bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluating the effects of circulating inflammatory proteins as drivers and therapeutic targets for severe COVID-19
Authors: Baranova Ancha , Luo Jing , Fu Li , Yao Guanqun , Zhang Fuquan 
Published: February 2024

ObjectiveThe relationships between circulating inflammatory proteins and COVID-19 have been observed in previous cohorts. However, it is not unclear which circulating inflammatory proteins may boost the risk of or protect against COVID-19.MethodsWe performed Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis using GWAS summary result of 91 circulating inflammation-related proteins (N = 14,824) to assess their causal impact on severe COVID-19. The COVID-19 phenotypes encompassed both hospitalized (N = 2,095,324) and critical COVID-19 (N = 1,086,211). Moreover, sensitivity analyses were conducted to evaluate the robustness and reliability.ResultsWe found that seven circulating inflammatory proteins confer positive causal effects on severe COVID-19. Among them, serum levels of IL-10RB, FGF-19, and CCL-2 positively contributed to both hospitalized and critical COVID-19 conditions (OR: 1.10~1.16), while the other 4 proteins conferred risk on critical COVID-19 only (OR: 1.07~1.16), including EIF4EBP1, IL-7, NTF3, and LIF. Meanwhile, five proteins exert protective effects against hospitalization and progression to critical COVID-19 (OR: 0.85~0.95), including CXCL11, CDCP1, CCL4/MIP, IFNG, and LIFR. Sensitivity analyses did not support the presence of heterogeneity in the majority of MR analyses.ConclusionsOur study revealed risk and protective inflammatory proteins for severe COVID-19, which may have vital implications for the treatment of the disease.
Superoxide dismutase alterations in COVID-19: implications for disease severity and mortality prediction in the context of omicron variant infection
Authors: Chu Jinshen , Hua Lin , Liu Xiaofeng , Xiong Huomei , Jiang Fangtinghui , Zhou Wei , Wang Lu , Xue Guohui 
Published: February 2024

BackgroundIn the few reports to date, the changes in superoxide dismutase (SOD), a key factor in cellular protection against superoxide, in COVID-19 have been very inconsistent and contradictory. There is also a lack of data on COVID-19 induced by Omicron variant. Further investigation is warranted to figure out SOD alterations in COVID-19, particularly within the context of ongoing Omicron variant infection, which may provide clues to its role within COVID-19 pathogenesis and open up new avenues for COVID-19 treatment.MethodsSOD activity in 109 COVID-19 patients (including 46 severe cases and 63 mild to moderate cases) and 30 matched healthy controls were quantified. Demographic data, blood cell counts, biochemical indicators, coagulation indicators, and inflammatory markers were also recorded.ResultsSOD, an important key node, experienced a significant decrease in COVID-19, with the severe patients exhibiting lower activity compared to the mild to moderate patients and control healthy. Notably, severe patients who deceased had the lowest SOD activity. Correlation analysis revealed significant correlations between SOD and inflammatory markers, organ injury markers, coagulation dysfunction indicators, nutritional markers, and lymphocytes counts. The ROC curve also showed good performance for the differentiation of severe cases and the prediction of death.ConclusionSOD activity was significantly decreased in COVID-19 infected with Omicron variant and significantly correlated with systemic changes, and could be used as a biomarker to assess disease severity and predict mortality in COVID-19 clinical pathway management. Additionally, this finding will contribute to exploring new potential direction for the treatment of severe COVID-19 patients.
Correlation between low skeletal muscle index and 3D anthropometric data measured by 3D body scanner: screening sarcopenia
Authors: Kim Kyu Wan , Park Yongsoo , Lee Yohan , Cho Minjoon 
Published: February 2024

