bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Inoculation and conservation of the biocontrol agent European earwig in Washington pear orchards
Authors: Orpet Robert J. , Curtiss R. T. , Catron Katlyn A. , DuPont S. Tianna , Beers Elizabeth H. , Nottingham Louis B.
Published: January 2025

European earwig, Forficula auricularia L. sensu lato (Dermaptera: Forficulidae), is a univoltine, resident, omnivorous species and a beneficial predator in pome fruit orchards. Here, three methods were used to investigate pear (Pyrus communis L., Rosaceae) orchard inoculation with European earwig for biocontrol of pear psylla, Cacopsylla pyricola (Foerster) (Hemiptera: Psyllidae), in Washington State, USA. The first method was earwig inoculation experiments. In a first experiment (2019–2020), each of three orchards had one inoculation and one control plot. In a second experiment (2020–2021), there were four inoculation and four control plots in each of the same three orchards. In both experiments, earwigs persisted during the year of inoculation, but earwigs were nearly absent the following season at two orchards that used conventional broad‐spectrum pesticides. At the third orchard, which excluded broad‐spectrum pesticides under an integrated pest management (IPM) program, earwigs became abundant in year two of the second experiment. The second method was case studies. In the first of two case studies, during 2016, 2017, 2022, and 2023, in half of the integrated orchard from above, conventional broad‐spectrum sprays were used. Earwig populations became low in the conventional half. In the second case study, earwigs became abundant after inoculation of an integrated orchard by the grower. Earwigs spread to the edge of the orchard in year two and spilled into a neighboring orchard in years three and four. The third method was an observational study of 36 pear orchards over 5 years. Earwigs were rarely found in conventionally sprayed orchards, and earwigs increased each additional year integrated management was used. The findings suggest conventional pear spray programs in Washington nearly eradicate earwigs, but populations can recover under integrated management with natural dispersal from refuges or with inoculative releases.
Carotid endarterectomy and the risk of perioperative stroke: The importance of chronic ischaemic lesions and small vessel disease
Authors: Törmänen Henrietta , Koskinen Suvi , Nuotio Krista , Vikatmaa Pirkka , Kovanen Petri T. , Soinne Lauri , Lindsberg Perttu J. , Ijäs Petra
Published: January 2025

Background and purpose

Perioperative stroke is a well‐recognized complication of carotid endarterectomy (CEA), but well‐performing prediction models do not exist for it. Our aim was to identify novel predictors for perioperative ischaemic cerebrovascular events (iCVEs), emphasizing cerebrovascular imaging and potential biomarkers for stroke in carotid stenosis (CS) patients in a well‐characterized prospective CS cohort.

Methods

Helsinki Carotid Endarterectomy Study 2 is an observational prospective and consecutive cohort study of CS patients subjected to CEA during 2012–2015. The associations between perioperative stroke and transient ischaemic attack (iCVEs) and potential predictive factors were evaluated by univariate and Cox regression analyses.

Results

Of 488 operated CS patients, 33 (7%) sustained an iCVE including 21 (4%) ischaemic strokes. In univariate analysis, moderate ipsilateral CS (hazard ratio [HR] 2.14, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.08–4.23), covert or chronic ipsilateral brain infarct in imaging (HR 2.27, 95% CI 1.09–4.76) and severe cerebral small vessel disease (HR 3.36, 95% CI 1.04–10.88) appeared as novel risk factors for perioperative iCVE. In Cox proportional hazards regression modelling, female gender (HR 3.03, 95% CI 1.30–7.04), a history of coronary heart disease (HR 3.59, 95% CI 1.52–8.47), covert or chronic ipsilateral infarct (HR 2.32, 95% CI 1.01–5.34) and severe small vessel disease (HR 2.63, 95% CI 1.07–6.47) were the strongest independent predictors of perioperative iCVE.

Conclusions

In addition to the previously reported clinical risk factors, it was found that imaging markers of past cerebrovascular disease, covert or chronic ipsilateral infarct and severe small vessel disease, and moderate ipsilateral stenosis are associated with perioperative iCVEs.
Are my learners advanced?: Using measures of complexity and accuracy to analyze L2 Spanish writing
Authors: Mangold Marie
Published: January 2025

One of the critiques of proficiency as defined by scales, such as that of ACTFL, is its lack of grounding in linguistic realities. Measures of complexity, accuracy, and fluency provide a route in which proficiency can be quantitatively measured by identifying linguistic correlates (see Brown et al., 2017; Long et al., 2012). This project aimed to identify the linguistic correlates that distinguish L2 Spanish writing at intermediate‐high and advanced‐low proficiency levels as defined by the Language Ability Self‐Evaluation Resource. Forty writing samples comprised the data. Measures of lexical complexity (density and diversity), syntactic complexity (mean length of T‐unit, number of clauses per T‐unit, average length of error‐free T‐unit), and accuracy (ratio of error‐free T‐unit, number of errors per 100 words) were used to analyze the samples. Findings suggest that accuracy is the linguistic feature that best distinguishes intermediate from advanced proficiency in L2 Spanish writing. The implications of these findings for research and pedagogy are examined.
Z‐Nucleic Acid Sensing and Activation of ZBP1 in Cellular Physiology and Disease Pathogenesis
Authors: Mishra Sanchita , Dey Ayushi Amin , Kesavardhana Sannula
Published: January 2025

