bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Nuclear Level Density in the X(888, 274) System
Authors: Bevelacqua Joseph 
Published: April 2024

Bevelacqua Resources, 7531 Flint Crossing Circle SE, Owens Cross Roads, AL 35763 USA Bevelresou@aol.com

Level densities for the X(788, 274) system are calculated using a single particle methodology incorporating the Rost interaction and pairing interaction of Blomqvist and Wahlborn. Energy level fluctuations are smoothed utilizing the constant temperature, power law, and equidistant model functional forms. The constant temperature relationship is used to model the density and total number of energy levels. The total number of levels is also compared with the predictions of the power law and equidistant models. Systematics of level densities for theoretical superheavy nuclei are discussed.

Key Words: Nuclear Level Density, Single Particle Model, Constant Temperature Model, Power Law Model, Equidistant Model, Superheavy Nuclei.
PENGARUH BAURAN PEMASARAN JASA TERHADAP KEPUTUSAN PESERTA DIDIK MEMILIH BELAJAR DI LEMBAGA PENDIDIKAN WEARNES EDUCATION CENTER BALI
Authors: Susila Putu , Handoko Yunus , Agustina Tin 
Published: April 2024

Penerimaan peserta didik baru Wearnes Education Center Bali mulai tahun 2017-2021 mengalami penurunan. Tidak tercapainya target peserta didik di Wearnes Education Center Bali tidak terlepas dari strategi bauran pemasaran jasa sebab bauran pemasaran jasa memiliki pengaruh yang kuat terhadap keberhasilan suatu organisasi, karena strategi bauran pemasaran jasa memiliki keterkaitan terhadap kebijakan strategi pemasaran. Selain itu ada beberapa faktor eksternal yang menyebabkan terjadinya penuruan jumlah peserta didik yaitu pandemi covid 19 yang melanda dunia tidak terkecuali dunia pendidikan, terjadinya pergeseran minat peserta didik untuk melanjutkan pendidikan ke program profesi satu tahun. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis pengaruh bauran pemasaran jasa yang meliputi Produk, Harga, Tempat, Promosi, Orang, Proses dan Bukti Fisik terhadap keputusan peserta didik untuk memilih belajar di Wearnes Education Center Bali. Metode penelitian ini adalah deskriptif kuantitatif dengan jumlah populasi sebanyak 138 peserta didik aktif tahun akademik 2021-2022. Jumlah sampel sebanyak 60 orang. Teknik pengumpulan data dengan penyebaran kuesioner. Analisis data menggunakan analisis statistik deskriptif, uji asumsi klasik, analisis regresi linier berganda, uji t, uji F, dan koefisien determinasi (R2). Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa (1) Produk, Promosi, dan Bukti Fisik berpengaruh positif dan signifikan terhadap keputusan peserta didik memilih belajar di Wearnes Education Center Bali, (2) Harga, Tempat, Orang, dan Proses tidak berpengaruh positif dan tidak signifikan terhadap keputusan peserta didik memilih belajar di Wearnes Education Center Bali, (3) Produk, harga, tempat, promosi, orang, proses, dan bukti fisik secara simultan berpengaruh positif dan signifikan terhadap keputusan peserta didik memilih belajar di Wearnes Education Center Bali.
Attentional Biases to Social and Health Threat Words in Individuals With and Without High Social Anxiety or Depression
Authors: Roberts Karen E. , Hart Trevor , Eastwood John D. 
Published: April 2024

<p>Relative and absolute attentional biases in response times and error rates to social and health threat words were investigated in a sample of female undergraduates with high and low social anxiety (<em>n</em> = 63; mean age = 20.22) and high and low depression (<em>n</em> = 63; mean age = 20.30). A dot-probe paradigm measured attention to (1) social threat versus neutral words, (2) social threat versus health threat words, and (3) health threat versus neutral words. Participants with low social anxiety displayed an absolute bias in response times but not error rates away from social threat words. In contrast, participants with high social anxiety displayed an absolute bias in error rates but not response times toward social threat words. Findings suggest that attention toward social threat may not be unique to social anxiety, and that individuals with high social anxiety may lack a protective bias away from social threat.</p>
BayesAge: A maximum likelihood algorithm to predict epigenetic age
Authors: Mboning Lajoyce , Rubbi Liudmilla , Thompson Michael , Bouchard Louis-S. , Pellegrini Matteo 
Published: April 2024

