bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Temporal Microbiome Changes in Axolotl Limb Regeneration: Stage-Specific Restructuring of Bacterial and Fungal Communities with aFlavobacteriumBloom During Blastema Proliferation
Authors: Altın Hanne , Delice Büşra , Yıldırım Berna , Demircan Turan , Yıldırım Süleyman
Published: March 2024

The intricate relationship between regeneration and microbiota has recently gained attention, spanning diverse model organisms. Axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum) is a critically endangered salamander species and a model organism for regenerative and developmental biology. Despite its significance, a noticeable gap exists in understanding the interplay between axolotl regeneration and its microbiome. Here, we analyze in depth bacterial 16S rRNA amplicon dataset that we reported before as data resource and profile fungal community by sequencing ITS amplicons at the critical stages of limb regeneration (0-1-4-7-30-60 days post amputation, “dpa”). Results reveal a decline in richness and evenness in the course of limb regeneration, with bacterial community richness recovering beyond 30 dpa unlike fungi community. Beta diversity analysis reveals precise restructuring of the bacterial community along the three phases of limb regeneration, contrasting with less congruent changes in the fungal community. Temporal dynamics of the bacterial community highlight prevalent anaerobic bacteria in initiation phase andFlavobacteriumbloom in the early phase correlating with limb blastema proliferation. Predicted functional analysis mirrors these shifts, emphasizing a transition from amino acid metabolism to lipid metabolism control. Fungal communities shift fromBlastomycotatoAscomycotadominance in the late regeneration stage. Our findings provide ecologically relevant insights into stage specific role of microbiome contributions to axolotl limb regeneration.
Microbial community structure is affected by phage-resistance associated increases in host density
Authors: Castledine Meaghan , Padfield Daniel , Lewis Rai , Buckling Angus
Published: March 2024

Lytic bacteriophages (‘phages’) can limit bacterial densities and shape community structure, either directly through lysis or indirectly through costs to resistance. However, phages have also been reported to have no, and in some cases even positive, effects on host densities. Here, we investigate the mechanisms behind an increase in host density inVariovoraxsp. populations following a fixation of resistance that was maintained after phage extinction. Our results demonstrate that the density increase was a genetic trait coinciding with resistance emergence. Growth curves showed that phage resistance shifted population growth curves such that density was higher in the death-phase. This density-increasing effect of resistance had important implications for community structure with phage resistantVariovoraxdecreasing the density of a conspecific. That resistance to lytic phage can increase host densities has implications for wider ecology and phage therapy where lytic phages are presumed to have negative effects on their hosts.
RPA and Rad27 limit templated and inverted insertions at DNA breaks
Authors: Yu Yang , Wang Xin , Fox Jordan , Li Qian , Yu Yang , Hastings P.J. , Chen Kaifu , Ira Grzegorz
Published: March 2024

Formation of templated insertions at DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) is very common in cancer cells. The mechanisms and enzymes regulating these events are largely unknown. Here, we investigated templated insertions in yeast at DSBs using amplicon sequencing across a repaired locus. We document very short (most ∼5-34 bp), templated inverted duplications at DSBs. They are generated through a foldback mechanism that utilizes microhomologies adjacent to the DSB. Enzymatic requirements suggest a hybrid mechanism wherein one end requires Polδ-mediated synthesis while the other end is captured by nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ). This process is exacerbated in mutants with low levels or mutated RPA (rtt105Δ;rfa1-t33) or extensive resection mutant (sgs1Δexo1Δ). Templated insertions from various distant genomic locations also increase in these mutants as well as inrad27Δ and originate from fragile regions of the genome. Among complex insertions, common events are insertions of two sequences, originating from the same locus and with inverted orientation. We propose that these inversions are also formed by microhomology-mediated template switching. Taken together, we propose that a shortage of RPA typical in cancer cells is one possible factor stimulating the formation of templated insertions.
Unicellular cyanobacteria rely on sodium energetics to fix N2
Authors: Tang Si , Cheng Xueyu , Liu Yaqing , Liu Lu , Liu Dai , Yan Qi , Zhu Jianming , Zhou Jin , Hammerschmidt Katrin , Cai Zhonghua
Published: March 2024

Diazotrophic cyanobacteria can thrive in combined nitrogen (N)-limited environments due to their ability to fix nitrogen gas (N2) from the atmosphere. Despite this, they occur in low abundance in N-limited coastal waters, which represents an ecological paradox1–3. One hypothesis is that this is partly due to elevated salinity (> 10 g/L NaCl), which inhibits cyanobacterial N2fixation2,3. Here we show that N2fixation in a unicellular coastal cyanobacterium is not inhibited but rather exclusively dependent on sodium (Na+) ions. In N-deficient environments, both N2fixation and population growth were significantly inhibited at low NaCl concentrations (< 4 g/L). Additional experiments indicated that sodium energetics, rather than proton energetics, is necessary for N2fixation, as Na+deficiency resulted in insufficient ATP supply for N2fixation. We show that this is due to the non-functioning Na+-coupled ATP synthase, which we found to be likely coupled to anaerobic rather than aerobic respiration. Sequence alignment analysis of the ion-coupling site of the ATP synthase revealed a high prevalence of Na+energetics in cyanobacteria, with all unicellular N2fixers capable of Na+energetics. This suggests a critical role for sodium energetics in cyanobacteria. It also raises the possibility that sodium energetics is not as rare as thought, but that we may have underestimated the prevalence and importance of sodium energetics in other organisms. Finally, the low abundance of diazotrophic unicellular cyanobacteria in coastal waters may be due to insufficient NaCl levels to support N2-fixation during periods of growth-supporting high temperatures. This provides another perspective on the regulation of the oceanic N cycle that needs to be considered in times of global climate change. Changes in current patterns could lead to an overlap of periods optimal for N2fixation and population growth, likely resulting in dense cyanobacterial blooms.
Data-driven classification of sheared stratified turbulence from experimental shadowgraphs
Authors: Lefauve Adrien , Couchman Miles M. P.
Published: March 2024

