12703036 research outputs found
Sort by
GNA regulates rice spikelet formation via DEP1-enhanced repression of OsCKX2 and cytokinin modulation
No full textRice yield is directly influenced by spikelet number, a trait governed by both genetic and hormonal regulatory pathways. In this study, we demonstrate that GNA, a GRAS family transcription factor, acts as a key positive regulator of spikelet development in rice. Through map-based cloning, transgenic manipulation, and molecular assays, we show that GNA enhances grain number per panicle by repressing OsCKX2, a cytokinin oxidase gene responsible for cytokinin degradation. Chromatin immunoprecipitation, luciferase activity assays, and electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSA) confirm that GNA directly binds to the OsCKX2 promoter, suppressing its transcription and thereby elevating endogenous cytokinin levels. Notably, GNA physically interacts with DEP1/dep1, and this interaction further enhances the GNA-mediated repression of OsCKX2. Overexpression of GNA significantly increases spikelet number, pedicel branching, and grain yield per plant, accompanied by the activation of cytokinin-responsive genes. These findings reveal a previously uncharacterized DEP1–GNA–OsCKX2 regulatory module that links G-protein signaling with cytokinin signaling and panicle morphogenesis, providing a promising genetic target for rice yield improvement and molecular breeding
Echoes and Barriers: Staff as Key Actors in the Representative Process
No full textPolitical staffers play a central but often overlooked role in shaping the representative relationship between members of parliament (MPs) and constituents. Drawing on constructivist theories of representation and original survey data from 366 Canadian federal MP staffers and 97 MPs, this article argues that staffers act both as “echoes,” amplifying constituent concerns, and “barriers,” filtering which concerns reach elected officials. Quantitative findings reveal that 78% of MPs trust staff discretion over constituent interactions, and two-thirds of staff report primarily interacting with constituents, often influencing information MPs receive by routinely selecting, synthesizing, and prioritizing constituent concerns. By mediating access, staffers structure the everyday work of representation, showing that representation is not solely an act of elected officials but is co-constructed by staff. This article advances representation theory by demonstrating that democratic representation is a dynamic, mediated process wherein unelected staff play a crucial role
Evolución de los discursos de odio en la red social X durante la guerra entre Israel y Hamás
No full textEl presente estudio tiene como objetivo analizar los discursos de odio en la red social X en el contexto de la guerra actual entre Israel y Hamás, teniendo en cuenta tres periodos claves del conflicto, concretamente desde el 07/10/23 hasta el 28/10/23 (primer periodo); desde el 24/11/23 hasta el 01/12/23 (segundo periodo); y desde el 28/02/24 hasta el 06/03/24 (tercer periodo). Los enfoques metodológicos seguidos en esta investigación son el análisis de contenido a través del software Atlas.ti 24 y el análisis de redes sociales mediante el software Gephi. Para ello, se recopila un total de 351 tuits mediante la herramienta Easy Web Data Scraper. Finalizada la extracción se hace uso de la IA mediante la herramienta Perplexity, que nos ha permitido obtener un listado de palabras y expresiones de odio duplicadas. Los resultados indican una diferencia significativa en la cantidad y la tipología de estos discursos. Observándose un descenso porcentual de los mensajes de odio entre los periodos de guerra y el de tregua
Validación de un modelo de medición multidimensional del Capital Social: un análisis factorial confirmatorio mediante SEM
No full textEl presente estudio tiene como objetivo proponer un modelo de medición del capital social en comunidades artesanas con actividad textil mediante un análisis factorial confirmatorio (AFC) aplicando el modelo de ecuaciones estructurales (SEM). Se entiende el capital social como un constructo multidimensional conformado por tres dimensiones: redes sociales, acción colectiva y confianza. El diseño metodológico es cuantitativo, no experimental, transeccional y correlacional, y se aplicó un instrumento estructurado a una muestra aleatoria simple de 354 artesanos. Se utilizó análisis factorial exploratorio para identificar la estructura latente del constructo, análisis factorial confirmatorio para evaluar la validez convergente y discriminante, y un modelo de ecuaciones estructurales para verificar el ajuste del modelo. Los índices de ajuste global del modelo fueron valores satisfactorios con una chi-cuadrada de 82.994 y el RMSEA de 0.105, mientras que los índices de ajuste incremental y de parsimonia también alcanzaron niveles óptimos, mayores a .900 y menores a .600 respectivamente, respaldando la estructura factorial propuesta. El SEM verificó las relaciones teóricas entre las dimensiones, confirmando la interdependencia conceptual entre ellas, como componentes esenciales del capital social. Este análisis contribuye al estudio del fenómeno al proponer un modelo de medición del capital social validado empíricamente y adaptado al contexto específico de comunidades artesanales
Comparison of rTMS and dTMS in TRD: evidence gaps, cost-effectiveness, and ethical priorities
No full textLatent profiles of mental health in older adults living in nursing homes: the challenge of suicide prevention
No full textObjectivesSuicide prevention in nursing homes requires a deeper understanding of the psychological mechanisms underlying suicidal ideation. This study aimed to identify mental health profiles in institutionalized older adults based on risk and protective variables, and to explore their association with suicidal ideation.MethodsA total of 231 older adults (60–97 years) from nine Spanish nursing homes were assessed on depression, hopelessness, perceived burden, purpose in life, resilience, and self-efficacy. Latent Profile Analysis (LPA) was used to identify distinct profiles, and ANCOVA tested differences in suicidal ideation across groups.ResultsFour psychological profiles were identified: (1) High Risk (high symptomatology, low protection), (2) Burdensomeness (low depression and hopelessness, high burden), (3) Weakened Strengths (low symptomatology, low resources), and (4) Optimal Mental Health (low risk, high protection). Suicidal ideation levels differed significantly across profiles, and these differences remained after controlling for age, sex, and perceived health. The High Risk group showed the highest levels of suicidal ideation, whereas the Optimal Mental Health group showed the lowest.ConclusionThese profiles offer a basis for more personalized and effective prevention interventions tailored to each group’s risk-protection balance. Screening for suicidal ideation in nursing homes should incorporate both risk factors (depression, hopelessness, perceived burden) and protective factors (resilience, purpose in life, self-efficacy). A person-centered approach allows gerontologists to tailor prevention strategies to specific psychological profiles
