bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Privacy-Preserving Confidential Reporting System With Designated Reporters
Authors: Han Jinguang , Susilo Willy , Chen Liquan , Lai Jianchang , Wu Ge
Published: December 2023

A confidential reporting system (CRS) allows reporters to report concerns or problems in confidence without the fear of blame or reprisals. Nevertheless, privacy has been the primary concern of reporters. In this paper, we propose a privacy-preserving confidential reporting system with designated reporters (PPCRS-DR) to protect the privacy of reporters and the confidentiality of reports. Our PPCRS-DR provides the following interesting features: (1) for an event, an auditor can designate a reporter to report; (2) an auditor can neither see the report nor know the reporter’s identity from an encrypted report if the reporter is not the designated one; (3) when an auditor is unavailable, he/she can temporarily designate a delegatee to collect and review reports on behalf of him/her. We formalize both the definition and security model of our PPCRS-DR, and propose a concrete construction. Furthermore, the security of the proposed PPCRS-DR is formally proven. The implementation shows that it is efficient. The novelty is to implement flexible decryption delegation of CRSs and protect reporters’ privacy.
Proinflammatory cytokines driving cardiotoxicity in COVID-19
Authors: Colzani Maria , Bargehr Johannes , Mescia Federica , Williams Eleanor C , Knight-Schrijver Vincent , Lee Jonathan , Summers Charlotte , Mohorianu Irina , Smith Kenneth G C , Lyons Paul A , Sinha Sanjay
Published: December 2023

Aims

Cardiac involvement is common in patients hospitalized with COVID-19 and correlates with an adverse disease trajectory. While cardiac injury has been attributed to direct viral cytotoxicity, serum-induced cardiotoxicity secondary to serological hyperinflammation constitutes a potentially amenable mechanism that remains largely unexplored.

Methods and results

To investigate serological drivers of cardiotoxicity in COVID-19 we have established a robust bioassay that assessed the effects of serum from COVID-19 confirmed patients on human embryonic stem cell (hESC)-derived cardiomyocytes. We demonstrate that serum from COVID-19 positive patients significantly reduced cardiomyocyte viability independent of viral transduction, an effect that was also seen in non-COVID-19 acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Serum from patients with greater disease severity led to worse cardiomyocyte viability and this significantly correlated with levels of key inflammatory cytokines, including IL-6, TNF-α, IL1-β, IL-10, CRP, and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio with a specific reduction of CD4+ and CD8+ cells. Combinatorial blockade of IL-6 and TNF-α partly rescued the phenotype and preserved cardiomyocyte viability and function. Bulk RNA sequencing of serum-treated cardiomyocytes elucidated specific pathways involved in the COVID-19 response impacting cardiomyocyte viability, structure, and function. The observed effects of serum-induced cytotoxicity were cell-type selective as serum exposure did not adversely affect microvascular endothelial cell viability but resulted in endothelial activation and a procoagulant state.

Conclusion

These results provide direct evidence that inflammatory cytokines are at least in part responsible for the cardiovascular damage seen in COVID-19 and characterise the downstream activated pathways in human cardiomyocytes. The serum signature of patients with severe disease indicates possible targets for therapeutic intervention.
Rosalyn Higgins on International Organizations and International Law: The Value and Limits of a Policy-Oriented Approach
Authors: Daugirdas Kristina
Published: December 2023

Taking an approach to international law that embraced key features of the New Haven School, Rosalyn Higgins has made several important contributions to the law of international organizations. In 1963, at a time when no theory had addressed the work of the United Nations’ (UN) political organs, Higgins showed how General Assembly resolutions and other decisions contribute to the development of customary international law. She also demonstrated that, separate and apart from UN member states, the UN Secretariat was contributing to the development of customary international law regarding treaties. Later, as counsel for the International Tin Council and later rapporteur for the Institut de Droit International, Higgins put on the global agenda the issue of the accountability of international organizations for harm to third parties, highlighting gaps in existing law and competing policy concerns that precluded easy solutions. Higgins made two contributions in marking the path forward for theorizing about international organizations, one substantive and the other methodological. She highlighted the importance of considering international organizations in relation to the full range of actors with whom they interact, including private parties. As a methodological matter, Higgins demonstrated the value of an inductive approach where legal claims are grounded in close, detailed and careful observations of how international organizations actually operate.
Using self-reported health as a social determinants of health outcome: a scoping review of reviews
Authors: Wind Keiwan , Poland Blake , HakemZadeh Farimah , Jackson Suzanne , Tomlinson George , Jadad Alejandro
Published: December 2023

Reducing disease prevalence rather than promoting health has long been the objective of significant population health initiatives, such as the social determinants of health (SDH) framework. However, empirical evidence suggests that people with diagnosed diseases often answer the self-reported health (SRH) question positively. In pursuit of a better proxy to understand, measure and improve health, this scoping review of reviews examines the potential of SRH to be used as an outcome of interest in population health policies. Following PRISMA-ScR guidelines, it synthesizes findings from 77 review papers (published until 11 May 2022) and reports a robust association between SDH and SRH. It also investigates inconsistencies within and between reviews to reveal how variation in population health can be explained by studying the impact of contextual factors, such as cultural, social, economic and political elements, on structural determinants such as socioeconomic situation, gender and ethnicity. These insights provide informed hypotheses for deeper explorations of the role of SDH in improving SRH. The review detects several gaps in the literature. Notably, more evidence syntheses are required, in general, on the pathway from contextual elements to population SRH and, in particular, on the social determinants of adolescents’ SRH. This study reports a disease-oriented mindset in collecting, analysing and reporting SRH across the included reviews. Future studies should utilize the capability of SRH in interconnecting social, psychological and biological dimensions of health to actualize its full potential as a central public health measure.
Validation of the Modified Weight Bias Internalization Scale (WBIS-M) among First-Generation Asian Immigrants
Authors: Adams Vashti
Published: December 2023