We propose a dimensionality reduction and unsupervised clustering method for the automatic classification and reduced-order modeling of density-stratified turbulence in laboratory experiments. We apply this method to 113 long shadowgraph movies collected in a “stratified inclined duct” experiment, where turbulence is generated by instabilities arising from a sheared buoyancy-driven counterflow at Reynolds numbers Re≈300–5000, tilt angles θ=1∘–6∘, and Prandtl number Pr≈700. The method automatically detects edges representative of discrete density interfaces, extracts a low-dimensional vector of statistics representative of their morphology, projects these statistics onto a two-dimensional phase space of principal coordinates, and applies a clustering algorithm. Five clusters are detected and interpreted physically based on their typical interface morphology and an examination of representative frames, revealing distinct types of turbulence and mixing: laminarizing, braided, overturning, granular, and unstructured, as well as some intermediate types. The ratio of time spent in each cluster varies gradually across the (Re,θ) space. At intermediate values of Reθ, intermittent turbulence cycles between clusters in phase space and reveals at least two distinct routes to stratified turbulence. These insights demonstrate the potential of this method to reveal the underlying physics of complex turbulent systems from large experimental datasets.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Persistent polarization oscillations in ring-shape polariton condensates
Authors: Yulin A. V. , Sedov E. S. , Kavokin A. V. , Shelykh I. A.
Published: March 2024

We predict the limit cycle solution for a ring-shape bosonic condensate of exciton-polaritons confined in an optically induced rotating trap. The limit cycle manifests itself with polarization oscillations on a characteristic timescale of tens of picoseconds. The effect arises due to the interplay between orbital motion and the polarization degree of freedom. It is specific to spinor bosonic condensates and would be absent in a scalar case, where a bistability of stationary solutions would be observed instead. This work offers a tool of initialization and control of qubits based on superpositions of polariton condensates characterized by different topologic charges.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Numerical simulation of large-scale nonlinear open quantum mechanics
Authors: Roda-Llordes M. , Candoli D. , Grochowski P. T. , Riera-Campeny A. , Agrenius T. , García-Ripoll J. J. , Gonzalez-Ballestero C. , Romero-Isart O.
Published: March 2024

We introduce a method to solve nonlinear open quantum dynamics of a particle in situations where its state undergoes significant expansion in phase space while generating small quantum features at the phase-space Planck scale. Our approach involves simulating two steps. First, we transform the Wigner function into a time-dependent frame that leverages information from the classical trajectory to efficiently represent the quantum state in phase space. Next, we simulate the dynamics in this frame using a numerical method that implements this time-dependent nonlinear change of variables. To demonstrate the capabilities of our method, we examine the open quantum dynamics of a particle evolving in a one-dimensional weak quartic potential after initially being ground-state cooled in a tight harmonic potential. This approach is particularly relevant to ongoing efforts to design, optimize, and understand experiments targeting the preparation of macroscopic quantum superposition states of massive particles through nonlinear quantum dynamics.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
PT
-symmetric non-Hermitian Hopf metal
Authors: Pak Seik , Yeom Cheol Hun , Verma Sonu , Park Moon Jip
Published: March 2024

The Hopf insulator is a representative class of three-dimensional topological insulators beyond the standard topological classification methods based on K theory. In this Letter, we describe the metallic counterpart of the Hopf insulator in non-Hermitian systems. While the Hopf invariant is not a stable topological index due to the additional non-Hermitian degree of freedom, we show that the PT symmetry stabilizes the Hopf invariant even in the presence of the non-Hermiticity. In sharp contrast to the Hopf insulator phase in the Hermitian counterpart, we describe an interesting result that the non-Hermitian Hopf bundle exhibits topologically protected non-Hermitian degeneracy, characterized by the two-dimensional surface of exceptional points. Despite the non-Hermiticity, the Hopf metal has the quantized Zak phase, which results in bulk-boundary correspondence by showing drumheadlike surface states at the boundary. Finally, we show that, by breaking PT symmetry, the nodal surface deforms into knotted exceptional lines. Our description of the Hopf metal phase confirms the existence of the non-Hermitian topological phase outside the framework of the standard topological classifications.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Influence of blend ratio of cotton and Arecanut fibers on yarn properties
Authors: Sunny Georgy , Palani Rajan T.
Published: March 2024

Purpose

The purpose of the study is to optimize the blending ratio of Arecanut and cotton fibers to create yarn with the best quality for various applications, particularly home furnishings. The study aims to determine the effect of different blend ratios on the physical and mechanical properties of the yarn.