Introduction: DNA methylation, specifically the formation of 5-methylcytosine at the C5 position of cytosine, undergoes reproducible changes as organisms age, establishing it as a significant biomarker in aging studies. Epigenetic clocks, which integrate methylation patterns to predict age, often employ linear models based on penalized regression, yet they encounter challenges in handling missing data, count-based bisulfite sequence data, and interpretation.Methods: To address these limitations, we introduce BayesAge, an extension of the scAge methodology originally designed for single-cell DNA methylation analysis. BayesAge employs maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) for age inference, models count data using binomial distributions, and incorporates LOWESS smoothing to capture non-linear methylation-age dynamics. This approach is tailored for bulk bisulfite sequencing datasets.Results: BayesAge demonstrates superior performance compared to scAge. Notably, its age residuals exhibit no age association, offering a less biased representation of epigenetic age variation across populations. Furthermore, BayesAge facilitates the estimation of error bounds on age inference. When applied to down-sampled data, BayesAge achieves a higher coefficient of determination between predicted and actual ages compared to both scAge and penalized regression.Discussion: BayesAge presents a promising advancement in epigenetic age prediction, addressing key challenges encountered by existing models. By integrating robust statistical techniques and tailored methodologies for count-based data, BayesAge offers improved accuracy and interpretability in predicting age from bulk bisulfite sequencing datasets. Its ability to estimate error bounds enhances the reliability of age inference, thereby contributing to a more comprehensive understanding of epigenetic aging processes.
The association between perceived cause of glaucoma and illness perceptions
Authors: Choe Eunice , Poleon Shervonne , Thomas Tracy , Racette Lyne 
Published: April 2024

PurposeThe perceived cause of disease is an important factor that has been linked with treatment outcomes but has not been fully assessed in primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). This study assessed the accuracy of patients’ perceived cause of POAG and identified associations between accuracy, illness perceptions, medication adherence, and quality of life (QoL).MethodsThe Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (BIPQ) was used to assess illness perceptions and asked patients to rank the three most important causes of their disease in order of importance. POAG risk factors recognized by the American Academy of Ophthalmology were used to code responses as accurate or inaccurate based on the following three methods: (1) coding any reported cause, regardless of rank, (2) coding only the first-ranked cause, and (3) coding and weighting all reported causes. Medication adherence was measured electronically. QoL was measured using the Glaucoma Quality of Life questionnaire. Mann–Whitney U test was used to detect differences in illness perceptions, medication adherence, and QoL between accuracy groups.ResultsA total of 97 patients identified a cause of their POAG and were included in this analysis. A higher proportion of patients reported an accurate cause (86.6% using method 1, 78.4% using method 2, and 79.4% using method 3; all p &lt; 0.001). Mean medication adherence was 86.0% ± 17.8 and was similar across accuracy groups (all p &gt; 0.05). Using method 2 (p = 0.045) and method 3 (p = 0.028), patients who reported an accurate cause of their POAG believed that their illness would last for a longer time compared to patients who reported an inaccurate cause. Method 3 also revealed that patients who reported an accurate cause of their POAG had lower perceived understanding of their illness (p = 0.048) compared to patients who reported an inaccurate cause. There were no differences in QoL between accuracy groups (all p &gt; 0.05).ConclusionThis study highlights the association between perceived cause of POAG and illness perceptions related to knowledge level and POAG duration. Future studies should assess associations between perceived cause of disease and other critical dimensions of illness perception.
Whole-genome analysis suggesting probiotic potential and safety properties of Pediococcus pentosaceus DSPZPP1, a promising LAB strain isolated from traditional fermented sausages of the Basilicata region (Southern Italy)
Authors: Tathode Madhura S. , Bonomo Maria Grazia , Zappavigna Silvia , Mang Stefania Mirela , Bocchetti Marco , Camele Ippolito , Caraglia Michele , Salzano Giovanni 
Published: April 2024