Z‐nucleic acid binding protein 1 (ZBP1) is an innate immune sensor recognizing nucleic acids in Z‐conformation. Upon Z‐nucleic acid sensing, ZBP1 triggers innate immune activation, inflammation, and programmed cell death during viral infections, mice development, and inflammation‐associated diseases. The Zα domains of ZBP1 sense Z‐nucleic acids and promote RIP‐homotypic interaction motif (RHIM)‐dependent signaling complex assembly to mount cell death and inflammation. The studies on ZBP1 spurred an understanding of the role of Z‐form RNA and DNA in cellular and physiological functions. In particular, short viral genomic segments, endogenous retroviral elements, and 3′UTR regions are likely sources of Z‐RNAs that orchestrate ZBP1 functions. Recent seminal studies identify an intriguing association of ZBP1 with adenosine deaminase acting on RNA‐1 (ADAR1), and cyclic GMP‐AMP synthase (cGAS) in regulating aberrant nucleic acid sensing, chronic inflammation, and cancer. Thus, ZBP1 is an attractive target to aid the development of specific therapeutic regimes for disease biology. Here, we discuss the role of ZBP1 in Z‐RNA sensing, activation of programmed cell death, and inflammation. Also, we discuss how ZBP1 coordinates intracellular perturbations in homeostasis, and Z‐nucleic acid formation to regulate chronic diseases and cancer.
Leaving no one behind: Gender inequality, economic inequality, and organizational entrenchment of nurses in remote areas of Egypt
Authors: Eweida Rasha Salah , Mohamed Hamad Nagwa Ibrahim , Abdelrahman Mahitab Mohamed , Shalhoub Abdullah Abdulrahman Bin , Elsmalosy Mohamed Farag Awad , Othman Ahmed Abdellah , Atta Mohamed Hussein Ramadan
Published: January 2025

Aim

This study investigates the association between gender inequality, economic inequality, and organizational entrenchment among nurses serving in remote areas.

Background

Egypt ranks low in gender equity across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. In the culture of nursing, gender‐based discrimination is among the factors that can further hamper nurses' economic advancement and adversely affect organizational entrenchment.

Methods

A multicenter cross‐sectional correlational design followed the “Improving the reporting of observational studies in epidemiology” (STROBE) checklist. The nurses' personal characteristics data sheet, perceived economic inequality scale, workplace gender discrimination scale, and career entrenchment scale were used to gather data from 760 nurses' who participated voluntarily in this study.

Results

Perceived economic inequality and workplace gender discrimination were both negatively associated with career entrenchment, with perceived economic inequality (B = –0.517, Beta = –0.155, p < 0.001) and workplace gender discrimination (B = –0.798, Beta = –0.180, p < 0.001). Additionally, workplace gender discrimination was positively related to perceived economic inequality (B = 0.770, Beta = 0.580, p < 0.001). The correlations between the variables were strong, with workplace gender discrimination and perceived economic inequality showing a significant positive correlation (r = 0.580, p < 0.01). At the same time, both had negative correlations with career entrenchment (r = –0.270, p < 0.01 for workplace gender discrimination and r = –0.259, p < 0.01 for perceived economic inequality).

Conclusion

Gender discrimination and economic inequality are significant risk factors for decreased career entrenchment.
Effect of 2‐Way Social Support and Social Networks on the General Well‐Being of Older Adults: A Latent Profile Analysis
Authors: Tao Jingrui , Dai Shimeng , Xu Qiongying , Zhang Yao , Chen Xuewei , Dong Chaoqun
Published: January 2025

Aims

To examine the profiles of general well‐being in older adults and their related sociodemographic characteristics and to explore the association of these profiles with 2‐way social support and social networks.

Design

This was a cross‐sectional study.

Methods

In total, 411 older adults were recruited through convenience sampling from Zhejiang Province, southeast China. Each completed questionnaires on Sociodemographic Characteristics, General Well‐being Schedule, Brief 2‐Way Social Support Scale, and Lubben Social Network Scale. Latent profile analysis was used to categorise participants into distinct subgroups based on their general well‐being. Chi‐square and t‐tests were used for univariate analysis, and binary logistic regression was used to identify influencing factors.

Results

The latent profile analysis identified two distinct profiles of well‐being in older adults: a low general well‐being group and a high general well‐being group. Binary logistic regression revealed that living arrangements, physical activity, number of chronic diseases, provision of instrumental support and friend networks significantly impact the general well‐being of older adults.

Conclusion

Heterogeneity in general well‐being levels exists among older adults, necessitating targeted intervention measures tailored to the different characteristics of each subgroup to enhance their support resources and well‐being.

Implications for the Profession and/or Patient Care

Community nurses should identify general well‐being disparities among older adults and craft targeted strategies as educators, providers, counsellors and managers to boost and equalise this demographic's general well‐being.

Impact

Distinct profiles of general well‐being among older adults, coupled with the positive effects of friend networks and the provision of social support, highlight the importance of mutual social support and networks in promoting healthy ageing. This may encourage community nurses to develop specific initiatives and programmes aimed at enhancing social engagement among older adults.