Internalized weight bias (i.e., the application of negative weight-based stereotypes to one’s self-evaluation) is associated with adverse physical and mental health outcomes. The 10-item version of the Modified Weight Bias Internalization Scale (WBIS-M) is one of the most commonly used measures to assess internalized weight bias. However, studies examining the psychometric properties of the WBIS-M are limited in racially minoritized U.S.-based populations. The current study sought to examine the factor structure of the 10-item version of the WBIS-M in a sample of first-generation Asian immigrants, as both native and foreign-born Asian populations have consistently demonstrated higher rates of weight-related concerns relative to other racially minoritized groups. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to assess the factor structure, and a multiple indicator multiple cause modeling approach was used to assess associations between internalized weight bias and sociodemographic predictors. Results confirm the unidimensionality of the WBIS-M and provide preliminary support for a nine-item version. Identifying as a woman (p = .027) and perceiving oneself as overweight (p < .001) were significantly associated with greater internalized weight bias. When working with Asian and Asian American clients, mental health service providers should be aware of potential weight-related concerns and may consider using the WBIS-M to assess for internalized weight bias.
Influenza Vaccine Effectiveness Against Influenza A–Associated Emergency Department, Urgent Care, and Hospitalization Encounters Among US Adults, 2022–2023
Authors: Tenforde Mark W , Weber Zachary A , Yang Duck-Hye , DeSilva Malini B , Dascomb Kristin , Irving Stephanie A , Naleway Allison L , Gaglani Manjusha , Fireman Bruce , Lewis Ned , Zerbo Ousseny , Goddard Kristin , Timbol Julius , Hansen John R , Grisel Nancy , Arndorfer Julie , McEvoy Charlene E , Essien Inih J , Rao Suchitra , Grannis Shaun J , Kharbanda Anupam B , Natarajan Karthik , Ong Toan C , Embi Peter J , Ball Sarah W , Dunne Margaret M , Kirshner Lindsey , Wiegand Ryan E , Dickerson Monica , Patel Palak , Ray Caitlin , Flannery Brendan , Garg Shikha , Adams Katherine , Klein Nicola P
Published: December 2023

Background

The 2022–2023 United States influenza season had unusually early influenza activity with high hospitalization rates. Vaccine-matched A(H3N2) viruses predominated, with lower levels of A(H1N1)pdm09 activity also observed.

Methods

Using the test-negative design, we evaluated influenza vaccine effectiveness (VE) during the 2022–2023 season against influenza A–associated emergency department/urgent care (ED/UC) visits and hospitalizations from October 2022 to March 2023 among adults (aged ≥18 years) with acute respiratory illness (ARI). VE was estimated by comparing odds of seasonal influenza vaccination among case-patients (influenza A test positive by molecular assay) and controls (influenza test negative), applying inverse-propensity-to-be-vaccinated weights.

Results

The analysis included 85 389 ED/UC ARI encounters (17.0% influenza A positive; 37.8% vaccinated overall) and 19 751 hospitalizations (9.5% influenza A positive; 52.8% vaccinated overall). VE against influenza A–associated ED/UC encounters was 44% (95% confidence interval [CI], 40%–47%) overall and 45% and 41% among adults aged 18–64 and ≥65 years, respectively. VE against influenza A–associated hospitalizations was 35% (95% CI, 27%–43%) overall and 23% and 41% among adults aged 18–64 and ≥65 years, respectively.

Conclusions

VE was moderate during the 2022–2023 influenza season, a season characterized with increased burden of influenza and co-circulation with other respiratory viruses. Vaccination is likely to substantially reduce morbidity, mortality, and strain on healthcare resources.
Candidate molecules as alternative nitric oxide donors with better antibacterial property against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Guo Jingjing , Tian Xiaojing , Chen Sihong , Ma Chenwei , Bai Lei , Zhang Yafei , Yang Ning , Sun Mengjiao , Wang Wenhang
Published: December 2023

Aims

Four nitric oxide (NO) donors, S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO), S-nitrosocysteine (CySNO), S-nitroso-N-acetylcysteine (SNAC), and 2-(2-S-nitroso propionamide) acetic acid (GAS) were prepared and their physicochemical characteristics were analyzed. Besides, the antibacterial properties of NO donors were investigated against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus.

