bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genetic modification of Candida maltosa, a non-pathogenic CTG species, reveals EFG1 function
Authors: Chávez-Tinoco Marco , García-Ortega Luis F. , Mancera Eugenio
Published: March 2024

Candida maltosa is closely related to important pathogenic Candida species, especially C. tropicalis and C. albicans, but it has been rarely isolated from humans. For this reason, through comparative studies, it could be a powerful model to understand the genetic underpinnings of the pathogenicity of Candida species. Here, we generated a cohesive assembly of the C. maltosa genome and developed genetic engineering tools that will facilitate studying this species at a molecular level. We used a combination of short and long-read sequencing to build a polished genomic draft composed of 14 Mbp, 45 contigs and close to 5700 genes. This assembly represents a substantial improvement from the currently available sequences that are composed of thousands of contigs. Genomic comparison with C. albicans and C. tropicalis revealed a substantial reduction in the total number of genes in C. maltosa. However, gene loss seems not to be associated to the avirulence of this species given that most genes that have been previously associated with pathogenicity were also present in C. maltosa. To be able to edit the genome of C. maltosa we generated a set of triple auxotrophic strains so that gene deletions can be performed similarly to what has been routinely done in pathogenic Candida species. As a proof of concept, we generated gene knockouts of EFG1, a gene that encodes a transcription factor that is essential for filamentation and biofilm formation in C. albicans and C. tropicalis. Characterization of these mutants showed that Efg1 also plays a role in biofilm formation and filamentous growth in C. maltosa, but it seems to be a repressor of filamentation in this species. The genome assembly and auxotrophic mutants developed here are a key step forward to start using C. maltosa for comparative and evolutionary studies at a molecular level.
Host response during unresolved urinary tract infection alters mammary tissue homeostasis through collagen deposition and TIMP1
Authors: Henry Samantha , Lewis Steven Macauley , Cyrill Samantha Leeanne , Callaway Mackenzie Kate , Chatterjee Deeptiman , Hanasoge Somasundara Amritha Varshini , Jones Gina , He Xue-Yan , Caligiuri Giuseppina , Ciccone Michael Francis , Diaz Isabella Andrea , Biswas Amelia , Hernandez Evelyn , Ha Taehoon , Wilkinson John Erby , Egeblad Mikala , Tuveson David Arthur , Oresco dos Santos Camila
Published: March 2024

Exposure to pathogens throughout a lifetime influences immunity and organ function. Here, we explored how the systemic host-response to bacterial urinary tract infection (UTI) induces tissue-specific alterations to the mammary gland. Utilizing a combination of histological tissue analysis, single cell RNA sequencing and flow cytometry, we identified that mammary tissue from UTI-bearing mice display collagen deposition, enlarged ductal structures, ductal hyperplasia with atypical epithelial transcriptomes and altered immune composition. Bacterial cells were absent in the mammary tissue and blood of UTI-bearing mice, therefore, alterations to the distal mammary tissue were mediated by the systemic host response to local infection. Furthermore, broad spectrum antibiotic treatment resolved the infection and restored mammary cellular and tissue homeostasis. Systemically, unresolved UTI correlated with increased plasma levels of the metalloproteinase inhibitor, TIMP1, which controls extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling and neutrophil function. Treatment of nulliparous and post-lactation UTI-bearing female mice with a TIMP1 neutralizing antibody, or broad-spectrum antibiotic, prevented mammary collagen deposition, thus providing evidence for an unexpected link between the systemic host response during UTI and mammary alterations.

The systemic response during urinary tract infection induces TIMP1-driven collagen deposition specifically into the mammary gland.
Ultraviolet B acts as a dietary restriction mimetic by targeting mitochondrial bioenergetics
Authors: Martirosyan Asya , Li Yuting , Woitzat Yvonne , Lee Seunghye , Fu Li , Ermolaeva Maria A.
Published: March 2024

Ultraviolet (UV) light is a common environmental stimulus, and UV exposure confers health benefits, with cellular targets still unclear. Here, we show that ultraviolet B (UVB) exposure alters mitochondrial bioenergetics inC. elegansand human skin fibroblasts triggering loss of membrane potential, mitochondrial fission and calcium release. This initial stress is followed by a recovery process relying on mitochondrial biogenesis and fusion, which prevents lasting mitochondrial damage. Strikingly, the transient decline of ATP synthesis caused by UVB-induced mitochondrial changes triggers a swift metabolic re-wiring response that resembles effects of dietary restriction (DR) at the organismal and molecular levels. Both recovery from UVB and DR-mimetic UVB effects require mitochondrial fusion, and we found that dysfunction of fusion during aging abrogates UVB benefits and sensitizes old nematodes to UVB toxicity. Finally, UVB irradiation of the skin was effective in inducing organismal fasting-like phenomena in proof-of-concept tests in young mice. We thus uncovered a novel evolutionary conserved cellular mechanism connecting UV light and metabolism. Our findings illuminate potential DR-mimetic properties of UVB and explain late life-specific UVB intolerance.
Unraveling and quantifying “CandidatusSaccharibacteria”:in silicoand experimental evaluation of V3-V4 16S rRNA metagenomics and qPCR protocols
Authors: Papaleo Stella , Nodari Riccardo , Sterzi Lodovico , D’Auria Enza , Cattaneo Camilla , Bettoni Giorgia , Bonaiti Clara , Pagliarini Ella , Zuccotti Gianvincenzo , Panelli Simona , Comandatore Francesco
Published: March 2024