Reporting Method

The study followed the STROBE guidelines for cross‐sectional studies.

Patient or Public Contribution

No patient or public contribution.
Imaging malaria parasites across scales and time
Authors: Guizetti Julien
Published: January 2025

The idea that disease is caused at the cellular level is so fundamental to us that we might forget the critical role microscopy played in generating and developing this insight. Visually identifying diseased or infected cells lays the foundation for any effort to curb human pathology. Since the discovery of the Plasmodium‐infected red blood cells, which cause malaria, microscopy has undergone an impressive development now literally resolving individual molecules. This review explores the expansive field of light microscopy, focusing on its application to malaria research. Imaging technologies have transformed our understanding of biological systems, yet navigating the complex and ever‐growing landscape of techniques can be daunting. This review offers a guide for researchers, especially those working on malaria, by providing historical context as well as practical advice on selecting the right imaging approach. The review advocates an integrated methodology that prioritises the research question while considering key factors like sample preparation, fluorophore choice, imaging modality, and data analysis. In addition to presenting seminal studies and innovative applications of microscopy, the review highlights a broad range of topics, from traditional techniques like white light microscopy to advanced methods such as superresolution microscopy and time‐lapse imaging. It addresses the emerging challenges of microscopy, including phototoxicity and trade‐offs in resolution and speed, and offers insights into future technologies that might impact malaria research. This review offers a mix of historical perspective, technological progress, and practical guidance that appeal to novice and advanced microscopists alike. It aims to inspire malaria researchers to explore imaging techniques that could enrich their studies, thus advancing the field through enhanced visual exploration of the parasite across scales and time.
Changes in Youth Mental Health Following a School Lockdown due to Violent and Firearm‐Related Threats
Authors: Hullenaar Keith L. , Fisher Benjamin W. , Zatzick Douglas F. , Rivara Frederick P.
Published: January 2025

Background

School shooting events and lockdowns have increased in the United States, raising concerns about their impact on youth mental health.

Method

This study assessed the association between school lockdowns and changes in youth mental health in 10,049 children who participated in the Adolescent Brain and Cognitive Development study. The exposure was school lockdowns related to violence and shooting incidents, and the outcomes were Child Behavior Checklist scores on five mental health disorders.

Results

Approximately 20.3% of children reported ever experiencing a school lockdown with 39.3% of these lockdowns occurring in the past year. Past‐year lockdown exposure (versus no lockdown exposure) was associated with increased symptoms of anxiety disorders (β = 0.20, 95% CI: 0.01, 0.38), somatic disorders (β = 0.23, 95% CI: 0.09, 0.38), and stress problems (β = 0.30, 95% CI: 0.05, 0.56). Among children who reported a past‐year lockdown, those indicating clinical ranges of ADHD (OR = 2.23, 95% CI: 1.17, 4.25) or stress problems (OR = 2.75, 95% CI: 1.05, 7.25) had higher odds than their counterparts of reporting that the lockdown had a lot/some impact (versus little/no impact).

Implications for School Health Policy, Practice, and Equity

Emergency preparedness in schools should prioritize mental health support post‐lockdowns.

Conclusions

Research and funding are needed to understand the nature, frequency, and consequences of school lockdowns.
Exploring the association between dental insurance coverage and dental care utilization and oral health among elderly Ontarians
Authors: Badewy Rana , Aldossri Musfer
Published: January 2025

Objectives

There has been an increasing interest in addressing the equity issue of accessing dental care for low‐income elderly. This study aimed to estimate the marginal effects (ME) of dental insurance coverage for seniors on dental care utilization and oral health status outcomes. We also estimated the ME of dental insurance across income subgroups.

Methods

Data was sourced from the 2017/18 Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS)‐Annual component. The ME analysis included individuals aged ≥65 years residing in Ontario (n = 10,030). ME were derived from multivariate probit regression models for dental care utilization and oral health status outcomes.

Results

Dental insurance increased the likelihood of reporting excellent/very good oral health and never avoiding foods due to oral problems by 6.9% (ME:6.9, 95% CI: 5.4–8.3) and 3.5% (ME: 3.5, 95% CI: 1.9–5.1), respectively. Dental insurance increased the likelihood of dental visits within the past year by 11.3% (ME: 11.3, 95% CI: 9.8–12.8) and decreased the likelihood of dental visits only for emergencies by 11.2% (ME: −11.2, 95% CI: −12.5 to −9.9). Compared to low‐ and high‐income groups, dental insurance had the highest ME for the middle‐income groups for dental visits within the past year (ME middle: 13.1, 95% CI: 10.5–15.7) and dental visits only for emergencies (ME middle: −14.4, 95% CI: −16.0 to −12.8).

