bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Work addiction in Chinese white-collar workers: the psychometric properties of its measure and its comorbidity with general anxiety in network analysis
Authors: SUN Ruimei , LAM Long W. , WU Anise M. S. 
Published: July 2023

AbstractBackgroundWork addiction (WA) threatens occupation-related health in many countries including China. This research aims to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Chinese version of Bergen Work Addiction Scale (BWAS), the most common measure of WA, to facilitate relevant studies in Chinese workers. A network analysis was further conducted to identify central and bridge symptoms within the WA-anxiety network to improve intervention practices.MethodsA total of 694 Chinese white-collar workers completed an online questionnaire survey in March of 2022, and the responses to BWAS from a subsample of 50 participants one month after this survey were also collected.ResultsThe unidimensionality of BWAS was supported by results of exploratory factor analysis, exploratory graph analysis, and confirmatory factor analysis and we found satisfactory internal consistency and acceptable test-retest reliability. Multiple-group factor analyses confirmed the measurement invariance of BWAS across genders, districts (i.e., central China, eastern China, western China, and northeastern China), and age groups (i.e., young and middle-aged adults) while the convergent validity of BWAS was demonstrated by its significant correlations with Dutch Work Addiction Scale (r = 0.62,p < 0.001) and its criterion validity was indicated by its significant correlations with general anxiety, weekly work hours, and health status (r =-0.16 to 0.31,p < 0.001–0.01). Network analysis further revealed two central symptoms (WA-tolerance and WA-problems) and three bridge symptoms (WA-problems, WA-mood modification, and mouth dryness of general anxiety) maintaining the WA-anxiety comorbidity.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that BWAS is a valid measure of WA in Chinese workers and interventions should put special attention to the identified central and bridge symptoms underlying the WA-anxiety network.
Three dimensional evaluation of cerebrovascular density and branching in chronic traumatic encephalopathy
Authors: Rosen Grace , Kirsch Daniel , Horowitz Sarah , Cherry Jonathan D. , Nicks Raymond , Kelley Hunter , Uretsky Madeline , Dell’Aquila Kevin , Mathias Rebecca , Cormier Kerry A. , Kubilus Caroline A. , Mez Jesse , Tripodis Yorghos , Stein Thor D. , Alvarez Victor E. , Alosco Michael L. , McKee Ann C. , Huber Bertrand R. 
Published: July 2023

AbstractChronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is a neurodegenerative disease associated with exposure to repetitive head impacts (RHI) and characterized by perivascular accumulations of hyperphosphorylated tau protein (p-tau) at the depths of the cortical sulci. Studies of living athletes exposed to RHI, including concussive and nonconcussive impacts, have shown increased blood–brain barrier permeability, reduced cerebral blood flow, and alterations in vasoreactivity. Blood–brain barrier abnormalities have also been reported in individuals neuropathologically diagnosed with CTE. To further investigate the three-dimensional microvascular changes in individuals diagnosed with CTE and controls, we used SHIELD tissue processing and passive delipidation to optically clear and label blocks of postmortem human dorsolateral frontal cortex. We used fluorescent confocal microscopy to quantitate vascular branch density and fraction volume. We compared the findings in 41 male brain donors, age at death 31–89 years, mean age 64 years, including 12 donors with low CTE (McKee stage I–II), 13 with high CTE (McKee stage III–IV) to 16 age- and sex-matched non-CTE controls (7 with RHI exposure and 9 with no RHI exposure). The density of vessel branches in the gray matter sulcus was significantly greater in CTE cases than in controls. The ratios of sulcus versus gyrus vessel branch density and fraction volume were also greater in CTE than in controls and significantly above one for the CTE group. Hyperphosphorylated tau pathology density correlated with gray matter sulcus fraction volume. These findings point towards increased vascular coverage and branching in the dorsolateral frontal cortex (DLF) sulci in CTE, that correlates with p-tau pathology.
Patterns of synaptic loss in human amyotrophic lateral sclerosis spinal cord: a clinicopathological study
Authors: Aousji Oumayma , Feldengut Simone , Antonucci Stefano , Schön Michael , Boeckers Tobias M. , Matschke Jakob , Mawrin Christian , Ludolph Albert C. , Del Tredici Kelly , Roselli Francesco , Braak Heiko 
Published: July 2023

AbstractAmyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is mainly characterized by the degeneration of corticospinal neurons and spinal α-motoneurons; vulnerable cells display prominent pTDP-43 inclusions. Evidence gathered from genetics, murine models, and iPSC-derived neurons point to the early involvement of synapses in the disease course and their crucial role in the pathogenic cascade. However, pathology studies, with specimens from large post-mortem cohorts, mapping the pattern of synaptic disturbances over clinical and neuropathological hallmarks of disease progression, are currently not available. Thus, the appearance and progression of synaptic degeneration in human ALS patients are currently not known, preventing a full validation of the murine and in vitro models. Here, we investigated the loss of synaptophysin-positive terminals in cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spinal cord samples from a retrospective cohort of n = 33 ALS patients and n = 8 healthy controls, and we correlated the loss of synapses against clinicodemographic features and neuropathological ALS stage. We found that, although dorsal and intermediate spinal cord laminae do not lose synapses, ALS patients displayed a substantial but variable loss of synapses in the ventral horn of lumbar and cervical spinal cord. The amount of synaptic loss was predicted by disease duration, by the clinical site of onset, and by the loss of α-motoneurons, although not by the fraction of pTDP-43-immunopositive α-motoneurons. Taken together, our findings validate the synaptic pathology observed in other models and suggest that pathogenic pathways unfolding in the spinal microenvironment are critical to the progressive disassembly of local synaptic connectivity.
Ferroptosis induces detrimental effects in chronic EAE and its implications for progressive MS
Authors: Jhelum Priya , Zandee Stephanie , Ryan Fari , Zarruk Juan G. , Michalke Bernhard , Venkataramani Vivek , Curran Laura , Klement Wendy , Prat Alexandre , David Samuel 
Published: July 2023

AbstractFerroptosis is a form of lipid peroxidation-mediated cell death and damage triggered by excess iron and insufficiency in the glutathione antioxidant pathway. Oxidative stress is thought to play a crucial role in progressive forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) in which iron deposition occurs. In this study we assessed if ferroptosis plays a role in a chronic form of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (CH-EAE), a mouse model used to study MS. Changes were detected in the mRNA levels of several ferroptosis genes in CH-EAE but not in relapsing–remitting EAE. At the protein level, expression of iron importers is increased in the earlier stages of CH-EAE (onset and peak). While expression of hemoxygenase-1, which mobilizes iron from heme, likely from phagocytosed material, is increased in macrophages at the peak and progressive stages. Excess iron in cells is stored safely in ferritin, which increases with disease progression. Harmful, redox active iron is released from ferritin when shuttled to autophagosomes by ‘nuclear receptor coactivator 4’ (NCOA4). NCOA4 expression increases at the peak and progressive stages of CH-EAE and accompanied by increase in redox active ferrous iron. These changes occur in parallel with reduction in the antioxidant pathway (system xCT, glutathione peroxidase 4 and glutathione), and accompanied by increased lipid peroxidation. Mice treated with a ferroptosis inhibitor for 2 weeks starting at the peak of CH-EAE paralysis, show significant improvements in function and pathology. Autopsy samples of tissue sections of secondary progressive MS (SPMS) showed NCOA4 expression in macrophages and oligodendrocytes along the rim of mixed active/inactive lesions, where ferritin+ and iron containing cells are located. Cells expressing NCOA4 express less ferritin, suggesting ferritin degradation and release of redox active iron, as indicated by increased lipid peroxidation. These data suggest that ferroptosis is likely to contribute to pathogenesis in CH-EAE and SPMS.
Pursuing pademelon provenance: a pilot study using portable XRF to trace field-collection of museum mammal specimens
Authors: Cramer Celia , Carter Elizabeth A. , Swarbrick Brad , Philp Jude , Lay Peter A. 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Internationally, the value and usefulness of museum zoological specimens are compromised when supporting contextual data are lost or disconnected from the specimen. In this pilot study, twelve Macropodidae Thylogale (pademelon) skins with known provenance from the Australian Museum (Sydney) were analysed using portable X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy and principal component analysis. Elemental composition of preservative residues was assessed to establish if common patterns existed and could be associated with particular field collectors. Specimens were differentiated, and the field collector deduced, based on elemental analysis of preservative residues on skins. Each of the nineteenth century field collectors, in this study, were found to have applied the same or similar preservatives to zoological specimens over a number of years, which showed a consistent pattern of practice. Additionally, the specimens obtained by each of the field collectors could be distinguished from one another based on the preservative residues. These discoveries provide exciting prospects for the use of X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy to couple museum specimens with unknown contextual data via their field collector and associated archival evidence, and hence, enable a considerable enhancement of their value as museum and research objects.
i-Ntervene: applying an evidence-based learning analytics intervention to support computer programming instruction
Authors: Utamachant Piriya , Anutariya Chutiporn , Pongnumkul Suporn 
Published: July 2023

