bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Unifying VLF Transmitter and Sferic Modeling Efforts Via Tomography
Authors: Richardson David K. , Cohen Morris B. 
Published: November 2023

AbstractWe demonstrate a methodology for utilizing measurements from very low frequency (VLF, 3−30 kHz) transmitters and lightning emissions to produce 3D lower electron density maps, and apply it to multiple geophysical disturbances. The D‐region lower ionosphere (60−90 km) forms the upper boundary of the Earth‐ionosphere waveguide which allows VLF radio waves to propagate to global distances. Measurements of these signals have, in many prior studies, been used to infer path‐average electron density profiles within the D region. Historically, researchers have focused on either measurements of VLF transmitters or radio atmospherics (sferics) from lightning. In this work, we build on recently published methods for each and present a method to unify the two approaches via tomography. The output of the tomographic inversion produces maps of electron density over a large portion of the United States and Gulf of Mexico. To illustrate the benefits of this unified approach, daytime and nighttime maps are compared between a sferic‐only model and the new approach suggested here. We apply the model to characterize two geophysical disturbances: solar flares and lower ionospheric changes associated with thunderstorms.
Targeted Observations on Arctic Sea Ice Concentration for Improving Extended‐Range Prediction of Ural Blocking
Authors: Gao Yangjiayi , Mu Mu , Dai Guokun 
Published: November 2023

AbstractThe predictability of certain extreme weather events can exceed the traditional 2 weeks by considering the boundary conditions. Targeted observations in sensitive areas (SA) on Arctic sea ice concentration (SIC) can improve the extended‐range (4 pentads) forecast skills of long‐lasting and strong Ural blocking (UB). The SA are determined based on the SIC optimally growing boundary errors, obtained by the conditional nonlinear optimal perturbation method. The SA are mainly located in the Barents Sea, Greenland Sea, and Okhotsk Sea. The results of observing system simulation experiments for 8 UB cases indicate that the targeted observations can remarkably improve the prediction skills of UB in the fourth pentad. Targeted observations have a positive effect on 75% of 160 experiment members, reduce 35% forecast errors of the fourth pentad mean blocking index, and perform even better when the original forecast errors are greater. Further diagnosis shows that targeted observations contribute to more accurate SIC boundary conditions in the Barents Sea, Greenland Sea, and Okhotsk Sea and reduce temperature errors in the lower and middle troposphere. It further results in well‐described westerly winds in the Ural region and its adjacent regions, corresponding to the more skillful predictions of blocking circulations. The above results supply a theoretical base for the design of Arctic SIC observations and more skillful extended‐range predictions for mid‐latitude extreme weather.
Changes in perceptions of antibiotic stewardship among neonatal intensive care unit providers over the course of a learning collaborative: a prospective, multisite, mixed-methods evaluation
Authors: Qureshi Nabeel , Kroger Jack , Zangwill Kenneth M. , Joshi Neha S. , Payton Kurlen , Mendel Peter 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Objective
To assess clinician perceptions towards the value and implementation of antibiotic stewardship (AS) in neonatal intensive care units (NICU).

Study design
We performed a mixed-methods study of AS perceptions (prescribing appropriateness, importance, activity, capacity) using surveys and interviews in 30 California NICUs before and after a multicenter collaborative (Optimizing Antibiotic Use in California NICUs [OASCN]).

Results
Pre-OASCN, 24% of respondents felt there was “a lot of” or “some” inappropriate prescribing, often driven by fear of a bad outcome or reluctance to change existing practice. Clinicians reported statistically significant increases in AS importance (71 v 79%), perceived AS activity (67 v 87%), and more openness to change after OASCN (59 v 70%). We identified other concerns that lessen AS effort.

