bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Inverse problems for semilinear elliptic PDE with measurements at a single point
Authors: Salo Mikko , Tzou Leo
Published: February 2023

We consider the inverse problem of determining a potential in a semilinear elliptic equation from the knowledge of the Dirichlet-to-Neumann map. For bounded Euclidean domains we prove that the potential is uniquely determined by the Dirichlet-to-Neumann map measured at a single boundary point, or integrated against a fixed measure. This result is valid even when the Dirichlet data is only given on a small subset of the boundary. We also give related uniqueness results on Riemannian manifolds.
Amenability for actions of étale groupoids on 𝐶*-algebras and Fell bundles
Authors: Kranz Julian
Published: February 2023

We generalize Renault’s notion of measurewise amenability to actions of second countable, Hausdorff, étale groupoids on separable

C
∗

C^*

-algebras and show that measurewise amenability characterizes nuclearity of the crossed product whenever the

C
∗

C^*

-algebra acted on is nuclear. In the more general context of Fell bundles over second countable, Hausdorff, étale groupoids, we introduce a version of Exel’s approximation property. We prove that the approximation property implies nuclearity of the cross-sectional algebra whenever the unit bundle is nuclear. For Fell bundles associated to groupoid actions, we show that the approximation property implies measurewise amenability of the underlying action.
‘Gukurahundi Continues’: Violence, Memory, and Mthwakazi Activism in Zimbabwe
Authors: Reim Lena
Published: February 2023

One effect of Zimbabwe’s 2017 coup was to unleash a new wave of public engagement with the unresolved state repression of the 1980s, known as Gukurahundi. This wave was led by the ‘post-Gukurahundi generation’ and particularly by activists whose narratives of Gukurahundi were entwined with calls for a separate ‘Mthwakazi nation’. This article explores these activists’ stories of Gukurahundi and asks why they broke through into the public realm after decades of relative silence. It argues that Mthwakazi activists’ engagement relied on an interpretation of Gukurahundi not simply as a discrete historical event, but as the clearest expression of an ongoing ‘Grand Plan’ of ethnic marginalization. This narrative was foundational to the construction of a moral order that divided the country along ethnic and regional fault lines, ultimately legitimizing Mthwakazi nationalism. The paper roots this narrative’s emergence in two interrelated processes. Speaking to the role of silencing in keeping conflicts alive across generations, it examines how the ‘noisy silence’ that has surrounded Gukurahundi in both public and private has meant that Gukurahundi lingered as a readily available interpretative lens. This lens became meaningful when the second generation, faced with political and economic marginalization, was grappling for meaning and political belonging.
Trends in Public Awareness and Knowledge of Drinking Guidelines: a Representative Population Survey in England, 2016–2022
Authors: Jackson Sarah E , Guo Xiaotang , Holmes John , Brown Jamie
Published: February 2023

Aim

To examine trends in public awareness and knowledge of drinking guidelines in the UK since their revision in 2016, which had moved from a daily to a weekly guideline, made the guideline the same for men and women, and reduced the guideline for men by around one-third.

Method

Data were from a representative, repeat cross-sectional survey. We analysed changes in awareness and knowledge of drinking guidelines among 8168 adult drinkers between 2016 and 2022 and associations with sociodemographic characteristics, smoking status and level of alcohol consumption.

Results

The proportion of drinkers aware of guidelines declined from 86.0% (95%CI 84.0–88.0%) in 2016 to 81.7% (79.5–84.0%) in 2019, then increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, peaking at 91.6% (90.1–93.1%) in 2020. The proportion who correctly identified the guideline as a maximum of exactly 14 units/week remained at around a quarter from 2016 (25.0%, 22.4–27.5%) to 2018 (25.8%, 23.2–28.3%), whereas the proportion who gave a figure of 14 units or fewer rose from 52.1 (49.2–55.0%) to 57.4% (54.6–60.3%). However, by 2022, guideline knowledge had worsened significantly, with these figures falling to 19.7 (17.4–21.9%) and 46.5% (43.6–49.4%), respectively. Changes over time were similar across subgroups. Odds of guideline awareness and knowledge were higher among drinkers who were aged ≥35, female, more educated and from more advantaged social grades.

Conclusions

The majority of adult drinkers in the UK are aware of low-risk drinking guidelines. However, 6 years since their announcement, knowledge of the revised drinking guidelines remains poor. Less than a quarter know the recommended weekly limit and only around half think it is 14 units or less. Inequalities have persisted over time, such that disadvantaged groups remain less likely to know the guidelines.
Systemic stablecoin and the brave new world of digital money
Authors: Morgan Jamie
Published: February 2023