Background

Candidate Phyla Radiation (CPR) is a large monophyletic group thought to cover about 25% of bacterial diversity. Due to peculiar characteristics and unusual 16S rRNA gene structure, they are often under-represented or lost in 16S rRNA-based microbiota surveys. Among CPR, “CandidatusSaccharibacteria” is a phylum experimentally found to modulate the immune response and enriched in the oral microbiota of subjects suffering from several immune-mediated disorders, e.g. food allergies, as reported by us in a previous work. Due to the growing evidence of “Ca. Saccharibacteria”’s role in clinical settings and in order to unravel its role in host physiology and pathology, it is crucial to have a reliable method to detect and quantify this lineage.

Methods and Results

Four qPCR protocols for quantifying “Ca.Saccharibacteria” (one targeting the 23S rRNA gene and three the 16S) were selected from the literature among the few available. Efficiency and coverage of primer pairs used in these protocols were preliminary evaluated viain silicoanalyses on the “Ca.Saccharibacteria” known taxonomic variability, and then testedin vitroon the salivary DNA previously investigated by 16S metagenomics in the food allergy study.In silicoanalyses evidenced that the 23S qPCR protocol covered more “Ca. Saccharibacteria” variability compared to the 16S-based ones, and that the 16S metagenomics primers were the most comprehensive. qPCR experiments confirmed that 16S-based protocols strongly underestimated “Ca. Saccharibacteria” while the 23S protocol was the only one to yield results comparable to 16S metagenomics both in terms of correlation and absolute quantification. However, only 16S metagenomics evidenced an expansion of “Ca. Saccharibacteria” in allergic subjects compared to controls, while none of the four qPCR protocols detected it.

Conclusion

These results underline the current limits in experimentally approaching “Ca. Saccharibacteria”. To obtain a more realistic picture of their abundance within bacterial communities, and to enable more efficient taxonomic resolution, it is essential to find novel experimental strategies. This is a necessary premise for more targeted and systematic functional studies to clarify the role of “Ca. Saccharibacteria” and, generally, CPR bacteria, in maintaining the health of the host.
Effective leadership styles to boost employees’ work outcomes during COVID-19 pandemic: perspective of facilities management professionals
Authors: Ling Florence Yean Yng , Teh Kelly Kai Li
Published: March 2024

Purpose

This study investigated what are the effective leadership styles and practices that boost employees’ work outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic from the perspective of facilities management professionals (FMPs).

Design/methodology/approach

Three predominant leadership styles (transformational, transactional contingent reward and disaster management) were operationalized into 38 leadership practices (X variables) and 8 work outcomes (Y variables). The explanatory sequential research design was adopted. Online questionnaire survey was first conducted on FMPs who managed facilities during the critical periods of COVID-19 pandemic in Singapore. In-depth interviews were then carried out with subject matter experts to elaborate on the quantitative findings.

Findings

During the pandemic, FMPs were significantly stressed at work, but also experienced significant job satisfaction and satisfaction with their leaders/supervisors. Statistical results revealed a range of leadership practices that are significantly correlated with FMPs’ work outcomes. One leadership practice is critical as it affects 4 of the 8 FMPs’ work outcomes - frequently acknowledging employees’ good performance during the pandemic.

Research limitations/implications

The study explored 3 leadership styles. There are other styles like laissez faire and servant leadership that might also affect work outcomes.

Practical implications

Based on the findings, suggestions were provided to organizations that employ FMPs on how to improve their work outcomes during a crisis such as a pandemic.

Originality/value

The novelty is the discovery that in the context of a global disaster such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the most relevant leadership styles to boost employees’ work outcomes are transactional contingent reward and disaster management leadership. The study adds to knowledge by showing that not one leadership style is superior – all 3 styles are complementary, but distinct, forms of leadership that need to work in tandem to boost FMPs’ work outcomes during a crisis such as a pandemic.
Online customers’ attitudes and intentions towards e-payment usage in Egypt during the COVID-19 pandemic: the serial mediation roles of perceived usefulness, perceived trust, and attitude
Authors: ElSayad Ghada
Published: March 2024

Purpose

Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the demand for online services has risen, with e-payment emerging as a prominent option for customers seeking faster and more convenient transactions to complete their online purchases. Nevertheless, e-payment adoption in Egypt remains a challenge that requires further investigation. Thus, this study aims to investigate the factors influencing online customers’ attitudes and intentions towards adopting e-payment for online transactions, social influence, perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, perceived trust, structural assurance and perceived privacy/security risk.

Design/methodology/approach

The data were gathered from 302 customers in Egypt and structurally analysed based on partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM).

Findings

The findings revealed that social influence, perceived usefulness and perceived trust are significant antecedents of attitude. Furthermore, perceived usefulness, perceived trust, perceived privacy/security risk and attitude directly influence behavioural intention. Structural assurance and perceived trust directly influence perceived privacy/security risk. Moreover, perceived usefulness, perceived trust and attitude were found to have several mediating roles.

