bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Serine proteases autotransporter of Enterobacteriaceae: Structures, subdomains, motifs, functions, and targets
Authors: Navarro‐Garcia Fernando 
Published: July 2023

AbstractSerine protease autotransporters of Enterobacteriaceae (SPATE) constitute a superfamily of virulence factors, resembling the trypsin‐like superfamily of serine proteases. SPATEs accomplish multiple functions associated to disease development of their hosts, which could be the consequence of SPATE cleavage of host cell components. SPATEs have been divided into class‐1 and class‐2 based on structural differences and biological effects, including similar substrate specificity, cytotoxic effects on cultured cells, and enterotoxin activity on intestinal tissues for class‐1 SPATEs, whereas most class‐2 SPATEs exhibit a lectin‐like activity with a predilection to degrade a variety of mucins, including leukocyte surface O‐glycoproteins and soluble host proteins, resulting in mucosal colonization and immune modulation. In this review, the structure of class‐1 and class‐2 are analyzed, making emphasis on their putative functional subdomains as well as a description of their function is provided, including prototypical mechanism of action.
Adult‐onset megacolon with focal hypoganglionosis: A detailed phenotyping and prospective cohort study
Authors: Yoon Jiyoung , Jung Kee Wook , Ham Nam Seok , Kim Jihun , Do Yoon Suh , Kim Seon Ok , Choi Sang Hyun , Kim Dong Wook , Hwang Sung Wook , Park Sang Hyoung , Yang Dong‐Hoon , Ye Byong Duk , Byeon Jeong‐Sik , Yoon Yong Sik , Kim Chan Wook , Yu Chang Sik , Jung Hwoon‐Yong , Yang Suk‐Kyun , Martin Joanne E. , Knowles Charles H. , Myung Seung‐Jae 
Published: July 2023

AbstractBackgroundIn this prospective cohort study, we evaluated features of “adult‐onset megacolon with focal hypoganglionosis.”MethodsWe assessed the radiologic, endoscopic, and histopathologic phenotyping and treatment outcomes of 29 patients between 2017 and 2020. Data from community controls, consisting of 19,948 adults undergoing health screenings, were analyzed to identify risk factors. Experts reviewed clinical features and pathological specimens according to the London Classification for gastrointestinal neuromuscular pathology.Key resultsThe median age of the patients with adult‐onset megacolon with focal hypoganglionosis at symptom onset was 59 years (range, 32.0–74.9 years), with mean symptom onset only 1 year before diagnosis. All patients had focal stenotic regions with proximal bowel dilatation (mean diameter, 78.8 mm; 95% confidence interval [CI], 72–86). The comparison with community controls showed no obvious risk factors. Ten patients underwent surgery, and all exhibited significant hypoganglionosis: 5.4 myenteric ganglion cells/cm (interquartile range [IQR], 3.7–16.4) in the stenotic regions compared to 278 cells/cm (IQR, 190–338) in the proximal and 95 cells/cm (IQR, 45–213) in the distal colon. Hypoganglionosis was associated with CD3+ T cells along the myenteric plexus. Colectomy was associated with significant symptom improvement compared to medical treatment [change in the Global Bowel Satisfaction score, −5.4 points (surgery) vs. ‐0.3 points (medical treatment); p < 0.001].Conclusions and inferencesAdult‐onset megacolon with focal hypoganglionosis has distinct features characterized by hypoganglionosis due to inflammation. Bowel resection appears to benefit these patients.
A woman's tradition? Quantifying gender difference in the Child ballads
Authors: Duggan Lucie 
Published: July 2023