IntroductionMany lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains are currently gaining attention in the food industry and various biological applications because of their harmless and functional properties. Given the growing consumer demand for safe food, further research into potential probiotic bacteria is beneficial. Therefore, we aimed to characterize Pediococcus pentosaceus DSPZPP1, a LAB strain isolated from traditional fermented sausages from the Basilicata region of Southern Italy.MethodsIn this study, we analyzed the whole genome of the P. pentosaceus DSPZPP1 strain and performed in silico characterization to evaluate its applicability for probiotics and use in the food industry.Results and DiscussionThe whole-genome assembly and functional annotations revealed many interesting characteristics of the DSPZPP1 strain. Sequencing raw reads were assembled into a draft genome of size 1,891,398 bp, with a G + C content of 37.3%. Functional annotation identified 1930 protein-encoding genes and 58 RNAs including tRNA, tmRNA, and 16S, 23S, and 5S rRNAs. The analysis shows the presence of genes that encode water-soluble B-group vitamins such as biotin, folate, coenzyme A, and riboflavin. Furthermore, the analysis revealed that the DSPZPP1 strain can synthesize class II bacteriocin, penocin A, adding importance to the food industry for bio-enriched food. The DSPZPP1 genome does not show the presence of plasmids, and no genes associated with antimicrobial resistance and virulence were found. In addition, two intact bacteriophages were identified. Importantly, the lowest probability value in pathogenicity analysis indicates that this strain is non-pathogenic to humans. 16 s rRNA-based phylogenetic analysis and comparative analysis based on ANI and Tetra reveal that the DSPZPP1 strain shares the closest evolutionary relationship with P. pentosaceus DSM 20336 and other Pediococcus strains. Analysis of carbohydrate active enzymes (CAZymes) identified glycosyl transferases (GT) as a main class of enzymes followed by glycoside hydrolases (GH). Our study shows several interesting characteristics of the isolated DSPZPP1 strain from fermented Italian sausages, suggesting its potential use as a promising probiotic candidate and making it more appropriate for selection as a future additive in biopreservation.
Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of death from hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome: a meta-analysis
Authors: Lu Wei , Kuang Lin , Hu Yuxing , Shi Jialing , Li Qi , Tian Wen 
Published: April 2024

IntroductionHemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) is an acute infectious disease comprising five stages: fever, hypotension, oliguria, diuresis (polyuria), and convalescence. Increased vascular permeability, coagulopathy, and renal injury are typical clinical features of HFRS, which has a case fatality rate of 1–15%. Despite this, a comprehensive meta-analyses of the clinical characteristics of patients who died from HFRS is lacking.MethodsEleven Chinese- and English-language research databases were searched, including the China National Knowledge Infrastructure Database, Wanfang Database, SinoMed, VIP Database, PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Proquest, and Ovid, up to October 5, 2023. The search focused on clinical features of patients who died from HFRS. The extracted data were analyzed using STATA 14.0.ResultsA total of 37 articles on 140,295 patients with laboratory–confirmed HFRS were included. Categorizing patients into those who died and those who survived, it was found that patients who died were older and more likely to smoke, have hypertension, and have diabetes. Significant differences were also observed in the clinical manifestations of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome, shock, occurrence of overlapping disease courses, cerebral edema, cerebral hemorrhage, toxic encephalopathy, convulsions, arrhythmias, heart failure, dyspnea, acute respiratory distress syndrome, pulmonary infection, liver damage, gastrointestinal bleeding, acute kidney injury, and urine protein levels. Compared to patients who survived, those who died were more likely to demonstrate elevated leukocyte count; decreased platelet count; increased lactate dehydrogenase, alanine aminotransferase, and aspartate aminotransferase levels; prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time and prothrombin time; and low albumin and chloride levels and were more likely to use continuous renal therapy. Interestingly, patients who died received less dialysis and had shorter average length of hospital stay than those who survived.ConclusionOlder patients and those with histories of smoking, hypertension, diabetes, central nervous system damage, heart damage, liver damage, kidney damage, or multiorgan dysfunction were at a high risk of death. The results can be used to assess patients’ clinical presentations and assist with prognostication.Systematic review registration:https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, (CRD42023454553).
5-HT4 receptor agonists treatment reduces tau pathology and behavioral deficit in the PS19 mouse model of tauopathy
Authors: Jiang Shan , Sydney Eric J. , Runyan Avery M. , Serpe Rossana , Srikanth Malavika , Figueroa Helen Y. , Yang Mu , Myeku Natura 
Published: April 2024

