bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Mini Nutritional Assessment combined with body fat for detecting the risk of sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity in metabolic syndrome
Authors: Yen Chi-Hua , Lee Yi-Wen , Chang Wei-Jung , Lin Ping-Ting 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Malnutrition is a key factor in metabolic syndrome (MS) and sarcopenia, assessing the nutritional status of these patients is a pressing issue. The purpose of this study was to clarify sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity in patients with MS based on nutritional status. This was a case–control study between MS/non-MS. Body composition was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Muscle function was assessed by handgrip strength, five times sit-to-stand test, gait speed test and short physical performance battery (SPPB). The Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) was performed to assess the nutritional status in the participants in this study. Overall, a total of 56 % and 13 % of participants suffered from possible sarcopenia and sarcopenia, respectively. There was a higher rate of possible sarcopenic obesity in the MS group than in the non-MS group (48·9 % v. 24·7 %, P < 0·01), and all the sarcopenia participants in the MS group had sarcopenic obesity. MNA score was significantly associated with sarcopenia status (P < 0·01). The MNA combined with body fat score showed better acceptable discrimination for detecting sarcopenic obesity and sarcopenia in MS (AUC = 0·70, 95 % CI 0·53, 0·86). In summary, there was a higher prevalence of possible sarcopenic obesity in MS, and all the MS patients with sarcopenia had sarcopenic obesity in the present study. We suggest that the MNA should be combined with body fat percentage to assess the nutritional status of MS participants, and it also serves as a good indicator for sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity in MS.
Consanguinity in northwest Pakistan: evidence of temporal decline
Authors: Malik Sajid , Bibi Anisa , Farid Rubbiya , Khan Sidra , Awan Javaid , Rehman Atta Ur 
Published: February 2024

AbstractPakistan has a high burden of hereditary and congenital anomalies and their incidence rate almost doubles against the background of parental consanguinity. Consanguineous unions (CU) are customary in Pakistan and deeply rooted socio-cultural norms favour CU. This study aimed to elucidate the determinants and temporal change in CU in four northwestern populations of Pakistan. In a cross-sectional study, data on marital union types, bio-demographic factors, and paternal consanguinity were collected from 6,323 ever-married individuals in four districts of northwest Pakistan: Haripur, Muzaffarabad, Mansehra, and Shangla. We used descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression analysis. The CU were calculated to be 55%, and inbreeding coefficient F (ICF) was estimated to be 0.029. Eight factors, including district, rural origin, age of husband, occupational group of husband, literacy of husband, parental consanguinity, exchange marriage, and extended family type, were found to be significant predictors of consanguinity in the multivariable logistic regression analysis. The rate of consanguinity decreased significantly in the younger age categories of individuals. The rate of CU was seen to be declining over time and in marriages that started ‘before 1980’ and ‘after 2010’, respectively, and there was a decline in ICF from 0.030 to 0.027. These analyses also showed that the literacy rate improved, the average age at marriage increased, and the frequency of exchange marriages decreased over time. This study employs a sizable first-hand dataset to demonstrate a lowering CU rate in northwest Pakistan. It is anticipated that the burden of inherited and congenital anomalies may likely to diminish in the study populations along with the fall in ICF.
There are no shortcuts to theory
Authors: Devezer Berna 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Almaatouq et al. claim that the integrative experiment design can help “develop a reliable, cohesive, and cumulative theoretical understanding.” I will contest this claim by challenging three underlying assumptions about the nature of scientific theories. I propose that the integrative experiment design should be viewed as an exploratory framework rather than a means to build or evaluate theories.
Discovering the unknown unknowns of research cartography with high-throughput natural description
Authors: Katiyar Tanay , Bonnefon Jean-François , Mehr Samuel A. , Singh Manvir 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
To succeed, we posit that research cartography will require high-throughput natural description to identify unknown unknowns in a particular design space. High-throughput natural description, the systematic collection and annotation of representative corpora of real-world stimuli, faces logistical challenges, but these can be overcome by solutions that are deployed in the later stages of integrative experiment design.