Methods and results

UV–visible absorption spectrum and Fourier transform infrared spectrum verified the successful preparation of RSNOs. All NO donors (10 mmol l−1) could release NO continuously, and the amount of NO release was from 80.22 μmol l−1 to 706.63 μmol l−1, in which the release of NO from SNAC was the highest, and the release of NO from NaNO2 was the least. The inhibition zone indicated that all NO donors showed stronger antibacterial activity against E. coli and S. aureus, and the antibacterial ability was in the order of SNAC > GSNO > CySNO > GAS > NaNO2 for both E. coli and S. aureus (P < 0.05). Scanning electron microscopy(SEM) showed that all NO donors could result in varying degrees of damage to cell wall and membrane of both E. coli and S. aureus and the damage of E. coli was more severe.

Conclusion

Four alternative NO donors were successfully synthesized. All alternative NO donors showed better antibacterial properties against E. coli and S. aureus than NaNO2.
Antifungal activity and mechanism of palmarosa essential oil against pathogen Botrytis cinerea in the postharvest onions
Authors: Kou Zhian , Zhang Jinfeng , Lan Qingqing , Liu Lu , Su Xu , Islam Rehmat , Tian Yongqiang
Published: December 2023

Aims

Botrytis cinerea is a pathogenic fungus that infests multiple crops, which causes a severe decrease in yield and generates substantial losses in the economy. Palmarosa essential oil (PEO) is a primary aromatic compound extracted from palmarosa that is commonly used for scent, medicine, and flavoring foods due to its diverse bioactive properties. In this study, we explored the antifungal activity and the main mechanism of action of PEO against B. cinerea. In addition, the components and control effects of PEO were also studied.

Methods and Results

The antifungal assay was tested using the mycelial growth rate method and colony morphology. The constituents of PEO were identified according to gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC–MS). The main mechanism of action of PEO was evaluated by measuring representative indicators, which consist of cell contents leakage, excess reactive oxygen species (ROS), and other related indicators. The results indicated that at a concentration of 0.60 ml l−1, PEO exhibits strong antifungal activity against B. cinerea. The PEO mainly included 13 compounds, of which citronellol (44.67%), benzyl benzoate (14.66%), and acetyl cedrene (9.63%) might be the main antifungal ingredients. The study elucidated the main mechanism of action of PEO against B. cinerea, which involved the disruption of cell membrane structure, resulting in altered the cell membrane permeability, leakage of cell contents, and accumulation of excess ROS.

Conclusions

PEO is a satisfactory biological control agent that inhibits B. cinerea in postharvest onions. PEO (0.60 ml l−1) exhibited strong antifungal activity by disrupting the cell membrane structure, altering cell membrane permeability, leading to the cell contents leakage, accumulation of excess ROS and increased level of Malondialdehyde (MDA) compared to the control group.
Measuring the Impact of Patient Engagement in Health Research: An Exploratory Study Using Multiple Survey Tools
Authors: Marshall Deborah A , Suryaprakash Nitya , Bryan Stirling , Barker Karis L , MacKean Gail , Zelinsky Sandra , McCarron Tamara L , Santana Maria J , Moayyedi Paul , Lavallee Danielle C
Published: December 2023

Background

Studies report various ways in which patients are involved in research design and conduct. Limited studies explore the influence of patient engagement (PE) at each research stage in qualitative research from the perspectives of all stakeholders.

Methods

We established two small research groups, a Patient Researcher-Led Group and an Academic Researcher-Led Group. We recruited patient research partners (PRP; n = 5), researchers (n = 5), and clinicians (n = 4) to design and conduct qualitative research aimed at identifying candidate attributes related to patient preferences for tapering biologic treatments in inflammatory bowel disease. We administered surveys before starting, two months into, and post-project work. The surveys contained items from three PE evaluation tools. We assessed the two groups regarding the influence and impact each stakeholder had during the different research stages.

Results

PRPs had a moderate or a great deal of influence on the critical research activities across the research stages. They indicated moderate/very/extremely meaningful engagement and agreed/strongly agreed impact of PE. PRPs helped operationalize the research question; design the study and approach; develop study materials; recruit participants; and collect and interpret the data.

Conclusion

The three tools together provide deeper insight into the influence of PE at each research stage. Lessons learnt from this study suggest that PE can impact many aspects of research including the design, process, and approach in the context of qualitative research, increasing the patient-centeredness of the study. More comprehensive validated tools are required that work with a more diverse subject pool and in other contexts.
The effect of patient’s body weight, infusion connection point, and infusion pump position on intravenous multi-infusion drug delivery at low infusion rates suitable for premature neonates
Authors: Krysiak Kamelia , Cleary Brian , McCallion Naomi , O’Brien Fiona
Published: December 2023

Introduction

Parenteral drug administration in the neonatal intensive care involves complex pharmacotherapy adjusted for the patient’s weight, fluid allowance, and complex multi-infusion systems.

Objectives

We investigated the delivery rate of a model drug through a multi-infusion system consisting of six intravenous infusions.

Methods

Delivery rate of the model drug was determined after infusion initiation and termination. Measurements were collected spectrophotometrically in real time. Time to drug delivery and the amount of drug delivered were measured.

