bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Long-term behavioral adaptation of Oldowan toolmakers to resource-constrained environments at 2.3 Ma in the Lower Omo Valley (Ethiopia)
Authors: Delagnes Anne , Galland Aline , Gravina Brad , Bertran Pascal , Corbé Marion , Brenet Michel , Hailu Haregwin Belete , Sissay Fikeru Mekonenn , Araya Bisrat Gebreegziabher , Woldetsadik Misganaw Gebremichael , Boisserie Jean-Renaud 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
The long stratigraphic sequence of the Shungura Formation in the Lower Omo Valley documents 3 million years of hominin evolution, which, when combined with detailed paleo-depositional environmental data, provide a unique window onto the complex interactions between hominin landscape use and the development of stone tool mediated behaviors. It remains to be seen whether this behavior was related to a unique brief occupation event or the expression of an emerging long-term tradition. The hominins, Paranthropus aethiopicus and/or early member of the genus Homo, who occupied the Lower Omo Valley developed tool assisted behaviors from ~ 2.3 Ma in the stable riverine environments of the ancestral Omo River. This new technological behavior is concomitant in the Shungura Formation with the emergent ability of the toolmakers to deal with an environment poor in lithic resources. Here we report on the newly investigated site complex of OMO 79, which produced the first evidence for multiple phases of hominin settlement dedicated to non-ephemeral mixed activities. The development of this long-lasting techno-economic tradition could relate to a more generalized cognitive tipping point around 2.3 Ma marked by hominin increased capacities in resource processing.
Sequence-based prediction of the solubility of peptides containing non-natural amino acids
Authors: Oeller Marc , Kang Ryan , Bolt Hannah , Santos Ana Gomes dos , Weinmann Annika , Nikitidis Antonios , Zlatoidsky Pavol , Su Wu , Czechtizky Werngard , De Maria Leonardo , Sormanni Pietro , Vendruscolo Michele 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Non-natural amino acids are increasingly used as building blocks in the development of peptide-based drugs, as they expand the available chemical space to tailor function, half-life and other key properties. However, while the chemical space of modified amino acids (mAAs) is potentially vast, experimental methods for measuring the developability properties of mAA-containing peptides are expensive and time consuming. To facilitate developability programs through computational methods, we present CamSol-PTM, a method that enables the fast and reliable sequence-based prediction of the solubility of mAA-containing peptides. From a computational screening of 50,000 mAA-containing variants of three peptides, we selected five different mAAs for a total number of 30 peptide variants for experimental validation. We demonstrate the accuracy of the predictions by comparing the calculated and experimental solubility values. Our results indicate that the computational screening of mAA-containing peptides can extend by over four orders of magnitude the ability to explore the chemical space of to increase the solubility of peptides. This method is available as a web server at https://www-cohsoftware.ch.cam.ac.uk/index.php/camsolptm.
Integrative Blood-Based Characterization of Oxidative Mitochondrial DNA Damage Variants Implicates Mexican Americans' Metabolic Risk for Developing Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Reid Danielle Marie , Barber Robert C. , Jones Harlan P. , Thorpe Roland J. , Sun Jie , Zhou Zhengyang , Phillips Nicole R. 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) continues to be a leading cause of death in the US. As the US aging population (ages 65+) expands, the impact will disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, e.g., Hispanic/Latinx population, due to their AD-related health disparities. Age-related regression in mitochondrial activity and ethnic-specific differences in metabolic burden could potentially explain in part the racial/ethnic distinctions in etiology that exist for AD. Oxidation of guanine (G) to 8-oxo-guanine (8oxoG) is a prevalent lesion and an indicator of oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. Damaged mtDNA (8oxoG) can serve as an important marker of age-related systemic metabolic dysfunction and upon release into peripheral circulation may exacerbate pathophysiology contributing to AD development and/or progression. Analyzing blood samples from Mexican American (MA) and non-Hispanic White (NHW) participants enrolled in the Texas Alzheimer’s Research & Care Consortium, we used blood-based measurements of 8oxoG from both buffy coat PBMCs and plasma to determine associations with population, sex, type-2 diabetes, and AD risk. Our results show that 8oxoG levels in both buffy coat and plasma were significantly associated with population, sex, years of education, and reveal a potential association with AD. Furthermore, MAs are significantly burdened by mtDNA oxidative damage in both blood fractions, which may contribute to their metabolic vulnerability to developing AD.