AbstractApart from good instructional design and delivery, effective intervention is another key to strengthen student academic performance. However, intervention has been recognized as a great challenge. Most instructors struggle to identify at-risk students, determine a proper intervention approach, trace and evaluate whether the intervention works. This process requires extensive effort and commitment, which is impractical especially for large classes with few instructors. This paper proposes a platform, namelyi-Ntervene, that integrates Learning Management System (LMS) automatic code grader, and learning analytics features which can empower systematic learning intervention for large programming classes. The platform supports instructor-pace courses on both Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) and traditional classroom setting. The platform iteratively assesses student engagement levels through learning activity gaps. It also analyzes subject understanding from programming question practices to identify at-risk students and suggests aspects of intervention based on their lagging in these areas. Students’ post-intervention data are traced and evaluated quantitatively to determine effective intervention approaches. This evaluation method aligns with the evidence-based research design. The developed i-Ntervene prototype was tested on a Java programming course with 253 first-year university students during the Covid-19 pandemic in VLE. The result was satisfactory, as the instructors were able to perform and evaluate 12 interventions throughout a semester. For this experimental course, the platform revealed that the approach of sending extrinsic motivation emails had more impact in promoting learning behavior compared to other types of messages. It also showed that providing tutorial sessions was not an effective approach to improving students’ subject understanding in complex algorithmic topics. i-Ntervene allows instructors to flexibly trial potential interventions to discover the optimal approach for their course settings which should boost student’s learning outcomes in long term.
Uncertainties of monthly ocean bottom pressure from Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE): a case study at the Drake Passage
Authors: Yang Chengcheng , Cheng Xuhua , Qin Jianhuang 
Published: July 2023

AbstractSeveral studies reported some aliasing errors of Ocean bottom pressure (OBP) data from Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE), although this data have been widely used to estimate the oceanic transports. In this study, the performances of monthly OBP data from six GRACE products with two different solutions are evaluated by comparisons with the observed records at the Drake Passage. Result shows that spherical harmonic products have a better ability to capture monthly OBP variability than mascon products at the Drake Passage. In all GRACE products, higher skills occur to the south of Polar Front than those in the northern Drake Passage, and the correlations with observations reach minimum in the Local Dynamics Array (LDA) region. Such spatial differences are mainly attributed to local mesoscale processes, accompanied with high-frequency bottom eddy kinetic energy (EKE). It indicates that the monthly OBP variations from GRACE products are not reliable in the eddy-rich regions.
Use of repurposed whole textile for enhancement of pavement soils
Authors: Guzman Ivan L. , Payano Cesar 
Published: July 2023

