bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The AI commander problem
Authors: Johnson James
Published: January 2024

Can AI solve the ethical-political dilemmas of warfare? Chapter 1 sets the stage for the remainder of the book by focusing on the central elements of the ethical and political dilemmas of human–machine interactions in algorithmic warfare. While much of the present debate has revolved around ethical and legal concerns about fielding lethal robots (or “killer robots”) into armed conflict, less attention focuses on AI-enabled warfare’s ethical, moral, and psychological dilemmas. The chapter fills a gap in discussions of complex socio-technical interactions between AI and warfare. It offers a counterpoint to the argument that AI “rational” efficiency can simultaneously offer a viable solution to humans’ psychological and biological fallibility in combat while retaining “meaningful” human control over the war machine. This Panglossian assumption neglects the psychological features of human–machine interactions, the pace at which future AI-enabled conflict will be fought, and the complex and chaotic nature of modern war. The chapter details a series of key psychological insights of human–machine interactions to elucidate how AI shapes our capacity to think about future warfare’s political and ethical dilemmas. It argues that through the psychological process of human–machine integration, AI will not merely force multiply existing advanced weaponry, but will become de facto strategic actors in warfare—the “AI commander problem.”
Tactical generals and strategic corporals
Authors: Johnson James
Published: January 2024

Will AI-enabled systems complement, supplant, or obviate the role of humans in command? Chapter 3 explores themes relating to the use of machines to support command decisions in warfare. The chapter argues that AI-enabled capabilities cannot effectively or reliably complement (let alone replace) the critical role of humans in understanding and apprehending the strategic environment—to make predictions and judgments that inform strategy. Furthermore, the rapid diffusion of and growing dependency on AI technology at all levels of warfare will have strategic consequences that counterintuitively increase the importance of human involvement in these tasks. The chapter revisits John Boyd’s decision-making “OODA loop” to advance a critique of AI-enabled capabilities to augment command decision-making processes. It draws insights from Boyd’s emphasis on “orientation” as a schema to elucidate the role of human cognition (perception, emotion, and heuristics) in defense planning in a non-linear world characterized by complexity, novelty, and uncertainty. The chapter addresses ongoing debates about whether AI will alleviate or exacerbate war’s fog and friction. It also engages with the Clausewitzian notion of “military genius” (and its role in mission command), human cognition, systems, and evolution theory to consider the strategic implications of automating the OODA loop.
Thinking forward with counterfactuals
Authors: Johnson James
Published: January 2024

Chapter 5 advances a human-centric policy response to the “AI-nuclear dilemma” described in Chapter 4. It demonstrates the utility of counterfactual reasoning as a means by which decision-makers can avoid myopic technological determinism and thus consider alternative outcomes to hedge against unforeseen risk and technological surprise. This chapter builds on the concept of “future counterfactuals” to construct imaginative yet realistic scenarios to consider the future possibility of a nuclear exchange in AI-enabled warfare. It highlights the critical role counterfactual scenarios can play in challenging conventional wisdom, preconceived assumptions, and human biases associated with the “AI-nuclear dilemma.” In emphasizing the role of uncertainty, cognitive bias, and fundamental uncertainty in world politics, the chapter also contributes to the cognitivist discourse about emerging technology and the risk of inadvertent and accidental nuclear war.
Introduction
Authors: Miller Micah M.
Published: January 2024

The Introduction lays out the rationale for the monograph and provides the thesis of the work. After an examination of relevant scholarship, the Introduction discusses the methodology of the work, which approaches Origen’s pneumatology thematically and by utilizing Origen’s entire extant corpus. Then, the Introduction describes how the volume accounts for any developments within Origen’s thought, navigates the questions surrounding the reliability of the Latin translations of Origen’s work, and addresses Origen’s use of the term “spirit” to designate a number of different beings. The Introduction concludes with a summary and outline of each of the chapters in the work.
The Activity of the Holy Spirit
Authors: Miller Micah M.
Published: January 2024

Chapter 4 offers a comprehensive analysis of the Holy Spirit’s activities in Origen’s thought, including the Spirit’s roles in the giving of gifts, sanctification, intercession, the inspiration of Scripture, and the interpretation of Scripture. The chapter surveys the Spirit’s activities across Origen’s corpus, drawing attention to activities of the Spirit that have received little scholarly attention. The chapter also considers the importance of 1 Cor 12:4–6 to Origen’s understanding of the Spirit’s activities. Origen interprets this passage, the chapter argues, as evidence that the Spirit’s activities are not only the work of the Spirit, but also of the Father and the Son. By describing the Spirit’s activities as a common operation of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Origen affirms that the Spirit is ranked below the Father and Son but above all other beings.
Conclusion
Authors: Miller Micah M.
Published: January 2024

In addition to offering summative comments and drawing out the significance of his pneumatological thought, the Conclusion suggests some avenues through which Origen’s pneumatology may have influenced later thought. The Conclusion surveys the Holy Spirit’s rank and the interpretation of John 1:3 in Eusebius of Caesarea and Eunomius; the Holy Spirit’s unity and multiplicity and the interpretation of Isa 11:2–3 in Eusebius, Cyril of Jerusalem, and Didymus the Blind; and the common operation of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and the interpretation of 1 Cor 12:4–6 in Didymus the Blind and Basil of Caesarea. By examining a number of fourth-century authors, the survey shows the variety of ways that Origen’s thought may have been received and developed by different thinkers, both those later considered orthodox and those later considered heterodox.
Conflicts in Public Spaces
Authors: Forster Marc R.
Published: January 2024