Dimensional versus conceptual incommensurability in the social and behavioral sciences
Authors: Vaynberg Eugene , Hoffman Kate Nicole , Wallis Jacqueline Mae , Weisberg Michael 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
This commentary analyzes the extent to which the incommensurability problem can be resolved through the proposed alternative method of integrative experiment design. We suggest that, although one aspect of incommensurability is successfully addressed (dimensional incommensurability), the proposed design space method does not yet alleviate another major source of discontinuity, which we call conceptual incommensurability.
Getting lost in an infinite design space is no solution
Authors: Gollwitzer Mario , Prager Johannes 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Almaatouq et al. argue that an “integrative experiment design” approach can help generating cumulative empirical and theoretical knowledge. Here, we discuss the novelty of their approach and scrutinize its promises and pitfalls. We argue that setting up a “design space” may turn out to be theoretically uninformative, inefficient, and even impossible. Designing truly diagnostic experiments provides a better alternative.
Is generalization decay a fundamental law of psychology?
Authors: Mandel David R. 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Generalizations strengthen in traditional sciences, but in psychology (and social and behavioral sciences, more generally) they decay. This is usually viewed as a problem requiring solution. It could be viewed instead as a law-like phenomenon. Generalization decay cannot be squelched because human behavior is metastable and all behavioral data collected thus far have resulted from a thin sliver of human time.
Design and analysis of a wall-climbing robot with passive compliant mechanisms to adapt variable curvatures walls
Authors: Song Yifeng , Yang Zhenyu , Chang Yong , Yuan Hui , Lin Song 
Published: February 2024

AbstractMotivated by practical applications of inspection and maintenance, we have developed a wall-climbing robot with passive compliant mechanisms that can autonomously adapt to curved surfaces. At first, this paper presents two failure modes of the traditional wall-climbing robot on the variable curvature wall surface and further introduces the designed passive compliant wall-climbing robot in detail. Then, the motion mechanism of the passive compliant wall-climbing robot on the curved surface is analyzed from stable adsorption conditions, parameter design process, and force analysis. At last, a series of experiments have been carried out on load capability and curved surface adaptability based on a developed principle prototype. The experimental results indicated that the wall-climbing robot with passive compliant mechanisms can effectively promote both adsorption stability and adaptability to variable curvatures.
Measuring Subjective Inequality: Development and Validation of the Perceived Economic Inequality Scale (PEIS)
Authors: Valtorta Roberta Rosa , Vezzoli Michela , Mari Silvia , Durante Federica , Volpato Chiara 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
The main goal of the present research is to develop and validate the Perceived Economic Inequality Scale (PEIS), an instrument measuring individuals’ perceptions of economic inequality at the national level. The study was conducted on a representative sample of the Italian population (N = 1,446, 51% women). The factorial structure of the scale was assessed through cross-validated exploratory-confirmatory factor analyses. To inspect the PEIS psychometric properties, item and correlation analyses were performed. The results showed that the PEIS is a valid and reliable unidimensional measure of perceived economic inequality at the national level. Further support of the PEIS construct validity was provided by the correlation of the scale score with the perceived wage gap and ideological beliefs like the economic system justification, social dominance orientation, meritocratic beliefs, and participants’ political orientation. Crucially, multigroup confirmatory factor analysis supported configural, metric, and scalar invariances of the scale across socio-demographic groups. The PEIS allows researchers to assess the subjective component of economic inequality by also serving as a useful tool for unpacking the psychological correlates of perceived inequality.
