bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The life course boat: A theoretical framework for analyzing variation in family lives across time, place, and social location
Authors: Fasang Anette Eva , Gruijters Rob J. , Van Winkle Zachary
Published: June 2024

Objective

We propose a life course theoretical framework for understanding variation in family life courses between birth cohorts (historical time), societies (place), and social groups (social location). Building on the life course paradigm, we explain how key predictors on different levels of analysis can reinforce, precondition, counteract, preclude, or alter each other's influence on family life courses in specific contexts. The proposed framework re‐organizes and extends core principles of the life course paradigm into family life course predictors and outcomes on the individual, relational, and population levels.

Background

The life course approach is a well‐recognized interdisciplinary paradigm in family research but often remains too abstract to guide hypotheses about family life course variation.

Method

We demonstrate the utility of the proposed framework with a qualitative case study on family life courses in Senegal and a quantitative case study on family life course change between Baby Boomer and Millennial cohorts in the United States using sequence analysis.

Results

Findings of the two example applications support that fertility decline in Senegal was primarily driven by material considerations and not by ideational change and that family life course de‐standardization was greater between White Baby Boomers and Millennials compared to Black Boomers and Millennials.

Conclusion

Developing narrower mid‐range theories that fill the basic life course principles with substantive content and target specific fields of application, such as family life courses, is promising to advance life course theory.
Piglets performance, nutrient digestibility and gut health in response to feeding Ulva lactuca seaweed supplemented with a recombinant ulvan lyase or a commercial carbohydrase mixture
Authors: Ribeiro David Miguel , Costa Mónica M. , Trevisi Paolo , Carvalho Daniela Filipa Pires , Correa Federico , Martins Cátia F. , Pinho Mário , Mourato Miguel , de Almeida André M. , Freire João Pedro Bengala , Mestre Prates José António
Published: June 2024

Ulva lactuca, a green seaweed, may be an alternative source of nutrients and bioactive compounds for weaned piglets. However, it has a recalcitrant cell wall rich in a sulphated polysaccharide – ulvan – that is indigestible to monogastrics. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of dietary incorporation of 7% U. lactuca, combined with carbohydrases supplementation (commercial carbohydrase mixture or recombinant ulvan lyase), on growth performance, nutrient digestibility and gut health parameters (morphology and microbiota) of weaned piglets. The experiment was conducted over 14 days using 40 weaned piglets randomly allocated to one of four experimental diets: a control diet based on wheat–maize–soybean meal, a diet with 7% U. lactuca replacing the control diet (UL), a diet with UL supplemented with 0.005% Rovabio® Excel AP, and a diet with UL supplemented with 0.01% of a recombinant ulvan lyase. The dietary treatments had no major effects on growth performance, nitrogen balance and gut content variables, as well as histological measurements. Contrarily, dry matter and organic matter digestibility decreased with dietary seaweed inclusion, while hemicellulose digestibility increased, suggesting a high fermentability of this cell wall fraction independently of carbohydrases supplementation. Some beneficial microbial populations increased as a consequence of enzymatic supplementation (e.g., Prevotella), while seaweed diets as a whole led to an increased abundance of Shuttleworthia, Anaeroplasma and Lachnospiraceae_NK3A20_group, all related with a healthier gut. It also decreased Lactobacillus when compared to controls, which is possibly related to increased bioavailability of seaweed zinc. This study indicates that, under these experimental conditions, up to 7% dietary U. lactuca has no detrimental effect on piglet growth, despite decreasing acid detergent fibre digestibility. Carbohydrases supplementation of Ulva diets is not required at this incorporation level.
Investigating the efficacy of digital cognitive behavioural therapy in comparison to a sleep‐monitoring application via integrated diary and actigraphy: A randomised–controlled trial
Authors: Maurer Leonie Franziska , Bauermann Pauline , Karner Lena , Müller Charlotte , Lorenz Noah , Gieselmann Annika
Published: June 2024

Dissemination of digital cognitive behavioural therapy is a promising approach for treating insomnia in the broad population. Current evidence supports the effectiveness of the digital format, but clinical findings are often limited by the choice of control group and lack of in‐depth therapeutic measures. This study was designed to investigate the specific effects of digital cognitive behavioural therapy in comparison to a self‐monitoring application. Participants meeting criteria for insomnia were randomly allocated (1:1) to 8 weeks of digital cognitive behavioural therapy or 8 weeks of digital sleep monitoring (control application). The primary outcome, insomnia severity, was assessed at baseline, 8‐ and 16‐weeks post‐randomisation. Secondary outcomes included the assessment of sleep via application‐integrated sleep diaries and actigraphy. Linear‐mixed models were fitted to assess between‐group differences. Fifty‐six participants (48 females, mean age: M = 45.55 ± 13.70 years) were randomised to either digital cognitive behavioural therapy (n = 29) or digital sleep monitoring (n = 27). At 8‐ and 16‐weeks post‐randomisation, large treatment effects (d = 0.87–1.08) indicated robust reductions (−3.70 and −2.97, respectively; p ≤ 0.003) in insomnia severity in the digital cognitive behavioural therapy arm, relative to digital sleep monitoring. Treatment effects in favour of digital cognitive behavioural therapy were also found for self‐reported and actigraphy‐derived sleep continuity variables, indicating that sleep improved throughout the 8‐week intervention period. Our study reinforces the role of digital cognitive behavioural therapy in achieving clinical improvements for patients with insomnia, affirming previous findings and supporting the specific effects of cognitive behavioural therapy.
Prospective randomized trial comparing relapse rates in dogs with steroid‐responsive meningitis‐arteritis treated with a 6‐week or 6‐month prednisolone protocol
Authors: Rose Jeremy H. , Driver Colin J. , Arrol Lorna , Cardy Thomas J. A. , Tabanez Joana , Tauro Anna , Fernandes Ricardo , Schofield Imogen , Adamantos Sophie , Granger Nicolas , Harcourt‐Brown Thomas. R.
Published: June 2024