The conflicts that appear in the court records were by definition public quarrels. Many of the conflicts originated in taverns, where honor and reputation were on public display, and where the lubrication provided by alcohol brought the conflicts of everyday life into the open. The more public the nature of conflicts, the more serious they were. Taverns were public spaces, where stories were told. And rumors and gossip, often originating in tavern talk, spread stories and inflamed conflicts. Local officials and local community leaders tried to regulate taverns, with the idea that they could reduce conflict and violence. Taverns were primarily male spaces, often dominated by propertied men, but women and poorer people were also present. Maid servants were considered sexually suspicious and appear fairly often in the court records. They were just one group of “disreputable people” who faced scrutiny and suspicion in these villages.
The Functions of Christian Doctrine
Authors: McGrath Alister E.
Published: January 2024

This chapter opens with an extended critical assessment of George Lindbeck’s Nature of Doctrine (1984), which still remains influential. In addition to recapitulating earlier critiques, this analysis explores aspects of Lindbeck’s analysis which were considered unproblematic at the time (such as his reading of Wittgenstein and his understanding of ‘religion’), noting how these are now seen to require revision. Most importantly, it is argued that Lindbeck identifies a number of ways of understanding the role or function of Christian doctrine, which he treats as competitive. In the place of this inadequate account, this chapter offers a model of doctrine which is able to enfold these multiple doctrinal functions (such as doctrine as a means of safeguarding Christian identity), drawing on the philosopher Mary Midgley’s concept of ‘mapping’, which allows complex realities to be explored without reduction or distortion.
Sir William Petty, the ‘Sceptical-Tories’, and the Government of the Sea
Authors: Ward Matthew
Published: January 2024

This chapter considers Petty’s engagements with Hobbes in the decade or so before Petty’s death in 1687. Petty depended for political influence in this period on his relationship with James, Duke of York, the lord high admiral who became king in 1685. The chapter connects Petty to the ‘sceptical-Tory’ faction of James’s court, whose other members shared Petty’s interests in the new science and politics, including Hobbes’s theories of these subjects. In 1674, James appointed Petty judge of the Irish admiralty court. A few years earlier, Petty had received a hostile reception in England to a work of mathematics and physics which engaged positively with Hobbes. He had recently found Ireland more conducive, however, and influenced ‘sceptical-Toryism’ ideologically. Emboldened by this, he thought with Hobbes to reinterpret admiralty law to the advantage of James and the ‘sceptical-Tories’. Following James’s accession, he did the same with the concept of maritime sovereignty.
Conclusion
Authors: Ward Matthew
Published: January 2024

This Conclusion brings the book to a close by reflecting on the geography of political discourse in the British world, especially the discourse of sovereignty. In England, political conditions in our period were often stable enough for Hobbes’s readers to reject or ‘tame’ Hobbes’s concept of sovereignty without endangering civil peace. In Ireland, Hobbes’s readers were impelled by the country’s political instability to engage with the concept more fully and sympathetically. Here, the ‘Leviathan’ was released and remained at large well into the eighteenth century. The Conclusion ends by arguing that Hobbes’s concept of sovereignty was used to defend the interests of Irish subjects, as well as to subdue them; for Hobbes, after all, sovereignty was established by the subjects’ consent. Proclamations of the demise of sovereignty in Northern Ireland following the Belfast Agreement, on the grounds that it emphasized ‘consent’ and ‘impartiality’ in the exercise of sovereignty, may therefore be mistaken.
The Science of Affect
Authors: Carruthers Peter
Published: January 2024

Affective states form a broad class, encompassing emotions, desires and repulsions, sensory pleasures and displeasures (pains), and moods. This chapter focusses on their commonalities, outlining for the non-specialist what the sciences of psychology and affective neuroscience have discovered about their nature in recent decades. All result from appraisals of the personal significance of some object, event, or thought; all issue in automatic motor tendencies; all cause forms of bodily arousal or de-arousal; all issue in positive or negative valence directed at the appraised thing; and all are involved in evaluative learning, contributing to the acquisition of new values and concerns. Moreover, all are subject to powerful top-down influences (placebo and nocebo effects).
The New Hedonism
Authors: Carruthers Peter
Published: January 2024

This chapter shows how the science of affect (especially the literatures on prospection and neuroeconomics) can be used to support a new and more sophisticated kind of motivational hedonism, which can evade all previous critiques of hedonism (as Chapter 4 will show). It discusses the role of valence (pleasure and displeasure) in decision-making, and considers whether there are forms of decision-making that don’t rely upon valence. It also addresses the challenge that not all decision-making relies on conscious valence. Throughout the chapter the valences are treated as intrinsic properties attaching to experiences, providing a sort of “hedonic gloss” on those experiences when conscious. The result in a form of motivational hedonism, but one in which pleasure attaching to future-directed representations makes those future outcomes or events seem attractive. The goal of the chapter is to use the steel-man strategy to build the strongest hedonist theory possible. Other views of the nature of valence are considered in later chapters.
Feelings Versus Representations of Value
Authors: Carruthers Peter
Published: January 2024

