bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
QTL epistasis plays a role of homeostasis on heading date in rice
Authors: Huang Lilong , Tang Jichun , Zhu Bihuang , Chen Guodong , Chen Leyi , Bu Suhong , Zhu Haitao , Liu Zupei , Li Zhan , Meng Lijun , Liu Guifu , Wang Shaokui 
Published: January 2024

AbstractIf there was no gene interaction, the gene aggregation effect would increase infinitely with the increase of gene number. Epistasis avoids the endless accumulation of gene effects, playing a role of homeostasis. To confirm the role, QTL epistases were analyzed by four single-segment substitution lines with heading date QTLs in this paper. We found that QTLs of three positive effects and one negative effect generated 62.5% negative dual QTL epistatic effects and 57.7% positive triple QTL epistatic effects, forming the relationship “positive QTLs-negative one order interactions-positive two order interactions”. In this way, the aggregation effect of QTLs was partially neutralized by the opposite epistatic effect sum. There also were two exceptions, QTL OsMADS50 and gene Hd3a-2 were always with consistent effect directions with their epistases, implying they could be employed in pyramiding breeding with different objectives. This study elucidated the mechanism of epistatic interactions among four QTLs and provided valuable genetic resources for improving heading date in rice.
Exploratory analysis of the effectiveness of virtual reality in cardiovascular rehabilitation
Authors: Wrzeciono Adam , Cieślik Błażej , Kiper Paweł , Szczepańska-Gieracha Joanna , Gajda Robert 
Published: January 2024

AbstractVirtual reality therapy has been shown to be effective in coping with psychological disorders accompanied by cardiovascular disease. Age appears to be a factor that can affect the effectiveness of psychological therapy in a virtual environment. Therefore, the aim of the study was to explore whether there are age-related differences in the effectiveness of reducing levels of depression and anxiety during a virtual reality psychological intervention implemented for rehabilitation. The study included 25 younger (< 65 years) and 25 older (65 +) patients with cardiovascular disease who participated in virtual reality therapy to cope with anxiety and depression. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale was used to assess anxiety and depressive disorders before and after intervention. Significant reductions in anxiety and depression scores after intervention were observed in both age-matched groups, and no significant differences were found between the younger and older participants. Further evaluation of patient age as a predictor of the effectiveness of psychological intervention in virtual reality did not show a significant effect of age on effectiveness in reducing anxiety and depressive disorders. The results obtained suggest that older patients benefit similarly to younger patients from psychological intervention in a virtual environment. Furthermore, age does not appear to be considered a predictor of effectiveness in reducing the level of anxiety and depression in patients with cardiovascular disease using virtual reality therapy.
Association between polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons exposure with red cell width distribution and ischemic heart disease: insights from a population-based study
Authors: Wu Pin 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThis study investigates the association between polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) exposure, red blood cell distribution width (RDW), and ischemic heart disease (IHD) in a sample of 3003 participants from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). We hypothesize that RDW may mediate the effect of hydroxylated PAHs (OH-PAH) on IHD. Logistic regression models reveal significant associations between increased urinary PAH metabolite concentrations and IHD, as well as positive associations between PAH metabolites and RDW. Weighted Quantile Sum (WQS) regression and Bayesian Kernel Machine Regression (BKMR) analyses confirm the significant associations of the OH-PAH mixture with IHD and RDW. Mediation analysis demonstrates that RDW partially mediates the relationship between PAH exposure and IHD, accounting for 2–4.6% of the total effects. Our findings highlight the potential underlying mechanisms linking PAH exposure, RDW, and IHD and emphasize the importance of addressing environmental pollutants like PAHs in maintaining cardiovascular health and informing public health policies.
Water can trigger nuclear reaction to produce energy and isotope gases
Authors: Huang Bin-Juine , Pan Yu-Hsiang , Wu Po-Hsien , Yeh Jong-Fu , Tso Ming-Li , Liu Ying-Hung , Wu Litu , Huang Ching-Kang , Chen I-Fee , Lin Che-Hao , Tseng T. R. , Kang Fang-Wei , Tsai Tan-Feng , Lan Kuan-Che , Chen Yi-Tung , Liao Mou-Yung , Xu Li , Chen Sih-Li , Greenyer Robert William 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThis paper reports the discovery that water can trigger a peculiar nuclear reaction and produce energy. Cavitation may induce unusual reactions through implosion of water vapor bubbles. Many of this research has been published formally or informally. We have conducted experiments using two reactor types made from multiple-pipe heat exchanger and found that the heat exchange process of water produces peculiar excess heat and abnormally high pressure leading to rupture of the reactor. Recently, we have tested another eight reactors. Interestingly, these reactors produce non-condensable gas. We suspected that they include 22Ne and CO2. We used a mass spectrometer (MS) to analyze 14 gas samples collected from 8 reactors, including ten samples showing a coefficient of performance COPx > 1.05 (with excess heat) and four having COPx < 1.05 (without excess heat). Several methods were adopted to identify the gas content. For CO2 identification, two methods are employed. For 22Ne identification, three methods are employed. All the results confirm that isotope 22Ne and regular CO2 really exist in the output gas from reactors determined to have excess heat. We conjecture a possible mechanism to produce 22Ne and CO2 and find out that 12C and isotope 17O are the intermediate. They finally form isotope gases containing 17O, including H2O-17 (heavy-oxygen water), isotope O2 (16O–17O), and isotope CO2 (12C–16O–17O). In the excess heat producing reactors, all these gasses were detected by MS in the absence of 20Ne and 21Ne. The observed isotope gases produced from reactors having excess heat verifies that water can trigger a peculiar nuclear reaction and produce energy.
Effects of climate factors and Demodex infestation on meibomian gland dysfunction-associated dry eye diseases
Authors: Deng Xinran , Qi Wenjie , Zhao Shaozhen , Yang Ruibo , Zhang Chen , Huang Yue 
Published: January 2024

