bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Of mice, men, and ethics: literary study and moral concern for nonhuman animals
Authors: Collin Ross 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
This article explores the philosopher Alice Crary’s ideas about ethics, literature, and nonhuman animals. Through studying certain works of literature, Crary writes, readers can see aspects of animals’ moral characteristics that are difficult to perceive outside of literary study. To illustrate and extend Crary’s argument, the article presents a reading of John Steinbeck’s (1937/1993) Of Mice and Men, a novella that is taught frequently in secondary schools and that has been re-evaluated by critics as offering insights into social inequality and animal welfare. Drawing upon and adapting Crary’s work, which does not address questions of pedagogy, the article describes forms of instruction that enable students reading Of Mice and Men and other works of literature to explore the moral lives of animals. Thus, a key contribution of this project is its explanation of how educators can use philosophy to open pedagogy to new ways of seeing and assessing animals’ moral characteristics.
Streptomyces griseoincarnatus strain RB7AG promotes Oryza sativa (var. swarna) growth under salt stress: mechanisms and potential applications
Authors: Behera Subhransu Sekhar , Nivedita Suchismita , Behera Pratyush Kumar , Parwez Zahra , Giri Seemon , Parida Sourav Ranjan , Ray Lopamudra 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
The plant growth promoters (PGP) are the natural fertilizers that enhance the overall growth of the plant. We defined Streptomyces strain RB7AG as a potential halotolerant growth promoter and assessed its impact on rice plants' performance under salt stress. The organism was able to thrive at concentrations up to 10% of NaCl (w/v), optimal at 6% as measured by their cell growth, viability, and secondary metabolite production. Under salt stress, isolates were viable and generated Indolic chemicals and siderophores. The bacterized plants found to accumulate higher level of proline and antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalases (CAT) that are subjected to salt stress, particularly those treated with Streptomyces strain RB7AG, which helps the plants to thrive in the adverse condition. The Streptomyces-treated plants were also found to have increased roots and shoots length, implying a systemic tolerance mechanism. The strain’s formulations were created utilizing five organic and inorganic wastes as the carrier medium, and the shelf life of the propagules was also tracked. Vermicompost and vermiculite formulations were found to have the highest viable bacteria after 3 months of storage period.
Imaging with a gravitational lens: the geometric view
Authors: Toth Viktor T 
Published: October 2023

ABSTRACT
We investigate imaging point sources with a monopole gravitational lens, such as the Solar Gravitational Lens in the geometric optics limit. We compute the light amplification of the lens used in conjunction with a telescope featuring a circular aperture that is placed in the focal region of the lens, compared to the amount of light collected by the same telescope unaided by a gravitational lens. We recover an averaged point spread function that is in robust agreement with a wave-theoretical description of the lens, and can be used in practical calculations or simulations.
Solar flares and active regions in the Hale sector boundary in Solar Cycle 24
Authors: Liu Claire L , Zhao Junwei 
Published: October 2023