New forms of money invite informed speculation regarding future possibilities. In this extended commentary, we explore five issue-areas that the growth of cryptocurrency and, more particularly, stablecoin have evoked. This new form of digital money has the potential to change the form and functioning of payments technologies and thus alter not just how something is paid for but what can be paid for. Moreover, as the now shelved plans for Facebook/Meta’s Libra/Diem indicate, there is scope for a major corporation or coalition of corporations to issue their own stablecoin and this greatly increases the likelihood of a ‘systemic’ stablecoin. This, in turn, could change where power resides and who exercises it in banking, finance and society. Concern with power leads to issues regarding the nature of change and thus to concern with possible financial, economic and social disruptions ranging across the nature of trust, bank business models, the effectiveness of central bank policy and security of payments systems. Given these issues, cryptocurrency and stablecoin have become a growing concern for regulators and this concern extends to the case for a retail central bank digital currency (CBDC). Finally, a new form of money invites discussion of its implications for the nature of money and this leads to matters of philosophical or social theory interest.
Financial cycles and fiscal policy in developing and emerging economies: an evaluation of the Brazilian case (1997–2018)
Authors: Guedes Dyeggo Rocha , Cunha André Moreira , Peruffo Luiza
Published: February 2023

This article investigates the existence of a link between financial cycles and fiscal cycles, and discusses possible policy implications for developing and emerging economies (DEEs). It empirically analyses the impact of financial cycle shocks on the short-term dynamics of Brazil’s fiscal policy by estimating a vector autoregressive (VAR) model for the period 1997–2018. The results indicate that financial cycles have pro-cyclical effects on the fiscal policy. This suggests that a fiscal policy should consider not only the cyclical behaviour of the output, but also its role in minimising financial factors. By explicitly linking Brazil’s fiscal performance with Brazil’s higher vulnerability to the financial cycle, this article adds to the literature that strives to understand the policy implications of the financialisation process in DEEs. It also contributes to the more general empirical literature on DEEs’ fiscal dynamics.
Filgotinib Improved Health-Related Quality of Life and Led to Comprehensive Disease Control in Individuals with Ulcerative Colitis: Data from the SELECTION Trial
Authors: Schreiber Stefan , Feagan Brian G , Peyrin-Biroulet Laurent , Vermeire Séverine , Faes Margaux , Harris Kristina , Oortwijn Alessandra , Daniele Patrick , Patel Haridarshan , Danese Silvio
Published: February 2023

Background and Aims

Ulcerative colitis [UC] impacts patients’ health-related quality of life [HRQoL]. We assessed HRQoL and an exploratory patient-level composite endpoint (‘Comprehensive Disease Control’ [CDC]) in individuals receiving filgotinib [an oral JAK1 preferential inhibitor] in the SELECTION trial.

Methods

In SELECTION [NCT02914522], a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, phase 2b/3 trial, adults with moderately to severely active UC received once-daily filgotinib 200 mg, filgotinib 100 mg or placebo for 11 weeks in Induction Study A [biologic-naïve] or B [biologic-experienced]. Filgotinib responders [week 10 clinical remission/response] were re-randomized to their filgotinib regimen or placebo for the 48-week Maintenance Study. We assessed week 10 and week 58 SF-36, EQ-5D, WPAI and IBDQ scores. Achievement of CDC (patient-level partial Mayo Clinic Score [pMCS] remission [pMCS ≤2, no individual rectal bleeding, stool frequency or physician’s global assessment subscore >1], endoscopic improvement [endoscopic subscore ≤1], faecal calprotectin <150 µg/g and IBDQ score ≥170) and its association with HRQoL and histological outcomes were also explored.

Results

Analyses included 382 biologic-naïve and 404 biologic-experienced patients. Filgotinib 200 mg induced and maintained improvements vs placebo in SF-36, EQ-5D, WPAI and IBDQ scores, and restored HRQoL by week 10. Proportionally more filgotinib 200 mg- than placebo-treated patients achieved CDC at weeks 10 and 58 [p < 0.01]. CDC was associated with clinically important improvements in HRQoL and histological remission over both periods.

Conclusions

Filgotinib 200 mg results in short- and long-term improvements in HRQoL. High-level improvement of HRQoL relates to a stringent composite endpoint suggesting meaningful disease control in a subset of filgotinib-treated individuals.

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02914522
Rule-out of non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome by a single, pre-hospital troponin measurement: a randomized trial
Authors: Camaro Cyril , Aarts Goaris W A , Adang Eddy M M , van Hout Roger , Brok Gijs , Hoare Anouk , Rodwell Laura , de Pooter Frank , de Wit Walter , Cramer Gilbert E , van Kimmenade Roland R J , Damman Peter , Ouwendijk Eva , Rutten Martijn , Zegers Erwin , van Geuns Robert-Jan M , Gomes Marc E R , van Royen Niels
Published: February 2023

Aims

Patients with suspected non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) are routinely transferred to the emergency department (ED). A clinical risk score with point-of-care (POC) troponin measurement might enable ambulance paramedics to identify low-risk patients in whom ED evaluation is unnecessary. The aim was to assess safety and healthcare costs of a pre-hospital rule-out strategy using a POC troponin measurement in low-risk suspected NSTE-ACS patients.