AbstractWhile the major ballad‐collecting efforts of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries were largely carried out by men, the academic discourse surrounding ballads gendered traditional balladry—orally transmitted narrative poetry—as a woman's tradition. Subsequent ballad scholarship of the twentieth century perpetuated the antiquarian notion of a specifically female ballad tradition, and yet it has remained unclear whether and how this women's tradition should be considered distinct from, for example, a male ballad tradition. This study suggests that a quantitative approach can be used to investigate the question of difference in women's and men's ballad repertoires in the period spanning the mid‐eighteenth century to the close of the nineteenth. Employing Linguistic Inquiry Word Count (LIWC) software to examine the definitive ballad anthology—the Child collection—this study finds that the notion of a woman's tradition goes beyond stereotypical notions of repertoires gendered by genre; women's ballads are instead found to be characterised by distinctive linguistic patterns that convey a strong focus on female subjectivity.
Deciphering genetic basis of developmental and agronomic traits by integrating high‐throughput optical phenotyping and genome‐wide association studies in wheat
Authors: Gao Jie , Hu Xin , Gao Chunyan , Chen Guang , Feng Hui , Jia Zhen , Zhao Peimin , Yu Haiyang , Li Huaiwen , Geng Zedong , Fu Jingbo , Zhang Jun , Cheng Yikeng , Yang Bo , Pang Zhanghan , Xiang Daoquan , Jia Jizeng , Su Handong , Mao Hailiang , Lan Caixia , Chen Wei , Yan Wenhao , Gao Lifeng , Yang Wanneng , Li Qiang 
Published: July 2023

SummaryDissecting the genetic basis of complex traits such as dynamic growth and yield potential is a major challenge in crops. Monitoring the growth throughout growing season in a large wheat population to uncover the temporal genetic controls for plant growth and yield‐related traits has so far not been explored. In this study, a diverse wheat panel composed of 288 lines was monitored by a non‐invasive and high‐throughput phenotyping platform to collect growth traits from seedling to grain filling stage and their relationship with yield‐related traits was further explored. Whole genome re‐sequencing of the panel provided 12.64 million markers for a high‐resolution genome‐wide association analysis using 190 image‐based traits and 17 agronomic traits. A total of 8327 marker‐trait associations were detected and clustered into 1605 quantitative trait loci (QTLs) including a number of known genes or QTLs. We identified 277 pleiotropic QTLs controlling multiple traits at different growth stages which revealed temporal dynamics of QTLs action on plant development and yield production in wheat. A candidate gene related to plant growth that was detected by image traits was further validated. Particularly, our study demonstrated that the yield‐related traits are largely predictable using models developed based on i‐traits and provide possibility for high‐throughput early selection, thus to accelerate breeding process. Our study explored the genetic architecture of growth and yield‐related traits by combining high‐throughput phenotyping and genotyping, which further unravelled the complex and stage‐specific contributions of genetic loci to optimize growth and yield in wheat.
Genomic insights into selection for heterozygous alleles and woody traits in Populus tomentosa
Authors: Li Peng , Xiao Liang , Du Qingzhang , Quan Mingyang , Song Yuepeng , He Yuling , Huang Weixiong , Xie Jianbo , Lv Chenfei , Wang Dan , Zhou Jiaxuan , Li Lianzheng , Liu Qing , El‐Kassaby Yousry A. , Zhang Deqiang 
Published: July 2023

SummaryHeterozygous alleles are widespread in outcrossing and clonally propagated woody plants. The variation in heterozygosity that underlies population adaptive evolution and phenotypic variation, however, remains largely unknown. Here, we describe a de novo chromosome‐level genome assembly of Populus tomentosa, an economic and ecologically important native tree in northern China. By resequencing 302 natural accessions, we determined that the South subpopulation (Pop_S) encompasses the ancestral strains of P. tomentosa, while the Northwest subpopulation (Pop_NW) and Northeast subpopulation (Pop_NE) experienced different selection pressures during population evolution, resulting in significant population differentiation and a decrease in the extent of heterozygosity. Analysis of heterozygous selective sweep regions (HSSR) suggested that selection for lower heterozygosity contributed to the local adaptation of P. tomentosa by dwindling gene expression and genetic load in the Pop_NW and Pop_NE subpopulations. Genome‐wide association studies (GWAS) revealed that 88 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within 63 genes are associated with nine wood composition traits. Among them, the selection for the homozygous AA allele in PtoARF8 is associated with reductions in cellulose and hemicellulose contents by attenuating PtoARF8 expression, and the increase in lignin content is attributable to the selection for decreases in exon heterozygosity in PtoLOX3 during adaptive evolution of natural populations. This study provides novel insights into allelic variations in heterozygosity associated with adaptive evolution of P. tomentosa in response to the local environment and identifies a series of key genes for wood component traits, thereby facilitating genomic‐based breeding of important traits in perennial woody plants.
Public health nursing: Challenges and innovations for health literacy in rural area
Authors: Pailaha Aprianto Daniel 
Published: July 2023

