Search

With the rapid accumulation of online information, efficient web navigation has grown vital yet challenging. To create an easily navigable cyberspace catering to diverse demographics, understanding how people navigate differently is paramount. While previous research has unveiled individual differences in spatial navigation, such differences in knowledge space navigation remain sparse. To bridge this gap, we conducted an online experiment where participants played a navigation game on Wikipedia and completed personal information questionnaires. Our analysis shows that age negatively affects knowledge space navigation performance, while multilingualism enhances it. Under time pressure, participants' performance improves across trials and males outperform females, an effect not observed in games without time pressure. In our experiment, successful route-finding is usually not related to abilities of innovative exploration of routes. Our results underline the importance of age, multilingualism and time constraint in the knowledge space navigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the biomechanical properties of posterior cruciate ligament avulsion fractures of the tibia fixed using four different methods, including triple tibial channel net suture fixation. In 40 porcine knees, a standardized bony avulsion of the posterior cruciate ligament was generated. Double tibial bone channel suture fixation was performed in group A, double-head hollow compression screw fixation was performed in group B, triple tibial bone channel net suture fixation was performed in group C, and cortical suspension EndoButton fixation was performed in group D. The constructs were cyclically loaded 500 times (10 to 100 N) to measure the initial displacement and stiffness values. Subsequently, loading to failure was performed, and the yield load and peak load were measured. The results were analysed by one-way ANOVA, with significance set at P < 0.05. The initial displacement in group D (1.00 ± 0.20 mm) was lower than that in group C (1.46 ± 0.33 mm, P = 0.000), group B (1.91 ± 1.71 mm, P = 0.000) and group A (3.91 ± 0.79 mm, P = 0.000), but there was no significant difference between groups B and C (P = 0.055). The initial stiffness in group A (50.59 ± 6.89 N/mm) was lower than that in group C (67.21 ± 12.80 N/mm, P = 0.001), group D (71.18 ± 9.20 N/mm, P = 0.000) and group B (78.67 ± 5.91 N/mm, P = 0.000). However, there was no significant difference between groups B and D or between groups C and D (P = 0.111 and P = 0.391). The yield load in group A (554.86 ± 71.43 N) was lower than that in group C (767.00 ± 34.53 N, P = 0.000), group D (777.62 ± 73.03 N, P = 0.000) and group B (837.50 ± 55.73 N, P = 0.000). There was no significant difference between groups C and D (P = 0.729). The peak load in group A (667.38 ± 61.54 N) was lower than that in group C (842.00 ± 26.20 N, P = 0.000), group D (867.63 ± 63.42 N, P = 0.000) and group B (901.25 ± 54.38 N, P = 0.000). There was no significant difference between groups C and D (P = 0.346). Different failure modes were found among the four groups. The triple tibial bone channel suture fixation group showed better initial stability and fixation strength, which was comparable to that in the cortical suspension EndoButton fixation group and double-head hollow compression screw fixation group and significantly stronger than that in the double tibial bone channel suture fixation group. This study analysed the dynamic and static indexes of posterior cruciate ligament tibial avulsion fractures fixed by four different fixation methods under cyclic loading tests and single failure loading tests, providing a theoretical basis for clinical treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large-scale human social network structure is typically inferred from digital trace samples of online social media platforms or mobile communication data. Instead, here we investigate the social network structure of a complete population, where people are connected by high-quality links sourced from administrative registers of family, household, work, school, and next-door neighbors. We examine this multilayer social opportunity structure through three common concepts in network analysis: degree, closure, and distance. Findings present how particular network layers contribute to presumably universal scale-free and small-world properties of networks. Furthermore, we suggest a novel measure of excess closure and apply this in a life-course perspective to show how the social opportunity structure of individuals varies along age, socio-economic status, and education level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) is a common liver disease during pregnancy, that has serious complications. This study aimed to compare the blood