Methods and results

This investigator-initiated, randomized clinical trial was conducted in five ambulance regions in the Netherlands. Suspected NSTE-ACS patients with HEAR (History, ECG, Age, Risk factors) score ≤3 were randomized to pre-hospital rule-out with POC troponin measurement or direct transfer to the ED. The sample size calculation was based on the primary outcome of 30-day healthcare costs. Secondary outcome was safety, defined as 30-day major adverse cardiac events (MACE), consisting of ACS, unplanned revascularization or all-cause death. : A total of 863 participants were randomized. Healthcare costs were significantly lower in the pre-hospital strategy (€1349 ± €2051 vs. €1960 ± €1808) with a mean difference of €611 [95% confidence interval (CI): 353–869; P < 0.001]. In the total population, MACE were comparable between groups [3.9% (17/434) in pre-hospital strategy vs. 3.7% (16/429) in ED strategy; P = 0.89]. In the ruled-out ACS population, MACE were very low [0.5% (2/419) vs. 1.0% (4/417)], with a risk difference of −0.5% (95% CI −1.6%–0.7%; P = 0.41) in favour of the pre-hospital strategy.

Conclusion

Pre-hospital rule-out of ACS with a POC troponin measurement in low-risk patients significantly reduces healthcare costs while incidence of MACE was low in both strategies.

Trial registration

Clinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT05466591 and International Clinical Trials Registry Platform id NTR 7346.
Unexploited potential of risk factor treatment in patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease
Authors: van Trier Tinka J , Snaterse Marjolein , Hageman Steven H J , ter Hoeve Nienke , Sunamura Madoka , Moll van Charante Eric P , Galenkamp Henrike , Deckers Jaap W , Martens Fabrice M A C , Visseren Frank L J , Scholte op Reimer Wilma J M , Peters Ron J G , Jørstad Harald T
Published: February 2023

Background

Most patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease remain at (very) high risk for recurrent events due to suboptimal risk factor control.

Aims

This study aimed to quantify the potential of maximal risk factor treatment on 10-year and lifetime risk of recurrent atherosclerotic cardiovascular events in patients 1 year after a coronary event.

Methods and results

Pooled data from six studies are as follows: RESPONSE 1, RESPONSE 2, OPTICARE, EUROASPIRE IV, EUROASPIRE V, and HELIUS. Patients aged ≥45 years at ≥6 months after coronary event were included. The SMART-REACH score was used to estimate 10-year and lifetime risk of recurrent atherosclerotic cardiovascular events with current treatment and potential risk reduction and gains in event-free years with maximal treatment (lifestyle and pharmacological). In 3230 atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease patients (24% women), at median interquartile range (IQR) 1.1 years (1.0–1.8) after index event, 10-year risk was median (IQR) 20% (15–27%) and lifetime risk 54% (47–63%). Whereas 70% used conventional medication, 82% had ≥1 drug-modifiable risk factor not on target. Furthermore, 91% had ≥1 lifestyle-related risk factor not on target. Maximizing therapy was associated with a potential reduction of median (IQR) 10-year risk to 6% (4–8%) and of lifetime risk to 20% (15–27%) and a median (IQR) gain of 7.3 (5.4–10.4) atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease event-free years.

Conclusions

Amongst patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, maximizing current, guideline-based preventive therapy has the potential to mitigate a large part of their risk of recurrent events and to add a clinically important number of event-free years to their lifetime.
Development and characterization of a sorghum multi-parent advanced generation intercross (MAGIC) population for capturing diversity among seed parent gene pool
Authors: Kumar Neeraj , Boatwright J Lucas , Brenton Zachary W , Sapkota Sirjan , Ballén-Taborda Carolina , Myers Matthew T , Cox William A , Jordan Kathleen E , Kresovich Stephen , Boyles Richard E
Published: February 2023

Multiparent advanced eneration inter-cross (MAGIC) populations improve the precision of quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping over biparental populations by incorporating increased diversity and opportunities to reduce linkage disequilibrium among variants. Here, we describe the development of a MAGIC B-Line (MBL) population from an inter-cross among 4 diverse founders of grain sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] across different races (kafir, guinea, durra, and caudatum). These founders were selected based on genetic uniqueness and several distinct qualitative features including panicle architecture, plant color, seed color, endosperm texture, and awns. A whole set of MBL (708 F6) recombinant inbred lines along with their founders were genotyped using Diversity Arrays Technology (DArTseq) and 5,683 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were generated. A genetic linkage map was constructed using a set of polymorphic, quality-filtered markers (2,728 SNPs) for QTL interval-mapping. For population validation, 3 traits (seed color, plant color, and awns) were used for QTL mapping and genome-wide association study (GWAS). QTL mapping and GWAS identified 4 major genomic regions located across 3 chromosomes (Chr1, Chr3, and Chr6) that correspond to known genetic loci for the targeted traits. Founders of this population consist of the fertility maintainer (A/B line) gene pool and derived MBL lines could serve as female/seed parents in the cytoplasmic male sterility breeding system. The MBL population will serve as a unique genetic and genomic resource to better characterize the genetics of complex traits and potentially identify superior alleles for crop improvement efforts to enrich the seed parent gene pool.
Maize protein structure resources at the maize genetics and genomics database
Authors: Woodhouse Margaret R , Portwood John L , Sen Shatabdi , Hayford Rita K , Gardiner Jack M , Cannon Ethalinda K , Harper Lisa C , Andorf Carson M
Published: February 2023