This chapter compares and contrasts two competing accounts of the nature of valence. One sees pleasure and displeasure as intrinsic feelings that attach to our experiences, resulting from evaluative appraisals of the contents of the latter. These feelings can then be thought to motivate choice directly. The upshot is motivational hedonism. The other account sees pleasure and displeasure as representations of value. Pleasure represents the event or activity that occasions it as good (but representing goodness in a nonconceptual and quasi-perceptual manner), and displeasure represents it as bad. Goodness and badness can then be cashed out in terms of inclusive fitness, because this is what valence carries information about, and it is the fact of carrying that information that explains the role of valence in decision-making. The chapter presents a number of arguments in favor of the value-representing view, the upshot of which is motivational pluralism and a vindication of altruism. It follows from the account provided, however, that some pleasures falsely represent their objects as good, and that some displeasures represent their objects incorrectly as bad.
Kant’s Moral Philosophy in the 1790s
Authors: Guyer Paul
Published: January 2024

Kant refined and amplified his moral philosophy in his major works of the 1790s (as well as building a political philosophy upon it, which is not considered here). One major development in the Critique of the Power of Judgment and the 1793 essay on “Theory and Practice” was the development of a conception of the highest good as a completion of morality realizable in human history rather than in personal immortality, although still in a nature underwritten by God. In Religion within the Boundaries of Mere Reason Kant responded to the objection that he left no room for free but evil action by arguing that our evil is the product of free choice, but precisely because the choice is free we are also free to undertake a “change of heart” from evil to good. Finally, in his last major work, the Metaphysics of Morals of 1797, he developed a full catalogue of the duties of human beings by applying the fundamental principle of morality to the general circumstances of actual human existence. Freedom of action and freedom of the will are the central concepts in Kant’s thought in this period.
Hegel
Authors: Guyer Paul
Published: January 2024

In the course of his career from his earliest publications shortly after 1800 until his Outlines of the Philosophy of Right published in 1821, Hegel responded to Kant’s moral philosophy (less so to Kant’s own “Doctrine of Right,” the first half of the Metaphysics of Morals). His early essay on natural law pressed the “empty formalism” objection against Kant, and in the Philosophy of Right he argued that the “emptiness” of “abstract right” and “morality” could only be filled in by the actuality of Sittlichkeit, translated as “ethical life,” the facts of human life in families, social and economic organizations, and government. In many ways Hegel’s conception of “ethical life” is not very different from Kant’s conception of the specific duties of human beings that arise from the application of the fundamental principle of morality valid for all rational beings to the basic circumstances of human existence. But Hegel did not like Kant’s distinction between a priori principles and empirical conditions of application, nor did he like Kant’s recognition of the inescapable element of contingency in the doctrine of duties that the admission of any merely empirical premises into the deduction of human duties entails—although his own conception of Sittlichkeit would also seem to entail the same result.
Swan Songs
Authors: Pegg Mark Gregory
Published: January 2024

This chapter considers the experiences lived in Rome during the years 337-476, referencing the life of Augustine and Constantius. It looks into the worship of old gods throughout the Roman empire. After the torrent of catastrophes and emergencies of the fifth century, its moral and political rationale dissipated in the eyes of soldiers and peasants, bishops and nobles, Romans and barbarians. Romanitas still had some persuasive purposes that differ from region to region. The chapter acknowledges the reasons for the imperial collapse of barbarian migrations and invasions. The formation of the barbarian kingdoms directly resulted from emperors and senators failing to supply the honor, security, and treasure that went with Romanitas.
An Everlasting Star
Authors: Pegg Mark Gregory
Published: January 2024

This chapter details the life and experiences during the years 722-824, such as the life of Huneberc, a young English nun in the monastery of Heidenheim. It cites how the history of the eighth and early ninth centuries primarily consists of the seeming inevitability of Charles and his new Roman Empire. The consequences of Charles' action reverberated throughout the West. Beyond the conquests and capitularies, the idea and reality of a Western Roman Empire and the notion of a corrected Latin Christianity endured throughout the years. The chapter explains the type of Christendom that saw paganism or heresy in every environment possible.
The Harrying of the Heathen
Authors: Pegg Mark Gregory
Published: January 2024

This chapter cites the appearance of the Northmen as a transformative moment in the West in the late eighth century. Northmen's appearance resulted in their continued raiding, conquest, and colonization for centuries. Moreover, the pagan holy warfare, which was embodied by longships, was shocking and destabilizing from the North Atlantic to the Mediterranean. The chapter explains that the inherent fractiousness of the Franks on the Rhine was aggravated and hastened by the Northmen. Despite the violence of Danish, Swedish, and Norwegian pirate fleets, Northmen helped reinforce and create a more universal sense of Christianity transcending the much smaller parochial Christendoms.
Only Death Wakes Us from Dreaming
Authors: Pegg Mark Gregory
Published: January 2024