Quality of healthcare services among adult outpatients at two Public Hospitals in East Ethiopia: Using service quality (SERVQUAL) assessment model
Authors: Tofik Shamshudin , Yitayal Mezgebu , Negash Wubshet , Debie Ayal 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Background
Quality of healthcare has a paramount importance for efficacious, effective and efficient healthcare services as per clinical guidelines and standards to meet or exceed patients’ expectations. The available limited evidences indicated that the quality of healthcare services in public healthcare institutions is currently questionable. Thus, this study aims to determine the expected and perceived quality of services, and identify the factors associated with perceived quality of health care services at Public Hospitals in East Ethiopia.
Methods
A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted among adult outpatients in Public Hospitals from 01 March to 01 April 2021. Systematic random sampling technique was used to select the participants about perceived and expected quality of health care services. Binary logistic regression model was also fitted to identify factors associated with the perceived quality of healthcare services. Adjusted odds ratio with 95% confidence interval and P value < 0.05 were used to identify the factors associated with perceived quality of health services.
Results
Overall, 80% (95% CI: 77.4–85.1) adult outpatients were received good quality of healthcare services whereas, weighted service quality gap score was 86.61%. The scores for tangibility, reliability, responsiveness, assurance, and empathy were 11.60, 22.61, 21.78, 10.08 and 20.34%, respectively. Waiting time (AOR = 5.27; 95% CI: 2.45–11.31), received all laboratory tests (AOR = 2.62; 95% CI: 1.41–4.86), ultrasound service order (AOR = 2.01, 95% CI: 1.08–3.75), advise on drugs’; dose (AOR = 4.63; 95% CI: 1.29–16.68), contraindication (AOR = 2.09; 95% CI: 1.08–4.05), side effects (AOR = 2.79; 95% CI: 1.13–6.89) were the factors significantly associated with perceived quality of healthcare services.
Conclusion
In this study, the overall weighted SERVQUAL gap score was high with low perceived quality of healthcare services compared with patient’s expectation. Weighted SERVQUAL score was also significantly high for reliability and low for assurance dimensions. As part of improving patients' perceptions of quality health care, it is important to have, reducing waiting time, good patient-physician communication when prescribing drugs. Moreover, it could be important to have regular feedback from patients, either to the hospital or to the health professionals.
Classification and analysis of common simplifications in part-scale thermal modelling of metal additive manufacturing processes
Authors: Ranjan Rajit , Langelaar Matthijs , Keulen Fred Van , Ayas Can 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Computational process modelling of metal additive manufacturing has gained significant research attention in recent past. The cornerstone of many process models is the transient thermal response during the AM process. Since modelling the thermal response is computationally expensive, spatial and temporal simplifications, such as simulating deposition of an entire layer or multiple layers, and extending the laser exposure times, are commonly employed in the literature. Although beneficial in reducing computational costs, the influence of these simplifications on the accuracy of temperature history is reported on a case-by-case basis. In this paper, the simplifications from the existing literature are first classified in a normalised simplification space based on assumptions made in spatial and temporal domains. Subsequently, all types of simplifications are investigated with numerical examples and compared with a high-fidelity reference model. The required numerical discretisation for each simplification is established, leading to a fair comparison of computational times. The holistic approach to the suitability of different modelling simplifications for capturing thermal history provides guidelines for the suitability of simplifications while setting up a thermal AM model.