inflammation and biochemical markers of pregnant women with ICP in Southwest China and analyse their diagnostic value for ICP. A controlled cross-sectional study was conducted, and routine blood and biochemical indicators of 304 diagnosed ICP patients and 363 healthy pregnant women undergoing routine prenatal examination were assessed. The blood inflammatory indicators and biochemical indicators were compared between the ICP groups and normal groups. In this study, the levels of the ALT, AST, GGT, TBIL and DBIL biochemical indicators and the levels of WBC, neutrophils, NLR and PLR inflammatory indicators in the ICP group were significantly higher than those in healthy pregnant women (p < 0.001). The PA and lymphocytes of the ICP group were significantly lower than those of the normal group (p < 0.001). ROC curves showed that ALT and the NLR had higher predictive value for ICP. The GGT, TBA and NLR of pregnant women with ICP in the preterm group were significantly higher than those in the term group, and the combined NLR and TBA had a certain predictive value for preterm birth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Older patients sustaining tibial head depression fractures often cannot follow the post-operative rehabilitation protocols with partial weight-bearing of the affected limb, leading to osteosynthesis failure, cartilage step-off and arthritis development. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyse the biomechanical performance of different types of osteosyntheses alone and in combination with bone cement simulating cyclically high loading conditions of tibial head depression fractures. Lateral tibial head depression fractures (AO: 41-B2.2; Schatzker type III) were created in synthetic bones and stabilized using three different osteosyntheses alone and in combination with a commonly used bone cement (chronOS™): 2 screws, 4 screws in the jail technique and a lateral angle-stable buttress plate. After fixation, the lateral tibial plateau was axially loaded in two, from each other independent testing series: In the first test protocol, 5000 cycles with 500 N and in the end load-to-failure tests were performed. In the second test protocol, the cyclic loading was increased to 1000 N. Parameters of interest were the displacement of the articular fracture fragment, the stiffness and the maximum load. The osteosyntheses revealed a higher stiffness in combination with bone cement compared to the same type of osteosynthesis alone (e.g., 500 N level: 2 screws 383 ± 43 N/mm vs. 2 screws + chronOs 520 ± 108 N/mm, increase by 36%, p < 0.01; 4 screws 368 ± 97 N/mm vs. 4 screws + chronOS 516 ± 109 N/mm, increase by 40%, p < 0.01; plate: 509 ± 73 N/mm vs. plate + chronOs 792 ± 150 N/mm, increase by 56%, p < 0.01). Bone cement reduced the displacement of the plate significantly (500 N level: plate: 8.9 ± 2.8 mm vs. plate + chronOs: 3.1 ± 1.4 mm, reduction by 65%, p < 0.01; 1000 N level: 16.9 ± 3.6 mm vs 5.6 ± 1.3 mm, reduction by 67%, p < 0.01). Thus, the highest stiffness and lowest displacement values were found when using the plate with bone cement in both loading conditions (500 N level: 2 screws + chronOs 3.7 ± 1.3 mm, 4 screws + chronOs 6.2 ± 2.4 mm; 1000 N level: 2 screws + chronOs 6.5 ± 1.2 mm, 4 screws + chronOs 5.7 ± 0.8 mm). From a biomechanical perspective, plate osteosynthesis of tibial head depression fractures should always be combined with bone cement, provides higher stability than 2-screw and 4-screw fixation and is a valid treatment option in cases where extraordinary stability is required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hepatic cell lines serve as economical and reproducible alternatives for primary human hepatocytes. However, the utility of hepatic cell lines to examine bile acid homeostasis and cholestatic toxicity is limited due to abnormal expression and function of bile acid-metabolizing enzymes, transporters, and the absence of canalicular formation. We discovered that culturing HuH-7 human hepatoma cells with dexamethasone (DEX) and 0.5% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) for two weeks, with Matrigel overlay after one week, resulted in a shorter and improved differentiation process. These culture conditions increased the expression and function of the major bile acid uptake and efflux transporters, sodium taurocholate co-transporting polypeptide (NTCP) and the bile salt export pump (BSEP), respectively, in two-week cultures of HuH-7 cells. This in vitro model was further characterized for expression and function of bile acid-metabolizing enzymes, transporters, and cellular bile acids. Differentiated HuH-7 cells displayed a marked shift in bile acid composition and induction of cytochrome P450 (CYP) 7A1, CYP8B1, CYP3A4, and bile acid-CoA: amino acid N-acyltransferase (BAAT) mRNAs