Background

Traditionally, 6‐month courses of prednisolone are used to treat steroid‐responsive meningitis‐arteritis (SRMA), but this medication is associated with adverse effects that can lead to poor quality of life.

Hypothesis/Objectives

Resolution of clinical signs and rate of relapse of SRMA would not be significantly different between a 6‐month prednisolone protocol and a 6‐week protocol.

Animals

Forty‐four hospital cases from multiple referral centers in the United Kingdom (2015‐2019). Twenty of 44 were treated with the 6‐month protocol and 24/44 with the 6‐week protocol.

Methods

Prospective, randomized trial with 12‐month follow‐up. The same prednisolone protocol reinitiated in the event of relapse. Analysis of relapses with binary logistic and Poisson regression modeling.

Results

All cases responded to their treatment protocol. Relapses occurred in 6/20 (30%) of the 6‐month protocol and 9/24 (38%) of the 6‐week protocol. There was no statistical difference in the incidence risk of at least 1 relapse between the 2 groups (odds ratio = 1.40; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.40‐4.96, P = 0.60). Among the 15 dogs that relapsed, 10/15 (67%) relapsed once, 3/15 (20%) relapsed twice, and 2/15 (13%) relapsed 3 times. No statistical difference was detected in the incidence rate ratio (IRR) of total relapse events between the 2 groups (IRR = 1.46; 95% CI, 0.61‐3.48; P = 0.40).

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

“Short” 6‐week prednisolone protocols could be used to treat SRMA, thereby presumably reducing the duration and severity of prednisolone's adverse effects.
Leader empowering and upper echelons decision‐making: How and when does top managers' empowering leadership promote decision‐making speed and comprehensiveness in public organizations?
Authors: Song Shanghao , Shi Yunsheng , Ge Xiaolin , Wang Wenzhou , Yu Haibo , Tian Amy Wei
Published: June 2024

The efficiency of decision‐making in public organizations is a key area of interest for public administration scholars. Drawing on upper echelons theory, this study examines how top managers' empowering leadership affects decision‐making speed and comprehensiveness in public organizations. Through a three‐wave questionnaire survey involving 1149 TMT members from 133 public organizations in China, we tested the proposed theoretical model and hypotheses. Our findings reveal that top manager empowering leadership positively and indirectly influences decision‐making speed and comprehensiveness in public organizations, and through its effects on TMT behavioral integration. Furthermore, TMT work style similarity and TMT cognitive diversity can enhance and weaken the mediating relationships, respectively.

Chinese Abstract

如何进行高质高效的战略决策是公共管理学者关注的重要话题。然而，从高层视角探讨公共组织有效决策过程的影响因素研究仍极度匮乏。基于高层梯队理论，本研究对来自中国教育部门高层管理团队的调查问卷进行数据分析，探讨了最高领导者授权型领导对公共组织决策速度和全面性的影响机制。结果表明，最高领导者授权型领导通过高管团队行动整合的中介作用对公共组织决策速度和全面性具有积极的间接影响，高管团队的工作方式相似性和认知多样性分别作为边界条件增强和削弱了上述中介关系。本研究为公共部门高层梯队理论与战略领导力研究做出了重要贡献。
Longitudinal Quality of Life and Glycemic Outcomes of Total Pancreatectomy With Islet Autotransplantation in Children With Chronic Pancreatitis Followed in a Pediatric Multidisciplinary Pancreas Clinic
Authors: Khatter Neil J. , Hum Stephanie W. , Mark Jacob A. , Forlenza Gregory , Triolo Taylor M.
Published: June 2024

Background

Total pancreatectomy with islet autotransplantation (TPIAT) is a potentially curative treatment for patients with chronic pancreatitis (CP) refractory to medical and endoscopic therapies. Patients often receive the initial follow‐up medical care at the surgery‐performing center, but then may follow up closer to where they live. We sought to describe the characteristics and outcomes of pediatric patients who underwent TPIAT at a national surgical referral center and were subsequently followed at our regional subspecialty center, the Children's Hospital Colorado.

Methods

We performed a retrospective analysis of baseline and outcomes data for the 10 pediatric patients who underwent TPIAT from 2007 to 2020 and received follow‐up care at our institution.