Three-dimensional multi-parameter brain mapping using MR fingerprinting
Authors: Menon Rajiv G. , Sharafi Azadeh , Muccio Marco , Smith Tyler , Kister Ilya , Ge Yulin , Regatte Ravinder R. 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
The purpose of this study was to develop and test a 3D multi-parameter MR fingerprinting (MRF) method for brain imaging applications. The subject cohort included 5 healthy volunteers, repeatability tests done on 2 healthy volunteers and tested on two multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. A 3D-MRF imaging technique capable of quantifying T1, T2 and T1ρ was used. The imaging sequence was tested in standardized phantoms and 3D-MRF brain imaging with multiple shots (1, 2 and 4) in healthy human volunteers and MS patients. Quantitative parametric maps for T1, T2, T1ρ, were generated. Mean gray matter (GM) and white matter (WM) ROIs were compared for each mapping technique, Bland-Altman plots and intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) were used to assess repeatability and Student T-tests were used to compare results in MS patients. Standardized phantom studies demonstrated excellent agreement with reference T1/T2/T1ρ mapping techniques. This study demonstrates that the 3D-MRF technique is able to simultaneously quantify T1, T2 and T1ρ for tissue property characterization in a clinically feasible scan time. This multi-parametric approach offers increased potential to detect and differentiate brain lesions and to better test imaging biomarker hypotheses for several neurological diseases, including MS.
An ethogram analysis of cutaneous thermal pain sensitivity and oxycodone reward-related behaviors in rats
Authors: Murphy Niall P. , Montgomery Darrice S. , Brice-Tutt Ariana C. , Kramer Cassidy M. , Novotny Peter M. , Malphurs Wendi , Caudle Robert M. , Bruijnzeel Adriaan W. , Sharma Abhisheak , Setlow Barry , Neubert John K. 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Inter-relationships between pain sensitivity, drug reward, and drug misuse are of considerable interest given that many analgesics exhibit misuse potential. Here we studied rats as they underwent a series of pain- and reward-related tests: cutaneous thermal reflex pain, induction and extinction of conditioned place preference to oxycodone (0.56 mg/kg), and finally the impact of neuropathic pain on reflex pain and reinstatement of conditioned place preference. Oxycodone induced a significant conditioned place preference that was extinguished throughout repeated testing. Correlations identified of particular interest included an association between reflex pain and oxycodone-induced behavioral sensitization, and between rates of behavioral sensitization and extinction of conditioned place preference. Multidimensional scaling analysis followed by k-clustering identified three clusters: (1) reflex pain and the rate of change in reflex pain response throughout repeated testing, (2) basal locomotion, locomotor habituation, and acute oxycodone-stimulated locomotion, and (3) behavioral sensitization, strength of conditioned place preference, and rate of extinction. Nerve constriction injury markedly enhanced reflex pain but did not reinstate conditioned place preference. These results support the notion that behavioral sensitization relates to the acquisition and extinction of oxycodone seeking/reward, but suggest that generally cutaneous thermal reflex pain poorly predicts oxycodone reward-related behaviors except for behavioral sensitization.
Identification of Host Gene-Microbiome Associations in colorectal cancer patients Using Mendelian Randomization
Authors: Xiang yaoxian , Zhang Chan , Wang Jing , Cheng Yurong , Wang Li , Tong Yingying , Yan Dong 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Background: There are many studies indicating that alterations in the abundance of certain gut microbiota are associated with colorectal cancer (CRC). However, a causal relationship has not been identified due to confounding factors such as lifestyle, environmental, and possible reverse causal associations between the two. Furthermore, certain host gene mutations can also contribute to the development of CRC. However, the association between genes and gut microbes in patients with CRC has not been extensively studied.
Methods: We conducted a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) study to reveal the causal relationship between gut microbiota and CRC. We obtained SNPs associated with gut microbiome abundance as instrumental variables (IVs) from a large-scale, multi-ethnic GWAS study, and extracted CRC-related datasets from an East Asian Population genetic consortia GWAS(AGWAS) study and FinnGen consortium, respectively. We analyzed a total of 166 bacterial features at four taxonomic levels, including order, family, genus, and species. The inverse-variance-weighted (IVW), weighted median, MR-Egger, and simple median methods were applied to the MR analysis, and the robustness of the results were tested using a series of sensitivity analyses. We extracted IVs of gut microbiota with direct causal association with CRC for SNP annotation to identify the genes in which these genetic variants were located to reveal the possible host gene-microbiome associations in CRC patients.
