bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Multi‐ethnic variation in the ties that bind rumination and heart rate variability: Implications for health disparities
Authors: Pourmand Vida , Akinyemi Adebisi A. , Galeana Beatriz Lopez , Watanabe Darcianne K. , Hill LaBarron K. , Wiley Cameron R. , Brosschot Jos F. , Thayer Julian F. , Williams DeWayne P. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractHigher self‐reported rumination, a common form of trait perseverative cognition, is linked with lower resting heart rate variability (HRV), which indicates poorer cardiac function and greater disease risk. A meta‐analysis and systematic review indicated that in samples with fewer European Americans, the association of rumination with both heart rate and blood pressure was stronger. Thus, trait rumination may be more strongly associated with resting HRV among ethnically minoritized populations. The current study investigated whether differences in the association of self‐reported rumination with resting HRV varied by ethnicity in a sample (N = 513; Mage = 19.41; 226 Women) of self‐identified African Americans (n = 110), Asian Americans (n = 84), and European Americans (n = 319). Participants completed a five‐minute baseline period to assess resting HRV, followed by the Ruminative Responses Scale, which contains three facets of rumination including brooding, depressive, and reflective rumination. On average, Asian Americans reported higher levels of rumination relative to European Americans. African Americans had higher resting HRV than Asian Americans. Adjusting for covariates, higher self‐reported rumination was significantly associated with lower resting HRV in both African and Asian Americans, but not significantly so in European Americans. This finding was consistent for brooding and reflective, but not depressive rumination. Overall, this study lends insight into a psychological mechanism—rumination—that may impact health disparities among ethnically minoritized individuals, contributing to an understanding of how stress gets under the skin among such minoritized populations.
Heterogenization‐Activated Zinc Telluride via Rectifying Interfacial Contact to Afford Synergistic Confinement‐Adsorption‐Catalysis for High‐Performance Lithium−Sulfur Batteries
Authors: Tian Kangdong , Wei Chuanliang , Wang Zhengran , Li Yuan , Xi Baojuan , Xiong Shenglin , Feng Jinkui 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThe notorious shuttle effect and sluggish conversion kinetics of intermediate polysulfides (Li2S4, Li2S6, Li2S8) are severely hindered the large‐scale development of Lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries. Rectifying interface effect has been a solution to regulate the electron distribution of catalysts via interfacial charge exchange. Herein, a ZnTe−ZnO heterojunction encapsulated in nitrogen‐doped hierarchical porous carbon (ZnTe‐O@NC) derived from metal–organic framework is fabricated. Theoretical calculations and experiments prove that the built‐in electric field constructed at ZnTe−ZnO heterojunction via the rectifying interface contact, thus promoting the charge transfer as well as enhancing adsorption and conversion kinetics toward polysulfides, thereby stimulating the catalytic activity of the ZnTe. Meanwhile, the nitrogen‐doped hierarchical porous carbon acts as confinement substrate also enables fast electrons/ions transport, combining with ZnTe−ZnO heterojunction realize a synergistic confinement‐adsorption‐catalysis toward polysulfides. As a result, the Li–S batteries with S/ZnTe‐O@NC electrodes exhibit an impressive rate capability (639.7 mAh g−1 at 3 C) and cycling performance (70% capacity retention at 1 C over 500 cycles). Even with a high sulfur loading, it still delivers a superior electrochemical performance. This work provides a novel perspective on designing highly catalytic materials to achieve synergistic confinement‐adsorption‐catalysis for high‐performance Li−S batteries.
Revisiting complex dynamic systems theory: Empowering language teachers and teaching
Authors: Stelma Juup , Kostoulas Achilleas 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThis article revisits complex dynamic systems theory (CDST) and provides a new synthesis that, the authors argue, may empower language teachers. The particular focus is on the interplay between change and stability in complex dynamic systems, including language teaching and learning. The article identifies four key dynamical properties of complex dynamic systems, which reflect change, stability, and the interplay between these two. The dynamical properties are historicity, adaptiveness, nonlinearity, and emergence. The authors associate these dynamic properties with four recognisable types of activity: normative, contingent, creative, and purposeful teaching and learning. The central argument is that language teaching and learning are interconnected, and language teaching that promotes these four types of teaching and learning activity may also promote opportunities for language learning. The authors conclude with a discussion of how teachers may use this CDST perspective to reflect on three aspects of their professional context—teaching, language, and agency—and how such reflection, followed by action, may promote opportunities for language learning in their contexts.