Results

All patients had a diagnosis of CP, and nine of 10 patients had an identified underlying genetic risk factor. Insulin usage was common immediately following TPIAT, but at 1 year of follow‐up, five of nine patients (55.6%) were insulin‐independent and nine of nine had an HbA1c below 6.5%. For the four patients on insulin 1 year after TPIAT, total daily insulin dose ranged from 0.06 to 0.71 units/kg/day. All patients who underwent mixed meal tolerance testing had a robust peak C‐peptide response at 1 year. There were significant improvements in nausea, school/work absences, narcotic dependence, and pancreas‐related hospital admissions 1 year after TPIAT.

Conclusions

Patients followed at our center had long‐term improvements with low‐insulin usage, detectable C‐peptide, and improved pancreatitis‐related outcomes after TPIAT. Pediatric patients who undergo TPIAT can be successfully co‐managed in conjunction with the original surgery‐performing center.
Integrating leaf spectral and water status information to effectively track chlorophyll a fluorescence parameters during dehydration
Authors: Zhuang Jie , Wang Quan
Published: June 2024

Monitoring changes in chlorophyll a (ChlFa) fluorescence during dehydration can provide insights into plant photosynthetic responses to climate change challenges, which are predicted to increase drought frequency. However, the limited knowledge of how ChlFa parameters respond to water deficit hinders the exploration of the photochemical mechanism of the photosynthetic process and the simulation of photosynthetic fluorescence models. Furthermore, how to track such responses of ChlFa parameters, especially at large scales, remains a challenge. In this study, we attempted to use spectral information reflected from leaves to follow the dynamic response patterns of ChlFa parameters of seven species under prolonged dehydration. The results showed that the investigated ChlFa parameters exhibited significant changes as dehydration progressed, with considerable variability among the different species as well as under different water conditions. This study also demonstrated that the integration of both spectral and water content information can provide an effective method for tracking ChlFa parameters during dehydration, explaining over 90% of the total variance in the measured ChlFa parameters. Collectively, these results should serve as a valuable reference for predicting the response of ChlFa parameters to dehydration and offer a potential method for estimating ChlFa parameters under drought conditions.
Alternative electron sinks in chloroplasts and mitochondria of halophytes as a safety valve for controlling ROS production during salinity
Authors: Demircan Nil , Sonmez Mustafa Cemre , Akyol Turgut Yigit , Ozgur Rengin , Turkan Ismail , Dietz Karl‐Josef , Uzilday Baris
Published: June 2024

Electron flow through the electron transport chain (ETC) is essential for oxidative phosphorylation in mitochondria and photosynthesis in chloroplasts. Electron fluxes depend on environmental parameters, e.g., ionic and osmotic conditions and endogenous factors, and this may cause severe imbalances. Plants have evolved alternative sinks to balance the reductive load on the electron transport chains in order to avoid overreduction, generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and to cope with environmental stresses. These sinks act primarily as valves for electron drainage and secondarily as regulators of tolerance‐related metabolism, utilizing the excess reductive energy. High salinity is an environmental stressor that stimulates the generation of ROS and oxidative stress, which affects growth and development by disrupting the redox homeostasis of plants. While glycophytic plants are sensitive to high salinity, halophytic plants tolerate, grow, and reproduce at high salinity. Various studies have examined the ETC systems of glycophytic plants, however, information about the state and regulation of ETCs in halophytes under non‐saline and saline conditions is scarce. This review focuses on alternative electron sinks in chloroplasts and mitochondria of halophytic plants. In cases where information on halophytes is lacking, we examined the available knowledge on the relationship between alternative sinks and gradual salinity resilience of glycophytes. To this end, transcriptional responses of involved components of photosynthetic and respiratory ETCs were compared between the glycophyte Arabidopsis thaliana and the halophyte Schrenkiella parvula, and the time‐courses of these transcripts were examined in A. thaliana. The observed regulatory patterns are discussed in the context of reactive molecular species formation in halophytes and glycophytes.
Evolving fill‐and‐spill patterns across linked early post‐rift depocentres control lobe characteristics: Los Molles Formation, Argentina
Authors: Privat Aurélia M‐L. J. , Peakall Jeff , Hodgson David M. , Schwarz Ernesto , Jackson Christopher A‐L. , Arnol Jonatan A.
Published: June 2024

