bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An association study of cyclase‐associated protein 2 and frailty
Authors: Pelucchi Silvia , Macchi Chiara , D'Andrea Laura , Rossi Paolo Dionigi , Speciani Michela Carola , Stringhi Ramona , Ruscica Massimiliano , Arosio Beatrice , Di Luca Monica , Cesari Matteo , Edefonti Valeria , Marcello Elena 
Published: August 2023

AbstractFrailty is a geriatric syndrome that results from multisystem impairment caused by age‐associated accumulation of deficits. The frailty index is used to define the level of frailty. Several studies have searched for molecular biomarkers associated with frailty, to meet the needs for personalized care. Cyclase‐associated protein 2 (CAP2) is a multifunctional actin‐binding protein involved in various physiological and pathological processes, that might reflect frailty's intrinsic complexity. This study aimed to investigate the association between frailty index and circulating CAP2 concentration in 467 community‐dwelling older adults (median age: 79; range: 65–92 years) from Milan, Italy. The selected robust regression model showed that circulating CAP2 concentration was not associated with chronological age, as well as sex and education. However, circulating CAP2 concentration was significantly and inversely associated with the frailty index: a 0.1‐unit increase in frailty index leads to ~0.5‐point mean decrease in CAP2 concentration. Furthermore, mean CAP2 concentration was significantly lower in frail participants (i.e., frailty index ≥0.25) than in non‐frail participants. This study shows the association between serum CAP2 concentration and frailty status for the first time, highlighting the potential of CAP2 as a biomarker for age‐associated accumulation of deficits.
Early‐life atomic‐bomb irradiation accelerates immunological aging and elevates immune‐related intracellular reactive oxygen species
Authors: Hayashi Tomonori , Kato Naohiro , Furudoi Keiko , Hayashi Ikue , Kyoizumi Seishi , Yoshida Kengo , Kusunoki Yoichiro , Furukawa Kyoji , Imaizumi Misa , Hida Ayumi , Tanabe Osamu , Ohishi Waka 
Published: August 2023

AbstractReactive oxygen species (ROS) play an important role in immune responses; however, their excessive production and accumulation increases the risk of inflammation‐related diseases. Although irradiation is known to accelerate immunological aging, the underlying mechanism is still unclear. To determine the possible involvement of ROS in this mechanism, we examined 10,023 samples obtained from 3752 atomic‐bomb survivors in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, who participated in repeated biennial examinations from 2008 to 2016, for the effects of aging and radiation exposure on intracellular ROS (H2O2 and O2•−) levels, percentages of T‐cell subsets, and the effects of radiation exposure on the relationship between cell percentages and intracellular ROS levels in T‐cell subsets. The cell percentages and intracellular ROS levels in T‐cell subsets were measured using flow cytometry, with both fluorescently labeled antibodies and the fluorescent reagents, carboxy‐DCFDA and hydroethidine. The percentages of naïve CD4+ and CD8+ T cells decreased with increasing age and radiation dose, while the intracellular O2•− levels in central and effector memory CD8+ T cells increased. Additionally, when divided into three groups based on the percentages of naïve CD4+ T cells, intracellular O2•− levels of central and effector memory CD8+ T cells were significantly elevated with the lowest radiation dose group in the naïve CD4+ T cells. Thus, the radiation exposure‐induced decrease in the naïve CD4+ T cell pool size may reflect decreased immune function, resulting in increased intracellular ROS levels in central and effector memory CD8+ T cells, and increased intracellular oxidative stress.
Juvenile proportion as a predictor of freshwater turtle population change
Authors: Chessman Bruce C. , Dillon Martin L. , Fielder Darren P. , Spark Philip H. , Streeting Louise M. 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThe extreme longevity of turtles and tortoises can make it difficult to determine the conservation status of their populations because high annual adult survival may mask gradual attrition due to low levels of recruitment. When long‐term demographic trends are unknown and available data are insufficient for population modelling, it may be assumed that a scarcity of juveniles indicates low recruitment that will result in population ageing and numerical decline. However, the reliability with which the proportion of juveniles foreshadows demographic change is uncertain. We tested the hypothesis that a low proportion of juveniles in a turtle population presages its ageing by analysing over 20 years of survey data for five discrete populations of the Australian western saw‐shelled turtle (Myuchelys bellii: Chelidae), a listed threatened species. The analysis tested whether the initial proportion of juvenile turtles in each population was related to its temporal trend in average body size. The five populations had varied structure and trends, with the initial proportion of juvenile turtles ranging from 10% to 39% and average body size increasing over time in some populations and decreasing in others. Contrary to expectation, the initial proportion of juveniles was unrelated to the trend in average body size and, by inference, average age, indicating that effective trend forecasting requires more detailed demographic information than merely population structure.
Reassessing the association of MUC5B with survival in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
Authors: Cai Siyang , Allen Richard J. , Wain Louise V. , Dudbridge Frank 
Published: August 2023