BackgroundThe screening tools for sarcopenia are measuring calf circumference, SARC-F or SPPB. However, not all of these tools have high sensitivity, specificity, and low margins of error. This research investigates potential of 3D anthropometry of the lower extremities on screening of sarcopenia.MethodsFrom October 2022 to February 2023, we retrospectively analyzed results of 3D body scanner and bio-impedance analysis for patients aged 45 to 85 at risk of sarcopenia. The 3D scanner measured the surface and volume values of both thighs and calves. When skeletal muscle index (SMI) is less than 5.7, patients were classified to Low SMI group, indicative of sarcopenia.ResultsA total six out of 62 patients were classified to Low SMI group, showing significantly lower values of right, left, mean calf volumes and mean calf surface than the other patients (right calf volume 2.62 L vs. 3.34 L, p = 0.033; left calf volume 2.62 L vs. 3.25 L, p = 0.044; mean calf volume 2.62 L vs. 3.29 L, p = 0.029; mean calf surface 0.12 m2 vs. 0.13 m2, p = 0.049). There was no statistical difference in thigh volume and surface. Through AUC-ROC analysis, mean calf volume was the most significant cut-off value (right calf volume 2.80 L, AUC = 0.768; left calf volume 2.75 L, AUC = 0.753; mean calf volume 3.06 L, AUC = 0.774; mean calf surface 0.12 m2, AUC = 0.747).ConclusionThe calf volume and surface values have significant relationship with low SMI, and the mean calf volume was the most significant cut-off screening value for Low SMI. The 3D scanner demonstrated its value as a new means for screening sarcopenia.
A novel deep-learning based weighted feature fusion architecture for precise classification of pressure injury
Authors: Wang Dongfang , Guo Lirui , Zhong Juan , Yu Huodan , Tang Yadi , Peng Li , Cai Qiuni , Qi Yangzhi , Zhang Dong , Lin Puxuan 
Published: February 2024

Introduction: Precise classification has an important role in treatment of pressure injury (PI), while current machine-learning or deeplearning based methods of PI classification remain low accuracy.Methods: In this study, we developed a deeplearning based weighted feature fusion architecture for fine-grained classification, which combines a top-down and bottom-up pathway to fuse high-level semantic information and low-level detail representation. We validated it in our established database that consist of 1,519 images from multi-center clinical cohorts. ResNeXt was set as the backbone network.Results: We increased the accuracy of stage 3 PI from 60.3% to 76.2% by adding weighted feature pyramid network (wFPN). The accuracy for stage 1, 2, 4 PI were 0.870, 0.788, and 0.845 respectively. We found the overall accuracy, precision, recall, and F1-score of our network were 0.815, 0.808, 0.816, and 0.811 respectively. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.940.Conclusions: Compared with current reported study, our network significantly increased the overall accuracy from 75% to 81.5% and showed great performance in predicting each stage. Upon further validation, our study will pave the path to the clinical application of our network in PI management.
Endothelial cells signaling and patterning under hypoxia: a mechanistic integrative computational model including the Notch-Dll4 pathway
Authors: Oliveira Rebeca Hannah de Melo , Annex Brian H. , Popel Aleksander S. 
Published: February 2024

Introduction: Several signaling pathways are activated during hypoxia to promote angiogenesis, leading to endothelial cell patterning, interaction, and downstream signaling. Understanding the mechanistic signaling differences between endothelial cells under normoxia and hypoxia and their response to different stimuli can guide therapies to modulate angiogenesis. We present a novel mechanistic model of interacting endothelial cells, including the main pathways involved in angiogenesis.Methods: We calibrate and fit the model parameters based on well-established modeling techniques that include structural and practical parameter identifiability, uncertainty quantification, and global sensitivity.Results: Our results indicate that the main pathways involved in patterning tip and stalk endothelial cells under hypoxia differ, and the time under hypoxia interferes with how different stimuli affect patterning. Additionally, our simulations indicate that Notch signaling might regulate vascular permeability and establish different Nitric Oxide release patterns for tip/stalk cells. Following simulations with various stimuli, our model suggests that factors such as time under hypoxia and oxygen availability must be considered for EC pattern control.Discussion: This project provides insights into the signaling and patterning of endothelial cells under various oxygen levels and stimulation by VEGFA and is our first integrative approach toward achieving EC control as a method for improving angiogenesis. Overall, our model provides a computational framework that can be built on to test angiogenesis-related therapies by modulation of different pathways, such as the Notch pathway.
Verification of a virtual lunar regolith simulant
Authors: Louca Joe , Vrublevskis John , Eder Kerstin , Tzemanaki Antonia 
Published: February 2024

