional techniques.
Research on the interfacial bonding performance of novel composite L‐shaped concrete‐filled steel tubes
Authors: Bai Ying‐hua , Xin Hao , Xie Bo , Shen Kang , Yan Yan 
Published: March 2024

SummaryThis study aims to investigate the bonding performance of novel composite specially shaped concrete‐filled steel tubes (CFSTs). Seven novel composite L‐shaped CFST specimens were designed utilizing variations in steel tube wall thickness, steel tube length, and concrete strength as the primary parameters. Their failure modes, load–slip relationships, and longitudinal strain distribution patterns were examined through push‐out tests. Additionally, finite element models of the members were established using nonlinear spring elements based on the experimental data and subjected to numerical analysis. The research findings indicate that the ultimate bond strength of the composite L‐shaped CFSTs is positively correlated with steel tube wall thickness, steel tube length, and concrete strength. The strain distributions on the concave and convex faces of the L‐shaped steel tubes are identical. The results obtained from the finite element analysis closely match the experimental findings.
Masculinized discourses of STEM interest, performance, and competence that shape university STEM students' recognition of a “STEM person”
Authors: Cian Heidi , Dou Remy 
Published: March 2024

AbstractHow individuals come to perceive themselves in STEM is predicated on their understanding of what it means to be a member of the STEM community. This association is consequential when considering the perpetuation of white male ownership of STEM knowledge and power that forces learners identifying with groups systemically marginalized by racial and gender discrimination to adopt particular norms, values, and behaviors to gain recognition. In effect, these expectations help to maintain masculinized Discourses as STEM professionals are encultured to apply the same recognition criteria to which they were judged themselves. We examine how these Discourses are maintained even as learners who identify with groups that carry histories of systemic marginalization by racist, sexist, and elitist practices gain access to STEM communities. Specifically, we explore how university STEM students attending a Hispanic Serving Institution in the United States articulate gendered expectations of STEM membership through their characterization of themselves and others as (not) STEM people. Drawing from theories in Discourse, social identity, and feminist critiques of science, we describe how students implicitly recognize STEM identity in gendered ways. We discuss how our findings illuminate the mechanisms by which STEM recognition is afforded by pointing to its dependence on masculinized displays of STEM performances, competence, and interests, leading to a cycle of marginalization as learners are encultured to perpetuate existing STEM Discourses in their recognition of others. We discuss research implications for measurements of STEM identity that do not account for gendered Discourses and offer practical implications for the design of learning experiences that co‐opt existing Discourses to inoculate gendered perceptions of a STEM person prototype. Lastly, we present a case for elevating the role of maternal caregivers and family immigration histories in STEM identity construction.
Exploration of immune cell heterogeneity by single‐cell RNA sequencing and identification of secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor as an oncogene in pancreatic cancer
Authors: Ai Bolun , Liang Yicheng , Yan Tao , Lei Yangyang 
Published: March 2024

AbstractClinical outcomes remain unsatisfactory in patients with pancreatic cancer (PAC). In this study, through single‐cell sequencing, we identified eight cell subpopulations in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Redimensional clustering of epithelial cells, myeloid cells, and cancer‐associated fibroblasts (CAFs) revealed heterogeneity in the TME of PAC. Intercellular communication analysis showed strong direct interactions between matrix CAFs, inflammatory CAFs, and epithelial cells. Additionally, we found that the SPP1‐associated pathway was activated in monocytes, whereas the vascular endothelial growth factor‐associated pathway was activated in epithelial cells. These results improve the understanding of the TME of pancreatic cancer and provide a foundation for further studies on intratumoral heterogeneity. In addition, differentially expressed gene secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI) was identified in pancreatic cancer, and functional experiments showed that SLPI had a strong impact on cell viability and apoptosis, which offers a potential therapy target for pancreatic cancer.
First‐trimester screening identifies maternal cardiac maladaptation in midgestation
Authors: Charakida M. , Gibbone E. , Huluta I. , Syngelaki A. , Wright A. , Nicolaides K. H. 
Published: March 2024