Research limitations/implications

This study adds new empirical evidence from a developing country regarding the adoption of e-payment among online customers. In addition, its findings can help the government, practitioners and policymakers understand how to promote customers’ positive attitudes and encourage their intentions towards using e-payment.

Originality/value

The findings of this study can contribute to the digital transformation strategy in Egypt by providing insights into enhancing online shoppers’ attitudes and intentions towards e-payment adoption. This, in turn, can boost Egyptian e-commerce and the country's digital economy as a whole.
Impacts of reduced water availability on vegetative and reproductive traits of a Solanum species
Authors: Michael Diana , Wolde Besufekad , Krishna Shivani
Published: March 2024

While drought is known to affect crop yields negatively, there is limited knowledge of the strategies used by animal‐pollinated plants to cope with such conditions. In this study, we simulated low and moderate drought conditions in a greenhouse experiment and examined the vegetative and reproductive traits of a buzz‐pollinated species (Solanum lycopersicum). Our findings indicate that individuals exposed to both drought conditions decreased in height and bore fewer leaves but increased in the ratio of root length to dry mass. The number of flowers produced per day and the overall flower production were higher in plants under control conditions. We found no differences in the onset of flowering between the treatments, but the plants exposed to low drought showed peak flowering earlier. Among the morphometric traits, flower height, floral diameter, petal length, and petal width were significantly lower in both drought conditions. Individuals in the moderate‐drought treatment displayed greater variation in reproductive traits than those in the low‐drought treatment. Overall, drought stress negatively impacted the aboveground vegetative growth and the reproductive efforts of plants.
Mainstreaming democratic backsliding: The role of gender stereotypes
Authors: ELAD‐STRENGER JULIA , BEN‐SHITRIT LIHI , HIRSCH‐HOEFLER SIVAN
Published: March 2024

Radical‐right parties have gradually penetrated the political mainstream in many liberal democracies, marking a trend of ‘democratic backsliding’. We propose that women's increasing visibility as representatives of radical‐right agendas makes democratic backsliders, their policies and their parties seem more legitimate, and may help explain their growing public acceptance. Our studies provide the first systematic examination of this hypothesis in three countries – Israel, Germany and the United States (N = 7203). In Studies 1a‐c, we show that voters perceive democracy‐eroding policies through a gendered lens – they attribute gender stereotypes to the parties promoting these policies and to the public supporting these policies. In Studies 2a‐c, we experimentally demonstrate the effect of politicians’ gender on public acceptance of democracy‐eroding policies, politicians and parties, and demonstrate the role of gender stereotypes in mediating this effect. Finally, we show that the audiences susceptible to the mainstreaming effect of politicians’ gender are precisely those that are often particularly repelled by radical‐right agendas and their perceived masculine image: Women and left‐wing voters.
Analyzing the dynamics influencing artisanal and small‐scale mining in the Upper Denkyira East Municipality, Ghana
Authors: Fagariba Clifford James , Kosoe Enoch Akwasi , Adjuik Robert Yakubu
Published: March 2024

The gold mining sector in Ghana has significantly contributed to the nation's economic expansion by creating various employment prospects, both directly and indirectly, within mining communities. However, it is important to acknowledge that this industry has also had adverse environmental consequences. A sample size of 330 individuals, comprising small‐scale miners and farmers, was randomly selected from 10 mining communities within the Upper Denkyira Municipality to examine factors influencing artisanal and small‐scale mining (ASM) operations. Furthermore, 150 key informants, comprising representatives from the Environmental Protection Agency, the Forestry Commission, the Mineral Commission, and other stakeholders, were also interviewed to ascertain the impact of mining on the environment. The research employed a logic regression model, the weighted average index (WAI), and X‐ray fluorescence as a method for the study data analysis. The study determined that low income, the impact of climate change on agriculture, and the high demand for gold exhibit a significant chance of influencing ASM. Furthermore, the study demonstrated that ASM have immeasurably contributed to water pollution, food security, and the loss of biodiversity in the municipality. Additionally, water resources, which serve as sources of potable water for drinking and irrigation, are heavily contaminated with arsenic, mercury, lead, copper, and nickel. The study concluded that implementing stricter regulations on mining practices, promoting sustainable mining methodologies, and providing comprehensive training to miners on environmental protection and land rehabilitation can help mitigate the negative impacts of ASM. Additionally, supporting alternative means of livelihood for mining communities, such as agriculture or ecotourism, can reduce the reliance on mining and promote sustainable development.
Investment centre manager's multiperiod fairness perceptions and intertemporal dependency
Authors: Selmes‐Suzuki Hiroyuki
Published: March 2024

This paper explores the motivation of investment centre managers when their investment centre's performance is affected by decisions made by their predecessor. Through a qualitative case study of a Japanese manufacturer, the effectiveness of conventional remedies for motivational issues and further motivational issues caused by the same remedies, as identified in the extant literature, are examined. The field data underscore managers' multiperiod as opposed to period‐by‐period fairness perceptions as key to preventing the further motivational issues. This paper also demonstrates the potential usefulness of the vignette technique as a data collection method in qualitative accounting research.
Nationwide data from comprehensive genomic profiling assays for detecting driver oncogenes in non‐small cell lung cancer
Authors: Ishida Masaki , Iwasaku Masahiro , Doi Toshifumi , Ishikawa Takeshi , Tachibana Yusuke , Sawada Ryo , Ogura Yuri , Kawachi Hayato , Katayama Yuki , Nishioka Naoya , Morimoto Kenji , Tokuda Shinsaku , Yamada Tadaaki , Takayama Koichi
Published: March 2024