Latent profiles of volume management behaviors and their relationship with symptom distress in patients with chronic heart failure
No full textObjectiveTo explore the latent categories of volume management behaviors in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) and analyze their relationship with symptom distress.MethodsThis cross-sectional study utilized a convenience sampling method to select 552 CHF patients from the cardiology departments of Nantong Sixth People's Hospital and Nantong Fourth People's Hospital. Volume management behaviors were assessed using the Volume Management Behavior Scale, and symptom distress was evaluated using the Symptom Distress Questionnaire (SDQ), which measures the severity of eight core symptoms. Latent Profile Analysis (LPA) was employed to identify behavioral categories. Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) and multiple linear regression were used to analyze differences in symptom distress across behavioral categories and to examine the independent predictive effect of behavioral classification on symptom distress.ResultsThe volume management behaviors of CHF patients were classified into three latent categories: active management type (43.1%), selective adherence type (27.7%), and passive dependence type (29.2%). Symptom distress scores showed a significant increasing trend across the three categories (active type: 10.5 ± 3.8; selective type: 13.2 ± 4.1; passive type: 16.3 ± 5.2, P < 0.001). After controlling for confounding factors such as age, gender, and NYHA classification, behavioral categories independently explained 41% of the total variance in symptom distress (adjusted R2 = 0.41, F = 32.17, P < 0.001), with the passive dependence type demonstrating the strongest predictive effect (β = 5.82, 95% CI: 4.21–7.43).ConclusionCHF patients exhibit three distinct clinical patterns of volume management behaviors, with the passive dependence type associated with the highest symptom burden. Behavioral category is a significant predictor of symptom distress. These findings provide an empirical basis for developing precise intervention strategies tailored to different behavioral phenotypes
Initial experience with single-port robot-assisted partial nephrectomy using the Low Anterior Access (LAA): perioperative outcomes and learning curve analysis in a Belgian SP-naive tertiary robotic referral center
No full textObjectivesRobot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) has become a standard minimally invasive approach for localized renal tumors. The introduction of the single-port (SP) robotic system has enabled novel retroperitoneal techniques, such as the Low Anterior Access (LAA). This study presents the initial experience of SP RAPN using the LAA technique in a SP-naive Belgian tertiary robotic referral center.MethodsA retrospective database was created with prospectively collected data from patients who underwent SP RAPN via LAA between May 2024 and September 2025. All procedures were performed by a SP robot-naive surgeon with extensive multi-port transperitoneal robotic experience but no prior multi-port retroperitoneal exposure. Surgical and perioperative outcomes of SP RAPN, using the LAA technique, were the primary endpoint of this study. As a secondary endpoint we evaluated the learning curve of this procedure.ResultsForty patients underwent SP RAPN. Median tumor size was 26 mm, with a median RENAL score of 5. Median warm ischemia time was 17 min and median estimated blood loss was 50 ml. No intraoperative complications, conversions, or positive surgical margins occurred. Three minor postoperative complications (7.5%) were recorded, with no grade ≥III events. Median length of stay was one night and median postoperative pain scores (VAS) at 12 and 24 hours were 0. Operative time, warm ischemia time and estimated blood loss showed improvement over successive cases, reflecting increased procedural efficiency.ConclusionSP RAPN using the LAA technique is feasible and safe, even for a surgeon without prior SP or retroperitoneal experience. This first experience study demonstrated low morbidity, minimal postoperative pain, and early discharge. These findings support the adoption of SP RAPN via LAA as a viable option for minimally invasive nephron-sparing surgery, warranting validation in larger multicenter studies
Multi-objective optimization of a multiphase pump booster unit for enhanced hydraulic performance
No full textAs key equipment in oil and gas transmission systems, multiphase pumps are crucial for ensuring a closed oilfield collection and transmission. The booster unit as the core component of the multiphase pump, has blade shapes that significantly impact the pump efficiency and its gas-liquid mixing performance. To enhance the efficiency of the booster unit and improve its gas-liquid mixing, this study first employed an optimal Latin hypercube design to sample blade shape parameters and establish a design library. The effects of these parameters were systematically investigated via numerical simulation. Subsequently, an approximate prediction model was developed and integrated into a multi-objective optimization framework to identify Pareto-optimal blade configurations. Following optimization, the pump efficiency increased from 52.60% to 54.56% (a 3.59% improvement), while the gas uniformity at the impeller outlet decreased from 0.3229 to 0.3040 (a 6.22% reduction). Comparative analysis of internal and external characteristics confirmed improved gas dispersion and more refined flow field structures within the optimized booster unit. The proposed methodology integrates advanced sampling, modeling, and optimization techniques, providing a systematic and efficient strategy for the performance-driven design of multiphase pump blades. This framework offers significant potential for enhancing the hydraulic performance and operational stability of such critical transport equipment
Data sources:
Access Repository Dashboard
Do you manage Directory of Open Access Journals? Access insider analytics, issue reports and manage access to outputs from your repository in the CORE Repository Dashboard!