Grape seed proanthocyanidin extract alleviates inflammation in experimental colitis mice by inhibiting NF‐κB signaling pathway
Authors: Chu Lei , Zhang Shaoru , Wu Weidong , Gong Yuqing , Chen Zhenshi , Wen Yanting , Wang Yong , Wang Lihui 
Published: January 2024

AbstractUlcerative colitis (UC) is a complex inflammatory disease of colorectum that induces abnormal immune responses and severely affects the quality of life of the patients. Grape seed proanthocyanidin extract (GSPE) exerts anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant functions in many inflammatory diseases. The objective of this study was to investigate the potential therapeutic effects and underlying mechanisms of GSPE in UC using a dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)‐induced mouse UC model and a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐stimulated RAW264.7 macrophage model. In this study, we found that the GSPE markedly prevented DSS‐induced weight loss and colon length shortening in UC mice. Further investigations showed that GSPE significantly attenuated the expression of pro‐inflammatory cytokines TNF‐α, IL‐6, and IL‐1β, and elevated the expression of anti‐inflammatory cytokine IL‐10 in the colon tissues and serum of DSS‐induced colitis mice by suppressing NF‐κB signaling pathway. Furthermore, LPS‐induced inflammation in RAW264.7 cells was also reversed by GSPE. Taken together, our results confirm that GSPE can ameliorate inflammatory response in experimental colitis via inhibiting NF‐κB signaling pathway. This study advances the research progress on a potentially effective therapeutic strategy for inflammatory bowel diseases.
Suppression of long noncoding RNA SNHG6 alleviates cigarette smoke‐induced lung inflammation by modulating NF‐κB signaling
Authors: Yang Junxia , Yuan Yaping , Wang Linxuan , Deng Guoping , Huang Jiaru , Liu Yuan , Gu Wenchao 
Published: January 2024

AbstractBackgroundChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a widespread inflammatory disease with a high mortality rate. Long noncoding RNAs play important roles in pulmonary diseases and are potential targets for inflammation intervention.MethodsThe expression of small nucleolar RNA host gene 6 (SNHG6) in mouse lung epithelial cell line MLE12 with or without cigarette smoke extract (CSE) treatment was first detected using quantitative reverse‐transcription PCR. ELISA was used to evaluate the release of inflammatory cytokines (TNF‐α, IL‐1β, and IL‐6). The binding site of miR‐182‐5p with SNHG6 was predicted by using miRanda, which was verified by double luciferase reporter assay.ResultsHere, we revealed that SNHG6 was upregulated in CS‐exposed MLE12 alveolar epithelial cells and lungs from COPD‐model mice. SNHG6 silencing weakened CS‐induced inflammation in MLE12 cells and mouse lungs. Mechanistic investigations revealed that SNHG6 could upregulate IκBα kinase through sponging the microRNA miR‐182‐5p, followed by activated NF‐κB signaling. The suppressive effects of SNHG6 silencing on CS‐induced inflammation were blocked by an miR‐182‐5p inhibitor.ConclusionOverall, our findings suggested that SNHG6 regulates CS‐induced inflammation in COPD by activating NF‐κB signaling, thereby offering a novel potential target for COPD treatment.