Brain tissue- and cell type-specific eQTL Mendelian randomization reveals efficacy of FADS1 and FADS2 on cognitive function
Authors: Wu Xueyan , Jiang Lei , Qi Hongyan , Hu Chunyan , Jia Xiaojing , Lin Hong , Wang Shuangyuan , Lin Lin , Zhang Yifang , Zheng Ruizhi , Li Mian , Wang Tiange , Zhao Zhiyun , Xu Min , Xu Yu , Chen Yuhong , Zheng Jie , Bi Yufang , Lu Jieli 
Published: February 2024

AbstractEpidemiological studies suggested an association between omega-3 fatty acids and cognitive function. However, the causal role of the fatty acid desaturase (FADS) gene, which play a key role in regulating omega-3 fatty acids biosynthesis, on cognitive function is unclear. Hence, we used two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) to estimate the gene-specific causal effect of omega-3 fatty acids (N = 114,999) on cognitive function (N = 300,486). Tissue- and cell type-specific effects ofFADS1/FADS2expression on cognitive function were estimated using brain tissue cis-expression quantitative trait loci (cis-eQTL) datasets (GTEx,N ≤ 209; MetaBrain,N ≤ 8,613) and single cell cis-eQTL data (N = 373), respectively. These causal effects were further evaluated in whole blood cis-eQTL data (N ≤ 31,684). A series of sensitivity analyses were conducted to validate MR assumptions. Leave-one-out MR showed aFADSgene-specific effect of omega-3 fatty acids on cognitive function [β = −1.3 × 10−2, 95% confidence interval (CI) (−2.2 × 10−2, −5 × 10−3),P = 2 × 10−3]. Tissue-specific MR showed an effect of increasedFADS1expression in cerebellar hemisphere andFADS2expression in nucleus accumbens basal ganglia on maintaining cognitive function, while decreasedFADS1expression in nine brain tissues on maintaining cognitive function [colocalization probability (PP.H4) ranged from 71.7% to 100.0%]. Cell type-specific MR showed decreasedFADS1/FADS2expression in oligodendrocyte was associated with maintaining cognitive function (PP.H4 = 82.3%, respectively). IncreasedFADS1/FADS2expression in whole blood showed an effect on cognitive function maintenance (PP.H4 = 86.6% and 88.4%, respectively). This study revealed putative causal effect ofFADS1/FADS2expression in brain tissues and blood on cognitive function. These findings provided evidence to prioritizeFADSgene as potential target gene for maintenance of cognitive function.
Engineering stringent genetic biocontainment of yeast with a protein stability switch
Authors: Hoffmann Stefan A. , Cai Yizhi 
Published: February 2024

AbstractSynthetic biology holds immense promise to tackle key problems in resource use, environmental remediation, and human health care. However, comprehensive safety measures are lacking to employ engineered microorganisms in open-environment applications. Genetically encoded biocontainment systems may solve this issue. Here, we describe such a system based on conditional stability of essential proteins. We used a destabilizing domain degron stabilized by estradiol addition (ERdd). We ERdd-tagged 775 essential genes and screened for strains with estradiol dependent growth. Three genes, SPC110, DIS3 and RRP46, were found to be particularly suitable targets. Respective strains showed no growth defect in the presence of estradiol and strong growth inhibition in its absence. SPC110-ERdd offered the most stringent containment, with an escape frequency of <5×10−7. Removal of its C-terminal domain decreased the escape frequency further to <10−8. Being based on conditional protein stability, the presented approach is mechanistically orthogonal to previously reported genetic biocontainment systems.
Protein structure generation via folding diffusion
Authors: Wu Kevin E. , Yang Kevin K. , van den Berg Rianne , Alamdari Sarah , Zou James Y. , Lu Alex X. , Amini Ava P. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThe ability to computationally generate novel yet physically foldable protein structures could lead to new biological discoveries and new treatments targeting yet incurable diseases. Despite recent advances in protein structure prediction, directly generating diverse, novel protein structures from neural networks remains difficult. In this work, we present a diffusion-based generative model that generates protein backbone structures via a procedure inspired by the natural folding process. We describe a protein backbone structure as a sequence of angles capturing the relative orientation of the constituent backbone atoms, and generate structures by denoising from a random, unfolded state towards a stable folded structure. Not only does this mirror how proteins natively twist into energetically favorable conformations, the inherent shift and rotational invariance of this representation crucially alleviates the need for more complex equivariant networks. We train a denoising diffusion probabilistic model with a simple transformer backbone and demonstrate that our resulting model unconditionally generates highly realistic protein structures with complexity and structural patterns akin to those of naturally-occurring proteins. As a useful resource, we release an open-source codebase and trained models for protein structure diffusion.