Inherited rift topography controls the sediment routing, timing of sand supply, and sedimentary linkage of early post‐rift depocentres. Exhumed examples of early post‐rift turbidite systems are rare and previous studies have examined the evolution of individual depocentres; in contrast, the detailed evolution of early post‐rift turbidite systems across multiple depocentres has never been documented. Current fill‐and‐spill models do not detail the stratigraphic architecture and evolution of sedimentological characteristics of multiple intraslope fans developed across topography, including bed type distributions. Here, the evolution of three intraslope fans that developed across two early post‐rift depocentres is documented along an 18 km long transect in the southern Neuquén Basin, Argentina. The relative chronology of sand supply in depocentres is constrained with new U–Pb ages, and sediment source areas with provenance analysis. The early post‐rift intraslope fans record progradation of the system and progressive sedimentary linkage of post‐rift depocentres, transverse to local syn‐rift structures, with sediment routing subparallel to the cratonic basin margin. The large‐scale stratigraphic architecture of intraslope fans indicates an evolution as a fill‐and‐spill system, with initial confinement through flow stripping and overspill to spillover with erosion and bypass across a transverse topographic high separating the depocentres. Changes in early post‐rift intraslope fan characteristics, including thickness, sandstone content, lobe complex stacking patterns, stratal termination patterns and bed type distribution, record changing confinement through time within a depocentre, and spatially across depocentres. The strong spatial and vertical stratigraphic variability of transitional flow deposits and hybrid event beds reflects enhanced erosion, sediment bypass and flow transformation across transverse relief between the two depocentres during the spillover phase. These findings advance current understanding of early post‐rift turbidite systems and refine fill‐and‐spill models, which will help the prediction of spatial and vertical changes in rock quality and connectivity in subsurface hydrocarbon reservoirs and CO2 storage sites.
Confidence intervals in monotone regression
Authors: Groeneboom Piet , Jongbloed Geurt
Published: June 2024

We construct bootstrap confidence intervals for a monotone regression function. It has been shown that the ordinary nonparametric bootstrap, based on the nonparametric least squares estimator (LSE) , is inconsistent in this situation. We show that an ‐consistent bootstrap can be based on the smoothed , to be called the SLSE (Smoothed Least Squares Estimator). The asymptotic pointwise distribution of the SLSE is derived. The confidence intervals, based on the smoothed bootstrap, are compared to intervals based on the (not necessarily monotone) Nadaraya Watson estimator and the effect of Studentization is investigated. We also give a method for automatic bandwidth choice, correcting work in Sen and Xu (2015). Analogous methods for constructing confidence intervals in the current status model are discussed, improving on work in Groeneboom and Hendrickx (2018).
Stop wasting time on mechanical weed control research that lacks a theoretical foundation
Authors: Rasmussen Jesper
Published: June 2024

In mechanical weed control research, there is a tendency to prioritise practical application over the establishment of a solid theoretical foundation. This emphasis can lead to a fragmented knowledge base and relatively modest research progress. The widespread use of ANOVA exacerbates this issue by primarily focusing on the differences between treatments, neglecting an exploration of the mechanisms behind the observed results. In response to these limitations and in line with rapid advances in sensor and robotics technology, this paper presents a proposal to establish a theoretical framework for mechanical weed control. The framework aims to emphasise understanding of the underlying mechanisms of mechanical weed control, rather than solely focusing on their observable outcomes. As part of this proposal, a simulation model known as HarrowSim based on regression parameters is presented. Simulation runs show the importance of factors such as treatment intensity, selectivity, crop tolerance and weed pressure in relation to crop yield response to post‐emergence weed harrowing. While currently parameterised for post‐emergence weed harrowing, it is argued that HarrowSim is relevant for all post‐emergence mechanical weed control methods, and is useful for teaching purposes and for inspiring future research. While the theoretical framework and HarrowSim have their weaknesses, these can also be perceived as opportunities since they can help focus attention on key issues for future research.
Politics in Publishing
Authors: Hartmann Maj
Published: June 2024

Politics in Publishing focuses on Japan’s involvement in shaping international copyright law over a seventy-year period following the country’s 1899 accession to the Berne Convention, the first multilateral copyright treaty. During this time, Japanese state officials collaborated with various stakeholders such as publishers, translators, and legal experts to strategically influence the international revision process of the treaty. The involvement of these actors in international organizations such as the League of Nations and the United Nations affected global copyright norms even as Japan advanced its imperial – national after 1945 – and capitalist interests. Taking a previously lacking non-Western perspective on the history of international copyright law, Politics in Publishing highlights the complex interplay between state and private actors and between domestic and international power relations, as well as administrative transformations in the formation of the modern, global international order. Grounded in an impressive body of primary source material, this book will make a substantial contribution to interdisciplinary scholarship on intellectual property, and copyright history in particular.
A High-Gain Observer Approach to Robust Trajectory Estimation and Tracking for a Multirotor Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
Authors: Boss Connor J. , Srivastava Vaibhav
Published: June 2024

Using the context of trajectory estimation and tracking for multirotor unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), we explore the challenges in applying high-gain observers to highly dynamic systems. The multirotor will operate in the presence of external disturbances and modeling errors. At the same time, the reference trajectory is unknown and generated from a reference system with unknown or partially known dynamics. We assume the only measurements that are available are the position and orientation of the multirotor and the position of the reference system. We adopt an extended high-gain observer (EHGO) estimation framework to estimate the unmeasured multirotor states, modeling errors, external disturbances, and the reference trajectory. We design a robust output feedback controller for trajectory tracking that comprises a feedback linearizing controller and the EHGO. The proposed control method is rigorously analyzed to establish its stability properties. Finally, we illustrate our theoretical results through numerical simulation and experimental validation in which a multirotor tracks a moving ground vehicle with an unknown trajectory and dynamics and successfully lands on the vehicle while in motion.
Aerobic Exercise as an Intervention for Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: A Critically Appraised Topic
Authors: Florez Makayla , Roberge Erin , Ostrowski Jennifer
Published: June 2024