Design/methodology/approach

The study involves blending Arecanut and cotton fibers in various ratios (90:10, 75:25, 50:50, 25:75 and 10:90) at two different yarn counts (10/1 and 5/1). Various physical and mechanical properties of the blended yarn are analyzed, including unevenness, coefficient of mass variation (cvm%), imperfection, hairiness, breaking strength, elongation, tenacity and breaking work.

Findings

The research findings suggest that the blend ratio of 10:90 (10% cotton and 90% Arecanut fiber) produced the best results in terms of physical and mechanical properties for both yarn counts. This blend ratio resulted in reduced unevenness, cvm% and imperfection, while also exhibiting good mechanical properties such as breaking strength, elongation, tenacity and breaking work. The blend with a higher concentration of cotton generally showed better properties due to the coarseness of Arecanut fiber. As the goal of the study was to determine the best blend ratio that included the most Arecanut fiber based on its physical and mechanical properties, which is suitable for home furnishing applications, 75:25 Areca cotton blend ratio of yarn count 5/1 proved to be the best.

Research limitations/implications

The study acknowledges that Arecanut fiber must be blended with other commercially used fibers like cotton due to its coarseness. While the study provides insights into optimizing blend ratios for home furnishings and packaging, further research may be needed to make the material suitable for clothing applications.

Practical implications

The research has practical implications for industries interested in utilizing Arecanut and cotton blends for various applications, such as home furnishings and packaging materials. It suggests that specific blend ratios can result in yarn with desirable properties for these purposes.

Social implications

The study mentions that the increased use of Arecanut fibers can benefit the growers of Arecanut, potentially providing economic opportunities for communities engaged in Arecanut farming.

Originality/value

The research explores the utilization of Arecanut fibers, an underutilized resource, in combination with cotton to create sustainable yarn. It assesses various blend ratios and their impact on yarn properties, contributing to the understanding of eco-friendly textile materials.
Small firm auditing using the analytical procedures (APs) in a politically challenging context
Authors: Abu Alia Muiz , Abdeljawad Islam , Rashid Mamunur , Frehat Renad Anwar
Published: March 2024

Purpose

This study aims to explore the use, effectiveness, motives and obstacles of analytical procedures (APs) used by auditors in Palestine, a context characterised by a pool of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), a limited skill set, poor quality of data, political uncertainty and a community-based business culture.

Design/methodology/approach

The study considers the audit market in Palestine using a sequential mixed-methods approach combining a questionnaire survey and a series of in-depth interviews. A total of 129 Big-4 and non-Big-4 auditors were surveyed.

Findings

The use of APs is driven by the auditor size (Big-4 vs non-Big-4) and the client size (large vs SMEs). Even though the use of APs has increased over the past decade, audit objectives, know-how, and personal, family and social connections among auditors and clients influence the quality of the audit process.

Practical implications

Small firms take advantage of the lack of audit governance in Palestine. Our findings suggest that the regulators should help bridge the knowledge-sharing programmes between the small and large audit firms to help improve audit quality.

Originality/value

Studies on audit quality, particularly using APs, in the context of politically unstable cases such as Palestine are limited. The study has implications for the use of APs in the case of SMEs to prepare for the technological revolution that will modernise audit procedures and quality soon.
Maximizing the role of undergraduate teaching assistants (UTAs) to match signature pedagogies in leadership education
Authors: Hastings Lindsay , Sunderman Hannah , Knopik Nick
Published: March 2024

Purpose

The purpose of the current application paper is to integrate previous literature with recent results from practitioners on effective practices for utilizing small groups in the leadership classroom.

Design/methodology/approach

We use these integrated findings to innovate practice on maximizing the role of undergraduate teaching assistants (UTAs) by matching their tasks to signature pedagogies in leadership education.

Findings

The integrated findings revealed three practice themes: (1) match UTAs to pedagogical approach, (2) create small groups by design and (3) providing training and reflection practice for UTAs.

Originality/value

In sum, leadership education can and should challenge historical practices in higher education whereby UTAs are used purely for grading and course logistics management.
A three-stage solution approach with a repeated-negotiation mechanism for the decentralized resource-constrained multi-project scheduling problem
Authors: Mao Hongri , Yuan Jianbo
Published: March 2024

Purpose

This study develops a model and algorithm to solve the decentralized resource-constrained multi-project scheduling problem (DRCMPSP) and provides a suitable priority rule (PR) for coordinating global resource conflicts among multiple projects.

Design/methodology/approach

This study addresses the DRCMPSP, which respects the information privacy requirements of project agents; that is, there is no single manager centrally in charge of generating multi-project scheduling. Accordingly, a three-stage model was proposed for the decentralized management of multiple projects. To solve this model, a three-stage solution approach with a repeated negotiation mechanism was proposed.