Conclusion
OASCN increased perceived AS activity and openness to change in AS practices among NICU prescribers. Greater attention to subjective concerns should augment AS improvement.
LUBAC is required for RIG-I sensing of RNA viruses
Authors: Teague Helena C. , Lefevre Charlotte , Rieser Eva , Wolfram Lina , de Miguel Diego , Patricio de Oliveira Daniel , Oliveira Marisa , Mansur Daniel S. , Irigoyen Nerea , Walczak Henning , Ferguson Brian J. 
Published: November 2023

AbstractThe ability of cells to mount an interferon response to virus infections depends on intracellular nucleic acid sensing pattern recognition receptors (PRRs). RIG-I is an intracellular PRR that binds short double-stranded viral RNAs to trigger MAVS-dependent signalling. The RIG-I/MAVS signalling complex requires the coordinated activity of multiple kinases and E3 ubiquitin ligases to activate the transcription factors that drive type I and type III interferon production from infected cells. The linear ubiquitin chain assembly complex (LUBAC) regulates the activity of multiple receptor signalling pathways in both ligase-dependent and -independent ways. Here, we show that the three proteins that constitute LUBAC have separate functions in regulating RIG-I signalling. Both HOIP, the E3 ligase capable of generating M1-ubiquitin chains, and LUBAC accessory protein HOIL-1 are required for viral RNA sensing by RIG-I. The third LUBAC component, SHARPIN, is not required for RIG-I signalling. These data cement the role of LUBAC as a positive regulator of RIG-I signalling and as an important component of antiviral innate immune responses.
Exploring the genetic and molecular basis of differences in multiple myeloma of individuals of African and European descent
Authors: Levine Arnold J. , Carpten John D. , Murphy Maureen , Hainaut Pierre 
Published: November 2023

AbstractMultiple Myeloma is a typical example of a neoplasm that shows significant differences in incidence, age of onset, type, and frequency of genetic alterations between patients of African and European ancestry. This perspective explores the hypothesis that both genetic polymorphisms and spontaneous somatic mutations in the TP53 tumor suppressor gene are determinants of these differences. In the US, the rates of occurrence of MM are at least twice as high in African Americans (AA) as in Caucasian Americans (CA). Strikingly, somatic TP53 mutations occur in large excess (at least 4–6-fold) in CA versus AA. On the other hand, TP53 contains polymorphisms specifying amino-acid differences that are under natural selection by the latitude of a population and have evolved during the migrations of humans over several hundred thousand years. The p53 protein plays important roles in DNA strand break repair and, therefore, in the surveillance of aberrant DNA recombination, leading to the B-cell translocations that are causal in the pathogenesis of MM. We posit that polymorphisms in one region of the TP53 gene (introns 2 and 3, and the proline-rich domain) specify a concentration of the p53 protein with a higher capacity to repress translocations in CA than AA patients. This, in turn, results in a higher risk of acquiring inactivating, somatic mutations in a different region of the TP53 gene (DNA binding domain) in CA than in AA patients. Such a mechanism, by which the polymorphic status of a gene influencing its own “spontaneous” mutation frequency, may provide a genetic basis to address ethnicity-related differences in the incidence and phenotypes of many different forms of cancer.
Trunk orthosis with joints providing resistive force improves dynamic sagittal alignment in postoperative patients with lumbar spinal stenosis
Authors: Igawa Tatsuya , Ishii Ken , Katsuhira Junji , Suzuki Akifumi , Ui Hideto , Urata Ryunosuke , Isogai Norihiro , Sasao Yutaka , Matsudaira Ko , Funao Haruki 
Published: November 2023