Driver oncogenes are investigated upfront at diagnosis using multi‐CDx systems with next‐generation sequencing techniques or multiplex reverse‐transcriptase polymerase chain reaction assays. Additionally, from 2019, comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) assays have been available in Japan for patients with advanced solid tumors who had completed or were expected to complete standard chemotherapy. These assays are expected to comprehensively detect the driver oncogenes, especially for patients with non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, there are no reports of nationwide research on the detection of driver oncogenes in patients with advanced NSCLC who undergo CGP assays, especially in those with undetected driver oncogenes at diagnosis. In this study, we investigated the proportion of driver oncogenes detected in patients with advanced NSCLC with undetectable driver oncogenes at initial diagnosis and in all patients with advanced NSCLC who underwent CGP assays. We retrospectively analyzed data from 986 patients with advanced NSCLC who underwent CGP assays between August 2019 and March 2022, using the Center for Cancer Genomics and Advanced Therapeutics database. The proportion of driver oncogenes newly detected in patients with NSCLC who tested negative for driver oncogenes at diagnosis and in all patients with NSCLC were investigated. Driver oncogenes were detected in 451 patients (45.7%). EGFR was the most common (16.5%), followed by KRAS (14.5%). Among the 330 patients with undetected EGFR, ALK, ROS1, and BRAF V600E mutations at diagnosis, 81 patients (24.5%) had newly identified driver oncogenes. CGP assays could be useful to identify driver oncogenes in patients with advanced NSCLC, including those initially undetected, facilitating personalized treatment.
Nrf‐2/ROS/NF‐κB pathway is modulated by cynarin in human mesenchymal stem cells in vitro from ankylosing spondylitis
Authors: Song Chenyu , Wang Kaiyang , Qian Bangping , Lu Jingshun , Qiao Mu , Qiu Yong , Wang Bin , Yu Yang
Published: March 2024

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is an immune chronic inflammatory disease, resulting in back pain, stiffness, and thoracolumbar kyphotic deformity. Based on the reported anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant capacities of cynarin (Cyn), this study explored its protective role and molecular mechanisms in mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from AS. The target pathways and genes were verified using Western blotting, quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction, and immunofluorescent staining, while molecular docking analysis was conducted. In AS‐MSCs, we found that the expression levels of p‐NF‐κB, IL‐6, IL‐1β, and TNF‐α were higher and IκB‐α, Nrf‐2, and HO‐1 were lower compared with healthy control (HC)‐MSCs. With molecular docking analysis, the biding affinities between Cyn and Keap1‐Nrf‐2 and p65‐IκB‐α were predicted. The mRNA and protein expression of p‐NF‐κB, IL‐6, IL‐1β, and TNF‐α and the reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation were downregulated following Cyn administration. Meanwhile, the expression level of IκB‐α, Nrf‐2, and HO‐1 were significantly increased after Cyn pretreatment. The results suggested that the protective mechanisms of Cyn in AS‐MSCs were based on enhancing the antioxidation and suppression of excessive inflammatory responses via Nrf‐2/ROS/NF‐κB axis. Our findings demonstrate that Cyn is a potential candidate for alleviating inflammation in AS.
Grundprinzipien der künstlichen Intelligenz in der Dermatologie erklärt am Beispiel des Melanoms
Authors: Hartmann Tim , Passauer Johannes , Hartmann Julien , Schmidberger Laura , Kneilling Manfred , Volc Sebastian
Published: March 2024

Der Einsatz von künstlicher Intelligenz (KI) setzt sich in den verschiedensten Bereichen der Medizin immer schneller durch. Dennoch fehlt vielen medizinischen Kollegen das technische Grundverständnis für die Funktionsweise dieser Technologie, was ihre Anwendung in Klinik und Forschung stark einschränkt. Daher möchten wir in dieser Übersichtsarbeit die Funktionsweise und Klassifizierung der KI am Beispiel des Melanoms erörtern, um ein Verständnis für die Technologie hinter der KI zu schaffen. Dazu werden ausführliche Illustrationen verwendet, die die Technologie schnell erklären. Bisherige Übersichten konzentrieren sich eher auf die potenziellen Anwendungen der KI und verpassen die Gelegenheit, ein tieferes Verständnis für die Materie herauszuarbeiten, das für die klinische Anwendung so wichtig ist. Das maligne Melanom ist zu einer erheblichen Belastung für die Gesundheitssysteme geworden. Bei frühzeitiger Entdeckung ist eine bessere Prognose zu erwarten, weshalb das Hautkrebs‐Screening immer populärer und von den Krankenkassen unterstützt wird. Die Zahl der Fachärzte ist jedoch begrenzt, was ihre Verfügbarkeit einschränkt und zu längeren Wartezeiten führt. Daher müssen innovative Ideen umgesetzt werden, um die notwendige Versorgung zu gewährleisten. Das maschinelle Lernen bietet die Möglichkeit, Melanome auf Bildern zu erkennen, und zwar auf einem Niveau, das mit dem von erfahrenen Dermatologen – unter optimierten Bedingungen – vergleichbar ist.
Knowledge Production in the Balkans
Authors: Spahić Šiljak Zilka , Anić Jadranka Rebeka
Published: March 2024