Protein structures play an important role in bioinformatics, such as in predicting gene function or validating gene model annotation. However, determining protein structure was, until now, costly and time-consuming, which resulted in a structural biology bottleneck. With the release of such programs AlphaFold and ESMFold, this bottleneck has been reduced by several orders of magnitude, permitting protein structural comparisons of entire genomes within reasonable timeframes. MaizeGDB has leveraged this technological breakthrough by offering several new tools to accelerate protein structural comparisons between maize and other plants as well as human and yeast outgroups. MaizeGDB also offers bulk downloads of these comparative protein structure data, along with predicted functional annotation information. In this way, MaizeGDB is poised to assist maize researchers in assessing functional homology, gene model annotation quality, and other information unavailable to maize scientists even a few years ago.
Xenbase: key features and resources of the Xenopus model organism knowledgebase
Authors: Fisher Malcolm , James-Zorn Christina , Ponferrada Virgilio , Bell Andrew J , Sundararaj Nivitha , Segerdell Erik , Chaturvedi Praneet , Bayyari Nadia , Chu Stanley , Pells Troy , Lotay Vaneet , Agalakov Sergei , Wang Dong Zhuo , Arshinoff Bradley I , Foley Saoirse , Karimi Kamran , Vize Peter D , Zorn Aaron M
Published: February 2023

Xenbase (https://www.xenbase.org/), the Xenopus model organism knowledgebase, is a web-accessible resource that integrates the diverse genomic and biological data from research on the laboratory frogs Xenopus laevis and Xenopus tropicalis. The goal of Xenbase is to accelerate discovery and empower Xenopus research, to enhance the impact of Xenopus research data, and to facilitate the dissemination of these data. Xenbase also enhances the value of Xenopus data through high-quality curation, data integration, providing bioinformatics tools optimized for Xenopus experiments, and linking Xenopus data to human data, and other model organisms. Xenbase also plays an indispensable role in making Xenopus data interoperable and accessible to the broader biomedical community in accordance with FAIR principles. Xenbase provides annotated data updates to organizations such as NCBI, UniProtKB, Ensembl, the Gene Ontology consortium, and most recently, the Alliance of Genomic Resources, a common clearing house for data from humans and model organisms. This article provides a brief overview of key and recently added features of Xenbase. New features include processing of Xenopus high-throughput sequencing data from the NCBI Gene Expression Omnibus; curation of anatomical, physiological, and expression phenotypes with the newly created Xenopus Phenotype Ontology; Xenopus Gene Ontology annotations; new anatomical drawings of the Normal Table of Xenopus development; and integration of the latest Xenopus laevis v10.1 genome annotations. Finally, we highlight areas for future development at Xenbase as we continue to support the Xenopus research community.
The Effects of Graded Levels of Calorie Restriction: XIX. Impact of Graded Calorie Restriction on Protein Expression in the Liver
Authors: Wang Lu , Derous Davina , Huang Xiahe , Mitchell Sharon E , Douglas Alex , Lusseau David , Wang Yingchun , Speakman John R
Published: February 2023

Calorie restriction (CR) extends life span by modulating the mechanisms involved in aging. We quantified the hepatic proteome of male C57BL/6 mice exposed to graded levels of CR (0%–40% CR) for 3 months, and evaluated which signaling pathways were most affected. The metabolic pathways most significantly stimulated by the increase in CR, included the glycolysis/gluconeogenesis pathway, the pentose phosphate pathway, the fatty acid degradation pathway, the valine, leucine, and isoleucine degradation pathway, and the lysine degradation pathway. The metabolism of xenobiotics by cytochrome P450 pathway was activated and feminized by increased CR, while production in major urinary proteins (Mups) was strongly reduced, consistent with a reduced investment in reproduction as predicted by the disposable soma hypothesis. However, we found no evidence of increased somatic protection, and none of the 4 main pathways implied to be linked to the impact of CR on life span (insulin/insulin-like growth factor [IGF-1], nuclear factor-κB [NF-κB], mammalian Target of Rapamycin [mTOR], and sirtuins) as well as pathways in cancer, were significantly changed at the protein level in relation to the increase in CR level. This was despite previous work at the transcriptome level in the same individuals indicating such changes. On the other hand, we found Aldh2, Aldh3a2, and Aldh9a1 in carnitine biosynthesis and Acsl5 in carnitine shuttle system were up-regulated by increased CR, which are consistent with our previous work on metabolome of the same individuals. Overall, the patterns of protein expression were more consistent with a “clean cupboards” than a “disposable soma” interpretation.
Associations of Height Loss With Cognitive Decline and Incident Dementia in Adults Aged 50 Years and Older
Authors: Guo Jing , Song Suhang
Published: February 2023

Background

Associations of the rate of height loss (RHL) with cognitive decline and dementia in middle-aged and older adults have not been examined.

Methods

This study included 3 610 participants aged 50 years and older from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing. Standing height was measured with standardized protocols. RHL was estimated as an annualized percentage of height loss (% per year) during Waves 0–4, and was categorized into slow (<0.1%), medium (≥0.1% and <0.2%), and fast (≥0.2%). Associations between RHL and cognitive decline and incident dementia were analyzed using mixed-effects models and Cox regression models, respectively (Waves 5–9).