Melatonin alleviates ischemic stroke by inhibiting ferroptosis through the CYP1B1/ACSL4 pathway
Authors: Sun Yu , Jin Haiyan , He Jia , Lai Jinyu , Lin Hao , Liu Xiangyu 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThis study utilized middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) mouse models and HT‐22 cell oxygen and glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) models to investigate the therapeutic effects of melatonin on ischemic brain injury. In the experiments, MCAO mice were treated with 5 and 10 mg/kg doses of melatonin, and H‐T22 cells underwent OGD/R treatment and were administered different concentrations of melatonin. The results showed that melatonin significantly reduced ischemic brain area, neural damage, cerebral edema, and neuronal apoptosis in MCAO mice. In the HT‐22 cell model, melatonin also improved cell proliferation ability, reduced apoptosis, and ROS production. Further mechanistic studies found that melatonin exerts protective effects by inhibiting ferroptosis, an iron‐dependent form of regulated cell death, through regulation of the ACSL4/CYP1B1 pathway. In MCAO mice, melatonin decreased lipid peroxidation, ROS production, and ACSL4 protein expression. Overexpression of CYP1B1 increased ACSL4 ubiquitination and degradation, thereby increasing cell tolerance to ferroptosis, reducing ACSL4 protein levels, and decreasing ROS production. CYP1B1 knockdown obtained opposite results. The CYP1B1 metabolite 20‐HETE induces expression of the E3 ubiquitin ligase FBXO10 by activating PKC signaling, which promotes ACSL4 degradation. In the OGD/R cell model, inhibition of CYP1B1 expression reversed the therapeutic effects of melatonin. In summary, this study demonstrates that melatonin protects the brain from ischemic injury by inhibiting ferroptosis through regulation of the ACSL4/CYP1B1 pathway, providing evidence for new therapeutic targets for ischemic brain injury.
Obesity and harmful alcohol consumption are predictors for advanced liver disease in the disease management program for type 2 diabetes
Authors: Michel Maurice , Doll Michelle , Albert Nastasia , Morgenstern Marc , Behr Andreas , Maxeiner Stefan , Labenz Christian , Galle Peter R. , Schattenberg Jörn M. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractBackgroundType 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a major risk factor for advanced liver disease. The aim of this prospective cohort study was to assess the prevalence and associated risk factors of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis in primary care centers participating in the diabetes disease management program (DMP) in Germany.MethodsA total of 175 participants with the diagnosis of T2DM were enrolled in two primary care centers. Steatotic liver disease (SLD; hepatic steatosis, ≥275 dB/m), fibrosis (≥8 kPa), and cirrhosis (≥15 kPa) were assessed non‐invasively using vibration‐controlled transient elastography. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify clinical predictors of fibrosis and cirrhosis. The AUDIT questionnaire was used to screen for alcohol consumption, and a score ≥8 was considered harmful alcohol consumption.ResultsThe majority of participants were male (62%), and the median age was 66 years (interquartile range 59; 71). The median body mass index was 31.1 kg/m2, with 58.9% of the participants being obese. Harmful alcohol consumption was prevalent in 8.0% and 20.0% of the entire cohort and in those with cirrhosis, respectively. The prevalence of SLD, fibrosis, and cirrhosis was 77.1%, 42.3%, and 12.0%, respectively. In multivariable logistic regression analysis, obesity, and harmful alcohol consumption were associated with the highest odds of fibrosis (odds ratio [OR] 5.198, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.269–11.908) and cirrhosis (OR 5.615, 95% CI 1.274–24.756), respectively.ConclusionThe prevalence of fibrosis and cirrhosis in patients seen in the diabetes DMP in Germany is high. Obesity and harmful alcohol consumption increase the risk of fibrosis and cirrhosis in people with T2DM. Screening for advanced liver disease and associated risk factors within the DMP program may reduce the liver disease burden in this high‐risk population.
Fetal cardiovascular changes during open and fetoscopic in‐utero spina bifida closure
Authors: Backley S. , Bergh E. P. , Garnett J. , Li R. , Maroufy V. , Jain R. , Fletcher S. , Tsao K. , Austin M. , Johnson A. , Papanna R. 