Findings

The experimental results obtained using the Multi-Project Scheduling Problem LIBrary confirm that our approach outperforms existing methods, regardless of the average utilization factor (AUF). Comparative analysis revealed that delaying activities in the lower project makespan produces a lower average project delay. Furthermore, the new PR LMS performed better in problem subsets with AUF < 1 and large-scale subsets with AUF > 1.

Originality/value

A solution approach with a repeated-negotiation mechanism suitable for the DRCMPSP and a new PR for coordinating global resource allocation are proposed.
Outsourcing or not? OEM's entry decision considering brand spillover effect
Authors: Ke Hua , Zhou Yaqin
Published: March 2024

Purpose

In this paper, the authors study the entry and outsourcing strategies of manufacturer while considering the brand spillover effect resulting from outsourcing. The supply chain comprises two manufacturers: one being the entrant with a strong brand, and the other as the incumbent with a weak brand. The entrant decides whether and how to enter the market.

Design/methodology/approach

Stackelberg game is applied to study the optimal strategies for the manufacturers. This paper conducts a comparative analysis on four situations, yielding conclusions and managerial insights.

Findings

The results show that, for the entrant, there is no need to worry about the brand spillover effect in the outsourcing process, which is very interesting and counterintuitive. To get further, the authors find the reason: The spillover effect causes the entrant’s equilibrium retail price to grow faster than the wholesale price. They also prove that a stronger brand effect empowers the entrant to challenge industry barriers, while the impact of the brand spillover effect is the opposite. For the incumbent who acts as the weak party in this issue, it is demonstrated that the optimal choice is to continue selling when facing the encroachment and outsourcing call from the entrant.

Originality/value

Differing from previous studies, the authors notice the brand spillover effect caused by outsourcing when studying company’s entry strategy. They further divide the brand effect into two parts, one of which does not exhibit a spillover.
Estimation of cutting forces in CNC slot-milling of low-cost clay reinforced syntactic metal foams by artificial neural network modeling
Authors: Bolat Çağın , Özdoğan Nuri , Çoban Sarp , Ergene Berkay , Akgün İsmail Cem , Gökşenli Ali
Published: March 2024

Purpose

This study aims to elucidate the machining properties of low-cost expanded clay-reinforced syntactic foams by using different neural network models for the first time in the literature. The main goal of this endeavor is to create a casting machining-neural network modeling flow-line for real-time foam manufacturing in the industry.

Design/methodology/approach

Samples were manufactured via an industry-based die-casting technology. For the slot milling tests performed with different cutting speeds, depth of cut and lubrication conditions, a 3-axis computer numerical control (CNC) machine was used and the force data were collected through a digital dynamometer. These signals were used as input parameters in neural network modelings.

Findings

Among the algorithms, the scaled-conjugated-gradient (SCG) methodology was the weakest average results, whereas the Levenberg–Marquard (LM) approach was highly successful in foreseeing the cutting forces. As for the input variables, an increase in the depth of cut entailed the cutting forces, and this circumstance was more obvious at the higher cutting speeds.

Research limitations/implications

The effect of milling parameters on the cutting forces of low-cost clay-filled metallic syntactics was examined, and the correct detection of these impacts is considerably prominent in this paper. On the other side, tool life and wear analyses can be studied in future investigations.

Practical implications

It was indicated that the milling forces of the clay-added AA7075 syntactic foams, depending on the cutting parameters, can be anticipated through artificial neural network modeling.

Social implications

It is hoped that analyzing the influence of the cutting parameters using neural network models on the slot milling forces of metallic syntactic foams (MSFs) will be notably useful for research and development (R&D) researchers and design engineers.

Originality/value

This work is the first investigation that focuses on the estimation of slot milling forces of the expanded clay-added AA7075 syntactic foams by using different artificial neural network modeling approaches.
Two‐stage soil core sampler to collect a less‐compressed core from forested areas
Authors: Watanabe Mirai , Koshikawa Masami K. , Takamatsu Takejiro , Takahashi Akiko , Nishikiori Tatsuhiro , Morita Daichi , Watanabe Keiji , Hayashi Seiji
Published: March 2024

A two‐stage sampler was designed to investigate the vertical distribution of heavy metals and trace elements that contaminate forest soils through atmospheric deposition. The hand‐corer consisted of two L‐shaped aluminum angles that were driven separately into the soil to reduce friction between the corer wall and the soil. This allowed for soil cores to be collected with less compression than with traditional corers. The corer is easily made, inexpensive, lightweight, and easy to carry. The degree of compression of soil cores collected at a depth of 20 cm from various montane forests in Japan was usually less than 10% (collected core length >18 cm); although, more compression occurred in soil with a higher air content. The degree of compression of soil cores collected from urban forests was lower than that in montane forests. When the two‐stage sampler was compared with a tube‐type sampler in a Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) forest, the compression degree of a soil core collected with the two‐stage sampler was a quarter that of the tube‐type sampler. The collection of less‐compressed soil cores will allow for reconstruction of a more accurate linear depth distribution of contaminants. To demonstrate this, we investigated the vertical distribution of Pb, Sb, and radioactive 137Cs in soil cores collected from conifer plantations on Mount Tsukuba, Japan, in April 2011. The migration centers of anthropogenic Pb, Sb, and 137Cs were positioned at 7.9, 7.5, and 3.3 cm from the ground surface, respectively. These distances probably reflect differences in the history of atmospheric pollution.
On Theoretical Edges and Exclusionary Borders: Towards a Genealogy of “Analyzability” in Jungian Psychoanalysis1
Authors: Sierck Alex
Published: March 2024