BackgroundAccumulation of tau in synapses in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) has been shown to cause synaptic damage, synaptic loss, and the spread of tau pathology through trans-synaptically connected neurons. Moreover, synaptic loss correlates with a decline in cognitive function, providing an opportunity to investigate therapeutic strategies to target synapses and synaptic tau to rescue or prevent cognitive decline in AD. One of the promising synaptic targets is the 5-HT4 serotonergic receptor present postsynaptically in the brain structures involved in the memory processes. 5-HT4R stimulation exerts synaptogenic and pro-cognitive effects involving synapse-to-nucleus signaling essential for synaptic plasticity. However, it is not known whether 5-HT4R activation has a therapeutic effect on tau pathology.MethodsThe goal of this study was to investigate the impact of chronic stimulation of 5-HT4R by two agonists, prucalopride and RS-67333, in PS19 mice, a model of tauopathy. We utilized gradient assays to isolate pre- and post-synaptic compartments, followed by biochemical analyses for tau species and ubiquitinated proteins in the synaptic compartments and total brain tissue. Next, we performed kinetic assays to test the proteasome’s hydrolysis capacity in treatment conditions. Moreover, behavioral tests such as the open field and non-maternal nest-building tests were used to evaluate anxiety-like behaviors and hippocampal-related cognitive functioning in the treatment paradigm.ResultsOur results show that 5-HT4R agonism reduced tauopathy, reduced synaptic tau, increased proteasome activity, and improved cognitive functioning in PS19 mice. Our data suggest that enhanced proteasome activity by synaptic mediated signaling leads to the enhanced turnover of tau initially within synapses where the receptors are localized, and over time, the treatment attenuated the accumulation of tau aggregation and improved cognitive functioning of the PS19 mice.ConclusionTherefore, stimulation of 5-HT4R offers a promising therapy to rescue synapses from the accumulation of toxic synaptic tau, evident in the early stages of AD.
Combination therapy of Epidermal Growth Factor and Growth Hormone-Releasing Hexapeptide in acute ischemic stroke: a phase I/II non-blinded, randomized clinical trial
Authors: Hernández-Bernal Francisco , Estenoz-García Donner , Gutiérrez-Ronquillo Juan H. , Martín-Bauta Yenima , Catasús-Álvarez Karen , Gutiérrez-Castillo Mario , Guevara-Rodríguez Marbelys , Castro-Jeréz Aliuska , Fuentes-González Yoandra , Pinto-Cruz Yulemis , Valenzuela-Silva Carmen , Muzio-González Verena L. , Pérez-Saad Héctor , Subirós-Martínez Nelvys , Guillén-Nieto Gerardo E. , Garcia-del-Barco-Herrera Diana 
Published: April 2024

ObjectiveThis study tested the hypothesis that a neuroprotective combined therapy based on epidermal growth factor (EGF) and growth hormone-releasing hexapeptide (GHRP6) could be safe for acute ischemic stroke patients, admitting up to 30% of serious adverse events (SAE) with proven causality.MethodsA multi-centric, randomized, open-label, controlled, phase I-II clinical trial with parallel groups was conducted (July 2017 to January 2018). Patients aged 18–80 years with a computed tomography-confirmed ischemic stroke and less than 12 h from the onset of symptoms were randomly assigned to the study groups I (75 μg rEGF + 3.5 mg GHRP6 i.v., n=10), II (75 μg rEGF + 5 mg GHRP6 i.v., n=10), or III (standard care control, n=16). Combined therapy was given BID for 7 days. The primary endpoint was safety over 6 months. Secondary endpoints included neurological (NIHSS) and functional [Barthel index and modified Rankin scale (mRS)] outcomes.ResultsThe study population had a mean age of 66 ± 11 years, with 21 men (58.3%), a baseline median NIHSS score of 9 (95% CI: 8–11), and a mean time to treatment of 7.3 ± 2.8 h. Analyses were conducted on an intention-to-treat basis. SAEs were reported in 9 of 16 (56.2%) patients in the control group, 3 of 10 (30%) patients in Group I (odds ratio (OR): 0.33; 95% CI: 0.06–1.78), and 2 of 10 (20%) patients in Group II (OR: 0.19; 95% CI: 0.03–1.22); only two events in one patient in Group I were attributed to the intervention treatment. Compliance with the study hypothesis was greater than 0.90 in each group. Patients treated with EGF + GHRP6 had a favorable neurological and functional evolution at both 90 and 180 days, as evidenced by the inferential analysis of NIHSS, Barthel, and mRS and by their moderate to strong effect size. At 6 months, proportion analysis evidenced a higher survival rate for patients treated with the combined therapy. Ancillary analysis including merged treated groups and utility-weighted mRS also showed a benefit of this combined therapy.ConclusionEGF + GHRP6 therapy was safe. The functional benefits of treatment in this study supported a Phase III study.Clinical Trial RegistrationRPCEC00000214 of the Cuban Public Registry of Clinical Trials, Unique identifier: IG/CIGB-845I/IC/1601.
Psychophysiological evaluation of the Smartick method in children with reading and mathematical difficulties
Authors: Corona-González César E. , Ramos-Flores Moramay , Alonso-Valerdi Luz María , Ibarra-Zarate David I. , Issa-Garcia Victor 
Published: April 2024