AbstractHealth literacy is a critical component of public health nursing, particularly in rural areas where access to health services is severely limited. As it relates to quality of care, cost of care, safety of care, and appropriate decision‐making in general public health, health literacy can also be seen as an important public policy issue. Several challenges that can be found in rural communities in terms of access to health literacy, such as limited access to healthcare services, limited resources, low literacy rate, cultural and language barriers, financial constraints, and digital divide. Based on these challenges, several innovations can be pursued such as community‐based health education, health literacy training among healthcare professionals, digital health technology, partnerships with community‐based organizations, health literacy radio programs, and community health ambassadors. This reflection highlights the challenges and innovations that nurses can do to overcome the problem of low‐health literacy in rural communities. In the future, the development of community empowerment and technology will be needed to refine the progress made so that a gradual increase in health literacy in rural communities can be seen.
The effect of vitamin D on neurocognitive functions in older vitamin D deficient adults: a pilot longitudinal interventional study
Authors: Turkmen Banu Ozulu , Can Busra , Buker Seda , Beser Birsu , Büyükgök Deniz , Dernek Bahar , Bovatekin Sevilay , Kucukdagli Pınar , Ilhan Birkan , Kalem Şükriye Akça , Erten Nilgun , Karan Mehmet Akif , Bahat Gulistan 
Published: July 2023

BackgroundThe relationship between vitamin D and cognitive status remains controversial. We aimed to evaluate the effect of vitamin D replacement on cognitive functions in healthy and cognitively intact vitamin D deficient older females.MethodsThis study was designed as a prospective interventional study. A total of 30 female adults aged ≥60 with a serum 25 (OH) vitamin D level of <10 ng/ml were included. Participants were administered 50 000 IU vitamin D3 weekly for 8 weeks followed by a maintenance therapy of 1000 U/day. Detailed neuropsychological assessment was performed prior to vitamin D replacement and repeated at 6 months by the same psychologist.ResultsMean age was 63 ± 6.7 years and baseline vitamin D level was 7.8 ± 2.0 (range: 3.5–10.3) ng/ml. At 6 months, vitamin D level was 32.5 ± 3.4 (32.2–55) ng/ml. The Judgement of Line Orientation Test (P = 0.04), inaccurate word memorizing of the Verbal Memory Processes Test (P = 0.02), perseveration scores of the Verbal Memory Processes Test (P = 0.005), topographical accuracy of the Warrington Recognition Memory Test (P = 0.002), and the spontaneous self‐correction of an error in the Boston Naming Test (P = 0.003) scores increased significantly, while the delayed recall score in the Verbal Memory Processes Test (P = 0.03), incorrect naming of words in the Boston Naming Test (P = 0.04), interference time of the Stroop Test (P = 0.05), and spontaneous corrections of the Stroop Test (P = 0.02) scores decreased significantly from baseline.ConclusionVitamin D replacement has a positive effect on cognitive domains related to visuospatial, executive, and memory processing functions.
Incremental validity of ERP correlates of self‐referential processing in predicting emerging depressive symptoms in late childhood: Evidence from a community‐dwelling sample
Authors: Liu Pan , Tan Jaron X. Y. 
Published: July 2023

AbstractDepressogenic self‐referential processing (e.g., self‐schemas reflecting shallower processing of positive, and deeper processing of negative, self‐descriptive words) is an established cognitive vulnerability to depression. Alterations of event‐related potentials (ERPs) during self‐referential processing have been observed in adolescents with depression risk or clinical depression. However, no study has examined ERPs associated with self‐referential processing in typical‐risk youth with emerging depressive symptoms during late childhood, a high‐risk period for depression. It is also unclear to what extent ERPs provide incremental validity in predicting symptoms beyond performance on self‐referential processing tasks. Sixty‐five community‐dwelling children (38 girls; mean age/SD = 11.02/1.59 years) completed a self‐referent encoding task (SRET) with EEG recorded. Children showed a larger P2 and a larger late positive potential (LPP) in response to positive SRET stimuli versus negative stimuli. Hierarchical regression showed that in the positive condition only, including ERP correlates (P1, P2, LPP) and interactions between the ERPs and positive SRET score increased the explained variation in depressive symptoms beyond behavioral SRET performance. The LPP in response to positive words was associated with lower depressive symptoms. The P1 and P2 in response to positive words interacted with positive SRET score, such that the association between positive SRET score and symptoms was significant in children with greater P1 but smaller P2. We provide novel evidence supporting the incremental validity of ERPs beyond behavioral makers in predicting emerging depressive symptoms in children. Our findings also highlight the moderating role of ERP activity in strengthening the association between behavioral markers of self‐schemas and depressive outcomes.
Can roscovitine and trichostatin A be alternatives to standard protocols for cell cycle synchronization of ovine adult and foetal fibroblast cells?
Authors: Yagcioglu Selin , Ersoy Nur , Demir Kamber , Birler Sema , Pabuccuoglu Serhat 
Published: July 2023