ABSTRACT
Solar eruptions, such as flares and coronal mass ejections, have serious impacts on the Earth’s environment and human activity. Predicting the eruptions and therefore avoiding their damages is a main goal in the research community. Heliospheric current sheet (HCS), the boundary dividing the positive and negative magnetic fields that open up to the interplanetary space, is believed to be related with solar eruptions. The HCS consists of two types of boundaries: the Hale boundary and the non-Hale boundary, and the former is suggested in previous studies to be the region producing most of the solar flares. In this work, we explore relationships between Hale boundary, flares, and property of active regions (ARs). The HCS is determined from the magnetic field in the heliosphere calculated from the observed photospheric magnetic field using a potential field source surface model. We have analysed 8075 flares of C-class and above and 1652 ARs in the period from May 2010 to May 2019 in Solar Cycle 24. The following results are obtained: (1) 5957 flares ($74\pm 1~{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$) and 1212 ARs ($73\pm 2~{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$) are in the HCS; (2) among them, 70 per cent ($\pm 1~{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$) flares and 57 per cent ($\pm 3~{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$) ARs are in the Hale boundary; and (3) big ARs tend to emerge in the Hale boundary. We conclude that the HCS is related tightly to solar activity, and the Hale boundary is a region favoured to produce flares and to host large ARs.
Matrine and Oxymatrine: evaluating the gene mutation potential using in silico tools and the bacterial reverse mutation assay (Ames test)
Authors: Fischer Benjamin Christian , Musengi Yemurai , König Jeannette , Sachse Benjamin , Hessel-Pras Stefanie , Schäfer Bernd , Kneuer Carsten , Herrmann Kristin 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
The quinolizidine alkaloids matrine and its N-oxide oxymatrine occur in plants of the genus Sophora. Recently, matrine was sporadically detected in liquorice products. Morphological similarity of the liquorice plant Glycyrrhiza glabra with Sophora species and resulting confusion during harvesting may explain this contamination, but use of matrine as pesticide has also been reported. The detection of matrine in liquorice products raised concern as some studies suggested a genotoxic activity of matrine and oxymatrine. However, these studies are fraught with uncertainties, putting the reliability and robustness into question. Another issue was that Sophora root extracts were usually tested instead of pure matrine and oxymatrine. The aim of this work was therefore to determine whether matrine and oxymatrine have potential for causing gene mutations. In a first step and to support a weight-of-evidence analysis, in silico predictions were performed to improve the database using expert and statistical systems by VEGA, Leadscope (Instem®), and Nexus (Lhasa Limited). Unfortunately, the confidence levels of the predictions were insufficient to either identify or exclude a mutagenic potential. Thus, in order to obtain reliable results, the bacterial reverse mutation assay (Ames test) was carried out in accordance with OECD Test Guideline 471. The test set included the plate incorporation and the preincubation assay. It was performed with five different bacterial strains in the presence or absence of metabolic activation. Neither matrine nor oxymatrine induced a significant increase in the number of revertants under any of the selected experimental conditions. Overall, it can be concluded that matrine and oxymatrine are unlikely to have a gene mutation potential. Any positive findings with Sophora extracts in the Ames test may be related to other components. Notably, the results also indicated a need to extend the application domain of respective (Q)SAR tools to secondary plant metabolites.
The SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics Semantic Web of data
Authors:   SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics RDF Group Members, Altenhoff Adrian , Bairoch Amos , Bansal Parit , Baratin Delphine , Bastian Frederic , Bolleman* Jerven , Bridge Alan , Burdet Frédéric , Crameri Katrin , Dauvillier Jérôme , Dessimoz Christophe , Gehant Sebastien , Glover Natasha , Gnodtke Kristin , Hayes Catherine , Ibberson Mark , Kriventseva Evgenia , Kuznetsov Dmitry , Frédérique Lisacek , Mehl Florence , Mendes de Farias* Tarcisio , Michel Pierre-André , Moretti Sébastien , Morgat Anne , Österle Sabine , Pagni Marco , Redaschi Nicole , Robinson-Rechavi Marc , Samarasinghe Kasun , Sima Ana-Claudia , Szklarczyk Damian , Topalov Orlin , Touré Vasundra , Unni Deepak , von Mering Christian , Wollbrett Julien , Zahn-Zabal* Monique , Zdobnov Evgeny 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
The SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics (https://www.sib.swiss/) is a federation of bioinformatics research and service groups. The international life science community in academia and industry has been accessing the freely available databases provided by SIB since its inception in 1998. In this paper we present the 11 databases which currently offer semantically enriched data in accordance with the FAIR principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable), as well as the Swiss Personalized Health Network initiative (SPHN) which also employs this enrichment. The semantic enrichment facilitates the manipulation of large data sets from public databases and private data sets. Examples are provided to illustrate that the data from the SIB databases can not only be queried using precise criteria individually, but also across multiple databases, including a variety of non-SIB databases. Data manipulation, be it exploration, extraction, annotation, combination, and publication, is possible using the SPARQL query language. Providing documentation, tutorials and sample queries makes it easier to navigate this web of semantic data. Through this paper, the reader will discover how the existing SIB knowledge graphs can be leveraged to tackle the complex biological or clinical questions that are being addressed today.
GSE1 links the HDAC1/CoREST co-repressor complex to DNA damage
Authors: Vcelkova Terezia , Reiter Wolfgang , Zylka Martha , Hollenstein David M , Schuckert Stefan , Hartl Markus , Seiser Christian 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Post-translational modifications of histones are important regulators of the DNA damage response (DDR). By using affinity purification mass spectrometry (AP-MS) we discovered that genetic suppressor element 1 (GSE1) forms a complex with the HDAC1/CoREST deacetylase/demethylase co-repressor complex. In-depth phosphorylome analysis revealed that loss of GSE1 results in impaired DDR, ATR signalling and γH2AX formation upon DNA damage induction. Altered profiles of ATR target serine-glutamine motifs (SQ) on DDR-related hallmark proteins point to a defect in DNA damage sensing. In addition, GSE1 knock-out cells show hampered DNA damage-induced phosphorylation on SQ motifs of regulators of histone post-translational modifications, suggesting altered histone modification. While loss of GSE1 does not affect the histone deacetylation activity of CoREST, GSE1 appears to be essential for binding of the deubiquitinase USP22 to CoREST and for the deubiquitination of H2B K120 in response to DNA damage. The combination of deacetylase, demethylase, and deubiquitinase activity makes the USP22-GSE1-CoREST subcomplex a multi-enzymatic eraser that seems to play an important role during DDR. Since GSE1 has been previously associated with cancer progression and survival our findings are potentially of high medical relevance.
Implicit Theories of Smoking and Intention to Quit: A Serial Mediation Model
Authors: Hong Qiumian , Liao Yanhui , Zhang Ning 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Introduction
There is growing evidence that implicit theories of smoking (ITS)—whether smokers perceive smoking behavior as malleable or fixed—are significant predictors of quitting intentions.