compared to control. Inhibition of taurocholate uptake and excretion after a 24-h treatment with prototypical cholestatic drugs suggests that differentiated HuH-7 cells are a suitable model to examine cholestatic hepatotoxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to compare the fixation stability of proximal fragments and the mechanical characteristics in proximal femur models of basicervical femoral neck fracture fixed by the femoral neck system (FNS) versus the dynamic hip screw. The mean axial stiffness was 234 ± 35 N/mm in the FNS group and 253 ± 42 N/mm in the DHS group, showing no significant difference (p = 0.654). Mean values for x-axis rotation, y-axis rotation, and z-axis rotation after cycle load were 2.2 ± 0.5°, 6.5 ± 1.5°, and 2.5 ± 0.6°, respectively, in the FNS group and 2.5 ± 0.7°, 5.8 ± 2.1°, and 2.2 ± 0.9°, respectively, in the DHS group, showing no significant differences (p = 0.324, p = 0.245, and p = 0.312, respectively). The mean values of cranial and axial migration of screws within the femoral head were 1.5 ± 0.3 and 2.1 ± 0.2 mm, respectively, in the FNS group and 1.2 ± 0.3 and 2.4 ± 0.3 mm, respectively, in the DHS group, showing no significant differences (p = 0.425 and p = 0.625, respectively). The average failure load at vertical load was 1342 ± 201 N in the FNS group and 1450 ± 196 N in the DHS group, showing no significant difference (p = 0.452). FNS fixation might provide biomechanical stability comparable to that of DHS for treating displaced basicervical femoral neck fractures in young adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the longitudinal latent state-trait structure of the different dimensions of psychosis symptoms in clinical high-risk state (CHRS) and first episode psychosis (FEP) individuals over a one year time-span. This paper examines if the symptom clusters Positive Symptoms, Negative Symptoms, Affectivity, Resistance, Activation, and Excitement according to the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) differ in their trait and state characters in 196 CHRS and 131 FEP individuals. Statistical analysis was performed using latent state-trait analysis. On average, trait differences accounted for 72.2% of Positive Symptoms, 81.1% of Negative Symptoms, 57.0% of Affectivity, and 69.2% of Activation, whereas 15.0% of the variance of Resistance and 13.2% of the variance of Excitement were explained by trait differences. Explorative analyses showed a trait components' increase of 0.408 in Positive Symptoms from baseline up to the 9th month and an increase of 0.521 in Affectivity from baseline up to the 6th month. Negative Symptoms had the highest trait component levels of all subscales between baseline and 6 months. The finding that an increasing proportion of psychosis symptoms is persisting over time underlines the importance of early intervention programs in individuals with psychotic disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Motivated by the problem of detection of cascades of defaults in economy, we developed a detection framework for an endogenous spreading based on causal motifs we define in this paper. We assume that the change of state of a vertex can be triggered either by an endogenous (related to the network) or an exogenous (unrelated to the network) event, that the underlying network is directed and that times when vertices changed their states are available. After simulating default cascades driven by different stochastic processes on different synthetic networks, we show that some of the smallest causal motifs can robustly detect endogenous spreading events. Finally, we apply the method to the data of defaults of Croatian companies and observe the time window in which an endogenous cascade was likely happening. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chorioamnionitis, inflammation of fetal membranes, is an important cause of preterm birth and a risk factor for the development of adverse neonatal outcomes including sepsis and intestinal pathologies. Intestinal bile acids (BAs) accumulation and hepatic cytokine production are involved in adverse intestinal outcomes. These findings triggered us to study the liver and enterohepatic circulation (EHC) following intra-amniotic (IA) lipopolysaccharide (LPS) exposure. An ovine chorioamnionitis model was used in which circulatory cytokines and outcomes of the liver and EHC of preterm lambs were longitudinally assessed following IA administration of 10 mg LPS at 5, 12 or 24h or 2, 4, 8 or 15d before preterm birth. Hepatic inflammation was observed, characterized by increased hepatic cytokine mRNA levels (5h – 2d post IA LPS exposure) and increased erythropoietic clusters (at 8 and 15 days post IA LPS exposure). Besides, 12h after IA LPS exposure, plasma BA levels were increased, whereas gene expression levels of several hepatic BA transporters were decreased. Initial EHC alterations normalized over time. Concluding, IA LPS exposure induces significant time-dependent changes in the fetal liver and EHC. These chorioamnionitis induced changes have potential postnatal consequences and the duration of IA LPS exposure might be essential herein. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Proteins are of ubiquitous interest in the Life Sciences but are of interest in the Geosciences as well because of the significant role these compounds play in the biogeochemical cycling of trace and nutrient elements. Structural changes resulting from the adsorption of proteins onto mineral surfaces may alter protein biological function and other environmental interactions. Iron oxides are major sinks of a range of environmental elements including organic compounds. In this study, the adsorption of the broadly studied model protein BSA onto the hematite mineral surface was characterized as a function of pH, ionic strength, and BSA concentration using in-situ Attenuated Total Reflection Fourier Transform Infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy. BSA lost the α-helix and gain β-sheets in the secondary structure during adsorption on hematite. BSA adsorption was maximum at pH 5, a value close to the BSA isoelectric point (~ pH 5), and lower at pH 4 and pH 7. Increasing ionic strength decreased to total BSA adsorption. Two-dimensional correlation spectroscopy analysis of the ATR-FTIR spectra revealed that higher initial BSA concentration and the consequent higher BSA surface loading enhanced BSA adsorption by protein–protein interaction, which less ordered structures changes into more compact forms decrease, hence compacting the structural arrangement and could promoting multilayers/aggregation formation on the mineral surface. The activity of enzymes following adsorption on mineral surfaces requires further study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the Miocene, extensive carbonate deposition thrived over wide latitudinal ranges in Southeast Asia despite perturbations of the global climate and thermohaline circulation that affected the Asian continent. Nevertheless, the mechanisms of its emergence, adaptability in siliciclastic-dominated margins and demise, especially in southern South China Sea (SCS), are largely speculative and remains enigmatic along with a scarcity of constraints on paleoclimatic and palaeoceanographic conditions. Here we show, through newly acquired high-resolution geophysical data and accurate stratigraphic records based on strontium isotopic dating, the evolution of these platforms from ~15.5–9.5 Ma is initially tied to tectonics and eustasy, and ultimately, after ~9.5 Ma, to changes in the global climate patterns and consequent palaeoceanographic conditions. Our results demonstrate at least two paleodeltas that provided favourable substratum of elevated sand bars, which conditioning the emergence of the buildups that inadvertently mirrored the underlying strata. We show unprecedented evidences for ocean current fluctuations linked to the intensification of the Asian summer monsoon winds resulting in the formation of drifts and moats, which extirpated the platforms through sediment removal and starvation. This work highlights the imperative role of palaeoceanography in creating favourable niches for reefal development that can be applicable to carbonate platforms elsewhere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accumulation of bile acids (BAs) may mediate development of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). Serial fecal samples were collected from premature infants with birth weight (BW) ≤ 1800 g, estimated gestational age (EGA) ≤ 32 weeks, and <30 days old prior to initiation of enteral feeding. Nine infants that developed Bell's Stage ≥ II NEC were matched with control infants based on BW, EGA, day of life (DOL) enteral feeding was initiated and DOL of the first sample. From each subject, five samples matched by DOL collected were analyzed for BA levels and composition. Fifteen individual BA species were measured via LC-MS/MS and total BA levels were measured using the Diazyme Total Bile Acid Assay kit. No statistically significant differences in composition were observed between control and NEC at the level of individual species (p = 0.1133) or grouped BAs (p = 0.0742). However, there was a statistically significant difference (p = 0.000012) in the mean coefficient of variation (CV) between the two groups with infants developing NEC having more than four-fold higher mean CV than controls. Importantly, these variations occurred prior to NEC diagnosis. These data suggest fluctuations in total fecal BA levels could provide the basis for the first predictive clinical test for NEC.