Published: January 2024

ABSTRACTObjectiveFetoscopic closure of spina bifida using heated and humidified carbon dioxide gas (hhCO2) has been associated with lower maternal morbidity compared with open closure. Fetal cardiovascular changes during these surgical interventions are poorly defined. Our objective was to compare fetal bradycardia (defined as fetal heart rate (FHR) < 110 bpm for 10 min) and changes in umbilical artery (UA) Doppler parameters during open vs fetoscopic closure.MethodsThis was a prospective cohort study of 22 open and 46 fetoscopic consecutive in‐utero closures conducted between 2019 and 2023. Both cohorts had similar preoperative counseling and clinical management. FHR and UA Doppler velocimetry were obtained systematically during preoperative assessment, every 5 min during the intraoperative period, and during the postoperative assessment. FHR, UA pulsatility index (PI) and UA end‐diastolic flow (EDF) were segmented into hourly periods during surgery, and the lowest values were averaged for analysis. Umbilical vein maximum velocity was measured in the fetoscopic cohort. At each timepoint at which FHR was recorded, maternal heart rate and systolic and diastolic blood pressure were measured.ResultsFetal bradycardia occurred in 4/22 (18.2%) cases of open closure and 21/46 (45.7%) cases of fetoscopic closure (P = 0.03). FHR decreased gradually in both cohorts after administration of general anesthesia and decreased further during surgery. FHR was significantly lower during hour 2 of surgery in the fetoscopic‐repair cohort compared with the open‐repair cohort. The change in FHR from baseline in the final stage of fetal surgery was significantly more pronounced in the fetoscopic‐repair cohort compared with the open‐repair cohort (mean, −32.4 (95% CI, −35.7 to −29.1) bpm vs −23.5 (95% CI, −28.1 to −18.8) bpm; P = 0.002). Abnormal UA‐EDF (defined as absent or reversed EDF) occurred in 3/22 (13.6%) cases in the open‐repair cohort and 23/46 (50.0%) cases in the fetoscopic‐repair cohort (P = 0.004). There were no differences in UA‐EDF or UA‐PI between closure techniques at the individual stages of assessment.ConclusionsWe observed a decrease in FHR and abnormalities in UA Doppler parameters during both open and fetoscopic spina bifida closure. Fetal bradycardia was more prominent during fetoscopic closure following hhCO2 insufflation, but FHR recovered after cessation of hhCO2. Changes in FHR and UA Doppler parameters during in‐utero spina bifida closure were transient, no cases required emergency delivery and no fetoscopic closure was converted to open closure. These observations should inform algorithms for the perioperative management of fetal bradycardia associated with in‐utero spina bifida closure. © 2024 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Super‐resolution ultrasound localization microscopy for the non‐invasive imaging of human testicular microcirculation and its differential diagnosis role in male infertility
Authors: Li Maoyao , Chen Lei , Yan Jipeng , Jayasena Channa Nalin , Liu Zhangshun , Li Jia , Li Ao , Zhu Jiang , Wang Ronghui , Li Jianchun , Zhang Chaoxue , Guo Jingyi , Zhao Yuwu , Feng Chao , Tang Mengxing , Zheng Yuanyi 
Published: January 2024

AbstractTesticular microcirculation is closely related to spermatogenic function and seminiferous tubular function. The diagnosis and monitoring of testicular diseases can be associated with testicular microcirculation; however, there are currently no effective non‐invasive methods for super‐resolution imaging of testicular microcirculation. In this study, we introduced state‐of‐the‐art graph‐based tracking with the Kalman motion model algorithm to non‐invasively image human testicular microcirculation for the first time with a regular frame‐rate clinical ultrasound imaging system (37 Hz). Two distinct testicular vessels with an 81 µm separation were resolved in the testicular vasculature, surpassing all other imaging modalities. In a retrospective study, we performed contrast‐enhanced ultrasound examinations(CEUS) and ultrasound localization microscopy (ULM) processing on the included 76 infertile patients and 15 healthy controls from August 2021 to May 2023 and obtained super‐resolution images of testicular microcirculation with sub‐diffraction resolution. Through the results of one‐way analysis of variance tests and receiver operating characteristic analyses, we found that the ULM‐based parameters hold promise as clinical guidance for differentiating between non‐obstructive and obstructive male infertility. The mean vessel diameter achieved an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.920 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.847–0.994, p < .001) with a cut‐off value of 170.9 µm in oligoasthenospermia, and an AUC of 0.952 (95% CI: 0.875–1.000, p < .001) with a cut‐off value of 169.9 µm in azoospermia patients, respectively, addressing a significant clinical challenge.