AbstractSynchronization of donor cells is an important step for the success of somatic cell nuclear transfer application and facilitates the development of embryos. Contact inhibition, serum starvation and different chemical agents are used in synchronizing different types of somatic cells. In this study, to synchronize the primary ovine adult (POF) and foetal (POFF) fibroblast cells to G0/G1 phases, the contact inhibition, the serum starvation, roscovitine and trichostatin A (TSA) methods were used. In the first part of the study, roscovitine (10, 15, 20 and 30 μM) and TSA (25, 50, 75 and 100 nM) were applied for 24 h to determine the optimal concentration for POF and POFF cells. In the second part, optimal concentrations of roscovitine and TSA for these cells were compared with contact inhibition and serum starvation methods. Cell cycle distribution and apoptotic activity analysis were performed by flow cytometry to compare this synchronization methods. Serum starvation method resulted in higher cell synchronization rate in both cells compared to other groups. Although contact inhibition and TSA also achieved high success rates of synchronized cell value, it was observed that the difference between serum starvation and these groups was significant (p < .05). When the apoptosis rates of the two cell types were examined, it was observed that the early apoptotic cells in contact inhibition and late apoptotic cells in the serum starvation were higher than the other groups (p < .05). Although the 10 and 15 μM concentrations of roscovitine gave the lowest apoptosis rates, it was observed that it failed to synchronize both the ovine fibroblast cells to G0/G1 phase. As a result, it was concluded that while roscovitine was not successful to synchronize both the POFF and POF cell lines, TSA (50 nM for POF cells and 100 nM for POFF cells) can be used efficiently as an alternative to the contact inhibition and the serum starvation methods.
An introduction to rural and agricultural development in the digital age
Authors: Ma Wanglin , McKay Andy , Rahut Dil B. , Sonobe Tetsushi 
Published: July 2023

AbstractThis special issue contributes to the development economics literature by highlighting the role of information communication and technologies (ICTs) in supporting rural and agricultural development. It is comprised of nine papers. Key findings from this special issue include: (1) internet use increases rural consumption diversity and agricultural productivity; (2) smartphone use empowers rural women in household decision‐making and off‐farm work participation; (3) smartphone‐based agricultural extension services boost rural income growth; (4) a lack of ICT infrastructure and inadequate skills to use digital technologies are two key factors that lead to digital poverty traps for smallholder rural farmers; (5) ICT adoption increases the probability of rural households' access to credit and empowers rural women and farm households in relatively less developed regions to access credit; (6) digital financial inclusion reduces farmers' vulnerability to poverty; and (7) e‐commerce adoption increases both sales prices and marketing costs, but the magnitude of increasing the former is higher than the magnitude of increasing the latter, which finally contributes to a higher gross return. This special issue also proposes practical instruments and implications for advancing the application of ICTs in rural areas to accelerate rural and agricultural development in the digital age.
The comparison of paricalcitol and calcitriol effects on pulse wave velocity, osteocalcin, and fetuin‐A in chronic hemodialysis patients
Authors: Karakose Suleyman , Bal Zeynep , Sezer Siren 
Published: July 2023