Introduction: Physical regolith simulants are valuable tools for developing In-Situ Resource Utilisation hardware. However, using virtual models of regolith instead can reduce costs, limit exposure to hazardous materials, and offer a practical method of testing the effects of reduced gravity.Methods: We verify a virtual model of regolith as macroparticles against physical tests. Using space partitioning techniques to identify neighbouring particles, we present a scalable model of regolith, in which the computation time increases roughly proportionally with the number of particles. We evaluated the performance of this virtual simulant vs. a physical simulant (Exolith LMS-1) by comparing the flow rate through funnels of various diameters, and the resultant angle of repose of material on both large (500 g) and small (16 g) scale tests.Results: For large scale tests, the flow rates were within the predicted range for macroparticles with radii 3–7 mm, with the greatest accuracy achieved for radii 4–5 mm. However, the macroparticles blocked the simulated funnels more easily than in the physical trials, due to their high cohesion. The angle of repose was not accurately represented by this model for either of the tests.Discussion: The high efficiency of this model makes it best suited for applications which require large scale approximations of regolith with real-time execution, such as virtual training for robot operators or providing visual and haptic feedback in model-mediated teleoperation systems. The results of this model in reduced gravity could be further verified against data from upcoming lunar missions in future work.
Just Transition: a nova fronteira das relações industriais
Authors: Ramia Munerati Ligia 
Published: February 2024

Abstract: A transição tecnológica e ecológica estão gerando efeitos profundos e disruptivos no mercado de trabalho, colocando em discussão as formas tradicionais de prestação da atividade laboral e gerando novas possibilidades de trabalho.
O presente artigo tem como objetivo evidenciar a permanente correlação entre trabalho-ambiente (e tecnologia), demonstrando como questões ambientais e trabalhistas devem ser estudadas conjuntamente para que a implementação das leis de defesa do meio ambiente não tenha impacto negativo no mercado de trabalho (e vice-versa).
A pesquisa irá se concentrar no importante papel das organizações sindicais nas políticas ambientais e sociais, bem como nas medidas tomadas em âmbito internacional para garantir uma transição justa para uma economia de baixo carbono.

