bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Thalamic Foxp2 regulates output connectivity and sensory-motor impairments in a model of Huntington’s Disease
Authors: Rodríguez-Urgellés Ened , Casas-Torremocha Diana , Sancho-Balsells Anna , Ballasch Iván , García-García Esther , Miquel-Rio Lluis , Manasanch Arnau , del Castillo Ignacio , Chen Wanqi , Pupak Anika , Brito Veronica , Tornero Daniel , Rodríguez Manuel J. , Bortolozzi Analia , Sanchez-Vives Maria V. , Giralt Albert , Alberch Jordi 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Background
Huntington's Disease (HD) is a disorder that affects body movements. Altered glutamatergic innervation of the striatum is a major hallmark of the disease. Approximately 30% of those glutamatergic inputs come from thalamic nuclei. Foxp2 is a transcription factor involved in cell differentiation and reported low in patients with HD. However, the role of the Foxp2 in the thalamus in HD remains unexplored.

Methods
We used two different mouse models of HD, the R6/1 and the HdhQ111 mice, to demonstrate a consistent thalamic Foxp2 reduction in the context of HD. We used in vivo electrophysiological recordings, microdialysis in behaving mice and rabies virus-based monosynaptic tracing to study thalamo-striatal and thalamo-cortical synaptic connectivity in R6/1 mice. Micro-structural synaptic plasticity was also evaluated in the striatum and cortex of R6/1 mice. We over-expressed Foxp2 in the thalamus of R6/1 mice or reduced Foxp2 in the thalamus of wild type mice to evaluate its role in sensory and motor skills deficiencies, as well as thalamo-striatal and thalamo-cortical connectivity in such mouse models.

Results
Here, we demonstrate in a HD mouse model a clear and early thalamo-striatal aberrant connectivity associated with a reduction of thalamic Foxp2 levels. Recovering thalamic Foxp2 levels in the mouse rescued motor coordination and sensory skills concomitant with an amelioration of neuropathological features and with a repair of the structural and functional connectivity through a restoration of neurotransmitter release. In addition, reduction of thalamic Foxp2 levels in wild type mice induced HD-like phenotypes.

Conclusions
In conclusion, we show that a novel identified thalamic Foxp2 dysregulation alters basal ganglia circuits implicated in the pathophysiology of HD.
Influence of dextrins and β-glucans on palate fullness and mouthfeel of beer
Authors: Moreno Ravelo Rolando César , Gastl Martina , Becker Thomas 
Published: November 2023

AbstractPalate fullness (PF) and mouthfeel are important sensory attributes influencing beer quality. The molar mass of starch (dextrins) and non-starch (β-glucans) polysaccharides may influence PF (pleasant) or mouthfeel (sliminess, unpleasant), respectively. Therefore, this research aims to generate beer with wide physico-chemical responses based on various raw material characteristics to study its relation to PF and mouthfeel. To accomplish this, ten barley varieties (two harvest locations and years) were classified into three groups based on their modification characteristics. To intensify response variation, barley was malted at two modification levels (parameter steeping degree), generating 55 independent malts used to brew the same number of standardized bottom fermented beers. A trained sensory panel evaluated PF (intensity and quality) and mouthfeel (e.g., slimy) descriptors. Additionally, beers were fractionated by asymmetrical flow field-flow fractionation (AF4) in three different fractions and their molar masses were determined. The average molar mass of big size (> 10 nm) dextrins and β-glucans AF4 fraction increased analogously to barley modification characteristics. For sensory data evaluation, only beer samples brewed with malts inside the recommended brewing specifications were considered (β-glucan content in malt < 350 mg/L, ISO 65 °C). PF quality was lower on samples with β-glucan content < 100 mg/L. This group also contained fewer dextrins (attenuation > 87.4 ± 1.5%), suggesting that the balance of β-glucans and dextrins is important for PF quality. This work indicates that molar mass of starch and non-starch polysaccharides, affected by barley variety and its modification level, influences sensory perception, and hence, beer quality.
Graphical Abstract
Foraging movements and important sites for conservation of the West African Crested Tern Thalasseus albididorsalis breeding in Guinea-Bissau
Authors: Correia Edna , Beal Martin , Gomes Nélson , Diop Ngoné , Wambar Francisco , Dias Maria P. , Hernandez-Rios Alfonso , Catry Teresa 
Published: November 2023