AbstractThe common availability of recycled textile from clothing represents an untapped resource which can be used as soil reinforcement. Recent efforts to use fibers as soil reinforcement have mostly concentrated on adding thin long fibers to natural soils. The techniques when applied to production often encounter mass production issues such as the difficulty in preventing localization, entanglement of the fibers and adhesion between the fiber and soil matrix interface. This experimental study uses small amounts (0.5%, 0.75% and 1.0%) of repurposed textile from polyester clothing cut into small pieces to reinforce a poorly graded sand. The California Bearing Ratio (CBR) test was used to quantitatively assess the strength characteristics of sand reinforced by adding whole textiles. The results of the laboratory program indicate a significant increase in CBR numbers and offers insight into the possible increase in other strength parameters such as ultimate bearing capacity. The increase in CBR values changes the suitability of the reinforced sand from subbase soils only, to also include base soils within pavements. During laboratory procedures localization and entanglement of textile reinforcement during mixing was not observed which suggests minimal difficulties when implementing the technology during construction applications. The results indicate that the use of the technique can lead to cost savings associated with the use of low-cost aggregates within a pavement base and subbase, thinner base and subbase layers, smaller footprints related to steeper slopes, and decreased periodic maintenance requirements of pavements.
High-dose vitamin D supplementation is related to an improvement in serum alkaline phosphatase in COVID-19 patients; a randomized double-blinded clinical trial
Authors: Moghaddam Reza Rezvani , Khorasanchi Zahra , Noor Ayad Rasool , Moghadam MohammadReza Shadmand Foumani , Esfahani Ali Jafarzadeh , Alyakobi Abdullah Khalaf Merhej , Alboresha MohammedHadi Lafta , Sharifan Payam , Bahari Ali , Rezvani Reza , Aghasizade Malihe , Heshmati Maryam , Darban Reza Assaran , Ferns Gordon , Mobarhan Majid Ghayour 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Background
The benefits and harms of vitamin D supplementation in the treatment of COVID-19 have not yet been fully documented. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of high-dose vitamin D supplementation on liver function tests in COVID-19.

Method
This double-blinded randomized clinical trial was conducted on 140 hospitalized patients aged > 30 years. Patients were randomly allocated to receive either intervention group (n = 70 receiving 50,000 IU of vitamin D capsules orally as a single dose and then 10,000 IU syrup daily from the second day of admission for 30 days) and the control group (n = 70 receiving 1000 IU vitamin D syrup orally per day). Liver function tests (LFT), including alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), and Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) were evaluated at baseline and at the end of the intervention. Decision tree analysis was performed to identify the predictors for change in liver enzymes.

Results
Among COVID-19 patients, a significant decrease was observed in serum level of ALP between intervention and placebo groups (p = 0.04). In addition, decision tree analysis revealed that GGT, temperature, serum magnesium level at baseline and gender were the most important predictors of ALT changes in COVID-19 patients.

Conclusion
High-dose vitamin D supplementation improved ALP markers among COVID-19 patients. More randomized controlled trials with longer follow-up times will be required.
Impact of vitamin D deficiency on the severity of COVID 19 infection in pediatrics: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Abdelrazic Marwa Ibrahem , Rateeb Alshimaa Mohammed , Eid Walid Abdelwahab , Abdelrazik Eman Fathi , Abuelela Ibtehal Saad 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Background
Vitamin D has immunomodulating actions which have a major role in the regulation of the inflammatory response. In this study, we aimed to determine the presence of an association between the serum level of vitamin D (25 OH vitamin D) and the severity of symptoms and outcomes in children with COVID-19.