AbstractA variant in the mucin 5B gene (MUC5B) is strongly associated with the risk of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. However, the same variant is associated with increased survival time. Previous work suggested that this may be explained by index event bias, with the true effect being to decrease survival. Here, we reassessed this claim using more recent methods and datasets. We found that the statistical assumptions of the previous analysis did not hold, and instead, we applied recent methods of corrected weighted least squares, MR‐RAPS and Slope‐hunter to both the previous data and an updated consortium meta‐analysis. However, these analyses did not yield robust evidence for increased or decreased survival. In simulations of a true effect of decreased survival, we did not observe any realistic scenario in which index event bias led to an observed effect of increased survival. We therefore regard as unsafe the claim that MUC5B has a true effect of decreased survival. Alternative explanations should be sought to explain the observed association with increased survival.
Exogenous spermidine effectively improves the quality of cryopreserved boar sperm
Authors: Li Jingchun , Wang Hechuan , Guo Minghui , Li Tianfeng , Zhang Han , Zhang Qun , Wang Qian , Song Yulun , Feng Heze , Wei Guosheng 
Published: August 2023

AbstractBoar sperm are less resistant to the dramatic environmental changes that occur during in vitro preservation. Spermidine has various physiological functions including the anti‐oxidative effect. The main objective of this study was to clarify whether spermidine could protect boar sperm from the attack of reactive oxygen species under cryopreservation treatment. We set the concentrations of spermidine at 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 mmol/L and evaluated the effects of spermidine on sperm motility, viability, malformation rates, kinetic parameters, membrane integrity, mitochondrial activity, DNA integrity, H2O2 content, malondialdehyde content, total antioxidant capacity, and antioxidant enzyme activity. Finally, the effects of spermidine on the sperm fertility were assessed by artificial insemination. The results showed that spermidine improved various physiological parameters of sperm in a dose‐dependent manner. The quality and antioxidant capacity of sperm cryopreserved with 6 mmol/L spermidine were significantly less reduced (P < 0.05), and the contents of malformation rate, H2O2, and malondialdehyde content were significantly decreased (P < 0.05). The significant increase in the number of litters indicated the possibility that spermidine had important practical value in pig reproduction (P < 0.05). Therefore, the addition of appropriate concentrations of spermidine to cryopreservation extenders may effectively improve the quality of boar sperm for in vitro preservation.
Interferon in chronic myeloid leukaemia: Is it useful for treatment‐free remission?
Authors: Breccia Massimo , Saglio Giuseppe 
Published: August 2023

The role of IFNα in chronic myeloid leukaemia patients who have achieved a deep molecular response (DMR) is still unknown. The study reported by Irani et al., which shows the prospective biological effects of the drug in combination with a second‐generation tyrosine kinase inhibitor, pave the way for further clinical studies aimed at increasing the rate of DMR for a possible successful discontinuation.Commentary on: Irani et al. Immune modulation in chronic myeloid leukaemia patients treated with nilotinib and interferon‐alpha. Br J Haematol 2023;202:1127–1136.
The utility of nostalgia for unhealthy populations: A systematic review and narrative analysis
Authors: Wohl Michael J. A. , Dowson Mackenzie E. , Salmon Melissa M. , Sedikides Constantine , Wildschut Tim 
Published: August 2023

AbstractNostalgic reverie (i.e. sentimental longing) has received increased attention as a predictor of health and well‐being, but only a handful of reviews have summarized this literature. The available reviews (Dementia: The International Journal of Social Research and Practice, 19, 2020, 330; Intimations of nostalgia: Multidisciplinary explorations of an enduring emotion, Bristol University Press, 2022) left a critical gap in explicating the function of nostalgia among people engaged in unhealthy behaviour. In the current systematic review and narrative analysis, we sought to answer whether and under what conditions emotion serves to help or hinder people engaged in unhealthy behaviours in terms of taking action to change. We identified 14 studies and categorized them into two themes. In Theme I, nostalgising about a time in one's life when one was healthier motivated both readiness to change and action to change unhealthy behaviour. In Theme II, nostalgizing about the perceived benefits of engaging in unhealthy behaviour (e.g. social connectedness related to drinking) was associated with the continuance or acceleration of the unhealthy behaviour. This review highlights not only the presence of a link between nostalgia and unhealthy behaviour but also that the content of one's nostalgising matters for understanding whether the unhealthy behaviour is undermined or bolstered.
Poverty for lunch: A case study of agency and food scarcity in mealtimes in disadvantaged ECE
Authors: Searle Bonnie , Cooke Emma , Staton Sally , Thorpe Karen 
Published: August 2023