AbstractAssessing at-sea distributions and behaviour of seabirds to identify critical foraging sites and spatial overlap with potential threats is a major step for delineating conservation guidelines. The West African Crested Tern (Thalasseus albididorsalis) is the most abundant breeding tern in West Africa, nesting from Mauritania to Guinea. Its restricted breeding range and exclusive nesting at coastal low-lying areas, place this species at particular risk of losing suitable breeding and resting sites as a consequence of current global changes, namely, sea-level rise. The at-sea distribution of this species is mostly unknown, and therefore, the specific threats faced are still unidentified. Here, we characterize the foraging behaviour and distribution of West African Crested terns breeding at the world’s second-largest colony of the species, in Guinea-Bissau, by tracking 20 individuals. Overall, terns took an average of 2 trips per day, travelling on average 100 km per trip, but often reaching areas up to 120 km from the colony. Shallow waters, usually not exceeding 10 m in depth, and upwelling areas were mostly used as foraging sites. Nocturnal movements, rarely reported on terns, suggest active foraging at night. Key foraging and resting sites were identified, which altogether may regularly hold 2.5–23% of the global breeding population of the West African Crested Tern. These areas are only partly (ca. 50%) covered by the existing marine Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA). Therefore, our results should be considered in any re-evaluation of the IBA borders.
The incomparable fascination of comparative physiology: 40 years with animals in the field and laboratory
Authors: Bleckmann Horst 
Published: November 2023

AbstractThis paper is not meant to be a review article. Instead, it gives an overview of the major research projects that the author, together with his students, colleagues and collaborators, has worked on. Although the main focus of the author’s work has always been the fish lateral line, this paper is mainly about all the other research projects he did or that were done in his laboratory. These include studies on fishing spiders, weakly electric fish, seals, water rats, bottom dwelling sharks, freshwater rays, venomous snakes, birds of prey, fire loving beetles and backswimmers. The reasons for this diversity of research projects? Simple. The authors’s lifelong enthusiasm for animals, and nature's ingenuity in inventing new biological solutions. Indeed, this most certainly was a principal reason why Karl von Frisch and Alfred Kühn founded the Zeitschrift für vergleichende Physiologie (now Journal of Comparative Physiology A) 100 years ago.
The sensitivity of mechanoelectrical transduction response phase to acoustic overstimulation is calcium-dependent
Authors: Hakizimana Pierre 
Published: November 2023

AbstractThe Mechanoelectrical transduction (MET) channels of the mammalian hair cells are essential for converting sound stimuli into electrical signals that enable hearing. However, the impact of acoustic overstimulation, a leading cause of hearing loss, on the MET channel function remains poorly understood. In this study, I investigated the effect of loud sound-induced temporary threshold shift (TTS) on the transduction response phase across a wide range of sound frequencies and amplitudes. The results demonstrated an increase in the transduction response phase following TTS, indicating altered transduction apparatus function. Further investigations involving the reduction of extracellular calcium, a known consequence of TTS, replicated the observed phase changes. Additionally, reduction of potassium entry confirmed the specific role of calcium in regulating the transduction response phase. These findings provide novel insights into the impact of loud sound exposure on hearing impairment at the transduction apparatus level and highlight the critical role of calcium in modulating sound transduction. Considering that over 1 billion teenagers and young adults globally are at risk of hearing loss due to unsafe music listening habits, these results could significantly enhance awareness about the damaging effects of loud sound exposure.
The Potential of Deep Geothermal Energy in Tyrol—Based on a Pre-feasibility Study
Authors: Galler Robert , Villeneuve Marlène , Schreilechner Marcellus G. , Jud Markus , Binder Heinz , Hainisch Alexander , Lüschen Ewald , Eichkitz Christoph G. , Neuhold Christina , Hasni Maha , Bottig Magdalena , Hoyer Stefan , Schubert Gerhard , Rupprecht Doris , Weginger Stefan , Apoloner Maria-Theresia , Hausmann Helmut , Ortner Hugo , Hinterwirth Simon 
Published: November 2023

