bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Leaving no one behind? Addressing inequitable HIV outcomes by attending to diversity: A qualitative study exploring the needs of LGBTQI+ young people living with HIV in Zimbabwe
Authors: Lariat Joni , Mavhu Webster , Mudhumo Thandiwe , Shaba Pueshpa , Sibanda Sharon , Mbundure Rufaro , Wogrin Carol , Mutsinze Abigail , Willis Nicola , Bernays Sarah
Published: January 2024

Leaving nobody behind in the fight to end the HIV epidemic as a public health threat depends on addressing inequities in optimal HIV outcomes. Consistently overlooked in research, policy and programming are young lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning and intersex (LGBTQI+) people who are living with HIV. This study engaged young LGBTQI+ people in Zimbabwe to better understand their experiences of living with HIV and the support they need. Between September 2022 and February 2023, we conducted qualitative research with 14 LGBTQI+ young people (18–24 years), (two focus group discussions and in-depth interviews with 5/14). All 14 participants were accessing a LGBTQI+ HIV support group at Zvandiri (‘As I Am’), a well-established community-based HIV program. We conducted thematic analysis and key findings informed the collaborative development of internal activities to further enhance inclusivity of LGBTQI+ young people within Zvandiri’s programs. There was consensus among participants that being LGBTQI+ and living with HIV leads to “double stigma and double trouble”, involving physical and verbal harassment, social exclusion and family rejection. Participants concealed their LGBTQI+ identity and HIV status in most situations, and many withheld their HIV status in LGBTQI+ social spaces, including community-led LGBTQI+ services. This negatively impacted their psychosocial well-being and social connectedness. Participants described positive experiences of Zvandiri. Interacting with others living with HIV in a destigmatising environment promoted self-acceptance. However, reflecting their prevailing experiences, participants were cautious about revealing their sexuality and/or gender identity at Zvandiri outside of their support group. Ensuring equitable access to HIV care, including mental health support, relies on understanding the challenges experienced by those most marginalised. Critically important is understanding the impact of intersectional stigma on LGBTQI+ young peoples’ social lives, and their access to services. Community-based HIV support programs are well-positioned to support and advance this group’s health rights.
Living with depression and diabetes: A qualitative study in Bangladesh and Pakistan
Authors: Jennings Hannah Maria , Anas Ashraful , Asmat Sara , Naz Anum , Afaq Saima , Ahmed Naveed , Aslam Faiza , Gomez Gerardo Zavala , Siddiqi Najma , Ekers David
Published: January 2024

Diabetes and depression are both serious health conditions. While their relationship is bidirectional and each condition adversely affects outcomes for the other, they are treated separately. In low and middle income countries, such as Bangladesh and Pakistan, health systems are already stretched and the integration of diabetes and depression care is rarely a priority. Within this context through interviews with patients, healthcare workers and policy makers the study explored: lived experiences of people living with depression and diabetes, current practice in mental health and diabetes care and barriers and perspectives on integrating a brief psychological therapy into diabetes care. The findings of the study included: differing patient and practitioner understandings of distress/depression, high levels of stigma for mental health and a lack of awareness and training on treating depression. While it was apparent there is a need for more holistic care and the concept of a brief psychological intervention appeared acceptable to participants, many logistical barriers to integrating a mental health intervention into diabetes care were identified. The study highlights the importance of context and of recognising drivers and understandings of distress when planning for more integrated mental and physical health services, and specifically when adapting and implementing a new intervention into existing services.
Accessible independent housing for people with disabilities: A scoping review of promising practices, policies and interventions
Authors: Lindsay Sally , Fuentes Kristina , Ragunathan Sharmigaa , Li Yiyan , Ross Timothy
Published: January 2024

Background

Accessible housing is imperative to enabling independent living for many people with disabilities; yet, research consistently shows how people with disabilities often lack appropriate accessible housing and are more likely to experience unaffordable, insecure, and/or poor quality housing. Therefore, the aim of this study was to understand promising practices, policies and interventions regarding accessible independent housing for people with disabilities.

Methods

We conducted a scoping review that involved searching seven international literature databases that identified 4831 studies, 60 of which met our inclusion criteria.

Results

The reviewed studies involved 18 countries over a 20-year period. Our review highlighted the following key trends: (1) removing barriers to obtaining accessible housing (e.g., advocacy, builders enhancing housing supply, subsidies and financial incentives); (2) policies influencing accessible housing; (3) interventions to enhance accessible housing (i.e., home modifications, smart homes, mobile applications and other experimental devices); and (4) the impact of accessible independent housing on health and wellbeing.