AbstractIntroductionVascular calcification is an intervenable factor in the pathophysiology of cardiovascular disease. Treatment‐related factors might worsen the arterial stiffness in chronic hemodialysis patients. The aim of the study is to compare the effects of 1‐year treatment with paricalcitol or calcitriol on pulse wave velocity (PWV), which is an indicator of arterial stiffness and osteocalcin and fetuin‐A levels.MethodsSeventy‐six hemodialysis patients who had similar PWV1 at the beginning were evaluated after a 1‐year treatment of paricalcitol or calcitriol. PWV2, serum osteocalcin, and fetuin‐A levels were measured at the end of the study.ResultsAt the end of the study, PWV2 of paricalcitol group was statistically lower than the calcitriol group. Osteocalcin levels were statistically lower and fetuin‐A levels were statistically higher in the paricalcitol group than the calcitriol group at the end of the study. The number of patients with PWV2 > 7 m/s and using paricalcitol was 16 (39%) but 25 (41%) patients were using calcitriol; the differences were statistically significant.ConclusionsThe long‐term benefits of paricalcitol were superior to the benefits of calcitriol. Paricalcitol has protective effects from vascular calcification in chronic hemodialysis patients.
Investigating the democracy and environmental sustainability nexus in 52 African countries: Evidence from two‐stage least squares and quantile regression
Authors: Iheonu Chimere O. , Muoneke Obumneke Bob , Agbutun Shedrach A. 
Published: July 2023

AbstractObjectivesThis study has investigated the impact of democracy on the sustainability of the environment in 52 African countries between 1990 and 2020.MethodsThe study utilized the ordinary least square as the baseline estimation technique, the two‐stage least square to account for endogeneity, and the quantile regression to account for existing levels of carbon emissions (CO2), which is a proxy for environmental sustainability.ResultsOur findings show that improving the quality of African democracies will see a significant reduction in the level of CO2 emissions. Electoral and egalitarian democracy have a greater impact on reducing CO2 emissions in Africa and thus improving environmental sustainability. Further findings show that improving the quality of Africa's democracy will better dampen the level of CO2 emissions in African countries where the existing level of CO2 emissions is at its highest levels.ConclusionsThe findings highlight the importance of political institutions in improving environmental sustainability in Africa.
Bureaucratic Portraiture and Practices of Citizenship
Authors: Raheja Natasha , Strassler Karen , Gürsel Zeynep Devrim 
Published: July 2023

AbstractIn lay and academic discourse, bureaucracy almost seems coterminous with the production and circulation of paper, writing, and type. Indeed, the flows of bureaucratic paperwork and documentation weigh heavy, but how are other media and material forms implicated in bureaucratic relationships and encounters? This Special Section considers the photographic portrait as an enduring bureaucratic technology across different histories and geographies. How are people's likenesses key media of social recognition and aspirational performances of citizenship? Given that making and circulating images is now widely accessible across the globe, how has photography become a significant means through which subjects struggle for recognition in the contemporary moment? Focusing on state borders and categories, we argue that bureaucracy's demand for identification documents has not only sustained photographic practices but also shaped the ways people in liminal positions advance claims of citizenship.
MODELING AND OPTIMIZATION OF THE THERMOPHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF A NATURAL ESTER BASED NANO FLUID FOR A HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSFORMER
Authors: Edamaku Ovye , Dan-asabe Bashar , Abdullahi Umma 
Published: July 2023

In recent times, due to environmentally friendly issues, sustainable resources, and higher concerns regarding safety, research in the area of alternative liquid insulation in high voltage apparatus has been necessary. To actualize this goal, vegetable oil has been studied extensively and it has the potential to replace mineral oil in power transformers. In addition, the incorporation of nanoparticles has been remarkable in producing improved characteristics of insulating oil. In this study optimization of the Thermophysical properties which include viscosity, and the flash point was done using the Taguchi approach of design of experiment. The concentration of the nanoparticles, mixing, and drying time were varied and an optimal combination of parameters was observed and recorded. The optimum parameter combination for flash point is 0.9wt% concentration, 45 minutes mixing time, and 3hrs drying time. Viscosity has its optimum parameter combination at zero concentration of nanoparticles, mixing, and drying time. The optimized values of the thermophysical properties of the nanofluid reveal that the natural ester-based nanofluid is a suitable replacement for mineral oil in transformer cooling and insulation because of its improved properties. A mathematical model for the combination of concentration of nanoparticles, mixing and drying time for viscosity and flash point was developed and statistically validated. Hence can be used to navigate and predict the viscosity and flash point of the nanofluid within and outside the experimental design space.
Keywords: Methyl ester, Viscosity, Flash Point, Optimization