This chapter looks into the life experiences of medieval Europe. It explores Giovanni Boccaccio's Decameron, which raised debates on whether the great plague descended upon humanity as a punishment from God or an influence from the stars and planets. Giovanni wrote most of the Decameron during the height of the plague, vividly using the horrific reality of the pestilence as a way of opening and so framing his fictional comedy. The chapter reflects on how small and fragile western Christendoms transformed into an all-embracing Latin Christendom. It also notes that people struggled with their identities as pagans, Jews, Muslims, and especially as Christians throughout the centuries.
Ferrostatin‐1 inhibits ferroptosis of vascular smooth muscle cells and alleviates abdominal aortic aneurysm formation through activating the SLC7A11/GPX4 axis
Authors: He Xin , Xiong Yunchuan , Liu Yu , Li Yaozhen , Zhou Haiyang , Wu Kemin
Published: January 2024

Ferroptosis, a type of iron‐catalyzed necrosis, is responsible for vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) death and serves as a potential therapeutic target for alleviating aortic aneurysm. Here, our study explored the underlying mechanism of ferroptosis affecting VSMC functions and the resultant formation of AAA using its inhibitor Ferrostatin‐1 (Fer‐1). Microarray‐based gene expression profiling was employed to identify differentially expressed genes related to AAA and ferroptosis. An AAA model was established by angiotensin II (Ang II) induction in apolipoprotein E‐knockout (ApoE−/−) mice, followed by injection of Fer‐1 and RSL‐3 (ferroptosis inducer). Then, the role of Fer‐1 and RSL‐3 in the ferroptosis of VSMCs and AAA formation was analyzed in Ang II‐induced mice. Primary mouse VSMCs were cultured in vitro and treated with Ang II, Fer‐1, sh‐SLC7A11, or sh‐GPX4 to assess the effect of Fer‐1 via the SLC7A11/GPX axis. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that GPX4 was involved in the fibrosis formation of AAA, and there was an interaction between SLC7A11 and GPX4. In vitro assays showed that Fer‐1 alleviated Ang II‐induced ferroptosis of VSMCs and retard the consequent AAA formation. The mechanism was associated with activation of the SLC7A11/GPX4 pathway. Silencing of SLC7A11 or GPX4 could inhibit the ameliorating effect of Fer‐1 on the ferroptosis of VSMCs. In vivo animal studies further demonstrated that Fer‐1 inhibited Ang II‐induced ferroptosis and vessel wall structural abnormalities in AAA mouse through activation of the SLC7A11/GPX4 pathway. Fer‐1 may prevent AAA formation through activation of the SLC7A11/GPX4 pathway.
Coiled‐coil domain containing 25 (CCDC25) regulates cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in clear cell renal cell carcinoma by targeting the ILK‐NF‐κB signaling pathway
Authors: Qian Zhenzhen , Zhao Huizi , Zhang Yuan , Wang Zhonghao , Zeng Fanle , Zhu Yan , Yang Yaru , Li Jun , Ma Taotao , Huang Cheng
Published: January 2024

Increasing evidence has demonstrated that the expression of coil domains containing 25 (CCDC25) in various malignancies is abnormally high. However, the potential regulatory role and mechanism of CCDC25 in the development of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) are still unclear. In this experiment, we combined in vitro experiments such as wound healing, CCK8, and transwell assay with in vivo experiments on tumor formation in nude mice to evaluate the effect of CCDC25 on the proliferation, migration, and invasion of renal cancer cells. In addition, we also used Western blotting and qPCR to evaluate the role of CCDC25 in activating the integrin‐linked kinase (ILK)‐NF‐κB signaling pathway. Here, we demonstrate that compared to normal tissues and cell lines, CCDC25 is overexpressed in both human ccRCC tissues and cell lines. After CCDC25 knockdown, it has obvious inhibitory effect on the proliferation, migration, and invasion of cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. In contrast, CCDC25 overexpression promotes these effects. Additionally, we also discovered that CCDC25 interacts with ILK and coordinates the activation of the NF‐κB signaling pathway downstream. Generally, our study suggests that CCDC25 plays a vital role in the development of ccRCC, which also means that it may be a potential therapeutic target for ccRCC.
European Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care consensus document on sustainability
Authors: Gonzalez-Pizarro Patricio , Brazzi Luca , Koch Susanne , Trinks Alexandra , Muret Jane , Sperna Weiland Niek , Jovanovic Gordana , Cortegiani Andrea , Fernandes Tiago David , Kranke Peter , Malisiova Anna , McConnell Paul , Misquita Lucia , Romero Carolina S. , Bilotta Federico , De Robertis Edoardo , Buhre Wolfgang ,   the Sustainability National Representatives
Published: January 2024