Until the 1990s, secular feminism prevailed in the socialist Balkan countries, while religious feminism appeared only as an exception in the works of certain Catholic theologians. After democratic changes, gender equality was reaffirmed, but there was no dialogue in feminist knowledge production between secular and religious feminists. This paper presents initiatives by religious scholars and activists aimed at overcoming the secular‐religious divide in achieving gender equality. It looks at two key regional initiatives: Believers and Citizens, and the Feminism and Religion online school. These initiatives established collaborations between feminist scholars from various academic disciplines, religions, and worldviews and connected activists from civil society organizations and religious communities. The interreligious and interdisciplinary nature of these initiatives is unique not only in the Balkan region but also in the world.
Retirement status after the age of 60 years modifies the association between anger expression and the risk of cardiovascular disease: The Circulatory Risk in Communities Study
Authors: Tezuka Kazuhide , Kubota Yasuhiko , Ohira Tetsuya , Muraki Isao , Hayama‐Terada Mina , Shimizu Yuji , Imano Hironori , Shirai Kokoro , Okada Takeo , Kiyama Masahiko , Iso Hiroyasu
Published: March 2024

Aim

Anger expression is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. This positive association was confined to individuals with lower perceived social support and outdoor recreational activity. However, the effects of retirement status remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate whether retirement status after the age of 60 years modifies the association between anger expression and the risk of cardiovascular disease in the Japanese population.

Methods

This longitudinal study included 499 community‐dwelling retired and employed workers aged 60–79 years, who completed a cardiovascular risk survey in 1997. A Cox proportional hazards model was used to estimate the hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals of incident cardiovascular disease (ischemic heart disease and stroke) according to anger expression in retired and employed workers after adjusting for potential cardiovascular risk factors.

Results

A total of 37 participants experienced incident cardiovascular disease during the mean follow‐up period of 14.8 years (standard deviation 5.5 years). In retired workers, anger expression was associated with an increased cardiovascular disease risk, whereas no such association was observed in employed workers. The respective hazard ratio per one‐standard deviation increment of total anger expression was 1.77 (95% confidence interval 1.29–2.43) and 1.03 (95% confidence interval 0.64–1.66; P for interaction = 0.036) among retired and employed workers, respectively.

Conclusions

A positive association between anger expression and the risk of cardiovascular disease was confined to retired workers, suggesting that continuing work after retirement age could reduce anger expression‐related cardiovascular disease risk. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2024; 24: 385–389.
Precise Measurement of Magnesium Isotopes in Fe‐Mg Minerals Using a Multi‐collector SHRIMP Ion Microprobe
Authors: Bea Fernando , Montero Pilar , Ortega Delia , Molina José F. , Cambeses Aitor , Barcos Leticia , Wang Shui‐Jiong , Ke Shan
Published: March 2024

The distribution of Mg isotopes in minerals is becoming increasingly relevant in Earth science. Usually, they are determined by dissolving mineral concentrates and, after purifying Mg with ion exchange resins, analysing the resulting solutions by TIMS or, most often, MC‐ICP‐MS. When applied to individual minerals, these methods are slow and prone to contamination from impurities in the concentrates, inconveniences that may be avoided using spot analysis techniques such as LA‐MC‐ICP‐MS or SIMS, albeit at the price of a large instrumental mass fractionation (IMF) and isobaric interferences, most prominent in the former. Here, we studied the potential of the multi‐collector SHRIMP II ion microprobe for measuring Mg isotopes in Fe‐Mg silicates and oxides. We found that, when corrected for the divergence of the Mg ion paths within the sample chamber caused by the Earth's magnetic field, the SHRIMP's IMF overwhelmingly depends on the mineral species, and the effects of variable chemical composition are negligible. We propose that the IMF is caused by the force constant difference, ∆F, between "hard" and "soft" bonds linking the ions of the studied element to the mineral lattice. Given that ∆F is a constant for each mineral species, we calculated IMF‐correction factors for the most common Mg‐bearing minerals. The thus‐calculated correction factors permit the analysis in the same session, and with reasonable accuracy (within ~ 0.3‰ of the δ26Mg determined by SN‐MC‐ICP‐MS analyses of concentrates), of samples from different mineral species, facilitating the application of Mg isotopes to terrestrial studies.
Incentivised dishonesty: Moral frameworks underlying fake online reviews
Authors: Victor Vijay , James Nisa , Dominic Elizabeth
Published: March 2024