Conclusion

Dental insurance can improve the utilization of dental care and can help mitigate the negative effects of poor oral health in elderly populations.
Accuracy of Capillary Blood for Assessing Vitamin A Nutritional Status Among Children Under 7 Years of Age: A Multicenter Study
Authors: Li Luanluan , Hu Shouxun , Li Xiaonan , Jia Feiyong , Chi Meizhu , Wen Zhihong , Yang Sufei , Li Yuning , Ha Lijun , Yang Ying , Long Xiaoling , Fang Shuanfeng , Xie Lu , Zhang Huifeng , Yu Xiaodan
Published: January 2025

Vitamin A deficiency remains a major public health problem worldwide, particularly among young children. Capillary blood has the potential for application in vitamin A assessment. The aim of this study is to validate the accuracy of capillary blood for assessing vitamin A nutritional status among young children. Venous and capillary blood samples were simultaneously collected from 1366 healthy children under 7 years of age across 12 regions in China. Retinol was measured using high‐performance liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry (HPLC‐MS/MS). The agreement was assessed with Bland–Altman plot, Kappa, and prevalence‐adjusted and bias‐adjusted kappa (PABAK) values. The sensitivity and specificity were evaluated using the ROC curve method. Venous and capillary retinol levels showed significant differences but were highly correlated with r of 0.93. Ordinary least squares regression was used to characterize (β = 0.913) and correct the systematic bias in capillary data (compared to paired venous). Thereafter, Bland‐Altman analysis demonstrated that the mean bias of corrected capillary retinol compared to venous retinol was 0.01 (95%CI: −0.24, 0.25) μmol/L with no significant difference (p ＞ 0.05). Corrected capillary retinol showed excellent performance for estimating vitamin A status when compared to venous retinol, with Kappa of 0.77–0.83, PABAK of 0.80–0.96, sensitivity of 0.86–0.91 and specificity of 0.87–0.98. Capillary HPLC‐MS/MS method is therefore adequate for assessing vitamin A status of young children after correction for systematic bias.
Circumstances/context: A fifth cause
Authors: Weissman David
Published: January 2025

Individualism dominates Western ontologies: atoms and molecules; substances, minds, and agents. Each is said to embody conditions sufficient to establish its nature and existence. Ontologies spawned by Descartes's cogito and Kantian world‐making are, nevertheless, false to all we know of reality and ourselves. This paper suggests an alternative: entities and events are generated by the material circumstances in which they emerge and evolve; nothing at any scale is exempt from the discovery that its existence and character derive from and are sustained by circumstances additional to those it embodies. All are embedded in the context that has been their source.
Biallelic Variant in the AGXT Gene in a Family Segregating Primary Hyperoxaluria; Accurate Genetic Diagnosis and Carrier Detection
Authors: Hashmi Jamil A. , Afzal Sibtan , Balahmar Reham M. , Latif Muhammad , Basit Sulman
Published: January 2025

Aim

Autosomal recessive primary hyperoxalurias (PH) are genetic disorders characterised by elevated oxalate production. Mutations in genes involved in glycoxylate metabolism are the underlying cause of PH. Type 1 PH (PH1) results in malfunctioning of alanine‐glyoxylate aminotransferase enzymes of liver due to a change in the genetic sequence of alanine‐glyoxylate aminotransferase (AGXT) gene. We encountered a large family segregating genetic disease of high oxalate kidney stones. A genetic analysis was carried out with the aim to identify underlying genetic defect.

Methods

A large family with multiple affected individuals was recruited for this study. An extensive clinical evaluation, followed by genetic analysis, was carried out. Due to the heterogeneous nature of the disease, two members of the family having disease symptoms were subjected to whole exome sequencing (WES). Variants were annotated, filtered, and prioritised using various bioinformatic tools to detect disease associated genetic defects.

Results

Unbiased and hypothesis‐free WES data analysis was performed. Raw reads (fastq files) were mapped to the reference genome and duplicates were removed. Variants were annotated, filtered, and prioritised. A low‐frequency missense variant (c. 1049G>A) in the AGXT gene was considered the candidate variant. This variant replaces the highly conserved glycine amino acid with aspartate (p.Gly350Asp). The variant is destabilising for protein–protein interaction based on predicted change in binding free energy (ΔΔG). All members having disease phenotype were found homozygous to the mutation. Both parents and unaffected individuals in a family are heterozygous for the variant.

Conclusion

Identification of pathogenic variant in the AGXT gene, in this family, provides genotype–phenotype correlation and permits accurate clinical diagnosis as well as carrier detection. Moreover, this variant extends the AGXT mutation spectrum in a different population and highlights the clinical significance and diagnostic relevance of the variant.
Classification of Irritable Bowel Syndrome Using Brain Functional Connectivity Strength and Machine Learning
Authors: Zhang Qi , Xu Yue , Guo Dingbo , He Hua , Zhang Zhen , Wang Xiaowan , Yu Siyi
Published: January 2025

Background

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a prevalent condition characterized by dysregulated brain–gut interactions. Despite its widespread impact, the brain mechanism of IBS remains incompletely understood, and there is a lack of objective diagnostic criteria and biomarkers. This study aims to investigate brain network alterations in IBS patients using the functional connectivity strength (FCS) method and to develop a support vector machine (SVM) classifier for distinguishing IBS patients from healthy controls (HCs).

Methods

Thirty‐one patients with IBS and thirty age and sex‐matched HCs were enrolled in this study and underwent resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans. We applied FCS to assess global brain functional connectivity changes in IBS patients. An SVM‐based machine ‐ learning approach was then used to evaluate whether the altered FCS regions could serve as fMRI‐based markers for classifying IBS patients and HCs.