Climate change is a defining issue for our generation. The carbon footprint of clinical practice accounts for 4.7% of European greenhouse gas emissions, with the European Union ranking as the third largest contributor to the global healthcare industry's carbon footprint, after the United States and China. Recognising the importance of urgent action, the European Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care (ESAIC) adopted theGlasgow Declaration on Environmental Sustainabilityin June 2023. Building on this initiative, the ESAIC Sustainability Committee now presents a consensus document in perioperative sustainability. Acknowledging wider dimensions of sustainability, beyond the environmental one, the document recognizes healthcare professionals as cornerstones for sustainable care, and puts forward recommendations in four main areas: direct emissions, energy, supply chain and waste management, and psychological and self-care of healthcare professionals. Given the urgent need to cut global carbon emissions, and the scarcity of evidence-based literature on perioperative sustainability, our methodology is based on expert opinion recommendations. A total of 90 recommendations were drafted by 13 sustainability experts in anaesthesia in March 2023, then validated by 36 experts from 24 different countries in a two-step Delphi validation process in May and June 2023. To accommodate different possibilities for action in high- versus middle-income countries, an 80% agreement threshold was set to ease implementation of the recommendations Europe-wide. All recommendations surpassed the 80% agreement threshold in the first Delphi round, and 88 recommendations achieved an agreement >90% in the second round. Recommendations include the use of very low fresh gas flow, choice of anaesthetic drug, energy and water preserving measures, “5R” policies including choice of plastics and their disposal, and recommendations to keep a healthy work environment or on the importance of fatigue in clinical practice.

Executive summaries of recommendations in areas 1, 2 and 3 are available as cognitive aids that can be made available for quick reference in the operating room.
Teeter-Totter or Tapestry: A Life in Academic Medicine
Authors: Jones Kirtly Parker
Published: January 2024

Constructing a career in academic medicine involves more than a focus on work-life balance. That image of a teeter-totter suggests that life is what happens when you are not working. The nature of the scope of interests (clinical, research, teaching) and values (service, leadership, curiosity, transparency, and honesty) creates a larger framework through which home life and work life become one interwoven tapestry. The author reflects on these perspectives as she looks back on a career in academic medicine.
Integration of traditional, complementary, and alternative medicine with modern biomedicine: the scientization, evidence, and challenges for integration of traditional Chinese medicine
Authors: Zhang Zihao , Li Raorao , Chen Yu , Yang Hui , Fitzgerald Martin , Wang Qiaochu , Xu Ziwen , Huang Nanxi , Lu Dajun , Luo Lu
Published: January 2024

Traditional medicine has garnered significant global recognition, with an estimated 80% of the global population using it. Therefore, it is essential to fully understand the integration of traditional medicines into current healthcare systems. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the standard process to modernize traditional medicine scientifically in the context of modern biomedicine, further termed here as “scientization”. Specifically, we aim to summarize the advancements made in understanding the efficacy, effectiveness, and underlying mechanisms of herbal medicine. We also examined the transition from experience- to evidence-based medicine during acupuncture. Furthermore, we explore the development of universal safety and quality control standards. Finally, we discuss international trade and export markets for Chinese medical products. The development and integration of traditional medicine have allowed it to further improve human health, resulting in a more comprehensive health solution for the global population.
Objective Quantification of Depth-of-Field Advantage in 3D Surgical Video System for Vitreoretinal Surgery: Safety and Efficacy in Macular Diseases
Authors: Zhang Xiang , Hu Hanling , Li Wenbo , Zhu Danni , Nie Zetong , Guo Haoxin , Wang Zhaoxiong , Li Xiaorong , Hu Bojie
Published: January 2024

Purpose:

The objective of this study is to demonstrate, based on objective clinical indicators, the advantages of depth of field provided by the 3D surgical video system compared to the traditional microscope during vitrectomy for treating epiretinal membranes（ERM) or macular holes(MH).

Methods:

A total of 38 patients were included in this study and randomly assigned to either the 3D surgical video group or the conventional microscope group. Surgical parameters such as the Focal plane adjustment frequency (FPAF), membrane peeling time, and number of attempts to peel the membrane were recorded for each patient. Additionally, patients were followed up for 3 months postoperatively.

Results:

No significant differences in age, gender, operated eyes, or follow-up rates between the groups. The 3D group had significantly lower Focal Plane Adjustment Frequency (FPAF) in macular hole surgery and epiretinal membrane surgery . No significant differences in peeling maneuvers, time, or total surgical time. Postoperative follow-up data showed no significant differences.

Conclusion:

In conclusion,the 3D surgical video system exhibits potential advantages in depth of field.The 3D surgical video system is a safe and effective technology in vitrectomy for macular diseases.
Persistent Subretinal Fluid after Vitrectomy for Macular Hole-Associated Retinal Detachment
Authors: Cheng Feng-hui , Lin Hong-hao , Zhu Yan-chun , Chen Wen-juan , Wu Chen-xin , Wu Yu-yang , Zhang Zong-duan , Pan Qin-tuo
Published: January 2024

Purpose:

To evaluate the incidence, associated factors and outcome of persistent subretinal fluid (SRF) after vitrectomy for macular hole-associated retinal detachment (MHRD).

Methods:

A total of 158 eyes from 156 patients with MHRD who achieved macular hole closure following primary vitrectomy were included in the analysis. Persistent SRF was defined as the presence of SRF for more than 1 month after first surgery. Preoperative and postoperative parameters were analyzed for their relationship with SRF development.

Results:

Persistent SRF was observed in 19 eyes (12.0% of 158) postoperatively. Seven eyes (36.8% of 19) with persistent SRF eventually displayed complete absorption during follow-up. Univariate analysis revealed that eyes with persistent SRF were statistically associated with internal limiting membrane(ILM) inverted flap, duration of symptoms, tamponade (perfluoropropane /silicone oil: 14/5 vs 35/104, P<0.001), and MHRD subtype (Type 1 /Type 2 /Type 3: 15/4/0 vs 60/40/39, P=0.003). In multivariate analysis, only ILM inverted flap(odds ratio, 15.778, 95% confidence interval, 3.170-78.523; P=0.001) was positively associated with persistent SRF. There were no significant differences in best-corrected visual acuity improvement(P=0.425) between the SRF involved foveal and without involved foveal groups, and no significant differences between the SRF complete absorption and incomplete absorption groups.