Aims and Methods
This cross-sectional study aims to investigate the underlying mechanisms of implicit theories on smoking in predicting smokers’ intentions to quit. We conducted multiple linear regression with quitting intentions as the dependent variable, ITS as the independent variable, and sociodemographic variables, quitting attempts in the past year, and receiving quitting advice in the past 12 months as the covariates. The mediating role of consideration of future consequences (CFC) and self-efficacy in the relationship between implicit theories of smoking and quitting intentions was evaluated by mediation analyses.

Results
A total of 510 smokers were included in the final analyses. Smokers holding a higher incremental theory of smoking reported a higher likelihood of considering future consequences (β = 0.289, p &lt; .001) and a weaker possibility of considering immediate results (β = −0.317, p &lt; .001), which, in turn, enhanced their quitting self-efficacy and then led to stronger intentions to quit smoking (β = 0.261, p &lt; .001).

Conclusions
The current study enriched our understanding of the underlying mechanisms that connect smokers’ ITS and their likelihood of smoking cessation such that higher incremental theories of smoking predict stronger intention to quit smoking, and the effect was serially mediated by smokers’ likelihood of considering future consequences of their behavior and their perceived self-efficacy for smoking cessation.

Implications
This study indicated the mediating role of CFC and self-efficacy for smoking cessation on the relationship between the ITS and quitting intentions. These two psychological factors and the pathways may be important points for understanding the model of implicit theories for smoking and improving the effectiveness of implicit theories-based intervention on smoking cessation.
Identifying literacy and numeracy skill mismatch in OECD countries using the job analysis method
Authors: Pérez Rodríguez Sandra , van der Velden Rolf , Huijts Tim , Jacobs Babs 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
The Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC) is currently the most important data source that provides information on the key skills possessed by workers, including literacy and numeracy. However, to assess skill mismatch, we also need information on the required skills in those domains, measured in the same metric and scale. In this article, we use the Job Analysis Method (JAM) to determine the required skill levels of literacy and numeracy for all four-digit International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) 2008 unit groups. JAM is often considered the ‘gold standard’ in estimating required levels but has never been used in the context of PIAAC. This article thus presents the first results on the prevalence of skill mismatches using JAM comparing different OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) countries and different occupations. We compare our results with alternative methods and show some advantages of using JAM. We discuss some of the limitations as well.
Physicians are over optimistic in recognizing inpatients’ survival and palliative care needs: a large-scale multi-center study in Taiwan
Authors: Huang C -M , Huang S -J , Wu T -Y , Chen Y -C , Hsiao S -H , Chu D 
Published: October 2023

SummaryBackgroundPhysicians’ recognition of end of life (EOL) has key influences on patients’ ‘good death’.AimWe aimed to study physicians’ attitude toward EOL, and to analyze the relationship between physicians’ assessment and patients’ actual survival and the trigger effect on patient’s access to palliative consultation and palliative care.DesignThis is a multi-center retrospective cohort study in seven community hospitals in Taiwan.MethodsInpatients admitted between 1 March 2016 and 31 December 2020, scored ≥4 points using Taiwan version-Palliative Care Screening Tool (TW-PCST), and expired before 31 December 2020 were enrolled. Physicians answered three questions regarding these inpatients: ‘surprised of mortality within 6–12 months’, ‘EOL’ and ‘in need of palliative care’. We followed up patients’ actual survival and access to palliative consultation and services.ResultsWe enrolled 10 304 cases. There was high correlation among the three questions. The median survival of patients with ‘not surprised of death within 6–12 months’, ‘EOL’, and ‘needing palliative care’ were 68, 60 and 58 days, respectively. Those with opposite responses were 206, 166 and 186 days, respectively. Patients’ main diagnosis, TW-PCST score, physicians’ palliative care qualifications and reward measures were all associated with physicians’ recognition of EOL. Physicians’ assessment, physicians’ training, disease characteristics and TW-PSCT scores were all associated with palliative consultation and palliative care.ConclusionsPhysicians are still over optimistic in recognizing inpatients’ survival and palliative care needs. EOL talks can be initiated when the TW-PCST score is high. Universal palliative care training can be integrated into medical education.
Parental autoimmunity and offspring risks of rheumatic diseases: a nationwide population-based study
Authors: Shao Yu-Hsuan Joni , Chen Yi-Ming 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Objective
Familial aggregation of systemic autoimmune diseases is frequently reported, but little is known about how fathers and mothers differentially contribute to the development of autoimmune diseases in their offspring. This study aimed to investigate the impact of maternal and paternal autoimmunity on the risk of offspring rheumatic diseases.