AbstractQuality early care and education (ECE) presents an unparalleled opportunity to avert disadvantage and promote children's development. Mealtimes are essential daily routines, yet are often overlooked in research on ECE quality. This paper crystallises a composite case study of ECE mealtimes in highly disadvantaged communities by combining Departing Radically in Academic Writing (DRAW) methodology with parent surveys, scorings of educator‐child interactions (inCLASS), and field notes. Poverty is perpetuated in these centres: children do not have enough food, and educator‐dictated feeding practices restrict children's opportunities to exercise their agency and learn. Systemic policy action is needed to address poverty in ECE.
When investors meet consumers: The roles and interactions of different backers in the crowdfunding market
Authors: Wei Feiqiong , Tan Yinliang (Ricky) , Gao Haibing , Zhao Huazhong 
Published: August 2023

AbstractBy harnessing the power of the crowd, crowdfunding has changed the way startup ventures, innovation‐minded entrepreneurs, and private individuals raise capital. Reward‐based crowdfunding is an established and attractive fundraising option for entrepreneurs with creative projects, while investment‐based crowdfunding has also gained popularity thanks to the progress of related regulations. Both types of crowdfunding are drawing a growing number of startups that seek funding opportunities, although backers on different types of crowdfunding platforms exhibit distinct motivations. Understanding the behavior and interaction of different types of backers is thus critical for a startup to launch a successful crowdfunding campaign across distinct platforms.To address this issue, we conduct a field study on a popular crowdfunding platform, where each campaign offered both reward‐ and investment‐based funding. Interestingly, we find a positive relationship between investor contributions in the early stage of the campaign and the likelihood of the campaign's success. Our empirical analysis reveals that investor–consumer interaction mediates the main effect of early investor contributions. Moreover, the positive main effect is stronger when a larger amount of project‐relevant information is released and when a higher level of customization (using price discrimination or product differentiation) is offered in reward‐based funding options. These results are consistent with several robustness checks. Our findings provide relevant managerial implications for entrepreneurs and valuable insights regarding platform design.
The changing nature of ‘Regulation by Information’: Towards real‐time regulation?
Authors: Hofmann Herwig C.H. , Zetzsche Dirk A. , Pflücke Felix 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThe concept of ‘Regulation by Information’ is changing. Past such approaches consisted mainly of signalling regulatory intent and indirectly guiding how and when regulatory discretion should be exercised. We suggest that this conceptual understanding must be reviewed in view of developing regulatory technologies (RegTech) allowing for a far more proactive integration of data flows into regulatory processes. RegTech is thereby changing conditions of Regulation by Information.This article uses financial regulation as an information‐intensive and highly regulated policy field to illustrate and analyse RegTech‐induced changes to conditions of Regulation by Information. It finds that the rise of near real‐time information flows between market participants and regulatory bodies and, consequently, the need for near real‐time regulatory responses on the European Union level have led to an ever higher degree of integration of regulatory software into market data flows.Regulatory software now increasingly shapes the definitions of reporting standards and formats, which in turn shape regulatory choices by influencing information flows. The article shows how this development will likely be used in other data‐ and information‐dense policy areas outside of financial markets.Critics of Regulation by Information argue that it can lead to a lack of accountability and transparency, increasing the democratic deficit within the European Union. This article scrutinises both continuities and changes in the role and significance of legal principles and procedures used in regulatory oversight, following the evolution of this new form of Regulation by Information within the EU.
The European Arrest Warrant in a context of distrust: Is the Court taking rights seriously?
Authors: Xanthopoulou Ermioni 
Published: August 2023

AbstractDuring a time of distrust towards some Member States, the position of fundamental rights when executing a European Arrest Warrant (EAW) has been strengthened. The article considers whether the European Court of Justice (ECJ) is now ‘taking rights seriously’ as regards the EAW. To this end, it employs a theoretical and contextual approach that supports a comprehensive analysis of case‐law. First, the article borrows from a theory of rights as trumps and observes that rights are no longer treated as norms with no special force that are in the way of cooperation interests. Second, the article offers a contextual exegesis of this trajectory, by mapping drivers of distrust and evaluating their impact on the position of rights. Through contextualisation, it is argued that distrust, although limited by its circumstances, has offered a compelling opportunity for the ECJ to take rights seriously, paving the way forward for future case‐law.
Should Europe disturb historians? On the importance of methodology and interdisciplinarity
Authors: Kahn Sylvain 
Published: August 2023