Conclusions:

Absorption of persistent SRF may be more difficult in MHRD eyes than in ordinary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment eyes. The ILM inverted flap in MHRD was associated with a greater likelihood of persistent SRF. The location and incomplete absorption of persistent SRF did not appear to be associated with the final visual outcome.
Assessing the Physical and Psychological Well-being of Construction Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Tobia Loreta , Muselli Mario , Mastrangeli Giada , Cofini Vincenza , Di Marcello Giuseppina , Necozione Stefano , Fabiani Leila
Published: January 2024

Objective

This prospective study aimed to assess the physical and psychological health of construction workers and examine the relationship between their well-being and the preventive measures implemented against SARS-CoV-2.

Methods

During occupational visit, the workers were invited to participate the survey. Two measurements were made and compared: after the Italian lockdown and on the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic.

Results

Fifty-three workers participated in the study. The percentage of workers who considered themselves in good health increased from 66.0% to 81.1%, and there was a significant decrease in the 12-item General Health Questionnaire score (16.8 vs 14.0, P = 0.0003). This reduction was associated with a higher perception of security by preventive measures.

Conclusions

The study highlights the importance of addressing the health and safety concerns of construction workers during the pandemic, and the positive impact of effective preventive measures.
The Relationship Between Employee Physical Activity Intensity and Workplace Burnout
Authors: Albedry Brandon , Marenus Michele W. , Chen Weiyun
Published: January 2024

Objective

This study aimed to investigate employees’ physical activity (PA) levels and workplace burnout.

Methods

Participants, employed full-time, recruited through Prolific Academic, completed the Maslach Burnout Inventory and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire.

Results

An analysis of variance revealed a significant difference in burnout emotional exhaustion (F (2,516) = 3.55, P = 0.03) and personal accomplishment (F (2,516) = 4.23, P = 0.02) among three levels of PA groups, but not in burnout depersonalization. The moderate PA group scored significantly lower in burnout emotional exhaustion than the low PA group (P = 0.025). The low PA group scored significantly lower in the burnout personal accomplishment than the high PA group (P = 0.02) and the moderate PA group (P = 0.03).

Conclusions

Employees engaging in moderate PA showed an effective reduction in their burnout emotional exhaustion and promoted personal accomplishment.
Virtual Reality Simulation Integration in a Prelicensure Nursing Program
Authors: Willett Joanna , Adelman-Mullally Theresa , Ng Holly , Chung Seon Yoon
Published: January 2024

Background:

Simulation, whether conducted live or through virtual technologies, provides students with experiential learning by replicating realistic clinical experiences that can develop learner competencies in a safe environment. Virtual reality simulation may provide the same level of effective and engaging experiential learning in a fully immersive learning environment without many of the limitations inherent to traditional live simulation environments, such as simulation equipment and designated labs.

Problem:

While there are vendor-provided resources and a new tool kit covering immersive technology simulation implementation in nursing, a lived example to contextualize the implementation process is missing from the literature.

Approach:

This article discusses the selection and implementation of virtual reality simulations in a nursing undergraduate program and lessons learned in the process.

Conclusions:

Nurse educators seeking such experiences for their students may benefit from the insights shared in this article.
Ensuring Advanced Practice Nursing Students Meet the 2023 Drug Enforcement Agency Requirements
Authors: Slater Tammy M. , Renda Susan , Peters Jessica , Mollenkopf Nicole , Rodney Tamar , Finnell Deborah S.
Published: January 2024

Background:

All advanced practice nursing students in the doctor of nursing practice program at Johns Hopkins School of Nursing are required to complete 3 core courses (pathophysiology, pharmacology, and physical assessment). As of June 2023, the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) required all prescribers of controlled medications to attest to at least 8 hours of substance use training.

Purpose:

To quantify the amount of time advanced practice nursing students learn substance use–related content and engage in teaching/learning activities across the 3 courses as a basis for meeting the DEA requirement.

Methods:

Lead course faculty teaching identified content related to substance use disorders, including reading assignments and skill-building activities, and the minimum amount of time that students spend in those teaching/learning experiences.

Results:

Advanced practice nursing students complete a total of 14 hours of substance use–related content in the 3 core courses.

Conclusions:

This article describes substance use–related content and strategies that can be integrated in advanced practice nursing programs for students to meet the new DEA requirement.
An update on psychogenic nonepileptic seizures
Authors: Vijay Mithila , Reuber Markus
Published: January 2024

Purpose of review

The understanding of psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES) has advanced steadily over recent decades. This update summarizes new insights from the last three years.