AbstractWe examined the effects of climatic factors and Demodex infestations on meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD)-associated dry eye disease (DED) in a cross-sectional study. This study included 123 patients from Tianjin and Chengdu regions, and climate factors and the Air Quality Index (AQI) were recorded for one year. Ocular surface parameters and Demodex infestations were evaluated using various tests. Significant differences in all climatic factors and AQI were observed between Tianjin and Chengdu (P < 0.01), and ocular surface parameters also differed significantly between the two regions (P < 0.05). Temperature, relative humidity, and precipitation positively correlated with tear break-up time (BUT), meibum gland expressibility, and lid margin irregularity but negatively correlated with lissamine green staining scores (P < 0.05). Wind speed and atmospheric pressure positively correlated with corneal fluorescein staining and lissamine green staining but negatively correlated with BUT and lid margin irregularity (P < 0.05). AQI positively correlated with DED symptoms and corneal findings but negatively correlated with tear film stability and meibomian gland characteristics (P < 0.05). Demodex infestation was only positively correlated with meibum quality scores (P < 0.05). Our findings suggest that geographic climates influence ocular surface characteristics in MGD-associated DED, with daily precipitation potentially playing a significant role, and Demodex infestation contributes to meibum gland degeneration.
Dark personality traits and deception, and the short dark tetrad (SD4) as integrity screening instrument
Authors: Rassin Eric , de Roos Melissa , van Dongen Josanne 
Published: January 2024

AbstractDark personality traits (Machiavellianism, Narcissism, Psychopathy, and Sadism) have been associated with aversive, unethical, and criminal conduct. Concise measurement tools such as the Short Dark Tetrad (SD4) are popular, because they lend themselves as screening instruments. As such, the scores on these scales are used in various decision-making contexts, and they can have considerable effects on the lives of people who display an unfortunate scoring pattern. The present study explored to what extent high SD4 scores are actually predictive of deceptive behaviour in a matrix puzzle task, in a general community sample (N = 751). Results indicated that 9.9% of participants lied, that is, exaggerated their performance on the matrix task, hoping to increase their likelihood of financial reward. These cheating participants scored higher on all four dark traits. Nonetheless, the overlap between SD4 distributions made it impossible to determine cut-off scores in an attempt to consider scores as actual predictors of deception proneness. When framed in likelihoods, some scores can be diagnostic of deception proneness. Particularly in the context of statement validity assessment, characterized by tools with modest to poor accuracy, SD4 scores may add to diagnostic accuracy.
Phosphorylation regulates viral biomolecular condensates to promote infectious progeny production
Authors: Grams Nicholas , Charman Matthew , Halko Edwin , Lauman Richard , Garcia Benjamin A , Weitzman Matthew D 
Published: January 2024

AbstractBiomolecular condensates (BMCs) play important roles in diverse biological processes. Many viruses form BMCs which have been implicated in various functions critical for the productive infection of host cells. The adenovirus L1-52/55 kilodalton protein (52K) was recently shown to form viral BMCs that coordinate viral genome packaging and capsid assembly. Although critical for packaging, we do not know how viral condensates are regulated during adenovirus infection. Here we show that phosphorylation of serine residues 28 and 75 within the N-terminal intrinsically disordered region of 52K modulates viral condensates in vitro and in cells, promoting liquid-like properties. Furthermore, we demonstrate that phosphorylation of 52K promotes viral genome packaging and the production of infectious progeny particles. Collectively, our findings provide insights into how viral condensate properties are regulated and maintained in a state conducive to their function in viral progeny production. In addition, our findings have implications for antiviral strategies aimed at targeting the regulation of viral BMCs to limit viral multiplication.
S-acylation of a non-secreted peptide controls plant immunity via secreted-peptide signal activation
Authors: Li Wenliang , Ye Tushu , Ye Weixian , Liang Jieyi , Wang Wen , Han Danlu , Liu Xiaoshi , Huang Liting , Ouyang Youwei , Liao Jianwei , Chen Tongsheng , Yang Chengwei , Lai Jianbin 
Published: January 2024