ABSTRACTObjectiveWe have previously established that a logistic regression model, based on maternal demographic characteristics and blood pressure measured at 11–13 weeks' gestation, can identify about 70% of women who develop future chronic hypertension (CH) in the 3 years following pregnancy, at a screen‐positive rate of 10%. Furthermore, in midgestation, women who subsequently develop hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) have increased peripheral vascular resistance and mild cardiac functional and morphological alterations and these cardiovascular abnormalities persist for at least 2 years after delivery. In this study, we set out to examine whether use of the first‐trimester risk model for subsequent development of CH can help to identify women at high risk for cardiovascular maladaptation in midgestation.MethodsThis was a prospective observational study of 3812 women with singleton pregnancy attending for a routine hospital visit at 11 + 0 to 13 + 6 weeks' gestation and again at 19 + 1 to 23 + 3 weeks at King's College Hospital, London, UK, between December 2019 and August 2020. The first‐trimester visit included recording of maternal demographic characteristics and medical history and measurement of systolic and diastolic blood pressure. In midgestation, detailed maternal cardiovascular assessment was carried out. The association between risk for development of CH, determined from first‐trimester assessment, and cardiovascular indices in midgestation was examined.ResultsWomen who were at high risk for development of future CH, compared to those at low risk, had a higher incidence of HDP. In addition, high‐risk women had reduced systolic and diastolic function in midgestation. Among women with HDP, those who were at high risk for future CH, compared to those at low risk, had worse cardiac function in midgestation.ConclusionsUse of a model for first‐trimester prediction of subsequent development of CH can identify women who show evidence of cardiac maladaptation in midgestation. Further studies are needed to clarify whether women who screen as high risk for future CH, compared to those at low risk, have reduced cardiac function beyond pregnancy. © 2024 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Development of a Model for the Application of the Circular Economy in Hotels and Restaurants Through the ‘Customer Journey Map’
Authors: Sánchez-Planelles Joaquín , Trujillo-Adriá Yolanda , Ribes-Giner Gabriela 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThis chapter explores the different activities associated with the use of food and hotel services—represented as the contact points of a customer journey map—to establish what type of circular practices could implement the stakeholders throughout the process—specifically, those that lead to more circular business models that integrate the seven Rs (redesign, reduce, reuse, renovate/repair, re-store/remanufacture, recover/return, and recycle) to achieve more efficient and sustainable performance. From the booking process to the evaluation of customer satisfaction, the interactions of hotels or restaurants with suppliers from different economic sectors determine a variety of activities in their value chain that create synergies, improve circularity and add value to the tourism sector through the implementation of sustainable practices or the acquisition of sustainable products and services. Based on the literature, reports and lessons learned in the sector through specific focus groups previously conducted by the research team, the proposed model can help hotel and restaurant managers to take steps towards the circular economy.
Artificial Intelligence in the Public Sector in Norway:
Authors: Corneliussen Hilde G. , Seddighi Gilda , Iqbal Aisha , Andersen Rudolf 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThis paper presents a study of the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the Norwegian public sector. The study focused particularly on projects involving personal data, which adds a risk of discriminating against individuals and social groups. The study included a survey of 200 public sector organizations and 19 interviews with representatives for AI projects involving personal data. The findings suggest that AI development in the public sector is still immature, and few projects involving personal data have reached the stage of production. Political pressure to use AI in the sector is significant. Limited knowledge and focus on AI development among managements has made individuals and units with the resources and interest in experimenting with AI an important driving force. The study found that the journey from idea to production of AI in the public sector presents many challenges, which often leads to projects being temporarily halted or terminated. While AI can contribute to the streamlining and improvement of public services, it also involves risks and challenges, including the risk of producing incorrect or discriminatory results affecting individuals and groups when personal data is involved. The risk of discrimination was, however, not a significant concern in the public sector AI projects. Instead, other concepts such as ethics, fairness, and transparency took precedence in most of the project surveyed here.
Patient Self-reports for Explainable Machine Learning Predictions of Risks to Psychotherapy Outcomes
Authors: Westbye Hans Jacob , McAleavey Andrew A. , Moltu Christian 
Published: March 2024