IntroductionAssistive technologies for learning are aimed at promoting academic skills, such as reading and mathematics. These technologies mainly embrace mobile and web apps addressed to children with learning difficulties. Nevertheless, most applications lack pedagogical foundation. Additionally, the task of selecting suitable technology for educational purposes becomes challenging. Hence, this protocol posits the psychophysiological assessment of an online method for learning (OML) named Smartick. This platform comprises reading and math activities for learning training. In this protocol, individual monitoring of each child is proposed to determine the progress in learning caused by Smartick.Methods and analysisOne hundred and twelve children aged between 8 and 12 who present reading or math difficulty after a rigorous psychometric evaluation will be recruited. The study comprises four sessions. In sessions 1 and 2, collective and individual psychometric evaluations will be performed, respectively. Reading and mathematical proficiency will be assessed, as well as attentional levels and intellectual quotient. Subsequently, each child will be semi-randomly assigned to either the experimental or control groups. Afterward, a first EEG will be collected for all children in session 3. Then, experimental groups will use Smartick for 3 months, in addition to their traditional learning method. In contrast, control groups will only continue with their traditional learning method. Finally, session 4 will consist of performing a second psychometric evaluation and another EEG, so that psychophysiological parameters can be encountered that indicate learning improvements due to the OML, regardless of the traditional learning method at hand.DiscussionCurrently, few studies have validated learning improvement due to assistive technologies for learning. However, this proposal presents a psychophysiological evaluation addressed to children with reading or math difficulties who will be trained with an OML.
Differential modulation of resting-state functional connectivity between amygdala and precuneus after acute physical exertion of varying intensity: indications for a role in affective regulation
Authors: Lohaus Marvin , Maurer Angelika , Upadhyay Neeraj , Daamen Marcel , Bodensohn Luisa , Werkhausen Judith , Manunzio Christian , Manunzio Ursula , Radbruch Alexander , Attenberger Ulrike , Boecker Henning 
Published: April 2024

IntroductionPhysical activity influences psychological well-being. This study aimed to determine the impact of exercise intensity on psychological well-being and alterations in emotion-related brain functional connectivity (FC).MethodsTwenty young, healthy, trained athletes performed a low- and high-intensity interval exercise (LIIE and HIIE) as well as a control condition in a within-subject crossover design. Before and after each condition, Positive And Negative Affect Scale (PANAS) was assessed as well as resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI). Voxel-wise FC was examined for bilateral amygdala seed region to whole-brain and emotion-related anatomical regions (e.g., insula, temporal pole, precuneus). Data analyses were performed using linear mixed-effect models with fixed factors condition and time.ResultsThe PANAS Positive Affect scale showed a significant increase after LIIE and HIIE and a significant reduction in Negative Affect after the control condition. In rs-fMRI, no significant condition-by-time interactions were observed between the amygdala and whole brain. Amygdala-precuneus FC analysis showed an interaction effect, suggesting reduced post-exercise anticorrelation after the control condition, but stable, or even slightly enhanced anticorrelation for the exercise conditions, especially HIIE.DiscussionIn conclusion, both LIIE and HIIE had positive effects on mood and concomitant effects on amygdala-precuneus FC, particularly after HIIE. Although no significant correlations were found between amygdala-precuneus FC and PANAS, results should be discussed in the context of affective disorders in whom abnormal amygdala-precuneus FC has been observed.