Conclusions

Our findings emphasize the importance of accessible housing for people with disabilities and the urgent need to advance accessible housing options.
Stratigraphic architecture of the Belly River Group (Campanian, Cretaceous) in the plains of southern Alberta: Revisions and updates to an existing model and implications for correlating dinosaur-rich strata
Authors: Eberth David A.
Published: January 2024

The Upper Cretaceous (Campanian) Belly River Group (BRG) of southern Alberta has a complex internal stratigraphic architecture derived from differential geometries of its component formations that resulted from regionalized tectonic influences and shifting source areas. A full understanding of BRG architecture has been compromised heretofore by a limited understanding of subsurface data in southwestern- and southeastern-most Alberta. In this study outcrop exposures throughout southern Alberta are tied to reference well logs and subsurface cross-sections allowing a more precise understanding of BRG architecture and how it relates to well-known vertebrate fossil producing areas. Modifications to an existing stratigraphic model of the BRG show that the Oldman and the Dinosaur Park formations have reciprocal north-to-south wedge-shaped geometries and a diachronous contact that become prominently expressed south of Twp 12. The updated model also demonstrates that the Oldman Formation thickens stratigraphically up-section to the south, and that the Foremost-Oldman contact is, essentially, a datum across much of southern Alberta. Identification of the Oldman Formation in the subsurface remains based on its relatively high gamma-ray response in mudstone successions, but it is also recognized that many of its sandstones exhibit relatively low gamma-ray responses like those in underlying and overlying formations. Nomenclature and subdivisions of the Oldman Formation are revised to accommodate this updated understanding, and modifications are also made to the definition of the Judith River-Belly River discontinuity, a newly recognized surface that marks the onset of accommodation and eustatic rise in sea-level in the northern Western Interior Basin at ~76.3 Ma.
β2-glycoprotein I promotes the clearance of circulating mitochondria
Authors: Dasgupta Swapan Kumar , Gollamudi Jahnavi , Rivera Stefanie , Poche Ross A. , Rumbaut Rolando E. , Thiagarajan Perumal
Published: January 2024

β2-glycoprotein I (β2-Gp1) is a cardiolipin-binding plasma glycoprotein. It is evolutionarily conserved from invertebrates, and cardiolipin-bound β2-Gp1 is a major target of antiphospholipid antibodies seen in autoimmune disorders. Cardiolipin is almost exclusively present in mitochondria, and mitochondria are present in circulating blood. We show that β2-Gp1 binds to cell-free mitochondria (CFM) in the circulation and promotes its phagocytosis by macrophages at physiological plasma concentrations. Exogenous CFM had a short circulation time of less than 10 minutes in mice. Following infusion of CFM, β2-Gp1-deficient mice had significantly higher levels of transfused mitochondria at 5 minutes (9.9 ± 6.4 pg/ml versus 4.0 ± 2.3 pg/ml in wildtype, p = 0.01) and at 10 minutes (3.0 ± 3.6 pg/ml versus 1.0 ± 0.06 pg/ml in wild-type, p = 0.033, n = 10). In addition, the splenic macrophages had less phagocytosed CFM in β2-Gp1-deficient mice (24.4 ± 2.72% versus 35.6 ± 3.5 in wild-type, p = 0.001, n = 5). A patient with abnormal β2-Gp1, unable to bind cardiolipin, has increased CFM in blood (5.09 pg/ml versus 1.26 ± 1.35 in normal) and his plasma induced less phagocytosis of CFM by macrophages (47.3 ± 1.6% versus 54.3 ± 1.3, p = 0.01) compared to normal plasma. These results show the evolutionarily conserved β2-Gp1 is one of the mediators of the clearance of CFM in circulation.
Compliance towards WHO recommendations on antenatal care for a positive pregnancy experience: Timeliness and adequacy of antenatal care visit in Sub-Saharan African countries: Evidence from the most recent standard Demographic Health Survey data
Authors: Habte Aklilu , Tamene Aiggan , Melis Tamirat
Published: January 2024

Background

Timely and adequate antenatal care (ANC) visits are known to reduce maternal mortality by 20%. Despite the World Health Organization updating its recommendations from four to eight antenatal care contacts, data reporting in the SSA region focused primarily on four visits, and evidence on the timing and adequacy of ANC based on the current recommendation was limited. Hence, this study aimed at assessing the level of timely and adequate ANC visits and their determinants in the 18 Sub-Saharan African countries with the most recent DHS report (2016–2021).

Methods

The data for this study were pooled from the most recent standardized Demographic and Health Survey data of sub-Saharan African countries from 2016–2021. A total of 171,183 (with a weighted frequency of 171,488) women were included and analyzed by using STATA version 16. To account for data clustering, a multivariable multilevel mixed-effect logistic regression analysis was run to determine the effects of each predictor on the receipt of timely and adequate ANC. Adjusted odds ratio with its corresponding 95% confidence interval was used to declare the statistical significance of the independent variables.

Results

The receipt of timely and adequate antenatal care visits was 41.2% (95% CI: 40.9, 41.4) and 10.4% (95% CI: 9.9, 10.2), respectively. Wontedness of pregnancy [AOR = 1.18; 95% CI: 1.13, 1.24], being 1st birth order [AOR = 1.48; 95% CI: 1.41, 2.54], having a mobile phone [AOR = 1.49; 95% CI: 1.26, 2.32], and enrolled in Health insurance schemes [AOR = 2.03; 95% CI: 1.95, 2.42] were significantly associated with early initiation of ANC. Living in a lower community poverty level[AOR = 2.23; 95% CI: 1.90,2.66], being in the richest wealth quintile [AOR = 1.49; 95% CI: 1.36, 1.62], higher educational level [AOR = 3.63; 95% CI: 3.33, 3.96], the timing of ANC visit [AOR = 4.26; 95% CI: 4.08, 4.44], being autonomous in decision making [AOR = 2.29; 95% CI: 1.83, 2.54] and having a mobile phone [AOR = 1.89; 95% CI: 1.76, 2.52] were identified as significant predictors of adequate ANC uptake.