Results

There were 283 individuals identified with incident dementia over a mean follow-up of 7.21 years. Compared with participants in the slow group, those in the medium (coefficient [β] = −0.016, 95% confidence interval [CI] = −0.023 to −0.009) and fast groups (β = −0.030, 95% CI = −0.039 to −0.021) had faster declines in cognition. Faster height loss was also associated with increased risks of incident dementia (medium vs slow, hazard ratio [HR] = 1.37, 95% CI = 1.03–1.81; fast vs slow, HR = 1.75, 95% CI = 1.29–2.37). Besides, associations of RHL with cognitive decline were stronger in females than in males.

Conclusions

Our findings indicated that rapid RHL was associated with faster declines in cognition and elevated risks of dementia. RHL may serve as an early marker of progressed neurodegeneration in middle-aged and older adults.
Association of Fruit and Vegetable Consumption With Mild Cognitive Impairment in Low- and Middle-Income Countries
Authors: Smith Lee , López Sánchez Guillermo F , Veronese Nicola , Soysal Pinar , Oh Hans , Kostev Karel , Rahmati Masoud , Butler Laurie , Gibson Poppy , Keyes Helen , Barnett Yvonne , Shin Jae Il , Koyanagi Ai
Published: February 2023

Background

Inadequate fruit and vegetable intake may be associated with cognitive decline but its association with mild cognitive impairment (MCI; a preclinical stage of dementia) is largely unknown. Therefore, we examined the association of fruit and vegetable consumption with MCI among middle-aged and older adults from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

Methods

Cross-sectional, nationally representative data from the WHO Study on global AGEing and adult health were analyzed. MCI was defined using the National Institute on Aging–Alzheimer’s Association criteria. Quintiles of vegetable and fruit consumption were created based on the number of servings consumed on a typical day. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted.

Results

Data on 32 715 individuals aged ≥50 years were analyzed (mean [standard deviation] age 62.1 [15.6] years; 51.7% females). Greater fruit consumption was dose-dependently associated with lower odds for MCI. For example, the highest quintile (vs lowest) had 47% lower odds for MCI (odds ratio [OR] = 0.53; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.43–0.66). For vegetable consumption, compared to the lowest quintile, the second to fourth quintiles had significant 38%–44% lower odds for MCI but there was no significant difference for the highest quintile (OR = 0.82; 95% CI = 0.59–1.15).

Conclusions

Higher fruit and vegetable consumption was associated with lower odds for MCI among middle-aged and older adults from LMICs, but no significant differences were found between the highest and lowest quintiles of vegetable consumption. Future longitudinal studies are required to explore these findings in more depth, and mechanistic studies are required to elucidate on the observed possible U-shaped association between vegetable consumption and MCI.
Effects of Childcare, Work, and Caregiving Intensity on Male and Female Family Caregivers
Authors: Kim Hansol , Beach Scott R , Friedman Esther M , Donovan Heidi , Schulz Richard
Published: February 2023

Objectives

The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System sampled 54,076 caregivers between 2015 and 2017 providing an opportunity to evaluate risk factors for poor mental and physical health among a representative sample of U.S. adult caregivers. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of childcare, work status, and intensity of caregiving among men and women caring for older adults (n = 17,271).

Methods

Controlling for sociodemographic factors, separate logistic regression analysis for women and men were carried out to assess the main and interaction effects of childcare, work status, and intensity of caregiving on number of poor mental and physical health days in the last month.

Results

Intensive caregiving demands had adverse effects on both women and men, but being in the workforce was beneficial to both men and women. Women with children at home reported adverse mental health effects but better physical health, while men with children at home reported adverse physical health effects. For women, the combination of not working, children in the household, and high-intensity caregiving were most detrimental to their mental health. Among men, those not working with children in the household, regardless of caregiving intensity, were at highest risk of adverse mental health effects.

Discussion

Our findings identify caregivers at high risk of adverse outcomes but also point to the need for more fine-grained analyses of how families negotiate the allocation of childcare, work, and caregiving responsibilities over time.
The effectiveness of digital sexual health interventions for young adults: a systematic literature review (2010–2020)
Authors: Sewak Aarti , Yousef Murooj , Deshpande Sameer , Seydel Tori , Hashemi Neda
Published: February 2023