Methods
We constructed a nationwide population-based cohort using data from the Maternal and Child Health Database and the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Data (NHIRD) from 2004 to 2019. The outcome was presence of an autoimmune disease in the offspring. Inverse probability of treatment–weighted Cox models were used to estimate adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) and 95% CIs for autoimmune diseases.

Results
Babies born to a father or mother with an autoimmune disease had, respectively, 1.22 times and 1.38 times the risk of developing an autoimmune disease compared with their counterparts with no parental autoimmune diseases. Maternal autoimmunity substantially contributed to the risk of SLE (aHR = 5.46, 95% CI: 5.28–5.66), and paternal autoimmunity contributed to the risk of JIA (aHR = 1.76, 95% CI: 1.71–1.81) and of type 1 diabetes mellitus (aHR = 1.59, 95% CI: 1.39–1.81) in their offspring. The contributions of mothers to the risk of development of SLE (aHR = 8.55, 95% CI: 8.10–9.02) and inflammatory myopathy (aHR = 2.08, 95% CI: 1.72–2.51) in their offspring were exacerbated in boys. Babies of two parents with an autoimmune disease showed a 1.39-fold risk of developing an autoimmune disease. The maternal contribution effect was stronger for preterm births than for full-term births.

Conclusion
This study demonstrated broadly how autoimmune diseases pass from parents to infants of both genders and separately quantified the maternal and paternal contributions to disease.
Role of independent research at AERB for ensuring safety of nuclear facilities in India
Authors: Mohapatra Dinakrushna 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
The mission of Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) of India is to ensure that the use of ionising radiation and nuclear energy in India does not cause unacceptable impact on the workers, members of the public and to the environment. AERB has the mandate to carry out detailed safety review for the siting, construction, commissioning, operation and decommissioning of nuclear and radiation facilities established within the country. To deliver and maintain a strong, credible and technically sound regulation, AERB has established the Safety Research Institute (SRI) at Kalpakkam with a robust technical infrastructure and wide knowledge base. This paper highlights the independent safety research activities carried out at SRI and its role to support and facilitate the decision-making process by AERB at various stages of regulatory review for ensuring safety of the nuclear facilities in India.
Mettl3 induced miR‐338‐3p expression in dendritic cells promotes antigen‐specific Th17 cell response via regulation of Dusp16
Authors: Wei Yankai , Yang Chao , Liu Yuling , Sun Deming , Li Xiaorong , Wei Ruihua , Nian Hong 
Published: October 2023

AbstractPathogenic Th17 cells are critical drivers of multiple autoimmune diseases, including uveitis and its animal model, experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU). However, how innate immune signals modulate pathogenic Th17 responses remains largely unknown. Here, we showed that miR‐338‐3p endowed dendritic cells (DCs) with an increased ability to activate interphotoreceptor retinoid‐binding protein (IRBP)1–20‐specific Th17 cells by promoting the production of IL‐6, IL‐1β, and IL‐23. In vivo administration of LV‐miR‐338‐infected DCs promoted pathogenic Th17 responses and exacerbated EAU development. Mechanistically, dual‐specificity phosphatase 16 (Dusp16) was a molecular target of miR‐338‐3p. miR‐338‐3p repressed Dusp16 and therefore strengthened the mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) p38 signaling, resulting in increased production of Th17‐polarizing cytokines and subsequent pathogenic Th17 responses. In addition, methyltransferase like 3 (Mettl3), a key m6A methyltransferase, mediated the upregulation of miR‐338‐3p in activated DCs. Together, our findings identify a vital role for Mettl3/miR‐338‐3p/Dusp16/p38 signaling in DCs‐driven pathogenic Th17 responses and suggest a potential therapeutic avenue for uveitis and other Th17 cell‐related autoimmune disorders.
Moderate asthma: burden, mechanisms and therapeutic perspectives
Authors: De Ferrari Laura , Riccio Anna Maria , Braido Fulvio 
Published: October 2023

Purpose of reviewGlobal Initiative for Asthma (GINA) document provides a classification of asthma severity according with the current level of treatment required to achieve diseases control and underlines the limitations of this approach. In this review, we will provide an overview of recent investigations that have analyzed clinical and molecular features of moderate asthma.Recent findingsModerate asthma is heterogeneous in terms of response to inhaled treatment and pathogenetic mechanisms underlying the clinical features. Analysis of inflammatory pathways in patients who do not achieve disease remission allows identification of patient subgroups that may benefit from specific biological treatments.SummaryScientific progress makes increasingly clear that there are biological mechanisms capable of identifying and justifying the degree of severity of asthma. The identification of these, combined with the development of new pharmacological treatments, will be the cornerstones of improving the management of asthma in its degrees of severity.