Recent findings

The process of diagnosing PNES has shifted from the exclusion of epilepsy to one based on the recognition of typical clinical features. While the diagnosis cannot rely on any single feature in isolation, a range of semiological features characterising PNES are now recognised and a number of studies hint at the potential for machine learning and AI to improve the diagnostic process. Advances in data processing and analysis may also help to make sense of the heterogeneity of PNES populations demonstrated by recent studies focussing on aetiology and patient subgroups. It is now clear that PNES are associated with high rates of mental and physical comorbidities and premature death, highlighting that they are only one manifestation of a complex disorder extending beyond the nervous system and the seizures themselves.

PNES are now understood as a manifestation of dysfunction in interacting brain networks. This understanding provides an explanation for the psychopathological and semiological heterogeneity of PNES patient populations. New insights into medical comorbidities and increased rates of premature death call for more research into associated pathological processes outside the nervous system.
Genomic and vaccine preclinical studies reveal a novel mouse-adapted Helicobacter pylori model for the hpEastAsia genotype in Southeast Asia
Authors: Nguyen Thi Kim Cuc , Do Hoang Dang Khoa , Nguyen Thi Lan Phuong , Pham Thu Thuy , Mach Bao Ngoc , Nguyen Thi Chinh , Pham Thi Lan , Katsande Paidamoyo M. , Hong Huynh Anh , Duong Huu Thai , Phan Anh N. , Cutting Simon M. , Vu Minh Thiet , Nguyen Van Duy
Published: January 2024

Introduction.

Helicobacter pylori

infection is a major global health concern, linked to the development of various gastrointestinal diseases, including gastric cancer. To study the pathogenesis of

H. pylori

and develop effective intervention strategies, appropriate animal pathogen models that closely mimic human infection are essential.

Gap statement. This study focuses on the understudied hpEastAsia genotype in Southeast Asia, a region marked by a high

H. pylori

infection rate. No mouse-adapted model strains has been reported previously. Moreover, it recognizes the urgent requirement for vaccines in developing countries, where overuse of antimicrobials is fuelling the emergence of resistance.

Aim. This study aims to establish a novel mouse-adapted

H. pylori

model specific to the hpEastAsia genotype prevalent in Southeast Asia, focusing on comparative genomic and histopathological analysis of pathogens coupled with vaccine preclinical studies.

Methodology. We collected and sequenced the whole genome of clinical strains of

H. pylori

from infected patients in Vietnam and performed comparative genomic analyses of

H. pylori

strains in Southeast Asia. In parallel, we conducted preclinical studies to assess the pathogenicity of the mouse-adapted

H. pylori

strain and the protective effect of a new spore-vectored vaccine candidate on male Mlac:ICR mice and the host immune response in a female C57BL/6 mouse model.

Results. Genome sequencing and comparison revealed unique and common genetic signatures, antimicrobial resistance genes and virulence factors in strains HP22 and HP34; and supported clarithromycin-resistant HP34 as a representation of the hpEastAsia genotype in Vietnam and Southeast Asia. HP34-infected mice exhibited gastric inflammation, epithelial erosion and dysplastic changes that closely resembled the pathology observed in human

H. pylori

infection. Furthermore, comprehensive immunological characterization demonstrated a robust host immune response, including both mucosal and systemic immune responses. Oral vaccination with candidate vaccine formulations elicited a significant reduction in bacterial colonization in the model.

Conclusion. Our findings demonstrate the successful development of a novel mouse-adapted

H. pylori

model for the hpEastAsia genotype in Vietnam and Southeast Asia. Our research highlights the distinctive genotype and pathogenicity of clinical

H. pylori

strains in the region, laying the foundation for targeted interventions to address this global health burden.
Pathogenic autoantibody internalization in myositis
Authors: Pinal-Fernandez Iago , Muñoz-Braceras Sandra , Casal-Dominguez Maria , Pak Katherine , Torres-Ruiz Jiram , Musai Jon , Dell’Orso Stefania , Naz Faiza , Islam Shamima , Gutierrez-Cruz Gustavo , Cano Maria Dolores , Matas-Garcia Ana , Padrosa Joan , Tobías-Baraja Esther , Garrabou Gloria , Aldecoa Iban , Espinosa Gerard , Simeon-Aznar Carmen Pilar , Guillen-Del-Castillo Alfredo , Gil-Vila Albert , Trallero-Araguas Ernesto , Christopher-Stine Lisa , Lloyd Thomas E. , Liewluck Teerin , Naddaf Elie , Stenzel Werner , Greenberg Steven A. , Grau Josep Maria , Selva-O’Callaghan Albert , Milisenda Jose C. , Mammen Andrew L.
Published: January 2024

Objectives

Myositis is a heterogeneous family of autoimmune muscle diseases. As myositis autoantibodies recognize intracellular proteins, their role in disease pathogenesis has been unclear. This study aimed to determine whether myositis autoantibodies reach their autoantigen targets within muscle cells and disrupt the normal function of these proteins.

Methods

Confocal immunofluorescence microscopy was used to localize antibodies and other proteins of interest in myositis muscle biopsies. Bulk RNA sequencing was used to study the transcriptomic profiles of 668 samples from patients with myositis, disease controls, and healthy controls. Antibodies from myositis patients were introduced into cultured myoblasts by electroporation and the transcriptomic profiles of the treated myoblasts were studied by bulk RNA sequencing.