Results

Compared to the HCs, patients with IBS showed significantly increased FCS in the left medial orbitofrontal cortex (mOFC) and decreased FCS in the bilateral cingulate cortex/precuneus (PCC/Pcu) and middle cingulate cortex (MCC). The machine‐learning model achieved a classification accuracy of 91.9% in differentiating IBS patients from HCs.

Conclusion

These findings reveal a unique pattern of FCS alterations in brain areas governing pain regulation and emotional processing in IBS patients. The identified abnormal FCS features have the potential to serve as effective biomarkers for IBS classification. This study may contribute to a deeper understanding of the neural mechanisms of IBS and aid in its diagnosis in clinical practice.
C4 photosynthesis and hydraulics in grasses
Authors: Zhou Haoran , Akçay Erol , Edwards Erika J. , Ho Che‐Ling , Abdullahi Adam , Zheng Yunpu , Helliker Brent R.
Published: January 2025

The anatomical reorganization required for C4 photosynthesis should also impact plant hydraulics. Most C4 plants possess large bundle sheath cells and high vein density, which should also lead to higher leaf capacitance and hydraulic conductance (Kleaf). Paradoxically, the C4 pathway reduces water demand and increases water use efficiency, creating a potential mismatch between supply capacity and demand in C4 plant water relations.

Here, we use phylogenetic analyses, physiological measurements, and models to examine the reorganization of hydraulics in closely related C4 and C3 grasses.

The evolution of C4 disrupts the expected positive correlation between maximal assimilation rate (Amax) and Kleaf, decoupling a canonical relationship between hydraulics and photosynthesis generally observed in vascular plants. Evolutionarily young C4 lineages have higher Kleaf, capacitance, turgor loss point, and lower stomatal conductance than their C3 relatives. By contrast, species from older C4 lineages show decreased Kleaf and capacitance. The decline of Kleaf through the evolution of C4 lineages was likely controlled by the reduction in outside‐xylem hydraulic conductance, for example the reorganization of leaf intercellular airspace.

These results indicate that, over time, C4 plants have evolved to optimize hydraulic investments while maintaining the anatomical requirements for the C4 carbon‐concentrating mechanism.
Do pollinators play a role in shaping the essential amino acids found in nectar?
Authors: Parkinson Rachel H. , Power Eileen F. , Walter Kieran , McDermott‐Roberts Alex E. , Pattrick Jonathan G. , Wright Geraldine A.
Published: January 2025

Plants produce floral nectar as a reward for pollinators, which contains carbohydrates and amino acids (AAs). We designed experiments to test whether pollinators could exert selection pressure on the profiles of AAs in nectar.

We used HPLC to measure the free AAs and sugars in the nectar of 102 UK plant species. Six distinct profiles of essential amino acids (EAAs) were defined using the relative proportions of AAs with a clustering algorithm; we then tested bumblebee (Bombus terrestris) preferences for the EAA profiles and proline using a two‐choice assay.

We found a phylogenetic signal for the proportions of phenylalanine, methionine and proline as well as the total concentrations of essential and nonessential amino acids. However, there was no phylogenetic signal for EAA profile. Bumblebees did not exhibit a preference for any of the six EAA nectar profiles; however, four of the EAA profiles stimulated feeding. By contrast, bumblebees avoided proline in an inverse concentration‐dependent manner.

Our data indicate that bees are likely to have mechanisms for the postingestive evaluation of free AAs in solution but are unlikely to taste EAAs at nectar‐relevant quantities. We predict that EAAs increase nectar value to bumblebees postingestively.
« …quand l'être humain s'exprime, le monde s'exprime… » : Inger Christensen et l’animalité
Authors: Pedersen Christian Bank
Published: January 2025

Dans ce travail, je considère le bestiaire que met en scène l'œuvre d'Inger Christensen et ce, afin de circonscrire la vision de l'animal – ou de l'animalité – qu’elle propose. À travers l'histoire, l'animal a souvent, voire toujours été défini par son « défaut » vis‐à‐vis de l'être humain : il manque quelque chose à l'animal, que cette chose soit l'âme, la raison, le langage… L'animal est « weltarm », « pauvre en monde », signale par exemple Martin Heidegger. C'est peut‐être vrai, dans le sens où l'être humain est seul à mettre en mots un « monde ». L'animal diffère donc de l'être humain. C'est l'être humain qui le dit, étant donné que les animaux, par définition, ne se penchent pas sur le sujet. Pourquoi cette différence constituerait‐elle chez eux un « défaut » ou une « pauvreté » ? Voilà une question importante chez Inger Christensen.
Self‐Learning Videos in Focused Transthoracic Echocardiography Training
Authors: Morales Castro Diana , Wong Irene , Panisko Danny , Najeeb Umberin , Douflé Ghislaine
Published: January 2025

Background

Focused transthoracic echocardiography (FOTE) is crucial for patients' bedside management. However, limited opportunities exist for practical FOTE training, prompting the use of simulation and self‐learning videos to overcome this constraint. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of incorporating self‐learning videos into a simulation FOTE training course.