AbstractThis study aimed to determine whether a trunk orthosis with joints providing resistive force (TORF) modifies sagittal malalignment during level walking in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS). Fifteen patients, 6 months after undergoing surgery for LSS, performed level walking at a self-selected speed while wearing a TORF. Dynamic sagittal alignment, including sagittal vertical axis, lumbar lordosis, and pelvic tilt, and spatiotemporal data as well as lower limb kinematic and kinetic data were recorded using a three-dimensional motion analysis system and six force plates. Statistical analysis was performed to compare these data with and without the TORF, respectively. Compared to the condition without the TORF, the use of the TORF significantly decreased positive sagittal vertical axis (p < 0.05) and increased the lumbar lordosis and pelvic tilt (p < 0.05). Peak hip flexion angle and extension moment during loading response (LR) significantly increased (p < 0.05), and peak hip extension angle and flexion moment during PS statistically decreased (p < 0.05). There was no difference in spatiotemporal data between the two conditions. Our findings suggest that TORF may modify the dynamic sagittal global alignment and lower limb kinematic and kinetics in postoperative LSS patients during level walking.
Exposure to social bots amplifies perceptual biases and regulation propensity
Authors: Yan Harry Yaojun , Yang Kai-Cheng , Shanahan James , Menczer Filippo 
Published: November 2023

AbstractAutomated accounts on social media that impersonate real users, often called “social bots,” have received a great deal of attention from academia and the public. Here we present experiments designed to investigate public perceptions and policy preferences about social bots, in particular how they are affected by exposure to bots. We find that before exposure, participants have some biases: they tend to overestimate the prevalence of bots and see others as more vulnerable to bot influence than themselves. These biases are amplified after bot exposure. Furthermore, exposure tends to impair judgment of bot-recognition self-efficacy and increase propensity toward stricter bot-regulation policies among participants. Decreased self-efficacy and increased perceptions of bot influence on others are significantly associated with these policy preference changes. We discuss the relationship between perceptions about social bots and growing dissatisfaction with the polluted social media environment.
Adaptation constraints in scenarios of socio-economic development
Authors: Theokritoff Emily , van Maanen Nicole , Andrijevic Marina , Thomas Adelle , Lissner Tabea , Schleussner Carl-Friedrich 
Published: November 2023

AbstractClimate change adaptation is paramount, but increasing evidence suggests that adaptation action is subject to a range of constraints. For a realistic assessment of future adaptation prospects, it is crucial to understand the timescales needed to overcome these constraints. Here, we combine data on documented adaptation from the Global Adaptation Mapping Initiative with national macro indicators and assess future changes in adaptation constraints alongside the Shared Socioeconomic Pathways, spanning a wide range of future socio-economic development scenarios. We find that even in the most optimistic scenario, it will take until well after 2050 to overcome key constraints, which will limit adaptation for decades to come particularly in vulnerable countries. The persistence of adaptation constraints calls for stringent mitigation, improved adaptation along with dedicated finance and increasing efforts to address loss and damage. Our approach allows to ground truth indicators that can be further used in climate modelling efforts, improving the representation of adaptation and its risk reduction potential.
Prospective association of occupational and leisure-time physical activity with orthostatic blood pressure changes in older adults
Authors: Kujawska Agnieszka , Kujawski Sławomir , Dani Melanie , Miglis Mitchell G. , Hallman David M. , Fudim Marat , Soysal Pinar , Husejko Jakub , Hajec Weronika , Skierkowska-Kruszyńska Natalia , Kwiatkowska Małgorzata , Newton Julia L. , Zalewski Paweł , Kędziora-Kornatowska Kornelia 
Published: November 2023

AbstractOrthostatic hypotension (OH) is common in older people. We examined the influence of self-reported occupational-related physical activity (PA) and leisure-time physical exercise (PE) on orthostatic response in a sample of older people over a 2 year period. Supine and orthostatic systolic blood pressure (sBP), diastolic blood pressure (dBP), and mean blood pressure (mBP) were assessed in response to Active Stand (AS) test in 205 older subjects (> 60 years old) at baseline and 2-year follow-up. OH was found in 24 subjects (11.71%) at baseline and 20 subjects (9.76%) after 2 years, with a significant degree of variability in the occurrence of OH after 2 years. Twenty-two subjects who had OH at baseline were free of it after 2 years, two subjects had persistent OH at baseline and after 2 years. After 2 years, adults with occupational PA showed no significant decrease of blood pressure in response to AS test, while lack of undertaking an occupation-related PA was significantly related with a greater decrease in sBP and mBP in response to AS testing in the 1st min. Occupation-related PA and leisure-time-related PE were related to an increase in the response of BP on AS in change between baseline and after 2 years. High between-subjects variance in OH over 2 years was noted. Occupations that involved continuous physical activity and leisure-time physical exercise in middle age were both protective for BP decline on orthostatic stress test within 2 years.
White noise insole: an artificial evoked sensation device that can be expected to improve plantar sensation of diabetic foot
Authors: Jiang Yangzheng 
Published: November 2023