There has been a proliferation of digital sexual health interventions targeting adolescents; however, limited evaluative reviews have compared the effectiveness of multiple digital tools for sexual health literacy and behaviour change. This study conducted a systematic literature review, screened 9881 records and analysed 61 studies. Findings suggest that websites and mobile phones dominate digital sexual health interventions, with a majority effectively delivering cognitive (e.g. awareness and attitudes about sexual and reproductive health) and behavioural outcomes (e.g. abstinence and use of contraception). The most popular sexual health promotion mechanisms were interactive websites, text messaging and phone calls, and online education programmes, followed by mobile applications—fewer studies in this review utilized social media, games and multimedia. Previous reviews focused on single outcome measures (e.g. sexually transmitted infection testing) to assess interventions’ effectiveness. The current review moves beyond single outcome measures to cover a wider range of behavioural and non-behavioural sexual health issues and contexts covered in the literature. Four main categories were analysed as outcomes: cognitive perceptions, promoting sexual health-related behaviours, promoting sexual health-related products and services, and impact (viral load). Seventy-nine per cent of interventions focused on preventive sexual health behaviours and products (e.g. condoms) and services (e.g. HIV testing). Overall, 75% of studies effectively changed sexual health behaviour and cognitive perceptions. However, the digital-only tools did not vary from the blended formats, in influence outcomes, even after categorizing them into behavioural or non-behavioural outcomes. Compared to previous systematic reviews, more studies from the last decade used rigorous research design in the form of randomized controlled trials, non-randomized control trials, and quasi-experiments and lasted longer.
Surgical cytoreduction and hyperthermic intrathoracic chemotherapy for thymic tumours with pleural spread is effective on survival: results from the multicentre German hyperthermic intrathoracic chemotherapy study
Authors: Ried Michael , Hassan Mohamed , Passlick Bernward , Schmid Severin , Markowiak Till , Müller Karolina , Huppertz Gunnar , Koller Michael , Winter Hauke , Klotz Laura V , Hatz Rudolf , Kovács Julia , Zimmermann Julia , Hofmann Hans-Stefan , Eichhorn Martin E
Published: February 2023

OBJECTIVES

Cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intrathoracic chemotherapy (HITOC) is effective on survival for patients with pleural metastatic thymic tumours.

METHODS

Multicentre, retrospective analysis of patients with stage IVa thymic tumours treated with surgical resection and HITOC. Primary end point was overall survival, secondary end points were recurrence-/progression-free survival and morbidity/mortality.

RESULTS

A total of n = 58 patients (thymoma, n = 42; thymic carcinoma, n = 15; atypical carcinoid of the thymus, n = 1) were included, who had primary pleural metastases (n = 50; 86%) or pleural recurrence (n = 8; 14%). Lung-preserving resection (n = 56; 97%) was the preferred approach. Macroscopically complete tumour resection was achieved in n = 49 patients (85%). HITOC was performed with cisplatin alone (n = 38; 66%) or in combination with doxorubicin (n = 20; 34%). Almost half of the patients (n = 28; 48%) received high-dose cisplatin > 125 mg/m2 body surface area. Surgical revision was required in 8 (14%) patients. In-hospital mortality rate was 2%. During follow-up, tumour recurrence/progression was evident in n = 31 (53%) patients. Median follow-up time was 59 months. The 1-, 3- and 5-year survival rates were 95%, 83% and 77%, respectively. Recurrence/progression-free survival rates were 89%, 54% and 44%, respectively. Patients with thymoma had significantly better survival compared to patients with thymic carcinoma (P-value ≤0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Promising survival rates in patients with pleural metastatic stage IVa in thymoma (94%) and even in thymic carcinoma (41%) were achieved. Surgical resection and HITOC is safe and effective for treatment of patients with pleural metastatic thymic tumours stage IVa.
Cooling, heating and power system
Authors: Chen Tzu-Chia , Rashidov Rustam , Treve Mark , Mahdi Ahmed B , Hammid Ali Thaeer , Jalil Abduladheem Turki , Shamel Ali
Published: February 2023

Systems of cogeneration of cooling, heating and electric power with renewable energy sources are a very suitable solution for the independency of fossil fuels and reducing the emission of environmental pollutants. In this research, an internal combustion engine with a boiler and a linear parabolic concentrating collector has been used to realize the production of electrical and thermal energy. That the internal combustion engine is responsible for the production of electric power, which is responsible for the thermal energy by the concentrated linear collector with the boiler and the heat exchanger. Due to the need for thermal energy at different times, a thermal storage tank has been used in such a way that the thermal energy produced by the solar collector and boiler is stored in the tank to supply the load at the required times. The results show that the total cost of final products for one day of the hottest month of summer in the proposed thermal power plant with fossil fuel will be $69.3 and $63.5, respectively, and for 1 day of the coldest month of winter, the total cost of producing final products in the proposed and fossil system will be $31.6 and $28.5, respectively.
Pay Transparency, Information Access Rights and Data Protection Law: Exploring Viable Alternatives to Disclosure Orders in Equal Pay Litigation
Authors: Hooton Victoria , Pearce Henry
Published: February 2023

Equal pay litigation is often highly technical, with a drawn out and costly legal battle for claimants. This is somewhat because of the way equal pay law is constructed, as the requirement to have specific, named comparators can be an area of intense dispute. The complexity and length of cases look set to increase as the parameters of equal pay for work of equal value are explored, and occupational segregation is challenged in the employment tribunals and courts. This article considers one of the largest obstacles to quick and efficient equal pay litigation: the imbalance of access to information between employer and employee. The difficulties of applications for disclosure orders are discussed, alongside pay transparency measures and the recent proposals for a right to direct access to a suspected comparator’s pay data. We consider whether the proposed right is a viable, swifter route to information parity and greater efficiency in equal pay litigation, in light of the experience of freedom of information requests regarding equal pay. Specifically, we note the tension that may arise between the ‘Right to Know’ a comparator’s pay, and the data protection obligations of the employer.
Great Power Intervention and War
Authors: Wolford Scott
Published: February 2023