Resumo: O texto discute os impactos da transição tecnológica e ecológica no direito do trabalho. A transição tecnológica está gerando novas formas de trabalho, como a gig economy, que conta predominantemente com cargos temporários e parciais, ocupados por trabalhadores autônomos e freelancers. Mesmo nas relações de trabalho empregatícias, as novas tecnologias estão criando uma real desmaterialização do local de trabalho, permitindo que um grande número de trabalhadores possa realizar as próprias atividades com a mesma produtividade em modalidade remota.
A transição ecológica, por sua vez, está impactando diretamente a economia, as indústrias e, de consequência, a ocupação, formação e saúde dos trabalhadores. As normas climáticas mais vinculantes podem levar ao fechamento de indústrias e à perda de empregos em setores que são intensivos em carbono, como a mineração de carvão ou a produção de petróleo e gás.
O artigo defende que questões ambientais e trabalhistas devem ser estudadas conjuntamente para que a implementação das leis de defesa do meio ambiente não tenha impacto negativo no mercado de trabalho. Para isso, é importante garantir uma transição justa, que proteja os direitos dos trabalhadores e as comunidades que são mais vulneráveis aos impactos da mudança climática.
As organizações sindicais desempenham um papel importante nas políticas ambientais e sociais. Elas podem contribuir para a construção de uma transição justa, representando os interesses dos trabalhadores e pressionando os governos e as empresas para que adotem medidas que protejam os direitos trabalhistas e o meio ambiente.
A pesquisa proposta pelo artigo irá se concentrar no importante papel das organizações sindicais nas políticas ambientais e sociais, bem como nas medidas tomadas em âmbito internacional para garantir uma transição justa para uma economia de baixo carbono.
Neural and affective responses to prolonged eye contact with parents in depressed and nondepressed adolescents
Authors: Wever Mirjam C. M. , Will Geert-Jan , van Houtum Lisanne A. E. M. , Janssen Loes H. C. , Wentholt Wilma G. M. , Spruit Iris M. , Tollenaar Marieke S. , Elzinga Bernet M. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractEye contact improves mood, facilitates connectedness, and is assumed to strengthen the parent–child bond. Adolescent depression is linked to difficulties in social interactions, the parent–child bond included. Our goal was to elucidate adolescents’ affective and neural responses to prolonged eye contact with one’s parent in nondepressed adolescents (HC) and how these responses are affected in depressed adolescents. While in the scanner, 59 nondepressed and 19 depressed adolescents were asked to make eye contact with their parent, an unfamiliar peer, an unfamiliar adult, and themselves by using videos of prolonged direct and averted gaze, as an approximation of eye contact. After each trial, adolescents reported on their mood and feelings of connectedness, and eye movements and BOLD-responses were assessed. In HCs, eye contact boosted mood and feelings of connectedness and increased activity in inferior frontal gyrus (IFG), temporal pole, and superior frontal gyrus. Unlike HCs, eye contact did not boost the mood of depressed adolescents. While HCs reported increased mood and feelings of connectedness to the sight of their parent versus others, depressed adolescents did not. Depressed adolescents exhibited blunted overall IFG activity. These findings show that adolescents are particularly sensitive to eye contact and respond strongly to the sight of their parents. This sensitivity seems to be blunted in depressed adolescents. For clinical purposes, it is important to gain a better understanding of how the responsivity to eye contact in general and with their parents in particular, can be restored in adolescents with depression.
LASTU: A psycholinguistic search tool for Finnish lexical stimuli
Authors: Itkonen Sami , Häikiö Tuomo , Vainio Seppo , Lehtonen Minna 
Published: February 2024

AbstractLASTU is a tool for searching for Finnish language stimulus words for psycholinguistic studies. The tool allows the user to query a number of properties, including forms, lemmas, frequencies, and morphological features. It also includes two new measures for quantifying lemma and form ambiguity. The tool is written in Python and is available for Windows and macOS platforms. It is available at https://osf.io/j8v6b/. Included with the tool is a database based on a massive corpus of dependency-parsed Finnish language data crawled from the Internet (over 5 billion tokens). While LASTU has been developed for researchers working on the Finnish language, the openly available implementation can also be applied to other languages.
Autoestima en Niñas, Niños y Adolescentes que Viven en una Institución del Gobierno de México
Authors: Velázquez Hernández Nadia , Velázquez Hernández Nadia , Villa Rivas Fani , Elizalde Romero Luisa Fernanda , Pérez Briones Nancy Griselda , Ruiz Lara Anahí , Castillo Díaz Rocío 
Published: February 2024