AbstractDiabetic foot is a common severe complication of diabetes, and its main symptom is diabetic foot ulcer. The production of plantar diabetic foot ulcers is usually affected by two factors, namely neuropathy or vascular disease. While previous studies proved that stochastic resonance (SR) could effectively enhance the plantar touch of patients with diabetic feet, the potential impact of SR on neural circuit feedback, especially on the input of the tactile nerves of the lower limbs, is less clear. This study aims to explore the potential impact on the tactile threshold of the human foot when using vibrating insoles. We study a white noise vibration insole based on SR mechanism. We compare and analyze the tactile threshold voltage (TTV) triggered by an electrical stimulation device in three main plantar pressure-bearing areas (the second metatarsal (M2), the fourth metatarsal (M4), and the heel (H) area) of 8 participants using EEG and self-developed vibration insole. Significance found in M2 and M4 areas, white noise signal (WNS) lowered the tactile threshold in these areas, and had a potentially positive impact on patients with diabetic feet, especially in the M4 area. The influence of WNS on the plantar heel area was still controversial. This study showed that WNS applied to the sole could improve the plantar tactile sensing ability of patients with diabetic feet, but it did not cover all areas. The application of WNS showed better benefits for the forefoot area than for the hindfoot area, which was speculated that may be related to the difference in the distribution density of blood vessels in plantar areas. Due to the impaired natural touch in participants with diabetic foot, using artificial evoked sensation WNS intervention, would be a feasible approach to improve plantar sensation.
Targeted mutagenesis of Medicago truncatula Nodule-specific Cysteine-Rich (NCR) genes using the Agrobacterium rhizogenes-mediated CRISPR/Cas9 system
Authors: Güngör Berivan , Biró János Barnabás , Domonkos Ágota , Horváth Beatrix , Kaló Péter 
Published: November 2023

AbstractThe host-produced nodule specific cysteine-rich (NCR) peptides control the terminal differentiation of endosymbiotic rhizobia in the nodules of IRLC legumes. Although the Medicago truncatula genome encodes about 700 NCR peptides, only few of them have been proven to be crucial for nitrogen-fixing symbiosis. In this study, we applied the CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing technology to generate knockout mutants of NCR genes for which no genetic or functional data were previously available. We have developed a workflow to analyse the mutation and the symbiotic phenotype of individual nodules formed on Agrobacterium rhizogenes-mediated transgenic hairy roots. The selected NCR genes were successfully edited by the CRISPR/Cas9 system and nodules formed on knockout hairy roots showed wild type phenotype indicating that peptides NCR068, NCR089, NCR128 and NCR161 are not essential for symbiosis between M. truncatula Jemalong and Sinorhizobium medicae WSM419. We regenerated stable mutants edited for the NCR068 from hairy roots obtained by A. rhizogenes-mediated transformation. The analysis of the symbiotic phenotype of stable ncr068 mutants showed that peptide NCR068 is not required for symbiosis with S. meliloti strains 2011 and FSM-MA either. Our study reports that gene editing can help to elicit the role of certain NCRs in symbiotic nitrogen fixation.
Reconstructing signed relations from interaction data
Authors: Andres Georges , Casiraghi Giona , Vaccario Giacomo , Schweitzer Frank 
Published: November 2023