Feedback mechanisms, such as customer reviews and ratings, are essential for making informed decisions on online platforms, particularly in the presence of asymmetric information. However, the practice of reward‐based reviews is on the rise in online platforms, where sellers incentivise buyers to give biased feedback (e.g., 5‐star ratings) regardless of the quality of the products. This study intends to determine whether financial incentives motivate people to award dishonest ratings and explore the moral heuristics underlying this motivation. Using a hypothetical purchase scenario, responses were elicited from 411 participants and the Philosophical Moral Framework Measure (PMFM) was used to identify the moral frameworks that underlie the reported self‐interested behaviour. The findings reveal that the likelihood of giving fake reviews increases with an increase in financial incentives. The dominant moral framework of those who accepted the cashback offer is utilitarianism and egoism, whereas those who declined the offer primarily have deontology and virtue theory as dominant frameworks. The results also indicate that men and young individuals are more likely to give dishonest feedback. These findings not only advance the understanding of the interplay between financial incentives and self‐interested behaviour but also aid in identifying the moral frameworks underlying self‐interested behaviour.
Population structure and reproductive indicators of the surubim Pseudoplatystoma punctifer (Siluriformes, Pimelodidae) in the São Miguel River, Amazon basin, Brazil
Authors: de Oliveira Dias Jordy , Zanchi Fabrício Berton , Zacardi Diego Maia , Oliveira Lucas Silva , de Vargas Schons Sandro , Sousa Raniere Garcez Costa
Published: March 2024

Fish is an important source of food and income for a significant portion of the Amazonian population, especially those who live along the rivers and lakes in the region. Pseudoplatystoma punctifer (Castelnau, 1855), known as surubim, is a species of Neotropical catfish widely exploited by fisheries and commercially valuable in the Guaporé River basin, Brazil. However, population dynamics are poorly known in the region. To understand the population structure and reproductive biology aspects of the surubim, monthly experimental fisheries were carried out in the São Miguel River, state of Rondônia, Brazil, between August 2020 and July 2021. The captured fish were weighed, and its gonads were removed and weighed for histological analyses (microscopic description) and classification of the maturation stages (macroscopic description). The collected gonads were fixed in 10% buffered formalin, dehydrated, cut into 4‐μm‐thick sections, and stained with hematoxylin and eosin. A total of 34 individuals were collected (20 females and 14 males), showing positive allometric growth and condition factor from 0.81 to 1.79 for females and males, respectively. Females were larger in size and weight than males. P. punctifer reaches its first maturation at an average length of 68.30 cm, indicating the importance of respecting the minimum capture size as an alternative to ensure the natural stocks of this fishery resource in the region. The results provide support for the establishment of public policies and actions for conservation, management, and regulation of fishing.
Goal setting among older adults starting mobile health cardiac rehabilitation in the RESILIENT trial
Authors: Shwayder Elianna , Dodson John A. , Tellez Kelly , Johanek Camila , Adhikari Samrachana , Meng Yuchen , Schoenthaler Antoinette , Jennings Lee A.
Published: March 2024

Background

There is growing recognition that healthcare should align with individuals' health priorities; however, these priorities remain undefined, especially among older adults. The Rehabilitation Using Mobile Health for Older Adults with Ischemic Heart Disease in the Home Setting (RESILIENT) trial, designed to test the efficacy of mobile health cardiac rehabilitation (mHealth‐CR) in an older cohort, also measures the attainment of participant‐defined health outcome goals as a prespecified secondary endpoint. This study aimed to characterize the health priorities of older adults with ischemic heart disease (IHD) using goal attainment scaling—a technique for measuring individualized goal achievement—in a sample of 100 RESILIENT participants.

Methods

The ongoing RESILIENT trial randomizes patients aged ≥65 years with IHD (defined as hospitalization for acute coronary syndrome and/or coronary revascularization), to receive mHealth‐CR or usual care. For the current study, we qualitatively coded baseline goal attainment scales from randomly selected batches of 20 participants to identify participants' cardiac rehabilitation outcome goals and their perceptions of barriers and action plans for goal attainment. We used a deductive framework (i.e., 4 value categories from Patient Priorities Care) and inductive approaches to code and analyze interviews until thematic saturation.

Results

This sample of 100 older adults set diverse health outcome goals. Most (54.6%) prioritized physical activity, fewer (17.1%) identified symptom management, fewer still (13.7%) prioritized health metrics, mostly comprised of weight loss goals (10.3%), and the fewest (<4%) were related to clinical metrics such as reducing cholesterol or preventing hospital readmission. Participants anticipated extrinsic (access to places to exercise, time) and intrinsic (non‐cardiac pain, motivation) barriers. Action plans detailed strategies for exercise, motivation, accountability, and overcoming time constraints.

Conclusions

Using goal attainment scaling, we elicited specific and measurable goals among older adults with IHD beginning cardiac rehabilitation. Priorities were predominantly functional, diverging from clinical metrics emphasized by clinicians and healthcare systems.
Tumor immune microenvironment in odontogenic carcinomas: Evaluation of the therapeutic potential of immune checkpoint blockade
Authors: Oh Kyu‐Young , Hong Seong‐Doo , Yoon Hye‐Jung
Published: March 2024

Background

Despite recent advances in the use of immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) across various cancer types, its efficacy in odontogenic carcinomas remains unexplored. This study aims to investigate PD‐L1 expression and the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) in odontogenic carcinomas to determine the therapeutic potential of ICB and the significance of immune markers.

Methods

The expressions of PD‐L1 and T cell markers (CD3, CD8, and FOXP3) were visualized by immunohistochemistry in 21 tissue samples of odontogenic carcinomas. Tumoral PD‐L1 expression and the density and spatial distribution of T cell subsets were evaluated, from which TIME was determined. The associations of the variables with clinicopathological and prognostic factors were statistically analyzed.