Conclusion

The findings revealed a low coverage of timely and adequate ANC visits in SSA countries. Governments and healthcare managers in sub-Saharan African countries should leverage their efforts to prioritize and implement activities and interventions that increase women’s autonomy, and economic capability, to improve their health-seeking behavior during pregnancy. More commitment is needed from governments to increase mobile phone distribution across countries, and then work on integrating mHealth into their health system. Finally, efforts should be made to increase the coverage of health insurance schemes enrolment for the citizens.
Elimination of 15N-thymidine after oral administration in human infants
Authors: Ammanamanchi Niyatie , Yester Jessie , Bargaje Anita P. , Thomas Dawn , Little Kathryn C. , Janzef Shannon , Francis Kimberly , Weinberg Jacqueline , Johnson Jennifer , Seery Thomas , Harris Tyler Hutchinson , Funari Bryan J. , Rose-Felker Kirsten , Zinn Matthew , Miller Susan A. , West Shawn C. , Feingold Brian , Zhou Hairu , Steinhauser Matthew L. , Csernica Timothy , Michener Robert , Kühn Bernhard
Published: January 2024

Background

We have developed a new clinical research approach for the quantification of cellular proliferation in human infants to address unanswered questions about tissue renewal and regeneration. The approach consists of oral 15N-thymidine administration to label cells in S-phase, followed by Multi-isotope Imaging Mass Spectrometry for detection of the incorporated label in cell nuclei. To establish the approach, we performed an observational study to examine uptake and elimination of 15N-thymidine. We compared at-home label administration with in-hospital administration in infants with tetralogy of Fallot, a form of congenital heart disease, and infants with heart failure.

Methods

We examined urine samples from 18 infants who received 15N-thymidine (50 mg/kg body weight) by mouth for five consecutive days. We used Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry to determine enrichment of 15N relative to 14N (%) in urine.

Results/findings

15N-thymidine dose administration produced periodic rises of 15N enrichment in urine. Infants with tetralogy of Fallot had a 3.2-fold increase and infants with heart failure had a 4.3-fold increase in mean peak 15N enrichment over baseline. The mean 15N enrichment was not statistically different between the two patient populations (p = 0.103). The time to peak 15N enrichment in tetralogy of Fallot infants was 6.3 ± 1 hr and in infants with heart failure 7.5 ± 2 hr (mean ± SEM). The duration of significant 15N enrichment after a dose was 18.5 ± 1.7 hr in tetralogy of Fallot and in heart failure 18.2 ± 1.8 hr (mean ± SEM). The time to peak enrichment and duration of enrichment were also not statistically different (p = 0.617 and p = 0.887).

Conclusions

The presented results support two conclusions of significance for future applications: (1) Demonstration that 15N-thymidine label administration at home is equivalent to in-hospital administration. (2) Two different types of heart disease show no differences in 15N-thymidine absorption and elimination. This enables the comparative analysis of cellular proliferation between different types of heart disease.
A nomogram for predicting mortality risk within 30 days in sepsis patients admitted in the emergency department: A retrospective analysis
Authors: Wang Bin , Chen Jianping , Pan Xinling , Xu Bingzheng , Ouyang Jian
Published: January 2024

Objective

To establish and validate an individualized nomogram to predict mortality risk within 30 days in patients with sepsis from the emergency department.

Methods

Data of 1205 sepsis patients who were admitted to the emergency department in a tertiary hospital between Jun 2013 and Sep 2021 were collected and divided into a training group and a validation group at a ratio of 7:3. The independent risk factors related to 30-day mortality were identified by univariate and multivariate analysis in the training group and used to construct the nomogram. The model was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, calibration chart and decision curve analysis. The model was validated in patients of the validation group and its performance was confirmed by comparing to other models based on SOFA score and machine learning methods.

Results

The independent risk factors of 30-day mortality of sepsis patients included pro-brain natriuretic peptide, lactic acid, oxygenation index (PaO2/FiO2), mean arterial pressure, and hematocrit. The AUCs of the nomogram in the training and verification groups were 0.820 (95% CI: 0.780–0.860) and 0.849 (95% CI: 0.783–0.915), respectively, and the respective P-values of the calibration chart were 0.996 and 0.955. The DCA curves of both groups were above the two extreme curves, indicating high clinical efficacy. The AUC values were 0.847 for the model established by the random forest method and 0.835 for the model established by the stacking method. The AUCs of SOFA model in the model and validation groups were 0.761 and 0.753, respectively.