AbstractPositive and negative relations play an essential role in human behavior and shape the communities we live in. Despite their importance, data about signed relations is rare and commonly gathered through surveys. Interaction data is more abundant, for instance, in the form of proximity or communication data. So far, though, it could not be utilized to detect signed relations. In this paper, we show how the underlying signed relations can be extracted with such data. Employing a statistical network approach, we construct networks of signed relations in five communities. We then show that these relations correspond to the ones reported by the individuals themselves. Additionally, using inferred relations, we study the homophily of individuals with respect to gender, religious beliefs, and financial backgrounds. Finally, we study group cohesion in the analyzed communities by evaluating triad statistics in the reconstructed signed network.
Metabolic regulation boosts bioelectricity generation in Zymomonas mobilis microbial fuel cell, surpassing ethanol production
Authors: Ahmadpanah Hananeh , Motamedian Ehsan , Mardanpour Mohammad Mahdi 
Published: November 2023

AbstractZymomonas mobilis (Z. mobilis), a bacterium known for its ethanol production capabilities, can also generate electricity by transitioning from ethanol production to electron generation. The purpose of this study is to investigate the ability of Z. mobilis to produce bioelectricity when utilized as a biocatalyst in a single-chamber microbial fuel cell (MFC). Given the bacterium's strong inclination towards ethanol production, a metabolic engineering strategy was devised to identify key reactions responsible for redirecting electrons from ethanol towards electricity generation. To evaluate the electroactivity of cultured Z. mobilis and its ethanol production in the presence of regulators, the reduction of soluble Fe(III) was utilized. Among the regulators tested, CuCl2 demonstrated superior effectiveness. Consequently, the MFC was employed to analyze the electrochemical properties of Z. mobilis using both a minimal and modified medium. By modifying the bacterial medium, the maximum current and power density of the MFC fed with Z. mobilis increased by more than 5.8- and sixfold, respectively, compared to the minimal medium. These findings highlight the significant impact of metabolic redirection in enhancing the performance of MFCs. Furthermore, they establish Z. mobilis as an active electrogenesis microorganism capable of power generation in MFCs.
Network pharmacology and molecular docking elucidate potential mechanisms of Eucommia ulmoides in hepatic ischemia–reperfusion injury
Authors: Ma Xuan , Pan Bochen , Wang Liusong , Feng Zanjie , Peng Cijun 
Published: November 2023

AbstractEucommia ulmoides (EU) and its diverse extracts have demonstrated antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and cytoprotective properties against hepatic ischemia–reperfusion injury (HIRI). However, the primary constituents of EU and their putative mechanisms remain elusive. This study aims to explore the potential mechanisms of EU in the prevention and treatment of HIRI by employing network pharmacology and molecular docking methodologies. The main components and corresponding protein targets of EU were searched in the literature and TCMSP, and the compound target network was constructed by Cytoscape 3.9.1. Liver ischemia–reperfusion injury targets were searched in OMIM and GeneCards databases. The intersection points of compound targets and disease targets were obtained, and the overlapping targets were imported into the STRING database to construct the PPI network. We further analyzed the targets for GO and KEGG enrichment. Finally, molecular docking studies were performed on the core targets and active compounds. The component-target network unveiled a total of 26 efficacious bioactive compounds corresponding to 207 target proteins. Notably, the top-ranking compounds based on degree centrality were quercetin, β-sitosterol, and gallic acid. Within the PPI network, the highest degree centrality encompassed RELA, AKT1, TP53. GO and KEGG enrichment analysis elucidated that EU in HIRI primarily engaged in positive regulation of gene expression, positive transcriptional regulation via RNA polymerase II promoter, negative modulation of apoptotic processes, positive regulation of transcription from DNA templates, and drug responsiveness, among other biological processes. Key pathways included cancer pathways, RAGE signaling pathway, lipid metabolism, atherosclerosis, TNF signaling pathway, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, and apoptotic pathways. Molecular docking analysis revealed robust affinities between quercetin, β-sitosterol, gallic acid, and RELA, AKT1, TP53, respectively. This study reveals EU exhibits substantial potential in mitigating and treating HIRI through multifaceted targeting and involvement in intricate signaling pathways.