AbstractThe economic use of deep geothermal energy is fundamentally controlled by the factors of rock permeability, temperature gradient, and depth. The carbonates of the Northern Limestone Alps are considered possible hydrothermal deep aquifers in Tyrol. This is the so-called main dolomite and Wetterstein limestone. For an initial assessment of the geothermal potential, information from the deep Kramsach Th1 borehole was used. With a temperature gradient of approx. 1.8 °C/100 m, which could be derived from the Kramsach Th1 borehole, temperatures of 65 °C at depths of approx. 3000 m and 100 °C at a depth of 5000 m occur in the Inn Valley expect. In addition, it is noted that further in the northwest of the Limestone Alps, at the deep boreholes Vorderriß 1 and Hindelang 1, higher temperature gradients of 2.2 °C/100 m and 2.6 °C/100 m were observed, respectively. Successful thermal water development at these depths requires that hydraulically well-permeable rocks are present. To clarify this question, extensive investigations of the reservoir rocks through exploration drilling are still required. Deep geothermal energy can lead to associated seismicity. In order to quickly detect associated seismicity and to be able to react in a timely manner, seismic monitoring is required during drilling activities and during operation of the systems, whereby the accompanying seismic monitoring must be able to distinguish between natural and induced seismicity.
COVID-19 information source and behavior preference in later life: the role of health satisfaction, socio-demographic background, and country of residence
Authors: Rosenberg Dennis , Taipale Sakari 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this study was to clarify how health satisfaction, socio-demographic background, and country of residence in older internet users correspond with their preference for COVID-19 information sources or for behaviors aimed at acquiring this information.

Methods
The sample (N = 4233) was drawn from the 2020 wave of the Ageing + Communication + Technologies (ACT) cross-national longitudinal research study. Multinomial and logistic regression models were employed to analyze the data.

Results
An association was found between health satisfaction and preference for interpersonal communication to obtain COVID-19 information over traditional media consumed via traditional devices. Substantial socio-demographic (gender, age, education, marital status) differences were found, particularly regarding preference for digital media. Moreover, sizable cross-country differences were detected.

Conclusions
The results point to the existence of a remarkable divide with respect to the COVID-19 information source/behavior preference even in a digitally advantaged population. Public decision makers and communities should be more involved in assisting older adults to obtain necessary and up-to-date information regarding COVID-19.
Health literacy of women giving birth in Vilnius Perinatology Centre
Authors: Gaupšienė Alma , Valančiūnaitė Rasa , Baglajeva Jekaterina , Vainauskaitė Aistė , Stukas Rimantas , Ramašauskaitė Diana , Paliulytė Virginija , Istomina Natalja 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
The aim of the study
To investigate the health literacy and associated factors of women giving birth at the Vilnius Perinatology Centre.

Material and methods
The study was conducted between June 2022 and September 2022 at the Vilnius University Hospital in Lithuania. Five hundred and eight women who had delivered healthy newborns were surveyed. The study instrument was the European Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLS-EU-Q47) in addition to other questionnaires to assess socio-demographic factors of the mother. The Health Literacy Questionnaire was used with the permission of the authors. The survey data was processed using IBM SPSS version 23.

Results and conclusions
The study showed that more than half of women who gave birth at the Vilnius Perinatology Centre had inadequate or problematic health literacy. Across all literacy indices (including health care, disease prevention, and health promotion), they particularly lack expertise in health promotion. The assessment of health information processing indices (to obtain, understand, evaluate, and apply) revealed that the evaluation of recent health information is the most challenging task for those women. The study confirmed the assumption that women with higher levels of education and who had attended maternity skills training have higher levels of health literacy. Higher rates of unplanned births are also linked to lower levels of health literacy among women.
Harnessing the Electrochemical Effects of Electroporation-Based Therapies to Enhance Anti-tumor Immune Responses
Authors: Salameh Zaid S. , Aycock Kenneth N. , Alinezhadbalalami Nastaran , Imran Khan Mohammad , McKillop Iain H. , Allen Irving C. , Davalos Rafael V. 
Published: November 2023