Conclusion

The sepsis nomogram can predict the risk of death within 30 days in sepsis patients with high accuracy, which will be helpful for clinical decision-making.
A step-by-step and data-driven guide to index gender in psychiatry
Authors: Cipriani Enzo , Samson-Daoust Eugénie , Giguère Charles-Edouard , Kerr Philippe ,   Consortium, Lepage Cécile , Juster Robert-Paul
Published: January 2024

Beyond sex as a binary or biological variable, within-sex variations related to sociocultural gender variables are of increasing interest in psychiatric research to better understand individual differences. Using a data-driven approach, we developed a composite gender score based on sociodemographic and psychosocial variables showing sex differences in a sample of psychiatric emergency patients upon admission (N = 1708; 39.4% birth-assigned females; mean age = 40 years; age standard deviation = 14). This gender score was extracted from a confirmatory factor analysis (CFI = 0.966; RMSEA = 0.044, SRMR = 0.030) and could predict a person’s birth-assigned sex with 67% accuracy. This score allowed the further identification of differences on impulsivity measures that were absent when looking solely at birth-assigned sex. Female birth-assigned sex was also associated with higher rates of mood and personality disorder diagnoses, while higher feminine gender scores were related to higher proportions of anxiety and mood disorder diagnoses. By contrast, male birth-assigned sex and higher masculine gender scores were associated with higher proportions of psychotic and substance use disorder diagnoses. Patients with undifferentiated gender scores (i.e., scoring between masculine and feminine threshold defined by terciles) were more represented in the psychotic disorder group. Considering both sex and gender in psychiatric research is essential and can be achieved even when using secondary data to index gender comprised of demographic and psychosocial variables.
A concept map approach to knowledge competence acquisition for student interpreters
Authors: Sheng Dandan
Published: January 2024

As an essential component of interpreting competence, knowledge competence has long been under-researched in the field of interpreting education and training, in contrast to language competence and various interpreting skills. This study presents the results of a survey investigating student interpreters’ attitudes toward the acceptance of concept mapping as a tool to enhance their knowledge competence and examining the pathways of factors influencing these attitudes using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). The results showed that undergraduate student interpreters enrolled in a Mandarin-English interpreting course were willing to use concept maps as a knowledge enhancement tool, and their attitudes toward this tool were positively influenced by their perceived usefulness of concept maps in supporting extra-linguistic knowledge acquisition and interpreting performance, and their perceived ease of use of concept maps. Accordingly, pedagogical implications for introducing concept maps in interpreting classes are presented.
Examining household effects on individual Twitter adoption: A multilevel analysis based on U.K. household survey data
Authors: Liu Shujun , Sloan Luke , Al Baghal Tarek , Williams Matthew , Serôdio Paulo , Jessop Curtis
Published: January 2024

Previous studies mainly focused on individual-level factors that influence the adoption and usage of mobile technology and social networking sites, with little emphasis paid to the influences of household situations. Using multilevel modelling approach, this study merges household- (n1= 1,455) and individual-level (n2= 2,570) data in the U.K. context to investigate (a) whether a household economic capital (HEC) can affect its members’ Twitter adoption, (b) whether the influences are mediated by the member’s activity variety and self-reported efficacy with mobile technology, and (c) whether the members’ traits, including educational level, gross income and residential area, moderate the relationship between HEC and Twitter adoption. Significant direct and indirect associations were discovered between HEC and its members’ Twitter adoption. The educational level and gross income of household members moderated the influence of HEC on individuals’ Twitter adoption.
Nurses’ perceptions of patient safety competency: A cross-sectional study of relationships with occurrence and reporting of adverse events
Authors: Kakemam Edris , Albelbeisi Ahmed Hassan , Rouzbahani Mahtab , Gharakhani Mehdi , Zahedi Hamideh , Taheri Roohangiz
Published: January 2024

Although, strengthening patient safety competencies in nursing has been emphasized for enhancing quality care and patient safety. However, little is known about the association of nurses’ perceptions of patient safety competency with adverse nurse outcomes in Iranian hospitals. This study aimed to measure nurses’ levels of patient safety competency in the hospitals of Iran and examines the relationship between patient safety competency with the occurrence and reporting of adverse events (AEs). This cross-sectional research was applied in eight teaching hospitals in Tehran, Iran, between August and December 2021. A sample of 511 nurses was randomly selected using the table of random numbers. The validated Patient Safety Competency Self-Evaluation questionnaire was used. Furthermore, two questions were used to measure the incidence and reporting of AEs. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, and two binary logistic regression models through SPSS version 24.0. The mean patient safety competency score was 3.34 (SD = 0.74) out of 5.0; 41.5% of nurses rated their patient safety competency as less than 3. Among subscales, “skills of patient safety” scores were the highest, and “knowledge of patient safety” scores were the lowest. Nurses with higher Knowledge and Attitude scores were less likely to experience the occurrence of AEs (OR = 1.50 and OR = 0.58, respectively). Regarding AEs reporting, nurses with higher Skill and Attitude scores were 2.84 and 1.67 times, respectively, more likely to report AEs (OR = 2.84 and OR = 3.44, respectively). Our results provide evidence that enhancing PSC leads to reduced incidence of AEs and increased nurses’ performance in reporting. Therefore, it is recommended that managers of hospitals should enhance the patient safety competency of nurses in incidents and reporting of patient safety adverse outcomes through quality expansion and training. Additionally, researchers should carry out further research to confirm the findings of the current study and identify interventions that would strengthen patient safety competencies and reduce the occurrence of AEs, and rise their reporting among nurses.
Costs incurred by people with co-morbid tuberculosis and diabetes and their households in the Philippines
Authors: Yamanaka Takuya , Castro Mary Christine , Ferrer Julius Patrick , Solon Juan Antonio , Cox Sharon E. , Laurence Yoko V. , Vassall Anna
Published: January 2024

Objective

Diabetes is a risk factor for TB mortality and relapse. The Philippines has a high TB incidence with co-morbid diabetes. This study assessed the pre- and post-TB diagnosis costs incurred by people with TB and diabetes (TB-DM) and their households in the Philippines.