AbstractSmall peptides modulate multiple processes in plant cells, but their regulation by post-translational modification remains unclear. ROT4 (ROTUNDIFOLIA4) belongs to a family of Arabidopsis non-secreted small peptides, but knowledge on its molecular function and how it is regulated is limited. Here, we find that ROT4 is S-acylated in plant cells. S-acylation is an important form of protein lipidation, yet so far it has not been reported to regulate small peptides in plants. We show that this modification is essential for the plasma membrane association of ROT4. Overexpression of S-acylated ROT4 results in a dramatic increase in immune gene expression. S-acylation of ROT4 enhances its interaction with BSK5 (BRASSINOSTEROID-SIGNALING KINASE 5) to block the association between BSK5 and PEPR1 (PEP RECEPTOR1), a receptor kinase for secreted plant elicitor peptides (PEPs), thereby activating immune signaling. Phenotype analysis indicates that S-acylation is necessary for ROT4 functions in pathogen resistance, PEP response, and the regulation of development. Collectively, our work reveals an important role for S-acylation in the cross-talk of non-secreted and secreted peptide signaling in plant immunity.
Flexible smart surface coating for GIS/GIL epoxy insulators
Authors: Wang Yu‐Huai , Chen Zhuo , Li Jin , Liu Zhi‐Xiang , Chen Rong , Aung Hein Htet , Liang Hu‐Cheng , Du Bo‐Xue 
Published: January 2024

AbstractA flexible smart coating with electroluminescence effect was designed and fabricated on the surface of gas insulated switch gear (GIS)/gas insulated transmission line (GIL) epoxy insulators based on two‐step curing process. As the AC voltage increases, the luminous area on the insulator surface expands from the centre to the periphery, and the light intensity shows a linear relationship with the applied voltage. Besides, the flexible smart coating can effectively identify the location of metal particle defects and the degree of electric field distortion. The flexible smart coating enhances the surface flashover voltage due to its higher dielectric constant. Simultaneously, metal particle contamination can substantially reduce the insulation performance of epoxy insulators, particularly when they are located near the high‐voltage side. It is hoped that this study can provide a reference for the smart detection of surface defects GIS/GIL basin insulators.
Deep learning and capsule endoscopy: Automatic multi-brand and multi-device panendoscopic detection of vascular lesions
Authors: Mascarenhas Miguel , Martins Miguel , Afonso João , Ribeiro Tiago , Cardoso Pedro , Mendes Franscisco , Andrade Patrícia , Cardoso Helder , Mascarenhas-Saraiva Miguel , Ferreira João , Macedo Guilherme 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Background and study aims Capsule endoscopy (CE) is commonly used as the initial exam for suspected mid-gastrointestinal bleeding after normal upper and lower endoscopy. Although the assessment of the small bowel is the primary focus of CE, detecting upstream or downstream vascular lesions may also be clinically significant. This study aimed to develop and test a convolutional neural network (CNN)-based model for panendoscopic automatic detection of vascular lesions during CE.
Patients and methods A multicentric AI model development study was based on 1022 CE exams. Our group used 34655 frames from seven types of CE devices, of which 11091 were considered to have vascular lesions (angiectasia or varices) after triple validation. We divided data into a training and a validation set, and the latter was used to evaluate the model’s performance. At the time of division, all frames from a given patient were assigned to the same dataset. Our primary outcome measures were sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and an area under the precision-recall curve (AUC-PR).
Results Sensitivity and specificity were 86.4% and 98.3%, respectively. PPV was 95.2%, while the NPV was 95.0%. Overall accuracy was 95.0%. The AUC-PR value was 0.96. The CNN processed 115 frames per second.
Conclusions This is the first proof-of-concept artificial intelligence deep learning model developed for pan-endoscopic automatic detection of vascular lesions during CE. The diagnostic performance of this CNN in multi-brand devices addresses an essential issue of technological interoperability, allowing it to be replicated in multiple technological settings.
Small and medium enterprise (SME) competitiveness and employment creation: the mediating role of SME growth
Authors: Inegbedion Henry Egbezien , Thikan Perejite Roseline , David Joseph Olusegun , Ajani John Oluwasayo , Peter Fred Ojochide 
Published: January 2024