Approach

This was a prospective, randomized study involving University of Toronto internal medicine residents, who participated in a 2‐h didactic and simulation FOTE training course before being randomized to a control group receiving written learning materials or an intervention group with additional self‐directed learning videos.

Evaluation

Twenty‐eight participants were randomized, and twenty‐one (75%) completed the 1‐month follow‐up. Participants were assessed using a written test on image acquisition techniques and structure identification, scanning time and image quality on a simulator and self‐reported scanning comfort, both pre‐intervention and 1‐month post‐intervention. The groups had no significant difference in the time spent reviewing the material (1.5 vs. 1.4 h, p = 0.76). A significant increase in post‐course scores was observed in all evaluations except for the control group's written test (p = 0.07). There were no significant between‐group differences across the written test (p = 0.7), image quality (p = 0.6) and comfort level (p = 0.7). Compared to the control group, the intervention group exhibited a greater reduction in the scanning time (38 vs. 72 s, p = 0.02).

Implications

FOTE training effectively increases theoretical knowledge and practical skills in a simulated setting. However, limited video utilization by participants precluded the inference of definitive conclusions on the impact of self‐learning videos.
Preparation and characterization of high-quality Bi1−xSbx thin films: A sputtering deposition approach
Authors: de Almeida G. G. , de Andrade A. M. H. , Tumelero M. A.
Published: January 2025

Bi 1 − x Sb x was the first 3D topological insulator found in nature. It presents a complex electronic structure with topological to trivial transition and a semimetallic to semiconductor transition, both achieved by changing the x fraction of Sb. The complex nature of this system may lead to several electronic and topological phases in matter, making it a promising quantum material. Here, we focused on preparing very high-quality thin film samples of Bi1−xSbx with varying fractions of x using the codeposition magnetron sputtering technique. Our results demonstrate that high-quality samples, with compact and uniform morphology, presenting a preferential direction of growth, can be obtained over the SiO2 substrate. Our findings suggest a dependence between the thin film crystalline texture and the composition of the samples, as well as the deposition temperature.
Sponsoring Esports to Facilitate Positive and Prevent Negative Image Transfer: The Moderating Effects of Event–Sponsorship Fit
Authors: Ko Jae (Alex) , Lee Minkyo , Park Bumsoo
Published: January 2025

Despite the potential risks of negative associations’ affecting the sponsoring brand, prior sponsorship literature has not delved into this area. Consequently, the purpose of the current study was to investigate how negative and positive image associated with an esports event could be transferred differently to a sponsoring brand based on the level of fit between the brand and the event. The current research adopted the concept of negativity bias to explore how negative associations linked with an esports event might impact the perception of a sponsoring brand compared with positive associations associated with the same event. The authors conducted experiments involving 215 online participants, focusing on a single factor: the level of fit between the brand and the event (high vs. low). The findings revealed that negative associations were more likely to be associated with the sponsoring brand compared with positive associations. Furthermore, in conditions where there was a high fit between the event and the sponsoring brand, positive associations were more prone to transfer to the brand than negative ones. However, when the fit between the event and the sponsoring brand was low, no significant difference in image transfer was observed. This study enriches understanding of how both positive and negative associations can be transferred, contingent upon the level of event–sponsor fit, thereby underscoring the potential adverse consequences of esports sponsorships. Incongruent firms are advised to explore alternative forms of fit, such as image-based similarity, when selecting an esports event to mitigate negative image transfer while fostering positive associations.
Critical Overview of Coach Education Programs in Botswana
Authors: Tshube Tshepang , Dipeba Justice , Sechaba Abednico Mishingo , Tsamai Katlego Tsholofelo
Published: January 2025

Coaches play a pivotal role in elite athlete talent identification and development. Coach education programs should, therefore, be contextualized to national sports federation’s athletic needs and national cultures. Botswana and several developing countries still rely on formal and informal coach education programs developed in industrialized countries. The development and training of coaches have been conceptualized in several broad areas including formal, nonformal, informal, directed, and self-directed programs. National, regional, and continental sports federations still run parallel athlete and coach development programs that heavily rely on consultants from outside their respective countries. Collaboration with local institutions of higher learning and experts in Africa is still in the infancy stage, which undermines athlete and coach development. This article will first provide a brief background on the Botswana sports system. The second section presents a critical overview of coach education in Botswana with emphasis on Botswana Football Association and Botswana Athletics Association Coach Education Programs. The authors examine coaches’ education programs’ context and culture consistent with Wang et al.’s three crucial factors of coach educator pedagogy, learning design, and course content. Finally, the paper will provide a conclusion and future directions.
Influence of Experience, Training Frequency, and Sex on Climbing-Specific Grip Force in Rock Climbers of Varying Skill Level
Authors: Nelson-Wong Erika , Lorbiecki Claire , Wood Shawn , Huang Stephanie , Crawley Johnathon , Higgins Emily , Parker Lena , Cowell Kevin
Published: January 2025