An oft‐repeated and largely unexamined assumption in Jungian psychoanalysis is the notion of “analyzability”, that is, of an individual's ability or present capacity to think symbolically. It is often taught that if someone is unable to think symbolically, a depth analysis is not possible. Such an individual may be more aptly suited for supportive psychotherapy, the argument goes, an experience that may very well lead to the development of the ego's capacity for symbolic thought but is not, in and of itself, a Jungian analysis. While this sort of categorical thinking has, at times, crossed over into ontological claims about individuals and groups, the notion of analyzability encountered in psychoanalytic theory and praxis is often cloaked in facially neutral language. The impact, however, has been anything but neutral in effect. In this paper, I propose a softening of our theoretical edges through a genealogy of the category of analyzability within the broader history of psychoanalysis. Through this excavation, I explore the contingent nature of the category of analyzability, how it has constricted knowledge, perpetuated inequality, and, more broadly, obscured ways of knowing. In so doing, I recover the radically democratic potential that lies at the heart of Jungian psychoanalysis.
Greening the energy future: Role of energy innovation as policy driver
Authors: Sheng Jin , Sinha Avik , Mansoor Sadia , Zafar Muhammad Wasif
Published: March 2024

Energy innovation is the backbone of a sustainable future. By harnessing the power of innovation, we can accelerate the transition to a greener energy future by improving energy efficiency, integrating renewable energy sources, developing energy storage solutions, and ensuring grid flexibility. As the renewable energy is being characterized as a major driver of sustainability, the innovational endeavors need to be directed in this pursuit. Based on this objective, this study explores the impact of energy innovation and education on renewable energy use by controlling the impact of economic growth, financial development, and oil prices for the OECD countries over the period of 1995–2020. The empirical results obtained from second‐generation panel methods indicate that energy innovation and education increase renewable energy use in these countries. Similarly, economic growth, financial development, and oil prices also sure the use of renewable energy. From these results, our study offers number of contributions to the literature, policy, and practice. More specifically, we argue that energy innovation and education can play an important role to increase the use of energy produce from renewable sources. Moreover, financial development can play a key role in the production of renewable energy in the long‐term projects by providing funding. The empirical results obtained from second‐generation panel methods suggest that energy innovation and education play a crucial role in increasing renewable energy use in these countries. Effective policy support is crucial in fostering innovation, promoting clean energy adoption, and creating opportunities for economic growth. Together, we can work toward a greener and more resilient energy future.
Adherence to a restrictive red blood cell transfusion strategy in critically ill patients: An observational study
Authors: Bjurström Martin F. , Linder Ylva C. , Kjeldsen‐Kragh Jens , Bengtsson Jesper , Kander Thomas
Published: March 2024

Background

Randomized controlled trials relatively consistently show that restrictive red blood cell (RBC) transfusion strategies are safe and associated with similar outcomes compared to liberal transfusion strategies in critically ill patients. Based on these data, the general threshold for RBC transfusion was changed to 70 g/L at a 9‐bed tertiary level intensive care unit in September 2020. Implementation measures included lectures, webinars and feedback during clinical practice. The aim of this study was to investigate how implementation of a restrictive transfusion strategy influenced RBC usage, haemoglobin trigger levels and adherence to prescribed trigger levels.

Methods

In this registry‐based, observational study, critically ill adult patients without massive bleeding were included and divided into a pre‐cohort, with admissions prior to the change of transfusion strategy, and a post‐cohort, with admissions following the change of transfusion strategy. These cohorts were compared regarding key RBC transfusion‐related variables.

Results

In total 5626 admissions were included in the analyses (pre‐cohort n = 4373, post‐cohort n = 1253). The median volume (interquartile range, IQR) of RBC transfusions per 100 admission days, in the pre‐cohort was 6120 (4110–8110) mL versus 3010 (2890–4970) mL in the post‐cohort (p < .001). This corresponds to an estimated median saving of 1128 € per 100 admission days after a restrictive RBC transfusion strategy was implemented. In total, 26% of the admissions in the pre‐cohort and 19% in the post‐cohort (p < .001) received RBC transfusion(s) during days 0–10. Both median (IQR) prescribed trigger levels (determined by intensivist) and actual haemoglobin trigger levels (i.e., levels prior to actual administration of transfusion) were higher in the pre‐ versus post‐cohort (90 [80–100] vs. 80 [72–90] g/L, p < .001 and 89 [82–96] g/L vs. 83 [79–94], p < .001, respectively). Percentage of days without compliance with the prescribed transfusion trigger was higher in the pre‐cohort than in the post‐cohort (23% vs. 14%, p < .001). Sensitivity analyses, excluding patients with traumatic brain injury, ischemic heart disease and COVID‐19 demonstrated similar results.