Key findings

The longest time to drug delivery was observed for a 500 g neonate model with a distal infusion connection point and neutral pump position (337 ± 30 min, P < 0.001). The shortest time was observed for a 1000 g neonate model in the combination of proximal infusion connection point and neutral pump position (18 ± 12 min, P < 0.05). The expected 100% of the drug was delivered only in two combinations: 500 g and 1000 g neonate models, proximal infusion connection point and neutral pump position (100.4 ± 4.7%, P = 0.819 and 100.2 ± 2.7%, P = 0.874, respectively). While the least drug was delivered to a 500 g neonate model in the combination of distal infusion connection point and neutral pump position (27.5 ± 5.8%, P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Delayed drug delivery to premature neonates due to multi-infusion systems may compromise accurate drug administration and lead to dosing errors.
Phenomenological emergent dark energy versus the ΛCDM: ellipticity of cosmic voids
Authors: Ebrahimi Esmaeil
Published: December 2023

We disclose the influences of the phenomenological emergent dark energy (PEDE) and its generalization (GEDE) on the distribution of tidal ellipticity of the cosmic voids. We also compare our results with that of the standard ΛCDM cosmology. The underlying models consist with recent observations (specially in favour of H0 tension) and may impact the cosmic voids geometry. We employ the analytic approach based on statistics of the tidal tensor eigenvalues. We confirm a significant sensitivity of the ellipticity distribution function for PEDE and GEDE cosmology. We observe the largest deviation from the standard cosmology for GEDE in the range ($z\gt 0, R_{\mathrm{L}}\ge 4\, h^{-1}\, \mathrm{Mpc}$). Working on these distribution functions we reveal that the mean ellipticity (〈ε〉) profile of GEDE versus redshift lies below than that of PEDE and ΛCDM indicating that GEDE leads to a less elongated society of voids with respect to other models. We also identify a tight correlation between σ8 and the mean ellipticity evolution. Finally, we explore the mean ellipticity versus RL and estimate that in this case GEDE leads to a different ellipticity curve (up to 11 ${{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ smaller than that of ΛCDM).
Predictions for electromagnetic counterparts to Neutron Star mergers discovered during LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA observing runs 4 and 5
Authors: Shah Ved G , Narayan Gautham , Perkins Haille M L , Foley Ryan J , Chatterjee Deep , Cousins Bryce , Macias Phillip
Published: December 2023

We present a comprehensive, configurable open-source software framework for estimating the rate of electromagnetic detection of kilonovae (KNe) associated with gravitational wave detections of binary neutron star (BNS) mergers. We simulate the current LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA (LVK) observing run (O4) using current sensitivity and uptime values as well as using predicted sensitivites for the next observing run (O5). We find the number of discoverable kilonovae during LVK O4 to be ${ 1}_{- 1}^{+ 4}$ or ${ 2 }_{- 2 }^{+ 3 }$, (at 90 per cent confidence) depending on the distribution of NS masses in coalescing binaries, with the number increasing by an order of magnitude during O5 to ${ 19 }_{- 11 }^{+ 24 }$. Regardless of mass model, we predict at most five detectable KNe (at 95 per cent confidence) in O4. We also produce optical and near-infrared light curves that correspond to the physical properties of each merging system. We have collated important information for allocating observing resources for search and follow-up observations, including distributions of peak magnitudes in several broad-bands and time-scales for which specific facilities can detect each KN. The framework is easily adaptable, and new simulations can quickly be produced in response to updated information such as refined merger rates and NS mass distributions. Finally, we compare our suite of simulations to the thus-far completed portion of O4 (as of 2023, October 14), finding a median number of discoverable KNe of 0 and a 95 percentile upper limit of 2, consistent with no detections so far in O4.
Quantifying chaos and randomness in magnetar bursts
Authors: Yamasaki Shotaro , Göğüș Ersin , Hashimoto Tetsuya
Published: December 2023

In this study, we explore the dynamical stability of magnetar bursts within the context of the chaos-randomness phase space for the first time, aiming to uncover unique behaviours compared to various astrophysical transients, including fast radio bursts (FRBs). We analyse burst energy time series data from active magnetar sources SGR J1550−5418 and SGR J1935+2154, focusing on burst arrival time and energy differences between consecutive events. We find a distinct separation in the time domain, where magnetar bursts exhibit significantly lower randomness compared to FRBs, solar flares, and earthquakes, with a slightly higher degree of chaos. In the energy domain, magnetar bursts exhibit a broad consistency with other phenomena, primarily due to the wide distribution of chaos-randomness observed across different bursts and sources. Intriguingly, contrary to expectations from the FRB-magnetar connection, the arrival time patterns of magnetar bursts in our analysis do not exhibit significant proximity to repeating FRBs in the chaos-randomness plane. This finding may challenge the hypothesis that FRBs are associated with typical magnetar bursts but indirectly supports the evidence that FRBs may primarily be linked to special magnetar bursts like peculiar X-ray bursts from SGR J1935+2154 observed simultaneously with Galactic FRB 200428.
Nasopharyngeal Viral Load Is the Major Driver of Incident Antibody Immune Response to SARS-CoV-2 Infection
Authors: Xu Meng , O’Brien Meagan P , Hooper Andrea T , Forleo-Neto Eduardo , Isa Flonza , Hou Peijie , Chan Kuo-Chen , Cohen Myron S , Marovich Mary A , Hamilton Jennifer D , Hirshberg Boaz , Herman Gary A , Musser Bret J
Published: December 2023

Background

Virologic determinants of seroconversion to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection were defined in a post hoc analysis of prospectively studied vaccine- and infection-naïve individuals at high risk for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Methods

This phase 3 COVID-19 prevention trial (NCT04452318) with casirivimab and imdevimab was conducted in July 2020–February 2021, before widespread vaccine availability. Placebo-treated participants who were uninfected (SARS-CoV-2 quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction [RT-qPCR] negative) and seronegative were assessed weekly for 28 days (efficacy assessment period [EAP]) for COVID-19 symptoms and SARS-CoV-2 infection by RT-qPCR of nasopharyngeal swab samples and for serostatus by antinucleocapsid immunoglobulin (Ig) G. Regression-based modeling, including causal mediation analysis, estimated the effects of viral load on seroconversion.