Results: The findings from our MR analysis based on CRC-associated GWAS datasets from AGWAS revealed causal relationships between 6 bacterial taxa and CRC at a locus-wide significance level (P < 1 × 10-5). The IVW method found that family Porphyromonadaceae, genera Anaerotruncus, Intestinibacter, Slackia, and Ruminococcaceae UCG004, and species Eubacterium coprostanoligenes group were positively associated with CRC risk, which was generally consistent with the results of other complementary analyses. The results of a meta-analysis of the MR estimates from the AGWAS and the FinnGen datasets showed that family Porphyromonadaceae and genera Slackia, Anaerotruncus, and Intestinibacter replicated the same causal association. Sensitivity analysis of all causal associations did not indicate significant heterogeneity, horizontal pleiotropy, or reverse causal associations. We annotated the SNPs at a locus-wide significance level of the above intestinal flora and identified 24 host genes that may be related to pathogenic intestinal microflora in CRC patients.
Conclusion: This study supported the causal relationship of gut microbiota on CRC and revealed a possible correlation between genes and pathogenic microbiota in CRC. These findings suggested that the study of the gut microbiome and its further multi-omics analysis was important for the prevention and treatment of CRC.
Video Quality Assessment System using Deep Optical Flow and Fourier Property
Authors: Kang Donggoo , Ki Yeongjoon , Kwon Sunkyu , Kim Hyunchol , Kim Jinah , Paik Joonki 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Providing high-quality video content is critical in various fields such as VFX film, media facade, digital signage, product promotion, and interactive content, as it enhances the viewer's visual experience. Quantifying the visual quality of videos is crucial in determining their pricing. Subjective quality is the most crucial feature in video quality assessment, although other factors also play a significant role. While fully automated video assessment is convenient, there are instances where engaging with an editorial specialist is necessary to assess subjective quality. Our focus was on the most common scenarios that affect video quality, namely irregular camera movements and incomplete focusing. To quantify irregular camera movement, we employed a deep learning-based optical flow estimation method, and to measure incomplete focusing, we used a blur detection algorithm based on Fast Fourier Transform (FFT). We also proposed an adaptive threshold that utilizes statistical techniques to classify good and bad scenes. In our experiments, we applied this system to videos from various domains, and it successfully quantified video quality using a reasonable threshold.
WITHDRAWN: Twofold ion effect to develop PANI@MgCoO2 nanocomposites for magnesium batteries
Authors: Missaoui Kahla , Ferchichi Karima , Amdouni Noureddine , Cosano Daniel , Liu Rui , Pan Siyuan , Zhanning He , Yang Yong , Ortiz Gregorio F. 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
A cost-effective method for obtaining polyaniline coated magnesium cobalt oxide nanocomposites (PANI@MgCoO2) as potential cathode material for rechargeable magnesium batteries (RMB) is reported. Structural characterizations confirm the presence of a thin layer of conducting polymer on the particles of the cubic oxide that enhanced the cycling life of the battery as compared to the pristine material. To develop the electrochemical performance a twofold combination of sodium and magnesium ion is employed. The 1­5%PANI@MgCoO2 nanocomposites exhibited enhanced reversible capacity (103.4 – 153 mA h g-1) at ~ 1 V vs. Mg2+/Mg as compared to pristine material. X-ray diffraction patterns revealed a single-phase insertion/extraction reaction mechanism into/from the cubic structure. These results establish a useful methodology for employing PANI coating on other oxides with applicability in batteries.
Analysis of the effects of importin a1 on the nuclear translocation of IL-1a in HeLa cells
Authors: Yamada Akiko , Wake Kiyotaka , Imaoka Saya , Motoyoshi Mitsuru , Yamamoto Takenori , Asano Masatake 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Interleukin-1α (IL-1α), a cytokine released by necrotic cells, causes sterile inflammation. On the other hand, IL-1α is present in the nucleus and also regulates the expression of many proteins. A protein substrate containing a nuclear localization signal (NLS) typically forms a substrate/importin α/β complex, which is subsequently transported to the nucleus. To the best of our knowledge, no study has directly investigated whether IL-1α—which includes NLS—is imported into the nucleus in an importin-dependent manner. In this study, we noted that all detected importin subtypes interacted with IL-1α. In HeLa cells, importin α1-mediated nuclear translocation of IL-1α occurred at steady state and was independent of importin β1. Importin α1 not only was engaged in IL-1α nuclear transport but also concurrently functioned as a molecule that regulated IL-1α protein level in the cell. Furthermore, we discussed the underlying mechanism of IL-1α nuclear translocation by importin α1 based on our findings.