Rock climbing is a growing sport at both professional and recreational levels. Rock climbing requires specific hand positions with high force outputs to adapt to changing terrain requirements. The purpose of this study was to explore associations between years of climbing experience, the frequency of training, and skill level on force production in 2 different climbing-specific hand positions. A secondary purpose was to investigate sex differences in force output across climbing skill levels. Forty-nine participants ranging from Beginner to Expert skill participated. Maximum isometric pull force was tested in half-crimp and open-hand positions. Force output was larger in half-crimp versus open-hand positions. Higher skill, years of experience, and training frequency were all significantly correlated to greater force output in both hand positions. There were no force differences between males and females for Beginner/Intermediate and Advanced levels; however, males had higher force than females for Expert groups. These findings provide insight for athletes, coaches, and clinicians working with climbers regarding tissue adaptations specific to climbing grip. These findings have implications for climbing-specific training, expectations for force output, injury prevention, and reliance on hand force versus climbing technique for females climbing at high levels.
Randomized Controlled Trials of Exercise Training and Its Health Benefits: Integrating the NIH Stage Model of Intervention Development With Research Design Approaches for Avoiding a Crisis
Authors: Motl Robert W.
Published: January 2025

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are the gold standard of research design and therefore provide the bedrock of evidence for claims regarding the health benefits of exercise training across the human lifespan. Nevertheless, there is substantial heterogeneity between RCTs regarding the outcomes of exercise training, as RCTs sometimes provide null or negative results regarding changes in outcomes, and positive results might even suffer from a lack of reproducibility by other scientists. This paper reviews the National Institutes of Health (NIH)  Stage Model of Intervention Development and then identifies aligning research approaches and design considerations for informing and conducting RCTs of exercise training and its health benefits. The primary goal is the provision of a thoughtful and deliberate approach for designing RCTs that yield strong and reproducible research results regarding the health benefits of exercise training. This is necessary for strengthening the science behind the implementation and dissemination of evidence-based exercise training programs.
The importance of shear on the collective charge transport in CDWs revealed by an XFEL source
Authors: Le Bolloc’h David , Bellec Ewen , Ghoneim Darine , Gallo-Frantz Antoine , Wzietek Pawel , Ortega Luc , Madsen Anders , Monceau Pierre , Chollet Mathieu , Gonzales-Vallejo Isabel , Jacques Vincent L. R. , Sinchenko Aleksandr
Published: January 2025

Charge transport in materials has an impact on a wide range of devices based on semiconductor, battery, or superconductor technology. Charge transport in sliding charge density waves (CDW) differs from all others in that the atomic lattice is directly involved in the transport process. To obtain an overall picture of the structural changes associated to the collective transport, the large coherent x-ray beam generated by an x-ray free-electron laser (XFEL) source was used. The CDW phase can be retrieved over the entire sample from diffracted intensities using a genetic algorithm. For currents below threshold, increasing shear deformation is observed in the central part of the sample while longitudinal deformation appears above threshold when shear relaxes. Shear thus precedes longitudinal deformation, with relaxation of one leading to the appearance of the other. Moreover, strain accumulates on surface steps in the sliding regime, demonstrating the strong pinning character of these surface discontinuities. The sliding process of nanometric CDW involves macroscopic sample dimensions.
DPPX antibody-mediated disease mimicking Wernicke’s encephalopathy
Authors: Soliman Yasmin , Irani Neha , O'Connor Kevin
Published: January 2025

Anti-dipeptidyl-peptidase-like protein 6 antibody-mediated disease is a rare autoimmune encephalitis typically presenting with diarrhoea and/or weight loss, central nervous system hyperexcitability and cognitive dysfunction. We present a case of a young woman with 10 days of diplopia and unsteadiness in the context of dysthymia and significant weight loss over 2 months. Initial examination demonstrated mixed dysconjugate nystagmus and ataxic gait. Presumed diagnosis was Wernicke’s encephalopathy and intravenous thiamine was given, resulting in partial improvement. Subsequent examination revealed hyperekplexia with ocular flutter, cervical dystonia and startle myoclonus. Cerebrospinal fluid indirect immunofluorescence on primate cerebellum revealed granular layer pattern of staining, prompting testing for anti-dipeptidyl-peptidase-like protein antibodies, which returned strongly positive. Given the phenotypic overlap, it is important to consider this rare disorder in the differential diagnosis of Wernicke’s encephalopathy. In this case, the emergence of ocular flutter, startle myoclonus and the specific type of nystagmus made it clear there was an alternative diagnosis.
Pulmonary hypertension in infancy: a reversible cause
Authors: Campbell Cassandra , Singh Kawaljeet , Weems Mark , Philip Ranjit
Published: January 2025

A term, healthy infant presented with respiratory distress and severe pulmonary hypertension (PH). With an unclear aetiology and the intent to decrease right ventricular afterload, pulmonary vasodilators were initiated. Follow-up imaging revealed a supravalvular mitral ring as the cause of the PH which resolved after surgical resection of the membrane. Supravalvular mitral ring is a rare left-side congenital heart disease lesion that can lead to PH usually between infancy and toddler years, but can be easily missed in the setting of a concurrent large atrial septal defect that masks the gradient across the left ventricular inflow. While bronchopulmonary dysplasia is the most common cause of PH in infancy, a thorough evaluation is critical for the diagnosis of this reversible cause of PH as a missed diagnosis may redirect care with pulmonary vasodilators in the acute setting and potentially worsen the clinical status.
Statistical principles in neurointervention part 2. Multivariable analysis: generalized linear models, modification, confounding, and mediation
Authors: Harmon Megan , Diprose William , Brown Scott B , Ospel Johanna M , Holodinsky Jessalyn K
Published: January 2025