Results

Of 157/1069 (14.7%) uninfected and seronegative (for antispike IgG, antispike IgA, and antinucleocapsid IgG) participants who became infected during the EAP, 105 (65%) seroconverted. The mean (SD) maximum viral load of seroconverters was 7.23 (1.68) log10 copies/mL vs 4.8 (2.2) log10 copies/mL in those who remained seronegative; viral loads of ∼6.0 log10 copies/mL better predicted seroconversion. The mean of the maximum viral load was 7.11 log10 copies/mL in symptomatic participants vs 5.58 log10 copies/mL in asymptomatic participants. The mean duration of detectable viral load was longer in seroconverted vs seronegative participants: 3.24 vs 1.63 weeks.

Conclusions

Maximum SARS-CoV-2 viral load is a major driver of seroconversion and symptomatic COVID-19, with high viral loads (∼6.0 log10 copies/mL) better predicting seroconversion. Serology underestimates infection rates, incidence, and prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Ownership Beneath: Transparency of Land Ownership in Times of Economic Crime
Authors: Douglas Simon , Layard Antonia
Published: December 2023

This article considers ‘ownership beneath’ in light of the Economic Crime (Transparency and Enforcement) Act 2022, which has introduced a new Schedule 4A into the Land Registration Act 2002. The legislation, with notable exceptions, requires overseas entities to publicly reveal their beneficial owners, with criminal and land law consequences if transparency requirements are not met. The article explores how ownership beneath operates and can be made more transparent, noting the three different forms of beneficial ownership employed: as control, behind a trust and as a consequence. Emphasising the distinctive nature of beneficial ownership of land, the analysis recommends amending ECTEA 2022 to focus on land ownership, not merely landowning overseas entities, facilitating greater transparency by expanding the definition of registrable beneficial owners, closing the loophole where information is not available and requiring public disclosure of most trust information.
Practitioner perspectives on climate mobilities in South Florida
Authors: Mach Katharine J , Niemann Jennifer , Donald Rosalind , Owley Jessica , Seeteram Nadia A , Siders A R , Cortada Xavier I , Nyburg Alex , Roberti Adam , Wright Ian A
Published: December 2023

Moving away from hazardous areas may be an important adaptive response under intensifying climate change, but to date such movement has been controversial and conducted with limited government or private-sector support. Research has emphasized resident perspectives on mobility, but understanding how professionals view it may open new avenues to shape future outcomes. Based on 76 interviews with professionals involved in climate responses in South Florida, we evaluate perceptions of adaptation goals, the potential role of climate mobilities in pathways supporting those goals, and associated constraints and enablers. The practitioners interviewed anticipate multiple types of climate mobilities will occur in the region, at increasing scales. Interviewees perceive climate mobilities at present, especially migration and gentrification where climate plays some role, as causing distributional inequities and financial and sociocultural disruptions, and they view existing adaptive strategies as best serving those who already have adequate resources, despite practitioners’ personal commitments to social justice goals. Although many practitioners feel prepared for their own, limited roles related to climate mobilities, they judge the region as a whole as being unprepared to support the retreat they see as inevitable, with a need for a more ambitious long-term transition plan. Achieving this need will be difficult, as practitioners indicate that climate mobilities remain hard to talk about politically. Nevertheless, interviewees believe some households are already considering moving in response to climate risks. Discussions of climate mobilities, through interviews and far beyond, may encourage more mindful choices about and engagement in climate-driven transformations.
What Is The Public? A Pragmatic Analysis of a Core Concept in Public Administration
Authors: Whetsell Travis A
Published: December 2023

The discipline of public administration has grappled with concepts regarding the public for well over a century. Scholars from public opinion, public choice, and public value(s) have analyzed myriad elements of administration related to the public. Scholars also have applied numerous concepts from philosophical pragmatism to public administration. However, detailed explorations of the fundamental concept of the public remain surprisingly sparse. The public remains eclipsed by administration. In this essay, I analyze the concept of the public focusing on the works of John Dewey. Viewed through this lens, publics emerge when social interaction generates unreglated effects on communities that respond by organizing collective or state action, a process which I refer to as the realization of the pragmatic public. I juxtapose the theory with multiple extant literature on public administration, including public choice, transaction costs, and public value(s). I identify consistencies and inconsistencies to provide a pluralistic yet coherent framework in the hope of revealing points of departure for future theory development. Finally, I reframe and extend the pragmatic public by applying the insights of contemporary scholarship in networks and complexity theory.
Delimiting phylogeographic diversity in the genomic era: application to an Iberian endemic frog
Authors: Dufresnes Christophe , Ambu Johanna , Galán Pedro , Sequeira Fernando , Viesca Leticia , Choda Magdalena , Álvarez David , Alard Bérénice , Suchan Tomasz , Künzel Sven , Martínez-Solano Iñigo , Vences Miguel , Nicieza Alfredo
Published: December 2023