Clinical Scenario: As of 2020, the lifetime prevalence of at least one self-reported concussion is 24.6%. Athletic trainers in all settings work with patients who are at risk of sustaining a concussion or mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and developing persistent postconcussive symptoms. Aerobic exercise is emerging as an intervention for decreasing symptoms in patients who have sustained mTBI; however, the majority of research has been performed on pediatric patients. It is of interest whether aerobic exercise is an effective intervention for adult patients with mTBI. Focused Clinical Question: In adults who have sustained mTBI, does traditional therapy decrease symptoms more than aerobic exercise? Summary of Search: A systematic search of 4 databases was performed to answer this question. Three randomized controlled trials were identified that compared aerobic exercise to traditional therapy, which consists of physical and cognitive rest. Two studies found no significant differences in symptoms between the 2 groups while 1 study found decreased symptoms in the aerobic exercise group. Clinical Bottom Line: The current evidence is clear that there is no decrease in mTBI symptoms with traditional therapy as compared with aerobic exercise, with 1 study showing decreased symptoms with aerobic exercise. Strength of Evidence: Based on the Center for Evidence-Based Medicine grades of evidence, the clinical bottom line is based on grade A evidence.
Specific Contribution of the Transversus Abdominis for Postural Control Against Perturbation Caused by Kinesthetic Illusion
Authors: Akuzawa Hiroshi , Morito Tsuyoshi , Oshikawa Tomoki , Okubo Yu , Brumagne Simon , Kaneoka Koji
Published: June 2024

Functional independence of the transversus abdominis (TrA) from other trunk muscles for postural control is still unclear. This study aimed to clarify the specific function of the TrA to control standing posture by vibratory stimulation of the triceps surae. Fifteen men participated in this study. Muscle activity of the TrA, internal oblique, lumbar multifidus, gluteus maximus, rectus femoris, biceps femoris, gastrocnemius, and tibialis anterior was measured using fine-wire and surface electrodes. Participants were asked to maintain a quiet standing posture with and without vibration of the triceps surae, which induced a kinesthetic illusion and the concomitant backward sway of the body. The muscle activity of each muscle for 10 s was extracted with and without vibration. The muscle activity levels were compared between the conditions by a paired t-test or Wilcoxon signed-rank test. The activity of the TrA and rectus femoris was increased, whereas the internal oblique showed no change as a result of the induced kinesthetic illusion. In addition, the activity of the multifidus and biceps femoris was decreased. The TrA and rectus femoris could contribute to control the backward sway of the body. Furthermore, the TrA may have functional independence from the internal oblique during standing postural control. These results warrant further study in patients with low back pain.
Queering Gender Equity Policies for Trans College Athletes
Authors: Harry Molly , Graves Ellen I.
Published: June 2024

Trans college athletes are subjected to inconsistent and inequitable participation regulations. We adopted feminist and queer theoretical lenses to examine the gender equity policies of eight sport governing bodies in attempts to further understand the systems and structures within which trans college athletes must participate and comply. Analysis indicated predominance of entrenched essentialist feminism and limited performative postmodern/queer perspectives, leaving trans college athletes vulnerable to discriminatory/exclusionary policies and practices. To conclude, we offer three recommendations to promote better trans athlete inclusion across college sports.
Self-assembled skin-like metamaterials for dual-band camouflage
Authors: Fang Shiqi , Xu Ning , Zhou Lin , Wei Tianqi , Yang Yuhan , Liu Yongmin , Zhu Jia
Published: June 2024

Skin-like soft optical metamaterials with broadband modulation have been long pursued for practical applications, such as cloaking and camouflage. Here, we propose a skin-like metamaterial for dual-band camouflage based on unique Au nanoparticles assembled hollow pillars (NPAHP), which are implemented by the bottom-up template-assisted self-assembly processes. This dual-band camouflage realizes simultaneously high visible absorptivity (~0.947) and low infrared emissivity (~0.074/0.045 for mid-/long-wavelength infrared bands), ideal for visible and infrared dual-band camouflage at night or in outer space. In addition, this self-assembled metamaterial, with a micrometer thickness and periodic through-holes, demonstrates superior skin-like attachability and permeability, allowing close attachment to a wide range of surfaces including the human body. Last but not least, benefiting from the extremely low infrared emissivity, the skin-like metamaterial exhibits excellent high-temperature camouflage performance, with radiation temperature reduction from 678 to 353 kelvin. This work provides a new paradigm for skin-like metamaterials with flexible multiband modulation for multiple application scenarios.
Late Neolithic collective burial reveals admixture dynamics during the third millennium BCE and the shaping of the European genome
Authors: Parasayan Oğuzhan , Laurelut Christophe , Bôle Christine , Bonnabel Lola , Corona Alois , Domenech-Jaulneau Cynthia , Paresys Cécile , Richard Isabelle , Grange Thierry , Geigl Eva-Maria
Published: June 2024