Methods

Longitudinal data was collected for costs, income, and coping mechanisms of TB-affected households in Negros Occidental and Cebu, the Philippines. Data collection was conducted four times during TB treatment. The data collection tools were developed by adapting WHO’s cross-sectional questionnaire in the Tuberculosis Patient Cost Surveys: A Handbook into a longitudinal study design. Demographic and clinical characteristics, self-reported household income, number of facility visits, patient costs, the proportion of TB-affected households facing catastrophic costs due to TB (>20% of annual household income before TB), coping mechanisms, and social support received were compared by diabetes status at the time of TB diagnosis.

Results

530 people with TB were enrolled in this study, and 144 (27.2%) had TB-DM based on diabetes testing at the time of TB diagnosis. 75.4% of people with TB-DM were more than 45 years old compared to 50.3% of people with TB-only (p<0.001). People with TB-DM had more frequent visits for TB treatment (120 vs 87 visits, p = 0.054) as well as for total visits for TB-DM treatment (129 vs 88 visits, p = 0.010) compared to those with TB-only. There was no significant difference in the proportion of TB-affected households facing catastrophic costs between those with TB-DM (76.3%) and those with TB-only (68.7%, p = 0.691).

Conclusion

People with TB-DM in the Philippines face extensive health service use. However, this does not translate into substantial differences in the incidence of catastrophic cost. Further study is required to understand the incidence of catastrophic costs due to diabetes-only in the Philippines.
Strategies selection for building e-commerce platforms for agricultural wholesale markets: A tripartite evolutionary game perspective
Authors: Luo Qianwen , Wang Yujie , Liu Yongtao
Published: January 2024

The rapid advancement and widespread implementation of digital technology have created opportunities for the e-commerce transformation of agricultural wholesale markets. The building of e-commerce platforms in this process is of utmost importance and should be approached methodically. This article analyzes the interests and behavioral choices of the agricultural wholesale markets, local government, and wholesalers by establishing a tripartite evolutionary game model. It applies replicator dynamics equations to describe the evolutionary strategies of each party. The findings of the study indicate that the behavioral choices of agricultural wholesale markets, local government, and wholesalers are influenced by their initial intentions. Furthermore, there exists a degree of alignment between the choices made by agricultural wholesale markets and wholesalers. The building of e-commerce platforms by agricultural wholesale markets can be facilitated through direct and indirect government subsidies; this also motivates wholesalers to adopt and utilize these platforms. Agricultural wholesale markets may further incentivize wholesalers to utilize their own e-commerce platforms by offering additional benefits. On the other hand, if the agricultural wholesale markets demonstrate strong initial inclinations toward using third-party e-commerce platforms. In this scenario, the local government has the potential to promote the widespread use of these platforms by providing both direct and indirect financial incentives to these markets, as well as actively encouraging wholesalers to participate in them. This study presents policy recommendations for agricultural wholesale markets and local government to support the effective implementation of e-commerce platforms in the agricultural wholesaler markets and facilitate a smooth transition to e-commerce in agricultural wholesale markets.
Cold dispase digestion of murine lungs improves recovery and culture of airway epithelial cells
Authors: Janas Piotr Pawel , Chauché Caroline , Shearer Patrick , Perona-Wright Georgia , McSorley Henry J. , Schwarze Jürgen
Published: January 2024

Airway epithelial cells (AECs) play a key role in maintaining lung homeostasis, epithelium regeneration and the initiation of pulmonary immune responses. To isolate and study murine AECs investigators have classically used short and hot (1h 37°C) digestion protocols. Here, we present a workflow for efficient AECs isolation and culture, utilizing long and cold (20h 4°C) dispase II digestion of murine lungs. This protocol yields a greater number of viable AECs compared to an established 1h 37°C dispase II digestion. Using a combination of flow cytometry and immunofluorescent microscopy, we demonstrate that compared to the established method, the cold digestion allows for recovery of a 3-fold higher number of CD45-CD31-EpCAM+ cells from murine lungs. Their viability is increased compared to established protocols, they can be isolated in larger numbers by magnetic-activated cell sorting (MACS), and they result in greater numbers of distal airway stem cell (DASC) KRT5+p63+ colonies in vitro. Our findings demonstrate that temperature and duration of murine lung enzymatic digestion have a considerable impact on AEC yield, viability, and ability to form colonies in vitro. We believe this workflow will be helpful for studying lung AECs and their role in the biology of lung.
Colonization dynamic and distribution of the endophytic fungus Microdochium bolleyi in plants measured by qPCR
Authors: Matušinsky Pavel , Florová Vendula , Sedláková Božena , Mlčoch Patrik , Bleša Dominik
Published: January 2024