Results

PD‐L1 was positively expressed in 52.4% (11/21) of the cases studied. Among tumor types, ameloblastic carcinoma showed significantly higher PD‐L1 expression (p = 0.016). TIME based on the intratumoral and stromal T cell distribution was immune‐inflamed in 61.9% (13/21) and immune‐excluded in 38.1% (8/21), with no immune‐desert cases. PD‐L1 expression was associated with the densities of all intratumoral T cell subsets (p = 0.03 for CD3, p = 0.03 for CD8, and p = 0.008 for FOXP3) but not with those of stromal T cells. High PD‐L1 expression was associated with larger tumor size (p = 0.021), while the intratumoral CD8/CD3 ratio was inversely correlated with tumor size (p = 0.048).

Conclusion

These findings indicate the involvement of adaptive immune resistance in a subset of odontogenic carcinomas and support the therapeutic potential of ICB in patients with these rare malignancies.
Congenital nephrogenic diabetes insipidus treated with acetazolamide
Authors: Du Plessis Wesley , Chothia Mogamat‐Yazied
Published: March 2024

Congenital nephrogenic diabetes insipidus (CNDI) is a rare disorder. The condition is characterised by an inability of distal nephron segments to respond to normal or raised concentrations of serum antidiuretic hormone. In this report, we describe the case of a 13‐year‐old male known with CNDI who experienced a pedestrian vehicle accident leading to coma following a head injury. Intra‐operatively, severe hypernatraemia and polyuria were observed. Following an inadequate response to conventional therapy, acetazolamide was prescribed resulting in an immediate response to therapy. To the best of our knowledge, acetazolamide has not been previously documented as a therapeutic option for CNDI. Additional research is necessary before considering the recommendation of acetazolamide for cases of NDI that do not respond adequately to conventional treatments.
The effect of case‐based teaching method on professional competence and clinical decision‐making levels of public health nursing students: A sequential explanatory mixed‐methods study
Authors: Sümen Adem , Adibelli Derya
Published: March 2024

Objectives

To evaluate the effect of case‐based teaching method applied to fourth year nursing students on their professional competence and clinical decision‐making levels.

Design

A quasi‐experimental design study with a sequential‐exploratory mixed‐method approach.

Sample

64 nursing students enrolled in the Public Health Nursing course.

Methods

A case‐based teaching program was applied to the students that cover the topics of the Public Health Nursing course. Quantitative phase data were collected with the Clinical Decision Making in Nursing Scale and Nursing Students' Competence Scale. For the qualitative part, focus group interviews were conducted with a Structured Interview Form.

Results

It was determined that the total and subscale posttest scores of the students increased significantly compared to their pretest scores (p < .001). A moderate positive correlation was found between the total scores received from the scale and a significant positive correlation was found between researching information and adopting new information impartially and all sub‐dimensions except care (p < .05). Three main themes emerged from the focus group interviews conducted after the case‐based teaching method experience: usefulness, limitations, and improvement.

Conclusions

Case‐based teaching method is effective on students' professional competence and clinical decision‐making scores. Students' professional competence levels positively affect their clinical decision‐making levels.
The midwife's support during transition to motherhood: A modified Delphi study among care providers and childbearing women
Authors: Kuipers Yvonne J. , Van de Craen Natacha , Van den Branden Laura , Mestdagh Eveline
Published: March 2024

Objective

To reach consensus between care providers and childbearing women about the midwife's relevant and appropriate domains and elements to support transition to motherhood.

Methods

A modified web‐based Delphi study was conducted in Flanders (Belgium). After performing a systematic literature review, searching the grey literature and an online poll, a set of 79 items was generated. In two rounds, the items were presented to an expert panel of (1) care providers from various disciplines providing services to childbearing women and (2) to pregnant women and postpartum women up to 1‐year postpartum. Consensus was defined when 70% or more of the experts scored ≥6, 5% or less scored ≤3, and a standard deviation of ≤1.1.

Findings

In the first Delphi round, 91 experts reached consensus on 24 items. Seventeen round one items that met one or two consensus objectives were included in round two and were scored by 64 panel experts, reaching consensus on three additional items. The final 27 items covered seven domains: attributes, liaison, management of care from a woman‐centred perspective, management of care from the midwife's focus, informational support, relational support, and the midwife's competencies.

Conclusion

The shared understanding between childbearing women and care providers shows that the midwife's transitional support is multifaceted. Our findings offer midwives a standard of care, criteria, guidance, and advice on how they can support childbearing women during transition to motherhood, beyond the existing recommendations and current provision of transitional care.
Role of HLA in cardiothoracic transplantation
Authors: Grutter Giorgia , Bianculli Antonio Giuseppe , Azeka Estela , Giustiniani Paola , Iodice Francesca Giovanna , Amodeo Antonio , Andreani Marco
Published: March 2024