The third millennium BCE was a pivotal period of profound cultural and genomic transformations in Europe associated with migrations from the Pontic-Caspian steppe, which shaped the ancestry patterns in the present-day European genome. We performed a high-resolution whole-genome analysis including haplotype phasing of seven individuals of a collective burial from ~2500 cal BCE and of a Bell Beaker individual from ~2300 cal BCE in the Paris Basin in France. The collective burial revealed the arrival in real time of steppe ancestry in France. We reconstructed the genome of an unsampled individual through its relatives’ genomes, enabling us to shed light on the early-stage admixture patterns, dynamics, and propagation of steppe ancestry in Late Neolithic Europe. We identified two major Neolithic/steppe-related ancestry admixture pulses around 3000/2900 BCE and 2600 BCE. These pulses suggest different population expansion dynamics with striking links to the Corded Ware and Bell Beaker cultural complexes.
The specificity of intermodular recognition in a prototypical nonribosomal peptide synthetase depends on an adaptor domain
Authors: Karanth Megha N. , Kirkpatrick John P. , Krausze Joern , Schmelz Stefan , Scrima Andrea , Carlomagno Teresa
Published: June 2024

In the quest for new bioactive substances, nonribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPS) provide biodiversity by synthesizing nonproteinaceous peptides with high cellular activity. NRPS machinery consists of multiple modules, each catalyzing a unique series of chemical reactions. Incomplete understanding of the biophysical principles orchestrating these reaction arrays limits the exploitation of NRPSs in synthetic biology. Here, we use nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and mass spectrometry to solve the conundrum of how intermodular recognition is coupled with loaded carrier protein specificity in the tomaymycin NRPS. We discover an adaptor domain that directly recruits the loaded carrier protein from the initiation module to the elongation module and reveal its mechanism of action. The adaptor domain of the type found here has specificity rules that could potentially be exploited in the design of engineered NRPS machinery.
Pd-intercalated black phosphorus: An efficient electrocatalyst for CO2reduction
Authors: Xiao Liangping , Zheng Qizheng , Luo Shiwen , Ying Yifan , Zhou Rusen , Zhou Shiyuan , Li Xingyun , Ye Xiaoyuan , Yu Zhiyang , Xu Qingchi , Liao Honggang , Xu Jun
Published: June 2024

Nanoconfined catalysts enhance stabilization of reaction intermediates, facilitate electron transfer, and safeguard active centers, leading to superior electrocatalytic activity, particularly in CO2reduction reactions (CO2RR). Despite their effectiveness, crafting nanoconfined catalysts is challenging due to unclear formation mechanisms. In this study, we introduce an electrochemical method to grow Pd clusters within the interlayers of two-dimensional black phosphorus, creating Pd cluster–intercalated black phosphorus (Pd-i-BP) as an electrocatalyst. Using in situ electrochemical liquid phase transmission electron microscopy (EC-TEM), we revealed the synthesis mechanism of Pd-i-BP, involving electrochemically driven Pd ion intercalation followed by reduction within the BP layers. The Pd-i-BP electrocatalyst exhibits exemplary CO2-to-formate conversion, achieving 90% Faradaic efficiency for formate production, owing to its distinct nanoconfined structure that stabilizes intermediates and enhances electron transfer. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations underscore the structural benefits for enhancing intermediate adsorption and catalyzing the reaction. Our insights deepen understanding of nanoconfined material synthesis, promising advanced, high-efficiency catalysts.
Reversible phase transformations between Pb nanocrystals and a viscous liquid-like phase
Authors: Zheng Wenjing , Kang Jun , Niu Kaiyang , Ophus Colin , Chan Emory M. , Ercius Peter , Wang Lin-Wang , Wu Junqiao , Zheng Haimei
Published: June 2024

Phase transformations have been a prominent topic of study for both fundamental and applied science. Solid-liquid reaction–induced phase transformations can be hard to characterize, and the transformation mechanisms are often not fully understood. Here, we report reversible phase transformations between a metal (Pb) nanocrystal and a viscous liquid-like phase unveiled by in situ liquid cell transmission electron microscopy. The reversible phase transformations are obtained by modulating the electron current density (between 1000 and 3000 electrons Å
−2
s
−1
). The metal-organic viscous liquid-like phase exhibits short-range ordering with a preferred Pb-Pb distance of 0.5 nm. Assisted by density functional theory and molecular dynamics calculations, we show that the viscous liquid-like phase results from the reactions of Pb with the CH
3
O fragments from the triethylene glycol solution under electron beam irradiation. Such reversible phase transformations may find broad implementations.
Exploring beyond Earth using space robotics
Authors: Chien Steve A. , Visentin Gianfranco , Basich Connor
Published: June 2024