Microdochium bolleyi is a fungal endophyte of cereals and grasses proposed as an ideal model organism for studying plant-endophyte interactions. A qPCR-based diagnostic assay was developed to detect M. bolleyi in wheat and Brachypodium distachyon tissues using the species-specific primers MbqITS derived from the ITS of the ribosomal gene. Specificity was tested against 20 fungal organisms associated with barley and wheat. Colonization dynamics, endophyte distribution in the plant, and potential of the seed transmission were analyzed in the wheat and model plant B. distachyon. The colonization of plants by endophyte starts from the germinating seed, where the seed coats are first strongly colonized, then the endophyte spreads to the adjacent parts, crown, roots near the crown, and basal parts of the stem. While in the lower distal parts of roots, the concentration of M. bolleyi DNA did not change significantly in successive samplings (30, 60, 90, 120, and 150 days after inoculation), there was a significant increase over time in the roots 1 cm under crown, crowns and stem bases. The endophyte reaches the higher parts of the base (2–4 cm above the crown) 90 days after sowing in wheat and 150 days in B. distachyon. The endophyte does not reach both host species’ leaves, peduncles, and ears. Regarding the potential for seed transmission, endophyte was not detected in harvested grains of plants with heavily colonized roots. Plants grown from seeds derived from parental plants heavily colonized by endophyte did not exhibit any presence of the endophyte, so transmission by seeds was not confirmed. The course of colonization dynamics and distribution in the plant was similar for both hosts tested, with two differences: the base of the wheat stem was colonized earlier, but B. distachyon was occupied more intensively and abundantly than wheat. Thus, the designed species-specific primers could detect and quantify the endophyte in planta.
Using slisemap to interpret physical data
Authors: Seppäläinen Lauri , Björklund Anton , Besel Vitus , Puolamäki Kai
Published: January 2024

Manifold visualisation techniques are commonly used to visualise high-dimensional datasets in physical sciences. In this paper, we apply a recently introduced manifold visualisation method, slisemap, on datasets from physics and chemistry. slisemap combines manifold visualisation with explainable artificial intelligence. Explainable artificial intelligence investigates the decision processes of black box machine learning models and complex simulators. With slisemap, we find an embedding such that data items with similar local explanations are grouped together. Hence, slisemap gives us an overview of the different behaviours of a black box model, where the patterns in the embedding reflect a target property. In this paper, we show how slisemap can be used and evaluated on physical data and that it is helpful in finding meaningful information on classification and regression models trained on these datasets.
El homonacionalismo en las derechas radicales occidentales. Génesis, desarrollo y su impacto en el contexto español
Authors: Álvarez Benavides Antonio
Published: January 2024

La ultraderecha ha crecido en los últimos años consolidándose en las democracias liberales. Esta consolidación ha conllevado una reformulación ideológica para adaptar el ideario ultranacionalista y anti-diversidad al contexto democrático y a las realidades sociológicas contemporáneas. En este mismo proceso, además de nuevas articulaciones teóricas, nuevos temas y objetivos, las derechas radicales se han intentado abrir a más actores sociales, como mujeres -cada vez más presentes en estos grupos y partidos-, personas racializadas y colectivos LGBTIQ+. El crecimiento de estos partidos también se ve reflejado en la diversificación de individuos que les apoyan y votan, entre ellos, personas de orientaciones sexuales no heteronormativas. Este proceso comenzó a finales del s. XX en los Países Bajos, uno de los países más abiertos y progresistas a la hora de reconocer los derechos de las personas homosexuales. Políticos de derecha radical comenzaron a relacionar los problemas y agresiones a la comunidad LGBTIQ+ con la inmigración musulmana. Esta articulación ultranacionalista y xenófoba, que se denomina homonacionalismo, se extendió rápidamente a otros países occidentales y a otras democracias liberales, especialmente después del 11S. En este texto se analiza cómo surge y se articula el homonacionalismo en Europa y cómo se extiende a otras derechas radicales. En segundo lugar, se aborda este fenómeno en el contexto español. Para ello se utiliza el análisis historiográfico y sociológico, empleando metodologías cuantitativas (principalmente encuestas) y cualitativas (análisis de los discursos).
Severe Dysphagia With Eosinophilic Esophagitis Pattern of Injury Related to Pembrolizumab Therapy
Authors: Barnett James S. , Yu Kevin K. , Rivera Rivera Xavier , Bhatt Asmeen
Published: January 2024

While immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapies are effective treatments for many cancers, ICI therapies are associated with immune-related adverse events. We present a 67-year-old man with non–small cell lung carcinoma, who developed severe dysphagia with biopsies from an esophagogastroduodenoscopy showing histopathology consistent with eosinophilic esophagitis while on ICI maintenance therapy with pembrolizumab. The patient's symptoms worsened despite standard therapy. However, he had complete resolution of dysphagia symptoms once pembrolizumab was discontinued. While immune-related adverse events affecting the gastrointestinal system are increasingly recognized, ICI-associated eosinophilic esophagitis is a rare entity.
Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure Incited by Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor Therapy for Breast Cancer Effectively Treated With Liver Transplantation
Authors: Kalas Vasilios , Nguyen Jessica , Wan Alan W. , Dietch Zachary C. , Kulik Laura , Hughes Dempsey L.
Published: January 2024

Cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 inhibitors are targeted therapies demonstrated to significantly improve overall survival as adjuvant treatment of estrogen receptor-positive breast cancers. Although intended to preferentially arrest cell cycle transitions in tumor cells, these agents can have undesirable systemic side effects, including hepatotoxicity. We report the first case of cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 inhibitor therapy leading to acute-on-chronic liver failure requiring liver transplantation. Our case highlights the multidisciplinary approach required to manage acute-on-chronic liver failure induced by cancer-directed therapies in those with extrahepatic malignancies.
Prediction of the development of hypocalcemia in primary hyperparathyroidism patients 1–3 days after radical parathyroidectomy
Authors: Elfimova A. R. , Eremkina A. K. , Rebrova O. Yu. , Kovaleva E. V. , Mokrysheva N. G.
Published: January 2024

BACKGROUND: It was impossible to predict the development of hypocalcemia following parathyroidectomy (PTE) in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) until now. Hypocalcemia may be accompanied by myalgia, generalized seizures up to tetany, and arrhythmias. Hypocalcemia following PTE can be prevented by preoperative cholecalciferol supplementation. However, patients with severe hypercalcemia above 3 mmol/L do not receive vitamin D due to the risk of hypercalcemia progression. Despite the existing data showing the safety of cholecalciferol therapy in case of mild elevation of serum calcium, not all patients are prescribed vitamin D supplementation, probably due to the lack of a suitable tool to assess the postoperative hypocalcemia risks.

AIM: To design a mathematical model and a software tool for predicting hypocalcemia 1–3 days post-PTE in PHPT patients using the patient’s demographic and clinical data, laboratory test results and preoperative therapy status.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study included 478 PHPT patients diagnosed with adenomas and carcinomas of the parathyroid gland (PTG) who underwent radical PTE between 1993–2010 or 2018–2020 at the Endocrinology Research Centre. The following parameters were analyzed: sex; age; laboratory markers prior to calcimimetic and antiresorptive therapy: PTH, total calcium, phosphorus; osteocalcin (OC), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), C-terminal telopeptide of type 1 collagen. Also we analyzed 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D); bone mineral density (BMD) measured by X-ray densitometry; medical history of low-energy fractures; preoperative therapy with denosumab, bisphosphonates, cinacalcet, cholecalciferol. Categorical gradient boosting (CatBoost) was built to predict the risk of postoperative hypocalcemia.

RESULTS: The prevalence of severe osteoporosis is higher in the postoperative hypocalcemia group compared to the nonhypocalcemia group (27% vs. 15%), wherein the frequency of preoperative administration of cholecalciferol in this group is lower (8% vs. 25%). A CatBoost model was built to predict postoperative hypocalcemia using 13 predictors (sex, age, PTH, serum total calcium, phosphorus, OC, BMD reduction, 25(OH)D, administration of cholecalciferol, bisphosphonates, denosumab, and cinacalcet. The proposed model http://194.87.111.169/hypocalcemia for post-PTE hypocalcemia in PHPT patients achieved the following metrics: positive predictive value 73.3%-86.7%; negative predictive value 74.9%-89.3%.

CONCLUSION: The model can be used to choose the appropriate preand postoperative approaches for patients who undergo rPTE.
Comparison of Fully Automated and Semi-Automated Methods for Species Identification
Authors: Kalafi E. Y. , Anuar M. K. , Sakharkar M. K. , Dhillon S. K.
Published: January 2024

The process of manual species identification is a daunting task, so much so that the number of taxonomists is seen to be declining. In order to assist taxonomists, many methods and algorithms have been proposed to develop semi-automated and fully automated systems for species identification. While semi-automated tools would require manual intervention by a domain expert, fully automated tools are assumed to be not as reliable as manual or semiautomated identification tools. Hence, in this study we investigate the accuracy of fully automated and semi-automated models for species identification. We have built fully automated and semi-automated species classification models using the monogenean species image dataset. With respect to monogeneans’ morphology, they are differentiated based on the morphological characteristics of haptoral bars, anchors, marginal hooks and reproductive organs (male and female copulatory organs). Landmarks (in the semi-automated model) and shape morphometric features (in the fully automated model) were extracted from four monogenean species images, which were then classified using k-nearest neighbour and artificial neural network. In semi-automated models, a classification accuracy of 96.67 % was obtained using the k-nearest neighbour and 97.5 % using the artificial neural network, whereas in fully automated models, a classification accuracy of 90 % was obtained using the k-nearest neighbour and 98.8 % using the artificial neural network. As for the crossvalidation, semi-automated models performed at 91.2 %, whereas fully automated models performed slightly higher at 93.75 %.
Ds-Seq: an integrated pipeline for in silico small RNA sequence analysis for host-pathogen interaction studies
Authors: Olagunju Temitayo Adebanji , Makolo Angela Uche , Gisel Andreas
Published: January 2024