IPC‐based robust disturbance accommodating control for load mitigation and speed regulation of wind turbines
Authors: Kipchirchir Edwin , Söffker Dirk 
Published: January 2024

SummaryOver the past few decades, global demand for renewable energy has been rising steadily. To meet this demand, there has been an exponential growth in size of wind turbines (WTs) to capture more energy from wind. Consequent increase in weight and flexibility of WT components has led to increased structural loading, affecting reliability of these wind energy conversion systems. Spatio‐temporal variation of rotor effective wind field acts as a disturbance to a WT system, hence, necessitating controllers that can cancel this disturbance. Additionally, assumptions made in extracting linear models for controller design lead to modeling errors resulting from changing operating conditions. Previous attempts have proposed robust controllers incorporating wind disturbance models. However, these controllers have been evaluated on smaller WTs, which experience lower structural loading than larger ones. Additionally, a majority these controllers are based on collective pitch control (CPC), hence do not address loading in the blades. To address these challenges, this contribution proposes an independent pitch‐based robust disturbance accommodating controller (IPC‐RDAC) for reducing structural loads and regulating generator speed in utility‐scale WTs. The proposed controller is designed using
‐synthesis approach and is evaluated on the 5 MW National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) reference WT. Its performance is evaluated against a gain‐scheduled proportional integral (GSPI)‐based reference open‐source controller (ROSCO) and a CPC‐based RDAC (CPC‐RDAC) controller, developed previously by the authors. Simulation results for various wind conditions show that the proposed controller offers improved performance in blade and tower load mitigation, as well a generator speed regulation.
Response surface methodology optimization of the effect of pH, contact time, and microbial concentration on chemical oxygen removal potential of vegetable oil industrial effluents
Authors: Onadeji Abiodun , Sani Badruddeen Saulawa , Abubakar Umar Alfa 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThe vegetable oil refinery industry generates highly polluted effluents during oil production, necessitating proper treatment before discharge to prevent environmental hazards. Treating such wastewater has become a major environmental concern in developing countries. Chemical oxygen demand (COD) is a key parameter in assessing the wastewater's organic pollutant load. High COD levels can lead to reduced dissolved oxygen in water bodies, negatively affecting aquatic life. Various technologies have been employed to treat oily wastewater, but microbial degradation has gained attention due to its potential to remove organic pollutants efficiently. This study aims to optimize the biodegradation treatment process for vegetable oil industrial effluent using response surface methodology (RSM). The wastewater's physicochemical properties were characterized to achieve this, and COD removal was analyzed. Furthermore, RSM was used to investigate the combined effects of pH, contact duration, and microbial concentration on COD removal efficiency. The result showed that the microbial strain used recorded a maximum COD removal of 92%. Furthermore, a quadratic model was developed to predict COD removal based on the experimental variables. From the analysis of variance (ANOVA) analysis, the model was found to be significant at p < 0.0004 and accurately predicted COD removal rates within the experimental region, with an R2 value of 90.99% and adjusted R2 value of 82.89%. Contour plots and statistical analysis revealed the importance of contact duration and microbial concentration on COD removal.Practitioner Points

Response surface methodology (RSM) optimization achieved a significant chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiency of 92% in vegetable oil industrial effluents.
The study's success in optimizing COD removal using RSM highlights the potential for efficient and environmentally friendly wastewater treatment.
Practitioners can benefit from the identified factors (pH, contact time, and microbial concentration) to enhance the operation of treatment systems.
The developed predictive model offers a practical tool for plant operators and engineers to tailor wastewater treatment processes.
This research underscores the importance of sustainable practices in wastewater treatment, emphasizing the role of microbial degradation in addressing organic pollutant loads.
Optimally-Fair Multi-party Exchange Without Trusted Parties
Authors: Maffei Ivo , Roscoe A. W. 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
We present a multi-party exchange protocol that achieves optimal partial fairness even in the presence of a dishonest majority. We demonstrate how this protocol can be applied to any type of multi-party exchange scenario where the network topology is complete. When combined with standard secure multi-party computation techniques, our protocol enables SMPC with partial fairness when a dishonest majority is involved. Fairness optimality is proven in an abstract model which applies to all protocols based on the concept of concealing the point when the secrets are exchanged. Our protocol improves known results via the use of timed-release encryption and commutative blinding.