Conclusions

Implementation of a restrictive transfusion trigger in a critical care setting resulted in lasting decreased RBC transfusion use and costs, decreased prescribed and actual haemoglobin trigger levels and improved adherence to prescribed haemoglobin trigger levels.
Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, neonatal outcomes and offspring developmental delay in Japan: The Tohoku Medical Megabank Project Birth and Three‐Generation Cohort Study
Authors: Chen Geng , Ishikuro Mami , Ohseto Hisashi , Murakami Keiko , Noda Aoi , Shinoda Genki , Orui Masatsugu , Obara Taku , Kuriyama Shinichi
Published: March 2024

Introduction

Developmental delay at an early age indicates the probability of continued problems after school age. Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) are associated with developmental delays in offspring, with inconsistent outcomes. Neonatal outcomes vary according to HDP exposure and are relevant to development in later years. Here we aimed to clarify the relationship between HDP and developmental delay in offspring and whether neonatal outcomes mediate this association.

Material and methods

We used data from 5934 mother–child pairs from the Tohoku Medical Megabank Project Birth and Three‐Generation Cohort Study, a prospective cohort study conducted in Japan between July 2013 and March 2017. The Ages and Stages Questionnaires, third edition, at 24 and 42 months of age, measured developmental delay in five areas. We performed multivariate quasi‐Poisson regression and causal mediation analysis by neonatal outcomes.

Results

At 24 months of age, compared to offspring born from normotensive mothers, offspring born from HDP‐affected mothers were more likely to experience developmental delay (risk ratio [RR] 1.29, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.09–1.52) in the areas of communication (RR 1.21, 95% CI: 1.00–1.45) and personal‐social (RR 1.15, 95% CI: 1.03–1.28). This association was mediated by neonatal outcomes: preterm birth, neonatal asphyxia, NICU admission, and neonatal small head circumference. No association was observed between HDP and developmental delay at 42 months of age.

Conclusions

Exposure to HDP during fetal life is associated with offspring developmental delay. This association is partly mediated by neonatal outcomes.
Mindset profiles of secondary school students: Associations with academic achievement, motivation and school burnout symptoms
Authors: Altikulaç Sibel , Janssen Tieme W. P. , Yu Junlin , Nieuwenhuis Smiddy , Van Atteveldt Nienke M.
Published: March 2024

Background

According to Dweck's mindset theory, implicit beliefs (a.k.a. mindset) have an organizing function, bringing together mindset, achievement goals and effort beliefs in a broader meaning system. Two commonly described meaning systems are a growth‐mindset meaning system with mastery goals and positive effort beliefs, and a fixed‐mindset meaning system with performance goals and negative effort beliefs.

Aims

Because of assumed heterogeneity within these two meaning systems, we aim to (1) examine multiple‐mindset profiles based on mindset, achievement goals and effort beliefs, by using a data‐driven person‐oriented approach, and (2) relate these different profiles to several outcome measures (academic achievement, motivation and school burnout symptoms).

Sample

Self‐report questionnaire data were collected from 724 students (11.0–14.7 y.o.; 46.7% girl; 53.3% boy; Mage = 12.8 y.o.).

Methods

Latent profile analysis was conducted using mindset, achievement goals and effort beliefs.

Results

Four profiles were revealed: one fixed‐mindset profile and three growth‐mindset profiles, which differed in their performance goal levels (low, moderate and high). Growth‐mindset students with low‐ or moderate‐performance goals had more advantageous outcomes, for example, higher math grades and lower school burnout symptoms, compared to growth‐mindset students with high‐performance goals. Fixed‐mindset students had the least advantageous outcomes, for example, lower grades, less intrinsic motivation and more school burnout symptoms.

Conclusions

Our study emphasizes the importance of taking a holistic approach when examining mindset meaning systems, revealing the importance of the level of performance goals and including multiple academic outcomes.
What do platform workers in the UK gig economy want?
Authors: Martindale Nicholas , Wood Alex J. , Burchell Brendan J.
Published: March 2024

Despite the considerable debate concerning the gig economy, research has yet to investigate what platform workers themselves want. In part, this is due to the difficulty of undertaking traditional social surveys in this sector. Therefore, this article makes use of a novel research design that generates a strategic non‐probability sample of 510 platform workers with which to investigate workers’ preferences regarding labour rights, representation and voice. Findings suggest strong support for labour rights, trade unions and co‐determination. The low pay, insecurity, risk and lack of organizational voice that we find provides a rationale for these preferences. Moreover, platform workers’ preferences are seemingly influenced by wider inequalities, with significant differences according to gender and country of birth.
Editorial for GPR84 pharmacology
Authors: Milligan Graeme
Published: March 2024

LINKED ARTICLES

This article is part of a themed issue GPR84 Pharmacology. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v181.10/issuetoc
Synthesis, in silico screening, and biological evaluation of novel pyridine congeners as anti‐epileptic agents targeting AMPA (α‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methylisoxazole) receptors
Authors: Tyagi Shivani , Mishra Rakhi , Mazumder Avijit , Mazumder Rupa , Singh Gurvinder , Pandey Pratibha
Published: March 2024