Plant-pathogen interactions activate molecular activities wherein the host defends the pathogen while the pathogen tries to suppress the plant response. Small RNAs (sRNAs) mediate major mechanisms, including post-transcriptional gene silencing, histone modification and DNA methylation by which plants respond to the presence of pathogens. Genome-wide profiling of host and pathogen sRNAs is therefore pivotal to uncovering the mechanisms underlying the host-pathogen interaction and mechanisms for host resistance. sRNA high throughput sequencing (HTS) data analysis often involves multiple stages/tools. Most necessary tools are accessible only through the command line, making it challenging for those without a high level of Unix/Linux skills. Furthermore, installation of some of these tools may become difficult due to dependencies and software version compatibility. We have developed an integrated open-source pipeline, Ds-Seq, for end-to-end in silico analysis of sRNA HTS data with improved reproducibility. The pipeline combines in-house scripts and public tools in a shell script, which can be invoked with a single command. The pipeline's usefulness has been demonstrated with testing on publicly available and published data from independent sRNA-seq datasets of host-pathogen interaction studies. Ds-Seq is available on GitHub, while a Docker image can be obtained from the Docker hub.Availability: Ds-Seq is freely available from the GitHub repository at https://github.com/CEPHAS-01/small-RNASeq.ngs and Docker hub with ID cephas/ds-seq (https://hub.docker.com/r/cephas/ds-seq).
Partial slice regularity and Fueter's theorem in several quaternionic variables
Authors: Binosi Giulio
Published: January 2024

We extend some definitions and give new results about the theory of slice analysis in several quaternionic variables. The sets of slice functions that are slice, slice regular, and circular with respect to given variables are characterized. We introduce new notions of partial spherical value and derivative for functions of several variables that extend those of one variable. We recover some of their properties as circularity, harmonicity, some relations with differential operators, and a Leibniz rule with respect to the slice product as well as studying their behavior in the context of several variables. Then, we prove our main result, which is a generalization of Fueter’s theorem for slice regular functions in several variables. This extends the link between slice regular and axially monogenic functions well known in the one variable context.
Life online during the pandemic : How university students feel about abrupt mediatization
Authors: Zylinski Szymon , Davis Charles H. , Vladica Florin
Published: January 2024

The COVID-19 pandemic caused university education to transition from face-to-face contacts to virtual learning environments. Young adults were forced to live an entirely new life online, without valuable and enjoyable social interaction. We examined subjective perspectives towards life online during the pandemic. We identified four viewpoints about life mediated by computers. Two viewpoints express “struggling”: Viewpoint 1 (Angry, Depressed and Overwhelmed), and Viewpoint 3 (Restricted to and Overwhelmed by Virtuality). A third feeling-state conveys experiences of “surviving”: Viewpoint 4 (Isolated and Powerless in Convenience). Surprisingly, Viewpoint 2 is about “thriving” (Comfortable and Convenient Routine with Computers). The research shows that virtualization, confinement, and anxiety are taking a toll on the mental health of some members of the younger generation, while at the same time other members feel they are thriving in a situation of limited resources, virtuality, and reduced face-to-face human interaction.
Exploring the Role of Civic Monitoring of Coal Ash Pollution: (Re)gaining Agency by Crowdsourcing Environmental Information
Authors: Berti Suman Anna , Burnette Amelia
Published: January 2024

Citizen-gathered evidence (CGE) gathered by individuals organized in collectives have the potential to demonstrate environmental and social wrongdoings in court. We identify (collective) agency and resistance in how individuals and communities that have been exposed to socio-environmental stressors turn to gather CGE. We explore the modes through which people gather scientific data, produce CGE, alert authorities to environmental harm, and the methods by which data can be shared with communities, beginning with the case studies of civic environmental monitoring addressing coal ash pollution in North Carolina. We analyze the case studies through a theoretical lens built on (1) the theory of civic monitoring “as resistance;” (2) the argument that CGE can embody “collective intelligence;” and (3) the concept of “crowd science” through a decentralized yet coordinated network. In the first part of the article, we introduce the case studies. Then, we illustrate our theoretical frame as applied to the analysis of the cases. We discuss the cases and in particular the CGE at issue through the prism of the frame. We demonstrate how CGE can be valuable not only for civil society and civic organizations, but also for competent authorities. In our conclusion, we identify critical junctures of our case studies, such as that of “knowledge crowdsourcing” to demand justice that triggers the government to take action and the existence of a “coordinated” yet decentralized crowd to capture the full extension of the problem. Lastly, we outline the limitations of our study, a future research agenda, and still open questions.
Microstructural characterization of 15Cr steel after quenching and slow cooling rates
Authors: Ahmadi M. R. , Meixner F. , Dománková M. , Raus M. , Sonderegger B. , Sommitsch C.
Published: January 2024

Ferritic 15 %-Cr steels have better oxidation resistance, due to their higher chromium content, and creep strength, their lower dislocation density and lack of lath microstructure than conventional martensitic steels such as MarBN. Their mechanical properties are sensitive to chemical composition and heat treatment. In this study, we first simulated the formation of stable phases in two ferritic steels containing 2 % nickel (wt.%) and an alloy without nickel using the thermomechanical software MATCALC. Microstructural analysis using scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) reveals the formation of carbides and intermetallic phases after diffusion annealing, both during rapid cooling in oil and slow cooling in the furnace. Dilatometry and XRD studies confirm the gradual phase transformation of ferrite to austenite from 650 °C onwards during heating. Dilatometry also shows that ferritic steels have a lower coefficient of thermal expansion than martensitic steels, austenitic steels, and superalloys, which results in lower thermal stresses during frequent start-up and shutdown of power plants.