Expert level of detection of interictal discharges with a deep neural network
Authors: Lourenço Catarina da Silva , Tjepkema-Cloostermans Marleen , Putten Michel van 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Deep learning methods have shown potential in automating interictal epileptiform discharge (IED) detection in electroencephalograms (EEGs). To implement this in a clinical setting, it needs to have similar performance to visual assessment. We aim to compare a neural network trained for IED detection with a group of experts for validation and assessment of its potential applicability in a clinical setting. We processed EEGs from 20 patients with focal and generalized epilepsy and 30 controls with a neural network. Seven experts labeled the IEDs in the dataset. Kappa scores, sensitivity and specificity were calculated. Network performance was compared to the experts at EEG and at IED level, as well as with an industry standard, Persyst. For EEG level classification, the neural network showed a similar trend to the experts. For individual IED detection, sensitivities between experts ranged from 20.7–86.4%. The sensitivity of our network was 82.5% at 99.0% specificity, and it outperformed Persyst. The network can detect IEDs in agreement with the experts with a high sensitivity and specificity. This indicates that the algorithm can potentially be used in the clinic to support visual EEG analysis or provide access to diagnostics if human resources are limited.
CircHIPK3 negatively regulates autophagy by blocking VCP binding to the Beclin 1 complex in bladder cancer
Authors: wang chong , Liu Tiantian , Wang Jiawei , Cheng Chao , Zhang Ze , Zhang Jingwei , Huang Houbao , Li Yawei 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Circular RNA HIPK3 (circHIPK3) mediates the progression of multiple cancers, including bladder cancer, by regulating cell migration, autophagy and epithelial mesenchymal transition. However, the mechanism by which circHIPK3 regulates autophagy in bladder cancer cells remains unclear. Autophagy is a common self-protection mechanism in eukaryotic cells and is essential for cell survival and death regulation. However, it is unclear whether circHIPK3 affects the level of autophagy in bladder cancer through binding proteins, and the potential regulatory mechanism is unknown. Here, we found that circHIPK3 levels were significantly lower and autophagy-related proteins were significantly upregulated in bladder cancer cells and tissues compared to normal controls. CircHIPK3 downregulation promoted bladder cancer cell proliferation, while circHIPK3 overexpression inhibited proliferation. CircHIPK3 overexpression significantly suppressed autophagy in bladder cancer cells. Overexpression of circHIPK3 did not affect VCP protein expression but inhibited the VCP/Beclin 1 interaction. VCP also stabilized Beclin 1 and promoted autophagy in bladder cancer cells by downregulating ataxin-3. Thus, circHIPK3 may play an important role in bladder cancer by inhibiting VCP-mediated autophagy.
Are we there yet? A Mapping review to identify and organize bias research in medical education curriculum
Authors: Lewis Brianne E , Naik Akshata R. 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
BACKGROUND
Medical schools and residency programs often incorporate training to reduce physician biases towards patients and their conditions. In order to organize available literature, a mapping review was conducted to identify the categories of bias studied within medical student (MS), resident (Res) and mixed populations. Studies were further characterized based on their research goal as either documenting evidence of bias or bias intervention or both.
METHODS
Online databases (PubMed, PsycINFO, WebofScience) between 1980 and 2021 were searched for articles. All references were imported into Covidence for independent screening of studies. Conflicts were resolved by reviewers and the same protocol was followed for full text reviews. Studies were sorted by goal: ‘evidence of bias’ (EOB) and/or ‘bias intervention’ (BI), and by population (MS or Res or mixed). Further, biases were mapped into descriptive categories.
RESULTS
A total of 139 articles fit the inclusion criteria for data extraction. The mapping analysis generated 11 categories of bias and showed that bias against race/ethnicity, specific diseases/conditions, and weight were the most researched topics. Of the studies included, there was a higher ratio of EOB:BI studies at the MS level. While at the Res level, a lower ratio of EOB:BI was found.
CONCLUSIONS
This study should be of interest to institutions, program directors and medical educators who wish to specifically address a category of bias and identify where there is a dearth of research. This study also underscores the need to introduce bias interventions at the MS level.