The research involves the synthesis of a series of new pyridine analogs 5(i‐x) and their evaluation for anti‐epileptic potential using in silico and in vivo models. Synthesis of the compounds was accomplished by using the Vilsmeier‐Haack reaction principle. AutoDock 4.2 was used for their in silico screening against AMPA (‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methylisoxazole) receptor (PDB ID:3m3f). For in vivo testing, the maximal electroshock seizure (MES) model was used. The physicochemical, pharmacokinetic, drug‐like, and drug‐score features of all synthesized compounds were assessed using the online Swiss ADME and Protein Plus software. The in silico results showed that all the synthesized compounds 5(i‐x) had 1–3 interactions and affinities ranging from −6.5 to −8.0 kJ/mol with the targeted receptor compared to the binding affinities of the standard drug phenytoin and the original ligand of the target (P99), which were −7.6 and −6.8 kJ/mol, respectively. In vivo study results showed that the compound 5‐Carbamoyl‐2‐formyl‐1‐[2‐(4‐nitrophenyl)‐2‐oxo‐ethyl]‐pyridinium gave 60% protection against epileptic seizures compared to 59% protection afforded by regular phenytoin. All of them met Lipinski's rule of five and had drug‐likeness and drug score values of 0.55 and 0.8, respectively, making them chemically and functionally like phenytoin. According to the findings of the studies, the synthesized derivatives have the potential to be employed as a stepping stone in the development of novel anti‐epileptic drugs.
Implications of drug intoxication on donor utilization and outcomes in liver transplantation
Authors: Adjei Michie , Wisel Steven A. , Yang Ju Dong , Nissen Nicholas N. , Kim Irene K. , Steggerda Justin A.
Published: March 2024

Introduction

This study evaluates the implications of drug intoxication (DI) on donor utilization and outcomes in liver transplantation (LT).

Methods

The UNOS STAR database was evaluated for all potential donors and adult, first‐time, whole LT between 2005 and 2019. Logistic regression analyses evaluated liver utilization; proportional hazards modeling assessed risk of 1‐year graft loss.

Results

A total of 132 783 potential donors (10 205, 7.7% from DI), and 90 612 adult LT were identified (7490, 8.3% from DI). DI donors had median age 32 years (IQR 26–40 years, p < .001), were 42.6% female (n = 4346), and 15.5% were DCD donors (n = 1583). Utilization of DI donors changed over time, such that by 2015–2019 they were the most likely donor cause of death (COD) to be utilized. Among LT recipients, there were insignificant differences (<2% variance) in age, gender, ethnicity, and etiology of liver disease according to donor COD. Recipients with MELD scores >30 more frequently received grafts from donors with trauma (23.8%) and DI (21.8%) versus cardiovascular (20.0%) and CVA/stroke (19.9%, p < .001). Among DBD donors, DI‐COD was associated with superior 1‐year graft survival compared to donors from trauma (HR 1.172, 95% CI 1.057–1.300) and CVA/stroke (HR 1.404, 95% CI 1.264–1.561, p < .001). Donor COD was not significantly associated with 1‐year graft loss among DCD donors.

Conclusions

There is an increased likelihood of donor utilization when COD is drug overdose and an increased likelihood of 1‐year graft survival compared to donors from trauma, CVA/stroke, and other COD.
Navigating the spectrum of double‐outlet right ventricle presentations: Outcomes from a contemporary cohort based on subtypes
Authors: Öcal Aydın , Demirci Oya , Kahramanoğlu Özge , Ayhan Işıl , Erol Nurdan , Yücel İlker Kemal
Published: March 2024

Purpose

Our aim in this study was to investigate the prenatal and postnatal prognosis of double outlet right ventricle (DORV) cases diagnosed prenatally by analyzing the outcomes based on the subtype.

Methods

This study is a retrospective chart review. Cases diagnosed with fetal DORV by prenatal ultrasound in the maternal–fetal medicine department of our hospital between 2014 and 2022 were included. Data on maternal characteristics, fetal echocardiographic features (type of DORV), pregnancy and neonatal outcomes (termination of pregnancy [TOP], intrauterine fetal death [IUD], neonatal death [NND], death in infancy (IND), survival) were collected and analyzed.

Results

Ninety‐nine cases of prenatally diagnosed cases of DORV were included. The prenatal diagnosis was right in 97% of the liveborn fetuses. The cases were classified into subtypes, including transposition of great arteries (TGA), Fallot, ventricular septal defect (VSD), remote, and heterotaxy types. The cohort consisted of 32.3% TGA type, 19.1% fallot type, 11.1% VSD type, 2% remote type, and 35.3% heterotaxy type of DORV. An additional cardiac anomaly was observed in 87% and an extra‐cardiac anomaly was observed in 54% of the cases. When we excluded the cases with heterotaxy type but without any chromosomal abnormality, additional genetic abnormalities were detected in 42% of the remaining cases. Outcome of pregnancy was livebirth in 68/99 (68.7%), IUFD in 5/99 (5.1%), and TOP in 26/99 (26.3%). Postnatal cardiac surgical repair was performed in 48 cases. Survival among livebirths was 39/68 (57.3%). Twenty‐nine neonates or infants who had additional cardiac anomalies and/or genetic abnormalities died before any surgical intervention. The postoperative survival rate was 39/48 (81.2%).