AbstractDoes the emergence of the European Union (EU) disrupt the frames of reference of the contemporary history of Europe to such an extent that historians distrust it? It would seem that methodological Euroscepticism exists. European integration arouses scepticism among some in the community of historians of contemporary Europe, since the conceptual underpinnings of that history cannot in themselves account for European integration. This billet expresses, more than a word of caution, a call for enhanced dialogue on the EU as an object of study among the different strands of historical studies and different disciplines. On the one hand, some of the analyses provided by historical studies on contemporary Europe constitute a fertile source for the study and understanding of European integration, notably in the field of history. Using them can stimulate the development in the European studies field of new concepts, new representations and new hypotheses for grasping the EU as a reality and a comparatively new object of academic interest. On the other hand, the critical study of the EU conducted in the specific field of the history of the EU questions and sheds a new light on the analytical categories of contemporary European history. In this regard, the fruitful interaction between history, political geography, law and political science can enrich contemporary European history. Interdisciplinary studies on European integration notably enable us to decentre notions of sovereignty, territory and democracy, which have classically taken the nation state as their reference in broad explanatory narratives of contemporary European history. Research mutualisation would offer all the potential interpretative and analytical benefits of the conceptual and methodological rethink of our various disciplines and of European integration as an object of study.
Increased formation of neutrophil extracellular traps induced by autophagy and identification of autophagy‐related biomarkers in systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Li Mingfang , Weng Luobei , Yu Datang , Yang Guofei , Hao Jin 
Published: August 2023

AbstractAbnormal death of neutrophils and the subsequent ineffective clearance of cell fragments result in production of autoantigens that can lead to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Excessive formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) can trigger the synthesis of pro‐inflammatory cytokines such as type I interferons, leading to tissue damage and immune dysfunction in SLE patients. In this study, we found that a decrease in neutrophil counts in the peripheral blood was correlated with clinical parameters in SLE patients. Patients with low neutrophil counts had high renal activity index and chronicity index scores. NET formation and neutrophil autophagy in SLE patients were increased. The autophagy inhibitor hydroxychloroquine was shown to restrict NET formation. Using comprehensive bioinformatics analysis, we found that the expression of the autophagy‐related gene, hypoxia‐inducible factor 1A (HIF1A), was enhanced in peripheral neutrophils and in the renal glomeruli in SLE patients. Targeting HIF1A could be a potential therapeutic approach for SLE.
A comparison of machine learning and econometric models for pricing perpetual Bitcoin futures and their application to algorithmic trading
Authors: Malik Avinash 
Published: August 2023

AbstractBitcoin (BTC) perpetual futures contracts are highly leveraged speculative trading instruments with daily market trading of $45 Billion. BTC perpetual futures are derivative contracts, which depend upon the underlying BTC SPOT (current) price. Pricing perpetual futures fairly is hard, using traditional arbitrage arguments, because of the volatile nature of the so called funding rate, which is used as the replacement of risk free rate in the Cryptocurrency market. This work presents a novel technique for pricing BTC futures contracts using conditional volatility and mean models. Intra‐day high‐frequency futures' return volatility and mean are modelled using different ML and econometric techniques. A comparison is made using statistical measures to find the model that best captures the intra‐day conditional mean and volatility. Exponential generalized autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity is shown to be an almost unbiased predictor of intra‐day volatility, while a constant autoregressive moving average (0, 0) model best captures the conditional mean of the returns. A market directional high frequency trading algorithm is developed using the volatility and mean models. The algorithm first prices the futures contract at some future point of time using the volatility and mean regression models. Next, the slope between the current futures price and the expected price are used to predict the market direction. A long or short position is taken depending upon the expected market direction movement. Extensive back‐testing results show absolute returns of 1500%–8000% depending upon the transaction fees and leverage used. On average, the market direction is predicted correctly 85% of the time by the best model. Finally, the trading technique is market neutral, in that it gives large positive returns, with low SD, in both bull and bear markets.
Examining secondary–postsecondary articulation of Chinese language programs: A survey of US college placement procedures
Authors: Zhao Ran , Coss Matthew D. , Ruan Henry , Li Bailu , Ma Jing 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThis study reports the results of a national survey of the types and uses of assessments for matriculating secondary students into college Chinese language programs. In addition to providing an overview of college placement procedures obtained from 35 college Chinese programs, the survey also probed into the rationales behind the varied placement procedures across different colleges and universities, the range of commonly used standardized tests and related policies and perceptions, and the perceived effectiveness of such practices by 125 secondary and 74 postsecondary instructors. Our analysis identifies both practices that hinder high school students' smooth transition to college and practices that facilitate the transition and achieve optimal placement in postsecondary Chinese programs. Based on analyses of convergent and divergent practices and perspectives, we recommend a series of principles and strategies for more effective secondary‐postsecondary articulation of Chinese language programs in the United States.