AbstractOwing to the growing inability of the state to provide employment for citizens globally, SME growth now appeals to many people as the solution to employment generation and by implication, economic growth and development. Flowing from the capabilities based view (CBV) theory, this study investigated SME competitiveness and employment creation to explain how SME competitiveness can contribute to national income through employment creation using SME growth as a mediator. The design was a cross-sectional survey of 93 respondents from SMEs in Nigeria. The study used a structured questionnaire to collect the research data and used structural equation modelling to analyse the data. The results indicate that product innovation and product differentiation have significant relationships with employment generation owing to their capacity to enhance SME growth. Secondly, SME growth mediates the relationship between SME competitiveness (product differentiation, innovation and imitation) and employment generation. This study differs from previous ones through its use of product line, innovation, differentiation, and imitation in a single framework to operationalise SME competitiveness as well as the mediation of the relationship between SME competitiveness and employment generation with the growth rate of SMEs. In addition, the study makes a theoretical contribution through the use of a firm’s activity based capabilities to demonstrate its competitiveness.
Weak central government, strong legal rights: the origins of divergent legal institutions in 18th-century Chinese and Japanese rice markets
Authors: Wang Rui , Zhu Qianmao , Noellert Matthew 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThis paper examines the formation of legal institutions in Qing China and Tokugawa Japan with a focus on the rice market. In both countries in the 18th century, rice was the most important commodity. By the end of 18th century, Japan offered strong legal rights to rice market participants, while China managed the rice market with weak legal institutions. We develop a subversive regime game model to explain some of the social and political reasons behind this divergence. Supported by historical evidence from Qing China and Tokugawa Japan, we find that with lower suppression capacity and high risks of domestic threats to power, Edo Japan’s central government (Bakufu) was more likely to enforce legal rights than Qing China’s central government (Imperial Court). Japan’s institutional configuration facilitated the growth of rice markets such as the Doujima market in Osaka, because participants did not need to invest as much in informal protections for their own rights. Moreover, our analysis suggests that a state’s relative strength matters the most in determining its attitude toward legal rights, which further influences the state’s stability and longevity.
The effects of children’s participation and co-creation in science
Authors: Carballido Beatriz Villarejo , Díez-Palomar Javier , Garcia-Yeste Carme , Morejón Ane Olabarria 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThe scientific literature shows that children’s participation in video games is increasingly common. However, there is no analysis of the involvement of children in the development of video games promoting social science learning. The framework of the EU H2020 funded project “ALLINTERACT. Widening and diversifying citizen engagement in science” contributes to filling this gap by analysing the co-creation process between children, families, teachers, and researchers of a video game for children to distinguish between hoaxes and evidence to overcoming bullying. To this end, a 24-h Science Game Jam was recorded, which took place in a virtual space for group meetings in which five children, five family members, four teachers and four researchers participated in the co-creation of the video game and a collaborative document in the cloud including the guidelines of the video game, with their proposals for the development. Finally, they participated as well as in the co-creation of the video game itself. The key finding is that co-creation through an egalitarian dialogue, solidarity, and focus on scientific knowledge allowed these children to play a leading role in developing a video game where children of all educational stages learn to distinguish hoaxes and evidence in overcoming bullying. The involvement in science and the co-creation of science-based products benefited these children; as they were protagonists in science, they could express their concerns and the real problems they faced in their schools, which increased their scientific knowledge and strengthened their critical capacity about bullying. Furthermore, the adult participants also benefited from the knowledge provided by the children, especially in the development and creation of the video game.
Impact of China’s free trade zones on the innovation performance of firms: evidence from a quasi-natural experiment
Authors: Su Xin , Wang Shengwen 
Published: January 2024

AbstractTo analyse the impact of the free trade zone (FTZ) policy on firms’ innovation performance, this study conducted a quasi-natural experiment involving FTZ promotion, matched information on the establishment of China’s FTZs with patent data for listed companies from 2012 to 2020, and applied identification, estimation and inference processes to identify the effects of FTZs using a time-varying difference-in-differences model. The validity of the findings was confirmed using the parallel trend test, the placebo test and a high-dimensional fixed effects estimation, and the mediating roles of financing constraints and industrial agglomeration on firms’ innovation performance were analysed. To address the endogeneity issue and eliminate regression bias resulting from non-random selection, an instrumental variable regression and propensity score matching were employed. In addition, the policy effects were further explored by analysing the moderating effects of contextual factors and firm heterogeneity. The results showed that the FTZ policy has considerably enhanced the innovation performance of enterprises in the pilot areas, increasing the innovation level of enterprises by alleviating financing constraints and enhancing industrial agglomeration. The level of economic development and the degree of government involvement have also influenced the effect of the FTZ policy on enterprises’ innovation performance. Firm heterogeneity, including factors such as size, ownership, industry affiliation and location, influences the policy effects. In an effort to accelerate the implementation of the policy, an in-depth analysis of the underlying mechanism of the FTZ policy and its effects on enterprise innovation performance was provided, thereby providing a realistic basis for the expansion of the FTZ policy.