Conclusion

The prognosis in DORV depends on the anatomical subtype, the presence, and severity of associated anomalies. Survival increases in isolated cases without any additional structural or genetic anomalies.
Improving access and use of climate projections for ecological research through the use of a new Python tool
Authors: Paz Andrea , Lauber Thomas , Crowther Thomas W. , van den Hoogen Johan
Published: March 2024

Over the past decade, the use of future climate projections from the coupled model intercomparison project (CMIP) has become central in biodiversity science. Pre‐packaged datasets containing future projections of the widely used bioclimatic variables, for different times and socio‐economic pathways, have contributed immensely to the study of climate change implications for biodiversity. However, these datasets lack the flexibility to obtain projections to other target years, and the use of raw data requires coding and spatial information systems expertise. The Python tool, ‘chelsa‐cmip6', developed by Karger et al., provides the flexibility needed by allowing users to generate bioclimatic variables for the time of their choice provided the selected general circulation model and socioeconomic pathway combination exists. This is a fantastic step forward in bringing flexibility to the use of climate datasets in biodiversity and will allow for more widespread use of data provided by CMIP6. We hope it also will prompt the development of more user‐friendly tools for the study of the effects of climate change on biodiversity.
Transient postictal dysphagia in older adults with focal structural epilepsy
Authors: Lapa Sriramya , Schwingshackl Anna , Frank Ulrike , Rosenow Felix , Mann Catrin , Strzelczyk Adam
Published: March 2024

Objective

Seizures can cause transient neurological symptoms, such as hemiparesis and aphasia. However, temporary swallowing changes leading to postictal dysphagia have not been previously described. Therefore, this study evaluated the presence of swallowing disorders following seizure. In addition, dysphagia severity and duration of any recovery from dysphagic symptoms were investigated.

Methods

The local clinical database of all fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) examinations performed from 2008 to 2019 was screened for patients diagnosed with seizures, but excluding patients with intensive care unit admission or intubation >24 h. Patient charts were evaluated to identify preexisting dysphagia or potential concurrent medical causes for dysphagia, including hyponatremia, increased intracranial pressure, sepsis, or other encephalopathies associated with infections, or other possible causes at the time of admission. Patients receiving >.5 defined daily doses of benzodiazepines or neuroleptics were also excluded. Age, sex, seizure semiology and etiology, comorbidities, concurrent pneumonia, and dysphagia course during hospitalization were evaluated as predictors of the occurrence of dysphagia or its potential duration.

Results

We identified 41 patients with dysphagia following a seizure, without evidence of any concurrent cause of swallowing dysfunction. These patients all presented with focal structural epilepsy, they had a mean age of 79 ± 11.3 years (range = 44–95 years), and 21 were women. The mean Elixhauser Comorbidity Score was 4.8. Hospital‐acquired pneumonia was detected in 21 patients (51.2%). FEES diagnosed mild and severe dysphagia in 21 (51.2%) and 20 (48.8%) patients, respectively. Dysphagia improved significantly (p = .001) during hospitalization, persisting for an average of 3.9 days (median = 3 days, SD = 2.07 days, range = 1–8 days).

Significance

Dysphagia is a potential transient neurological deficit following seizure. Our findings suggest that older patients, with focal structural epilepsy, are at risk for postictal dysphagia. Further studies are needed to ascertain the prevalence, complications, and predictors of postictal dysphagia. Dysphagia screening may improve early detection in patients with relevant risk factors, as well as reduce the occurrence of aspiration pneumonia.
RETRACTED: Effects of predictive nursing interventions on pressure ulcer in elderly bedridden patients
Authors: Deng Gui‐Liu , Lei Yu‐Ling , Tan Hui , Geng Bing‐Chao , Liu Zhen
Published: March 2024

The study explores the impact of predictive nursing interventions on pressure ulcers (PUs) in elderly bedridden patients. A total of 120 elderly bedridden patients from the Central Hospital of Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture between August 2019 and August 2023 were selected as the subjects of the study and were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group using a random number table method. The control group received conventional nursing care, while the observation group received predictive nursing interventions. The study compared the incidence of PUs, Braden scale scores, the onset time of PUs, self‐rating anxiety scale (SAS) scores, self‐rating depression scale (SDS) scores, and nursing satisfaction between the two groups. In elderly bedridden patients, the application of predictive nursing interventions significantly reduced the incidence of PUs (p < 0.001), significantly lowered the SAS and SDS scores (p < 0.001), and also significantly increased Braden scale scores (p < 0.001) and delayed the onset time of PUs (p < 0.001). Additionally, it improved patients' nursing satisfaction (p = 0.008). Predictive nursing interventions in elderly bedridden patients have good application effects, reducing the occurrence of PUs, delaying the time of onset in patients, improving patients' negative emotions and enhancing nursing satisfaction rates. It is worthy of widespread use.