The rich genetic and phenotypic diversity of species complexes is best recognized through formal taxonomic naming, but one must first assess the evolutionary history of phylogeographic lineages to identify and delimit candidate taxa. Using genomic markers, mitochondrial DNA barcoding, and morphometric analyses, we examined lineage diversity and distribution in the Iberian endemic frog Rana parvipalmata. We confirmed two deep phylogeographic lineages, one relatively homogenous genetically, found in Asturias and adjacent areas (T2), and one more fragmented and locally genetically impoverished, restricted to Galicia (T1). Analyses of their hybrid zone suggested a shallow transition characterized by far-ranging admixture, which was modelled by a wide geographic cline (~60 km for the genome average) and no obvious barrier loci (i.e. loci showing disproportionally restricted introgression). The relatively young T1 and T2 have thus remained reproductively compatible, which argues against their distinction as biological species, and we accordingly describe T2 as a new subspecies, Rana parvipalmata asturiensis ssp. nov. Remarkably, we highlight striking discordances between mitochondrial and nuclear distributions across their hybrid zones, as well as between their genetic and morphological differentiation. Our study illustrates how genomic-based phylogeographic frameworks can help decipher the high genetic and phenotypic variation of species complexes and substantiate the taxonomic assessment of candidate lineages.
Myrmecophagy in lizards: evolutionary and ecological implications
Authors: Cavalcanti Lucas B Q , Costa Gabriel C , Colli Guarino R , Pianka Eric R , Vitt Laurie J , Mesquita Daniel O
Published: December 2023

Myrmecophagy is one of the most common dietary specializations among vertebrates. Ants are an important food resource for many lizard species. Here, we use a large dataset on ant consumption by lizards (345 species, 33 families) to explore evolutionary and ecological correlates of myrmecophagy across the evolutionary history of lizards. Based on literature and previous empirical work, we develop and test the following hypotheses about myrmecophagy: (i) it does not occur randomly across Squamata; it is correlated with (ii) foraging mode, (iii) habitat, (iv) body size, (v) aridity, and/or (vi) species range size. We found that ant ingestion is not distributed randomly in the phylogeny, with higher ingestion concentrated in some Iguania. Myrmecophagy also evolved in Lacertoidea and it is a derived trait with relatively recent origin. Foraging mode, habitat, body size, and aridity do not influence ant ingestion. Species with smaller range sizes show high variability in ant ingestion, whereas lizards with larger ranges tend to eat a lower proportion of ants. This result confirms the general ecological pattern that specialization is more common in narrowly distributed species. We suggest that future studies should also explore dietary specialization more broadly and provide a better taxonomic resolution of ant species in the diet of lizards.
Trends and hotspots related to traditional and modern approaches on acupuncture for stroke: A bibliometric and visualization analysis
Authors: Chuang Chao-Yu , Chou Willy , Chien Tsair-Wei , Jen Tung-Hui
Published: December 2023

Background:

Acupuncture role in stroke treatment and post-stroke rehabilitation has garnered significant attention. However, there is a noticeable gap in bibliometric studies on this topic. Additionally, the precision and comprehensive methodology of cluster analysis remain underexplored. This research sought to introduce an innovative cluster analysis technique (called follower-leading clustering algorithm, FLCA) to evaluate global publications and trends related to acupuncture for stroke in the recent decade.

Methods:

Publications pertaining to acupuncture for stroke from 2013 to 2022 were sourced from the Web of Science Core Collection. For the assessment of publication attributes—including contributing countries/regions (e.g., US states, provinces, and major cities in China) in comparison to others, institutions, departments, authors, journals, and keywords—we employed bibliometric visualization tools combined with the FLCA algorithm. The analysis findings, inclusive of present research status, prospective trends, and 3 influential articles, were presented through bibliometrics with visualizations.

Results:

We identified 1050 publications from 92 countries/regions. An initial gradual rise in publication numbers was observed until 2019, marking a pivotal juncture. Prominent contributors in research, based on criteria such as regions, institutions, departments, and authors, were Beijing (China), Beijing Univ Chinese Med (China), the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, and Lidian Chen (Fujian). The journal “Evid.-based Complement Altern” emerged as the most productive. The FLCA algorithm was effectively employed for co-word and author collaboration analyses. Furthermore, we detail the prevailing research status, anticipated trends, and 3 standout articles via bibliometrics.

Conclusion:

Acupuncture for stroke presents a vast research avenue. It is imperative for scholars from various global regions and institutions to transcend academic boundaries to foster dialogue and cooperation. For forthcoming bibliometric investigations, the application of the FLCA algorithm for cluster analysis is advocated.
Radiographical presentations of inadvertent subdural placement of an epidural catheter for successful labor analgesia: A case report
Authors: Chen Wei-An , Wu Ming-Cheng , Lam Chen-Fuh , Ou Chang-Hsien
Published: December 2023

Rationale:

Lumbar epidural analgesia is the gold standard for labor pain control. However, misplacement of epidural catheters into the subdural space may inadvertently happen. Unrecognized subdural administration of local anesthetics could result in serious consequences, including high spinal and brainstem blocks. This case report describes a case where subdural epidural catheter placement was recognized early but labor pain was adequately managed by dosage titration of subdural analgesia.