Intestinal failure (IF)-associated liver disease (IFALD), as a major complication, contributes to significant morbidity in pediatric IF patients. However, the pathogenesis of IFALD is still uncertain. We here investigate the roles of bile acid (BA) dysmetabolism in the unclear pathogenesis of IFALD. It found that the histological evidence of pediatric IF patients exhibited liver injury, which was characterized by liver bile duct proliferation, inflammatory infiltration, hepatocyte apoptosis and different stages of fibrosis. The BA compositions were altered in serum and liver of pediatric IF patients, as reflected by a primary BA dominant composition. In IF patients, the serum FGF19 levels decreased significantly, and were conversely correlated with ileal inflammation grades (r = −0.50, p < 0.05). In ileum, the inflammation grades were inversely associated with farnesoid X receptor (FXR) expression (r = −0.55, p < 0.05). In liver, the expression of induction of the rate-limiting enzyme in bile salt synthesis, cytochrome P450 7a1 (CYP7A1) increased evidently. In conclusion, ileum inflammation decreases FXR expression corresponding to reduce serum FGF19 concentration, along with increased hepatic bile acid synthesis, leading to liver damages in IF patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lithium niobate is the archetypical ferroelectric material and the substrate of choice for numerous applications including surface acoustic wave radio frequencies devices and integrated optics. It offers a unique combination of substantial piezoelectric and birefringent properties, yet its lack of optical activity and semiconducting transport hamper application in optoelectronics. Here we fabricate and characterize a hybrid MoS2/LiNbO3 acousto-electric device via a scalable route that uses millimetre-scale direct chemical vapour deposition of MoS2 followed by lithographic definition of a field-effect transistor structure on top. The prototypical device exhibits electrical characteristics competitive with MoS2 devices on silicon. Surface acoustic waves excited on the substrate can manipulate and probe the electrical transport in the monolayer device in a contact-free manner. We realize both a sound-driven battery and an acoustic photodetector. Our findings open directions to non-invasive investigation of electrical properties of monolayer films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Portal vein ligation (PVL) induces atrophy/hypertrophy complex (AHC). We hypothesised that simultaneous bile duct and portal vein ligation (BPL) might induce proper bile acid (BA) retention to enhance AHC by activating BA-mediated FXR signalling in the intact liver and promoting apoptosis in the ligated liver. We established rat models of 90% BPL and 90% PVL and found that BPL was well-tolerated and significantly accelerated AHC. The enhanced BA retention in the intact liver promoted hepatocyte proliferation by promoting the activation of FXR signalling, while that in the ligated liver intensified caspase3-mediated apoptosis. Decreasing the BA pools in the rats that underwent BPL could compromise these effects, whereas increasing the bile acid pools of rats that underwent PVL could induce similar effects. Second-stage resection of posterior-caudate-lobe-spearing hepatectomy was performed 5 days after BPL (B-Hx), PVL (V-Hx) or sham (S-SHx), as well as whole-caudate-lobe-spearing hepatectomy 5 days after sham (S-Hx). The B-Hx group had the most favourable survival rate (93.3%, the S-SHx group 0%, the S-Hx group 26.7%, the V-Hx group 56.7%, P < 0.01) and the most sustained regeneration. We conclude that BPL is a safe and effective method, and the acceleration of AHC was bile acid-dependent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Capicua (CIC) has been implicated in pathogenesis of spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 and cancer in mammals; however, the in vivo physiological functions of CIC remain largely unknown. Here we show that Cic hypomorphic (Cic-L-/-) mice have impaired bile acid (BA) homeostasis associated with induction of proinflammatory cytokines. We discovered that several drug metabolism and BA transporter genes were down-regulated in Cic-L-/- liver, and that BA was increased in the liver and serum whereas bile was decreased within the gallbladder of Cic-L-/- mice. We also found that levels of proinflammatory cytokine genes were up-regulated in Cic-L-/- liver. Consistent with this finding, levels of hepatic transcriptional regulators, such as hepatic nuclear factor 1 alpha (HNF1α), CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein beta (C/EBPβ), forkhead box protein A2 (FOXA2), and retinoid X receptor alpha (RXRα), were markedly decreased in Cic-L-/- mice. Moreover, induction of tumor necrosis factor alpha (Tnfα) expression and decrease in the levels of FOXA2, C/EBPβ, and RXRα were found in Cic-L-/- liver before BA was accumulated, suggesting that inflammation might be the cause for the cholestasis in Cic-L-/- mice. Our findings indicate that CIC is a critical regulator of BA homeostasis, and that its dysfunction might be associated with chronic liver disease and metabolic disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]