Deceptive orbital confinement at edges and pores of carbon-based 1D and 2D nanoarchitectures
Authors: Piquero-Zulaica Ignacio , Corral-Rascón Eduardo , Diaz de Cerio Xabier , Riss Alexander , Yang Biao , Garcia-Lekue Aran , Kher-Elden Mohammad A. , Abd El-Fattah Zakaria M. , Nobusue Shunpei , Kojima Takahiro , Seufert Knud , Sakaguchi Hiroshi , Auwärter Willi , Barth Johannes V. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThe electronic structure defines the properties of graphene-based nanomaterials. Scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy (STM/STS) experiments on graphene nanoribbons (GNRs), nanographenes, and nanoporous graphene (NPG) often determine an apparent electronic orbital confinement into the edges and nanopores, leading to dubious interpretations such as image potential states or super-atom molecular orbitals. We show that these measurements are subject to a wave function decay into the vacuum that masks the undisturbed electronic orbital shape. We use Au(111)-supported semiconducting gulf-type GNRs and NPGs as model systems fostering frontier orbitals that appear confined along the edges and nanopores in STS measurements. DFT calculations confirm that these states originate from valence and conduction bands. The deceptive electronic orbital confinement observed is caused by a loss of Fourier components, corresponding to states of high momentum. This effect can be generalized to other 1D and 2D carbon-based nanoarchitectures and is important for their use in catalysis and sensing applications.
Effects of climate and environmental heterogeneity on the phylogenetic structure of regional angiosperm floras worldwide
Authors: Qian Hong , Qian Shenhua , Zhang Jian , Kessler Michael 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThe tendency of species to retain ancestral ecological distributions (phylogenetic niche conservatism) is thought to influence which species from a species pool can persist in a particular environment. Thus, investigating the relationships between measures of phylogenetic structure and environmental variables at a global scale can help understand the variation in species richness and phylogenetic structure in biological assemblages across the world. Here, we analyze a comprehensive data set including 341,846 species in 391 angiosperm floras worldwide to explore the relationships between measures of phylogenetic structure and environmental variables for angiosperms in regional floras across the world and for each of individual continental (biogeographic) regions. We find that the global phylogenetic structure of angiosperms shows clear and meaningful relationships with environmental factors. Current climatic variables have the highest predictive power, especially on phylogenetic metrics reflecting recent evolutionary relationships that are also related to current environmental heterogeneity, presumably because this favors plant speciation in various ways. We also find evidence that past climatic conditions, and particularly refugial conditions, play an important role in determining the phylogenetic structure of regional floras. The relationships between environmental conditions and phylogenetic metrics differ between continents, reflecting the different evolutionary histories of their floras.
A monoclonal antibody targeting a large surface of the receptor binding motif shows pan-neutralizing SARS-CoV-2 activity
Authors: de Campos-Mata Leire , Trinité Benjamin , Modrego Andrea , Tejedor Vaquero Sonia , Pradenas Edwards , Pons-Grífols Anna , Rodrigo Melero Natalia , Carlero Diego , Marfil Silvia , Santiago César , Raïch-Regué Dàlia , Bueno-Carrasco María Teresa , Tarrés-Freixas Ferran , Abancó Ferran , Urrea Victor , Izquierdo-Useros Nuria , Riveira-Muñoz Eva , Ballana Ester , Pérez Mónica , Vergara-Alert Júlia , Segalés Joaquim , Carolis Carlo , Arranz Rocío , Blanco Julià , Magri Giuliana 
Published: February 2024

AbstractHere we report the characterization of 17T2, a SARS-CoV-2 pan-neutralizing human monoclonal antibody isolated from a COVID-19 convalescent individual infected during the first pandemic wave. 17T2 is a class 1 VH1-58/κ3-20 antibody, derived from a receptor binding domain (RBD)-specific IgA+ memory B cell, with a broad neutralizing activity against former and new SARS-CoV-2 variants, including XBB.1.16 and BA.2.86 Omicron subvariants. Consistently, 17T2 demonstrates in vivo prophylactic and therapeutic activity against Omicron BA.1.1 infection in K18-hACE2 mice. Cryo-electron microscopy reconstruction shows that 17T2 binds the BA.1 spike with the RBD in “up” position and blocks the receptor binding motif, as other structurally similar antibodies do, including S2E12. Yet, unlike S2E12, 17T2 retains its neutralizing activity against all variants tested, probably due to a larger RBD contact area. These results highlight the impact of small structural antibody changes on neutralizing performance and identify 17T2 as a potential candidate for future clinical interventions.