This two part series on statistical principles in neurointervention offers a comprehensive foundation for neurointerventionalists to engage with both fundamental and advanced statistical principles. This series aims to equip neurointerventionalists with essential statistical knowledge for critically reviewing literature and conducting methodologically sound research. Part one of this series covered fundamental concepts such as frequentism, study types, data types, summarization, visualization, hypothesis testing, and univariable analysis. This review is the second part of the series and covers advanced statistical concepts such as inference versus prediction, multivariable analysis, choice of covariates, confounding, mediation, modification, and generalized linear models. Together, these papers create a cohesive framework, allowing practitioners to critically evaluate research and apply rigorous statistical methods to their own studies.
Historical and political context for Philip Morris International’s continuing medical education courses on harm reduction
Authors: Ling Pamela M , Glantz Stanton A
Published: January 2025

In 2024, Philip Morris International’s (PMI) website stated they support ‘independent’ continuing medical education courses on harm reduction for medical and other healthcare professionals. These courses mirrored industry marketing and political strategies by presenting smokeless tobacco products and e-cigarettes as alternatives to smoking, sometimes without mentioning tobacco cessation. The enactment of the US Family Smoking and Tobacco Control Act gave the US Food and Drug Agency jurisdiction over tobacco products and included the industry’s ‘continuum of risk’ frame, and emboldened tobacco companies to make harm reduction claims about these products, which they had previously avoided for fear of triggering restrictive regulation of cigarettes. Opposition from the medical and public health community in the USA and beyond led one large company that partnered with PMI to offer the US courses to withdraw. The Foundation for a Smoke-Free World (renamed Global Action to End Smoking in 2024) created by PMI also funded a non-profit to develop continuing medical education on harm reduction. US accrediting bodies for healthcare education do not have policies against certifying tobacco-sponsored courses, and there needs to be ongoing vigilance against such efforts around the world as well as efforts to secure policies at accrediting organisations to not accredit such industry efforts.
Properties of the wormhole model in de Rham–Gabadadze–Tolley like massive gravity with specific matter density
Authors: Bhar Piyali
Published: January 2025

In the conventional method of studying wormhole (WH) geometry, traversability requires the presence of exotic matter, which also provides negative gravity effects to keep the wormhole throat open. In de Rham–Gabadadze–Tolley (dRGT) massive gravity theory, we produce two types of WH solutions in our present paper. We obtain the field equations for exact WH solutions by selecting a static and spherically symmetric metric for the background geometry. We derive the WH geometry completely for the two different choices of redshift functions. The obtained WH solutions violate all the energy conditions, including the null energy condition (NEC). Various plots are used to illustrate the behavior of the wormhole for a suitable range of $$m^2c_1$$

m
2

c
1

, where m is the graviton mass. It is observed that the photon deflection angle becomes negative for all values of $$m^2c_1$$

m
2

c
1

as a result of the repulsive action of gravity. It is also shown that the repulsive impact of massive gravitons pushes the spacetime geometry so strongly that the asymptotic flatness is affected. The volume integral quantifier (VIQ) is computed to determine the amounts of matter that violate the null energy condition. The complexity factor of the proposed model is also discussed.
A novel multimodal joint information encryption scheme based on multi-level confusion and hyperchaotic map
Authors: Liu Zhaocheng , Li Peng , Cao Yinghong , Mou Jun
Published: January 2025

To achieve efficient and compatible encryption of color-gray multi-image and 3D models, an encryption scheme based on multilevel confusion and hyperchaotic map is proposed in this paper. First, the ISL-HMC hyperchaotic map is employed to generate pseudorandom sequences of the confusing scheme, and its rich dynamical behavior is demonstrated through phase diagrams under different parameters, Lyapunov exponents, and NIST results. Second, the images are subjected to data processing, where multiple color-gray multi-size images are merged into a single image and the 3D model is converted into a 2-dimensional matrix. Multi-level confusion is performed next and consists of three parts: pixel point confusion within a 66-pixel block, inter-block confusion of 33-pixel blocks, and confusion of all pixel points. Finally, bi-directional diffusion is performed, which effectively improves the unpredictability and attack resistance of encrypted data. The simulation results demonstrate that the proposed encryption scheme specifies excellent encryption performance and dependability, and is also able to maintain good decryption results. At the same time, the proposed scheme can flexibly handle different models of data, showing excellent compatibility and adaptability, and providing an innovative solution for the secure transmission of multimedia information.
Two-bridge links and stable maps into the plane
Authors: Ichihara Kazuhiro , Kato Gakuto
Published: January 2025

We give a visual construction of stable maps from the [Formula: see text]-sphere into the real plane enjoying the following properties: the set of definite fold points coincides with a given two-bridge link and the map only admits restricted types of fibers containing two indefinite fold points. As a corollary, we determine the stable map complexities defined by Ishikawa and Koda for sufficiently complicated two-bridge link exteriors.