AbstractPrioritizing the right patients and providing personalized treatment in a timely manner is crucial to improve access to healthcare. In psychotherapy, at least 1 in 3 patients drop out of treatment, with therapeutic alliance among the common predictors. Recommendations to safeguard retention include strengthening the patient-therapist bond through developing shared goals and checking in on progress and treatment path. Using a sample of 11,095 mental health patients from the USA, we used machine learning to develop a clinical support tool for treatment personalization. A gradient-boosted decision tree was trained on patient-reported data to establish global and individual predictions/predictors for early treatment dropout, treatment length, and symptom outcomes conditional on different treatment lengths in out-of-sample patients. The models demonstrated marginal to moderate improvements in performance versus baseline predictions. The resulting decision support tool could assist in the collaborative selection of treatment goals, appropriate treatment intensity, and optimal allocation of resources. Results are discussed in the context of explainable AI emphasizing interpretability in a clinical context.
C=Anything and the switchback effect in Schwarzschild-de Sitter space
Authors: Aguilar-Gutierrez Sergio E. 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
We investigate observables within the framework of the codimension-one C=Anything (CAny) proposal for Schwarzschild-de Sitter (SdS) space under the influence of shockwave sources. Within the proposal, there is a set of time-reversal invariant observables that display the same rate of growth at early and late times for a background with or without shockwave sources. Once we introduce shockwaves in the weak gravitational coupling regime, there is a decrease in the late-time complexity growth due to cancellations with early-time perturbations, known as the switchback effect. The result shows that some CAny observables in SdS may reproduce the same type of behavior found in anti-de Sitter black holes. We comment on how our results might guide us to new explorations in the putative quantum mechanical theory.
On the particle picture of Emergence
Authors: Hattab Jarod , Palti Eran 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
The Emergence Proposal is the idea that all kinetic terms for fields in quantum gravity are emergent in the infrared from integrating out towers of states. It predicts that in a supersymmetric string theory context, the tree-level prepotential terms can be recovered precisely by integrating out a tower of non-perturbative states. In this note we present a new perspective, and associated quantitative evidence, for this proposal. We argue that the tree-level kinetic terms arise from integrating out the ultraviolet physics of each of the states in the tower. This ultraviolet physics is associated to extended objects, and cannot be captured by a standard particle Schwinger integral. Instead, we argue that it should be captured by a Schwinger-like integral where the proper time is analytically continued, and a contour is taken around the origin. This maps to certain integral representations for the moduli space periods, and indeed one recovers the tree-level prepotential exactly. This interpretation suggests that the ultraviolet physics which gives the leading contribution to the prepotential is localised on point intersections of the extended objects. We also argue that over special loci in moduli space there can exist a particle picture of the states, and an associated simple particle Schwinger integral, which leads to the full tree-level prepotential. These are loci with special degenerations, such as the singular limit of the resolved conifold.
CircAKT3 alleviates postoperative cognitive dysfunction by stabilizing the feedback cycle of miR-106a-5p/HDAC4/MEF2C axis in hippocampi of aged mice
Authors: Wang Xuan , Tang Xiaole , Zhu Pengfei , Hua Dongyu , Xie Zheng , Guo Mingke , Que Mengxin , Yan Jing , Li Xing , Xia Qian , Luo Xiaoxiao , Bi Jiangjiang , Zhao Yilin , Zhou Zhiqiang , Li Shiyong , Luo Ailin 
Published: March 2024

AbstractCircular RNAs (circRNAs) have garnered significant attention in the field of neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer’s diseases due to their covalently closed loop structure. However, the involvement of circRNAs in postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is still largely unexplored. To identify the genes differentially expressed between non-POCD (NPOCD) and POCD mice, we conducted the whole transcriptome sequencing initially in this study. According to the expression profiles, we observed that circAKT3 was associated with hippocampal neuronal apoptosis in POCD mice. Moreover, we found that circAKT3 overexpression reduced apoptosis of hippocampal neurons and alleviated POCD. Subsequently, through bioinformatics analysis, our data showed that circAKT3 overexpression in vitro and in vivo elevated the abundance of miR-106a-5p significantly, resulting in a decrease of HDAC4 protein and an increase of MEF2C protein. Additionally, this effect of circAKT3 was blocked by miR-106a-5p inhibitor. Interestingly, MEF2C could activate the transcription of miR-106a-5p promoter and form a positive feedback loop. Therefore, our findings revealed more potential modulation ways between circRNA-miRNA and miRNA-mRNA, providing different directions and targets for preclinical studies of POCD.
PEBP4 deficiency aggravates LPS-induced acute lung injury and alveolar fluid clearance impairment via modulating PI3K/AKT signaling pathway
Authors: Shi Qiao-qing , Huang Yong-hong , Li Yu-fei , Zhen Shuang-yan , Li Yan-hong , Huang Jia-yi , Wang Jia-yang , Zhou Xiao-yan 
Published: March 2024