Robotic spacecraft enable exploration of our Solar System beyond our human presence. Although spacecraft have explored every planet in the Solar System, the frontiers of space robotics are at the cutting edge of landers, rovers, and now atmospheric explorers, where robotic spacecraft must interact intimately with their environment to explore beyond the reach of flyby and orbital remote sensing. Here, we describe the tremendous growth in space robotics missions in the past 7 years, with many new entities participating in missions to the surface of the Moon, Mars, and beyond. We also describe the recent development of aerial missions to planets and moons, as exemplified by the Ingenuity helicopter on Mars and the Dragonfly mission to Titan. We focus on suborbital robotics—landers, rovers, and aerial vehicles—with associated challenges in sensing, manipulation, mobility, and system-level autonomy.
One Adventure after Another: Turning Challenges into Opportunities
Authors: Wilson* Frederic H.
Published: June 2024

Born in Chicago, Illinois, I am a beneficiary of doors being opened during the 1960s. I was able to attend the University of Chicago Laboratory High School, and after high school, I attended Michigan Technological University. Thinking I’d like to become an architect, I enrolled in the civil engineering program. During orientation week, I discovered the geology department, and as my first class as a civil engineering major was Principles of Geology, it wasn’t long before the hook was set! However, I never really considered a career as a geologist after college because I assumed the draft and the Vietnam War would determine my ultimate fate. But I wasn’t drafted, and, ultimately, I took a job with Shell Oil Company in New Orleans as an “engineer,” though I had a geology degree. Realizing this was not the job I wanted or the place I wanted to be, I sought an adventure by going to the University of Alaska to get a master’s degree. This led to many more adventures and challenges as I learned to adapt to a new environment far different from my past experience. As I finished the master’s degree, I was invited to join the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and began a long career with the Alaska group of the USGS. It, too, has been one continuing adventure, working with and learning from some amazing people through the years. I only hope that others can find their way to their own adventures in the geosciences. There have been barriers thrown up along the way at times, sometimes reflecting that I’m African American. Yet, in all cases, I’ve found ways to adapt or overcome. My style has been to get along, but sometimes I’ve needed to push through barriers to accomplish my goal at the time.
Disseminated nocardiosis presenting as a superinfected thyroglossal duct cyst in a patient with diabetes
Authors: Schmid Anouk , Ahmad Nader , Haubitz Sebastian , Speth Marlene Maria
Published: June 2024

We introduce the case of a male patient in his 60s who was admitted to our emergency department with a persisting sore throat for the last 3 weeks and dysphagia. Fibre-endoscopic evaluation revealed an asymmetry at the base of the tongue. In combination with elevated white cell count and C reactive protein, a computerized tomography showed a superinfected thyroglossal duct cyst. Intravenous antibiotics were initiated, and the patient was taken to the operating room for cervicotomy. The microbiological swab taken intraoperatively detectedNocardia paucivorans. Additional imaging revealed disseminated nocardiosis with cerebral and pulmonary manifestations.

The patient was treated with oral trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole and, over time, showed complete remission of central nervous system lesions and improvement of pulmonary involvement. Following this, the treatment was stopped 8 months after the initial diagnosis. In this report, we discuss treatment standards and outcomes of nocardiosis based on our management strategies of our patient.
Primary pure squamous cell carcinoma of the gallbladder
Authors: Burke Cynthia Elaine , Wong William G , Khouzam Simone , Ruggiero Francesca M , Vining Charles C
Published: June 2024

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is an uncommon and frequently aggressive subtype of gallbladder cancer known for its poor outcomes compared with other gallbladder tumours. Gallbladder SCC typically presents as higher grade and more advanced than adenocarcinoma, resulting in lower estimated survival. Early recognition of these tumours is ideal, but infrequently achieved. Herein is a case of a male patient in his 80s with new onset abdominal pain who was initially diagnosed with cholecystitis, but diagnostic imaging revealed a gallbladder mass. Surgical resection and pathology revealed pure SCC of the gallbladder without local organ invasion or metastatic disease. Pure SCC histology of the gallbladder is rare, with limited studies on clinical presentation, natural history, and optimal treatment.
Back pain as the initial presentation of subacute bacterial endocarditis in a patient with a complex medical history
Authors: Sanchez Sebastian , Castillo-Rodriguez Cristian , Green Danielle , Abdelnabi Mahmoud
Published: June 2024

Infective endocarditis (IE) poses a diagnostic challenge due to its diverse clinical presentations, especially among high-risk groups. Diagnosis relies on integrating clinical presentation, blood cultures and imaging findings. Advanced imaging techniques enhance diagnostic accuracy, particularly in complex cases. Treatment involves antimicrobial therapy and surgery in complicated cases, with early intervention crucial for optimal outcomes. Coordinated care by an Endocarditis Team ensures tailored treatment plans, prompt complication management and long-term monitoring after discharge. The authors present a case of subacute IE presenting initially with back pain in a patient with a complex medical history, highlighting diagnostic and management approaches.
Understanding the nicotine dose delivered by electronic nicotine delivery systems in a single puff: the importance of nicotine flux and puff duration
Authors: Eissenberg Thomas , Shihadeh Alan
Published: June 2024

Electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) may lead to public health benefit if they help people who smoke quit smoking, and may lead to public health harm if they recruit a new generation of nicotine-dependent people. Regulators intent on maximising ENDS’ public health benefit and minimising harm may be interested in regulating the nicotine dose delivered by ENDS in a single puff. The per-puff nicotine dose is the product of ENDS nicotine emission rate (or ‘nicotine flux’) and the duration of the puff taken by the person using the ENDS (or ‘puff duration’). Nicotine flux can be measured or predicted mathematically for any ENDS device/liquid combination. Puff duration can be controlled electronically, as demonstrated by several ENDS marketed today. Combining nicotine flux and puff duration regulation is feasible today and provides authorities the means to limit nicotine dose per puff to a level that may help people who smoke quit smoking while reducing the possibility that nicotine-naive individuals will engage in repeated ENDS use. Tobacco regulatory science and product regulation will both be improved by a rigorous approach to understanding, characterising, and reporting the nicotine dose emitted by ENDS.
Radiolytic reduction of silver nanoparticles probed in situ via Cherenkov spectroscopy
Authors: Morrison A.H.E. , Landry C. , Ghandi K.
Published: June 2024

Expanding on our previous efforts demonstrating the feasibility of extracting chemical information in steady-state systems of nanoparticles under irradiation, we demonstrate that the Cherenkov spectra can be used to observe chemical changes in real-time, in situ, and for non-equilibrium systems under irradiation. This is done by way of a dose-resolved measurement of the localized plasmon resonance absorption band associated with the formation and growth of silver nanoclusters and nanoparticles produced via radiolytic reduction of a solution of silver ion under exposure to an electron beam. Additionally, the method utilized in this study provided a significant resolution with a simplified optical system. This paves the way for a technique to determine similar changes in the material in medicinal, industrial (nuclear industry), and research applications—and indeed in any application involving ionizing radiation.
The geometry of the constant gravitational field
Authors: Boskoff Wladimir-Georges
Published: June 2024

The complete title of this paper should be “The geometry of the constant gravitational field or how to switch from the mechanical Lagrangian to a geometric Lagrangian” and in this abstract we sketch why. To begin with, let us say that Einstein managed to integrate the constant gravitational field in the special theory of relativity, obtaining a metric whose geodesics are locally parabolas. The existence of a similar metric deduced from the considerations of Newtonian mechanics is somehow obstructed by the Lagrangian involved in the description of the constant gravitational field. Therefore, we need to explain how the mechanical Lagrangian above which is not suitable for a metric description of the constant gravitational field can be switched into a geometrical Lagrangian having the same geodesics and suitable for the metric description of the constant gravitational field. The geometric method found by us is related to a parabolic type of transformations. A consequence of the previous method can be applied for the study of bending of light rays in a constant gravitational field.
Projection transformation-based link prediction for possible collaboration connections in bimodal supply chain networks
Authors: Wu Yingnian , Jiao Shuai , Tan Hao , Li Qingkui , Zhang Jing
Published: June 2024

Aiming at the problems of information disconnection and business interruption in supply chain networks caused by uncertainties such as trade wars and COVID-19, a projection-transformation-based model for predicting possible collaborative relationship links in bimodal supply chain networks is designed from the perspective of network science. The model first transforms the bimodal network structure of supply chain into a corresponding unimodal projection network by projection transformation; then screens the candidate collaborative links in the network; finally assigns weights to the similarity links according to different influencing factors, and calculates the possibility of potential collaborative links in the bimodal supply chain network by this. The experimental results show that the model can achieve higher quality prediction in real bimodal supply chain networks compared with other baseline link prediction models, which provides theoretical and methodological support for better formulation of business contingency plans and risk defense measures.
Role of Digital Supply Chain in Industry 4.0: A Bibliometric Analysis
Authors: Dixit Chetan , Haleem Abid , Javaid Mohd
Published: June 2024

Digitalization has significantly shifted technology-driven processes, products, services, and business models. This revolution envisions an era in which smart machines can transfer information to automatic manufacturing and production lines, evaluate and grasp specific production difficulties, and solve them with the minimum human intervention. Previously, this revolution was thought to disrupt the manufacturing sector mainly. Therefore, their integration and advancement would influence retailers, distributors, operational organizations, and service providers. This paper assesses how digital supply chains (DSC) are evolving to cater to the needs of Industry 4.0. This literature-based research approaches the broad topic of DSC using bibliometric techniques and network analysis tools using software like Gephi and VosViewer — our study’s data from 2002–2024 from journal databases like Scopus and Google Scholar. Aside from the demands and trends driving supply chain digitalization, digital transformation trends and the changing business environment add challenges and risks. Implementing IT technologies significantly impacts the whole supply chain in order to compete in today’s dynamic and competitive business environment. Increased openness across the whole process, from order dispatch to product end-of-life, depends on collaboration between suppliers, manufacturers, and consumers. Industry 4.0 promotes big data, Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI). Therefore, the urgency and importance of theoretical methods and empirical studies are needed to help businesses establish successful and long-lasting Industry 4.0 supply chains while quickly adapting to continuously changing markets and technology, which can be easily possible through the broad study of the previous study that has been conducted in the past. This study allows for a thorough review of the discipline’s current state and future directions, highlighting significant contributions, emerging trends, and areas requiring additional research that will be helpful for future researchers and policymakers.