Great powers often extract concessions whether they intervene during or after other states’ wars. I analyze crisis bargaining between two primary disputants and a great power that may intervene to extract concessions from the victor. When disputants face commitment problems, the threat of intervention discourages declining states from attacking and enables rising states to make otherwise-incredible commitments to avoid war. When disputants face information problems, uninformed states find risking war less attractive, and informed states accept less favorable proposals, regardless of their private information. The mechanism by which the threat of intervention discourages war depends on great powers’ military reach and the side(s) against which they intervene. The model shows how (i) changing great power capabilities can lead to the outbreak of war between other states, (ii) these effects are mediated by hierarchical relationships, and (iii) great powers can create international order not with principle but with selfishness.
A novel method to retain a waterproof coal pillar near water-conducting fault
Authors: Liu Shiqi , Fei Yu , Wang Juan , Wu Di , Guo Dongyu , Dong Yanlin , Liu Xingjie , Shangguan Yiwei
Published: February 2023

Reducing the width of safe coal pillar near geological structures, such as a water-conducting fault, to improve the extraction ratio of coal seam is a major concern that needs to be addressed urgently for mining shallow coal resources in China. To tackle the contradiction between improving the extraction ratio of resources and the disaster caused by reducing the width of the waterproof coal pillar, this study focuses on retaining the coal (rock) pillar near the water-conducting fault and proposes a novel method for calculating the waterproofing of the coal pillar precisely. We consider the different location relationships between the water-conducting fault, confined aquifer and coal seam, and suggest the principle of retaining the waterproofing of the coal pillar. First, we develop a mechanical model describing a waterproof coal pillar near the water-conducting fault by using elastic–plastic mechanics theory and subsequently calculate the length of plastic zone of the coal pillar under water pressure of the fault by using the limit equilibrium method. Furthermore, we use FLAC3D software to simulate the stress distribution of the coal seam roof and floor under fault water pressure. Subsequently, based on the Mohr–Coulomb strength criterion, we propose a method to calculate the width of waterproof coal pillars by combining the plastic zone with the maximum principal stress propagation line. Ultimately, we assess and discuss the accuracy and simplicity of this method by combining it with engineering methods.
Comprehensive RNA expression profile analysis of γδ T cells from peripheral blood and decidual tissues in normal pregnancy (NP) donors and patients with recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL)
Authors: Guo Rong , Zhang Jianliang , Jiang Silin , Lin Jingxian , Zhang Fan , Zhou Wenbin , Guan Zerong , Xiang Liping , Han Xu , Yang Quanli , Yin Zhinan , Zhang Hong
Published: February 2023

Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) is a significant adverse pregnancy complication. The loss of immune tolerance has been proposed in the pathogenesis of RPL, however, the role of γδ T cells in RPL is still controversial. In this study, the gene expression patterns of circulated and decidual tissue-resident γδ T cells from normal pregnancy donors and patients with RPL were analyzed by SMART-seq. We demonstrate that the transcriptional expression profile of different subsets of γδ T cells in peripheral blood and decidual tissue is strikingly different. Vδ2 γδ T cells, as the major cytotoxic subset, are found to be enriched considerably, and the potential cytotoxicity of this subset is further enhanced in the decidua of RPL patients may be due to detrimental ROS reduction, enhanced metabolic activity, downregulation of immunosuppressive molecules expression in resident γδ T cells. Time-series Expression Miner (STEM) analysis of transcriptome indicates complex changes in gene expression in decidual γδ T cells over time from NP and RPL patients. Taken together, our work identifies high heterogeneity of gene signature in γδ T cells from NP and RPL patients between peripheral blood and decidua, which will be a useful resource for further studies of the critical roles of γδ T cells in RPL.
Early treatment with C-reactive protein-derived peptide reduces septic acute kidney injury in mice via controlled activation of kidney macrophages
Authors: Ito Seigo , Goto Hiroyasu , Tanoue Keiko , Koiwai Kazuki , Ishikiriyama Takuya , Kearney Bradley M , Mori Kazuma , Nakashima Masahiro , Nakashima Hiroyuki , Kumagai Hiroo , Seki Shuhji , Kinoshita Manabu , Oshima Naoki
Published: February 2023