AbstractAcute lung injury (ALI) is a common clinical syndrome, which often results in pulmonary edema and respiratory distress. It has been recently reported that phosphatidylethanolamine binding protein 4 (PEBP4), a basic cytoplasmic protein, has anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective effects, but its relationship with ALI remains undefined so far. In this study, we generated PEBP4 knockout (KO) mice to investigate the potential function of PEBP4, as well as to evaluate the capacity of alveolar fluid clearance (AFC) and the activity of phosphatidylinositide 3-kinases (PI3K)/serine-theronine protein kinase B (PKB, also known as AKT) signaling pathway in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ALI mice models. We found that PEBP4 deficiency exacerbated lung pathological damage and edema, and increased the wet/dry weight ratio and total protein concentration of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) in LPS-treated mice. Meanwhile, PEBP4 KO promoted an LPS-induced rise in the pulmonary myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, serum interleuin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α levels, and pulmonary cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression. Mechanically, PEBP4 deletion further reduced the protein expression of Na+ transport markers, including epithelial sodium channel (ENaC)-α, ENaC-γ, Na,K-ATPase α1, and Na,K-ATPase β1, and strengthened the inhibition of PI3K/AKT signaling in LPS-challenged mice. Furthermore, we demonstrated that selective activation of PI3K/AKT with 740YP or SC79 partially reversed all of the above effects caused by PEBP4 KO in LPS-treated mice. Altogether, our results indicated the PEBP4 deletion has a deterioration effect on LPS-induced ALI by impairing the capacity of AFC, which may be achieved through modulating the PI3K/AKT pathway.
The Janus-faced functions of Apolipoproteins L in membrane dynamics
Authors: Pays Etienne 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThe functions of human Apolipoproteins L (APOLs) are poorly understood, but involve diverse activities like lysis of bloodstream trypanosomes and intracellular bacteria, modulation of viral infection and induction of apoptosis, autophagy, and chronic kidney disease. Based on recent work, I propose that the basic function of APOLs is the control of membrane dynamics, at least in the Golgi and mitochondrion. Together with neuronal calcium sensor-1 (NCS1) and calneuron-1 (CALN1), APOL3 controls the activity of phosphatidylinositol-4-kinase-IIIB (PI4KB), involved in both Golgi and mitochondrion membrane fission. Whereas secreted APOL1 induces African trypanosome lysis through membrane permeabilization of the parasite mitochondrion, intracellular APOL1 conditions non-muscular myosin-2A (NM2A)-mediated transfer of PI4KB and APOL3 from the Golgi to the mitochondrion under conditions interfering with PI4KB-APOL3 interaction, such as APOL1 C-terminal variant expression or virus-induced inflammatory signalling. APOL3 controls mitophagy through complementary interactions with the membrane fission factor PI4KB and the membrane fusion factor vesicle-associated membrane protein-8 (VAMP8). In mice, the basic APOL1 and APOL3 activities could be exerted by mAPOL9 and mAPOL8, respectively. Perspectives regarding the mechanism and treatment of APOL1-related kidney disease are discussed, as well as speculations on additional APOLs functions, such as APOL6 involvement in adipocyte membrane dynamics through interaction with myosin-10 (MYH10).
Ecological and environmental characteristics of a seagrass-dominated hypersaline coastal Mediterranean lagoon: a multidisciplinary approach
Authors: Ramfos A. , Alysandratou A. , Katsani O. , Faulwetter S. , Nikolakopoulos K. , Avramidis P. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractIn the present paper, sedimentological, water physicochemical data and biological benthic assemblages are compiled to provide an integrated environmental assessment of a protected shallow Mediterranean lagoon with a long history of management interventions (Klisova Lagoon, Western Greece). Satellite remote sensing techniques were used for mapping the seagrass Cymodocea nodosa (Ucria) Asch, which presents an extensive expansion in the study area. The results showed that Klisova is a hypersaline, well-oxygenated lagoon presenting changes in temperature, salinity, pH and dissolved oxygen over the course of 1 year, but largely lacks any spatial differentiation other than an east–west gradient in salinity in spring and summer. Sediment was classified as silty sand to silt, rich in total organic carbon (TOC), total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP). The benthic community was characterised by a high species richness and the presence of marine species, without a clear spatial pattern. The multivariate-AZTI’s marine biotic index (M-AMBI) showed that the ecological quality of the macrobenthos was good in most stations. C. nodosa covered over 70% of the lagoon area and formed meadows even in the eastern part of the lagoon where salinity during spring and summer was close to the reported upper tolerance limit of the species (> 50). The present multidisciplinary approach provides valuable baseline information on various components of the ecosystem which can be used as a basis for management bodies and future conservation plans for the lagoon.