Results

In patients with myositis autoantibodies, antibodies accumulated inside myofibers in the same subcellular compartment as the autoantigen. Each autoantibody was associated with effects consistent with dysfunction of its autoantigen, such as the derepression of genes normally repressed by Mi2/NuRD in patients with anti-Mi2 autoantibodies, the accumulation of RNAs degraded by the nuclear RNA exosome complex in patients with anti-PM/Scl autoantibodies targeting this complex, and the accumulation of lipids within myofibers of anti-HMGCR-positive patients. Internalization of patient immunoglobulin into cultured myoblasts recapitulated the transcriptomic phenotypes observed in human disease, including the derepression of Mi2/NuRD-regulated genes in anti-Mi2-positive dermatomyositis and the increased expression of genes normally degraded by the nuclear RNA exosome complex in anti-PM/Scl-positive myositis.

Conclusions

In myositis, autoantibodies are internalized into muscle fibers, disrupt the biological function of their autoantigen, and mediate the pathophysiology of the disease.
Genome assembly of the rare and endangered Grantham’s camellia,Camellia granthamiana
Authors:   Hong Kong Biodiversity Genomics Consortium, Hui Jerome H.L. , Chan Ting Fung , Chan Leo L. , Cheung Siu Gin , Cheang Chi Chiu , Fang James K.H. , Gaitan-Espitia Juan Diego , Lau Stanley C.K. , Sung Yik Hei , Wong Chris K.C. , Yip Kevin Y.L. , Wei Yingying , Law Sean T.S. , So Wai Lok , Nong Wenyan , Law Sean T.S. , Nong Wenyan , Lau David T.W. , Yip Ho Yin
Published: January 2024

The Grantham’s camellia (Camellia granthamianaSealy) is a rare and endangered tea species that is endemic to southern China, and was first discovered in Hong Kong in 1955. Despite its high conservation value, genomic resources ofC. granthamianaremain limited. Here, we present a chromosome-scale draft genome of the tetraploidC. granthamiana(2n = 4x = 60) using a combination of PacBio long read sequencing and Omni-C data. The assembled genome size is ∼2.4 Gb with most sequences anchored to 15 pseudochromosomes that resemble a monoploid genome. The genome is of high contiguity, with a scaffold N50 of 139.7 Mb, and high completeness with a 97.8% BUSCO score. Gene model prediction resulted in a total 76,992 protein-coding genes with a BUSCO score of 85.9%. 1.65 Gb of repeat content was annotated, which accounts for 68.48% of the genome. The Grantham’s camellia genome assembly provides a valuable resource for future investigations on its biology, ecology, phylogenomic relationships with otherCamelliaspecies, as well as set up a foundation for further conservation measures.
CryoRhodopsins: a comprehensive characterization of a group of microbial rhodopsins from cold environments
Authors: Lamm G.H.U. , Marin E. , Alekseev A. , Schellbach A.V. , Stetsenko A. , Bourenkov G. , Borshchevskiy V. , Asido M. , Agthe M. , Engilberge S. , Rose S.L. , Caramello N. , Royant A. , Schneider T. R. , Bateman A. , Mager T. , Moser T. , Wachtveitl J. , Guskov A. , Kovalev K.
Published: January 2024

Microbial rhodopsins are omnipresent on Earth, however the vast majority of them remain uncharacterized. Here we describe a new rhodopsin group from cold-adapted organisms and cold environments, such as glaciers, denoted as CryoRhodopsins (CryoRs). Our data suggest that CryoRs have dual functionality switching between inward transmembrane proton translocation and photosensory activity, both of which can be modulated with UV light. CryoR1 exhibits two subpopulations in the ground state, which upon light activation lead to transient photocurrents of opposing polarities. A distinguishing feature of the group is the presence of a buried arginine residue close to the cytoplasmic face of its members. Combining single-particle cryo-electron microscopy and X-ray crystallography with the rhodopsin activation by light, we demonstrate that the arginine stabilizes a UV-absorbing intermediate of an extremely slow CryoRhodopsin photocycle. Together with extensive spectroscopic characterization, our investigations on CryoR1 and CryoR2 proteins reveal mechanisms of photoswitching in the newly identified group and demonstrate principles of the adaptation of these rhodopsins to low temperatures.
Empirical evidence of resource dependent evolution of payoff matrices inSaccharomyces cerevisiaepopulations
Authors: Venkataraman Pavithra , Mahilkar Anjali , Raj Namratha , Saini Supreet
Published: January 2024

In evolutionary game theory, a relative comparison of the cost and benefit associated with obtaining a resource, called payoff, is used as an indicator of fitness of an organism. Such payoff matrices are used to understand complex inter-species and intra-species interactions like cooperation, mutualism, and altruism. In the absence of any empirical data, the evolution of these payoff matrices has been investigated theoretically by tweaking well-established game theory models. In this paper, we present empirical evidence of three types of resource-dependent changes in the payoff matrices of evolvingSaccharomyces cerevisiaepopulations. We show that depending on the carbon source and participating genotypes, the payoff matrix could either (a) evolve quantitatively yet maintain a cheater-cooperator game, (b) change qualitatively such that the cheater-cooperator game collapses, or (c) change qualitatively to result in the birth of a cheater-cooperator game. Our results highlight the need to consider the dynamic nature of payoff matrices while making even short-term predictions about population interactions and dynamics.