Es relevante el estudio de la autoestima especialmente en niñas, niños y adolescentes porque puede afectar el desarrollo personal y la experiencia en el ámbito escolar de los niños, además de que a futuro puede actuar como factor favorable en la prevención de conductas de riesgo. Por tal motivo para el presente estudio de investigación se consideró importante establecer como objetivo general: Identificar características sociodemográficas y el nivel de autoestima en niñas, niños y adolescentes que viven en una institución del gobierno de México. Metodología: Estudio descriptivo, transversal, con una muestra de 40 niños que viven en la casa hogar al momento de la aplicación de los instrumentos, a los cuales se les realizó la invitación y que participaron de forma voluntario en el estudio de investigación. Resultados: la media de edad fue de 10.5 años, con un mínimo de 6 y un máximo de 16 años. El 72.5% de la población eran mujeres y el 27.5% hombres. En cuanto a la escolaridad se observa que la mayoría el 25.5% se encuentra cursando el sexto grado de primaria. De acuerdo a los niveles de autoestima se reportaron los siguientes resultados, autoestima elevada 40.0% autoestima media 25.0% y autoestima baja 35.0%. Conclusiones: El nivel de autoestima en las niñas, niños y adolescentes que participaron en el estudio de investigación da la pauta para realizar intervenciones para su fortalecimiento.
An international comparison of the scope and instruments of local spatial planning
Authors: Nowak Maciej J. , Dühr Stefanie , Peña Sergio , Batsuuri Bolormaa , Fast Victoria , Fidélis Teresa , Gagakuma Desmond , He Zhichao , Khavarian-Garmsir Amir Reza , Legutko-Kobus Paulina , De Marchi Moyano Bianca , Sugar Munkhnaran , Peres Otávio Martins , Blaszke Małgorzata 
Published: February 2024

This article analyses (based on multidimensional criteria) land-use plans at a local level (using selected cities as examples) and their relationships to crucial planning issues identified at both national and local levels. The planning approaches of cities from the following countries were compared: Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, China, Ghana, Iran, Mexico, Mongolia, Portugal and Poland. These countries are diverse in terms of their legal, political, cultural and geographical perspectives. Across these diverse countries, comparisons were made of local spatial plans (as enacted in specific cities), with regard to their legal features. From this, directions for a possible universal debate of local-level spatial plans as currently emerging is proposed. Based on the comparison undertaken, it is possible that the spatial plans studied designate zones of land use and detailed principles (including parameters) of development for cities. In some countries, attempts have also been made for the plans to solve spatial problems more broadly, for example by linking strategic planning objectives with the spatial development sphere.
This article was published open access under a CC BY licence: https://creativecommons.org/licences/by/4.0/
Mutations récentes, dynamiques actuelles et perspectives de transition des territoires ruraux périurbains en Tunisie
Authors: Rebaï Nasser , Desbonnet Johan , Rebei Hédi 
Published: February 2024

Douze ans après la « Révolution de Jasmin », la Tunisie traverse une profonde crise économique qui touche plus particulièrement ses territoires ruraux. Alors que le pays se doit de promouvoir un autre modèle agricole afin de répondre aux aspirations populaires en matière d’emploi rural et de production alimentaire, le présent article propose d’évaluer les perspectives de transition des territoires ruraux périurbains où se jouent plus particulièrement l’intégration économique des agriculteurs familiaux et l’organisation des réseaux d’approvisionnement alimentaires des grandes villes tunisiennes. Pour cela, il s’appuie sur les résultats d’un travail de terrain conduit à Mahrès, dans la périphérie de Sfax, la deuxième ville du pays, où des entretiens ont été réalisés auprès des agents des services agricoles et des agriculteurs. En analysant leurs discours, cet article met en évidence les contraintes qui pèsent sur les petites exploitations, et met en évidence plusieurs facteurs limitant la mise en œuvre d’un processus de transition territoriale devant reposer sur la réorganisation des agriculteurs pour la mise en œuvre de pratiques agricoles durables et la satisfaction des demandes alimentaires.
« Explorer le champ des voix »
Authors: Chouraqui Floriane , Aste Maylis 
Published: February 2024

Au carrefour entre études cinématographiques (MA) et géographie (FC), cet article propose une exploration des dimensions sonores du territoire de Chã das Caldeiras, au Cap-Vert, à travers les expérimentations filmiques menées par Floriane Chouraqui. En mettant l'accent sur les "voix" - humaines et non humaines - qui animent ce lieu, l'étude révèle leur rôle dans l'expression et la formation des relations sociales et spatiales au sein du territoire vécu. L'objectif est de mettre en exergue l'importance de l'écoute et de la sensibilité aux diverses expressions sonores pour prêter attention aux espaces géographiques. Comment rendre compte avec et par le film de la complexité des voix qui dessinent un territoire vécu ?