AbstractThis study introduces a new method of targeting acidosis (low pH) within the tumor microenvironment (TME) through the use of cathodic electrochemical reactions (CER). Low pH is oncogenic by supporting immunosuppression. Electrochemical reactions create local pH effects when a current passes through an electrolytic substrate such as biological tissue. Electrolysis has been used with electroporation (destabilization of the lipid bilayer via an applied electric potential) to increase cell death areas. However, the regulated increase of pH through only the cathode electrode has been ignored as a possible method to alleviate TME acidosis, which could provide substantial immunotherapeutic benefits. Here, we show through ex vivo modeling that CERs can intentionally elevate pH to an anti-tumor level and that increased alkalinity promotes activation of naïve macrophages. This study shows the potential of CERs to improve acidity within the TME and that it has the potential to be paired with existing electric field-based cancer therapies or as a stand-alone therapy.
Monetary compensation schemes during the COVID-19 pandemic: implications for household incomes, liquidity constraints and consumption across the EU
Authors: Christl Michael , De Poli Silvia , Figari Francesco , Hufkens Tine , Leventi Chrysa , Papini Andrea , Tumino Alberto 
Published: November 2023

AbstractThis paper analyses the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on household disposable income and household demand in the European Union (EU) during 2020, making use of the EU microsimulation model EUROMOD and nowcasting techniques. We show evidence of heterogeneity in the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the labour markets in EU Member States, with some countries hit substantially harder than others. Most EU Member States experience a large drop in market incomes, with poorer households bearing the brunt. Tax-benefit systems cushioned significantly the transmission of the shock to the disposable income and the household demand, with monetary compensation schemes playing a major role. Additionally, we show that monetary compensation schemes prevent a significant share of households from becoming liquidity constrained during the pandemic.
Fast parameterless prototype-based co-clustering
Authors: Battaglia Elena , Peiretti Federico , Pensa Ruggero G. 
Published: November 2023

AbstractTensor co-clustering algorithms have been proven useful in many application scenarios, such as recommender systems, biological data analysis and the analysis of complex and evolving networks. However, they are significantly affected by wrong parameter configurations, since, at the very least, they require the cluster number to be set for each mode of the matrix/tensor, although they typically have other algorithm-specific hyper-parameters that need to be fine-tuned. Among the few known objective functions that can be optimized without setting these parameters, the Goodman–Kruskal $$\tau $$
τ
—a statistical association measure that estimates the strength of the link between two or more discrete random variables—has proven its effectiveness in complex matrix and tensor co-clustering applications. However, its optimization in a co-clustering setting is tricky and, so far, has leaded to very slow and, at least in some specific but not unfrequent cases, inaccurate algorithms, due to its normalization term. In this paper, we investigate some interesting mathematical properties of $$\tau $$
τ
, and propose a new simplified objective function with the ability of discovering an arbitrary and a priori unspecified number of good-quality co-clusters. Additionally, the new objective function definition allows for a novel prototype-based optimization strategy that enables the fast execution of matrix and higher-order tensor co-clustering. We show experimentally that the new algorithm preserves or even improves the quality of the discovered co-clusters by outperforming state-of-the-art competing approaches, while reducing the execution time by at least two orders of magnitude.
Synthesis of Magnetite Coated Oleic Acid: Sequestration of Toluene and Xylene from Aqueous Solution and Cost Analysis
Authors: Masuku Makhosazana , Sanni Saheed O. , Akpotu Samson O. , Pholosi Agnes 
Published: November 2023