In current clinical practice, transplant clinicians create collaborative working relationships with histocompatibility laboratory scientists to identify the risk of long‐term graft failure, which may assist in establishing strategies for treatment and surveillance. Transplant immunology research also focuses on optimizing human leukocyte antibody tissue typing and defines the most effective test for detecting the presence of donor‐specific antibodies. Although several studies have been conducted, data on pediatric heart transplant recipients are limited. Epitope load information may be utilized to identify donors with permissible human leukocyte antibody mismatches to increase transplant success. Although current guidelines do not consider human leukocyte antibody epitope‐based matching tools, these guidelines could be useful for identifying recipients at a high risk of donor‐specific antibody production, which would be appropriate for routine donor‐specific antibody screening to initiate early interventions to prevent antibody‐mediated rejection. Human leukocyte antibody matching at the epitope level offers an effective approach for identifying acceptable mismatches in sensitized patients and provides information about epitope loads. In the future, eplet matching may be used to define the best immunosuppressive therapy protocol for cardiothoracic organ transplantation. This report provides an overview of the role of human leukocyte antibodies in heart and lung transplantation.
Smithsonian urged to speed repatriation of human remains
Authors: Ortega Rodrigo Pérez
Published: March 2024

Task force says museum should return many of its 30,000 remains and seek descendants’ consent for research
Supplemental Material: Asynchronous Holocene lake evolution in arid mid-latitude Asia is driven by glacial meltwater and variations in Westerlies and the East Asian summer monsoon
Authors: Li Guoqiang , et al.
Published: March 2024

This document presents details on luminescence dating sample preparation, analytical facilities (Supplemental Text S1) and quartz and K-feldspar luminescence dating measurement, and dose rate determination (Supplemental Text S2), the photograph, locational information and luminescence dating results of the paleoshorelines at Aibi Lake Basin (Figures S1-S4 and Table S1-S6), and the reconstructed lake area changes of Aibi Lake during past 18 ka (Figure S5).
Non-resolving pneumonia: primary pulmonary MALT lymphoma
Authors: Rechal Rinoosha , Prasad Virender Pratibh , Sethi Shweta , Maturu Venkata Nagarjuna
Published: March 2024

Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma is an uncommon extranodal low-grade B-cell lymphoma. Pulmonary MALT lymphomas originate from bronchial MALT and are also referred to as bronchial-associated lymphoid tissue lymphomas. MALT lymphomas of the lung are slow-growing tumours and usually present as asymptomatic chronic alveolar opacities visible on chest radiographs or with non-specific pulmonary symptoms. Here we described a case of a male patient in his early 50s with cough and chest pain for 4 years. His CT chest scan showed consolidation in the lingula and left lower lobe. Histopathology of the specimen obtained from cryobiopsy of the lung lesion showed a dense monomorphic lymphoid infiltrate, and immunohistochemistry confirmed the diagnosis of MALT lymphoma. The prognosis of pulmonary MALT lymphomas is good with >80% 5-year survival rates. This case highlights that MALT lymphoma should be considered as a differential diagnosis while evaluating cases with non-resolving consolidation.
Statistical stream temperature modelling with SSN and INLA: an introduction for conservation practitioners
Authors: Struthers Daniel P. , Gutowsky Lee F.G. , Lucas Tim C.D. , Mochnacz Neil J. , Carli Christopher M. , Taylor Mark K.
Published: March 2024

Statistical stream temperature models predicting the fine-scale spatial distribution of water temperatures (i.e., “thermalscape”) can guide aquatic species recovery and habitat restoration efforts. However, stream temperature modelling is complicated by spatial autocorrelation arising from non-independence of sampling sites within dendritic networks. We used August mean temperature data from miniature sensors deployed in Canadian Rocky Mountain streams to demonstrate two statistical stream temperature modelling techniques that account for spatial autocorrelation. The first was a spatial steam network (SSN) model specifically developed to account for spatial autocorrelation in dendritic stream networks. The second was an integrated nested Laplace approximation (INLA) model that accounts for spatial autocorrelation but was not designed to address anisotropic stream network data. We evaluated the best-fitting SSN and INLA models using leave-one-out cross-validation. Relative to INLA, SSN models had lower RMSE (1.23 vs. 1.45 C) and higher r2 (0.71 vs. 0.61); however, the SSN models required more preprocessing steps before incorporating spatially correlated random errors. We provide practical advice, an open-access r-script, and data to help non-experts develop statistical stream temperature models.
Monte Carlo Investigation of Dielectric Characteristics in Silicene–Germanene Nanosystem with Junction Connection
Authors: Fadil Z. , Haldhar Rajesh , Raorane Chaitany Jayprakash , El Fdil R. , Karam S. , Albaqami Munirah D. , Rosaiah P. , Kim Seong Cheol
Published: March 2024

In this study, Monte Carlo investigation delves into the dielectric features of silicene–germanene nanosystem with junction connection. We emphasized the profound influence of physical parameters, coupling between Si–Si and Ge–Ge atoms and temperature, on these dielectric features. Our results highlight the pivotal role of the coupling parameter between Ge atoms in influencing blocking temperatures, underlining the significance of high values for spin and coupling parameters for achieving a high blocking temperature and delaying transitions. Furthermore, our analysis of electric hysteresis loops demonstrates their sensitivity to parameter variations, which can offer valuable insights for nanoelectronics and materials science applications.
Give Your Project a Name
Authors: Matsudaira Kate
Published: March 2024

While some people are driven by infinite backlogs and iteration, others prefer launches and deadlines. Over the years, I have found certain milestones to be instrumental in creating a cohesive team with strong morale. When people have to work together to get through a challenging task, reaching those milestones brings them together.