Microtubules provide force to promote membrane uncoating in vacuolar escape for a cyto-invasive bacterial pathogen
Authors: Chang Yuen-Yan , Valenzuela Camila , Lensen Arthur , Lopez-Montero Noelia , Sidik Saima , Salogiannis John , Enninga Jost , Rohde John 
Published: February 2024

AbstractIntracellular bacterial pathogens gain entry to mammalian cells inside a vacuole derived from the host membrane. Some of them escape the bacteria-containing vacuole (BCV) and colonize the cytosol. Bacteria replicating within BCVs coopt the microtubule network to position it within infected cells, whereas the role of microtubules for cyto-invasive pathogens remains obscure. Here, we show that the microtubule motor cytoplasmic dynein-1 and specific activating adaptors are hijacked by the enterobacterium Shigella flexneri. These host proteins were found on infection-associated macropinosomes (IAMs) formed during Shigella internalization. We identified Rab8 and Rab13 as mediators of dynein recruitment and discovered that the Shigella effector protein IpaH7.8 promotes Rab13 retention on moving BCV membrane remnants, thereby facilitating membrane uncoating of the Shigella-containing vacuole. Moreover, the efficient unpeeling of BCV remnants contributes to a successful intercellular spread. Taken together, our work demonstrates how a bacterial pathogen subverts the intracellular transport machinery to secure a cytosolic niche.
Reconfigurable droplet networks
Authors: Sun Shuyi , Li Shuailong , Feng Weixiao , Luo Jiaqiu , Russell Thomas P. , Shi Shaowei 
Published: February 2024

AbstractDroplet networks stabilized by lipid interfacial bilayers or colloidal particles have been extensively investigated in recent years and are of great interest for compartmentalized reactions and biological functions. However, current design strategies are disadvantaged by complex preparations and limited droplet size. Here, by using the assembly and jamming of cucurbit[8]uril surfactants at the oil-water interface, we show a novel means of preparing droplet networks that are multi-responsive, reconfigurable, and internally connected over macroscopic distances. Openings between the droplets enable the exchange of matter, affording a platform for chemical reactions and material synthesis. Our work requires only a manual compression to construct complex patterns of droplet networks, underscoring the simplicity of this strategy and the range of potential applications.
CDK6 inhibits de novo lipogenesis in white adipose tissues but not in the liver
Authors: Hu Alexander J. , Li Wei , Dinh Calvin , Zhang Yongzhao , Hu Jamie K. , Daniele Stefano G. , Hou Xiaoli , Yang Zixuan , Asara John M. , Hu Guo-fu , Farmer Stephen R. , Hu Miaofen G. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractIncreased de novo lipogenesis (DNL) in white adipose tissue is associated with insulin sensitivity. Under both Normal-Chow-Diet and High-Fat-Diet, mice expressing a kinase inactive Cyclin-dependent kinase 6 (Cdk6) allele (K43M) display an increase in DNL in visceral white adipose tissues (VAT) as compared to wild type mice (WT), accompanied by markedly increased lipogenic transcriptional factor Carbohydrate-responsive element-binding proteins (CHREBP) and lipogenic enzymes in VAT but not in the liver. Treatment of WT mice under HFD with a CDK6 inhibitor recapitulates the phenotypes observed in K43M mice. Mechanistically, CDK6 phosphorylates AMP-activated protein kinase, leading to phosphorylation and inactivation of acetyl-CoA carboxylase, a key enzyme in DNL. CDK6 also phosphorylates CHREBP thus preventing its entry into the nucleus. Ablation of runt related transcription factor 1 in K43M mature adipocytes reverses most of the phenotypes observed in K43M mice. These results demonstrate a role of CDK6 in DNL and a strategy to alleviate metabolic syndromes.