Patient concerns:

This case report describes a 29-year-old primiparous pregnant woman who was admitted to our obstetric unit for labor induction at the gestational age of 38 weeks. An epidural catheter was inserted via the L2-3 intervertebral space using the standard loss of resistance to air technique.

Diagnoses:

The parturient experienced weakness in the lower extremities and numbness in the upper extremities within 15 minutes after administration of 5 mL of 2% v/v lidocaine as a loading dose and systolic blood pressure also dropped by 25%.

Interventions:

The dose regimen (a mixture of 0.1% ropivacaine and 4 μg/mL fentanyl) for patient-controlled analgesia was given with bolus doses of 0.1 mL per demand and lockout intervals of 20 minutes. The analgesic effects were adequately maintained below the T8 dermatome for more than 12 hours without hypotensive episodes or obvious signs of neurological deficits. Computed tomographic myelography was performed by instillation of a nonionic iodinated contrast medium via the epidural catheter on postpartum day 2 for imaging confirmation of catheter placement in the extradural space.

Lessons:

Early recognition that epidural catheters for neuraxial analgesia have been inserted into the subdural space is important for the prevention of high spinal blocks. Subdural analgesia could still be achieved by careful clinical assessment and titration of low analgesic doses. This report also presents important and clear serial computed tomographic images of catheter placement in the thoracic-lumbar subdural spaces and the extent of volume spread in the subdural space following administration of contrast medium.
Music Intervention for older adults: Evidence Map of Systematic Reviews
Authors: Ma Guiyue , Ma Xiaoqin
Published: December 2023

Background:

With the increasing aging population, the health problems of the elderly have received increasing attention. As a non-pharmacological interventions, music intervention has been widely used in clinical practice to improve the physical and mental health of the elderly. This article aims to provide a comprehensive review of existing systematic reviews on the health effects of music interventions for older adults in clinical practice.

Methods:

The study utilized the evidence map methodology, which involved identifying all relevant systematic reviews, meta-analysis from 7 electronic databases from their inception to November 2022. The studies were analyzed using AMSTAR 2.

Results:

The researchers identified 67 studies, with the majority published in the past 5 years. The effects of music interventions were categorized into 4 groups of health outcomes: positive (58 results), potentially positive (4 results), inconclusive (2 results), and no effect (3 results). The health outcomes were further classified into 5 groups: psychological well-being, cognitive functioning, physiological responses, quality of life, and overall well-being.

Conclusions:

The study revealed that music interventions for older adults can have positive or potentially positive effects on health outcomes, encompassing psychological well-being, cognitive functioning, physiological responses, quality of life, and overall well-being. However, some studies yielded inconclusive or no effect. The study offers valuable insights for healthcare professionals and serves as a visual resource to access evidence-based information on the use of music interventions in promoting health and addressing various conditions in older adults.
Ovarian cancer disease burden decreased in the United States from 1975 to 2018: A joinpoint and age-period-cohort analysis
Authors: He Jiahui , Hu Qinyong
Published: December 2023

Ovarian cancer (OC) is the leading cause of gynecological cancer-related deaths in the United States. The purpose of this study was to evaluate long-term trends in OC incidence and incidence-based mortality rates (IBM) in the U.S. from 1975 to 2018 and to assess the effects of age, period, and cohort factors on OC incidence and mortality using an age-period-cohort model. We obtained data from the U.S. OC incidence/mortality data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database from 1975 to 2018. Joinpoint regression analysis was used to determine long-term trends and transitions, and an age-period-cohort model was used to quantify the effects of age, period, and cohort parameters on incidence and mortality. In addition, 1990 to 2019 U.S. OC data obtained from the Global Burden of Disease study served as a potential validation set. Between 1975 and 2018, 80,622 new cases of OC and 60,218 deaths from OC were reported in the U.S. The average annual percent change for OC incidence was −1.33 (95% CI: −1.64 to −1.02, P < .001), with a significant decrease in incidence at a rate of 7.80% (95% CI: −11.52 to −3.92) per year from to 2015–2018. IBM reached its peak for the U.S. population in 1994, with an age-standardized mortality rate of 6.38 (per 100,000 people). IBM rose first, peaked in 1986, and then declined at a rate of 0.39% (95% CI: −0.66 to −0.12) and 2.48% (95% CI: −3.09 to −1.85) per year from to 1986–2007 and 2007–2018, respectively. In addition, age-period-cohort model analysis showed the highest risk of OC incidence in 1980 to 1984 and the highest risk of OC death in 1985–1989. This study reported a significant decline in OC morbidity and mortality in the U.S. since 1986. In addition, this study analyzed the changes in trends in OC incidence and mortality by race/ethnicity in the U.S. Monitoring trends in OC incidence and mortality by race/ethnicity can help in the development of targeted prevention and treatment measures.
Ethical perspective on AI hazards to humans: A review
Authors: Chen Changye , Chen Ziyu , Luo Wenyu , Xu Ying , Yang Sixia , Yang Guozhao , Chen Xuhong , Chi Xiaoxia , Xie Ni , Zeng Zhuoying
Published: December 2023