The mortality rate for acute kidney injury (AKI) due to sepsis remains high, and effective therapies based on its pathogenesis remain elusive. Macrophages are crucial for clearing bacteria from vital organs, including the kidney, under septic conditions. Excessive macrophage activation results in organ injury. C-reactive protein (CRP) peptide (174-185), a functional product of proteolyzed CRP in vivo, effectively activates macrophages. We investigated the therapeutic efficacy of synthetic CRP peptide on septic AKI, focusing on effects on kidney macrophages. Mice underwent cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) to induce septic AKI and were intraperitoneally administered 20 mg/kg of synthetic CRP peptide 1 h post-CLP. Early CRP peptide treatment improved AKI while still clearing infection. Ly6C-negative kidney tissue-resident macrophages did not significantly increase at 3 h after CLP, while Ly6C-positive monocyte-derived macrophages significantly accumulated in the kidney 3 h post-CLP. CRP peptide augmented the phagocytic ROS production in both subtypes of kidney macrophage at 3 h. Interestingly, both subtypes of macrophage increased ROS production 24 h post-CLP compared to the control group, while CRP peptide treatment maintained ROS production at the same level seen 3 h post-CLP. Although bacterium-phagocytic kidney macrophages produced TNF-α, CRP peptide reduced bacterial propagation and tissue TNF-α levels in the septic kidney at 24 h. Although both subsets of kidney macrophages showed populations of M1 at 24 h post-CLP, CRP peptide therapy skewed the macrophages population toward M2 at 24 h. CRP peptide alleviated murine septic AKI via the controlled activation of kidney macrophages and is an excellent candidate for future human therapeutic studies.
Multiple interacting factors affect seed predation in an African savanna small mammal community
Authors: Schoepf Ivana , Pillay Neville
Published: February 2023

Multiple factors affect seed predation, including seed traits, habitat type, seed predator community composition, predation risk, and seasonality. How all these factors and their interactions simultaneously influence seed predation has rarely been tested experimentally in situ. Here, we assessed the relative contribution of the factors driving seed predation in an African savanna rodent community, comprising six ecologically similar species. We first conducted seed preference tests under semicaptive conditions to determine which seed trait (size, shell hardness, nutritional content) influenced seed predation. Then we performed in situ experiments to establish whether rodent community composition (diversity and abundance), seed type, habitat type, seasonality, predation risk, and their interactions affected seed predation. Semicaptive experiments showed that rodents preferred smaller, lighter seeds, containing relatively high water content. In situ experiments showed that predation risk was an important factor influencing seed predation, with rodents removing considerably more seeds in areas where predation risk was lower. Habitat type also affected seed predation, but its effects were strongly linked to predation risk. In areas where predation risk was higher, rodents removed more seeds in more heterogeneous habitats, whereas in areas where predation risk was lower, rodents removed more seeds in less heterogeneous habitats. Seasonality was the least influential factor shaping seed predation. Rodents removed more seeds in winter compared to other seasons, but only in areas where predation risk was low. We provide experimental evidence for a multifaceted approach to understanding the relative contribution of the different factors driving variation in seed predation in natural communities and show that these factors are likely hierarchically arranged.
The rejection of rational autonomy as an educational ideal? In search of a philosophical justification for radical change in Paul Hirst’s thinking
Authors: Holma Katariina
Published: February 2023

In Paul Hirst’s later writings, he states that his earlier idea that ‘a good life is one of rational autonomy is both inadequate and mistaken’. Instead of rational autonomy, he argues that the main constituent of the good life is the satisfaction of needs and interests in relevant social practices; therefore, the main aim of education should be initiation into social practices. I concur with Hirst regarding the problematic nature of views that take the individual, rational, autonomous moral subject as their educational starting point. Furthermore, like Hirst, I see that the problematic separation of moral thinking and action is embedded in these views. However, I disagree with Hirst regarding the justification of Aristotelian theory, on which he bases his new account. Instead, I defend a pragmatist justification for what I see as the most important dimension of Hirst’s later shift in thinking in his moral theory. Utilizing resources from such pragmatists as Charles S. Peirce, John Dewey, Israel Scheffler, and Nicholas Rescher, I outline an account in which there is no dichotomy between theoretical and practical reason: both reason and emotion belong to nature and work in collaboration, and moral thinking and action can be learned and improved in responsible social practices.
On the competitive facility location problem with a Bayesian spatial interaction model
Authors: Perera Shanaka , Aglietti Virginia , Damoulas Theodoros
Published: February 2023

The competitive facility location problem arises when businesses plan to enter a new market or expand their presence. We introduce a Bayesian spatial interaction model which provides probabilistic estimates on location-specific revenues and then formulate a mathematical framework to simultaneously identify the location and design of new facilities that maximise revenue. To solve the allocation optimisation problem, we develop a hierarchical search algorithm and associated sampling techniques that explore geographic regions of varying spatial resolution. We demonstrate the approach by producing optimal facility locations and corresponding designs for two large-scale applications in the supermarket and pub sectors of Greater London.
The CIDER simulations: non-linear structure formation in the constrained interacting dark energy scenario
Authors: Baldi Marco
Published: February 2023

We present for the first time a suite of cosmological simulations for a particular class of interacting Dark Energy cosmologies characterized by a background expansion history constrained to be indistinguishable from ΛCDM. Such Constrained Interacting Dark Energy scenario – or CIDER – has been recently proposed in the literature and has the appealing feature of suppressing structure formation at late times, thereby possibly alleviating the persisting σ8 tension while leaving background observables unaffected. A crucial step to assess the viability of such scenarios is then represented by quantifying their impact on structure formation at non-linear scales, which is what we start investigating with the simulations discussed in the present work. We show that – for reasonable parameter choices – the reconstructed scalar potential is close to an exponential for most of the matter dominated epoch, and that the non-linear evolution of structures in these models imprints specific footprints on matter and halo statistics that may allow to break degeneracies with standard cosmological parameters.