AbstractToluene and xylene are carcinogenic and toxic compounds, and their presence in excessive amounts in the environment has an adverse impact on water quality, thus affecting public health. In this study, magnetite coated oleic acid, (MNP-OA) nanocomposite was synthesized, characterized and applied as an effective nano-adsorbent for the efficient removal of toluene and xylene from aqueous solutions. Magnetite nanoparticles were coated with oleic acid via the microwave method and characterized using BET surface area, XPS, SEM-EDX and pHpzc analysis. Batch adsorption studies were performed to optimize operating parameters including solution pH, adsorbent dose, contact time, and initial concentration. The impact of hydrophobic coating on the kinetics, equilibrium, and the mechanism of toluene and xylene uptake were determined. Characterization confirmed the surface coating of magnetite with oleic acid which evidenced from the additional oxygenated functional groups such as hydroxyl and carboxylic groups. The morphological analysis showed spherically shaped magnetite nanoparticles. Maximum adsorption capacity of 133.57 mg/g for toluene and 161.01 mg/g for xylene were attained at solution pH of 8, adsorbent dose of 0.1 g and concentration of 100 mg/dm3 at 298 K. The pseudo-second-order and Langmuir models best explained the kinetics and adsorption isotherm, respectively. The thermodynamic parameters, including Gibbs free energy, enthalpy change, and entropy change of adsorption indicated that the adsorption process was endothermic and spontaneous in nature. The MNP-OA nanocomposites can be applied as a reusable, cost-effective, and efficient adsorbent for toluene and xylene remediation and could be considered for other volatile organic compounds in future application.
Planning, implementing, and evaluating Hepatitis C virus elimination via collaborative community-based care cascade: age–period–cohort model for estimating demand from antecedent anti-HCV survey
Authors: Lin Ting-Yu , Jen Hsiao-Hsuan , Hu Tsung-Hui , Yao Yu-Chin , Chen Tony Hsiu-Hsi , Yen Amy Ming-Fang , Yeh Yen-Po 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Background
Estimating the demand for HCV care cascade plays an important role in planning, monitoring, and assessing the performance of introducing a new community-based hepatitis C virus (HCV) elimination program but such an analytic and systematic approach has been barley addressed.

Methods
A new collaborative care program for HCV elimination in the Changhua Community of Taiwan has been offered to a total of 895,353 residents since 2018. To grasp the variation of demand for HCV care cascade across demographic and geographic features in the planning stage, we applied the age–period–cohort spatial model to the antecedent anti-HCV survey enrolling 123,617 participants aged 30 years or older between 2005 and 2018. Based on this precise denominator, we then employed a “before-and-after” study design to routinely evaluate whether the WHO criteria of 90% RNA positive diagnosis and 80% successful treatments could be reached.

Results
The overall demand for HCV care cascade was 4.28% (HCV infection) of the underlying population but a declining trend was noted. The early cohort had a higher demand, whereas the demand of the young cohort decreased with each passing year. The demand also differed by township. The demand, allowing for these variations, for antiviral treatment was 22,362, yielding the WHO target of 12,880 for achieving HCV elimination. With 11,844 successful treatments, the effectiveness of elimination has already reached 92% (11,844/12,880) by the end of 2022.

Conclusions
The demand for HCV care cascade allows health care decision-makers to timely and properly assess the performance of a novel community-based collaborative care program in achieving HCV elimination.
Effectiveness of an ethanol extract of jet black ant nests for combatting nosemosis in apiary honey bees
Authors: Wagner Grzegorz K. , Kunat-Budzyńska Magdalena , Staniec Bernard , Matuszewska Anna , Jaszek Magdalena , Stefaniuk Dawid , Kordaczuk Jakub , Belcarz Anna , Ptaszyńska Aneta A. 
Published: November 2023

AbstractAn ethanol extract of Lasius fuliginosus ant nests was found to be highly effective against nosemosis in apiary honey bees. Two concentrations of the extract (300 mg and 1500 mg/100 ml sugar syrup) were tested on honey bees infected by nosemosis, and both significantly reduced the number of Vairimorpha ceranae DNA copies. Administration of the extract also had a positive effect on the honey bees’ immune system, increasing the expression of genes encoding immune peptides (abaecin, defensin-1, hymenoptaecin). The extract was subjected to detailed biochemical analysis for the presence of total carbohydrates (22.1 µg/ml), proteins (26.7 µg/ml), and phenolic compounds (63.8 μM) and also to assess its reducing activity (69.2% for DPPH radicals and 94% for the ABTS method). FTIR analysis revealed a number of groups and types of organic compounds (including fatty acids, triglycerides, formic acid, and phenols), the presence of which may have a decisive influence on the preparation’s high level of biological activity.
Wer sich in die Gegenwartsliteratur begibt …
Authors: Baßler Moritz 
Published: November 2023

ZusammenfassungDie 30-Jahre-Regel ist obsolet, weil sich unser Begriff von kanonischer Literatur generell gewandelt hat. Gegenwartsliteratur kann daher analysiert werden wie alle Literatur, allerdings begibt man sich dabei auf ein umkämpftes Terrain, auf dem die wissenschaftliche Position nur eine unter anderen ist.