Results
Fifty-six children who were diagnosed to have COVID-19 were selected for our study. The demographic data and clinical and laboratory parameters including vit. D serum levels were also collected. According to the WHO guidelines in COVID-19 clinical severity, only hospitalized cases will be included in this study and classified into the (1) moderate group (patients in whom pneumonia was confirmed by physical examination and radiographic imaging with or without oxygen need) and (2) severe group (consisted of hospitalized patients who need positive respiratory support). Our study found a statistically significant difference regarding vitamin D deficiency with more deficient serum levels in the severe group; also, we found a negative correlation between serum vitamin D level and the inflammatory markers in children and adolescents with COVID-19.

Conclusions
This study confirms that there is a strong relationship between vit. D deficiency and COVID-19 clinical severity and outcomes in PICU-admitted pediatric population.
Stochastic analysis for bending capacity of precast prestressed concrete bridge piers using Monte-Carlo simulation and gradient boosted regression trees algorithm
Authors: Lai Xiaopan , Lu Zhao , Xu Xinyu , Yu Chuanjin 
Published: July 2023

AbstractThe use of precast prestressed concrete bridge piers is rapidly evolving and widely applied. Nevertheless, the probabilistic behavior of the bending performance of precast prestressed concrete bridge piers has often been overlooked. This study aims to address this issue by utilizing actual precast bridge piers as the engineering context. Through the implementation of the Monte-Carlo simulation and Gradient Boosted Regression Trees (GBRT) algorithm, the stochastic distribution of the bending performance and their critical factors are identified. The results show that the normal distribution is the most suitable for the random distribution of bending performance indicators. The variability of the elastic modulus of ordinary steel bars, initial strain of prestressed steel hinge wires, and constant load axial force has little effect on the bending moment performance, while the yield stress of ordinary steel bars, elastic modulus of concrete, compressive strength of unrestrained concrete, and elastic modulus of prestressed steel hinge wires have a greater impact on the bending performance. Additionally, the compressive strength of unrestrained concrete has a significant influence on the equivalent bending moment of the cross-section that concerns designers.
Multi-Omic Integration of Blood-Based Tumor-Associated Genomic and Lipidomic Profiles Using Machine Learning Models in Metastatic Prostate Cancer
Authors: Fang Shikai , Zhe Shandian , Lin Hui-Ming , Azad Arun A. , Fettke Heidi , Kwan Edmond M. , Horvath Lisa , Mak Blossom , Zheng Tiantian , Du Pan , Jia Shidong , Kirby Robert M. , Kohli Manish 
Published: July 2023

PURPOSE To determine prognostic and predictive clinical outcomes in metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC) and metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) on the basis of a combination of plasma-derived genomic alterations and lipid features in a longitudinal cohort of patients with advanced prostate cancer. METHODS A multifeature classifier was constructed to predict clinical outcomes using plasma-based genomic alterations detected in 120 genes and 772 lipidomic species as informative features in a cohort of 71 patients with mHSPC and 144 patients with mCRPC. Outcomes of interest were collected over 11 years of follow-up. These included in mHSPC state early failure of androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT) and exceptional responders to ADT; early death (poor prognosis) and long-term survivors in mCRPC state. The approach was to build binary classification models that identified discriminative candidates with optimal weights to predict outcomes. To achieve this, we built multi-omic feature-based classifiers using traditional machine learning (ML) methods, including logistic regression with sparse regularization, multi-kernel Gaussian process regression, and support vector machines. RESULTS The levels of specific ceramides (d18:1/14:0 and d18:1/17:0), and the presence of CHEK2 mutations, AR amplification, and RB1 deletion were identified as the most crucial factors associated with clinical outcomes. Using ML models, the optimal multi-omics feature combination determined resulted in AUC scores of 0.751 for predicting mHSPC survival and 0.638 for predicting ADT failure; and in mCRPC state, 0.687 for prognostication and 0.727 for exceptional survival. The models were observed to be superior than using a limited candidate number of features for developing multi-omic prognostic and predictive signatures. CONCLUSION Using a ML approach that incorporates multiple omic features improves the prediction accuracy for metastatic prostate cancer outcomes significantly. Validation of these models will be needed in independent data sets in future.