This article explores the potential ethical hazards of artificial intelligence (AI) on society from an ethical perspective. We introduce the development and application of AI, emphasizing its potential benefits and possible negative impacts. We particularly examine the application of AI in the medical field and related ethical and legal issues, and analyze potential hazards that may exist in other areas of application, such as autonomous driving, finance, and security. Finally, we offer recommendations to help policymakers, technology companies, and society as a whole address the potential hazards of AI. These recommendations include strengthening regulation and supervision of AI, increasing public understanding and awareness of AI, and actively exploring how to use the advantages of AI to achieve a more just, equal, and sustainable social development. Only by actively exploring the advantages of AI while avoiding its negative impacts can we better respond to future challenges.
Sotos syndrome treated with traditional Chinese medicine and rehabilitation: Case report
Authors: Chen Si , Zou Pinfang , Ge Liyuan , Cheng Xinran
Published: December 2023

Rationale:

Sotos syndrome is an congenital overgrowth syndrome characterized by the primary features including overgrowth, distinctive facial features, learning disability, and accompanied with various second features. NSD1 deletion or mutation is a major pathogenic cause. Although there are some reports on treatment of this disease worldwide, less cases under treatment have been published in China.

Patient concerns:

A 1-year-old boy had macrocephaly, gigantism, excessive high body height, a particular face and delayed development, with a pathogenic gene of NSD1 (NM_022455.5:c.3536delA in exon 5).

Diagnosis and interventions:

The child was definitely diagnosed as Sotos syndrome and have 3 months’ combination treatment of traditional Chinese medicine and rehabilitation.

Outcomes:

The child made a great progress in global development.

Lessons:

This case firstly describes the traditional Chinese medicine and rehabilitation to treat Sotos syndrome in China. There is no radical cure, but our therapy could improve the prognosis and the life quality of the patient. Therefore, this case provides a reference to the clinical treatment of Sotos syndrome.
Association of the LPA gene polymorphisms with coronary artery disease risk in the Xinjiang population of China: A case–control study
Authors: Liu Yi-Wen , Dong Chun-Lan , Jiang Xue , Liu Deng-Yao
Published: December 2023

Lipoprotein(a) is a well-known independent risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD) and primarily determined by variation in the LPA gene coding for the apolipoprotein(a) moiety. Our study purpose was to evaluate the association between the human LPA gene polymorphisms and CAD in Han and Uyghur populations in Xinjiang, China. A case–control study was conducted with 831 Han people (392 CAD patients and 439 control subjects) and 829 Uygur people (513 CAD patients and 316 control subjects). All participants were genotyped for the same 3 single nucleotide polymorphisms (rs1801693, rs6923877, and rs9364559) of the LPA gene by a Real-time PCR instrument. In CAD patients, the levels of lipoprotein(a) were significantly higher in the Han population with the C/C genotype at the rs1801693 (P = .018) and the A/A genotype at the rs9364559 (P = .029) than in the Uyghur population. The polymorphisms rs1801693, rs6923877, and rs9364559 were found to be associated with CAD in the Han population. For men, the distribution of rs1801693 in genotypes, alleles and recessive model (CC vs CT + TT) showed a significant difference (all P < .05), and the difference in recessive model was retained after adjustment for covariates (odds ratio [OR]: 0.557, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.355–0.874, P = .011). But the distribution of rs6923877 in genotypes and dominant model (GG vs AG + AA) showed a significant difference (both P < .05) in both men and women, and the difference was kept in dominant model after adjustment (OR: 1.473, 95% CI:1.009–2.148, P = .045). For women, a significant difference was found in the distribution of rs9364559 in the alleles and dominant model (AA vs AG + GG) (for alleles: P = .021, for dominant model: P = .025, OR: 0.560, 95% CI:0.350–0.898, P = .016) after adjustment. Polymorphisms rs1801693, rs6923877, and rs9364559 of the LPA gene are associated with CAD in the Han population in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of China.
Rational design peptide inhibitors of Cyclophilin D as a potential treatment for acute pancreatitis
Authors: Li Yuehong , Liu Ting , Lai Xiaoyan , Xie Huifang , Tang Heng , Wu Shuangchan , Li Yongshun
Published: December 2023

Cyclophilin D (CypD) is a mitochondrial matrix peptidyl prolidase that regulates the mitochondrial permeability transition pore. Inhibition of CypD was suggested as a therapeutic strategy for acute pancreatitis. Peptide inhibitors emerged as novel binding ligand for blocking receptor activity. In this study, we present our computational approach for designing peptide inhibitors of CypD. The 3-D structure of random peptides were built, and docked into the active center of CypD using Rosetta script integrated FlexPepDock module. The peptide displayed the lowest binding energy against CypD was further selected for virtual iterative mutation based on virtual mutagenesis and molecular docking. Finally, the top 5 peptides with the lowest binding energy was selected for validating their affinity against CypD using inhibitory assay. We showed 4 out of the selected 5 peptides were capable for blocking the activity of CypD, while WACLQ display the strongest affinity against CypD, which reached 0.28 mM. The binding mechanism between WACLQ and CypD was characterized using molecular dynamics simulation. Here, we proved our approach can be a robust method for screening peptide inhibitors.